Star Trek The Next Generation Feature Length Episodes: Ranked
7. Descent
The final story (so far) to feature Data's brother Lore is a strong Borg episode, Data episode and the main cast all get something to do. They are split into separate groups - Georgi, Troi and Picard are taken captive by Lore. Riker and Worf rally Hugh and the other splinter Borg group. Crusher commands the Enterprise, utilising the skills she has learned along the way to take out the massive renegade Borg ship.
The episode is truly Brent Spiner's time to shine, relishing the chance to play against himself, chewing every bit of scenery not nailed down when he steps out as Lore. Lore's story had always been an interesting aspect of Data's story, but here is his chance to show his truly despotic potential.
There is also the chance we have not seen the last of him. Certainly he was shot and disassembled at the end of the episode but being an android, he could easily be put back together again. What kind of android would he be if he finally reappeared in the Trek universe?
The episode also features Hugh, the rescued drone from I, Borg, who has taken the role of leader to his comrades. His work here laid the foundations for the brave man most recently seen helping Picard escape the artifact in Star Trek Picard.