STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Season 4, Episode 20

Qpid

Series: The Next Generation - (1987-1994)
Season: 4
Episode #: 4.20
Production #: 40274-194
Original Airdate: 04/22/1991

Writer(s): Randee Russell and Ira Steven Behr
Director(s): Cliff Bole

Guest Stars
Jennifer Hetrick as Vash
Clive Revill as Sir Guy of Gisbourne
John de Lancie as Q
Joi Staton as the Maid Marian's Servant

Uncredited Guest Stars
Rachen Assapiomonwait as Crewman Nelson
Auman as a Servant
Auriano as a Medieval Guard
Majel Barrett as the Voice of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D Computer
Karen Baxter as an Operations Division Ensign
Berle as a Servant
Thomas J. Booth as an Operations Division Officer
R. Bruce as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Carl David Burks as Lt. Russell
Kelly Burris as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Byron as a Vulcan Archaeologist
Cameron as Ensign Kellogg
Mike Cassidy as a Medieval Guard
Max Cervantes as an Operations Division Officer
Larry Clardy as a Medieval Guard
John Copage as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Crow as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Curry as Algolian Archaeologist
Buddy Daniels Friedman as a Bolian Archaeologist
Mitchell Danton as a Medieval Guard
B.J. Davis as a Medieval Guard
Denise Deuschle as a Sciences Division Officer
Christopher Doyle as a Medieval Guard
Michele Gerren as a Sciences Division Officer
Grace Harrell as an Operations Division Officer
Hawthorne as a Sciences Division Officer
Arvo Katajisto as a Nottingham Castle Courtier
Ken Lesco as a Medieval Guard
David B. Maccabee as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Betty Matsushita as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Mazzy as a Medieval Guard
Terry Noel as an Operations Division Officer
Perceval as a Medieval Guard
Randy Pflug as Lt. Jones
Rex Pierson as the Executioner
Rivolier as a Nottingham Castle Courtier
Seals as a Medieval Guard
Steele as a Medieval Guard
Talbot as a Ten Forward Waitress
Tim Trella as a Medieval Guard
Guy Vardaman as Lt. Darien Wallace
Dru Wagner as a Nottingham Castle Courtier
Williams as a Human Archaeology Council Member
Anne Woodberry as a Nottingham Castle Courtier
Harry Young as a Sciences Division Officer

Stardate: 44741.9

Synopsis

When the U.S.S. Enterprise hosts an archaeology symposium, Picard rekindles a romance with Vash, an archaeologist he met while on vacation. The obvious passion between the two is strained, however, when Vash learns that Picard has never mentioned her to his friends, and he discovers that she plans to make a secret excursion to a planet that is closed to outsiders.

The nearly omnipotent and mischievous Q secretly witnesses a heated argument between the two. After Vash leaves, he appears to a shocked Picard and tries to elicit a confession of love from the stoic Captain. Picard refuses, and Q responds by transforming the Captain into Robin Hood and sending him to Sherwood Forest, where he is joined by his senior staff, who are now merry men. Q dons the disguise of the Sheriff of Nottingham, and tells Picard that Vash, who is now Maid Marian, will be beheaded the following day - challenging Picard to risk the lives of his crew to rescue a woman he claims he does not care about. Picard claims he would do the same for anyone in danger and sets out to rescue Vash, but orders the others to stay behind.

[ Complete Screencap Index ]

Meanwhile, the resourceful Vash averts her execution by promising to marry her captor Sir Guy. Fearing that this turn of events will dissuade Picard from attempting a rescue, Q has Sir guy promise to keep the wedding a secret. Picard finally arrives to rescue Vash, but she decides his one-man mission is too dangerous and announces she can take care of herself. Moments later, she seizes Picard's sword and turns him over to Sir Guy. Q delights in the notion that she turned against Picard, until he sees a note she is writing the crew asking for their help. Q turns her over to Sir Guy to be executed beside Picard the following day.

Just as Picard stands ready to be beheaded, the crew finally arrives, disguised as monks. Data creates a diversion by pulling off his hand, and Picard and Vash run for their lives. Picard and Sir Guy engage in a sword fight that leaves Sir Guy dead.

The game finally over, Picard and the crew are returned to the starship without Vash. To Picard's relief, she appears soon afterward, announcing her plans to travel the universe with Q. Although the idea makes him uneasy, Picard must admit that the mischievous Vash has much in common with Q. Picard and Vash then express their affection for one another, promising to meet again and exchange a farewell kiss.

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