Star Trek: Exploring the Holodeck Hypothesis

Some fans have hypothesized that the entire show Star Trek: Enterprise was a holodeck program run by Commander Riker. However, the evidence strongly suggests this is not the case. Let's delve deeper into why.

The Final Episode and the Holodeck Theory

It is true that only the final episode, These Are the Voyages, was explicitly framed as a holodeck program. In this episode, Riker and Troi function as narrators on the proscenium, a stage area in front of the curtain, providing exposition to the audience. However, this framing device applied only to this final act. Throughout the rest of the series, the story was presented in a conventional manner, making the holodeck theory seem less plausible.

Timeline and Implementation

One possible way to turn the series into a holodeck program is to consider the beginning of the final episode as the true start of the series. Under this hypothesis, all episodes before would have been flashbacks to when Riker was running the program. However, the writers did not imply this, and there are no hidden Easter eggs to support this theory. If such framings were intended, it would necessitate a very convoluted explanation to account for all the episodes, including taking episodes from other series like Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery and placing them within the holodeck scenario.

Star Trek: The Holodeck Era

A better existential question, in my opinion, is whether all of Star Trek itself takes place in the mind of Benny Russell, as explored in the Deep Space Nine episode, "Far Beyond the Stars." This episode presents a compelling narrative where the series is set within the mind of a 1950s television director, Benny Russell. This interpretation offers an intriguing way to understand the shows that follow, where the storytelling becomes more self-aware and meta.

Riker's Acknowledgment and Recent Controversies

Furthermore, in an episode of Lower Decks, Riker himself acknowledges that he was merely playing and referencing the theme song, which was part of the holonovel. This aligns with the hypothesis that the series could be a way for characters to experience historical events through the medium of holodeck programs or holonovels. It can even be argued that ALL of the Star Trek series could be holonovels existing in the 24th century, with the characters aware of the same stories and characters as we know them.

Holonovels and the Future

In this interpretation, the famous special effects and makeup in earlier shows might be attributed to the limitations of childhood entertainment in the 23rd century. The Star Trek: Voyager show, for example, is considered total propaganda, presenting events in a sanitized and patriotic manner. In the 2490s, the shows Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery are seen as subversive and patriotic, respectively, further adding layers of authenticity within the holonovel framework.

Lower Decks, on the other hand, is explicitly presented as reality TV, adding a unique twist to the overall narrative.

Whether or not the entire Star Trek series is a holodeck program or a series of interrelated holonovels, this hypothesis offers an intriguing meta-level interpretation of the shows. It challenges fans to re-examine the series with a different perspective and perhaps find new layers of meaning within the familiar stories.