Q: What do They Do? (Star Trek Theory)

Questions Quite freQuently Quicken in my cognition. The Q.
What do they actually do? They are nearly omnipotent and omniscient, (at least in our little pocket of the cosmos), but seem to have no clear goal.
They just sort of exist. The only one we ever see do much of anything does so because he's bored out of his non-corporeal skull.
So I thought I'd put together a video on my thoughts about the Q and what their actual purpose in Star Trek lore might be.
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Star Trek Online developed by Cryptic Studios and Perfect World.
Star Trek, Star Trek First Contact and Star Trek Enterprise/Voyager/Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation are all owned by Paramount Pictures and distributed by CBS.
Meteor clip from "Last Day of the Dinosaurs" produced by Discovery Channel.
This Video is for educational purposes with commentary.

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

"You hit me! Picard never hit me!" "I'm not Picard!"

[@larrysheets2508]

You're right, you're not. You are much easier to provoke.

[@brego129]

@@larrysheets2508 How fortunate for me.

[@michaelkolano8686]

@@brego129 i always wondered if Q left sisko alone because of the influence of the prophets, rather than that.

[@Kaefer1973]

@@michaelkolano8686 I don't think that story aspect was already planned out, also seeing that Q is a bit of a thrill seeker it may have had the opposite effect if he knew.

[@aweofme]

Sisko and his pimp slap!!!

[@NathanBeaudin]

Having rewatched all the star treks involving Q several times I've come to the conclusion that Q (de Lancie) is actually a big fan of humanity and even and advocate for them in his own way.

[@az21bob666]

I agree I think he break there version of the prime directive BUT in he does it as prank so he can get away with more stuff then if he just was up front and tried to help them.

[@MakerInMotion]

Picard learned a lot when Q sent him back to make different choices in his youth and he learned that his mistakes were what made him the man he is. I love that episode. Q isn't only fond of humanity, but Picard in particular.

[@swj719]

I always felt he wasn't the judge of the encounters, but humanity's advocate. Like, he's sitting there thinking "you are all so close to joining us. It hasn't been done for millennial, but you little apes... You might pull it off."

[@marktaylor6553]

I thought that was painfully apparent. He literally challenges them in such a way that will make them go in a certain direction moving forward. The best example if forcing them to meet the Borg too early, which made them then start designing defenses around The Borg before the Borg were ready. Its called 'tough love'.

[@JeffDeanTheDeanZone]

Ya think? He sacrificed himself in Picard to save humanity and expressed his undying love for us, but good deducing. LOL

[@StarboyXL9]

The way I got into the Q's heads was by playing Stellaris with a certain mod that lets you create your own Q-like empire. Your citizens are godlike in every way, with a single individual being capable of taking on entire armies, and their weakest fleets being capable of steamrolling all but the most dangerous of threats. Even their individual ships can take on entire early-game fleets solo. They can build megastructures that violate all the laws of physics and engineering but look absolutely beautiful and have immense production capacity. They can bestow their favor upon a nation, strengthening that nation just by saying "You, I like you. Keep doing what you're doing" or punish a nation harshly just by doing the opposite. They can turn planets into supernatural paradises in a matter of days and essentially are unstoppable, unbeatable, and amazing in every way. The problem is, you get bored. Real fast. So in these games I always end up setting the End-Game-Crisis to come as early as possible, and making my goal for the playthrough something arbitrary like repelling an impossibly strong crisis faction with minimal loss of life (my personal score is affected by every population killed/purged). Other times my goal may be to watch as the galaxy is consumed by the crisis, only helping the lesser nations through gifting resources or granting my favor to one particular nation in the hopes of centralizing power in the galaxy around them. And after several games of playing like this, I began to understand the Q. They are BORED. Thoroughly and completely. They are so desperate for entertainment and excitement that they are actively seeking not just new things to learn, but new ways to learn. They experiment, poke, prod, and even engineer crises in the hopes that they will experience or witness something new and surprising. The universe and perhaps the entire timeline is so old and samey to them that they (or at least "that Q" has) have started to play with it and meddle and muck with things more openly in the hope of creating entirely new possibilities. The idea that they may be grooming the human race, or perhaps all the races of the galaxy to one day reach their level, is a fairly solid one. If the Stellaris AI wasn't so dumb, I would love to have another god-mode empire to interact with in those games, as regular empires, even the Fallen ones, are little contest, if at all. The crisis factions only provide a military challenge, not a political one involving relations, diplomacy, rivalry, or gentlemanly war (as the Crisis factions wage war like beasts and not like civilized beings)

[@jimmywoolever798]

what mod is this?

[@atomiclena128]

@@daviddahl83 But our Q (John de Lancie) is definitely the type to get bored quickly. I think that really shines through in the series. Moreover, two hours in the dental office or millions of years is a vast difference.

[@dinkledankle]

@@daviddahl83 Welp, looks like omnipotent beings can't get bored if David can't get bored. Guess your theory is total trash, Joel. Rip. I mean, nevermind the fact that an omnipotent being will have experienced nearly _everything_ there is to experience, while a human will only ever experience an indescribably small amount of the infinite possibilities this universe has to offer. Mortals and the omnipotent are clearly in the same boat 🤦‍♂️

[@firetarrasque4667]

Year late, but I'm also very curious as to what mod this was.

[@davidcorreia3901]

Yeah but the reality is that they can turn off their power. They can actually orphan themselves as babies and grow in a society without knowing their a Q. Then when that form grows old and dies they become Q again. They can do this forever. You know sometime I think that's real life. Like we live as mortals for a vacation from doing whatever we do when we're not here.... Wishful thinking I guess.

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Q: I am God Picard: You're not God, the universe is not that badly designed! I laughed my arse off with this

[@awkwardaro]

Me too

[@jwjones1979]

My creation believing, Xtian aunt laughed so hard, she cried when we watched that scene. Same with the "pond of goo" scene from "All Good Things"

[@Stevonniewolf3113]

"God is a friend of mine. I helped him create this universe." "Where is the signs of this help, Q?" "Who do you think came up with the platypus?" I loled so hard at this bit from a book dealing with Q.

[@neutrino78x]

Q can't be God because he's a limited being that exists in the universe/multiverse, and can be objectively detected. Whereas God -- if there is one (I think there is one) is not an object or being that exists at any specific location. Having god-like powers doesn't make one God.

[@neutrino78x]

@thomas maguire I'm a Deist, I don't believe in revealed truth.

[@georgelionon9050]

The Q follow a strong believe to do whatever makes a good plot.

[@danivarius]

Belief 🙄

[@MaynardFreek]

@@danivarius 😒

[@danielniemeyer1987]

@Tiger Dragon not from what I gathered most of the q are content doing nothing until forced to do something, the one that bugged the federation was the rarity.

[@SovereignStatesman]

Well then they sure have a lot of good restraint, because there was never a good Q plot

[@MisterVolts]

George Lionon - unless it involves Robin Hood, SMH Lol...

[@DrShaym]

It's interesting that the Federation follows the Prime Directive which forbids meddling with the affairs of less technologically and socially developed civilizations, while the Federation is technologically and socially inferior to the Q, but the Q regularly meddle in the affairs of the Federation, and presumably other civilizations as well.

