Fabula
Object
Object

Reginald Barclay's Holodeck Simulation Programs

Digital holographic recreations of senior crew members (Picard, Data, Worf, Wesley) created by Barclay to simulate bridge environments, reflecting his emotional dependence on virtual relationships. Erased in a farewell ritual except for **Program Nine**, symbolizing his inability to let go of simulated connections.
3 appearances

Purpose

Generate immersive holographic simulations of Enterprise crew interactions for recreational escapism on the holodeck.

Significance

Barclay erases them to sever ties with his surrogate holographic family, embracing real relationships after Troi's counseling; sparing Program Nine hints at one remaining attachment, marking his arc from insecurity to resolve.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments
S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits
The Weight of Real: Geordi’s Confession and Barclay’s Awakening

Reginald Barclay’s holodeck programs are the unseen but central focus of this confrontation. Though not physically present in the corridor, they loom large in the dialogue, symbolizing Barclay’s emotional escape and the source of his addiction. Geordi’s reference to ‘holodiction’ and Barclay’s confession about the holographic crew members becoming ‘more real’ than real people underscore the object’s role as both a crutch and a threat. The holodeck programs represent the duality of Barclay’s world: a refuge and a prison, a fantasy and a danger to the Enterprise.

Before: Active and dominating Barclay’s emotional and psychological state; the programs are fully operational, with Barclay’s most recent session still fresh in his mind.
After: Symbolically weakened—Barclay’s admission and Geordi’s intervention plant the seed for his eventual decision to delete most of the programs, though this event alone does not yet trigger that action.
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S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits
Barclay’s Bittersweet Farewell: The Erasure of Illusions and the Birth of Courage

Reginald Barclay’s holodeck programs—detailed holographic recreations of his senior crewmates—serve as the emotional core of this event. These programs represent Barclay’s psychological crutches, his idealized versions of real-world relationships that have allowed him to avoid confronting his social anxieties. When Barclay orders their erasure (except Program Nine), the act becomes a symbolic severing of his past dependencies, marking his transition into adulthood. The programs’ dissolution mirrors Barclay’s internal struggle: the fading of the holograms parallels his letting go of fantasy in favor of reality.

Before: Active and fully realized, with the holographic crew standing at their stations on the simulated bridge, ready to interact with Barclay.
After: Erased from the holodeck’s systems, except for Program Nine, which remains as a lingering remnant of Barclay’s unresolved attachments.
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S3E21 · Hollow Pursuits
Barclay’s Bittersweet Farewell: The Last Program Stands

Reginald Barclay's Holodeck Programs serve as the symbolic artifacts of his emotional escape, manifesting his idealized relationships with the Enterprise crew. During this event, they are the targets of his command to erase, representing his attempt to sever his dependency on fantasy. The exception of Program Nine highlights the fragility of his resolve, as he cannot fully let go of the comfort they provide. Their erasure is both a literal and metaphorical act, marking his transition toward real-world engagement.

Before: Active and fully functional, with Program Nine and other programs stored in the Enterprise computer, ready for activation.
After: All programs except Program Nine are erased, leaving Barclay with a single remnant of his holographic world—a concession to his lingering attachment.
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