7 Ups & 1 Down From Star Trek: Lower Decks 5.1 — Dos Cerritos

Did I nearly give an UP to the mini-robotic arm? Maybe. Certainly a pat on the back. Do we care if 'Otherford' starts assimilating people? Probably not. He was pretty cool. This isn't Data's head in a cave in 19th century San Francisco, however. "Uncomfortably close to being a Borg" or not, you can't just go tinkering around!

In their Collective state, unless avoiding species (i.e. the Kazon) that would detract from 'perfection,' the Borg, in fact, have very few limits. As individual drones, however, robbed of their autonomy, they deserve at least a modicum of respect (including the self-respect to get out of their way). We've learnt that from the likes of Hugh, Seven of Nine, Jean-Luc, and other xBs.

It was an odd choice, then, in Dos Cerritos for Prime Rutherford to change his counterpart's programming ("friendship matrix") on a whim as he pleased. Sure, there was no malice aforethought, but nor did he think to ask. Almost Borg is one thing; boundaries are another.