Q
From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi
The Quintessential Q
Appearing first in the series premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the entity known as Q began his relationship with the human race in a less-than-wholly-positive way, by putting mankind as a species collectively on trial as being too barbaric to venture into space.
In subsequent episodes, he apparently grows fonder of the human species, appearing more in the role of a trickster, calling to mind the native american 'coyote' figure or the Norse god Loki.
Who?
The entity who introduces himself as 'Q' says he's a member of a very advanced race who appear to inhabit multiple dimensions and have god-like control over the physical laws of the universe as we know them. Collectively they are known as the Q Continuum, and when we meet others of the species, they are also called 'Q'. In fact, we only have his word for it that the one who interacts with the people of Star Fleet is in fact the same entity, or indeed if individuals even exist as such in the Continuum.
There is some speculation in fandom that the 'Squire of Gothos' who childlishly toyed with the crew of the original Enterprise was a child of the Continuum.
Q appears several times throughout the run of ST:NG, visits Star Trek: Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, and even Deep Space Nine. But it is always Picard he appears to love to torment the most.
His most dangerous 'trick' is when he tosses the Enterprise into the Delta Quadrant, where they meet the implacable Borg for the first time.
The Guru
Q is played by actor John deLancie, who gives the character an arrogance that would be charming if it wasn't so annoying. He is effete, pompous, infuriatingly know-it-all, and a welcome addition to any Star Trek plotline.
He is particularly enjoyable when, for whatever reason, he loses his omnipotence, as in the episode Deja Q, when he has been sentenced to be human by the rest of his race. While the crew races to try to help a planet whose moon has such an erratic orbit that it is calculated to make such a close pass that it will destroy all life, he deals with the fact that he can't do anything to help.
"It's simple," he insists to Engineer Geordi LaForge. "Just change the Gravitational Constant of the Universe".
"We can't do that, Q", Geordi snaps.
"Oh. Well then. Nevermind."
Books
Q has appeared in a number of Star Trek novels, including one written by Peter David and John deLancie, I, Q
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