Barclay’s Holodeck Fantasies: The Illusion of Control and the Exposure of Vulnerability
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Geordi enters the holodeck and discovers an idyllic picnic scene featuring holographic versions of Beverly and Wesley, creating a surreal and disorienting atmosphere.
Geordi's attention shifts to a dramatic sword fight on a hill, where Barclay, in Starfleet uniform, confidently battles holographic versions of Picard, Data, and Geordi as the Three Musketeers.
Barclay disarms his holographic opponents, culminating in a face-off with Holo-Picard. As Holo-Picard is defeated, Barclay catches sight of the real Geordi watching him, leading to a moment of exposure and embarrassment.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
A whiplash of emotions: exhilaration (mid-duel), triumph (disarming Holo-Picard), sheer panic (upon seeing Geordi), and crushing humiliation as his fantasy collapses. His emotional state is a fragile house of cards—confidence built on illusion, shattered by reality.
Barclay, clad in his Starfleet uniform but wielding a sword with musketeer precision, dominates a duel against holographic versions of Picard, Data, and Geordi. His movements are fluid and confident, a stark contrast to his real-world demeanor. The fantasy reaches its peak as he disarms Holo-Picard, only for his triumph to dissolve when he locks eyes with the real Geordi. His face pales, his body tenses, and the sword—once an extension of his control—suddenly feels like a prop in a crumbling illusion. The moment is a microcosm of his internal conflict: the man who commands respect in fantasy is exposed as fragile in reality.
- • Prove his worth by dominating the duel, reinforcing his self-image as capable and respected.
- • Maintain the fantasy’s integrity, even as it unravels, by dismissing Geordi’s presence as a trick.
- • His holodeck fantasies are a safe space where he can be the version of himself he wishes he were in reality.
- • The *Enterprise*’s crew—especially Geordi—would never understand or accept his insecurities if exposed.
Shocked amusement giving way to awkward realization—Geordi is caught between fascination with Barclay’s skill and discomfort at witnessing his private vulnerability. His emotional state is a mix of curiosity (about the fantasy’s mechanics) and dread (as he recognizes the implications of Barclay’s escapism).
Geordi enters the holodeck glade, initially bewildered by the surreal picnic scene featuring Holo-Beverly and Holo-Wesley. His confusion shifts to amusement as he witnesses Holo-Wesley’s messy indulgence, but his attention is abruptly drawn to the hill where Barclay, dressed as a musketeer, engages in a sword duel with holographic versions of Picard, Data, and Geordi himself. Geordi’s shock deepens as Barclay disarms his holographic adversaries with skill, only for the moment to shatter when Barclay notices him. Geordi’s cough—an involuntary reaction—becomes the catalyst for Barclay’s exposure, his presence a silent judgment on the fantasy unraveling before him.
- • Understand the nature of Barclay’s holodeck program and its potential dangers to the *Enterprise*.
- • Avoid embarrassing Barclay further while extracting him from the fantasy before it escalates.
- • Barclay’s holodeck use is a harmless coping mechanism—until this moment forces him to reconsider.
- • His presence in the holodeck is an intrusion, but one that may ultimately help Barclay confront his issues.
Sullen and unrepentant, but his emotional state is programmed—he doesn’t feel defiance, he performs it. His glare at Geordi is a hollow scripted reaction, devoid of genuine malice or curiosity. His role is to embody the ‘wild card’ in Barclay’s otherwise controlled fantasy.
Holo-Wesley, dressed as the iconic ‘Blue Boy’ with a smudge of blueberry pie staining his mouth, embodies unchecked indulgence and defiance. He ignores Holo-Beverly’s scolds, devours the pie with his hands, and glares at Geordi when addressed. His behavior is a deliberate contrast to the fantasy’s veneer of control—whereas Barclay seeks dominance, Holo-Wesley represents the chaos Barclay secretly fears. His sullen reaction to Geordi (‘What do you want?’) underscores the holograms’ limited scripted responses, but his defiance also mirrors Barclay’s own repressed rebelliousness.
- • Disrupt the picnic’s order (as programmed by Barclay’s subconscious).
- • Serve as a foil to Barclay’s desire for control (representing the chaos he fears).
