Locutus

Locutus of Borg was the Borg designation forced upon Captain Jean-Luc Picard after his assimilation in late 2366. The Borg intended to use Picard as an intermediary, a spokesman for the Human race in order to facilitate the assimilation of Earth.

Picard's assimilation also allowed the Borg to acquire the whole of Picard's knowledge and experience, as well as his own personal knowledge (a fact that was made apparent when Locutus addressed Commander Riker as 'Number One'). Picard's detailed information regarding Federation technology and strategy yielded the Borg a significant tactical advantage when Starfleet confronted the Borg Cube at Wolf 359. (DS9: "Emissary") This access proved two-way however, as the crew of the Enterprise-D were able to use Locutus' link to disable and destroy the Borg vessel. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I" and "Part II")

Though his implants were removed and his wounds were allowed to heal, Picard's assimilation continued to haunt him. He returned to Earth, paying a visit to his family in La Barre, France, where he eventually confronted his demons. (TNG: "Family")

When Benjamin Sisko made contact with the Prophets in 2369, one took the form of Locutus as he appeared on the viewscreen of Sisko's ship, the USS Saratoga, shortly before the Battle of Wolf 359. (DS9: "Emissary")

When the Borg attempted a second invasion in 2373, (See: Battle of Sector 001) Picard's experience with the Borg allowed him to pinpoint a weakness in the Borg defenses, allowing the fleet to destroy the invading vessel. It was later revealed that the Locutus was to have been more than a mere drone. The Borg Queen had intended for Picard to become her counterpart, an equal, but when Picard refused to give in to the Queen and accept his assimilation, despite being incapable of moving even a finger following assimilation, the Queen was forced to turn Locutus into just another drone. (Star Trek: First Contact) Even Borg drones such as Hugh/Third of Five still recognized Picard as Locutus after his separation from the Collective, possibly because the Borg's belief in their perfection meant that they couldn't believe anyone would actually leave the Collective (coupled with the fact that his memories presumably remained in the Borg's hive mind). (TNG: "I, Borg", "Descent")

Appearances

 * TNG:
 * "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I"
 * "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
 * DS9:
 * "Emissary"
 * Star Trek Movies:
 * Star Trek: First Contact

Background

 * Locutus was played by Patrick Stewart. His name is probably derived from the Latin loqui - to speak, whose past participle is locutus - 'having spoken'.


 * There is a noticable difference in the makeup design of Locutus between the TV series and Star Trek: First Contact. Among the changes seen are airbrushed "wiring" on the skin (or beneath it), slightly more detailed Borg implants and a completely new body suit.  The changes enhanced the somewhat sparse original look and corresponded with the "new look" of the Borg for the movie.

Apocrypha

 * In 2376, a new Locutus of Borg was created by the Borg that had captured a Dominion cloning facility. This Locutus led an attack upon the Federation and the Klingon and Romulan empires in an attempt to gain an Omega particle, resulting in the assimilation of Spock (Who was on his way to a Romulan-Klingon peace conference) and the conquest of Earth. However, aided by a time-travelling ship from the future, the USS Enterprise-E was able to undo this Borg victory, and the Locutus clone was destroyed after a brief confrontation with the original Picard. (Star Trek: Armada)