Synopsis: Security Chief Odo uses a character from a holosuite program for advice on matters of the heart.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of how therapeutic it can be when the Logos-driven rational conscious ego accepts bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious into itself.
In “His Way” Dr. Julian Bashir tells Security Chief Odo how he programmed a character from a new 1960s style nightclub holosuite program, Vic Fontaine, who knows he is a holosuite program character, yet has the ability to help him when it comes to matters of the heart. In desperation, Odo, who has been holding a torch for Major Kira Nerys for the past six seasons, seeks Fontaine’s advice. Fontaine first touches on Odo’s inner self by asking him to play piano, which Odo enjoys immensely. Now that trust has been created between them through music, Fontaine tries to figure out a way to connect Odo and Kira. However, the way he does it is to trick Odo into believing that the real Kira is a holosuite character, so he will feel comfortable. But when it is revealed he has been wooing the real Kira, Odo becomes embarrassed and self-conscious. That is until Kira meets him in the Promenade, and the episode ends with a passionate kiss between them.
In this episode Fontaine can be seen as a bit of a Trickster character. Most especially because he knows that he is a mere holographic image, yet he has the ability to communicate with Odo not only in the holosuite but also in real life. This can be compared to how Hermes was able to travel between the Underworld of Hades, the human sphere and the realm of the Olympians. Fontaine encourages Odo to get in touch with his Eros nature, and when Odo’s rational Logos-driven ego gets in the way, uses a bit of Trickster energy to push Odo into recognizing that he can integrate bits of unconscious Eros-driven material into his conscious awareness. The result is an Odo who is able to acknowledge at least a bit of emotion.
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