Summary

Seven of Nine's journey to embrace human emotions is highlighted by memorable moments.
Her struggles with accepting her humanity and complex emotions demonstrate relatable fears.
Through profound quotes and emotional connections, Seven's character evolution is evident.

Seven of Nine, the ex-Borg of the Voyager crew, has become one of the most beloved characters in Star Trek canon. Joining the show in its fourth season, her story of regaining her individuality and learning to be human again was one that resonated with audiences everywhere.

As a former Borg, Seven is highly intelligent and often very blunt. Her inexperience with social niceties leads to some friction with her fellow crewmates at first, but humorous moments as well. At the same time, she has some profound observations about human nature, trying as she does to understand and embrace it. Her unique journey is filled with trials, triumphs, and some of Voyager's best quotes.

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"Her favorite color was red."

A Brief Yet Poignant Memory

Season 4, Episode 2, "The Gift"

After being separated from the Borg collective, Seven of Nine struggles to accept that she is no longer Borg, saying that she does not remember being human. Janeway tries to get through to her by reminding her of the human child she used to be, before she was assimilated by the Borg. She shows Seven a picture of young Annika Hansen, asking her about the little girl: "Who were her friends? Where did she go to school? What was her favorite color?" Seven isn't ready to face her humanity, and becomes angry.

But by the end of the episode, she has begun to come around, and most of her human physiology has been restored. Janeway gives Seven a communicator and prepares to leave, but before she does, Seven simply says, "Red." When Janeway asks for clarification, Seven elaborates: "The child you spoke of, the girl. Her favorite color was red." It's a small step, but it signifies the beginning of Seven's journey towards remembering what it is to be human.

"As a Borg, I was responsible for the destruction of countless millions and I felt nothing. But now I regret the destruction of this single being."

Coming To Terms With Emotion

Season 4, Episode 17, "Retrospect"

In "Retrospect," Seven finds herself at the center of a conflict with a visiting weapons dealer named Kovin. He is outraged by the claims she makes against him, and his behavior in general does little to endear him to the crew. However, an investigation by both the Voyager crew and Kovin's people reveals him to be innocent of Seven's charges, with the Doctor concluding that her confused memories likely stemmed from trauma at the hands of the Borg. But though Janeway tries to convince Kovin that he has been cleared, he believes he is being tricked and flees, ultimately resulting in his ship's destruction and his death.

Throughout the episode, Seven has been furious, believing that Kovin medically assaulted her for her Borg nanoprobes. Yet, upon his death, she feels guilt, confiding in the Doctor. Seven has been slowly learning to deal with human emotions, and now she truly begins to understand how complex they can be. Not only that, but she is beginning to distance herself from her past as a Borg. As she confides in the Doctor, it's clear that emotions are still new to her — but she is beginning to accept and learn from them, even the difficult ones.

"Fun will now commence."

For One Hour Exactly

Season 6, Episode 18, "Ashes to Ashes"

In Season 6 of Voyager, the crew rescues four children from a Borg collective, and Seven becomes a guardian of sorts for them. In this episode, she and the children join Naomi Wildman and Neelix for some recreational activity — which, as with everything Seven does, must be organized and efficient. There is no time for idle chatter; there is fun to be had.

Seven has come a long way, but there is still a long way for her to go, too. Humorous though this line is, it also demonstrates the rigidity that she has a hard time letting go of. The children don't respond well to her rigorous schedule. As she acts as their guardian and teacher, she learns a lot as well, about spontaneity and creativity. She never really had a childhood of her own, being assimilated at the age of six. Later in the episode, as one child creates art that goes against the assignment, Seven tells her, "Resume your disorder," demonstrating her willingness to adapt.

"I am no longer Borg, but the prospect of becoming human is... Unsettling. I don't know where I belong."

Expressing Relatable Fears

Season 4, Episode 26, "Hope and Fear"

In the Season 4 finale, Voyager discovers an opportunity to return home to the Alpha Quadrant within a few months, but Janeway and Tuvok are concerned that this is all a little too perfect. As they research this new opportunity, Seven tells Janeway that she intends to remain in the Delta Quadrant. Yet, when Janeway presses her about what she intends to do and how she intends to survive, Seven does not know. Janeway tells her that she will not permit this, as she believes Seven is giving in to fear.

The captain's intuition proves right, and their new way home turns out to be a trap. As Janeway and Seven try to figure a way out of their newfound peril, Seven admits that Janeway was right about one other thing: "My desire to remain in the Delta Quadrant was based on fear." She goes on to voice her hesitation about embracing humanity.

Seven is experiencing a classic human emotion: uncertainty. Like so many before her, she is afraid of the unknown. All of her Borg knowledge and efficiency cannot predict how she will fit in on Earth, or what her life will be like when she gets there. Yet, her willingness to express this uncertainty shows how far she's come. Not only is she able to name her emotions and describe where they're coming from, but she's willing to be vulnerable with Janeway, something that's often difficult for her. And confiding in her friend proves worth it, as Janeway reassures her: "You belong with us."

"You must comply. Please. You are hurting me."

A Gut-Wrenching Double Meaning

Season 5, Episode 2, "Drone"

In "Drone," technology from the Doctor's holo-emitter merges with Borg nanoprobes, resulting in the creation of a highly advanced Borg drone who becomes an asset to the crew. When he first awakens, he grips Seven's hand with unusual strength, upon which she orders him to let her go, stating that he is hurting her.

Over the course of the episode, the drone — who designates himself as One — bonds with the crew, especially Seven. But when the Borg learn of his existence, they attack, attempting to take One for themselves. The ship is damaged and One is injured. As he lies in sickbay, he pleads with Seven to let him die, as he doesn't wish to endanger the crew or Voyager again. With genuine emotion, Seven demands he let the Doctor treat him, and repeats this line from the beginning of the episode. One's death hurts her in a profoundly human way: she has lost someone that she connected with, that she shared common ground with. In this line, we see her grieving, experiencing the human emotions of loss.

"Impossible is a word that humans use far too often."

The Search For Perfection Persists

Seven of Nine Looking at Janeway Captain

Season 4, Episode 26, "Hope and Fear"

At the end of "Hope and Fear," Janeway and Seven engage in a sports match on the holodeck, as they did at the beginning of the episode. Seven mentions her intent to research the slipstream technology that they gleaned from the alien who tried to lead them into the hands of the Borg. Voyager had used it briefly, but doing so burnt out their circuitry. Janeway remarks that she thought it was impossible for them to use the slipstream technology again, and this is Seven's response.

Seven believes that her Borg perfection can get her through anything. However, hints of other traits have surfaced as she regains her humanity, and one of them is tenacity. Whether it's the Borg's relentless nature that fostered this quality, or simply her own personality, no one can say — but this quote is a summation of her refusal to give up. What's more, she goes on to say that even though she still hesitates to embrace her humanity, that is not impossible either.

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