One of the most effective writing points about DS9 were the outsider characters like Odo, Kira, & Quark whose most critical values (justice, faith, profit) informed who they were and their conflicts with Starfleet, but without entirely defining them by that aspect. All of them had nuances beyond that and much of their struggles were rooted in the fact that they could rarely ever be boiled down to simple descriptors. Odo especially was written that way; someone who could deeply abhor the notion of beings elevated to godhood, while still holding great respect for Kira's faith in the Prophets. Someone who could be unjustly tortured by the likes of Garak, and yet even after it still empathize with his motives for doing given his own experiences.
I used to love Odo, and he is a very good character, but when you step back and look at him, he is ultimately a status quo warrior, more concerned with order and stability than justice or protecting the innocent. He is a somewhat power trippy cop. In the Cardassian occupation, he worked with them and whilst better than many Cardassians who would kill random people, he still worked to catch someone who was ultimately a collaborator. In the Dominion occupation of the station, he tried to limit resistance operations for the sake of order. And then when Rom needed him, he was absent.
"Another glorious chapter of Klingon history? Tell me, do they still sing songs of the Great Tribble Hunt?" - Odo mocking Worf as to his people's dislike of tribbles, "Trials and Tribble-ations." I remember shooting Pepsi out my nose when I first saw this episode. Odo may have been a just being, but he had a wickedly sarcastic sense of humor too.
Ah another DS9 character look back, and for another great character too. Odo had tons of great things going for him both as a character and major driving force of the show with the Changlings and their Dominion. Rene Auberjonois’ performance was great and is the role I’ll forever associate him with. RIP Rene.
Odo and Quark were my favourite characters on DS9, they were like.. the anchor around which everything was grounded. Being that outsider, that unbiased observer, Odo almost always brought something of value to the show or story. His rivalry with Quark, the secret friendship they both harboured, was something you could depend on. It was Quark that made me like the Ferrengi episodes, without him it'd still be bumbling fools or Rom going "duuuuuuuh" nervously. I mean, I like Garak, but they were always playing with him. What was he really thinking, how far could you trust him, oooh he's mysterious. He was less a fixture of Deep Space Nine and more of an anomaly. He only showed up periodically, whereas Quark and Odo were in nearly every episode. Odo was the Data for DS9, insofar as I'm concerned. That person observing everyone else and reflecting on how they don't fit in or pondering the strange ways of others. In a similar fashion, I also sometimes see DS9 as Odo's journey, much the way TNG was for Data. Even if they weren't the focal point of the show itself, one could say that all of the experiences Odo had during its run prepared him for that moment he left to rejoin the Changlings. He actually HAD done what he was sent out to do, he learned of the universe, of *justice* and brought that back home. Hopefully replacing the sense of domination for a sense of fairness.
Odo and Quark had a fascinating relationship. They needed each other, they made each other better at what they do. I enjoyed every moment. The respect they "secretly" had was well earned
@@theknightsofawesomeness2701 In fantasy role playing games, a paladin is a kind of virtuous white knight The etymology of the word comes from the Latin word Palatine for the Palatine hill upon which the city of Rome was founded. Real life paladins were more like palace officials
Great character. Amazing actor. When you look back at Trek in the early/mid 90’s, it’s kind of staggering that Odo was put on screen in the first place. Perhaps it was Berman’s week off..
Odo was always my favorite character and not just for his shapeshifting. His gruff attitude and yet some joys he reminds me of Seven of Nine. You wanted to reach out to both of them even if you didn’t think you could make them happy. He is the kind of person you wanted to share a little time with to show you it is worth to allow one’s self some joy.
While not one of my personal favorites, he was a great character. Very effective at what he was (for the most part). And Rene was fantastic as him, really bringing him to life. Great analysis Chuck. RIP Rene Auberjonois.
The sad thing is, odo hating or disliking humanoids is most likely inescapable. When he met one of the other 100 (changelings send out as babies by the founders), he also started naive, loved and even married a humanoid, but after centuries with them and their suspicious dislike with changelings, he also distanced himself from them, after wich he grew to disliked them. Changelings have a veeeeery long life span, and there will probably always be chaos and war for us monoforms.
Rene Auberjonois played three characters I really enjoyed; Odo, Clayton on Benson, and Desaad on Super Friends/Super Powers Team. I think he also did one of the Police Academy movies, which shows the range he had as actor and voice actor.
A long time ago, when Rene was a young actor, he played George Washington during the French & Indian/Seven Year's War. This may have been a PBS "Great Performances" segment. In this "portrait of a young American colonial officer," he made numerous mistakes. It has even been considered that he STARTED the war by killing a French consular official. The teleplay ended with the surrender of Fort Necessity and returning in disgrace to the Colonial capital.
A wonderfully written and succinct analysis. For me odo was always the most interesting character in ds9, as his moral complexity and difficult past made for some truly standout episodes. Helped of course by Rene's beautifully subtle performance. (Even under all the prosthetics). A year on and he is still missed.
