Despite the obvious inferences of technological inanity, Data is a very complex, powerful character. Onscreen, this episode was quite powerful because of the way in which emotion takes hold of the android, and despite the terrifying nature of the Borg, the repercussions of their actions were purely transient here. Other episodes, novels and characters deal with the Borg, at other times and places: this work was, or should have been, Data-centric.

But just As with the lack of emotional depth in the novelisation of [b:Star Trek Insurrection|1092731|Star Trek Insurrection (Star Trek The Next Generation)|J.M. Dillard|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180918677s/1092731.jpg|2034664] I came away with a sense of missing something, a sense of "oh, well, that's that and everything's gone back to normal". data's experiments performed upon La Forge reminded me unerringly of the EMH's lack of ethical subroutines in [b:Equinox|732370|Equinox (Star Trek Voyager)|Diane Carey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177786632s/732370.jpg|718560] (which I found equally distasteful).

It seems inexcusable that we're so far into the series yet the major character of the novel is treated as no more than a puppet on a string. Where's that vital spark that some other authors captured so well? That was portrayed onscreen to such brilliant perfection?"Nice to meet you - Pinocchio. You're going to be an interesting companion," Riker said. yet the depth of Data is left here to wilt away, disused and seemingly unmissed. Even the post-generations novels spun off into their own universe by the master of ego, [a:William Shatner|43972|William Shatner|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1188355922p2/43972.jpg], had more Data about them than this offering. Of course I have not yet met a trek authhor with the sheer emotional bull's-eye of [a:Jean Lorrah|18312|Jean Lorrah|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg]. For depth of character and an almost irreverent glimpse of trek perfection, I'd recommend turning to her TNG novels. I've been saving one of her TOS offerings for this year - perhaps, after wading through this shallow morass I'll give it a go, safe in the knowledge that I won't be disappointed.