Prophet Motive

DVD, DS9 S3 (Prophet Motive)

Of all the characters populating DS9 Quark would seem the least likely to be the next person to speak with the Prophets inside the Wormhole. The Sisko taught them about time, talk and terrible grief, and Quark does some lecturing too, this time on a subject he knows well: greed and acquisition. The Prophets reveal that the Ferengi were once quite different to their current stereotype, valuing people over profit. It's telling that Rom exhibits some of the qualities he'd later be known for, adapting quickly and easily to these new ways of benevolence and generosity, even if he does siphon off some of Zek's personal wealth like a true Ferengi. I suspect he only did that to win his brother's approval. There must have been an element of excitement over being given so much power in the Nagus' name which encouraged him, but it's still evident that the spark of the 'new' Ferenginar was deep inside him, perhaps this experience fuelled it and brought it to the surface? An anti-Ferengi streak runs through the family since his wife left him (surely unheard of in their society) and his son wants to join Starfleet.

By Season 3 the annual visit of the Nagus had become a firm tradition. The repulsive Zek is scarier as his reverted, un-Ferengi self, all smiles and light. He appears to have the ability to accept any eventuality, even humming hilariously as Mai'hardu lugs him through the corridors of the station in a sack! Mai'hardu, like Morn was always one of those mysteries of the series - like Morn he never speaks, but whereas the Lurian barfly (seen briefly in a Prophet vision) is known as a chatterbox, Mai'hardu is sworn only to speak to his master. He gets his one moment of glory in this episode when he speaks onscreen for the one and only time. Technically it's a Prophet using his image in a vision, but I'm sure that didn't lessen the enormity of the moment for actor Tiny Ron. The Hupyrian gets more to do than usual since he's there to help Quark restore the Nagus, and he's always good value, bent double as he follows the troll-like Ferengi around, rolling his eyes, nodding and generally expressing as much facially as he can without uttering a word.

The secondary story of Bashir's nomination for an award isn't that exciting, but it does introduce the station world to the pleasures of darts. His secret powers show up again if you know what to look for - he tells O'Brien they've played 106 games of racquetball since Keiko left. Fortunately O'Brien doesn't notice his friends quick brain at work. The nominees include the first onscreen mention of the Andorian homeworld, Andoria thanks to Chirurgeon Ghee P'Trell, an extremely rare example of an Andorian name. Other references to continuity are Saurian brandy ('The Enemy Within'), Aldebaran whiskey ('Relics'), self-sealing stem bolts ('Progress'), an Orb of the Prophets, and some Ferengi customs (such as snorting beetle snuff - 'we might like it, but it's not very nice for the beetles!').

Nog is effectively written out by visiting his Grandmother on the homeworld, the second time she's been mentioned in the last few episodes. Did the writers anticipate a visit to see her at this time or were they merely having fun thinking about the extended Ferengi family? Quark's experiences in the Wormhole mirror those of Commander Sisko in the pilot episode, moments of his own life used as reference in which to communicate. This could be seen as a missed opportunity, it would have been nice to see baby Quark or flashes from his pre-DS9 times. Those included are the scene from 'The Search, part I' in which Sisko commands him in his office with the Nagus' cane, any time Jadzia's played tongo with him and some scenes from this episode such as the moment he and Rom are sitting in the window looking over the new Rules of Acquisition. Such attention to detail is commended.

This was Rene Auberjonois' first directing assignment on the series, following in the footsteps of co-star Avery Brooks, and he does a good job, though doesn't try anything too noticeable or outrageous. He gets to direct himself in only one scene, but I wonder how many takes it took with those tongue-twisting words (my friend's sister's cousin's friend... or whatever it was). If you know what's going on the episode does lose a little of its charm, but there's still much to enjoy and much to learn of the Ferengi. If anyone could talk the Prophets round with his own, personal brand of logic, it would be Quark. So far he's used his considerable vocal skills to convince a Vulcan and now the Prophets. There isn't much higher he could go!

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