The Begotten

This episode received Nielsen ratings of 6.2 points when it premiered.[1] This episode was directed by Jesús Salvador Treviño and written by René Echevarria.[2] It aired on television on January 27, 1997.[2]

In this episode Odo discovers changeling material which he experiments with, meanwhile, the O'Briens contend with the birth of their child.[2]

The station is buzzing with the news that Kira has finally gone into labor. But Odo is surprisingly uninterested, having his own "baby" to deal with. The former Changeling has purchased an ailing infant Changeling from Quark, and, after Dr. Bashir heals the creature, begins the task of trying to teach his "child" to shapeshift. He is clearly displeased when Dr. Mora, the Bajoran scientist who "raised" Odo, arrives on the station to help.

Dr. Mora and Odo immediately clash over how to best raise the Changeling. Odo, still angry at the invasive methods Dr. Mora employed with him, hopes to reach the infant through encouragement. Mora, however, insists on probing and measuring the little creature, to Odo's horror and disgust. Unfortunately, Odo makes little progress using his own methods, and Mora is quick to point this out. Odo refuses to even consider the doctor's expertise until Sisko informs him that Starfleet Command wants Odo to establish communication with the Changeling as soon as possible — or lose the infant to Starfleet. Unwilling to give his "baby" up, Odo has no choice but to listen to his old nemesis.

Using Dr. Mora's equipment, Odo employs electric shocks — the same methods Mora used to teach him to shapeshift, to prod the changeling into holding several basic forms. As he experiences his first success, Odo tries to resist bonding with Mora, who, when he taught Odo, experienced the same sense of pride Odo now feels. However, they are both amazed when the creature forms a face with eyes, and uses them to peer at Odo.

The moment brings Odo and Mora together — especially when Mora admits to Odo that his caring seems to have helped him form a connection with the baby. Mora's support helps Odo to finally forgive him and actually thank him for helping him to become more than a simple lump of organic material. He invites Dr. Mora to celebrate their success with a glass of champagne, and Mora happily accepts. Odo winds up at Quark's, where he offers his heartfelt thanks to the Ferengi for changing his life. Unfortunately, the happy mood is shattered when Odo receives word that the little creature is dying.

Desperate, Odo begs Dr. Bashir to save his "child", but there is nothing that can be done. Odo then takes the goo into his hands and begs the little creature not to die. It does anyway, but as a final "gift" to its mentor, the infant changeling merges into Odo and restores his shapeshifting abilities.

Meanwhile, a Bajoran birthing expert comes to assist with Kira's delivery of Miles and Keiko's baby. But Kira's lover, Shakaar, also arrives, and he and Miles clash over who will help Kira through the birth. A Bajoran woman must be relaxed to give birth, and the two men make her so tense she throws them both out of the room. But when the baby starts to be born, she relents and lets them both back in, and all are present for the happy arrival of Miles and Keiko's little son.

The episode comes to a close with Dr. Mora and Odo saying goodbye just before his departure. A more understanding Odo shakes hands with Dr. Mora, telling him he wishes he had included the latter more in his life. Dr. Mora tells Odo it isn't too late and that he can do more in the future. As Odo moves to shake Mora's hand, the Doctor pulls him in for what surely seems to be his first hug. Odo rests his head on Dr. Mora's shoulder and returns the hug.

Major Kira sees Odo in the hall and explains her feelings of loss, wanting to hold the child she has turned over to his parents. Odo tells her he knows how she feels and Kira asks Odo if he'd like to go for a walk. The two friends, sharing their mutual loss and feeling of friendship, walk off. Kira puts her arm around Odo in a showing of pure affection and friendship.

• This is, at least, the third episode since Julian Bashir was kidnapped sometime before "Rapture", when new uniforms were introduced. He was sent to a Dominion prison camp and replaced with a Changeling, not revealed for another two episodes, when the real Bashir is found – wearing the previous uniform – during "In Purgatory's Shadow".

In 2015, Geek.com recommended this episode as "essential watching" for their abbreviated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge-watching guide.[3]

In 2017, in the book To Boldly Go: Essays on Gender and Identity in the Star Trek Universe they note that in this episode, Keiko and Miles's son Yoshi is born.[4] Keiko and Miles are noted as the only successful long-term relationship in the entire Star Trek universe, with their marriage being featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation (starting in "Data's Day", S4E11) and across Star Trek:Deep Space Nine.[4] Their first child, Yoshi's older sister Molly was born in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Disaster".[4]

In 2018, SyFy recommend this episode for its abbreviated watch guide for the Bajoran character Kira Nerys.[5] They note this episode for having connections and "beautiful moments."[5]

Tor.com felt it was a lost opportunity not to use the character Worf, as he had helped Keiko with her delivery of Molly; this event was previously mentioned on the show in "Accession" (DS9 S4E17).[2] In 2019, Tor.com also noted this as an "essential" for the character of Odo, but also noting the O'Brien's birth story with Kira and noting the common theme of parenting.[6] In particular they note how they explore Odo's feelings about parenting, compared to issues he had during his upbringing.[6]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: The Begotten

• The Begotten on IMDb
• "The Begotten" at TV.com

• The Begotten at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• The Begotten at StarTrek.com