Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) Broken Link (1996) User Reviews

Odo goes home for trial

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 17 June 2010]

As season four of Deep Space Nine draws to a close it looks like this may be a fairly standard episode. It opens with Garak trying to introduce Odo to the attractive proprietress of the new Bajoran Restaurant. He isn't pleased with Garask's interference in his private life but before he can leave his shop Odo collapses, unable to maintain his form properly. Dr. Bashir tries to help but can think of no way to save Odo, this leaves just one chance: go to the Gamma Quadrant and take Odo to the Founders to see if they can heal him. Not long after passing through the wormhole they are intercepted by several Jem'Hadar ships and boarded by several Jem'Hadar and a Founder. The Founder explains to Odo that he has been deliberately infected to force him to return home to face judgement for killing another changeling. After a while in the Great Link Odo emerges and he has changed, he is no longer a changeling. Normally one would expect this to be the end of the episode but the story continues when they get back to DS9 and see a recording of the Klingon Chancellor Gowron threatening war with the Federation. As he watches Odo recalls something he saw in the Link: Gowron is a Changeling!

This was a great conclusion to the season providing and interesting story with moments of both danger and humour. Rene Auberjonois does a great job portraying Odo's suffering both from the illness and coming to terms with the fact that he will have to live as a solid from now on. Andrew Robinson also puts in a good performance, his tales of plotting and intrigue designed to keep Odo's mind of his illness were entertaining and his attempt to destroy the Founder's home world were as surprising as they were exciting. The cliff hanger ending left me looking forward to the next episode.

An odd ending for season 4.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 4 January 2015]

This episode really has only one main plot--something unusual for the series. It begins with Odo having some strange symptoms. He's doubling over in pain and he cannot change shape nor can he adequately control his own (the make-up for this was pretty cool). Why is he like this? Well, no one is sure and the only answer seems to be heading to the Founders' world and asking them. Fortunately, instead of destroying the Defiant, a representative of the Founders meets them and offers them safe conduct. However, she then informs Odo privately that the Founders are responsible for this supposed illness--and it's all been orchestrated to bring him back. But why? And what is going to happen with poor Odo?

I always enjoy episodes with Odo--and this one is well worth your time. However, be forewarned--there is no perfect ending for this one...just some strange new plot twists that you must see the next episode in order to understand. See this one and see what I mean.

Important plot point, invaluable characterization

[cgravesmontalbano · 9/10 · 21 January 2021]

This episode's main plot concerns a fairly important plot beat for Odo's development, but more than that, this episode is an absolute peak for inconsequential banter and relationship-building between the cast.

From Sisko, Worf, and Dax betting on how many times Kira sneezes, to Garak regailing Odo with old spy stories, to Dax and the crew laughing at O'Brien's paranoia regarding Kira & Keiko, thid episode has it all. Up there with Kirk/Spock/McCoy singing rounds in Yellowstone.

A Skillful Presentation

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 26 October 2018]

Odo is such a complex character and one of a kind outside the Dominion. He is suddenly stricken with a horrible condition that forces him to head back to his "home." The crew knows they are in for quite a ride as forces of the Dominion intercept them and call all the shots. They are powerless. They have to acquiesce or lose any control at all. Odo is nearly dead and when he talks to the female shape shifter, she tells him that he is the only one who ever killed one of his own and he needed to be tried. It's interesting that these Dominion people are so self-righteous about their own kind and have no problem sending the Jem'Hadar to wipe out total civilizations. Garak plays a significant role after talking Sisko into letting him come along. He wants to know what happened to his fellow Cardassians after they were defeated in battle. The answer from the Dominion woman gets his blood boiling. Since this is a concluding episode for Season 4, we are left with a really hook at the end and it would be very hard to avoid the first episode of Season 5. Excellent writing an presentation. Some wonderful special effects relating to Odo and his plight.

DS9 at its best

[treborbasset · 10/10 · 19 January 2019]

This is one of the best episodes of Deep Space Nine. The characters have all been established, and the dialogue between them is superb. Every scene is good. It features the Gamma Quadrant, The Dominion, the Jem Hadar, Garak, Changelings and the Vorta.

The story itself is good and intriguing. You want to know what is wrong with Odo, and then it hits you with two twists to keep you watching the next season. This episode has always stuck with me even years later as one of the few I remember.

Intrigued about what comes next

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 10 November 2022]

Odo becomes sick and has to return to the Great Link.

This is a solid finish to the season that moves the overarching narrative of DS9 forward.

There are a couple of plot details that create a lot of intrigue about what will happen next and that is the strongest aspect of the story.

Additionally there are some enjoyable character moments involving the likes of Garak, Worf, O'Brien, and Sisko. All actors perform well, with Andrew Robinson in particularly good form.

Rene Auberjonois plays a very convincing sick individual and the strong makeup effects enhance the plausibility further.

For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

A fate worse then death.

[thevacinstaller · 7/10 · 11 July 2021]

I enjoy the consistency of the founder portrayal. The founders disdain for solid life forms is evident in punishing Odo with a fate worse then death ----- Life as a solid.

I also liked how Odo submitted to this trial despite knowing it would likely have a negative result for him. It fit his character.

Odo's an interesting character in that is the 'conflicted' character of this series. A man of two worlds like Spock from TOS.

The founders really work for me and especially the female founders cold directness. Their prejudice is so engrained is almost feels like a part of the DNA and that level of contempt is quite chilling. They are the worst case scenario of the fallout of bullying.

This is a solid episode but it's not a trek masterpiece.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEASON 4 OVERALL -

• Average score of 7.4. This is 1 point lower then SEASON 3 but still is still a high score overall.

• 'The visitor' earned my 2nd 10/10 score for DS9. Rejoined and Hard Times are 'strong' 9/10's as well. I have always maintained that TNG hit the highest highs but DS9/Voyager were more consistent and so far that idea is holding true.

• Odo, Quark, Worf are standouts in terms of performance for me.

• Worf works well with this ensemble. I am a firm believer in star trek veering away from nostalgia and 'that thing you know' but they found a way to bring Worf in and add to his character.

• There was only 2 stinkers out of 25 episodes for me this season. That is setting a high bar for consistent quality.