All Good Things . . . ( episode ) 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 . ( " Series finale " , feature - length ) Summary . Teaser . On the holodeck , Lieutenant Worf and Counselor Troi have just finished a walk on the Black Sea beach at night . Troi gets a bit irritated when Worf refers to their romantic experience as nothing more than " stimulating " and rolls her eyes when he tries to add that it was " very stimulating " . On the way back to her quarters , Troi discusses how she doesn ' t spend enough time on the holodeck , and should go there more often . Worf is about to drop her off at her quarters , but wants to talk about their next date . He feels that they should get approval from Commander Riker before continuing their relationship but Troi firmly states that their relationship does not need such approval . Worf is about to kiss Troi goodnight , when Captain Picard walks off the turbolift . In a hurried mood , he asks Troi for the date , to which Worf answers that it is stardate 47988 . Picard confirms the date with himself , before he reveals to Troi that he , without knowing the reason , is somehow moving back and forth through time . Act One . In Counselor Troi ' s quarters , Picard explains the experience . He had the feeling he was in the past . Troi asks for a description , but Picard says that it is as hard to remember as remembering a dream . He remembers that it was years ago , before he took command of the . But then , the experience was that of him in the future , as an old man . He remembers being outside , but can not remember any specifics . Troi asks him to consider if this was a dream , but Picard says that the experience was much more real than a dream . The very touch and smell of things was more real than a dream . Troi asks how long he was in each period , but Picard responds that he is not sure . He remembers feeling disoriented , but this soon passed , and he felt as if everything was perfectly normal . As soon as he tries to explain something , Picard stops speaking in mid - sentence . Picard is now an old man in a vineyard , tying some vines . As he does this , he hears La Forge ' s voice , jokingly complaining about an issue on the " Enterprise " , " " the warp core or the phase inducer s . . . or some other damn thing " " as he approaches , smiling warmly . Picard is very delighted to see his old friend . La Forge is unsure of how to refer to the ambassador . Picard suggests Jean - Luc , but La Forge doesn ' t feel sure about calling him that , and settles on captain , like he had done twenty - five years prior , on the " Enterprise " . La Forge offers to help , and tells Picard how to help his plants grow better , saying he picked up some tips from his wife Leah . Picard asks how she is , and how the kids ( Alandra , Bret , and Sidney ) are . La Forge responds that they are just fine , his wife had just recently been named Director of the Daystrom Institute , but their son Bret is applying to Starfleet Academy in the next year . It is at this moment La Forge confesses that he stopped by to see Picard and how he was holding up to his newly contracted Irumodic Syndrome . As they go back to Picard ' s house , Picard tells La Forge what he thought of his latest novel , but in the middle of a comment , he suddenly sees a strange group of people , dressed in shabby clothes , and supposedly mocking the captain . La Forge apparently does not see the people , but before Picard can say anything , the scene shifts again , to another time period . On board a shuttlecraft , Natasha Yar , an old member of the crew , is talking with the captain about any previous experiences he has had with starships . He states that he has never been aboard one , but is familiar with the blueprints and schematics . Yar comments that the " Enterprise " is quite a ship , and the shuttle is cleared for arrival . Outside the window , the USS " Enterprise " is docked at McKinley Station , in orbit of Earth . The time shifts back to the " present , " in Troi ' s quarters , and he tells her that he was just with Yar in the shuttle . Picard sits down , seemingly troubled by this . Act Two . In sickbay , Dr . Crusher reports that she found nothing to indicate hallucination s . There are also no indications of temporal displacement , and Crusher believes that Picard is enjoying waking people up in the middle of the night , to which he responds that he really just likes running around the ship in his bare feet . Nurse Ogawa gives Crusher bio - spectral results , but these also show no signs of temporal displacement . After asking Troi to excuse them for a moment , she tells Picard about results of a scan for Irumodic Syndrome . There were no signs of the disorder itself , but there is a defect that could lead to the syndrome . Although she says that it is possible to live a whole life without developing problems , she is not confident about it . Riker enters to report that Worf has found nothing on his security scans . Worf comes on the comm to report that there is a transmission from Admiral Nakamura . Picard answers it in Dr . Crusher ' s office , to hear that there is now a fleet - wide yellow alert . Nearly thirty Romulan warbird s have been diverted to the Neutral Zone from Romulus , and there is also some sort of spatial anomaly in the Devron system . The orders are to go to their side of the Neutral Zone , and to find out what the situation is , and what the anomaly is . They cannot , however , enter the Neutral Zone until the Romulans do . Suddenly , the time shifts to the future , but this time , Picard notices