Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
 
(152 intermediate revisions by 37 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{realworld}}
+
{{real world}}
{{sidebar episode|
+
{{sidebar episode
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
+
|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
| aSelf = The Nagus
+
|image = Quark tells Odo to kiss it.jpg
| sTitle = The Nagus
+
|teleplay = [[Ira Steven Behr]]
| sSeries = DS9
+
|story = [[David Livingston]]
| nSeason = 1
+
|director = [[David Livingston]]
| nEpisode = 11
+
|date = ''Unknown'' ([[2369]])
|sProductionSerialNumber = 40511-411
 
| nAirdateYear = 1993
 
| sAirdateMonth = March
 
| nAirdateDay = 21
 
| sImage = Quark tells Odo to kiss it.jpg
 
| wsWrittenBy =
 
| wsTeleplayBy = [[Ira Steven Behr]]
 
| wsStoryBy = [[David Livingston]]
 
| wsDirectedBy = [[David Livingston]]
 
| nNthProducedInSeries = 10
 
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 10
 
| nNthReleasedInAll = 260
 
| bFeatureLength = 0
 
| nSerialAirdate = 19930321
 
| wsDate = ''Unknown'' ([[2369]])
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = Starship Mine (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = Move Along Home (episode)
 
| aNextReleasedInSeries = Vortex (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInSeries = Move Along Home (episode)
 
| aNextProducedInSeries = Vortex (episode)
 
| aPrevProducedInSeries = Move Along Home (episode)
 
|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Vortex (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = Move Along Home (episode)
 
 
}}
 
}}
:''For the position, see [[Grand Nagus]].''
+
{{disambiguation|rd=The Nagus|the position|Grand Nagus}}
 
 
With the sudden death of Grand Nagus Zek, Quark becomes the new leader of the Ferengi Alliance, but he also becomes a target for murder.
 
With the sudden death of Grand Nagus Zek, Quark becomes the new leader of the Ferengi Alliance, but he also becomes a target for murder.
   
 
==Summary==
 
==Summary==
An [[airlock]] door opens, and a [[Ferengi]], [[Krax]], steps out and looks around carefully. Once satisfied, he gestures, and a hunched-over figure, [[Zek]], emerges leaning on a taller humanoid, [[Maihar'du]]. In his other hand, he clutches a [[Grand Nagus' staff|staff with a golden Ferengi head]].
+
An [[airlock]] door opens, and a [[Ferengi]], [[Krax]], steps out and looks around carefully. Once satisfied, he gestures, and a hunched-over obscured figure, [[Zek]], emerges leaning on a taller humanoid, [[Maihar'du]]. In his other hand, he clutches a [[Grand Nagus' staff|staff with a golden Ferengi head]].
   
In [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko|Sisko]]'s [[crew quarters|quarters]], [[Jake Sisko|Jake]] is getting ready for [[school]] when his father enters. Sisko informs his son that they're going to [[Bajor]] for the [[Bajoran Gratitude Festival|Gratitude Festival]]. After the festival, Sisko suggests visiting the [[Fire Caves|Fire Caverns]] that Jake had wanted to see. They'll be leaving at the end of that day's school day and going for three days. Jake asks if he has to go because he and [[Nog]] have plans for the next day.
+
In [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko|Sisko]]'s [[crew quarters|quarters]], [[Jake Sisko|Jake]] is getting ready for [[school]] gathering his many [[PADD]]s when his father enters. Sisko informs his son that they're going to [[Bajor]] for the [[Bajoran Gratitude Festival|Gratitude Festival]]. After the festival, Sisko suggests visiting the [[Fire Caves|Fire Caverns]] that Jake had wanted to see. They'll be leaving at the end of that day's school day and going for three days. Jake asks if he has to go because he and [[Nog]] have plans for the next day.
   
