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AI/LLM reviews of Star TRek NG - Hide and Q

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"Star Trek: The Next Generation - Hide and Q"
brings back the omnipotent and mischievous Q, 
this time focusing his existential test on 
Commander Riker and exploring the temptations 
of ultimate power versus the value of humanity.

Plot Overview:The USS Enterprise-D is en route 
to rescue colonists when their mission is 
dramatically interrupted by the return of Q. 
Having put all of humanity on trial 
in "Encounter at Farpoint," Q now expresses 
a particular interest in Commander 
William T. Riker. He transports Riker 
and the bridge crew to an alien planet, 
where they face a gauntlet of dangerous, 
seemingly anachronistic soldiers wielding 
energy weapons disguised as muskets.
Q's true test for Riker is revealed: 
he offers Riker the chance to become 
one of the Q, endowing him with god-like powers. 
Riker, initially hesitant, uses his newfound 
abilities to save his imperiled crewmates, 
showcasing both the allure and the potential 
corruption of such immense power. Captain Picard, 
ever the advocate for humanity, wagers with Q 
that Riker will ultimately reject the offer. 
The heart of the episode lies in Riker's 
internal struggle and his eventual decision 
to embrace his humanity and his bonds with 
his crew over the limitless power of the Q 
Continuum. Q, losing the wager, vanishes, 
allowing the Enterprise to finally resume 
its rescue mission.

Strengths:
Q's Return and Dynamic: John de Lancie's Q 
remains a captivating and formidable 
antagonist. His dynamic with Picard, 
full of witty banter and philosophical 
sparring, is a highlight.

Exploration of Power: The episode effectively 
delves into the corrupting influence of absolute 
power and the ethical dilemmas it presents. 
Riker's struggle with this temptation is 
central and well-portrayed.

Riker's Choice: Riker's ultimate decision 
to reject Q's offer reinforces the show's 
core message about the value of humanity, 
connection, and self-limitation, even 
when faced with infinite possibilities.

Picard's Advocacy: Picard's unwavering 
faith in humanity and his willingness 
to stand up to Q, even in the face 
of overwhelming power, solidifies 
his role as the moral compass of the series.

Weaknesses:Pacing and Setup: The initial 
setup on the alien planet, with the seemingly 
random soldiers, can feel a bit drawn out 
before Q's true intentions become clear.

Visuals: Some of the visual effects for Q's 
powers and the alien environment are rudimentary 
and show their age, 
typical of early TNG.

Subtle Messaging: While the core message 
is strong, the episode's delivery can 
sometimes feel a bit preachy or heavy-handed, 
especially in Riker's internal monologue.

Convenient Resolution: Q's quick disappearance 
after losing the wager, while necessary 
for the plot, feels a bit too abrupt given 
his omnipotence.

Overall Impression:"Hide and Q" is a 
significant early episode 
for Star Trek: The Next Generation primarily 
due to Q's return and his direct challenge 
to a main character. It effectively explores 
the seductive nature of power and reinforces 
the show's optimistic view of humanity's 
inherent worth. While it has some of the 
production and pacing issues common to early TNG,
 its philosophical core and strong performances 
 from Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes 
 make it a memorable and important entry in the series.
 
 Rating: 7/10

ChatGPt

**Review: *Star Trek: The Next Generation – “Hide and Q”***
**Episode:** Season 1, Episode 10
**Transcript Source:** [chakoteya.net](http://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/111.htm)
**Rating:** ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

---

### **Overview & Context**

“Hide and Q” brings back the enigmatic Q (John de Lancie) 
to test Commander Riker, marking the strongest of the early 
Q-centric episodes. Unlike its predecessor, 
“Encounter at Farpoint,” this installment splits 
between theatrical set-pieces and a moral dilemma, 
testing humanity’s growth through an all-powerful gift. 
Q grants Riker god-like abilities, 
forcing the Enterprise crew to confront
 temptation and integrity ([them0vieblog.com][1]).

