164. Chimera

Summary

On their way home from a conference, Odo and Miles bump into (literally) a changeling named Laas, who is astonished to meet another "metamorph." He is another of the 100 infant changelings sent into the universe by the Link and has never met another of his kind. He returns to the station with Odo and expresses his distrust of humanoids, a trait he developed over his 200 years of living among them. Odo puts him up in his own quarters (remarking cryptically that he'll be staying "somewhere else") and tries to explain the Link to him...but it becomes far more expedient to show him. The two changelings link, and Laas is amazed to have made such a discovery about the nature of Changelings and expresses disbelief at how much Odo has given up to remain on the station. Although Odo has told him that it's because of his ideological problems with the Founders, Laas think it's because of Kira. Odo tries to make Laas feel welcome but he is abrasive and off-putting to Odo's humanoid friends. His belief that Odo isn't happy on DS9 troubles Kira greatly, because it seems that through the Link Laas knows things about Odo that she doesn't. She apologizes for not being able to link with him, but he assures her it's all right because he loves her. Things take a turn for the worse when Laas kills a Klingon after an altercation on the Promenade and there seems to be no alternative but to allow Martok to have him extradited. Odo is upset, thinking Laas' imprisonment unfair and based on prejudice. He is frustrated with his inability to make Kira fully understand what it means to be a changeling living as a humanoid, and stuns her with the revelation that while he has been happy with her, part of him wants to be out with Laas hunting for the rest of the 100. Kira, thinking that he is only staying out of obligation, secretly releases Laas and tells him to wait for Odo at an abandoned mine on Coralis. She lies to Sisko, telling him that Laas shifted his way out, and SIsko launches a search while Odo barely contains his glee that Laas has escaped. In the turbolift afterwards, Kira tells him the truth and to go meet Laas, and that she hopes he finds what he's looking for. Odo meets up with Laas to tell him goodbye, that Kira's unselfish act of love should prove that humanoids are capable of more than Laas might believe, and that he's never known love or he'd understand. Laas, hurt and uncomprehending, leaves without a goodbye Link and Odo returns to the station to find Kira praying for the Prophets to watch over him. She tells him that she wants to know him as he really is, and he shifts into a shimmering cloud of light to envelop her.

Analysis

When I sat down to write this review, I thought "now Lori, be sure to separate the episode's merits from your gut die-hard romantic O/K fan reactions." But then I reconsidered. Why should I do that? After all these reviews are only my opinions. And part and parcel of my opinions about DS9 is the fact that the O/K relationship constitutes a crucial part of the show's emotional/personal core. So for what it's worth, this is far from an objective review...if there is such a thing, which I doubt.

DS9 has made me cry three times before this. One, the death of Aamin Marritza in Duet. Two, the death of the baby Changeling in The Begotten. Three, the death of Jadzia Dax. Sensing a pattern? Now, finally, they've made me cry with an affirmation of life, namely the tender final scene of this, the finest episode of season seven so far, and the finest episode since In the Pale Moonlight. And I'm not one to cry easily, I'm a jaded old broad (well, if you consider 26 old).

DS9 reaches its highest levels of excellence when it combines interesting topical storylines with ones that call for the characters to face intense personal issues. Think of all the great DS9 episodes that fit this description: the oft-praised Duet, Necessary Evil, In the Pale Moonlight, Children of Time, and the list goes on and on. Now we can add "Chimera" to this list. Its plot is certainly interesting. We've often wondered about Odo's 99 explorer siblings and whether we'd ever meet any, and the character of Laas is fascinating and well-played...but the real core of this episode is how his arrival and his words affect Odo, Kira and their relationship. Odo has spent his entire life among solids and has had only brief glimpses of what it is to really be a Changeling, and it is a brilliant dramatic device that in this situation, he's forced to be the expert. Laas knows even less of the Link than Odo does, and yet he immediately surpasses Odo in his appreciation of it once he learns of its existence. Why is that? Laas says it's because of Kira, and he's probably right. But what of his assertion that if not for her Odo would be a Founder? It makes Odo think, and us too. Is that really true? Odo seems loathe to explore the point, focusing instead on what he views as mistreatment of Laas and humanoid prejudices. Laas' accusations that Odo has become too limited during his life with solids shake up Odo's status quo considerably and make him reconsider his life choices. Should he give up his friends, his life, and the woman he loves to live a life as a "real" Changeling? What does it mean, exactly, to be a Changeling? These questions are never adequately answered, nor should they be. If they were, the episode's impact would be a fraction of what it is.

