Synopsis: Enterprise’s crew comes to the aid of an unusual group of Vulcans.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of possible dangers that can arise when the Logos-driven rational conscious ego integrates bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious into itself without guidance or precautions.
In “Fusion” just as Enterprise arrives at the Arachnid Nebula, she is hailed by Captain Tavin of the Vulcan exploration ship, Vahklas, which needs some engine repair. The three Vulcans aboard, Tavin, Tolaris, and Kov are welcomed aboard by Captain Jonathan Archer. A meal is shared, and the crew are surprised when Tavin asks to try a chicken dish. Sub-Commander T’Pol then calls the visitors “V’tosh ka’tur, Vulcans without logic” (Strong et al., 2002). The engines of the Vulcan ship will take three to four days to prepare, and in the meantime, Tavin offers the use of her scanners to aid in the mapping of the nebula. Archer orders T’Pol to assist, and she spends much of her time with Tolaris. Tolaris explains to T’Pol that his group does not disagree with the teachings of Surek, but with how his work has been interpreted with others. They do not believe that emotions need to be repressed, but balanced. He encourages T’Pol to experiment with not doing her nightly meditations. When she does so, she is so upset that she needs to go to Sick Bay. Tolaris then introduces her to the idea of the mind meld, so that they may share minds and learn his ways. However, this is also very disturbing to T’Pol and when she asks Tolaris to stop, he does not. She has to push him off of her. She has suffered an injury and when Archer confronts Tolaris, who then attacks him as well, Archer asks Tolaris and the others to leave Enterprise.
In this episode, Tolaris is successful in enticing T’Pol to do things that she normally would not do, which ends up with her being overrun by ideas that she cannot accept. This can be analogized to when the conscious ego is flooded by information from the unconscious without any guidance from another, which can be risky. This is because although the ego becomes stronger and the psyche more whole by acknowledging and integrating bits of unconscious material into itself, the process can be overwhelming to the ego if one is not careful. Which is why the service of an analyst is important when addressing these powerful feelings.
Reference: Strong, P., Sussman, M. (Writers), & Hedden, R. (Director). (2002, February 27). Fusion (Season 1, Episode 17) [TV series episode]. In B. Braga & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Enterprise. Paramount Network Television, Paramount Television.
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