Why does Locutus refer to Riker as “Number One?”





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When Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg, he lost his prior identity. He obviously was no longer on the side of the Federation, as he was actively working against it. And yet he still referred to Commander Riker as "Number One," as though that relationship continued, which, of course, wasn't true. Riker wasn't Locutus' Number One.



Is there an explanation for this?










share|improve this question































    36















    When Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg, he lost his prior identity. He obviously was no longer on the side of the Federation, as he was actively working against it. And yet he still referred to Commander Riker as "Number One," as though that relationship continued, which, of course, wasn't true. Riker wasn't Locutus' Number One.



    Is there an explanation for this?










    share|improve this question



























      36












      36








      36


      2






      When Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg, he lost his prior identity. He obviously was no longer on the side of the Federation, as he was actively working against it. And yet he still referred to Commander Riker as "Number One," as though that relationship continued, which, of course, wasn't true. Riker wasn't Locutus' Number One.



      Is there an explanation for this?










      share|improve this question
















      When Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg, he lost his prior identity. He obviously was no longer on the side of the Federation, as he was actively working against it. And yet he still referred to Commander Riker as "Number One," as though that relationship continued, which, of course, wasn't true. Riker wasn't Locutus' Number One.



      Is there an explanation for this?







      star-trek star-trek-tng borg






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Jun 18 '16 at 20:00









      Molag Bal

      3,44632553




      3,44632553










      asked Nov 12 '14 at 23:00







      user30592





























          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          69














          Locutus is demonstrating to Riker that not only does he have Picard's tactical knowledge (of the Federation's defences) but that they also possess his personal memories.



          The show script makes it abundantly clear that referring to Riker as "Number One" is their way of stressing the futility of resistance and attempting to unnerve Riker at the same time.




          RIKER : (unbelievable) They couldn't have adapted that quickly...



          LOCUTUS : (on the contrary) The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of... us now. It has prepared us for all possible
          courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless (beat) Number One.



          And on the frightening intimacy of the moment...on Riker's reaction...






          In the subsequent episode, TNG : Family we learn that the Borg had complete access to his memories but also total control over his actions. His attempts to resist were utterly ineffectual:




          PICARD : You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and destroy. And I could
          not stop them.
          I should have been able to stop them.



          I tried... I tried... so hard...but I just wasn't strong enough. Not good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should have been
          able to...







          share|improve this answer





















          • 1





            Ok, thanks, Richard.

            – user30592
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:45



















          43














          That was the whole point.



          The Borg specifically said that they assimilated Picard so that he could speak for them and facilitate Humanity's assimilation. In ST: First Contact they expanded upon this by revealing that the Queen wanted "a counterpart," but even in Locutus's first appearance his role is clearly more than that of a simple Borg Drone. He is supposed to be, in a twisted Borg sort of way, almost an ambassador, or perhaps a provincial administrator for a conquered territory. Picard later refers to Locutus as a "liason."



          That means the Borg don't just want to take his raw knowledge, they also wanted him to serve as an intermediary or spokesman of sorts. Given that objective, it makes sense to refer to Riker in a way that Picard would naturally. Dropping the familiarity and personal knowledge that Picard held would have defeated the entire purpose of Picard's assimilation. They could hack a terminal if they just wanted everyone's names, and they'd already ordered the Enterprise to stand down and be assimilated through an impersonal audio communication. It didn't work, so they were changing tactics.



          The Borg didn't want "Drone 89240931 of 95152645" to talk to "Commander William Thomas Riker of the United Federation of Planets."



          They wanted Locutus to talk to his Number One.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 6





            I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

            – PointlessSpike
            Nov 13 '14 at 8:26






          • 3





            Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

            – user1786
            Nov 13 '14 at 21:40



















          6














          There are a number of things this can be taken to imply, but I will point out two.



          That Picard was resisting assimilation



          One interpretation, and I believe the one that is intended, is that Picard was so strong willed that the attempts to suppress his identity were, at the very least, incomplete. This is later supported by Picard aiding in disabling the Borg later in the 2-parter.