the difference . He says that he was somewhere else a few minutes ago , a long time ago , talking to Beverly Crusher . He notices that he was on the " Enterprise " , in sickbay , but conjectures that it may have been a hospital . La Forge wants to call Picard ' s doctor , thinking that it is the Irumodic Syndrome , but Picard says that it is not . La Forge then asks what he wants to do about it , and Picard responds that he wants to see Data , to which La Forge agrees . Then , Picard sees the strange , barbaric people again , but doesn ' t understand yet . Again , La Forge sees nothing , and then takes the captain to go see Data . They go to Cambridge , and Picard explains how real the experience was . Data ' s housekeeper Jessel offers them tea , and Picard accepts . As Picard and La Forge attempt to exchange seats with Data ' s cat s ( who seem to be sitting on every available chair , shelf , or other horizontal surface ) , Picard starts to compliment Data ' s home . Data explains that it is one of the perks of holding the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge , the home itself once belonging to Sir Isaac Newton , one of the early Lucasian professor s . Data then goes on to explain the change in his hair color , and then Picard remarks that the tea is not Earl Grey , but Darjeeling tea . Data asks Picard about how long it has been since he has seen a doctor about his Irumodic Syndrome . Picard responds a week , and starts to explain that Data , too , thinks that his time shifting is all a delusion , an idea which Data says had indeed crossed his mind . Yet , Data says that because there is no evidence to disprove the captain , they can run some neurographic scan s with the equipment on campus . He tells the captain that they will get to the bottom of this . As Picard says that this is the Data he remembers and could count on , another time shift occurs . In the past , Captain Picard just exits the shuttlecraft " " with Tasha Yar . Picard then commences to read the orders which placed him in command given by Admiral Norah Satie , but is interrupted several times by the strange people he saw in the future . The assembled crew look around and see no one present . As he finishes reading the orders , he goes to shake hands with Counselor Troi , but is again distracted by the shouting people he sees . Deeply disturbed , Picard calls for red alert and orders all crew to battle stations . The crew look puzzled at each other , hardly the reaction they were expecting from their new captain , but Lieutenant Yar barks at them to follow the captain ' s orders and everyone quickly exits the shuttlebay to comply . Picard , alone , takes hold of himself and with concern , exits as well . Act Three . In the observation lounge , Picard , noting the golden models of the previous " Enterprise s " adorning the wall which had long since been removed from the lounge in his original time frame , makes a notation in his personal log , recorded under security lockout omega 327 , stating that he will not tell his crew about his time shifting , afraid of altering the timeline . Other members of the senior staff enter . Yar reports that scans showed no unusual anomalies , and Worf asks if they could know exactly what they are looking for . Picard does not answer , but asks the counselor if she senses a foreign alien presence , one with great intelligence , but the counselor states that she only senses the ship ' s crew and families . Picard then asks Worf to issue a level 2 security alert , which surprises Yar , as she is the security chief . Realizing his mistake , Picard promptly corrects himself , and asks Yar to issue the alert . Chief Miles O ' Brien then calls the captain to the bridge . Starfleet has issued an alert , stating that a number of vessels , mainly freighter s , are moving to the Neutral Zone between Romulan and Federation space . A large spatial anomaly has appeared in the Devron system , the same place an anomaly was detected in the present . Worf remarks that it could be a Romulan trick to lure their ships , and O ' Brien states that Starfleet has canceled the mission to Farpoint , ordering the " Enterprise " to the Neutral Zone . Picard however , states that they will continue the mission to Farpoint , despite orders . Yar is surprised at this , but Picard stands firm . He tells Troi that he has no reason , but then correctly guesses that there is a problem with the warp plasma inducer s . He asks O ' Brien to accompany him to engineering , where he gives the chief instructions to bypass the plasma inducers . O ' Brien is hesitant to make any corrections , stating that it should be the chief engineer who makes these modifications . However , Picard puts his full confidence in O ' Brien . As he asks for more help from , he states that they will need to " burn the midnight oil , " something which the Data of the time states would be inadvisable . He tells O ' Brien not to ignite anything as it will set off the ship ' s fire - suppression system s , but O ' Brien states how it was an expression to relate that they would need to work late . Picard then welcomes the commander on board , and asks for his help on the infusor array . Data identifies the problem , and states that they will need to " ignite the midnight petroleum " to fix the problem . Suddenly , Picard shifts back to the present . He starts to describe that he remembers more each time he shifts . He states that at first , he felt that he was in the future , and then he suddenly had the experience of being in the past . Crusher then states that a scan she just did