Eternal Optimist

[@tnerbtnerb5136]

"Did you know the Romulan heart itself is gray?" Why do I have the unnerving suspicion Garak knows this from firsthand exerience?

[@chazzt.k6576]

tnerb tnerb I love the following "it's true!" line. Garak was a real homie by the end of DS9.

[@AhsokaTanoTheWhite]

if it was true Bashier wouldn't have done that face, he is a doctor and I'm pretty sure he knows what colour a romulan heart is.

[@Broockle]

What Garak thinks and what he says are 2 very different things. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the Romulan Heart was revealed in a Future StarTrek show just to find it completely RainBow colored.

[@brookeking8559]

Green is more likely. Maybe this is one of Garak’s famous lies that are more interesting than the truth. Or maybe Garak is color blind, which might be the inside joke of the set designers to explain some of what’s in his shop.

[@videomaster412]

@tnerb tnerb. Where else would Garak have got that knowledge from?

[@Frenki94]

He was a gardener on Romulus, suspiciously around the same time several prominent Romulan officials were murdered. Take of that what you will...

[@miklosernoehazy8678]

... Tinker, tailor, or soldier that spies; the gardener and grass all have prying eyes... ...and not even a chef, just someone who cooks- -beware of your meal, and don't get rooked... ...electricians and roofers, expert at eaves dropping, -the best laid of plans, they soon will be stopping... ... the servants and amateurs wherever they walk, we know they're the worst, ( 'cause everyone talks)... ...all the commonplace, everywhere, seen but not noticed; -bring about your demise, when on you they are focused... ..(allegedly Garak's favorite nursery rhyme, culled from the files of section 31)...

[@AgentExeider]

I read the story of how Garak did it, and honestly, that's some friggin' patience.

[@SwiftNimblefoot]

He probably told the police "But I am but a simple gardener'... :D Nowadays he says the same excuse but adds "tailor" instead. :D

[@owlsayssouth]

@@SwiftNimblefoot read the book "a stitch in time", written by garrak('s actor) himself. The story is in there, as is some of what happens on cardassia after the war, and garrak's childhood at cardassian hogwarts. And all "true".

[@LorgSkyegon]

Don't know what you're talking about. He's just a simple tailor who was formerly a simple gardener.

[@TheOnlyTommunist]

My favorite episode of DS9 is where Sisko tries and fails to hustle the Romulans.....and Garak bombs them. That's diplomacy at it finest.

[@pittland44]

Theblizzard Thatsmlies Great story

[@RavenheartIndustries]

In the pale moonlight.

[@DTSephiroth]

Best Episode Ever

[@gregorymatthews1881]

As I recall, the episode that aired the following week was the one that introduced Section 31. Sisko seemed appalled that this was going on in the Federation. Kind of lost the moral high ground there didn't you Sisko, old buddy?

[@yukin1990]

Well the survival of UFP at stake, who cares a pro-dominion Romulans Senator assassinated by a former Obsidian Order operative who make it look like the Dominion did it to protect their invasion plan of Romulus!!!

[@LordZontar]

My favourite exchange between Garak and Bashir was when Julian was complaining that the Cardassian enigma-tale (their version of mystery fiction) always ended with everybody being invariably guilty, to which Garak replied: "Of course. But the beauty of a Cardassian enigma-tale is to discover who exactly is guilty of what."

[@mxplixic]

So all of their fiction is like an episode of Murder She Wrote. Only their version of Jessica Fletcher is ALSO guilty. :)

[@Stromjir]

@@mxplixic You mean that Harbinger of Death wasn't?

[@nothri]

I think mine was when Julian tells Garak the story of the boy who cried wolf in order to explain why no one trusts him and Garak concludes that the moral is never tell the same lie twice or you’ll get caught.

[@limiv5272]

Wasn't it that the beauty of Cardassian literature was to learn how it was discovered that the accused are guilty?

[@lukasd.4389]

@@limiv5272 In the end, you probably find out, that, you, the reader, is guilty too

[@pedsed]

Garak... the eternal scene stealer

[@samsignorelli]

He stole scenes he wasn't even in!

[@contrafax]

He Gave Morn a run for the money.