          That Picard had so engrained the identity of Riker as "Number One" in his mind, that the collective understands this as the commander's name



          This makes the most logical sense to me. Picard was targeted for assimilation specifically for his knowledge of the Federation and humanity, to aid in the assimilation of the same. It is not that far of a stretch to believe that the Borg prioritized Picard's perception, of Riker in this case, over its own observations. This would include calling him "Number One"






          share|improve this answer



















          • 5





            Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

            – Valorum
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:11








          • 7





            Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

            – HorusKol
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:25






          • 1





            I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

            – Izkata
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:57






          • 1





            These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

            – Ellesedil
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:58








          • 3





            @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

            – Valorum
            Nov 13 '14 at 0:37



















          -2














          The first poster is partly right, but the key point is that Picard, unbeknownst to the Borg, was communicating to Riker that he was still "there". Because of what the first poster said, the Borg did not catch on to this.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3





            I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

            – Valorum
            Nov 15 '14 at 23:52





















          -2














          You guys are getting it wrong. The obvious reason was that Locutus wanted to disrespect Riker's status as captain now.
          He knew Riker was in command of the ship, and Locutus made that remark as a swipe to him.
          Riker wasn't scared when he said that. His expression was one of, "How dare you disrespect my status as captain!"
          For someone who was rather an emotionaless borg, Locutus seems to remain human in a rather devilish way






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          • 2





            Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

            – Valorum
            21 hours ago














          Your Answer








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          5 Answers
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          5 Answers
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          active

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          69














          Locutus is demonstrating to Riker that not only does he have Picard's tactical knowledge (of the Federation's defences) but that they also possess his personal memories.



          The show script makes it abundantly clear that referring to Riker as "Number One" is their way of stressing the futility of resistance and attempting to unnerve Riker at the same time.




          RIKER : (unbelievable) They couldn't have adapted that quickly...



          LOCUTUS : (on the contrary) The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of... us now. It has prepared us for all possible
          courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless (beat) Number One.



          And on the frightening intimacy of the moment...on Riker's reaction...






          In the subsequent episode, TNG : Family we learn that the Borg had complete access to his memories but also total control over his actions. His attempts to resist were utterly ineffectual:




          PICARD : You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and destroy. And I could
          not stop them.
          I should have been able to stop them.



          I tried... I tried... so hard...but I just wasn't strong enough. Not good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should have been
          able to...







          share|improve this answer





















          • 1





            Ok, thanks, Richard.

            – user30592
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:45
















          69














          Locutus is demonstrating to Riker that not only does he have Picard's tactical knowledge (of the Federation's defences) but that they also possess his personal memories.



          The show script makes it abundantly clear that referring to Riker as "Number One" is their way of stressing the futility of resistance and attempting to unnerve Riker at the same time.




          RIKER : (unbelievable) They couldn't have adapted that quickly...



          LOCUTUS : (on the contrary) The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of... us now. It has prepared us for all possible
          courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless (beat) Number One.



          And on the frightening intimacy of the moment...on Riker's reaction...






          In the subsequent episode, TNG : Family we learn that the Borg had complete access to his memories but also total control over his actions. His attempts to resist were utterly ineffectual:




          PICARD : You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and destroy. And I could
          not stop them.
          I should have been able to stop them.



          I tried... I tried... so hard...but I just wasn't strong enough. Not good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should have been
          able to...







          share|improve this answer





















          • 1





            Ok, thanks, Richard.

            – user30592
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:45














          69












          69








          69







          Locutus is demonstrating to Riker that not only does he have Picard's tactical knowledge (of the Federation's defences) but that they also possess his personal memories.



          The show script makes it abundantly clear that referring to Riker as "Number One" is their way of stressing the futility of resistance and attempting to unnerve Riker at the same time.




          RIKER : (unbelievable) They couldn't have adapted that quickly...



          LOCUTUS : (on the contrary) The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of... us now. It has prepared us for all possible
          courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless (beat) Number One.



          And on the frightening intimacy of the moment...on Riker's reaction...






          In the subsequent episode, TNG : Family we learn that the Borg had complete access to his memories but also total control over his actions. His attempts to resist were utterly ineffectual:




          PICARD : You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and destroy. And I could
          not stop them.
          I should have been able to stop them.