indicates that Picard has somehow accumulated over two days worth of memories in a matter of minutes , evidence that he is indeed traveling through time . Act Four . In the observation lounge , Picard tries to put things straight . Troi does not remember any of the events in the past such as the red alert , or the diversion to the Neutral Zone . Data states that there appears to be a discontinuity between time periods , but Riker states that there appears to be the same anomaly in the Devron system in both time frames , something too coincidental . La Forge theorizes that it may be some kind of temporal disturbance , but Crusher asks what this has to do with the time shifting . Picard says that these are good questions , but he doesn ' t have the answers yet . He wants everyone to prepare battle readiness report s to cope with the Romulan threat , and ends the meeting . Riker asks Troi if she wants to have dinner before the late night work , but she says that she already has plans with Worf . There appears to be some sort of tension , and this bothers Riker , who loses his awareness for a few moments . Picard then tells Riker that because the time shifts coincide with disorientation , Riker should be ready to take command . He then goes to his ready room , and Dr . Crusher follows . She gets him some warm milk with a dash of nutmeg , and observing that he ' s exhausted , orders him to sleep . Picard notices the look of worry on Crusher ' s face , and she brings up the issue of his possible Irumodic Syndrome . She reminds him that he knows the disease will occur , but Picard takes her hands in his , smiles warmly at her , and says he prefers to view the future as something that is not written in stone . The two share a tender , but romantic kiss . Crusher then agrees with him and leaves . In the future , La Forge wakes the captain , and Picard asks if they have reached the Neutral Zone . He explains to La Forge that he was in the past , and tells him they have to get to the neutral zone in this time period . La Forge asks why , and Picard tells him about the anomaly in the Devron system , but La Forge says that it may all be coincidental . Picard insists that they have to check , and La Forge agrees . However , La Forge brings up a potential problem : there is no neutral zone , ever since the Klingon s took over the Romulan Star Empire , and to make matters worse , relations between the Federation and the Klingons at this point are strained . Yet La Forge says that they will need a ship to get to the Neutral Zone , and Picard asks him to contact Admiral Riker at Starbase 247 . Admiral Riker says that he cannot help . Picard asks what if the anomaly is really there , but Riker simply responds that the latest report from Starfleet Intelligence states no unusual activity in the Devron system . Picard refuses to believe this , wanting to go there to see for himself . Riker states that he will have the " Yorktown " conduct scans , stating that it is the best he can do . He ends the transmission , and Picard gets upset that he cannot go . Data however , has an option . They could arrange passage on a medical ship , which has been granted permission to help Romulans fight off a strain of Terrellian plague . Picard supports the idea , and La Forge states that now they need to find a medical ship . Picard however , can arrange this . He asks Data to find the , saying that he has some pull with the captain - at least he used to . The " Pasteur " arrives in orbit with Dr . Beverly Crusher in command . She welcomes the three of them aboard , and tells Picard that his idea is absurd , but then again , she could never say no to him . A member of the bridge crew calls out for " Captain Picard " and both Picard and Crusher respond with a yes . Picard replies to Crusher that she kept his last name , suggesting a marriage and subsequent divorce of these two in this future timeline , hence the captain of the " Pasteur " is actually Captain Beverly Picard . She says that they need to get clearance to cross the border , and La Forge suggests contacting Worf . Picard immediately agrees , stating that Worf is the answer , as he is governor of H ' atoria , a small Klingon colony near the border . Crusher asks Picard to get some rest , but Picard says that he is not an invalid . Crusher apologizes , and then Picard agrees to go get some rest . As soon as he leaves , Crusher asks them about what they think of his story , and all three silently agree that they don ' t believe it . However , she states that they will go on one more mission if it is what Jean - Luc Picard wants to do . In the turbolift , Picard asserts to himself that they will indeed find the anomaly . As he exits the turbolift , he is in the past , asking for a report . O ' Brien states that they are nearing the coordinates he was given , and Picard asks Data to scan for something unusual , a strong barrier of some sort . Data reports that there is nothing there . Picard states that this is the right place , and the right time , but " he " is not here . Yar asks who , and Picard yells for Q . He states that he knows Q is there , but there is no response . Picard again asks the counselor if she senses an alien presence , and Worf asks Yar what is a " Q , " who responds that all she knows is that it is a letter of the alphabet . Picard doesn ' t understand why history is not happening the way it should , but he suddenly shifts to the courtroom in which he had his first encounter with Q . He finally recognizes the barbaric people he has been seeing , and Q appears as he did seven years prior , stating