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'''Odo''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|d|oʊ}}, played by [[René Auberjonois (actor)|René Auberjonois]], is a fictional character in the science fiction television series ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. He is a member of a shapeshifting species called [[Changeling (Star Trek)|Changelings]] and serves as the head of security for the space station [[Deep Space Nine (space station)|Deep Space Nine]] on which the show is set. Intelligent, observant and taciturn, Odo uses his unique abilities to maintain security on the DS9 station and, later, aids the Bajoran people and the Federation throughout the [[Dominion War]] against his own people, the [[Founders (Star Trek)|Founders]].
'''Odo''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|d|oʊ}}, played by [[René Auberjonois (actor)|René Auberjonois]], is a fictional character in the science fiction television series ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. He is a member of a shapeshifting species called [[Changeling (Star Trek)|Changelings]] and serves as the head of security for the space station [[Deep Space Nine (space station)|Deep Space Nine]] on which the show is set. Intelligent, observant and taciturn, Odo uses his unique abilities throughout the show to maintain security on the DS9 station and, later, aids the Bajoran people and the Federation throughout the [[Dominion War]] against his own people, the [[Founders (Star Trek)|Founders]].


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:Rene Auberjonois by Luigi Rosa, 12.jpg|thumb|left|Odo was portrayed in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' by actor [[René Auberjonois]]]]
[[File:Rene Auberjonois by Luigi Rosa, 12.jpg|thumb|left|Odo was portrayed in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' by actor [[René Auberjonois]]]]
One of "the hundred" sent out by the [[Changeling (Star Trek)|Founders]] long ago to explore the galaxy, Odo was found adrift in 2356 in the Denorios Belt by [[Bajoran]]s. It is unclear how long he had been adrift. Since Odo had not yet learned how to morph into a humanoid appearance, he appeared in his natural gelatinous form. Bajoran scientists, not sure of what Odo actually was, put him in a container and labeled it "unknown sample". The [[Cardassian]] overseers translated this into their own language as "odo'ital", which literally means "nothing". Even after it became clear that Odo was sentient, the scientists kept calling him that, giving him the name 'Odo Ital' (like a typical Bajoran name), which was eventually shortened to simply "Odo" (Episode "[[Heart of Stone (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Heart of Stone]]").


=== Star Trek: Deep Space 9 ===
He was studied by Bajoran scientist Dr. [[List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters#Mora Pol|Mora Pol]], whom Odo disliked due to Mora's questionable (but effective) practice of inducing pain as a motivator in encouraging Odo to assume different shapes before, and even after, Odo was recognized as sentient. While Mora regarded himself as a father of sorts to Odo, Odo felt intense hostility toward Mora. Their relationship was difficult, but eventually they did reach a certain understanding. Odo modelled his humanoid appearance on Dr. Mora, but never had the skill to duplicate humanoid features with precision, making his humanoid appearance an approximation.
The original Writer's Bible from 1992 for [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]] described Odo as follows:


"Odo, an alien male, middle-aged curmudgeon, and a shape-shifter. In his natural state he is a gelatinous liquid. He was a [[Bajoran]] law enforcement officer on the space station under the [[Cardassian|Cardassians]]. [[Starfleet]] decides to have him continue in that role, since he's extremely savvy about the Promenade and all who frequent it. His back story is: 50 years ago, with no memory of his past, he was found alone in a mysterious space craft that appeared in the Denarias asteroid belt. He was found by the [[Bajoran]] and lived amongst them. At first he was sort of an [[Joseph Merrick|Elephant Man]], a source of curiosity and humor as he turned himself into a chair or pencil. Finally he realized he would have to take the form of a humanoid to assimilate and function in their environment. He does it, but resents it. As a result, Odo performs a uniquely important role in the ensemble: he is a character who explores and comments on Human values. Because he is forced to pass as one of us, his point of view usually comes with a cynical and critical edge. But he can't quite get it right, this humanoid shape, though he continues to try. So he looks a little unfinished in a way. He's been working on it a long time. Someone might ask him: Why don't you take the form of a younger man. His answer: I would if I could. He has the adopted child syndrome, searching for his own personal identity. Although he doesn't know anything about his species, he is certain that justice is an integral part of their being, because the necessity for it runs through every fiber of his body – a racial memory. That's why he became a law man. He has a couple of Bajoran deputies; he doesn't allow weapons on the Promenade, and once every day he must return to his gelatinous form." <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twguild.com/resources/development1.html|title=Star Trek Deep Space Nine Pre-Premiere Bible - Resources - Happy New Year
Due to his treatment at the hands of the Cardassians (who brought him to parties to entertain the guests with his shape-shifting), Odo is extremely uncomfortable changing into his natural state in the presence of witnesses. It's not until he becomes trapped in a malfunctioning turbolift with a visiting Lwaxana Troi that he truly comes to appreciate how wonderful the ability to change his shape at will appears to the 'solids' he works with.
from Trek Writer's Guild - Star Trek Fan|website=www.twguild.com|access-date=2018-03-11}}</ref>


Actor [[René Auberjonois|Rene Auberjonous]] describes Odo as "a very unformed being" who was "trying to get some kind of shape to his life".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startrek.com/article/catching-up-with-ds9undefineds-rene-auberjonois-part-1|title=Catching Up with DS9’s Rene Auberjonois, Part 1|work=StarTrek.com|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en}}</ref> Co-creator of [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]], [[Michael Piller|Micheal Piller]], speaks of Odo's role within the show as being prompted by needing ''"''a character who represented the traditions of [[Spock]] and [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]], the outsider who looks in at humanity." <ref>''New Frontiers: The Story of Deep Space Nine'', DS9 Season 2 DVD, Special Features</ref>
As a Changeling, Odo can alter his appearance at will to camouflage his presence. He can change the shape of body parts as needed, such as lengthening an arm into a tentacle to grab a fleeing individual, and is able to liquefy himself in order to flow into otherwise inaccessible areas. After 18 (changes to 16 halfway into season 1) hours in solid form, he must revert to his gelatinous state in order to rest. Originally, he uses a bucket for this purpose, which he keeps in his office, but he gives it up after getting his own quarters in the season 3 episode "[[The Abandoned (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|The Abandoned]]." From this point on, he uses the bucket as a pot for a house plant given to him by [[Kira Nerys]].

When others of Odo's species (the [[Founders (Star Trek)|Founders]]) are later introduced, they share a similar "unfinished" look, which they adopt to make Odo feel at ease around them as they are able to replicate humanoids exactly, whereas Odo, having grown up without others of his kind, never learned to fully master it. The other Founders refer to non-shapeshifters as "solids" or "monoforms", while Odo occasionally calls them "you humanoids".

Due to his status as an impartial outsider, he was sometimes employed by Bajorans to settle disputes. Odo later worked for the Cardassians during the [[Occupation of Bajor]] aboard the orbiting ''[[Terok Nor]]'' ore-processing space station, and later for the Bajorans/[[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] aboard ''Deep Space Nine'' (the Federation name for ''Terok Nor''), in both cases as chief of security. During the occupation, [[Cardassian military rank|Gul]] [[Dukat (Star Trek)|Dukat]] had originally enlisted Odo to investigate the murder of one of the Bajoran station workers. Since Odo was seen as a neutral observer, sympathising with no one, he was considered a valuable security officer.

Odo's early career on ''Terok Nor'' hit a snag when he investigated an assassination attempt on Dukat. Three Bajoran workers were initially linked to the attack, and Odo, eager to enforce the rule of law and quickly conclude the investigation, hurriedly convicted them and allowed them to be executed. Soon after, Odo discovered that all three men were innocent and that his lax investigative procedures caused a serious miscarriage of justice. This prompted Odo to be much more insistent on actual justice, though not necessarily the actual letter of the law.

Up until this time, Odo was unaware of his people and his ancestry. A criminal showed him a necklace containing an apparently non-sentient shape-shifter in the episode "[[Vortex (DS9 episode)|Vortex]]". Later, in the episode "[[The Alternate (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|The Alternate]]", Dr. Mora visits Odo at ''Deep Space Nine'' and travels with him to the Gamma Quadrant to investigate a planet with a similar lifeform. It isn't until later that Odo learns that his people are the leaders of the [[Dominion (Star Trek)|Dominion]].

In 2372, Odo marries a pregnant [[Lwaxana Troi]] as a favor to her, so that her child will not be taken away from her at birth by the father, as required by Tavnian law. Although Odo had been annoyed by Lwaxana in the past, he has come to appreciate her company. However, he still is not in love with her, so after her ex-husband witnesses the marriage, she returns to Betazed.

