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{{aquote|What is a Q?''"<br />"''It's a letter of the [[alphabet]], as far as I know.|Worf''' and '''Tasha Yar|2364|All Good Things...}}
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"''What is a Q?''"<br />
  
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"''It's a letter of the alphabet, as far as I know.''"
  
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:- '''Worf''' and '''Tasha Yar''', [[All Good Things... (episode)|2364 (alternate)]]
  
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The '''Q''' were a seemingly omnipotent and [[immortal]] species who inhabited the [[Q Continuum]], possessing the ability of instantaneous [[matter]]-[[energy]] transformation and teleportation, as well as the ability of [[time travel]]. The Q had control over [[space]], [[time]], [[matter]], and [[energy]]. ({{VOY|Q2}}) In addition, [[Q]] spectacularly claimed to possess an [[IQ]] of 2005. ({{TNG|Deja Q}}) They didn't make official contact with the [[Federation]] until [[2364]], when the crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} met "Q". ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) At least one Q, acting on his own, had intervened and influenced Human affairs since at least the time of [[Isaac Newton]]. ({{VOY|Death Wish}})
  
The '''Q''' were a seemingly omnipotent and [[immortal]] species who inhabited the [[Q Continuum]], possessing the ability of instantaneous [[matter]]-[[energy]] transformation and teleportation, as well as the ability of [[time travel]]. The Q had control over [[space]], [[time]], [[matter]], and [[energy]]. ({{VOY|Q2}}) In addition, [[Q]] spectacularly claimed to possess an [[IQ]] of 2005. ({{TNG|Deja Q}}) They didn't make official contact with the [[Federation]] until [[2364]], when the crew of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} met "Q". ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) At least one Q, acting on his own, had intervened and influenced Human affairs since at least the time of [[Isaac Newton]]. ({{VOY|Death Wish}})
   
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The Q evolved over countless centuries into their current form and considered themselves to be the ultimate form of evolution, existing in a state of "ultimate purity". However, this often led to a feeling of apathy with regard to most of the universe. ({{VOY|Death Wish}}) The exact circumstances of how the Q came to exist is unclear. While [[Quinn]] stated that the Q were once not unlike [[humanoid]] lifeforms, Q implied that the Q never came in to existence, but rather always were. ({{VOY|The Q and the Grey}})
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The Q evolved over countless centuries into their current form and considered themselves to be the ultimate form of evolution, existing in a state of "ultimate purity". However, this caused most of the Q to develop an apathetic attitude towards the universe, as the Q believed that they already done everything and had experienced everything. As such, there was nothing left for them to see, do, experience, or discuss, because they had already done so at some point. ({{VOY|Death Wish}}) The exact circumstances of how the Q came to exist is unclear. While [[Quinn]] stated that the Q were once not unlike [[humanoid]] lifeforms, Q implied that the Q never came in to existence, but rather always were. ({{VOY|The Q and the Grey}})
   
 
The true extent of the abilities of the Q is somewhat unclear. While most Q claimed to be omnipotent, and at least one Q claimed they were all knowing, there is some reason to dispute these claims. Quinn implied that the Q were not completely omnipotent. Considering that Quinn was a dissident, his claims may not have been entirely accurate, though they were supported by the fact that Q could be killed, which if they were completely omnipotent, would not be possible. ({{VOY|Death Wish}}; {{TNG|True Q}}) At one point Q indicated that Humans might have one day equalled his species. ({{TNG|Hide and Q}})
  
The true extent of the abilities of the Q is somewhat unclear. While most Q claimed to be omnipotent, and at least one Q claimed they were all knowing, there is some reason to dispute these claims. Quinn implied that the Q were not completely omnipotent. Considering that Quinn was a dissident, his claims may not have been entirely accurate, though they were supported by the fact that Q could be killed, which if they were completely omnipotent, would not be possible. ({{VOY|Death Wish}}; {{TNG|True Q}}) At one point Q indicated that Humans might have one day equalled his species. ({{TNG|Hide and Q}})
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[[Guinan]] considered some of the Q to be "almost respectable." One exception was the Q who often visited the crew of the USS ''Enterprise''-D. ({{TNG|Q Who}})
  
