Changes: Shapeshifter

Revision as of 22:55, 30 November 2014

Odo and female changeling — Changelings linking and shifting from solid to liquid

Shapeshifter is a generic and generalized term applied to a lifeform that alters its form to assume various different appearances. The degree of physical transformation varies between different species. Some humanoid shapeshifters assume a different humanoid shape at the cellular level, while others can shift from non-humanoid to humanoid as well. Some lifeforms have a non-corporeal energy form and can transform into different physical forms.

Types of shapeshifters

Humanoid shapeshifters

Spock two Kirks — Garth of Izar shapeshifted to appear as another James T. Kirk

Sulibans like Sarin and Silik with shapeshifting genetic enhancements had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Cold Front", "Storm Front, Part II") Humans who were taught how to use cellular metamorphosis had the ability to reshape their body and clothing at the cellular level. Garth of Izar was taught this ability by Antos natives who also possessed it. (TOS: "Whom Gods Destroy")

The Traveler, the Devidians and the Quantum singularity lifeforms had the ability to assume various humanoid appearances. (TNG: "Journey's End", "Time's Arrow, Part II", "Timescape") Satarrans also had the ability to appear as other humanoids. (TNG: "Conundrum")

Chameloids had the ability to change gender and appearance into humanoid forms of various sizes. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) Dee'Ahn's species used shapeshifting to appear as different species and other genders. (ENT: "Two Days and Two Nights") The DNA thief lifeform also had this ability, but it needed to swap DNAs and appearances with the other humanoid it was shifting into. (VOY: "Vis à Vis")

Non-humanoid shapeshifters

Wraith, true form — A Wraith in its natural form

The Wraith and the Vendorians were both non-humanoid lifeforms that could assume various appearances. While the Wraith used telepathy to search for shapes they turned into from the minds of others, Vendorians obtained this information through touch. They absorbed the memories and personality traits of the individual whose shape they were using. (ENT: "Rogue Planet"; TAS: "The Survivor")

Kelvans in their natural form had hundreds of tentacle-like limbs. Species 8472 were a non-humanoid tripedal species. Both were biologically capable of assuming various humanoid shapes. (TOS: "By Any Other Name"; VOY: "In the Flesh") Isis had the ability to appear as a cat or a human female. (TOS: "Assignment: Earth") The ophidian used by the Devidians could appear as an inanimate object of the same size. (TNG: "Time's Arrow, Part II")

The Changelings, also known as the Founders of the Dominion, were liquid lifeforms in their natural state. They formed telepathic connections with morphogenic enzymes and changed cellular structures using their morphogenic matrix to appear as various solid lifeforms or even as fire, fog, inanimate objects, flowers, trees or various small animals. (DS9: "The Search, Part II", "Things Past", "Chimera", "When It Rains...")

To explain how Changelings could shift into shapes with less overall mass, writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe has proposed that Changelings could store their mass in a subspace pocket. (AOL chat, 1997)

The Silver Blood were a liquid deuterium lifeform in their natural state and had the ability to change into anything they came into physical contact with, be it biological or technological. (VOY: "Demon") Coalescent organisms had the ability to mimic lifeforms in a similar way. Both mimicked the DNA and memory engrams of those they shifted into. (TNG: "Aquiel") The Nacene were sporocystian lifeforms of energetic gelatinous liquid in their natural form, and had the ability to shift into various solid humanoid forms. (VOY: "Caretaker") Armus had a limited ability to shift between a liquid and a solid form. It could also absorb solid lifeforms into its liquid body. (TNG: "Skin of Evil")

The spaceborne entities and Gomtuu were both conscious and living starships that could change themselves to serve the needs of their crew. While the spaceborne entities changed their shape by transforming from energy to matter, Gomtuu only had an amorphous interior, capable of for example extending furniture and equipment from its walls and floors. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "Tin Man")

Non-corporeal to physical shapeshifters

Sha Ka Ree entity impersonating Sybok — God manifesting itself as Sybok

Some non-physical lifeforms such as Redjac and the Organians had the ability to shift between a non-corporeal energy form and a physical form. (TOS: "Wolf in the Fold", "Errand of Mercy") Some had the ability to choose from various forms in which they wished to manifest. The Q (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"), the aliens who appeared as Rumpelstiltskin and Buck Bokai, (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"), the Koinonian energy lifeforms, (TNG: "The Bonding") the Douwd, (TNG: "The Survivors") the FGC 47 lifeform (TNG: "Imaginary Friend") were among these. They also had the ability to read the minds of others at some level.

