Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — 1x12 — Vortex
Synopsis
An alien criminal from the other side of the wormhole tempts Odo by telling the shape-shifter he can put the changeling in contact with others like himself.
Filler rating: good filler
This is the first episode to mention that Odo's people likely originate from the Gamma Quadrant. It also establishes the character of his people as being distrustful of other species and that their colony is difficult to locate. However while some of this information could be taken as foreshadowing, strictly speaking none of it is essential exposition for proceeding with the story.
Remarkable scenes
- Quark: "You think the whole galaxy's plotting around you, don't you? Paranoia must run in your species, Odo. Maybe that's why no one has ever seen another shape shifter! They're all hiding!"
- Odo: "There's no profit in kindness. Your favorite charity is your own profit."
- Odo luring his pursuer into a trap.
- Odo releasing his prisoner to the custody of the Vulcans.
- Morn appearances; 1. Can be seen as the Miradorns walk by in the teaser, back to camera. 2. Odo takes the honor of being the first to refer to Morn by name by pointing him out to Quark.
Review
This is the first episode in which Odo's past is examined. We learn Odo is one of a kind and that he has possible ties to the Gamma quadrant. We also hear the name of his species for the first time: Changeling. While the plot is somewhat meager and strung together from seemingly random elements, the effect is still nicely profound for Odo's character. It's nice to see Odo so curious about his origins and it's nice to see Odo so compassionate to one of his prisoners. All very nice changes of pace for the character.