#the trial never ended captain . / the q

[gnosticpriesthood]

I have followed my sorrowful way for two thousand years and my track day by day have dragged behind me like a shadow – a litany of infamy and evil.

WLADYSLAW SZLENGEL

#so long lives this and this gives life to thee / character study #the trial never ended captain . / the q

[counselorlake]

#doubt the stars are fire; doubt that the sun moves / aesthetic #the trial never ended captain . / the q

[emergencyexits]

#doubt the stars are fire; doubt that the sun moves / aesthetic #the trial never ended captain. / the q #Youtube

[stellarred]

A Few Q Thoughts and Ideas

It's a relief to see Q return in STP, but I have a few thoughts barreling through my head. My Qcard brain's gears are going to be grinding and smoking hard, for sure!

Everyone is so excited that Q is back from the dead.

Or is he really? Is Q really back from the dead, or is this Q a *future version* of himself?

What if Q really did die in S2, but before he died, he visited Jack Crusher to warn him of a new trial in which Jean-Luc will need Jack's help to rescue Q from whatever is ailing him. Q has decided to get to Picard through Jack, essentially. Q wants Picard to save him, but Jack is really the only one who can convince his father.

Basically, so what if Q is sending a message in a bottle of sorts from S2 to Picard's son in S3X10?

I'm curious about this because there were hints that S2 and S3 could've been a time loop because in Fly Me to the Moon, Q tells Soong that line about "In seventeen seconds, you are going to take a seat. Right on the tick!" And in S3, we have the 17 Seconds episode. That connection was a bit odd.

There was also a line in Farewell where Christobal said, "Time is a funny thing." Q agreed with, "Yes, it is. Interesting."

I also like the idea of how Q had red in his S3X10 costume--like judgement colors-- but if "red" Q in S3 was a sick S2 Q being projected into the future, Q's robes and clothing are all black. The look of death.

Another thought I had was when in S3X10, Q tells Jack that Picard's trial of Humanity was over for him (Picard), but Jack's trial was just starting, I'm wondering if perhaps this is a hint by Q that Picard has already ascended to become a Q in the future. Picard's destiny with Q has already been guaranteed.

Only when Picard has ascended does the trial actually end. If that wasn't the case, then why does Q tell Jack his trial is over when he was always reminding Picard that the "trial never ends"?

I think Humanity, to Q, was specifically Jean-Luc Picard. Picard had to prove his worthiness for reaching Q status, and when Q said "See you out there" to Picard in S2 Farewell, he knew that Picard would eventually find Q (with Jack's help), save him, and ascend to become a Q with him.

So, I personally conclude that it doesn't really matter if Picard marries Beverly, or Laris, or does whatever, Jean-Luc's future destiny with Q has already been guaranteed.

Beverly may marry Picard and live in marital bliss with him for the next twenty years, but eternity with Jean-Luc,

that belongs to Q. Eternity is Q's territory.

Since I can't see Q having any reason to be a jerk to Jack--after all, Q loves Picard so much--, why would he offend or cause pain to his beloved's only child?

I wonder if Jack's "trial" will come from a hostile force? Maybe another Q? Perhaps one that has a grievance against Picard? And our Q is there to eventually be a helper to Jack?

What if Q wants Jack to be a stepson of sorts because Jr died?? Q wants a family, so he will have Jack convince Picard to open his heart to him (btw, I like how Seven and Raffi are now Captain and Commander of the new Enterprise, so Jack is right there serving under two commanding officers, who are in a same sex relationship, and he can see that as an example), and help his father see all the good that Q has done for him.

Jack could be very helpful to Q in the long run.

Anyways, my brain is getting twisted up in this analysis.

If I was in the Q Continuum, I would flunk the Timelines 101 course. It's so confusing.

#qcard #star trek q #john de lancie #q #patrick stewart #jack crusher #stp season three #stp

[thesevenwondersofawitch]

I'm on the final episode of Star Trek Next Gen

I feel like Deanna is kinda getting tired of Worf saying the word stimulating😂

Data's house is full of cats, whata mood😂

Riker is definitely not all good with Deanna dating Worf, and I find it completely hilarious that he's distracted by it

IS THE CAPTAIN OF THE MEDICAL SHIP BEVERLY?!

Hell yeah! It is!

Wait, Beverly is married to Picard? Huh.

Beverly's look at Jean-Luc when he also responded to the person saying Captain Picard 😂

Huh, they're divorced. Sounds about right 😂

"He's Jean-Luc Picard, and if he wants to go on one more mission, that's what we're going to do." The foreshadowing to Picard👀

The poor past Enterprise crew is so confused😂

It seriously took Picard that long to realize Q was involved? I figured that out as soon as the first people showed up in his vision.

Oh SHIT, THE TRIAL NEVER ENDED!!

"You're going to deny us travel through space?" Dude no, he's Q, he's probably gonna deny you the ability to exist

I was right! Ha!

Yeah Jean-Luc, you definitely have a much bigger problem than you realized.

Jean-Luc Picard,

The man who caused the annihilation of mankind.

Role model indeed.

