Synopsis: Mr. Spock must go back in time to prevent his own death.
This episode, written by D. C. Fontana, has so many fascinating aspects to it, but the one I will focus on here is the idea that like a psyche, the Vulcans actually do have emotions, they are controlled by honoring them, just as the ancient Greeks and Romans honored the deities of their myths.
When present day Mr. Spock is sent back in the past and speaks as a cousin to his childhood self, we get an understanding of some of Vulcan culture. When telling his younger self why a ritual is important Spock explains: “The kahs-wan ordeal is an ancient rite of warrior days. When Vulcans turned to logic, they reasoned they must maintain the tests of courage and strength to keep pure logic from making them weak and helpless.” Later he further explains: “Vulcans do not lack emotion. It is only that ours is controlled. Logic offers a serenity humans seldom experience in full. We have emotions but we deal with them and do not let them control us.”
I would offer that the one reason that their emotions do not control Vulcans is their rituals that propitiate them. While we do not necessarily see many human rituals in Star Trek, the Vulcan ones, this one and also the pon farr from Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Amok Time,” are more in line with those of the ancients on Earth. Those that “modern” Western society has either neglected or relegated to one monotheistic entity that is given lip service to twice a year by many, while humans go against even these teachings. Perhaps what Spock calls serenity is what Carl (C. G.) Jung would interpret as wholeness. Or at least Spock’s Vulcan traditions are closer to individuation than the ways of the Terrans.
Original post created 6 April 2021
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