[@sanityisrelative]

@@contrafax Morn could be a bit much sometimes. Just didn't know when to stop talking.

[@tailgunner2]

Not only does the character Garak enjoy lying, he seems to take great pleasure in being lied to! I have to give that actor credit for his performance throughout the series. His subtle facial expressions through the make-up make his role stand out the most.

[@TheWPhilosopher]

That's because he likes it when people take on board his advice. He can also appreciate the lies.

[@LosLangkos]

My favourite quote from Garak: "My dear doctor, they are all true." "Even the lies?" "Especially the lies." he said with his comforting smile.

[@MichaelTheRead]

"Then I vow to become more cynical with each passing day; to look gift horses squarely in the mouth, and to find clouds in every silver lining." "If only you meant it." I felt that.

[@markfergerson2145]

Funny how DS9 tried to be realistic about geopolitics (real world politics as depicted fictionally, of course, as always in Trek) while ST:D and Picard were just pessimistic and paranoid… as if the Federation had become the Romulan Empire…

[@logicplague]

@@markfergerson2145 Pessimistic and paranoid pretty much sums up the writers of those shows, versus the optimistic view of Roddenberry. Even with DS9, humanity is still that enlightened race, it just set them in real world situations to see how far they would go to uphold those ideals.

[@martinwolf6202]

@@logicplague I agree, but DS9 has also some quite dark moments. Think about the bombing of the Maquis planet with chemical (?) weapons, just to extort one! criminal. I really liked DS9 up to that episode ...

[@JCDFlex]

"If only you meant it!" That line made my face lit up like a sun :D

[@EmperorRahem]

:D

[@TheWPhilosopher]

Garaks lit up as he said it!

[@khyronkravshera7774]

Garak is the best Trek charater ever. (With the possible exception of Quark)

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Some of the best dialogues in the show were Quark and Garak together.

[@Tigerman1138]

VulpisFoxfire Root 🍺

[@Johnston212]

They really should have had an episode where Q gets stuck with Garak for a while. I have a feeling that Q would have come away impressed

[@venus_envy]

@nickys34 lol

[@leondavis8267]

Quark,garak,gul dukat,weyoun, gowron, rom brunt fca,worf,too many top characters

[@DarkNova50]

This scene is a perfect example of how cynicism should be expressed in the Star Trek universe. At its core, Star Trek is supposed to be about optimism and hope for the future, and characters like Garak, Quark, and Odo did a good job of revealing the less idealistic parts of that universe without things becoming overly dark and negative. As much as I want to like it, Star Trek: Picard almost feels too dark and gloomy to be real Star Trek, and it feels almost more like fanfiction, or somebody's attempt at a "dark and gritty" reboot, rather than authentic Trek.

[@drugbuddy665]

Creating a new series from the ground up would've given them a lot more freedom, but i'm guessing they wanted Patrick Stewart. Can't blame 'em, but picard doesn't seem like the right character for the goal.

[@Skyebright1]

Agree discovery and picard are too gloomy and take themselves too seriously

[@bunkerhousing]

Do not worry. Picard Is not real star trek

[@vangandur3629]

Star Trek: Lower Decks is more Trek than any of the other new series. And it's a parody with poop jokes. Just shows how bad Star Trek Picard and Discovery are.

[@workindad]

Watched a small battle clip with the Romulan's or whatever where their ships were Borg cubes. After that I had no intention of watching the Picard series. Pity because I've over watched every Star Trek from the 90's back and I've nothing else to watch. A well made series was all I needed but sadly the critics, fan backlash and the few clips I've seen were enough to deter me from it.

[@Terri_MacKay]

My all time favourite TV character...Andrew Robinson's portrayal was stunning. I actually found him the most sympathetic character on the show. He was the one that the others turned to when they needed someone to do their dirty work...someone to do the thing that needed to be done, but that they couldn't bring themselves to do...then afterwards, they looked down on him and judge him harshly because he had done it.

[@TheWPhilosopher]

Garak says as much in his epic speech In the Pale Moonlight. Elim Garak : That's why you came to me, isn't it, Captain? Because you knew I could do those things that you weren't capable of doing? Well, it worked. And you'll get what you want: a war between the Romulans and the Dominion. And if your conscience is bothering you, you should soothe it with the knowledge that you may have just saved the entire Alpha Quadrant. And all it cost was the life of one Romulan senator, one criminal, and the self-respect of one Starfleet officer. I don't know about you, but I'd call that a bargain.

