Enabran Tain, Garak, Julian, and Trust

[SurfingtheInterweb]

Just watched the season 5 two parter with the Jem'Hadar prison. I have never seen a greater display of trust from Garak ever.
Why did he let Julian in the room? Witness this private moment between father and son-- information he exposed in front of Julian willingly. If he had told Julian to leave, Julian would have. But he didn't ask. He knew what he was going to say and let Julian stay anyway.

Perhaps the following:

he was scared to face this moment alone.
he didn't want Tain to die without someone knowing the truth, to prove that his need for Tain's approval was for a reason.
he didn't want Tain to slip off without being forced to expose him, his son, his secret.

Whether or not it was his final way to violate Tain's privacy, revenge after all those years of disdain between them, if he was afraid to face the moment alone, or wanted someone in the world to know this man was his father, it doesn't matter. He trusted Julian to witness it. Trusted him with the information, and his vulnerability. It's a nice indication of how their relationship has evolved

It is also worth noting how devastating it must have been for Garak to be estranged from his father his entire life, to thought of as a secret, when family is so esteemed and so important on Cardassia.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Being a physician, one who likely attended to Tain while in prison, Bashir's presence was not unwarranted. If something needed doing, he should have been there.

Dramatically, it was a stronger scene to have a series regular witness Tain's death and the effect it had on Garak

 

[Oddish]

Whether or not it was his final way to violate Tain's privacy, revenge after all those years of disdain between them, if he was afraid to face the moment alone, or wanted someone in the world to know this man was his father, it doesn't matter. He trusted Julian to witness it. Trusted him with the information, and his vulnerability. It's a nice indication of how their relationship has evolved

Julian's a doctor. Because of medical ethics, they have to know how to keep secrets.

Besides, due to "The Wire", Julian had inside knowledge of the complicated relationship with Garak and Tain.

 

[Farscape One]

Just watched the season 5 two parter with the Jem'Hadar prison. I have never seen a greater display of trust from Garak ever.
Why did he let Julian in the room? Witness this private moment between father and son-- information he exposed in front of Julian willingly. If he had told Julian to leave, Julian would have. But he didn't ask. He knew what he was going to say and let Julian stay anyway.

Perhaps the following:

he was scared to face this moment alone.
he didn't want Tain to die without someone knowing the truth, to prove that his need for Tain's approval was for a reason.
he didn't want Tain to slip off without being forced to expose him, his son, his secret.

Whether or not it was his final way to violate Tain's privacy, revenge after all those years of disdain between them, if he was afraid to face the moment alone, or wanted someone in the world to know this man was his father, it doesn't matter. He trusted Julian to witness it. Trusted him with the information, and his vulnerability. It's a nice indication of how their relationship has evolved

It is also worth noting how devastating it must have been for Garak to be estranged from his father his entire life, to thought of as a secret, when family is so esteemed and so important on Cardassia.

I think you were spot on about this being the ultimate showing of trust and friendship to Bashir by Garak. It's something I've always felt about that scene, and it's what moves "IN PURGATORY'S SHADOW" from a 9.5 to a 10.

Garak letting anyone know for certain about something so deepy private to him... there is no greater expression of trust than that moment there.