“So this happens EVERY time we let Troi drive the ship?”
Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who – Assimilation 2 #5
IDW Publishing (September, 2012)
WRITERS: Scott & David Tipton (this would be the first issue since Tony Lee left the project) PENCILER: Gordon Purcell PAINTED ART: J.K. Woodward LETTERER: Shawn Lee EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
The Cybermen have betrayed the Borg, stealing their technology and heading for the Borg homeworld. The Borg seek help from the Enterprise-D crew, but thanks to Picard’s history with the Borg (it doesn’t help that they called him Locutus last issue) he refuses. The Doctor, however, is convinced that the Cybermen using Borg technology is a bigger threat that Picard realizes, and may well go after them alone unless Amy can help bring the heroes together.
What they got right: I’ve seen some complaints about the pacing, but I reiterate that this is the Doctor Who characters guest-starring in a Star Trek: The Next Generation story line. If the reverse would true I would expect the more frantic exploits Whovians are used to. And considering Picard’s history with the Borg, would you REALLY expect him to so easily team up with his worst enemy? Look how much it takes for the Doctor to work with the Daleks.
What they got wrong: Is the Doctor bouncing between the Whoniverse and the Trekverse when showing Picard what the Cybermen will do with Borg technology? Or do the Judoon and the Raxa..Raxaco…the race the Slitheen family came from exist in the Trekverse? Does that mean Trek races exist in the Whoniverse?
Other thoughts: Something I want to see is just how the Cybermen/Borg alliance came about in the first place. Sure, both groups kidnap people and force them to become like them, but the Borg also believe in a “hive mind” that the Cybermen don’t use. The Borg don’t care about manipulating people or semi-conversions to pursue their goal. They just grab you, Borgify you, and move on. How did the Cybermen appropriate Borg tech without becoming Borg?
Recommendation: If you want to get on board with this mini-series I would recommend an earlier issue. Otherwise, it’s worth it to see Captain Picard on the TARDIS.
Yes, for some reason, Picard on the TARDIS is cooler to me than the Doctor on the Enterprise.
Related articles
- Today’s Comic> Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who #2
- Today’s Comic> Star Trek TNG/Doctor Who #3
- Star Trek #1439: Assimilation2 Part 3 (siskoid.blogspot.com)
- Star Trek #1441: Assimilation2 Part 4 (siskoid.blogspot.com)
While your at Siskoid’s site, check out all his other Star Trek and Doctor Who story reviews.
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