I think Odo isn’t technically a fascist. He is an authoritarian, but he doesn’t seem particularly nationalist or racist. Compare him with the Cardassians or with the other changelings, and it’s pretty clear he’s quite different from them in some important ways.
Authoritarian? He never aspired to power. He simply pursued justice. He talked about justice not law, but was fond of bending and breaking rules to serve a greater good. Likely not fascist or authoritarian.
Authoritarians don’t have to seek power. The core authoritarian concept is that the people in power should be obeyed, because they are the authority.
The people at the top think that they should have essentially dictatorial control, and the people below them think that all they have to do is follow the commands of those above them and then everyone below them should be obedient to them. And it continues like that all the way down the hierarchy.
And then the people at the bottom just want to keep their heads down and survive.
But for the most part, even true believers can be cajoled into acting differently. I do feel like Odo’s true personality is fairly authoritarian, but opinions may differ.
Odo does not obey the people in power if they don’t achieve justice.
He obeyed the Cardassian authorities on Terok Nor despite knowing how unjust their occupation of Bajor and their use of prisoner slaves was.
Because if he didn’t, there would be even less justice. But you are right, that was part of how he learned not to embrace order at ALL costs.
Isn‘t that the same reasoning of Gul Dukat? Like how he was so merciful and saved Bajor from much worse?
Well, there’s a bit of a difference between “Doing less murder than you could have done, in return for sexual favours” and “doing your best in a situation where you don’t have all the power”.
But you are right. Treating it like a numbers game lets you justify the evil status quo, and be afraid of rocking the boat. Odo demonstrated that he had grown beyond that in the time-travel episode where we saw all this get explored, and we saw the past he was so mortified about.
The vast majority of authoritarians are supporters of authoritarian systems, not really aspiring to be the leader / tyrant themselves.
You know, I guess you’re right. He did get his job by being particularly impartial. I think I probably don’t see a difference because the authority and certainty he employs are what fascists use in order to seize power. Guys like Odo tend to aid them without caring, and non-fascist subjects tend to permit fascism in the hopes that all authoritarians will act like Odo.
Sure but “Fascist Goo Man” is still funny as fuck
I’m torn between cause of shitting and pissing and crying because my fave char from DS9 is going to be one of
- a hateable cop
- a psycho spy
- a greedy capitalist
- … a “terrorist”
- a genetic mutant
- a bigot
- a cult leader
- a murderous “conservative”
- a mass murdering megalomaniac
- a power-hungry narcissist
- a mischief-maker turned jobsworth
- … or [
dax] [Edit:] a worm [/]
… Oh, and there’s Jake[0], Rom, Leeta, Keiko, Molly, Opaka, Shakaar, Tora Ziyal, Cassidy[1], The Nagus, Martok, … and Morn.
Heh. When I started this post, I was just thinking of those first three, then remembered I kinda like Kira better than Odo, Garak, or Quark.
[0: Wouldnt be a fave. Except when considering S4E2, The Visitor, with old Jake.]
[1: Wouldn’t be a fave.]
There’s nothing wrong in being a genetic mutant. Also, she is a reformed terrorist.
This might be why I like this show so much. These characters are problematic kings. This meme was almost about Quark for being the first sentient being who could befriend the asshole fascist goo man.
Quark for being the first sentient being who could befriend the asshole fascist goo man.
Heh. I like how you phrased that.
Though, there’s a social-commentary subtext to them that I’ve long picked up, that lends more colour to that friendship, in that it’s a (albeit tense and fraught) relationship between (… to put at least some wording to the idea…) capital and state monopoly of force.
Awwww, lovely. Look at that beautiful friendship instigated. What could go wrong…
(… though they never did press heavily on that. … Mainly, I suspect, because they cornered themselves from being able to, because Odo’s been made too much of a stickler, not corruptible enough.)
Right?? Their friendship is all about subtext, they’d never admit that they’re friends or have developed a bond or schedule revolving around the other.
Though since writing that previous comment I’ve seen more episodes to learn Odo has had other more traditional friends for far longer
I met the 2nd Dax actor at a convention in 1999. She was big mad during the autograph signing, because her agent told her she’d get money for each autograph, on top of the money they paid her to be part of a special signing event.
How would you feel if I forced you to tediously sit in one spot for six hours and repeatedly sign your name on hundreds of useless and worthless photos of yourself, and also be forced to politely interact with thousands of strangers all day, without getting paid?
You just described Worf like, a dozen times.
Probably could say several descriptors apply to several characters. But I think the logic’s tight enough it passes as a baby mensa-puzzle for trekies, and they can get it right.
a murderous “conservative”
… it was hard to come up with one for Worf that fit well and wasn’t too similar or ambiguous. Was the one I was least happy with. … Glad he’s covered by all of them. ;D
Can you really be called a cult leader when you’re literally a demigod?
You can be a demigod and not lead a cult. In many ways, that’s what he did.
He didn’t want to though.
Yeah, I struggled and perhaps over-reached a little with that one.
You misspelled “freedom fighter”
Not I. I were merely quoting the writers/actors.
Kira was awesome.
i am currently watching DS9 for the very first time and I just watched his first sex scene episode. goodness gracious 🤭
i knew my obsessive love for the grumpy goo man was not misplaced 🥰
Hello, Leminal.space user👋👋 that was the first instance I ever joined!
Why do people call him a fascist? He isn’t a fascist and actually cares about the law. He’s never shown as having favourites or doing favours for people.
The only people he actually seems to have it out for is actual criminals.
His character is incredibly naive at first. But that makes sense given his early life.
Mostly because he worked for fascists. I mentioned in another comment that they depend on people like him to rise to power. Sure, you could split hairs but I wanted to make a dumb joke is all
Probably because of this: https://lemmy.world/comment/24011246
he was a genocidal nazi in sg1(1 episode). and he was in criminal minds,.
Well… you’ve got to love someone and there is no such thing as a perfect person. Or goo-men.
