See also
- Captain's Holiday in Star Trek: The Next Generation that began the Vash storyline.
- Q-Less episode in Star Trek: Deep Space 9 that ended the Vash storyline.
| "Qpid" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 20 |
| Directed by | Cliff Bole |
| Story by |
|
| Teleplay by | Ira Steven Behr |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Cinematography by | Marvin Rush |
| Production code | 194 |
| Original air date | April 22, 1991 |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Qpid" is the 94th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation , the 20th episode of the fourth season.
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, Captain Picard and Vash are reunited when the Enterprise hosts an archaeology symposium, but their disparate personalities soon have them sparring. Q arrives and offers to do Captain Picard a favor by getting him and Vash back together again. When Picard rejects the notion, Q transforms the captain into Robin Hood and sends him, Vash, and several members of Picard's senior staff to Sherwood Forest.
Captain Picard is working late on a speech that he will present to visiting archaeologists when Counselor Troi tells him that the council members have arrived and been assigned quarters. Picard returns to his quarters and finds Vash waiting for him, and the two kiss. The next morning, the two are sharing breakfast when Doctor Crusher arrives and offers to give Vash a tour. Vash expresses surprise and offense that the Captain has not mentioned his encounter with her to his friends, and confronts him at a reception for the delegates. Picard maintains that his professional responsibilities restrict him from discussing his personal life with the crew, but his relationship with Vash is left strained. After the reception, Q returns to repay Captain Picard for saving him in "Deja Q" but Picard rejects his offers. On observing Picard's troubled feelings for Vash, Q decides to assist him by proving his love for her.
While Picard is addressing the delegates, Q transports the bridge crew to medieval England, where Captain Picard is Robin Hood and the bridge crew are the Merry Men. English soldiers attack the group and the group retreats to the forest.
Q assumes the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham and has imprisoned Vash, now Maid Marian, in Nottingham Castle. [lower-alpha 1] Picard must rescue Vash as she is sentenced to die for treason, though Vash manipulates Sir Guy of Gisbourne into sparing her life by professing love and promising marriage. Picard orders his officers to remain in the woods, then disguises himself and infiltrates the castle as a peasant worker.
Picard re-unites with Vash by climbing through a window, and the two bicker over the merits of Picard's rescue plan. With Vash refusing to leave, Picard tries to carry her away but a group of guards enter and seize him. Vash tries to send a hand-written message to Commander Riker, but it is intercepted by Q, who reveals himself to Vash and has her taken away to be executed.
As Picard and Vash approach the executioner's block, Picard's officers reveal themselves disguised as monks and create a diversion. Picard and his staff prove themselves formidable fighters and win, with Picard killing Gisbourne in a swordfight. Q returns the crew and Vash to the Enterprise, where Vash reveals that she is leaving with Q to explore the galaxy. Q guarantees Vash's safety; with that, Picard considers Q's debt paid in full. Picard and Vash share a final kiss before she departs with Q.
In Star Trek Entertainment Weekly Collectors Edition Fall 1994, celebrating the entire Star Trek franchise shortly after the Next Generation finale aired, Entertainment Weekly ranked the episode as the eighth worst of the series.
Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode a grade B−. [2] Keith DeCandido of Tor.com rated it 5 out of 10. [3]
In 2016, Empire ranked this the 50th best out of the top 50 episodes of all the 700 plus Star Trek television episodes. [4]
"Qpid" was noted as the fifth funniest episode of the Star Trek franchise, as ranked by CBR in 2019. [5] They note a multitude of funny moments, calling it a "delightful romp" and praising Patrick Stewart's performance as a Federation Captain turned Robin Hood, as well as the various guest characters such as Vash. [5] Some of the scenes singled out are Worf's declaration and Troi's archery skills. [5] CBR rated the relationship between Picard and Vash characters as the 12th best romance of Star Trek. [6] In 2018, Tom's Guide rated "Qpid" one of the 15 best episodes featuring Picard. [7]
In 2018, Entertainment Weekly , ranked "Qpid" as one of the top ten moments of Jean-Luc Picard. [8] Den of Geek noted this episode for featuring romantic elements, in 2019. [9]
In 2019, Screen Rant ranked "Qpid" the 8th funniest episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. [10]
This episode was released in the United States on September 3, 2002, as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation season four DVD box set. [11]
CBS announced on September 28, 2011, in celebration of the series' twenty-fifth anniversary, that Star Trek: The Next Generation would be completely re-mastered in 1080p high definition from the original 35mm film negatives. For the remaster almost 25,000 reels of original film stock were rescanned and reedited, and all visual effects were digitally recomposed from original large-format negatives and newly created CGI shots. The release was accompanied by 7.1 DTS Master Audio. [12] On July 30, 2013 "Qpid" was released on 1080p high definition as part of the Season 4 Blu-ray box set in the United States. [13] [14] The set was released on July 29, 2013, in the United Kingdom. [15]
Q is a fictional character, as well as the name of a race, in Star Trek, appearing in the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Lower Decks, and Picard series and in related media. The most familiar Q is portrayed by John de Lancie. He is an extra-dimensional being of unknown origin who possesses immeasurable power over time, space, the laws of physics, and reality itself, being capable of altering it to his whim. Despite his vast knowledge and experience spanning untold eons, he is not above practical jokes for his personal amusement, for a Machiavellian or manipulative purpose, or to prove a point. He is said to be almost completely omnipotent and he is continually evasive regarding his true motivations.
"Darmok" is the 102nd episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the second episode of the fifth season.
"Unification" is a two-part episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation which features Leonard Nimoy as Spock. The first of the two episodes earned a 15.4 household Nielsen rating, drawing over 25 million viewers, making it one of the most watched episodes in all seven seasons of The Next Generation's run.
"Ship in a Bottle" is the 138th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 12th episode of the sixth season.
"The Game" is the 106th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the sixth episode of the fifth season.
"All Good Things..." is the series finale of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It comprises the 25th and 26th episodes of the seventh season and is the 177th and 178th episodes of the series overall. It aired on May 23, 1994. The title is derived from the expression "All good things must come to an end", a phrase used by the character Q during the episode itself.
"Tapestry" is the 15th episode of the sixth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 141st overall. It was originally released on February 15, 1993, in broadcast syndication. Ronald D. Moore was credited with writing the episode, but the basis of the story was a collaborative effort from the writing crew. "Tapestry" was directed by Les Landau, with the title coming from executive producer Michael Piller.
"Q-Less" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), and aired February 8, 1993.
"Attached" is the 160th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The eighth episode of the seventh season. This explores the relationships between two cultures on an exoplanet, and between Crusher and Picard.
"Phantasms" is the 158th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The sixth episode of the seventh season.
"Gambit" is the 156th and 157th episodes of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which are the fourth and fifth episodes of the seventh season.
"Deja Q" is the 13th episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 61st episode of the series overall. This episode aired on syndicated television in February 1990.
"A Fistful of Datas" is the 134th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the eighth episode of the sixth season, which premiered in the United States on November 9, 1992. Its title is a play on the title of the Sergio Leone "Spaghetti Western" film A Fistful of Dollars.
"Captain's Holiday" is the 19th episode of the third season of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 67th episode of the series overall.
"Chain of Command" is a two-part episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It aired as the 10th and 11th episodes of the sixth season, the 136th and 137th episodes of the series.
"Ménage à Troi" is the 24th episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 72nd episode of the series overall.
"The Drumhead" is the 95th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the 21st episode of the program's fourth season. The episode was directed by cast member Jonathan Frakes. It takes the form of a courtroom drama.
"Q2" is the 19th episode of the seventh season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It initially aired on the UPN network as the 165th episode of the series, and was directed by Star Trek: The Next Generation castmember LeVar Burton.
"Q Who" is the 16th episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode first aired in broadcast syndication on May 5, 1989. It was written by executive producer Maurice Hurley and directed by Rob Bowman. "Q Who" marked the first appearance of the Borg, who were designed by Hurley and originally intended to appear in the first season episode "The Neutral Zone".
The third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation commenced airing in broadcast syndication in the United States on September 25, 1989 and concluded on June 18, 1990 after airing 26 episodes. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet starship Enterprise-D. This season featured the return of Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher after she was replaced by Diana Muldaur for the second season. The season also saw the debut of several actors who would reappear in the same roles and others throughout the franchise, such as Dwight Schultz as Lt. Reginald Barclay, and Tony Todd as Kurn.
