Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) The Wire (1994) User Reviews

Garak tells the truth... especially when he lies

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 30 March 2010]

When Dr. Bashir and Garak are queuing for lunch Garak starts to feel unwell but refuses his friends offer of treatment. Later the doctor sees Garak talking to Quark and after Garak collapses the next day he finds that there is a device implanted in his brain. Assuming he is after technology to neutralise it Bashir mentions seeing him talking to Quark to Odo who offers to let him see Quark's supposedly secret message to a Cardassian; as soon as he enters the code for the item Garak wants alarms sound and the Cardassian says that his career is over as that item is classified by the Obsidian Order, the Cardassian Secret Intelligence Service. Over the course of the episode Garak admits that he was involved with the order then explains how he came to be expelled from the order and been exiled... he explains several times and each story is different. When the doctor goes to see the former head of the order to seek help he hears yet another story.

As with most Garak episodes this was delightful mainly due to the way Andrew Robinson portrays the mercurial Cardassian tailor. This final line about everything he says being true... especially the lies was fantastic.

Andrew Robinson and Alexander Siddig on top form

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 26 March 2022]

Garak becomes unwell and Dr Bashir investigates.

This is a solid episode with great performances.

There is some strong character development and dark themes written into this story, but it succeeds mainly by giving Andrew Robinson centre stage and effective support from Alexander Siddig.

It works in a similar way to the first season episode 'Duet', but not quite as impactful.

Robinson goes through a range of emotions as his compelling character becomes more unhinged as the episode goes on. The dialogue is pretty well written, but he makes it sound as good as something you would hear in a theatre.

Siddig, in the fairly innocent, caring guise of Bashir, is a perfect foil for Garak's dark, shadowy, Cardassian cynicism. Their exchanges bring out the best of both actors and characters.

Loyalty, Drug dependance, Andrew Robinson flexing his acting acumen.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 19 March 2020]

A good episode that further develops Garak as a complicated character and establishes the Obsidian Order as a feared Cardassian spec op force.

You have to admire the Cardassians attention to potentialities. Garak has had a surgically installed pain blocking device installed within him just in case he happens to get captured and tortured ---- For the glory of Cardassia! Garak's not enjoying the small talk with Bashir as much as he initially lets on and he admits he has been high as a kite for 2 years and can't even turn this pain blocker off anymore.

The real meal of this episode comes with the reveal that Tain was grooming Garak to be his successor and Garak was banished from Cardassian society for an unspeakable crime of not murdering/torturing Bajoran children. Tain ultimately provides bashir with information that will save Garak but he's only doing it so Garak will suffer ---- or so he says.

We end the episode with everything back to normal with Bashir and Garak having small talk at lunch. Garak apologizes for being a bit of a psychotic jerk the past few days and lets bashir know that 'it was all true --- especially the lies..." Geez, it's like playing a verbal game of chess with the damn Cardassians.

This episode really highlights Andrew Robinson's acting skill. He's likeable, sympathetic, pathetic, aggressive, mysterious all within this little 45 minute character study.

Truth Is Beauty, Beauty Truth, That Is All Ye Know on Earth and All Ye Need to Know

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 9 October 2018]

Garak is very hard on Dr. Bashir who is one of the only persons on DS9 that cares about him. He is a fascinating character who speaks in riddles. Bashir realizes that when Garak nearly passes out, the Cardassian has had some sort of implant placed in his brain. The episode pretty much revolves around the search for and the cure of that condition. Of course, Garak wants none of it because this implant is like a narcotic. He has the same sorts of withdrawal symptoms some drug addicts have. It is a tough love episode and the guy maintains his mystery quality.

Brilliant. Especially the lies.

[BanyanV · 10/10 · 15 June 2023]

Not just for fans of the show, this episode showcases a combination of chemistry between actors, brilliant acting, and writing that comes full circle in so many ways. Bringing in Tain, the Obsidian Order, Garak's past, all to tell a story that rings truer than most other shows combined -- ironically.

One of the best Bashir-Garak episodes to really hammer home their connection. In some ways, we learn more about Bashir; his unfailing commitment to helping people, his depth of appreciation for Garak's companionship, his self-sacrificing core beneath all those deflecting attitudes. A man hidden in a trench coat of personality choices, both deliberate and not -- remind you of anyone?

The Wire is an unflinching look into the world of DS9 and Star Trek as a whole. The good, the bad, and the unforgivable; no obstacle insurmountable, ultimately, in the face of a man willing to forgive.

Boy it sucks to be Garak....

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 19 December 2014]

This episode of "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" reveals much about Garak--the enigmatic and tricky Cardassian 'tailor' living on the station. When the show begins, Garak is doing what he often does--he's having a meal with his BFF, Dr. Bashir. Without warning, Garak doubles over--in intense pain and in immediate need of hospitalization. What follows is Garak's story--how he was once a dreaded and powerful leader in the Cardassian Obsidian Order as well as his fall from grace.

While this isn't among the more exciting episodes of the series, it's an important one because it makes Garak A BIT pitiable and a bit easier to understand. Worth seeing.