Apologies for missing last Friday. Real life just got in the way at the end of last week.
“Qpid”
Written by Randee Russell and Ira Steven Behr
Directed by Cliff Bole
Season 4, Episode 20
Production episode 40274-194
Original air date: April 22, 1991
Stardate: 44741.9
Captain’s Log: The Enterprise is hosting an archeological conference on Tagus III, and Picard is giving the keynote address. He’s more than a little apprehensive about the speech, and Troi has to convince him to stop fiddling with it and get some sleep. He goes to his quarters and discovers a horga’hn on his coffee table—and Vash in the doorway to his bedroom.
She spends the night, and they share morning tea. When Picard asks if she’s on the archeology council, she gives an evasive “more or less,” and he is worried that she came to Tagus III for less than moral reasons.
The doorchime rings and Picard gets a look of horror on his face. His worst nightmare is on the other side of that door: Crusher, intending to join him for morning tea. Vash knows all about Crusher, which is more than Crusher can say for Vash. Slightly peeved that Picard never mentioned her, Vash asks Crusher for a tour of the ship, which Picard desperately wants not to happen but which he cannot forbid and maintain what little of his dignity remains.
Crusher takes Vash to Ten-Forward, where Riker hits on her right up until she reveals that she’s a friend of Picard’s. (Apparently Picard does an excellent impersonation of Riker.) When Crusher is summoned to sickbay, Riker takes over the tour, taking her to the bridge, where she sits in his chair.
Later on, at the reception, Vash rips into Picard for not saying anything to any of his friends about her. She didn’t expect gory details, but the fact that she exists would have been nice. She tartly apologizes that her presence embarrasses him and stalks off.
Picard returns to the bridge in a foul mood, which only worsens when he enters his ready room to see Q in his chair. Q feels he owes Picard a debt for saving his ass in “Déjà Q,” and that gnaws at him. He wants to give Picard a gift in return—perhaps helping him with his keynote address? Q can actually take him to the Tagan ruins, which were sealed off a century ago. Q even offers to take him back in time to see Tagus III two billion years earlier, but Picard refuses.
Q leaves in disgust. Picard tells Riker that Q’s back and he wants to do something nice for Picard. Riker gravely replies, “I’ll alert the crew.”
Picard goes to Vash’s quarters, intending to apologize—but then he sees a padd with a map of the ruins, as well as digging equipment. Picard won’t let her use his ship to steal artifacts from Tagus III and sell them, but Vash won’t change who she is to suit him. The conversation ends angrily and awkwardly—and is also overheard by Q.
Q then shows up as Picard is going to bed. He views Picard’s affection for Vash as his Achilles Heel, a vulnerability that Q himself has been trying to find in Picard for four years now. (He comments that if he’d known, he’d have shown up in a female form the first time.)
The next day, Picard begins his keynote address. The archeology council is in attendance, along with Riker, Data, La Forge, Crusher, Troi, and Worf in the back row out of support. In mid-speech, the crew is put into costumes and transported to a forest that, based on all the oak trees and the clothing, is on Earth in the 12th century, specifically Sherwood Forest. (Actually, the clothing isn’t all that authentic, but we’ll let that go.) Picard in green and with a bow and arrow is Robin Hood; Riker’s big staff (wah-HEY!) identifies him as Little John. Worf, all in red, is Will Scarlet (“I protest—I am not a merry man!”), with the lute-wielding La Forge as Alan-a-Dale, and Data, in brown robes and with a new haircut, as well as a big-ass turkey leg, is Friar Tuck.
Sir Guy of Gisborne shows up with soldiers. Worf wastes no time whipping out his sword and attacking; he’s wounded, but keeps fighting until Picard orders a retreat into the forest.
Q then arrives as the Sheriff of Nottingham, telling Picard that Vash is also in this re-creation as Marian, whose execution has been scheduled for the following day at noon. Q has given the scenario a life of its own, so he has no control over what happens.
At the castle, Vash is struggling to figure out what the hell’s going on. She’s in a dress that she can’t even walk in (Jennifer Hetrick apparently tripped on one take, and they decided to keep it, since Vash wouldn’t be used to such clothing), she has no idea who Guy of Gisborne is, and she doesn’t know why she’s being called “Marian.”
When Sir Guy informs her that she’ll be executed if she refuses to marry him, she immediately starts being nice to Sir Guy—not wanting to actually be killed.
Back in the forest, Picard announces that he’s going to rescue “Marian” himself. This is personal between him and Q, and he goes off alone, ordering Riker to stay in the forest with the others.
In the castle, Q is surprised to learn that Marian has agreed to marry Sir Guy, a twist he hadn’t expected. After she’s escorted to her chambers, Picard comes in through the window to bring her back to Sherwood Forest.
Vash is less than impressed with his plan, especially since he came alone. She doesn’t think highly of their chances of getting out of the castle just the two of them, and insists she’s going to stay. When Sir Guy comes in with soldiers, Picard tries to escape—but Vash grabs his sword and holds him at bay, offering him as a wedding present for Sir Guy.
