Realm of Fear

ST episode
name = Realm of Fear |

series = TNG
ep_num = 128
prod_num = 228
date = October 11 1992
writer = Brannon Braga
director = Cliff Bole
guest = Colm Meaney
Patti Yasutake
Dwight Schultz
stardate = 46041.1
year = 2369
prev = Time's Arrow, Part 2
next = Man of the People

"Realm of Fear" is an episode of the television series '. It primarily focuses on Reginald Barclay's paralyzing fear of the transporter. It is the second episode of season 6, and the first episode to show the transporter process from the point of view of a person being transported. The second episode that uses this perspective is the ' episode "Prototype."

Plot

The episode starts with the Enterprise coming to the assistance of a science vessel, the "USS Yosemite". Unable to beam over using the Enterprise's transporters, Lt. Barclay's suggests linking the transporters on both ships, however this means a beaming one at a time with a lengthy dematerialisation/materialisation process. Barclay is assigned to the away team, and after watching Riker and Worf confidently stride up to the transporter pad and beam over, he does the same. However, he steps off the pad just before energizing and leaves the transporter room.

Counselor Deanna Troi teaches him a technique to release endorphins, and with renewed confidence he goes back to the transporter room. Still nervous before transporting, Chief O'Brien relates that he was once afraid of spiders, and understands how Barclay feels. Barclay offhandedly mentions that he has never had a problem with spiders (in a later episode Genesis, Barclay de-evolves into a spider-like creature). He beams over without incident, and assists La Forge. When beaming back he sees a worm-like creature in the matter stream in mid-transport, which moves toward him. Barclay deflects it with his arm, and when he materialises on the transporter pad he is unsure what has just occurred. When a check of the transporter reveals no anomalies, convinces himself he must have been hallucinating and is suffering from transporter psychosis, an affliction that hasn't been seen in 50 years.

He becomes increasingly convinced he has the symptoms of transporter psychosis, forcing Troi to temporarily relieve him of duty. Wanting to be certain that he was hallucinating, he studies the log and with the help of O'Brien discovers that a surge occurred only during his transport, which would explain why only he saw something. He transports again and has O'Brien create the same surge again. He sees a creature in the beam, and again sure of himself, he calls a meeting of the senior staff to insist further investigation is taken.

He convinces Captain Picard that there may be a real problem with the transporter, and a more intensive investigation is done both on the transporter and on Barclay's physical condition. Barclay's arm is found to be out of phase and he is carrying microbes not detectable by the transporter's biofilter. In order to cure him the transporter's biofilter is modified and he is dematerialised for around 30 seconds. While in the beam he observes the creatures and grabs onto one of them just before materialising. On the pad a crewman from the "Yosemite" materialises along with Barclay. He saw that one of the creatures was actually a crewman of the science ship - trapped inside the beam after an explosion on the vessel. Worf and two other security officers transport after Barclay and successfully rescue the other crew members trapped in the beam.

The episode closes with Barclay and O'Brien meeting in the Ten-Forward and striking up a conversation about how they each have dealt with their fears. O'Brien has even brought his pet spider, Christina, to share with Barclay. However, when O'Brien leaves the table Barclay displays some arachnophobia.

External links

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