Star Trek: The Next Generation
"The Nth Degree"
Air date: 4/1/1991
Written by Joe Menosky
Directed by Robert Legato
Review by Jamahl Epsicokhan
The Enterprise is assigned to repair the Argus Array, a space telescope that has stopped working. (It's the 24th-century equivalent of the Hubble Space Telescope; was this story about a critical scientific tool in need of crucial repairs ripped from the headlines of the time?) A mysterious probe orbiting the array zaps Barclay while he's on a shuttle mission. After returning to the ship, Barclay has a newfound confidence and his brain activity increases exponentially. He becomes smarter and smarter, and that begins to worry some people.
The character outline is Flowers for Algernon, except instead of taking a mentally challenged man and turning him into a genius, it takes a man of average intelligence (for this crew) and turns him into an ultra-confident, cosmic super-genius. In the opening scene, regular-Barclay is playing Cyrano de Bergerac in a performance that, let's face it, is pathetic despite his best efforts. Later, watch how genius-Barclay's acting is so mesmerizing that it practically makes Crusher weep. Dwight Schultz's performance as Barclay is pitch perfect because it finds the right balance between earnest sincerity and dryly ironic narcissism. Schultz, and the episode, know that deep down this is all kinda funny because it's about Barclay, and they don't shy away from the comic notes of Barclay's growing ego and arrogance, even if he's always well intentioned.
Meanwhile, the imaginative sci-fi machinations proceed at warp speed. To fix the array, Barclay comes up with a brilliant plan that's impossible to execute by anyone except him, and requires a computer interface far faster than anything available, so he uses the holodeck to build a device that taps him directly into the ship's computer core (this device is both creepy and really cool; kudos to the production designers), where his brainpower expands and eventually takes over the entire computer and, thus, the ship. Barclay begins to develop a god complex, perhaps not unjustifiably, and claims he can understand the entire universe as a simple equation. He starts to scare the hell out of everybody.
The way the crew reacts to all this is absolutely honest human nature; they fear what they cannot predict or understand, and I don't blame them — especially when Barclay puts an energy field off the starboard side of the ship and prepares to send the crew 30,000 light-years through it, while assuring everybody, "Please, you must trust me." The suspense of what waits at the other side is one of the true moments of unpredictable awe in the Trek canon.
What actually waits there, alas, cannot live up to that awe, but I did still enjoy the episode's sense of whimsical curiosity, in which it turns out that advanced aliens used Barclay as an implement to bring the Enterprise here in carrying out their own exploration of the galaxy. Barclay is of course returned to normal, which begs the question of whether it's a blessing or a tragedy to allow the blind man to see before taking it away again. "The Nth Degree" is a splendidly unique amalgam of tones and themes, plot and characterization, imagination and bemusement, and it ends up being one of the most fascinating hours in TNG's run.
Previous episode: Identity Crisis
Next episode: Qpid
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85 comments on this post
Sun, May 13, 2012, 11:43pm (UTC -5)
Sat, Nov 3, 2012, 12:25am (UTC -5)
Fri, Jun 7, 2013, 1:28pm (UTC -5)
Mon, Jun 10, 2013, 7:25am (UTC -5)
Sat, Dec 14, 2013, 12:27am (UTC -5)
Once again, as with "Hollow Pursuits", I feel the need to correct calumny directed towards Dwight Schultz. There is nothing about the desire to have balanced government budgets, responsibility and freedom to direct your own life (rather than that being the state taking over that role) and rule of law rather than rule of men, that is incompatible in any way with the pro-exploration and pro-respect views espoused by Star Trek.
Indeed, those of us of this orientation seek to simply espouse the same values and philosophy as the United States' "Founding Fathers" (notably minus the slavery some of them were slow to get rid of). Does one think for a moment that Benjamin Franklin wouldn't be thrilled to stand on the bridge of a real Enterprise? And the same man made a point of telling his countrymen that they gave us "a Republic, if you can keep it", and "pennies do not come from heaven - they have to be earned here on earth".
