“The Nth Degree” is episode nineteen of season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Barclay, making his first return since “Hollow Pursuits”, is playing Cyrano de Bergerac opposite Dr Crusher in front of an audience. They finish and Barclay is applauded. Data is unsure why. Riker tells him because it’s polite. Troi congratulates Barclay afterwards, saying he has come a long way. Barclay wonders if it’s because he’s more comfortable playing a part and is concerned this is no better than a holodeck fantasy. Troi disagrees.
The Enterprise has arrived at the Argos array, a subspace telescope on the edge of Federation space that stopped relaying data nearly two months ago. Data says the array’s reactors are unstable and the computer isn’t working. Worf detects some kind of device near the array. It appears to be some kind of probe but it’s not emitting signals. The captain tells Geordi to take a look at it.
Geordi calls for Barclay and they head over in a shuttle. Scanning is producing nothing. Barclay thanks Geordi for letting him come; Geordi replies that Barclay is one of his top engineers; it’s time he got a look at the interesting stuff. Then the probe emits a flash of light, which knocks the shuttle’s computer down. And knocks Barclay out.
Barclay and Geordi are transported to sickbay and Data says they have never encountered the probe’s technology before. The captain wants to isolate it and take it under tow. Then it starts approaching the Enterprise.
Dr Crusher tells Barclay that the probe’s energy overloaded his optic nerves and knocked him out. He looks fine, though. Geordi was protected by his VISOR. The doctor tells Barclay he shouldn’t have to wait long for results on a test. Barclay suggests a way of doing it faster and explains how this would work, offering to make the alterations as the ship goes to red alert.
The probe is moving using an unknown method of propulsion. The Enterprise backs away and the probe follows. The probe is emitting an energy field and Worf states the Enterprise‘s computer may be as vulnerable as the shuttle’s. They should withdraw to a safe distance. The Enterprise moves away faster. They’re too close to use photon torpedoes safely and phasors have no effect. Data reports they are in danger and Riker orders phasor power increased. Geordi starts telling Barclay to do something but Barclay was already anticipating this.
Increased phasors have no effect and when the Enterprise goes to warp, the probe follows. Shield failure is imminent, then the ship drops to impulse. Warp power has been transferred to the shield grid. By Barclay. Who contacts the bridge; they can use photon torpedoes now as he’s certain the shields will hold. Geordi agrees and this works. The captain thanks Barclay, who then apologises to Geordi.
On the way to the conference room, Riker asks Barclay what he did. Barclay explains. The commander was clearly lost by the explanation. Both arrive at the conference room. Geordi explains that each part of the array has its own fusion reactor but a single computer controls them all. If a reactor overloads, it would be bad. Geordi says they will have to repair them one by one. It will take 2-3 weeks. Captain Picard orders him to go ahead but Barclay disagrees. They can repair them all simultaneously by programming a new control system. Data says that would take 7 weeks. Barclay can have it done in two days, if Geordi will assist him.
Barclay’s acting has improved a lot, as he performs again in front of a clearly moved Dr Crusher. Troi sees him in Ten Forward afterwards, saying he’s changed. Barclay agrees; over the past few days he’s found a confidence he never knew was there.
Geordi starts getting concerned about Barclay. It seems his IQ has increased. A lot. Barclay himself estimates it as being between 1200 and 1450 – not far behind Q. His behaviour starts worrying people a lot as well, as he’s clearly becoming so far ahead of everyone else, they are not much more than children to him.