Hide & Q

Quick Overview: The Q returns to tempt Commander Riker into joining the Continuum.

On stardate 41590.5, the USS Enterprise races at maximum warp toward Quadra Sigma III, to render aid to colonists caught in a methane gas explosion. Suddenly, the Enterprise is forced to a halt by an all to familiar barrier grid, the same kind they faced when they encountered the Q. Captain Picard curses Q's interruption, announcing they have no time for games. A blinding light appears on the bridge and Q's voice booms fourth. He is surprised that humans haven't scurried back to their little Earth by now. Picard refuses to listen to Q, ordering him to leave them alone. Q's brilliance becomes a menacing three-headed serpent that lunges toward the Captain. Tasha Yar and Worf find their phasers have been rendered useless. Picard begs Q to relent, and that he will listen to what he has to say. The serpent vanishes and Q's human form appears. To Picard's annoyance, Q is dressed as a Starfleet Admiral.

Q explains that ever since the Farpoint mission, he has been studying his humans closely, and indicates they have piqued his interest. Picard expresses the urgency of their rescue mission, but Q tells Picard to abandon it; his business takes precedence. He offers them the realization of their wildest dreams. Everyone's interest is piqued, knowing that Q is capable of remarkable things. Picard indicates that once the rescue mission is completed, he will gladly return and listen to Q's proposal.

Q is saddened, and asks why Picard distrusts him so. Picard angrilly reminds him that the last time they met, he seized control of the Enterprise, condemned humans as savage beasts, and tried them in a court of horrors. Q laughs, noticing the part about "seizing control of the ship" annoys Picard the most. Picard continues; then interfered with the Farpoint mission, threatening to convict them if they made the slightest error. He points out they passed the test, to which Q indicates thats the point at which he became interested in them. Oh, how Picard doesn't realize his good fortune; so typical of a closed mind to accustomed to military privileges.

Q sees Riker as different however, and asks what he thinks about the offer of a lifetime. Riker claims he stands by his Captain, but Q senses his growing curiosity. Riker repeats they have no time for games, but a game is what Q had in mind. He waves a hand, "To the game!" Everyone on the bridge, except for Picard, dissappears, leaving the bewildered Captain alone. Riker, Tasha, Worf, LaForge, and Data appear on a desert planet with a bright yellow sky lit by two suns. They wonder where in the universe they've been taken to, but knowing Q, it could be anywhere or nowhere. They notice Picard is missing, obviously he wasn't meant to come along. They find Q nearby, now dressed as a French Marshall, (circa Napoleonic Era), sitting under the shade of a battlefield campaign tent. He offers the team to sit and enjoy some refreshing lemonade, replying a good game needs planning. He quotes, "Nothing reveals humanity so well as the games it plays."

Q explains that humans are growing, advancing, but into what? Thats the question. Riker looks around at the historic setting stating this can't be something from humanity's future. Q says he took the setting from their stodgy Captain's mind; a game requires boundaries, dangers, rewards, familiar settings. Riker demands Q to get to his point of bringing them here. Q ponders on what the game should test. Strength? Meaningless, since humans have none. Intelligence? Equally meaningless. A game needs risk, something to win, something to lose. Riker asks what would be the prize, to which Q announces, "the greatest possible future you can imagine", which, of course, requires something totally disastrous if they lose. He finally determines the game should be one of survival.

Worf indicates that if the rules are fair, they will survive, but Q claims "fairness" is a human concept, think imaginatively, the game will be completely unfair. Tasha becomes angry at this and she ridicules Q. He calls a "game penalty" on her, points a finger, and she disappears. Stunned, Riker demands to know where she was sent, to which Q replies a "penalty box" of course. Unfortunately, the penalty box can only hold one player, and she will remain there, unharmed, until another player merits a penalty, in which case Tasha will be sent into nothingness.

