This could have been a really good episode, but Laas is just such a dick and that spoils things a bit too much. Being overtly racist the way he is is bad enough, but he's also just rude and antagonistic (props to Ezri for sarcastically rolling with it). He also straight up murders that Klingon after egging him on. All credit to JG Hertzler playing the role, though, who manages to be nearly unrecognisable from his usual character of General Martok.
Anyway, Laas is going to fit right in among the Founders if he ever finds them.
I am a fan of the Odo/Kira stuff here, and Odo himself comes out of this episode really well. The closing shot is quite beautiful.
The main story isn't bad. It has a fascinating story to tell. Flying in space? Being fog? That's awesome! Odo should have tried this in this episode or in a future episode! However, the main story with Laas feels like a leftover from season two or three. Yes, this guy isn't an infant changeling that needs Odo's guidance. Thus it's different from The Begotten but in a way it's the same story: Odo meets another of his fellow changelings that were sent out into space. This gives Odo the opportunity to reflect about his way of life and how far he has come and whether he really fits in. If that encounter happened when Odo's character was primarily occupied with exploring the nature of his existence and nature, this episode would have made perfect sense. I mean, in a sense, Odo never stopped exploring, but it's way too late into the show to have a considerable impact on Odo. Yes, he learns new "tricks", and gains some new insight but ultimately Odo doesn't need his fellow shapeshifter to adjust his moral compass or solidify his assessment of the Founders' actions. I mean what does he know? He has not even met other changelings before .. How would Odo suddenly question his attitude towards his humanoid friends and the founders? It doesn't help that the other changeling is an imbecile racist and cruel murder (like he's the terminator model 2). Klingons and the Federation officers aren't very likeable either though. Only Odo and Kira win my sympathy here.
But there's also parts that I like and that are much better than the more or less mediocre story described above. Conversations between Odo and Kira and Odo talking about eternal love in general, is great. He contemplates again his existence, his nature, his purpose in life and his life as an outsider among humanoids. We had this before in other episodes but it's a great summary of Odo's character. That's really one of the show's core topics and you must admit that their love story is great. Mutual love. If you want to understand the show's finale, you must watch this episode. It will explain to you Odo's decision and why Kira was able to accept it. It's love!
The most beautiful depiction of love I have ever seen on any ST! :heart:
The Klingons and Starfleet should be ashamed of themselves. Work dishonors himself repeatedly with his stance. Sisko and others on the station are a perfect example of the hypocrisy that proves the Changlings are correct about the Solids. It is a shame to see that the Dominion is justified in their war.
J.G. Hertzler is said to have mimicked William Shatner playing Kirk for this role. He manages to cast away from his usual character of General Martok.
J.G. Hertzler said about this:(Laas doing William Shatner doing Captain Kirk!)
Shout by NyxBlockedParent2022-07-09T03:21:22Z
The perfect one word title reveals so much about the episode. Chimera here refers to Odo's unachievable dream of truly connecting/joining with his people, as well as Laas' long forsaken desire to know romantic love. Chimera also refers to the very shape shifting nature of the changelings and simultaneously the monstrous way in which they are often perceived.
At the core, Chimera is a heartfelt tribute to love in its purest form - as it is and without condition.