Elim Garak

[ScifiOnscreen]

So i'm a long time ST fan and have made multiple passes through TOS and TNG, One pass through both VOY and ENT. But for years could not get through Season 1 of DS9. Finally, I broke through into S2 and am now loving it (currently halfway through S4). I place it on par with TNG in terms of characters and writing quality.

I find that I really, really like the character of Elim Garak, the Cardassian tailor. The continual surprise of his actions, and his motives, and the glee with which the actor portrays him. He's really an amazing creation. Any other Garak fans out there?

 

[JirinPanthosa]

You're only in season 4?

Yeah, you haven't seen half of the coolness of Garak yet.

 

[Zonker]

I think a lot of people would agree that Garak is one of the best characters on the show. I would go as far as to say he's my second favorite in the franchise.

 

[Kilana2]

So i'm a long time ST fan and have made multiple passes through TOS and TNG, One pass through both VOY and ENT. But for years could not get through Season 1 of DS9. Finally, I broke through into S2 and am now loving it (currently halfway through S4). I place it on par with TNG in terms of characters and writing quality.

I find that I really, really like the character of Elim Garak, the Cardassian tailor. The continual surprise of his actions, and his motives, and the glee with which the actor portrays him. He's really an amazing creation. Any other Garak fans out there?

If you haven't already read it, A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson is Garak's biography and I recommend it. First finish all the DS9 seasons. Even if you're not fond of ST literature, this novel is written by the actor who portrayed Garak.

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

 

[Disco]

So i'm a long time ST fan and have made multiple passes through TOS and TNG, One pass through both VOY and ENT. But for years could not get through Season 1 of DS9. Finally, I broke through into S2 and am now loving it (currently halfway through S4). I place it on par with TNG in terms of characters and writing quality.

I find that I really, really like the character of Elim Garak, the Cardassian tailor. The continual surprise of his actions, and his motives, and the glee with which the actor portrays him. He's really an amazing creation. Any other Garak fans out there?

If you haven't already read it, A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson is Garak's biography and I recommend it. First finish all the DS9 seasons. Even if you're not fond of ST literature, this novel is written by the actor who portrayed Garak.

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

Seconded and following on from that any of the later DS9 relaunch novels show an interesting future for Garak.

 

[Chen]

Agreed - any time Garak shows up you know that something awesome is going to happen. He's always a catalyst for ratcheting things up to the next level and Andrew J. Robinson portrays him so cleverly! Must have been great fun to play him.

Imagine having that as your job!

 

[Disco]

best recurring character ever in trek.

In fact I go as far as to say he is not only better than some of the original cast members, he just might be the best character in trek non stop

Controversial

 

[hux]

Garak is so rich and detailed as a character (and Robinson's performance is so good) that you feel like he's in the show far more than he actually is.

I'd be curious to know how much screen time he actually had in seven seasons.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

I think this is clearly a manifestation of "boldly staying:" not only does the series deal with problems in the longue durée, we get to differentiate the personalities of a given race in ways that were not possible in the others. All Cardassians were haughty, but beyond that, they still sparkled with unique personalities and motivations. Dukat, Garak, Taine, and Damar were very distinct for character who were not regulars and who were often featured in the same episode, taking time away from them individually.

 

[Kilana2]

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

I think this is clearly a manifestation of "boldly staying:" not only does the series deal with problems in the longue durée, we get to differentiate the personalities of a given race in ways that were not possible in the others. All Cardassians were haughty, but beyond that, they still sparkled with unique personalities and motivations. Dukat, Garak, Taine, and Damar were very distinct for character who were not regulars and who were often featured in the same episode, taking time away from them individually.

Don't forget Rugal, being raised by Bajorans and who learned to hate Cardassians. Never-ending Sacrifice was a masterpiece as follow-up....

 

[Long Syntax]

If you haven't already read it, A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson is Garak's biography and I recommend it. First finish all the DS9 seasons. Even if you're not fond of ST literature, this novel is written by the actor who portrayed Garak.

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

I'm going to have to get A Stitch in Time. I was unaware of it and I loved Andrew J. Robinson's portrayal of Garak. I believe Mr. Robinson was one of my favorite actors who played a reoccurring role in ST - second only to Jeffery Combs.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Richard Baker]

He is one of the most complex characters in the franchise and a delight to watch in any scene. Even when you learn more about him and his history he is still a mystery.

 

[Shada Dukal]

Yes, Garak is unique, keep watching, and enjoy. I fully agree that Garak is one of the best recurring characters. And it is interesting to learn about his background and follow his future development in the novels. When an actor is good and takes his character to heart, he can do wonders even with less screentime allotted.

 

[Disco]

Yes, Garak is unique, keep watching, and enjoy. I fully agree that Garak is one of the best recurring characters. And it is interesting to learn about his background and follow his future development in the novels. When an actor is good and takes his character to heart, he can do wonders even with less screentime allotted.

I really enjoyed Martok too and I wonder if it's because Hertzler also took his character to heart.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I'm fond of Cardassians, because they are complex and multi-faceted.

I think this is clearly a manifestation of "boldly staying:" not only does the series deal with problems in the longue durée, we get to differentiate the personalities of a given race in ways that were not possible in the others. All Cardassians were haughty, but beyond that, they still sparkled with unique personalities and motivations. Dukat, Garak, Taine, and Damar were very distinct for character who were not regulars and who were often featured in the same episode, taking time away from them individually.

Don't forget Rugal, being raised by Bajorans and who learned to hate Cardassians. Never-ending Sacrifice was a masterpiece as follow-up....

We should also add Ulania, Gilora, and Mila. Rusot was well performed, but he felt the default Cardassian-personality, the "Gul Madred"-type already established in TNG.

 

[Kilana2]

There was also Tekeny Ghemor...... I liked his interactions with Kira, who once was quick to hate Cardassians..... Poor Tekeny died before he could find out what happened to Iliana.

 

[Terok Nor]

Garak is one of my favourite characters in the entire franchise. Every time he made an appearance I was glued to the screen. The actor relished playing the character and it showed. He was given great lines in every episode he was in and was overall brilliantly written throughout the series.

Apparently they wanted to make Garak a regular in Season 4 but the studio put a stop to it. Regardless it didn't stop him being a fascinating character who made the most of every guest appearance. I'd go as far as to say he's better than most of the regular characters on all 5 shows.

 

[plynch]

Recurring was better than a regular, I think, in that his appearances are more special. I'd put him #2 in the franchise just below NimoySpock.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Apparently they wanted to make Garak a regular in Season 4 but the studio put a stop to it.

In lieu of, or in addition to, Worf?

 

[JRoss]

One of the top three of all ST characters, up there with Guinan and Spock.