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Elim Garak is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe, played by Andrew Robinson. He was technically classified as a recurring character but many fans consider him to be a regular given his importance to the story arc and his presence in many episodes. Through the development of the character, viewers of the series became more familiar with the Cardassians, making them less of a stereotypical "villainous species" and more an accumulation of individuals with distinct personalities. Like many other Star Trek characters, Garak has a complicated good/evil duality. Although he is portrayed initially as a deceitful, unprincipled Machiavellian capable of torture and murder, he eventually becomes one of the series' heroes. Stargate SG-1 (often abbreviated as SG-1) is a science fiction television series part of the Stargate franchise. ... In the science-fiction TV series Stargate SG-1, Gerak, portrayed by Louis Gossett, Jr. ... Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Image File history File links Garak_(Star_Trek). ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... Cardassians are a spacefaring race in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... The gender symbols used to denote a male or female organism. ... The shield and spear of the Roman God Mars are often used to represent the male sex In heterogamous species, male is the sex of an organism, or of a part of an organism, which typically produces smaller, mobile gametes (spermatozoa) that are able to fertilise female gametes (ova). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Three main elements within the iris contribute to its color: the melanin content of the iris pigment epithelium, the melanin content within the iris stroma, and the cellular density of the iris stroma. ... In the fictional series, Star Trek, Cardassia Prime is the main planet in the Cardassian Empire. ... The Obsidian Order is a Cardassian secret police organization in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... In the Star Trek fictional universe, Deep Space Nine (or DS9) is a space station. ... Andrew Robinson, from Hellraiser. ... This article is about the Star Trek franchise. ... Andrew Robinson, from Hellraiser. ... Cardassians are a spacefaring race in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... Detail of the portrait of Machiavelli, ca 1500, in the robes of a Florentine public official Niccolò Machiavelli (May 3, 1469—June 21, 1527) was an Italian political philosopher during the Renaissance. ...

Character history

Formative years

Elim Garak was born on Cardassia Prime. Enabran Tain was his father, but little else about his background is known from the series. The non-canon novel A Stitch in Time reveals that his mother was Tain's housekeeper Mila. He was raised by Mila and Tolan Garak, who lived in Tain's house. He does not learn until much later that Tolan was his uncle, and Tain is his real father. Garak was often punished as a child by being locked in a cupboard by Tain, likely the root of Garak's acute adulthood claustrophobia (DS9: "Afterimage"). These events were formative to his character and general disposition. In the fictional series, Star Trek, Cardassia Prime is the main planet in the Cardassian Empire. ... Enabran Tain is a character in the popular Star Trek series. ... The Star Trek canon consists of the television series Star Trek (the original series), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and the ten motion pictures based upon the series. ... Mila was a character in the fictional Star Trek: Deep Space Nine universe, played by Julianna McCarthy. ... Afterimage is a seventh season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine first broadcast on October 14, 1998. ...

The novel goes on to explain that Garak was a quick learner and an excellent student and, as a young man, he attended the prestigious military training school of Bamarren; most of the skills and traits associated with Garak can be said to have been picked up at Bamarren. He rose through the ranks and gained the respect of his peers and teachers, though he was ultimately betrayed by Palandine's fiancé. Palandine later became his lover.

After Bamarren, Garak began his career at the Obsidian Order, one of the premiere intelligence agencies of the Alpha Quadrant. Always a quick learner, he proved exceptional at his job and rapidly increased in rank and influence, becoming the right hand man of Enabran Tain, head of the Obsidian Order (DS9: "The Wire"). One mission for the Order took him to the Cardassian embassy on Romulus, where he worked as a gardener – "coincidentally", a Romulan diplomat died while Garak was on the planet. (DS9: "Broken Link") In the Star Trek fictional universe, the Milky Way Galaxy is divided into four quadrants, which are further subdivided into sectors. ... Enabran Tain is a character in the popular Star Trek series. ... The Obsidian Order is a Cardassian secret police organization in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... The Wire is a second-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Broken Link is the final fourth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Exile

At the peak of his power and career, Garak was perceived to have succumbed to sentimentality and had an affair with Palandine (a married woman whose husband was the target in a complex plot by the Order). He was caught and, because of his father's important role in Cardassian society, was exiled from Cardassia Prime.^[1] He was relocated to Deep Space 9, then still Cardassian and called "Terok Nor", and worked as a tailor. Garak was frequently at odds with the station's Prefect, Dukat, due to the fact that, as a member of the Obsidian Order, Garak was responsible for the execution of Dukat's father. Space station Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (ST:DS9 or STDS9 or DS9 for short) is a science fiction television series produced by Paramount and set in the Star Trek universe. ... A tailor is a person whose occupation is to sew menswear style jackets and the skirts or trousers that go with them. ... This article or section may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ...

