The Nth Degree

An alien probe boosts Lieutenant Barclay's intelligence and he merges with the Enterprise computer, defying Picard's orders and taking the ship to the centre of the galaxy. There the Cytherians, who sent the probe, want an exchange of knowledge, return him to normal and let the ship go.

• Follows Hollow Pursuits (S03E21): Barclay, who used to retreat into the holodeck, has his intelligence boosted by an alien probe.

Captain's log, stardate 44704.2. We have arrived at the Argus Array, a remote subspace telescope at the very edge of Federation space. The unmanned structure mysteriously stopped relaying its data nearly two months ago.

Captain's log, supplemental. An intense energy surge from the alien probe has severely disabled the shuttle's onboard computer. The away team has been transported directly to Sickbay, where Lieutenant Barclay remains under observation.

Captain's log, stardate 44705.3. The Enterprise has destroyed the alien probe, but now we are left with the difficult task of repairing the Argus Telescope. Failure to do so would represent an incalculable scientific loss.

Captain's log, stardate 44721.9. After ten days in the company of the Cytherians, the Enterprise has been safely returned to Federation space. We bring back knowledge of their race that will take our scholars decades to examine. Lieutenant Barclay is apparently no worse for his experience.

Characters with no lines who appear according to the cast list or the stage directions.

• Ensign Gates (cast list)

From Memory Alpha. Linked where the credit could be matched to a transcript label.

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Captain Jean-Luc Picard)
• Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William Riker (Commander William T. Riker)

Also starring

• LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge)
• Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf (Lieutenant Worf)
• Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher (Dr Beverly Crusher)
• Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi (Counselor Deanna Troi)
• Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data (Lieutenant Commander Data)

Guest stars

• Jim Norton as Albert Einstein (Albert Einstein)
• Kay E. Kuter as Cytherian
• Saxon Trainor as Larson
• Page Leong as Anaya

Co-star

• David Coburn as Ensign Brower

Uncredited co-stars

• Anthony as Ten Forward waiter
• Rachen Assapiomonwait as Nelson
• Majel Barrett as USS Enterprise -D computer voice
• Karin Baxter, Gerard David, Elliot Durant III, Mark Kosakura as operations division ensign (4 performers)
• Thomas J. Booth, Mark Lentry, Ivonne Perez as civilian (3 performers)
• Bowman, Denise Deuschle, Brandy Pickett, John Rice, Harry Young as science division officer (5 performers)
• Michael Braveheart as Martinez
• Debbie David as Russell
• Cameron as Kellogg
• Max Cervantes, Teri Noel, Mikki Val as operations division officer (3 performers)
• Tracee Lee Cocco as Jae
• George Colucci as security officer
• Cooper as Reel
• B.J. Davis as security officer
• Margaret Flores, Michele Gerren, D. Kai, Judy Lea as sciences officer (4 performers)
• Marin, Debbie Marsh, Richard Sarstedt, Curt Truman as command division officer (4 performers)
• Michael Moorehead as science division ensign
• Randy Pflug as Jones
• Keith Rayve as command division ensign
• Denise Lynne Roberts as Patti
• Joycelyn Robinson as Gates (Ensign Gates)
• Guy Vardaman as Darien Wallace