I've been thinking lately about how pretty much everyone can agree that they want to read fics where the characters feel in character, but we don't necessarily all agree on what that means- which is reasonable and normal, because we all notice or spend more time thinking about different aspects of their personalities and behavior, and also they change over the course of the show so sometimes what feels in character in the early seasons is very different than later seasons. But it made me want to try and pin down what that nebulous idea of in character actually means for me when it comes to garashir. That doesn't mean this has to be true for everyone- in fact, I'd be curious to hear if your internal list is similar or different.
For me, both Garak and Bashir have to...
be competent at what they do
sometimes kind of infuriating
love to talk
genuinely enjoy being around each other
Individually, I'd also say...
Bashir has a strong moral compass
When Garak panics, he starts saying mean, cold, or deliberately upsetting things
Bashir cares deeply about people
Garak thinks it is practical, necessary, and occasionally funny to lie
But I struggled way more than I expected to trying to pin this down! What do you think it means for you for them to feel 'in character'?
I very-agree with all of this and I think the only other thing that strongly comes to mind for me at least in the moment is that I think Julian has at least some level of avoiding discussing some things/keeping some things to himself/vulnerability avoidance, with the setting of that dial being more subjective.
In Character Garak and Bashir
Highly competent in the skills of their trade, especially the technical aspects
Strongly aligned with the ethics of their trade
Vulnerable to deviating from their trade’s ethics due to personal weaknesses
Have enmeshed their identity with their trade
Strongly identify with and are proponents of their respective cultures though they’ve both been personally and specifically wounded by their culture
Defiant in the face of a challenge
Think analysis is fun
Enjoy social interaction
Actually fairly resilient all things considered (I think I diverge from many in the fandom in thinking that though both have a history of trauma, the way that that impacts them tends to be indirect and only infrequently rises to the surface)
Witty, have a sense of humor
For me, a big part of being in character is also that the dialogue and internal monologue sounds consistent with canon dialogue. Now, canon varies over seasons and episode to episode, so there's wiggle room to be sure, but if I read and cannot possibly fathom the character saying that on screen, I'm going to drop the fic.
On top of all this, I think they need to view and treat each other as relative equals (whatever their more formal positions may be) and most crucially, there should be some kind of cultural exchange/discussion aspect to their relationship. And it should be an exchange, not just the older, more experienced or more cultured one “teaching” the other. I find AUs tend to lose me when they forget these things.
Also there should be some kind of cultural difference to begin with! I’m not a huge like, human AU person but a lot of ones that fall flat lose that aspect. A big part of what i love about Trek alien ships and what I think makes Garashir specifically work are the different cultures and different values, and yet how similar they are and kindred spirits underneath all that.
(I know this convo more for canonverse characterization, but I’m thinking of AUs because I think that’s where I’ve most often seen people fuck the dynamic up such that it no longer feels like Garashir — probably by not thinking about it in this way and so what qualities do you need to preserve when they’re no longer a doctor and exiled spy-tailor in space)
I don’t know if I can boil it down to bullet notes but I can try. And this is more how I write them - what I consider “in character.” If other writers have different ideas on a few of these it’s not enough for me to x out of a fic. But if they’ve got an entirely different take start to finish I might not finish the fic.
For both characters:
Competence in their field (ok I lied,I would x out of a fic for missing this one. But this is the only one)
Reasonably strong cognitive dissonance within their own world views
Banter
Big trauma that doesn’t actually affect them that much (except for when it does but don’t worry about it don’t worry about it don’t worry about it)
A bit more than a healthy dash of arrogance.
Julian specific:
Major chronic (but well hidden!) depression which manifests in ways that make him seem shallow or vapid.
Optimism that is often mistaken for naivety.
The ability to learn from his mistakes
A bone-deep compulsion to help people.
Generally just a middle-of-the-road-doesn’t-think-about-gender-too-much relationship to masculinity.
Bisexual but is more self conscious about his xenophilia - to the point that he forgets that gender is a consideration for most humans.
Garak specific:
Cardassia first.
Truth in every lie.
A bit of a bitch especially when cornered/when he’s absolutely certain he’s smarter than the other person.
The skill to project exactly the image he wants to the people he wants when he wants. “I’m just a silly little guy,” “I’m an assassin who will fuck you up,” “I’m a sexy mysterious spy straight out of your dreams/nightmares.”
— — obviously there’s a kernel of truth in every persona.
— — it’s good that he has this ability because inside his own head he’s flailing. He’s a mess.
— — When this ability fails him it’s genuinely derailing for him.
— — this one is important to me but I think a lot of people miss it. Most pick a facade and take that as the truth (usually “silly little guy”) rather than seeing the whole.
