Synopsis: Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay are left on a planet to try to find a cure to a virus that they both became infected with, while Voyager continues without them.
This episode is yet another illustration of the Logos-driven rational conscious ego being in relationship with the Eros-driven irrational unconscious, and how it can make the ego stronger and the psyche more whole.
In “Resolutions” Captain Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay become infected with a fatal virus that The Doctor can find no cure for. So, they leave Voyager for a planet that’s atmosphere seems to inhibit the virus as the ship continues its voyage home. When she turns over command to Lt. Tuvok, Janeway makes it clear that she does not want the Voyager crew to ask the Vidiians for a cure, because they might try to take over the ship. On the planet, Janeway is resolute in her efforts to try to find a way to cure the virus, so that they can leave the planet and maybe even rejoin Voyager. Meanwhile, Chakotay spends his time trying to make a home for them in the world they have found themselves in. When a storm destroys Janeway’s research equipment, she too is forced to try to make the best of the situation. She makes friends with a monkey and plants a garden. Back aboard Voyager the crew is unhappy with the order to not approach the Vidiians, because they likely have a cure for the virus. Tuvok decides to have The Doctor contact Dr. Pel, whom the Doctor recently treated for the Phage. She does have the cure. When they meet her to retrieve it, the Vidiians do try to capture the ship, but Voyager is able to fight them off, and the crew returns to the planet with a serum for the virus.
In this episode, as in most episodes of Star Trek: Voyager, Janeway is the epitome of the Starfleet mindset. That yes, we can reason our way out of this situation. Chakotay, on the other hand, who was a Maquis member before, and prior to that is of Native American descent, is portrayed how he often is, as being more at home in nature and more in tune with his instincts. When they first arrive on the planet, they each fulfill their roles and complement each other very well. This can be seen as an illustration of what it is like when an individual’s rational conscious ego and unconscious are in equilibrium. Then Janeway’s equipment is destroyed and she too begins to make peace with living on the planet being closer to nature. She makes friends with a monkey, she plants a garden, and she even considers a relationship with Chakotay. She begins to let bits of unconscious material, emotions, integrate with her conscious ego. Then Voyager returns with the cure for the virus and she returns to her normal state of mind, but still, she has become a tiny bit more flexible, which only goes to strengthen her psyche.
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