ELIM GARAK

Full Name:	Elim Garak
Nationality:	Cardassian
Organization:	Obsidian Order
Occupation	Freelance Agent

Creator:	Katharyn Powers, Rick Berman, Michael Piller
Time Span:	1993 - 2017

ABOUT THE SERIES

Elim Garak is an agent with the Obsidian Order.

That is the much feared intelligence organization working for the Cardassian government, a group considered "one of the most ruthless and efficient organizations in the quadrant". Cardasssia, for those who are not familiar with the name, is a planet in the Beta Quadrant of the Milky Way galaxy, the same segment of space that includes Earth, a key member of the United Federation of Planets. Since the Cardassian goverment is a militaristic one aiming at extending its authority by intruding into Federation space, the relationship with the Federation is not a happy one and will result in a major war a few years after we first meet Garak.

Our meeting of Garak comes as he presents himself as a "simple tailor" earning a living onboard the large Federation spacestation known as Deep Space Nine (DS9). That huge facility was placed where it was because of an unexplained phenomenom; a seemingly permanent and constant wormhole that allowed near instant transport between the Beta Quadrant at one end and a spot in the Gamma Quadrant at the other, many thousands of light years away. DS9 acted as a guardian to the 'doorway' as well as a powerful representative of the Federation at the edges of its control.

Garak explains to the new lead physician on that facility that he was an exile from Cardassian having earned enmity with the current sitting government there and now forced to ply his trade far from home. It will not take long for that doctor, Bashir, to hear rumors about Garak that painted a considerably different picture. Bashir will learn that Garak is often referred to as simply 'the Spy'. While Garak will eventually admit to having once been a member of the Obsidian Order, the likelihood exists that he is still very much an active operative with them even if he claims to have been forcibly ousted.

The interesting aspect of Garak's status as a member of the Order is fascinating in that whether he is still working for them or not, his activities are such that he seems to be constantly aware of what is going on in and around DS9 and has his fingers and toes involved in lots of interesting subplots.

Good Lines:
- Said by Garak to Worf, "Lying is a skill like any other. And if you want to maintain a level of excellence, you have to practice constantly."
- Said by Garak to Commander Sisko, "The truth is usually just an excuse for lack of imagination."
- When pressed by Dr. Bashir whether Garak's stories were true or not, Garak assures him that "they're all true ... especially the lies."

BOOKS

Number of Books:	6
First Appearance:	2000
Last Appearance:	2017


1			A Stitch In Time Written by Andrew J. Robinson Copyright: 2000 Book #27 in the Star Trek Deep Space Nine series of books from Pocket Books. "The enigmatic Garak - Cardassian-in-exile on space station Deep Space Nine - refers to himself as "just a simple tailor", but everyone knows that there's more to him than that. Why was he banished from his home planet? And why does he choose exile on Deep Space Nine?"

2			Cardassia: The Lotus Flower Written by David Mack Copyright: 2004 One of two books packaged together in the Worlds of Star Trek Deep Space Nine collection. This story is set primarily in December, 2376 (Old Calendar), approximately eight weeks after the conclusion of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel Unity. "The last world ravaged by the Dominion War is also the last on which Miles O'Brien ever imagined building a life. As he joins in the reconstruction of Cardassia's infrastructure, his wife Keiko spearheads the planet's difficult agricultural renewal. But Cardassia's struggle to remake itself -- from the fledgling democracy backed by Elim Garak to the people's rediscovery of their own spiritual past -- is not without opposition, as the outside efforts to help rebuild its civilization come under attack by those who reject any alien influence."

3			Mere Mortals Written by David Mack Copyright: 2008 Book #2 in the Star Trek: Destiny trilogy. "On Earth, Federation President Nanietta Bacco gathers allies and adversaries to form a desperate last line of defense against an impending Borg invasion. In deep space, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Ezri Dax join together to cut off the Collective's route to the Alpha Quadrant." One of those backing Bacco is the Cardassian ambassador Elim Garak.

4			The Never-Ending Sacrifice Written by Una McCormack Copyright: 2009 "A boy looks up. He sees a Cardassian's hand on his shoulder and knows that this is usually a prelude to a beating or, if he is fortunate enough, arrest. The boy knows how many disappeared during the Occupation of Bajor. So he does the one thing he can think of: he bites the Cardassian. Then the nightmare begins." Elim Garak has a small role towards the end where it is revealed he is the Cardassian ambassador to the Federation.

5			The Crimson Shadow Written by Una McCormack Copyright: 2013 Book #2 in the Star Trek: The Fall, a The Next Generation/Deep Space Nine crossover subseries. "Following political turmoil on Cardassia Prime", Elim Garak finds it necessary to stand for election as Castellan, "the post-Dominion head of state".

