Ship Weekend – Enneagram and Encaustic

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Happy Ship Weekend! As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, our personal family holiday originated when the Pirates of the Caribbean movies released annually on Memorial Day weekend. Before each new installment, we would watch the previous film to build enthusiasm. Eventually we branched out to other tall ship stories. When we included Disney’s Treasure Planet, it seemed appropriate to diversify into a wider definition of ships. Now Ship Weekend includes air ships, space ships, and fishing boats. If we’re in the mood we’ll stretch the definition all the way down to the tiniest ship possible, the surfboard. The best movies combine our ship holiday with the official memorial for the fallen. Battleship and submarine stories are wonderful. However, the grandaddy is Master and Commander. It’s a near-perfect film. Maybe next year I’ll take a look at it. Until then, I have a holiday-appropriate Story Enneagram review that’s been sitting in my completed folder for a while.

ONE

Heroic music and a television’s aspect ratio introduce a show called “Galaxy Quest.” A clip from an episode plays, showing us the crew and tone. Catch phrases are spoken. “Activate the Omega-13”, with dramatic music, transitions into a “to be continued” screen.

We’re at a fan convention. Cosplayers applaud. An enthusiastic host (Guy) prepares to announce the actors from the show.

Cut to the green room where, in costume, they all wait. Everyone except the Commander. As they complain, we meet their characters. These actors have had this very conversation innumerable times. When Jason finally enters, everyone’s dislike of him is evident.

ELIZABETH SWANN, TWO

As a child, she’s bold and unintimidated. Brave, kind. Curious, loyal.

When she gets older, she still cares for Will despite class differences. Rules mean little. Social conventions mean less. However, most female characters in the late 21st century action movie genre act this way. Can we determine Elizabeth’s Enneagram number or are we stuck with only stereotypical writing?

Let’s go back to the child. Young Elizabeth is extremely likable, a protagonist worth following. She feels strongly but is also active. Her emotions don’t leave her passive. She’s not a brat, though. She’s respectful, yet insistent. Young Elizabeth is a leader, probably an Eight.

Grown Elizabeth is not an Eight. She’s still active rather than passive, and insistent. She no longer has that decisive calm, though. She’s no leader. Bravery has turned to recklessness. She’s also no Head Type; much too impulsive.

Heart. She’s not a good enough fighter to be a Body Type. She’s competent, make no mistake. That’s all, though. And envy drives a lot of her actions. Envy of Sparrow’s insouciance, actually, although I don’t know if anyone involved in the production saw it this way. Elizabeth may want to ignore society’s rules, but she’ll never be as good at it as Sparrow.

A Two goes to Eight in weakness. An Eight’s decisiveness becomes a Two’s cruelty. We see this at the end of the second Pirates movie. Her treatment of Sparrow and Will has an uncomfortable edge.

This is a mish-mosh of a character. Ultimately I’d classify Elizabeth as a Two, but I would write and direct her quite differently to make that clear. She’s living in a gray zone right now, which is what makes her character vulnerable to stereotyping.

Except for when she stays on the island, true to Will. Her sacrifice and generosity shine through at the end of the trilogy, marking a very Two-like moment.

WILL TURNER, FOUR

Will’s a pirate, much to his surprise. At the end of the first PotC movie he gets the girl and embarks on a life of — not crime, necessarily, but not respectable living. He was a craftsman’s apprentice at the beginning. That would’ve been his life’s profession. Not very glamorous, not likely to marry the higher-status Elizabeth.

If I were to guess Will’s Enneagram number based only on the first film in the series, I’m not sure what I would pick. He’s a rule-follower thrown into chaos, and he survives.

However, if you think about it, that’s his story throughout the trilogy, with incredible survival consequences at the end of it all. What does that tell us?

Not many numbers would have the grit necessary to run the Flying Dutchman. Sixes, yes, if the swordplay were less able. Their sense of duty would carry them through. Fours, possibly, because of the powerful heart connection. Ones, yes. Their organizational skills can drive them through anything.

Heart or Body Type?

Will at the end of the trilogy is the best Will. He’s masculine and heroic. Prior to that he’s a bit whiny and secondary. A One is never whiny. They’re too competent and witty to descend into self-pity.

His life is a drama, a roller coaster. His loyalty is unswerving. His trials make him stronger.

Four.

CAPTAIN BARBOSSA, TWO

For a zombie he’s a pretty smooth character. A bit bossy, a bit manipulative, but overall a decent chap. Is he substantial enough to have an Enneagram number, though?

The filmmakers liked him enough to bring him back for Pirates of the Caribbean two and three. He’s the main antagonist in the first movie and dies at the end, suggesting he was a toss away villain on paper. Credit to Geoffery Rush. Whoever Barbossa is, he made decisions that defined him as a crucial part of the series.

He’s no Casanova. He’s a man’s man. Rules are followed (sometimes as guidelines), shipshape order is maintained, wind is in the hair, treasure is procured, and a juicy apple is paradise. When the chips are down, he will have your back and save the day.

He’s competent at swordplay, but not enough to be a Body Type. He’s a strategizer, but his steady heart seems to dominate. And perhaps his rivalry with Sparrow suggests a bit of envy.

Two, Three, or Four?

He’s not outstanding, just a dependable fellow. Not a Three.

Man, I’m torn between Two and Four! He’s kind enough, and he loves the shiny trinkets. Treasure collecting is a Man Two’s dream job. But he’s also witty and driven. His feelings are what we love about him.

Oh, but that gold. The bibs and bobs. The secret kindness he holds close. I’m going with Two.

CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW, SEVEN

I’m almost afraid to take a look at him! What Enneagram number could this odd creature possibly be?

Well, he’s cool under pressure. He’s constantly thinking chess moves ahead in order to get himself out of trouble, but he’s also calm and unhurried while he’s doing so. The Brethren Court, Davy Jones’ heart — Jack has a finger in all of the pies.

Head Type?

Although Jack is competent at swordplay, he doesn’t really seem like a Body Type. He’s learned and practiced enough to get through pirate world alive. Nothing more.

Heart? Not really. Feelings are secondary to the objective with Jack. Also, he’s not particularly envious. Whatever he feels, he knocks it back with rum and rolls on.

Not a Five. Too lively. Not a Six. Too laid back.

Seven it is. Would take the Black Pearl over the Flying Dutchman every time.