One of favourite moments is small, when Data laughs, but not because of Data. Its Troi's reaction to it. She reacts so wholesomely with joy, as an empath, she's sensing emotion from her friend for the first time and honestly her reaction sells it for me that its genuine. Its subtle, but its very sweet.
I love Q's line there, while he's talking to Picard. Picard says he's still not convinced that this isn't one of Q's ill-conceived jokes, to which Q replies: "Yes, it is a joke...A joke on me...a joke of the universe...the King who would be man. As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don't have what it takes. Without my powers, I'm frightened of everything. I'm a coward, and I'm miserable...and I can't go on this way." It was such a vulnerable moment for Q, and John de Lancie just nailed it. He crushed it. I love that scene.
About 5-6 years ago my now 12 yo daughter was obsessed with My Little Pony. One day I hear her giggling, laughing, really enjoying the episode. John De Lancie was voicing a character named Discord, a chaos demon, and was channeling all his brilliant TNG Q'ness into this character. My point? Watching my 6yo laughing so much was priceless. It wasn't just childish animated antics. It was some of the character's line deliveries that had my daughter in stitches. Regardless of medium or target age group, de Lancie's comic performance always shines.
I'm so glad you did a shoutout to Corbin Bernsen as "the other Q" in this episode. When this was filmed, Bernsen was at the height of his fame as divorce lawyer Arnie Becker on "LA Law." Becker was a hotshot who was single and dated lots of beautiful women, but even though he feigned cynicism about life and relationships, he often ended up doing the inconvenient, ethical thing in spite of himself, very much like the Q in this episode. For any fan of 80s-90s prestige TV, having Bernsen in this role was a brilliant casting stroke, adding a very meta layer to this scene and to the entire episode.
Worf’s lines in this episode are some his absolute best in the series in my opinion. “What must I do to convince you people!” - Die. “Mr. Worf. Throw him in the brig.” - Delighted captain.
The liveliness of the mariachi scene at the end distracts from a nice subtle performance from Michael Dorn. Next time, watch Worf when the band appears.
I’d add that the scene where Data laughs is extremely touching. I also like the way that Q saving the planet is revealed as a surprise. God tier episode for a literal god like character.
I thought this was the one where Data finally "gets" the punchline to a joke told by Geordie years before, but I think that's in "Generations" (the movie),and not the series, - when he gets the emotion chip.
Corbin Bernsen's cameo was a Really Big Deal when this aired. LA Law was hugely popular at the time, and we didn't have the Internet to spoil such cameos.
This might be my favourite Q episode. I know Tapestry is well-regarded, but it's more of a Picard episode with Q as a major supporting character. But this is _about_ Q.
There's an alternate universe somewhere, where Q never got his godhood back, and remained a human member of the crew, using his infinite knowledge to help out, and slowly, glacially, becoming a better person as the program unfolded, season after season. Always adored this episode.
Wow that is true, this is the birth of the quintessential Q we've all come to know and love. Instead of just putting the crew in constant jepordy he is actually helpful to Picard and Janeway from here on out. This is where Q decided to step up his game in becoming humanities ultimate teacher and I think this really put him over the edge with the continuum. He was never the same trickster he was since then. Because of his the federation was not only ready for the borg, but the dominion as well. Their conflicts with the Borg gave them a tactical advantage that might have lost them the dominion war otherwise. Q showed them that they must be prepared for anything and afterwards they definitely were, thanks largely to him. There is no diminishing the value of what he did for humanity and I know this was before but this episode brought out the true purpose of his character. Humans and the federation treated him much better than he deserved, but it turns out that he did deserve it. The fact that they didnt know that and Q did says something not so terrible about his character. He has a flare for the dramatic and he puts people in danger constantly but he never did anything that he or his subjects can't undo and he knows that, so he isn't such a bad guy after all. In fact, he might be the single most important entity that the federation has ever encountered.
TNG's "Deja Q" and DS9's "In the Cards" (DS9's most underrated episode) make a great double feature of Trek character-driven comedies with substance and layering. They are both my favorite episodes of their respective series for good reason.
