Odo and the link after 'What You Leave Behind'

[JesterFace]

I was wondering this after I read Ira Steven Behr's comment about Odo in the background information of the episode 'His Way'.

Ira Steven Behr:
I already knew that at the end of the series Odo would be going back to the Founders to become goo.

Question is, why, other than the disease that was destroying the link. Odo was able to help so he went.

But... Odo finally had the girl he wanted and things seem pretty much okay in the station... why exactly did he leave? And did he ever plan to return? I think I remember something about like maybe he could come back but... it made no sense to me.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

There were two things keeping Odo from joining the link throughout the show. First, Kira, and second, their fascism. At the end of the show he had them in a state that he had an opportunity to temper their fascism, and as much as he wanted to stay with Kira, it wasn't enough to give up that opportunity.

 

[JesterFace]

At the end of the show he had them in a state that he had an opportunity to temper their fascism, and as much as he wanted to stay with Kira, it wasn't enough to give up that opportunity.

Is this a headcanon thing or something that the producers of the show have mentioned at some point?

 

[at Quark's]

From What you leave behind:

ODO: Nerys. You know my feelings for you will never change, but I have to do this. My people need me. They need to know what I know, to learn what I've learned from living among solids. It's the only way they'll ever learn to trust you.

Imho, this makes his mission of rejoining the link in order to learn the changelings to trust (Federation) solids pretty explicit.

 

[JesterFace]

Does the Odo quote above mean he would stay in the link indefinitely or he would just teach the Changelings a thing or two and then return?

 

[velour]

This is the farewell dialogue between Odo and Kira while they were on the Changeling planet:

KIRA: The Link. It's so different.
ODO: They're dying.
KIRA: You should go to them.
ODO: Nerys, please tell everyone I'll miss them.
KIRA: Even Quark?
ODO: Even Quark. But most of all...
KIRA: I know.
(They kiss. Odo morphs into a tuxedo.)
KIRA: Odo.
ODO: You always said I looked good in a tuxedo.
KIRA: You do.
ODO: Then this is the way I want you to remember me.
KIRA: I'll never forget you.
ODO: Goodbye, Nerys.

Hope this helps you with your question.
It didn't seem like a "see you later" dialogue imo. But I guess we'll never really know.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

This is the farewell dialogue between Odo and Kira while they were on the Changeling planet:

KIRA: The Link. It's so different.
ODO: They're dying.
KIRA: You should go to them.
ODO: Nerys, please tell everyone I'll miss them.
KIRA: Even Quark?
ODO: Even Quark. But most of all...
KIRA: I know.
(They kiss. Odo morphs into a tuxedo.)
KIRA: Odo.
ODO: You always said I looked good in a tuxedo.
KIRA: You do.
ODO: Then this is the way I want you to remember me.
KIRA: I'll never forget you.
ODO: Goodbye, Nerys.

Hope this helps you with your question.
It didn't seem like a "see you later" dialogue imo. But I guess we'll never really know.

Pretty much the farewells in the episode are there to say where everyone landed on more or less a permanent basis. Odo stays with the link--it's too seductive. Sisko remains with the Prophets indefinitely. And O'Brien, after some teaching, retires to Earth.

Now, when they reveal the writers session in the documentary, I will consider any reunions to be semi-canonical.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Is this a headcanon thing or something that the producers of the show have mentioned at some point?

This is conjecture based on solid evidence. We know from Chimera that, were it not for Kira, Odo would have joined the link, fascism or not. We know from The Search his given reason for being unable to join the link was that he didn't agree with their waging war against the AQ. In Sacrifice of Angels, Odo is briefly drawn into not caring about solids based on linking with another changeling, and it's only the threat of Kira being executed that brings him back. Based on this evidence, I believe that it's the combination of Kira and their fascism that kept him from joining the Link. If he had found a race of pacifists in The Search, I believe he would have joined the Link, Kira or not.