However, after Picard is taken, Vash writes a letter to Riker asking for help. Before she can get it sent, Q enters, identifying himself, and expressing his admiration for Vash’s ruthlessness—and her duplicity, once he sees the letter. She warrants further study—but sadly, she has betrayed Sir Guy, and he has her taken away.
As they head to the chopping block, Picard and Vash bicker and argue nonstop as Q and Sir Guy condemn them to death. However, the rest of the crew are there in disguise, having unsurprisingly disobeyed Picard’s orders to stay put. Data tosses a piece from his arm into a brazier to cause a distracting explosion, and the rescue commences. Picard takes on Sir Guy in a very Errol Flynn-like swordfight on the stairs, and the soldiers are taken care of by the rest of the crew. Picard and Vash are reunited in safety, and Picard calls for Q to end it.
Q says that if Picard has realized that he could’ve gotten himself, Vash, and his senior staff killed, all for “the love of a maid,” then Q’s debt is repaid. Love has brought out the worst in him—but Vash argues that it brought out the best. Either way, Q sends them all back to the ship —
— except for Vash, with whom he has come to an arrangement (one that apparently includes wearing silly safari outfits). He’s going to show her the galaxy. Picard thinks it’s a terrible idea, as Q is devious, amoral, unrealiable, irresponsible, and untrustworthy—much, Picard realizes, like Vash. Picard insists that, to pay the debt in full Q owes him, he will guarantee Vash’s safety, which he does.
Picard and Vash have a final kiss goodbye, and then she and Q hie off to see the universe. And heaven help the universe…
Thank You, Counselor Obvious: For reasons that make no sense whatsoever beyond good old-fashioned sexism, Crusher and Troi are forced to fight in the climactic battle sequence with pots that they break over other people’s heads. To make matters worse, Marina Sirtis and Gates McFadden both have sword training, which is more than can be said for the others (something made abundantly clear by LeVar Burton’s hilariously clumsy fencing). Director Cliff Bole tried to justify it by saying it fit the period, and that he can’t change history, which is bogus on every level, not the least of which being that it isn’t history (and there were plenty of other inaccuracies floating around in terms of costuming and weaponry).
There is No Honor in Being Pummeled: While everyone remembers “I am not a merry man!” Worf’s finest bit in this episode is when he grabs the lute from La Forge’s hands and smashes it into a tree, then hands it back and mutters, “Sorry.” It was a very deliberate tribute to National Lampoon’s Animal House (the only one in Star Trek history), and a true classic moment.
No Sex, Please, We’re Starfleet: Picard gets his personal life put on display for the crew, much to his chagrin, but that chagrin is as nothing compared to his agony when Crusher and Vash first meet in the every-guy’s-nightmare scenario.
I Believe I Said That: “Jean-Luc, it’s wonderful to see you again. How about a big hug?”
Q’s greeting for Picard.
Welcome Aboard: Besides the triumphant return of John deLancie as Q and Jennifer Hetrick as Vash, both last seen in the third season, this episode also features an excellent turn by Clive Revill as Sir Guy. Revill was a regular on the short-lived Probe, which Michael Piller worked on, and he’s also one of the few actors to appear in the two Stars, both Trek and Wars—he played Emperor Palpatine in the original release of The Empire Strikes Back (later editions of the film inserted Ian McDiarmid, who played the role in all the other Star Wars films, into the part).
Trivial Matters: In your humble rewatcher’s novel Q & A, he was able to tie almost all of Q’s appearances together into a particular purpose. At the novel’s end, when the universe is saved and all is right with the world, Picard turns to Q and says that he understands how almost everything related to this—except for the Robin Hood scenario from this episode. What, Picard asks, was the purpose of that? Q shrugs and says, “I just wanted to see you in tights, Jean-Luc.”
Q makes good on his promise to bring Picard back in time to Tagus III in Greg Cox’s Q-Continuum trilogy (specifically the first book, Q-Space).
Vash will next appear, alongside Q, in the Deep Space Nine episode “Q-Less.” (Unsurprisingly, she’ll get along with Quark like a house on fire.) Vash also plays a large role in the Millennium trilogy by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens. She’s never again seen on screen with Picard.
Q’s next appearance, however, will be in the sixth season’s “True Q.” Q won’t appear at all in TNG‘s fifth season (the only season he’s absent from), but he’ll appear three times in the 1992/93 season, twice on TNG (“True Q” and “Tapestry”) as well as the aforementioned DS9 guest shot.
This episode was released the same year as two Robin Hood films, one a mediocre but successful theatrical release starring Kevin Costner subtitled Prince of Thieves, the other a vastly underrated FOX TV-movie starring Patrick Bergin that was superior in virtually every way (the exception being Alan Rickman as a far greater villain in the former film than Jeroen Krabbe was in the latter). Sir Patrick Stewart would later go on to appear in the parody film Robin Hood: Men in Tights as King Richard the Lionheart.
Make it So: “Nice legs—for a human.” Easily the slightest of the Q episodes, this one is fun as long as you don’t think about it too much. As usual, the best part is deLancie’s smarm as Q and his banter with Stewart. The episode is full of laugh-out-loud moments, some intentional (pretty much everything Worf says and does), some not so much (La Forge’s swordfighting). And everyone looks great in the costumes, which owe a great deal more to the 1938 Errol Flynn film than the actual 12th century.
