Hollow Pursuits

A timid and neurotic member of the Engineering team, Reg Barclay, begins to grate on Geordi's nerves with his unprofessionalism. When the Enterprise is struck by an engineering problem, Barclay is needed more than ever to perform - if only he wasn't busy seeking solace in his unconventional holodeck pastimes.

Schultz becomes an instant legend with his first appearance as Barclay, an extremely nervous character who only comes to life indulging his holodeck fantasies. It works well for this comedy episode, especially as the senior crew discover what their colleague has been doing behind their backs. This episode is purely about having fun and that's exactly what you will do when you watch it.

In this episode we meet recurring character Reg Barclay a character who is bullied for being slow by LaForge and the others in engineering

Dwight Schultz makes the first of several appearances as Lt.Reginald Barkley on the Enterprise. Schultz got to reprise his character usually once a year for the remainder of TNG's run.

Barkley or Broccoli as Wil Wheaton takes to calling him is the typical square peg in a round hole. He's one of those folks who just can't quite fit in. In all of the Barkley subsequent episodes like here things just seem to happen all around him.

In any event there are a number of systems failures that leave the Enterprise in great danger. It's LeVar Burton and Schultz who figure out what is happening.

Barkley has quite an imagination and is addicted to the hollowdeck programs he's created to blow off steam. Both Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis have differing reactions to them. As Geordi LaForge says Barkley could write a book on hollowdeck addiction.

Good story that introduces us to an enduring character in the Star Trek saga.

I loved this episode and how it introduced Barclay, a character I can definitely relate too, as he battled holodeck addiction and find his way in the crew. Geordi eventually helped him find his place. It shows that we all need help finding our spot in the crew if we get the right assistance. I think Barclay was a great character and this was a great episode. The holodeck scenes were first rate.

*** out of ****

Humour, this is pure Gold.

Now we know from the A Team just how funny Dwight Schultz is, and boy he shows it here, no wonder he become a recurring character as he has the "likeability" factor and in life that is so very much important.

Being shy is not easy, but do people care, nope. Meeting the opposite sex not having the banter can be a nightmare I was Dwight, even at work if a stranger come in, was a nightmare. If i had a holodeck, I would never come out :-).