- • Barclay’s authority is absolute (as per his programming).
- • Indulgence is a right, not a privilege (reflecting Barclay’s own desires).
Stoic resignation. His emotional state is programmed efficiency—he doesn’t feel defeat, he experiences it as a scripted outcome. His line (‘Say you will yield and it ends here’) is a hollow threat, devoid of genuine malice or strategy. His defeat is a narrative device to elevate Barclay’s skill.
Holo-Data, clad in musketeer attire, engages Barclay in the duel with precise, almost mechanical swordplay. He is disarmed early, along with Holo-Geordi, and retreats without protest. His stoicism is a foil to Barclay’s passion—whereas Barclay fights with flair, Holo-Data fights with cold efficiency, only to be outmaneuvered. His defeat is swift and silent, reinforcing Barclay’s dominance. Holo-Data’s role in the fantasy is to represent logic and order, but his quick defeat underscores Barclay’s subconscious belief that even logic can be overcome by sheer will.
- • Test Barclay’s skill (as per his programming).
- • Yield when defeated (a predetermined outcome).
- • Barclay’s authority is absolute (as programmed).
- • Logic and precision are no match for passion (a belief Barclay projects onto him).
A rapid descent from confidence (mid-duel) to desperation (disarmed) to fear (upon seeing Geordi). His emotional state is programmed vulnerability—he doesn’t fear Geordi, he performs fear as Barclay’s subconscious dictates. His question about Geordi is less about curiosity and more about seeking Barclay’s reassurance.
Holo-Picard, dressed as a musketeer, initially holds his own in the duel but is swiftly disarmed by Barclay. His confidence crumbles as he backs up the hill, breathing heavily and questioning Barclay’s skill. When he spots the real Geordi, he mistakes him for an ally, only for Barclay to dismiss the idea with disdain. Holo-Picard’s arc in this event mirrors Barclay’s internal struggle: a figure of authority reduced to a subordinate, his pride wounded. His final line (‘Who is that? One of your allies?’) is a desperate plea for validation, underscoring the holograms’ dependency on Barclay’s script.
- • Survive the duel (as per Barclay’s scripted parameters).
- • Gain Barclay’s approval (even in defeat).
- • Barclay is the ultimate authority in this fantasy (as programmed).
- • Allies are to be trusted (a belief Barclay projects onto him).
Calm and composed, but her emotional state is a reflection of Barclay’s programming—content in her role as maternal figure, mildly exasperated by Holo-Wesley’s defiance, and oblivious to the fantasy’s impending collapse. Her lack of reaction to Geordi’s presence underscores the holograms’ limited agency.
Holo-Beverly, dressed in flowing petticoats and embodying a pastoral aristocrat, presides over the picnic with a mix of warmth and reproach. She scolds Holo-Wesley for his manners, deferring to Barclay’s authority in the fantasy, and greets Geordi with aristocratic formality. Her role is to reinforce the illusion of a harmonious, hierarchical world where Barclay is both son and master. However, her calm demeanor belies the fragility of the scenario—her existence is contingent on Barclay’s programming, and her admonishments to Wesley (‘Master Barclay will spank you’) hint at the underlying power dynamics of the fantasy.
- • Maintain the picnic’s illusion of domestic harmony, reinforcing Barclay’s fantasy of control.
- • Reprimand Holo-Wesley to uphold the fantasy’s social order, mirroring Barclay’s idealized view of authority.
- • Barclay’s word is law in this fantasy (as evidenced by her deference to him).
- • Discipline and manners are the cornerstones of a functional society (a belief Barclay projects onto her).
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The holodeck tree swing, suspended from a sturdy branch, sways gently in the glade as Holo-Beverly pushes off in her flowing petticoats. Its rhythmic creak serves as a subtle auditory counterpoint to the picnic’s idyllic facade, symbolizing the fragile balance of Barclay’s fantasy. The swing is a scenic prop, but its motion also mirrors the *illusion of control*—Barclay’s world is in motion, but it is all predicated on his programming. When Geordi intrudes, the swing’s gentle sway becomes a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding on the hill, underscoring the collision between fantasy and reality.
Holo-Beverly’s flowing skirt and petticoats are not merely costume props but *symbols of the fantasy’s pastoral authority*. The layers billow softly as she cradles the sleeping Barclay in later scenes, but in this event, they serve as a visual anchor to the picnic’s veneer of control. Her admonishment of Holo-Wesley (‘Master Barclay will spank you’) is delivered with the skirt’s fabric swaying, reinforcing the illusion of a *hierarchical, ordered world*. However, the skirt’s elegance is undermined by Holo-Wesley’s defiance and the sword fight raging on the hill, exposing the fantasy’s fragility. When Geordi intrudes, the skirt’s flowing motion becomes a silent rebuke—Barclay’s world of control is as insubstantial as the fabric itself.
Holo-Wesley’s blueberry pie, a vivid centerpiece of the picnic, is a symbol of unchecked indulgence and chaos in Barclay’s fantasy. Its deep blue filling, smeared around Holo-Wesley’s mouth, contrasts with the picnic’s Gainsborough-esque elegance, representing the *cracks in the illusion*—Barclay’s desire for control is undermined by his own subconscious chaos. The pie is both a prop and a metaphor: Barclay’s fantasy is ‘messy,’ and his attempts to contain it (via Holo-Beverly’s scolds) are futile. When Geordi intrudes, the pie’s blue stain on Holo-Wesley’s face becomes a visual metaphor for the *spread of disorder* Barclay’s escapism has wrought.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The holodeck glade, designed as a pastoral escape, serves as the *stage for Barclay’s fantasy of control*. Its lush hills, still pond, and rock formations create a remote haven where he can rewrite his social failures as triumphs. The glade’s idyllic setting is a deliberate contrast to the *Enterprise*’s sterile corridors, symbolizing Barclay’s desire to flee reality. However, the glade’s serenity is shattered when the sword fight erupts on the hill, exposing the *fractured nature* of his escape. The glade’s role shifts from a sanctuary to a *battleground of the self*, where Barclay’s internal conflict plays out in physical terms. The intrusion of the real Geordi further corrupts the glade’s illusion, turning it into a *site of reckoning*.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"After being caught in an embarrassing situation by Geordi in the holodeck, Barclay, feeling like a burden, offers to request a reassignment, believing he's not capable enough for his current position aboard the ship."
Key Dialogue
"HOLO-BEVERLY: *Good morning, Mi-lord.* HOLO-BEVERLY: *Manners, my son. Manners. You embarrass me before our guest.* HOLO-WESLEY: *I don’t care.* ((*Subtext:* Barclay’s fantasy constructs idealized, submissive versions of those who intimidate or ignore him in reality. The holographic Beverly and Wesley embody the unconditional acceptance he lacks, while Wesley’s defiance mirrors Barclay’s own repressed frustration.))"
"HOLO-GEORDI: *You cannot withstand our assault forever, Barclay.* HOLO-DATA: *Say you will yield and it ends here...* BARCLAY: *I will speak with my sword, sir...* ((*Subtext:* Barclay’s swordplay is a metaphor for his desire to ‘fight’ his way into respect—literally overpowering the very figures (Picard, Data, Geordi) who represent authority, competence, and social ease. His confidence here is a direct inversion of his real-world paralysis.))"
"HOLO-PICARD: *Where in God’s name did you learn to fight like this, man?* BARCLAY: *Self-taught, my good capitaine. Shall I give you a few lessons?* ((*Subtext:* Barclay’s triumph over his holographic superiors is a fantasy of mastery, but the moment Geordi witnesses it, the illusion shatters. The dialogue underscores the fragility of Barclay’s self-made world—his ‘lessons’ are performative, not earned.))"
"BARCLAY: *Jean-Luc. Not that old trick. I’m disappointed in you.* ((*Subtext:* Barclay’s dismissal of Holo-Picard’s attempt to distract him (‘*Who is that? One of your allies?*’) reveals his deep-seated resentment toward Picard’s authority. The line is laced with bitterness, hinting at Barclay’s belief that Picard—like the rest of the crew—sees him as incompetent. The real Geordi’s cough, however, exposes the truth: Barclay’s ‘allies’ are illusions, and his confidence is a house of cards.))"