Star Trek: The Next Generation Qpid (1987–1994) Online

ST:TNG:94 - "Qpid" (Stardate: 44741.9) - this is the 20th episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

In this interesting if not always entertaining episode, while Picard is about to give a speech to the greatest archaeological minds of his time, the archaeologist Vash, a romantic interest that he met on Risa (during the 3rd season episode "Captain's Holiday"), suddenly comes onboard the Enterprise - waiting for Picard in his quarters!

However, when Vash realizes that Picard never mentioned her to his friends, Q suddenly appears to Picard to "repay a debt" from their last encounter - by trying to rekindle Picard and Vash's romance by taking he and his crewmates and Vash into a Robin Hood simulation (with Picard as Robin Hood, Vash as Maid Marian, and Q as the Sheriff of Nottingham!).

Trivia note: the statue from "Captain's Holiday" is on Picard's table when he enters his quarters.

Oh, it's funny to hear Worf say (in Robin Hood style costuming) - "Sir, I must protest! I am NOT a merry man!"

This is one of my favorite Q episodes! It contains at least two movie references that I could identify. 1) While the bridge crew is passing time in the forest, Geordi practices his instrument. In a pretty good Animal House imitation, Worf comes over takes the instrument from Geordi, smashes it against a tree, hands it back to Geordi, and apologizes. ;-} 2) During the great fight sequence, Captain Picard and the Sir Guy character are dueling with their swords along the stairs. Sir Guy proclaims proudly that he is the finest swordsmen in all of Nottingham. In Prince Bride fashion, Captain Picard confides in Sir Guy that there is something he doesn't know......"I am not from Nottingham!".

Very good episode!

Picard is in love with Vash. She is unpredictable, dangerous, and beautiful. She is also a threat to the relationship he has with Beverly (even though they never seem to get around to anything). Vash has shown up at a conference that is being hosted on the Enterprise and has thrown Picard into a tizzy. Not only that but who should show up as well? Q! He wants to reward Picard for getting him back in the continuum. Picard can't shake him and Q, in his inimitable way, launches one of his intergalactic practical jokes. He turns the regulars on the series into characters from the Robin Hood legend. Unlike a holodeck fantasy, the situation is deadly. He takes Vash and holes her up in a castle where she is to be executed. Picard as Robin Hood is given the task of rescuing her. When she realizes she is to be beheaded, she immediately agrees to marry Sir Guy, just out of expediency. She is a survivor and decides "Whatever." Meanwhile, Picard and his "merry men" go to the castle and all manner of fun ensues. I think that Q provides an opportunity for the actors to spread their wings a bit. This is quite a hoot and we know that things will eventually work out. Or will they?

In "Qpid," Captain Picard is preparing to give a speech on the forbidden ruins of Tegus 3 when he receives a visit from his romantic-interest, Vash. Matters are further complicated by a visit from Q, who intervenes and turns Picard and his senior staff into Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

First, I should say that I have always liked the relationship between Captain Picard and Vash. Jean-Luc Picard is so disciplined and reserved; and, Vash is Picard's exact opposite. It was great seeing Vash return to the show.

The appearance of Q in this episode was not surprising. Most of the "Star Trek: the Next Generation" episodes in which Q appeared included a reference to Q in the episodes' titles. Q was a great foil for the Enterprise crew; and by this point in the series, Q was a humorous character as well. The Q episodes were generally a lot of fun.

Much of the story of "Qpid" was light-hearted and humorous. There was one scene which borrowed a joke from the movie, "Animal House" (I won't say what the joke was; but, it worked well in this episode as both a reference to the scene in "Animal House" as well as a joke in its own right).

Overall, the episode was light-hearted fun and was very enjoyable to watch!

As Capt. Picard prepares to deliver a speech at an archaeologists' conference he is surprised when old flame Vash comes knocking on his door. For once Picard actually seems a little flustered; he clearly has feelings for Vash but he hasn't mentioned her to any of the crew; something that she is disappointed by. If the arrival wasn't enough another face from his past returns; this time somebody everybody on the Enterprise knows: Q! Q claims that he is there to repay a debt he owes to Picard… and he will repay it whether Picard wants him to or not. Q has a strange idea of repaying a debt; he transforms Picard and his senior staff into Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men before taking them to a recreation of Medieval England. Here he informs Picard that Vash is playing the role of Maid Marian and if he doesn't rescue her by noon the next day she will be executed.

This is a fun if somewhat silly episode… much like the character of Q; his omnipotence makes him too powerful. Thankfully John de Lancie's performance makes this potentially disastrous character quite fun. Jennifer Hetrick puts in a spirited performance as Vash… her turn as 'Maid Marian' was a delight as she clearly had her own ideas about how to stay alive. The whole Robin Hood thing was somewhat cheesy but again it provided a few decent laughs; Worf's 'I am not a Merry Man' comment was priceless as was the moment he destroyed Geordi's lute. Overall a more light-hearted episode than usual; not a classic but much better than I'd expected after reading the synopsis.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Roddenberry's second creation of an elite group exploring space through humanity is a remarkable milestone for not only television but the sci-fi genre itself. As it quips repetitively, it dares go where no one has been before, and analyzes the good and bad of the nature. And it's that wide range of nature that is touched down, in all its hokum that it calls for, the answers are overwhelming to all the questions thrown out to it. Unlike the previous series, it has much more characters to handle which is a double edge sword. On the pro section, it helps writers jump in on diverse categories through them and swoop in as much as material possible through their individual perspective and still keep it all inside a definite and familiar circle.

