Synopsis: A Cardassian boy and his adoptive Bajoran father arrive on Deep Space Nine only to find out that the child is not an orphan after all.
This episode requires Commander Benjamin Sisko to weigh many different value systems in order to make a decision about the future of a young person, and my reaction to it is hard to put into words. So, what I will discuss instead is how Sisko was put into this position, and that is through the Trickster-like character of Garek.
In Star Trek: The Next Generation, the series from which Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was created as a spin-off to, the crew aboard the Enterprise was so competent, as well-oiled a machine as the starship herself, that in order for drama to be brought aboard her a little chaos was needed. From the very first episode many times that chaos was embodied in the character of Q. Q was the quintessential embodiment of Hermes, the messenger of the gods in ancient Greek myth, known as Mercury to the ancient Romans, who was not only a Trickster, but was able to travel from Olympus, to Earth, and then to the Underworld.
Similarly, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Garek seems to be able to live among the humans, Bajorans, and other races aboard the station, those who took it over after the Cardassians were forced out; yet he also has some sort of connection to the ruling powers of Cardassia. Garek is also able to get his way from both sides, although both sides also see him as either untrustworthy, or as a spy.
In “Cardassians” Garek himself defines his Mercurial nature: “I never tell the truth because I don’t believe there is such a thing” (Crocker & Bole, 1993). This ability to move about in half-truths and in between different realms is the hallmark of the Trickster, and in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine the character of Garek embodies this energy.
Reference:
Crocker, J. (Writer), & Bole, C. (Director). (1993, October 24). Cardassians (Season 2, Episode 5) [TV series episode]. In M. Piller & R. Berman (Executive Producers), Star trek: Deep space nine. Paramount Television.
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