Back on the Enterprise Picard is trapped on the bridge. He can't open the turbolift doors. He can't call for help from his departments. He can't even make a log entry. Suddenly Tasha pops in. She indicates she's in a "penalty box" and begins to cry in frustration, explaining if Q calls another penalty she will be gone. She feels miserable being controlled like this. Picard tries to console her, then suddenly Q returns. He sits in Captain's chair, where Picard scoffs at his costume. A French Marshall? Ridiculous!

To Picard's annoyance Q makes a log entry. He speaks for the Captain, who he considers too bound by Starfleet custom and tradition to be of any use in this activity. Picard interrupts, "But proved to be a resourceful opponent at Farpoint." Q makes a face and continues; the Enterprise is trapped, while its crew plays out a game whose real intent is to see if Commander Riker is worthy of the greatest gift the Q have to offer. Picard smirks, so Q is taking on Riker this time. He doesn't worry and indicates Riker will defeat him as he did. Q asks for a wager on that. Say, Picard's command for... Picard inserts ...for your staying out of humanity's path forever? Done! Q laughs aloud, indicating that Picard has already lost. Riker is to be offered something impossible to reject.

Picard tries to level with Q. He knows that Q has some need or concern of humans, whichever it is, why solve it through games? What not a direct statement? Q is surprised that Picard has to ask when his Shakespeare explains it so well. A book of Shakespearean plays appears in Q's hands. He flips it open and quotes; "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Picard is amused, so how they respond to games tells Q more than watching them in real life. How interesting.

Q asks if he should quote Hamlet. Picard however, knows the words, and states with conviction, what Shakespeare said with irony; "What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty. In form, in moving, how express and admirable. In action, how like an angel. In apprehension, how like a god." Q doesn't believe Picard truly sees humanity becoming that, but Picard wholly believes that one day they will. Q rises angrily to his feet, he slaps the book closed and vanishes in disgust.

Back on the planet, the team spots an army of Bonaparte soldiers assembling behind a ridge. They tote primitive powder muskets and cannons, and form a skirmish line. The soldiers however, do not appear human. They have twisted faces and beastly features. Riker wonders what's next, but Worf and Geordi suggest that if the soldiers attack, their phasers will be no match against them, assuming their phasers still work. Riker doesn't believe Q would give them such an advantage. He suspects a trap. Riker turns to Data for a suggestion, but is shocked to see Data now has Q's face! Data-Q warns to "think fast and move fast".

The beast-soldiers storm the ridge. One takes aim at Geordi, but when it fires its musket, it produces a phaser blast that nearly vaporizes the rock Geordi cowers behind. Those are no muskets. A firefight breaks out. Riker manages to vaporize two of the soldiers, but more swarm in. The situation looks grim. Data-Q joins the Commander, and whispers that he has only one chance to save his people; send them back to the Enterprise. Riker doesn't see why Q would let them leave, but Q indicates he has given Riker the power of the Q. All he has to do is use it and it will be done. Riker waves his hand. His team vanishes as he wished.

Back on the Enterprise, everyone returns, save for Riker. The ship is back on course, and according to the clock, they are at the time they were when Q first arrived. Picard orders the mission to resume, assuming Riker is in no danger since Q has taken so much interest in him. All they can do it wait and see what happens.

Back on the planet, Riker stands amazed at what he did. His companions are gone, the soldiers are gone, and the only sound is his proud laughter. Q asks to share the joke, but Riker says the joke is on him. Q thinks it is strange gratitude for being granted a gift beyond any human dream. He hopes Riker realizes he could return himself to his ship, or do whatever he desires, but Riker tells Q to come straight with what he really wants. Q scoffs, he wants nothing from pathetic non-entities, but Riker demands the truth.

Q explains that at Farpoint he saw humans as savages. He hoped to scare them back from whence they came. He discovered instead, that they are unusual creatures in their own limited ways, ways which in time may not be so limited. Riker explains humans are driven to grow and learn. Q warns they will become a force that will grow stronger in centuries to come, a future even the mighty Q cannot conceive. He indicates the Q must know more about the human condition, and hopes Riker will join the Continuum, to bring that human need and hunger to them so they can understand it. Riker can't believe the offer; join the Q? He indicates he doesn't even like them. Q warns "you're going to miss me", and vanishes again.

