In defense of Jadzia/Julian
I was reading a lot on this forum while awaiting answers on my Kes/Ocampa threads, and I cannot believe how much “criticisms” my favorite Star Trek pairing (Jadzia Dax/Julian Bashir) is getting. These characters were my favorites until I saw Kes, and l, even through I think Kes is better, I still like them, and their pairing. So I decided to write a defense. It will probably be all for nothing, but I hope it will redeem the pairing at least for some people, or at least start a discussion. Because, even through some criticisms have some merit, they are often full of hypocrisy in that the same criticisms is not applied to other pairings in the same situation.
First criticism is that Bashir is coming onto a person who is his patient. There are three things I have to say onto this criticisms:
Bashir has no choice.
Others did it as well, and are not attacked for it. This includes Bashir/any male.
Criticism is not applicable to the pairing
Elaboration:
If Bashir wants a stable relationship that is not long range (or, otherwise, a basis for a healthy relationship), he must do it with someone who is potentially his patient. It is not fair for him to criticise him for this. Of course, it is unfair for him to be the only doctor on the station. The obvious solution is to give him another doctor so said another doctor can treat Jadzia - a solution successfully applied in some Jadzia/Julian fanfiction.
Of course, some might say that he should not have a relationship. There is some merit in an idea that only monks should practice medicine - but it should be clearly stated (and it's obviously not the case in Star Trek. And nobody in - universe criticizes Julian for that. Plus, him marrying Jadzia would actually prevent him from coming onto other patients - and Jadzia is certainly harder to exploit than some rano girls. Right?
Here comes the other thing. Why it is only Bashir (and only with women!) that gets criticized for it. My issue (other than Julian/men) is mostly with Voyager (and, well, Lower Decks). In Voyager, Tom Paris is a second medic on the ship - if The Doctor is unavailable, he is the main medic. And he must treat B’Elanna Torres. Yet, nobody objects to that. Earlier, Kes was in his position - worse, she was the only field medic Voyager had. And she was involved with Neelix. So, if Neelix is hurt in the field (such as in “Tattoo”),she will have to treat him. Kes/Neelix is often criticized, yet never for this reason. It is never brought up.
Speaking of Tom and Kes, in “Before and After”, they hooked up, married and had a child while being only medical personnel Voyager had. I am in no way trying to criticize Tom/Kes, I am just saying that people were doing this and nobody cares. So why poor Bashir is attacked for it? Because he is male? In Lower Decks, T’Ana is Shax’s doctor? They are a couple (the main het couple on Cerritos). Nobody cares about that. How is that different from Jadzia/Julian? Only difference I see is that Julian is male and T’Ana is female. How is that not sexist?
Also, Bashir is just as Garak:s doctor as he is Jadzia’s. And yet, I never saw Garak/Bashir being criticized for that. Some may say that Garak is male and Jadzia's female… but, in order for Garashir to work, Bashir must be attracted to Garak… and, if he is, what difference does his physical sex do? I think none. So, either criticize all pairings like that, no paring like that, or point out the differences between them that I don't see (that aren't based on different physical sex).
As for criticisms not being applicable to the pairing… It is simple. Bashir hits on his patients in his infirmary, true… but was Jadzia ever such a patient? I honestly don't remember. If you do, point me out the episode and the scene, and I will rewatch it. It is on him, yes… but him hooking up with and marrying Jadzia would actually serve to stop this, out of loyalty to her… Just like hooking up with B’Elanna helped Tom Paris in Voyager. He only flirts with her when not serving her in any medical capacity… and his behavior once saved her life. And, Jadzia herself stated that he never made any unwanted sexual advances on her (Doctor Bashir, I Presume). There were also some situations he could easily take advantage of her (If wishes were horses, Exqulibirum, Starship down), but he didn't. The difference is the old “lust interest vs love interest” opposite. That he never takes advantage of her is for the pairing, showing that his feelings for Jadzia goes deeper than lust (in opposition to all other flirting). It's not perfect, but it's better than people give him credit for.
