Star Trek: Every Lt. Barclay Episode Ranked Worst To Best
8. Hollow Pursuits
Barclay's introduction episode sets the template for much of what we would discover about him going forward. The holo-addicition would of course return, allowing him to tie into The Doctor's story in Star Trek: Voyager. Yet this first episode is played for comedy and it absolutely delivers.
It is also something of a sweet episode, detailing a thoroughly shy character who struggles with how he deals with reality. His ship mates all struggle to understand him as his chronic shyness puts a wall between them. He finds solace on the holodeck, relating to caricatures of the senior staff.
While a standard crisis upends the ship in the real world, La Forge is tasked with bringing Barclay out of his shell (and out of the holodeck) by Picard, even if he feels extreme frustration with having to deal with him. Yet he perseveres, however stop-startingly.
Barclay, thankfully, is the one who comes up with the solution to save the day. Mr. Broccoli ends the episode by bidding farewell to his holographic friends....except for program number 9...