Reference to "Q2" should not be confused with the "Q2" who appears in the Season 7 episode [Q2].

In the Messhall, Tuvok is served lunch, accompanied by Q2, and they sit down together at the table which Tuvok always prefers to sit at, by the window on the port side. Q2: "We're going to lose, aren't we?" Tuvok: "I would say we have not yet convinced Captain Janeway of the validity of our argument." Q2: "You're doing a fine job, Mr Tuvok. It's nice to know someone believes in me." Tuvok: "I am representing your position to the best of my ability. It is most definitely not my own. I see no persuasive evidence that a life like yours should be wasted simply because you are disgruntled. Frankly, I see no logic to your position." Q2: "You, you surprise me, Mr Tuvok, which is a rare and special gift to a Q. Thank you. But may I say, if you only knew what life as a Q were like, you would see the logic." Then perhaps what we should do next is take this hearing to see life in the Continuum itself."

In her Ready Room, Janeway asks Q to announce at the hearing that the Q Continuum will not condemn Q2 to the cell inside the comet again but reintegrate him into their society. If they did that, she would consider it a "very meaningful gesture".

Q offers her a bribe to rule in favour of the Q Continuum - suddenly Earth appears outside her window. When she turns to look at him, he has gone, and when she looks back again, Earth has vanished too.

	When the hearing reconvenes, Tuvok states: "We are prepared to illustrate the nature of Q's suffering, Captain, but in order to do so we must show this hearing what life is like in the Continuum." Q: "And how do you intend to do that?" Tuvok: "By going to the Continuum itself." Janeway: "Is this possible?" Q: "No. It's a ridiculous idea. You would never understand." Tuvok: "My client has the right to ask for an inspection of the living conditions that lead to his suffering, Captain." Janeway: "I would agree with that." Q to Q2: "I suppose you have some crazy idea how to pull this off?" The two Qs confer.
	Q to Janeway: "We've agreed on a format for this little sojourn. But I still believe it's ill-advised." Janeway: "I'll be the judge of that. Whenever you're ready."
	Janeway: "This is the Q Continuum? A road in a desert?" Q: "I told you so." Q2: "This is a manifestation of the Continuum that we hope falls within your level of comprehension. This way."
	The group approaches the "country ranch-house" where members of the Q Continuum can be seen just outside it. The group passes a dog resting and approach the "country folk", but the members of the Q Continuum ignore the visitors even when Janeway says, "Good afternoon."
	Everything around the group is highly symbolic, such as the "never closes" sign....
	....and the clock without any hands which can be seen behind this member of the Q Continuum who is sitting on the porch reading....
	....a book called "The Old" while an Earth 20th century flapper girl also on the porch reads a magazine called "The New". Nearby a man is playing a pinball machine called Galaxy, and a game of croquet is also in progress, one of the balls in play representing a planet.
	Q2 to Janeway (and Tuvok): "I apologise for the lack of hospitality, Captain. We're not used to visitors here. In fact, you're the only ones who've ever come." Tuvok: "Then what is the purpose of the road?" Q2: "The road takes us to the rest of the universe, then it leads back here, an endless circle." Janeway: "That was your existence before your confinement?"
	Q2: "I travelled the road many times, sat on the porch, played the games, been the dog, everything. I was even the scarecrow for a while." Janeway: "Why?" Q2: "Because I hadn't done it." Q: "Oh, we've all done the scarecrow, big deal." Janeway: "I can't say I entirely understand what I'm seeing here. These people don't seem to be suffering." Q: "Well, of course not. These are happy people, happy people. What's there to be sad about? Look at them."

The "flapper" merely looks up. The man playing pinball looks round and grimaces. Q2: "They don't dare feel sad. If only they could, that would be progress."

Q: "The philospher speaks." Q2: "When I was a respected philosopher, I celebrated the continuity, the undeviation of Q life. I argued that our civilisation had achieved a purity that no other culture had ever approached. And it was wonderful, for a while. At the beginning of the new era, life as a Q was a continuous dialogue of discovery and issues and humour from all over the universe. But look at them now, listen to their dialogue now." Tuvok: "I am afraid I cannot hear any." Q2: "Because it has all been said. Everyone has seen everything, heard everything. They haven't had to speak to each other in ten millennia - there's nothing left to say." Q: "Well, I don't know about you, but I appreciate a little peace and quiet now and again." Q2: "It's ironic, isn't it, Q?" Q: "I don't know what you mean." Q2: "Of course you do: that you of all people should be arguing their case." Q: "I believe in the ultimate purity of the Q." Q2: "You who were banned from the Continuum and made mortal to pay for your crimes." Q: "My penance has ended. I'm a born-again Q. That life is behind me." Q2: "What a shame. Because in many ways, that life inspired me." Q: "It did? I did?" Q2: "Oh yes. You never knew that, did you?" To Janeway: "You see, Captain, Q rebelled against this existence by refusing to behave himself. He was out of control. He used his powers irresponsibly and all for his own amusement, and he desperately needed amusement because he could find none here at home." Q: "And I paid the price for my inappropriate behaviour." Q2: "No, no, we paid the price by forcing you to stop. But for a moment there, you really had our attention, my attention. You gave us something to talk about! But then you surrendered to the will of the Continuum like a good little Q. And may I say that you have become a fine upstanding member of the Continuum. But I miss the irrepressible Q, the one who forced me to think." He borrows 'The New' magazine and shows it to Janeway and Tuvok. "This was the beginning of my fall from grace." The section contains a picture of Q2 and titled 'My Corner of the Continuum', and the article itself has the headline: I'm Ready To Die; How About You? "It was the last edition, by the way. They shut down the presses after I wrote this. But they couldn't keep me silent Q: "That's when he lost his mind and started trying to destroy himself. We had no choice but to confine him for his own safety." Q2: "Not for my safety, for theirs. I was the greatest threat the Continuum had ever known. They feared me so much they had to lock me away for eternity. And when they did that, they were saying that an individual's rights will be protected only so long as they don't conflict with the state. Nothing is so dangerous to society. My life's work is complete. But they force immortality on me, and when they do that they cheapen and denigrate my life and all life in the Continuum, all life. Captain, you are an explorer. What if you had nothing left to explore? Would you want to live forever under those circumstances? You want me to prove to you that I suffer in terms that you equate to pain or disease. Look at us. When life has become futile, meaningless,unendurable, it must be allowed to end. Can't you see, Captain? - for us the disease is immortality." There is a Q-flash and the group are back in the hearing room (Briefing Room). Tuvok states: "We rest our case, Captain." Janeway: "Very well. I'll make my ruling in the morning. We'll be in recess until then."