Three former Borg arrive on Voyager in the hope that Seven can reveal to them how to sever the mental link between them and set them on the course to individuality.
It's not the most imaginative tale in the world, but Survival Instinct is very well written, making it something of a shame that scripter Ron Moore left the series again so soon. Switching between events of the here-and-now and flashing back to eight years earlier, although the concept has been touched on before, this look at the full horror of what the Borg do to a person is, in places, rather moving. Frankly, Picard got off lightly without losing any body parts.
Hearing Two, Three and Four of Nine recounting their lives up to assimilation is horrific, especially when all Two can say for a time is "This isn't my hand. I want my hand back." Great playing from all three actors involved here and throughout the story. Seven's motivation all that time ago is also well thought-out, explaining that as she had never known any life except that of a child, that's how she reacted to the situation around her. Her decision at the end is well-drawn, especially the way in which she convinces the Doctor of her argument, showing how far both characters have come.
On top of this, there are some lovely comic scenes at the start when Janeway is deluged with gifts that move, and a great moment when Paris and Kim are given a dressing down for being arrested for fighting. Particularly enjoyable is Janeway's question as to who won the fight. Hearing it was Tom and Harry, she gives them her congratulations, off the record of course.
***
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