2.22 — “The Wire”
Plot: Garak is struck with seizures while enjoying his weekly lunch with Bashir, but refuses medical attention. Bashir’s investigation of his friend’s problem leads him to an exploration of Garak’s deep secrets, and the secrets of the Cardassian regime.
Thoughts: DS9 is, as always, most interesting when its characters do not say what they mean. “The Wire” is another triumph in this vein, placing the talents of Andrew J. Robinson as Garak on full display.
I’m an English major (once an, always an), so I love the invention of a new literary form. The Cardassian Repetitive Epic! There have been stranger poetic forms in English. The pantoum? This is a great literary joke, which also provides a telling detail about Cardassian culture. Bravo, Robert Hewitt Wolfe (the writer).
We learn that Odo keeps residents of the station under illegal surveillance. I’m not sure how I feel about this.
Garak tells a lot of lies, so even at the end it’s hard to be sure what we’ve learned. But I think we can point out a few true things in the midst of the flow. There is a group within The Cardassian Empire called the Obsidian Order. It is highly feared, and both Garak and Enabran Tain were members. Also this exclamation: “I hate this place!”
Garak could be portrayed as the powerful one in his relationship with Bashir, because he holds secrets. The plot functions, however, by making him vulnerable, more than we’ve ever seen him before. Good writing.
“The Wire” is directed by Kim Friedman, the first female director on DS9. She did so well, she was invited back to direct the season finale, the third season premiere, and several future episodes after that. All to the good!
4.5 of 5 profound works of Cardassian literature.
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