Star Trek: 10 Best Odo Episodes

As the constable accompanies Sisko, Dax and Garak while returning from a conference, they are affected by a spatial anomoly that triggers the Changeling's telepathic attempts to link with the rest of his species. Since it's only the four of them in the Runabout, he links with them instead and they are dragged into his memories.

They wake up to find themselves on Terok Nor, still under the control of Gul Dukat. While each of them are able to recognise each other, they are apparently Bajorans, each of whom is trying to go unnoticed. They work for Quark for a short while, then are routinely arrested when a bomb is used in an attempt to kill the sadistic Gul. The Cardassian head of security, Thrax, decides that the crew are guilty party and sentences them to be executed.

Garak has managed to confirm the date as they are being held hostage. This is a time when Odo should be head of security, not Thrax. Wracked with silent guilt, the constable remains quiet as they are dragged out to face their executions. At the last moment all of them are blinked to other side of the promenade and have to watch as three Bajoran men are gunned down, while a different Odo watches on, this one in dark clothes, the head of Dukat's security.

He breaks down, admitting that while he served the Cardassians, he was more interested in keeping the peace than serving justice. He had always appeared that he was doing the right thing for both sides on the station, but ultimately he let innocent men die so that Dukat could make an example of them.

Back in reality, Odo is confronted by Kira Nerys, the woman he loves. She asks if any more innocent Bajorans had died under his watch and he confesses that he does not know. In a powerful reversal from Necessary Evil, it is Kira who is disappointed in him. His guilt from this time is a defining trait, his dedication to justice afterwards is a testament to his strength of character.

All in all, there are far too many excellent episodes about Odo, a fuller list could have thirty entries on it and it might still not be enough. With the recent passing of Rene Auberjonois, his audience has time to reflect of his marvellous talent of bringing Odo to life, the complicated policeman haunted by his past, dedicated to doing better.