And honestly, the whole episode is worth it for Worf channeling Bluto.
But the “lesson” is weak, Q’s prattling about love ridiculous, the sexism overbearing. (Seriously, why can’t Crusher and Troi just pick up a sword, for crying out loud, and let La Forge be the one to bash people over the head?) And Stewart and Jennifer Hetrick haven’t acquired any more chemistry since “Captain’s Holiday.” In fact, Vash proves to have more snap in her scenes with Crusher, Riker, Q, and Sir Guy than she ever does with her alleged love interest, which takes the wind out of the episode’s sails.
Still, it’s dopey fun. And you do get to see Sir Patrick Stewart in both short-shorts and tights…
Warp factor rating: 5
Keith R.A. DeCandido reminds everyone that it’s the nominating period for the Parsec Awards. You should totally go to their web site and nominate the podcasts he’s involved with: The Chronic Rift, The Dome, HG World, and, of course, Dead Kitchen Radio: The Keith R.A. DeCandido Podcast.
Now, this may shock you, given previous comments I’ve made, but I HATE this episode. I think this might be my Shades of Grey. The only thing that prevents me from giving it a 0 is that John DeLancie rocks. And, yes, Worf’s comments ARE laugh out loud funny. So…0.5, maybe.
I know it’s all supposed to be fun and silly, but it just doesn’t do it for me for the following reasons:
1)I am not a huge fan of the Holdeck/alternate setting episodes to begin with, unless they have some kind of real relevance. But there really doesn’t seem to be ANY reason for the crew to play at Robin Hood.
2)I’m not a particular fan of Robin Hood in particular (although I LOVE Men in Tights, and also the Disney version. Other than that, I can take or leave the whole mythos)
3)As you have yourself pointed out, Q’s actions generally did follow SOME kind of reason (being interested in humanity, helping them in a roundabout way) but again, this really does not make much sense and doesn’t have any real ‘message’ about humanity and what makes them interesting, or further any of the major plots along. It just seems like a pointless excuse to do a theme episode. That being said, I freaking love the quip from the book you wrote. I might just have to read that book. That seriously made my day :) Although I have to say, my favorite Q/Picard moment is either when he wakes up in bed next to him, or when Picard is “dead” and Q says he’s God. Hahaha! Both might be from Tapestry, I think…Actually, ‘Red Alert’ might be my very favorite, that still makes me chuckle. And the mariachi band! Digressing! At any rate, nothing from this episode…
4)Troi and Crusher with the pots. ARGH!
5)I don’t even get what he is trying to say about love in the first place – I find their relationship kind of adversarial and dysfunctional and it bugs me when ‘love’ is portrayed that way. Yes, some people are in relationships like that and thrive on it, but overall, I don’t think it’s healthy.
6)Q seems especially heartless in this one. I know, he really doesn’t see humans as very valuable and is not above toying with them or putting them in danger (even when it results in loss of life) but again, usually there is some purpose to it. This was all supposedly just to teach Picard some lesson I’m still not even that clear on. Besides, as Picard himself pointed out, he would save ANYBODY under his protection, so it’s not even about any particular feelings he has for Vash.
7)Does Picard ever get to give his lecture? I used to be in academia so it always bugged me that he was about to give this awesome speech and then got whisked away.
It’s funny – I count Q as my favorite character, but only a few of his episodes (Deja Q, Tapestry and the one with the Borg (I apologize, I can’t remember if that one is Hide and Q or Q Who) would show up in my top episodes list). I actually think Encounter at Farpoint runs a little too long and the actual plot part is kind of dull, this one annoys the heck out of me, and Q epsiode with Riker and the animal things is just kind of meh. True Q was interesting and I also liked the finale. But even in the episodes I don’t like as much – including this one – Q himself shines and always makes me laugh.
Oh, wait, I know – maybe Picard’s speech was really bad, so Q was saving him the embarassment of giving a bad speech in front of all the academics he admired ;)
I was just reading yesterday that among the reasons the original Renaissance Europe setting for First Contact was nixed was because Sir Patrick refused to wear tights (probably he’d had enough by then.)
It’s funny (although I hesitate to mention it because it involves changes made to Star Wars) that two of that small club of actors Clive Revill belongs to have been replaced in the last two versions of the SW saga, the other being Jason Wingreen, original voice of Boba Fett, who appeared in TOS “The Empath.” The 2009 Star Trek did add another to the group, however, with Deep Roy (who played Droopy McCool in ROTJ.)
That’s interesting, krad – you’re the first person I’ve seen with a middle-of-the-road reaction to it. With most of the people I run with they either virulently hate it and react to it much like Lisamarie above does or they love it – like I do. Yes it is silly and stupid, but even so it seems to me the cast and crew go at it with all the gusto they can muster. I also give it a bit of a bump because of it’s position in the season – it’s a fun little romp – the last we’ll get for the season and one that’s needed before we dive deep into the Klingon storyline coming up. It gives us a bit of fresh air to carry us through the mustard gas cloud that is The Drumhead…
Another film reference was made in this episode besides the one to Animal House. The following scene is clearly a nod to the fencing scene in The Princess Bride.