During the Cardassians' withdrawal from Bajor, Garak was deceived and left to the mercy of the Bajorans. He soon after tried in vain to win his government's favor by spying on the Bajor-Federation negotiations. Garak has since made use of his extensive knowledge and abilities by aiding the Federation on numerous occasions. A typical major city on Bajor In the fictional Star Trek universe, Bajor (IPA: /bedʒoɹ/ or /beʒoɹ/) is the homeworld of the Bajorans. ...

On Deep Space 9, Garak continues his business as a tailor. Early in the station's Federation administration, several other residents suspect that his business is a front and that he still works for the Obsidian Order. Garak strikes up a convivial relationship with Dr. Julian Bashir (DS9: "Past Prologue"). It seems that Garak wants a Federation officer with whom he can regularly exchange "back channel" information while keeping in communication with his contacts on Cardassia. Bashir was most likely chosen because of his naïveté, intelligence, and trusting nature. Benjamin Sisko encourages Bashir to pursue the relationship, although warning Bashir that Garak is probably not to be trusted. Despite the unusual reason for their relationship, and their cultural and personality differences, Garak and Bashir grew to be good friends. The two often share a weekly lunch during which they discuss politics, the arts, and other topics. Their friendship is cemented when Bashir helps Garak overcome his addiction to an Obsidian Order "torture survival" device that stimulates the pleasure center of Garak's brain, which Garak activates in order to cope with his outcast status aboard DS9. (DS9: "The Wire") Dr. Julian Subatoi Bashir (played by Alexander Siddig) is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Past Prologue is the second episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Captain Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is a Starfleet officer and the main character of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... The Wire is a second-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Tain invites Garak to participate in a joint Obsidian Order-Tal Shiar attack on the Founders' homeworld (after Garak survives Tain's attempts to have him killed). Garak readily accepts to the invitation to join Tain and to subsequently return to Cardassia. However, the spy-turned-tailor only reluctantly accepts Tain's order to interrogate the Changeling Odo. The intelligence services' ships – and Garak's opportunity to return home – are destroyed in a Jem'Hadar attack. (DS9: "Improbable Cause", "The Die is Cast") In the Star Trek fictional universe, the Tal Shiar is a Romulan intelligence organization, comparable to the KGB. The name possibly refers to the Tal Shaya, or Vulcan death grip (actually an erroneous term) as seen on the original Star Trek series. ... Salome Jens as The Female Changeling from Star Trek: Deep Space 9. ... Odo is a shapeshifter played by Rene Auberjonois on the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Garaks tailor shop is bombed, forcing Odo to investigate who is trying to kill the Cardassian exile – and why. ... The Die is Cast is a third season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

The station's crew at times take advantage of Garak's lingering contacts on Cardassia. Garak helps sneak the USS Defiant into Cardassian space to rescue Kira Nerys (DS9: "Second Skin"), and Sisko uses Garak as a conduit through which to clandestinely warn the Cardassians of an impending Klingon attack (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"). For the ship seen in Star Trek: The Original Series The Tholian Web and Star Trek: Enterprises In a Mirror, Darkly, see USS Defiant (NCC-1764). ... Colonel Kira Nerys was a character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Second Skin is a third-season Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode. ... The Way of the Warrior is the title of a two-part episode from the fourth season of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Conversely, Garak is not above using deceit to advance his own agenda. He lies to Sisko about the nature of an intercepted message before attempting to steal a runabout to rescue Enabran Tain (DS9: "In Purgatory's Shadow"). Garak attempts to take over the Defiant's weaponry to destroy the Founders, and consequently is imprisoned in the station's brig for six months (DS9: "Broken Link"). The USS Rio Grande (NCC-72452), a Danube class runabout. ... In Purgatorys Shadow is a fifth-season episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Broken Link is the final fourth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Garak eventually befriends Tora Ziyal, much to Dukat's outrage. Ziyal falls in love with Garak, but he often called her interest "misguided." Ziyal persists, however, not only in pusuing a relationship with Garak, but also in taking sides against Cardassia and the Dominion. Her rejection of her father's wishes leads to her death at the hands of Dukat's aide, then-Glinn Damar. In the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Tora Ziyal is the half Cardassian / half Bajoran daughter of Gul Dukat and Tora Naprem. ... Glinn is a Cardassian military rank in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Damar is a character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a Cardassian officer, played by Casey Biggs. ...

