Barclay’s Fragile Fantasy Collapses: The Crew’s Unwanted Revelation
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Geordi, Troi, and Riker discover Barclay asleep in the holodeck, resting in the lap of a holographic Beverly in a pastoral setting.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Peaceful yet deeply insecure, his subconscious retreat revealing the extent of his emotional turmoil.
Barclay is asleep in Holo-Beverly’s lap, snoring softly, completely unaware of the crew’s presence or the ship’s crisis. His peaceful repose contrasts sharply with the tension in the air, his vulnerability laid bare. The scene underscores how deeply he has retreated into his fantasy world, using it as a shield against the anxieties and judgments of reality. His unconscious state symbolizes his emotional detachment from the problems he’s causing.
- • Escape the pressures and judgments of reality through his holodeck fantasies.
- • Seek the unconditional acceptance and connection he craves but cannot find in his waking life.
- • His holodeck fantasies are a necessary refuge from the harsh realities of his social anxieties and professional insecurities.
- • The crew will never understand or accept him, so he must rely on his own created world for validation.
Frustrated and disapproving, with a hint of reluctant introspection about his handling of Barclay.
Riker climbs the hill in silence, his frustration evident in his rigid posture and the tight set of his jaw. He says nothing upon discovering Barclay asleep in Holo-Beverly’s lap, but his disapproval is palpable. His silence speaks volumes—it’s the quiet judgment of a first officer who has little patience for what he perceives as weakness or neglect of duty. Yet, there’s a hint of reluctance in his demeanor, as if he’s beginning to question whether his usual approach of tough love is the right one for Barclay.
- • Hold Barclay accountable for his actions and their impact on the ship’s operations.
- • Assess whether Barclay’s issues require a different approach than his usual disciplinary measures.
- • Barclay’s behavior is a direct threat to the ship’s functionality and must be addressed immediately.
- • His usual methods of discipline may not be effective for someone as socially anxious and withdrawn as Barclay.
Playfully protective, embodying the unconditional acceptance Barclay craves but cannot find in reality.
Holo-Beverly sits in a pastoral scene, her skirts and petticoats billowing out as she cradles the sleeping Barclay in her lap. She looks up at the crew coquettishly and puts a finger to her lips, shushing them with a playful ‘Shhhhh!’ Her demeanor is protective and nurturing, embodying the idealized maternal figure Barclay has created. She is a silent guardian of his fantasy, her presence reinforcing the illusion of safety and acceptance he seeks.
- • Protect Barclay’s fantasy and his moment of peace from intrusion.
- • Reinforce the illusion of safety and connection that Barclay has created in this holodeck program.
- • Barclay deserves the love and acceptance he finds in this fantasy world.
- • The outside world is too harsh and judgmental for Barclay, so this refuge is necessary.
Concerned and sympathetic, with a touch of resigned amusement at the absurdity of the situation.
Troi silences Holo-Troi’s eerie incantation with a sharp command (‘Muzzle it.’), then ascends the hill with Geordi and Riker. Her demeanor is authoritative yet observant, her Betazoid empathy allowing her to read the tension in the group. Upon seeing Barclay asleep in Holo-Beverly’s lap, she reacts with a mix of concern and resignation, her expression softening as she recognizes the depth of his vulnerability. She doesn’t intervene immediately, instead allowing the moment to sink in for the others, her presence a grounding force amid the surreal scene.
- • Assess the psychological impact of Barclay’s escapism on both him and the crew.
- • Ensure Barclay’s vulnerability is acknowledged without further humiliation, pushing for a constructive resolution.
- • Barclay’s retreat into fantasy is a cry for connection and validation that the crew must address with care.
- • The crew’s frustration, while understandable, must be tempered with empathy to avoid pushing Barclay further into isolation.
Frustrated but increasingly empathetic, with a growing sense of responsibility for Barclay’s well-being.
Geordi climbs the hill in Holodeck Two, his frustration palpable as he directs Holo-Troi to locate Barclay. Upon reaching the plateau, he discovers Barclay asleep in Holo-Beverly’s lap, his expression shifting from urgency to a mix of exasperation and reluctant empathy. Geordi’s body language—arms crossed, jaw tight—reveals his internal conflict: he’s torn between his duty to the ship and his growing realization that Barclay’s issues run deeper than mere incompetence.
- • Locate Barclay to address the ship’s technical crisis and restore order.
- • Confront Barclay’s escapism to force him to re-engage with reality and his duties.
- • Barclay’s holodeck addiction is a symptom of deeper personal struggles that need to be addressed.
