DS9: The Ascent

In the season 5 DS9 episode, The Ascent, Odo and Quark must work together to survive. Climbing up a super cold mountain with only one good coat between them, they get into lots of arguments and spend about 90% of the episode taking turns to prove which of them best qualifies as a "reluctant hero." This is great stuff and I love it whenever Quark and Odo get together but what I remembered most about this episode (which I actually watched about two weeks ago but keep thinking about) was the Jake/Nog subplot. Basically, Nog is back from Starfleet for a little field training and the two BFFs move in together and suddenly have to navigate the muddy waters of co-habitation when they sign up for shared quarters.

I can sort of identify. I went through four roommates my freshman year of college. I was an only child for a long time but I liked it that way. I never got lonely and I never got bored. I still don't. But I can be a bit hard to get along with. I need my own space. I need quiet time. I need to be able to read or watch Star Trek at certain times of the day and I have ridiculous routines that need to be followed.  I often talk too long or too loud and I can't use heavily scented laundry detergent/soap or perfume because it makes my throat itch. I'm a terrific friend but I have a lot of weird quirks and can take some warming up to.

When I meet someone who I suspect might one day become my friend I let them know in advance that I won't go to their wedding, baby shower, or parties. I often seem aloof and standoffish until I start monopolizing the conversation to talk about whatever I'm currently obsessed with. After it was suggested to me that I might have Aspergers, I took this test and got a 37. I don't know if that is or isn't what's going on but I do know that I wouldn't make the best roommate for most people. I lucked out by finding the dude version of myself and marrying him--almost eight years of co-habitation later and we're still happier than I could've ever imagined.

Luckily, Jake and Nog end up figuring out how get over their own weirdness and live together peacefully--and they learn some important stuff about themselves along the way. Sometimes it takes constant contact with another person to understand how truly weird you are.