Odo and Kira love story before and after What You Leave Behind

[mendelin]

I'm a big fan of Kira&Odo love story. In my opinion, it's the best story of all Star Trek series. It was so slow, so thoroughly developed, it was so gentle, so sincere. It was a magic.
But what I can't understand, why it was so necessary for Odo to return to his people forever.
No, I understand it from production point of view, this bittersweet farewell was perfect for the series finale.
But what about Odos point of view? Was it really necessary? He loved Kira so much, he waited her for so long and after all that he simply said "Good bye, darling. My people need me". It's strange and unfair to Kira, IMO.
From the other hand, Odo wasn't a proper man for Kira. He wasn't even solid human, so no normal life, no normal dinners, no children. I remember some moments, where Kira was with Kirayoshi and it was obvious, that she wants children.
Well, maybe it was a reason? To let her go for normal life with good man and children? But if so, why Odo kissed her on Promenade? Why he got her, if he didn't planned live with her? So, again, it's unfair. IMO.

I continue to read DS9 Relaunch books, and again, no words about Kira & Odo further relationship. Except Unity I found nothing. Why? Is it so hard to write a good story about Kira and Odo, where they act together? That's also strange for me. Or it's effect of Season Finale? Authors can't bring them together because of principles?
What do you think about all this stuff?

 

[Kilana2]

You should read Plagues of Night and Raise the Dawn, or better the whole Typhon Pact novels. As there is a big gap between 2376 and 2381, at least the fate of Kira and Odo is mentioned there. Although they are still seperated, there is still hope. I don´t think that Kira wants desperately children. And with Odo it is impossible, but they could raise Bajoran orphans. I think, Odo still cares both for Kira and his people. He doesn´t strike me as family man. But this love story was somethin special during the show.

 

[Captain Kathryn]

I was so angry about this the first time I watched it. It almost seemed out of character.

I think Odo could have went to save his people and enlighten them and still have gone back to see Kira.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

Am I remembering this wrong, or doesn't Kira join her Bajoran religious order and get all holy and shit? I thought I read that in one of the novels, but that was strange aeons ago, so no clue.

Well, I suppose she could still have a relationship as a Bajoran nun equivalent. Bareil did.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

But what I can't understand, why it was so necessary for Odo to return to his people forever.
No, I understand it from production point of view, this bittersweet farewell was perfect for the series finale.
But what about Odos point of view? Was it really necessary? He loved Kira so much, he waited her for so long and after all that he simply said "Good bye, darling. My people need me". It's strange and unfair to Kira, IMO.

This is a good question, though one I think was more or less addressed by the series itself. The link was portrayed as a complicated, intimate and sensual form of communication. On the one hand, ideas are exchanged non-verbally; on the other, one loses one's identity. The six-part arc showed effectively how Odo was affected by linking with the Female Changeling, finding it difficult to relate to events and issues in the world of the "solids." Similarly, Laas was overwhelmed by the experience of linking to the point where it put him at odds with society. The argument could be made that the more one stays linked, the more one is unlikely to be satisfied not being linked. Such feelings might be intensified in the Great Link.

Rejoining the Great Link was most likely a point of no return, which is why there were such high stakes. In order to teach the Founders to live in a universe of chaos (and bring them the cure), linking would be necessary. And once in the Great Link, Odo would likely find extricating himself highly undesirable. Indeed, he may have found it difficult to relate to solids should he return.

 

[mendelin]

Rejoining the Great Link was most likely a point of no return, which is why there were such high stakes. [...] And once in the Great Link, Odo would likely find extricating himself highly undesirable.

That's very interesting point of view. Thank you!
I never thought in this direction.
Well, the question still remains. Odos feelings towards Kira - what are they? Some kind of mimicry like "being a Solid means also have love feelings"? Again, it's unfair towards Kira, and Kira should feel it. If so, why did she accepted Odo?

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Odo needed to leave Kira because he was needed in the Great Link to heal not only the disease but the hatred toward solids.

 

[Sybok Was Wrong]

I was so angry about this the first time I watched it. It almost seemed out of character.

I think Odo could have went to save his people and enlighten them and still have gone back to see Kira.

Isn't Odo kind of a jerk for doing that to Kira? I believe so.

The writers probably thought it was romantic/poetic/tragic.

In reality, I think they jerked around the audience with the thread of unrequited love for years, to finally have it happen- to Odo suddenly saying, "See Ya!" Because the series was over.

I believe it was out of character.

I hope Kira found a more committed guy quickly. Forget Odo

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'd have voted for a political marriage...

Kira, a Bajoran and a solid, marries Odo and it ratifies the peace treaty. Odo heals the Great Link and he returns to Kira, but every few months has to go back to check on things.