Chimera (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
Chimera is the 14th episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's seventh season. It follows Odo, DS9’s security chief and a Changeling, as he meets Laas, another Changeling who doesn’t know about the Dominion or the Founders. Laas wants Odo to abandon DS9 and travel the galaxy with him to form a new Great Link. The two discuss their pasts: Laas is wary of humanoids and wants to avoid them, while Odo explains the benefits of belonging to his own kind and his love for Kira Nerys.
A runabout with Odo and Chief Miles O’Brien is attacked by Laas, who shapeshifts to fight back and ends up killing a Klingon. Laas is arrested, and Odo protests that he acted in self-defense. Laas worries he won’t get a fair trial, but Kira frees him, saying he escaped. Odo later meets Laas on Koralis III and tells him that “solids” can be trusted, choosing to stay with Kira. Back on DS9, Odo shows his love for Kira by transforming into a glowing golden mist around her.
Production notes: J. G. Hertzler, who plays Laas, also plays Martok; he’s credited here as Garman Hertzler. The episode was directed by Steve Posey and written by René Echevarria; production code 564; originally aired February 15, 1999.
Reception: Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave it a mixed review in 2014, praising Odo’s characterization but finding the plot repetitive. Keith R.A. DeCandido of Tor.com rated it 7/10 in 2015, praising the writing and Laas’s performance while noting the humanoid mistrust theme could have been deeper. In 2018, SyFy recommended the episode for readers exploring Kira Nerys, noting it mainly develops Odo and Laas and sheds light on Kira’s feelings.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:36 (CET).