On the other hand, it also is challenging to fiddle around these many characters on screen, especially the amount of new contents and eerie ideas each episode comes up with, it increases the possibility to lean towards flaws. And yes, it has its own limitation, but in its own gullible range and potential, it just simply works. Plus, what's fascinating is despite of being brimmed with these many personas floating about in the space, they haven't allotted any stereotypical specific characteristics to the characters, their species and nature may definitely vary, but a cheesy note is strictly prohibited in Enterprise-D.

The infamous Capt. Jean-Luc Picard played by Stewart who is mostly known by this role from his career, is exceptionally well crafted character that is simply nothing but a good leader and add Stewart's performance to that, the outcome is your iconic character that survives decades easily. Sirtis as the consciously enhanced counselor fits perfectly in the ship and the makers makes sure either they keep her up front to notify the shady part of the plot or distracts her wisely to advance the plot.

Frakes, once again, a competent leader and warrior that is more explored into love affairs while Dorn as a hot head and Burton as the most adapting and willful learner on the ship helps make the environment more engaging and realistic. Spiner as the android, Lt. Commander Data, who means nothing but business, unfortunately, is the guy that means the least amount of business, often relied upon for the humor, he might be explored thoroughly but is rarely projected with sincerity.

Personally, I prefer Stewart's mellow equation with Wheaten who looks up to him as a father figure and adds the right amount of emotion to it, McFadden's friendly relation too helps on spicing up this dish. The guest cast coming in- often playing the antagonist- invests equally and perpetually to this scoreboard. Advancing further than the previous series did, this journey also brings in rich traditional rituals and their own quirky references to the table. Star Trek: The Next Generation is your typical space ride, floating without any control it grabs everything like a child, and in its innocence and honesty it is one breathtaking ride.

Season 04

This fourth act of the series lives up to the expectations on terms of bringing out new vivid concepts that are mostly pulled out from the old buried lands, what it unfortunately lacks is the thought provoking ethical dilemmas that were present in the previous season.

The Drumhead

A rough counselling is what goes on in its initial stages or maybe this was their strategy in order to elevate the last act, either way you are not enlightened or bored by it, it is just another treachery reported or documented into account.

"Qpid" is a silly episode--one which is inconsequential and harmless. I am not saying it's bad--it's just that it's one that is easy to skip and that you cannot take very seriously.

The episode begins with some sort of archaeological conference about to begin on the Enterprise. Picard's love interest (or as close as you'll find to one) Vash appears unexpectedly for the conference. Considering she's an amoral thief, it is very odd (and makes no sense) that Picard allows her unrestricted access to the ship. In the midst of this little reunion, Q appears and demands that Picard allow him to repay his debt from the last episode. Of course, the fun-hating Picard refuses strongly, so Q decides to do something for him anyways, transporting Picard and the series regulars into an adventure that looks like it's straight from the holodeck--involving Picard playing Robin Hood. On hand as Maid Marion is Vash and the whole thing is amazingly silly, though it seems Q set all this up in order to give Picard a chance to impress his girl.

There are some funny and wonderful moments--such as when Troi is trying out a bow and arrow as well as the way Vash and Q hit is off together. But, it's also a completely contrived and rather dumb show. So, it's fun and enjoyable but also pretty lame at the same time!.

When you examine this particular TNG episode you realize at times how silly some of the stories can be. But a chance to see John DeLancie as Q and Jennifer Hetrick as Vash is never to be passed up.

No doubt about it Vash and Q are two of the most capricious beings that Captain Picard knows in the Universe. As Vash makes it a no bones fact that she's out for herself first and foremost she and Patrick Stewart can never really get together.

But Q decides to test that relationship by putting them into a Robin Hood fantasy from old earth legends along with the rest of the Enterprise regulars with Vash as Maid Marian. As she's not from the earth Hetrick is slow on the uptake. And chivalry really isn't something she values.

Nevertheless this is Q's attempt to test Picard's romantic inclinations and it doesn't quite go as expected.

Clive Revill is Sir Guy of Gisborne in this amusing story.

One of the few TNG episodes that just didn't do anything for me, 'Qpid' really felt like going through the motions. They bring back Vash, yet smother the sparks between Patrick Stewart and Jennifer Hetrick; Q repurposes the crew for a Nottingham reenactment, but they spend the entire episode standing around. Usually, the instant mentioning of Q suggests a silly or at lest fanciful episode. But this just hangs their like wet laundry. It had no spring, no verve; and more than that, it felt like a waste of both Q's charm and the continuation of a Picard romance that has no future. There are a couple of good movie references while the crew's waiting in the wings (and the image of Data as Friar Tuck), but this was a huge shrug for me.

5/10