Synopsis: Seven of Nine has her first date while the Kadi ambassador visits Voyager.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of the need for balance between the Logos-driven rational conscious ego and the Eros-driven irrational unconscious.
In “Someone to Watch Over Me” Seven of Nine indulges a newfound interest in human mating rituals by studying the interactions of Ensign Tom Paris and Lt. B’Elanna Torres. But this is not suitable, so she is encouraged to do further research by trying to date. The Doctor offers to coach her. Meanwhile Tomin, the ambassador from Kadi, a very pious people, visits Voyager to determine whether or not the crew is worthy of receiving needed supplies from the planet, while Captain Kathryn Janeway and Lt. Commander Tuvok visit the planet accompanied by a Kadi minister. Mr. Neelix is left in charge of Tomin. As soon as Janeway leaves, Tomin wants to experience everything on Voyager forbidden to him on Kadi. While this is going on, Seven has difficulties with the dating ritual but spends a lot of time with The Doctor. He becomes infatuated with her, but after Seven tells him that she has determined that there are no suitable mates for her aboard Voyager, he doesn’t tell her how he feels. Meanwhile, Tomin has overindulged, but is helped to sobber up enough to meet the minister when he returns with Janeway and Tuvok. The minister asks Tomin if he has indulged, telling him that if he did, it was all right, just not to make a habit of it.
In this episode there are several illustrations of the rational conscious ego integrating bits of unconscious material into itself. Seven attempts to have social interactions with humans, and while that does not go smoothly, she does learn about other interests she has, including music. Tomin, who has suppressed any bodily desires, which are associated with the unconscious, lets his conscious ego overindulge. But at the end of the episode, is told by the very devout minister that a little bit of mischief is allowed, as long as he doesn’t do it too often. This is a learning moment for him as well. And finally, The Doctor, who falls for Seven but does not tell her, has learned to be more empathic and compassionate. All these opportunities for growth can be analogized to what happens when the conscious ego acknowledges and integrates bits of unconscious material into itself, in the process that Carl (C. G.) Jung called individuation, the way in which a person becomes more individual and whole.
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