No, the calumny directed to Mr Schultz is a calumny directed against me and many, and hence I vigorously protest. May we regain the republic that is slipping out of our hands, both for the sake of freedom, and so that we'll have the kind of society that actually _can_ support noble exploration!
Fri, Feb 21, 2014, 8:20pm (UTC -5)
Magic Reset Button.
Tue, Feb 25, 2014, 12:45am (UTC -5)
Wed, Aug 27, 2014, 10:02pm (UTC -5)
I love the Nth Degree but man it's so tough to pick between that and the great Voyager episodes with the Midas Array - I can't help but always cheer this very special TNG character on. There is just some really wonderful, memorable material here.
Thu, Sep 25, 2014, 4:20pm (UTC -5)
From my very liberal, fairly socialist point of view, all I can say about Schultz's politics is, "Well, nobody's perfect." :p
Fri, Sep 26, 2014, 8:30am (UTC -5)
Disclaimer - I don't think it's impossible to be a conservative Trek fan, I'm not saying that, I just think that when you get too far right watching Trek just feels odd, whereas you don't get that heading too far left. If you throw up a little in your mouth at the thought of any kind of socialism, you probably shouldn't be watching Trek (IMHO).
Sat, Nov 8, 2014, 3:46am (UTC -5)
Tue, Jan 20, 2015, 9:18am (UTC -5)
Sun, Feb 22, 2015, 6:27pm (UTC -5)
Wed, Feb 25, 2015, 1:48pm (UTC -5)
-----------
Shame that your left-leaning, tolerance for all Trek mantra doesn't seem to extend to those you disagree with. Funny that.
Wed, Feb 25, 2015, 1:54pm (UTC -5)
He also doesn't seem bad to me. Seems like someone who is sick of leftist fascists and apologists. Nice to see a guy who cares and who lives in the real world.
A lot of hollywood is the way it is because those people never have to live in places with crime and so on. Deluded, self hating , appeasing leftists.
Thu, Feb 26, 2015, 9:48am (UTC -5)
Hollywood is like any other industry: make a public enough stink about not getting work and eventually you for sure won't get any. Ask Victoria Rowell or the lady who played Aunt Viv on Fresh Prince.
The truth is no one wants to hear a poor-me story about how the world is keeping someone down.
Seriously, man, not everything should be viewed through a socio-political lens. You REALLY need to reevaluate your thought processes.
Sat, Feb 28, 2015, 8:24pm (UTC -5)
Sun, Mar 1, 2015, 11:10pm (UTC -5)
What precisely did I say in my post that isn't factual? I await your answer with bated breath.
Thu, May 28, 2015, 10:05pm (UTC -5)
Sat, Jul 18, 2015, 12:22pm (UTC -5)
"The Nth Degree" - is it an excellent episode? Yes. 10 out of 10 excellent? Hardly.
This episode, like the two immediately preceding it, has an excellently creepy atmosphere - seen best in the scene where Barclay tells Picard that he can't disconnect himself from the computer. Even though Dwight Schultz does a voice-over as the computer voice, most of that scene involves him doing everything non-verbally. And, my oh my, does he do a good job! Just his flicking of his eyes back and forth between Picard and Worf makes the scene ultra-creepy. What sets "The Nth Degree" apart from "Night Terrors" and "Identity Crisis," however, is that the atmosphere isn't the only thing keeping it afloat.
Dwight Schultz delivers a knock-out performance here. From the shy, fumbling Barclay of the opening theater scene to the well-meaning but growingly narcissistic one, this man is on the top of his game.
But what really stands out, for me anyway, is the fact that we have an episode here that focuses on "seeking out new life and new civilizations" and actually isn't boring as hell. I tend to like my Trek focused on world-building and fleshing out the larger picture of the fictional universe. Episodes like this often leave me feeling flat. But this one, however, doesn't. I was hooked from the first frame.
Sadly, like Jammer said, the payoff just doesn't fit. So, some aliens we'll never see again brought them there because they're explorers who never leave their homes? Big whoop! Barclay is almost completely returned to his usual socially-phobic self? Why?! Why did the writers have them travel to the center of the galaxy? What was the point if they weren't going to do anything with that concept?
