Prepare for one of the best Star Trek reads ever and quite the message in a bottle.
What happens when the Maelstrom meets our favorite omnipotent being who's stubborn and arrogant enough to try and stop it, along with the help of two familiar frenemies from the USS Enterprise-D? The answer lies in the pages of I, Q, one of the most original adventures ever released in print.
Published by Pocket Books in 1999 and written by John de Lancie and the late, great Star Trek novelist Peter David, Q tells the story of the end of everything and how his fellow Qs refuse to stop the Maelstrom that's devouring the galaxy, the universe, the multiverse — everything!
As far as the Q are concerned, this is how it's meant to be, so why waste energy fighting it? Q refuses to lie back and let it happen because when the Maelstrom hits, it takes all Q holds dear; specifically, his wife, Lady Q, and his son, Little Q (q). Powerless near the deadly whirlpool, Q must join forces with Captain Picard and Data, who were also fishing, as he searches for his missing family.
Q as a narrator
The events in the book are largely told from Q's point of view, barring a few passages by Melony to bookend the story, and de Lancie's tone and his portrayal of Q are just as rich here as it is during his appearances elsewhere in the Star Trek franchise. This is what makes the book one of the best Trek novels ever published!
Q is arrogant, narcissistic, and frustrated with Picard and Data throughout most of their travels, and he talks himself into working with them time after time because, after all, he's Q. And, if it's his idea, it must be the right choice to make. Plus, he knows both Picard and Data have attributes which will serve him on well on their journey, especially since he lost his powers.
De Lancie also brings his distinct sense of humor to Q's narration. For example, when Q, Picard, and Data end up on Earth, Q materializes frozen in place as a sentient statue, where a pigeon (it's actually another Q) leaves its calling card on his head--twice. Our Q calls Data names like tinker-toy and Picard's pocket calculator, and I could hear his arrogance in my head during these moments.
The themes of grief and gods
Being both omnipotent and immortal (or so he thought), it's possible that, at this point in Q's existence, Q has probably never concerned himself with the concept of death or how humans grieve a loss. While Q isn't sure if the Maelstrom could destroy him, it has separated him from Lady Q and Little Q, another type of loss that's difficult for him to even conceive because he's Q, and how dare something outside of his knowing (unthinkable) take away all he knows without explanation. It's impossible!
What or who is God? According to Q early in the story, there is no such thing as God. However, Q notes that he's been worshipped as one himself. Q also believes that the God humans worship exists only to them in order to explain the unknown, why bad things happen, and for someone to whine to when life becomes too difficult. However, when Lady Q is finally found near the end, an enraged Q dares Picard's God to show his face!
As someone who believes in the power of the individual and who never embraced religion, I found myself nodding along with Q's opinions. I also must wonder if this was more Peter David's outlook on organized religion and God or de Lancie's.
Plenty of familiar faces from the Trek universe pop up along this wild journey, including even Locutus of Borg on the train, which terrifies Picard and only adds to the madness.
No major spoilers here, Redshirt readers, but for anyone doubting how clever and emotional this book is, you need read no further than the New Year's Eve celebration in NYC, which takes an astonishing turn.
The scene's importance can't be overstated. Q's brief but powerful connection to the cobalt, blue-eyed Melony, the surprise twist, and her subsequent fate are absolutely chilling and essential to the story.
Have you read I, Q? If so, do you still feel it holds up as one of the best Star Trek reads ever? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.