6			Enigma Tales Written by Una McCormack Copyright: 2017 "Elim Garak has ascended to Castellan of the Cardassian Union...but despite his soaring popularity, the imminent publication of a report exposing his people's war crimes during the occupation on Bajor looks likely to set the military against him. Into this tense situation come Dr. Katherine Pulaski—visiting Cardassia Prime to accept an award on behalf of the team that solved the Andorian genetic crisis—and Dr. Peter Alden, formerly of Starfleet Intelligence."

NOVELLAS AND SHORT STORIES

Number of Stories:	2
First Appearance:	2003
Last Appearance:	2003


1			The Calling Written by Andrew J. Robinson Copyright: 2003 Published in the collection Prophecy and Change, editted by Marco Palmieri. Elim Garak's chronicles via letters to Dr. Bashir continue, this next letter detailing events just after that in A Stitch In Time.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:	39
First Appearance:	1993
Last Appearance:	1999
Network:	Syndicated

REGULAR CAST
Andrew J. Robinson	Elim Garak [ 1-7 ]

The man who portrayed the fascinating and highly enjoyable Elim Garak on the syndicated Star Trek show Deep Space Nine, Andrew J. Robinson, tells that his character was supposed to be a one-off character, showing up in the second episode of the first season and not meant to return. The producers were "impressed" with the appearance and decided to bring him back the next season for a larger part and would continue to have him show up from time to time throughout the entire run of the series. Garak would even appear in a major way in the final episode.

Garak would be in 37 of the 176 DS9 episodes stretching through all seven seasons. Listed below are those 37 episodes.

Note: the plot synopses are from the excellent page on Wikipedia.

1	Past Prologue Episode S1-3, first aired 01/10/1993 Director: Winrich Kolbe Writer: Katharyn Powers A Bajoran terrorist with ties to Kira arrives on Deep Space Nine and is pursued by the Cardassians. Garak, a mysterious Cardassian tailor who lives on the station, assists in uncovering what he is up to.

2	Cardassians Episode S2-5, first aired 10/24/1993 Director: Cliff Bole Writers: Gene Wolande , John Wright , James Crocker Garak investigates the identity of a Cardassian boy, Rugal, abandoned on Bajor, who has been raised by a Bajoran.

3	Profit and Loss Episode S2-18, first aired 03/20/1994 Director: Robert Wiemer Writers: Flip Kobler, Cindy Marcus Quark is reunited with his former Cardassian lover, Natima Lang, but she is engaged in dangerous political intrigue with her students Rekela and Hogue: they want to reduce the political power of the Cardassian military.

4	The Wire Episode S2-22, first aired 05/08/1994 Director: Kim Friedman Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe In order to save Garak's life, Bashir must unravel some of the secrets in the Cardassian's past.

5	Crossover Episode S2-23, first aired 05/15/1994 Director: David Livingston Writers: Peter Allan Fields, Michael Piller Kira and Bashir accidentally cross into the Mirror Universe, where a Klingon-Cardassian alliance rules and Terrans are slaves on the station. A century before, James T. Kirk had made a similar crossover, affecting human and galactic history.

6	The Search, Part II Episode S3-2, first aired 10/03/1994 Director: Jonathan Frakes Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe Odo begins to connect with his fellow Changelings as Sisko attempts to negotiate peace with the Dominion.

7	Second Skin Episode S3-5, first aired 10/24/1994 Director: Les Landau Writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe Kira is kidnapped by Cardassians, surgically altered to look Cardassian and told she is actually an undercover Cardassian agent.

8	Civil Defense Episode S3-7, first aired 11/07/1994 Director: Reza Badiyi Writer: Mike Krohn Deep Space Nine is progressively locked down after O'Brien, Jake and Sisko accidentally activate an automated Cardassian security program. The program's counter-insurgency measures keep escalating until it initiates an auto-destruct. Gul Dukat beams on board, but is unable to stop the self-destruct sequence.

9	Distant Voices Episode S3-18, first aired 04/10/1995 Director: Alexander Singer Writers: Joe Menosky , Ira Steven Behr , Robert Hewitt Wolfe Approaching his 30th birthday, Julian Bashir is subjected to a telepathic attack by an alien seeking a restricted substance. He wakes up to find the station almost deserted and that he is aging rapidly.

10	Through the Looking Glass Episode S3-19, first aired 04/17/1995 Director: Winrich Kolbe Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe Sisko is convinced by "Smiley" O'Brien from the Mirror Universe to assume the role of the dead Captain Sisko.