Finally, just a minor nitpick. The scene with Barclay and Einstein in the holodeck is probably the best in the episode but LaForge's reaction to it leaves me perplexed somewhat. Grand unification theories are way over LaForge's head? This is a guy who is the Chief Engineer on the most advanced ship humanity has ever produced, a ship which travels by literally distorting the very fabric of the space-time continuum. He also lives in a civilization where fourth graders are taught advanced calculus. That "stuff" should be second nature to him.
8/10
Fri, Sep 18, 2015, 1:31pm (UTC -5)
I wouldn't go overboard about this one. It's an excellent performance by Dwight Shultz, but the episode spends so long setting him up as the megalomaniac, Messiah complex, Hal 9000 type bad guy that I couldn't help thinking when watching "is this a 2-parter, cos they are going to have to wrap this up really quickly". Then the final twist is done in literally a minute and the whole piece suffers as a result.
There were some other good moments - Crusher's face as Troi describes Barclay's pass at her is wonderful - but overall I couldn't get too engaged. And I don't normally go on about plot holes but... why was the probe acting as a threat to the ship...? 2.5 stars.
Thu, Oct 1, 2015, 9:32pm (UTC -5)
Sat, Dec 12, 2015, 6:23am (UTC -5)
And I agree with whoever -- I was taken aback when I looked Schultz up the other day and found out he's part of the right-wing wacko conspiracy theorist echo chamber, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate and enjoy his work.
Tue, Jan 12, 2016, 1:26am (UTC -5)
Sun, Mar 6, 2016, 4:19pm (UTC -5)
Ahhh…the hate-spewing left resulting to name-calling yet again. Yet they want us to believe that they are the party of tolerance and peace.
Makes me laugh out loud every time.
Fortunately, from all the progress we see in the 24th century, it would seem that liberalism was eradicated long ago from the show's perspective.
Tue, Mar 22, 2016, 2:48am (UTC -5)
It's a guarantee that the mighty federation wasn't built by a bunch of dumb, lazy, pot-smoking hippie liberals sitting around on their ass, waiting for a free-hand out at the tax-payer's expense. Try to take a liberal's free handout away and you'll quickly be called a racist/sexist/bigot and every other name their feeble brain can come up with. Liberalism/progressivism/socialism/communism are the biggest joke ever played on society.
The vast majority of America is not, or ever has been racist, sexist, or any other vile name.
However, the only way a Liberal can feel good about his/her pathetic lifestyle is to put down others an lie about what others believe.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are out building, designing, inventing, creating, and solving all the world's problems. We are the majority, and I've no doubt that we will build a very bright future for everyone going forward.
And don't worry. Darwinism will quickly rid the world of the immoral, bottom-feeding scum where liberals reside.
Thu, Aug 4, 2016, 11:10am (UTC -5)
I think Denise Crosby left early on was because she is a 100% leftist and couldn't stand morality being taught through a TV show.
And I fully agree: all hate comes from the left. All conservatives I know are the most loving, moral, charitable people I've ever met.
Thu, Aug 18, 2016, 7:32pm (UTC -5)
Sun, Aug 21, 2016, 2:59pm (UTC -5)
There is really no progress made whatsoever by humanity on Star Trek....most of Star Trek TNG, DS9, Voyager, and the movies thereafter were all about war and violence.
Sure the show is entertaining, but real progress, in my opinion, would be a largely peaceful state of being with no need for petty conflicts and battles any longer. Technology itself obviously doesn't guarantee peace - people can either use it for good or for bad.
That's my two cents, and I really don't care if anyone sees that as left or right wing.
Wed, Sep 14, 2016, 1:30pm (UTC -5)
If they could have in later episodes had them using some of their newfound knowledge that they learned from the Santa ghost that would have been great for continuity.