[[Guinan]] considered some of the Q to be "almost respectable." One exception was the Q who often visited the crew of the USS ''Enterprise''-D. ({{TNG|Q Who}})
   
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An aspect of [[24th century]] interactions with the Q included involvement in a [[Q Civil War]]. The Q had come to fear the influence of Human compassion and curiosity into their otherwise timeless, apathetic, and stable culture. The war was incredibly destructive to this dimension and involved weapons which, during a firefight, incidentally caused the [[supernova]] of numerous [[star]]s. The war was ultimately avoided upon the birth of [[Q (Junior)|Q Junior]], restoring the Continuum to the status quo. ({{VOY|The Q and the Grey}})
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An aspect of [[24th century]] interactions with the Q included involvement in a [[Q Civil War]]. The Q had come to fear the influence of Human compassion and curiosity into their otherwise timeless, apathetic, and stable culture. The war was incredibly destructive to this dimension and involved weapons which, during a firefight, incidentally caused the [[supernova]] of numerous [[star]]s. The war was ultimately avoided upon the birth of [[Q (Junior)|Q Junior]], restoring the Continuum to the status quo. ({{VOY|The Q and the Grey}})
   
 
{{bginfo|A point of some confusion is the fact that all Q, under normal circumstances, were known merely as "Q," and seemed not to have any proper names. This caused no confusion among the Q as they always knew which of them was being referred to when the name "Q" was used. Some, such as [[Quinn]], chose a name, though most were referred to by descriptors, such as "[[Q (female)|female Q]]". "Q" alone was usually in reference to the most notable member of the species, played by [[John de Lancie]].}}
  
{{bginfo|A point of some confusion is the fact that all Q, under normal circumstances, were known merely as "Q," and seemed not to have any proper names. This caused no confusion among the Q as they always knew which of them was being referred to when the name "Q" was used. Some, such as [[Quinn]], chose a name, though most were referred to by descriptors, such as "[[Q (female)|female Q]]". "Q" alone was usually in reference to the most notable member of the species, played by [[John de Lancie]].}}
   
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The Qs' abilities were not only limited to members of the Q Continuum species, as Humans [[Amanda Rogers]] and [[William T. Riker]] experienced the powers of the Q. ({{TNG|Hide and Q|True Q}})
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The Qs' abilities were not only limited to members of the Q Continuum species, as [[William T. Riker]] experienced the powers of the Q. ({{TNG|Hide and Q}})
   
 
<gallery>
  
<gallery>
 
File:Q in 2364.jpg|Q <br />''Played by [[John de Lancie]]''
  
File:Q in 2364.jpg|Q <br />''Played by [[John de Lancie]]''
 
File:Female Q.jpg|Female Q <br />''Played by [[Suzie Plakson]]''
  
File:Female Q.jpg|Female Q <br />''Played by [[Suzie Plakson]]''
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File:Q_junior.jpg|Q junior <br />''Played by [[Keegan de Lancie]]''
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File:Q junior.jpg|Q junior <br />''Played by [[Keegan de Lancie]]''
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File:Q_(Colonel).jpg|Colonel Q<br />''Played by [[Harve Presnell]]''
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File:Q (Colonel).jpg|Colonel Q<br />''Played by [[Harve Presnell]]''
 
File:Amanda Rogers' parents.jpg|[[Unnamed Humans (24th century)#Amanda Rogers' parents|Amanda Rogers' parents]]<br />''Played by [[unknown performers]]''
  
File:Amanda Rogers' parents.jpg|[[Unnamed Humans (24th century)#Amanda Rogers' parents|Amanda Rogers' parents]]<br />''Played by [[unknown performers]]''
 
