Since we seem to be shifting between focus on Odo and then Kira, how about an episode in which both their stories culminate n them both beig pseudo parents for awhile, then having it ripped from them? It isan intriguing concept considering you would never think either one is parent material.Quark acquires what he believes is a dead Changeling ad sells it to Odo. It is a Changeling, but it is very much alive It is also a baby who has no idea it is a shape shifter. Odo decides to take it under his wing to teach it how to be a Changeling. His plan is complicated when Dr. Mora, the scientist who worked with him, shows up to ofer his insight.
The problem is that when mora did not know Odo was an intelligent life form, he used torturous means to study him. Odo still resents him for it because it has tainted his view of people. He is not going to let Mora treat this Changeling the same way.
Thus begins a thinly veiled debate about disciplining children as guidance versus time outs and the like. Odo coddles and tries to reason with the Changeling. Mora says they should give it a mild electric shock to prod it along or it will never change form. When Starfleet demands results or they will take over, Odo agrees to try it. The result is the scene above.
Odo has had nothing but animosity for Mora since his early days, but now that he has taken on a certain paternal pride in the Changeling’s response, he understands how mora must have felt when Odo changed shape for the first time. While Mora’s tough hand probably did help jade Odo, he forgives Mora.
Unfortunately, the Changeling is still sick from radiation poisoning from when he was found. It isdying. As Odo holds it I his hands, the Changeling absorbs itself into his skin, giving him back his shape shifting abilities. Odo flies around DS9 asa hawk in celebration, though he mourns the Changeling’s loss.
Kira is giving birth during all this. The shenanigans surrounding the birth serve as comic relief. In predictable fashion, the child is birth as the Changeling dies. What is unpredictable is Kira’s reaction. It is the O’Brienses’ child, but she has a hard time giving him up even though she never wanted a baby to begin with. Odo expresses his newfound empathy as they walk off together.
Usually, episodes revolving around Kira and/or Odo are my favorites. I often relate to the characters’ emotional issues, particularly when it comes to friends and lovers. But I am far from ever becoming a parent, so I just cannot relate to “The Begotten” as well as I have other similar episodes. It is not a bad episode. It is just not my thing. I do believe Mora has a point when he quotes Solomon about sparing the rod and spoiling the child. I more wonder how a Bajortan scientist has read proverbs than dwell on the concept of differing parenting styles. A timeout is for when it is 4th and Goal, not when your child is misbehaving.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
The episode reminds me of Live’s "Lightening Crashes.”