Odo becomes the first ever Changeling to kill another of his species (in "[[The Adversary (DS9 episode)|The Adversary]]"). Although it was in self-defense, and there was no intent to kill, the Founders punish him by taking away his shape-shifting abilities, then transforming him into a physical human being ("[[Broken Link (DS9 episode)|Broken Link]]") which still has the unformed face of his prior Changeling body to remind him of his loss. He retains this physical body for several months. Eventually, an infant shape-shifter that comes into Odo's care dies, but before doing so, integrates its gelatinous form into Odo's physical makeup. This causes Odo's body to revert to normal, and he regains all of his shape-shifting abilities ("[[The Begotten (DS9 episode)|The Begotten]]"). Unknown to anyone at the time, Odo had been secretly infected with a dormant virus developed by Starfleet's [[Section 31]] while he was on Earth, which was spread to the "Great Link" whilst being judged.

Odo remains loyal to the Bajoran and Federation people throughout the [[Dominion War]]. At the end of the war, he goes back to the "Great Link" to cure the other Founders of the disease he had unknowingly infected them with, as well as to teach them how to trust "Solids", the Founders' term for any humanoids without the ability to shapeshift.

During his time on the station, Odo is involved in an ongoing battle of wits with the [[Ferengi]], [[Quark (Star Trek)|Quark]]. Odo often spends a great deal of time observing Quark, in humanoid form as well as various other shapes. Over the years the two men would gain a grudging respect for each other. In the series' final episode, "[[What You Leave Behind]]", Odo refuses to admit the friendship he had developed with Quark, turning away with his usual contempt. But Quark sees through this, saying, "That man loves me. Did you see it? It was written all over his back."

Odo enters a romantic relationship with [[Kira Nerys]] with the help of [[Vic Fontaine]]. Odo had pined for her for years, while she was oblivious. They remain involved even after Odo leaves to rejoin the Great Link. He returns to the station for a while in the novel "Unity", first under disguise as a Trelian woman named Wex. He later reveals himself to Kira during a conflict at one of the temples on Bajor. The two pick up where they left off even though Odo has to leave again, at least for a while.

In the ''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Voyager]]'' episode, "[[Non Sequitur (Star Trek: Voyager)|Non Sequitur]]," Tom Paris' alternate self (in the parallel dimension) relates to Harry Kim a story about how, during a stop at Deep Space Nine, he got in a bar fight with a Ferengi and was thrown in the brig by "a very unpleasant shapeshifter", obviously referring to Odo.


===Mirror Universe===
===Mirror Universe===
Line 60: Line 41:
In this reality, Odo has his own set of rules called the "[[Rules of Obedience]]" and quotes one of the rules in the same way that regular universe [[Quark]] would quote his "[[Rules of Acquisition]]".
In this reality, Odo has his own set of rules called the "[[Rules of Obedience]]" and quotes one of the rules in the same way that regular universe [[Quark]] would quote his "[[Rules of Acquisition]]".


After filming of the episode "[[Crossover (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Crossover]]", which was mirror Odo's sole onscreen appearance, actor Rene Auberjonois liked the alternate uniform so much he began wearing it while playing the regular universe version of Odo as well.
After filming of the episode "[[Crossover (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Crossover]]", which was mirror Odo's sole onscreen appearance, actor [[René Auberjonois|Rene Auberjonois]] liked the alternate uniform so much he began wearing it while playing the regular universe version of Odo as well.


===Novels===
===Novels===
In the initial [[Deep Space Nine relaunch|''Deep Space Nine'' relaunch]] novels, Odo is succeeded as security chief by [[Ro Laren]], who is working for the Bajoran Militia.<ref>{{cite book
In the initial [[Deep Space Nine relaunch|''Deep Space Nine'' relaunch]] novels, Odo is succeeded as security chief by [[Ro Laren]], who is working for the [[Bajoran]] Militia. He also sent a [[Jem 'Hadar|Jem'Hadar]] ambassador to the [[Galactic quadrant (Star Trek)|Alpha Quadrant]] to foster understanding in the [[Dominion (Star Trek)|Dominion]] of other cultures, and soon returned to [[Deep Space Nine (fictional space station)|DS9]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Perry
| last = Perry
| first = S.D.
| first = S.D.
Line 71: Line 52:
| date = May 1, 2001
| date = May 1, 2001
| pages = 284
| pages = 284
| isbn = 0-7434-0050-X}}</ref>
| isbn = 0-7434-0050-X}}</ref> Subsequent novels have Odo learn that the Hundred- the changelings like himself and Laas who were sent out into the universe- were actually sent to find the 'Progenitor' of the Changelings, who vanished centuries ago, and without whom the Changelings cannot reproduce. Odo subsequently discovers the corpse of the progenitor, prompting the other Changelings to disperse. Odo and Laas are able to reassemble some Changelings into a new link, but Odo is subsequently trapped in the Alpha Quadrant after the wormhole is disrupted by an attempt by rival powers to secretly use it to steal Jem'Hadar technology.

