Changeling (Star Trek)

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Changelings are an alien race from the Star Trek universe. They are called Changelings because of their ability to shapeshift. The Changelings were introduced in the Star Trek spin-off Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Constable Odo, one of the regular characters on that show, is a Changeling. Their natural state is a liquid protoplasm. The Female Changeling once told Odo that their race once had bodies similar to those of other species, but they had since evolved beyond those physical bodies. Changelings have the ability to meld together (in a process known as "linking") to share information and emotions in a very intimate manner. The Changeling homeworld is covered in a sea of Changelings known as the Great Link.

Shapeshifting

Changelings can turn themselves into almost anything. They can form themselves into any solid, liquid, gas, or even chemical reactions like fire, and can flow through any gap in their gaseous or liquid state. It is speculated that their power involves sending matter and energy to (and recruiting it from) subspace, as they have often demonstrated the ability to alter their apparent mass. (For instance, when Odo assumes the form of an object much smaller than he is, his temperature does not increase as it would if he were simply compressing his volume, and he can become light enough for an ordinary person to carry without trouble.) When they assume a different shape, such as a rock, scanners will show them as that substance. Changelings who have sufficiently disciplined their shapeshifting abilities are able to turn themselves into convincing imitations of lifeforms, including both animals and other humanoids. Changelings can even survive in the vacuum of space, and can somehow propel themselves through it, presumably at speeds great enough to effect interstellar travel. However, if a part of a changeling is separated from the whole, it reverts to the liquid state. In addition, some inexperienced Changelings (such as Odo) must regenerate, returning to their liquid form once every sixteen to eighteen hours. The Cardassians developed a device which, by emitting a quantum stasis field, can prevent a changeling from reverting to the liquid form, a state which Odo swiftly found extremely painful.

The Founders

The Changelings are native to the Gamma Quadrant. All but one hundred of the Changelings are Founders, the rulers of the Dominion (Odo is one of The Hundred). For many years, the Founders were considered mythical by many of the races in the Dominion, although their policy was enforced by the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar. It was not until 2371, when Odo discovered the changelings' homeworld in the Omarion Nebula, that the Founders' true status was revealed. They seek power because they were once persecuted by non-shape-shifters, whom they call "Solids." After the discovery of the Bajoran wormhole and the rise of the Dominion as a threat, the covert Federation Security organization Section 31 created a viral disease that slowly robbed the Changelings of their ability to shapeshift and deteriorated their bodies before killing them, with which they secretly infected Odo during the show's fourth season. This was later revealed during the show's nine-episode finale arc, when the Federation and Dominion were at war. Because Odo had linked with the Female Founder with whom he was familiar numerous times, this meant that the entire Great Link was infected as well. Deep Space Nine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Julian Bashir managed to find the cure for the disease, curing Odo. Odo himself agreed to pass on the cure to the Female Founder and then the Great Link in exchange for the Female Founder's surrender of the Dominion and herself to the Federation. After the Female Founder accepted this deal, and the war was over, Odo returned to the Founder Homeworld to do as he said he would.

Trivia

The only Star Trek Original Series reference to the Changelings was a story that James T. Kirk told during the episode "The Changeling". In the story Kirk speaks of a changeling, able to assume human form, which was left in the place of a human baby. This is clearly a reference to the European folk myth of changelings. While not directly connected to the Changelings of Deep Space Nine, modern day fans have wondered if Kirk's story was in some way related to "the Hundred", who were Changelings sent out by the Founders to learn about the galaxy. Also there is speculation about the shapeshifter Martia, who impersonated a female prisoner in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country being one of the Hundred. However, he referred to his species as "Chameloid." There is some speculation among fans that the Changelings are descendants of the Ancient humanoids species that seeded planets across the galaxy with humanoid DNA four billion years ago, as revealed in the Next Generation episode "The Chase". This is in part due to Salome Jens playing the roles of both the Progenitor and the Founder leader. They also have a striking visual similarity, both having very smooth, unmarked skin. However, the shapeshifter once states that she appears as she does in order to make Odo comfortable. Odo has difficulty molding his face, but the Founders do not, often successfully impersonating humanoids.

External links

• Changeling article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki