Was Barclay an indicator...

[blockaderunner]

That TPTB didn't know how to write flawed characters without making them seem like annoying, retarded, children (read: Enterprise)?

The character pendulum swung so far the other way. Instead of an annoyingly perfect character, they introduced an annoyingly flawed character. Look, it's alright to have a character with a few flaws and anxieties, but it's unbelievable for someone with Barclay's mental issues to function even in the 21st century, let alone become an officer in Starfleet. When developing ENT for that one weekend, did the Beebs see all the Barclay episodes and figured out that's how contemporary people acted? Why wasn't this guy discharged and pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants? Unless he was acting that way and was actually an operative for Section 31 assigned to keep tabs on the flagship of Starfleet, it's rediculous to have someone like Barclay in Starfleet. And as comedic fodder, he wasn't. Thank the Force that TPTB at Monk didn't look to him as inspiration. Plus, Tony Shaloub rocks as an actor. But what do you think?

 

[22 Stars]

but it's unbelievable for someone with Barclay's mental issues to function even in the 21st century, let alone become an officer in Starfleet.

There are many people in various stations in life who work and live with far greater menal issues than Barclay's. Go into any office or workplace and you will meet many.

 

[Christopher]

Barclay wasn't created by the chimerical "TPTB" that fans use as a bogeyman for anything they don't like. He was created by freelance writer Sarah Higley, who writes pseudonymously as Sally Caves. And none of the writer-producers responsible for developing his character in his first couple of TNG appearances had anything to do with the creation of ENT (although Brannon Braga scripted his third and fifth appearances). Yes, Berman was involved throughout, but he wasn't an actual member of the writing staff in TNG as he was on ENT.

And what "mental issues?" Barclay's just neurotic, insecure, and socially inept. There are millions of people like that -- myself included, to a degree -- and we're perfectly able to function as professionals.

 

[JNG]

Why wasn't this guy discharged and pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants?

1. Because he seems to be a genius.

2. Because being "pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants" doesn't sound like a very Trek-like solution to Barclay's self-esteem issues.

 

[john titor]

He wasn't annoying at all imo, and it it is mentioned in wiki that he is a genius, so amazing talent>self esteem

 

[flightmech73]

All I gata say is I loved Barklay. Every time he showed up on screan Id get a bit of a smile and say.... What now?

 

[trekkerguy]

Why wasn't this guy discharged and pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants?

1. Because he seems to be a genius.

2. Because being "pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants" doesn't sound like a very Trek-like solution to Barclay's self-esteem issues.

Well said.

Barclay was a very cool character IMO. I always loved his episodes and
would have loved to hae seen more of his character. He had a cool cameo
in VOY didn't he? I don't think there was anything wrong with him. Smart
loveable and very quirky character.

 

[USS Triumphant]

I pity fools who don't like Barclay!

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

...but it's unbelievable for someone with Barclay's mental issues to function even in the 21st century...

If by "functioning" you mean hold a professional position, be promoted and so forth...you live either a fortunate or sheltered life not to have dealt with more than a few Barclays.

The only thing Barclay indicates is that the writer - a freelancer, BTW, not one of the staff - set out to write an eccentric misfit. She succeeded just fine.

 

[CaptainStoner]

Instead of an annoyingly perfect character, they introduced an annoyingly flawed character.

This is the criticism of TNG I don't understand. People who are talented and highly competent at their jobs, and fairly well adjusted, are "annoyingly perfect".

 

[Kirk1980]

Yeah, what is it with people that they can't believe there's actually people out there who are good and competent?

Does everyone have to be as screwed up as we are here on 21st century Earth?

 

[cultcross]

Instead of an annoyingly perfect character, they introduced an annoyingly flawed character.

This is the criticism of TNG I don't understand. People who are talented and highly competent at their jobs, and fairly well adjusted, are "annoyingly perfect".

Yeah, what is it with people that they can't believe there's actually people out there who are good and competent?

Does everyone have to be as screwed up as we are here on 21st century Earth?

I quite agree. Besides, the idea that the TNG crew were these perfect flawless automatons has largely grown out of constant repetition in articles and the slagging off of the show by later writers and producers.
In reality, almost all of the TNG cast demonstrated significant flaws and character 'wobbles' throughout the show, Worf and Riker in particular.

 

[Bonzo the Fifth]

I quite agree. Besides, the idea that the TNG crew were these perfect flawless automatons has largely grown out of constant repetition in articles and the slagging off of the show by later writers and producers.
In reality, almost all of the TNG cast demonstrated significant flaws and character 'wobbles' throughout the show, Worf and Riker in particular.

Indeed, really, the only character that comes across like that at times (to me, at least) is Picard, but then, as the Captain, you kind of WANT him to be annoyingly competent.

 

[TheHungarian]

I just think of him as the comic relief of the show. I think they most likely meant to make him WAY out there. It's his defining trait that sets him out from the rest of the red shirts in the crew. You can't really kill off the well meaning klutzy guy that is always really nervous. It just isn;t right. So yea, he's just the comic relief I think.

 

[Hermiod]

I felt Barclay was an indication that sometimes the civilisation depicted in Star Trek, especially TNG, sometimes went wrong and failed people, sometimes people slipped through the cracks.

Barclay's quite clearly a genius, I don't think a Starship was the best place for him. Dwight Schultz was 43 when he was first cast as Barclay, a Lieutenant Junior Grade. I typically apply a rule that says the character is roughly the same age as the actor unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise. 43 is very old for such a low rank. He didn't get promoted to full Lieutenant until "Pathfinder".

 

[Kirk1980]

Instead of an annoyingly perfect character, they introduced an annoyingly flawed character.

This is the criticism of TNG I don't understand. People who are talented and highly competent at their jobs, and fairly well adjusted, are "annoyingly perfect".

Yeah, what is it with people that they can't believe there's actually people out there who are good and competent?

Does everyone have to be as screwed up as we are here on 21st century Earth?

I quite agree. Besides, the idea that the TNG crew were these perfect flawless automatons has largely grown out of constant repetition in articles and the slagging off of the show by later writers and producers.
In reality, almost all of the TNG cast demonstrated significant flaws and character 'wobbles' throughout the show, Worf and Riker in particular.

Yeah, TNG seems to be suffering the retroevaluation curse TOS has... it was made 22 years ago, therefore it MUST be stupid, right?

 

[Maniarek]

I felt Barclay was an indication that sometimes the civilisation depicted in Star Trek, especially TNG, sometimes went wrong and failed people, sometimes people slipped through the cracks.

Yes. His character may have a been a bit over-the-top but it was very very interesting to see an imperfect character that had major issues.

Maniarek.

 

[cultcross]

I quite agree. Besides, the idea that the TNG crew were these perfect flawless automatons has largely grown out of constant repetition in articles and the slagging off of the show by later writers and producers.
In reality, almost all of the TNG cast demonstrated significant flaws and character 'wobbles' throughout the show, Worf and Riker in particular.

Indeed, really, the only character that comes across like that at times (to me, at least) is Picard, but then, as the Captain, you kind of WANT him to be annoyingly competent.

Imho, Picard demonstrated 'flaws' as well, moral ambiguities, tendencies to anger (especially early on), a stuttering patheticness with children, a rod up his butt when it came to morality, all of which were believable character 'foibles' which made for a well rounded character.

 

[RobertScorpio]

That TPTB didn't know how to write flawed characters without making them seem like annoying, retarded, children (read: Enterprise)?

The character pendulum swung so far the other way. Instead of an annoyingly perfect character, they introduced an annoyingly flawed character. Look, it's alright to have a character with a few flaws and anxieties, but it's unbelievable for someone with Barclay's mental issues to function even in the 21st century, let alone become an officer in Starfleet. When developing ENT for that one weekend, did the Beebs see all the Barclay episodes and figured out that's how contemporary people acted? Why wasn't this guy discharged and pumped with enough prozac to fell a herd of elephants? Unless he was acting that way and was actually an operative for Section 31 assigned to keep tabs on the flagship of Starfleet, it's rediculous to have someone like Barclay in Starfleet. And as comedic fodder, he wasn't. Thank the Force that TPTB at Monk didn't look to him as inspiration. Plus, Tony Shaloub rocks as an actor. But what do you think?

barclay was the 'basis' for SHELDON...IMO..and if handled effectively I think Fans would like flawed characters such as these

Rob

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Yeah, what is it with people that they can't believe there's actually people out there who are good and competent?

Does everyone have to be as screwed up as we are here on 21st century Earth?

You and I and everyone else posting here live on 21st century Earth. All of the good and competent - and every other kind - of people we will ever know live here on 21st century Earth.

No one lives in the "Star Trek Universe," and no one ever will.