Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet-managed Bajoranspace stationDeep Space Nine. The later seasons of the series follow a war between the United Federation of Planets and an expansionist empire known as the Dominion, ruled by the shape-shifting Changelings. Deep Space Nine's security chief, Odo (played by René Auberjonois), is a Changeling who grew up ignorant of his people, and turned his back on them once he learned they were the Founders of the Dominion. In this episode, Odo meets another Changeling, Laas (played by J. G. Hertzler), who is also ignorant of the Founders and tries to persuade Odo to leave Deep Space Nine and travel the galaxy with him.
While returning to Deep Space Nine, a runabout carrying Odo and Chief Miles O'Brien is boarded by an unfamiliar Changeling. This Changeling, who calls himself Laas, has no knowledge of the Dominion or its Founders, but is eager to learn from Odo about his kind. Odo infers that Laas, like himself, is one of 100 Changelings the Founders sent into the galaxy as infants in order to learn about the universe.
On DS9, the two Changelings discuss their past. Laas tells Odo that although he does not support the Founders' agenda of conquest, he does not trust humanoids and just wishes to avoid them. Odo introduces Laas to the practice of "linking": physically joining their liquid bodies, a very fulfilling experience for Changelings. Laas guesses that Odo would have returned to join the Founders and experience their Great Link had he not fallen in love with Bajoran officer Kira Nerys.
Laas attempts to convince Odo to embrace his potential as a Changeling rather than trying to blend in with humanoids, and behaves rudely and condescendingly toward Odo's humanoid friends. He suggests that Odo join him to travel the galaxy in order to find more of the Hundred and form their own Great Link. Odo is tempted, especially when Laas demonstrates his skill at shapeshifting into unusual forms.
Laas causes a disturbance when he transforms into a fog in the station's Promenade district, drawing the attention of two Klingon officers. Seeing what they assume is a Founder, they confront Laas violently; by shapeshifting he is able to escape the attack and kill one of the Klingons.
Laas is arrested for killing the Klingon, although Odo protests that he acted in self-defense. Laas doubts he will receive a fair trial, given humanoids' inherent mistrust of Changelings. Kira, who loves Odo and wants to give him the opportunity to travel with his own kind, 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 tells him that he is wrong to believe that "solids" cannot be trusted, and that he is staying with Kira. Back on DS9, Kira tells Odo that he doesn't have to pretend to be a humanoid with her. He shows his love for her by transforming into a glowing golden mist, surrounding her.
Casting
Actor J. G. Hertzler, who played Laas, also played the recurring role of the Klingon General Martok on Deep Space Nine.[1] Hertzler was surprised they hired him for the role, and he attempted to disguise his voice but many people still recognized it.[2] According to showrunnerIra Steven Behr, Hertzler was cast because the producers needed an actor of a caliber to match Auberjonois's performance as Odo, and felt most comfortable trusting the role to an actor they already knew. Since he plays a different role than usual in this episode, Hertzler opted to be credited onscreen as "Garman Hertzler", using his middle name, to ensure Laas was regarded as distinct from Martok.[3]
Reception
Zack Handlen, writing for The A.V. Club in 2014, gave the episode a mixed review; he appreciated the depth of Odo's characterization and the conclusion of the episode, but criticized the episode as repetitive in the context of other episodes about Odo's conflicted relationship with other Changelings.[4] Writing for Tor.com in 2015, Keith R.A. DeCandido gave the episode a rating of 7/10, singling out for praise both the writing and the performance of the character Laas, but argued that the humanoids' mistrust of Laas should have been taken more seriously in the context of the war against the Dominion.[5]
In 2018, SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the character of Kira Nerys, noting that although the episode is mainly focused on Odo and Laas, it also illuminates Kira through her love for Odo.[6]
References
^"Star Trek: All 7 Characters Played By JG Hertzler". ScreenRant. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^STARTREK.COM STAFF (June 29, 2019). "J.G. Hertzler Reflects on His Many 'Trek' Roles". StarTrek.com.
^Erdmann, Terry J.; Block, Paula M. (2000). Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion. Pocket Books. p. 657.
