a–case–of–you:

“He was my friend. But his Cardassia is dead and it won’t be coming back.

One of the reasons I love Damar so much, and Casey’s acting, is because Casey has this beautiful, subtle way of getting emotions across. He is so good at it and I’m honestly irritated that Damar is a character who seems to be overlooked often. He is a powerful, beautifully crafted, and beautifully preformed, character. 

In this scene, Damar has just killed his best friend because he was threatening to kill Garak and Kira. This was a very symbolic scene and another chance to showcase Damar’s change of attitude and the kinds of realizations he has come to. His character has made huge leaps in growth by now, but he is continuing to surprise us as he comes to terms with so many things–Cardassia’s past, and what he needs to do now, and how his very actions will greatly impact the future of his entire people. 

Rusot represented the old Cardassia and Rusot had shown time and time again during the Rebellion that he was truly not on board with doing what was best for Cardassia. So despite his friendship and loyalty, when it came down to choosing between his friend or doing the right thing for Cardassia’s future, Damar chose Cardassia. He chose Elim Garak a traitor and exile, and he chose Kira Nerys, a Bajoran resistance fighter, over a traditional Cardassian soldier who had been his long time friend… in just the same manner that the kind of prejudices and attitudes that Cardassian culture tend to perpetuate had been Damar’s long time-friend. 

Not only is the scene so powerful and important for these metaphors and Damar’s growth, but just the way in which Casey shows Damar’s emotions and delivers his lines are beautiful.

This photo is a look he trades with Kira after he has killed Rusot. They make eye contact and hold it for several moments. You can feel the strength of it. Damar has sighed, his eyes are wet, but he holds her gaze to convey a message to her and then he nods very subtly as though saying “Yes, I understand now” and she returns a similar gesture. These two people who could not have been more at odds with each other in the past, and from cultural perspectives, have come to a mutual understanding… and maybe even respect. I think Damar has discovered a respect for her in finding out how it is to fight for your people out from under the bootheel of oppression, and I think that Kira has learned to respect him too–yes, he is a Cardassian, but at this point Kira is a bigger person than that, and she seems to respect Damar’s growth and his dedication to fighting for freedom. 

Anyway, I wrote a novel. Thank you, blogger, for having this blog where we can appreciate a man who has given us such wonderful things. I hope the blog grows and more people can come to appreciate a talent that is truly special.”

Thank you for the submission, @guljerry.  This is an incredibly poignant moment for this character, and for the series as a whole.  I would say that the only moment that possibly eclipses it is when Damar learns of the death of his family.  The “casual brutality of it.”  The acting is so understated, but it’s not numb.  His eyes are absolutely alive with emotion.  It’s a very, very powerful performance.

“Who gives those kinds of orders?”

“Yeah, Damar.  Who gives those kinds of orders?”

I think that was not only one of the best acted scenes in Star Trek history, and a real turning point for the character, but also one of the most important.

Lest we forget.