The creature who called itself God, (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier) and the anaphasic lifeform were less capable of telepathy but could manifest in physical forms to fool other lifeforms. (TNG: "Sub Rosa") Allasomorphs were creatures of light in their natural form, but could appear as several humanoid and animal forms. (TNG: "The Dauphin") One non-corporeal lifeform used humanoids to experience various physical forms by making a corporeal subject pregnant and rapidly living through the childhood of the species. Upon death it returned to its non-corporeal state. One such creature made Deanna Troi pregnant and lived a brief physical life as her son Ian Troi in 2365. (TNG: "The Child")

Shapeshifting technology and telepathy

Anna's necklace — An Iyaaran shapeshifting device disguised as a necklace

Some lifeforms project their various appearances as telepathic manipulation of the senses of other lifeforms that are perceiving them and never physically change. Talosians and the M-113 creatures used telepathy to read the minds of others and to project the illusion of their appearance as different humanoid forms. (TOS: "The Cage", "The Man Trap") Rigelian hypnoids were simpler non-humanoid lifeforms that also possessed the ability to project the illusion of appearing as other lifeforms. (TAS: "Mudd's Passion")

The unknown aliens who abducted Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 2366 had the ability to replicate and assume different humanoid appearances using advanced transporter technology. (TNG: "Allegiance") The Ornithoid lifeforms used devices known as a transmuters to assume larger humanoid and animal shapes. (TOS: "Catspaw")

The Iyaarans used a small device, worn as a necklace, to assume the appearance of other humanoids and other genders. (TNG: "Liaisons") 24th century holography could be used to project different clothing, gender, voice and species appearances for humanoids. The impostor posing as Ardra used several preprogrammed shapes in 2367. (TNG: "Devil's Due")