Tue, Sep 27, 2016, 7:04pm (UTC -5)
Wed, Dec 28, 2016, 4:43pm (UTC -5)
As an aside, the recurrence of childish insults traded between (presumably) American) liberals and conservatives on here is quite tiresome. Not that you'll care, but the rest of the world had enough of it during your year long election campaign that culminated in the elevation of a narcissist clown to the highest office in the land. Give it a rest.
Sun, Jan 1, 2017, 7:56pm (UTC -5)
Barclay - "Probably somewhere being 1200 and 1450."
Entire episode was gold. So many laughs, and it was great seeing Barclay in his ascendancy.
Sun, Jan 1, 2017, 8:01pm (UTC -5)
Mon, Jan 2, 2017, 4:13pm (UTC -5)
Fri, Feb 24, 2017, 11:48am (UTC -5)
Hahahahahahahaha!!!! That's a good one. Brilliant satire.
Sun, Feb 26, 2017, 9:32am (UTC -5)
But, no, you'd rather attack a country that, while not perfect, is a damn site better. The West allows affords you the freedom to post your ramblings online. I am getting so so fed up with people like you. And the anger I have is catching on very fast with the majority of the West. You'll likely have to sit through 8 years of Trump - and I sincerely hope you have to squirm through the leadership of Le Pen and Geert Wilders.
Your double standards aren't being tolerated anymore. People like me are taking charge of the lunatic asylum those like you created.
Thu, Mar 16, 2017, 2:40am (UTC -5)
Sun, Mar 19, 2017, 2:03am (UTC -5)
Agreed. Gosh, what a great episode, and what great comments, until folks decide they are going to compare it to something that doesn't fit the episode or some certain agenda. Utopia then reigns of course.
Nuts to that. I so get tired of it. Head to the political boards folks. Please. There is, must be, a limit.
Otherwise, enjoy the day... RT
Wed, Apr 12, 2017, 8:55pm (UTC -5)
Thu, Apr 13, 2017, 1:47am (UTC -5)
Tue, Aug 29, 2017, 2:13pm (UTC -5)
If it makes you happy to see others 'squirm'...well. Ok. No problem.
Thu, Aug 31, 2017, 10:20pm (UTC -5)
Wed, Oct 11, 2017, 3:01pm (UTC -5)
Money and wealth are important for motivation and reward. Collecting them, ultimately may lead to personal freedom to live your life as you want. In the process, you produce, become useful, and society enjoys goods at less price (supply/demand).
Social benefits reduce the cost of failure, by increasing the cost of reward (taxes).
Is it important to reduce the cost of failure?
Yes, for many SELFISH reasons, irrelevant to stupid self-leftious ideologies(you get it?). I will briefly describe only one in a childish way.
When you start your life, there is a chance of failure for everybody.
Maslow pyramid suggests that the cost of not having food is far greater than the benefit of having tasty foods. Or far greater than the cost of jail for stealing.
So, snap, food stamps for the failed. Its not charity. Its not leftist. Its not out of the goodness of our heart. It is in almost everybodys interest, if he applies a risk approach to the problem.
Ok, but how much benefits?
That determination requires econometric knowledge, empirical knowledge of the specific economy, future projections, insight to the human condition, trial and error methods, independence, accountability to people who understand that economic policies yield long term results etc.
Not even Data would be able to do it alone. Certainly, not left/right idealists, who know shit about shit, and use feelings or have a narrow understanding of their interest.
Fri, Nov 3, 2017, 3:54am (UTC -5)
Mon, Dec 18, 2017, 2:38pm (UTC -5)
A fairly entertaining hour. The idea of a super intelligent human being is an intriguing idea and the last minute twist of Barclay’s actions tying back to the probe was great. The quantum oscillation effect as the ship entered the rift was truly a nice out-there wondrous moment.
There were a few lulls mainly with the Cyrano stuff
Wed, Jan 10, 2018, 7:32pm (UTC -5)
Thu, Feb 22, 2018, 6:05pm (UTC -5)
It's also creepy reading another comment by another, obviously deranged (Mirror Universe?) Trent up above.
