Q Continuum (Star Trek)

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In the Star Trek universe, the Q Continuum is an extradimensional plane of existence inhabited by a race of seemingly omnipotent, immortal and omniscient hyperintelligent godlike beings known as the Q. Although they have individual, flawed personalities (they seem prone to arrogance, for instance, although they would argue that an omnipotent being has every right to be arrogant) their power seems unlimited ("I have unlimited control over space, matter and time" -Q2). They claim to be largely indifferent to the affairs of the non-Q beings living in normal space, or in the many dimensions parallel to their own, considering them to be insignificant and childlike. However they are clearly very interested in human beings in particular, subjecting the human race to various tests. It is implied that they are intrigued but also threatened by humanity's potential. The Q have appeared on episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and possibly even the original Star Trek (see below).

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[edit] Overview

The Q are apparently all individually named Q, and while this would be very confusing for humans, the Q themselves don't seem to have a problem with it. The most notable of the Q is played by John de Lancie, a mischievous Q who, having taken an interest in humans, periodically harasses the crews of starships and space stations. He also has a flair for the dramatic, whisking away the crew to exotic locations, engaging in elaborate speeches, and snapping his fingers to engender many of his manifestations. He has a highly mercurial personality, switching rapidly between a joking, campy style and a much more ominous and even dangerous manner. While he is very boastful, condescending and occasionally threatening, he ultimately seems to have humanity's best interests at heart. This Q was apparently something of a rebel within the Q race, and his antics occasionally got him into trouble with his fellow Q and served as an inspiration for the Q that the Voyager crew would know as Quinn, who admired his restlessness and inquisitiveness. Quinn eventually became a rogue Q who demanded to be allowed to commit suicide.

Some other members of the Continuum featured in Star Trek are Q2 and Amanda Rogers who was raised like a human but eventually discovered her true identity.

Some episodes have suggested that the Q evolved since the Big Bang to their current state, and that possibly they were like humans very early on. One member of the Q once referred to a "New Era" among the Continuum, during which an important change occurred in the species. No further details were given, although the New Era may have been the time at which the ancient Q finally abandoned their material bodies and became incorporeal about 10,000 B.C., although this would make Q and Mrs. Q's claim that they have been a couple for billions of years seem an exaggeration. However, it is made clear that the Continuum is on a separate plane of existence and thus not subject to linear time as normal space is. It has been suggested by Quinn that when the Q gave up their physicality and achieved their godlike powers, they also gave up any chance of growth or evolution since change was unnecessary. It is also theorized that there is a deeper meaning implyed by the author. In the episode "All Good Things..." He mentions that Picard is destined to explore existence itself. It is believed that this could mean that the Q originally evolved from humans, which would also explain their interest in them. This is possible since Q do not exist in linear time. Q's meaning of that statement has never been explained in any episode or movie of Star Trek.

[edit] Known members of the Q Continuum

  • Q (John de Lancie) - the most frequently-appearing representative of the Continuum during the various Star Trek series from The Next Generation onwards.
  • Q (Corbin Bernsen) aka Q2 - manifested as a blonde man in the Next Generation episode Déjà Q, and was responsible for getting Q (John de Lancie) kicked out and stripped of his powers, and his subsequent reinstatement; once misplaced the Deltived asteroid belt.
  • Amanda Rogers (Olivia D'Abo) appeared in the Next Generation episode True Q - born to two Q who took human appearance and, living in Kansas on Earth, conceived her in the "vulgar" human fashion; her parents were killed by a powerful Q-caused tornado that only destroyed one house. While she longs to live as a normal human, eventually this proves to be impractical and she leaves to explore her powers with the other Q.
  • Also in the True Q episode, an unknown Q representative, or composite of several Q, who queried Q (De Lancie) on his progress with Amanda. This Q was represented as a shadowy form.
  • In the Voyager episode, Death Wish, the Q named Quinn (Gerrit Graham) - the name taken by one of the Continuum's philosopher-writers who felt that the Q had become stagnant in their quest for development of their species and who longed to commit suicide.
  • Lady Q (Suzie Plakson) appeared in the Voyager Episode, The Q and the Grey - She has had a long friendship with Q, and they finally had a child circa 2373. Like all her race she introduced herself merely as "Q". Fans sometimes whimsically call her "Suzie Q". (She is called "Lady Q" in the non-canon novel "I, Q" by Peter David)
  • Q (Keegan de Lancie), aka "Junior" - son of Q and Lady Q appears in the Voyager episode, Q2.

(Several other Q appeared in The Q and the Grey, although only the "Confederate" colonel (Harve Presnell) and Lady Q had speaking roles.)

[edit] Possible Q from The Original Series

  • Trelane (William Campbell) - Probably the strongest unofficial contender for member of the Q Continuum, Trelane was an omnipotent, very Q-like entity encountered by James T. Kirk in the TOS episode "The Squire of Gothos." Like Q, Trelane viewed humans as playthings, appeared in many guises, could instantly rearrange matter and energy, and even subjected Kirk to a mock trial. He initially relied on a machine to assist his self-described "instrumentality," but after it was destroyed he displayed even greater feats. When Kirk asked about this, Trelane responded, "Did you really think that was the only medium of instrumentality at my command?" At the end of the episode Trelane is revealed to be merely a child of his race—this may explain his partial reliance on the machine. (The possibility that Trelane was a Q formed the basis for Peter David's book Q-Squared. However, this link is only speculation, not canon.)
  • Charles Evans - Charlie Evans was a young man who was given Q-like powers by a race called the Thasians, when he was found as the only survivor on their desolate homeworld.

Some fans have speculated that the Metrons, the Organians, and Apollo were also possibly members of the Q Continuum.

[edit] Episodes featuring one or more Q

Q as judge, in the episodes Encounter at Farpoint and All Good Things...
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Q as judge, in the episodes Encounter at Farpoint and All Good Things...


[edit] External links

Main Star Trek nations
United Federation of Planets  · Humans
Romulans  · Klingons  · Tholians
Gorn · Q  · Ferengi  · Borg  · Kazon
Cardassians  · Bajorans  · Trill  · Hirogen
Dominion  · Breen  · Xindi  · Vulcans
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