CMV: Barclay is the worst.
Posted by minnesotamentality@reddit | TNG | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Barclay is the worst character in TNG ever. I hate seeing him in any episode and he makes the show so much worse. He's a whiney little bitch and I have no idea how he got through Starfleet academy let alone stationed on the Enterprise. Does anyone like him?
Programmer-Severe@reddit
Old thread, but I'm watching the episode where he has the transporter issues. He's a terrible character, badly directed and badly acted. Contrived, irritating nonsense, and I'm gutted he survived 😂
FlyingRedSquare@reddit
I'm watching this episode right now and googled "TNG I hate barclay" and found this thread. haha
lukipela999@reddit
I'm also watching this episode rn and googled 'why does lieutenant Barclay suck so much' and found this thread 😆
Overall-Chance-5982@reddit
I think they overdid his social anxiety. He was certainly intelligent and gifted, but they seemed to emphasize his fallibilities. Dwight Schulz is an amazing actor. I remember his genius in the A-Team. That show would not have been possible without him.
LT Barclay was an expert engineer and very gifted in science. He brought in a more realistic view to Starfleet officers. In Voyager, he was instrumental in helping the crew maintain contact with their families and friends.
The writers turned him into a sex addict, who chose the holodeck into a brothel, where he could live out his fantasies. Not just in a sexual way, but he could beat both LaForge and Riker. He also was extremely awkward in casual interactions with the crew, especially the female characters. He was terrified of the transporters. In my humble opinion, there was no character development in TNG. He was literally the same character at the end of the series as he was at the beginning. The only saving grace was when he came aboard the Voyager series. Sure he managed to save the Enterprise on a number of occasions, but when we saw him next, it was like a reset on his character.
As humans, there are many of us who are socially awkward and challenged when it comes to interpersonal interactions. I am one of them. It is difficult to interact with others, especially the ladies. Through help from others and effort from me, I am learning to be able to become more relaxed in these situations.
If we are able to address this in the 21st century, there is no way they could have at least recognized his issues in the 24th? In my opinion, his personality doesn’t necessarily disqualify him from being a Starfleet officer, but it should have been addressed long before he was posted. The academy is 4 years. In that time, someone should have recognized these issues
Overall-Chance-5982@reddit
I agree. Lt Barclay seems to be little more than comic relief. While his intellect is undeniable, he is really annoying. He lives in the holodeck. On the extremely rare occasions where he shows his ability, he does it by accident.
It is like the writers decided to take the hate off of Wesley Crusher by creating a character a much more idiotic character. At least Wesley grew and developed. Barclay was a waste of a character
Overall-Chance-5982@reddit
Personally I would skip any episode that he was in. He lives his life in the holodeck. His intellect is undeniable, but he has little else. He literally lives in a fantasy world where he is the master. In many ways he is a more annoying than Wesley Crusher. At least Wesley developed, but Barkley never did. Dwight Schultz is an amazing actor. How he got roped into such a character is beyond me.
Important-Ad2741@reddit
Best character ever. Actually has a relatable malady that a lot of people share, and he displays it SO well
99deathnotes@reddit
i would give this post 1000 upvotes if i could. the absolute worst mistake ever made on Star Trek TNG. i stream the show on Paramount+ and skip every single episode that character is in. dont get me wrong on the A-Team Dwight Schultz was AMAZING as Howling Mad Murdock but that part fit the actor like a tailor made glove. but on TNG he was some kind of comedy relief or whatever. it did not do that show or the actor justice.
FantasyBaseballChamp@reddit
Barclay is who we would all realistically be on the Enterprise. The viewers usually only follow the eight or so most upper level people on the ship. All those hundreds of other crew are probably knocking out just enough space stuff to fill the day then off to the holodeck as soon as their shift ends.
Budd_Viking@reddit
Your comment reminded me of the premise behind ST: Lower Decks. Since the beginning every iteration of Trek has focused almost entirely on the senior officers, exclusively the bridge officers with the exception of medical, with it's "satellite" location in sick bay.
Lower Decks recognizes that there is a whole lot of 'little people' doing the nuts and bolts behind the scenes tasks that would keep the ship running. Like the baker on a modern American aircraft carrier (I read somewhere they bake over 1000 loaves of bread every day).
I had much the same thoughts as you regarding the the holodeck. As a voracious PC gamer I can imagine how fantastic it would be to have an immersive game on the holodeck. Imagine playing Baldur's Gate 3 in full holodeck glory, including interactive, full sensory porn-like romancing the NPC's. I'd be late for work every day.
https://i.redd.it/prc4albm4rac1.gif