Speaking of which, there is a matter of rejection. Jadzia's rejection of him. Many people say that he should go away after the first rejection. But, would we have any relationship if it went that way. And Jadzia was sending out mixed signals, not only to him but to the audience as well.
In Jadzia's very first scene in the series, she actually defends Julian’s interest in her to Suski. And she accepts Julian’s invitation to a drink. Anything that resembles rejection doesn't appear until two episodes later. But this is the key.
It may be read as “not interested in you at all”. It can be also read as either “not not, young one, you must grow up first” or “personally, I would like, but it is against my culture”. These kinds of mixed signals appear up until her and Word hooking up.
Some of it can be brought down to Jadzia's inner fight and turmoil. To possible fear of commiting to one relationship. To something similar to T’Pol in Enterprise (by the way, Trip did what many people wanted Bashir to do, went away, transferred to Columbia - and got criticized for it). But there is another thing to consider, something going further than her feeling - uniqueness of Trill.
People forget Jadzia Dax is two beings - two sentient beings in symbiosis - each with it's own wants and desires, with their own personalities. And their own prejudices as well.
It is my feeling that Jadzia is a lot like Julian. And she likes him. Probably not love him, not yet. Dax never let these feelings develop. But Jadzia is attracted to him. All these moments in which it feels she is moments from returning these feelings - that's all Jadzia. But Dax doesn't want it. Doesn't want him. Dax looks like a symbiont that likes to live in the past - Ezri’s both relationships are based on feelings on previous hosts. Jadzia married Word because of Curzon’s memories of Klingons. The Kahn thing was also based on memories of a previous host. I won't talk more about it, because I don't want to offend more people.
But Bashir had an opportunity to bring new things into her life. To make Jadzia shine on her own. And for that, he could never marry her.
Because Trill symbiosis is no symbiosis. It is clear that the symbionts are prioritized over the hosts. I see an entire society built around serving these symbionts. I see culture than encourages joining, but allows only specific personality type to join. The one most likely to listen to the symbiont. And Jadzia - we know she was shy. She looks just like a type of person who would be easily dominated. Unlike Ezri, I might add.
But Julian, he cared about Jadzia the host. Maybe even more than Dax. It is shown in how he address her - with her borth name, Jadzia. Not Dax. Not any reference to a previous host. Just “Jadzia”. In that, he is a danger to the symbiont domination. A threat. Which is why Dax rejected him. Whenever Jadzia Dax was rejecting him, it was Dax speaking. And, well, I guess Jadzia did find Word handsome. Dax took this opportunity to immerse himself in the past. To bring an end to this danger. And Dax succeeded. He won. When Jadzia died, it was clear it was only Dax left. Jadzia suffered death of personality much earlier.
You must understand this. It's just a theory, but it's a plausible one. And, you must remember that Jadzia Dax is of two minds. And one can be attracted to Julien, one not. But you must answer for yourself: who deserves more happiness. More of a chance to live. A long - lived exploitative symbiont that already hijacked 8 lives and will probably do it more, who reaped benefits of an exploitative system - or a shy girl brainwashed from her childhood by her culture. Your choice, but remember: Dax will probably get more shots at that. Jadzia - won't.
And, to all those who say it's irrelevant - it's not. The Next Generation episode “Parrarels” established there are many timelines - many of which it's plausible Jadzia and Julian ended up together. It most of them, they probably married. There are a few canon timelines in which it could happen. Think about it.
And, as for why I am doing it… well, I am saddened that there are so few Jadzia/Julian fanfictions. That I had to resolve to use Chat GPT to make more such content. I want to have more such fanfiction, human - made. And maybe, just maybe, if there is a similar paring that is about to be ended, some fans may see it and protest. And, just maybe, the producers will see it and change their minds. To reward long - time watchers.
