Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 20, 1994 TAG: 9409230013
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He was wrong. Garak, a friend of Bashir (Siddig El Fadil), turned out to be a frequent visitor to the space station.
Now, as ``DS9'' begins its third season, Garak is a multifaceted character, one full of mystery and secrets. He is also a fan favorite.
``I had no idea I'd ever be back after `Past Prologue,''' Robinson says during a telephone interview from his home in Laurel Canyon, Calif. ``It turned out that the producers and writers, especially Ira Steven Behr, became fans of the character.
``They started writing wonderful, marvelously ironic, droll, dark, where-does-Garak-stand? characterizations. Every time they give me a script there's a new wrinkle to Garak.
``For an actor, that's unusual and genuinely exciting.''
Garak will make his first third-season appearance in ``The Search, Part II,'' the second episode of ``DS9's'' two-part season opener.
The episodes explore the ramifications of a treaty signed by the Federation and the Dominion, the newly introduced power whose fighting elite, the Jem'Hadar, are aboard DS9.
Sisko (Avery Brooks), who must maintain the peace in the region and aboard the space station, reluctantly abides by the treaty at his superiors' behest.
``Garak, who is very astute politically, explains that it's a bad treaty, that it excludes the Romulans and Bajorans,'' Robinson says. ``While the Jem'Hadar are on the station they terrorize its inhabitants.
``Sisko enlists Garak, Bashir and Dax [Terry Farrell] to help free O'Brien [Colm Meaney], who is being tortured.''
O'Brien tortured yet again?
``It seems to be the poor man's karma,'' Robinson says, laughing.
The 48-year-old actor plans to be back in Garak's elaborate makeup (which takes three hours to apply) about eight times this season. During his appearances, there will be further development of the Bashir-Garak friendship, he says.
``The fans really like the mentor relationship Garak has with Bashir. It has enormously helped increase Bashir's popularity.
``Avery and I have also had some wonderful scenes together. I hope, and I'm sure they will, expand Garak's relationships with the other characters as well.''
Born in Manhattan and reared there and in New England, Robinson attended New York City's New School. After receiving a Fulbright scholarship, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
``I always kind of wanted to be an actor,'' he says. ``But once I had that year abroad that sealed it for me.''
The actor went on to perform in numerous plays and television shows before making his film debut in ``Dirty Harry'' (1971), playing what he describes as ``an all-out raging psychotic.''
That was one of his favorite projects. Others include a 1993 Broadway production of ``Any Given Day,'' the 1988 telemovie ``Liberace'' (in which he portrayed the flamboyant entertainer) and ``DS9.''
Robinson will next be seen in the stage drama ``Memoirs of Jesus,'' in which he portrays Christ, and in the film ``The Puppet Masters.''
``The play is a one-person show that opens in L.A. in November,'' he says. ``It scares me to death, but it's a beautiful piece.
``I'm a Secret Service agent in the film, which is almost like `Invasion of the Body Snatchers.'''
Donald Sutherland is the star of ``Puppet Masters,'' which is scheduled to open at Christmastime.
Though Robinson, a married father of a 21-year-old actress-daughter, has many irons in the fire, he says he will always make time for Garak.
``Coming in occasionally as I do, the character is always loaded, has new information and is always fresh,'' he says. ``So if they're willing to keep having me back, I'm willing to keep coming back.''
CON CALENDAR Sept. 30-Oct. 2|
Rising Star at the Civic Center in Salem, Va., featuring Bjo Trimble. (Call 703-389-9400.)
Creation at the Convention Center in Valley Forge, Pa., featuring Michael Dorn and Nichelle Nichols. (Oct. 1-2 only; 818-409-0960.)
TREK/SCI-FI ALERT
If you have Trek or science-fiction news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB