Star Trek Q&A -- Appreciation Thread ****SPOILERS*****

[Elemental]

Re: Q&A

I just finished reading the last 1/3rd of Q&A last night because I really couldn't put it down once I reached the "end of the universe" sequence. I'll admit that with all Q's goofiness during the whole middle section of the book, I was worried that I might not get to see the more serious Q that I really loved in "All Good Things...".

As others have said, it was really neat how all of Q's appearances were tied together across a common purpose. And I don't know if it's just because I was tired, but I will also admit that I'm not sure that I understood the ultimate meaning towards how Picard's laughing at the aliens at the end served to save the universe...

One of the best aspects of the book for me was the camraderie that KRAD demonstrated still existed between this TNG crew and how well characterized the new additions to the crew were. The sequence at the end with all the Enterprise's was also really fun; what with the inclusion of many other characters and parallel universes I'd never expected to see again (the inclusion of Madden was a particular treat that made me smile).

Now, I recall reading one quote in the book from "a respected alien race" or something like that which I had only ever heard mentioned by the Minbari in Babylon 5 (I can't think of the quote now though). KRAD, was this meant to be a cross-franchise reference to B5?

Anyway, Q's story with Picard in "All Good Things..." was one that demanded follow-up so I was glad to see it get some of its due in this book. Nice work KRAD!

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the book. I'm especially pleased to see that the stuff that I thought was important and the stuff that I was trying hard to accomplish actually worked (the relationships among the crew new and old, the tying together of Q's appearances, the alternate universes).

Now, I recall reading one quote in the book from "a respected alien race" or something like that which I had only ever heard mentioned by the Minbari in Babylon 5 (I can't think of the quote now though). KRAD, was this meant to be a cross-franchise reference to B5?

I'm sorry to say that I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about here. The phrase "respected alien race" doesn't appear anywhere in my manuscript (heck, neither the word "respected" nor the phrase "alien race" appears, either), and I don't recall anything like what you're talking about. So I really can't answer, except insofar as I can safely say that there were no conscious B5 references in the book...

 

[Elemental]

Re: Q&A

^Well, I'll have to take a closer look and see if I can find that passage again. But if there wasn't anything meant as a reference to B5 though I guess there isn't a lot of point.

I re-read the portion on Picard with the aliens who were going to destroy the universe and I'm still not sure I understand everything of what's going on. Why did laughing save the universe? Why would the Borg arriving at this planet before humanity have meant certain doom?

One other thing I didn't mention in my review but that many others have commented on is that the characterization of Q (as well as the others) felt spot on.

 

[Smiley]

Re: Q&A

Here is my understanding of the ending. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The Borg would have been terribly monotonous to Them, so if the Collective met Them first, then They would have destroyed the universe out of boredom. Picard's laughter demonstrated the potential and interesting nature of humanity and other species in the universe, so They spared it (for now).

 

[Elemental]

Re: Q&A

^But wasn't this race watching the universe at large as it was? Why would one particular direct encounter serve to tip that balance to such a degree? I do, however, like the idea of the Borg's "boring" nature being responsble for the end of the universe.

 

[Smiley]

Re: Q&A

They couldn't be bothered to watch multiple parts of the universe. We're just a small piece of reality to Them. For Their own reasons, They judge our universe on the type of person that comes to Them.

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

Smiley pretty much nailed it, yeah.

With each universe, They judge whoever makes it to see them. If the people who see them are interesting, They let the universe live.

By showing the capacity for laughter in the face of -- well, pretty much anything, They decided that this universe was worth keeping, based on this particular representative of it.

Not a really fair way for Them to judge the universes, but nobody said life was fair.

 

[the_wildcard]

Re: Q&A

I also just finished the book, and was glad to see my suspicions were just confirmed in the previous post. I too was confused as to why Picard's laughter saved the universe, until I REread the "First Prologue". That put everything into perspective.

Overall, a good book as many in this thread have mentioned. Very creative in connecting all of the Q experiences. A couple of questions on the entire Star Trek Universe, however:

1) In which book did Shelby become Admiral?
2) In which book did Alexander take over as Ambassador?
3) What ever did happen to Dr. Selar in the past?

Finally I'd also like to say...with quality star trek novels like this.....TNG can live on indefinately.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Re: Q&A

the_wildcard said:
1) In which book did Shelby become Admiral?

When Peter David jumped his "New Frontier" series forward three years - to give his characters a little more mystery to reveal to the readers - Shelby's promotion was one of many changes. See "After the Fall" and "Missing in Action".

2) In which book did Alexander take over as Ambassador?

At the end of the "A Time..." maxi-series (ie. leading up to "Nemesis", and many decisions for Worf) came KRAD's "Articles of the Federation".

3) What ever did happen to Dr. Selar in the past?

A rather unfortunate marriage/bonding problem ("New Frontier" #1). And some more recent trauma over how to raise her fast-maturing, highly intelligent Vulcan/Hermat hybrid offspring.

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

Overall, a good book as many in this thread have mentioned. Very creative in connecting all of the Q experiences.

Thanks so much!

1) In which book did Shelby become Admiral?
2) In which book did Alexander take over as Ambassador?
3) What ever did happen to Dr. Selar in the past?

1) Some time between the New Frontier novels Stone and Anvil and After the Fall, both by Peter David.

2) A Time for War, a Time for Peace by me, which also established why Worf resigned his diplomatic post and returned to Starfleet. We saw him in action as ambassador in my novel Articles of the Federation.

3) The specific events regarding Dr. Selar that Q was referring to were outlined by Ian in his post, but the reason why Q is familiar with Selar can be traced to the short story "'Q'uandary" by Terri Osborne in the New Frontier anthology No Limits.

 

[captcalhoun]

Re: Q&A

which is of course where the reference to a 'Vulcan medic' that Mrs. Q brought into the civil war comes from in case anyone missed that...

loved the insult towards Chakotay BTW...

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

^ Yup!

And thanks!

 

[veritech]

Re: Q&A

So, will "They" (or "Them")be appearing in any upcoming novels?

Also, if "They" destroy the Universe, wouild the Q continuum perish also?

 

[captcalhoun]

Re: Q&A

i believe the latter point was clearly said in the novel to be 'yes'.

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

So, will "They" (or "Them")be appearing in any upcoming novels?

Unlikely. They've done Their thing for this universe.

Also, if "They" destroy the Universe, wouild the Q continuum perish also?

Apparently.

 

[JD]

Re: Q&A

So is the Continuum considered part of our universe then?

 

[Christopher]

Re: Q&A

JD said:
So is the Continuum considered part of our universe then?

Probably depends on how you define "universe."

 

[Ronald Held]

Re: Q&A

If the Q continuum is "part" of our universe, where do "Them" exist?

 

[KRAD]

Re: Q&A

So is the Continuum considered part of our universe then?

Why wouldn't it be?

If the Q continuum is "part" of our universe, where do "Them" exist?

Outside it.

 

[JD]

Re: Q&A

KRAD said:

So is the Continuum considered part of our universe then?

Why wouldn't it be?...

I was under the impression that the Continuum was it's own parallel universe. Although now that I think about it, I can't remember if they did say exactly what the Contiuum was.