Synopsis: Lt. Commander Data engages his dream program, which has him identifying a threat to the Enterprise that sensors could not pick up.
This episode is an illustration of how messages from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious when perceived and acknowledged by the Logos-driven rational conscious ego, can be very useful, and in some instances, lifesaving.
In “Phantasms” Lt. Commander Data experiments with his dreaming function and expresses concern over disturbing images that he is seeing in his dreams.
Counselor Deanna Troi tries to assuage his fears by telling him: “Data, you shouldn’t be afraid of dark imagery in your dreams. It’s a natural expression of your unconscious – if you have an unconscious” (Braga & Stewart, 1993), and paraphrases Dr. Sigmund’s Freud saying that dreams are the royal road to the unconscious. Hearing this, Data, the embodiment of rational thinking decides to consult with Dr. Sigmund Freud in the holodeck. This scene is a classic caricature of Freud and depth psychology, and Data is not impressed by his interpretation of his dreams. However, Data continues his exploration of what his dreams are trying to communicate to him.
As it turns out, in his dream program, Data is able to sense a threat from interphasic parasites that are slowly destroying the Enterprise and her crew. By listening to his dreams, Data was able to save the ship and everyone aboard her. Not only that, by heeding what might be his own developing intuition, he acknowledged that there was a meaning to his dreams even though he did not initially understand the imagery contained in them.
We all dream and we all are able to experience moments when bits of unconscious material emerge into our consciousness. While the messages are not always as lifesaving as those that Data was receiving, if we acknowledge them and try to understand and integrate their meaning into our consciousness, they will lead to a more whole psyche.
Reference:
Braga, B. (Writer), & Stewart, P. (Director). (1993, October 23). Phantasms (Season 7, Episode 6) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller, R. Berman, & J. Taylor (Executive Producers), Star trek: The next generation. Paramount Television.
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