From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews of Star Trek - Deep Space Nine - The Alternate

Google Gemini

Chief O'Brien, Sisko, and Dr. Bashir undertake a retrieval mission on an unstable, storm-wracked moon near the station. They rescue a sole survivor, a humanoid named Dr. Ardelon Falloon. Falloon is traumatized and suffers from bizarre physical symptoms, including rapid recovery, aversion to light, and uncontrollable physical mutations.

Odo, feeling an instant, unexplained kinship with the alien, takes a personal interest in his recovery. Falloon claims to have known Odo on the refugee ship that brought him to the Alpha Quadrant, becoming a kind of immediate father figure to the Constable. However, as Falloon's condition deteriorates, his mood swings become violent, and his uncontrolled morphing accelerates.

The truth is revealed: Falloon is an early changeling who was separated from the Great Link for too long and, as a result, had become solidified and unstable. He is OdorCOs "alternate"rCoa failed experiment in integrating with solid humanoid life. Falloon's fear and instability lead him on a destructive rampage, forcing Odo to confront and neutralize him. The episode ends on a tragic note, as Odo is forced to watch a piece of his history, and a potential vision of his own future, dissolve.

Strengths

Odo's Identity Crisis: This episode is critical for OdorCOs character development. It directly addresses his deep-seated loneliness and his desperate need to belong, only to have that hope violently dashed. The idea that his uniqueness is not just spiritual but biologicalrCoand possibly lethalrCois a powerful source of internal conflict.

Body Horror & Tension: The visual depiction of FalloonrCOs uncontrolled morphing and his subsequent violent rampage introduces a potent element of body horror and palpable tension, effectively portraying the physical terror of losing control of onerCOs own form.

Exploration of Changeling Physiology: It gives early, crucial insight into the changelings' unique biological needs and the devastating consequences of prolonged separation from the Link, foreshadowing the gravity of the Dominion War later in the series.

Acting Showcase: Ren|- Auberjonois (Odo) delivers a powerful, understated performance, conveying Odo's genuine joy at finding a connection and his profound devastation at the loss.

Weaknesses

Pacing in the First Act: The initial mystery surrounding FalloonrCOs identity is slightly slow, focusing heavily on medical symptoms before the sci-fi and character drama elements take center stage.

Falloon's Sudden Shift: While motivated by the biological deterioration, Falloon's turn from benevolent eccentric to violent, rampaging creature is quite sudden, making the resolution feel somewhat accelerated.

Overall Impression

"The Alternate" is a dark, complex, and emotionally charged episode that successfully uses a monster-of-the-week premise to deliver significant character insight. It deepens the mystery of OdorCOs origins and highlights the emotional vulnerability hidden beneath his stoic exterior. It is an essential, if bleak, chapter in the ConstablerCOs ongoing search for his people.

ChatGPt

Good one rCo *The Alternate* (DS9, S2 E12 / production 432) is a somewhat uneven but emotionally significant episode, especially for Odo. Based on the transcript (via Chakoteya.net) and critical commentary, hererCOs my review + a rating.

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## Review of *The Alternate*

**What Works Well**

1. **Odo / Dr. Mora Relationship**

* The heart of the episode is the dynamic between **Odo** and his former mentor, **Dr. Mora Pol**. Mora helped raise Odo and supervised his early rCLscience-projectrCY days; their interaction reveals deep emotional baggage. ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* James Sloyan (Mora) and Ren|- Auberjonois (Odo) deliver strong performances. According to JammerrCOs Reviews, Mora oscillates between genuine warmth and a somewhat condescending scientific curiosity, which really highlights OdorCOs vulnerability. ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* The episode gives insight into *why* Odo is the way he is rCo his personality, his guardedness, and his deep longing for understanding and belonging. ([TrekToday][2])

2. **Psychological / Sci-Fi Ambition**

* The plot brings in a rCLmonsterrCY / shapeshifting life-form, which turns out to be **Odo himself**, under the influence of a strange gas. ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* This gives the story a horror-movie feel, but itrCOs not just for spectacle: the rCLmonsterrCY is a metaphor for OdorCOs inner conflict rCo his scientific origin, identity, and repressed rage. ([TrekToday][2])
* The retro-review from TrekToday praises the restraint in how the transformation is shown: instead of over-the-top shapeshifting, we get rCLflashesrCY that emphasize OdorCOs pain and lack of control. ([TrekToday][2])

3. **Emotional Payoff / Reconciliation**

* By the end, Mora realizes that herCOs been treating Odo more like a project than a person. Their reconciliation is meaningful: Odo isnrCOt just another experiment rCo herCOs someone with dignity and agency. ([TrekToday][2])
* The resolution feels character-driven: it isnrCOt just about stopping the rCLcreature,rCY but about repairing a fractured relationship.