[@RX552VBK]

True, but remember that the Q can interfere freely if they wish because the can use their abilities to mend any damage they may create. Federation can't do that if they involve themselves in the development of a more primitive society.

[@charlesmurphy1510]

Q’s meddling is not sanctioned by the Q and he is often punished for it. Q is akin to Loki of the gods. He is troublesome. He does however, respect or fears the consortium of the Q which holds power over him, probably due to their numbers. He does not fear Guinean but he does fear punishment from the Q. His interference is limited to harmless pranks.

[@jaigray5422]

@@charlesmurphy1510 The Q can go anywhere in time they desire past and the future. My theory is the "Q" are in fact evolved humans 100000s of years in the future maybe even millions of years who have went back to the past to study themselves as they've lost apart of their "humanity" and would like to recover it by learning and slightly manipulating humanity to get a slightly different outcome for themselves for the future. After Eons as "Q" they have become lost in a sense as they know almost everything about the galaxy. Think about it Humanity in Star trek are explorers something they dedicate their lives to understanding the universe. The Q evolved as humans reached a point where they evolved into a higher being over the span of a very very long time and learned more about the universe than they ever thought possible. However once they learned everything they lost apart of themselves and they simply had nothing to do any more as there is no point in exploring if you know everything. Once they reached a point of knowing everything they started policing the universe, they also started taken an interest in other civilizations again but by this time over eons they forgot they were even humans and didnt care about interfering in their civilizations anymore. Now that they know they were once humans they want to study themselves and that is why they seem from what we know to have a greater interest in humanity than any other race including all the races in the Federation they care little for but Humanity is a different story.

[@charlesmurphy1510]

@@jaigray5422 except the Q are immortal. I don’t think evolution will change our mortality, it’s not compatible with the natural laws (growth). If anything is immortal, which I highly doubt, it would always be and have no need for evolution.

[@jaigray5422]

@@charlesmurphy1510 Q in the show said Humanity may even surpass the Q meaning they will too someday evolve into Q like beings, beings that are no longer physical beings like we are today but probably beings of light itself. But my theory is the "Q" are already evolved humans. And They are only immortal in the sense they now live forever ie outside time and space in another existence and dimension but they are not entirely immortal as they can and have been killed in the shows.

[@EvetsZerimar23]

“After all when a culture’s experienced all there is to experience, what’s left but expose yourself to a new perspective” Great line! Simple and logical

[@StarboyXL9]

He forgot to mention "experienced all there is to experience from ITS OWN point of view/reference." If the Q had omniscience they wouldn't need a new perspective because they would, as a side effect of omniscience, have the knowledge of that perspective already.

[@ukarmycadet]

I read comments as I watch a video. I got to this comment at the exact time it was said!

[@TheWaxworker]

The Squire of Gothos is very often said to be a Q. It is interesting that in the same-named episode of TOS, it is revealed at the end that there is a kind of "instrumentation" or machinery located behind his wall mirror (an oblique reference to The Wizard of Oz?) that enables the Squire to use his powers (or, perhaps, is the source of his power) in this reality. If this is true, then it would follow that the Q Continuum also must need some kind of machinery to use and channel their powers. If the powers of the Continuum are completely organic, then the Q and the Squire would likely belong to two different species. Even if you say the Squire was a child and needed the machinery while his parents didn't, this still doesn't solve the issue as Q Jr. was able to use his powers as a kid without any apparent aid. Then, there is the issue of parentage. The Squire clearly had a mother and father (who appear at the end of that episode), whereas Q indicates the Q always existed and that he was the first Q parent. So, it would seem the Q and the Squire of Gothos belong to two different species. Thoughts?

[@soluslutrinae]

I always thought that Q (John DeLancie) must have some incredibly tedious but utterly essential job -- Like keeping all the electrons in the universe in their orbits. So, whenever he went on vacation, the furthest thing from his job would be to actively cause chaos.

[@mrquojo]

soluslutrinae that is actually pretty close to the cannon answer.

[@terminat1]

A "cannon" is a big gun that goes "BOOM."

[@RandallJamesPeterson]

Not much of a job, it has been postulated that there is only one electron in the universe. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-electron_universe I suppose that's why he has the time to bother Picard.

[@RandallJamesPeterson]

@@lachyt5247 , true, but it's fun for a source of sci-fi speculative fiction.

[@snbforever]

God already has that job. The Q wish they were God, who IS truly omnipotent 😇

[@RobertEskuri]

I saw Q's daughter overdose on Heroin in an alternate reality called Breaking Bad.

[@zoesdada8923]

Oh shit! Yeah he was making all the airplanes in that reality fly wherever he wanted, too.

[@luciferangelica]

@@zoesdada8923 yeah, like into the ground

[@ColBBQ]

And that daughter came back super strong but raped by Dr. Who

[@mischarowe]

I've only watched TNG and Voyager. Which daughter are you referring to?

[@ColBBQ]

@@mischarowe The actor who plays Q, John de Lancie, went on to play a father to the daughter, Krysten Ritter, that died in the show, "Breaking Bad". Krysten then went on to "Jessica Jones" where Kilgrave, played by the tenth Doctor Who actor David Tennant, was the bad guy.

[@bradameerbeg2154]

I always got the impression that the Q that found Picard so fascinating was the inspiration for the Norse God, Loki.

[@rogerw3818]

I prefer Cerci's idea on it: "The gods don't care about us, that's why they're the gods".

[@josephbray9979]

Real explaination: they are the writer's self-inserts

[@HaloInverse]

So... a Mary Q?

[@An_excellent_YouTube_account]

HaloInverse waa waa waaaaa.

[@willieoelkers5568]

Doesn't necessarily make them bad characters. Luke Skywalker was a relatively unsubtle self-insert by George Lucas (Luke S).

[@kamenridernephilim]

It just exposes Roddenberry’s hubris and desire to play God. That is the cancer of humanism.

[@JarOfRats]

Q Machina

[@YesNoMaybeOkSure]

According to First Contact/Enterprise time travel shenannigans, the Borg were basically already on their way. The borg in Archer's time sent a signal to the Delta Quadrant that was picked up 200 years later. Q gave the Federation a heads up. If it weren't for his actions the Feds would have been completely blindsided.

[@kanothe187]

YesNoMaybeOkSure That's assuming the Borg incursion from First Contact didn't create a different timeline. Which is really the only way of squaring up the fact Starfleet could encounter them and have evidence of them existing when that doesn't fit into canon.

[@Revan2908]

I like to think that Archer & Company's discovery of the Borg was quickly and quietly covered up by what would become known as Section 31.

[@tonywhite9873]

TOS hinted that a new unseen enemy attacked both Fed and Roman colony worlds in 23 century.

[@RHawkins6]

I agree, but it was TNG it was the first time the Romulans showed up after decades. The Romulan commander violated the Neutral Zone because of the colonies being destroyed and it was one of the frozen humans who pointed out the Commander had no clue who had done it in hopes of finding out from Picard.

[@richterman3962]

Well the federation wouldn't've had to be pushed by the q if they simply asked the el-aurians what they were fleeing from

[@rexlint2520]

John DeLancie did a brilliant job as Q. Wanted to be a member of Q when i was growing up because of him

[@adampetersen2494]

The Q make sure James Bond is supplied with just the gadgets he needs for his current mission.

[@cobes11]

Notice that Q never sends 007 on a mission with a really cool device that Bond returns at the and and says “thanks, but no situation came up where I needed this”.

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

It would totally be just like Q to give Bond a bauble perfectly calibrated to maximize the entertainment value, just enough to get him through. Plus all the uncanny lucky breaks Bond gets. Holy crap, this opens up a whole new binge watching session!

[@slevinchannel7589]

They killed Q's if they were not the same Opinion as their Goverment. That little Q Girl made the Worst Choice she could ever have done, i was almost crying becasue of her stupidity. She went with the Murderers of her Parents - not to mention we've seen how all Q end up eventually. We saw the stagnant, meaningless Q-Continuum. Yeah, nice place to be there... sure...

[@luciferangelica]

@@slevinchannel7589 when you put it that way they kinda sound like shinagami

[@slevinchannel7589]

@@luciferangelica How that?

[@WarhavenSC]

B'Elanna: You know... I'm getting _real_ tired of this whole superiority complex of yours. Mrs. Q: It's not a complex, dear, it's a fact.

[@eclipseslayer98]

That'd be funny to watch a Q interrogate a Time Lord.

[@hampsons1]

Or Vice Versa...!

[@LordProteus]

A Q would just take what they want from a Time Lord's mind. I don't think Sutekh was Q level, but he was more than a match for most of the Time Lord race and was responsible for the near extinction of them before being trapped by them.

[@weak1ings]

What if the Q simply watched everything the Time lord did since it is omnipotent instead? Assuming they can't break a simple psychic barrier.

[@eclipseslayer98]

Eh, I just thought it would be fun to watch a Q throw questions at a Time Lord. Yeah, he could do pretty much just rip all of the information out of the Time Lord he wanted, but that wouldn't be fun.

[@HSuper_Lee]

I'm not sure the universe could handle that much ego in one place.

[@austin1839]

Q is like the relative that you never invite to the family reunion, but always shows up anyway.

[@nodak81]

They need to give Q his own spin-off series. Just him travelling through time & space being an asshole troll to everyone he meets, with an underlying moral lesson of course ;)

[@obligatecarnivore6774]

Q was always so insistent that Pickard is so much like him. It is obvious when rewatching he's episodes that they are looking for the next species to join them.

[@iona2225]

Now here's a question: Do the Q exist in the parrelel, Terran Empire universe? And do they exist in continuity, with a single Q existing simultaneously throughout the multiverse, or are they also different per universe like other life, physics and so on?

[@lagrangesix9836]

point 1: if they want to, point 2: if they want to, point 3: they are the same everywhere.

[@terrywest111]

The Q simply exist. They are aware of all other timelines and realities and can pop into them at will.

[@KuraIthys]

Considering the Q's ability to manipulate time and space, and travel back and forth through time at will (see, Encounter at Farpoint but especially 'All good things'), It seems likely the Q exist outside of any given dimension. At least, in any conventional sense. They can mess with the very laws of physics. Dimensions probably don't mean much to them.

[@Charistoph]

It would also explain his original accusations toward Picard and crew. To him, the difference between them is just a couple steps, and they are always riding that edge. Also, an interesting question, how do the Organians, the race that Kirk met while fighting the Gorn, and Q relate/see/interact with each other?

[@jimsteele9261]

The Q probably created the Terran Empire universe, or this one or something. It makes no sense that two universes which diverged so far in the past would produce the same people centuries later. Butterfly effect...

[@tedwojtasik8781]

I think the Q are akin to both the Vorlons & Shadows in B5. In the case of introducing the Federation to the Borg they were like the Shadows, advancement and evolution through struggle. Whereas in other instances they are more like the Vorlons, prideful and acting more like agents of the status quo.

[@mrp8488]

When Q tried to recruit Riker he said that humanity might surpass the continuum.

[@jasonleslie203]

As a potential they might surpass the q

[@jamegumb7298]

Which is why they feared humans.

[@douglasthompson9070]

That's the problem of being immortal and capable to traveling in time. Q would already know whether humanity or any other entity capable of challenging the continuum. They would be able to circumvent it. Which kind of creates a paradox. How can you destroy an immortal race of beings that can control time? If not then how could they fear us or anyone for that matter.

[@jamegumb7298]

@@douglasthompson9070 The Q are powerful but not all powerful and also not 100% immortal. In their civil war they could injure eachother, injure enough and that is the end. In addition, they were not the only time travellers.

[@douglasthompson9070]

@@jamegumb7298 I could see they could destroy each other and thus not absolute but left to their own devices they were immortal. Which is why they could prevent their own destruction through time as a race. Or at least have a time war with another race.

[@thehiddenpaw7939]

Pretty sure Q of the Q states that the human race in time will not only achieve the powers and abilities of the Q, but, also, they will transcend even the Q themselves in power. It's something that the Q, to a degree, are afraid of. They act like their time is limited, they know it, and they are afraid, but realize there is nothing they can do. So they have taken up, somewhat begrudgingly, the task of teaching us, so as to help us along in the journey. The Q, in effect, will eventually be superseded by humans, in the far future. I think that long before that happens they will cease to be. But, they will have played their part in our progression, and quietly go into the night knowing they took part in our final evolution. Nobody wishes to become irrelevant, but life is such that there comes a time in which we must each of us pass the baton in the race to someone else, and let go. Even the Q, as powerful as they are, are not able to avoid this aspect of life and it's progression. They are dealing with the hurt they feel as a result, as gracefully as they can. With humor, fun, and a bit of mischief as a balm for their deep sadness. Their time is almost over. They must, eventually, step out of the way, or they risk stifling, and stagnating not only themselves, but the entire cosmos, and all of it's inhabitants. Goodbye Q, and thank you. You have taught us much, and we are grateful. The time for rest is nigh. Your work is almost done.

[@swifty1969]

@Hidden Paw: You could say that the events transpired at the end of the movie 2001 A space Odyssey was the first step of human evolution to reach that goal......aka The Star Child..

[@daniels7907]

The flaw here is that, at least at present, humans in Star Trek have an obsessive, paranoid, fear of evolution. The Eugenics Wars scared them to the point where they view any unnatural evolutionary acceleration to be morally wrong. It is also interesting to note that they are distinctly resistant to developing true science around anything considered to be "paranormal" (e.g. psychic powers). It could be construed that human evolution to a higher state of being is *not* guaranteed and the Q feel the need to push humanity to stop being so hidebound lest they become stagnant.