[@Terri_MacKay]

@@TheWPhilosopher 7 years later, he's still my favourite TV character. What a great episode, and what a great speech. I got goosebumps reading it, and hearing it in my head in his voice.

[@thesilvershining]

Garak is definitely one of my favorite characters of all time. So well-written and well-acted, the stars aligned just right to make it possible :)

[@jasonwarren9279]

You described the whole Federation's MO in a nutshell.

[@Terri_MacKay]

@@jasonwarren9279 But no other ST series showed that as blatantly as DS9, which is why it's not just my favourite ST series, but my favourite TV show. All the other ST series showed the characters to be a little to "goody goody" for my tastes. DS9 was much more willing to show the characters' shortcomings, dark sides, and questionable decisions, be they members of the Federation or other characters. And that made all the characters much more interesting than those on other ST series.

[@Tamari001]

It turns out that the Federation was indeed up to shenanigans with the Romulans. I wonder if Garak was sending a subtle warning to Bashir or just pooh-poohing his naivety as usual.

[@glenndallas7171]

I think you absolutely nailed it. Garak in his own way was looking out for his friend.

[@jonathandonley3299]

I cannot for a single moment believe that the Obsidian Order knew nothing about Section 31. Of course Garak knew. And I would agree that Garak was trying to warn Bashir in his own enigmatic way.

[@AgentExeider]

probably both, He knows Bashir is still naive at this point but he also knows higher up Federation officials are not and thus it would be a safe bet that someone from SF Intelligence would be there, probably several someones.

[@MasteringJohn]

​@@jonathandonley3299 What makes Section 31 effective is that it isn't known, even within the Federation itself. I can see someone like Tain theorizing about its existence, given the wealth of information he would have had access to (the continued contrivance of fate for a faction as idealistic as the Federation could certainly raise his suspicions), but whether or not he would have told Garak is another question. Even then, it would be a theory, as Section 31 canonically maintained its secrecy almost perfectly (which may suggest rather dystopian implications for how it suppresses testimonies from those who do know and hate it, like Bashir). Idealism aside, there are enough Starfleet officers who realize how perilously close they came to obliteration with the Dominion, that even those who *do* know (like Sisko), may not try too hard to stop them. After all, if it wasn't for Section 31 pre-emptively striking the Founders before the war even began, the war might have lasted far longer, with the female Founder being willing to retreat from Cardassia and having the option to play the long game, rather than kicking over the board and attempting to turn Cardassia Prime into her funeral pyre in a fit of diseased outrage.

[@Budzillia]

Garak's life lessons could just boil down too "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see" lol

[@SuperflyGaming]

Garak great character, philosopher, cynical, and at heart a caring person.

[@The_Custos]

The killer who cares.

[@Mxlsptlk]

The Federation sent several covert agents among the diplomats and hangers on to gather intelligence on Romulan military capabilities and politics. The Romulans did the same. Julian just isn't aware of it. He's so naïve.

[@tribbleq]

Well I don't think Garak expected Julian to even know what Starfleet intelligence was planning, do you? :P Julian only really talked about what he understood and then when questioned about something he didn't understand as well: what he felt. Or something like that, I think!

[@nobodyuknow4911]

I don't just love Garak's writing, I love how much he just CHEWS the scenery every time he's up to something... which is always... ^_^

[@damienhughes4559]

The part at 1:36 where Garak says to Bashir, "I live in hope that one day you'll come to see this universe for what it truly is, rather than what you'd wish it to be" dovetails beautifully with the final scene. In the final scene, he's talking to Sloan (of Section 31) who says, "The Federation needs men like you, Doctor. Men of conscience. Men of principle. Men who can sleep at night. You're also the reason Section 31 exists. Someone has to protect men like you from a universe that doesn't share your sense of right and wrong." After Sloan leaves, Bashir starts to call security but then changes his mind. Was it because Dr. Bashir knew Sloan had already gotten away, or was it because the point that both Garak and Sloan were trying to make was starting to sink in? Remember Bashir's joking remark to Garak, "Well, I shall endeavor to become more cynical with each passing day..." To which Garak responded, "If only you meant it." Maybe Bashir waived off security in the final scene because at that moment, he was starting to see the world for what it truly is instead of what he wished it would be. (You can see the final scene here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYito6dpZpprjc0)

[@browneyes4188]

Garak were you trying to reclaim the innocence you once had as a small child by becoming friends with a man who acts like a child?