11	Improbable Cause Episode S3-20, first aired 04/24/1995 Director: Avery Brooks Writers: Robert Lederman , David R. Long , Rene Echevarria Garak's tailor shop is bombed, forcing Odo to investigate who is trying to kill the Cardassian exile – and why. (Part 1 of 2)

12	The Die Is Cast Episode S3-21, first aired 05/01/1995 Director: David Livingston Writer: Ronald D. Moore Garak reluctantly tortures Odo for information to prove his loyalty to his former mentor, Enabran Tain, as a joint Tal Shiar/Obsidian Order attack on the Founders in the Omarian Nebula is underway. (Part 2 of 2)

13	The Way of the Warrior" Part 1 Episode S4-1, first aired 10/02/1995 Director: James L. Conway Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe A Klingon fleet arrives on its way to expand the Klingon Empire at the expense of the Cardassians in the face of the Dominion threat, and Worf is brought to DS9 to negotiate.

14	The Way of the Warrior" Part 2 Episode S4-2, first aired 10/02/1995 Director: James L. Conway Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe A Klingon fleet arrives on its way to expand the Klingon Empire at the expense of the Cardassians in the face of the Dominion threat, and Worf is brought to DS9 to negotiate.

15	Our Man Bashir Episode S4-10, first aired 11/27/1995 Director: Winrich Kolbe Writers: Robert Gillan , Ronald D. Moore Bashir plays a 1960s secret agent in a holosuite, when Garak unexpectedly intrudes, but his help is needed when the DS9 computer uses the holosuite to store the patterns of other crew members during a transporter accident.

16	Shattered Mirror Episode S4-20, first aired 04/22/1996 Director: James L. Conway Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Sisko attempts to rescue Jake after he is lured into the war-torn Mirror Universe by his mother's living counterpart.

17	For the Cause Episode S4-22, first aired 05/06/1996 Director: James L. Conway Writers: Mark Gehred-O'Connell , Ronald D. Moore Sisko learns that his girlfriend Kasidy might be a Maquis smuggler. Garak has taken interest in Gul Dukat's half Bajoran daughter, Tora Ziyal.

18	Body Parts Episode S4-25, first aired 06/10/1996 Director: Avery Brooks Writers: Louis P. DeSantis , Robert J. Bolivar , Hans Beimler Quark is diagnosed with a terminal disease, Dorek's Syndrome, and given a week to live. Due to an unavoidable accident on the runabout Volga, Miles' and Keiko's unborn baby is transferred to Major Kira by Dr. Bashir.

19	Broken Link Episode S4-26, first aired 06/17/1996 Director: Les Landau Writers: George A. Brozak , Ira Steven Behr , Robert Hewitt Wolfe Odo collapses and is taken to the infirmary. Bashir discovers Odo is losing his ability to maintain solid form.

20	Things Past Episode S5-8, first aired 11/18/1996 Director: LeVar Burton Writer: Michael Taylor Sisko, Odo, Dax and Garak are found unconscious. While Bashir attempts to revive their bodies, the four wake up during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor several years earlier.

21	In Purgatory's Shadow Episode S5-14, first aired 02/10/1997 Director: Gabrielle Beaumont Writers: Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Ira Steven Behr Worf and Garak journey to the Gamma Quadrant to investigate a coded Cardassian message. (Part 1 of 2)

22	By Inferno's Light Episode S5-15, first aired 02/17/1997 Director: Les Landau Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe Gul Dukat aligns the Cardassians with the Dominion. The station must deal with a Changeling infiltrator. (Part 2 of 2)

23	Empok Nor Episode S5-24, first aired 05/19/1997 Director: Mike Vejar Writers: Bryan Fuller , Hans Beimler O'Brien, Garak, Nog and an engineering team go to Deep Space Nine's abandoned sister space station, Empok Nor, to salvage components. The away team soon discover that all is not as it seems.

24	Call to Arms Episode S5-26, first aired 06/16/1997 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Robert Hewitt Wolfe Faced with the realization that the Dominion are taking over the Alpha Quadrant, Sisko decides to mine the entrance to the wormhole with self-replicating cloaked mines, thus beginning the Dominion War.

25	A Time to Stand Episode S6-1, first aired 09/29/1997 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Three months into the war, DS9 is still under Dominion control. Sisko and his crew are given a mission to destroy a vital Ketracel White facility deep in Dominion space using a captured Jem'Hadar ship. Jake is working for the Federation News Service. Odo is head of Terok Nor's security supported by the Vorta Weyoun.

26	Rocks and Shoals Episode S6-2, first aired 10/06/1997 Director: Mike Vejar Writer: Ronald D. Moore Sisko and his tired crew crash on a planet where they encounter a band of Jem'Hadar.

