The Search: Part II 

Odo has found his home and is introduced. Meanwhile Sisko finds out peace talks between the Dominion and the Federation have already started.

Director:

Jonathan Frakes

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (based upon "Star Trek" created by), Rick Berman (created by)

Stars:

Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Avery Brooks	...	Commander Sisko
Rene Auberjonois	...	Odo
Alexander Siddig	...	Doctor Bashir (as Siddig El Fadil)
Terry Farrell	...	Lieutenant Dax
Cirroc Lofton	...	Jake Sisko
Colm Meaney	...	Chief O'Brien
Armin Shimerman	...	Quark
Nana Visitor	...	Major Kira
Salome Jens	...	Female Shapeshifter
Andrew Robinson	...	Garak
Natalija Nogulich	...	Admiral Alynna Nechayev
Martha Hackett	...	T'Rul
Ken Marshall	...	Lt. Commander Michael Eddington (as Kenneth Marshall)
William Frankfather	...	Male Shapeshifter
Dennis Christopher	...	Borath

Storyline

Odo has found his home on a rogue planet in the Omarion nebulae. A female shapeshifter tells they were once a race of explorers, that was always rejected by the 'solids', the ordinary human beings. She encourages him to learn about their ways so he will be ready for their manner of bonding via the Great Link. Kira in the meantime tries to send a message to Sisko, but finds out all outgoing frequencies are blocked by a subterranean device. Meanwhile Sisko and Bashir are on a runabout when they are being rescued by Dax and O'Brien. They appear to have made contact with the Founders and convinced them of their peaceful intentions. A grand peace meeting is already scheduled, one of the Founders is already on Deep Space Nine. Sisko starts having doubts about the agreement when he finds out the Romulans are excluded from the negotiations and the Jem'Hadar can do whatever they want on the station.

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Plot Keywords:

24th century | second part | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1994 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

46 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Natalija Nogulich plays Admiral Alynna Nechayev for the final time. This character had appeared intermittently on this series as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).

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Goofs

When Bashir is intercepted by Garak upon arriving back at the station, in the background the end of the set can be seen as the walkway and its railing end abruptly. In addition, the whole promenade background seems to be sloping down. This is only partially concealed by the Jem'Hadar standing in front.

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Quotes

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: Commander, I'm ordering you to stand down. Return to the station immediately.
Commander Sisko: I'm afraid I'm going to have to refuse that order.
Borath: Please, Commander. Don't make us send the Jem'Hadar after you.
Commander Sisko: Go right ahead. But you'd better warn them not to expect any reinforcements for about seventy years.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Adversary (1995)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Title
(uncredited)
Written by Dennis McCarthy
Performed by Dennis McCarthy

User Reviews

Finally...a chance to meet the founders.

This is the second in a two-part episode. At the end of part-two, Odo and Kira escape the foundering Defiant in an escape pod. After discovering an odd planet, Odo finds that he has found his home--and lots of other changelings like himself. For most of the episode, he hangs out here and learns to hone his changeling skills while Kira has very little to do other than to try to figure out how to contact Starfleet.

At the same time, the Dominion inexplicably has called off the war-- just when they were winning. Now folks who claim to be the Founders (they aren't) say that they love the Federation and propose a treaty with all the important Alpha Quadrant forces except for the Romulans. Things seem both too peachy and the 'Founders' are obviously not being completely honest about their intentions. After a while, Commander Sisko is furious and cannot see why the Federation is willing to work with the Dominion considering that they get nothing out of the relationship other than a chance to live, they'll unnecessarily antagonize the Romulans and they'll sacrifice everything they hold dear--such as their honor and commitment to Bajor. What gives?!

Of all the episodes of the series, this one represents the most change and flux. The changes are only beginning and what exactly is coming next is something that will slowly unfold through the course of the next few seasons. A terrific two-parter--well worth seeing.