"Encounter at Farpoint" Line-by-Line

TROI: That will bring them here in just minutes, sir.

 

(Tasha is seen visibly fidgeting at tactical, before moving away toward Picard in the captain's chair)

Tasha: Will we make a fight of it, Captain? If we can at least damage their ship we'll have a chance...!

 

PICARD: Lieutenant, are you recommending we fight a life form that can do all those things? I'd like to hear your advice.

 

TASHA: I spoke before I thought, sir. We should look for some way to distract them from going after the saucer.

 

O'BRIEN: All forward motion stopped, sir.

 

PICARD: Thank you, conn. Commander, signal the following in all languages and on all frequencies. We surrender. State that we are not asking for any terms or conditions.

 

Troi: Aye, Sir. All language forms and frequencies.

The Q sphere approaches, as it closes in, the area goes white, Picard, Data, Yar and Troi find themselves in a horrific mid 21st century courtroom.

 

[Courtroom]

(The crew find themselves in a room with a noisy audience. One of the future soldiers that Q pretended to be, fires his machine gun for silence. An Oriental man takes charge)
BAILIFF: The prisoners will all stand.
(Picard sits down)

 

Data: Historically intriguing, Captain. Very, very accurate.

 

Picard: Mid 21st century. The post atomic horror.

 

BAILIFF: All present, stand and make respectful attention to honoured Judge.

 

From a dark corridor of the courtroom, the judge approaches, seated in a large, moving throne. As the judge approaches, we can see that the judge is in fact, Q.

Data: At least we're acquainted with the judge, Captain.

 

Q gestures the crowd to sit.

SOLDIER: Attention! On your feet. Attention!

He fires his wrist-mounted shotgun at the ground. Tasha disarms him with a few martial arts moves.

 

Q: (to soldier) You are out of order. (another soldier kills him) The prisoners will not be harmed until they are found guilty. Dispose of that.

 

PICARD: Can we assume you mean this will be a fair trial?

 

Q: Yes, absolutely equitable. Proceed.

 

BAILIFF: Before this gracious court now appear these prisoners to answer for the multiple and grievous savageries of their species. How plead you, criminal?

 

DATA: If I may, Captain? Objection, your honour. In the year 2036, the new United Nations declared that no Earth citizen could be made to answer for the crimes of his race or forbears.

 

Q: Objection denied. This is the court of the year 2079, by which time more rapid progress had caused all United Earth nonsense to be abolished.

 

PICARD: Tasha, no.