Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Garak
8. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Garak's second appearance took place a full season later. Cardassians explores another aspect of the Occupation, and the fallout for those left behind. The treatment of orphans by the Cardassian Union is depicted here, with Garak serving as a viewpoint character, from the Cardassians' point of view.
While en route to Bajor to discover more about the mysterious adoption of the war orphan Rugal, Garak tells Bashir that orphans have no status on Cardassia, therefore leaving them on Bajor may have been the kindest thing to do.
However, when faced with them, including several who ask Garak if he's come to take them home, the man is somewhat shocked, and begins to see how wrong this is. Andrew Robinson was delighted that this would be the direction Garak went in this episode. There was something of a mask-slip, showing something of the emotion underneath.
The rest of the episode sets up the rivalry between Garak and Dukat.