Odo And Justice (based On Early Season 2)

Odo and Justice (based on early Season 2)

Odo is first introduced as DS9′s Chief of Security, a no-nonsense workaholic who is driven by his commitment to justice and isolated by his status as the only known shapeshifter in existence.

In S2E8 Necessary Evil, we learn that before he served as a detective on DS9 during Cardassian occupation, Bajorans sought him out to solve their small disputes because of his outsider viewpoint. During the early stages of his entrance to society, he was able to rely on this identity for himself. Justice was a way for him to participate in society and find a place where he belongs. It enabled him to gain respect that otherwise could be difficult to come by as a shapeshifter learning to act like a humanoid.

[Image description: A screenshot of Odo saying to Gul Dukat, “I suppose I’m considered a neutral observer.”]

His role as detective and arbiter enables his shapeshifting abilities to be something valuable rather than something that drives him apart from the rest of society. It helps unite the “other” and humanoid parts of him, although it still leaves him on the fringes of society (more on that later).

In S2E12 The Alternate, Odo meets a major challenge to his relationship with justice and, by extension, his identity. When Dr. Mora says that the creature who destroyed the lab and attacked Julian could be him, Odo panics and can’t accept it.

[Image description: A screenshot of Odo saying to Dr. Mora, “I do not commit criminal acts! It is not in my nature!]

If Odo has been unknowingly acting on the wrong side of justice, his entire worldview breaks down. If he is not the fair arbiter he considers himself to be, he loses everything he has built for himself in humanoid society.

This explains why he clings to the concept of justice so desperately. He can understand justice, and he can understand his place in society through justice. He depends on it to guide him, to provide stability and a framework for interaction with others—and a reason for others to need him.

However, this worldview holds him back. To continue being a “neutral observer,” he must continue being an outsider. He can only integrate into society up to a certain point because if he stops being the outcast, he stops being the “neutral observer.”

This may be one of the reasons for his emotional repression and his resistance to accepting appreciation and affection. He relies on maintaining that distance because, from early on, he was not only sensitive about his differences—he needed them. If he admits to himself that he wants something more than his job and justice, wants the acceptance and affection and vulnerability that come with being included in deeper social ties (even when others are happy to give it to him), his outsider status is disrupted. (This also makes his relationship with Kira interesting because he does seem to be willing to have a more emotional connection with her.)

What’s sad about this is that he doesn’t need to keep that distance…

(Basically S2E12 really struck something in me and I needed to get out my thoughts about Odo. Disclaimer that I’m only halfway through Season 2 so there are definitely layers of his character that I haven’t seen yet, but I’m really enjoying his character and am looking forward to more of his development and backstory!)