I don't remember DS9's IN the Cards episode,haven't watched DS9 in years,but,I do remember-Deja-Q.Haven't watched TNG in years either. LOL. Deja-Q made me laugh a couple times.And I liked how the crew of the Enterprise tried to save Q,dispite their annoyance,dislike and a soft hatred of Q.
As someone with chronic insomnia, I am frequently quoting this episode with "I've been entirely preoccupied by a most frightening experience of my own. A couple of hours ago, I realized that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak, I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me, I lost consciousness."
This is one of my favorite TNG episodes. The laugh is such a powerful gift that seems so small but is profoundly life altering for our man Data. It shows a powered Q has some humanity in him after all.
I especially liked his bit on Ten Forward where he thinks ten chocolate sundaes is an adequate response to his mood, then turns them away when they're finally brought out
@@AndrewD8RedYeah you and 3 other people no doubt. I don't think there is much demand for RUclipsrs singing spoof versions of popular songs, plus weird Al might sue you for it. I just have a feeling that the demand isn't there in this situation. Releasing an album of this nature might just get him relentlessly mocked so I doubt it will happen even if he wanted to.
I knew that DS9 joke was coming and you delivered smoothly. It's a shame De Lancie and Spiner never did more stuff together, great talents and chemistry that could've definitely been utilized more in the show as a double act A couple small nitpicks is I wish the Calamarain's well being was accounted for because Q was the asshole there and I wished they focused a bit on the moral scenario of choosing the planet over Q
This was the first episode of Star Trek I ever watched, January 1990 at 11 years old, told my brother "it was the best show ever" and 33+ years later still a huge fan!
"Those Callamaraine should just move along home!" Well done, sir. Well done. In Encounter at Far Point, Q is very much sitting in judgment of humanity ready to squash them like the bugs they are. By the end of All Good Things... he's still sitting in judgment, but he's doing so with a different purpose, trying to help humanity along the path to becoming like the Q Continuum (or maybe to become the Continuum?). This is less clear in season 2 of Picard, but I think it still holds. Now, I could be wrong (my memory of the various Q episodes is not encyclopedic) but I think there's an argument to be made that this is the tipping point.
This episode is peak Q. I thoroughly enjoy it every time I see it. I'm delighted that you're doing these; Q is one of my all-time favorite recurring characters.
The final scene is one of the best in the entire franchise! And from what de Lancie has said it was squeezed in at the end of a long day and everyone was tired. How Brent Spiner pulled off that PERFECT laugh attack is incredible.
Not quite the same, tbf. DS9's Wadi term was "Allamaraine", whereas this TNG's episode species is the Calamarain. There's a funny mashup of both episodes over on Ryan's Edits, the one known for Trek Intakes.
If I had a nickel for every time a Star Trek alien species' name rhymed with "allamaraine", I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Deja Q is a fantastic episode, just completely stacked with iconic moments and lines. One of the greats of TNG and Q episodes for sure. I hope Death Wish is gonna end up in the brass of this batch for you, with all that said - I think it's one of Voyagers best episodes, and probably my favourite Q episode, personally.
The writing in "Deja Q' manages to keep two storylines going effortlessly, and I found, looking back now, that the episode flew by without me aware of time passing. Involving and entertaining while giving us some great zingers. Thank you for reviewing it. As always, great work, Steve.
One of my favorite scenes: "I've never seen anybody eat ten chocolate sundaes" - "I'm in a really bad mood. And, since I've never eaten before, I should be **very** hungry"
Like I've said before, I like when powerful characters are brought down several pegs and humbled. Not because I necessarily want to see them die or suffer, but because it shows a side of them you don't usually see; it shows you what happens when they're truly vulnerable, and the best ones are self-aware enough to learn the lesson.
I love watching Jonney DeLance hamming it up the entire episode, moping arround like a dog that's just been denied the opportunity to eat a kitchen sponge. Also I think it's really cute how one of the first things he does when he gets his powers back is magic himself a captain's uniform like yeah man, priorities
Lots of really well-written, witty dialogue in this episode, but I think my favorite line is from the last scene, when Q is celebrating having gotten his powers back. When Riker tells Q he doesn't need his fantasy women, John de Lancie disappointingly responds with: "Oh, you're so stolid. You weren't like that before the beard."
