The Q collective tempt Riker with the "realization of impossible dreams" but to accept he must leave humanity forever.
We finally find out why Q keeps bothering the crew of the Enterprise. Turns out, the collective is stagnant and will apparently atrophy or die without some sort of fresh infusion of life force. Of all the creatures in the galaxy they choose humans because we're so gosh darn adventurous. This quality is so powerful that it is now obvious to the Q that humans will eventually evolve beyond what Q has obtained. So really what Q is attempting is a kind of sabotage. We finally get to see these super beings for what they really are, a meddling, dying race of hyper-dimensional beings. I think there is a great truth here for Christians. We know from the scriptures that we live in a world ruled by the Prince of the Power of the Air and his cronies, for now. But we also know that his days are numbered. Right now he's trying with all his mite to change his fate. There really is no chance that the story won't end as it's written, so Air Prince's only play is to try and drag down as many people with him as he can.
The other big idea in this episode is what Riker does when he's bestowed with the power of the Q. This is the bait to get him to come join the Q. While Riker is thinking it over, his new power drives a wedge between him and his friendships on board the Enterprise. There's a great scene where he gives Wes pre-mature adulthood, La Forge his sight and Worf a Klingon woman. But it only makes them all sad because to accept would mean the loss of Riker as a friend. Riker is confused by the results of his gifts but then understands that even though the Q offer the path of ease, it's not the path to happiness.
Showing posts with label Q. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Q. Show all posts
14 January 2013
01 December 2012
Blogging through STTNG: Encounter at Farpoint
Q confronts Picard mere hours after he takes command of the Enterprise as their new captain; condemns him to die for humanities sins to prevent them from contaminating more of the galaxy but will let all that slide if they pass a test. Picard and crew succeed at the buzzer.
Here's the point Picard has to prove to Q to save his life: Granted, humans used to be horrible, but we've gotten over that through globalism and are now beacons of peace in the universe. Picard has an extreme faith in human condition!
I think this is his main strength as a character. He hasn't even met all of his crew yet and he's willing to bet his life on them. He admits to Q that humanity's past is shameful.
I think Picard's faith in man can more accurately be placed on Starfleet. He believes in the ideals of Starfleet so much that he can trust any gathering of its members, saving judgment and distrust for later only if someone deserves it. Starfleet represents a phoenix of sorts that somehow rises out of the ashes of a "post-atomic horror." What earthy power can resurect the family of humans to such a height? Who knows. It's fiction. The only thing that can really save us is Jesus' substitue death. And the only thing that can really change us is the Holy Spirit's work in our heart.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could do some of what Starfleet does in the assembly of believers! The body of Christ is supposed to be a common ground for respect and conduct. We're allowed to remind each other about our duty, but in a loving and respectful way. As Christians we all signed up for this. In this early episode, Picard gently reigns in Warf before he blasts a hole in the view screen. He confidently guides his companions through the trial without getting anyone shot on site. He personally re-connects with the widow of a fallen comrade who later on becomes his BFF. And it's not just Picard. Riker coaxes Troi to use her special gift to help an injured alien even though she has to share the pain. Crusher lovingly indulges her son a peek at the bridge. Yar bears her heart as she defends Starfleet and all it stands for in court.
How can we do things like this for our brothers and sisters? Our relationships with the Christians around us matter! And they're what the Holy Spirit uses to pull us through our struggles. This is the Body of Christ! Be connected to it and you will be connected to Jesus.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. - Eph 4:11-13 NASB
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. - Rom 7:4 NASB
Here's the point Picard has to prove to Q to save his life: Granted, humans used to be horrible, but we've gotten over that through globalism and are now beacons of peace in the universe. Picard has an extreme faith in human condition!
I think this is his main strength as a character. He hasn't even met all of his crew yet and he's willing to bet his life on them. He admits to Q that humanity's past is shameful.
I think Picard's faith in man can more accurately be placed on Starfleet. He believes in the ideals of Starfleet so much that he can trust any gathering of its members, saving judgment and distrust for later only if someone deserves it. Starfleet represents a phoenix of sorts that somehow rises out of the ashes of a "post-atomic horror." What earthy power can resurect the family of humans to such a height? Who knows. It's fiction. The only thing that can really save us is Jesus' substitue death. And the only thing that can really change us is the Holy Spirit's work in our heart.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could do some of what Starfleet does in the assembly of believers! The body of Christ is supposed to be a common ground for respect and conduct. We're allowed to remind each other about our duty, but in a loving and respectful way. As Christians we all signed up for this. In this early episode, Picard gently reigns in Warf before he blasts a hole in the view screen. He confidently guides his companions through the trial without getting anyone shot on site. He personally re-connects with the widow of a fallen comrade who later on becomes his BFF. And it's not just Picard. Riker coaxes Troi to use her special gift to help an injured alien even though she has to share the pain. Crusher lovingly indulges her son a peek at the bridge. Yar bears her heart as she defends Starfleet and all it stands for in court.
How can we do things like this for our brothers and sisters? Our relationships with the Christians around us matter! And they're what the Holy Spirit uses to pull us through our struggles. This is the Body of Christ! Be connected to it and you will be connected to Jesus.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. - Eph 4:11-13 NASB
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. - Rom 7:4 NASB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)