that he thought Picard would never figure out it was Q who was behind it . Act Five . In the courtroom , Picard demands to know what is going on . Q asks Picard if he doesn ' t know , based on where he is . Picard then recounts that the last time he was standing in that courtroom , he was accused for being the representative of a savage race . Picard stated that they had agreed that the " trial " was over , but Q says that he will not help connect the dots , thinking it would be boring . He then offers Picard the chance to ask ten yes - or - no questions , and he will answer . Q states that he is not putting mankind on trial again . He does say , however , that there is a connection between the trial seven years ago and these events . The anomaly is related to what is going on , but it is not a Romulan creation to start a war . Q also states that he did not create the anomaly , but that he is responsible for the time shifts . Picard however , loses his chance to asks more questions when he asks why . Q then states that the trial never ended , and that they have been ruled guilty . Q states that the Human race has failed to expand their minds . Picard defends that Humanity is what it is , but Q states otherwise . Their trek through the stars will be terminated , and Humanity will be denied existence . Picard states that even Q is incapable of such an act , but Q then says that it is not Q who destroys Humanity , it is Picard . Q states that Picard is doing it , has done it , and will do it again . Q then closes the court , and Picard is sent back to the present . He immediately goes to the bridge , and reports to Commander Riker that they have a bigger problem than they thought . He wants red alert , and a senior staff meeting immediately . Act Six . In the observation lounge , the senior staff discusses the situation . La Forge thinks it is another one of Q ' s tricks , but Picard disagrees . He believes Q to be serious , but both Crusher and Troi say that there is an apparent confusion in Q ' s statement about that fact that he has , and is causing the destruction of Humanity . However , Data points out that the discontinuities in the three time periods makes Q ' s statement accurate , if confusing . Now Picard conjectures that he may have to lock himself up in all three time periods , but Riker says that action in itself will cause Humanity ' s destruction . Counselor Troi warns them not to second guess , and believes that the best course of action is to handle each situation as it arrives . Picard agrees , and then goes on to describe a curious side note . He states that Q is responsible for his time shifts , and believes that there may be a way to actually save Humanity . Riker asks why , and Picard responds that it is only logical . Q has always had an interest in Picard , and seems to have more than just a passing observation . An officer states over the comm that they are approaching the Neutral Zone . Data scans , and finds four Romulan Warbirds holding place on the Romulan side . The USS " Concord " and USS " Bozeman " are waiting on the Federation side . Worf hails the lead Warbird , but a time shift occurs , placing Picard in the future . Governor Worf is now on the viewscreen of the USS " Pasteur " . Crusher and Worf exchange quick greetings , and then Crusher asks if he has had time to read their request . Worf reports however , that he is no longer a member of the Klingon High Council , and that he must refuse , for their own safety . If they had a ship with a cloak , it would have been safer , and criticizes Riker for not helping them , but Picard doesn ' t care . He needs to get to the Devron system . Picard then tells Worf that the Worf he remembered was more concerned with honor than regulations . But Picard remarks that this was a long time ago , and that perhaps Worf has changed . Worf gets outraged at this , and Worf reluctantly allows them to cross the border , provided that he comes with them . Picard accepts these terms . Beverly tells Picard , though , that if they run into any trouble , she is pulling them out . As soon as Worf is aboard , she sets course for the Devron system , warp 13 . She allows Picard to give the order to engage , but as he does , he shifts back to the past . O ' Brien asks where to engage to , and Picard responds to engage to the Devron system , warp 9 . Yar states that the Devron system is in the Romulan neutral zone , but Picard disregards the warning . Counselor Troi then asks Picard to speak to her in his ready room . Picard also asks Yar to contact Farpoint Station . He wants to speak to Riker . In Picard ' s ready room , Troi tells him that the crew is a bit confused with his irrational orders , and some don ' t trust him . She says that it takes time for a crew to get to know their captain , and vice - versa , but Picard stands firm that he knows what they are capable of . Troi also says that it is hard to operate in the dark , without knowledge as to what they are doing , and Picard sympathizes with this . Yar then tells Picard that she has Commander Riker on subspace . Picard accepts the call , and informs Riker that they will be delayed a tad in picking him up at Farpoint . Riker asks how long , but Picard is unsure . He then tells Riker to deliver the message to the rest of the crew , and ends the call . It is at this time that Counselor Troi reveals the romance that she had had with Commander Riker , but Picard states that he is confident in her abilities to deal with the situation . Suddenly , Picard is in the present , talking with Commander Tomalak . He proposes sending