That first episode you're talking about is Vortex, and yes, it was heartbreaking. That last scene of Odo as they pull back from him and he talks about longing to find his home chokes me up every time. It's the first time we get to see that vulnerable side of him. I remember the first time I watched it, that was when I knew I loved Odo as a character. Before then, he came across as something of a jerk, but now we finally understood why.

At that time, none of us knew exactly what he thought he had lost. That's one of those episodes that is completely changed once you've managed to watch the rest of the series and know exactly who Tain is to Garak. It's not only an adult perspective, but I think also knowledge of the greater context that allows the shift in perception.

I'm glad it came across as realistic. With Garak I always feel like I'm treading such a thin line when it comes to his emotions. It's easy to go overboard. I owe a lot of my version of Garak to "A Stitch in Time". I just don't think I could've gotten enough of a handle on the internal Garak to feel comfortable trying to write him without that help.