Synopsis: Lt. Tuvok is tasked with training some recalcitrant former Maquis crewmembers in the ways of Starfleet, while Voyager suffers from an infection in her bio-packs.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of what happens during what Carl (C. G.) Jung would call the union of opposites, or the transcendent function. Which is when the Logos-driven rational conscious ego acknowledges and incorporates into itself bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious. This makes the ego stronger and the psyche more whole.
In “Learning Curve” Captain Kathryn Janeway decides that the best way to help some of the former Marquis crewmembers who are struggling to abide by Starfleet rules and regulations would be for Lt. Tuvok to instruct them as he did cadets at Starfleet Academy. Tuvok representing the embodiment of absolute respect for and submission to rules and regulations. This is unsuccessful until there is an in infection in the systems aboard the ship, which results in Tuvok breaking Starfleet regulations in order to save the life of one of his students. After Tuvok has shown to the crewmembers he is instructing that he cares more for their lives than Starfleet rules, be gains their respect.
Here Tuvok can be seen as the physical manifestation of the rational conscious ego, which expects everything to go according to its rules. However, sometimes the ego is forced to acknowledge things are out of its control. This often comes by the way of a feeling-toned complex, which is the unconscious’s way to let the ego know that something needs to be addressed. While in common parlance this can be seen as negative, another way to look at it is as an opportunity for self-understanding and psychic growth. The complex in the episode is symbolized by the systems malfunctions, which force Tuvok to do something he ordinarily wouldn’t do, bend the rules. But by doing so, he not only saves one crewmember, but earns the respect of others. Tuvok in this circumstance, like the conscious ego, becomes stronger by acting a bit irrationally, and in the bargain the crew becomes healed and more whole.
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