Television Review: The Nth Degree (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S4X19, 1991)

The Nth Degree (S04E19)

Airdate: 1 April 1991

Written by: Joe Menosky Directed by: Robert Legato

Running Time: 46 minutes

In a fictional universe as long-lasting and as expansive as Star Trek, it was inevitable that even some recurring characters would gain something of an iconic status. The Next Generation provides perhaps the best example of this phenomenon with Q, whose memorable presence in the pilot episode Encounter at Farpoint led to appearances across two different series. Following him came the very different character of Lieutenant Reginald Barclay, a technically competent but socially awkward officer introduced in the Season 3 episode Hollow Pursuits. His next appearance, in Season 4's "The Nth Degree", resulted in another TNG classic that stands as one of the most fascinating hours in the series' run.

The plot begins with Barclay's lack of social skills and self-confidence becoming immediately apparent in the episode's cold open. During an amateur stage production of Edmond de Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, Barclay—unlike Dr Crusher, who plays Roxanne with aplomb—fumbles his way through the role of the protagonist. Data watches in bewilderment, genuinely puzzled as to why his human colleagues applaud a performance that is quite clearly not up to standard. This opening sequence, which runs for an impressive seven minutes and twenty-one seconds, serves as one of the longest teasers in the entire franchise, establishing both Barclay's essential character traits and the episode's deft blend of humour and poignancy.

Barclay is, however, quite capable of performing the regular duties of a Starfleet officer, and this becomes apparent when the general plot commences. The USS Enterprise-D is tasked with investigating the apparent failure of the Argus Array, a Federation deep space telescope and radio antenna complex. La Forge and Barclay are dispatched to inspect it in a shuttlecraft, only to discover an alien probe launching a pulse that knocks Barclay unconscious.

La Forge and Barclay are beamed back to the Enterprise, and Barclay is brought to sickbay, where he quickly recovers and impresses Dr Crusher by suggesting new methods for his own treatment. His subsequent suggestions to La Forge, and even to Picard, indicate that his intellectual abilities have been inexplicably increased. The alien probe has been destroyed, but failures at the Argus Array continue, prompting Barclay to employ his newly acquired genius to find a solution—ultimately connecting himself to the ship's computer and becoming perhaps the most powerful intellect in this side of the galaxy. He takes control of the Enterprise and steers it towards the very centre of the Milky Way.

The voyage is nearly instantaneous. There, Picard and the rest of the crew encounter the Cytherians, an alien race whose leader (Kay E. Kuter) explains that they are, like the Enterprise crew, explorers guided by curiosity about other civilisations. However, their method of exploration differs fundamentally: rather than travelling themselves, they bring other races to them. They accomplished this through the Argus Array and by increasing Barclay's abilities in a manner that allowed such spectacularly fast travel. The Enterprise remains at the galactic centre for ten days, exchanging information with their hosts, whilst Barclay is gradually returned to his normal state. He has, nevertheless, maintained some of his newfound self-confidence—demonstrated by his ability to play chess, a game he had never played before, and even by taking a walk with Troi.

The Nth Degree is a classic episode despite not being particularly original. It represents the continuation of an already established character arc, attempts to right some of the wrongs from Star Trek's past—the journey to the centre of the galaxy having been employed in the much-derided Star Trek V: The Final Frontier—and relies upon certain narrative clichés. Joe Menosky, who wrote the episode, explicitly crafted it as a homage to the classic science fiction story "Flowers for Algernon". The parallels are clear: a character of limited ability suddenly granted extraordinary intelligence, only to have it eventually taken away.

Yet the episode succeeds, partly because of Menosky's finely crafted script, and partly because of Robert Legato's direction, which puts the special effects to excellent use. An exemplary moment can be found in the revelation of the Cytherians, who at first appear menacing when their leader's large holographic head manifests on the Enterprise bridge, only to be revealed as friendly and curious explorers.

What ultimately elevates the episode, however, is the exceptional work by Dwight Schultz, who again demonstrates enormous talent in portraying a character who transforms beyond almost all recognition. Although the tone is somewhat more serious than in Hollow Pursuits, there remains humour in the story, and the audience—just like Troi in the final scene—will accept this new version of the socially awkward but ultimately lovable Enterprise officer.

The only genuine drawback to the episode might be found in the presence of Jim Norton, a popular comedian who is rendered almost unrecognisable beneath heavy prosthetic make-up designed to make him resemble a holographic Albert Einstein, with whom the now-genius Barclay confers in the holodeck. It appears somewhat like overindulgent fan service—an inexplicable cameo, although Norton would reprise this role in a later episode. This minor misstep notwithstanding, The Nth Degree remains a splendidly unique amalgam of tones and themes, plot and characterisation, imagination and bemusement—a worthy addition to the TNG canon and a testament to the enduring appeal of Lieutenant Reginald Barclay.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

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