          I tried... I tried... so hard...but I just wasn't strong enough. Not good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should have been
          able to...







          share|improve this answer















          Locutus is demonstrating to Riker that not only does he have Picard's tactical knowledge (of the Federation's defences) but that they also possess his personal memories.



          The show script makes it abundantly clear that referring to Riker as "Number One" is their way of stressing the futility of resistance and attempting to unnerve Riker at the same time.




          RIKER : (unbelievable) They couldn't have adapted that quickly...



          LOCUTUS : (on the contrary) The knowledge and experience of the human Picard is part of... us now. It has prepared us for all possible
          courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless (beat) Number One.



          And on the frightening intimacy of the moment...on Riker's reaction...






          In the subsequent episode, TNG : Family we learn that the Borg had complete access to his memories but also total control over his actions. His attempts to resist were utterly ineffectual:




          PICARD : You don't know, Robert. You don't know. They took everything I was. They used me to kill and destroy. And I could
          not stop them.
          I should have been able to stop them.



          I tried... I tried... so hard...but I just wasn't strong enough. Not good enough. I should have been able to stop them. I should have been
          able to...








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Nov 16 '14 at 20:44

























          answered Nov 12 '14 at 23:30









          ValorumValorum

          415k11330253242




          415k11330253242








          • 1





            Ok, thanks, Richard.

            – user30592
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:45














          • 1





            Ok, thanks, Richard.

            – user30592
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:45








          1




          1





          Ok, thanks, Richard.

          – user30592
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:45





          Ok, thanks, Richard.

          – user30592
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:45













          43














          That was the whole point.



          The Borg specifically said that they assimilated Picard so that he could speak for them and facilitate Humanity's assimilation. In ST: First Contact they expanded upon this by revealing that the Queen wanted "a counterpart," but even in Locutus's first appearance his role is clearly more than that of a simple Borg Drone. He is supposed to be, in a twisted Borg sort of way, almost an ambassador, or perhaps a provincial administrator for a conquered territory. Picard later refers to Locutus as a "liason."



          That means the Borg don't just want to take his raw knowledge, they also wanted him to serve as an intermediary or spokesman of sorts. Given that objective, it makes sense to refer to Riker in a way that Picard would naturally. Dropping the familiarity and personal knowledge that Picard held would have defeated the entire purpose of Picard's assimilation. They could hack a terminal if they just wanted everyone's names, and they'd already ordered the Enterprise to stand down and be assimilated through an impersonal audio communication. It didn't work, so they were changing tactics.



          The Borg didn't want "Drone 89240931 of 95152645" to talk to "Commander William Thomas Riker of the United Federation of Planets."



          They wanted Locutus to talk to his Number One.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 6





            I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

            – PointlessSpike
            Nov 13 '14 at 8:26






          • 3





            Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

            – user1786
            Nov 13 '14 at 21:40
















          43














          That was the whole point.



          The Borg specifically said that they assimilated Picard so that he could speak for them and facilitate Humanity's assimilation. In ST: First Contact they expanded upon this by revealing that the Queen wanted "a counterpart," but even in Locutus's first appearance his role is clearly more than that of a simple Borg Drone. He is supposed to be, in a twisted Borg sort of way, almost an ambassador, or perhaps a provincial administrator for a conquered territory. Picard later refers to Locutus as a "liason."



          That means the Borg don't just want to take his raw knowledge, they also wanted him to serve as an intermediary or spokesman of sorts. Given that objective, it makes sense to refer to Riker in a way that Picard would naturally. Dropping the familiarity and personal knowledge that Picard held would have defeated the entire purpose of Picard's assimilation. They could hack a terminal if they just wanted everyone's names, and they'd already ordered the Enterprise to stand down and be assimilated through an impersonal audio communication. It didn't work, so they were changing tactics.



          The Borg didn't want "Drone 89240931 of 95152645" to talk to "Commander William Thomas Riker of the United Federation of Planets."



          They wanted Locutus to talk to his Number One.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 6





            I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

            – PointlessSpike
            Nov 13 '14 at 8:26






          • 3





            Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

            – user1786
            Nov 13 '14 at 21:40














          43












          43








          43







          That was the whole point.



