Star Trek: Every Lt. Barclay Episode Ranked Worst To Best
2. Ship In A Bottle
The second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation had featured Elementary, Dear Data - the Sherlock Holmes episode that introduced audiences to Daniel Day as James Moriarty. Difficulties with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle then put a stop to plans of sequel episodes, despite the great fan reaction to that first outing.
By the sixth season of the Next Generation, these differences had been resolved and the stage was set for a return. However, this time it was Barclay who inadvertently brings the holographic genius back to life. The episode then becomes a labyrinth of what is real and what is on the holodeck, becoming a fun and mysterious quest, worth of Holmes himself.
The strive for life is something understandable from any account, so Moriarty's goal is one that is completely understandable on all sides. However, he uses his genius to hold the ship hostage, only releasing control once he is safely away from the ship with his beloved Countess Regina Bartholomew.
This is another level to another holodeck program which begins to make the episode feel like a precursor to Inception. The final line of the episode, however, could only have been spoken by Barclay to get the full impact across.
'Computer, end program.'
Nothing happens. Schultz sells it.