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:Odo and female changeling.jpg|thumb|[[Changeling]]s linking and shifting from solid to liquid]]
-'''Shapeshifter''' is a generic and generalized term applied to lifeforms that alter their form to assume various different appearances. The degree of physical transformation varies between different species. Some humanoid shapeshifters assume a different humanoid shape at the cellular level, while others can become [[non-humanoid]] as well. Some project their various shapes as an illusion or telepathic manipulation and never physically change. Some lifeforms are non-corporeal and can manifest in different physical forms. Some shapeshifters need the aid of technology to assume other shapes.
+'''Shapeshifter''' is a generic and generalized term applied to a lifeform that alters its form to assume various different appearances. The degree of physical transformation varies between different species. Some [[humanoid]] shapeshifters assume a different humanoid shape at the cellular level, while others can shift from [[non-humanoid]] to humanoid as well. Some lifeforms have a [[non-corporeal]] energy form and can transform into different physical forms.
-==Humanoid shapeshifters==
+==Types of shapeshifters==
+===Humanoid shapeshifters===
 [[File:Spock two Kirks.jpg|thumb|[[Garth of Izar]] shapeshifted to appear as another [[James T. Kirk]]]]
-[[Suliban]]s like [[Sarin]] with shapeshifting genetic enhancements had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) [[Human]]s who were taught to how to use [[cellular metamorphosis]] had the ability to assume the shape of other humanoids at the cellular level. [[Garth of Izar]] was taught this ability by [[Antos native]]s who also possessed it. ({{TOS|Whom Gods Destroy}})
+[[Suliban]]s like [[Sarin]] and [[Silik]] with shapeshifting genetic enhancements had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances. ({{ENT|Broken Bow|Cold Front|Storm Front, Part II}}) [[Human]]s who were taught how to use [[cellular metamorphosis]] had the ability to reshape their body and clothing at the cellular level. [[Garth of Izar]] was taught this ability by [[Antos native]]s who also possessed it. ({{TOS|Whom Gods Destroy}})
-The [[Devidian]] and the [[Quantum singularity lifeform]]s had the ability to assume various Humanoid appearances. ({{TNG|Time's Arrow, Part II|Timescape}})  [[Satarran]]s and the [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Abducting aliens|unknown aliens]] who abducted [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] had the ability to assume different humanoid appearances. ({{TNG|Allegiance|Conundrum}})
+[[The Traveler]], the [[Devidian]]s and the [[Quantum singularity lifeform]]s had the ability to assume various humanoid appearances. ({{TNG|Journey's End|Time's Arrow, Part II|Timescape}}) [[Satarran]]s also had the ability to appear as other humanoids. ({{TNG|Conundrum}})
-[[Chameloid]]s had the ability to change gender and appearance into humanoid forms of various sizes. ({{film|6}}) The [[Steth (impostor)|DNA thief lifeform]] also had this ability, but it needed to swap DNAs with the other humanoid it was shifting into. ({{VOY|Vis à Vis}}) [[Dee'Ahn's species]] used shapeshifting to appear as different species and other genders. ({{ENT|Two Days and Two Nights}})
+[[Chameloid]]s had the ability to change [[gender]] and appearance into humanoid forms of various sizes. ({{film|6}}) [[Dee'Ahn's species]] used shapeshifting to appear as different species and other genders. ({{ENT|Two Days and Two Nights}}) The [[Steth (impostor)|DNA thief lifeform]] also had this ability, but it needed to swap DNAs and appearances with the other humanoid it was shifting into. ({{VOY|Vis à Vis}})
+===Non-humanoid shapeshifters===
-[[Talosian]]s and the [[M-113 creature]]s used [[telepathy]] to read the minds of others and to project the illusion of their appearance as different humanoid forms. ({{TOS|The Cage|The Man Trap}}) [[Iyaaran]] used a small [[:File:Anna's necklace.jpg|device]] to assume the shape of other humanoids of other genders. ({{TNG|Liaisons}})
-==Non-humanoid shifters==
 [[File:Wraith, true form.jpg|thumb|A [[Wraith]] in its natural form]]
+The [[Wraith]] and the [[Vendorian]]s were both non-humanoid lifeforms that could assume various appearances. While the Wraith used telepathy to search for shapes they turned into from the minds of others, Vendorians obtained this information through touch. They absorbed the memories and personality traits of the individual whose shape they were using. ({{ENT|Rogue Planet}}; {{TAS|The Survivor}})