Q sees Picard as a pet💀 thank you Data 😂

There's no love lost between Worf and Admiral Rider, it would seeem🤔

Not gonna lie, I thought Word's ship slammed on the brakes abruptly when he jerked forward saying "Dor-sHo GHA!"😂

Aw, Beverly had Picard sit in the chair for old times sake😭

Poor past O'Brien, he's so confused

Oh my god, did they find old footage of Riker? Because it doesn't look like he's talking on a video call

"So, Captain, how long shall we stare at each other across the Neutral Zone?" The extraness of this dialogue delivery 😂

Makes me wonder how long they were staring at each other on video, or if the dude is referring to the ships

There is nothing there, future Picard, nothing. No need to yell.

And undermine Beverly on her own ship!

Seriously though, the poor past Enterprise crew 😂

Oof, I do not envy Geordi right now

HOLY HELL, HE'S GROWING NEW EYES?!?!

*deadpan* Oh no, a rupture in time. Whatever shall happen, I wonder? However will they survive?

Seriously tho, I would have such doubts about going on the Enterprise if this Picard was the Captain and being completely confusing.

Rip to Ensign Chilton

Goodness, that makeup Riker is wearing is quite something 👀

Ok, there is definitely some tension between Worf and Riker. Did something happen to Deanna and that's what's causing the tension? I wanna know!

Alyssa's baby, noooooo.😭

Why hello Q

Picard is the cause of the anomaly 👀

Truth be told, I thought that was where this was gonna go.

Oh shit, three identical time pulses 👀

Oh no

Okay, so the thing between Worf and Riker has been going for over 20 years🤔

Deanna's funeral? Shit, I didn't want to be correct that something happened to her

"I always thought that we would get together again. And then she was gone."😭 Meh heart💔

Picard, you do sound kinda cray

Good job Data! You understood what he was saying. Of course, when it comes from Data everything makes much more sense.

Sometimes.

I would really prefer to transfer to another ship if I was on the Enterprise during this past Enterprise experience

The ship shaking makes me imagine the scene to the song Party Rockers

It worked! Yay!

The Continuum didn't believe in Jean-Luc Picard, but Q did, and sometimes that's all Picard needs

Q's out here giving so much good advice.

And it's back to when he interrupted Worf and Deanna's kiss!😂

That long look shared between Riker and Worf, you would think they were having a telepathic conversation 😂

Deanna!! She sat next to Will, and in my book that says something good😂

Picard joined them at the poker table ❤️

That ending scene, man. It was a sweet end to the TV series 😭😁

Now I gotta go find which movie to watch next

Overall, the show was good, and on a 0/10 scale, I'd rate it a solid 8.😁

#TheSevenWondersOfAWitch watches #Star Trek Next Generation #star trek watch through #star trek #star trek next gen season 7 #star trek next gen finale #star trek next gen #deanna troi #worf #Deanna x Worf #jean luc picard #beverly crusher #dr beverly crusher #data #will riker #Q #picard #picard x crusher #star trek q #star trek data #thesevenwondersofawitch #geordi la forge #o'brien #chief o'brien #the enterprise

[yourbuerokrat2]

Q presenting Picard to another highly powerful life form: This is Jean-Luc. He is a human and the captain of Starfleets flag ship.We met each other when I had to take up the job as Humanitys Judge to make the decision on wether his entire species is worthy of continued existence. And he has become Humanitys Representative of sorts. Of course our relationship had its up and downs, you know how I can be. 

Anyway, we are lovers now.

Highly powerful being: grows concerned, because of the shere power imbalance

No, humans are still tied to their organic form. No, unfortunally they are also still tied to the linearity of time. 

Oh, and of course the Trial is still going on. After all, the Trial never ends. Isn’t that right , Jean-Luc?

[ericac318]

Choosing Love

Summary:

Before the events of Star Trek: Picard season 2, Q met the love of his life in Rose Carter. Will Q let her join him on his mission to ensure Picard has the same opportunity to find love that Q has found with her? This is not 100% canon compliant. QxOC

Chapter 1

Rose was sitting on her sofa when Q appeared, “It’s been a while. I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming back,” she pouted as she patted the spot next to her.

“I’m quite sorry, my dear,” he replied as he sat down, pulling her into his arms, “You know that I have many things to do across the galaxy,” he explained.

She nodded against his chest, “I know, but I miss you so much while you’re gone. Can I come with you next time?” she questioned while trailing her fingers along his chest.

Q laughed softly, “You want to join me on my next adventure? I’m not sure that would be an excellent idea. Would you be able to control yourself?”

“What do you mean?” she innocently asked as her hand moved from his chest to his upper thigh. Her eyes were sparkling mischievously, “I am perfectly capable of keeping my hands to myself when necessary. As long as we’re both referring to the same thing.”

He removed her from his hold, shifting her onto his lap, “I’m not sure you’re doing yourself any favors with your actions. You’ve already started something that could never occur while we’re on a mission,” he stated, rolling his hips to make his point.

Rose climbed from his lap and took a seat across the sofa to prove herself, “I am perfectly capable of not touching you. I’ll start right now just to show you how serious I am.”

It was Q’s turn to pout as he moved closer to her, placing a kiss on her shoulder, “I certainly did not mean that you have to start now. If you truly wish to join me then you are welcome to. We’ll be on our way to see a very old friend of mine tomorrow morning.” He moved his attention to her jaw as he trailed kisses until he reached her lips, “Until then, you are all mine.” He took her lips with his own as she moved back onto his lap, straddling him, smiling against his lips.

The following morning, Q woke Rose so they could begin their adventure together. He was looking forward to this mission for more than one reason. 

“Are you ready, my love?” he asked, unable to hide his excitement.

Rose nodded with a warm smile. With that, Q snapped his fingers and suddenly Rose found herself by his side in someone’s home. 

“Where are we?” she asked, only slightly disoriented.

Before Q could respond, another voice interrupted. 

“Q? What the hell have you done?” the older, bald man questioned, his tone filled with annoyance.

“Mon Capitaine, how are you, old friend?” Q replied warmly. He turned to Rose, “My darling, this is Captain Jean Luc Picard.”

“Wow, you’re a legend,” Rose stated in awe. 

Picard shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Q, who is this that you’ve brought with you?”

“Apologies, Jean Luc,” Q began, gesturing to Rose, “This is Rose Carter. She is the love of my life. That is something you’ve never experienced and I am here to change that. You have one more trial to endure. Welcome to the very end of the road not taken.”

Picard sighed as the Q snapped again moving the three of them outside revealing to Rose that she was at a vineyard.

“Q,” Picard began, frustration heavy in his tone, “I don’t have time for this. Where is the Stargazer? I was about to die to save the Federation from the Borg.”

Q sighed, “The Stargazer is the very least of your concern, Jean Luc. This world is on its last leg, as are you, my friend. You’ve reached the end and this is your last chance.”

“You look unwell, Q,” Picard commented, “Is this truly about me or is there something deeper going on with you?”

Rose noticed the way Q reacted to Picard’s words and she was unable to focus on anything else either man said. Before she knew it, she was in another home with Q. Picard was no longer with them and her heart was heavy with concern.

Contine here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44520028/chapters/111980926

#star trek #star trek picard #q star trek #john de lancie #fanfiction #q x reader #original character #archive of our own #fanfic

[trekreviews]

S7E25: All Good Things...

Recommendation: Watch Rating: 6/10

Picard learns from Q that he is to be the cause of the annihilation of humanity and begins an incredible journey through time from the present, to the past when he first took command of the Enterprise, to twenty-five years into the future.

…must come to an end. If there's one word to describe TNG's series finale, it's Bombastic. On one hand, this is how it should be; who doesn't want to see this show go out with a memorable bang? But on the other, the episode is nearly 2 hours long and feels like it, becoming bogged down in places by lumbering plotting.

First of all - Q. There's a wonderful continuity to having the finale conclude the storyline that was set up waaay back in the premiere 'Encounter at Farpoint', for both narrative and nostalgia purposes. Q reappearing to judge humanity by proxy of Picard one more time, revealing that his trial at Farpoint never actually ended? This is great stuff. It sums up the show's themes of humanity growing beyond its limits, and as a story element presents Picard his final, ultimate challenge of ingenuity. The actual challenge itself though is a headscratcher. Sure Picard has to be 'smart' to work out the mysterious temporal anomaly in three time periods - the present, 7 years previously when he became Captain of the Enterprise, and 25 years in the future - but it's a challenge that relies entirely on Q letting him bounce around in time, without which it'd be impossible. Q implies he's giving Picard a little helping hand when he's really giving him the only key to the solution, and then telling him the solution outright. Does Picard solving a relatively straightforward puzzle really demonstrate anything grand about humanity?

Picard’s adventures in the three time periods are okay, but in each one his mission's the same, to get into the Neutral Zone and find the anomaly, so it gets a little repetitive. In the past there’s Tasha again and it’s enjoyable to see young Picard interacting with a crew that doesn’t know him yet. The clip of beardless Riker clearly pulled from old season 1 footage is a comically dumb inclusion. The main problems arise in the future sections. It’s not particularly fun watching a senile Picard ranting and raving; this is the sort of thing that might work but only in a standalone concept episode specifically about ageing, here it just gets tiring and drags the pacing to a crawl. The future timeline isn’t very fleshed out and seems to exist just to show us gags like Data with gray hair and "warp 13", and little ‘what if’s. The most inexplicable is that Troi is straight up dead in the new timeline. Why? Just so Riker and Worf are sad about something for the five minutes it remains plot relevant? There’s other implausibilities too, like Beverly taking Picard into the Neutral Zone and Riker destroying the Klingon ship.

What does work is how, after Picard tells them about the future he experienced, the present crew vow not to drift apart in their own future. I think leaning further into this idea as the ‘point’ of the future section, and taking away the semi-dystopian elements, would’ve made it a lot better. Picard's final conversation with Q gives a sort of meta contextualization to the rest of the episode, that it was part of the Q's test and not to be taken 100% literally, which helps it look better in retrospect. My favourite scene of all though is the very final one: the crew amiably playing a game of poker, which Picard at last joins in on. It's the sort of ending that makes you sad to leave these dear characters behind.

