Chimera (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"Chimera" is the 14th episode of the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 164th episode overall.

"Chimera"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 14
Directed bySteve Posey
Written byRené Echevarria
Featured musicJay Chattaway
Production code564
Original air dateFebruary 17, 1999 (1999-02-17)
Guest appearance(s)

In this science fiction episode, a shape-shifting alien aboard the 24th century space station Deep Space Nine, called Odo (played by René Auberjonois) is visited by another shape-shifting alien named Laas.[1] Laas is played by guest star Garman Hertzler, who also played the Klingon General Martok in the Star Trek universe.

Plot

While returning to Deep Space Nine, Odo and Chief O'Brien encounter another Changeling. This Changeling, like Odo, is one of the Hundred sent to explore the Alpha Quadrant. The Changeling, who calls himself Laas, has no knowledge of The Dominion or the Founders. He followed the runabout when he sensed Odo's presence, and is eager to learn more about their kind.

On DS9, Dr. Bashir confirms that Laas is not a Founder, and Captain Sisko allows Laas the freedom of the station as long as he remains in Odo's custody. The two changelings discuss their past. Laas reveals that he does not trust humanoids (whom he refers to as "monoforms"), but neither does he support the Founders' agenda, and just wishes to avoid humanoids. When the two Link, Odo reveals he too would have left human space had he not fallen in love with Major Kira.

As days pass, Laas attempts to convince Odo to embrace his Changeling heritage, and suggests they leave the station in order to find more of the Hundred and form their own Great Link. Odo is tempted, especially when Laas (who is much more adept at shapeshifting), helps him improve his skills. Matters are not helped, however, by Laas' disinterest in human friendship.

Laas causes a disturbance on the Promenade when he transforms into a fog. Chief O'Brien assumes there is a problem with the environmental system and is annoyed when he learns the truth. The commotion draws the attention of two Klingon officers visiting the station. Seeing what they assume is a Founder, they confront Laas, whose shapeshifting allows him to both defend against the attack and kill one of the Klingons.

After news of the killing reaches Klingon High Command, they request that Laas be extradited to the Empire for trial. Kira, wanting to give Odo the opportunity to travel with his own, frees Laas and tells everyone that he escaped. Privately, she lets Odo know that Laas is waiting on Koralis III. Odo meets Laas on Koralis, but declines to leave with him. Odo tells Laas that he is wrong about the "solids" and that he is staying with Kira. Back on DS9, Odo shows his love and affection for Kira by transforming into a golden light, so that Kira can feel the closeness of the Great Link.

Cast note

Actor J. G. Hertzler normally appears in the recurring role of Klingon General Martok on the series. For this episode, in which he plays a Changeling named Laas, he is credited onscreen as “Garman Hertzler”, using his full middle name. Hertzler’s fellow “Klingon” portrayer, Robert O'Reilly, did a similar name variation, for similar reasons, in the next episode.

Reception

In 2018, SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the Bajoran character Kira Nerys.[1] They also note the episode is mainly focused on Odo and the visiting shape-shifter Laas, but despite not being the focus also shows part of Kira's character.[1]

gollark: Oh, good idea, I didn't think of that, there's no actual reason they can't just use a mutable reference.
gollark: So every recursive invocation of it creates a new hashmap. This is really not ideal.
gollark: See, the main pattern matching function which matches (and binds variables in) patterns returns an option of a hashmap of bindings.
gollark: I'm relatively sure that wouldn't work.
gollark: Well, it applies reduction rules from the reduction rulesets.

References
  1. Krishna, Swapna (2018-01-16). "A binge-watching guide to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Kira Nerys". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
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