[@meltedplasticarmyguy]

To lose one's inner child is to lose oneself.

[@sideshowbro]

@Manek Iridius Are you quoting the 4th doctor on DS9 scene. If so, Well Done!

[@theangryholmesian4556]

@@sideshowbro "There's no point in growing up if you can't be childish sometimes!"

[@crojonphoenix]

i bet 50 shades of gray is a different kind of book on Cardassia

[@PassiveDestroyer]

It's about gray people disapproving of the Romulans for being so gray and dull.

[@MasteringJohn]

Probably a century-spanning epic of family lineage loyally serving the state, if Garak's descriptions of "good" Cardassian literature are any indication.

[@finris1]

Personally, I always believed that the title, “50 shades of grey,” was more suited to an anthology of stories. Where the choices of the protagonists and antagonists were never clear as to good or bad. It sounds like Cardassian spy stories would be perfect for it.

[@cj-rf5nn]

nice flirty neckline there garak

[@joelincz8314]

I can watch Garak over and over and over again and it never gets boring!

[@IAmImminent]

Best Garak scene ever. The expressions he makes before and during "The eternal optimist..." are brilliant.

[@funtimefoxy6699]

I love Garak. He's my favorite character on the show.

[@danilarsson8685]

Garak: I was digging in the garden of the Romulan embassy, when I found a chest full of gold-pressed latinum. I was about to run to tell the Ambassador about it, but then I remembered why I digging in the garden. Julian: o.O;;

[@shinethief3785]

Garak and bishir were brilliant together. The conversatuons were so natural and yet so profound. I love these characters.

[@Rubyofthedead]

"Did you know the Romulan heart itself is gray?" says the guy whose race has gray skin. Also, what is up with Andrew Robinson's hands in this scene? They are totally free of makeup.

[@misteryman526]

+Reubenofthedead Andrew, like the character Garak, is claustrophobic, and found the layers of makeup necessary to become Garak to be very unpleasant. I imagine they left off the skin applications on his hands to give him a bit of relief.

[@rhettorical]

They're like that most of the time, I wish I knew why

[@tbotalpha8133]

I hadn't even noticed his pink hands. I thought it was just the lighting.

[@Janoha17]

@@tbotalpha8133 Goes to show how well they avoid drawing attention to it. (Like Scotty missing a finger.)

[@DeathlordSlavik]

@@Janoha17 With Scotty they did a hell of a good job making sure his one hand was always obscured in some way or when it was in frame moved fast enough that the blur prevented it from being clear. Result is that the majority of fans don't even know he was missing one unless they look up his wiki page.

[@pokeygorilla9368]

Haha, I just noticed this, They didn't do makeup on Garak's hands for this scene. He's all grey but his hand look like a human's. They certainly did it in other scenes with him but not here lol.

[@retsukaioh4571]

@9752matt And the shaky camera dont forget the shaky camera.

[@Xerock]

This was the best star trek series. It explored real philosophical and spiritual conflict. Characters weren''t just silhouettes of what they felt other ideologies were. There was real depth. Unfortunately they abandoned it entirely in Voyager and only got a small spattering of it in Enterprise.

[@no1reallycaresabout2]

0:50 - Giving over some UFP hospital ships to the Romulan Fleet? Does the UFP really believe that the Romulans won't pilfer technology from it and/or actually give it back after the Dominion War? 1:33 - Garak is right. I don't always like his methods and motives, but he is correct more than usual and serves as a good counterbalance to the UFP's sometimes dangerous over-optimism.

