Chimera (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) 3248673 224796345 2008-07-10T13:24:49Z 67.204.13.13 /* Background Information */ {{ST episode | |name = Chimera |image = <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:STDS9Ep714.jpg|270px]] --> |series = DS9 |ep_num = 162 |prod_num = 564 |date = [[February 17]], [[1999]] |writer = [[René Echevarria]] |director = [[Steve Posey]] |stardate =unknown |year = 2375 |prev = [[Field of Fire (DS9 episode)|Field of Fire]] |next = [[Badda-Bing Badda-Bang (DS9 episode)|Badda-Bing Badda-Bang]] }} "'''Chimera'''" is an episode of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' where another [[Changeling (Star Trek)|Changeling]] of [[the Hundred]] seeks out [[Odo (Star Trek)|Odo]] to learn more about his kind. The Changeling has no knowledge of [[Dominion (Star Trek)|The Dominion]] or the [[Founders (Star Trek)|Founders]] but struggles to trust [[humanoids]]. Eventually, the Changeling decides that it is better to seek out other Changelings rather than stay with Odo and live with humanoids. ==Guest stars== *[[J.G. Hertzler]] as [[Laas]] *[[John Eric Bentley]] as the [[Klingon]] *[[Joel Goodness]] as the [[Bajoran]] ==Background Information== The episode focuses mainly on Laas's mistrust of humanoids because of their difficulty in accepting non-humanoid beings, such as Changelings. It also provides Odo with insight into the fact that he merely looked Bajoran to keep humanoids comfortable with being around him. The very few instances in the series Odo is seen shapeshifting in public are actually an indication of the fact that he was conditioned to refrain from doing it very often around humanoids - and rather in the privacy of his quarters - as a result of living among humanoids for over thirty years before when the episode supposedly takes place. [[J.G. Hertzler]] departs from his traditional role as General [[Martok]] and plays the visiting Changeling (named "Laas"). He is credited as Garman Hertzler to hide the fact that Laas was played by the same actor as General Martok. The story also leaves a significant "unanswered question" in what happened to the other Changeling. Especially since, in later episodes, it is revealed that Odo was the carrier of a deadly [[disease]] that infects other Changelings upon contact. Laas never appears in later episodes, but it can be assumed that he died from the disease that Odo carried. The name of the episode is the word "[[Chimera (mythology)|Chimera]]", giving reference to a [[Greek mythology|Greek]] monster, which was a composite of various animals, traditionally a lion, a snake, and a goat. Two episodes later, [[Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges (DS9 episode)|"Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges"]] features a starship named ''[[Bellerophon]]'', after the mythical Greek warrior who slew the Chimera. ==External links== *[http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/DS9/episode/104685.html Episode information from STARTREK.COM] {{memoryalpha|Chimera}} [[Category:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes]] [[Category:1999 television episodes]]