Q Continuum
Encyclopedia
In the fictional televised Star Trek
universe, the Q Continuum is an extradimensional plane of existence inhabited by a race of extremely powerful, hyper-intelligent beings known as the Q. Their attitude toward the affairs of the non-Q beings living in normal space, or in the many dimensions parallel to their own, is one of general indifference, the exception being an interest in the development and progress of humanity. The Q have appeared in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, and Star Trek: Voyager
. One of the Q is known as Quinn to the Voyager crew.
It is suggested through their appearances on the various series of Star Trek
that the Q have 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. 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, thus leading to stagnation (since change was unnecessary).
They usually appear as human simply because they can assume any form they wish, and when interacting with humans they usually appear as one of them to make the humans feel more comfortable.
In the episode "All Good Things..." Q mentions that Picard is destined to explore existence itself. Q's meaning of that statement has never been explained in any episode or movie of Star Trek
.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe, the Q Continuum is an extradimensional plane of existence inhabited by a race of extremely powerful, hyper-intelligent beings known as the Q. Their attitude toward the affairs of the non-Q beings living in normal space, or in the many dimensions parallel to their own, is one of general indifference, the exception being an interest in the development and progress of humanity. The Q have appeared in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, and Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
. One of the Q is known as Quinn to the Voyager crew.
Overview
The Q are a unique race, and they possess many extraordinary, "God-like" powers including the ability to manipulate time, space, matter, and energy. They have an almost omnipotent ability to perceive and know events in the past, present, and future. They are invulnerable and immortal except when faced with weapons designed by others of their kind: in sufficient numbers, Q can strip other Q of their powers and make them mortal or make them any lifeform they wish.It is suggested through their appearances on the various series of Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
that the Q have evolved since the Big Bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
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. 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, thus leading to stagnation (since change was unnecessary).
They usually appear as human simply because they can assume any form they wish, and when interacting with humans they usually appear as one of them to make the humans feel more comfortable.
In the episode "All Good Things..." Q mentions that Picard is destined to explore existence itself. Q's meaning of that statement has never been explained in any episode or movie of Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
.
Known members of the Q Continuum
- QQ (Star Trek)Q is a fictional character who appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, as well as in related products. In all of these programs, he is played by John de Lancie....
(John de LancieJohn de LancieJohn de Lancie is an American actor. He has been active in screen and television roles since 1977, though he is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1....
) - the most frequently-appearing representative of the Continuum during the various Star Trek series from The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
onwards.
- Q (Corbin BernsenCorbin BernsenCorbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
), also known as Q2 or Q2 - manifested as a blond man in the Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode "Déjà Q", and was responsible for getting Q (John de Lancie) kicked out and stripped of his powers, and his subsequent reinstatement; he once misplaced the Deltived asteroid belt. (In non-canonical novels, Q2 helped Lwaxana retain Q power to thrash Q in Q-In-Law, and he helped the Q put down 0, Gorgan, The One and <*> in the novel trilogy Q Continuum (#47, 48, 49 by Pocket Books). He also assisted Q (in a way) in the hardback I, Q.)
- q (Keegan de LancieKeegan de LancieJohn Keegan de Lancie is an American actor and son of actor John de Lancie and Marnie Mosiman. He is perhaps best known for his role as Q, or Q Junior, on Star Trek: Voyager, where he played the son of Q, a character portrayed by his father, John de Lancie, in the episode "Q2"...
), aka "Junior" — son of Q and Lady Q appears in the VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
episodes, "Q2Q2 (Star Trek: Voyager)"Q2" is the nineteenth episode of the seventh season of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager.-Plot:Q shows up on USS Voyager to introduce Kathryn Janeway to her godson, Q Junior, who now has the appearance of a human teenager....
" and "The Q and the Grey". (In the novels, usually rendered as a lower-case 'q' rather than upper-case 'Q'). His father asserts that Q is the first Q ever born as Q have "always existed".
- Q (Gerrit GrahamGerrit GrahamGerrit Graham is an American actor and songwriter. He's appeared in such films as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and Greetings, where he worked with Brian DePalma for the first time...
), appears in the VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
episode "Death Wish", manifesting as a middle aged human, actually one of the Continuum's most famous philosopher-writers who felt that the Q had become stagnant in stopping to quest for the development of their species, desiring to leave the Continuum and end his immortal life. After his request was grudgingly granted, he was made human and given the name Quinn, thereafter committing suicideSuicideSuicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by poisonPoisonIn the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
.
- Q (Suzie PlaksonSuzie PlaksonSuzie Plakson is an American actress, singer, writer, poet, and artist, perhaps best known for her role as Meg Tynan in the sitcom Love & War....
) appeared in the VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
episode "The Q and the GreyThe Q and the Grey (Voyager episode)"The Q and the Grey" is the 11th episode of the 3rd season of Star Trek: Voyager. It has an average fan rating of 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.-Plot:...
" She has had a long relationship with Q, and they finally had a child circa 2373. Like all her race she introduced herself merely as "Q"; in the non-canonical novel "I, Q" by de Lancie and Peter DavidPeter DavidPeter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
she is called Lady Q.
- Amanda Rogers (Olivia D'AboOlivia d'AboOlivia d'Abo is an English actress and singer-songwriter, best known for portraying Karen Arnold in The Wonder Years and Nicole Wallace, the recurring villain in Law & Order: Criminal Intent.-Acting career:...