- • The ship’s safety and operational integrity must take priority over individual comfort or avoidance.
Chilling and ominous, embodying the darker consequences of Barclay’s retreat from reality.
Holo-Troi, in her role as the ‘Goddess of Empathy,’ recites a chilling incantation (‘Cast aside your masks and let me slip into your minds...’) before being silenced by Troi. Her appearance is eerie and unsettling, a corrupted version of Troi that reflects the instability of Barclay’s holodeck programs. She serves as a harbinger of the dangers of his escapism, her words hinting at the psychological unraveling that his retreat into fantasy is causing.
- • Warn of the psychological dangers of Barclay’s holodeck addiction.
- • Serve as a symbol of the instability and corruption that his escapism is causing.
- • Barclay’s fantasy world is beginning to unravel, reflecting his own psychological state.
- • The crew must intervene before his escapism leads to further harm.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The holographic trees in Barclay’s pastoral glade frame the serene yet surreal scene, their leaves rustling softly in the artificial breeze. They create a sense of seclusion and tranquility, reinforcing the illusion of a safe haven that Barclay has crafted. However, their presence also highlights the artificiality of the environment—these trees, like everything else in the holodeck, are a construct of Barclay’s mind. Their greenery contrasts with the crew’s frustration, serving as a visual metaphor for the disconnect between Barclay’s fantasy and the reality of the ship’s crisis.
Holo-Beverly’s skirt and petticoats billow out softly as she sits in the pastoral glade, cradling Barclay in her lap. The flowing fabric enhances the serene, almost fairy-tale quality of the scene, contrasting sharply with the tension and urgency felt by Geordi, Troi, and Riker. The skirts symbolize the idealized, nurturing environment Barclay has created—a world of softness and acceptance that stands in stark opposition to the harsh realities of the *Enterprise*. Their billowing motion also underscores the instability of the holodeck program, as if the very fabric of Barclay’s fantasy is beginning to unravel.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Holodeck Two, the setting for this event, is a deceptive space—it projects a pastoral glade and hilltop plateau, but beneath its serene surface lies the instability of Barclay’s holodeck programs. The crew’s climb up the hill to the plateau is both a physical and symbolic journey, as they move from the chaos of the ship’s crisis into the heart of Barclay’s fantasy. The holodeck’s ability to project such a convincing illusion underscores the power of Barclay’s escapism, but it also highlights the danger of his retreat from reality. The glitches in the program, such as Holo-Troi’s eerie incantation, serve as warnings of the psychological unraveling that Barclay’s addiction is causing.
The pastoral glade under the tree in Holodeck Two serves as the epicenter of Barclay’s emotional retreat, a place where he can escape the judgments and pressures of reality. The glade is bathed in holographic sunlight, with gentle breezes stirring the grass, creating an idyllic yet surreal atmosphere. This location is both a refuge and a trap—it offers Barclay the connection and acceptance he craves, but it also isolates him from the problems he needs to face. The crew’s discovery of Barclay asleep in Holo-Beverly’s lap here forces them to confront the human cost of his escapism, as the serene setting contrasts sharply with the urgency of the ship’s crisis.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The U.S.S. *Enterprise*-D is represented in this event through the crew’s urgent mission to locate Barclay and address the ship’s technical crisis. The organization’s presence is felt in the tension between duty and personal concerns, as the crew balances their responsibility to the ship with their growing understanding of Barclay’s psychological struggles. Picard’s earlier communication over the comm underscores the *Enterprise*’s operational priorities, while the crew’s frustration reflects the broader institutional stakes—Barclay’s escapism is not just a personal issue, but a threat to the ship’s functionality and the safety of its crew.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The ship emergency brings Geordi back to duty when the Enterprise rocks violently, but it is happening while in Holodeck Two, leading Picard to instruct Geordi to consult Barclay on the incident and to curtail his holodeck activities."
"After Geordi relays his need to find Barclay to the holographic Counselor Troi, Geordi, Troi, and Riker discover Barclay asleep in the holodeck, resting in the lap of a holographic Beverly in a pastoral setting."
"After Geordi relays his need to find Barclay to the holographic Counselor Troi, Geordi, Troi, and Riker discover Barclay asleep in the holodeck, resting in the lap of a holographic Beverly in a pastoral setting."
"Riker, furious about Barclay's holodeck activities, exits with Troi to discuss the situation further, while Geordi, seeking to address the ship's burgeoning crisis, leads the humiliated Barclay back to Engineering."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"HOLO-BEVERLY: *Shhhhh!*"
"TROI: *Muzzle it.*"
"GEORDI: *We need to find Barclay. Now.*"