Synopsis: The Enterprise comes across the path of what the crew believes is a rogue comet that has the ability to transform the vessel into a temple and Lt. Commander Data into a deity.
This episode tries to explain the concept of the union of opposites through the prism of an ancient ritualistic culture.
In “Masks” the Enterprise comes across what seems to be a comet, but it is actually the particles that have affixed themselves to a large object that has been traveling through space for 87 million years. The object has the ability to change the structure of non-organic life and begins to turn the vessel into a ceremonial temple and transmits into Lt. Commander Data thousands of personalities.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard uses his knowledge of archeology to interpret the symbols that have been found around the ship. He begins to theorize that the symbols indicate that one deity, Masaka, has a consort, Korgano. Masaka is the sun deity and Korgano the moon god. Picard explains to Counselor Deanna Troi and Lt. Worf that “many ritualistic cultures incorporate the idea of balance into their belief systems” (Menosky & Wiemer, 1994). When Data dons the mask of the goddess Masaka, Picard has created a mask representing Korgano, and in this role is able to convince Masaka that it is time for the sun to go down and the moon to rise. When this happens, the Enterprise is returned to normal.
The idea of balance is also an integral part of the teachings of analytical psychologist Carl (C. G.) Jung. Jung believed that the Logos-driven rational conscious ego had to incorporate bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious in order to become stronger and for the psyche, which is composed of the totality of the conscious and the unconscious, to become more whole. Jung called this ongoing process the union of opposites and it lies at the heart of depth psychology, which is defined by its study of the unconscious.
Reference:
Menosky, J. (Writer), & Wiemer, R. (Director). (1994, February 19). Masks (Season 7, Episode 17) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller, R. Berman, & J. Taylor (Executive Producers), Star trek: The next generation. Paramount Television.
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