#star trek #tng #season 7 #The End

[datamogging]

Q?! Why are we back in the courtroom? What is the meaning of this?!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Jean-Luc, but humanity's trial never ended. The Continuum has found you all guilty of unfathomable cringe, for which the only punishment is the erasure of your species' existence.

That makes no sense, Q. By what standards do you judge us as "cringe?" If anything, our interactions with you and the Continuum should have demonstrated humanity's capacity for growth and struggle to confront overcome the darkest parts of our species. That is as objectively "based and wholesome" as it gets.

Oh I beg to differ, Mon Capitan. Tell me...what great aspect of humanity has Data captured here?

Thank you all for coming. I would like to present my magnum opus.

Why, Jean-Luc! What is this? The articulate captain finds himself speechless!

#Q #Captain picard #Tng #the next generation #Cringe #Data #Star trek #Q Continuum

[speedygal]

In your opinion what would be Q's reaction to Picard being now an Android? How much does that affect his perspective on his "mon captaine", could he be angered or annoyed that Picard somehow "escaped him" once again, accounting for the fact of Q wanted to spend eternity with him in Tapestry after his death

Fanon opinion?

Picard is a android. A number of things can happen to him that results in his death like Data, Lore, Dr Brown, or a malfunction that renders living impossible, etc. Picard hasn't escaped Q.

Q likely helped in transferring Picard's soul over to his android form because "The Trial Never Ends." or other reasons that will be canonically revealed in 2022. And also because Q loves this man. Q will get that eternity. Fooling yourself that Picard gasp escaped gasp a eternity with Q.

His perspective on Picard hasn't changed in the slightest. He's a human; flesh or artificial flesh, positronic brain or human brain, it doesn't matter. Picard's mind, soul, his very being is human in nature. Q is also very likely pleased to have his favorite person to toy around. People likely have different opinions on that matter so I'll defer to the release of s2 for a canonical opinion.

#q star trek #jean-luc picard #qcard #q tng

[qhasbpdandthatsokay]

do you have any 'q joins starfleet' headcanons? 🌾

First of all I am so sorry for taking so long to reply to this. My life has been crazy and it’s all the way at the bottom of my inbox and I keep overlooking this ask.

Secondly, I have many headcanons!

Q stays human after Deja Q (this is the basis of these headcanons)

It takes a long time for him to get used to being human, naturally

Throughout this whole journey, I imagine he’s on the Enterprise, because Picard is one of the few people who knows how to deal with him (more effectively than some random person Q has never met before)

But one of the things he figures out during his journey of learning how to be human is that he feels he has a calling

He feels that, since Picard has helped him learn to become human, he wants to join Starfleet

Picard asks him if he’s really sure about this, because joining Starfleet isn’t a minor change to make in your life; this is a big deal.

But Q is sure. He’s determined to make something of himself as a human. Some part of him feels that otherwise, there would be no point in going on

Q goes to Starfleet Academy for a year at first. 

He feel very out of place because he’s quite a bit older (millennia, actually!) than most Starfleet cadets

But he learns to cope. After all, he’s dealt with becoming human after being an immortal omnipotent being for his whole life, so he can deal with joining Starfleet... right?

Q isn’t used to having to actually study things. I imagine he has a difficult time in a classroom and adjusting to the way humans learn things

He calls the Enterprise often to talk to Picard. Picard helps him cope by telling him stories about his own time in Starfleet Academy.

Eventually, when his first year is over, Q gets a field study position back on the Enterprise.

He thinks it’s just due to his good grades in academy, but secretly Picard has pulled some strings behind his back

He goes back to the Enterprise during his sophomore year of Starfleet Academy and works in Engineering

He and Geordi have a complicated relationship. On one hand, Q still has to get used to being told what to do. On the other hand, they’re both friends with Data, so they choose to get along as best they can for Data’s sake

He has a bit of a difficult time serving on the Enterprise, because last time he was there, he was just a civilian. Now he’s one of the crew, and his crewmates have a hard time getting used to the fact that the god-like being who put their captain on trial for the crimes of humanity is an ensign on the Federation’s flagship

But ultimately, he has a lot of good experiences during his year serving on the Enterprise, and he leaves his field study position with fond memories

He may not exactly be invited to Commander Riker’s poker parties, but he has made friends, and Captain Picard begrudgingly puts up with him

Q goes back to Starfleet Academy on Earth for his last two years of Academy. He ends up gaining a lot of knowledge in engineering.

He graduates at the same time as the show officially ends, and again through Picard pulling some strings, he ends up back on the Enterprise as an engineer

One day, Q asks how he got his position on the Enterprise. After all, it’s very good luck for him to get both his field study and his crew position on the flagship.

So Picard finally admits that he was the one who put some good words in for Q to stay on the Enterprise

Q is very surprised; he didn’t know Picard would do something so nice for him. He says the only thing he can think of: thank you.

They have a bit more mutual respect after that conversation.

In regards to the long term, Q stays on the Enterprise as long as Picard is the captain. You can pick and choose if they’re in a relationship or not.

I could probably go on, but this is a huge post as is, so I’ll just post this.