Easily in the Top 5 TNG episodes, and certainly the most humorous episode of Star Trek I can think of. Everything about this episode just plain works, it's a slam dunk. Great review.
In a franchise where almost anything is possible with just a little techno-babble, Q provided a most enjoyable shortcut to even greater shenanigans and de Lancie. Great character.
A great episode I happened to rewatch only yesterday. Everyone is on point, the writing is funny when it needs to be, touching when appropriate, and Q has a subtle shift in personally towards favouring humanity after seeing what we have to put up with. The Data and Q scenes are great, and the little touch of Q and Worf is hilarious.
Spiner's laugh at the end of this episode is magical. It reminded me of Frank Gorshin's cackle when he played the Riddler on the 1960s Batman series. (And honestly, Spiner would've KILLED it in that role.)
I'm going to be very curious to see your reaction to the Q brings them to Sherwood Forest episode. Most people seem to hate that episode, but I think it's hilarious and really love how silly it is. Especially Worf!
In the Star Trek novels, they changed the name of the Calamarain to the Coulalakritous. I think they did that because Calamarain is too close to Allamaraine, as you noted in the video. I forget the in-world reason they gave for the name change.
Coulalakritous was their name way back in the distant past when Q and 0 first tormented them... or more accurately, when 0 tortured them and Q just sat and watched. Picard, viewing this with the aid of the present version of Q, expresses confusion at the name change to which Q offers a retort along the lines of "Well it's not like anyone still calls your home country 'Gaul', is it?"
This is definitely in my top 5 TNG episodes. It's one of those times where the concept AND execution were good, the humor is on point and the performances are universally fantastic. If I were trying to get someone into Star Trek this is one of the episodes I'd show them. I *really* wish they'd explored the history between Guinan and Q, if they've ever done that in any other Trek media I've never encountered it.
This show always reminds me of the fact that TNG is somewhat joined by the hip to the TV show L.A. Law by way of shared casting, because of Corbin Bernsen's appearance as Q2. When most people thing of TNG and shared casting, the first instinct is to bring up Disney's Gargoyles, because of how many of TNG's bridge crew and other big name guest stars did voices on that show. But when you look past the big names, TNG's planet of the week format and L.A. Law's court case of the week format meant both productions needed a steady stream of character actors and there's only so much talent in Hollywood to pull from. There's 232 shared credits between the two shows listed on IMDB. Sure, Diana Muldaur's stint on L.A. Law may have given rise to the "Dr. Pulaski fell down a turbolift shaft" meme explaining why we've never heard from the character again, but it also is worth stepping back and acknowledging all those actors who are actually so good at being actors that you don't recognize them when they pop up on ALL the shows you watch.
Don’t sell that Worf interaction short - “What must I do to convince you people? (That he’s not immortal/he doesn’t have omniscient powers)” “Die…” “Oh, very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately?”
This reminds me of the did data have emotions all along video - the answer is yes, he had neural processes that could be interpreted as emotions, but it was his chip that allowed him to physically feel the emotions, like with this laugh
Opening the video in song was cute. Singing a second line was funny. But then, you kept singing and singing and ruined everything. And then the mariachi band line redeemed it. 🤙🤙😄 I've enjoyed your work for quite a few years, Mr. Shives. Keep it up...ya weirdo.
Another excellent review. Thank you for taking the time to explore the writing and character development! I suspect the 'best Q episode' is going to be tapestry, but even if it isn't I look forward to seeing your review of it!
I always found it funny how the fork is just a kitbash. Doesn't quite seem like a practical fork. Also I love when I see actors from other series show up in Trek. Corvin also later played a recurring character on Psych! which is a great show. Of course I had watched this episode before Psych! was even a show, and when I came back when I was older for a rewatch of Trek it blew my mind to recognize Corvin from Psych!, as I had not recognized him in that show as being on Star Trek.
