Synopsis: Due to an equipment malfunction when passing through the wormhole, Major Kira and Dr. Bashir find themselves in an alternate universe.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of what it is like to face one’s shadow.
In “Crossover” because of an engine malfunction that occurs when their runabout is going through the wormhole, Major Kira Nerys and Dr. Julian Bashir find themselves in an alternate universe. In fact, it is the same alternate universe that Captain James T. Kirk and several of his crew visited in the episode “Mirror, Mirror” from Star Trek: The Original Series. And in an allusion to another episode from The Original Series, “The Enemy Within,” like Kirk, Major Kira is confronted by her own opposite. However, in this universe, Intendant Kira is in complete control, and she is fascinated by the appearance of Major Kira. We learn in this episode that because Kirk had already visited this universe Intendant Kira knew exactly who and what Major Kira was. This caused Major Kira to be at a disadvantage, which is shown in this exchange:
Major Kira: “I’m a little afraid of you.”
Intendant Kira: “Then you fear yourself. I don’t want your fear. I want your love. If you can’t love me, who can? Don’t be in such a hurry to go, I’m glad you’re here. There is so much we can learn from one another.” (Fields et al., 1994)
This bit of dialogue indicates that this alternate universe is similar to the Eros-driven irrational and instinctual unconscious of our psyches. Intendant Kira being the embodiment of the shadow found in our unconscious. The shadow being those parts of ourselves that is suppressed by society, or the Logos-driven rational conscious ego, because the traits contained in it are in opposition to what is considered acceptable. Even more than lust as an instinct, Intendant Kira also exhibits tendencies towards narcissism, in that the object of her desire is a physical duplicate of herself.
Major Kira on the other hand, is the embodiment of the conscious ego. All she wants to do is to get as far away from Intendant Kira as possible so that her life can get back to its orderly rational conscious universe. However, when Major Kira does return to her universe she will have been slightly changed by what she experienced in the alternate one. Because Intendant Kira is correct in one thing, when we face our shadow there is so much that we can learn from the experience.
Reference:
Fields, P.A. (Writer), Piller, M. (Writer), & Livingston, D. (Director). (1994, May 15). Crossover (Season 2, Episode 23) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.
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