4. **Character Growth & Backstory**

* For Odo fans, this episode is very important: it deepens his backstory, shows where some of his insecurities come from, and sets up future emotional arcs. ([ReneFiles][3])
* The rCLobeliskrCY from the Gamma Quadrant (a stone monolith on the planet) is an interesting symbol / red herring. Some reviews note it parallels the rCLpillarsrCY of the Founders (though in this episode, its full meaning remains ambiguous). ([TrekToday][2])

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**Criticisms / Weaknesses**

1. **Plot Weaknesses / Sci-Fi Hand-Waviness**

* The monster / gas plot is a bit contrived. The gas causes rCLpersonality splittingrCY in Odo, which stretches believability, even within sci-fi. JammerrCOs Reviews calls parts of the scientific exposition rCLdryrCY and rCLunlikely.rCY ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* Some red herrings feel tacked on, especially with the obelisk subplot: it doesnrCOt entirely pay off, leaving questions about why the obelisk is there and what its true significance is. ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* The decision-making by leadership (e.g., using Mora as bait) feels reckless. According to JammerrCOs Reviews, the trap set for rCLthe creaturerCY is unnecessarily dangerous: rCLwhy not use other containment methods?rCY ([jammersreviews.com][1])

2. **Pacing / Tone Imbalance**

* The emotional / character scenes (Mora and Odo) are strong, but the horror-monster subplot drags in places. Some viewers feel the rCLmonster movierCY bits donrCOt mesh well with the more introspective character work. ([TrekToday][2])
* The transformation effects (for their time) are hit-or-miss. While TrekToday praises the restraint, some parts feel underwhelming or obvious, which reduces some of the tension. ([TrekToday][2])

3. **Limited Broader Impact**

* While the episode has significance for OdorCOs character, it doesnrCOt drastically shift the wider DS9 station dynamics. ItrCOs more of a rCLcharacter piecerCY than a major plot-arc episode.
* Some of the rCLmonsterrCY threat is resolved rather cleanly (gas removed, OdorCoMora talk), which might feel too tidy given how emotionally fraught the buildup is.

4. **Continuity / Consistency Issues**

* According to JammerrCOs Reviews, thererCOs a **continuity oddity**: Sisko mentions that rCLin the end there was nothing [my father] could do rCarCY implying his father is dead, but in other episodes, we learn his father is alive. ([jammersreviews.com][1])
* Some critics (and fans) think that the episode leans too heavily on a rCLscience-experiment gone wrongrCY trope, rather than truly exploring the deeper lore of changelings or OdorCOs origins in a more sustained way. ([MJ Shochat][4])

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## My Verdict & Rating

**Rating: 7 / 10**

**Why 7/10**:

* ItrCOs an **emotionally rich episode**, particularly for Odo. The core relationship between Mora and Odo is handled very well, and their reconciliation is earned.
* The sci-fi rCLmonsterrCY subplot gives the episode some tension and metaphorical weight, but itrCOs not fully satisfying in terms of plot or sci-fi logic.
* The pacing wobbles: some scenes are powerful, others drag or feel like filler.
* For fans invested in OdorCOs backstory, itrCOs *very worthwhile*. But as a standalone, itrCOs a bit uneven.

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[1]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-ds9/s2/alternate.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"The Alternate\" | Star Trek: DS9 | Jammer's Reviews"
[2]: https://trektoday.com/content/2012/05/retro-review-the-alternate/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Retro Review: The Alternate rCo TrekToday"
[3]: https://renefiles.com/facts-biography/reviews/television/review-ds9-the-alternate/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: DS9 rCo The Alternate rCo Ren|- Auberjonois"
[4]: https://mjshochat723.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/the-best-and-worst-of-star-trek-ds9-season-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Best and Worst of Star Trek DS9: Season 2 | The Progressive Democrat"
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