Object

Starfleet Psychological Assessment: Reginald Barclay (Enterprise-D Duty Evaluation)

A Starfleet-issued psychological document detailing Barclay’s seclusive tendencies, social withdrawal, and doubts about his suitability for duty on the Enterprise. Accessed by Riker in the ready room during a leadership meeting with Picard, Geordi, and Wesley. Serves as evidence for Barclay’s transfer but is ultimately rejected by Picard, shifting focus to mentorship and leadership accountability.

3 appearances

Purpose

Assess Reginald Barclay's mental fitness and interpersonal suitability for Enterprise duty

Significance

Riker wields the profile as key evidence for transferring Barclay, revealing senior officers' frustration and impatience; Picard rejects it outright, shifting focus to leadership accountability and forcing Riker and Geordi to address their own shortcomings in supporting the engineer.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits

Picard’s Rebuke: The Weight of Leadership and the Burden of Barclay

Barclay's psychological profile is referenced by Riker as evidence of his 'seclusive tendencies.' Picard dismisses it as irrelevant to Barclay's commitment to Starfleet, using Riker's reliance on the profile to expose the crew's tendency to outsource their problems. The profile becomes a symbolic battleground—Riker wields it as justification for transfer, while Picard rejects it as an excuse for neglect.

Before: Stored in the ready room's console, cited by Riker to bolster the transfer request.

After: Unmentioned post-confrontation; its role in the debate is resolved by Picard's directive.

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S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits

Picard’s Rebuke: The Weight of Leadership and the Cost of Dismissal

Barclay's psychological profile is cited by Riker as evidence of his seclusive tendencies and unsuitability for the Enterprise. The profile is invoked to justify the transfer request, but Picard dismisses it as irrelevant to Barclay's commitment to Starfleet. The profile serves as a symbolic battleground in the clash between institutional pragmatism (Riker) and moral leadership (Picard). Its mention highlights the crew's tendency to pathologize Barclay's behavior rather than address the root causes of his social anxiety.

Before: Reviewed by Riker prior to the meeting, serving as evidence for Barclay's transfer request.

After: Dismissed by Picard as an insufficient justification for marginalizing Barclay, its influence wanes in the face of Picard's moral authority.

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S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits

Picard Forces Geordi to Confront His Bias: A Leadership Reckoning

Barclay's psychological profile is referenced by Riker as evidence of his 'seclusive tendencies' and long-standing social struggles. The profile is invoked to justify the transfer request, framing Barclay's anxieties as a liability rather than a challenge to be met. Picard, however, reframes the profile's contents as a call to action—evidence not of Barclay's unfitness, but of the crew's failure to support him. The profile's role is dual: it is both a tool for Riker to argue against Barclay and a mirror held up to the crew, reflecting their own shortcomings. Its mention is brief but impactful, serving as a catalyst for Picard's challenge to Geordi and Riker.

Before: Stored in the ship's records, accessible to senior officers like Riker. Its contents are cited by Riker to support the transfer request, framing Barclay's psychological history as a red flag.

After: The profile's role in the conversation shifts from a justification for transfer to a call for mentorship. Picard's response elevates its significance, using it to underscore the crew's responsibility to Barclay rather than their right to dismiss him.

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