) appeared in the Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode "True QTrue Q (TNG episode)-Plot:The Enterprise brings aboard a Starfleet intern, Amanda Rogers, who plans to study biological sciences under Dr. Crusher. The crew soon finds Amanda has unusual abilities such as redirecting a falling cargo crate to avoid injury, and the ability to contain an explosion in the warp core...
" - born to two Q who took human appearance and, living in Kansas on Earth, conceived her in the "vulgar" human fashion; her parents, who were also members of the Continuum, were killed by a powerful Q-created tornado that specifically targeted only their 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.
- In the Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode "True QTrue Q (TNG episode)-Plot:The Enterprise brings aboard a Starfleet intern, Amanda Rogers, who plans to study biological sciences under Dr. Crusher. The crew soon finds Amanda has unusual abilities such as redirecting a falling cargo crate to avoid injury, and the ability to contain an explosion in the warp core...
", an unknown Q representative, or composite of several Q, queried Q (de Lancie) on his progress with Amanda. This Q was represented as a shadowy form. This Q was voiced by veteran Star Trek actor Michael AnsaraMichael AnsaraMichael Ansara is a Syrian-born American stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the American television series Broken Arrow, Kane in the 1979-81 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Commander Kang on three different Star Trek TV series.- Early life and...
, who played the Klingon captain Kang in the classic Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
episode "Day of the Dove."
- William RikerWilliam RikerWilliam Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
, who was offered membership in the Q Continuum and briefly had all the powers of a Q in the episode "Hide and Q".
- Several other Q appeared in "The Q and the Grey", although only the "Confederate" colonel (Harve PresnellHarve PresnellHarve Presnell was an American actor and singer. He began his career in the mid 1950s as a classical baritone, singing with orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States...
) and Lady Q had speaking roles. Several non-speaking Q also appear in "Death Wish". In dialog, any Q character will address another Q merely as "Q", with no distinction made between them.
Episodes featuring one or more Q
- Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
- "Encounter at FarpointEncounter at Farpoint (TNG episode)"Encounter at Farpoint" is the first episode of the science fiction television program Star Trek: The Next Generation It was written by series creator Gene Roddenberry and directed by Corey Allen....
" - "Hide and QHide and Q (TNG episode)"Hide and Q" is the 10th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:The Q returns to tempt Commander Riker into joining the Continuum.-Plot:...
" - "Q Who?"
- "Déjà Q"
- "Q-PidQ-Pid (TNG episode)"Qpid" is the 94th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Plot:Captain Picard is working late on a speech that he will present to a group of visiting archaeologists when Counselor Troi enters and tells him that the council members have arrived and been...
" - "True QTrue Q (TNG episode)-Plot:The Enterprise brings aboard a Starfleet intern, Amanda Rogers, who plans to study biological sciences under Dr. Crusher. The crew soon finds Amanda has unusual abilities such as redirecting a falling cargo crate to avoid injury, and the ability to contain an explosion in the warp core...
" - "TapestryTapestry (TNG episode)"Tapestry" is the 141st episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:The episode serves to provide character development of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who is featured in this episode to the general exclusion of the rest of the cast. Its primary theme,...
" - "All Good Things..."
- "Encounter at Farpoint
- Star Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
- "Q-LessQ-Less (DS9 episode)"Q-Less" is the 7th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Overview:The episode features Q and Vash, who arrive aboard the Deep Space Nine station.-Plot:...
"
- "Q-Less
- Star Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
- "Death WishDeath Wish (Voyager episode)"Death Wish" is episode 14 of season 2 of Star Trek: Voyager. It has an average fan rating of 4.5/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September 2009.-Plot:...
" - "The Q and the Grey"
- "Q2"
- "Death Wish
- Novels: (Non-canon)
- Q-in-LawQ-in-Law-Plot:The Enterprise is assigned to diplomatic duty to host the wedding between two houses of the Tizarin, a race that lives only in space and engages in commerce. One of the guests is Lwaxana Troi, to represent Betazed. The time setting places it after the events of "Deja Q" and before "Q-Pid"...
- Q-SquaredQ-SquaredQ-Squared is a non-canon Star Trek novel by acclaimed author Peter David. It spent two weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in 1994....
- I, QI, QI, Q may also refer to the popular children's book series by Roland Smith.I, Q is a 2000 Star Trek novel by John de Lancie and Peter David, set in the Star Trek: The Next Generation fictional universe...
(Peter DavidPeter DavidPeter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
, John de Lancie) - Star Trek The Q Continuum (Q-Zone, Q-Space, Q-Strike) (Greg Cox)
- Q & A (Keith R. A. DeCandidoKeith R. A. DeCandidoKeith Robert Andreassi DeCandido is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and musician, who works on comic books, novels, role-playing games and video games, including numerous media tie-in books for properties such as Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, Supernatural,...
- New Frontier: Requiem
- Before Dishonor
- Q-Alternativa
- Q-in-Law
- Computer game
- Star Trek: BorgStar Trek: BorgStar Trek: Borg is an interactive movie/computer game and audiobook set in the Star Trek universe. It was written by Hilary Bader, directed by James L. Conway, and featured an original score by Dennis McCarthy...
- Star Trek: The Game Show
- Star Trek OnlineStar Trek OnlineStar Trek Online, often abbreviated as STO, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Cryptic Studios based on the popular Star Trek series created by Gene Roddenberry. The game is set in the 25th century, 30 years after the events of Star Trek Nemesis...
- Star Trek: Borg
- Radio Dramas:
- Alien Voices - Spock vs. Q
- Alien Voices - Spock vs. Q - The Sequel
See also
- Ascension (Stargate)
- The Sublimed in Iain M. Banks' The Culture universe