The other Borg get names like 4th of 12, adjunct matrix blah blah. So why did Captain Picard get a name when he was assimilated, instead of a numerical code / designation like all the other drones?
asked Sep 20, 2011 at 14:38
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If you name a drone, you just end up getting attached to them. Which the Borg Queen totally did with Picard!– Paul D. WaiteCommented Jun 24, 2020 at 10:37
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3 Answers
Giving him a name would make it easier for him to perform his primary function as an intermediary in the assimilation of Earth, giving him a slightly more human quality than other Borg had:
The Borg intended to use Picard as an intermediary, a spokesman for the Human race in order to facilitate the assimilation of Earth in order to make the process as quick and efficient (or as perfect, if you keep the Borg's driving force in mind) as possible with the fewest number of casualties on both sides.
It was also later revealed in First Contact that the Borg Queen had other plans for him than that of a lowly drone:
It was later revealed that the Borg Queen herself was onboard the cube to oversee Picard's assimilation into Locutus. She had intended for Picard to become her equal counterpart, but when Picard refused to give himself willingly and accept his assimilation, the Queen was forced to turn Locutus into just another drone.
I guess being the Queen's consort entitles you to more than just a number.
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12If Patrick Stewart tells you to do something, you do it. Commented Feb 11, 2013 at 13:48
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2Now the bigger question - why did they give him such a creepy name? "Hey guys, it's Frank. We Borg are going to come down and chill". Frank > Locutus.– joshbirkCommented Jun 28, 2014 at 22:26
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3Not very good at languages, are you. "Locutus" is from the same Latin root for "talk." loquor, loqui, locutus. Which lives in various English words like "loquacious" Commented Jun 29, 2014 at 23:38
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Just to add an additional theory to this. ST: Picard, Season 2 adds a potential explanation for why the Queen would want to turn Picard into a sort of equal. Spoilers follow. The Jurati Borg have almost certainly contacted the "real" Borg - and they were not absorbed by the "real" Borg, who certainly would have wanted to do so. They likely learned of Jurati's friendship with Picard. Jurati likely tried to explain the value of friendship among equals. Thus, the "real" Queen, jealous/curious, decided to "befriend" Picard too. Locutus is her sick attempt to replicate Jurati's friendship.– CephCommented Apr 25, 2023 at 13:52
Locutus is not a name, it is his function. "Locutus" came from Latin and means "the one who speaks" like in the word locutor.
Picard was not Locutus of Borg, he is more like the Locutus of Borg, but the Locutus could be anyone else. They choose Picard to do that because he was the "locutus" of the Enterprise on their first encounter.
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7In the Star Trek novel The Return, the Romulan Borg representative is called Vox, I guess for the same reason. Commented May 1, 2014 at 7:12
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2"Locutus est" - it is spoken. "Locutus" sounds better than "locutor". Commented Jun 28, 2014 at 22:32
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Also the name "locutus" is latin for spoken; which is what Picard did for the borg, he served as an intermediary—speaker—for them.
