Qpid

"Qpid" is the 94th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 20th episode of the fourth season.

The captain and Vash are reunited when the Enterprise hosts an archaeology symposium, but their disparate personalities soon have them sparring instead of spooning. Enter Q, who offers to do Captain Picard a favor by getting him and his ladylove back together again. When Picard rejects the notion, Q transforms the captain into Robin Hood and sends him, Vash, and several members of Picard's senior staff to Sherwood Forest for a less than idyllic romp.

Plot

Captain Picard is working late on a speech that he will present to visiting archaeologists when Counselor Troi tells him that the council members have arrived and been assigned quarters. Picard returns to his quarters and finds Vash waiting for him, and the two kiss. The next morning, the two are sharing breakfast when Doctor Crusher arrives and offers to give Vash a tour. Vash expresses surprise and slight anger at the fact the Captain hasn't told his friends about her and confronts him about this at a reception for the delegates. After the reception, Q returns to repay Captain Picard for saving him in "Déjà Q". Picard requests nothing, so Q decides to save Picard by testing Picard's love for Vash.

While Picard is addressing the delegates, Q transports the bridge crew to medieval England, where Captain Picard is Robin Hood and the bridge crew are the Merry Men. English soldiers attack the group and the group retreats to the forest.

Q assumes the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham and has imprisoned Vash, now Maid Marian. Picard must rescue Vash as she is sentenced to die for treason. Vash manipulates Sir Guy of Gisbourne into sparing her life by professing love and promising marriage. Picard realizes that if he does nothing, Vash will die. He orders his officers to remain in the woods, then disguises himself and infiltrates the castle as a peasant worker.

Picard climbs up to the tower and through the window. The two bicker over the merits of Picard's rescue plan, and Vash refuses to go. Picard begins to carry her away when a group enters. Picard is taken away by the guards, and Vash tries to send a message to Commander Riker, which is stopped by Q, who reveals himself to Vash and has her taken away.

At the chopping block, Picard's officers reveal themselves disguised as monks and create a diversion. Picard and his staff prove themselves formidable fighters and win. Picard frees Vash, who leaves with Q to explore the galaxy. Q guarantees Vash's safety; with that, Picard considers Q's debt paid in full.

References

• Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 4, disc 5, selection 4
• The scene with Worf smashing Laforge's lute is an homage to Animal House.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: "Qpid"

• "Qpid" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Qpid" at TV.com

• "Qpid" at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• "Qpid" at StarTrek.com
• "Qpid" rewatch by Keith R. A. DeCandido
• And guest-starring .... Robin Hood Large comparative study of "Qpid" and three other Robin Hood-related TV episodes