Summary

  • Dr. Bashir's fascination with espionage and spy stories is a recurring theme in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, starting from the second episode "Past Prologue."
  • Bashir's initial attraction to Garak is based on the Cardassian's reputation as a spy, and he eagerly seeks out opportunities to learn more about him.
  • While Bashir enjoys playing the role of a spy, he ultimately rejects Section 31's job offer due to their methods and the grim realities of espionage, preferring to keep his spy fantasies confined to the holosuites.

The storyline involving Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and the shadowy Starfleet organization Section 31 was set up from the beginning of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. During the Dominion War, Bashir was offered a role with Section 31 because his genetic enhancements and love of spy stories made him an ideal candidate for the intelligence organization. Bashir's love of spy stories is well documented throughout DS9, most notably in Star Trek's James Bond pastiche, "Our Man Bashir" in season 4. However, Julian's fascination with the world of espionage goes all the way back to the second-ever episode of DS9, "Past Prologue."

As well as being the episode that focuses on the dark past of Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), "Past Prologue" also introduces Bashir to Garak (Andrew Robinson). Julian becomes Garak's closest friend in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but his initial fascination is based on the Cardassian tailor's reputation as a spy. When Garak attempts to discover the connection between Bajoran terrorist Tahna Los (Jeffrey Nordling) and Klingon sisters Lursa (Barbara March) and B'Etor (Gwyneth Walsh), he enlists the assistance of Bashir, setting up his later storyline involving Star Trek's Section 31.

Garak And Bashir's Star Trek Friendship Set Up DS9's Section 31 Plot

Garak and Bashir meeting over breakfast in DS9

Immediately after meeting Garak, Julian is positively buzzing at having met "The Spy" to the amusement of Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks). The gossip on the Promenade is that Garak is ing information back to Cardassia about activities on Deep Space Nine. That turns out not to be strictly true as more information - and disinformation - about Garak's backstory is revealed in later episodes. However, Bashir is fascinated by Garak, and the prospect of him spying on DS9 for Cardassia, that's why he continues to seek him out. He's playing out his fantasy of being a secret agent by getting close to Garak and trying to learn more about the enigmatic Cardassian tailor.

Later, when Garak suggests to Julian that he visit his store to buy "a new suit", it's so that the Cardassian can actually information about Lursa and B'Etor to Starfleet. What's interesting about that moment is Sisko's encouragement of Bashir's going along with Garak's plan. SIsko's encouragement convinces Bashir to go along with the plan and, ultimately, save the wormhole from destruction at the hands of Tahna Los. Bashir's involvement in averting Tahna's plot won't have gone unnoticed and is the first piece of successful intelligence gathering that will later attract the attention of Luther Sloan (William Sadler).

Does DS9 Episode 2 Reveal Why Bashir Said No To Star Trek's Section 31?

Bashir and Sloan face off in DS9 - Inquisition

Although Bashir gets to play out his spy fantasy, he's slightly hesitant when it becomes all too real, suggesting a possible reason for his rejection of Section 31's job offer. Later in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Julian turns down Sloan because he doesn't want to work for an organization that believes the ends justify the means. However, it's possible that the grim realities of Section 31's work to protect the Federation at all costs is too real for James Bond fan, and fantasist, Dr. Bashir.

Julian enjoys playing the spy, but it's never been entirely clear if he would actually enjoy the work involved. He turns down Section 31 because their methods are unpalatable, but he's also nervous about spying on Lursa and B'Etor in "Past Prologue". Bashir's squeamishness over the realities of espionage is in evidence from very early on in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, proving that he was always going to say no to Sloan and Section 31. He'd much prefer to play out his spy fantasies in the holosuites, where there are no real-world casualties or consequences.