Q & A (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

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I enjoyed the book very much. It hasn`t got the impact Q Squared has but
I have no problem with that. I also like books that offer light, fun
entertainment. I had a lot of fun reading how this book successfully
made sense of why Q had and has so much interest in humans and
specifically in Picard. Some of Q`s remarks and some reactions to his
nagging presence made me smile and more than once I just had to laugh.

The introduction of “they” was very interesting. It makes sense to write
“them” in some ways as an exaggeration of Q and other more evolved
beings on a similar level who also have trouble sometimes to understand
mere mortals, who tend to get bored with them after a while and who see
them as playthings sometimes that can be tossed aside when they are no
longer amusing or interesting. I was hoping that Q & A would also
address the discrepancy of Wesley evolving into a Traveller (which shows
that Q is right and humanity has a lot of potential) and the IMO
dreadful Voyager episode “Threshold” that showed humans evolving (or
more accurately, devolving) in the far future into mindless, mud loving
salamanders obsessed with procreation. That didn`t happen. I think some
treknobabbly interdimensional time twisting paradox was responsible and
not “evolution”. At least that would explain that mystery. (After my
original posting I was informed that "Threshold" has been omitted from
"canon" which was mentioned in several interviews. That answers that
question).

I found it very touching how Q took humanity under his wing. In spite of
all annoyance he causes and the way he plays with them, the book shows
very clearly that he cares about humans and especially about the
survival of the universe as it is today. It is clear that helping
humanity and preserving the universe as it is is also about helping
himself, meaning preserving the kind of playground and exploration area
Q enjoys. Nevertheless, that doesn`t change my sympathetic feelings. The
book also shows that Q made some real sacrifices in order to achieve
that, something that was never pointed out so clearly before. I think
this book shows Q in a more positive light than most other Q stories,
something I enjoyed and welcomed.

What has started in previous TNG Relaunch books is also continuing here:
Again, I enjoyed the way the Picard and Crusher relationship was written
and I think after this book there shouldn`t be any doubt that Worf is an
excellent first officer. I welcome it very much that KRAD took this
character under his wing and matured him in such an impressive way. It
is good to see that T`Lana and him found a much better understanding. In
general, after her initial difficulties in “Resistance” also T`Lana has
been shown as a good fit for this colourful crew.

The new additions are interesting and I like it a lot that they add new
dimensions concerning background and personal choices. I find the new
security chief Leybenzon quite refreshing. It is nice to see that
enlisted personnel can rise that much in rank among Starfleet officers.
The book shows very well the different perspectives people like him can
offer but first of all the valuable skills they have. I can see why Worf
wanted him and it was interesting to read about his personal problems. I
agree that his style is unusual and takes getting used to. He is also
not always the easiest person to deal with. But Leybenzon is willing to
learn and is definitely a likeable character. Now I can only hope that
the habit of getting rid of the Enterprise security chief very quickly
is finally over.

I also like Kadohata. After the books have been exploring on numerous
occasions that families can accompany the officer in question I think it
is a good idea to feature a Starfleet officer who made the other choice
for a change. Yes, there is Captain Gold in SCE but he is an older man
whose children grew up a long time ago. To me, this feels different
because her children are so young.

When reading about her and especially the decision she made, I could
understand her but I would never be able to come to the same conclusion
and think that leaving my family behind is the better option. I might be
able to bear it to be separated from my husband and only be able to see
and talk to him on screen but not my daughter. I don`t think it would be
good for her either. It certainly wasn`t a good choice for Alexander but
each circumstance is different and I am hoping it will work out for
Kadohata and her family. Her husband seems to be a good father.

I am looking forward to meet these people again in “Before Dishonor”.

Baerbel Haddrell