File:Amanda rogers.jpg|Amanda Rogers<br />''Played by [[Olivia d'Abo]]''
  
File:Amanda rogers.jpg|Amanda Rogers<br />''Played by [[Olivia d'Abo]]''
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The trilogy ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Q Continuum (novel series)|Q Continuum]]'' introduced an additional Q known as the [[Quaestor]], who resembled Picard. In this series it was revealed that the most prominent Q pulled a similar being known as [[0]] through the [[Guardian of Forever]], and that 0 proceeded to bring forth such entities as the "{{dis|God|Sha Ka Ree}}" of [[Sha Ka Ree]], [[Gorgan]], and the [[Beta XII-A entity]] to join him in his villainy. The Continuum was forced to act, with the Quaestor leading Quinn, Q2, and the female Q into battle against 0 and his forces. The outcome of this battle was the imprisonment of the Sha Ka Ree entity at the center of the galaxy and 0 outside of it, while their two allies escaped. The Q Continuum created barriers to prevent the return of their two prisoners, and Q was assigned to watch over Earth due to his part in wiping out the dinosaurs by redirecting an attack aimed at the female Q by 0. The barriers created to keep 0 out were later weakened by the Q civil war, and he briefly managed to return but was then defeated by the unlikely alliance of Q and the [[Calamarain]]. He was then returned to exile, and the Continuum repaired the barriers.
  
The trilogy ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - Q Continuum (novel series)|Q Continuum]]'' introduced an additional Q known as the [[Quaestor]], who resembled Picard. In this series it was revealed that the most prominent Q pulled a similar being known as [[0]] through the [[Guardian of Forever]], and that 0 proceeded to bring forth such entities as the "{{dis|God|Sha Ka Ree}}" of [[Sha Ka Ree]], [[Gorgan]], and the [[Beta XII-A entity]] to join him in his villainy. The Continuum was forced to act, with the Quaestor leading Quinn, Q2, and the female Q into battle against 0 and his forces. The outcome of this battle was the imprisonment of the Sha Ka Ree entity at the center of the galaxy and 0 outside of it, while their two allies escaped. The Q Continuum created barriers to prevent the return of their two prisoners, and Q was assigned to watch over Earth due to his part in wiping out the dinosaurs by redirecting an attack aimed at the female Q by 0. The barriers created to keep 0 out were later weakened by the Q civil war, and he briefly managed to return but was then defeated by the unlikely alliance of Q and the [[Calamarain]]. He was then returned to exile, and the Continuum repaired the barriers.
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''[[Star Trek, Volume 9: The Q Gambit|The Q Gambit]]'' featured the Q caught in a war against the [[Pah-wraith]]s. Unlike the three-dimensional world, they found themselves oddly powerless in their own continuum. Following [[Q]]'s merging with a [[Prophet]], he became even more powerful than he had been before.
   
 
[[de:Q (Spezies)]]
  
[[de:Q (Spezies)]]

Revision as of 11:02, 4 April 2016

"What is a Q?"
"It's a letter of the alphabet, as far as I know."
– Worf and Tasha Yar, 2364 ("All Good Things...")

The Q were a seemingly omnipotent and immortal species who inhabited the Q Continuum, possessing the ability of instantaneous matter-energy transformation and teleportation, as well as the ability of time travel. The Q had control over space, time, matter, and energy. (VOY: "Q2") In addition, Q spectacularly claimed to possess an IQ of 2005. (TNG: "Deja Q") They didn't make official contact with the Federation until 2364, when the crew of the USS Enterprise-D met "Q". (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") At least one Q, acting on his own, had intervened and influenced Human affairs since at least the time of Isaac Newton. (VOY: "Death Wish")