one ship from each side into the Neutral Zone to investigate the anomaly . Tomalak agrees as soon as he hears Starfleet does not approve , and reminds the captain to only send one ship . Picard sets the course to the Devron system , warp 5 . They arrive shortly , and sensors pick up a large subspace anomaly . Picard orders a full scan , wanting as much information as possible . In the past , the " Enterprise " arrives at the same location , and also picks up the same anomaly . However , it is larger that it just was in the present . He orders another full scan of the anomaly . In the future , Picard orders the anomaly on screen . However , Data regretfully reports that there is no anomaly to see . Act Seven . Continuous scans in the future report no anomalies within a light year of the Devron system . Worf also reports that several warships have been dispatched to their location to investigate a renegade Federation vessel . Crusher wants to leave , but Picard wants to try a different way to scan for the anomaly . Data suggests using an inverse tachyon pulse to scan beyond the subspace barrier . He starts modifications , but Crusher makes it clear that if they don ' t find anything in six hours , they are heading back to Federation space . Picard tells the ensign not to leave in six hours , but Crusher overrules him . She then asks to see him in her ready room . Picard goes , and Crusher scolds him for questioning her orders . She states that he would never tolerate that behavior on the " Enterprise " , and she wouldn ' t here . Picard agrees , but reminds Crusher about the fact that Humanity ' s fate is at stake . But Crusher says that he might not be saying anything that is the truth . She reveals that he has advanced Irumodic Syndrome , and that it is possible that the entire journey is in his mind . However , she reminds him that if it were anyone else , they wouldn ' t be here , and then she leaves for the bridge . Picard is about to follow , but Q appears again , this time in the guise of an old man . Picard demands to know where the anomaly is , but Q does not give him the answer . However , Q reminds Picard that he is not alone in this ; who he is , who he was and who he will become are always with him . Picard realizes that the answer to the problem lies in his time shifting , and then asks Q if the anomaly destroys Humanity , but Q reminds Picard that it is " he " that destroys Humanity , not the anomaly . In the present , Data has a preliminary report of the anomaly . It is a massive temporal displacement , emitting the energy equivalent to ten G - type stars . However , they cannot scan the interior of the anomaly , and cannot find the source . Picard then suggests the inverse tachyon pulse that the future Data suggested . Data is amazed at the captain ' s knowledge , and agrees to make the modifications . He and La Forge work on rerouting power and initiate the tachyon pulse . However , soon afterward , La Forge experiences some pain , and trouble with his VISOR . Data calls sickbay , and Crusher determines that La Forge is growing new eyes . Nurse Ogawa reports that they have reports from two crew members stating that old scars are healing themselves . Data then offers a partial explanation . The anomaly is a multiphasic temporal convergence in the space - time continuum , an eruption of anti - time . The relationship between time and anti - time is analogous to the relationship between matter and anti - matter , and upon contact , the two would annihilate each other , causing the rupture in space . In the past , Picard explains to Data that if they scan the anomaly with an inverse tachyon pulse , they will see that the anomaly is a rupture between time and anti - time . He orders Data to make the modifications , and is still trying to figure out why the anomaly is bigger in the past . He then goes to his ready room . In the future , the " Pasteur " is under attack from two Klingon attack cruisers . Act Eight . Under attack , the USS " Pasteur " attempts to escape . Warp power is off - line , so they try to evade the attacks . The impulse drive is fluctuating , and shields are down to 30 % . The " Pasteur " s weapons are no match for the Klingon ships , and La Forge can ' t get warp power . Shields are failing , and Crusher attempts to explain that they are on an errand of mercy . The Klingons don ' t listen , and Worf signals a surrender . As shields fail , helmsman Nell Chilton is killed and a ship decloaks . It is the , still in service and now upgraded as well as being heavily armed . Admiral Riker hails them , and offers to help with the Klingons . He takes out one ship , and draws the fire of the other . The " Pasteur " s warp core , however , has destabilized , and there is a warp core breach in progress . Riker beams the " Pasteur " s crew aboard , and then angrily scolds Worf for letting the " Pasteur " enter hostile territory , and putting their friends in jeopardy . Worf retaliates , saying that if Riker had helped them in the first place , none of this would have happened , before Picard breaks up the argument by reminding them that the " Pasteur " is seconds away from exploding , and that they need to get to a safe distance . Riker orders them out of range of the " Pasteur " , narrowly escaping the blast caused by the ship ' s explosion , and then engages the " Enterprise " out of Klingon space . The cloak is down , so they engage at warp 13 back to Federation space . Picard is outraged , and demands that they stay , but Crusher administers a sedative to Picard . In the present , Picard accidentally bumps into