WARNING: This thread WILL contain unhidden spoilers for this entry. Because this re-watch is in a slightly-subjective chronological order and not in production order, please refrain from talking about the content of other episodes or movies in this thread. If you do, please put that content inside spoiler tags. Some people here may be watching Star Trek for the first time.
#10: Star Trek: The Original Series, season 1, episode 17 "The Squire of Gothos"
Written by Paul Schneider, directed by Don McDougall.
Stardates 2124.5 through 2126.3 (March 2267)
"I object to intellect without discipline. I object to power without constructive purpose." - Commander Spock
In an area of space devoid of star systems, the Enterprise finds a lone planet that shouldn't be there. On that planet is an Earth-like castle, and within in they find a humanoid who calls himself Trelane (William Campbell). Trelane has been watching Earth for a very long time so he is excited to finally meet Earthlings in-person... and he doesn't want them to ever leave.
Originally released: 12 January 1967
"The Squire of Gothos" on Memory Alpha
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What did you think?
There are a lot more consistencies between Q and Trelane than between Q and any of those others, though. From the interest in Earth’s history of warfare to the decision to appear in judge’s robes to the fact that the two actors bear a bit of a physical resemblance. Q has always felt to me like Trelane after he had grown up a little between shows.
Good points. Trelane really does emit that whimsical Q energy.
Only quibble is that 'TNG Q' as I understand it is one of at least a group of such beings, so 'Trelane Q' could have been some other Q.
Either way, I don't have much doubt that TNG Q was heavily based on the Trelane superbeing, more than any other, even Charlie X.
True, though I've always preferred thinking it's the exact same entity because a lot of it comes down to personality to me. But since SNW...
spoiler
...seems to have made it canon that Trelane is De Lancie's Q's son, I suppose my own preferences have been overruled. And that does still explain all the similarities in its own way.