In [[Quark's|his bar]], [[Quark]] is dealing with a customer and sends her on her way. When she is gone, he grabs [[Rom]] by the [[lobes]] and questions him as to why he had returned her purse against the [[Rules of Acquisition|First Rule of Acquisition]] and insists that Rom polish every rail in the bar that night. Rom runs off to find Nog, who is building a tower out of [[PADD]]s and knocks them over accidentally when his father arrives. Rom insists that Nog polish all of the rails in the bar that night. Nog sighs and heads off to school.
+
In [[Quark's|his bar]], [[Quark]] is dealing with a customer and sends her on her way. When she is gone, he grabs [[Rom]] by the [[lobes]] and questions him as to why he had returned her purse against the [[Rules of Acquisition|First Rule of Acquisition]] and insists that Rom polish every rail in the bar that night. Rom runs off to find Nog, who is building a tower out of PADDs and knocks them over accidentally when his father arrives. Rom insists that Nog polish all of the rails in the bar that night. Nog sighs and heads off to school.
   
Meanwhile, Quark is telling [[Morn]] and some other customers a joke about an [[Andorian]] and someone's wife. Just after the finish of the joke, Krax, Zek, and Maihar'du enter the bar looking for Quark. Krax then introduces his father, Zek, as the [[Grand Nagus]]. Quark and Rom move to kiss Zek's staff and ask if they're visiting on business or pleasure, and of course, to a Ferengi, there is no difference between the two. Krax demands the use of a [[holosuite]] from Quark for his father and takes Quark's favourite five for use.
+
Meanwhile, Quark is telling [[Morn]] and some other customers a joke about an [[Andorian]] and someone's wife. Just after the finish of the joke, Krax, Zek, and Maihar'du enter the bar looking for Quark. Krax then introduces his father, Zek, as the [[Grand Nagus]]. Quark and Rom move to kiss Zek's staff and ask if they're visiting on business or pleasure, and of course, to a Ferengi, there is no difference between the two. Krax demands the use of a [[holosuite]] from Quark for his father and takes Quark's five favorite programs for use there.
   
 
===Act One===
 
===Act One===
In the classroom at the school, the students are all sitting around talking loudly with no sign of their teacher, [[Keiko O'Brien]], in sight. Her husband, [[Miles O'Brien]], rushes in as their [[substitute teacher]], but only for another two weeks before Keiko is due to return from [[Earth]]. The older students had a [[homework]] assignment to write an essay on ethics. Nog is chosen to present his first, but claims that his PADD had been stolen by some [[Vulcan]]s in Quark's. He gets Jake to corroborate his story, and O'Brien lets Nog hand in his essay the following day.
+
In the [[classroom]] at the school, the students are all sitting around talking loudly with no sign of their teacher, [[Keiko O'Brien]], in sight. Her husband, [[Miles O'Brien|Miles]], rushes in as their [[substitute teacher]], but only for another two weeks before Keiko is due to return from [[Earth]]. The older students had a [[homework]] assignment to write an essay on [[ethics]]. Nog is chosen to present his first, but claims that his PADD had been stolen by some [[Vulcan]]s in Quark's. He gets Jake to corroborate his story, and O'Brien lets Nog hand in his essay the following day.
 
In Quark's, he and Krax watch the holosuites and Quark wonders how much longer the Grand Nagus would be. Quark suggests they should check on [[Zek]] in case he has somehow injured himself, but [[Krax]] strongly disagrees, as Zek left orders not to be disturbed. Quark wanders down the bar to where Rom is standing, thrilled to have the Grand Nagus there, but Quark points out that Zek is likely there to purchase the bar for a price far lower than it is worth. Meanwhile, Zek has emerged from his holosuite, and proclaims it to have been a "good program". Quark offers up Rom's quarters for the Nagus' use while he is at the station and then invites him to dinner... at the Nagus' request.
 
   
 
In Quark's, Quark and Krax watch the holosuites and Quark wonders how much longer the Grand Nagus would be. Quark suggests they should check on Zek in case he has somehow injured himself, but Krax strongly disagrees, as Zek left orders not to be disturbed. Quark wanders down the bar to where Rom is standing, thrilled to have the Grand Nagus there, but Quark points out that Zek is likely there to purchase the bar for a price far lower than it is worth. Meanwhile, Zek has emerged from his holosuite, and proclaims it to have been a "good program". Quark offers up Rom's quarters for the Nagus' use while he is at the station and then invites him to dinner&hellip; at the Nagus' request.
Sisko approaches O'Brien and asks how school is. The chief mentions that he can't wait for [[Keiko O'Brien|Keiko]] to get back. O'Brien suggests that Sisko find another friend for Jake, one besides Nog, who seems trouble. Sisko appreciates the advice, but points out that if it came to a choice, he would lose, and that O'Brien will understand in another 11 years.
 