Human actors playing nonhumans, both driven to examine thee human condition in detail. Excellent that they can convince us of the former and learn and grow in the latter, all while being funny and not condescending to the material. 10/10
I ordinarily disliked Q episodes but this was one I enjoyed. Fun to watch Q get a glimpse at being human and the camaraderie with Data was adorable. 🍿😁
Thank you for the Calamarain / "Move Along Home" reference. Saves me from "needing" to make it. ;-) I just wonder whether they counted to four before attacking Q.
Oh yes, this is absolutely one of the best episodes. I always wished they would have had Arleen Sorkin show up as another Q... it would have been great to see Calliope show up.
@steveshives - No matter how many times I’ve heard you say “Spoilers beyond this point” I always expect to hear “Spoilers be ahead”. Not all pirate like (though that could be fun) but subconsciously it just feels natural somehow.
Voyager writers be like; do you remember that funny scene where Worf tells Q to die to prove he is no longer a Q, what if we stretch that idea out to a full length episode...
I was going to save this for tomorrow, but the Seven Ups starring Roy Scheider & Richard Lynch (didn't he play Kahless?) . starts at 23:55pm 😡 & I really need to be up early!🤬 Still, I really enjoyed this night time review of yours!🧐😁
One of favourite moments is small, when Data laughs, but not because of Data. Its Troi's reaction to it. She reacts so wholesomely with joy, as an empath, she's sensing emotion from her friend for the first time and honestly her reaction sells it for me that its genuine. Its subtle, but its very sweet.
I really like that moment too.
One of the best scenes in all of TNG, honestly, it hard just randomly laughing that hard out of no where and Spiner does such a great job
data's line to q when realizing q is in fact human, "so you have achieved in disgrace what i have always aspired to be" hits like a god damn truck!
Ok, the "Move Along Home" joke had me 😂😂😂😂😂
Same!😂😂😂 I was like, "Oh he totally went there!"😂
Me too, such a nice touch
😂 I want to say “1-2-3” every time someone mentions the species in this episode.
First or second shapt? 😂
Total Steve Shives fan service
I love Q's line there, while he's talking to Picard. Picard says he's still not convinced that this isn't one of Q's ill-conceived jokes, to which Q replies: "Yes, it is a joke...A joke on me...a joke of the universe...the King who would be man. As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don't have what it takes. Without my powers, I'm frightened of everything. I'm a coward, and I'm miserable...and I can't go on this way."
It was such a vulnerable moment for Q, and John de Lancie just nailed it. He crushed it. I love that scene.
About 5-6 years ago my now 12 yo daughter was obsessed with My Little Pony. One day I hear her giggling, laughing, really enjoying the episode. John De Lancie was voicing a character named Discord, a chaos demon, and was channeling all his brilliant TNG Q'ness into this character. My point? Watching my 6yo laughing so much was priceless. It wasn't just childish animated antics. It was some of the character's line deliveries that had my daughter in stitches. Regardless of medium or target age group, de Lancie's comic performance always shines.
"Eat any good books lately?" is an hilarious line. This episode was great.
Calamarain, count to four.
Q gets stung, and then some more.
I'm so glad you did a shoutout to Corbin Bernsen as "the other Q" in this episode. When this was filmed, Bernsen was at the height of his fame as divorce lawyer Arnie Becker on "LA Law." Becker was a hotshot who was single and dated lots of beautiful women, but even though he feigned cynicism about life and relationships, he often ended up doing the inconvenient, ethical thing in spite of himself, very much like the Q in this episode. For any fan of 80s-90s prestige TV, having Bernsen in this role was a brilliant casting stroke, adding a very meta layer to this scene and to the entire episode.
Worf’s lines in this episode are some his absolute best in the series in my opinion.
“What must I do to convince you people!”
- Die.
“Mr. Worf. Throw him in the brig.”
- Delighted captain.
It’s always a good episode when Worf gets to play comedian
The liveliness of the mariachi scene at the end distracts from a nice subtle performance from Michael Dorn. Next time, watch Worf when the band appears.
Perfect Laconic wit. Or Qo'noSic wit?
That always makes me laugh. That and the scene where Data asks Worf to cat-sit. "I will feed him." 😂
He is not a merry man.