The Q evolved over countless centuries into their current form and considered themselves to be the ultimate form of evolution, existing in a state of "ultimate purity". However, this caused most of the Q to develop an apathetic attitude towards the universe, as the Q believed that they already done everything and had experienced everything. As such, there was nothing left for them to see, do, experience, or discuss, because they had already done so at some point. (VOY: "Death Wish") The exact circumstances of how the Q came to exist is unclear. While Quinn stated that the Q were once not unlike humanoid lifeforms, Q implied that the Q never came in to existence, but rather always were. (VOY: "The Q and the Grey")

The true extent of the abilities of the Q is somewhat unclear. While most Q claimed to be omnipotent, and at least one Q claimed they were all knowing, there is some reason to dispute these claims. Quinn implied that the Q were not completely omnipotent. Considering that Quinn was a dissident, his claims may not have been entirely accurate, though they were supported by the fact that Q could be killed, which if they were completely omnipotent, would not be possible. (VOY: "Death Wish"; TNG: "True Q") At one point Q indicated that Humans might have one day equalled his species. (TNG: "Hide and Q")

Guinan considered some of the Q to be "almost respectable." One exception was the Q who often visited the crew of the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Q Who")

An aspect of 24th century interactions with the Q included involvement in a Q Civil War. The Q had come to fear the influence of Human compassion and curiosity into their otherwise timeless, apathetic, and stable culture. The war was incredibly destructive to this dimension and involved weapons which, during a firefight, incidentally caused the supernova of numerous stars. The war was ultimately avoided upon the birth of Q Junior, restoring the Continuum to the status quo. (VOY: "The Q and the Grey")

A point of some confusion is the fact that all Q, under normal circumstances, were known merely as "Q," and seemed not to have any proper names. This caused no confusion among the Q as they always knew which of them was being referred to when the name "Q" was used. Some, such as Quinn, chose a name, though most were referred to by descriptors, such as "female Q". "Q" alone was usually in reference to the most notable member of the species, played by John de Lancie.

The Qs' abilities were not only limited to members of the Q Continuum species, as William T. Riker experienced the powers of the Q. (TNG: "Hide and Q")

Other Q member species were represented by a man playing a pinball machine, two members playing croquet, and a scarecrow.

Notable members

Appendices

Appearances

Apocrypha

In the Peter David novel Q-Squared, Trelane was revealed to be a member of the Q Continuum, with Q being assigned as his mentor. In the book, Trelane was able to tap into "The Heart of The Storm," the theoretical and literal center of the universe, where chaos exists; doing so gave Trelane more power than the entire Continuum, allowing him to close it off and play with the universe as he pleased. Trelane then manipulated three different tracks of the Enterprise-D timeline, with the ultimate goal of the experiment being the merging of all parallel timelines and the destruction of the multiverse order. Captain Picard, with the help of Q, managed to stop Trelane, though the experience reduced Trelane to a speck of his former existence.

The trilogy Q Continuum introduced an additional Q known as the Quaestor, who resembled Picard. In this series it was revealed that the most prominent Q pulled a similar being known as 0 through the Guardian of Forever, and that 0 proceeded to bring forth such entities as the "God" of Sha Ka Ree, Gorgan, and the Beta XII-A entity to join him in his villainy. The Continuum was forced to act, with the Quaestor leading Quinn, Q2, and the female Q into battle against 0 and his forces. The outcome of this battle was the imprisonment of the Sha Ka Ree entity at the center of the galaxy and 0 outside of it, while their two allies escaped. The Q Continuum created barriers to prevent the return of their two prisoners, and Q was assigned to watch over Earth due to his part in wiping out the dinosaurs by redirecting an attack aimed at the female Q by 0. The barriers created to keep 0 out were later weakened by the Q civil war, and he briefly managed to return but was then defeated by the unlikely alliance of Q and the Calamarain. He was then returned to exile, and the Continuum repaired the barriers.

The Q Gambit featured the Q caught in a war against the Pah-wraiths. Unlike the three-dimensional world, they found themselves oddly powerless in their own continuum. Following Q's merging with a Prophet, he became even more powerful than he had been before.

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