Synopsis: Commander Ransom is ordered to supervise Ensign Mariner.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of James Hillman’s acorn theory, that just as an acorn has everything inside it to become an oak tree, we all have inner daimons that have all the information we need to become who we were meant to be.
In “The Least Dangerous Game” Commander Jack Ransom has been assigned to supervise Ensign Beckett Mariner. He orders her to accompany him, Chief Engineer Andy Billups and Ensign Samanthan (Sam) Rutherford on a mission to Dulaine, to repair the planet’s orbital lifts. Once they arrive, Ransom divides the tasks. He assigns Billups and Rutherford the diplomatic aspect of the mission, to coordinate with the Dulainians to rescue any stranded citizens, while he and Mariner will stay in the orbital lift to make the needed mechanical repairs. Mariner objects, but Ransom tells her not to question his orders. On the surface, Billups and Rutherford end up insulting the Dulainians and Ransom must step in to save them from being killed. Meanwhile, on Cerritos, Ensign Bradward (Brad) Boimler learns that a former Cerritos crewmate, Vendome, has already achieved the rank of captain. Ensign D’Vana Tendi tells him that Vendome volunteered for any mission he could and tried new things. Boimler decides that he is going to stop turning down opportunities.
In this episode, there are examples both of following one’s inner daimon, and not doing so. The best example of following one’s inner daimon is what happened to Vendome. When he was true to himself, opportunities seemed to present themselves to him, resulting in a field commission to the rank of captain. Also, when Ransom went down to save Billups and Rutherford, he knew exactly what to do to persuade the Dulainians to not sacrifice his crewmates. On the other hand, the reason Billups and Rutherford were in peril in the first place is because Ransom ordered them on a mission that was not in keeping with their skill set. They could not rely on their inner daimons to guide them in their mission and it was a failure. Similarly, Mariner also failed in her mission to not question orders, because it was not who she is. However, remaining true to her survival instincts, when Ransom complimented her on following his orders today, she did not mention that he interrupted her intentions to do just the opposite. Listening to one’s inner daimon can both move oneself toward who they were meant to be and also, aid one to get out of a situation that is not in accordance with what one was meant to be.
mydailysoultrek 