Thank you for the question in the first place! :)

[gnosticpriesthood]

It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags, Matched with an aged wife, I mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me. I cannot rest from travel; I will drink Life to the lees. All times I have enjoyed Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades Vext the dim sea. I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart Much have I seen and known—cities of men And manners, climates, councils, governments, Myself not least, but honored of them all,— And drunk delight of battle with my peers, Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy. I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades For ever and for ever when I move. How dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnished, not to shine in use! As though to breathe were life! Life piled on life Were all too little, and of one to me Little remains; but every hour is saved From that eternal silence, something more, A bringer of new things; and vile it were For some three suns to store and hoard myself, And this gray spirit yearning in desire To follow knowledge like a sinking star, Beyond the utmost bound of human thought. This is my son, mine own Telemachus, To whom I leave the scepter and the isle, Well-loved of me, discerning to fulfill This labor, by slow prudence to make mild A rugged people, and through soft degrees Subdue them to the useful and the good. Most blameless is he, centered in the sphere Of common duties, decent not to fail In offices of tenderness, and pay Meet adoration to my household gods, When I am gone. He works his work, I mine. There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail; There gloom the dark, broad seas. My mariners, Souls that have toiled, and wrought, and thought with me, That ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old; Old age hath yet his honor and his toil. Death closes all; but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, Not unbecoming men that strove with gods. The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks; The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs; the deep Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are, One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

— Alfred Tennyson

#so long lives this and this gives life to thee / character study #the trial never ended captain . / the q

[counselorlake]

And after a long time the boy came back again . " I am sorry , Boy ," said the tree , " but I have nothing left to give you - My apples are gone . " " My teeth are too weak for apples , " said the boy . " My branches are gone , " said the tree . " You cannot swing on them - " " I am too old to swing on branches , " said the boy . " My trunk is gone , " said the tree . " You cannot climb - " " I am too tired to climb , " said the boy . " I am sorry , " sighed the tree . " I wish that I could give you something . . . but I have nothing left . I am an old stump . I am sorry . . . " " I don't need very much now , " said the boy , " just a quiet place to sit and rest . I am very tired . " " Well , " said the tree , straightening herself up as much as she could , " well , an old stump is a good for sitting and resting . Come , Boy , sit down . Sit down and rest . " And the boy did . And the tree was happy . ” ― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

#so long lives this and this gives life to thee / character study #the trial never ended captain . / the q

[back-and-totheleft]

"I do have the right to talk"

In many people’s opinion, Oliver Stone doesn’t just court controversy. He buys it dinner and tickets to a Broadway show. With movies like “Platoon,” “Salvador,” “JFK,” “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Natural Born Killers” on his resume, it’s no wonder the Oscar-winning director has a hot-button reputation of sorts. Perhaps that’s why one of the most controversial things about his new film, “World Trade Center,” which opens Wednesday, is how uncontroversial it is.

Based on the true story of two New York Port Authority cops who were pulled out of the rubble after the towers collapsed Sept. 11, 2001, the movie plays it straight – it keeps politics, one of Stone’s favorite topics, out of the picture.

During a recent conversation at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta, the confident, well-spoken filmmaker talked about his new film, a few of his old films and being Oliver Stone.

Q: When the word came that you were making a movie called “World Trade Center,” I think a lot of people thought, Uh-oh, he’s going to create a controversy, he’s going to sensationalize a national tragedy. Why would that be?

A: I got politicized a long time ago. My films were seen as one thing or another. I was surprised, frankly. There’s an Oliver Stone they talk about, and he’s not me. I mean, this is a ball of years. Twenty, 30 years, going back to “Midnight Express” even (the 1978 film that won him his first Oscar, for Best Adapted Screenplay). Years of confusions and repetition of lies.

A big one, for instance, was “JFK.” The lie has been, Oliver Stone makes up history. He falsifies history. Brainwashes children. He would have us believe the idiot theory that 25 government agents, along with Lyndon Baines Johnson, killed John F. Kennedy.

The true meaning of that film was a question about what reality is in politics, what surface events mean. All the language was suppositional, except for (Jim) Garrison’s feelings at the end of the trial. And even some of that was suppositional.

The rap on the politics (in my movies) is really about statements I’ve made between the films. I could be faulted for that. I did shoot myself in the foot for saying things. But I don’t believe in being censored. Because I’m a filmmaker and a celebrity, people think I have no right to talk. But I say to you, I do have the right to talk. I’ve earned the right to talk. I served my country. I did my time. Paid my taxes. Had children. All that (expletive).

Q: But you do see that you’re a hot-button personality to people, even when it’s not a politically themed movie. People seem to react very personally to you and your work.

A: I became a hot button, especially on that film (“JFK”). But “Natural Born Killers” added to it. And probably “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Platoon” (Stone won best-director Oscars for the latter two). By the time I made “The Doors,” with the drugs, I was a “raving lefty.”

Q: Where were you when you found out America had been attacked on 9/11?

A: Nothing exciting. I was in L.A. Asleep. The time zone difference. My wife woke me up and turned on the TV. It was pretty shocking stuff.

