Summary
I’ve never understood why people hateStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s brilliant Ferengi comedy episodes. Criticisms leveled atDS9’s Ferengi episodes over the years state that they’re too overtly comic or that characters like Quark (Armin Shimerman) or Rom (Max Grodénchik) don’t deserve the limelight. Interestingly,those same critics praise Nog (Aron Eisenberg) as the most interesting Ferengi, presumably because he made history as aStarfleet Academy cadet. If Nog’s Starfleet career makes him more important to these critics than Quark or Rom, then I wonder if they’ve missed the point ofDS9’s Ferengi episodes.
More than any other show in the franchise,Star Trek: Deep Space Nineopened up the universe by introducing characters who weren’t affiliated with Starfleet.DS9’s cast of characterswas specifically designed to bring Starfleet and non-Federation characters together.This made theStar Trekuniverse much richer, becauseDS9could tell stories 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.
Quark Actor Armin Shimerman’s Favorite DS9 Episode Has Nothing To Do With Star Trek’s Ferengi
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine has multiple classic Ferengi comedies, but Armin Shimerman’s favorite season 1 episode has nothing to do with Quark.
I’ve Always Loved Star Trek: DS9’s Ferengi Comedy Episodes
I loveStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Ferengi episodes because, as protagonists, Quark and Rom are in direct contrast to the stuffy professionalism of their Starfleet counterparts. For example, inDS9season 3, episode 16, “Prophet Motive”, Quark negotiates with the Bajoran Prophets to restore Grand Nagus Zek (Wallace Shawn) to his old self. Quark’s diplomacy 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 episodes provided a fresh spin on franchise tropes, because Quark is motivated by profit not progress. For example, an episode like “Rules of Acquisition” is essentially a traditionalStar Trekstory about first contact with a new alien race. And yet, the template is the same; Quark wants to gain an understanding of strange new worlds and civilizations. It’s just he wants that information to secure himself a profitable trade deal with the Dosi.
…episodes like “Little Green Men” and “The Magnificent Ferengi” are among some of the finest comedy episodes thatStar Trekever produced.
Quark’s bestDS9episodesall subvert classicStar Trektropes with hilarious results, which I admit may not be for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me. In my opinion, episodes like “Little Green Men” and “The Magnificent Ferengi” are among some of the finest comedy episodes thatStar Trekever produced. From the intricately structured comic scripts by writers like Ronald D. Moore and Ira Steven Behr, to the pitch-perfect performances of stars like Armin Shimerman, Max Grodénchik, Aron Eisenberg, and Wallace Shawn, I always know I’m in for a good time when I watch one ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Ferengi episodes.
10 Best Star Trek Comedy Episodes
While Star Trek has many serious and thought-provoking episodes, the franchise’s comedic moments are often its best and most highly praised.
Modern Star Trek can take itself too seriously.
without those Ferengi episodes,DS9could have become a relentless, grimdark slog.
I’m fully aware that there areStar Trek: Deep Space Ninefans who feel that the Ferengi episodes are a hurdle they have to jump. AsDS9ramps up theDominion War arcfrom season 4 onward, I can see how some fans feel that the Ferengi episodes are an irritating distraction. Quark and Rom embroiled in another caper with the Grand Nagus could feel frivolous when the Federation is facing the existential threat of the Dominion. However, without those Ferengi episodes,DS9could have become a relentless, grimdark slog.
…people had such an issue getting on board with the po-faced and desperately serious tone ofDiscoveryandPicardseasons 1 and 2, because there was no counter-balance.
ModernStar Trekcould learn a lot from the Ferengi episodes, as the shift to emulating prestige television has left little room for comedy.Star TrekTV shows were always able to balance light and dark over the course of 26 episodes a year. In the 2020s, with reduced episode counts, it often feels that shows likeStar Trek: DiscoveryandStar Trek: Picarddropped the “frivolous” comedy. I’d argue that this was why people had such an issue getting on board with the po-faced and desperately serious tone ofDiscoveryandPicardseasons 1 and 2, because there was no counter-balance.
Worse still,Star Trek’s funniest show,Star Trek: Lower Decksends with season 5later this year. Thankfully,Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas brought comedy back to the franchise in a big way, delivering some raucously funny hours of television since its premiere in 2022.SNWis definitely the successor toStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, seamlessly balancing comedy with darker action-packed episodes. However, I still feel like we need what Quark and the Ferengi brought, an alien species that provides a completely fresh and funny perspective on Starfleet’s mission.