a crew member on his way to sickbay . Inside sickbay , several time - reversing phenomena are occurring . La Forge ' s visual acuity is improving by the minute , and Alyssa Ogawa lost her baby . Picard enters , and Crusher explains that the baby somehow grew backwards , until the DNA itself broke down . However , the temporal energy seems to be affecting the entire crew , causing everyone to " grow backward , " and it could kill all of them . In the observation lounge , Picard asks the senior staff to contact the nearest starbase to see how widespread the effect of the temporal reversion is . Data is about an hour and 45 minutes away from completing his tachyon scan , and Picard wants to find some way to collapse the anomaly , then dismisses the senior staff . After they leave , Q appears musing that Picard has a difficult decision ahead of him . . . an anomaly he knows nothing about but will be somehow responsible for the end of Humanity ; the question is will collapsing it save Humanity or destroy it . Q then gives Picard the proper perspective he needs to solve the puzzle . Q transfers them back to Earth , about 3 . 5 billion years in the past . He shows Picard the sky , which shows that the anomaly is so large that it can be seen from Earth and spreads across the entire Alpha Quadrant . Picard then realizes that the anomaly is expanding as it moves back in time . Q then shows Picard a pool of green sludge , a pool of amino acid s . They are about to combine to form the first protein s , however , the disturbance from the anomaly stops the combination as it happens . Life on Earth doesn ' t start , and the anomaly stopped the creation of Humanity . Realizing from Q ' s words that he somehow created the anomaly , Picard is transported back to the past " Enterprise " . Act Nine . In the past , Picard wants to know how the anomaly was formed . Data says that their information is limited ; they would need to be able to scan the center to get an idea of its creation . Picard asks if there is any way , but nothing aboard could do the job . Data says that a tomographic imaging scanner with multiphasic resolution could do the scan , however the device is still in the experimental phases at the Daystrom Institute . In the present , Data uses the imaging scanner ( which , by this point in time , is completed ) to scan the anomaly , but gets very unusual readings . He has found three tachyon pulses with the same amplitude modulation converging at the center of the anomaly . It is as if all three pulses came from the " Enterprise " . Picard then deduces that three pulses from three time periods , converging at one point in space may have caused the anomaly . In the future , Picard wakes up from a nap , and heads to Ten Forward to talk to Admiral Riker about this new information . In Ten Forward , La Forge compliments on how well " Enterprise " has held up over the years . Riker says that Starfleet tried to decommission her five years ago , but the advantage of being an admiral was that he got to pick his own ship . Crusher then asks Riker how long the tension between him and Worf would continue . Riker thinks that after twenty years , it would be too hard to stop , but Data says that the last thing Troi would have wanted is for her best friends to be alienated . Riker says that he tried to put it behind them at Troi ' s funeral and make peace , but Worf refused to even talk to him . As they talk about this , Picard enters Ten Forward , to the surprise of everyone there . Picard tells Riker that he knows why the anomaly is being caused . He tries to explain the creation like the problem of the chicken and the egg . Data deduces that the captain is describing a paradox . Data finds that it is possible they caused the anomaly they have been looking for , and that if they hurry , they may be able to see the initial formation of the anomaly . Riker agrees to head back , and tells the bridge to go back to the Devron system at maximum warp . As Riker leaves , he cautiously asks Worf for a helping hand on the bridge , to which Worf agrees . Act Ten . The " Enterprise " enters the Devron system , and does indeed pick up a small temporal anomaly off their port bow , an anti - time eruption . Picard was right , and proposes to stop it before it can travel back through time . Riker asks Data for any ideas . Data suggests that the tachyon pulses should be shut down in the other time periods . Picard shuts down the pulse in both the present and the past , but the anomaly remains unaffected . The only way to stop the eruption is to seal the rupture at the convergence point , by using a static warp shell . In the past , Picard orders the " Enterprise " into the anomaly , and Tasha Yar refuses to put the ship in jeopardy . She asks for an explanation , but Picard can not give an explanation . He tells them what they have to do , take the ship to the center of the anomaly , and create a static warp shell . He tells them that they may not survive , but that this has to be done , because what is at stake is far more than any of them could imagine . He tells them about the faith he has in them , and asks for their trust in return . They agree , and make preparations to go in . In the present , Data makes the same suggestion , and Picard orders the " Enterprise " in . In the future , the same is done , as the " Enterprise " heads towards the anomaly . Temporal energy interferes with main power once they enter , but they attempt to stabilize it . At the center , all three ships initiate the warp shell , and a new subspace barrier forms . All three time periods overlap , and there are now three " Enterprises " visible . The warp shell is working , but the temporal energy ruptures the past " Enterprise " s warp containment system , causing an anti - matter eruption , destroying the ship . On the present ship , the containment system also goes , and the present " Enterprise " is destroyed . On the future " Enterprise " , as La Forge reports that the anomaly is nearly gone . Q also appears to Picard , telling him that he had potential but " " all good things must come to an end " . " At that point , the containment system is lost , and the ship is destroyed , along with the anomaly . " " The continuum didn ' t think you had it in you Jean - Luc , but I knew you did . " " Picard is now back in the courtroom with Q . The anomaly was indeed collapsed , and Humanity was saved , once again , and everyone is safe . Picard then proceeds to thank Q for helping him get out of it . Q admits that he got Picard into it ( under orders from the Continuum ) , but it was his choice alone to give him a helping hand . Picard hopes that he never finds himself in the courtroom again , causing Q to ask if Picard has been paying attention . . . the trial never ends . The Continuum wanted to see if Humanity could expand their mind and horizons and for one moment Picard did , when he realized the paradox . Q tells Picard that during that one moment , his mind was open to possibilities that he had never considered before . That is the exploration that awaits Humanity , exploring the unknown possibilities of existence . Picard asks Q if there ' s something he ' s trying to tell him , and it appears for an instant that Q is going to tell Picard something meaningful , but at the last second pulls back simply stating that he ' ll find out . . . and that he ' ll be watching , and may even drop in from time to time . " " See you . . . out " there " , the omnipotent entity states to Picard before disappearing . Back on the " Enterprise " , Picard is at the beginning of his journey , leaving a turbolift and walking into a corridor towards counselor Troi ' s quarters . He asks the date , very much the same way he did at the beginning , and upon hearing stardate 47988 , Picard laughs to himself . He goes back to bed , saying that he could use some sleep , leaving both Troi and Worf dumbfounded . As he records his log , he states that he is the only one who remembers the events of the entire journey , and that there is no anomaly in the Devron system . Epilogue . In Riker ' s quarters , Riker , Worf , Crusher , Data , and La Forge are playing their weekly game of poker . At the end of a round ( and the usual friendly banter ) , Crusher begins to wonder why Picard shared the information about the future he encountered with them . La Forge says that it goes against the rules they ' ve heard about not polluting the timeline , but Data believes that the case is different . Since the anomaly never occurred , the future they encounter will be radically different from the one Picard experienced . Riker thinks that Picard told them so that they would not make some mistakes twice , as he looks towards Worf meaningfully . Worf agrees , and they silently affirm their friendship . At this point , Troi enters , and joins the game . A few moments later the door chimes again and to everyone ' s surprise , Picard is at the door . Riker calmly asks the captain if there is a problem . Picard says that there is no problem , but wants to join them for the game . A pleasantly surprised crew make room for him and Data gives Picard the cards to deal . As Picard starts to shuffle the deck , he takes a moment ' s pause to regard his crew and friends and notes that he should have done this a long time ago . Troi tells him he was always welcome , and Picard starts to deal the cards . As he gives those fitting final words , the " Enterprise " is seen from the outside in space , heading off to continue exploring the unknown possibilities that await them in the final frontier . Memorable quotes . " " Now that was an incredible program . " " " " I am glad you approve . I have always found the Black Sea at night to be a most . . . stimulating experience . " " " " Worf , we were strolling barefoot along the beach while balalaika music played in the air . . . ocean breeze washing over us . . . stars in the sky . . . a full moon rising . . . and the most you can say is " stimulating " ? " " " " It was . . . " very " stimulating . " " " " I . . . I don ' t know how or why , but I ' m moving back and forth . . . through time . " " " " Captain Picard to the bridge . Captain , we ' ve got a problem with the warp core or the phase inducers or some other damn thing . " " " " How do you like your tea ? " " " " Tea ? Earl Grey , hot . " " " " ' Course it ' s hot ! What do you want " in it " ? " " " " It appears we will be required to ignite the midnight petroleum , sir . " " " " Do you really think he ' s moving through time ? " " " " I ' m not sure I do , either . But , he ' s Jean - Luc Picard and if he wants to go on one more mission that ' s what we ' re going to do . " " " " Q ! We ' re here ! This has gone on long enough ! " " " " Q ! What is going on here ? Where is the anomaly ? " " " " Uh , where ' s your mommy ? Well , I don ' t know . " " " " Answer me ! " " " " This anomaly we ' re looking for , will that destroy Humanity ? " " " " You ' re forgetting , Jean - Luc , " you " destroy Humanity . " " " " What is a ' Q ' ? " " " " It ' s a letter of the alphabet as far as I know . " " " " Oh , you ' d like me to connect the dots for you , lead you from A to B to C , so