Thu, Mar 15, 2018, 2:57pm (UTC -5)
Who knew that one day, Barclay would be the man who made contact with Voyager against all odds.
Wed, Apr 4, 2018, 9:15pm (UTC -5)
But I could have sworn there was another alien that draws them to the center of the galaxy in a different episode of TNG. That one looked more like a cloud alien.
I like how they hinted that Broccoli retained some of the extra smarts. I like to think that his time on Voyager was this thing reasserting itself.
Wed, May 2, 2018, 4:16pm (UTC -5)
Barclay becomes a wonderful cross between Hal and Gary Mitchell and I concur with the wish to believe his subsequent contributions to communicating with Voyager in the Delta Quadrant are possible because of residual improvements by the dotty aliens.
Fri, Jul 20, 2018, 10:09am (UTC -5)
It was an interesting episode because it was unpredictable how far Barclay would go -- would Barclay's narcissism turn antagonistic toward the crew? The idea of a super-human becoming the ship's computer is a good one, however the special effects didn't do it for me (Barclay in the holodeck, ship going through the subspace rift). I will never gripe about Trek special effects detracting from an episode (never would do that about TOS) but it didn't add anything here.
The ending is a major letdown for me. The huge alien's projection like head didn't work -- sure it's a completely different alien species. But ultimately they just want to explore by bringing people to them? Why did their probe threaten the Enterprise? And after Barclay's powers are taken away, how does the Enterprise get back? The ending wrapped up too quickly, but the crux of the episode is the transformation of Barclay and the effect on the crew knowing they're in the presence of a super-being and that part was engaging enough.
2.5 stars for "The Nth Degree" -- some nice elements in here that ring true of the old traditional sci-fi themes and a great performance for the Barclay character going through a range of personalities. Not enthralling by any stretch, but intriguing. Not as good as "Where No Man Has Gone Before" for the points that episode made and its analogies were terrific.
Sun, Jul 22, 2018, 11:28am (UTC -5)
So the doctor is a star medical practitioner, and a champion jazz dancer, and now conducts classes to train actors? Someone needs to CrushHer before she takes over the world.
Mon, Aug 6, 2018, 12:27am (UTC -5)
Conservatives tend to hate the United Nations or surrendering any American sovereignty, so why would their agenda ever lead to the formation of the Federation?
Wealth and capitalism has been abolished in the afforementioned Federation. Hard to see conservatives agitating for that either.
The Iraq War and the Mexican War would both be gross Prime Directive violations.
And of course, the universal health care.
Mon, Aug 6, 2018, 7:20am (UTC -5)
Liberals tend to hate the military and giving the military a huge role in their government, so why would their agenda ever lead to the formation of Starfleet?
Race and sex-based politics have been abolished in the afforementioned Federation. Hard to see liberals agitating for that either.
Forcing communities to accept gay marriage or plastic straw bans or whatever would both be gross Prime Directive violations.
And of course, the universal health care and other aspects of peace and prosperity were only created after governments nearly destroyed all of humanity, and only came about due to a single capitalist inventing something on his own without government help for the purpose of making tons of money for himself.
...
There, now that we've established that judging people for their political opinions on a Star Trek site is stupid, can we go back to just talking about Star Trek?
Mon, Aug 6, 2018, 10:11am (UTC -5)
Mon, Aug 6, 2018, 11:23am (UTC -5)
Mon, Aug 6, 2018, 11:49am (UTC -5)
But somehowwith actors people feel entitled to judge them. Not that any old thing should be endorsed, and I might actually have trouble watching a show starring a literal Nazi, but shy of that...just watch the bloody thing and privately write the guy a letter if you object to something. TV execs aren't commenting on anyone's private life by doing good casting.
Sat, Sep 15, 2018, 7:07pm (UTC -5)
Sat, Oct 27, 2018, 6:52pm (UTC -5)
This makes me think of Star Trek V and the fake God, who the Enterprise-A also encountered at the centre of the galaxy, and who also seemed highly advanced and appeared as a giant floating head. It has long been my theory that he was a rogue Cytherian banished for being evil. It all seems to fit...
Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 6:56pm (UTC -5)
While I really like the ending scene in 10-forward (checkmate in nine moves!), I do find it curious that Troi eventually agrees to the walk in the arboretum, after earlier suggesting (perhaps rightly so) that it would be inappropriate given he was a former counselling patient. Unless that was just her way of letting him down gently. Either way, it's clear she sees something much more to him by the end, to the point of actively wanting to spend time with him. My recollection of follow up episodes in Voyager is that this turns into a strong bond of friendship, if nothing romantic, which is nice all the same. I also seem to recall Voyager regressing Reg a bit in terms of his social anxieties.
Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 6:59pm (UTC -5)
It is interesting to compare the soundness of the arguments made on both sides, both of which are attempting to cast "Trekkian values" as in line with their own.
Argument from leftist above: in a future society, the Iraq War and others like it would be gross Prime Directive violations.
Evaluation: A solid point. Completely analogous, as it involves interference in the affairs of another sovereign state.
"Counterpoint" from right winger above: in a future society, "imposing" gay marriage and plastic-straw bans would be considered gross Prime Direction violations.
Evaluation: Exceedingly weak points. Not at all analogous, as they have *nothing* to do with interfering with the affairs of another sovereign state. They merely involve applying laws to one's *own* citizens. Did the person making this comment seriously think that the Federation has no environmental regulations and no anti-discrimination laws? Regarding environmental regulations: the Federation came up with speed limit within *days* of it being discovered that Warp engines were damaging subspace. Regarding discrimination, here the article on the Federation charter:
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Charter_of_the_United_Federation_of_Planets
and an excerpt from it:
"In 2372, Benjamin Sisko pointed out to Akorem Laan that if Akorem, as Emissary of the Prophets, guided the people of Bajor towards using the D'jarra caste system, it would prevent them from joining the Federation, as "caste-based discrimination goes against the Federation Charter." (DS9: "Accession") "
Look: we all know which end of the political spectrum espouses ideals that are more in line with established Trekkian values. The other side is of course free to go through whatever verbal contortions and false analogies are necessary to make it seem like the opposite.
Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 4:59pm (UTC -5)
Plus I do like Barclay. Its nice to see someone outside of the clique of the bridge crew.
6.5/10
Thu, Oct 24, 2019, 11:20pm (UTC -5)
Abolish poverty and room scarcity with unlimited energy, replicators and colonies,
create super computers that can support a centralized control
create medical technology that solves 99% of health problems without cost
and u dont need the free hand of the market or money to make society "tick" and "grow".
At this point though, you need money and free market to create the aforementioned technology.
In the end, Its the conservatives that will make the liberals utopia come true...
Fri, Oct 25, 2019, 2:40am (UTC -5)
I know that you are bad faith actor but still.
In Germany we have
- a right to an apartment.
- healthcare for all.
- medication prices are controlled by the state. You never pay more than 38€ (if prescribed by a doctor you normally pay around 5€)and if you are poor you don't pay anything.
- education is free and if you are poor the state provides you with an interest free loan of which you only have to repay half and over a very long period.
I guess I live in the future?!
Did I mention that Germany exports almost as much as the USA with far less people.
And what the hell does this have to do with the episode!
Fri, Oct 25, 2019, 9:49am (UTC -5)
My point is this. You need a surplus of technology/goods/energy/exports/intelligence to support a social transfer system that yields results in the long run and keeps people motivated.
Star Trek relies on technology and moral education. Germany relies on a strong capitalistic economy, an organized state without much corruption that provides services worth of the taxes it gets, brain inflow from poorer EU countries, muscle inflow from immigrants from 3rd countries, etc.
Its not as simple as some seem to believe. Btw, try convincing Herr Sauble to increase german debt or an individual German to give away his/her accumulated wealth for funding additional social transfers without getting something in return...
Fri, Oct 25, 2019, 11:38am (UTC -5)
"Its not as simple as some seem to believe."
