Star Trek: The Next Generation 4.20

Qpid

Captain Picard prepares for the arrival of an assemblage of archaeologists aboard the Enterprise. He returns to his quarters only to find one of the archaeologists in his quarters, Vash.

Jean-Luc and Vash are sharing a cup of tea, in his quarters the next morning, when they are interrupted by Doctor Crusher. She takes Vash on a tour of the Enterprise. While they are in Ten Forward they run into Commander Riker. Doctor Crusher is called away on business. Riker takes over escorting Vash around the Enterprise.

Vash is reunited with Jean-Luc on the bridge. She expresses disappointment that he never told the crew about her. Captain Picard, after she returns to her quarters, enters his ready room only to find Q waiting for him.

Q feels as though he owes Picard something. He wants to repay Picard in someway but Picard refuses to play ball. Q winds up leaving without getting Picard to admit that he wants anything from Q.

Picard visits Vash in her quarters. They argue some more, unaware that Q is eavesdropping on their conversation. Later, Q wakes Picard up and reveals that he knows about Vash. Picard is annoyed but doesn't ask for Q's help in dealing with her. Q nevertheless decides to interfere in Picard's love life.

Q transports Picard, Riker, Data, Dr. Crusher, La Forge, Troi, and Worf to Sherwood Forest. He changes their clothes to be more appropriate to the setting. Picard is Robin Hood, the others are his merry men, and Q is the Sheriff of Nottingham. Picard does not want to play Q's game but Q warns him that Vash (aka Maid Marian) will be executed if he does nothing.

Picard goes to rescue Vash on his own. He gets captured. Picard and Vash are about to be executed when his crew show up and rescue him. Everyone is returned to the Enterprise. Vash announces that she is leaving with Q. 

Thoughts

There is plenty of detail that I left out from my summary of the episode. I was especially brief when describing the parts that take place in Sherwood Forest.

I don't recall watching this episode before but I'm positive that I have seen clips from it before. It is a sequel of sorts to both other episodes that Q has appeared in and to 3.19 (Captain's Holiday). This episode features the second of two appearances of Vash in TNG. She also appeared in one Episode of DS9.

I knew coming in that both Q and Vash were in this episode but I was a little surprised by how far I got into the episode before Q made his entrance. 

This is not a great episode but it is a good one and it has its moments. It is a little too heavy on fan service to be great.