^Handlen, Zack (March 20, 2014). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Chimera"/"Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
^DeCandido, Keith R.A. (January 13, 2015). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rewatch: "Chimera"". Tor.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
^Krishna, Swapna (2018-01-16). . SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
Chimera at StarTrek.com(NOTE: as of (at least) September 2019, this template – used on 706 different en.wiki articles – is broken)
January 05, 2023
chimera, star, trek, deep, space, nine, chimera, 14th, episode, seventh, season, star, trek, deep, space, nine, 164th, episode, overall, chimera, star, trek, deep, space, nine, episodeepisode, season, 7episode, 14directed, bysteve, poseywritten, byrené, echeva. 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 episodeEpisode no Season 7Episode 14Directed bySteve PoseyWritten byRene EchevarriaFeatured musicJay ChattawayProduction code564Original air dateFebruary 15 1999 1999 02 15 Guest appearanceGarman Hertzler as LaasEpisode chronology Previous Field of Fire Next Badda Bing Badda Bang Star Trek Deep Space Nine season 7 List of episodesSet in the 24th century the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet managed Bajoran space station Deep Space Nine The later seasons of the series follow a war between the United Federation of Planets and an expansionist empire known as the Dominion ruled by the shape shifting Changelings Deep Space Nine s security chief Odo played by Rene Auberjonois is a Changeling who grew up ignorant of his people and turned his back on them once he learned they were the Founders of the Dominion In this episode Odo meets another Changeling Laas played by J G Hertzler who is also ignorant of the Founders and tries to persuade Odo to leave Deep Space Nine and travel the galaxy with him Contents 1 Plot 2 Casting 3 Reception 4 References 5 External linksPlot EditWhile returning to Deep Space Nine a runabout carrying Odo and Chief Miles O Brien is boarded by an unfamiliar Changeling This Changeling who calls himself Laas has no knowledge of the Dominion or its Founders but is eager to learn from Odo about his kind Odo infers that Laas like himself is one of 100 Changelings the Founders sent into the galaxy as infants in order to learn about the universe On DS9 the two Changelings discuss their past Laas tells Odo that although he does not support the Founders agenda of conquest he does not trust humanoids and just wishes to avoid them Odo introduces Laas to the practice of linking physically joining their liquid bodies a very fulfilling experience for Changelings Laas guesses that Odo would have returned to join the Founders and experience their Great Link had he not fallen in love with Bajoran officer Kira Nerys Laas attempts to convince Odo to embrace his potential as a Changeling rather than trying to blend in with humanoids and behaves rudely and condescendingly toward Odo s humanoid friends He suggests that Odo join him to travel the galaxy in order to find more of the Hundred and form their own Great Link Odo is tempted especially when Laas demonstrates his skill at shapeshifting into unusual forms Laas causes a disturbance when he transforms into a fog in the station s Promenade district drawing the attention of two Klingon officers Seeing what they assume is a Founder they confront Laas violently by shapeshifting he is able to escape the attack and kill one of the Klingons Laas is arrested for killing the Klingon although Odo protests that he acted in self defense Laas doubts he will receive a fair trial given humanoids inherent mistrust of Changelings Kira who loves Odo and wants to give him the opportunity to travel with his own kind 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 tells him that he is wrong to believe that solids cannot be trusted and that he is staying with Kira Back on DS9 Kira tells Odo that he doesn t have to pretend to be a humanoid with her He shows his love for her by transforming into a glowing golden mist surrounding her Casting EditActor J G Hertzler who played Laas also played the recurring role of the Klingon General Martok on Deep Space Nine 1 Hertzler was surprised they hired him for the role and he attempted to disguise his voice but many people still recognized it 2 According to showrunner Ira Steven Behr Hertzler was cast because the producers needed an actor of a caliber to match Auberjonois s performance as Odo and felt most comfortable trusting the role to an actor they already knew Since he plays a different role than usual in this episode Hertzler opted to be credited onscreen as Garman Hertzler using his middle name to ensure Laas was regarded as distinct from Martok 3 Reception EditZack Handlen writing for The A V Club in 2014 gave the episode a mixed review he appreciated the depth of Odo s characterization and the conclusion of the episode but criticized the episode as repetitive in the context of other episodes about Odo s conflicted relationship with other Changelings 4 Writing for Tor com in 2015 Keith R A DeCandido gave the episode a rating of 7 10 singling out for praise both the writing and the performance of the character Laas but argued that the humanoids mistrust of Laas should have been taken more seriously in the context of the war against the Dominion 5 In 2018 SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the character of Kira Nerys noting that although the episode is mainly focused on Odo and Laas it also illuminates Kira through her love for Odo 6 References Edit Star Trek All 7 Characters Played By JG Hertzler ScreenRant 2020 07 20 Retrieved 2021 02 17 STARTREK COM STAFF June 29 2019 J G Hertzler Reflects on His Many Trek Roles StarTrek com Erdmann Terry J Block Paula M 2000 Star Trek Deep Space NineCompanion Pocket Books p 657 Handlen Zack March 20 2014 Star Trek Deep Space Nine Chimera Badda Bing Badda Bang The A V Club Retrieved December 31 2020 DeCandido Keith R A January 13 2015 Star Trek Deep Space Nine Rewatch Chimera Tor com Retrieved December 31 2020 Krishna Swapna 2018 01 16 A binge watching guide to Star Trek Deep Space Nine s Kira Nerys SYFY WIRE Archived from the original on 2019 07 23 Retrieved 2020 01 09 External links Edit Chimera at IMDb Chimera at Memory Alpha a Star Trek wiki Chimera at StarTrek com NOTE as of at least September 2019 this template used on 706 different en wiki articles is broken Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chimera Star Trek Deep Space Nine amp oldid 1128784651, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