[@navalbombardment211]

im sure they would scrap any components or remove any data files the federation wouldn't want the romulans to have. hospital ships probably have basic systems, i doubt they would have the warp drive of a galaxy class starship

[@Djarra]

Naval Bombardment Like in 'The Next Phaze' when Riker tells Worf to give the crippled Romulan ship a computer mainframe that was out of date and that they were already familiar with. I wonder if after what happened in 'Message in a Bottle' the Romulans were actually after getting their hand on the EMH matrix.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Federation unlikely classifies medical technology equipment, as this would be a crime against humanity to not share that technology with other warp capable worlds.

[@johnlavery3433]

Hospital ships wouldn’t have fast engines, and the only advanced technology would be medical technology, it wouldn’t give the Romulans any sort of military advantage

[@TheInsomniaddict]

@@johnlavery3433 Medical technology can offer a large edge in warfare. Think information on native virii from Earth, or the systems to create them. Even systems that could stop trauma in combat can save lives, but more importantly shorten the time soldiers need to get back in the fight. Following the Hippocratic oath can save enemy combatant lives, sure, but in such a way that they know they owe you their life. Providing technology might save hundreds but doesn't build amiable feelings in those they save (except hopefully the physicians).

[@DantesonofSparda85]

This is what I got from the Romulans during the Dominion War; "We'll deal with the Federation later, for now we got a bigger problem- Dominion attack armadas"

[@GooglyEyedJoe]

Just like the USA and Russia "We'll deal with you later Russia, right now we've got ISIS, the terrorist group we armed over the last 10 years to fight"

[@patrickharris8180]

Bullshit Joey.

[@ottersirotten4290]

Joey Lock meanwhile China rubs her Hands

[@russell5078084]

Garak does make a good point about seeing things as they really are and not as you wish they were.

[@HorribleOldCrank]

Andrew Robinson is a terrific actor. Everything I've seen him in -From his first feature role in 'Dirty Harry' to this, he always completely inhabits the role and makes it real.

[@trentmichaels7170]

DS9 still rivals Next Generation as my all time favorite series. An enjoyable mix of space battles and interesting characters with a dynamic mix makes the whole thing oh so wonderful.

[@meltedplasticarmyguy]

I just love the dynamic between Garak and Bashir.

[@shulgi582]

Garak complaining about everything Romulan being gray is especially ironic when you take a look at Cardassian aesthetics

[@AccidentalNinja]

Garak sounds so cheerful whilst being pessimistic.

[@Archedgar]

Bashir = Idealist. Garak = Realist.

[@tilasole3252]

Notice the replicator sounds, but no visuals. Saved a few bucks there. 😅

[@suitov]

Garak is a big old liar. He likes Julian exactly as he is. If he wanted cynical friends who look out for number one, there are plenty of Ferengi on board, but instead he eats lunch with the sunny, unscarred Federation puppy.

[@sparkyblizz]

you're so right

[@kevinphoenix2007]

I think the surprise here, from this conversation, is that by the end of the episode and what everything Bashir went through, Garak's words of seeing the universe for what it really is is starting to sink in when Bashir decides to cancel his call to security after Sloan leaves. He realizes it's pointless.

[@bigmeknurgle]

The lesson? It's better to be sceptical than gullible.

[@sandrosliske]

I can't unsee Garak's human hands when he is talking.

[@oroontheheels]

I love their banters so much

[@Neverhoodian]

I dunno, Garak might be short changing the Romulans a bit. They make some pretty badass starships after all, and most of them are green rather than gray.

[@MrDibara]

But the interior of their ships is still predominantly grey. I'd say that Romulans do lack a better aesthetic sense when it comes to color, given that grey and green (and to a certain extant black) are almost the only colors we see them wearing predominantly.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

1:23 Bashir admits guilt, and Garak disapproves? How un-Cardassian of him. :P

[@TheWPhilosopher]

He is more annoyed by his optimism. His guilt, as per Cardassian culture, was predetermined.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

@@TheWPhilosopher it was a joke

[@blossommorphine]

@kakashi76767 Like many reptiles, Cardassians shed their scales, thus both the shade and scale arrangement changing from time to time.

[@TheWPhilosopher]

Nice retcon

[@nicholsonrules]

Garak was right. Just a couple years later in Star Trek Nemesis the Romulans had returned to being enemies.

[@The_Custos]

Implacable foes.