I’d add that the scene where Data laughs is extremely touching. I also like the way that Q saving the planet is revealed as a surprise. God tier episode for a literal god like character.
I thought this was the one where Data finally "gets" the punchline to a joke told by Geordie years before, but I think that's in "Generations" (the movie),and not the series, - when he gets the emotion chip.
Corbin Bernsen's cameo was a Really Big Deal when this aired. LA Law was hugely popular at the time, and we didn't have the Internet to spoil such cameos.
Except, the trailers at the time for Deja Q very much names Corbin Bernsen as a guest star. Hell, they even reveal that he’s a Q too!
@@TahoeNevada I didn't see any of the promos, thank goodness.
CB was also perfect as a Q.
I only realized it was him after watching Psych and Major League again around 2010.
I always wanted his Q to show up again, sad he didn't.
This might be my favourite Q episode. I know Tapestry is well-regarded, but it's more of a Picard episode with Q as a major supporting character. But this is _about_ Q.
I love that distinction, and fully agree.
There's an alternate universe somewhere, where Q never got his godhood back, and remained a human member of the crew, using his infinite knowledge to help out, and slowly, glacially, becoming a better person as the program unfolded, season after season.
Always adored this episode.
Makes you wonder if they’d at least should have kept him for a couple of episodes before reversing the effect.
"Die" is the single funniest line delivery in all of Star Trek
Wow that is true, this is the birth of the quintessential Q we've all come to know and love. Instead of just putting the crew in constant jepordy he is actually helpful to Picard and Janeway from here on out. This is where Q decided to step up his game in becoming humanities ultimate teacher and I think this really put him over the edge with the continuum. He was never the same trickster he was since then. Because of his the federation was not only ready for the borg, but the dominion as well. Their conflicts with the Borg gave them a tactical advantage that might have lost them the dominion war otherwise. Q showed them that they must be prepared for anything and afterwards they definitely were, thanks largely to him. There is no diminishing the value of what he did for humanity and I know this was before but this episode brought out the true purpose of his character. Humans and the federation treated him much better than he deserved, but it turns out that he did deserve it. The fact that they didnt know that and Q did says something not so terrible about his character. He has a flare for the dramatic and he puts people in danger constantly but he never did anything that he or his subjects can't undo and he knows that, so he isn't such a bad guy after all. In fact, he might be the single most important entity that the federation has ever encountered.
TNG's "Deja Q" and DS9's "In the Cards" (DS9's most underrated episode) make a great double feature of Trek character-driven comedies with substance and layering. They are both my favorite episodes of their respective series for good reason.
I don't remember DS9's IN the Cards episode,haven't watched DS9 in years,but,I do remember-Deja-Q.Haven't watched TNG in years either. LOL. Deja-Q made me laugh a couple times.And I liked how the crew of the Enterprise tried to save Q,dispite their annoyance,dislike and a soft hatred of Q.
@@kerry-j4m it's the one with the Willy Mays rookie card and the Cellular Entertainment and Regeneration Centre
The minions of Orthodoxy want to keep that episode down
As someone with chronic insomnia, I am frequently quoting this episode with "I've been entirely preoccupied by a most frightening experience of my own. A couple of hours ago, I realized that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak, I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me, I lost consciousness."
Whenever I feel down, I rewatch the ending of this episode. The part where Q gets his powers back is just pure joy.
This is one of my favorite TNG episodes. The laugh is such a powerful gift that seems so small but is profoundly life altering for our man Data. It shows a powered Q has some humanity in him after all.
I like how the laugh starts small and builds. Great work by Spiner.
I especially liked his bit on Ten Forward where he thinks ten chocolate sundaes is an adequate response to his mood, then turns them away when they're finally brought out
Data just enjoying his laugh till Geordi stops him.
The scene at the end of this episode with the Mexican ban and Q playing a bugle/trumpet had me laughing at loud. LOL. LOVE this episode.
Geordi has always been jealous of data having a better dating life, that's why
In Q Who, Q was trying to get the crew to let him join them. Here in Deja Q, he gets his wish.
Any excuse to sing, I swear to god man.
