Q is one of those characters who at first seems like a one-off plot device, especially in Star Trek: The Next Generation's pilot, "Encounter at Farpoint" (S1E 01/02). However, Q began to reappear throughout the show's seven seasons and quickly became a fan favorite (mostly due to the always-entertaining and delightful John de Lancie, who gave us some of the series' most amusing moments.
Let's take a look back at a few of Q's best and quotable lines that remind us why he's one of Next Generation's most enduring characters.
"Eat any good books lately?" - "Deja Q" (S3E13)
When the Q Continuum strips Q of his abilities and he ends up on the Enterprise-D's bridge, nude and seemingly human, Picard and the crew initially believe he's up to his old tricks and refuse to believe his story at first. Q tells Picard that he asked his fellow omnipotents they bring him to Enterprise and the crew because the captain is the closest being he has to a friend.
The crew is naturally suspicious, but Q pleads with them, asking what he must do to convince them that he's human and no longer infallible. To this, Worf replies, deadpan, "Die." Q tosses him a look of extreme irritation before replying, "Oh, charming, Worf. Eat any good books lately?" The other Q might have made him human, but his ability to throw verbal darts was definitely still intact!
"Maybe you ought to go home and crawl under your bed." - "Q Who" (S2E16)
When Q kidnaps Captain Picard and traps him aboard one of the Enterprise shuttlecraft, Picard is furious and reminds the super-being that he would not interfere with them after the events of Farpoint Station. Q says the crew, as well as all humanity, needs him because they don't understand what's coming and flings them 7,000 light years away, to an encounter with the Borg.
At the highest point of the confrontation, Picard begs Q to intervene. Surprised by this lack of ego from Picard, Q snaps a finger and brings the ship back to safety. Picard grieves over the loss of 18 members of his crew during the encounter with the Borg. Q says, "If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you should go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here, but it's wondrous and not for the timid." This serves to remind Picard that, despite the wonders of exploration, space is often unforgiving, and it takes bravery to move forward.
"You're a better human than I." - "Deja Q" (S3E13)
When Q becomes human, he ponders Data's desire to experience emotions and feel pain, considering him one of the most unique beings in the galaxy. After experiencing what it is to be human, (including Guinan ramming a fork into his hand), Q tells Data that he's not missing much. Then, after a pause, he says, "But if it means anything to you, android, you're a better human than I."
It's moments like this that remind us that under all of Q's ego, he finds that being human isn't as easy as it looks, and possibly even gives him a newfound fascination and respect for Picard and other humans. Data's qualities as an android trying to be human outpace Q's own cowardice during his own experiences, and his recognition of the fact hints that Q, despite his super-being status, is capable of growth.