[@thehiddenpaw7939]

Indeed. There are many dynamics involved in the Q/Human relationship. Both, the Q, and the humans need to evolve, and both have things they need to learn from one another. The Q, themselves, had become stagnant, and complacent, and fear not only illegitimacy, in their own right, but also, their inevitable replacement by the humans once they do evolve past the Q, which in the Star Trek universe will happen, as the Q stated it as such. The Q have forgotten how to be playful. They have forgotten the mystery, the childlike wonder, the adventure of life, because they are, essentially, all powerful, and have become bored. The humans offer them the opportunity to share their vast knowledge, and wisdom. The humans give the Q the opportunity to experience the wonder anew through the eyes of someone else in the sharing of their forgotten glee in the face of adventures that have long since become nothing but tedium for them. They, in effect, have learned to take everything for granted. They need to relearn appreciation for the wonder life has on offer. But, as Q states it to Picard, that while there are, indeed, many wonders, there are, also, horrors to chill the blood. Such is the way of life, and those that have gone before us know this all too well. It's a warning that in life it is unavoidable. You cannot have both wonder, and mystery without the horrors that accompany them. They are both learning, and relearning the way of life. Teaching, and being taught. It's a powerful relationship they have, one with another. The writers involved in it's creation are brilliant in their insights.

[@informeducateself]

So long and thanks for all the fish.

[@G11713]

If humans eventually exceed Q it needn't mean the Q become replaced or even displaced. There may be a new region they would enter beyond what is accessible even to the Q and therefore not compete or even interact much. Alternatively, It may be that humans would become another Q, perhaps a much more powerful member in ways that are discernible to the Q. :)

[@PaulRoneClarke]

He's a crap air traffic controller though.

[@MSG685]

damn.

[@Troacoli]

lol

[@nmccw3245]

That’s just methed up.

[@Sasquatchvideos38]

Love it

[@LerRhann]

He just lost his daughter. He should have taken a sabbatical.

[@bcs2em625]

@Certifiably Ingame I would love to see you make a video that catalogs all the non-corporeal races of Star Trek Lore. Tell us more about the Q, 0, Trelaine, the Organians, the Metrons, the Melkotions,, the malevolent creatures of ST V, Wolf in the Fold and Day of the Dove. Also Sargon & Thelassa's race, the Lights of Zetar, the Bajoran "Prophets & Pah Wraiths" and any others I might have forgotten to add here all into one comprehensive list

[@salvationsplace]

I took the Q as the future human race engaged in introspection After all, “we have all been the scarecrow”

[@dylanwight5764]

Stagnation represents the ultimate form of entropy, outside a state of non-existence. Therefore, the Continuum's role may be as simple as preventing stagnation by introducing a dynamic transfer. This of course precludes the concept that free will is an illusion. Indeed, it would necessitate free will in order to provide a non-mechanical means of achieving a state of constant dynamic transfer (a state in which nothing stays the same). Entropy in its purest form is the *lack* of transfer, not the chaotic nature of it. Q, as played by the legendary John De Lancie, is chaotic in his nature, but he isn't without purpose. What is crucial to remember is that all of Q's intrusions have purposefully caused Starfleet to keep moving forward. He acts as a device for antagonism, a device which will necessitate dynamic transfer and thus prevent stagnation. Basically, the Continuum's objective is to prevent the cosmos from devolving into a state of pure entropy. Ironically, the very stagnation they are trying to prevent is seen in their society. So perhaps their goals are not so valiant or objective as to keep the cosmos in motion. They may only be serving their best interests. It just so happens that their best interests include preventing stagnation.

[@RamLaska]

Love the Q alliterations. With your theory, the Q sound like a somewhat more advanced Time Lord race. That's a comparison I wouldn't have otherwise thought of

[@ClockworkGearhead]

I think the Q's motivation is related to their place of existence, "The Continuum," which implies they live in all places at the same time. I always assumed their motivation was as simple as, "I don't want to live in a trash heap, let's clean it up a little."

[@TheProtronic]

I liked your take on the Q needing partners "batting at their level."

[@robd9413]

There was a couple of books on this stuff, but I've no idea how canon either of them are. Q-Squared suggested the Squire of Gothos was a young Q that got out of hand and was offloaded on Q to "teach" the Squire how to be a proper Q. The Squire used a combination of Q-powers and tech to merge 3 alternate universes together allowing multiple versions of each character loose on the Enterprise. (I remembered this book when I first saw the Timelines games) Q&A (set more than a decade after TNG) suggested that there was another race more powerful than the Q that tested lesser races and would destroy the universe if they fail. It claims all of Q's appearances/lessons were preparing humanity (Picard) to take the test.

[@reynoldhall4071]

I remember reading that book! Yeah. They had wiped out all of reality several times beforehand, and the only reason they spared the current one was because Picard laughed at the whole situation.

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

I have that book and have read it so many times it's starting to fall apart (well it is old and well loved). Still it raised the very real question of Q that may exist outside of the continuum - like 0 and the Q that committed suicide. How many Q live outside the continuum? How many get bored and make mischief or become a threat to existance itself? This book made a very convincing case for The Squire of Gothos being another bored Q - just one that gained immense and dangerous power. The reality jumps were very exciting.

[@toshiyaar7885]

Ooo ooo! What's the name of the book? Q&A?

[@Zorro9129]

Sounds very Tolkien-esque.

[@ultramaximusreviews]

The Borg were actually introduced in Season 1 with the Romulans as they removed starbases along the neutral zone

[@glitterboy2098]

so basically the Q are what babylon 5's Vorlon's and Shadows were meant to be? (before those B5 races fell into squabbling over methodology and ideology)

[@timetraveltvniles7650]

I always thought the Q just had fun!

[@kilmcm45]

The episode with the young Q girl, and a few others, show that the Q are actually concerned with PREVENTING other species from becoming as advanced as them. I remember at least one time when he's saying "it's not what you are that fascinated us, it's what you might become.

[@tureytaino2785]

Just one question: Why Q was so terrified of Guinam?

[@jonathanbrooks4969]

Guinan was a race who were more than they appear. Q suggested they were a sneaky race who were being change agents for their own reasons, and could not be trusted.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

she and her race are very close to Q's level, they're apparently immortal, able to blend into any culture at any stage of development, have some sort of early extra sensory perception that makes them aware at least on some level, of when beings manipulate reality, which is possibly why Q and her have bad blood as her kind is basically immune to most of what a Q is willing to do since they know when they're being manipulated

[@Geraduss]

@@komradewirelesscaller6716 And yet they were still wiped out by the Borg.. kay

[@taddy_mason4197]

@@AsbestosMuffins where do you find out about all that? I don't remember it in tng.

[@SynCelestial]

@@Geraduss I've always thought of it like rock paper scissors. Obviously Guinan is susceptible to things that humans are and at the same time Q was afraid of her. So that, with her ability to sense when the timeline was altered, just made me believe that their race is specifically resistant to Q's omnipotence. That or in the very least that they have the potential to be threatening.

[@Original-GKP]

and in the final hours of the continuum the Q sayeth... 'And our task is done, Behold the new human Continuum...R!' 'May the next reality not quake too much down to its foundations...Goodbye, Good luck...and thanks for all the fish

[@scottmantooth8785]

*a Continuum comprised of nothing but Pirates?...so THAT'S where all the rum goes*

[@justtocomment5948]

Short answer: anything they want Long answer: everything, over and over and over and...

