The baby episode has finally arrived! I have to wonder if they actually timed this episode to be filmed the week Nana Visitor actually delivered her baby or if more realistically they had Nana wear a fake baby belly for the first part of this episode (and honestly maybe the last few). The story this episode tells about Odo coming to terms with his own surrogate father honestly works better than most of the other baby story in this episode and it ending with Odo regaining his ability to shape shift is a very nice touch. The bits about him having to learn to live as a solid were fine for a few episodes, but it was time to wrap that up and get him back to shapeshifting every few episodes.
The episode opens with Odo in the infirmary for back pain caused by his constantly stiff posture, but he is interrupted by Quark with an offer he can't turn down: a changeling in a jar. Quark had believed it dead, but Odo recognizes that it is an infant, and a sick one at that. Bashir manages to purge it of the radiation it had been exposed to and Sisko urges Odo to call Dr. Mora Pol, the doctor who raised Odo, but Odo refuses. Bashir leaves to go help with Kira's delivery and Odo talks lovingly to the baby shapeshifter. Bashir arrives to help Kira and she is trying to relax on the birthing table while a midwife, Keiko and Miles play supposedly soothing rhythm instruments. It turns out she is having trouble relaxing which is making the delivery impossible because Shakaar hasn't arrived from Bajor yet. Shakaar finally arrives, but the process has already gone on too long so it will have to be put off until another day which deeply disappoints Kira.
Odo is still trying to work with the infant changeling but isn't having much luck. His mood only gets worse when Dr. Mora arrives to help. The two bicker for a while and eventually Mora says he will only observe but insists on staying. A week later things aren't going any better and the two of them are arguing when Sisko walks in quietly. He interrupts the dispute with the news that Starfleet command is hoping to hear there has been good progress and that if they don't show any results soon the changeling will be taken to a starfleet lab. Odo reluctantly agrees to start trying to train the changeling with the equipment and techniques that Mora used on him. The electric charges immediately start showing results as the changeling moves for the first time which pleases both Odo and Mora. Meanwhile Kira/Miles/Shakaar arguing about what Kira should be doing when Kira realizes she is in labor again.
Mora's techniques are working well and for the first time the infant starts holding shapes other than inanimate goo. It even forms a tentacle that takes the shape of Odo's face when he looks at it. The two are elated and after some convincing Odo even agrees to celebrate a bit. All joy is removed when Odo gets notified by the computer which has been keeping an eye on the infant that its morphogenic matrix is unstable. Bashir, Odo and Mora all try to save the infant, but there is nothing they can do. Meanwhile a finally relaxed Kira delivers Korayoshi O'Brien to her great relief. In the infirmary there is much worse news, the infant changeling is dying and there is nothing they can do. As it dies Odo picks it up but it disappears into his hands and he is stricken, then rushes to the promenade where he transforms into a hawk and flies across the promenade. Odo and Mora make up and hug and the episode concludes with Kira and Odo both admitting they really missing having a child around.
Review: A very touching episode that could have probably done without all the Miles and Shakaar fighting bits. I am very happy for Odo finally being able to shapeshift again, but it is too bad it had to happen like this.
7 out of 10
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