In the ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Millennium'' series of novels, it is revealed that Odo rarely shifted into smaller forms such as insects due to a psychological block from his original "training" under Doctor Mora. The novel series also speculates that the Founders placed a mental block on Odo's abilities to make it difficult for him to alter his face, thus explaining why he can never get faces quite right, even after linking with other Changelings on several occasions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48747215|title=Star trek, deep space nine millennium|last=Judith.|first=Reeves-Stevens,|date=2002|publisher=Pocket Books|others=Reeves-Stevens, Garfield, 1953-|isbn=0743442490|location=New York|oclc=48747215}}</ref>

In the ''Star Trek: Terok Nor'' novel ''Night of the Wolves'', Odo was found in a spherical module in the Denorios Belt by the [[Cardassian]] vessel ''Kevalu'', which was under the command of Dalin Malyn Ocett, in 2345.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/166373155|title=Night of the wolves : 2345-2357|last=Danelle)|first=Perry, S. D. (Stephani|date=2008|publisher=Pocket Books|others=Dennison, Britta.|isbn=0743482514|edition=1st Pocket books pbk. ed|location=New York|oclc=166373155}}</ref>

In the ''Star Trek: Typhon Pact'' novel ''Raise the Dawn'', Odo returned to the Alpha Quadrant to help Sisko investigate reports that the Typhon Pact, an alliance of the Federation's enemies, have stolen Jem'Hadar technology to perfect their own quantum slipstream drive, only to be trapped in the Alpha Quadrant when the wormhole was seemingly destroyed thanks to Kira's attempt to stop a Typhon Pact ship from using it again. Sisko offered Odo a place on his new ship, the ''Robinson'', but the novel ends with Odo deciding to remain on Bajor for a time to think about what he will do next.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/796675480|title=Raise the dawn|last=III.|first=George, David R.,|date=2012|publisher=Pocket Books|others=Roddenberry, Gene., Berman, Rick., Piller, Michael, 1948-2005.|isbn=1451649568|edition=1st Pocket books paperback ed|location=New York|oclc=796675480}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:21, 11 March 2018

Odo
Portrayed byRené Auberjonois
In-universe information
SpeciesChangeling
GenderMale
TitleOdo
PositionChief of Security
AffiliationBajoran Militia

Odo /ˈoʊdoʊ/, played by René Auberjonois, is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of a shapeshifting species called Changelings and serves as the head of security for the space station Deep Space Nine on which the show is set. Intelligent, observant and taciturn, Odo uses his unique abilities throughout the show to maintain security on the DS9 station and, later, aids the Bajoran people and the Federation throughout the Dominion War against his own people, the Founders.

Overview

Odo was portrayed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by actor René Auberjonois

Star Trek: Deep Space 9

The original Writer's Bible from 1992 for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine described Odo as follows:

"Odo, an alien male, middle-aged curmudgeon, and a shape-shifter. In his natural state he is a gelatinous liquid. He was a Bajoran law enforcement officer on the space station under the Cardassians. Starfleet decides to have him continue in that role, since he's extremely savvy about the Promenade and all who frequent it. His back story is: 50 years ago, with no memory of his past, he was found alone in a mysterious space craft that appeared in the Denarias asteroid belt. He was found by the Bajoran and lived amongst them. At first he was sort of an Elephant Man, a source of curiosity and humor as he turned himself into a chair or pencil. Finally he realized he would have to take the form of a humanoid to assimilate and function in their environment. He does it, but resents it. As a result, Odo performs a uniquely important role in the ensemble: he is a character who explores and comments on Human values. Because he is forced to pass as one of us, his point of view usually comes with a cynical and critical edge. But he can't quite get it right, this humanoid shape, though he continues to try. So he looks a little unfinished in a way. He's been working on it a long time. Someone might ask him: Why don't you take the form of a younger man. His answer: I would if I could. He has the adopted child syndrome, searching for his own personal identity. Although he doesn't know anything about his species, he is certain that justice is an integral part of their being, because the necessity for it runs through every fiber of his body – a racial memory. That's why he became a law man. He has a couple of Bajoran deputies; he doesn't allow weapons on the Promenade, and once every day he must return to his gelatinous form." [1]