Sir Guy: I’ll have you know that I’m the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham.
Picard: There’s something you should know.
Sir Guy: And what would that be?
Picard: I’m not from Nottingham!
Some random comments:
1. I heard Michael Dorn speak at a convention (where he appeared with Marina Sirtis), and he said that the “not a merry man” line pretty much summed up how he was feeling, wearing the Klingon makeup and all.
2. As I’ve noted previously, both Sirtis and McFadden often asked for their characters to be stronger. “Lessons” co-writer Jean-Louise Matthias cited Vash as the kind of “chicky-babe” she didn’t want to give Picard as a lady friend, though IMHO Vash brought the same feist to Marian as some of the best actresses (in “Robin Hood” films) have.
3. Suggestion for “I believe I said that:”
VASH as MARIAN: I could use a drink.
MAID: I wasn’t talking of spirits, m’lady. How about some nice leeches?
4. Sorry #1 Lisamarie, we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one. : ) As a lifelong fan of the Robin Hood legends (so much so I’m writing a stage show–a lifelong project–about them), I have to cite this as one of my favorites. Keith, I know you’ve said many times that the warp factor rating is the least important part yada yada, but I’d give this one more than a 5, and I don’t think it’s any more of a lightweight than “Deja Q” or “True Q” (though obviously none of them hold a candle to “Tapestry”).
The historical setting does have a bit more relevance than a holodeck setting such as the Dixon Hill 1940s. As we saw in the trial scene in “Encounter at Farpoint,” Q is happy to use earlier periods in humanity’s history to prove a point. It amused Q to throw them into this long-gone era (with all its hazards) and watch them sink or swim. And love (with all its hazards) is a very natural aspect of humanity for Q to want to explore/have fun with. And what better era in which to test Picard’s chivalry than, well, the Age of Chivalry?
As Keith stated, it is a pleasure to watch Stewart, DeLancie, and Clive Revill in their roles. And the absurdity of the Enterprise crew in Sherwood Forest garb (especially LaForge with his visor) is good fun.
The episode does have its faults. Considering that Vash and Q are so obviously so much better a fit than Vash and Picard, centering an episode around the lengths to which Picard will go to prove how much he cares for Vash is admittedly iffy. And the dialogue between Vash and Picard at the end about how much he does care is cringe-worthy. Fortunately, the final scene, including the bit where Q retreives his hat, more than makes up for it.
Ultimately, though, this Robin Hood fan finds this meeting of the distant future with the distant past to be a guilty pleasure.
Vash just BUGS me. Which is weird, because I think Hetrick has a nice tomboyey, big-toothed, Amanda Peet thing going on that I find initially appealing — which maybe makes her subsequent, tepid performances all the more bothersome. Also, I tend to really dig the strong/sassy recurring female characters (who keep the Enterprise men on their toes). K’Ehyler is one of my most favorite characters EVER, but there’s some spark or spirit or maturity or wisdom or something that she has which Vash does not. Also, Krad, I believe you described Hetrick as a bush league Karen Allen in an earlier review and that has stuck with me. Very spot on. Maybe I simply don’t like her because she’s not Karen Allen.
Holodeck episodes are hit or miss with me. They run the very high risk of being totally cringe-inducing (Geordi’s British accent — CRINGE!). Sometimes it’s a lot of fun to see these characters inhabit new identities and new worlds and sometimes it just seems like the writers are punishing them. I like “Hollow Pursuits” a lot because the actors are NOT supposed to be playing themselves — instead, they are playing ridiculous holodeck re-creations as imagined by Barclay. So it takes away that feeling of embarrassment on some level.
Strong opinions often breed the most entertaining comments. Lisamarie — you make convincing points. I appreciate your take on this episode. I never hated it before… but I think I might now! I especially like your point 5 — that IS an icky, weird way of glamorizing love.
By the way, Keith, I think your assessment of the 1991 films is spot on.
Hah, AlyssaT, I don’t want to make anybody HATE it – if they get enjoyment out of it, I don’t want to take that away from them ;) Nor do I have any particular antipathy towards the Robin Hood story. However, thank you, don3comp, for an alternate perspective :)
But, for me – in the immortal words of Princess Vespa and Lone Star, it just doesn’t do it for me :) Although I do acknowledge that the characters/actors themselves are fun to watch, but that’s really the only redeeming quality.
Edited to get rid of a double post.
EnsignJayburd: Sorry, don’t agree even a little bit. It doesn’t really match the dialogue in The Princess Bride, and it’s a fairly common rhetorical thing Picard’s doing there. I don’t see it at all as a tribute.
—Keith R.A. DeCandido
I may be way out of left field but this always reminded me of a TOS episode. The crew gets thrown into some crazy “period” situation, one of them is going to be killed, hilarious costumes, no phasers, must escape the inescapable situation by playing the captor’s game.
Silly, and not without flaws but fun nonetheless.
The “Merry Man” line was funny, but I laughed more at Riker’s callback to John Gielgud in Arthur (I’ll alert the media”).
@12 — Really? I agree with EnsignJaybird, it’s unmistakeably a Princess Bride tribute. I don’t see how anyone can claim the dialogue doesn’t match:
Inigo: I know something you don’t know.
