Synopsis: Three Klingons with whom Curzon Dax took a blood oath of revenge come aboard the station.
This episode illustrates one of the more controversial teachings of Carl (C. G.) Jung, that the Western psyche is unable to truly embody Eastern ways of being.
In “Blood Oath” three Klingon warriors, Kor, Koloth, and Kang, come aboard the station. Eighty-one years ago the sons of these three warriors were poisoned by another Klingon that they call the Albino. One of the boys, Kang’s son, was also Curzon Dax’s godson, and therefore those many years ago Curzon swore a blood oath for revenge upon the Albino. After all these decades the three aging warriors have discovered the Albino’s location and now seek revenge. Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax, while formally released from the blood oath wants to honor Curzon by taking part in the killing of the Albino. However, Kang does not want to take her with them. Kang tells Jadzia Dax: “You try to speak like a Klingon, but the words do not fit in your mouth” (Fields & Kolbe, 1994). Jadzia does go with the Klingon’s on their quest only to find out that in reality they were not really believing they could kill the Albino, but instead were looking for an honorable way to die.
The idea that an individual that has been raised in one culture cannot assimilate another culture is a heated debate especially now, in an era of cultural appropriation. Jung felt that centuries of dualism in the Western psyche would not be able to assimilate the Eastern ideals that did not maintain such dualism. He may be right. Or perhaps it is in acknowledging that there is a difference that will lead us to accepting both.
Reference:
Fields, P. A. (Writer), & Kolbe, W. (Director). (1994, March 27). Blood oath (Season 2, Episode 19) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.
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