---

### **Highlights & Strengths**

#### **1. John de Lancie’s Q**

Q remains the episode's standout. 
De Lancie brings charm and mischief, 
embodying a trickster god with cosmic 
swagger. Whether indulging in costumes 
or provoking intellectual jousts 
with Picard, Q dominates the episode 
and provides genuine entertainment 
([douxreviews.com][2]).

#### **2. Moral Core**

The central quandary—whether Riker 
can resist ultimate power—speaks 
to classic *Star Trek* morality tales. 
The scene in which he refuses to save 
a dying child underscores the human 
strength of restraint over omnipotence ([en.wikipedia.org][3]).

#### **3. Characters Reveal Themselves**

Unexpectedly revealing moments—Data’s 
refusal to become human, Worf’s typical 
disapproval, Geordi’s emotional conflict—highlight 
each crew member's values. Riker’s temptation 
starkly contrasts their integrity, showcasing 
the captains’ different forms of strength .

---

### **Weaknesses & Missteps**

#### **1. Splintered Tone**

The first act, full of Napoleonic pig-soldier 
conflicts and theatrical flourishes, feels 
disconnected from the introspective moral 
arc that follows. This tonal whiplash 
undermines narrative cohesion ([them0vieblog.com][1]).

#### **2. Rushed Character Arc**

Riker's rapid character shift—instantly 
adopting god-like arrogance after one use of 
his power—lacks subtlety. His redemption feels 
just as sudden, robbing the arc of complexity ([denofgeek.com][4]).

#### **3. Female Characters Underserved**

Tasha Yar's breakdown in the penalty box 
and crude handling of Worf's Klingon companion 
reflect sloppy character writing. These scenes 
feel tone-deaf and undermine the respect 
due to both characters ([thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com][5]).

---

### **Critical Reception**

* **Jammer’s Reviews** – Describes the episode
 as uneven, falling flat in more moments 
 than it succeeds ([jammersreviews.com][6]).
 
* **m0vie blog** – Sees it as ambitious 
but stretched too thin across two contrasting 
storylines ([them0vieblog.com][1]).

* **Den of Geek** – Felt the story was promising, 
but execution didn’t match the concept ([denofgeek.com][4]).

* **Reddit and Doux** – Appreciates Q’s role; flags Tonal 
inconsistencies and weak writing ([reddit.com][7]).

---

### **Summary**

“Hide and Q” is a key early *TNG* episode that finds 
footing by revisiting Q, but doesn’t fully fulfill 
its thematic promise. De Lancie’s performance 
and the moral conflict around power are standout 
elements—but hampered by inconsistent tone, 
rushed arcs, and underdeveloped female characters. 
While it plants seeds for future philosophical 
juggernauts (“Q Who?”, “True Q”), as a standalone,
it only earns a solid mid-tier rating.

---

### **Final Verdict**

**Score: 5/10** – A mixed bag: compelling thanks to Q 
and moral depth, but uneven storytelling and clumsy 
character moments detract from its full impact.

[1]: https://them0vieblog.com/2012/12/09/star-trek-the-next-generation-hide-q-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: The Next Generation – Hide & Q (Review) - the m0vie blog"
[2]: https://www.douxreviews.com/2014/09/star-trek-next-generation-hide-and-q.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek The Next Generation: Hide and Q - Doux Reviews"
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hide_and_Q?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Hide and Q"
[4]: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/revisiting-star-trek-tng-hide-and-q/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Hide And Q | Den of Geek"
[5]: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com/2020/04/18/star-trek-the-next-generation-hide-and-q/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hide and Q"
[6]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-tng/s1/hide.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Hide and Q\" | Star Trek: TNG - Jammer's Reviews"
[7]: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarTrekViewingParty/comments/2qa63s/season_1_ep_10_hide_and_q/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Season 1 Ep 10: Hide and Q : r/StarTrekViewingParty - Reddit"

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