Line #29 Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS3E10TheQAndTheGrey


1	->"''What are you doing with that dog?''"\
2	(''Q and Janeway look at the puppy the Captain's holding'')\
3	"''I'm not talking about the puppy.''"
4	-->--'''Female Q'''
5
6	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/voy_q_thegray_035.jpg]]
7	[[caption-width-right:350:''"Out of all the females of all the species in all the galaxies, I have chosen you to be the mother of my child."'']]
8
9	Q wants Janeway to have his baby, so HilarityEnsues. Oh yes, and there's a [[DivineConflict civil war tearing apart the Q Continuum]].
10	-----
11	!!This episode provides examples of:
12
13	* AbhorrentAdmirer: It's not that Q is bad-looking. He's just incredibly arrogant, irresponsible, crass, and well... Q.
14	* ActorAllusion: Female Q tells B'Elanna she always liked Klingon females. Suzie Plakson played K'Ehleyr, Worf's Klingon-human hybrid LoveInterest in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''.
15	* AfterActionPatchUp: Janeway binds up Q's shoulder with her dress while the bullets are still flying.
16	* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: Or so Q believes. He thinks parenthood will make him settled, not to mention settling the entire conflict.
17	* BigDamnHeroes: The crew of Voyager arrive just in time to save Q and their captain from being ShotAtDawn.
18	* BiggerIsBetter: Q isn't happy observing the {{UST}} between Chakotay and Janeway.
19	-->'''Q:''' I was wondering, Kathy. What could anyone possibly see in this big oaf, anyway? Is it the tattoo? Because ''mine's bigger!''
20	-->''(FaceRevealingTurn to show half his face is covered by a tattoo)''
21	-->'''Janeway:''' [[CompensatingForSomething Not big enough]].
22	* {{Celibate Hero}}ine
23	-->'''Q:''' Oh, Kathy, don't be such a prude. Admit it. It ''has'' been a while.\
24	'''Janeway:''' And it's going to be a while longer.[[note]]Not till "Fair Haven" in Season Six![[/note]]
25	* CivilWar: The Q are having their own, which is causing a cascade of supernovae in the real universe.
26	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Q as a RunningGag. He just can't understand that Janeway is ''not'' interested in him.
27	* {{Costumer}}: Janeway in a PimpedOutDress and everyone else as American Civil War soldiers.
28	* CovertPervert: Janeway can't resist tiptoeing up for a look at two Q's mating. ForScience, of course.
29	* CreatorProvincialism: Q talks about the American Civil War without clarifying which civil war from Earth's history he's referring to, apparently assuming that the 24th century woman from an interplanetary government would understand which he means. AFormYouAreComfortableWith also happens to be this American historical event no matter what planet or area of Earth the crew is from.
30	* CutenessProximity: Janeway with the puppy and the Q baby.
31	* DeadpanSnarker: As per established Starfleet protocol in dealing with a Q.
32	-->'''Q:''' I know that [[ICantBelieveAGuyLikeYouWouldNoticeMe you're probably asking yourself]], why would a brilliant, handsome, dashingly omnipotent being like Q want to mate with a [[PunyEarthling scrawny little bipedal specimen]] like me?\
33	'''Janeway:''' Let me guess. No one else in the universe will have you.
34	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: InUniverse with the UsefulNotes/AmericanCivilWar metaphor, and loads of references to the [[AwfulWeddedLife joys of wedded life]] only to be [[TrophyWife tossed aside for a younger woman]].
35	* FaceDeathWithDignity: About to be executed, Q gives an impassioned speech about his beliefs, but his only demand is that Janeway be spared.
36	* FacePalm: Janeway's reaction when Q first appears. [[ReadyForLovemaking In a dressing gown.]]
37	* FailedAttemptAtDrama: Q hams up his death until Janeway informs him the bullets are being fired elsewhere.
38	* AFormYouAreComfortableWith: Rather, "A Period Of American History You Are Comfortable With". The Continuum now appears as the UsefulNotes/AmericanCivilWar, though the ability of humans to interact with it by the end of the episode stretches the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief. Oddly the old guard are the Rebels and Q's rebels are the Union forces, though this may be intended to represent how the Union were basically fighting to end slavery just as Q's forces are fighting for greater freedom. When Q tells the Q (CSA General) that the humans are using ''their'' weapons, he quickly ends the fighting.