[@talen8152]

I just realized, Garak knew and of course couldn't say anything about what happened "In the pale moonlight" He knew one way or another the state of peace between Romulus and the Federation couldn't last forever.

[@quitequiet5281]

It would be a joy to work with these two characters.

[@xaviersavedra711]

The Romulans aren't allies with the Federation because they like them, they allied themselves with the Federation and Klingons because they were tricked into thinking the Dominion was planing an invasion of the Romulan homeworld. All three factions had a common foe, so all three factions fought together.

[@robertphillips6296]

He warned him!

[@jakefrost7404]

I don't know whose metaphorical bones to jump first: Garak's or the person who wrote the dialogue in this exchange. No homo. ;-)

[@jmiester25]

From one of the best episodes in Star Trek history.

[@SwiftNimblefoot]

Bashir and Garak, they are so enjoyable in their discussion of politics and spying. :D Here is hoping Picard brings them back - I mean Alexander Siddig for sure is still acting... not sure about Robinson. Have not seen/heard him much elsewhere.

[@jameswoodridge7712]

Garak is my favorite character on DS9. He has total clarity. He sees the galaxy as it is warts and all and does not cringe from it. And he doesn't delude himself with self delusions.

[@gruberjens4354]

Great... I just realized that I grew up to become like Garak in the end.

[@anthonycunningham8116]

0.31. Genuinely thought Bashir was about to walk into that post.

[@papahuge]

@blossommorphine i think hes talking about Garrack's hands, looks like they forgot to paint em XD

[@whydid666]

"look gift horses squarely in the mouth and see clouds in every silver lining.." "What smells like burning?" "Oh that would be my universal translator overheating trying to translate your idioms, it says something about Darmok at Tenagra..."

[@martijnvanweele6204]

I do wonder how the universal translator works. When Bashir inverts the figure of speech of "every cloud has a silver lining", does it translate that phrase word for word into Garak's language or does it find an equivalent figure of speech and invert that?

[@BijouBakson]

All I need is a 2 minute DS9 video clip to cheer me up. :)

[@IsaiahINRI]

Garak is always the highlight of an episode

[@ytubeblowsbigballs9458]

I like Cardassians, I think they would get along with humans just fine!

[@nathanielhellerstein5871]

Is the Vulcan heart gray?

[@Mardilthefaithful]

'I live in hope that you will one day come to see the universe as it is rather than what you wish it to be.' This line is so good, because it applies to as much to Garak as it does to Bashir. Bashir could say that line to Garak and it would work. Garak is deceitful, cynical and mistrusting. Bashir is honest, optimistic, and almost too trusting. They are both going to have moments in life where they are right, and ones where they're wrong. If there was some kind of absolute universal way of measuring the value of a point of view, I bet Garak and Bashir would have very similar scores.

[@augusthawks6576]

There's no one like Garek. I'd never trust him but I would always want him by my side.

[@DaveSomething]

Garak has got to be my favorite character on DS9

[@tatianalyulkin410]

And, Garak, you love Julian just the way he is. 😀

[@bananablockguy]

1:47 - the motto of everyone in 2023 XD

[@tylertheultimatebadass87]

Always keep a hand open for friendship, but keep a gun by your side as well

[@warriormaiden9829]

Walk softly, and carry a big stick.

[@AndorianBlues]

Actually the Romulan ship in TOS Balance of Power is referred to as a Bird-Of-Prey. it wasn't until STIII that the term was applied to the Klingon ship. This is because, as originally written, the villains in STIII were Romulans, not Klingons, so the script used the Romulan name. This is also why the Klingon Bird-of-Prey has an actual bird of prey painted on its underside, as a reference to the Romulan ship in Balance of Terror.

[@vidman5000]

So good.

[@contrafax]

Love some Garak realism. 😊

[@henryseldon6077]

Garak is the most complex and interesting character ever created in star trek with the exception of Q.

[@TheSevenofMine]

It's on DS9...ever watched Star Trek?

[@borgCube100]

“Yeah so your Federation and I blew up a Romulan senator and falsely dragged them into the Dominion War” It’s like he’s dying to get Bashir to see it isn’t a nice universe.

