As a result, he's starting to feel insecure, alienated and detached. Of course he denies these feelings, but we can all tell. It was some doppelganger formed in a transporter malfunction. The Cardassians still don't really respect Starfleet. Computer graphics can remove the wrinkles.
Stunt doubles can do the rest.
Star Trek conventions have had a measurable drop in female attendance. Despite our rather formidable willing suspension of disbelief, we can't swallow this one. Once Kirk died they started getting lax and allowed cats and Klingons onto starships. It went downhill from there. Uhura's secret love may go unrequited.