Why do the Founder changelings always disguise themselves as Bashir?

Discussion in 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' started by urrutiap, Aug 25, 2021.

  1. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Which has nothing to do with the development of a new EMH. As revealed in Voyager as well the EMH Mk. 1 was ridiculed heavily to the point that Zimmerman wanted to distance himself from it.

    More on topic, Bashir makes an ideal target. He can gain access due to medical clearance, meet with people privately, and generally has the infirmary to himself. Being Worf or Sisko engenders too much risk, while lower lever allows less scrutiny.
     
  2. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    In my head canon, I always assumed the "LMH" that Bashir was chosen to be a template for eventually became the EMH Mark 2 seen on the Prometheus on Voyager.
     
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  3. matthunter

    matthunter Admiral Admiral

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    Have watched it, thanks - don't presume I haven't seen episodes - I don't chip in unless I've done my research.

    Still not relevant as he got that AFTER the Bashir ep.

    It's like saying Einstein was motivated to study maths because he fell in love with Marilyn Monroe.

    Unless he's Benjamin Button... nope.
     
  4. Oddish

    Oddish Admiral Admiral

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    Sometimes they're O'Brien. Like in the Home Front/Paradise Lost 2-parter.
     
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  5. fireproof78

    fireproof78 Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Yes, but they were overwhelmed by the sheer greatness of being O'Brien.
     
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  6. Charles Phipps

    Charles Phipps Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Bashir is a good choice because if you want to screw up finding the Founder, then being the Doctor is the best person to be.
     
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  7. Laughing Dragon

    Laughing Dragon Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    His handsome face? His innocence?

    I think the reason was his abilities was it not?
     
  8. garakvsneelix

    garakvsneelix Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Yepp, two more examples where DS9 and VOY didn't fit the way they could have...
     
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  9. Oddish

    Oddish Admiral Admiral

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    Maybe it's because Alexander Siddig was actually pretty good at playing a changeling in "blend-in" mode.
     
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  10. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    How so? You mean because the EMH Mark 2 wasn't based on Bashir in the end? That actually make perfect sense, as Zimmerman refused to continue creating a template based on Bashir as soon as he learned about Bashir's genetic enhancements. Obviously at that point, Zimmerman went on to the next candidate to be the template, that being a doctor who resembles Andy Dick.
     
  11. garakvsneelix

    garakvsneelix Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Yes, of course, it made sense, but on the other hand, it also could have been written in another way, e. g. when Zimmerman would have been shown as a more tolerant man. Don't get me wrong: I love "Message in a bottle' and the way, they played out the 'relationship' between the Doctor and his 'replacement' worked well for me, but it's just another point on my very long list of examples for 'unused chances for a bigger connection between DS9 and VOY'. Of course, there are many other examples, that would have been more compelling in my eyes, because In principle, I agree with you.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2021
  12. The Wormhole

    The Wormhole Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    But it was stated in the episode Doctor Bashir I Presume that Zimmerman had stopped the modelling work on Bashir, so Message in a Bottle was stuck with what DS9 had already established on that matter.
     
  13. garakvsneelix

    garakvsneelix Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Yepp. And if the writers of DS9 and VOY would have written it in another way, they would have. Of course, both sides have their share in the fact that such chances could not be played out better.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2021
  14. TommyR01D

    TommyR01D Captain Captain

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    Are you saying that the Dominion purposely maintained a fake prison camp full of changeling impostors specifically to lure Starfleet into "freeing" them to infiltrate the Alpha Quadrant powers... again?
     
  15. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Got it on one. That's what they do for a day job, after all.

    If the full expense of inserting Agent Eris in "Jem'Hadar" is one small ship of their own and one huge one of the enemy, it really seems worth the while. If the cost of inserting Agent Martok 2.0 is running a prison camp where Jem'Hadar can train, enemies can be interrogated, and one cell additionally has to be dedicated to fake prisoners... Well, sound like a good investment again.

    It's a bit difficult to find a downside there.

    Timo Saloniemi
     
  16. JirinPanthosa

    JirinPanthosa Admiral Admiral

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    Easiest to capture.
     
  17. Oddish

    Oddish Admiral Admiral

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    It's too bad the Mirror Bashir didn't turn out to be the Mirror Odo (very much alive and eager to impose his Rules of Obedience). The latter was much more interesting than the former.