Star Trek introduced the world to many of the most iconic alien characters and species in sci-fi history. Though the Klingons and Borg continue to dominate many fans’ imaginations, countless other costumed beings enjoyed less representation. Most good episodes of the series build their story from a single sci-fi premise. The classic season four entry, “Future Imperfect,” depicts Riker experiencing a possible life through the VR wizardry of an alien orphan named Barash. Where did Barash go when the simulation ended?
Countless Star Trek characters appeared for one-off episodes before disappearing into space forever. Most of them aren’t around long enough to command audience intrigue. However, endless novels, comics, and audio dramas depict the fate of figures that would never be seen again on TV. Barash vanished after his first appearance, but hardcore fans could find his story in other mediums.
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Who is Barash in Star Trek?
Barash is one of the last survivors of an unnamed alien species. An unknown race of invaders attacked his home planet, wiping out all but Barash and his mother. Barash’s mom hid him on an uninhabited planet called Alpha Onias III. Obscured from observers by the planet’s overwhelming volcanic atmosphere, Barash lived alone in a cave for some years. His mom did what she could to make his dull, miserable home more palatable. She arranged a complex rig of neural immersion hologram projectors, allowing Barash to pretend he was elsewhere. The programs simulated other sentient life, keeping Barash sane in solitude. However, fake friends and digital environments lack the appeal of genuine companionship. Barash longed for someone to keep him company. His home met his physical needs but left him starved for social interaction for years. After untold ages, visitors reached Alpha Onias III. Barash met the crew of the Enterprise-D and its Commander William Riker.
What Happened to Barash?
Barash first appears in “Future Imperfect,” the 82nd episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He isn’t featured on the show again. He’s ostensibly the outing’s villain, but his sympathetic backstory places him in a different role. Barash captures Riker while the Commander leads an away team on Alpha Onias III. Worf and Geordi La Forge escaped to the Enterprise, but Barash kept Riker in his VR rig. Riker lives out a fantasy scenario in which he’s the captain of the Enterprise. The simulation is set sixteen years after Riker’s trip to Alpha Onias III. Beverly Crusher explains that an infection caused amnesia, leaving him without memories. He discovers he’s married and has a child named Jean-Luc Riker. The disguised Barash plans to live within the hologram as Riker’s fake son. The machines fail to deceive Riker, gradually finding it impossible to keep up with his questions. Barash tries to shift to a second illusion to keep Riker around, but it falls apart. Riker discovers Barash’s physical form and listens to his sad story. He agrees to ferry Barash to the Federation to find a new home. That’s the end of Barash’s canonical story, but he reappears in later works.
Barash returns for a TNG novel called Losing the Peace. The story depicts his time aboard the Enterprise before reaching his new home. Barash lands at the Federation Displaced Persons Agency, which protects and relocates refugees who’ve lost their native planets. He lived with the DPA for a month, watched over by its leader. Scientists and admirals worked to determine Barash’s origins, but none of them found an answer. The closest they got was placing his home planet somewhere near the Romulan Empire, possibly laying the blame on the warlike species. Barash found a new home on Earth in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam. He became a mentor to lost kids, giving them a taste of the guidance and companionship he so desperately craved. As an adult, Barash joined the DPA, relocating refugees from the Federation-Klingon War of 2372. Barash relocated to Paris and became the director of the city’s chapter of the DPA. He met Dr. Beverly Crusher again when he recruited her and others to save a refugee camp. Barash was last seen in 2386, helping former Dominion citizens seek asylum in the Federation.
“Future Imperfect” is an excellent episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but its story feels incomplete. Barash didn’t need to return, but his sad tale deserved a better ending. Losing the Peace gave him the conclusion he deserved. It’s fitting to see a lonely refugee finally receive an opportunity to turn his life around. Naturally, he dedicated his following decades to guaranteeing every other person he could find a way out of the same scenario. Riker offered Barash a moment of kindness, resulting in countless other examples of the same selfless act. Barash doesn’t get much screen time, but the novels turn him into a lovely story of good deeds traveling through the universe. Watching “Future Imperfect” feels that much more satisfying when the audience imagines Barash growing up to mirror Riker’s compassion.
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