Just release an album already. We know you want to.
I mean, I know I'd buy it.
@@AndrewD8RedYeah you and 3 other people no doubt. I don't think there is much demand for RUclipsrs singing spoof versions of popular songs, plus weird Al might sue you for it. I just have a feeling that the demand isn't there in this situation. Releasing an album of this nature might just get him relentlessly mocked so I doubt it will happen even if he wanted to.
@@DeathBYDesign666I'm sure you're the heart of the fun at parties
We do no tollerate Move Along Home based humour in this fandom, Sir!
Oohhh! New Lower Decks episode is up!
I was waiting for the move along home reference and I was not disappointed
I knew that DS9 joke was coming and you delivered smoothly.
It's a shame De Lancie and Spiner never did more stuff together, great talents and chemistry that could've definitely been utilized more in the show as a double act
A couple small nitpicks is I wish the Calamarain's well being was accounted for because Q was the asshole there and I wished they focused a bit on the moral scenario of choosing the planet over Q
My favorite line in this episode was also: (I'm no good in groups) It's difficult working in a group when you are omnipotent.
Calamarain need to just "Move along home"😂😂😂😂😂 I laughed to hard at this because I kinda saw it coming. Excellent work, Steve.
This was the first episode of Star Trek I ever watched, January 1990 at 11 years old, told my brother "it was the best show ever" and 33+ years later still a huge fan!
Thanl you for that move along home reference. Exactly where my mind was going!
"Those Callamaraine should just move along home!" Well done, sir. Well done.
In Encounter at Far Point, Q is very much sitting in judgment of humanity ready to squash them like the bugs they are. By the end of All Good Things... he's still sitting in judgment, but he's doing so with a different purpose, trying to help humanity along the path to becoming like the Q Continuum (or maybe to become the Continuum?). This is less clear in season 2 of Picard, but I think it still holds. Now, I could be wrong (my memory of the various Q episodes is not encyclopedic) but I think there's an argument to be made that this is the tipping point.
The Calamarain/Allamaraine move along home joke, is all i needed to hear. That's what i come here for.
Personally I love the existential crisis he experienced by falling asleep. In his point of view falling asleep must be horrifying.
This episode is peak Q. I thoroughly enjoy it every time I see it. I'm delighted that you're doing these; Q is one of my all-time favorite recurring characters.
The final scene is one of the best in the entire franchise! And from what de Lancie has said it was squeezed in at the end of a long day and everyone was tired. How Brent Spiner pulled off that PERFECT laugh attack is incredible.
This is one of my favourite Star Trek episodes ever. Not just TNG, all of Star Trek. 😁
That "move along home" joke got a sarcastic clap from me.
Deja Q is one of my favorite Q and Star Trek episode! It has my favorite lol scene with Q and the mariachi band. Great episode!
But, I feel like celebrating!
Nice Move Along Home connection, always thought it was a weird coincidence that the same made-up word was made-up twice in unrelated contexts.
Not quite the same, tbf.
DS9's Wadi term was "Allamaraine", whereas this TNG's episode species is the Calamarain.
There's a funny mashup of both episodes over on Ryan's Edits, the one known for Trek Intakes.
If I had a nickel for every time a Star Trek alien species' name rhymed with "allamaraine", I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Deja Q is a fantastic episode, just completely stacked with iconic moments and lines. One of the greats of TNG and Q episodes for sure.
I hope Death Wish is gonna end up in the brass of this batch for you, with all that said - I think it's one of Voyagers best episodes, and probably my favourite Q episode, personally.
This episode was fun.
Guinan and Worf were the exact right amount of real.
Yes - one of the all-time best episodes, across all series.
The writing in "Deja Q' manages to keep two storylines going effortlessly, and I found, looking back now, that the episode flew by without me aware of time passing. Involving and entertaining while giving us some great zingers. Thank you for reviewing it. As always, great work, Steve.
One of my favorite scenes: "I've never seen anybody eat ten chocolate sundaes" - "I'm in a really bad mood. And, since I've never eaten before, I should be **very** hungry"
"Deja Q" is one of my favorite episodes as well.