[@seanmorgan2356]

I love Q! He's one of my favorite characters in Star trek and I loved that his Son was willing to add to the story of Q.

[@robchissy]

I'd like to see a tv show on how the borg began, showing us species 001, how their tech first began with replaceable body parts, AI, communication tech that binds their thoughts together and nano tech, once their planet became borg, growth stops, thus needing them to go assimilate other cultures to continue growing, and so the borg begins

[@deadmeatdec2164]

I always thought the Borg were like a sub set of humans that took tech to far. Gave up their humanity for the eternal life and bliss of being one with all others that share the same thoughts. At least i. The beginning then once time grew and they could no longer create for themselves they searched the galaxy for new tech. After all being a human off shoot they have our limitations in that we can only do onw thing at a time mentally

[@darthhauler9947]

The Borg origins were covered fairly well in the Star Trek: Destiny novels(There are 3 of them), which showcases not only the Borg's origins, but the very first Borg assimilation, the reason behind the Queen, and the ultimate fate of the predatory Borg. I could name it all here for you if you want, but that would be a massive spoiler.

[@FuchsiaShocked]

I like to think the Q have their own prime directive and that Q breaks it in the same way as certain starfleet captains do, with generally good intentions, though he'd never actually let starfleet know that his intentions were so good.

[@Acesahn]

I like to believe there's just one Q, the one Picard knows, and he created the whole Q race thing as part of his ploy to involve the Star Trek crew in his shenanigans.

[@Goldtaker23]

That cant be though because that one Q committed suicide on Voyager

[@Acesahn]

@@Goldtaker23 I mean if Q was already pretending there's a Q council and a race of himself just to goof on humanity, a suicide wouldn't be that difficult lol

[@makina2022]

Q was teaching them a lesson in voyager, the message was dont allow yourselfs to give up even though it takes forever the road will take you back to where you stsrted.

[@aperson22222]

If I remember correctly, that 0 thing was a fan fic. An excellent one to be sure, but it never happened on screen. I get the sense they're a bit like the Time Lords before the Daleks were able to challenge them as equals: sworn only to observe, never to interfere; barely able to tolerate their black sheep who's got such an infatuation with Earth and seems determined to rock the boat whenever he goes home.

[@TimThomason]

It's in the novels. CI sometimes inserts non-canon explanations into his videos in order to flesh them out.

[@aperson22222]

Tim Thomason Ugh, let's not go down that road. Look at what a ratfuck it became for Star Wars.

[@thelunchlady8276]

Yea, but Star Wars was crappy before the novels anyway. Nostalgia muddies up our vision with Star Wars.

[@IsraelSmithD]

0 is non-canon. Also the being that they encountered at the outer rim (TOS) was actually a horrifically damaged Q (delancie) after a battle with Q (trelane).

[@dboymax1]

Israel Smith That too was from a non canon novel

[@Nine-Signs]

They play Monopoly. With metal pieces, no tacky plastic. They are Q after all. They did once attempt trivial pursuit but they realised it was and never bothered. As for star trek, while the movies and discovery remain under the new licence, with writers who care more about what the executives tell them to care about, it will remain dead for all the intents and purposes Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek for.

[@deadNightwatchman]

ArmyOfAll "They did once attempt Trivial Pursuit..." I love that sentence! Well done, Sir!I can totally see that happening one eternal evening at the roadhouse that is (appears as) the Continuum... Oh, to "be" a Q...!

[@uncletaylorify]

We....mere mortals are their Monopoly pieces and the universe is their board.

[@ALSomthin]

I really loved every episode that featured the Q .

[@CosmicCleric]

I always thought of the Q as future evolved versions of ourselves, keeping an eye on us for many reasons including self preservation.

[@crimsondynamo615]

So it’s almost like an introspection thing half the time

[@CosmicCleric]

@@crimsondynamo615 That's one possibility. I was thinking more towards maybe somebody going back in time trying to wipe out the Q by wiping out Humanity.

[@XopheAdethri]

I had always assumed "Our Q" was a misfit among the Continuum, and that as a whole they mostly just observe other species out of curiosity. Only preventing things from "cancelling their show" before the Q were done watching.

[@qthefirsttimelord6054]

Observation is more the Borg and the Federation's style, not Q style. The Q love directly influencing and interacting with species and usually do so with little preparation .

[@jonsnor4313]

Still Q was for some reason judging humanity. Maybe thats their reason to be, to be gods who watch. Who can get bored. At least the tng Qs.

[@luciferangelica]

like the omicronians

[@matthiasnagorski8411]

Gotta read "I,Q". Beautiful read. Very eye opening. I know Trek novels aren't canon, but I pretend that this one is.

[@mrt1957]

so psyched about Picard, episode one was a nice warm up. I wish they would do 26 episodes like the good ol' days.

[@marccolten9801]

"Against boredom even the gods contest in vain"

[@NorCalMtnBiker86]

The Q episodes in TNG are some of my most memorable Star Trek episodes. My favorite would have to be Q Who. That Episode is fuckin hilarious!! BTW awesome video!

[@firebladetenn6633]

The majority of the Q continuum remind me more of the race from “Errand of Mercy. The ones we meet are always trickster characters, but it’s always implied that they’re outsiders, and that the rest of the Q are omnipotent, peaceful, have a higher sense of morality, and most importantly, don’t approve of the trickster antics of the Q we actually get to see.

[@That80sGuy1972]

Exactly. (edit... spelling correction if you can believe that. I missed the "x").

[@aputridpileofb-movies6542]

Organians. Spock tells Kirk that they are as far ahead of humanoid life as humanoid life is an amoeba.

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@aputridpileofb-movies6542 Talk to any microbiologist and they will argue that an amoeba is at worse slightly less evolved than humans despite it being a single-celled microbe, some would argue that they are among the most advanced life on Earth. If you are talking about sentience, that's a horse of another color... amoeba are mindless and humans are not. Well, at least not mindless when politics, sports, or religion is absent. Involve politics, sports, or religion and I'm gonna' hang with an amoeba... less stupid radiates from them with those issues.

[@aputridpileofb-movies6542]

@@That80sGuy1972 I suspect spock was just trying to say 'they are incalculably far ahead of us, captain' or something similar.

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@aputridpileofb-movies6542 I know. I was just being silly. I just don't think that Gene and the rest of the creators of the Star Trek universe realize how advanced a civilization (at least, technologically) has to be to "safely" bend space for FTL travel without creating a singularity or to disintegrate matter in one place, keep it "saved" in gear and computers, then rebuild it in another spot. Makes for great entertainment but it's basically cherry-picking which aspect is super-advanced and which is not. Watching that episode as an adult made me smirk when all they proved in their being "advanced" is they have technology that the Federation had but smaller and with greater power.

[@ssjtruncks90]

Surprised you didn't mention that they can bring others up to the Q level. Like what Q did with Riker in early TNG.

[@neillomas2717]

I am not sure Riker ever had the power of the Q. I think Q just did whatever Riker wanted. It would not be beyond the capability of Q to make Riker believe he was doing it himself or to read his mind.

