Star Trek: 10 Best Odo Episodes

10. Heart Of Stone

In the middle of the third season, Odo and Kira are pursuing a Maquis vessel near the Badlands. They have to land on a small planet and then split up to track the individual onboard. The constable later finds Kira stuck in a cave, with a crystal growth over her foot. Back on the station, the other story is that Nog seeks to join Starfleet, leading to a touching story about fatherhood and expectations.

The two of them try everything to get the crystal off her foot, but it starts to grow and consume more of her body. When it seems like the crystal is about to swallow her up completely, Odo desperately confesses how he feels about Kira, telling her that he loves her. Kira says that she loves him as well, which gives him pause. He points his phaser at her directly and demands to know who she is, because she isn't Kira Nerys.

She reveals that she is the Female Changeling (played by Salome Jens), trying to convince Odo that he should rejoin his people. With his firm refusal the Changeling lets Odo leave with the real major.

While this is a touching episode for Odo, it's bittersweet. Kira asks him what happened and the changeling relays the bare bones of the situation to her, but doesn't tell her about his confession. He chooses to swallow those feelings for now. He's not ready to be with the woman he loves.