32. The Alternate

Summary

When Dr. Mora Pol, the Bajoran scientist who was assigned to Odo when he was first discovered, comes upon evidence that could provide clues to Odo's origins on a planet in the Gamma quadrant, the two along with Dax and another Bajoran scientist travel there in a runabout. They discover a small lifeform that bears some resemblance to Odo along with an odd obelisk...but before they can do much an explosion of volcanic gas incapacitates the humanoids and they beam away. While the three scientists recover in sickbay, Odo, who seems fine, follows the Chief's investigation of the new lifeform...it is multiplying rapidly and the computer's having trouble analyzing it. Later that night, Sisko is called to the lab and finds it destroyed and the lifeform gone. The Chief tracks it through the conduits but when he finds it, it's dead. However, that night as Dr. Mora lies still recovering in sickbay, Julian is attacked by a large amorphous creature which he fends off with a laser scalpel before it escapes into the vents. This time, Dax is able to retrieve some organic residue left by the creature. Mora recognizes its DNA as Odo's and confronts him in Security. Odo, disbelieving, has no memory of committing the attacks, but both occurred while he was regenerating. Mora wants Odo to return to Bajor with him, telling him that no one will no what to do with him if he's become randomly violent. Odo, terrified and angry, suddenly begins to morph into the creature that attacked Bashir. Mora realizes that the creature, though it's not really the Odo everyone knows, is familiar with him...and has hostility towards him because of the way Mora treated Odo in the lab before he realized he was sentient. Mora allows himself to be used as bait to draw the creature out of hiding, then begs Odo's forgiveness...the creature withdraws back into Odo's usual shape. Bashir realizes that the volcanic gas affected Odo and removes it from his system, and Odo and Mora reach an uneasy peace.

Analysis

This is definitely my least favorite Odo episode. Despite some cool visuals (and some really bad ones, like the John Carpenter-esque tentacle that grabs Bashir) and an interesting new character in Dr. Mora (I just love James Sloyan), it's really not that good an episode. It's just a variation on the Alien Possession plot which has already been used several times in one and a half seasons, and on top of that it's not even alien possession...it's Possession By Weird Dust That Makes You Act Crazy. The explanation redefines "weak use of technobabble" and strains credibility to the breaking point. The way the story is told leaves something to be desired as well...everyone seems to completely forget about the new pseudo-shapeshifting lifeform they discovered, yet at the same time they keep believing that it attacked Bashir even though it's dead! There's strange emphasis placed on the obelisk they discover (several characters run their hands over it in a very random and strange caressing motion) yet it's never mentioned again...except in a very odd little scene in which Dax tells Odo that she had it moved because it was in her way. The way that small moment is played it seems like it means something, Dax even sounds like she's lying, but it doesn't mean anything and is never followed up on. Dr. Mora seems to care for Odo a great deal yet he threatens him with exile on a distant asteroid. The creature attacks at whim and wreaks wanton destruction yet it blithely collapses for no apparent reason. All in all the plot doesn't really work. The whole thing was set up as an investigation into Odo's origins, yet at the first opportunity that intriguing storyline is completely dropped in favor of a stock menacing-creature storyline that doesn't do much for anyone. At the same time, Odo's dynamic with Dr. Mora as being significantly familial in nature is established, though it would be put to far better use in The Begotten.

Rating: 4.0

Memorable Quote:

Dax (to Mora): When did you realize you were dealing with a sentient life form?
Odo: He didn't. I had to teach him that myself.

Classic Scene:

The scene from which the above quote is taken, in the runabout en route to the Gamma quadrant, is a concise representation of Odo and Mora's relationship. Mora urges Odo to tell Dax the story of his early life, then proceeds to keep interrupting him to tell it himself.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"That was an impressive display back there." --Mora, to Odo

The O/K Status Report

Not much. At one point when Sisko makes it clear that they're to set phasers to kill if they can't get control of the creature, she protests...but not much, she knows the score.

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