So true. Most of the stuff that is very leftist in the US(Liberal in Germany means something else entirely) like what Warren or Sanders want is even supported by the conservatives in Germany. Us conservatives would be called reactionaries or fascists/nationalists in Germany.
And if you mean the German finance minister then it is (or was)Wolfgang Schäuble but since 2017 it is actually Olaf Scholz not Sauble...
Let's not continue this.
Again, I see no connection to this episode.
Fri, Jun 5, 2020, 11:28am (UTC -5)
Fri, Jun 5, 2020, 11:29am (UTC -5)
Fri, Jun 5, 2020, 11:41am (UTC -5)
I think we have to assume they're in that category of super-advanced alien species, maybe in the ballpark of the Metrons or the Organians. It's not clear whether they're still corporeal or not, but for some reason they don't like to leave their home system.
Mon, Jul 6, 2020, 2:55pm (UTC -5)
Really wonderful performance by Schultz here. He reminds me a little of Michael C Hall, with a similar intense other-worldly quality in his performance.
Sat, Aug 1, 2020, 7:19am (UTC -5)
Yet again, Counselor Troi is almost completely useless.
Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 5:34pm (UTC -5)
Sun, Nov 1, 2020, 9:10pm (UTC -5)
Sat, Oct 27, 2018, 6:52pm (UTC -6)
OMG what?? I thought that it was just generally thought of that the Cytherians were the race of the "Sha Ka Ree" planet from Star Trek V. Why are you the only commenter here talking about it!?
Isn't it obvious enough?
Mon, Apr 26, 2021, 7:06pm (UTC -5)
Wouldn't Data have been able to have understood Barclay up to a point given his super intelligence?
Was the ending alluding to Deanna and Barclay banging? Or I guess a date.
Tue, May 11, 2021, 3:51am (UTC -5)
It was fun seeing Barclay become a badass but it's always funny to me that after all this he apparently just goes back to being a nervous wreck engineer on Geordi's team. You'd think that Starfleet would have wanted to study him to see what else they could learn.
Sat, Jul 24, 2021, 3:58pm (UTC -5)
Thu, Aug 19, 2021, 5:47pm (UTC -5)
Sun, Sep 5, 2021, 5:24pm (UTC -5)
I only wish Reg featured more often as a regular character instead of just occasionally where he’s the entire focus.
High 3 stars.
Fri, Oct 8, 2021, 2:29pm (UTC -5)
This recurring role is one of the better ones and I liked him in Voyager as well. I agree he would have been a great regular but they probably liked to keep the revolving door of guest stars in Engineering.
Sat, Oct 23, 2021, 10:17am (UTC -5)
Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:46pm (UTC -5)
Sun, May 1, 2022, 1:57pm (UTC -5)
I know there's some kind of a lore around Barclay among Star Trek fans but this was barely watchable. So many holes there's no solid matter left.
300+ years from now Riker doesn't know what a neural interface is?
Barclay becomes not just the smartest human but the smartest creature in the universe?
The Holodreck Einstein can come up with new scientific discoveries and exegeses at the drop of a hate? (Why, then, don't they have him hard at work all the time, shooting out new discoveries?!)
"Oh, we can't disconnect him, it would kill him!" So let him run riot in and with the ship instead, endangering the HUNDREDS of people on it.
The less said about the whacky projection of an avuncular disembodied alien-cum-Santy Claus on the bridge, the better.
And then, with two minute till the episode ends, Barclay just disconnects and returns to normal... - how, why? Doesn't matter.
The creepy aliens who destroy stuff, usurp vessels, and scare the bejesus out of spacefarers? "They're just exploring the universe, just as we are!"
Some repartee and joshing around at the bar, and they auw wived happiwy eva afteh. Thee eeeeeeend.
Okay, that's a wrap, everybody! Take a tight 20 and we shoot the next one!
Jebus...
1-1/2 stars. Maybe.
Thu, Feb 9, 2023, 9:48pm (UTC -5)
Wed, Mar 29, 2023, 3:29pm (UTC -5)
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