Synopsis: Voyager is attacked by the Kazon-Nistrim forces, which have aligned with Seska, the former Maquis member who was also once part of Voyager’s crew.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of one of the archetypal relationships that James Hillman wrote about extensively. That of the need of the puer, or eternal youth, to break away from the Great Mother.
In “Maneuvers” the former Maquis turned Voyager crew member, Seska, has aligned with the Kazon-Nistrim, and shared information with them that allowed them to come aboard Voyager and steal a transporter module. Seska and Commander Chakotay were once romantically connected and Seska taunts him mercilessly knowing that Chakotay will feel the need to settle the personal score. Chakotay, against the orders of Captain Kathryn Janeway goes out on his own after the technology that was stolen, destroys it, but is also captured by the Kazons. Janeway orders Voyager’s crew to go and rescue him, but in the end she must discipline Chakotay for his actions because he did not obey her.
Here when Chakotay feels that he must set out on his own to handle the situation for which he feels he is responsible, he is acting with the energy of the puer archetype. Part of that archetypal power makes him feel compelled to break free from the influence of the Great Mother, which here is embodied in Janeway. And while this may be necessary in our psychic development, it does result in a loss of a certain closeness, in this episode what was lost was Janeway’s unwavering trust in Chakotay. The Great Mother can no longer assume that the puer is completely and unquestionably under her control.
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