-[[File:Odo and female changeling.jpg|thumb|[[Changeling]]s linking and shifting from solid to liquid]]
-The [[Wraith]] and the [[Vendorian]]s were non-humanoid lifeforms that could assume various appearances. While the Wraith used telepathy to search for shapes they turned into from the minds of others, Vendorians obtained this information through touch. They absorbed the memories and personality traits of the individual whose shape they were using. ({{ENT|Rogue Planet}}; {{TAS|The Survivor}}) [[Rigelian hypnoid]] were simpler lifeforms and only projected the illusion of appearing as other lifeforms. ({{TAS|Mudd's Passion}})
-[[Kelvan]]s in their natural form had hundred tentacle-like limbs. [[Species 8472]] were a non-humanoid tripedal species. Both were biologically capable of assuming various humanoid shapes. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name}}; {{VOY|In the Flesh}}) The [[Ophidian]]s could appear as an inanimate object of the same size. ({{TNG|Time's Arrow, Part II}}) The [[Ornithoid lifeform]]s used a [[transmuter]] to assume larger humanoid and animal shapes. ({{TOS|Catspaw}})
+[[Kelvan]]s in their natural form had hundreds of [[tentacle]]-like limbs. [[Species 8472]] were a non-humanoid tripedal species. Both were biologically capable of assuming various humanoid shapes. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name}}; {{VOY|In the Flesh}}) [[Isis]] had the ability to appear as a [[cat]] or a human female. ({{TOS|Assignment: Earth}}) The [[ophidian]] used by the Devidians could appear as an inanimate object of the same size. ({{TNG|Time's Arrow, Part II}})
-The [[Changeling]]s, also known as the [[Founder]]s of the [[Dominion]], were a liquid lifeform in their natural state. They had the ability to use their morphogenic enzymes to appear as various solid lifeforms or even as fire, fog, inanimate objects, flowers, trees and various small animals. ({{DS9|The Search, Part II|Things Past|Chimera}})
+The [[Changeling]]s, also known as the [[Founder]]s of the [[Dominion]], were liquid lifeforms in their natural state. They formed telepathic connections with [[morphogenic enzyme]]s and changed cellular structures using their [[morphogenic matrix]] to appear as various solid lifeforms or even as fire, fog, inanimate objects, flowers, trees or various small animals. ({{DS9|The Search, Part II|Things Past|Chimera|When It Rains...}})
+{{bginfo|To explain how Changelings could shift into shapes with less overall mass, writer [[Robert Hewitt Wolfe]] has proposed that Changelings could store their mass in a [[subspace pocket]]. {{AOLchat|Ronald D. Moore|ron083|1997}}}}
-The [[Silver Blood]] was a [[liquid]] [[deuterium]] [[lifeform]] in its natural state and had the ability to change itself into anything it came into physical contact with, be it [[Biology|biological]] or [[Technology|technological]].  [[Coalescent organism]]s had the ability to mimic lifeforms in a similar way. Both also absorbed the memories of those they were shifting into. ({{VOY|Demon}}; {{TNG|Aquiel}}) The [[Nacene]] were [[sporocystian lifeform]]s of energetic gelatinous liquid in their natural form, and had the ability to shift into various solid humanoid forms. ({{VOY|Caretaker}}) [[Armus]] had a limited ability to shift between liquid and a solid forms. ({{TNG|Skin of Evil}})
+The [[Silver Blood]] were a [[liquid]] [[deuterium]] [[lifeform]] in their natural state and had the ability to change into anything they came into physical contact with, be it [[Biology|biological]] or [[Technology|technological]]. ({{VOY|Demon}}) [[Coalescent organism]]s had the ability to mimic lifeforms in a similar way. Both mimicked the DNA and memory [[engram]]s of those they shifted into. ({{TNG|Aquiel}}) The [[Nacene]] were [[sporocystian lifeform]]s of energetic gelatinous liquid in their natural form, and had the ability to shift into various solid humanoid forms. ({{VOY|Caretaker}}) [[Armus]] had a limited ability to shift between a liquid and a solid form. It could also absorb solid lifeforms into its liquid body. ({{TNG|Skin of Evil}})
-The [[spaceborne entity]] and [[Gomtuu]] were living starships that could change to the needs of their crew. While the spaceborne entities changed their shape by transforming between energy to matter, Gomtuu only had an amorphous interior, capable of for example growing furniture and equipment from its walls and floors to suit the needs of its crew. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint|Tin Man}})
