9 Ups & NO Downs From Star Trek: Lower Decks 5.9 - Fissure Quest
7. UP — We're Here, We're Queer, We're Garashir!
Amongst those who have shipped Garak/Bashir, or 'Garashir,' are Andrew Robinson and Alexander Siddig themselves. That from the very beginning of hands resting on shoulders. How extra, queerly glorious, then, that the return of both actors to Star Trek saw them play "statistically unlikely" husbands from different realities.
Arguing might be fun for one, but hollow's not the heart that loves the holo. Though he still had certain "skills," this version of Garak was an altogether more (outwardly) caring Cardassian — surgeon and Starfleet officer. As for Julian, we presume that universe's Lewis Zimmerman was able to complete his work.
It was just a joy to see and to hear both characters on screen again. It had been far too long! Back within a queer context, Garak/Bashir are now (only) the third set of husbands (plural) to be officialised as such in all of Star Trek. Fissure Quest proudly makes a point of breaking ground where the 1990s failed to do so.
Throughout its run, Lower Decks has been consistently unafraid to be itself, to be queer. With a kiss in sickbay mid-Khwopian invasion, Garashir sent the same message to all those who ship them, and to all those who would fear them: "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!"