Curzon Dax

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Curzon Dax
Species:	Trill
Gender:	Male
Home planet:	Trill
Affiliation:	United Federation of Planets
Position:	Ambassador
Portrayed by:	Frank Owen Smith

Curzon Dax is a fictional character from the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine who was played by Frank Owen Smith. Curzon was Jadzia's predecessor as the host of the Dax symbiote, and as such Jadzia Dax retained many of his memories. He was only ever seen in one episode (in a flashback in the pilot episode "Emissary") but was extensively mentioned in the series.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Curzon Dax was a joined Trill, from 2285 to 2367, the seventh host of the Dax symbiont. In his work as a Federation ambassador, he became friends with, and mentor to a young Benjamin Sisko, who affectionately called him "old man."

Dax was instrumental in the Khitomer Accords which led to the Klingon Empire entering into alliance with the Federation. After this, Curzon became revered and respected amongst the Klingon people. One of his friends, a Klingon named Kang named his firstborn "Dax" and asked Curzon to be the child's godfather. When the young Dax was murdered by an alien known as "The Albino", Curzon joined Kang, Kor and Captain Koloth (all of whose firstborn sons had also been murdered) in swearing a blood oath of revenge, which later was fulfilled by Jadzia Dax, the next host of the Dax symbiote.^{[citation needed]}

When a young trill woman named Jadzia applied to the Symbiosis Commission to be joined, Curzon was her field docent. He fell in love with her and to cover up his feelings he recommended that she be dropped from the program. Jadzia later re-applied and was the first candidate ever to be re-accepted, on Curzon's recommendation as he felt guilty.^[1]

Curzon died of "Jah-ma haron" on Risa, suffering a heart attack whilst in the company of a beautiful young woman. Upon his death, the Dax symbiote was transferred into Jadzia.^[2]

For Jadzia's zhian'tara, Curzon was temporarily embodied into Odo, with a unique result--a blending of Curzon's and Odo's personalities, not unlike the blending of a Trill symbiote with its host. "Curzon Odo" took advantage of Odo's shapeshifting abilities to transform his/their face to more closely resemble Curzon's, while still retaining recognizable traces of Odo's features. Curzon and Odo wished to remain that way, and it was at this time that he/they finally admitted to Jadzia that Curzon had fallen in love with her. Eventually Jadzia was able to convince Curzon to return to her so that they could be together always.^[1]

In the non-canon novels The Art of the Impossible and Catalyst of Sorrows, Curzon Dax was mentored by Vulcan Ambassador Sarek in diplomatic matters, and a close friend (and occasional lover) of Head of Starfleet Intelligence Nyota Uhura.