How odd it would feel to be looked upon as being a god (Founder) by those who surrounded you (Jem'Hadar, Vorta, etc.) and knowing that you are not a god AND having the wherewithal to not let it gas up your ego.
I wonder did you have an interest in Human Psychology as a young man?. Now the opportunity analyze characters of Star Trek. I find your opinion of each character interesting. So sad that we lose the actor Rene Auberjonois that played Odo so soon in life. You explained the character very well in my opinion IF THAT MATTERS.
If I was placed in a situation where someone was gonna kill my puppies and deadly force was necessary to save them! Hard choice to live with but I love my dogs💞
One of the most effective writing points about DS9 were the outsider characters like Odo, Kira, & Quark whose most critical values (justice, faith, profit) informed who they were and their conflicts with Starfleet, but without entirely defining them by that aspect. All of them had nuances beyond that and much of their struggles were rooted in the fact that they could rarely ever be boiled down to simple descriptors.
Odo especially was written that way; someone who could deeply abhor the notion of beings elevated to godhood, while still holding great respect for Kira's faith in the Prophets. Someone who could be unjustly tortured by the likes of Garak, and yet even after it still empathize with his motives for doing given his own experiences.
I know Im kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good place to watch newly released movies online ?
@Byron Luca Try Flixzone. You can find it by googling =)
@Byron Luca I use FlixZone. You can find it on google =)
Odo is honestly one of my favorite Trek characters
Nothing to be ashamed of. Odo is Awesome....
I used to love Odo, and he is a very good character, but when you step back and look at him, he is ultimately a status quo warrior, more concerned with order and stability than justice or protecting the innocent. He is a somewhat power trippy cop. In the Cardassian occupation, he worked with them and whilst better than many Cardassians who would kill random people, he still worked to catch someone who was ultimately a collaborator.
In the Dominion occupation of the station, he tried to limit resistance operations for the sake of order. And then when Rom needed him, he was absent.
One of the greatest and most well-developed Trek characters, brought to life by a talented veteran actor who is deeply missed. RIP Rene Auberjonois.
"Another glorious chapter of Klingon history? Tell me, do they still sing songs of the Great Tribble Hunt?" - Odo mocking Worf as to his people's dislike of tribbles, "Trials and Tribble-ations."
I remember shooting Pepsi out my nose when I first saw this episode. Odo may have been a just being, but he had a wickedly sarcastic sense of humor too.
His loving the tribble was cute beyond words. That mocking about “The Great Tribble Hunt” had me laughing so hard I ran out of breath.
Ah another DS9 character look back, and for another great character too. Odo had tons of great things going for him both as a character and major driving force of the show with the Changlings and their Dominion.
Rene Auberjonois’ performance was great and is the role I’ll forever associate him with. RIP Rene.
Odo is one of the best characters I’ve seen. I had little knowledge going in on him but he is one of my favorite characters from DS9
Odo and Quark were my favourite characters on DS9, they were like.. the anchor around which everything was grounded. Being that outsider, that unbiased observer, Odo almost always brought something of value to the show or story. His rivalry with Quark, the secret friendship they both harboured, was something you could depend on. It was Quark that made me like the Ferrengi episodes, without him it'd still be bumbling fools or Rom going "duuuuuuuh" nervously.
I mean, I like Garak, but they were always playing with him. What was he really thinking, how far could you trust him, oooh he's mysterious. He was less a fixture of Deep Space Nine and more of an anomaly. He only showed up periodically, whereas Quark and Odo were in nearly every episode. Odo was the Data for DS9, insofar as I'm concerned. That person observing everyone else and reflecting on how they don't fit in or pondering the strange ways of others. In a similar fashion, I also sometimes see DS9 as Odo's journey, much the way TNG was for Data. Even if they weren't the focal point of the show itself, one could say that all of the experiences Odo had during its run prepared him for that moment he left to rejoin the Changlings. He actually HAD done what he was sent out to do, he learned of the universe, of *justice* and brought that back home. Hopefully replacing the sense of domination for a sense of fairness.
Odo and Quark had a fascinating relationship. They needed each other, they made each other better at what they do. I enjoyed every moment. The respect they "secretly" had was well earned
Odo, more than most any other character in fiction, embodies living the life of a paladin.
Just like Captain America
Who is paladin?
Avatar: "What's a Paladin?".
*Spoony Yelling in the distance*
@@theknightsofawesomeness2701 In fantasy role playing games, a paladin is a kind of virtuous white knight
The etymology of the word comes from the Latin word Palatine for the Palatine hill upon which the city of Rome was founded. Real life paladins were more like palace officials
Drizzit Duordun
Rest in peace Mr. House.
And Chef Louis
RIP Clayton Runemede Endicott III on Benson.