27	Favor the Bold Episode S6-5, first aired 10/27/1997 Director: Winrich Kolbe Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Learning of thousands of Dominion reinforcements gathering in the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko initiates a plan to retake Deep Space Nine and secure the wormhole before the minefield is detonated. (Part 1 of 2)

28	Sacrifice of Angels Episode S6-6, first aired 11/03/1997 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Sisko commands the Defiant and 600 Federation ships against a Dominion/Cardassian armada to retake Deep Space Nine. Damar has Kira, Jake, and Leeta arrested. (Part 2 of 2)

29	In the Pale Moonlight Episode S6-19, first aired 04/13/1998 Director: Victor Lobl Writers: Peter Allan Fields , Michael Taylor Sisko asks Garak to help him get the Romulans to join the war against the Dominion. However, Sisko finds that he might not be able to keep his ethics intact to do it.

30	Tears of the Prophets Episode S6-26, first aired 06/15/1998 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Starfleet Command begins an offensive against the Dominion, and Sisko is chosen to lead the invasion of Cardassia, but the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance has secretly reinforced their borders with unmanned orbital weapons platforms.

31	Afterimage Episode S7-3, first aired 10/14/1998 Director: Les Landau Writer: Rene Echevarria Everyone who knew Jadzia Dax reacts strongly to Ezri Dax's presence, particularly Worf. Meanwhile, Garak suffers from bad attacks of claustrophobia.

32	The Emperor's New Cloak Episode S7-12, first aired 02/03/1999 Director: LeVar Burton Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Quark and Rom cross into the alternate universe to rescue Grand Nagus Zek.

33	Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges Episode S7-16, first aired 03/03/1999 Director: David Livingston Writer: Ronald D. Moore While attending a diplomatic conference on Romulus, Bashir becomes an unwilling pawn of Section 31.

34	When It Rains... Episode S7-21, first aired 05/05/1999 Director: Michael Dorn Writers: Rene Echevarria , Spike Steingasser , Rene Echevarria Sisko orders Kira, Garak and Odo to Cardassia to assist Cardassians in resistance tactics as Damar's rebellion gains ground; meanwhile, Bashir makes a shocking discovery about the disease that is ravaging the Founders.

35	Tacking into the Wind Episode S7-22, first aired 05/12/1999 Director: Mike Vejar Writer: Ronald D. Moore Kira masterminds a plot to steal the Breen energy-dampening weapon and Worf instigates a power shift in the Klingon Empire.

36	Extreme Measures Episode S7-23, first aired 05/19/1999 Director: Steve Posey Writers: David Weddle, Bradley Thompson As Odo falls gravely ill to the shape-shifter disease, Bashir and O'Brien must get inside the mind of Luther Sloan, who holds Odo's cure.

37	The Dogs of War Episode S7-24, first aired 05/26/1999 Director: Avery Brooks Writers: Peter Allan Fields , Rene Echevarria , Ronald D. Moore Sisko takes command of a new ship; Kira and Garak face a Dominion ambush on Cardassia. Grand Nagus Zek has an announcement to make, as well as the Siskos.

38	What You Leave Behind" Part 1 Episode S7-25, first aired 06/02/1999 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Sisko leads the Federation/Klingon/Romulan alliance in the offensive on the Cardassian homeworld. Dukat and Winn journey to the fire caves to release the Pah'Wraiths, and Damar leads his people in a revolution in an attempt to overthrow their Dominion oppressors.

39	What You Leave Behind" Part 2 Episode S7-26, first aired 06/02/1999 Director: Allan Kroeker Writers: Ira Steven Behr, Hans Beimler Sisko leads the Federation/Klingon/Romulan alliance in the offensive on the Cardassian homeworld. Dukat and Winn journey to the fire caves to release the Pah'Wraiths, and Damar leads his people in a revolution in an attempt to overthrow their Dominion oppressors.

GAMES

Number of Games:	1
First Appearance:	2000
Last Appearance:	2000


1			Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen Video Game Simon and Schuster Copyright: 2000 In this third-person shooter "utilizing the Unreal Tournament game engine, [it] focuses on the quest to find the lost orbs of the Pah-wraiths capable of releasing the "fallen gods." The Cardassians, the Dominion, and the Bajorans are all eager to obtain the artifacts for their own purposes – and only the Federation stands in their way.

MY COMMENTS

I was, and still am, a huge Star Trek fan - very much a member of Team Trek in the Trek-vs-Wars debate. I watched The Original Series when it was on back in the 60's (well, the last season at least because being pretty young, my voice in the decision making on what to watch on the sole television was, well, both mute and moot). I watched The Next Generation with a lot of pleasure and then gave Deep Space Nine its time. Since I was well on my way to being the spy-fi fanatic that I am, I was especially taken with Garak and loved every moment he was on the screen.

Garak was deliciously fawning at times and yet always with a gleam in his eye letting us know that he knew we knew how much he really knew about what was going on. And when the Federation's troubles with Cardassia grew and the whole Dominion-Cardassian war exploded towards the end of the series, wow! And through it all, build-up to open conflict to resolution, Garak was there in the background always with his fingers in some pie.

What a hoot!!!

GRADE

My Grade: B

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