Star Trek: Every Lt. Barclay Episode Ranked Worst To Best

2. Ship In A Bottle

Star Trek Ship In A Bottle
CBS

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.

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Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"

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Sometime in 2004, Kris decided to edit a video for a laugh. Well, the joke was on him it seems because now he has to come to WhatCulture and do it every single day. All that's really changed in that time is that now he exports to YouTube instead of a VHS. Yes, an actual VHS, that's how long he's been honing his craft. After a lengthy stint on the Wrestling channel and playing a part in every WCPW/Defiant show, he now manages TrekCulture, the largest Star Trek YouTube channel in the world.