Skip to main content

star trek - Do Shapeshifters, like Odo, shift just shape, or composition as well?


When Odo is shaped as a humanoid, for example, is his eye just the outward shape of an eye? Or does he have a lens, and a retina, and an optic nerve, and a brain made of neurons processing images?



Answer





When Odo assumes a humanoid form, he has no detectable brain. From the DS9 episode "Dramatis Personae":



ODO: Doctor, I believe the Klingon brought the matrix with him and everyone in Ops was affected except me. Without a humanoid brain, my system rejected it.



If there is no brain, then there are no nerves, optic or otherwise.


For another statement about the lack of nervous systems — but from Beta material — we have the following excerpt from Deep Space Nine Rebels: Book One by Dafydd ab Hugh:



Founders — Changelings — didn't have a distinct central nervous system or brain, of course...the Founders' mental activity occurred everywhere and nowhere.




Concerning other organs, we have the following statement from Odo in the episode "The Forsaken":



ODO: I don't eat. This is not a real mouth, it is an approximation of one. I do not have an esophagus or a stomach or a digestive system. I am not like you.



(Thanks to @ThePopMachine for digging this one up!)


Taking all of this together, it would seem that Odo, even when taking humanoid form, has none of the organs that a humanoid would normally have. What we see on his exterior is for appearance's sake only.


Of course, if there are no physical manifestations of a nervous system within a Changeling who is infiltrating a humanoid community, then a such an individual could be caught by a rather simple medical scan. This would suggest that skilled Changelings ought to be able to simulate not only the internal appearance but also the electrical activity of a nervous system, in order to pass a basic tricorder test for being a humanoid. (This must be the case, since we know from several DS9 episodes that Changeling impostors are very difficult to detect.)


We also know that shape-changing is taxing on a Changeling. It would stand to reason that when a Changeling is not trying to fool solids (e.g. Odo on a normal day), then a Changeling would probably not be simulating a nervous system, given the complexity of the feat. Also, it may be that only very few Changelings have the endurance and skill required for it.


All in all, we can safely asssume that, when Odo assumes his humanoid form under normal circumstances, he has no brain, nerves, or organs, and his "eyes" are just for appearance's sake.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more