Garak is an exiled spy from the Cardassian Union and a former member of the feared Cardassian intelligence group called the Obsidian Order. Garak was exiled to Deep Space Nine and established a tailoring business there. While most of the time he is indeed a harmless tailor, he is also a complex character whose portrayal often hints at hidden secrets and he displays competence in a wide range of skills and knowledge in a crisis.