3.21 Hollow Pursuit

Rating: 4.5

Engineer Reg Barclay struggles with the reality of work and social situations, escaping when needed into his creative and outrageous self-made holodeck fantasies, where he is confident and the crew respects him. But serious system-wide malfunctions throw the ship into peril, and Geordi needs Barclay to become a hero in the real world too.

Comments

This is a fun and funny episode, made even better by the suspense of a serious threat to the ship.

Barclay’s nickname, behind his back, is ‘Broccoli’, and Wesley Crusher invented it.

Dwight Schultz, who plays Barclay, will reappear a number of times on NextGen and later on VOY.

Nits

Everyone seems to think it is unusual to replicate real people in the holodeck…Strange – if I had a holodeck, that’s who I would be replicating. Saw a nice woman at the gym but was too shy to talk to her? No problem. Just replicate her on the holodeck!

During the swordfight, Dwight Schultz has been replaced by an obvious stunt double.

Memorable Moments

•    In the opening holodeck sequence in Ten-Forward, when Barclay shoves Geordi, I was impressed that the real Levar Burton fell back and over a chair.

•    Troi, wearing a blue dress, looks fantastic in Barclay’s Ten-Forward Fantasy.

•    Of course, the mini-Riker is hilarious, and a good character change for Jonathan Frakes.

Quotable Quotes

"I am the goddess of Empathy. Cast off your inhibitions, and embrace love, truth, joy!"
- Holo-Troi

"Good! I look forward to your report, Mr. Broccoli…Barclay."
- Picard

Geordi: What do you do with a guy like this?
Guinan: Well, I just serve him warm milk…and let him be.

Barclay: So you’re not going to tell anyone about this?
Geordi: I don’t think everyone would appreciate your imagination like I do.

Mini-Riker: You challenge the greatest sword--
Riker: --in all the holodeck!

"Glad I don’t have anywhere to go."
- Geordi’s reaction to the failed duranium transport test

Holo-Troi: Cast aside your masks and let me slip into your minds!
Troi: Muzzle it!

"Computer, end program. Erase all programs filed under Reginald Barclay…except Program 9."
- Barclay, leaving the door open