Unveiling the Epic Dualities of Star Trek's Borg Collective

Star Trek: Picard completed its three-season run, with each season intensifying the storyline involving the Borg in some way. In the initial season, the characters explored a disabled Borg cube, which the Romulans were dismantling for its technology. The second season of Picard introduced a significant role for a Borg queen, who aided in time travel. Subsequently, the Borg played a central role in the third season, motivating the reunion of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew.

However, this extensive use of the cybernetically advanced alien species in season three contradicted the events of the second season. By the conclusion of Picard's second season, the Borg had become more benevolent, even protecting an entire Starfleet fleet. Surprisingly, the third season introduced a completely different queen from the one showcased in the previous season's finale. One might assume that Star Trek would have utilized the new Borg or provided an explanation for their existence before reintroducing the traditional Borg.

What Are The Jurati Borg?

Agnes Jurati, formerly a Starfleet scientist, willingly allowed herself to be assimilated by a Borg Queen. Throughout the first two seasons of Picard, Jurati played a crucial role, specifically in season two where she took full responsibility for restraining the Borg Queen. The storyline during that time involves complex and convoluted time travel elements. Q, an all-powerful extraterrestrial being from the Q Continuum, decided to subject Picard and humanity to a final trial before his own death. Consequently, he transported Jean-Luc and his team to an alternate reality where the Federation transformed into the Confederation of Planets, an oppressive and xenophobic organization.

Although the team initially struggles with the reality of Seven of Nine being the President of the Confederation, Dr. Jurati eventually discovers the existence of the last remaining Borg Queen hidden in a laboratory. Promptly devising a plan to transport both the Queen and the crew back to the 21st century, Jurati's actions lead to a series of misguided decisions. Eventually, she and the Queen end up sharing Jurati's body, with the Queen gradually overpowering her and refusing to relinquish control. Fortunately, a part of Jurati's consciousness remains intact within her.

In the climactic moments of their time in the 21st century, Jurati successfully convinces the Queen to establish a more collaborative and consent-driven Borg. They decide to ask stranded travelers or weakened individuals if they are interested in joining the collective, rather than imposing it upon them. With the Queen's agreement, Jurati assumes control of La Sirena and embarks on a journey to the Delta Quadrant. Together with her newfound collective, they forge a distinct existence separate from the original Borg.

Picard Season 3 Borg, Explained

Regarding the Borg in season three, were they not associated with Jurati's collective? Did Jurati and her newly acquired Borg not replace the Borg that fans were familiar with from The Next Generation and Voyager? In Picard season two, co-showrunner Terry Matalas revealed that Jurati's Borg (dubbed Borgati?) originated from an alternate timeline and consciously avoided interfering with history. It's understandable why fans might find this situation frustrating.

Season three showcased a captivating storyline that revolved around an alliance formed by the Borg and Changelings. This alliance evoked a strong sense of nostalgia as it introduced beloved characters from TNG and Voyager. Following the conclusion of Star Trek: Voyager, the Borg Queen remains as the sole survivor of the Borg, lacking any drones to carry out her commands. Unfortunately, she is also displaying signs of contamination from Admiral Janeway's actions. To compensate for this, the Queen exploits the animosity the Changelings harbor towards Starfleet, manipulating them to infiltrate and create sleeper agents. In a worrisome twist, individuals under the age of 25 become Borg drones through the infusion of nanites into their bloodstream.

Nevertheless, the presence of the season three Borg does not diminish the significance of Jurati's group. Even Captain Shaw acknowledges the unusual events aboard the Stargazer. While the original Borg were busy terrorizing numerous civilizations across the galaxy, Jurati and her Borg remained secluded in their own corner. Given Jurati's scientific background and her knowledge of the Borg Queen from season two, it is plausible that she understood interfering would have ripple effects in the timeline, potentially erasing her own existence.

Picard Season 2 Threads That Need Rectifying

Jurati and her team were not the only ones missing from season three of Star Trek Picard. The trans-warp conduit, a dangerous threat that jeopardized countless lives, also disappeared without explanation. The new Borg, led by Queen Jurati, revealed that the conduit was just a small part of a larger puzzle, its origin and purpose unknown. The benevolent Borg made their home around the conduit, assuming the role of its guardians instead of aiding Starfleet against the previous Borg Queen.

However, Picard's third season fails to address these significant plot points. It omits any mention of the trans-warp conduit, ignoring its existence. If Sir Patrick Stewart's desire for a Picard movie comes to fruition, preferably directed by Jonathan Frakes, it is imperative that these unresolved plot threads are tackled. The movie should either tie up loose ends or advance their storyline, making room for a new series to explore them further. An intriguing idea would be a new series set on a space station similar to Deep Space 9, situated near the trans-warp conduit, providing the much-needed entertainment and revitalization to the Star Trek franchise.