Wesley: And what is that?
Inigo: I am not left-handed.
But I guess we can disagree on that.
I actually am left handed.
Somehow I don’t remember this one at all. Maybe I was studying for a calculus exam that night? And never caught it in reruns? Just started reading Q-Squared for the Nth time. Q never really suffered from the Villain Decay that the Borg did, but his silliness increased a bit in Voyager. Well, he was tamed a bit, but by the Q continuum. Never lost the smarm, though.
The Patrick Bergin Robin Hood was supposed to be a theatrical release, was in Europe, but the inferior Costner version derailed that plan. Too bad.
Blah blah-blah blah-blah-blah blah blah-blah
That is a really eloquent and nuanced comment, Lisamurie.
I am guessing the intent is that I should be insulted, but I’m really more amused than anything else. Heaven forbid I discuss my own opinion of a Star Trek episode on a Star Trek episode discussion thread.
Lisamarie: FWIW, I do appreciate your comments, and I especially am grateful that you went to the trouble of posting that detailed a critique (even if it did digress a couple of times — but then, so do I….).
And you really really should read Q & A, and I’m not just saying that ’cause I wrote it. I’m quite proud of that one.
—Keith R.A. DeCandido
Lisamarie — no worries, I didn’t feel as if you were mind-melding anyone into hating this episode, simply appreciated your well-argued annoyance! I’ve always had kind of a nebulous dislike of it, so hearing some lame things clearly called out helped me put my finger on those misgivings. Your point about Q is a good one too. I remember housesitting for a family who had that Q DVD collection. I was completely thrilled, as Q is a favorite, but once I settled in, I realized that there are definitely some duds in the Q mix. (Although, yes, I feel like that has little to do with Q/John de Lancie’s performance and more to do with dull writing.)
I loved the Costner Robin Hood. I know, awful. But I thought it was thrilling and romantic and I loved the score (hey, I was 9, give me a break). Saw it at the drive-in — double feature with “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.”
I think I will put it on my list :) I got kind of burned with Star Wars EU (I really love some of it and really can’t stand some of it, including a lot of the more recent stuff) and am trying to break myself of my ‘if I read one I must read ALL things in this collection!’ neurosis – but there is way too much Star Trek EU out there for me to try and tackle if I want to ever read any of my other books on my list. I think I could just read one book and not feel like something is left undone :)
AlyssaT – heh, no worries about Costner. Remember, I liked Batman Forever ;)
We have the Q DVD collection!!! We have the Time Travel collection too. My husband kind of eased me into Trek fandom with some of his favorites and some of those collections.
Lisamarie: Q & A pretty much stands on its own. It takes place after Nemesis, so Worf is now first officer, and there’s new people at second officer, chief of security, and counselor to replace Data (who’s dead), Riker, and Troi (who both went off to Titan).
—Keith R.A. DeCandido
I like the Q dvd. Yeah, Q had his stronger and weaker episodes, but that’s pretty much true of any recurring character, no?
Could there be a reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail with the sound of hooves paired with the (momentary) lack of a visable horse? Or is that reaching?
Q&A is a great novel.
To be honest, I disliked Q&A (although the line about wanting to dress Picard up in tights was a good one). Q episodes and stories should centre around him and I disliked the concept of Them. We have been told that the Q are all-powerful and the discovery that they are not is irritating.
I think it makes more sense to assert that Q is trying to help, but being a really big dick about it because he doesn’t want to be worshipped. One story I would have liked to see is the after-effects on the planets in Deja Q and True Q – they just got proof of Act of God.
But on Qpid, it had definate moments – all Q episodes do. It isn’t my fav, but it is amusing.
Chris
One of my all time favorites. I read there was a controversy over the score of the episode. Apparently Rick Berman wanted the music to be less overpowering and (was it Ron Jones?) the composer disagreed. For a comedy episode, it was foolish but fun to watch. I love Worf’s, “I am not a Merry Man!”…..
For data being offed in Nemesis I’ve always felt that the guy who had the idea should be shot (preferably repeatedly).
Killing off such a wonderful character as Data for nothing but pointless ‘tear jerker’… well did I mentioned the gun and anger issue ?
Anyway to point, for me this episode was one of many ‘silly episodes’ which were silly and/or funny but really brought nothing new to the table in the end.
A filler as it would be called in current made in 20XX “continous storyline” series format.
Devil’s Due gets a 2 but this gets a 5? Trade the ratings, and it would be more accurate. The Enterprise crew-as-Robin Hood and Merry Men trope is too silly to be even funny, Vosh is just dumped in the story, and the only bright spot is Worf’s famous line…
I watched this episode with the “Animal House” nod just after an episode from Community that had the same gag. But anyway, clumpsy episode. Q motivations should be less arbitrary at this point, and the customes were horrible, as well as the “action” sequences. Oh, my, the fourth season is becoming a very difficult challenge for me.
Is it true that Patrick Stewart and Jennifer Hetrick were engaged during filming? I read it on Memory Alpha and was surprised to say the least.