   
 
Sisko approaches O'Brien and asks how school is. The chief mentions that he can't wait for Keiko to get back. O'Brien suggests that Sisko find another friend for Jake, one besides Nog, who seems to be a bad influence. Sisko appreciates the advice, but points out that if Jake were forced to choose between his friend and his father, he likely would choose his friend. When O'Brien expresses doubt at this, Sisko suggests that O'Brien will understand in another eleven years, when O'Brien's [[Molly O'Brien|own daughter]] will be Jake's age (14).
At dinner, Zek enjoys the tube grubs, and informs Quark that his cousin [[Barbo]] has been released from the [[Tarahongian|Tarahong Detention Center]] and that Zek is quite impressed with their sale of defective [[warp core]]s to the Tarahong government, and brings up how Quark had left Barbo to "rot behind bars while Quark kept all the profits..." to which Quark quotes the Sixth Rule of Acquisition. Zek compliments Quark on his brilliance at opening a bar so close to a [[Bajoran wormhole|stable wormhole]]. Nog brings over a tray of instruments, and Zek chooses one to pick his teeth with. Nog asks if he could go to do his homework, to which Krax points out to his father's disappointment that a "hew-mon fee-male" is teaching at a [[Federation]] school, and Rom tells his son that he will not be attending school anymore. Zek tells Quark that he needs his bar... and his services to host a Ferengi conference to discuss business in the [[Gamma Quadrant]].
 
   
 
At dinner, Zek enjoys the [[tube grub]]s, and informs Quark that his cousin [[Barbo]] has been released from the [[Tarahong detention center]] and that Zek is quite impressed with their sale of defective [[warp core]]s to the [[Tarahong government]]. Zek also brings up how Quark had left Barbo to "rot behind bars while Quark kept all the profits&hellip;" to which Quark quotes the Sixth Rule of Acquisition. Zek compliments Quark on his brilliance at opening a bar so close to a [[Bajoran wormhole|stable wormhole]]. Nog brings over a tray of instruments, and Zek chooses one to pick his teeth with. Nog asks if he could go to do his homework, to which Krax points out to his father's disappointment that a "hew-mon fee-male" is teaching at a [[Federation]] school on the station, and Rom tells his son that he will not be attending school anymore. Zek tells Quark that he needs his bar&hellip; and his services to host a Ferengi conference to discuss business in the [[Gamma Quadrant]].
   
 
===Act Two===
 
===Act Two===
 
Meanwhile, in [[operations center|Ops]], [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] informs Sisko that the Ferengi ship ''[[Sepulo]]'' is docking at bay five, the [[Ferengi ship 003|third Ferengi ship]] in the last eighteen hours. [[Jadzia Dax|Dax]] suggests that it might be Quark's [[birthday]]. Sisko contacts [[Odo]] to ensure that the situation will be looked after.
In school the next morning, Jake notices Nog's empty chair, and it distracts him from class.
 
   
  +
[[File:Ferengi conference on DS9 in 2369.jpg|thumb|Zek convenes a conference on business opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant]]
Meanwhile, in [[operations center|Ops]], [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] informs Sisko that the Ferengi ship ''[[Sepulo]]'' is docking, the third Ferengi ship in the last 18 hours. [[Jadzia Dax|Dax]] suggests that it might be Quark's [[birthday]]. Sisko contacts Odo to ensure that the situation will be looked after.
 
 
In Quark's, none of the regular patrons are around, and the [[dabo]] tables have been replaced with a large conference table. Krax informs Quark that the seating had to be changed to separate rivals [[Turot]] and [[Hoex]]. Meanwhile, [[Morn]] arrives at the bar, and Quark sends him away since the bar is closed for the impending conference. {{dis|Gral|Ferengi}}, one of the other Ferengi, threatens to leave when the Grand Nagus enters, supported by Maihar'du. Rom and Nog leave, but Zek tells Quark to stay.
   