39	* FromDressToDressing: Janeway tears strips off her petticoat as bandages and later a WhiteFlag.
40	* GuiltByAssociation: Janeway is condemned to death alongside Q.
41	* GRatedSex: PlayedForLaughs, as the two Qs mate by... ''touching fingertips together''.
42	* HilariousOuttakes: Creator/JohnDeLancie [[PorkyPigPronunciation can't say "omnipotent"]]. Even in the take they ended up using!
43	* HumansAreSuperior: Now they're trying to give the Q advice instead of the other way round. Q believes that human compassion and vigour will have an enlightening effect on the Continuum.
44	* HypocriticalHumor:
45	-->'''Q:''' Well, I'll admit, I look at the universe in an entirely different way now. I mean, I can't go around causing temporal anomalies or subspace inversions without considering the impact it'll have on my son.
46	-->'''Janeway:''' I'm glad to hear you intend to set a good example.
47	-->'''Q:''' By the way, did I tell you how smart he is? I've already taught him how to knock small planets out of orbit.
48	* InsufferableGenius
49	-->'''Torres:''' You know, I have really had it with this superiority complex of yours.
50	-->'''Female Q:''' It's not a complex, dear. It's a fact.
51	* JawDrop: When Q first drops the big news to Janeway that out of all the woman in all the galaxies, ''she'' gets to be the mother of his child! (it's even funnier as Q has her bent over in a tango position at the time). Then by both Janeway and Q when Female Q turns up.
52	* JustEatGilligan: Or Just Screw Q, who dangles a DeusExMachina again, suggesting Voyager might get home a lot quicker if Janeway took up his offer. Janeway doesn't trust him to keep his word, and as a feminist icon rightly refuses to use her body as a bargaining chip. But in later episodes, so much emphasis was placed on how much she's willing to sacrifice to get her crew home that fans couldn't help but wonder why she didn't just boff the jerk. In fairness it wasn't just sex but a child he wanted with Janeway, so her reluctance is still understandable.
53	* ALadyOnEachArm: Harry and Tom are having their shoulders massaged by holobabes; Q materialises with the babes vanishing and reappearing in his lap.
54	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Janeway brushes Q's offer to transport the ship back to the Alpha Quadrant in return for her services by saying that the crew is committed to getting home through hard work, not a "quick fix." This is basically an acknowledgment by the writers that the show's whole premise will not be resolved without proper fanfare and drama.
55	* LickedByTheDog: Q [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E6TrueQ previously]] questioned how anyone could find "squirming, little infants" appealing. Even in this episode in which he's trying to have a child, he figures his job is done after said child is conceived and has no idea what else he would or could bring to the table. And yet, in the last scene, he is happily playing with his newborn son. Janeway remarks that fatherhood agrees with him.
56	* MyBiologicalClockIsTicking: Q says that "My cosmic clock is ticking!" Given that Q is immortal, Janeway is justifiably skeptical as to this explanation. He points out that Janeway also isn't getting any younger, and is stranded on the far side of the galaxy from her fiance.
57	* NeverTrustATrailer: The promos played up Janeway apparently sighing in ecstasy (actually exasperation) over Q.
58	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Quinn's suicide started a CivilWar. Q wasn't exaggerating the disruption that would be caused by his death.
59	* TheNicknamer: The two Q's have several derogatory nicknames for Voyager crew: "Chuckles" (Chakotay), and "Helm Boy" (Paris), though "Bar Rodent" tends not to get used even by those fans who don't like Neelix.
60	* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: Janeway says Voyager will get back to Earth through hard work and determination, not a [[DeusExMachina Q Ex Machina]] (not that it stops her asking in the next Q episode, whereupon Q enjoys knocking her back for this reason).
61	* NotHyperbole: When Colonel Q says "I've been waiting for this moment for an eternity" before throwing Q in chains, you just know [[{{Immortality}} he means it literally]].
62	* NotSoDifferentRemark: Q tells Neelix his attempts to bribe Janeway's affection aren't any different from his. Neelix is furious at the comparison, saying the captain likes him because he's loyal, respectful and sincere. Cue Humble Q putting on his best [[SincerityMode sincerity act]].