I’m in the middle of my own TNG rewatch. I was always the biggest fan but I’ve never watched all the episodes in order until now. Reading the Wikipedia article, the krad rewatch, and all of your comments has become a ritual after every episode. This is the first time I’ve chimed in myself.
Yes, Qpid is a very silly episode but I had so much fun with it. Easy 8 for me.
I _loved_ the scene where Dr Crusher interrupts their morning tea. McFadden’s and Stewart’s performances are spectacular. The poor captain!
I did roll my eyes when Crusher and Troi resorted to using pots. But I honestly wouldn’t think their characters could take on armed soldiers in a sword fight…
I think Vash is a great character. And I bought their chemistry.
@juancnuno – let’s hear it for people joining the rewatch 2 years late! I’m totally with you.
My thought: UGH the pots thing from Troi and Crusher. I will take this opportunity to rant a bit on the failure of this series to deliver the egalitarian society promised in the first season. Things that contribute to this failure:
– Replacing Yar with the Klingon for security.
– Following Yar’s death, having the only major female characters being the sexy counselor, the extremely compassionate doctor, and the bartender.
– Casting all relationships as 1950s-style nuclear families with the women doing the dishes, or standing supportingly (read: lifelessly; subserviently) by their husbands’ sides.
– I also would have liked to continue to see dudes in miniskirts. And no, I’m not joking. Equal shouldn’t just mean that ladies get to wear pants. It should also mean men being comfortable doing things more historically feminine.
At least we got Dax, Kira, and Janeway eventually. If only there had been ONE single, truly gay character I would be much happier.
Vash was kind of a meh character in her last episode. I really didn’t buy her “vamp” antics. But in this episode she look really great in that black dress and I can understand Riker hitting on her, lol. But her refusal was pretty cool as well.
I don’t know what to make of the whole Robin Hood setup. What bothers me the most is that every fantasy charakter talks with an american accent. Might be stupid to be bothered by this, but since this is to be supposed to take place in England (and after having watched serieses like Downton Abbey and Doctor Who) I am highly confused when an “english character” doesn’t have an english accent. Oh well.
Yes, Crusher and Troi resorting to “pots on a helmet” (not even the head, the helmet!) is silly. And it renders Trois scene where she practices shooting with a boe completely pointless.
On a side note, I liked the scene where Sirtis stands right next to Brent Spiner and she turns to look at him, but can’t see his face due to her hat. She has quite the surprised look on her face when she realizes that and tilts her head back a bit more so she can finally see him. That was some funny not scripted stuff right there.
Years ago I couldn’t stand this episode but on re-watch I found it a fun silly romp and enjoyed it. Maybe because I have more years under my belt. The Crusher Vash scene with Picard was priceless. Hats off to Stewart for being able to do anything. The look of complete dismay and “oh please can’t I just be invisible” over something relatively small compared to the brave face in the face of ultimate true world destruction had me laughing out loud.
Sirtis and McFadden had swordfighting training? Gah!! Now I’m super disappointed that they resorted to smashed pots. Yes in real life I wouldn’t take on a trained swordfighting soldier either. I would totally try a pot smash, but this is television. The subject of them not being written stronger keeps coming up so I will say I finally realized that one reason I didn’t like their characters is as a teen it felt like “Yes, you too can be a doctor now or someone of importance in the high command – as long as you are beautiful and your hair is completely stunning at every moment!” I miss what Barrett’s No 1 could have been. She was also lovely but looked practical while doing it.
@25 As far as I’ve heard (within the film music industry) the producers wanted to tone the music way down so it was less film/thematic and more wallpapery. Not to insult the later composers at all – they did a good job but were following specific instructions. I don’t like that style as much but it’s the way the production wanted to go.
@15 I totally thought it was a PB reference and I gave a woohoo!
@10 Glad for disagreements too. I love reading these comments even though it is years later as I do my re-watch. Even commenters who are 180 from what I think (especially on some of the gender issues) still give me food for thought. As in, why do they think that way or what in their life gives them that viewpoint? It could be they just don’t know anyone with my viewpoint so maybe we can exchange food for thought. I don’t get too riled. But I like the availability of thoughts and ideas here.
As to the pots: It is somehow funny to think that this is so obviously sexist today. But back in the 80s or 90s, when I was a teen/kid, my (somewhat feminist) mother would actually CELEBRATE scenes like that (which were abundant in the Hollywood of that time), because “the woman is actually DOING SOMETHING” – as opposed to just standing in some corner screeming, like women were doing in movies when my mother was young.
I think it takes a long, long time to truly overcome sexism….
Wait a second, a TURKEY LEG? BEFORE the Columbian Exchange? That’s impossible!
Maybe it’s a goose, pig, sheep, or some other leg of meat.
He was given the turkey leg by a viking.
Every man’s nightmare, the Missis and the Ex.
To be fair Picard and Crusher seem to have firmly friendzoned each other, presumably for professional reasons, and it’s not like Beverley hasn’t played the field herself. Relax Jean-Luc, let them compare notes. You are awesome and the universe knows it.
So Q discovers Vash’s letter to Riker and he calls the guards to take her away. The problem is, she’s already in a cell, where are the guards taking her?
