Trek Galaxy
What’s the deal with Star Trek: First Contact?
I just watched it again this week. I really love it; I’d say it’s my favorite Star Trek movie. But I think there is a pretty big problem with the story.
The Borg go to Earth and then travel back in time. So the Borg can travel back in time whenever they want to, right?
Then why bother going to Earth? Why not travel back to a Borg homeworld and drop off some folks to get the Collective started a few millenia early? Take all the technology back and let them work to develop it even further? Get a stranglehold on the Galaxy a few hundred years earlier?
My first attempt at explaining this was to say they wanted to let Earth (and every other planet) develop all its technologies on its own so that they could be assimilated – maybe the Borg wouldn’t come up with the diversity of ideas themselves. But (1) they wouldn’t get it anyway if they interfere with first contact and (2) if they really wanted to they could lie in wait for all the tech THEN assimilate.
Indeed – Star Trek plots throughout the 10 movies have been up and down in terms of quality. I think the vibe is that “:Star Trek Generations” (number 7) – the first film for the ‘Next Generation’ crew, while a most excellent film, didn’t attract many non-Star Trek fan film-goers as say, Star Trek IV, “The Voyage Home” did. So, in order to make sure the next Star Trek film (in this case, “First Contact” number 
will attract more film-goers, lets combine Time Travel, the key ingredient in “Voyage Home” with the Borg – the enemy who’s episodes drew the highest ratings during “Next Generation”s 7 season run. At the same time – can’t make it too complicated that it doesn’t appeal to the largely ignorant masses. With that formula, surely some plot holes will enter the mix.
So with that in mind, I guess my answers to your questions would be:
So the Borg can travel back in time whenever they want to, right?
Yes
Then why bother going to Earth?
Unlike Hiro Nakamura who can travel through time and-a space, maybe the Borg could only travel through time and remain in the same relative position in space? It would certainly appeal to everyone’s opinion of time travel who saw the Back to the Future movies.
Why not travel back to a Borg homeworld and drop off some folks to get the Collective started a few millenia early? Take all the technology back and let them work to develop it even further?
Well, based on my previous answer, it would take them a long time to travel back to the other side of the Galaxy where they originated, so perhaps just head on down to planet Earth and start assimilating. Plus they probably didn’t count on ole’ Picard comin’ through their back-door and bustin’ their collective asses either, so maybe that’s why they were a little ‘lax.
But overall – you did pick a Star Trek film who’s fundamental plotline can be pulled apart with some simple: “Why didn’t they just…?” questions.
Star Trek Infinite Space – Galaxy at War | OFFICIAL trailer (2011)
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