As a long-time devotee of the Star Trek universe who vividly recalls the days of eagerly awaiting each new episode of Deep Space Nine, I can confidently say that the latest episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks has truly outdone itself. The heartwarming revelation of Doctor Julian Bashir and Mister Elim Garak’s thirty-year marriage was not just a delightful surprise but a testament to the power of persistence and the enduring passion of fans.
Many fans of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine often wondered about the electric connection between recurring characters Doctor Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and Mister Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson). Throughout the series’ seven-season run, they became a popular pairing among fans. However, an official confirmation of their relationship was never given – until recently, with the latest episode of the animated Paramount+ show Star Trek: Lower Decks.
In the series “Fissure Quest,” the main storyline about dimensional rifts reaches its climax when a variant character of Jack Quaid’s Boimler travels between dimensions to examine the mysterious fissures. This plot twist allows for an exciting array of characters from various Star Trek spin-offs to reappear, such as T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) from Enterprise, Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) from Voyager, Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard) from First Contact, and famously, Bashir and Garak from Deep Space Nine. In Lower Decks, Bashir and Garak are not just friends; they’ve tied the knot after 30 years of simmering tension, embarking on their journey together as a married couple.
In the 1993 “Past Prologue” episode of Deep Space Nine, the enigmatic character Garak, initially a guest star, won over fans with his engaging dynamic and witty exchanges with young Doctor Bashir. This interaction ignited speculation about a romantic relationship between them, but on-screen confirmations were never provided. Star Trek, known for challenging societal norms since its early days, such as featuring one of television’s first interracial kisses and showcasing characters with diverse backgrounds like Garak, a character of Russian heritage during the Cold War era, initially balked at the idea of portraying a same-sex, man-lizard couple in the 1990s due to perceived controversy.
Making Garak and Bashir Official Was a Unanimous Decision
Despite Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ending in 1999, Andrew Robinson and Alexander Siddig, who played Garak and Bashir respectively, have consistently advocated for their characters’ romantic connection. They discussed their dynamic at ’90s conventions, recorded audiobooks together, and even performed fan-written pieces on Zoom in 2020. It seems that no one is more eager to see Garak and Bashir’s on-screen romance unfold than Robinson and Siddig. Interestingly, Lower Decks showrunner Mike McMahan mentioned that many of the writers were fans of these characters themselves. McMahan humorously suggested that if the multiverse allows, we might get to join Garak and Bashir on their cosmic journey as they deepen their relationship.
Due to the clear enthusiasm from the writers and cast of Lower Decks , it’s not unexpected that the series has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback throughout its five-season journey. Packed with Easter eggs for long-time Star Trek enthusiasts, yet offering a unique perspective on space exploration from an everyday person’s viewpoint, seldom seen in other parts of the franchise, this show will undoubtedly be missed following the broadcast of its final episode on December 19, 2025.
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2024-12-15 00:31