Actor Rene Auberjonous describes Odo as "a very unformed being" who was "trying to get some kind of shape to his life".[2] Co-creator of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Micheal Piller, speaks of Odo's role within the show as being prompted by needing "a character who represented the traditions of Spock and Data, the outsider who looks in at humanity." [3]

Mirror Universe

In the Mirror Universe, Odo is the supervisor of the mining complex at Terok Nor. He is a brutal taskmaster over Terran slaves there and tolerates no deviation from his strict rules. Relatively little is known of him, as no one in the Mirror Universe is aware that the wormhole exists or who Odo's people are. During a mining accident, Odo begins an evacuation of the Terran workers from the complex. Julian Bashir, seizing the opportunity to escape, disintegrates him with a disruptor.

In this reality, Odo has his own set of rules called the "Rules of Obedience" and quotes one of the rules in the same way that regular universe Quark would quote his "Rules of Acquisition".

After filming of the episode "Crossover", which was mirror Odo's sole onscreen appearance, actor Rene Auberjonois liked the alternate uniform so much he began wearing it while playing the regular universe version of Odo as well.

Novels

In the initial Deep Space Nine relaunch novels, Odo is succeeded as security chief by Ro Laren, who is working for the Bajoran Militia. He also sent a Jem'Hadar ambassador to the Alpha Quadrant to foster understanding in the Dominion of other cultures, and soon returned to DS9.[4]

In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Millennium series of novels, it is revealed that Odo rarely shifted into smaller forms such as insects due to a psychological block from his original "training" under Doctor Mora. The novel series also speculates that the Founders placed a mental block on Odo's abilities to make it difficult for him to alter his face, thus explaining why he can never get faces quite right, even after linking with other Changelings on several occasions.[5]

In the Star Trek: Terok Nor novel Night of the Wolves, Odo was found in a spherical module in the Denorios Belt by the Cardassian vessel Kevalu, which was under the command of Dalin Malyn Ocett, in 2345.[6]

In the Star Trek: Typhon Pact novel Raise the Dawn, Odo returned to the Alpha Quadrant to help Sisko investigate reports that the Typhon Pact, an alliance of the Federation's enemies, have stolen Jem'Hadar technology to perfect their own quantum slipstream drive, only to be trapped in the Alpha Quadrant when the wormhole was seemingly destroyed thanks to Kira's attempt to stop a Typhon Pact ship from using it again. Sisko offered Odo a place on his new ship, the Robinson, but the novel ends with Odo deciding to remain on Bajor for a time to think about what he will do next.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Star Trek Deep Space Nine Pre-Premiere Bible - Resources - Happy New Year from Trek Writer's Guild - Star Trek Fan". www.twguild.com. Retrieved 2018-03-11. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 74 (help)
  2. ^ "Catching Up with DS9's Rene Auberjonois, Part 1". StarTrek.com. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  3. ^ New Frontiers: The Story of Deep Space Nine, DS9 Season 2 DVD, Special Features
  4. ^ Perry, S.D. (May 1, 2001). Avatar Book One of Two. Star Trek. p. 284. ISBN 0-7434-0050-X.
  5. ^ Judith., Reeves-Stevens, (2002). Star trek, deep space nine millennium. Reeves-Stevens, Garfield, 1953-. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0743442490. OCLC 48747215.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Danelle), Perry, S. D. (Stephani (2008). Night of the wolves : 2345-2357. Dennison, Britta. (1st Pocket books pbk. ed ed.). New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0743482514. OCLC 166373155. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ III., George, David R., (2012). Raise the dawn. Roddenberry, Gene., Berman, Rick., Piller, Michael, 1948-2005. (1st Pocket books paperback ed ed.). New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 1451649568. OCLC 796675480. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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