          The Borg specifically said that they assimilated Picard so that he could speak for them and facilitate Humanity's assimilation. In ST: First Contact they expanded upon this by revealing that the Queen wanted "a counterpart," but even in Locutus's first appearance his role is clearly more than that of a simple Borg Drone. He is supposed to be, in a twisted Borg sort of way, almost an ambassador, or perhaps a provincial administrator for a conquered territory. Picard later refers to Locutus as a "liason."



          That means the Borg don't just want to take his raw knowledge, they also wanted him to serve as an intermediary or spokesman of sorts. Given that objective, it makes sense to refer to Riker in a way that Picard would naturally. Dropping the familiarity and personal knowledge that Picard held would have defeated the entire purpose of Picard's assimilation. They could hack a terminal if they just wanted everyone's names, and they'd already ordered the Enterprise to stand down and be assimilated through an impersonal audio communication. It didn't work, so they were changing tactics.



          The Borg didn't want "Drone 89240931 of 95152645" to talk to "Commander William Thomas Riker of the United Federation of Planets."



          They wanted Locutus to talk to his Number One.






          share|improve this answer















          That was the whole point.



          The Borg specifically said that they assimilated Picard so that he could speak for them and facilitate Humanity's assimilation. In ST: First Contact they expanded upon this by revealing that the Queen wanted "a counterpart," but even in Locutus's first appearance his role is clearly more than that of a simple Borg Drone. He is supposed to be, in a twisted Borg sort of way, almost an ambassador, or perhaps a provincial administrator for a conquered territory. Picard later refers to Locutus as a "liason."



          That means the Borg don't just want to take his raw knowledge, they also wanted him to serve as an intermediary or spokesman of sorts. Given that objective, it makes sense to refer to Riker in a way that Picard would naturally. Dropping the familiarity and personal knowledge that Picard held would have defeated the entire purpose of Picard's assimilation. They could hack a terminal if they just wanted everyone's names, and they'd already ordered the Enterprise to stand down and be assimilated through an impersonal audio communication. It didn't work, so they were changing tactics.



          The Borg didn't want "Drone 89240931 of 95152645" to talk to "Commander William Thomas Riker of the United Federation of Planets."



          They wanted Locutus to talk to his Number One.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Nov 13 '14 at 17:08

























          answered Nov 13 '14 at 1:18









          NerrolkenNerrolken

          27.9k12132184




          27.9k12132184








          • 6





            I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

            – PointlessSpike
            Nov 13 '14 at 8:26






          • 3





            Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

            – user1786
            Nov 13 '14 at 21:40














          • 6





            I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

            – PointlessSpike
            Nov 13 '14 at 8:26






          • 3





            Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

            – user1786
            Nov 13 '14 at 21:40








          6




          6





          I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

          – PointlessSpike
          Nov 13 '14 at 8:26





          I'd like to add that another motivation for putting Picard at the fore of the Borg's activities is likely because he's well-respected within both Starfleet and the Federation- so they may have decided he was the perfect candidate to get people to surrender. Kind of a "I was wrong, the Borg's great, come join us!" type thing. Of course, preserving some of his personality/habits is important if they do that. And certainly since they have him on hand, he's the best man to get Riker to stand down.

          – PointlessSpike
          Nov 13 '14 at 8:26




          3




          3





          Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

          – user1786
          Nov 13 '14 at 21:40





          Note that "locutus" is Latin for "speaker," more or less.

          – user1786
          Nov 13 '14 at 21:40











          6














          There are a number of things this can be taken to imply, but I will point out two.



          That Picard was resisting assimilation



          One interpretation, and I believe the one that is intended, is that Picard was so strong willed that the attempts to suppress his identity were, at the very least, incomplete. This is later supported by Picard aiding in disabling the Borg later in the 2-parter.



