Q (Star Trek)

Q (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 usually played by John de Lancie. The name "Q" also applies to all other individuals of the Q Continuum.

Q is said to be omnipotent, and is continually evasive regarding his motivations. His home, the Q Continuum, is accessible to the Q and their guests, and the true nature of it is said to be beyond the comprehension of "lesser beings" such as humans so it is only shown to humans in ways they can understand.

Beginning with the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Q became a recurring character, with pronounced comedic and dramatic chemistry between himself and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. He serves as a major antagonist in the beginning of The Next Generation; however, over the course of The Next Generation, Deep Space 9 and Voyager, Q evolves into an antihero during the early seasons of The Next Generation and later into a full-fledged hero by the beginning of Voyager. Gene Roddenberry chose the letter "Q" in honor of his friend, Janet Quarton.

Despite being the most powerful adversary ever faced by the various Star Trek spinoff crews, and despite being the primary antagonist for both the premiere and finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Q has never served as the antagonist for any Star Trek film.