63	* OneSteveLimit: Averted; there's Q, then the missus (called Female Q in the script) or "[[Music/CreedenceClearwaterRevival Suzie Q]]" after Suzie Plakson), then Colonel Q, and all the Continuum soldiers whose names are not mentioned but probably begin and end with the letter Q.
64	* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Unseen methods Q used to woo Janeway included writing love sonnets, [[SomethingAboutARose filling the bridge with roses]] and serenading her in the bath.
65	-->'''Paris:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Oh, I'll bet she loved that one.]]
66	* OnlyAFleshWound: Averted. Q is hit in the shoulder with a bullet which produces blood (like most bullet wounds do, except Q is an omnipotent being and supposed to be [[ImmuneToBullets immune to all manner of injury]]), and then knocked senseless by an explosion. This is a part of the [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith A Form You Are Comfortable With]] routine the Continuum employs when interacting with humanoids. Q points out that what gives a Q a flesh wound would obliterate Janeway.
67	* PatrickStewartSpeech: Janeway and Q are about to be executed by FiringSquad and are asked if they have AnyLastWords Janeway tries her best, and no doubt inspired by the TropeNamer Q actually gives it a good shot too, but his fellow members of the Continuum are not impressed.
68	-->'''Janeway:''' I won't plead for my own life. From your perspective I know it seems insignificant. But what is not insignificant is the fact that the Q, as an omnipotent race, have an opportunity to be a positive force and to set a higher standard for other beings in the galaxy. I implore you all, don't go through with this. Don't allow yourselves to continue using violence to resolve your differences.
69	-->'''Colonel Q:''' Q, do you have anything to add?
70	-->'''Q:''' Today I sacrifice my existence for the principles of freedom and individuality that I have fought for so long. But this woman is innocent. What's more, she saved my life, and she tried to save us from each other. [[TakeMeInstead Kill me if you must, but let her go.]]
71	-->'''Colonel Q:''' A very touching speech, Q. [[JerkassHasAPoint But as usual, your rhetoric fails to compensate for your irresponsibility]].
72	* PetTheDog: The normally self-centered Q asks the Continuum to spare Janeway's life as his LastRequest.
73	* PimpedOutDress: Worn by Janeway and Female Q in the Civil War simulation, as per the standards of the time.
74	* PlanarShockwave: Caused by the supernovae.
75	* PowerIncontinence: The damage from the war is affecting the normal universe, creating supernovas and seriously damaging subspace.
76	* PlayingHardToGet: Why else would Janeway be resisting the awesome Q?
77	-->'''Q:''' Oh I see! This is one of those silly human rituals. You're playing hard to get!\
78	'''Janeway:''' As far as you're concerned, I'm impossible to get.
79	* PreciousPuppy:
80	** Janeway, who [[HeroesLoveDogs left her own dog back on Earth]], is surprised and delighted to suddenly find an Irish Setter puppy in her quarters. [[CutenessProximity She goes all gooey for a second]] before toughening up.
81	--->'''Janeway:''' This isn't going to work, Q.
82	--->'''Q:''' ''(materialising)'' How can you ignore that face? ''(Q gives Janeway his best PuppyDogEyes)''
83	** PlayedForLaughs shortly after when a female Q appears.
84	--->'''Female Q:''' What are you doing with that dog? ''(Q and Janeway look at the puppy)'' I'm not talking about the puppy!
85	* PunBasedTitle: The episode is about a civil war among the Q, and the title is a reference to "the Blue and the Grey," the two sides of the American Civil War.
86	* ReadyForLovemaking: Captain Janeway enters her quarters to find an enormous double bed with red satin sheets and [[SayItWithHearts heart-shaped pillows]]. Enter Q in a red dressing gown, holding a champagne glass.
87	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Voyager is in the epicenter of three approaching supernova shockwaves. Janeway tells Q to do something. So he teleports himself and Janeway out of there, [[WithFriendsLikeThese leaving Voyager's crew and his ex in the lurch]].
88	* SequelEpisode: To Season Two's [[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS2E18DeathWish "Death Wish"]]. This episode also serves as the middle installment of VOY's Q Trilogy, which will conclude with Season Seven's [[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS7E17QTwo "Q2"]].
