Q Who

TNG Season 2 Episode 16
Air Date: May 8th, 1989

Plot

Q is kicked out the continuum and is getting bored. He decides he wants to join Starfleet. But Picard refuses as he doesn't feel Q would be able to cut it. He also challenges Q on what his responsibilities would be. Being an omnipotent being, would he tolerate being an ensign. Q decides to show Picard that he is needed by sending the Enterprise into the delta quadrant where they encounter the Borg.

After losing 18 people in the attack and realizing that even after crippling the Borg cube, it can regenerate and adapt to attacks. Picard begs Q to bring them back and says that he has learned his lesson. Q brings them back but Picard is also angry at Q for being responsible for 18 crew deaths. Q says that 18 deaths was a bargain to give the Federation an advance warning of an enemy that could be the end of the Federation.

Commentary

This is the first episode in Star Trek that really introduces the Borg. Some believe that Vger was from the Borg and there were other things that hinted Borg but it is all speculation. When the Enterprise first arrives in the delta quadrant they find planets that have gone through similar types of destruction as some of the outposts in the Romulan neutral zone.

This episode has the largest loss of life on the Enterprise to date. I can't count any of it towards the red shirt counts as we don't get any details on who died in the Borg attack.

Quotes

"My people encountered them a century ago. They destroyed our cities, scattered my people throughout the galaxy. They're called the Borg. Protect yourself, Captain, or they'll destroy you." - Guinan

"You wanted to frighten us. We're frightened. You wanted to show us that we were inadequate. For the moment, I grant that. You wanted me to say, I need you? I need you!" - Picard

"I understand what you've done here, Q. But I think the lesson could have been learned without the loss of 18 members of my crew." - Picard
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid." - Q