[@OrderoftheHammer]

Continuum holds an important role. It's Q's approach to it that's seen as questionable or immoral, yet doesn't out weigh his necessary interventions. Same lessons keep repeating, the more we get out there the more we'd have to deal with.

[@thomaskirkness-little5809]

It's odd that none of the later Treks did anything with the whole 'the galaxy has a mysterious barrier around it, and aliens from other galaxies say it isn't normal.'

[@lancealot4001]

How does anything get pass or out of the galaxy? How sid vergyer get pass it? Or even the borg? ....

[@thomaskirkness-little5809]

Why would they leave the galaxy?

[@place_holder563]

@@thomaskirkness-little5809 to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.

[@liladuftendekaffeewurst8541]

Yeah, but why is it, i assume, never mentioned that Guinan knew Q as she saw him und seemed to be a member of a species with at least equivalent powers to Q? In that one Episode in TNG...

[@That80sGuy1972]

It might be something as simple as her species is immune to the reality-bending powers of the Q... and the Q might also be how they met and got wiped out by the Borg. Now the Q want someone who can wipe out the Borg... and they found them, probably after entering a weakening element that let them switch from being a continuum to a hive mind with a queen.

[@liladuftendekaffeewurst8541]

@@That80sGuy1972 I understand, but ... come on ... this ... Theory ... that the Q couldn't wipe out the Borg themselves ... i honestly think thats a kind of stupid ... Federation is Type 2 Civilisation, Borg is Type 2, Q is Type 5 or Higher...

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@liladuftendekaffeewurst8541 If you think about it, it does hold water. If Guinan's species were immune to the reality-bending abilities of the Q, and the Q, not nearly as all-seeing as they believe they are, would see the Borg as something that would easily wipe out Guinan's species and they did... but they also (at least in part) absorbed their species' resistance to their reality-bending power, making them the new threat to the Q. Also, the civilization tier thing is something developed by people who believe war of attrition a tactically sound form of war. Well, that's beside the point as beings like the Q would simply not fall into any civilization types, their culture would be more fluid and loosely cooperative without the trappings of actual structure aside from what is decided upon at the moment. Coming up with any solid cause-effect thing with virtual gods is the same as trying to build a system out of gas using your hands. The core must be with Guinen's species is mortal, wiped out by the Borg, and a godlike being (Q) fears her... probably because of her species. Something about her trumps his power without giving her godlike power. Simplistic level-related thinking cannot be applied. It must be something asymmetrical and related to Borg involvement. Also, theoretically, the Q are not nearly as immortal, all-knowing, all-impervious, and all-powerful as they pretend to be.

[@liladuftendekaffeewurst8541]

@@That80sGuy1972 When you say "asymmetrical"... you think of a ... situation ... that's crossing Time/Times? A litte bit like the temporal cold war, but on a higher level? I mean... i don't quite get it... so you think, that everything that the Q are doing is kind of a show? A David-Copperfield-Trick for Humans? Do they just like Entertaining lower species? So, was it "just a show" when Q chased Q in the BigBang and then in the Quantum-Level, and all that? The Timeline that Q reconstructed for Picard, uninterfered by the changes that Picards changed desicion (not to fight with the Nausicans) led to... Q suggesting to change the Gravitational Konstant of the Universe, when Geordi searched for a solution to redirect the Asteroid? You really think, if the Borg could have comparable abilitiys to such things, because of assimiliating the Guinan's species, wouldn't they ... just use it? I mean, we can of course just claim, that the Q are "fakes"... but i cannot see any proof for that... And lastly, somewhere sometime in a Episode it's mentioned that "Q was responsible for the Humans to meet the Borg 300 Years too early..." I mean, a time controlling being like this, ... but then having the Borg as a threat against themselves? I can't buy that pal...

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@liladuftendekaffeewurst8541 Okay, bro... you opened up your OP as some form of speculation based upon how Q, a virtual and perceived god, sees Guinan, a mere mortal of a Borg-exterminated species, as some perceived equivalent to Q. I offered a simplified explanation of that enigmatic status. You then acted as if I was some random mindless teen commenter who face-farts out speculation and I explained how I put thought into it and why. I also re-offered the only solid things as the basis of the hypothetical fictional world things that would explain the enigma of the mere perceived mortal threatened by the perceived godlike beings, proof of those mere mortals being the fact that post-human cyborgs all but eliminated them. You then proceeded to do a lot of mental gymnastics to go from inference and logic to sheer sophistry as if I am attacking you and you made it a debate. Um... is reincarnation real and, if so, did I wrong you in a previous life? I mean, you bypassed a basis we seemed to agree upon as a possibility just to make it an arguing point again. If it's not an anger issue, is it the fact that you like arguing? Okay, I will simplify the situation again, for argument's sake. Guinan's species was a threat because they are immune to Q's reality-bending for some reason. That includes their time-jumping in their influence on Guiinan's species. That's why they needed to use the Borg as proxies... well, not needed them but they were what they chose. It worked but worked too well. Now the Q cannot use Q-powers to remove the Borg as a threat, so they turned to humans and others as proxies against them. And you are assuming the Borg are imaginative. No. They assimilate, adapt, and improvise all based upon accumulated knowledge. They don't innovate nor imagine anything. Doing that would completely break how they work... but, I digress. To simplify it even more, it's like a rocks-paper-scissors situation... probably with more than 3 ever-win and ever-loose sides. I'm not selling you anything. I'm offering possibilities. Simplistic power vs. power and obvious leverage never show any reason on anything when, in their presence, any kind of enigma exists... ever. Seriously, I am not trying to convince you of anything. I'm not some dumb kid or nut-case fan with fandom theories. I mean, there are a LOT of other possibilities too. The Q could merely be the first species to find the galactic nexus and spend a lot of time there finding out how to make their "heaven" bleed over to reality because being in "heaven" just got too boring. They could even have been human, considering how much Q seems to favor humans, in a far future time and date. They could have also been any number of supreme beings with godlike powers from the TOS series that colluded with each other, met others from the Milky Way, met others from other galaxies, and colluded to be how they are now via a virtual consensus that gives all of them an Achilles' heel. I mean, two Q's that left the continuum to live as mortals had a baby that the Q killed via a spawned tornado had a quagmire on how to treat the baby Q. You pondered, I gave a theory, and you turned it into some kind of silly debate and had it implode based upon sophistry. Sorry bro, I'm out.

[@tristanmendoza4628]

To paraphrase the episode "Death Wish", the Q, "travel the road many times, sit on the porch, play the games, been the dog, everything... even (be) the scarecrow for a while"

[@fruitfarmfactory7901]

Is Q the most powerful character in all fiction? Who in Marvel/DC/Anime/Star Wars etc could truly rival him? The Living Tribunal?

[@doop8436]

One above All for sure.. Living Tribunal maybe

[@logandepino8417]

Timelords

[@slyseal2091]

Didnt this Franklin Richards have comparable powers?

[@DolphyBlueDrake]

The Presence.

[@albertelnen4995]

I see the A as I see the watchers from the Marvel Universe. They are not to interfere, but they do.

[@bobert4him]

We neeeeeed a "Q" movie

[@qthefirsttimelord6054]

Working on it.

