Synopsis: Lt. Paris leaves Voyager in order to investigate the possibility of there being a spy among her crew.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of the different modes of operating of the Logos-driven rational conscious ego and the Eros-driven irrational unconscious in their ways of approaching sending information to the psyche. And how when the conscious ego integrates bits of material from the unconscious, the psyche’s perspectives become more whole.
In “Investigations” there are two investigations occurring. One, Neelix’s new pursuit of journalism, which is out in the open, and a covert operation for which Captain Kathryn Janeway enlisted the services of Lt. Tom Paris. Neelix is told by a fellow Talaxian that someone aboard Voyager will be leaving and is dismayed to find that the person who is leaving is his friend, Paris. Paris leaves to join the Talaxian convoy, which is then immediately attacked by the Kazon-Nistrim vessel that Seska, the former Maquis member, is aboard. Paris is abducted and taken onto the Kazon-Nistrim ship. Seska tells him immediately that she doesn’t trust him. On the Kazon-Nistrim vessel, Paris works to uncover the identity of the spy. Meanwhile, Neelix’s journalistic investigation has led him to the same conclusion, the spy is Crewmember Mike Jonas. Jonas sabotages Voyager so that the ship will be forced to go to a planet where the Kazon-Nistrim will stage an ambush. Paris discovers the plan and warns Voyager. Neelix is attacked by Jonas and pushes him into the warp core. The Voyager’s crew rescues Paris and eludes the ambush. Paris appears on Neelix’s show, illustrating the importance of both investigations.
In this episode, the journalistic investigation that Neelix is conducting, following clues where they lead them, can be analogized to how the rational conscious ego would solve a problem. Whereas Paris’s more covert operation, can be interpreted to be more like how the irrational unconscious may operate more outside the lines of Starfleet regulations. But in the end it was the combined efforts of both that averted Voyager’s being captured by the Kazon-Nistrim. This mirrors how when both the conscious ego and the unconscious are allowed to work together to determine a course of action, such as when the ego acknowledges a hunch from one’s gut, that often this can be the best way in which to move forward.
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