Star Trek: 10 Character Reveals That Didn't Have To Go THAT Hard
9. The Changelings Are Actually Quite Good At Brain Surgery
In one of two appearances on this list, a major reveal about Julian Bashir rocked Deep Space Nine through to its core. Here, the revelation that Bashir had, in fact, been replaced by a Changeling some months prior to Worf and Garak's arrival in the Gamma Quadrant had major repercussions.
The Bashir imprisoned in Internment Camp 371 still sported the blue-shoulder uniform of the first four seasons, while the Bashir on DS9 had adopted the First Contact style grey and black jumpsuit. The thing was - that Bashir had performed brain surgery on Captain Sisko in Rapture.
Visited by visions from the Prophets, Sisko's brain was facing irrevocable damage, leading to Jake's request that 'Bashir' operate. To be fair to the interloper, he does a fine job - reversing the damage and stopping the visions from happening.
One must wonder - why? It may have been too big of a risk to let the captain die, thus exposing themselves as a double. So, did this Changeling go through Starfleet Medical, graduate second in their class, and eventually take-over for the real Bashir? If so - if nothing else - commendation to the dedication there. Now that's going above and beyond for the job.