Deja Q

DVD, TNG S3 (Deja Q)

Q is at his best when he's in control and causing trouble, and while I can see that this episode in which he loses his powers and has to cope without them, was inevitable, it doesn't work as well as it could have. The previous Q episode, 'Q Who' would have been very difficult to top, being the one in which he introduces the ship to the Borg. Instead this follows on from an idea in that episode where Q asks to join the crew. This time it's because he's been kicked out of the continuum (another thing foreshadowed by the former episode in which we get the impression he doesn't get on that well with his fellow Q), by another Q, the first time we see another of his race. His whining and difficulty in understanding simple human experiences such as sleep or hunger are quite fun, as are his usual barbed comments to each of the crew, even as far as recognising Dr. Crusher's return to the ship.

The main part of the story, the moon's collision with a planet of rather boring aliens just doesn't have enough weight to it and the seriousness of a global catastrophe never fully comes across. Q just isn't the same when he's not pulling the strings, and like the 'DS9' Q story 'Q-Less' he's nothing to do with the main danger. It's ironic that the only non-living crewmember on the ship, Data, is assigned to Q who is learning what it's like to be human. Perhaps Data learns a little more of life by experiencing Q's term as a human vicariously. The real reason he was sent to look after him was because he was the only one that could stand Q's superiority, inability to see others as equals and bad temper. Also from the previous Q episode is the thread of Guinan's history with him and her lack of compassion on him, sticking him with a fork at the first opportunity!

The effects were certainly special in this one, from the Enterprise falling into the atmosphere to the other Q popping through the bulkhead of the shuttle and especially Q's parting shot of appearing to pop a cigar into Picard's outstretched hand as he gives the usual order to 'Engage'. I never believed in his selfless act or his sentiments towards Data after the android saves his life, but then again both moments could have the edge of Q meaning something less than pleasant - calling Data a better human than himself was a back-handed compliment, and from the look on Q's face I got the impression he'd planned the 'selfless' act to get back into the Q's good graces, so the character didn't really change. For all the enjoyment of seeing Q in pain or in trouble the episode doesn't totally deliver on the opportunity of 'Q as mortal' and is merely enjoyable rather than being a classic like 'Q Who'.

**