[@annehaight9963]

He knows that if Bashir doesn't lose his innocence, he's going to die. Garak likes him too much for that.

[@ralphintheshadowrealm7002]

Anyone else find Garak sounds weird from 0:00 to 0:06? Kinda sounded like the actor was still getting into character.

[@anonygent]

This is the only time I remember Bashir venturing into sarcasm territory. It's very funny.

[@MalcolmCooks]

Garak is one of the most interesting characters across the entire TNG era.

[@TheWhaller]

Garak is one of the greatest characters ever!

[@78beast]

Garak definitely had the best lines

[@justinbrockshus8483]

Garak's last line made me bust up laughing and smile. lol 🙂

[@jackharper4685]

This single scene is better than all the modern writing on picard and "std"

[@MantisEnergy]

I haven't seen anything after voy- am I missing much?

[@Scyllax]

"LEGES" is the subject of third person plural "Silent".

[@sunnchilde]

You know what? Thing is with Garak -- he's not wrong! Romulous may see this alliance with the Federation and the Klingons as in thier interests now, but they don't really want to be here. Romulans are still every bit the enemy they always were, it's just that they need each other now, for a time. But disagree on someting - and you'll see just how fast they'll turn back in to an enemy.

[@johnwax9606]

Sunnchilde it’s like the soviets during ww2, they were allies because of a common enemy but beyond that they were still the same people that wanted to spread communism

[@TheInsomniaddict]

The Klingons weren't much different either, except the Romulans only think in terms of deceit. If you're not doing it to them you'd be seen as a target.

[@nicholsonrules]

@ImagineWizard It's true Shinzon and the Remans were the main villains, but there was a group of Romulan senators who helped kill the entire Romulan senate and the Praetor.

[@KingOfMadCows]

The funny thing is that Starfleet has always spied on other races, they just tend to rely more on their advanced technology. Like in the TNG episode Unification, it's revealed that Starfleet found Spock on Romulus because their long range sensors are so advanced that they're able to see the faces of individual people on the surface of Romulus.

[@starfleetcaptain5413]

Here's a question I just asked myself, did Garak know what Section 31 was up to here?

[@bobpage6597]

1:01 - what's amusing about Garak's comment here is that its actually true in the real world. The number of people at large diplomatic gathering's who are actually working for their respective nation's intelligence service because there is always an opportunity to gather intel at a function - to get close to someone, or access their room and plant something, or access information etc. Senator Cretak herself even quips later in the episode "It wouldn't surprise me if half the people in this room turned out to be operatives." She's right. And its naive to assume Starfleet wouldn't have had someone there - regardless Section 31 certainly did since that's what the episode is about haha :D

[@hon.mr.ronburgundyiiiesq.2096]

When is garak getting his own show?

[@patrickschulz2193]

Best we got is the novel written by his actor and the fanfics narrated by him and Siddig during lockdown.

[@RobertWilke]

Considering what Julian has done and worked with (section 31) in the books. Garak did actually get what he’d hoped for the good doctor.

[@Littletime839]

In 2021 grey is all the rage in the UK. Grey houses, grey clothing, grey furniture and grey is the most popular new car colour.

[@joaolucasfraga9147]

Garak saying that the Romulans are gray makes me wonder if he's ever seen a Cardassian, though...

[@RidingtheRails7]

Yes but if the Romulans like grey so much why are their ships green?

[@Zethamnos]

Can't stop looking at how Garak's hands are human lol

[@floppydisksareop]

In fact, Starfleet Intelligence probably DID send people over to Romulus, besides Section 31. But why would they let a random doctor know about it?

[@kakashi76767]

@blossommorphine Ive never seen a cardassian as any color besides grey. there is also a good deal of grey in Bashir's uniform. seems strange to complain about it.

[@cheshirekat8273]

--> Garak's cup came out of nowhere!

[@Garthaxius]

the real impact DS9 had on star trek is making alien cultures and values alien rather than just different on the surface level

[@ReaverLordTonus]

Will someone please call Robinson and ask him to guest star on Picard? He would fit right in with how bleak the universe has become.

[@johnlavery3433]

I’d just love it if Cardassian was doing just fine, and he was paranoid it was all about to come crashing down