I’m not a pacifist or a bleeding-heart liberal, as some people say. I believe in measured vengeance. Two thousand al-Qaida fighters killed 3,000 people. I’m all for going after those 2,000 and, when it became necessary, the Taliban. The world was with us, and I think I show that in the movie. That was the right war, the one Dave Karnes (the Marine who discovered the trapped men) should’ve gone to. Instead, he went to Iraq, which seems to me a confusion. A confusion I don’t understand.

Q: One of the things that ran through my mind after the movie was the line from “Manhattan,” where Mariel Hemingway says to Woody Allen, “You gotta have a little faith in people.”

A: I can’t say that’s the original reason. It was just a great story, and it was true. It came to me out of the blue. I wasn’t thinking about a 9/11 movie, but Andrea Berloff wrote this script that had these five figures in it. (The police officers, John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno, are played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña, with Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal as their wives and Michael Shannon as Karnes.)

They were inspirational to me. I’d never thought of it that way. As a microcosm. These people dug in. They didn’t give in to fear. They found their courage. Their faith, you can call it. The metaphysical thing that exists, the evidence of things unseen. They dug in and connected in a kind of collective dream, a collective unconscious. It’s a web, a thread, between five people.

Q: You’ve said your movies are an emotional barometer for you. Where does “World Trade Center” find you?

A: It was good to come back home after being in Iran for three years (for “Alexander”). To come back to this country, which is at war, and go back to the bottom of the cellar, so to speak. This country was raped collectively, and this is like going back to the therapist and saying, I want to know about the day of the rape. That’s where you start. Realism. Then let the demons out.

I didn’t know about these guys until 2004. And this Marine. At our first screening, we handed out cards, and the audience thought we’d laid in a Hollywood B-movie on top of the reality. They were shocked. They thought it (his character) was all (expletive).

But it wasn’t. This was the guy exactly. I saw him on TV doing interviews. And he really did go to Iraq.

Q: Speaking of going to war, in 2007, it will be 40 years since you were in Vietnam. Looking back, what do you see? And looking forward?

A: (shaking his head) Forty years goes like … it’s all moments.

The irony of it is, I was very pessimistic when I was young. Who else would go to Vietnam at age 19 to commit suicide? As I’ve become more realistic in life, I’ve become more optimistic. Because you have a better sense of the negative, and, knowing the negative, the darkness, you appreciate the light more. It makes you more optimistic when you do get the light. When you’re younger, you take it a little bit more for granted.

Q: I once read an item about you in The New Yorker.

A: (interrupts) Oh, no.

Q: You were having lunch with your mother.

A: (small sigh of relief) Oh, that was another one.

Q: She said she came to this country from France after the war (to join her American husband), and she was the only woman on a huge ship with 1,500 men. And she was already pregnant with you and was so nauseated she had to be fed intravenously. And you said, “No wonder I’m the way I am.”

A: She’s an Auntie Mame type. Not the greatest mother, frankly, but you’ll never forget her if you ever meet her.

Q: So you’re saying you were shaped in the womb by a lot of testosterone and a little bit of seasickness?

A: (laughs) I was probably throwing up myself.

Q: Someone once wrote that you were part Captain Ahab, part Ken Kesey. Would you add anyone to that list?

A: Oh, yeah. I’d add a few people. Any of the people I’ve done in my films have affected me. I’m part Nixon, part Garrison, part Jim Morrison.

And Alexander (the Great). I definitely lived through Alexander. I think that was misunderstood as an act of hubris, but what he was to me was the ultimate voyager. The ultimate adventurer.

Q: Which could also, in some way, describe you.

A: Yeah, but I wasn’t saying I was Alexander.

Q: Your approach to “World Trade Center” does seem different from many of your earlier films. Not so much a hot issue as a heart issue.

A: I used to be faster. I did 10 movies in 10 years. This movie was no different in its methodology, with the exception of “U-Turn” and “Natural Born Killers,” which were fiction.

I do my homework. I interviewed, and I interviewed. I interviewed everyone. We have a gold mine here. These two guys are lucid and can talk about it. And process it. This is a gold mine for me, a gold mine for all of us.

You know, the end of “Platoon” has a similar feeling. When Charlie (Sheen) is leaving the jungle, he says something to the effect: We the survivors have an obligation to the dead to remember. And with the remainder of our lives, we must bring a goodness and meaning to this life.

And I think that’s why John and Will are here. That’s why they’re helping us.

-"I do have the right to talk," The Orange County Register, Aug 6 2006 [x]

#world trade center #oliver stone #the orange county register #memories

[captain-jimmeh]

i just watched VOY (2x18) “Death Wish” and i have Thoughts™ first off, very cool to see star trek discuss euthanasia and argue in favor of bodily autonomy, also some excellent Janeway moments at the end of the trial, i always really appreciate her character being so deeply empathetic, and trial episodes always have great ~philosophical~ potential

