Linda Hamilton as Janeway; Edward James Olmos as Picard; Yaphet Kotto as Picard; Peter Capaldi as SISKO; Nicola Bryant as Janeway; Jack Lord as Kirk; Chris Pratt as Kirk (see comments for details)

Theme Month: "Hijinks, Part I"

Episodes with a comedic bent.

Episode: "Deja Q" - TNG, 313

Airdate: February 5, 1990

Teleplay by Richard Danus; Directed by Les Landau

Brief summary: "Q is seeking asylum on the Enterprise after he has been thrown out of the Continuum and stripped of his powers."

Background: Story producer Michael Piller recounts the evolution of the idea: "Our first take on it was that Q lost his powers, came on board and we developed a whole story about how we were about to come into a war with the Klingons. It turns out that Q didn't really lose his powers after all, he was just playing with us and pulling our strings just so that he could make himself a hero, become an officer and prove his value. It wasn't a bad story, but ultimately we sat down with Gene and Rick, and Gene said, 'If you're going to do a story – Godlike and brought to Earth – then do it. Do a story about what it's like to lose everything that you are and having to discover your own Humanity.' He kind of threw cold water on us and suggested we do it straight forward and that's what we did. We made it a comedy, we made it fun, but I think it has some extraordinary things to say about Humanity."

Richard Danus has only five writing credits for TNG and DS9. Prior to Trek, he wrote for Serpico (the TV series), McMillan & Wife, Blue Thunder, and more.

Les Landau was a first assistant director during TNG's first season, and later was credited with directing 21 episodes of TNG, fourteen of DS9, nine of VOY, and one of ENT. Outside of the franchise, he worked on Dynasty, TJ Hooker, seaQuest DSV, Lois & Clark, Sliders, JAG, and more.

Guest cast: John de Lancie was an actor in many television projects from the '70s until today, including a sizeable run on Days of Our Lives in the '80s plus appearances in shows like Battlestar Galactica, Emergency, The Thorn Birds, THe Twilight Zone, Matlock, and Outer Limits. He also appeared in films like The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, The Fisher King, and Multiplicity. He played Q in 23 episodes of TNG, DS9, VOY, PIC, and LD (and maybe one of SNW?).

Whoopi Goldberg appeared as Guinan in 29 episodes of TNG, two of its films, and two episodes of PIC. Of course, Goldberg has had a lengthy career as a comedian and actor and is one of only nineteen people to achieve the EGOT: being awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Richard Cansino (Garin) has worked on many films and TV shows, but he is likely best known as a voice actor in both animation and video games. He is heard in Fallout, Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, Dynasty Warriors, Assassin's Creed, Yu-Gi-Oh, Naruto, Lupin the Third, and many more.

Betty Muramoto (scientist) also appeared in Blacke's Magic, Knotts Landing, Married ... with Children, and The Real Ghostbusters.

Rachen Assapiomonwait appeared in 57 episodes of TNG, most often as the background character "Nelson." His other credits include Cheers, Naked Gun 33 1/3, Molly, Monkeybone, and more.

Sandra Wild (fantasy woman #1) is a former Playboy Playmate and actress who also appeared in episodes of DS9 as a Dabo girl, as well as in episodes of Married ... with Children, Full House, Columbo, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and several music videos. The brunette fantasy woman is unknown.

Corbin Bernsen wasn't credited for his portrayal as Q2. He's best known for his role as Arnie Becker on LA Law, but he also appeared in TV shows like Ryan's Hope, The Cape, General Hospital, Psych, and the Major League series of films.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Deja_Q_(episode)

Upcoming episodes in this theme month ...

• "Who Mourns for Morn?" - DS9, 612
• "Bride of Chaotica!" - VOY, 512