TNG S4E20 "Qpid" Review by AnswerMan

Horrible:Meh:Adequate:Good:Fantastic

I've never been a big fan of Q episodes, and I know "Qpid" is basically regarded as the worst of them, so I went in this time around with very low expectations, and came out pleasantly surprised. I think my aversion to Q actually stems from watching these shows as a child. Q is a bad guy and puts people in danger, therefore I didn't like him, and therefore I didn't like Q episodes because I knew my favorite characters would be in harm's way even more than usual. But now I'm all grown up and I actually have an appreciation for evil characters, as well as a sick sense of humor. So now I'm finding these Q episodes more enjoyable than I ever did before.

There are two reasons that I think most Trek fans have a disdain for episodes like this, and both of them really just boil down to the fact that they're not proper science fiction. First, they're just silly and flippant. I don't go to Star Trek to see people prance around in tights and ridiculous outfits for laughs. However, after now having watched TOS, I have a better appreciation for the lighter side of Trek. Scotty getting hammered and stumbling around might have cured me of thinking that everything needs to be serious all the time. Second, having a regular character who is omnipotent is a cop-out on even trying to pretend there's a scientific premise behind what we're seeing. Plus it's hard to get emotionally invested when we know that everything can change again with the snap of a finger. However, all of Trek is fantasy, right? I think a person with the power to transform space and time as well as matter itself is sort of the ultimate in fantasy. It's just a fun concept to see unfold. So maybe if you're tuning in to see deep level science fiction, an episode like "Qpid" will disappoint you. But if you are in love with these characters, and like to see them thrown into situations other than just running diagnostics all day, this episode is a fun break. I wouldn't want them all to be this way, but it's ok every now and then.

Anyway, on to the plot. Picard is going to host a boring archaeological thing on the Enterprise, and who shows up but Vash (such a cool name!), his fling from Risa. Things get really awkward when she's in Beverly's seat at the captain's table for breakfast. They both fake excitement at meeting one another, and trot off to tour the ship. Vash realizes that no one has any clue who she is, and is hurt that the captain has not told anyone about her. Which...why would he? It's not like they're a couple. This is the first they've seen each other since their adventure. She acts like she's this major part of his life, and she clearly isn't. Picard tells her that it would be inappropriate for a captain to tell his crew who he was boning while on the pleasure planet, and I have to agree with him on that one. Then Picard is reminded that Vash is actually a thief, and the two have it out. Any pretense of them ever being a real couple is now gone.

Then Q shows up. He says that he owes Picard a solid, and wants to settle. Of course Picard wants nothing to do with him, but is tempted by the prospect of examining off-limits ruins, or even visiting the ancient times in person. But in the end he refuses, so Q comes up with a plan to prove that love is a destructive force. Because that's the same as doing someone a favor, I guess? He creates a Robin Hood scenario where Picard is the lead and Vash is Maid Marian. Q tells Picard that he needs to rescue Vash or she will be executed for reals. He then points out that if he does attempt a rescue, someone on his crew is likely to get killed. So would he really selfishly trade the life of one of his men for his main squeeze? This is the dilemma presented, and Q says that once it's all set into action, he will not interfere with the outcome.

There are some great comedy moments here. First, Worf indignantly protests, while dressed in a ridiculous red outfit with tights, "I am NOT a merry man!" Later, Geordi is attempting to play his mandolin, and Worf very calmly walks up to him, takes it away, and smashes it against a tree. He hands it back with a genuine "sorry." It's hilarious. [EDIT- I just learned that this was an homage to Animal House, I had no idea and it was still funny to me] Another is when Picard climbs the tower and into the window to rescue Vash. He comically struggles to get into the room (with no help from her) and then when he finally makes it in does a little jump and ends with kind of "ta-da" pose that is fitting of the Robin Hood character. It's good stuff. But Vash is upset and refuses to go with him, because sneaking out in the middle of the night is not a dashing enough rescue for her. Listen bitch, he's not even your boyfriend, you're lucky he's there at all. She delays long enough that the sheriff (Q) and Sir Guy bust them. Vash keeps up her ruse that she's on the side of Sir Guy and intends to marry him. This tactic impresses Q, who finds her resourcefulness genuinely interesting. But then Q finds a note that she was going to pass to a servant instructing the crew to rescue the captain. Which...wouldn't they come anyway when he didn't come back? That note seemed like an unnecessary risk.

The following day the crew comes in disguise to the execution. Data creates a diversion by tossing a piece of his arm in a fire. Does he have spare parts that we're not aware of? You'd think he'd be more cautious with his bespoke appendages. Anyway, the crew performs the rescue. They're all just a little bit too good at sword-fighting, but the scene works ok. When he is rescued, Picard calls for Q to end it, and they're all instantly sent back to the Enterprise. Well, all but Vash. Later she appears in a flash in Picard's quarters. She and Q really get along well, and she's decided to go exploring the galaxy with him. Picard asks that he guarantee her safety as repayment for the debt, and he agrees. They say goodbye, and this time seemingly at her will, she vanishes. So was she even there? I mean, in the beginning, how was she in Picard's quarters by herself when no one in security even knew who she was or that she was even on the ship? She admitted that she wasn't even in the boring archaeological society, so how did she gain access to the ship? Was Q just using her likeness as a love interest for Picard? Or did he really just swoop in and steal Picard's actual love interest?

This isn't the best episode of TNG, but it is Adequate. It's particularly fun to watch Picard squirm awkwardly when Vash is on board the Enterprise. The Robin Hood stuff is silly, but that's the point, and there are some genuinely funny moments. The larger question posed as to whether it is moral to place the life of someone you love over others is a bit weak in my opinion, but it's just Q not understanding humanity once again. In closing, I'll leave you with this pic. I wanted to get a good action shot of Picard and Sir Guy battling, but when I freeze-framed I got a clear shot of this hilariously obvious stunt double who looks nothing like the actor. The more I look at it, I'm not sure that's Patrick Stewart either.

Published May 25, 2017