Synopsis: On a distant moon, Security Chief Odo must try to save Major Kira from a crystalline formation that is threatening her. Meanwhile, on Deep Space Nine, Nog reveals his intention to apply to Starfleet.
This episode can be seen as illustrations as to how important it can be to listen to one’s instincts, or as James Hillman would say, one’s inner daimon. This is the teaching of Hillman’s acorn theory, the idea that just as an acorn has everything within it to become a tree, we all have an inner daimon that knows our destiny in life, and it is important to listen to it.
In “Heart of Stone” there are two separate plotlines wherein characters must remain true to their inner daimons in order to get them to a desired outcome in the situation they each find themselves in. On a moon where Major Kira Nerys and Security Chief Odo have landed in pursuit of a Maquis member, Odo must use his instincts and knowledge to ascertain that the individual who is in peril on that moon is not Kira, but a changeling impersonating her. She made some mistakes which caused Odo to believe that this was not Kira in front of him, but an imposter. When found out, the changeling told Odo that she did it because she though if Odo thought Kira was dead he would come back to his home planet. However, in trusting himself, Odo saw through her, found Kira, and then returned to Deep Space Nine, where he knew he needed to be at this time.
Meanwhile, on the station, Nog, Quark’s nephew, tells Commander Benjamin Sisko that he wants to be the first Ferengi to apply to Starfleet. Sisko refuses to write him a letter of recommendation in spite of him passing a test Sisko put him through. But then Nog explains to Sisko that he is not good at acquiring profit, which is perceived as the most important thing in Ferengi customs, but he is a hard worker and good with mechanical things, which is something highly praised in Starfleet. He knows in his bones that he can do it, and he convinces Sisko to change his mind and recommend him in his application to Starfleet.
Similar to what we saw with the character of Vedek Bareil in my last blog “Life Support,” Odo and Nog’s determination can be seen as embodiments of the power of being in touch with one’s inner daimon, and how when we are, we are led to our own inner truth of what will make us feel more whole and put us in service to the anima mundi. This is one of Hillman’s key concepts from archetypal psychology.
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