Synopsis: Dr. Bashir falls in love with his genetically enhanced patient.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of projection, which is one way that the Logos-driven rational conscious ego becomes aware of bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious, making it stronger and the psyche more whole. When the bits of unconscious material are our inner ideal mate, we fall in love with the individual upon whom we have projected. When the bits of unconscious material are from our shadow, we detest the individual upon whom we have projected.
In “Chrysalis” a trio of genetically enhanced patients that Dr. Julian Bashir first met in the episode from the sixth season, “Statistical Probabilities,” Lauren, Patrick, and Jack, return to Deep Space Nine. They bring the fourth patient, Sarina, to Bashir so that he can perform an experimental procedure upon her, to allow her to communicate. The procedure is successful, and Bashir falls in love with the beautiful young woman that Sarina grows into. At first Sarina returns his affection, but when Bashir moves to swiftly to cement their relationship Sarina reverts back to staying inside herself. Lauren, Patrick, and Jack explain to Bashir that Sarina has not lost the ability to speak, but that she is afraid to. Bashir then goes back to Sarina to tell her that he loves her and asks if she loves him. Sarina tells him she doesn’t even know what love is. Bashir now realizing that the relationship is not to be finds an internship for Sarina at a science station and they say goodbye.
In this episode, when Bashir so quickly falls in love with Sarina, it is because he has projected his own internal anima, or ideal mate onto her. At first, Sarina accepts the projection, which also is what happens when humans fall in love at first sight. But, when the projection becomes too much to bear and Sarina can no longer accept it, she goes back into herself. Bashir, still seeing his projection and not Sarina, tells her that he loves her and Sarina is forced to tell him that she does not return his feelings. At this point, once the projection is no longer present, Bashir is able to see Sarina for who she is. Once Bashir can see Sarina for who she really is he is able to do something truly loving for her, find her a place where she can grow into the individual that she is meant to be.
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