Synopsis: Lt. Dax is appointed the field trainer for a Trill initiate.
This episode focuses on the joining process of a Trill host and its symbiont, which can be seen to be analogous to the relationship between the Logos-driven rational conscious ego and the Eros-driven irrational unconscious.
In “Playing God” Lt. Jadzia Dax must give her recommendation as to whether or not the Trill initiate Arjin should continue on in the process of becoming a host to a symbiont. The symbiont being is a species with a lifespan that far exceeds that of the Trill, the race that is most often joined with it. Because of this, the memories of the symbiont continue on through each new host, as does the knowledge that the original symbiont possessed. This makes the symbiont a very powerful entity, and as Dax explains to Arjin: “The symbiont’s influence is very strong, Arjin, but you’re the host. You’ve got to be strong enough to balance that influence with your own instincts. If you can’t the symbiont will overwhelm your personality” (Trombetta et al., 1994).
This can be seen as similar to the relationship between and individual’s conscious ego and unconscious. The ego in this case would be the Trill and the symbiont would be cast in the role of the unconscious – the collective unconscious would be the memories of all the hosts that had proceeded the current one. We can only imagine how it must feel to a Trill to wake up and immediately have access to all the memories of so many others. This is what happens when an individual’s ego is overwhelmed by the unconscious. It can cause a psychic break. Fortunately, normally an individual receives small bits of unconscious material at a time, through what Carl (C. G.) Jung called a complex. The complex alerting the ego that there is something in the psyche that needs attention. When one’s ego acknowledges these bits of unconscious material and integrates it into one’s consciousness, then the conscious ego is strengthened and the psyche becomes more whole.
Reference:
Trombetta, J. (Writer), Piller, M. (Writer), & Livingston, D. (Director). (1994, February 27). Playing god (Season 2, Episode 17) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.
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