| "Q Who" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 16 |
| Directed by | Rob Bowman |
| Written by | Maurice Hurley |
| Featured music | Ron Jones |
| Cinematography by | Edward R. Brown |
| Production code | 142 |
| Original air date | May 8, 1989 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Q Who" is the 16th episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode first aired in broadcast syndication on May 5, 1989. It was written by executive producer Maurice Hurley and directed by Rob Bowman. "Q Who" marked the first appearance of the Borg, who were designed by Hurley and originally intended to appear in the first season episode "The Neutral Zone".
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, the almost-omnipotent entity known as "Q" (John de Lancie) arrives on the Enterprise and decides that Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) is ignorant and overconfident. Q then sends the ship across the galaxy where the crew make first contact with the cybernetically enhanced assimilating race known as the Borg. After first trying to make peace and then trying to destroy the Borg ship, and failing at both, Picard is forced to beg for Q's help.
Costume designs were created by Dorinda Wood, while Michael Westmore developed the prosthetics worn on the actor's heads. The designs were reminiscent of creations of H. R. Giger and the character Lord Dread from the television series Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future. The episode went over budget and nearly required additional filming time. "Q Who" was watched by 10.3 million viewers. The critical reception has been positive, with the episode described as the first "great episode" of the series.[1] It was nominated for three Emmy Awards, winning two.