Synopsis: A transporter malfunction causes Lt. Tuvok and Neelix to fuse into one being.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of the Logos-driven rational conscious ego being in relationship with the Eros-driven unconscious, and how it can make the ego stronger and the psyche more whole.
In “Tuvix” Lt. Tuvok and Neelix are sent to a planet to collect samples of orchids with unusual properties. When they are transported back to Voyager with the samples, Tuvok, Neelix, and the orchids are fused into a single being. The new entity calls himself Tuvix and starts to find his place on the ship. When The Doctor finds a way to separate the individuals Tuvix does not want to die. Captain Kathryn Janeway decides to go forward with the separation and performs it herself as The Doctor will not do it against Tuvix’s wishes. The separation is successful.
In this episode, it is easy to see that Tuvok is the embodiment of the rational conscious ego and that Neelix represents the irrational unconscious. When they are combined, the individual Tuvix balances both, and arguably is stronger and more whole than either. He also represents what Carl (C. G.) Jung and James Hillman would both consider a new third thing. Hillman would call this the metaxy, where soul is made; Jung would see the new third thing as where psychic healing occurs. Because Tuvix is a new living third thing, it is no surprise that he does not want to submit to being separated into the parts. When Janeway decides that the individuals who make up Tuvix should be restored, she is acting in a way that can be compared to how when the rational conscious ego has had enough uncertainty, and lack of control, it prefers that things return to a state which reinforces the status quo; the status quo that it is in charge of, that is.
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