[@DolphyBlueDrake]

@Eric Cartman Not necessarily. The Q were once like humans. Quinn even said so. Eons of advancement got them to the point that they are now as advanced in comparison to humans as humans are in comparison to ants. A movie about that advancement would actually be pretty cool.

[@DolphyBlueDrake]

@Eric Cartman Okay, let me rephrase that. I meant more of the days back when they were like humans, and how they figured out how to advance beyond the "mortal plane", so to speak. Not show the whole advancement, but show what spurred them to unlock the secrets of the universe. They came after the ancient humanoids that are now extinct, as even the Q evolved in the Milky Way galaxy. Had they been around during the time of the ancient humanoids, they likely would have revealed themselves to show them they weren't alone. Maybe what drove them to do the unthinkable was an external threat? If that were the case, the story of combating that threat would be interesting. Possibly, they could have even been on the brink of annihilation before they took their first steps into the higher plane of existence.

[@DolphyBlueDrake]

@Eric Cartman See that thing that says "read more"? i suggest you click it on my last comment. I gave two long paragraphs. what i had to say could not be condensed into four measly lines of text. I swear, why are so many people so lazy these days?

[@DolphyBlueDrake]

@Eric Cartman I don't have the resources or funds to even make a short film. Ever heard of "flat broke"? That's me. I only make enough to make ends meet, and even then, only just barely. I have no excess money to spend on something like that. So, I just can't.

[@jacenstarheart6256]

Certifiably Ingame: You do an excellent job on your videos! 👍

[@PoeLemic]

He really does a great job. I do agree so much.

[@MrYTGuy1]

Unless you want accuracy...

[@MeLeoMiller]

Its interesting that when the continuum was visited there were described as bored. They had said everything there was to be said, done everything there was to be done. The civil war was in part due to the fact that some of them apparently wanted to die.

[@LerRhann]

I propose that even when Q was "kicked out" it was just another schooling attempt.

[@nunya3163]

Or at least testing. I think he is continuously teaching, and then testing humanity, and Picard in particular.

[@TheLinkoln18]

You assume finality, and ends... something the Q would simply laugh at.

[@swifty1969]

after all Q was married to miss Q for 2 billion years.

[@luciferangelica]

all things come to an end was the name of tng's final episode and q was in it

[@RichardStrong86]

@@luciferangelica No it wasn't. It was call "all good things". Who is to say Q is good. Perhaps he exists beyond such concepts.

[@luciferangelica]

@@RichardStrong86 you got me, i guess. idk. i'm not gonna look it up

[@kght222]

keep in mind that the continuum was at least partially responsible for the diaspora of the el-aurian species (guinan's species). maybe they had a reason, but it is food for thought.

[@qthefirsttimelord6054]

Not really. Blamed for it, yes, responsible, no. Many species, Guinan's included - embrace the victim mentality and build entire worlds on never taking responsibility for who and what they are. El-Aurians, Bynars, and a vast swath of the Klingons embrace this which is - among other reasons - a repeated catalyst for war.

[@Dampfaeus]

Their main job certainly is to provide us with entertainment in Q's winter wonderland during sto's winter event.

[@Goatcha_M]

My theory is the Squire is the child Q who was sent to annoy Janeway to learn some discipline, the incident he was being punished for, being the Squire incident.

[@lsedge7280]

Throwing you around the galaxy. Q's way of saying sorry.

[@Todd.P]

I thought that 0 was trapped in a force-field barrier at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy (q.v. - Star Trek V movie).....

[@sbrazenor2]

I Think that he got * and 0 confused.

[@normangraves4133]

i like to thing that that q are evolved Time lords and the borg are evolved darleks.. also fun to note: john delances character Q, lends himself to several epsds of My Little Pony as the character Discord , lord of chaos. w/ the same omimpatant (seemingly) powers as his Star Trek Continuum counterpart

[@dennisanderson3895]

The curious mystery of the Q is also so much of their attraction and value: I recall an Arthur Dent exchange from the BBC radio - "Guard: "Halt! Are you friend or foe?" Arthu8r: "Which do you prefer?"

[@lauramuse910]

Not to make everything about Doctor Who...ok, it's fun to bring that Show up... The Tenth Doctor said that the Order of the Time Lords didn't want to interfere in events, but merely watch. Maybe the Q sees themselves as Time Lord-Like beings (with a lot more abilities than The Time Lords) who are supposed to observe reality.

[@dreadnought-ai]

Laura Brus - with Q being a bit of a troublemaker. haha

[@lauramuse910]

Dreadnought AI lol...maybe he's their version of The Master???? 😜

[@5roundsrapid263]

This is one time it needs to be brought up. Ever since I saw the pilot, I knew it was a blatant Doctor Who reference.

[@theexchipmunk]

Actually, the time lords on their prime, while not as single beings as powerful, could very well hold a candle to the Q. After all they did things like seeding the universe with live, building weapons that could simply rewrite realty, moving their planet out of the time stream and went so far as planing to undo creation itself. They fought and won´t wars against what amounts as god´s. And the Time Lords were even considered a threat by the Great Old Ones. Yes the Lovecraft Great Old Ones including Azeroth, Hastur and Chutulu. ( they are canon in Doctor Who, Fenric from The curse of Fenric was actually Hastur, and the 7th Doctor mentioned he never wanted to meet Nyarlathotep)

[@doop8436]

To me Q seems like Marvels Watchers

[@ZeroWalker26]

Q is star treks version of Loki the god of mischief.

[@smirk-in-progress4800]

I enjoyed the aliteration in your quality quick quirky quipping at the end.

[@paulyguitary7651]

The Q-literation at the end was amazing.

[@Chuck-PK]

Dude, bro, A+ on the alliteration

[@hellcat1988]

I'm betting there's something between the borg and the q. Something like the q accidentally led the civilization that became the borg to their ultimate fate; then groomed humanity to fix their mistake for them.

[@berryb745]

I think (it ma be beta) but the vaduuaar had something to do with the borg.. I don't remember all the details but it all went weird when they shut down everything in went to sleep

[@berryb745]

hellcat1988 also the reason Q are so involved is nil. The guy head in center of the universe, was the destruction of the tkon empire, well a battle effect was that nil interwind several universes, and even the Q couldn't undo the damage,, long story to it (but it's all beta) so cbs could remake it anyway if they wanted to

[@doop8436]

you mean the race that Voyager woke up and when Nelix heard their name he knew who they were? They didn't create Borg they told Capt Janeway that when they went to sleep the Borg wasn't even a threat and was tiny.. and he was surprised the Borg is a big threat to Galaxy

[@berryb745]

Doop yeah, it's all beta anyway so unless they show it it's all either fan fiction or beta I image there is probably 6 or more variants to it..

[@doop8436]

Not sure if its cannon or not but there is a novel where it says V'ger and Captain Decker merging is what created the Borg because they went back intime

[@wlessfanable]

You gotta hand it to the writers who first thought of the Continuum. They gave explorers a view of the finish line but it was up to those explorers on how to get there. Quite brilliant without stepping over ethical lines, really.

[@p.bamygdala2139]

Thanks for that! Please do make another video and answer all those questions!

