Garak, DS9's Cardassian spy, explained

Cardassian Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) was much more than a simple tailor. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. With its debut in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine introduced a darker tone Star Trek, with its morally gray characters and long Dominion War plot. Introduced in DS9 season 1, episode 3, “Past Prologue”, Garak was one of the most morally gray characters in the series, but he still became a fan favorite. Despite appearing in only 33 of the 176 episodes, Garak remains one of the series' protagonists. DS9most memorable and beloved characters.

The Cardassians were presented as villains in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and remained enemies of the Federation for most of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. DS9 explored the Cardassians in more detail, showing that, as is the case with most species, not all Cardassians are the same. Garak was a tailor aboard Deep Space Nine and befriended several station employees, including Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and police officer Odo (René Auberjonois). Garak also had a dark history that came in handy during the Dominion War.

Garak was a Cardassian spy before becoming Star Trek: DS9's Tailor

“You know the sad part, Odo? I'm a great tailor.”

Before the events of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Garak was a high-ranking member of the Cardassian intelligence agency known as the Obsidian Order. Garak's father, Enabran Tain (Paul Dooley), was the head of the Order and created Garak in his image. Tain mistreated Garak as a child and refused to recognize the adult Garak as his son. Garak once spent time with Romulus posing as a Gardener at the Cardassian Embassy, ​​and although several prominent Romulans died while Garak was there, the Cardassian never confirmed or denied his involvement.

While working for the Obsidian Order, Garak became an expert interrogator, and his abilities to lie and mislead were well known. At some point, Garak betrayed Tain, who tried to kill him. Garak managed to escape, but was exiled from Cardassia Prime and took up residence on Terok Nor (later known as Deep Space Nine). Once the Cardassians left Terok Nor and Starfleet took over, Garak opened a tailor shop on the Promenade. Garak hated exile because he loved Cardassia and desperately wanted to return.

Why Garak fought with Starfleet in DS9's Dominion War

“That's why you came to me, isn't it, Captain? Because you knew I could do those things you couldn't do.”

Despite being a Cardassian, Garak fought alongside Starfleet during the Dominion War. When Starfleet was forced to withdraw from Bajoran space, Garak joined the crew of the USS Defiant, saying he did not want to live on the space station while it was under the command of Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo). Throughout his time on Deep Space Nine, Garak befriended many of the station's crew, and some of them even came to trust him. Garak fought alongside his Starfleet friends not because he hated Cardassiabut because he believed that defeating the Dominion was the best course of action.

Not only was Garak's knowledge of the Cardassians useful during the war, but his experience as a spy and assassin also came in handy. In DS9 Season 6, Episode 19, 'In the Pale Moonlight', Garak infamously helped coerce the Romulans into joining the Dominion War fabricating evidence and murdering a Romulan senator. Garak spent the latter part of the Dominion War decoding Cardassian transmissions for Starfleet Intelligence. Although he was concerned that his actions would likely lead to the deaths of Cardassians, he understood that defeating the Dominion was best for everyone involved.

What happens to Garak after Star Trek: DS9

“The truth is often just an excuse for a lack of imagination.”

When the United Planet Federation planned an invasion of Cardassia Prime near the end of the Dominion War, Garak helped lead a civil uprising on Cardassia. After the Dominion destroyed a Cardassian city in retaliation, Cardassian soldiers began to turn against the Dominion, turning the tide of battle. Once the Dominion War came to an end, Garak decided to remain on Cardassia, presumably to help with reconstruction efforts. With more than 800 million Cardassians dead and much of the infrastructure destroyed, Garak lamented that Cardassia would never be the same, but recognized that his people had also caused much damage.

Although Star Trek: Deep Space Nine didn't reveal much about what happened to Garak after the series' conclusion, several Star Trek Related novels told more about Garak's story. In A point in time by Andrew Robinson, Garak remained on Cardassia, helping the planet recover and helping to drive democratic reforms in government. In other novels, Garak eventually became the Cardassian Ambassador to the Federation. Regardless, it seems likely that Garak would remain on Cardassia for the foreseeable future, considering how much he cared about and missed his planet during his exile.

Garak returns in Star Trek: Lower Decks – with a twist

“In some dimensions, I am a tailor…”

All over Star Trek: Lower Decks In Season 5, Starfleet has been searching for the cause of numerous quantum rifts that have opened wormholes to the multiverse across the galaxy. Lower decks Season 5, Episode 9, 'Fissure Quest' reveals that Captain William Boimler (Jack Quaid) of Section 31 has assembled a crew of alternate universe Starfleet officers to investigate these fissures. Among Captain Boimler's crew is none other than Elim Garak, who serves as surgeon on the ship Anaximander. This Garak is a brilliant surgeon, but mentions that he is a tailor “in some dimensions.”

While on Anaximander, Garak met an emergency medical hologram of Dr. Julian Bashir and the two were married. When Garak goes to rescue his crewmates (who have been captured by “Wild Khwopians”), Dr. Bashir protests that Garak is “just a surgeon”, to which the Cardassian responds, “I'm a surgeon, but I'm not only.” Garak then proves himself a capable fighter in any universe as he defeats the Khwopians and rescues his crew. Garak remains one of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine greatest characters, and their return in Star Trek: Lower Decks It's a perfect return for the lovable, morally gray Cardassian.