The House of Quark

DVD, DS9 S3 (The House of Quark)

The Defiant isn't mentioned or discussed which puts the damper on some people's assumption that the series was going to become a ship show. The effect of the Dominion has become more personal for those on DS9, and that's explored a little in this episode, which, although it could be called a comedy, has a very serious side to it. What was once an exciting and bustling place full of the opportunity of the Wormhole, is becoming a deserted and uncertain setting because of the new danger, families moving away, no longer enough children to constitute a school and leading Keiko to realise she has no real purpose any more. The Dominion can also be blamed for the events that precipitate Quark's Klingon adventure. If it hadn't been for the lack of customers the bartender wouldn't have worked himself up into a foul mood and made the mistake of speaking roughly to a Klingon! Not a mistake that most people would make easily.

Although much of Klingon culture had already been laid out in the films and 'TNG', 'DS9' was able to use all that as a base and have fun with it. One of my favourite ever lines is Gowron's mispronunciation of Quark's name ("Quirk?"), but although he's so much weaker and of lesser stature Quark proves that in their own field Ferengi are unbeatable. Another race reconciled - doesn't it bring on a warm glow inside? The two species are about as far from each other on the spectrum of alien races as can be - the Klingons, tall, violent and putting honour above all else; the Ferengi, short, cowardly and putting the pursuit of wealth above all else.

The skill of the writers shows through in how Quark's qualities are used in face of violence. In a way he's met an ideal opponent, one who has used cunning monetary tactics to bring down an enemy, which is exactly what Quark knows about. This is one of the early indications that he's less traditional than he'd like to think. Rom, too, is beginning his transition, from snarly, harsh and rough-edged subordinate, to cuddly, funny, even likeable brother. He demonstrates his lack of Ferengi-ness by reassuring Quark that there's more to life than money, a spur of the moment admission that could pass almost unnoticed if you didn't know the kind of person he becomes.

One scene inspired me to want to paint it, it was so well observed: Odo standing, arms folded, an erect pillar of calm in a sea of patrons at the bar, talking, laughing drinking, while he stands looking suspiciously at Quark who cowers a little in surprise and guilt. I could just see the great masters using such a scene in the past!

Although it's sad to lose Keiko for six months, would it be better if we as viewers were happy because Keiko was still around, or if she were happy, and not around so much, but a fulfilled character? As much as I would miss the homely nature of her appearances it did give O'Brien and Bashir a greater friendship - though they are good mates by now, Bashir is still surprised when O'Brien asks his opinion and he proves quite wise for a man of his years. Has he been replaced by a shapeshifter, can this really be the Doctor we know?

It was the first time the Klingon homeworld had been seen on 'DS9', and though there have been Klingon-themed episode before, most notably 'Blood Oath', 'The Three Musketeers' in Klingon guise, this is the first to do a more traditional tale, showing us the Great Hall of the High Council as seen in 'TNG' and showcasing some of the well-known phrases (such as 'beam me up' which Kirk used famously in 'Star Trek III'). Grilka was a brilliant character, and much more sympathetic than most Klingons, she had an innocent naivete about her, while retaining the bearing of a warrioress, proud and noble. Putting her with Quark works incredibly well, mostly because once he's recovered his composure he becomes the natural leader and is able to prove to at least one Klingon that Ferengi have more to them than meets the eye. There were a lot of great lines, Quark shows he can be a hero, and though he tries to be a respectable, greedy Ferengi, his values show through when he comes up with a plan and shows up to battle D'Ghor. A great ending that would be hard to beat (but was bettered) when the situation arose again...

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