Deja Q

This might be the best episode in the entire history of the franchise. It's not just one element that makes it perfect but a whole collection of them. The writing (at first) is absolutely perfect: every single line of dialogue is witty and funny and has a reason to exist: all the "serious" plot lines of the rest of the episode are well thought out and have a reason to exist; the execution is also perfect: all the actors are at the top of their game and perfectly representing their characters: al-around a perfect tng episode and a perfect star trek episode in whole and possibly the best piece of star trek in the history of the entire franchise.

Oh sure: there are plenty of good bits before this, and a few decent episodes -- but none of them put together so successfully as this. So many memorable moments: LeVar Burton as Geordi in charge of Engineering, Gates McFadden's Crusher administering her bedside manner to Q, Whoopi Goldberg administering her own scientific test to him, Spiner's multiple moments, the uncredited guest actor Corbin Bernsen as the other Q ... and of course, the charismatic John de Lancie himself, simultaneously winning our sympathy and disdain. All building up to a marvelously effective ending, despite being as much deus ex machina as climax. Miracle of miracles: TNG finally figured out how to deliver good drama with warm comedy on par with its forebear. It's Star Trek of the best kind, and you'll never find a better use for a mariachi band.

The very first "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, "Encounter at Farpoint" wasn't particularly good. The show's first meeting with Q was, to put it bluntly, pretty dull stuff. Fortunately, the more times this supreme being appeared in the show, the better these meetings became--and "Déjà Q" is exceptional.

When the show begins, Q makes his most memorable entrance ever! While the ship is trying desperately to save a planet below, Q arrives and expects everyone to drop everything and welcome him. As usual, however, he's made to feel about as welcome as an outbreak of herpes! In an odd twist, Q is now mortal--turned into a human by the Collective. Why exactly is uncertain--all you know is that Q is very whiny and hates the prospect of living out life this way.

Although the Q plot is diverting, the crew really must work on stopping the moon from leaving its orbit and destroying the planet, so much of the time Q whines and everyone but Data ignores him. As for Data, his conversations with Q are awfully funny. Bizarrely, despite Q's immense knowledge, no one considers asking him to help save the planet. Still, despite this, Q does manage to save the day! How and why? Well, see the show.

This episode has a lot of fun moments and just goes to show you that the humans on the show are pretty dumb and NEVER are the least bit grateful for his help--and he IS quite helpful here despite himself. Well worth seeing and memorable...and a sign of continual improvement in the Q episodes.

Responding to a distress call from Brial IV, the Enterprise is faced with an uphill struggle to save the planet when its moon's orbit threatens to collapse. Things gets even more complicated when an apparently exiled Q appears, stripped of his powers and condemned to exist as a mortal human.

De Lancie is always an entertaining guest star but this might be his best episode yet. It's a wonderfully fun and enjoyable episode that combines a sci-fi mystery with ruminations about the nature of being human, led by a strong performance from Spiner as Q's unlikely ally. While the ending isn't really in doubt, stay for the closing scenes which are brilliantly insane and sees Dorn struggle to contain his laughter as de Lancie's goofy godlike Q gets as crazy as he possibly can.

It's yet another outstanding performance by de Lancie as Q. I know that he is a successful actor now, but given his consistent greatness on this show and his outstanding performances in "Breaking Bad" I'm surprised that he isn't a superstar and I'm not seeing him in every other big budget movie that I watch. It's also a testament to Gene Roddenberry's genius that he recognized his immense talent and cast him in the first couple of episodes as the iconic Q entity.

Data's simpatico interactions with Q and his guidance through the mores of humanity make for some of the best dialogue on the show. It's great subtle and witty humor. I really love this episode.