that your puny mind could comprehend . How boring . " " " Five " questions down ! " " " " That ' s only four ! " " " " Is it a Romulan plot ? Is it a ploy to start a war ? Those are separate questions . " " " " Q ' s interest in you has always been very similar to that of a master and his beloved pet . That was " only " an analogy , captain . " " " " Oh , I expected as much . You ' re such a " limited " creature – a perfect example of why we made our decision . The trial never ended , captain . We never reached a verdict . But now we have . You ' re guilty . " " " " Guilty of what ? " " " " Of being inferior . " " " " You obtuse piece of flotsam ! " " " " Humanity ' s fate has been sealed . You " will " be destroyed . " " " " May whatever god you believe in . . . have mercy on your soul . This court stands adjourned . " " " " It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged . " " " " Oh , but it is , and we have . " " " " Has Starfleet approved this proposal ? " " " " No . " " " " Hmm , I like it already . " " " " Strange , isn ' t it ? Everything you know , your entire civilization , it all begins right here in this little pond . . . of goo . " " " " It ' s time to put an end to your trek through the stars . " " " " Damn it , I ' m not stupid ! " " " " I know it is difficult for you to understand , but we have to take the ship into the very center of the phenomenon and create a static warp shell . Now , this will put the ship at risk . Quite frankly , we may not survive . But I want you to believe that I ' m doing this for a greater purpose and that what is at stake here is more than any of you can possibly imagine . I know you have your doubts about me . . . about each other . . . about the ship . All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time , I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet and I would trust each of you with my life . So , I am asking you for a leap of faith . . . and to trust me . " " " " Mister Data , you ' re a clever man . In any time period . " " " " Two down , one to go . . . " " " " Goodbye , Jean - Luc . I ' m gonna miss you . . . you had such potential . But then again , all good things must come to an end . . . " " " " The Continuum didn ' t think you had it in you , Jean - Luc . But I knew you did . " " " " Are you saying that it worked ? We collapsed the anomaly ? " " " " Is that all this meant to you ? Just another spacial anomaly , just another day at the office ? " " " " Did it work ? " " " " Well you ' re here , aren ' t you ? You ' re talking to me , aren ' t you ? " " " " What about my crew ? " " " " The anomaly , my ship , my crew ! I suppose you ' re worried about your fish too ? " " " " You had a hand in helping me get out of this . " " " " . . . I was the one that got you into it ; a directive from the continuum . The part about the helping hand . . . was my idea . " " " " That is the exploration that awaits you ; not mapping stars and studying nebulae , but charting the unknown possibilities of existence . " " " " Q , what is it that you ' re trying to tell me ? " " " " . . . You ' ll find out . " " " " See you . . . " out " there . " " " " Four hands in a row . . . how does he do it ? " " " " I cheat . " " " " I ' m kidding ! " " " " I should have done this a long time ago . " " " " You were always welcome . " " " " So , five - card stud , nothing wild . . . and the sky ' s the limit . " " Links and references . References . acetylcholine ; alphabet ; alternate timeline ; amino acid ; anti - time ; Anti - time Data ' s cats ; anti - time eruption ; anti - time future ; anti - time past ; anti - time present ; antimatter containment ; bacillus spray ; balalaika ; Betazed ; Black Sea ; " Black Sea at Night " ; blood gas analysis ; boatswain ' s whistle ; ; ; Chicken and the egg ; Cambridge University ; cat ; cerebral cortex ; Chateau Picard ; cloaking device ; ; ; darjeeling tea ; dash ; Daystrom Institute ; dealer ; deflector dish ; Devron system ; DNA ; Earl Grey tea ; Earth ; Earth Station McKinley ; emergency power ; etymology ; Farpoint Mission ; Farpoint Station ; Federation ; fireplace ; fire - suppression system ; focal point ; France ; G - type star ; ; " " ; governor ( aka " vah ' cha " ) ; H ' atoria ; hippocampus ; hovercar ; Human history ; Human ity ; infusor array ; inverse tachyon pulse ; Irumodic Syndrome ; Klingon s ; Klingon attack cruiser ; Klingon Empire ; La Barre ; ; ; ; Lake Cataria ; leaf miner ; ; level - 4 neurographic scan ; level 2 security alert ; Livingston ; long range sensor scan ; Lucasian Chair ; maid ; medical tricorder ; medical ship ; milk ; Munoz ; ; number one ; nutmeg ; ocular implant ; ; oxygen isotope ratio ; paradox ; parietal lobe ; ; peridaxon ; petroleum ; phase inducer ; plasma coil ; poker ; post - atomic horror ; priority one message ; protagonist ; protein ; Q Continuum ; red alert ; replicator ; Rigel III ; Rippert ; Romulan ; Romulan Neutral Zone ; Romulan Star Empire ; Romulus ; ; senility ; shearing force ; skunk ; space - time continuum ; spatial anomaly ; Starbase 23 ; Starbase 247 ; Starfleet ; Starfleet Academy ; Starfleet Command ; Starfleet Intelligence ; Starfleet Medical ; static warp shell ; subspace scan ; temporal anomaly ; temporal energy ; temporal lobe ; temporal mechanics ; temporal paradox ; temporal reversion ; Ten Forward ; Terrellian plague ; " Terix " ; tomographic imaging scanner ; tryptamine ; Type 6 shuttlecraft ; VISOR ; warp core breach ; warp drive ; warp factor ; warp plasma inducer ; yellow alert ; Unreferenced material . Androna ; merchant ship ; Selar ; Terrellian transport ship