 
Out on the [[Promenade]], Jake runs into Nog, who is quite firm in his belief that he did not belong in the school and that school is a waste of time for a Ferengi because there is no profit in it. Nog stomps away after calling Jake a "stupid hew-mon".
In Quark's, none of the regular patrons are around, and the [[Dabo]] tables have been replaced with a large conference table. Krax informs Quark that the seating had to be changed to separate rivals [[Turot]] and [[Hoex]]. Meanwhile, [[Morn]] arrives at the bar, so Quark sends him away since the bar is closed for the impending conference. [[Gral (Ferengi)|Gral]], one of the other Ferengi threatens to leave when the Grand Nagus enters, supported by Maihar'du. Rom and Nog left, but Zek tells Quark to stay.
 
   
 
Back in Quark's, Zek salutes [[Nava]] for taking over the [[arcybite]] mining refineries in the [[Clarius system]]. However, he points out that the reputation of the Ferengi is making it more and more difficult to do business in the [[Alpha Quadrant]], and that in the Gamma Quadrant, their word could be their bond&hellip; until they chose to break it. Zek declines to lead the venture, claiming that he is "just not as greedy as [he] used to be"&mdash;and informs the group that the new Grand Nagus is Quark. The other Ferengi complain loudly and storm out of the bar, while Zek congratulates Quark on his new job, commenting that he is sure he will do great. Quark laughs in disbelief.
Out on the [[promenade]], Jake runs into Nog, who is quite firm in his belief that he did not belong in the school and that school is a waste of time for a Ferengi because there is no profit in it. Nog stomps away after calling Jake a "stupid hew-mon".
 
 
Back in Quark's, Zek salutes [[Nava]] for taking over the [[Arcybite]] mining refineries in the [[Clarius system]]. However, he points out that the reputation of the Ferengi is making it more and more difficult to do business in the [[Alpha Quadrant]], and that in the Gamma Quadrant, their word could be their bond... until they chose to break it. Zek declines to lead the venture, claiming that he is "just not as greedy as [he] used to be" and informs the group that the new Grand Nagus is Quark. The other Ferengi complain loudly and storm out of the bar, while Zek congratulates Quark on his new job.
 
   
 
===Act Three===
 
===Act Three===
[[File:The_Nagus_Panorama.png|thumb|182px|Nog and Jake at the railing]]
+
[[File:Nog and Jake hanging out.png|thumb|182px|Nog and Jake at the railing]]
 
At breakfast in their quarters, Sisko and Jake discuss Nog being pulled out of school over their [[oatmeal]]. Jake points out that Nog can't even read and that school wasn't going to be as much fun. To Sisko's comment that they could still get together after school, Jake expresses his worry that Nog no longer wants to be friends because Ferengi and Humans don't get along. Sisko agrees, noting that Human and Ferengi values are very different, and suggests playing some [[baseball]] after school, but Jake insists that he has something else to do.
 
At breakfast in their quarters, Sisko and Jake discuss Nog being pulled out of school over their [[oatmeal]]. Jake points out that Nog can't even read and that school wasn't going to be as much fun. To Sisko's comment that they could still get together after school, Jake expresses his worry that Nog no longer wants to be friends because Ferengi and Humans don't get along. Sisko agrees, noting that Human and Ferengi values are very different, and suggests playing some [[baseball]] after school, but Jake insists that he has something else to do.
   
On the promenade, Grand Nagus Quark and his brother are walking along when Gral approaches Quark and formally introduces himself as Quark's "new best friend," but in ominous tones. Gral suggests that he will protect Quark if Quark would be grateful enough to allow Gral his pick of the more profitable opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant, and threatens Quark if he turns down the offer.
+
On the Promenade, Grand Nagus Quark and his brother are walking along when Gral approaches Quark and formally introduces himself as Quark's "new best friend," but in ominous tones. Gral suggests that he will protect Quark if Quark would be grateful enough to allow Gral his pick of the more profitable opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant. Though Gral is outwardly polite and respectful, his demeanor suggests to Quark it is more like a threat than an offer.
   
In Rom's quarters, Zek is trying to figure out where to take his retirement, either [[Risa]] or [[Balosnee VI]]. Quark burst in and asked Zek what he should do since Gral just threatened his life. Zek points out that more threats would follow, and that to survive, Quark must surround himself with loyal men, but none too loyal, and that he should be ruthless. Then, without warning, Zek's head slumps onto his chest. Maihar'du checks him, but he is already dead.
+
In Rom's quarters, Zek is trying to figure out where to take his retirement, either [[Risa]] or [[Balosnee VI]], as he hasn't taken a vacation in [[2284|eighty-five years]]. Quark bursts in and asks Zek what he should do since Gral just seemed to threaten his life. Zek points out that more threats would follow, and that to survive, Quark must surround himself with loyal men, but none too loyal, and that he should be ruthless. Then, without warning, Zek's head slumps onto his chest. Maihar'du checks him, but he is already dead.
   
