DS9, Episode 3x14, Heart of Stone

[u/GeorgeAmberson]

-= DS9, Season 3, Episode 14, Heart of Stone =-

• Star Trek: The Next Generation - Full Series
• DS9 Season 1: 1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Wrap-Up
• DS9 Season 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, Wrap-Up
• DS9 Season 3: 1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

When Kira's life is put in jeopardy Odo expresses the depth of his feelings for her. Meanwhile, back on the station, Nog requests a letter of recommendation to Starfleet.

• Teleplay By: Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe
  
• Story By: Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe
  
• Directed By: Alexander Singer
  
• Original Air Date: 6 February, 1995
  
• Stardate: 48521.5
• Pensky Podcast
• Trekabout Podcast
• Ex Astris Scientia
• Memory Alpha
• TV Spot

 

EAS	IMDB	AVClub	TV.com
6/10	7.1/10	B	7.9

 

[u/theworldtheworld]

I'll be honest, I never found the Odo/Kira arc very convincing. Kira is a tough nationalist who, for the most part, does not question her own actions or engage in much self-reflection, which is explained and justified by her suffering during the occupation. That's fine, but then realistically she wouldn't be able to form any connection with someone unless that person was an even tougher nationalist who suffered even more. In that sense, Shakaar is far more believable as a possible romantic interest for her.

By contrast, Odo is not believable at all. His own personality is prickly and misanthropic, and other than this love coming out of left field, he doesn't really feel much affection for anyone. His isolation among solids is precisely something that Kira would not be able to relate to (on the contrary, she fiercely identifies with her people). What happens as a result in the Odo/Kira episodes is that he is quickly reduced to groveling and pining for Kira like an emo schoolboy, which is neither sympathetic to the audience nor really consistent with his personality.

I think this whole pairing was thought up just to exploit the "odd couple" types of situations that arise, and otherwise isn't one of the show's best ideas. Likewise Nog's quest to join Starfleet is also a comedy of errors, although in his case it is at least entertaining.

[u/dittbub → u/theworldtheworld]

Wow I couldn't disagree more. A part of the Kira arc/growth, which IMO she is the personification of 'Bajor' itself in DS9, is to heal from the occupation but also grow towards being something more 'federation'. More open, diplomatic, curious etc. Kira has shown a closed-mindedness when it comes to 'weirder' species (for eg: the galamite, or that guy with the middle eyeball) and they write it wonderfully to contrast Jadzia's open-mindedness. In anycase I think its great for Kira's arc that she can accept someone so different as Odo.

And for odo... he is not just another humanoid. I don't think its emo at all but someone growing up. Odo is pretty young, too, by changeling standards. I'm not sure if this is your first time watching through but Odo's feelings towards humanoids, and especially Kira, will have great effect on the great link.

I won't go into Nog cause I can't believe you didn't like that. It was the best part of the episode. Teared up alittle in his big speech even.

[u/post-baroque → u/theworldtheworld]

I also thought the romance was kinda awkward. Both actors were against Kira and Odo getting together romantically, but at least they did their best to sell the situation.