All these years later, I'm still bothered by Odo's decision (DS9 Spoilers)

Even by the standards of the imperial powers of the AQ, the Founders appear particularly tyrannical, utterly devoid of empathy or honour. As the war turns against them, their representative orders the genocide of the entire Cardassian population—an act that would have exterminated a species of 8 billion individuals. While this decision is intended to serve as an example, the representative's demeanour suggests to me it is also an act of vengeance.

While the Founders seem fascinated with birds and lizards, their attitude toward humanoids ranges from indifference to intense hatred. They react with disbelief whenever Odo expresses concern for the suffering or well-being of other creatures, insisting that such matters are irrelevant to their kind. Yet, when the war ends, Odo chooses to rejoin this collective?! He could have healed them and left, but instead, he decides to stay and become part of the Great Link.

I don’t believe Odo really thinks he can influence the Dominion. After linking with one representative for a few days, he becomes so detached from his chosen family that he is willing to allow a friend to be executed and for a vital resistance movement to shatter. The notion that his individuality and moral character could survive immersion in an ocean of callousness and xenophobic psychopathy seems highly implausible to me—and it should to him.

When Odo apologises to Kira for the incident on DS9, he does not come across as someone brainwashed or manipulated. Instead, his actions seem deliberate, suggesting that the Link has already started to erode the core of who he is. Also, I take it that the Founders have sent out "babies" to all corners of the universe for millennia, and yet the character of the Dominion is portrayed as having remained largely the same for all that time. Though liquid, the Founders do not appear very malleable.

Embarrassing rant over. I apologise for its length.