Star Trek: The Alternate

Episode: "The Alternate"

Series: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Season 2, Episode 12

Original Air Date: January 9, 1994

via Memory Alpha

Odo is reunited with Dr. Mora Pol (James Sloyan), the Bajoran scientist who studied and essentially raised Odo after he was discovered.  Pol believes he may have found clues to Odo's origins, initiating a mission into the Gamma Quadrant.  The mission doesn't go well.  A biological sample is found, and an obelisk stolen, but Pol, Dax and the accompanying Dr. Weld are all gassed.  Fortunately, Dr. Bashir is able to save them all but the adventure has only just begun.

Dr. Pol is an obvious attempt at a Dr. Soong equivalent (read here).  In fact, the original intention was for René Auberonois to play Pol, just as Brent Spiner had played Soong.  Due to production time constraints, that idea was scrapped and I'm glad for it.  Odo is not Data.  (He's Worf.  See here.) Attempting to force Odo into the Data box is misguided.  "The Alternate" reveals Odo's resentment towards Pol, understandable given the doctor's controlling parental attitude, in the form of a Jekyll & Hyde-esque monster story.  

I love the Odo story.  Over the course of the series, Odo's self-discovery arc is the richest narrative thread of all.  There are things I find uncomfortable about this installment.  Taking both the sample and the obelisk from the planet is highly presumptuous.  Pol is far from likable, stretching the credibility of the episode's sympathetic ending.  Even so, "The Alternate" provides a lot to build on for future, better Odo stories.

Acting Notes

via Final Fantasy Wiki

Matt McKenzie played Dr. Weld.  "The Alternate" is his first of two Trek appearances.  He is best known for his voice work, particularly the role of Auron in the Final Fantasy video game franchise.  In live action film, he appeared in Gods and Monsters and The Rookie.  Television credits include Veronica Mars, 24 and Mad Men.