Let's get the bad stuff out of the way: The Borg, of course, but that was inevitable and it will be worthwhile if they do away with them for good. Jack is in the hands of the Borg Queen Mother after a five-minute Trek across the galaxy in a shuttle. Shaw is dead, and just to add insult to injury, they had to give him the corniest last words of all time-- I really hoped they would let the poor asshole live. And we get another surprise cameo, only to see her die (after confusing Starfleet with the Federation). And lastly, the entire diabolical scheme to destroy Starfleet and the Federation hinges on Starfleet being stupid enough to put their entire linked-up fleet in Earth orbit (although, to be fair, we don't know how long the Changelings have been infiltrating key positions).
But let's forget all that for a while, and focus on the good stuff: Through many tortuous and contrived plot developments that nobody in their right mind would believe for a Planck instant, the entire original crew of the Enterprise-D is reunited on the classic bridge of the restored Enterprise-D, complete with carpet and Majel Barrett's voice, to face the ultimate threat to their way of life. Such a beautiful thing to see.
And that ultimate threat turns out to be-- and I don't know if this was deliberate on the part of the writers or just the inevitable outgrowth of Trek values, but if it's deliberate then the writers deserve Oscars or Emmies or Chrome Headers and Hemmies, or whatever they give out these days, because it's absolutely ingenious-- the ultimate threat to the Next Generation is... the Millennial Generation! Oh, my sides! I can't begin to say how much I love this.
After more than fifty years of (mostly) promoting classic American liberalism against various metaphors for Right-Wing obstinacy, the Federation stands on the brink of being destroyed from within by a metaphor for the Woke Folk. Talk about timely. Only the old and wise are immune to the siren song of self sabotage! At least we know that in Star Trek the good guys will win-- I think.
Just give me a minute to catch my breath here. I've got a stitch.
Okay, some other important thoughts:
What is it with the one-shot-kill phasers? Did they lose the technology for the stun setting along with the ceiling lights?
In order to reserve the E-D for the Next Gen alone, Seven and Raffie were clumsily left on the Titan-- I hope this does not bode ill for either or both.
It didn't really seem necessary for Shaw to sacrifice himself-- I think he really believed he needed to die at the hands of the Borg.
The Borg have been using the transporter to slowly add their DNA to Starfleet personnel, explaining Jack's vision. Very clever indeed. But if they've been doing this for years, what exactly did they need Picard and Jack for?
As much as I'm tired of the Borg, that Village of the Damned moment was nicely creepy.
Where's Agnes during all this?
I think Jack may end up fulfilling the role I had envisioned for Seven-- assuming the crown and then dissolving the collective entirely.
Geordi's kids better be okay. I wonder if it will be the connection between Jack and Sidney that will keep him grounded.
I love the idea of Geordi tinkering with the E-D on Sunday afternoons, working his way through a six pack and listening to a ball game on the radio, like it was a 57 Chevy or something.
Poor Shelby. She elbowed her way past Riker like she wanted, only to die at the hands of the Borg. Or maybe she'll surprise us and survive.
And what about Janeway? You'd think the Borg Queen would be even more interested in her than Picard.
Why was the red door made of wood with peeling red paint and a brass doorknob? That would have no significance to a child of the 24th century.
We still don't know who the Big Giant Head is-- or are we to assume that it was the Borg Queen using an Instagram filter?
One fear I have is that Starfleet will suffer such staggering losses in the last episode that it will be necessary to keep the E-D in service. While I'd love to see the E-D stay in active service, and be the aesthetic template for future ships (since every design since has been pretty much butt ugly), that's not the way to do it.
So here we go into the final episode of Picard, and possibly Star Trek in general, with Jack assimilated, Raffie and Seven trapped on the Titan, Sidney and Alandra zombified, and the Over-The-Hill Gang riding out to save the day. This has the potential to be amazingly good or horribly bad.
And read 
That was a great call and I didn't see it coming.