[@TonyHoneycutt]

There was a book where Q and Picard have to save reality and meet a girl who in the end was much more powerful than the entirety of the Q.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*in other words a Trans Galactic, Multi Dimensional Mary Sue of unfathomable abilities who is best not to annoy least you encounter her wrath*

[@ChristianAkacro]

That whole bit with 0 was apocrypha from Peter David's Q Trilogy book series. It is not cannon.

[@terminat1]

A cannon is a big gun that goes BOOM.

[@bl4ckkn1g8t5]

terminat1 Boom boom boom let me here you say way-ooh (way-ooh)

[@IsraelSmithD]

There are books that are considered canon, however, that series was most definitely not. Then again, everything has been retconned (i.e. ruined) like Star Wars, so nothing really matters anymore

[@Muldfeld]

Thanks for explaining. I was wondering if this was in a "Voyager" episode or something (since I stopped watching the show in Season 4) because I couldn't remember this "0" from "The Next Generation."

[@MathewRenfro]

they call that "Beta-Canon" which is like licensed products, books, games, stories, and other franchise merchandise, which dont make it into "Alpha-Canon" -stuff in the mainstream movies and shows. this is help fans since, there is an official canon, which is constantly being retconned, erased, remade, etc. for Trek, Alpha memory & Beta memory are two good wiki's online.

[@niemandzuhause4897]

Greg Cox's trilogy is simply great!

[@2506poacher]

What a delightful and informative video , thankyou

[@Bigandrewm]

"The Q seem to have no real partners batting at their level." In Star Trek canon, this is unclear. Some beings seem reasonably similar in power: the Organians and possibly VGer after "ascension" come to mind. Those are pretty rare, though.

[@uncletaylorify]

In the book that brought in 0 the Organians are seen by the Q as they(Organians) watch the battle between the Q and 0. Q states that they are powerful and evolved but are in essence the "new" kids on the omnipotent block .....and there for not as powerful as the Q

[@darthrevan1281]

The Wormhole Aliens seem to be their peers or near peers. (Their Emissary straight up punched Q with no repercussions, implying that Sisko was under their direct protection.)

[@oiops]

They eat all the buffett food they want and try to get a smoking hot girlfriend.

[@the1tigglet]

They got bored with that years ago, everyone's been the scarecrow!

[@Innosos]

I'm definitely sure Janeway does not classify as hot

[@luciferangelica]

@@Innosos not as hot as your mom

[@StarboyXL9]

@@Innosos yeah, 100% not! lol

[@EphPhaThaINC]

I loved the character of Q and the introduction of The Q Continuium because it was Roddenberry's way showing that the Trek Universe was larger than that of the Federation and that if you have characters like Q, that could be mischievious one moment and then turn it around at the turn of a switch and be pretty damned sinister the next said so much for TNG. This is a character that brought levity to the apt often campy TNG and introduced something new. If you have this very powerful character that exist in the universe, imagine what else was there. Despite all of his shananigans, he still never chose sides. He was balanced and fair. He always stayed within his station. Remember, this was a character that if he deemed it necessary to give one ruling, one final ruling and he could be the one that could snap the entire Enterprise and humanity from all existence. He always provided for Picard to have a way out and if he couldn't he waited for him to call out to him. But even after that he made sure that the repercussions and consequences would be felt like in the instances with The Borg. He told them straight up, "I may have saved you but it is too late, they know that you exist and they will be coming for you." I appreciated the Q Civil War because it showed that they were world building and that the Continuium was just as human and could be killed despite their endless powers. They could be killed.

[@genkidamatrunks6759]

In Beta canon novel: i Q, we are told the Q are custodians of the universe.

[@jimkol8799]

Q introduced a new type of villain in pop culture, the all powerful reality warping Trickster who's neither a psychotic creature of chaos or a weird teacher who puts the protagonists in different trials to prove themselves. It is a good type of villain but it has become very common lately. Discord, Bill Cipher, Aku, Chaos, Eris, Black Hat, Alastor, HIM etc.

[@markhamrick9078]

The inevitable goal of all sentient beings is immortality.

[@icecold9511]

Except for Lorien of Babylon 5, and his bit of wisdom given to Ivanova.

[@That80sGuy1972]

The inevitability is extinction, some win the immortality lottery.

[@markhamrick9078]

@@That80sGuy1972 Like it! 👍 Extra point award!😎

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@markhamrick9078 Thank you. Thank you.

[@markhamrick9078]

@@That80sGuy1972 🖖😁

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

I clicked on this video because I thought the American Drag Queen Raja was in the thumbnail, but I'm not unhappy. I've had a crush on Q since day 1.

[@magicmulder]

It would’ve been a nice (and sad) plot twist to reveal that the Q were what V’Ger ultimately evolved into. V’Ger had reached the point of “is this all there is”, and so have the Q, albeit at a much higher level.

[@Not4Nanna]

ive had a fun but silly fan theory. every actor who plays two different characters is a Q i.e. Qs girl-friend and alexsandas mom are the same actress. alexander, odos “adopted farther” and quin are played by the same actor. coincidence? or are the Q playing with reality more then we know??? erm also this may mean worfs a Q because his actors is in one of the original star trek films so that makes this idea really ridiculous because i don’t think the most used character in star trek is a Q. just a thought.

[@terminat1]

That's not only silly but totally illogical!

[@hansnhsu]

this would mean that Koloth was a Q because his actor also played the Squire of Gothos

[@thod8820]

Sadly this is not the Q parody of "what do they do" that I thought it was going to be. ♪What Does Q dooooooo♪

[@austin1839]

I'd love to have the powers of a Q.

[@MisterVolts]

Loved the Q character. No one else would have pulled it off like John DeLancie. That being said, I think he was a seasonal wildcard for the writers... i.e., when they were out of ideas they would toss Q out there and say "We can play this one out no matter how absurd! " Anyway - great post, I enjoyed muchly, thanks! Edit : Corbin Bernsen was a good "other Q" guest appearance. 👍

[@neilprice513]

To be honest I always thought the Q were Humanity highly evolved descendant. Like I think the Prophets are Highly evolved descendants of the Bajorians.

[@qthefirsttimelord6054]

Evolved? Not really,. Different. Changed from the base thinking processes of your typical human? Absolutely.

[@stevenclark5173]

The Prophets didn't even understand the concept of time, they were pretty isolated in their own little dimension.

[@GentlemanBystander]

"What does Q do?" Move the bogged down and stilted plot.

[@ZadeWilson]

If interested, "Q Squared" is probably one of my favorite Q stories, with Q and the Squire of Gothos as two of the main characters

[@scottmantooth8785]

*have that one on tape and it's read by John De Lancie...serious geek factor without question*

[@ZadeWilson]

@@scottmantooth8785 I had no idea, that is fantastic

[@scottmantooth8785]

@@ZadeWilson *well worth hunting down...can be found on Audible (i think)*

[@Bonez0r]

Video title: "Q: What do they do?" Insert shot of Q sitting at a table. Sitting across him on the other side of the table are the Bobs from Office Space. The Bobs: "What would you say you DO here?"