The Dominion War

Garak provides essential intelligence on Cardassia to the Federation during the Dominion War. Despite believing that he is ultimately helping Cardassia by assisting the Federation in defeating the Dominion, the emotional strain leads to a mental breakdown from which Ezri Dax helps him recover (DS9: "Afterimage"). Combatants United Federation of Planets Klingon Empire Romulan Star Empire The Dominion Cardassian Union Breen Confederacy Commanders William J. Ross Benjamin Sisko Chancellor Gowron† General Martok Praetor Neral General Velal Legate Broca† Legate Corat Damar† Gul Dukat† the Female Changeling Vorta Weyoun† Thot Gor Thot Pran In the fictional Star... In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state, consisting of many different races, with ultimate power held by the xenophobic Changelings. ... Lieutenant (junior grade) Ezri Dax (played by Nicole de Boer) is a fictional character in the seventh and final season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and in the novels which continue the story. ... Afterimage is a seventh season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine first broadcast on October 14, 1998. ...

His unique abilities and contacts lead to the assassination of a Romulan senator. Because it appears to be Dominion sabotage, the Romulans subsequently ally themselves with the Federation and the Klingons (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight"), helping turn the tide of the war. Captain Sisko and Garak scheme against the Dominion. ...

Garak and Kira Nerys later help Damar form a Cardassian underground (DS9: "When It Rains..."). The two convince Damar and Rusot to steal a Jem'Hadar ship equipped with a devastating Breen energy weapon (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind"). Betrayed by Gul Revok, Garak, Kira, and Damar eventually wind up hiding in Mila's basement and attacking Dominion targets on Cardassia (DS9: "The Dogs of War"). Shortly after Mila is killed, the trio, joined by a handful of other Cardassian resistance fighters, storm Dominion headquarters during the Battle of Cardassia. Garak personally kills Weyoun 8 and remains on Cardassia at the war's conclusion. What was supposed to be a triumphal return home turns into a pyrrhic victory given the death of 800 million Cardassians and the destruction of much of Cardassia Prime's infrastructure. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind") Colonel Kira Nerys was a character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Damar can refer to: Damar Island, an island of Indonesia, part of the Barat Daya Islands Damar, Kansas, United States Corat Damar, a character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... When It Rains. ... Damar can refer to: Damar Island, an island of Indonesia, part of the Barat Daya Islands Damar, Kansas, United States Corat Damar, a character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... In the fictional universe of Star Trek, the JemHadar race have been seen to use a number of different starships with insectoid designs. ... Breen soldier appearing on Star Trek: Deep Space 9 The Breen are a species in the science fiction franchise Star Trek. ... Tacking Into the Wind is an episode from the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the sixth of the ten final chapters. ... The Dogs of War is an episode from the finale arc of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Combatants United Federation of Planets, Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, Cardassian Union (halfway through the battle), Cardassian rebels (on Cardassia Prime) The Dominion, minus Cardassian Union after the first half of battle Commanders Vice Admiral William Ross, Captain Benjamin Sisko, General Martok, General Velal (Romulan Empire), Legate Damar† Female Changeling... In the fictional Star Trek universe, Weyoun is the primary adjunct to the Female Shapeshifter, and the second-in-command of the Dominion forces in the Alpha Quadrant. ... A Pyrrhic victory (pronounced pirric) is a victory which comes at heavy cost to the victor. ... What You Leave Behind is the final episode of the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Post-war involvement

The Deep Space Nine novel A Stitch In Time, written by Robinson, takes the form of an epistle to Julian Bashir. Besides containing information about Garak's background, it also describes Garak's activities on Cardassia since the war's end. According to the text, Garak has since assisted in the rebuilding and recovery of Cardassia, while also supporting democratic reforms for its government. He believes that the Dominion War and destruction of Cardassia were partially caused by Cardassia's military-led government. Dr. Julian Subatoi Bashir (played by Alexander Siddig) is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Democracy is a form of government under which the power to alter the laws and structures of government lies, ultimately, with the citizenry. ...

Personality

Garak is a practiced liar, and, according to Enabran Tain, "has a rare gift for obfuscation." Despite ample evidence to the contrary, Garak on several occasions denies having ever been involved with espionage, claiming he is just "plain, simple Garak" and that his difficulties with the Cardassian government stem from tax evasion. This article contrasts tax evasion, tax avoidance, tax resistance and tax mitigation. ...

