Star Trek: 15 Best Holodeck Moments
13. The Big Goodbye - Farewell, Sweet Gangsters
This was the first episode in Star Trek to really explore the potential for the holodeck, after the upgrade by the Bynars earlier in the season. It also gives both Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner more range to work with, alongside Gates McFadden. It is one of the stronger episodes of the Next Generation's first season as well.
The producers had originally pitched this episode to be in black and white, but this was vetoed as it was felt the holodeck wouldn't be able to change the appearance of the crew, something disproved with Captain Proton years later. However, it still manages to perfectly emulate the film noir trappings of The Maltese Falcon, upon which much of the story is based.
The episode won a Peabody Award for its troubles and is one of the most well received episodes of the Next Generation. Maurice Hurley felt that it was a blast to do, something that really allowed the regulars to step out of their comfort zone and play around with their roles, something echoed by Wil Wheaton, even though Wesley does not appear in the episode.
The episode sets up some rules that would change along the way. When the two holographic characters step outside of the holodeck, they take a little time to evaporate, whereas in all future appearances, holograms simply can't pass the exit. It would be the first time that holograms become aware of their existence as well, something which would of course be revisited many times in the franchise.