Ranking the Weyouns: A Deep Dive into Jeffrey Combs’ Cloned Legacy in Star Trek
Jeffrey Combs is a cornerstone of the Star Trek universe, his talent gracing Voyager, Enterprise, Lower Decks, and most memorably, Deep Space Nine. Throughout countless appearances, Combs has established himself as one of the most beloved and prolific guest stars in Trek history. But even within his diverse repertoire, one role, or rather, multiple iterations of one role, shines brightest: Weyoun.
Weyoun, the cloned Vorta lackey who became the bureaucratic face of the Dominion during its war across the Alpha Quadrant in the latter half of DS9, was tailor-made for Combs. He embodied the character so completely that his initial performance led to the in-universe canonization of the Vorta as a regularly cloned species. This ensured the audience would get to enjoy more of Combs’ overconfident, yet sycophantic, and deliciously manipulative portrayal of the Dominion’s loyal servant.
While five distinct Weyouns graced our television screens, the cloned lineage extends further into Star Trek lore. To celebrate Combs’ most iconic Trek role, let’s delve into Vorta history, examining which Weyouns stood out, for better or for worse.
Weyoun 2: The Enigmatic Romantic
Little is known about Weyoun 2. The 2000 novel Inferno offers a fleeting mention, suggesting he had a romantic relationship with a clone of the female Vorta, Kilana (who later appears in the DS9 episode "The Ship"). This raises fascinating questions about Vorta relationships and their capacity for sexual attraction as a cloned species. However, Weyoun 2 remains shrouded in mystery, his impact on the larger narrative minimal.
Weyoun 10: The Return in Star Trek Online
Against all odds, Weyoun returned in Star Trek Online‘s special DS9-themed expansion, Victory Is Life, released in 2018. It was a welcome treat to have Combs back in action, breathing life into the familiar Vorta. Weyoun 10, however, doesn’t quite reach the heights of his predecessors. Initially presented as Odo’s adjutant, he swiftly reverts to his typical behavior, becoming a lackey to the Female Changeling after betraying Odo to secure her freedom. True to form, Weyoun 10 ultimately meets a fitting end, receiving his just desserts.
Weyoun 4: The Prototype
While designated Weyoun 4, he represents the first appearance of the character. This is the initial glimpse into the pragmatic, calculating Vorta. He works alongside Captain Sisko in an attempt to quell a brewing rebellion among the Jem’Hadar. Combs delivers a compelling performance. His initial demise demonstrates why the writers were so captivated by the Vorta, prompting the introduction of cloning to ensure his return.
Weyoun 7: The Creep
If Weyoun 2 raises interesting questions about Vorta sexuality in a positive light, Weyoun 7 manages to make it disturbing. As the direct replacement for a traitorous Weyoun, he is primarily remembered for his attempt to orchestrate a romantic encounter between a captured Worf and Ezri Dax, hoping to witness their emotional vulnerability. Thankfully, this particular Weyoun’s actions push Worf too far during an interrogation, leading to a satisfying neck-snapping. His ranking is elevated above Weyoun 2 due to the sheer satisfaction of his demise. Damar, fueled by his hatred for Weyoun, seizes the opportunity to revel in the moment.
Weyoun 8: The Bastard
The final Weyoun to appear in DS9, Weyoun 8 faces an existential crisis: what does a constantly cloned being do when he becomes the last of his kind? Damar’s rebellion against the Dominion involves an attack on the cloning facilities. Unable to be reborn, Weyoun 8 spirals into an even more ruthless version of himself. He retaliates against Damar’s pettiness by executing his wife and children and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of Cardassians. Though Damar never witnesses Weyoun 8’s ultimate fate, Garak avenges him by delivering the killing blow.
Weyoun 5: The Conniving Politician
Arguably the most prominent of the Weyouns, Weyoun 5 guides us through the initial stages of the Dominion War, overseeing the occupation of Deep Space Nine when Gul Dukat and the Dominion successfully force Starfleet to withdraw. Weyoun 5 embodies conniving behavior. He relishes the political machinations he wields during DS9’s occupation. He tries to maintain a semblance of diplomacy. His downfall, however, stems from his appointment of Damar as Dukat’s replacement.
Weyoun 9: The Reformed Individual
A high ranking for a Weyoun never seen on screen, Weyoun 9 emerges from the Star Trek novel range. Cloned from a genetic template recovered in the Gamma Quadrant, he becomes a close confidant of Odo. Seeking to change the Weyoun template for the better, Odo helps Weyoun 9 embrace individuality rather than mere subservience. After the Great Link dissolves, Weyoun 9 assists Odo in managing the Dominion and fostering a more independent Vorta society. Eventually, Weyoun 9 even seeks political asylum in Federation space with other Dominion refugees.
Weyoun 6: The Defector
Weyoun is celebrated for his annoying, calculating villainy, but Combs delivers his finest performance when playing Weyoun as "good" in the episode "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River." Deciding to defect from the Dominion out of the belief that the war against the Federation was unjust, Combs portrays Weyoun 6 with a disarming innocence. He tries to reconcile his conflicting loyalties and his growing relationship with Odo. Tragically, his loyalty ultimately leads to his self-destruction. Activating a termination implant to prevent the Dominion from attacking Odo’s runabout. The scene highlights Combs’ range.