89	* SeriesContinuityError: The TNG episode ''"True Q"'' had already established that Q can procreate and have offspring, despite Q saying it had never been done before. This is addressed in ''Literature/TheQContinuum'' trilogy when Doctor Crusher explicitly asks the female Q about Amanda, with the Q noting that Amanda was conceived in a purely human manner whereas her son was conceived and born in the Continuum itself.
90	* ShipTease: Chakotay admits he's a bit upset over Q proposing to his captain.
91	* SilentWhisper: After Q spends most of the episode unsuccessfully trying to convince Captain Janeway to have a child with him, Janeway suggests he instead do it with a female member of his species. At first they're outraged, but then Miss Q comes up with a suggestion that she whispers in Q's ear, causing him to chortle over how dirty it is.
92	* SkewedPriorities: Instead of leading his faction in the civil war, Q bunks off to knock up a scrawny biped from an InsignificantBluePlanet, convinced that this will somehow solve all his problems.
93	* SlipIntoSomethingMoreComfortable: Q is in Janeway's quarters trying to seduce her. After saying "Why don't you slip into something more comfortable" her Starfleet uniform does an InstantCostumeChange into a pink satin nightie. Janeway is not impressed.
94	* SpeedSex: So much for "foreplay with a Q can last for decades!" The act itself doesn't last long at all.
95	-->''(The two Qs touch right forefingers, which glow briefly.)''
96	-->'''Q:''' Oh! I was good, wasn't I?
97	-->'''Female Q:''' Very good.
98	-->'''Janeway:''' That was it?!!
99	-->'''Q:''' You had your chance. Don't go crying about it now.
100	* StandardFemaleGrabArea: Justified -- when you can change the gravitational constant of the universe with a BadassFingerSnap, it's difficult to get your head around physical violence after you've been BroughtDownToNormal.
101	-->'''Female Q:''' Let me go before I hurl this ship and everyone on it into the Therinian Ice Age.\
102	'''Chakotay:''' I don't think you can.\
103	'''Female Q:''' Don't be ridiculous. ''(BadassFingerSnap = NoSell)'' \
104	'''Chakotay:''' I don't know how or why, but something's affected your powers. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be here and you wouldn't have a bruise on your forehead. Now start talking before I hurl you into the brig.
105	* StarKilling: Q weapons are so powerful that stars go nova simply as a consequence of using them.
106	* SufficientlyAdvancedBambooTechnology: The weapons used by the Q look like Civil War-era firearms but are in fact so powerful that the kickback alone can destroy entire stars in neighboring dimensions. They remain so user-friendly [[SuperWeaponAverageJoe that humans can use them]].
107	* TechnoBabble
108	-->'''Female Q:''' Take warp drive offline. Then remodulate the shields to emit a beta-tachyon pulse and prepare to emit a series of focused antiproton beams to the shield bubble.
109	-->'''Chakotay:''' Does this make any sense to you at all, B'Elanna?
110	-->'''Torres:''' [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall I'd be lying if I said I understood it completely]], but if she's thinking what I think she's thinking, we should increase power to the shields by a factor of ten!
111	* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Janeway gives a disgusted sigh of "Oh, ''Q''" and FacePalm when she realizes he's popped back up.
112	* TheTriple: Q says that instead of Janeway he could have chosen a [[BestialityIsDepraved Klingon targ]], the Romulan empress, or a [[SpaceX Cyrillian]] microbe.
113	-->'''Janeway:''' Really? I beat out a single-celled organism? [[SarcasmMode How flattering.]]
114	* UmbrellaDrink: Served by Neelix on the holodeck.
115	-->'''Q:''' You, bar rodent! Another one of these fruity concoctions.
116	* WalkInChimeIn / [[InadvertentEntranceCue Inadvertent Entrance Q]]
117	-->'''Janeway:''' I'm just not the right kind of woman for you, Q.
118	-->'''Female Q:''' ''(offscreen)'' Truer words were never spoken!
119	* WithAllDueRespect: Played straight when Captain Janeway addresses Colonel Q, who has more gravitas than other Q's we've encountered.

Context Recap / StarTrekVoyagerS3E10TheQAndTheGrey