Star Trek: The Next Generation's Lt. Reginald Barclay

We think of main characters when we recall Star Trek memories: Kirk and Spock fighting to the death in an original series episode, "Amok Time", Captain Picard assimilated by the Borg, then battling his Enterprise crewmates, Constable Odo of Deep Space Nine merging with Changelings in the great link to be forever transformed. All special moments to be sure, but what of the recurring characters?

Look at Khan Noonien Singh played by Ricardo Montalban. Here's a character who was seen in only one original series episode, "Space Seed", but went on to be one of the most loved to hate villains of the second motion picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Khan exemplifies a character making a big splash in a short amount of time.

For me, one of the most compelling, realistically portrayed and memorable characters isn't a brave captain, a logical Vulcan or an artificial life form. He's a hesitant, hopelessly flawed almost nerdy character named Reginald Barclay, played by actor Dwight Schulz.

Lt. Barclay was introduced in the TNG episode, "Hollow Pursuits" - where we learned he was so desperately addicted to playing in the Holodeck, it was interfering with his starship duties and generally poised to destroy his life. Fans may have been a bit mixed as to how much they liked him, but it was certain he made a real and lasting impression.

Barclay came back in four more episodes with the character proving so increasingly popular and so three dimensionally written and acted, he appeared in the 2nd motion picture featuring the Next Generation crew, Star Trek: First Contact and also made appearances in Star Trek: Voyager.

Hollow Pursuits

Here we meet Lt. Barclay who's clearly a different kind of Starfleet officer.

Reginald Barclay spends so much time in the fantasy holographic world of the Holodeck, that it's beginning to impact his daily routine and interaction and relationships with his crewmates. Geordi LaForge, the Chief Engineer and Barclay's superior officer is tired of dealing with him. Barclay isn't only unpopular with most of the crew, but his work is faltering. When it's learned Barclay has a bizarre fantasy holographic life involving simulations of Enterprise crew, Counselor Troi counsels him. This and a major contribution to a current mission aboard the ship, gives Barclay a renewed sense of confidence and it seems he's on the road to recovery.

Not only do we find ourselves identifying with Barclay here - who hasn't imagined co-workers or friends in less than flattering ways through daydreaming - but also the episode addresses many things our society is grappling with today. As computer technology becomes more powerful, our cyber lives and digital playgrounds are becoming more tempting. We've all heard stories of people getting fired for spending too much time on the net or chatting with friends. People have even gotten divorced because their spouse simply can't give up their cyber online lives which take up so much of time, their real life suffers. In this introduction, Barclay's dilemma resonates with us today and the human way in which he deals with his addiction is both inspiring and humorous.

The Nth Degree

You've heard of a God complex? In this episode, Barclay experiences it first hand.

After being zapped by an alien probe, Barclay's brainpower starts to increase exponentially. He becomes so smart, so capable he dwarfs all his crewmates in ability. Then he goes one step further. Barclay neurally interfaces with the ship's computer, so he essentially starts to run the entire Starship. When Picard orders him to relinquish control, Barclay declines and tells him that it's for the best. He will be able to do things and show them wonders they could never dream of seeing. Since he's so much more intelligent than them now, he knows best.

This stands as the most classically sci-fi of Barclay episodes. It harkens back to an original episode, Charlie X - where a human raised by aliens exploits superior abilities to take control of Kirk's Enterprise. Here, Barclay's personality changes mainly for the better, at least his confidence improves to such a degree he's romancing Counselor Troi, then wowing Dr. Crusher with his acting prowess for a ship play she's planning. Again, the audience identifies with him. How many of us wouldn't love a confidence boost or increased intelligence? Recently, a book and video has gained popularity called The Secret. This motivational program promises success, wealth, even romantic conquests if we'd just think more positively or want it badly enough. Barclay gets such a secret in spades here, but the crew is less than thrilled at how he handles himself. The God complex effectively drowns Barclay and nearly the whole crew along with him.

When it's learned the probe which started the whole mess was sent by an aliens who lure other races to their home planet, Barclay's ship link is severed. He's instantly reduced to his old, uncertain, terminally nervous self. Yet some beneficial power of the probe does remain within him. Once again, Barclay's journey has changed him and our estimation of the character once more.

Realm of Fear

This is the third Lt. Barclay outing, but in ways perhaps the most powerful. Here the Enterprise crew tries to decipher the mystery of a vessel whose crew has apparently disappeared, while Reg Barclay must face one of his greatest phobias - traveling through the transporter system.

Long the flashy sci-fi signature of Star Trek, the transporter may at first appear as a fun way to travel, but when it's fully explained to the new viewer, its seriousness is realized. By breaking down a person's atomic structure, the transporter beams them to a new location and reassembles them. But in breaking down the organism, the transporter is in effect destroying the person and then recreating them often hundreds of miles away. As Barclay says during the episode, even the slightest error could result in catastrophe. Despite Chief Engineer Laforge's, transporter Chief Miles O'Brien and Counselor Deanna Troi reassuring Reg, he still won't fully trust or feel comfortable using the transporter. Longtime fans will remember that Dr. McCoy from the original crew felt similarly, although his wasn't a paralyzing phobia. But here again we find another reason to admire, identify and even love Lt. Barclay. Unlike the vast majority of seemingly perfectly adjusted and superstar like Starfleet officers, Reg is plagued with doubt, fears and problems which many of us share. Also episode writer Brannon Braga refuses to fly on airplanes. So he used his personal phobia as a powerful fear for Barclay to face in the story.

Lt. Reg Barclay's fun appearances and complex character development on Star Trek: The Next Generation led him down the path that few supporting or recurring characters of a TV show ever tread. They become so beloved, so perfectly written and are so well portrayed that they're more understood, appreciated or even valued by fans than many regular cast members.

Lt. Barclay's complete Star Trek filmography:

TNG: (5)

"Hollow Pursuits"
"The Nth Degree"
"Realm of Fear"
"Ship in a Bottle"
"Genesis"

Feature Films:

Star Trek: First Contact

VOYAGER: (6)

"Projections"
"Pathfinder"
"Life Line"
"Inside Man"
"Author, Author"
"Endgame"