HOWEVER, i was really bothered how her interactions with de Lancie-Q were scripted. It’s standard practice by now for Q episodes that Q appears, stirs the space pot, waggles his “grating jackass who’s so quippy and so melodramatic that everyone loves to hate him” ass across the bridge, and brings about the most delightful chaos (to the crew’s disdain and my viewing pleasure). So i’m sitting, excited for the DRAMA of Janeway wiping the floor with Q, and instead...i get tired scenes of the most low-effort, worn-out, wet fart-equivalent misogynistic negging about “oHHhhH a wOOOmAN?? as CaPtAiN???!? the horror!!!!! we must bang now please (pLeAsE)”

that’s annoying already in itself, but the worst part for me was that no one confronts him!! nothing!!! just shots of people clenching their jaws and looking away uncomfortably!!!! and they go after this “haha he’s funny because he says the un-PC thing” punchline multiple times this episode!!!!

what happened to the exquisite sparring that we saw on TNG between Q and Picard? what happened to Sisko fucking decking Q (god that was beautiful)? why doesn’t Janeway get written the same kind of opportunity to kick Q’s ass, figuratively or literally? even if it was decided that Janeway smacking Q upside the head is too far removed from her internal code of ethics, why doesn’t anyone else on the bridge (someone without the diplomatic burden of being captain) jab back at him, à la Riker, or Guinan (i cri evrytiem <3), or Data, who wrecks Q without even trying? why is the only retort to Q’s misogyny in “Death Wish” Janeway telling him to never address her as “Madame” while Q looks back silently, surprised and mildly miffed?

i just find myself disappointed in the ways that this era of star trek introduces such compelling female characters, only to let them down with abrupt send-offs, inconsistent development, and weird, ham-fisted subplots with predatory alien men. it’s also disappointing that Q’s offhand misogyny isn’t ever explicitly rebuked in the narrative. instead, it’s presented as just another of Q’s annoying quirks that everyone has to grin and bear, and it seems that the audience is expected to implicitly know that this is A Wrong (which, uh, a sizeable portion of st viewers have not/will not get that). TOS does more to chastise 1960′s pilot man’s snarking and brazen gawking in (1x19) “Tomorrow is Yesterday”--why can’t VOY establish forthright that there are social consequences for misogyny in the proto-utopian and oh so egalitarian 24th century?

at this point in VOY, i already feel that Kes is being denied the depth of complexity that she stands to contribute to the show, so it’s a bummer that Janeway--this brilliant, powerfully compassionate, and fiercely principled captain who has already demonstrated time and time again that she does not mince her words--isn’t given a fleshed-out opportunity to thoroughly shut down Q’s slimy shittiness towards her and the women on board.

#star trek voy #janeway #star trek #shakes fist at rick berman #it's just really shitty watching misogyny be played for laughs on star trek #im getting flashbacks to Zek groping Kira WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE #god #i want a future where sexist creeps and jackasses get wacked #plz #anyway i still love voyager and star trek #i just want better #🥺 #fuck you rick berman #thoughts #voyager #voy #kathryn janeway #thx 4 reading :^)

[celestialholz]

Qcard idea! Aliens have mindswapped picard with a Space Cat, but none of the crew know, they just think Picard has a space illness of some kind. Q is wandering the streets of the planet and finds Space Cat picard and recognises him, now picard has to try and convince him to help

… I’m sorry, what *distant British giggling* Incredible, 1701/10, I am done lmao

(Sorry this is a little on the late side, by the way. I’ve been a busy bee recently, so I’ll be getting to all these lovely things over the next few days! It is a little longer to make up for it, though… I really did have to do this ridiculousness justice.)

Fancy a Qcard flashfic of your choosing, pals? Hit your girl up: https://celestialwarzone.tumblr.com/post/190139763081/guys-i-need-to-flashfic

Flashfic Five: Schrödinger’s Ca(p)t(ain)

Well, I’ll give them one thing, Jean-Luc Picard ponders bitterly as he idles through the streets of Fretta VI’s capital, at least this is new. 

There are things, he continues to muse as he navigates his way between alien legs and across busy roads that have suddenly become rather terrifying prospects, that Starfleet Academy just can’t really prepare a cadet for, however promising they are; he’s been stabbed (well, that was hardly their fault, but he believes he’s earned a pass on plausibility this afternoon, and perhaps if their security had been better…), shot at, absorbed by a hive mind, put on trial on behalf of his entire species, had his ship stolen by androids and hostiles alike… he’s even become addicted to the simplest game in creation and almost melted the minds of entire quadrants accordingly, and yet, he’d never quite expected to end up as a cat. An oversight, possibly, but he thinks he can let it slide just this once.

Captain’s Log, he thinks dismally, desperate to maintain some semblance of sanity, stardate: 48734.78. The Enterprise was on a mission to the Lesser Betonic Cluster when we received a distress signal… duplicity at its finest. A flash, and here I am, memories apparently wiped. I await valiant rescue. I do so hope Beverly took the veterinary elective…

He passes a resplendent glass building, and catches unfortunate sight of himself. He’s a hairless cat.

Of course you are, Jean-Luc. What else would you be?

The screech of outraged frustration that leaves him almost causes several aliens to careen into oncoming traffic. 

