Synopsis: An ancient stone tablet is found under the Temple of B’Hala on Bajor which has a special message for the Emissary to the Prophets, Captain Sisko.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of one reaction of the Logos-driven rational conscious ego when bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious erupt into its purview through a complex.
In “The Reckoning” a stone tablet over 30,000 years old is found under the sacred Temple of B’Hala on Bajor. Captain Benjamin Sisko, his son, Jake Sisko, and Major Kira Nerys are asked to come see it, because the only thing that can initially be deciphered from its arcane language are the words “Welcome Emissary” (Weddle et al., 1998). Sisko has a vision of The Prophets and then is struck down by the tablet. Sisko feels a deep need to know what the message on the tablet says and has it brought aboard Deep Space Nine to be deciphered. He does not ask permission to do so from Kai Winn, and she comes to the station to retrieve it. After being ordered by Starfleet Command to return the tablet, Sisko awakes in the night, goes to the tablet, and breaks it open. Out of the tablet he sees two essences emerge. These essences turn out to be the power of The Prophets, who then claim Kira’s body to do their bidding against the forces of who they perceive as the evil one, Kosst Amojan, who takes over the body of Jake Sisko. To avoid the destruction of the station, Winn releases some gaseous particles into the station’s ventilation system that cause the essences to leave the bodies of the two individuals. Meaning that the essences of both The Prophets and evil have been re-released into the universe.
In this episode the stone tablet that calls to Sisko can be analogized to a complex, and the emanations that escaped from it once he breaks it open can be seen as representing bits of unconscious material, both those perceived as “good” and “evil.” Their confrontation jars Deep Space Nine until Winn forces them to leave. Winn’s act of self-preservation can be compared to when the conscious ego acknowledges the presence of unconscious material, but is not ready to integrate them into itself. Yet, the acknowledgement of the material, even if not integrated, is one step closer to making the ego stronger and the psyche more whole.
Reference:
Weddle, D. (Writer), Thompson, B. (Writer), & Treviño, J. S. (Director). (1998, April 29). The reckoning (Season 6, Episode 21) [TV series episode]. In I. S. Behr & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.
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