I, Borg

"**I, Borg**"
"I, Borg"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
	Jonathan Del Arco in costume as; Third of Five / Hugh
Episode no.	Season 5; Episode 23
Directed by	Robert Lederman
Written by	René Echevarria
Featured music	Jay Chattaway
Production code	223
Original air date	May 10, 1992
Guest appearances
	Whoopi Goldberg – Guinan; Jonathan Del Arco – Third of Five / Hugh;
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Imaginary Friend"	Next →; "The Next Phase"
	Star Trek: The Next Generation season 5
	List of episodes

"I Borg" is the 23rd episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 123rd overall. It was originally aired on May 10, 1992, in broadcast syndication. The episode was written by René Echevarria, with help from executive producer Jeri Taylor. It was directed by Robert Lederman, the film editor for The Next Generation, one of two directing credits he received during the course of the season.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. An injured Borg drone (Jonathan Del Arco) is found amid a crashed scout ship. As they restore him to health, the crew must decide whether or not to develop him as a weapon of mass destruction against the Borg; when he demonstrates free will, choosing the name Hugh, they must question that decision.

The writers had problems bringing back the Borg due to their apparent near-invincibility. The idea for "I, Borg" was well received among the staff, with Taylor comparing it to the film Edward Scissorhands. The episode also saw a development in the make-up design for the Borg by Michael Westmore's team. Del Arco was deliberately antisocial prior to his audition to get into the role but also sought to use the innocence and wonderment generated by a friend's death as Hugh's voice. He was pleased when the character later returned in the two-part episode "Descent". The episode received Nielsen ratings of 12.8 percent and critics were positive with praise directed at both Del Arco and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as the general nature of the plot.