I enjoyed the space ship scenes and the stand off. Riker turning up did put a bit smile on my face and I did a little yippee
I also really enjoyed the end scenes with Picard and data although I’m not too sure about whacking Picard’s mind in an android. I do wonder whether they filmed two alternative endings based on whether the season got renewed.
The new characters were all still pretty poor and had little development other than the scientist lady. The cigar smoking captain was the second best and Rafi and sword man were awful... horrible one dimensional characters that never seemed to grow or change at all.
I don’t really understand how both sides were partially stowed away on the Borg cube together without interference from one another.
I really didn’t like Seven of Nine’s inexplicable relationship with Rafi. I really, really didn’t like it. I turned round to my parter who was already pulling a face of WTF. That was a horrible thing (not the relationship itself, just the way it was done). It made no sense and felt shoe horned and awkward, just as it would with any two characters being shown to have a relationship without ANY BUILDUP, regardless of sex / gender whatever. I feel this was particularly dumb as there is a very moving episode concerning sexuality in TNG where Riker falls in love with someone who is then punished and oppressed for loving Riker. Completely ahead of its time that, quite powerful. And now we have a token holding of hands. Urgh.