Mine-TOO.I even laughed at a couple scenes with Q in them.
Like I've said before, I like when powerful characters are brought down several pegs and humbled. Not because I necessarily want to see them die or suffer, but because it shows a side of them you don't usually see; it shows you what happens when they're truly vulnerable, and the best ones are self-aware enough to learn the lesson.
I love watching Jonney DeLance hamming it up the entire episode, moping arround like a dog that's just been denied the opportunity to eat a kitchen sponge.
Also I think it's really cute how one of the first things he does when he gets his powers back is magic himself a captain's uniform like yeah man, priorities
Lots of really well-written, witty dialogue in this episode, but I think my favorite line is from the last scene, when Q is celebrating having gotten his powers back.
When Riker tells Q he doesn't need his fantasy women, John de Lancie disappointingly responds with:
"Oh, you're so stolid. You weren't like that before the beard."
Easily in the Top 5 TNG episodes, and certainly the most humorous episode of Star Trek I can think of. Everything about this episode just plain works, it's a slam dunk.
Great review.
The best Q episode is undoubtedly "Tapestry". That's the episode that got me back into Star Trek after several years away.
This is probably my 3rd favorite Q episode. Tapestry will always be my favorite.
“Tapestry” and “Death Wish” are my personal favorites so I’m curious to see which one Steve picks (or if he surprises us all and goes with Qless)
Both are great choices!
Q makes every episode he's in considerably better.
Full stop. No exceptions.
My favorite Q episode. And Guinan's, presumably.
Deja Q, not just one of the best episodes of TNG, but all of Trek.
In a franchise where almost anything is possible with just a little techno-babble, Q provided a most enjoyable shortcut to even greater shenanigans and de Lancie. Great character.
A great episode I happened to rewatch only yesterday. Everyone is on point, the writing is funny when it needs to be, touching when appropriate, and Q has a subtle shift in personally towards favouring humanity after seeing what we have to put up with. The Data and Q scenes are great, and the little touch of Q and Worf is hilarious.
Spiner's laugh at the end of this episode is magical. It reminded me of Frank Gorshin's cackle when he played the Riddler on the 1960s Batman series. (And honestly, Spiner would've KILLED it in that role.)
I'm going to be very curious to see your reaction to the Q brings them to Sherwood Forest episode. Most people seem to hate that episode, but I think it's hilarious and really love how silly it is. Especially Worf!
The intro song was a stroke of genius. Bravo Sir, bravo!
In the Star Trek novels, they changed the name of the Calamarain to the Coulalakritous.
I think they did that because Calamarain is too close to Allamaraine, as you noted in the video.
I forget the in-world reason they gave for the name change.
Coulalakritous was their name way back in the distant past when Q and 0 first tormented them... or more accurately, when 0 tortured them and Q just sat and watched.
Picard, viewing this with the aid of the present version of Q, expresses confusion at the name change to which Q offers a retort along the lines of "Well it's not like anyone still calls your home country 'Gaul', is it?"
They just need to "move along home".
I caught that; I loved it.
This is definitely in my top 5 TNG episodes. It's one of those times where the concept AND execution were good, the humor is on point and the performances are universally fantastic. If I were trying to get someone into Star Trek this is one of the episodes I'd show them.
I *really* wish they'd explored the history between Guinan and Q, if they've ever done that in any other Trek media I've never encountered it.
This show always reminds me of the fact that TNG is somewhat joined by the hip to the TV show L.A. Law by way of shared casting, because of Corbin Bernsen's appearance as Q2. When most people thing of TNG and shared casting, the first instinct is to bring up Disney's Gargoyles, because of how many of TNG's bridge crew and other big name guest stars did voices on that show. But when you look past the big names, TNG's planet of the week format and L.A. Law's court case of the week format meant both productions needed a steady stream of character actors and there's only so much talent in Hollywood to pull from. There's 232 shared credits between the two shows listed on IMDB. Sure, Diana Muldaur's stint on L.A. Law may have given rise to the "Dr. Pulaski fell down a turbolift shaft" meme explaining why we've never heard from the character again, but it also is worth stepping back and acknowledging all those actors who are actually so good at being actors that you don't recognize them when they pop up on ALL the shows you watch.
