Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)
All Good Things... (1994)
John de Lancie: Q
Photos
Quotes
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Capt. Picard : I sincerely hope that this is the last time that I find myself here.
Q : You just don't get it, do you, Jean-Luc? The trial never ends. We wanted to see if you had the ability to expand your mind and your horizons. And for one brief moment, you did.
Capt. Picard : When I realized the paradox.
Q : Exactly. For that one fraction of a second, you were open to options you had never considered. *That* is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknown possibilities of existence.
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Q : You're not alone, you know. What you were, and what you are to become, will always be with you.
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Q : The Continuum didn't think you had it in you, Jean-Luc. But I knew you did.
Capt. Picard : Are you saying that it worked? We collapsed the anomaly?
Q : Is that all this meant to you? Just another spatial anomaly, just another day at the office?
Capt. Picard : Did it work?
Q : Well, you're here, aren't you? You're talking to me, aren't you?
Capt. Picard : What about my crew?
Q : [scoffs] The anomaly, my ship, my crew; I suppose you're worried about your fish, too. If it puts your mind at ease - you've saved humanity, once again.
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Q : Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you. You had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end.
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Q : You see this? This is you. I'm serious! Right here, life is about to form on this planet for the very first time. A group of amino acids are about to combine to form the first protein - the building blocks...
[chuckles]
Q : ...of what you call "life". Strange, isn't it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond of goo. Appropriate somehow, isn't it? Too bad you didn't bring your microscope; it's really quite fascinating. Oh, look! There they go. The amino acids are moving closer and closer, and closer. Ooh! Nothing happened. See what you've done?
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Q : The trial never ended, Captain. We never reached a verdict. But now we have. You're guilty.
Capt. Picard : Guilty of what?
Q : Of being inferior. Seven years ago, I said we'd be watching you, and we have been - hoping that your ape-like race would demonstrate *some* growth, give *some* indication that your minds had room for expansion. But what have we seen instead? You, worrying about Commander Riker's career. Listening to Counselor Troi's pedantic psychobabble. Indulging Data in his witless exploration of humanity.
Capt. Picard : We've journeyed to countless new worlds. We've contacted new species. We have expanded our understanding of the universe.
Q : In your own paltry, limited way. You have no *idea* how far you still have to go. But instead of using the last seven years to change and to grow, you have squandered them.
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Capt. Picard : We are what we are, and we're doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged!
Q : Oh, but it is, and we have. Time may be eternal, Captain, but our patience is not. It's time to put an end to your trek through the stars, make room for other more worthy species.
Capt. Picard : You're going to deny us travel through space?
Q : [laughs] No! You obtuse piece of flotsam! You're to be denied *existence*. Humanity's fate has been sealed. You will be destroyed.
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Capt. Picard : [learning that he successfully collapsed the anomaly] Thank you.
Q : For what?
Capt. Picard : You had a hand in helping me get out of this.
Q : I was the one that got you into it. A directive from the Continuum. The part about the helping hand, though... was my idea.
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[Q has given Picard the chance to ask ten yes/no questions]
Capt. Picard : ...Is it part of a Romulan plot, a ploy to start a war?
Q : No and no.
[crowd jeers]
Q : *Five* down!
Capt. Picard : That's only four!
Q : "Is it a Romulan plot?" "Is it a ploy to start a war?" Those are *separate* questions.
Capt. Picard : [sighs] Did you create the anomaly?
Q : No, no, no!
[laughs]
Q : You're going to be so surprised when you realize where it came from...
Q : [suddenly menacing] if you ever figure it out.
Capt. Picard : Are you responsible for my shifting through time?
Q : I'll answer that question if you promise you won't tell anyone.
Q : [leans in, whispers] Yes!
Capt. Picard : Why?
Q : Sorry! That's not a yes or no question. You forfeit the rest of your questions.
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Q : [to Picard, after the other ships explode] Two down, one to go.
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Capt. Picard : We demonstrated to you that mankind had become peaceful and benevolent. You agreed and you let us go on our way. Now why am I standing here again?
Q : Oh, you'd like me to connect the dots for you, lead you from A to B to C, so that your puny mind could comprehend? How boring.
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[Q's last line of the series]
Q : In any case, I'll be watching. And if you're very lucky, I'll drop by to say hello from time to time. See you... out there!
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Capt. Picard : The last time that I stood here was seven years ago.
Q : Seven years ago! How little do you mortals understand time. Must you be so linear, Jean-Luc?
Capt. Picard : You accused me of being the representative of a... a barbarous species.
Q : I believe my exact words were "a dangerous, savage child-race."
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Q : It's time to put an end to your trek through the stars.
