DS9 – Rules of Acquisition

 Plot – ‘And once we get our foot in the door, they’ll never get it out’ – how smart was it to use something as innocuous as the Ferengi attempts to establish themselves in the Gamma Quadrant to introduce us to the biggest revelation about the new region of space that we will get. This is something that was suggested in the first season episode The Nagus and so the Dominion arc technically started about six episodes into the series. When Quark says he wants a piece of the Dominion, he should be careful what he wishes for.

Character – Whilst this episode concerns itself with the relationship between Quark and Pel, where it really wins is the relationship between Quark and Dax. It’s one of the unsung double acts of the show and it emerges here and runs right through until Tears of the Prophets. Quark is clearly hugely enamoured with Dax (who wouldn’t be?) and Dax admits freely that she hasn’t had more fun with a species than the Ferengi over the years. It’s a tight friendship the show dips into every now and again and it gives both characters a little extra depth for being there.

Another highlight is the emergence of Rom as a character who can step into the limelight and feature as prominently as Quark. That also starts here and continues from this point on. He loves his brother and he’s still trying to behave like a good, profit hungry Ferengi but realises that Pel is far better at attracting his brother’s attention and earning profit and it brings out the worst in him. Max Grodenchik seizes this material and runs with it. It’s clear to see why the writers started giving him more and more to do.

How like the Nagus to come up with a revolutionary scheme to kick start commerce opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant but to hand it Quark just in case anything goes wrong. That Nagus is a tricky one, but he knows how to line his pockets AND stay atop the Tower of Commerce.

Performance – Wallace Shawn gets one of his best moments in the post-credits scene with Sisko and Kira. He gets to be charming, devious, funny and totally outmanoeuvred by Sisko. His amused reaction to that is great. His attempts to woo Kira are hilarious, especially her deep embarrassment of the gifts and ass pinchings.

Pel is an interesting character and one that probably would have made more of an impact had she been played by a more theatrical actress. It’s quite a muted turn when a brilliant, insightful sort of character was needed (think Moogie). However, I really like the gender politics on display and how all of the various characters respond to Pel. Quark is very confused (especially because he thinks she is man initially), Dax is shocked (moreso that she is a woman than that she is in love with Quark in a brilliant scene that shows that LGBTQ rights have finally struck Star Trek), Rom is thrilled (because it means he can discredit her) and the Nagus is utterly appalled (he can barely look at her or Quark, being the representation of the stuffy old Ferengi ways). That one character can provoke all these reactions is great, I just wish the character herself has been a little more impressive.

Best moment – The episode literally opens with Morn asleep on the Promenade sleeping off a hangover. That’s why this is the most realistic of Trek shows.

The sequence where Quark discovers that Pel is a female and faints is a perfectly played moment of silent comedy.

The wittiest moment of the entire episode comes when Pel rips her ears off in front of the Nagus and the consequences be damned. It forces Quark to think fast and cut a deal with the Nagus for his silence but lose his profits at the same time. It’s the moment when you realise he has genuine feelings for Pel. For a Ferengi this is the ultimate sacrifice. The performances are on point and the dialogue is fast and funny.

I wish they hadn’t done that – How amusing that the old Let This Be Our Last Battlefield method of painting aliens’ faces is back in action. The Dozai are easily the least impressive looking aliens that ever turned up on DS9 but on the plus side it does make a change from the usual bumps on the forehead. They are insanely overacted in some very funny scenes. I happen to get a great deal of enjoyment from over the top performances in SF (I’m a Doctor Who fan first and foremost) and so this stuff is my meat and potatoes. However, I can see why Trek fans might be a little mortified by it. I rather like their centre of commerce though, with people being shot to death over deals and a huge vat of alcohol spewing forth like a waterfall to get everybody het up.

A reason to watch this episode again – Hardly a classic, but Rules of Acquisition has an engaging, light-hearted tone, some interesting things to say about Ferengi society, features Wallace Shawn at his most excited and is beautifully acted by all concerned. The script is the problem, which is trying very hard to be controversial (the whole Quark having feelings for a man element) but never has the nuts to go all the way with it and instead leans on high-jinks rather than biting commentary. The other problem is Pel herself who remains sweet and incisive throughout but never really convinces as a truly impressive Ferengi female. We need Moogie. If this episode had been really bold they would have made Pel a bloke and forced Quark to face the idea that he might be bisexual or had Pel make far more of a mark on Ferengi society as a female who is earning profit. Instead it all gets tucked away a little too neatly and the scene where Quark is beset with gay panic is played entirely for laughs (it’s the only scene in the whole piece that is difficult to watch). I like this a lot and it is an easy watch and it is being brought to life by the greatest ensemble cast we’ve ever seen so at the end of the day it is still a perfectly enjoyable piece, but I can’t help thinking it could have been more.

***1/2 out of *****