1.11 — “The Nagus”
Plot: Quark’s Bar is graced with a visit from The Nagus, an eminent Ferengi, and his entourage. This visit presages the expansion of the Ferengi Empire into the Gamma Quadrant, and an unprecedented opportunity for Quark.
Thoughts: My heart sank when I saw this was going to be a Ferengi-centered episode, featuring a guest star who spends the episode talking in a funny voice. But it’s good! This is thanks mostly to the writing, but it doesn’t hurt that the funny-voiced guest star is Wallace Shawn (“Inconceivable!” a.k.a. Vicini, from The Princess Bride).
“The First Rule of Acquisition”–snort! For the archives, it is “Once you have their money, you never give it back.”
The puns made on the Ferengis’ ears are funny, as are the several homages to The Godfather. I like the makeup department’s work in creating to look of the “old” Nagus. I am impressed with the range of Ferengi costumes created for this episode, which reminds me of all the Klingon costumes created for the “Sins of the Father” arc.
Another funny: “You see, when a Ferengi of my father’s stature dies, the body is automatically vacuum-desiccated and sold as a prized collectible.“ Ha ha!
Rom’s betrayal of Quark is, of course, tipped by Rule of Acquisition Six: “Never let family stand in the way of opportunity.”
The B-story involving Jake, Nog, and Sisko gives the episode necessary weight. I actually want to see where future Ferengi episodes are heading now. I can’t believe it. Keep bringing it, DS9.
4 out of 5 vacuum-desiccated collectibles.
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