 

[Leviathan]

Odo would have stayed to keep the peace. Poor Link....no war, no disease...they probably got bored.

....if the Link had a Jacuzzi they could squidge through...would that be like humans going to a water-park?

 

[Voth commando1]

In the novels Odo seeks to reform dominion society to be more peaceful, more rational, more cooperative and so on.

This is something the show hints at in Treachery Faith and the Great River-where Weyoun 6 I believe says that Odo could reforge the dominion into a more benign society.

 

[kkt]

Yeah, but Weyoun 6 is not exactly a reliable commentator on Dominion society...

 

[Voth commando1]

Why wouldn't he be? All Weyouns have the memories of their predecessors IIUC-and with him knowing the founders are dying it would make sense he'd place his faith in Odo as the only one capable of reforming dominion society.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I was wondering this after I read Ira Steven Behr's comment about Odo in the background information of the episode 'His Way'.

Ira Steven Behr:
I already knew that at the end of the series Odo would be going back to the Founders to become goo.

Question is, why, other than the disease that was destroying the link. Odo was able to help so he went.

But... Odo finally had the girl he wanted and things seem pretty much okay in the station... why exactly did he leave? And did he ever plan to return? I think I remember something about like maybe he could come back but... it made no sense to me.

None of that shit made any sense. Also, Odo had the ability to mind manipulate the Founder Den Mother, completely altering her sense of self at the end. But Odo linked with this woman many many MANY times during the war seasons, how come he didn't mind blank her then??? It would've saved a lot of lives being lost on a senseless war.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

But Odo linked with this woman many many MANY times during the war seasons, how come he didn't mind blank her then???

Because she did it to him. Or more precisely, he was too naive too communicate what he wanted, and was not as sophisticated as the Female Founder during Season 6.

 

[Voth commando1]

Odo convinced the female founder to surrender on the basis of Odo's genuine friendship with solids and his love of Kira. And also giving her the cure.

He gave her a lot of information that changed her outlook.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

In the novelverse, Odo does return.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

In the novelverse, Odo does return.

Of course he does. That's why I consider the novels to be wish-fulfillment for a narrow band of fans.

 

[JesterFace]

I wonder why Odo chose to apparently stay in the link.

He had a life, history and significant other on DS9, was it just so cool to be goo that he chose to stay there...

 

[Voth commando1]

Even in the novelverse Odo remains in the length for most of the time.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I wonder why Odo chose to apparently stay in the link.

He had a life, history and significant other on DS9, was it just so cool to be goo that he chose to stay there...

Because of the reasons stated and opined in Sacrifice of Angels, Treachery, Faith and the Great River, and Chimera.

 

[JesterFace]

Because of the reasons stated and opined in Sacrifice of Angels, Treachery, Faith and the Great River, and Chimera.

Someone has to remind me...
Only thing that comes to mind was Odo's deep voice and "they are my people".

 

[Prax]

I was wondering this after I read Ira Steven Behr's comment about Odo in the background information of the episode 'His Way'.

Ira Steven Behr:
I already knew that at the end of the series Odo would be going back to the Founders to become goo.

Question is, why, other than the disease that was destroying the link. Odo was able to help so he went.

But... Odo finally had the girl he wanted and things seem pretty much okay in the station... why exactly did he leave? And did he ever plan to return? I think I remember something about like maybe he could come back but... it made no sense to me.

It's a story trope/convention. Odo returns to his people as the "Rightful King." He will bring justice, and rebuild the Dominion into an honorable kingdom. And they lived happily ever after..

 

[kkt]

It's a story trope/convention. Odo returns to his people as the "Rightful King." He will bring justice, and rebuild the Dominion into an honorable kingdom. And they lived happily ever after..

But how can Odo live Happily Ever After if his One True Love is still back on DS9?

 

[JesterFace]

But how can Odo live Happily Ever After if his One True Love is still back on DS9?

Other changelings can fill in for Nerys, they can take her form...