          That Picard had so engrained the identity of Riker as "Number One" in his mind, that the collective understands this as the commander's name



          This makes the most logical sense to me. Picard was targeted for assimilation specifically for his knowledge of the Federation and humanity, to aid in the assimilation of the same. It is not that far of a stretch to believe that the Borg prioritized Picard's perception, of Riker in this case, over its own observations. This would include calling him "Number One"






          share|improve this answer



















          • 5





            Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

            – Valorum
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:11








          • 7





            Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

            – HorusKol
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:25






          • 1





            I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

            – Izkata
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:57






          • 1





            These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

            – Ellesedil
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:58








          • 3





            @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

            – Valorum
            Nov 13 '14 at 0:37
















          6














          There are a number of things this can be taken to imply, but I will point out two.



          That Picard was resisting assimilation



          One interpretation, and I believe the one that is intended, is that Picard was so strong willed that the attempts to suppress his identity were, at the very least, incomplete. This is later supported by Picard aiding in disabling the Borg later in the 2-parter.



          That Picard had so engrained the identity of Riker as "Number One" in his mind, that the collective understands this as the commander's name



          This makes the most logical sense to me. Picard was targeted for assimilation specifically for his knowledge of the Federation and humanity, to aid in the assimilation of the same. It is not that far of a stretch to believe that the Borg prioritized Picard's perception, of Riker in this case, over its own observations. This would include calling him "Number One"






          share|improve this answer



















          • 5





            Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

            – Valorum
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:11








          • 7





            Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

            – HorusKol
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:25






          • 1





            I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

            – Izkata
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:57






          • 1





            These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

            – Ellesedil
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:58








          • 3





            @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

            – Valorum
            Nov 13 '14 at 0:37














          6












          6








          6







          There are a number of things this can be taken to imply, but I will point out two.



          That Picard was resisting assimilation



          One interpretation, and I believe the one that is intended, is that Picard was so strong willed that the attempts to suppress his identity were, at the very least, incomplete. This is later supported by Picard aiding in disabling the Borg later in the 2-parter.



          That Picard had so engrained the identity of Riker as "Number One" in his mind, that the collective understands this as the commander's name



          This makes the most logical sense to me. Picard was targeted for assimilation specifically for his knowledge of the Federation and humanity, to aid in the assimilation of the same. It is not that far of a stretch to believe that the Borg prioritized Picard's perception, of Riker in this case, over its own observations. This would include calling him "Number One"






          share|improve this answer













          There are a number of things this can be taken to imply, but I will point out two.



          That Picard was resisting assimilation



          One interpretation, and I believe the one that is intended, is that Picard was so strong willed that the attempts to suppress his identity were, at the very least, incomplete. This is later supported by Picard aiding in disabling the Borg later in the 2-parter.



          That Picard had so engrained the identity of Riker as "Number One" in his mind, that the collective understands this as the commander's name



          This makes the most logical sense to me. Picard was targeted for assimilation specifically for his knowledge of the Federation and humanity, to aid in the assimilation of the same. It is not that far of a stretch to believe that the Borg prioritized Picard's perception, of Riker in this case, over its own observations. This would include calling him "Number One"







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Nov 12 '14 at 23:08









          Tritium21Tritium21

          3,72022343




          3,72022343








          • 5





            Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

            – Valorum
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:11








          • 7





            Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

            – HorusKol
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:25






          • 1





            I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

            – Izkata
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:57






          • 1





            These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

            – Ellesedil
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:58








          • 3





            @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

            – Valorum
            Nov 13 '14 at 0:37














          • 5





            Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

            – Valorum
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:11








          • 7





            Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

            – HorusKol
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:25






          • 1





            I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

            – Izkata
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:57






          • 1





            These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

            – Ellesedil
            Nov 12 '14 at 23:58








          • 3





            @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

            – Valorum
            Nov 13 '14 at 0:37








          5




          5





          Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

          – Valorum
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:11







          Neither of these points seem likely. Picard (when talking to his brother) makes it clear that he was totally at the mercy of the Borg; youtube.com/watch?v=V9MtVv3z21w. The Borg would also be very well aware of Riker's name.

          – Valorum
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:11






          7




          7





          Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

          – HorusKol
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:25





          Also - Number One sounds like a Borg designation...

          – HorusKol
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:25




          1




          1





          I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

          – Izkata
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:57





          I've always understood it to be the second one. They're being efficient by using the designation at the top of Picard's mind, rather than spending any amount of effort to find Riker's real name

          – Izkata
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:57




          1




          1





          These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

          – Ellesedil
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:58







          These are certainly plausible, but the most plausible explanation is to show the Enterprise just how hopeless their situation is by using a personal nickname to demoralize the bridge crew. Resistance is futile, after all.