The End.
I was reading a lot on this forum while awaiting answers on my Kes/Ocampa threads, and I cannot believe how much “criticisms” my favorite Star Trek pairing (Jadzia Dax/Julian Bashir) is getting. These characters were my favorites until I saw Kes, and l, even through I think Kes is better, I still like them, and their pairing. So I decided to write a defense. It will probably be all for nothing, but I hope it will redeem the pairing at least for some people, or at least start a discussion. Because, even through some criticisms have some merit, they are often full of hypocrisy in that the same criticisms is not applied to other pairings in the same situation.
First criticism is that Bashir is coming onto a person who is his patient. There are three things I have to say onto this criticisms:
Bashir has no choice.
Others did it as well, and are not attacked for it. This includes Bashir/any male.
Criticism is not applicable to the pairing
Elaboration:
If Bashir wants a stable relationship that is not long range (or, otherwise, a basis for a healthy relationship), he must do it with someone who is potentially his patient. It is not fair for him to criticise him for this. Of course, it is unfair for him to be the only doctor on the station. The obvious solution is to give him another doctor so said another doctor can treat Jadzia - a solution successfully applied in some Jadzia/Julian fanfiction.
Of course, some might say that he should not have a relationship. There is some merit in an idea that only monks should practice medicine - but it should be clearly stated (and it's obviously not the case in Star Trek. And nobody in - universe criticizes Julian for that. Plus, him marrying Jadzia would actually prevent him from coming onto other patients - and Jadzia is certainly harder to exploit than some rano girls. Right?
Here comes the other thing. Why it is only Bashir (and only with women!) that gets criticized for it. My issue (other than Julian/men) is mostly with Voyager (and, well, Lower Decks). In Voyager, Tom Paris is a second medic on the ship - if The Doctor is unavailable, he is the main medic. And he must treat B’Elanna Torres. Yet, nobody objects to that. Earlier, Kes was in his position - worse, she was the only field medic Voyager had. And she was involved with Neelix. So, if Neelix is hurt in the field (such as in “Tattoo”),she will have to treat him. Kes/Neelix is often criticized, yet never for this reason. It is never brought up.
Speaking of Tom and Kes, in “Before and After”, they hooked up, married and had a child while being only medical personnel Voyager had. I am in no way trying to criticize Tom/Kes, I am just saying that people were doing this and nobody cares. So why poor Bashir is attacked for it? Because he is male? In Lower Decks, T’Ana is Shax’s doctor? They are a couple (the main het couple on Cerritos). Nobody cares about that. How is that different from Jadzia/Julian? Only difference I see is that Julian is male and T’Ana is female. How is that not sexist?
Also, Bashir is just as Garak:s doctor as he is Jadzia’s. And yet, I never saw Garak/Bashir being criticized for that. Some may say that Garak is male and Jadzia's female… but, in order for Garashir to work, Bashir must be attracted to Garak… and, if he is, what difference does his physical sex do? I think none. So, either criticize all pairings like that, no paring like that, or point out the differences between them that I don't see (that aren't based on different physical sex).
As for criticisms not being applicable to the pairing… It is simple. Bashir hits on his patients in his infirmary, true… but was Jadzia ever such a patient? I honestly don't remember. If you do, point me out the episode and the scene, and I will rewatch it. It is on him, yes… but him hooking up with and marrying Jadzia would actually serve to stop this, out of loyalty to her… Just like hooking up with B’Elanna helped Tom Paris in Voyager. He only flirts with her when not serving her in any medical capacity… and his behavior once saved her life. And, Jadzia herself stated that he never made any unwanted sexual advances on her (Doctor Bashir, I Presume). There were also some situations he could easily take advantage of her (If wishes were horses, Exqulibirum, Starship down), but he didn't. The difference is the old “lust interest vs love interest” opposite. That he never takes advantage of her is for the pairing, showing that his feelings for Jadzia goes deeper than lust (in opposition to all other flirting). It's not perfect, but it's better than people give him credit for.