The chocolate sundae conversation is one of my favorite bits from the show
Don’t sell that Worf interaction short - “What must I do to convince you people? (That he’s not immortal/he doesn’t have omniscient powers)”
“Die…”
“Oh, very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately?”
This reminds me of the did data have emotions all along video - the answer is yes, he had neural processes that could be interpreted as emotions, but it was his chip that allowed him to physically feel the emotions, like with this laugh
Opening the video in song was cute. Singing a second line was funny. But then, you kept singing and singing and ruined everything.
And then the mariachi band line redeemed it.
🤙🤙😄
I've enjoyed your work for quite a few years, Mr. Shives. Keep it up...ya weirdo.
Another excellent review. Thank you for taking the time to explore the writing and character development! I suspect the 'best Q episode' is going to be tapestry, but even if it isn't I look forward to seeing your review of it!
The character of Q was wonderfully written, played to perfection by brilliant John de Lanci
That musical intro slayed! Love it.
I always found it funny how the fork is just a kitbash. Doesn't quite seem like a practical fork.
Also I love when I see actors from other series show up in Trek. Corvin also later played a recurring character on Psych! which is a great show. Of course I had watched this episode before Psych! was even a show, and when I came back when I was older for a rewatch of Trek it blew my mind to recognize Corvin from Psych!, as I had not recognized him in that show as being on Star Trek.
“Move along home” 😂
Brilliant, thanks so much for that!
I seriously lol'd at your "Move Along Home" joke. I always knew I had heard that Cala,arane word from somewhere else!
Nice musical intro, Steve. Looks like SUBSPACE RHAPSODY affected you more than you thought ;-)
Steve you had it the first time.
"Up and running."
My playstation is up and running.
Human actors playing nonhumans, both driven to examine thee human condition in detail. Excellent that they can convince us of the former and learn and grow in the latter, all while being funny and not condescending to the material. 10/10
I ordinarily disliked Q episodes but this was one I enjoyed. Fun to watch Q get a glimpse at being human and the camaraderie with Data was adorable. 🍿😁
Thank you for the Calamarain / "Move Along Home" reference. Saves me from "needing" to make it. ;-) I just wonder whether they counted to four before attacking Q.
Ah yes
The famous episode in which Q spawns naked on the bridge.
Kallimarain, count to four, Kallimarain, then three more...
Loved the song!
More singing!!
Oh yes, this is absolutely one of the best episodes.
I always wished they would have had Arleen Sorkin show up as another Q... it would have been great to see Calliope show up.
I'm betting your favorite Q is the one where they first meet the Borg. Enterprise is totally helpless and the Borg are the best Trek villains ever.
the calamarine really should move along home... good one!
Actually really great singing at the start.
I always liked Data's line that Q achieved in disgrace what Data had always aspired to be.
@steveshives - No matter how many times I’ve heard you say “Spoilers beyond this point” I always expect to hear “Spoilers be ahead”. Not all pirate like (though that could be fun) but subconsciously it just feels natural somehow.
Loved the DS9 reference at 5:27
Next retro review series: Funniest Star Trek episodes or “When Star Trek actually succeeded at comedy” maybe?
I love seeing a member of the Psych cast in star
Thank you for "move along home"
Thanks!
I love this episode. One of the best!
"Q, what are you doing here?
" I had to clean up your mess".
Voyager writers be like; do you remember that funny scene where Worf tells Q to die to prove he is no longer a Q, what if we stretch that idea out to a full length episode...
I was going to save this for tomorrow, but the Seven Ups starring Roy Scheider & Richard Lynch (didn't he play Kahless?) . starts at 23:55pm 😡 & I really need to be up early!🤬 Still, I really enjoyed this night time review of yours!🧐😁
Calamarain, count to four,
Calamarain, then three more,
Calamarain, if you can see,
Calamarain, you’ll come with me…
Now it's in your mind too.
Obvs the best Q episode is "Qpid" ... we are all thinking it!
Excellent DS9 reference in that joke .