Odo's first female relationship wasn't with Kira, it was with Arissa in season 5, episode 17, _A Simple Investigation._
Good summary of his character arc. Loved Odo, and René Auberjonois may he rest in peace.
This has been my favorite channel for years for videos like this.
R.I.P. ODO
Great character. Amazing actor.
When you look back at Trek in the early/mid 90’s, it’s kind of staggering that Odo was put on screen in the first place. Perhaps it was Berman’s week off..
Odo was always my favorite character and not just for his shapeshifting. His gruff attitude and yet some joys he reminds me of Seven of Nine. You wanted to reach out to both of them even if you didn’t think you could make them happy. He is the kind of person you wanted to share a little time with to show you it is worth to allow one’s self some joy.
That ending alway got to me with Odo and Kira, especially when he shapeshifts into a suit and says
"You always said I looked good in a tuxedo."
While not one of my personal favorites, he was a great character. Very effective at what he was (for the most part). And Rene was fantastic as him, really bringing him to life. Great analysis Chuck. RIP Rene Auberjonois.
One of my favourite characters in Star Trek. R.I.P René Auberjonois
The sad thing is, odo hating or disliking humanoids is most likely inescapable. When he met one of the other 100 (changelings send out as babies by the founders), he also started naive, loved and even married a humanoid, but after centuries with them and their suspicious dislike with changelings, he also distanced himself from them, after wich he grew to disliked them. Changelings have a veeeeery long life span, and there will probably always be chaos and war for us monoforms.
"I ALWAYS investagate Quark." :D
Rene Auberjonois played three characters I really enjoyed; Odo, Clayton on Benson, and Desaad on Super Friends/Super Powers Team. I think he also did one of the Police Academy movies, which shows the range he had as actor and voice actor.
He was also in Fraiser as Fraiser's mentor/teacher.
ExplodingConsole and Dee’s drama teacher in ‘Its always sunny in Philadelphia’
It was Police Academy 5 I think, the one where they go to Miami, and he played a fun villain.
A long time ago, when Rene was a young actor, he played George Washington during the French & Indian/Seven Year's War. This may have been a PBS "Great Performances" segment. In this "portrait of a young American colonial officer," he made numerous mistakes. It has even been considered that he STARTED the war by killing a French consular official. The teleplay ended with the surrender of Fort Necessity and returning in disgrace to the Colonial capital.
He also played Father Mulcahy in the film version of _MASH_
(0:00) Love the intro, Chuck! :D Thank you for doing this piece on Odo/Rene! :)
Great to see a new video. This comment might seem superflous, but I am making it anyway to appease the youtube algorithm.
So long René Auberjonois... may you find your place in the great link. Odo rocks.
A wonderfully written and succinct analysis. For me odo was always the most interesting character in ds9, as his moral complexity and difficult past made for some truly standout episodes. Helped of course by Rene's beautifully subtle performance. (Even under all the prosthetics). A year on and he is still missed.
Odo is in my top 5
Along with Data, 7 of 9, Quark and Worf
Great Lawful Good character.
And Garak was lawful neutral
A fitting tribute
If Odo and Gumby had a fight, I wonder who'd win.
Odo is one of the best characters in the Star Trek franchise. The Great Link was a unique concept. RIP Rene Auberjoinis.
Odo and Quark are not frenemies. They don't even pretend to be friendly to each other.
How odd it would feel to be looked upon as being a god (Founder) by those who surrounded you (Jem'Hadar, Vorta, etc.) and knowing that you are not a god AND having the wherewithal to not let it gas up your ego.
good content bud, subbed
My favorite ds9 character and my second favorite star treck character of all time second only to data
Great video and take on odo
Agh this makes me want to go back and watch some DS9 ... stupid Netflix losing all of its shows :(
*applauds * Bravo sir! Bravo!
So Odo is DS9 John Wick. I like that
I hate the way they ended Odo's story with Kira and Quark
Shooting someone to stop them from killing your dog sounds entirely reasonable.
ODO AND QUARK ARE BEST FIENDS !!!!!!!!!!
RIP Rene
I wonder did you have an interest in Human Psychology as a young man?. Now the opportunity analyze characters of Star Trek. I find your opinion of each character interesting. So sad that we lose the actor Rene Auberjonois that played Odo so soon in life. You explained the character very well in my opinion IF THAT MATTERS.
sfdebris: A great story, but Odo was so much more.
G'day, Chuck, what's for lunch?
RIP RA
If I was placed in a situation where someone was gonna kill my puppies and deadly force was necessary to save them! Hard choice to live with but I love my dogs💞
Good job 👍
May Rene join the great link.
Best.Star.Trek.Character.Ever!
7:15 YOU LEAVE NUMBER ONE ALONE, YOU MONSTER ;_;
Glad I'm not alone in thinking that. I was thinking better not let Patrick Stewart hear you say that.
5:00
Loved it, got a sub from me.
Really after all this time no A Look at KIRA
The Kira/Odo love relationship was just dumb and almost ruined both characters.