Speaking of which, there is a matter of rejection. Jadzia's rejection of him. Many people say that he should go away after the first rejection. But, would we have any relationship if it went that way. And Jadzia was sending out mixed signals, not only to him but to the audience as well.
In Jadzia's very first scene in the series, she actually defends Julian’s interest in her to Suski. And she accepts Julian’s invitation to a drink. Anything that resembles rejection doesn't appear until two episodes later. But this is the key.
It may be read as “not interested in you at all”. It can be also read as either “not not, young one, you must grow up first” or “personally, I would like, but it is against my culture”. These kinds of mixed signals appear up until her and Word hooking up.
Some of it can be brought down to Jadzia's inner fight and turmoil. To possible fear of commiting to one relationship. To something similar to T’Pol in Enterprise (by the way, Trip did what many people wanted Bashir to do, went away, transferred to Columbia - and got criticized for it). But there is another thing to consider, something going further than her feeling - uniqueness of Trill.
People forget Jadzia Dax is two beings - two sentient beings in symbiosis - each with it's own wants and desires, with their own personalities. And their own prejudices as well.
It is my feeling that Jadzia is a lot like Julian. And she likes him. Probably not love him, not yet. Dax never let these feelings develop. But Jadzia is attracted to him. All these moments in which it feels she is moments from returning these feelings - that's all Jadzia. But Dax doesn't want it. Doesn't want him. Dax looks like a symbiont that likes to live in the past - Ezri’s both relationships are based on feelings on previous hosts. Jadzia married Word because of Curzon’s memories of Klingons. The Kahn thing was also based on memories of a previous host. I won't talk more about it, because I don't want to offend more people.
But Bashir had an opportunity to bring new things into her life. To make Jadzia shine on her own. And for that, he could never marry her.
Because Trill symbiosis is no symbiosis. It is clear that the symbionts are prioritized over the hosts. I see an entire society built around serving these symbionts. I see culture than encourages joining, but allows only specific personality type to join. The one most likely to listen to the symbiont. And Jadzia - we know she was shy. She looks just like a type of person who would be easily dominated. Unlike Ezri, I might add.
But Julian, he cared about Jadzia the host. Maybe even more than Dax. It is shown in how he address her - with her borth name, Jadzia. Not Dax. Not any reference to a previous host. Just “Jadzia”. In that, he is a danger to the symbiont domination. A threat. Which is why Dax rejected him. Whenever Jadzia Dax was rejecting him, it was Dax speaking. And, well, I guess Jadzia did find Word handsome. Dax took this opportunity to immerse himself in the past. To bring an end to this danger. And Dax succeeded. He won. When Jadzia died, it was clear it was only Dax left. Jadzia suffered death of personality much earlier.
You must understand this. It's just a theory, but it's a plausible one. And, you must remember that Jadzia Dax is of two minds. And one can be attracted to Julien, one not. But you must answer for yourself: who deserves more happiness. More of a chance to live. A long - lived exploitative symbiont that already hijacked 8 lives and will probably do it more, who reaped benefits of an exploitative system - or a shy girl brainwashed from her childhood by her culture. Your choice, but remember: Dax will probably get more shots at that. Jadzia - won't.
And, to all those who say it's irrelevant - it's not. The Next Generation episode “Parrarels” established there are many timelines - many of which it's plausible Jadzia and Julian ended up together. It most of them, they probably married. There are a few canon timelines in which it could happen. Think about it.
And, as for why I am doing it… well, I am saddened that there are so few Jadzia/Julian fanfictions. That I had to resolve to use Chat GPT to make more such content. I want to have more such fanfiction, human - made. And maybe, just maybe, if there is a similar paring that is about to be ended, some fans may see it and protest. And, just maybe, the producers will see it and change their minds. To reward long - time watchers.
The End.