This is a fun episode, for the most part, but nothing more. I’d also rate it as the least substantive Q episode, and I would only rate the over-wrought season one episodes below it. Q Who and Tapestry stand as my benchmarks for what Q episodes should be: a full-on confrontation with pride and superiority, forcing a true evaluation of the the whole (Starfleet) or the individual (Picard) in the face of failure, however forced. This is a let-down by comparison because nothing comes from it, other than the Vash-Q connection. It’s entertaining enough, especially Worf’s “I am not a merry man” and “Sorry…”, but you’ll be thinking about something else by the time you go to bed. So, it’s more filler than fulfilling. I give it a 6 for first watch, 4 for re-watch.
Just watched. One thing disappointed me–in all the fighting, we didn’t get to see Data fight! Hell, he practically should have been able to mop them all up alone, which would have been epic. Just Picard gesturing, “Data, if you please!” and him barging through knocking people over with the rest behind him taking care of stragglers. But at least they should have let him take down a few with ease…
@krad I know I’m here 8 years too late but I have two comments:
1. In re: to Worf’s section where you state this is the only time in Star Trek history there’s an homage to ANIMAL HOUSE, I think you’re forgetting where Mr. Homn downed an entire bottle of alcohol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO_7dSdjY8c
2. In re: to comment #12 Q absolutely says “As You Wish” to Picard, and that’s all kinds of THE PRINCESS BRIDE… but otherwise I agree I don’t see much else.
On everything else, we agree. I’m SHOCKED I tell you, shocked!
@45 – nice to see someone else who’s new to this rewatch, although I feel like this isn’t your first rodeo with TNG itself. I saw a handful of episodes as a kid but this is my first time going through the whole thing from the top.
I’m charmed overall by this one, partly because I’m not too proud to enjoy the silliness and partly because any time we see Q driving Picard up the wall is worth the price of admission. And although the Vash-Picard thing doesn’t really bear much scrutiny it was neat watching Crusher find a way to make the captain squirm early on in the episode. I may be addicted to watching that guy suffer. Stewart does it so well.
+1 on the rightful call on sexism, and another +1 to the comment upthread which correctly notes that breaking the pot type actions were decently passable as “girl power” fist pump moments of awesome thirty years ago (as it now is, unbelievably)…
Wow, I somehow never commented on this. Okay, then, some very late responses:
On the episode, I found it pretty silly and inconsequential. Never a big fan of Vash; she never seemed impressive enough to be worthy of Picard.
Crusher and Troi not being combatants didn’t bother me much, because I reject the idea that the ability to fight is somehow more noble or strong or admirable than the ability to nurture. I think that assumption, that the only way to be equal and worthwhile is to adopt traditionally male behavior like fighting, is sexist in itself. There is nothing inferior about choosing nurturing and healing over force and aggression.
And really, is knocking someone out with a blow to the head really less violent than fighting them with a sword? Fiction tends to treat blows to the head as doing no long-term harm (aside from the odd bout of sitcom amnesia), but in reality, concussions are very serious injuries, and any concussion that causes unconsciousness can easily be life-threatening if not promptly treated, or can cause significant and permanent brain damage. In a swordfight, at least your opponent has a fair chance, and there’s at least the potential for disarming them and forcing their surrender. Striking them on the head from behind is, if anything, an even more brutal assault.
@7/don3comp: “The historical setting does have a bit more relevance than a holodeck setting such as the Dixon Hill 1940s. As we saw in the trial scene in “Encounter at Farpoint,” Q is happy to use earlier periods in humanity’s history to prove a point. It amused Q to throw them into this long-gone era (with all its hazards) and watch them sink or swim.”
Except this has very little to do with history; rather, it’s straight out of the Errol Flynn Robin Hood movie. Nobody really wore Technicolor tights in that era, real swordfights tended to be over in one or two brute-force moves rather than being showy displays of fight choreography, and Robin Hood was probably a myth to begin with.
No, Q’s choice of scenario wasn’t about history, it was about romance. He was challenging human cultural assumptions about romance by putting Picard and Vash into a classic romantic narrative from their ancestral culture (in both senses of the word, the modern sense as a love story and the classical sense as a story of grand, larger-than-life adventure). So it was the legend, the idealized love story of Robin and Marian built up over centuries, that served his purposes, rather than the less romantic reality of the era.
@12/krad: “Sorry, don’t agree even a little bit. It doesn’t really match the dialogue in The Princess Bride, and it’s a fairly common rhetorical thing Picard’s doing there. I don’t see it at all as a tribute.”
Yeah, I’d say it goes back at least as far as Macbeth Act V, when Macbeth boasted to Macduff that no man born of woman could slay him and Macduff said “Guess what, C-sections don’t count!”
@14/sps49: “I laughed more at Riker’s callback to John Gielgud in Arthur (I’ll alert the media”).”
I wouldn’t count that as a callback either, because Gielgud’s line was clearly meant to be sarcastic, while Riker was being entirely serious about the magnitude of the problem.
@25/Robbie: No, the score to “QPid” was by Dennis McCarthy getting his Erich Korngold on, which was right in his wheelhouse.
