I forgot that the actor who playedStar Trek: The Next Generation’s Hugh the Borg, Jonathan Del Arco, actually came back inStar Trek: Voyager.We first met Del Arco inStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 5, episode 23, “I, Borg”, as a lone Borg drone apprehended by the USS Enterprise-D. As Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) figures out what makes the drone tick, Del Arco’s Borg becomes Geordi’s friend and takes the name Hugh. Jonathan Del Arco made Hugh a memorableTNGguest star, so Del Arco’s return to anotherStar Trekshowisn’t surprising.
What is surprising, however, is the fact that Jonathan Del Arco’s character inStar Trek: Voyagerisn’t Hugh the Borg at all. Hugh made an impact on the Borg by introducing individuality to the Collective, and it might have been interesting to trace that concept back to Hugh in the Borg-heavy later seasons ofStar Trek: Voyager. Instead, Jonathan Del Arco joins the ranks ofactors who played more than oneStar Trekcharacter. Most of the time,Star Trekmakes returning actors unrecognizable with heavy alien makeup, and Del Arco’sVoyagercharacter is no exception.
Hugh Actor Jonathan Del Arco Guest Starred In Star Trek: Voyager
Del Arco’s Voyager Character, Fantome, Is A Lot Like Hugh
After playingHugh inStar Trek: The Next Generation, Jonathan Del Arco guest starred inStar Trek: Voyagerseason 7, episode 15, “The Void”. Del Arco’s character is an injured alien accidentally beamed aboard when the Voyager crew takes their own supplies back from an adversary inside a seemingly inescapable spatial anomaly.Del Arco’s newcomer doesn’t speak, but responds to music, so the Doctor (Robert Picardo) names him Fantome, after the Phantom of the Opera.The Doctor and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) devise a way to communicate with Fantome using musical tones, and Fantome helps Voyager escape the Void.
Sometimes a familiar voice gives away that a recurringStar Trekactor is returning to the franchise, even under heavy makeup—but Fantome doesn’t speak, so I’d never guess that he’s Jonathan Del Arco based on his performance alone.
There are definitely similarities between Hugh and Fantome, so it makes sense that Jonathan Del Arco was called back forStar Trek: Voyager. Both Hugh and Fantome are separated from their species when they’re brought aboard a Federation starship.Like Geordi teaching Hugh about being an individual, the Doctor discovers Fantome is intelligent and eager to learn.Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) refuses to see that Hugh is adifferent kind of Borg, and Fantome likewise deals with prejudice from long-term residents of the Void who consider Fantome’s people to be parasites.
Jonathan Del Arco’s Comeback As Hugh In Star Trek: Picard Was Disappointing
Hugh Should Have Lived To Return In Star Trek: Picard
I had high hopes for Hugh’s future after he helped defeat Lore (Brent Spiner) inStar Trek: The Next Generation’s 2-part episode, “Descent”, but Jonathan Del Arco’s return asHugh the Borg inStar Trek: Picardwas a disappointing comeback.InPicard, Hugh was fully liberated from the Collective, and worked as the Executive Director of the Borg Reclamation Projecton a recovered Cube called the Artifact. As one of the first Borg to attain individuality, Hugh was well-equipped to help other former drones, now called xBs, with their transition to life outside the Borg Collective.
“The End is the Beginning”
Star Trek: Picardseason 1, episode 3
Star Trek: Picardseason 1, episode 6
“Nepenthe”
Star Trek: Picardseason 1, episode 7
Unfortunately, Hugh’s comeback inStar Trek: Picardwas far too brief before his senseless murder. Shortly after reuniting with Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, Hugh was killed byRomulan Zhat Vashagent Narissa (Peyton List), when Hugh refused to give Narissa information about the location of Picard and Soji Asha (Isa Briones). Instead of being a noble sacrifice, Hugh’s death only served to proveStar Trek: Picardwas darker and grittier thanStar Trek: The Next Generation. Jonathan Del Arco deserved much better for Hugh, and it’s unlikely that Fantome, as a less-memorable character, will ever return.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Cast
Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.
