Q

[Captain McBain]

Do you think the crews of the Enterprise, Deep Space 9, and Voyager feared Q?

With the exception of Data and arguably the EMH, it seems to me that everyone probably feared Q to at least a small degree. Although Q never unleashed his full power against these crews, he could have easily destroyed them in a fit of rage if he wanted, and there's nothing they could've done to stop him.

I'm guessing even Worf and Tuvoc feared Q, maybe just a little, but they of course wouldn't admit it.

 

[Ysmalari]

Perhaps the Next Gen crew feared him in EaF purely because he was one the most powerful beings Starfleet had met to that point. In future visits though he proved himself to be more of a prankster and seemed to be considered more of an annoyance.

As was eventually shown at the end of All Good Things, Picard even started to recognise that Q's fascination in mankind meant that he seemed to always find a way to help with a situation even if he was the one that initially caused it.
This knowledge seemed to be retained in DS9 and Voyager as both Sisko and Janeway seemed to expect Q to make their lives more difficult rather than being a direct threat.

 

[indolover]

Q is not evil IMO, and neither are the Q in general. they simply, as perhaps amongst the most advanced life in the universe, don't give a damn about other races. they don't need to, as other species are not a true threat to them.

I also think Q would never destroy a Federation ship, since he sees humans as having potential. This is why I don't think he is an evil being, since despite his pranks/games, there is always some seemingly noble end such actions.

 

[Use of Time]

I think the term dreaded might be more appropriate than fear. Q usually ended up leaving the crew with some sort of lesson learned but it was usually at the expense of a very stressful or humiliating experience. It was probably more of a "This is going to be a bad day" than "we are in danger of our lives."

That being said, the most deadly encounter was Q's indirect responsiblity in the death/assimilation of 18 people in system J-25. I guess the scariest part is just wondering the magnitude of whatever lesson he will teach in his encounters.

 

[Locutus of Board]

It would be wise to fear him, he could make the entire federation disappear with a mere thought Like the Dowd did to the Hussnock.
Now why with such power he found such silly things entertaining is another argument. It would have removed some of the best episodes.

 

[Captain McBain]

This is slightly off-topic, but did Odo ever show obvious fear (while existing as a changeling)?

 

[Methos]

yes... to be honest, i think they feared him...

after EaF, it was easy to see his power, and his obvious malace at putting the crew on trial for humanity... including what he did to Tasha...

i'd say anyone in their right mind would fear someone that could wipe you out with a stray thought

M

 

[Holdfast]

Yup, even when he was just there as an irritation, I think the crew would have been more than a little concerned and worried. Outright frightened? Probably less so than when he was a complete unknown, but still a bit, I'd guess.