Christopher: analyzing it realistically, yes, being hit on the head is very dangerous in the real world, although being fatally stabbed is truly worse, but whatever. Thing is, we’re not talking about reality, we’re talking about television, where being bashed over the head with pottery is a comic slapstick event while fighting with swords is cool. Particularly in a setting that, as you yourself pointed out, is more based on fantasy than reality, it’s just ridiculous. And I find it more realistic that Crusher and Troi, whom we have seen in Worf’s mok’bara class, might have some martial skills than La Forge…….
TA: About time you commented. :) For those listening at home, TA’s been watching all of Trek for the first time and blogging about it, and you can read it here. She’s covered the original series and is in the midst of TNG right now. Anyhow, “as you wish” existed as a phrase long before The Princess Bride. *shrug* As for Mr. Homn drinking all the booze, I hadn’t thought of that as an Animal House riff, but okay. And I shouldn’t have said in “Star Trek history” anyhow, because I know for a fact that there’s at least a couple of AH riffs in the Vanguard novel series by David Mack, Dayton Ward, & Kevin Dilmore…..
—Keith R.A. DeCandido
I absolutely buy the “I am not from Nottingham” as a Princess Bride reference. Both exchanges come at the same point in the fight – the two are fighting and are basically equally matched, and then the moment is when the fighting intensifies, and (briefly, at least) it seems the quipper is going to win.
Of course in TPB, the Mysterious Man replies that he’s essentially not from Nottingham either, and the battle goes on evenly again. Whereas in TNG, there is no reversal, and he dies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUczpTPATyU
I also think there is some Flynn-inspired sword fighting in Singin’ in the Rain that is even closer to how they staged this, but I cannot find the scene anywhere on the ‘net. It was from the silent version of the movie, before they tried to add sound to it. Oh well.
They also recreated it in My Favorite Year (looks just like it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSX-0NQ0y18
FTR, I am a Vash fan, and she does make sense with Q. Most of the jokes this episode felt flat to me, and I think that’s because our dear characters really aren’t at their best. Everyone is a comedy version of themselves. Picard is more of a doddering blowhard for much of it. Especially in the Robin Hood world, Troi is dumb, Crusher is silly, Worf just fights, LaForge doesn’t do much… The silly concept has potential that doesn’t go anywhere. Data taking something out of his arm seems cheap when they all have the knowledge of the universe!
How cool this episode would have been to show them enjoying their evenings under the stars, and then using their knowledge of science to save the Captain! Troi uses her empathic powers, Crusher knows about plant medicine, Data is super strong (whatever happened to that??) and also has libraries of info, including about the story they are trapped in. LaForge can see heat signatures etc., and can build a model rocket! Meanwhile Q is befuddled by everyone’s teamwork and inventiveness, since he’s lazy and not good with groups.
Perhaps the Captain wouldn’t have even needed to do anything but get arrested alongside Vash. The two of them argue and canoodle, while the team rescues them… Q learns more about their humanity and still runs off with Vash anyway.
Oh well.
“We all make mistakes.”
Damn, Jean-Luc. That’s cold.
But also hilarious.
I appreciate a romp in the middle of a pandemic, and enjoyed watching it.
There were several laugh out loud moments for me, including the conversation between Vash & Crusher, and Worf’s “Sorry”
I watch with my 11 year old, and usually try to highlight some moral of the story or ethical dilemma. Tonight I mostly pointed out how completely sexist it was that the two women did not get to participate in any swashbuckling fun.
I’ll channel my inner Thusa Doom on the swashbuckling fun. “Steel isn’t strong boy, dishes are stronger!”
@47 I disagree, I think it is sexist because the men and women are fulfilling traditional screen roles even though the actresses are the more experienced fencers. Presumably if the male actors had fencing skills they would have been featured during the big fight and they would not have been expected to bash heads. The director even came up with some phony reason the women were smashing pots, so it is not as if he thought it was a more valuable fighting strategy.
@krad I totally read the scene where Picard says he is not from Nottingham as a Princess Bride reference. In fact, before Picard said it (and he pauses for rather a long time) I thought maybe he was going to say he wasn’t right-handed as an in-joke. Even though the phrasing may be similar for other situations, the fact that they are fencing on stairs in both scenes and that the underdog (but obvious hero) is winning increases the likelihood the reference was deliberate. Remember, the Princess Bride was quite a recent movie at that time and it was a big and quotable hit.
As with Hetrick’s earlier appearance, I think she and Stewart have amazing chemistry. From the very first moment here, the look of complete pleasure on his face when he says “Vash!” upon finding her in his quarters is as authentic a reaction to a woman as he had in the entire series, and it was no surprise to me when I learned they were a couple in real life. I think those who say they have no chemistry are those who just don’t like the concept of Picard and Vash together.
As for the episode as a whole, I love it, without reservation. Lots of confectionery moments of pure fun that have been discussed. Worf smashing the lute is gold, although the original Animal House scene it references will never be topped for me because of the knowledge that the emo dude playing guitar on the steps was Stephen Bishop, who is a decent enough guy in person but I couldn’t stand his schlocky soft rock music back in the day, LOL
I’ve seen this episode more than once before.
It’s showing again this evening on Sky Mix (UK), and I will be watching it again in the knowledge that Patrick Stewart was in a relationship with Jennifer Hetrick for several years.