Synopsis: The crew of the Enterprise is tasked with investigating a potential alien presence on Earth in the nineteenth century when Lt. Commander Data’s head is excavated in a cavern.
In this episode Lt. Commander Data is in the unique position to be looking at his remains from the future that were then transported back in time to the past. From that perspective, “Time’s Arrow” can be seen as another episode in the series of investigations into the in-between place, or as Archetypal Psychologist James Hillman would call it the metaxy.
Data, being an android, is able to investigate this reality of being in between the knowledge of his death in the future, and he tells Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge that this brings him comfort. As an android, he would live on indefinitely, but knowing that he will die makes him feel more human. The rest of the crew are not as easily prepared for this new piece of information, as Counselor Deanna Troi expresses it: “It’s like finding out someone you love has a terminal illness.”
Data is determined to go to the planet where the investigation of his death is taking place, knowing the risks, because he knows that it will be the place of discovery. Just as for Hillman the metaxy is the place to discover our true selves and make soul, or find it.
Original post created 23 October 2021
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