Garak's belief that one should "Never tell the truth when a lie will do" (DS9: "The Wire") raises questions about the reliability of the memoir-esque novel A Stitch in Time, which is ostensibly narrated by Garak.

Memorable quotes

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Elim Garak

From "Past Prologue"

Doctor Julian Bashir: You're Mister Garak, aren't you?
Garak: No, please, just plain, simple Garak.

From "Cardassians"

Garak: I'm no more a spy than you are...
Bashir: A doctor.

From "Cardassians"

Garak: I believe in coincidences. Coincidences happen every day. But I don't trust coincidences.

From "Profit and Loss"

Bashir: Assuming you're not a spy...
Garak: Assuming?
Bashir: ...Then you might be an outcast.
Garak: Or maybe I'm an outcast spy.
Bashir: How could you be both?
Garak: I never said I was either.

From "The Wire"

Bashir: So of all the stories you told me, which ones were true? And, which ones weren't?
Garak: My dear doctor, all of them are true.
Bashir: Even the lies?
Garak: Especially the lies.

From "Second Skin"

Garak: Treason, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

From "Improbable Cause"

Bashir: Do you know the story of the boy who cried wolf?
Garak: No.
Bashir: It's a children's story about a young shepherd boy who gets lonely while tending his flock. So he cries out to the villagers that a wolf is attacking the sheep. The people come running, but of course, there's no wolf. He claims that it's run away, and the villagers praise him for his vigilance.
Garak: Clever lad! A charming story.
Bashir: I'm not finished. The next day the boy does it again, and the next day, too. On the fourth day, a wolf really comes. The boy cries out at the top of his lungs, but the villagers ignore him... and the boy and his flock are gobbled up.
Garak: That's a little graphic for children, don't you think?
Bashir: But the point is that if you lie all the time, no one will believe you even if you're telling the truth.
Garak: Are you sure that's the point, Doctor?
Bashir: Of course, what else would it be?
Garak: That you should never tell the same lie twice.

From "Improbable Cause"

Garak: The truth is usually just an excuse for a lack of imagination.

From "The Way of the Warrior"

Garak (Shooting attacking Klingons with phaser): I find this hand to hand combat really quite distasteful.
Dukat (Fighting two Klingons with bat'leth): I suppose you would prefer the simplicity of an interrogation chamber.
Garak: You have to admit, it's much more civilized.

From "The Way of the Warrior"

(After Garak was attacked by several Klingons)
Bashir: They broke seven of your transverse ribs and fractured your clavicle!
Garak: Ah, but I got off several cutting remarks which no doubt did serious damage to their egos.

From "Our Man Bashir"

Garak: Kiss the girl, get the key! They never taught me that in the Obsidian Order!

From "Call to Arms"

Odo: You'd shoot a man in the back?
Garak: It's the safest way, isn't it?

From "By Inferno's Light"

Garak: I only wish I were still a member of the Obsidian Order. This would make a wonderful interrogation chamber. Tight quarters, no air, bad lighting, random electric shocks, it's perfect.

From "In Purgatory's Shadow"

Garak: Lying is a skill like any other, and if you want to maintain a level of excellence, you have to practice constantly.

Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo-en. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Past Prologue is the second episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Dr. Julian Subatoi Bashir (played by Alexander Siddig) is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Cardassians is a second-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. ... Cardassians is a second-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. ... Profit and Loss is the 18th episode in the second season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... The Wire is a second-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... Second Skin is a third-season Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode. ... Garaks tailor shop is bombed, forcing Odo to investigate who is trying to kill the Cardassian exile – and why. ... Garaks tailor shop is bombed, forcing Odo to investigate who is trying to kill the Cardassian exile – and why. ... The Way of the Warrior is the title of a two-part episode from the fourth season of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... The Way of the Warrior is the title of a two-part episode from the fourth season of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... This page is about the race. ... Our Man Bashir is a fourth-season episode of the television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... A call to arms is in general a call to battle or a battle cry, as in The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. ... By Infernos Light is a fifth-season episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ... The Obsidian Order is a Cardassian secret police organization in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... In Purgatorys Shadow is a fifth-season episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Appearances

Garak appears in the following Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes: Space station Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (ST:DS9 or STDS9 or DS9 for short) is a science fiction television series produced by Paramount and set in the Star Trek universe. ...

References

1. ^ Robinson, Andrew J. (2000). A Stitch in Time. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0-671-03885-0.

External links

• Elim Garak article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki.
• A list of 10 "Great Garak Episodes" at StarTrek.com
• A brief Elim Garak Biography at StarTrek.com