Always a Changeling???

[pimp]

Hi

Just a curious question, where the changelings always shapeshifters or did they evolve from solids????

Thanks

[JNG]

While we don't really know their history, it seems highly unlikely that such an exotic life form could have evolved from "solids" per se and would also not match with how they seem to feel solids are so deeply and irreconcilably different from themselves. However, they were almost certainly restricted to fewer forms (or one) at some earlier point in their evolution...but I doubt those forms were anything we'd recognize.

[DrTaylor]

My understanding is that they did either evolve from solids or on the same planet with solids. They were not, however, intended to evolve from the Progenitor Race featured in "The Chase".

[Meredith]

I am thinking take the evolutionary path of a slime mold to it's logical conclusion. I am thinking he may be silica based as well. Something Bashir said in the first episode that had Dr. Mora in it.

I could see a changeling evolving a mimic ability to look like solid creatures to fool the other liquid slime mold type creatures that were predators.

Maybe they pick their human form after the Progenitor Race because they decoded the DNA in the Gamma Quadrant years ago and since they were the "first intelligent species" in the galaxy, the changelings picked that shape as a "tribute" to the first life that seeded and "controlled" the destiny of the other species, something that fits the changeling manifesto, the "controlling of other race's destines" part specifically.

Either that or the Progenitor race came across the slime molds in their pr5imordial state and added some DNA like stuff to them, an unfolding program, and it made their "natural humanoid form" look like a progenitor. Since they may not evolve as quickly since they simply change shape to evolve the "Progenitor DNA" might be more expressed than it was in a Klingon or Romulan etc....

[AdmiralGarak]

While the series has never delved into the origins of the Changelings, the Relaunch novels have.

According to Memory Beta:

The Progenitor was a possibly mythical shapeshifting being that, according to the Founders, created the universe and everything in it. The Founders believe that the Progenitor took a population of 'solids' and imbued in them its own malleable characteristics, thus creating the Great Link.

The Progenitor later disappeared, leaving the Founders unable to procreate, though with very long natural lives. After being unsuccessful in their attempts to find it, the Founders withdrew to the Omarion Nebula, from where they sent out the Hundred to lure the Progenitor to a system close to, but outside, the Omarion Nebula.

Source.

[Damask]

From Behind The Lines
ODO
And have our people always been
Shape-shifters, or was there a time
when we were like the Solids?

FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER
Eons ago, we were like them --
limited to one form. But we
evolved.

[AdmiralGarak]

Damask wrote:

---

From Behind The Lines
ODO
And have our people always been
Shape-shifters, or was there a time
when we were like the Solids?

FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER
Eons ago, we were like them --
limited to one form. But we
evolved.

I forgot about that exchange. Good catch.

[pimp]

AdmiralGarak wrote:

---

While the series has never delved into the origins of the Changelings, the Relaunch novels have.

According to Memory Beta:

Source.

I'm left confused, because in the episode The Search Odo asks his people if he was once an infant and they said in away he was, so that means they do reproduce somehow.

[AdmiralGarak]

'In a way' does not mean 'Yes'.

I can't remember what explanation was given for your question, but it was addressed. Hopefully somebody can help out, or you could ask over in Trek Literature. Both the author and the editor are regular posters there.

[Apogeal Alpha01]

When he was found on Bajor his ability to change shape was limited, immature. And apparently, like the little Changling Quark sold him, smaller. Given that he doesn't consume food, nutrition in way we understand it's hard to see how he would manage to grow, but he did.

[Temis the Vorta]

I think they evolved from a Solaris-type planet (which seemed to be the inspiration for the Changeling planet anyway) that was a single sentient being - sentient in a sense that is totally different from human intelligence - and the individualized aspect of Changelings evolved later, sort of like a single being evolving cells that can break off and do their own independent thing.

[Marie1]

Its also possible they adapted or "helped" themselves like they "improved" the Jem'Hadar and the Vorta- maybe they're just renegade freaks who broke their society's rules on genetic manipulation and were oppressed or there were arrest attempts for what they did.
After all, as mentioned, they seem to remember being solids.

And for the other point- the Female Founder kindof hesitates in "the Search" as if "infant" isn't the right term, just one that Odo sticks on, so she decides to go with it. That flexibility is used in the DS9 relaunch. Odo wonders why he was "sent away"- a good point, if you're worried about being hunted and attacked- would you send your children away with no education or training?

[EEE]

DrTaylor wrote:

---

They were not, however, intended to evolve from the Progenitor Race featured in "The Chase".

And yet they were represented by the exact same actress! Coincidence? Enquiring minds want to know!

pimp wrote:

---

I'm left confused, because in the episode The Search Odo asks his people if he was once an infant and they said in away he was, so that means they do reproduce somehow.

I think it means he was scooped from the shallow end of the lake. *grin*

[Marie1]

:P

[Marie1]

SPOILER for DS9R Worlds- Dominion story- sorry if its been covered somewhere...

Does the fact that the Founders know that they were once solids conflict with the DS9R Worlds' Dominion story with regard to the Progenitor?