The Abandoned (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

“The Abandoned” is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the sixth episode of the third season.

Plot

An infant is found in the wreckage of a ship that Quark buys as salvage. The boy grows at a phenomenal rate, developing in appearance to an eight-year old in only a few hours. Dr. Bashir determines that the child is the result of genetic engineering. As the boy continues to develop, it becomes apparent that he is Jem'Hadar. Odo convinces Commander Sisko that the boy should not be sent to Starfleet Command. He believes that he can control the boy because Jem’Hadar are bred to serve the Founders. Odo tries to show the boy, now a teenager, that the violent life is not the way to live. When it is discovered that Starfleet has sent a ship to pick up the boy, the boy pulls a phaser and refuses to go along. Odo insists on returning the boy to the Gamma Quadrant and Sisko reluctantly agrees.

There is also a subplot in which Jake Sisko is dating an older woman named Mardah, who is a Dabo girl. Commander Sisko is very concerned and invites Mardah to dinner. The dinner goes well and Commander Sisko decides that he likes her after all.

Arc significance

• The Jem'Hadar are genetically engineered. They are programmed with a thirst for violence and killing and a blind loyalty to the Founders.
• The Jem'Hadar are also genetically addicted to an enzyme that can't be replicated, which Odo suspects is another way to ensure their loyalty.
• Sisko discovers his son's talent for writing.

External links

• The Abandoned at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Abandoned" at TV.com
• The Abandoned at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• The Abandoned at StarTrek.com