Deep Space Nine 2x16, Shadow Play

Deep Space Nine 2x16, “Shadow Play”

I just cannot get over what a beautiful job Avery Brooks and Cirroc Lofton do playing father and son on DS9. The deep love and mutual respect that glows between them makes me so happy, and I appreciate that the show takes the time to develop their relationship instead of just skipping straight to action scenes and expecting us to accept that they’re a loving father-and-son duo without ever proving it to us.

It means a lot to see a dad who never responds “because I said so, that’s why” when Jake asks him a question; a dad who cultivates a relationship with his son based on their mutual love of things like baseball while also encouraging Jake to be his own person.

Also, I hope this scene helped parents watching it learn what being a supportive parent looks like. Ideally, parents wouldn’t make any assumptions about what their kids will grow to be, because it’s clear that Jake feels pressured to join Starfleet. But even though Sisko made the mistake of assuming Jake would want to be in Starfleet too, when he realizes his mistake he recovers quickly. He’s quick to reassure his son that all he wants is for Jake to find his passion and do it well. He doesn’t protest that “surely you’ll change your mind, Jake,” or say he’s hurt by Jake’s comment that Star Fleet is “too much like you.” Instead, he is proud of Jake for saying he wants to “find what’s me.” He doesn’t expect his son to be a perfect little clone of him whom he can mold to fit his own desires – he is proud of Jake for striving to be his own person.

It’s just. pretty cool.

"Nothing would please me more. You're always welcome, Doctor." Nothing would please you more??? NOTHING??? You are living in the fallout of a planet-wide nuclear apocalypse and you can't think of a single thing that would make you happier than seeing the same little twink you already spent 7 years pining over?????? Garak babygirl there is something genuinely fucking wrong with you

Garak in the doorway of the shed waiting for the Doctor

I'm not crying,you are

i think what bothers me about "garak would never allow himself to be happy" takes is they presume he has the strength of character to resist it. he absolutely cannot. he's nibbling on illegally imported chocolates all day even though he's gonna blow up his own shop later. julian looks into his eyes for three seconds and he crumbles. he does not have the ability to really push julian away and keep him there. it's like, one of the core things about his character and the way they interact. i don't even think he would wait for julian that long post canon before just going after him like he did in OMB. he's a fucking. puppy dog. he's been told he must deny himself and be a finely honed tool of the state and there is literally NOTHING he is worse at.

Garak giving julian the most intense and ominous blue eyes stare and customer service smile while theyre banging .came to me in a vision