Summary
I ’ve never understood why people hateStar Trek : Deep Space Nine ’s brilliant Ferengi drollery episodes . critique level atDS9 ’s Ferengi episodes over the years state that they ’re too overtly mirthful or that persona like Quark ( Armin Shimerman ) or Rom ( Max Grodénchik ) do n’t merit the limelight . Interestingly , those same critics praise Nog ( Aron Eisenberg ) as the most interesting Ferengi , presumptively because he made history as aStarfleet Academy cadet . If Nog ’s Starfleet calling makes him more crucial to these critic than Quark or Rom , then I wonder if they ’ve leave out the point ofDS9 ’s Ferengi episodes .
More than any other show in the enfranchisement , Star Trek : Deep Space Nineopened up the universe by introducing characters who were n’t affiliated with Starfleet . DS9 ’s mold of characterswas specifically design to add Starfleet and non - Federation character together . This made theStar Trekuniverse much deep , becauseDS9could tell story from outside the Starfleet perspective . I ’ve always found these episodes to be the most interesting ; whether they were about the dark past of Major Kira Nerys ( Nana Visitor ) or the comic capers of Quark and Rom .
Star Trek : Deep Space Nine has multiple classical Ferengi comedies , but Armin Shimerman ’s favorite season 1 installment has nothing to do with Quark .
Custom image by Mark Donaldson
I’ve Always Loved Star Trek: DS9’s Ferengi Comedy Episodes
I loveStar Trek : Deep Space Nine ’s Ferengi episode because , as admirer , Quark and Rom are in lineal contrast to the stuffy professionalism of their Starfleet counterparts . For example , inDS9season 3 , episode 16 , " Prophet Motive " , Quark negotiates with the Bajoran Prophets to furbish up Grand Nagus Zek ( Wallace Shawn ) to his old self . Quark ’s finesse in " Prophet Motive " puts Captain Jean - Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) to shame . Because Quark ’s morality may not match up with that of Starfleet and the Federation,“Prophet Motive " brilliantly subverts the tiredStar Trektrope of bargaining with godlike beings .
" Prophet Motive " was the first episode ofStar Trek : Deep Space Nineto be directed by Odo actor Rene Auberjonois .
After three decades , Star Trek : Deep Space Nine ’s Ferengi instalment provide a fresh spin on franchise tropes , because Quark is motivated by net income not move on . For instance , an sequence like " rule of Acquisition " is fundamentally a traditionalStar Trekstory about first contact with a new alien race . And yet , the templet is the same ; Quark require to gain an understanding of unknown novel worlds and civilization . It ’s just he want that selective information to secure himself a profitable trade lot with the Dosi .
… episodes like " Little Green Men " and " The Magnificent Ferengi " are among some of the fine drollery episode thatStar Trekever bring forth .
Quark ’s bestDS9episodesall subvert classicStar Trektropes with hilarious resultant role , which I admit may not be for everyone , but they ’ve always worked for me . In my opinion , sequence like " Little Green Men " and " The Magnificent Ferengi " are among some of the finest clowning episodes thatStar Trekever produced . From the intricately structure risible scripts by writer like Ronald D. Moore and Ira Steven Behr , to the sales pitch - perfect performances of wiz like Armin Shimerman , Max Grodénchik , Aron Eisenberg , and Wallace Shawn , I always know I ’m in for a skillful time when I look on one ofStar Trek : Deep Space Nine ’s Ferengi episodes .
While Star Trek has many serious and thought - provoking episodes , the franchise ’s comedic moment are often its best and most extremely praised .
Why Star Trek Needs More Comedy Like DS9’s Ferengi Episodes
Modern Star Trek can take itself too seriously.
without those Ferengi episode , DS9could have become a relentless , grimdark slog .
I ’m in full cognisant that there areStar Trek : Deep Space Ninefans who feel that the Ferengi instalment are a vault they have to jump . AsDS9ramps up theDominion War arcfrom time of year 4 onward , I can see how some fans feel that the Ferengi instalment are an irritating distraction . Quark and Rom drag in another job with the Grand Nagus could feel frivolous when the Federation is facing the experiential terror of the Dominion . However , without those Ferengi episode , DS9could have become a relentless , grimdark slog .
… people had such an issue getting on board with the Post Office - faced and urgently serious tone ofDiscoveryandPicardseasons 1 and 2 , because there was no heel counter - balance .
ModernStar Trekcould get a line a lot from the Ferengi installment , as the shimmy to emulating prestige tv set has leave petty room for funniness . champion TrekTV display were always able to balance light and morose over the course of 26 episode a yr . In the 2020s , with decreased episode counts , it often feel that shows likeStar Trek : DiscoveryandStar Trek : Picarddropped the " frivolous " comedy . I ’d argue that this was why people had such an progeny get on board with the po - faced and urgently serious tone ofDiscoveryandPicardseasons 1 and 2 , because there was no counter - Libra .
spoiled still , Star Trek ’s funniest show , Star Trek : Lower Decksends with season 5later this class . gratefully , Star Trek : Strange New Worldshas lend comedy back to the franchise in a big manner , delivering some raucously funny hours of television since its premiere in 2022.SNWis in spades the successor toStar Trek : Deep Space Nine , seamlessly balance comedy with dismal action - packed episodes . However , I still feel like we need what Quark and the Ferengi brought , an alien metal money that provide a altogether fresh and mirthful view on Starfleet ’s missionary post .
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