+The [[spaceborne entity|spaceborne entities]] and [[Gomtuu]] were both conscious and living starships that could change themselves to serve the needs of their crew. While the spaceborne entities changed their shape by transforming from energy to matter, Gomtuu only had an amorphous interior, capable of for example extending furniture and equipment from its walls and floors. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint|Tin Man}})
-==Non-corporeal to physical shifters==
+===Non-corporeal to physical shapeshifters===
 [[File:Sha Ka Ree entity impersonating Sybok.jpg|thumb|[[God (Sha Ka Ree)|God]] manifesting itself as [[Sybok]]]]
-Many non-corporeal lifeforms have a physical form as well, ({{TOS|Wolf in the Fold}}) but some have the ability to choose from various forms in which they wish to manifest. The [[Q (species)|Q]] ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}), the aliens who appeared as [[Rumpelstiltskin]] and [[Buck Bokai]], ({{DS9|If Wishes Were Horses}}), the [[Koinonian]] energy lifeforms, ({{TNG|The Bonding}}) the [[Douwd]], ({{TNG|The Survivors}}) the [[FGC 47 lifeform]] ({{TNG|Imaginary Friend}}) were among these. They also had the ability to read the minds of others at some level.
+Some non-physical lifeforms such as [[Redjac]] and the [[Organian]]s had the ability to shift between a non-corporeal energy form and a physical form. ({{TOS|Wolf in the Fold|Errand of Mercy}}) Some had the ability to choose from various forms in which they wished to manifest. The [[Q (species)|Q]] ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}), the aliens who appeared as [[Rumpelstiltskin]] and [[Buck Bokai]], ({{DS9|If Wishes Were Horses}}), the [[Koinonian]] energy lifeforms, ({{TNG|The Bonding}}) the [[Douwd]], ({{TNG|The Survivors}}) the [[FGC 47 lifeform]] ({{TNG|Imaginary Friend}}) were among these. They also had the ability to read the minds of others at some level.
-The creature calling itself [[God (Sha Ka Ree)|God]], ({{film|5}}) and the [[anaphasic lifeform]] were less capable of telepathy but could manifest in physical forms to fool other lifeforms. ({{TNG|Sub Rosa}}) [[Allasomorph]]s were creatures of pure light in their natural form, but could appear as several humanoid and animal forms. ({{TNG|The Dauphin}}) One non-corporeal lifeform used humanoids to experience physical life by making a subject pregnant and rapidly living through the childhood of the species. One such creature made [[Deanna Troi]] pregnant and lived a brief physical life as her son [[Ian Troi]]. ({{TNG|The Child}})
+The creature who called itself [[God (Sha Ka Ree)|God]], ({{film|5}}) and the [[anaphasic lifeform]] were less capable of telepathy but could manifest in physical forms to fool other lifeforms. ({{TNG|Sub Rosa}}) [[Allasomorph]]s were creatures of light in their natural form, but could appear as several humanoid and animal forms. ({{TNG|The Dauphin}}) One non-corporeal lifeform used humanoids to experience various physical forms by making a corporeal subject pregnant and rapidly living through the childhood of the species. Upon [[death]] it returned to its non-corporeal state. One such creature made [[Deanna Troi]] pregnant and lived a brief physical life as her son [[Ian Troi]] in [[2365]]. ({{TNG|The Child}})
+==Shapeshifting technology and telepathy==
-[[Category:Species]]
+[[File:Anna's necklace.jpg|thumb|An Iyaaran shapeshifting device disguised as a necklace]]
+Some lifeforms project their various appearances as [[Telepathy|telepathic]] manipulation of the senses of other lifeforms that are perceiving them and never physically change. [[Talosian]]s and the [[M-113 creature]]s used telepathy to read the minds of others and to project the illusion of their appearance as different humanoid forms. ({{TOS|The Cage|The Man Trap}}) [[Rigelian hypnoid]]s were simpler non-humanoid lifeforms that also possessed the ability to project the illusion of appearing as other lifeforms. ({{TAS|Mudd's Passion}})
+The [[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Abducting aliens|unknown aliens]] who abducted [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] in [[2366]] had the ability to replicate and assume different humanoid appearances using advanced [[transporter]] technology. ({{TNG|Allegiance}}) The [[Ornithoid lifeform]]s used devices known as a [[transmuter]]s to assume larger humanoid and animal shapes. ({{TOS|Catspaw}})
+The [[Iyaaran]]s used a small device, worn as a necklace, to assume the appearance of other humanoids and other genders. ({{TNG|Liaisons}}) [[24th century]] [[holography]] could be used to project different clothing, gender, voice and species appearances for humanoids. [[Ardra (impostor)|The impostor]] posing as [[Ardra]] used several preprogrammed shapes in [[2367]]. ({{TNG|Devil's Due}})
 [[fr:Métamorphe]]
 [[nl:Vormveranderaar]]
+[[Category:Species]]