          – Ellesedil
          Nov 12 '14 at 23:58






          3




          3





          @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

          – Valorum
          Nov 13 '14 at 0:37





          @Tritium21 - The borg Queen uses precisely the same tactic to unnerve Janeway when she tells Kim that she'll "see him soon".

          – Valorum
          Nov 13 '14 at 0:37











          -2














          The first poster is partly right, but the key point is that Picard, unbeknownst to the Borg, was communicating to Riker that he was still "there". Because of what the first poster said, the Borg did not catch on to this.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3





            I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

            – Valorum
            Nov 15 '14 at 23:52


















          -2














          The first poster is partly right, but the key point is that Picard, unbeknownst to the Borg, was communicating to Riker that he was still "there". Because of what the first poster said, the Borg did not catch on to this.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3





            I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

            – Valorum
            Nov 15 '14 at 23:52
















          -2












          -2








          -2







          The first poster is partly right, but the key point is that Picard, unbeknownst to the Borg, was communicating to Riker that he was still "there". Because of what the first poster said, the Borg did not catch on to this.






          share|improve this answer













          The first poster is partly right, but the key point is that Picard, unbeknownst to the Borg, was communicating to Riker that he was still "there". Because of what the first poster said, the Borg did not catch on to this.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Nov 15 '14 at 23:42









          BobkBobk

          1




          1








          • 3





            I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

            – Valorum
            Nov 15 '14 at 23:52
















          • 3





            I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

            – Valorum
            Nov 15 '14 at 23:52










          3




          3





          I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

          – Valorum
          Nov 15 '14 at 23:52







          I disagree. There's no indication that Picard had any level of control. The script and the subsequence episode don't bear out your interpretation.

          – Valorum
          Nov 15 '14 at 23:52













          -2














          You guys are getting it wrong. The obvious reason was that Locutus wanted to disrespect Riker's status as captain now.
          He knew Riker was in command of the ship, and Locutus made that remark as a swipe to him.
          Riker wasn't scared when he said that. His expression was one of, "How dare you disrespect my status as captain!"
          For someone who was rather an emotionaless borg, Locutus seems to remain human in a rather devilish way






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.
















          • 2





            Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

            – Valorum
            21 hours ago


















          -2














          You guys are getting it wrong. The obvious reason was that Locutus wanted to disrespect Riker's status as captain now.
          He knew Riker was in command of the ship, and Locutus made that remark as a swipe to him.
          Riker wasn't scared when he said that. His expression was one of, "How dare you disrespect my status as captain!"
          For someone who was rather an emotionaless borg, Locutus seems to remain human in a rather devilish way






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.
















          • 2





            Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

            – Valorum
            21 hours ago
















          -2












          -2








          -2







          You guys are getting it wrong. The obvious reason was that Locutus wanted to disrespect Riker's status as captain now.
          He knew Riker was in command of the ship, and Locutus made that remark as a swipe to him.
          Riker wasn't scared when he said that. His expression was one of, "How dare you disrespect my status as captain!"
          For someone who was rather an emotionaless borg, Locutus seems to remain human in a rather devilish way






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.










          You guys are getting it wrong. The obvious reason was that Locutus wanted to disrespect Riker's status as captain now.
          He knew Riker was in command of the ship, and Locutus made that remark as a swipe to him.
          Riker wasn't scared when he said that. His expression was one of, "How dare you disrespect my status as captain!"
          For someone who was rather an emotionaless borg, Locutus seems to remain human in a rather devilish way







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer






          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          answered 21 hours ago









          AdamNYAdamNY

          1




          1




          New contributor




          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





          New contributor





          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.






          AdamNY is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.








          • 2





            Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

            – Valorum
            21 hours ago
















          • 2





            Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

            – Valorum
            21 hours ago










          2




          2





          Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

          – Valorum
          21 hours ago







          Can you offer any evidence to back up this bold assertion or is it simply your own headcanon?

          – Valorum
          21 hours ago




















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