S1E10 · Hide and Q

The Enterprise is en route to Quadra Sigma to aid colonists caught in a methane explosion when Q reappears and demands that they abandon their mission to compete in a game. He teleports Commander Riker and the bridge crew, with the exception of Captain Picard, to a barren landscape, stating that the rule of the game is to stay alive. Yar (Denise Crosby) protests, and Q transports her back to the bridge of the Enterprise in a " penalty box ", warning that only one player can be in the box at a time and she will cease to exist should another player replace her.

Q returns to the bridge shortly after to propose a wager to Picard, explaining that the Q Continuum is testing Commander Riker to see if he is worthy of being granted their god-like powers. If Riker accepts them, Q wins command of the starship; if he refuses them, Picard makes Q promise to never interfere with humanity again. Meanwhile, Riker and his team are attacked by what Lt. Worf reports as "vicious animal things" dressed as Napoleonic soldiers wielding energy-firing muskets. Q returns to Riker and tells him that he has granted him the powers of the Continuum.

Riker uses them to return his crew mates to the ship, but he remains behind to question Q’s intentions. Q explains that he and his kind are interested in humanity because of their potential for growth and evolution, suggesting that humanity could eventually surpass the Q. Q wishes for Riker to accept the powers and become part of the Q Continuum so they can understand the human "compulsion" for growth. Riker rejects this, and in response, Q teleports the bridge crew back to the surface, unarmed. The crew are attacked once more by the soldiers, and both Worf and Wesley Crusher are killed. Riker uses the powers of the Q to return the crew to the Enterprise again, bringing both Worf and Wesley back to life.

Riker makes a promise to Picard never to use the powers again and the ship arrives at Quadra Sigma. A rescue team beams down and discovers a young girl who has died. Riker is tempted to save her, but in the end he refuses to do so out of respect for his promise; however, he quickly shows signs of regret at this decision, which he expresses to the captain. Tensions rise as Riker's behavior towards his captain and crew change and he becomes continually tempted to use his powers. At Q's suggestion, and with Picard's blessing, Riker uses his powers to give his friends what he believes they want: he turns Wesley into an adult, offers to make Data (Brent Spiner) human, gives La Forge (LeVar Burton) his sight, and creates a Klingon female companion for Worf.

Ultimately, however, all the recipients reject their gifts. Picard declares that Q has failed, and when Q attempts to go back on his word, he is forcibly recalled to the Continuum. Picard is pleased to see Q gone, and praises Riker for confirming his trust in his "Number One".