Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 1, Episode 10: “Move Along Home”

Synopsis: The first official delegates from the Gamma Quadrant arrive at Deep Space Nine.

This episode, much like the earlier one “Captive Pursuit,” deals with foreign species that come from the Gamma Quadrant through the wormhole and bring the unexpected. Which is much like how bits of unconscious material come to the attention of the conscious ego through a complex.

To the residents of Deep Space Nine the actions and ideas of the Wadi individuals do not mesh with what they perceive as being protocol. Starfleet wants to make an official and respectful first contact, the Wadi, led by Falow, want to play games. This is much how irrational bits of unconscious material seem to the logical, rational conscious ego.

Further, that we are dealing with irrational is that Commander Benjamin Sisko, Major Kira Nerys, Lt. Jadzia Dax, and Dr. Julian Bashir are caught in what seems to be a dream image. Yet later we realize that they are not asleep, they are awake and “are the guests of the Wadi” (Rappaport et al., 1993).

Outside the game/maze/dreamscape, on the station Quark is resistant to the unknown, but is impelled to play. But he is also trying to approach this from a logical perspective, as is evidenced in the following exchange:

Quark: “But you haven’t even told me the rules yet.”

Falow: “You’re required to learn as you play.”

. . .

Quark: “Is it good or bad?”

Falow: “Neither. Both.”

Quark: “I don’t understand.

Falow: “Ah, but there’s the key. Some will never understand.” (Rappaport et al., 1993)

And that is what it is like dealing with the unconscious. Its contents are neither good or bad, and some of us will never understand. But some of us, and especially those practicing depth psychology, study it, with the hopes of making our psyches, and those of others, more whole.

Reference:

Rappaport, F. (Writer), Rich, L. (Writer), Carrigan-Fauci, J. (Writer), & Carson, D. (Director). (1993, March 14). Move along home (Season 1, Episode 10) [TV series episode]. In R. Berman & M. Piller (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.