Q Who?

Production # 142

Original Air Date 05-08-89

Stardate 42761.3

Synopsis:

Picard's nemesis, the powerful, extra-dimensional being named Q, hurls the U.S.S. Enterprise across the galaxy after Picard refuses to let him become a member of the crew.

Immediately upon arriving in this unexplored part of the galaxy, the U.S.S. Enterprise encounters an alien ship. Suddenly, two Borg — part organic and part artificial beings — appear in the Main Engineering room. Unfortunately, the U.S.S. Enterprise's defenses are helpless against the powerful aliens, who begin draining information from ship's computers.

Then, having surveyed the ship's weakened defensive capabilities, the Borg vessel demands the surrender of the U.S.S. Enterprise. When Picard refuses, a short but fierce battle ensues, leaving both ships badly damaged and 18 Enterprise crew members dead. Desperate to learn more about this seemingly invincible enemy, Picard sends an Away Team to investigate the Borg ship, which is controlled by the collective minds of all the Borg, rather than by an individual leader.

When Data reports that the Borg are busy repairing their vessel, Picard quickly orders the Away Team to beam back so that the U.S.S. Enterprise can make its escape while the aliens are dormant. But as soon as the ship begins moving, the Borg give chase.

With the Borg vessel gaining on the U.S.S. Enterprise, Q appears on the bridge to taunt Picard with insults about the inadequacies of the starship. As the Borg close in and prepare to finish off the ship and crew, Picard admits to Q that he needs his help. Delighted with the captain's confession, Q instantly hurls the Enterprise out of the remote part of the galaxy and back to safety.

Cast:
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Thomas Riker
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Data
Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan
Diana Muldaur as Katherine "Kate" Pulaski

Guest Cast:
Colm Meaney as O'Brien
John de Lancie as Q
Lycia Naff as Sonya

Creative staff:
Director: Robert Bowman
Written By: Maurice Hurley
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Episode information from startrek.com.