Star Trek: Every Q Episode Ranked Worst To Best

There's a lot to say about this episode in terms of its quality but one thing that is definitely in the positive column is the introduction of Q. However, he wasn't initially planned to be a part of the episode at all.

The pilot was going to be a straight story about the events that take place on Farpoint Station. It would have followed the mystery of how the Bandai had created the outpost and then lead to the reveal of the space dwelling aliens. D.C. Fontana was extremely dissatisfied with what she felt was Q's being thrust into her story.

The episode does feel like two entirely different plots stuck together. The story of Q and his trial on humanity, while serving as the eventual overarching plot to the series, really doesn't fit alongside the events at Farpoint Station. Barring the added drama of his judging the crew, there is simply no need for this God-like character to have any role in proceedings. He seems intent on causing mayhem but in perhaps a meaner, more devious way than he would come to be portrayed as the show went on.

Conversely, Director Corey Allen loved the addition of the character, feeling that he embodied the human adventure and questioning of reality itself. While the episode has some fine moments, it still remains one of Q's most unlikable appearances in Star Trek.