Summary
The universe ofStar Trekis home to some truly amazing technology, fromthe faster-than-light warp driveto the sophisticated universal translator. However, one ofStar Trek’s coolest gadgets is the holodeck. In this advanced form of virtual reality, users can experience and interact with a hyperrealistic simulation.
While the holodeck is famously prone to failure in just about every iteration of the franchise (holographic malfunctions are now aStar Trektrope), the technology offers limitless potential for creativity. From questionable erotic novels to self-aware versions of classic literary characters, the holodeck makes it all possible.
8Vulcan Love Slave
Deep Space 9
The large-lobed Ferengiwere known across the galaxy for their avarice, schemes, and hatred of women. Prior to the 2370s, few Ferengi women were permitted to wear clothes or to partake in the culture’s ultra-capitalist society. With such a mindset, it’s unsurprising that a member of the species authoredVulcan Love Slave, a famously perverse holoprogam based on a Ferengi novel.
Although the contents ofVulcan Love Slavehave never been depicted in the franchise, the holo-novel has been mentioned on multiple occasions. InDeep Space 9Quark, recommended the story to Odo after learning that the Changeling enjoyed romantic fiction, while one entry in theVulcan Love Slavesaga appears in the video gameStar Trek: Voyager Elite Force.
7Minuet
The Next Generation
Commander William Riker of the Enterprise-Dcultivated a reputation of going after any woman with a pulse, but in the case of the holographic seductress Minuet, he showed that a pulse wasn’t even required. Minuet was a hologram created by Riker in 2364, although modifications to the holodeck by the alien Bynar made her far more lifelike than most other programmable characters. This added realism allowed Minuet to distract Riker while the Bynar attempted to steal theEnterprise.
Minuet beguiled Riker once again in 2367, when the powerful but lonely Barash created an illusive life for Riker in which he was married to a flesh-and-blood version of the hologram. However, his wife’s resemblance to Minuet tipped him off to the fact that something wasn’t right, and he was able to escape Barash’s dream-world.
6James Moriarty
Based on the nemesis ofArthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty was an intelligent hologram who featured in a program favored by Data and Geordi La Forge. In the program, the two friends assumed the roles of Holmes and Watson. The holographic Moriarty was designed to be a formidable foe for Data, but this modification caused the character to become dangerously self-aware.
Although he was beaten in his initial encounter with the Enterprise-D, the devious criminal came close to besting Captain Picard in their subsequent encounter. In 2369, the holographic Moriarty apparently discovered how to leave the ship’s holodeck. However, this was eventually revealed to be a ploy to gain control of the Galaxy-class starship’s computer.
5Julian Bashir, Secret Agent
Even before Julian Bashir became an unwilling operative for the mysterious Section 31, the doctor liked to indulge in espionage-themed adventures on the holodeck. In 2372, he enjoyed aJames Bond-style adventure with his friend Elim Garak, although technical difficulties involving the transporter caused members of Deep Space Nine’s command staff to assume pivotal roles in the narrative.
The similarities between the Julian Bashir, Secret Agent program andits literary inspirationwere so blatant thatStar Trek’s production team received a legal challenge from MGM, who held the rights to theJames Bondfranchise. Imitation might be the highest form of flattery, but it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
4The Adventures Of Captain Proton
Voyager
Being stuck aboard the starship Voyager for seven long years no doubt played havoc with the crew’s mental health, so it is unsurprising that they turned to holographic scenarios to keep themselves entertained. From the quaint Irish village of Fair Haven to simulated orbital skydiving, Voyager’s holodeck had it all, but its most interesting program wasThe Adventures of Captain Proton.
Designed by Tom Parisand based on classic science fiction serials likeFlash Gordon, theCaptain Protonholo-novel offered thrills and adventure (as well as a cute black and white filter) when it debuted in 2375. However, like all good holodeck experiences,Captain Protonsometimes caused trouble. Shortly after its creation, it was mistaken for reality and invaded by a race of photonic aliens.
3Crisis Point: The Rise Of Vindicta
The Lower Decks
The USS Cerritos may not have been home to Starfleet’s best and brightest, butthe California-class starshipdid have the honor of hosting one ofStar Trek’s best holoprograms.Crisis Point: The Rise of Vindictawas created in 2380 after Beckett Mariner reconfigured a training program developed by her friend, Brad Boimler.
The modifications transformed the program into an impressive holographic movie in which Mariner was able to work out some of her emotional problems. However, not every member of the Cerritos crew approved ofThe Rise of Vindicta, with the Orion Tendi complaining that it unfairly stereotyped her species.
2Photons Be Free
The starship Voyager’s Emergency Medical Hologram wore a lot of (holographic) hats during the vessel’s seven-yearjourney home from the Delta Quadrant: opera singer, surgeon, and, of course, esteemed writer of holo-novels. In 2378, the Doctor authored the groundbreakingPhotons Be Free, a chronicle of the persecution he faced aboard Voyager as a hologram.
AlthoughPhotons Be Freewas a commercial smash hit, the Doctor’s crewmates were unimpressed to learn that he had characterized them as bigots dedicated to oppressing him. An amended draft of the holo-novel portrayedVoyager’s crew in a more favorable light, although legal issues surrounding the EMH’s authorial rights complicated its publication.
1Vic Fontaine
Vic Fontaine was the proprietor of Vic’s Las Vegas Lounge, a holographic recreation of a 1960s casino and club that was in hosted in Quark’s holosuites on Deep Space Nine. Unlike most holograms, Vic was aware of his artificial nature, and appeared to be far more sophisticated than other virtual characters. He was even able to turn his program on and off at will.
Vic’s increased self-awareness allowed him to act as an unofficial therapist to several of Deep Space Nine’s crew duringthe darkest days of the Dominion War. He counseled the injured Nog when the Ferengi suffered from PTSD, provided relationship advice to Kira Nerys and Odo, and boosted morale with his repertoire of Rat Pack musical numbers. The crew of Deep Space Nine even worked together to save the entertainer when the Mafia took over his club, demonstrating the respect that the character had earned.
