Synopsis: While trying to retrieve data from a science station evacuated eight years prior, Commander Riker discovers his double.
In this episode we can see how the depth psychological concept of projection works in a very direct way. Projection is the way in which we are able to perceive those unwanted or suppressed parts of our psyche in another, but what we are really seeing is something inside us.
In “Second Chances” when Commander William Riker is confronted by his double, Lt. William Riker, he encounters what he would have been like if his life had taken a different turn and if his dreams from eight years ago had not changed. Most especially his feelings for Counselor Deanna Troi, who confides to Lt. Riker that she had been deeply hurt by Commander Riker’s actions toward her.
In what is becoming a trope in Season Six of Star Trek: The Next Generation the two outsider characters to the mostly human crew, the android Lt. Commander Data, and the Klingon Lt. Worf, discuss their observations of the humans. When Data asks Worf why Commander Riker is having such difficulty getting along with his double, Worf responds, “Perhaps it is more a matter of seeing something in your double – something you do not like in yourself” (Echevarria & Burton, 1993). This describes very astutely the concept of how projection works, although in most instances, we project what we do not like about ourselves onto another, but here, Commander Riker is projecting it onto his double. Not surprisingly, Lt. Riker is uncomfortable with the projection and does his best to reject it. That is until the two are forced to work together, and Commander Riker saves the life of Lt. Riker, which is when they come to an understanding. This can be analogized as to how the conscious ego needs to acknowledge that a trait that we may deem unacceptable in another, is really an aspect of our own unconscious that we have chosen to deny. Once this is known, the ego can integrate this bit of unconscious material into itself to be stronger, and to make the psyche more whole.
Reference:
Echevarria, R. (Writer), & Burton, L. (Director). (1993, May 22). Second chances (Season 6, Episode 24) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: The next generation. Paramount Television.
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