As for Kira, she's used to thinking of Odo as the form she sees every day. You know, unfinished face, bad haircut, blue eyes, fabulous hands. The revelation that he doesn't seem to shapeshift around her only reinforces the point that neither of them have really confronted their essential differences. The idea that Laas could know things about Odo that she can't because of her inability to Link disturbs her, but even worse is the idea that he'd stay with her but he'd be unhappy. So what does she do? Well, if this were the Kira of season three she'd say the hell with it, he's staying. She did, after all, try to keep Bareil alive against medical advice and probably his own wishes. But this is different, she's reached a different level. She's at the point where his happiness is more important to her than her own, so she sets him free...which is what you're supposed to do when you love something, Sting said so. He came back, so I guess now he's hers forever. :-) Odo may not be the authority on what it means to be a Changeling or a Founder, but he knows what it means to be *Odo*...it means being security chief of DS9 and staying with the woman who loves him enough to want him to be happy even if it means she'll never see him again. The relationship stuff is discussed in more detail in "The O/K Status Report" below.

The episode is beautifully shot and acted by Rene and Nana, as well as guest star Garman Hertzler as Laas (who, in case you didn't figure it out, is J. G. Hertzler, the guy who plays Martok). It feels momentous, and it probably is. If there are to be future dramatic events involving either Odo or Kira, then it's best to establish *now* how much they mean to each other. I'm still hoping for a happy ending, which seems more and more likely given what I'm hearing about DS9 movies. More than anything else, the episode gave me that "wow" feeling, to the extreme, and had me leaping for the remote to re-watch it as soon as the credits rolled. Such is brought to a close a string of mediocre episodes that started back with Covenant with only a brief respite in the fabulous It's Only a Paper Moon. This is one for the record books, guys. Time to revise my Top Ten lists.

Rating: 10.0

Memorable Quote:

Laas: Why [are you releasing me from the holding cell]?
Kira: (pause) I love him.

Odo: Good luck.
Laas: And to you, Odo. You'll need it more than I.

Kira: I'm sorry I can't link with you.
Odo: It's all right, Nerys. I love you.

Classic Scene:

There's one scene I've yet to mention that sticks out. At one point, Quark gives Odo a rather harsh but well-meant talking-to about the genetic reasons behind humanoid prejudices. He's advising Odo to be careful in the only way he knows how, by laying it all out on the table with no niceties or euphemisms. It's a scene that's a bit hard to watch, but I liked it.

Laas "being fog" was neat, too...however the most memorable scene is probably the final one, with a blissfully smiling Kira surrounded by Odo, existing as a softly shimmering web of light and warmth. Wow.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"Mine's bigger." --Laas. Like there was any other choice.

The O/K Status Report

Hoo boy.

Where to start. Well, this episode really represents a huge turning point for them. It is likely that this is the most concentrated look at the relationship we'll ever get, but even if it's the *only* look we'll have been well served. We've been promised them as a mature, solid relationship and we're finally getting it. Both parties come off well here, especially Kira, who's suffered from silence in terms of how she feels and why. Most of this relationship has been told from Odo's point of view, which is understandable considering that for most of it she was unaware of its existence, but that makes her words and actions here all the sweeter. Always previously Odo was uncertain of their relationship and the length thereof, even right up to this episode's teaser. Now, however, he can be in no further doubt of her feelings, and consequently by the end they seem to have moved to the next level. Throughout the entire episode the two exude a very strong sense of coupleness and intimacy, which shouldn't be surprising considering the pairing has been built up for seven years through friendship and romance. The fact that Kira now appears to love him every bit as much as he's always loved her gives us (well, me at least) a wonderful sense of completeness, and she's showing a maturity and a poise with him that makes me think she hasn't even really had a relationship quite like this before. I cannot imagine her making the same sacrifice for Bareil or Shakaar. Overall, whatever happens, we'll have had this and it's a lot. This relationship is just so important, not just for the show but for Trek, and it's a first, make no mistake. In the words of the illustrious Michelle Green, fellow reviewer, "The relationship between Kira and Odo exemplifies triumph over adversity, common ground over alien difference, future over past, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. It's pure Star Trek in every best possible way." Couldnt've said it better myself.

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