The Die Is Cast - Did the writers forget the quantum stasis field existed?

[JirinPanthosa]

In The Die Is Cast, when Garak tortures Odo by preventing him from shapeshifting using a 'Quantum stasis field'. This technology is never mentioned again for the rest of the series, when it seems like they could have used this technology in any situation where they were worried somebody was a changeling. Did the writers forget it existed or conveniently handwave it because it'd reduce the drama?

 

[DonIago]

When were they in a situation where it would be practical? The field only prevents a Changeling from reverting to its liquid state, so if you suspect someone's a Changeling, are you going to keep them in the field for hours?

That also assumes that more experienced Changelings needed to regenerate as frequently as Odo did.

A device that forces the Changelings to revert to their liquid state (i.e. the phaser bursts they were experimenting with in 'Homefront') would seem to be both faster and more effective.

 

[Unicron]

Varad's crew in "Invasive Procedures" had a device that could fully imprison Odo, which was never referenced again.

 

[DonIago]

IIRC that device was also put into stasis shortly after Odo entered it, so it's possible he could have broken free if he'd wished to? He did go into it voluntarily.

 

[Sci]

It was an Obsidian Order prototype. The technology was lost when the Order was destroyed in the ensuing battle.

 

[Tosk]

They didn't forget, they specifically set it up in a way that they knew they wouldn't be using it again. Tain says that it is the prototype, and shortly after that the Obsidian Order and Tal Shiar are wiped out.

Sure, there'd be plans somewhere but you can also assume the Dominion would go to great lengths to destroy all trace of it once they learned about it.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

When were they in a situation where it would be practical? The field only prevents a Changeling from reverting to its liquid state, so if you suspect someone's a Changeling, are you going to keep them in the field for hours?

That also assumes that more experienced Changelings needed to regenerate as frequently as Odo did.

A device that forces the Changelings to revert to their liquid state (i.e. the phaser bursts they were experimenting with in 'Homefront') would seem to be both faster and more effective.

The Adversary, for one. After they catch the changeling once he wouldn't be able to then jump into a vent and come back as someone else.

Maybe that was an OO prototype, but once they knew the technology existed, and what technobabble it involved, you think it'd take four years for Federation scientists to figure it out?

 

[DonIago]

It took Garak some time to set up the device in "Die is Cast", and Odo wasn't doing anything to stop him. I don't think a hostile Changeling would have sat still long enough for it to be of much use in "The Adversary", unless by that point a full-ship or more quickly operable version of it was available.

 

[Nerys Myk]

In The Die Is Cast, when Garak tortures Odo by preventing him from shapeshifting using a 'Quantum stasis field'. This technology is never mentioned again for the rest of the series, when it seems like they could have used this technology in any situation where they were worried somebody was a changeling. Did the writers forget it existed or conveniently handwave it because it'd reduce the drama?

Welcome to Star Trek.

 

[NCC-73515]

They also had spherical devices in the episode where they infiltrate a Klingon medal ceremony, weren't those supposed to make the changeling liquid? Then that might be the opposite kind of tech.

 

[DonIago]

They also had spherical devices in the episode where they infiltrate a Klingon medal ceremony, weren't those supposed to make the changeling liquid? Then that might be the opposite kind of tech.

Those also needed to be placed and required an activation switch. Though it would have been a faster means of detection than the quantum stasis field. Just walk all the suspects through a room and trigger the device. I can't remember whether there were other considerations.

 

[Sci]

The Adversary, for one. After they catch the changeling once he wouldn't be able to then jump into a vent and come back as someone else.

Maybe that was an OO prototype, but once they knew the technology existed, and what technobabble it involved, you think it'd take four years for Federation scientists to figure it out?

Why not? The Federation can't be good at everything.

 

[Vger23]

I forgot about it.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I forgot about it.

Most the tech people bring up in "what about" posts are stuff I've forgotten.

 

[Farscape One]

That device was an Obsidian Order prototype that never had the chance to be tested until Odo. It was destroyed along with the fleet.

Lovok was a Changeling, and he likely told all other Changelings about the device. I'm certain that any plans or other possible prototypes were also destroyed after that battle.

And if not then, certainly when the Cardassians joined the Dominion.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I'm sure that Lovok was smart enough not only to make sure the field was at most minimally effective against mature changelings, but that all information regarding the device and its development was lost.

 

[fireproof78]

I'm sure that Lovok was smart enough not only to make sure the field was at most minimally effective against mature changelings, but that all information regarding the device and its development was lost.

I would imagine so. It's not like the prototype was completely unknown to the Changelings. How effective it was probably was limited deliberately so.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

It was an Obsidian Order prototype. The technology was lost when the Order was destroyed in the ensuing battle.

Pretty much what I was thinking. The Order wasn't one for giving up their secrets. Yes Garak and Odo knew about it, but I doubt the latter would've been keen to see it used and the former might not have had time to understand how it worked.

 

[aj1981]

I suppose it depends on how useful you perceive the technology to be. From a story POV, the quantum statis field's primary purpose was an interrogation or detention device, not a detection one. It's only real purpose was to either stop a captured Changeling from changing form or preventing one from shape-shifting within a specific radius, I would imagine the applications to be limited and the onus at the time was the ability to detect.

Only speculation but it's possible that the technology could have been found to be harmful to humanoid life forms by the technologies implication its preventing activity at the cellular level. While Garak didn't seem to be affected, it could have been found long term exposure posed a risk or totally off the cuff, higher levels within Starfleet aligned with Section 31 knew about the deployment of the morphegenic virus and knew the tech would ultimately no longer be required.

From a writing POV, TBH there were really seldom opportunities to use such a device, possibly during the Dominion occupation of the station but it would only have been a brief tactic to evade capture and by the time it made more sense, the virus had stopped Changelings shifting anyhow.