Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Lt. Barclay
5. The Character Was The Brainchild Of Gene Roddenberry
The origins of Reginald Endicott Barclay III can be traced back to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who according to actor Dwight Schultz, felt like such a character was missing from Star Trek. The character of Reg Barclay is genuinely groundbreaking. In the utopian future of Roddenberry's Star Trek, everyone seems incredibly self-confident, and they're all excellent at their jobs. This can often make it hard for audiences to identify with the characters on an emotional level.
Reg Barclay, on the other hand, felt the pressures that many of us would have felt serving on a starship. The Federation flagship is incredibly overwhelming, not only are you constantly at the forefront of space exploration and potential conflict, but there are also hundreds of people aboard whose names you have to remember.
It's a daunting prospect for anyone, let alone someone who clearly suffers from imposter syndrome and social anxiety in the way that Reg Barclay clearly does. It was an inspired move by Roddenberry to bring someone more realistic and grounded into the Star Trek universe, and the credit should go to writer Sally Caves, who wrote Reg's first episode, and Dwight Schultz who played him for making the character such a hit with fans.