It’s only until evening, captain, he reminds himself, waving an apologetic paw at the angrily muttering, thankfully pacifistic beings beside him. Hold on, dear man…

—–

“Evening, mon capitaine!” It’s a classic bridge fanfare, not remotely subtle; Jean-Luc’s going to absolutely murder him, and the thought is beyond tantalising… though it’s not quite his lover that greets him as he whirls. Riker instead glares coldly at him, snarl forming at the corners of his lips.

“It was you,” he growls, furious. “Of course it was you! What the hell have you done, Q?!”

… Well, that’s different. He consults himself theatrically, wondering if the glittery tango dancer attire he’s specifically donned is possibly a little too dramatic, sure to throw a sharp, envenomed look at the first officer beforehand, and a further one at his snarling security chief.

“It’s the colour, isn’t it?” He estimates, offhand. “Maroon looks vastly better in sequins, Commander - I’m surprised your wondrous HQ hasn’t figured this out yet -”

“I’m talking about the captain, dammit!”

Q doesn’t have blood, yet something decidedly chilled stalks through him for a wrenching second.

“Let me make two things clear to you, Riker,” he begins icily, entire masquerade immediately gone. “Firstly, I have no idea what you mean, and secondly -”

He snaps instantly, and his secret lover is promptly returned to his rightful chair.

“ - what the hell is wrong with you?” He demands of Picard softly. Subtlety be damned, if something’s happened -

The Frenchman consults him blankly, murmuring a single sound in an absurdly high-pitched tone.

“Mau?”

Q blinks, fascinated, as he kneels beside him.

“Mm,” he agrees, brow creased. “Yes, Jean-Luc?”

“Mau, mauuuu?”

“Yes, yes, of course I understand you. It’s me. Omniscient, my dear.”

“Meoooww…”

The god winces. “Well, alright, fine - I was invading your bridge, yes -”

“Mauuu!”

“Look, I think we have more pressing issues, don’t you?!”

“… Meow.”

“… I could leave you there,” Q threatens vaguely, and the responding protest is positively toxic.

“Mau mau.”

He smiles, squeezes a knee gently. “Well, of course I wouldn’t. I’d ask you to explain what in galaxy’s name is going on, but I very much doubt you’d recall, and I really don’t need you to.”

He presses a hand to a clammy forehead, tries not to be desperately disturbed at the blankness that meets his telepathy; a quick scan reveals all it has to, of a hoodwinked crew and an alien amused by the power play of mind-swapping a vital Federation figurehead, and he tries not to snarl as he withdraws, glances up at a deeply baffled Riker - there’ll be time to unleash that anger later.

“You were duped by a Frettan,” he explains. “Low-level telepaths, Riker - just good enough to switch Jean-Luc’s mental faculties with another and have you all forget the entire event. Your darling captain’s a cat, or whatever passes for it on their homeworld. Don’t mind me, I’m off to save the damsel in distress - oh, it’s going to be so valiant!”

He flashes out with a lingering caress of his lover’s cheek, and Riker barely flutters for a moment.

“… I don’t want to know,” he decides aloud, staring determinedly at the viewscreen to avoid the entirety of his staff’s searching gazes. “I really, really don’t want to know. Maintain course, ensign; Data, if you’d be so kind as to escort the captain back to sickbay… they just don’t offer advice on this kind of thing at the Academy…”

“… Mau.”

—–

… Heading anywhere specific, darling?

Q! Picard breathes in relief, abandoning his pursuit of an important-looking Frettan as he feels a familiar voice in his mind. Dear stars, I was beginning to think you’d never find me.

Oh, my dear, you ought to know better - perhaps you should have paws-ed for thought?

… Yes, hilarious, he replies dryly, glowering to the best of his feline body’s ability at the hellishly amused god. Do feel free to sort this mess out, by the way!

Q leans casually against the wall, and Picard decides he really doesn’t like that grin.

Oh, must I? He drawls. This is infinitely exploitable, sweetheart. Think of the puns, for one thing! It’s a goldmine! You’re a philosopher, aren’t you? Have you considered that you’re quite literally Schrödinger’s captain? Both here and not, it’s a moral quandary -

Q, Picard legitimately hisses, I have claws. I don’t want to have use them, but I suggest you don’t believe for a moment that I won’t.

Promises, promises! He cackles, before affixing him with soft eyes. Yes, alright dear. As much as I generally prefer your bite to your bark, I’m not sure I mean that literally…

A snap and a flash, and Picard’s blissfully human once again. If Q neglects to mention that a very confused cat chooses that precise moment to sink talons into a very irate first officer, it’s probably for the best. He stretches arms, breathes a breath of relief, fixes his lover with a look of intense gratitude. 

“Good lord, that was awful,” he shudders, and his countenance instantly devolves to horror. “… Have I been wandering around the Enterprise and -”

“Yep.” Q’s grin is positively wicked. “Don’t fret, mon capitaine. I was deeply sympathetic. May even have stroked your cheek in reassurance. I’m sure they didn’t read anything into it…”

Infuriated bellows and raucous laughter echo in tandem through the very fabric of time and space as they vanish for home, and for likely the most awkward explanation of a captain’s entire existence.

#celestial's qcard flashfic event #cenedrariva #qcard #writing #prompts #star trek #flashfic #what am I even doing anymore #this event was the greatest idea of my life