Suddenly Riker sees his companions reappear, this time Picard and Wesley Crusher are with them. The beast-army also returns. The crew find themselves unarmed and facing the soldier's bayonets bare-handed. A melee ensues, each officer taking on a soldier. Most can hold them off except for Wesley who is impaled by his opponent. Riker shouts in anger and waves his hand. The grid barrier appears, cutting off the soldiers from his companions. Picard is astonished, knowing only the Q have such power.

Riker wills everyone safely back to the Enterprise. All their wounds are healed, including Wesley's near fatal stabbing. Riker stands with a formidable expression on his face as his friends look to him in awe. They also show a hint of fear. Picard talks to Riker in private. He fears his First Officer will abuse the power he is given, but Riker assures him he will not use it, not even if tempted to do so, no matter how difficult Q makes it. Picard wants to believe him.

The Enterprise finally arrives at Quadra Sigma, and the rescue team beams down. They find the devastation is worse than they feared. Data pulls one of the victims from the rubble. It is a young girl. Dr. Crusher tries to help, but the child is clearly dead. Riker observes the body in disgust. He fights his emotions, clearly tempted to bring the child back to life, but he remembers his promise to Picard and walks away.

Afterward, Riker calls a meeting with his fellow officers. They all appear, the silent looks of concern, and fear remain. He tells them that despite what power the Q has given him, he is no monster. He is still the William T. Riker they all know. Everyone remains uncomfortable. Picard breaks the ice, noting the old saying, "power corrupts", and that Riker not to forget who gave it to him. Q sees humans a lowly creatures to torment for his amusement. Riker tries to convince them that Q sees them differently, explaining they have a quality of growth which he admires. Geordi adds "or fears." Picard believes Q has muddled Riker's mind, but Riker retorts saying they don't understand the gift he has been given.

Suddenly, Q steps from the shadows. This time he is dressed in the robes of a Franciscan monk. He questions if the crew are truly Riker's friends, suspecting they are just jealous of his wonderful gift. He pulls out a wooden cross, "let us pray for understanding." Picard becomes outraged, but Q acts innocent, stating he only seeks truth. Picard ridicules him, asking why all the costumes, has he no identity of his own? Q sees the true evil here is jealously. He tells Riker to show them all that he is still their friend. Offer them gifts, give them what they seek most. Riker is uncomfortable, but sees no harm in it. Picard believes his people will refuse the gifts, he tells Riker to cooperate with Q if he wishes, by all means show his gifts of affection.

Riker knows Wesley wants to be treated like an adult, so he changes the boy into a handsome young man. Riker looks at Data, knowing the android would like nothing more than to become human, however, Data declines saying it would be just an illusion upon another illusion, quoting, "to thine own self be true." It may be real to everyone else, but not to himself. Riker gives Geordi is sight back. The lieutenant removes his VISOR and looks around the room with healthy eyes, but he too declines the offer, stating the price is a little high, and he doesn't like who he has to thank. Riker then turns to Worf, a mighty warrior, but without a single tie to his own kind. Riker conjures a Klingon female who grovels affectionately at Worf's feet. Worf exclaims she is from a world now alien to him, and he has no place in life for this now. Wesley also asks to be returned to normal. He would like to grow up an adult on his own.

Picard is pleased with himself for estimating this correctly, and with his people for their common sense. Riker also understands, feeling like an idiot, but admits it was a pleasure for being able to offer them their dreams, if only for a moment.

Picard turns to Q telling him he has no further business here. He has failed to tempt a human to join the Continuum, and has lost the bet. He must now leave humans alone. Q is annoyed, indicating they have just destroyed themselves. He disappears in a brilliant flash leaving the crew as he found them. Wesley is a kid again, Geordi's eyes are blind, the Klingon woman is gone, and Riker is powerless mortal once again.