Q Who? is a nearly perfect episode of TNG. It’s a brilliantly constructed story that literally sets the stage for rest of the series. After Q Who?, nothing is ever the same again.

Part of the success of this episode is the ominous mood it is able to create. This begins almost right away with Picard exiting a turbo lift directly into a shuttlecraft piloted by none other than Q himself. The music, the lighting, and the acting from Q are the beginning of an impending sense of danger that will only increase until the climax of the episode.

The suspense and tension escalate with a scene from Guinan in Ten Forward. Up till now, she has always been an easy-going, calm, person. As a contrast, her sudden anxiety heightens the growing tensions. This is all brilliantly portrayed on screen so when Picard is noticed as missing, we see the tension mounting from rest of the crew as well.

Once Picard and Q return to the Enterprise, we begin to delve into the real focus of the episode: the self-assuredness of Picard and his crew. Is it simply self-confidence? Or is it hubris? Q wants to join the crew of the Enterprise and he offers his knowledge of the galaxy as fair trade for the privilege of serving. Picard rejects Q, in part, because Q simply cannot be trusted. This is perfectly reasonable, however, Picard goes a step further to insist that he and his crew, and humanity in general, are fully prepared for what awaits them in the galaxy. It is an understandably arrogant statement — but it is arrogance nonetheless. Q decides Picard needs a lesson in humility and therefore sets up the fateful confrontation with the Borg.

As enemies in science fiction go, the Borg must rank near the top of the list. Their design, their function, their motivation are exceptionally well-conceived. Their superiority is beyond question. And the continuity connection back to season one’s finale, The Neutral Zone, heightens the devastating aura of the Borg. As such, they make the sense of danger tangible and we begin to feel as helpless as the crew of the Enterprise

The confrontation only ends when Picard is willing to admit the limitations of his ship, his crew, and humanity as whole. It is a difficult, humbling admission. But it is his conversation with Guinan that drives home the lesson: Picard realizes he, and humanity, needed a “kick in their complacency.”

Q Who? is a lesson in the dangers of hubris. And it is a lesson that has become all the more poignant in years since this episode first aired.

Not only is Q Who? one of the best episodes of the entire series, it is also an essential episode for anyone who is even a casual fan of TNG.

Topics: Borg, Q
Filed under: TNG Reviews