Later on, at the [[funeral]] in Quark's, Krax is selling small discs with powder, Zek's [[Ferengi death ritual|vacuum desiccated remains]], each for 20 bars of [[latinum]]. Quark asks Rom to be his [[bodyguard]], because Rom is his closest associate, friend, and brother. Rom expresses his dismay, hoping that he could take over the bar. Quark bursts into laughter at this, until interrupted by Odo, who has questions to ask. Krax explains that his father died from "''a massive infection of the tympanic membrane &ndash; a chronic condition''." Odo wants to have [[Doctor]] [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] examine the body, but of course, the body has already been vacuum desiccated for sale.
+
Later on, at a private [[funeral service]] held at Quark's, Krax is selling small discs with powder, Zek's [[Ferengi death ritual|vacuum desiccated remains]], each for twenty bars of [[latinum]]. Quark asks Rom to be his [[bodyguard]], because Rom is his closest associate, friend, and brother. Rom expresses his dismay, hoping that he could take over the bar. Quark bursts into laughter at this, until interrupted by Odo, who has questions to ask. Krax explains that his father died from "''a massive infection of the tympanic membrane &ndash; a chronic condition''." Odo wants to have [[Doctor]] [[Julian Bashir|Bashir]] examine the body, but of course, the body has already been vacuum desiccated for sale.
   
Out on the promenade, Jake and Nog are sitting by their usual railing, but neither says a word. They both try to speak for a moment before the silence descends again. Jake suggests that Humans and Ferengi don't have much to talk about, but notes that they always had stuff to talk about previously. They agree to continue to be friends, despite the fact that it won't please either of their fathers.
+
Out on the Promenade, Jake and Nog are sitting by their usual railing, but neither says a word. They both try to speak for a moment before the silence descends again. Jake suggests that Humans and Ferengi don't have much to talk about, but notes that they always had stuff to talk about previously. They agree to continue to be friends, despite the fact that it won't please either of their fathers.
   
The funeral continues in Quark's where Odo questions Quark about his new status. Quark offers his staff to be kissed by Odo, who grunts at it before leaving. A coin rolls across the floor and Quark steps on it, glancing around to ensure that nobody is watching him, bends over to pick it up, when something zips by overhead and explods against the wall behind him.
+
The funeral continues in Quark's, where Odo questions Quark about his new status. Quark offers his staff to be kissed by Odo, who grunts at it before leaving. A coin rolls across the floor and Quark steps on it, glancing around to ensure that nobody is watching him, bends over to pick it up, when something zips by overhead and explodes against the wall behind him &ndash; an obvious assassination attempt.
   
 
===Act Four===
 
===Act Four===
In Quark's, O'Brien, Odo, and Sisko investigate the explosion and O'Brien points out traces of [[argine]] and [[sorium]], a sign of a Ferengi explosive. He notes that it appears to be a [[locator bomb|Ferengi locator bomb]] designed to lock onto a [[pheromonic sensor|target's body odor]]. If Quark hadn't bent over at the last minute, he would be fried.
+
In Quark's, O'Brien, Odo, and Sisko investigate the explosion and O'Brien points out traces of [[argine]] and [[sorium]], a sign of a Ferengi explosive. He notes that it appears to be a Ferengi [[locator bomb]] designed to lock onto a [[pheromonic sensor|target's body odor]]. If Quark hadn't bent over at the last minute, he would have been fried.
   
Outside the Bar, Bashir informs Sisko that Quark is ok, but a bit shaken up. As they head to the [[infirmary]], Sisko spots his son and Nog laughing together.
+
Outside the bar, Bashir informs Sisko that Quark is fine, but a bit shaken up. As they head to the [[infirmary]], Sisko spots his son and Nog running along the upper level and laughing together.
   
In the infirmary, Odo questions Quark, who tries to hide his fear behind his position as Grand Nagus. Sisko informs Quark that the next time he mightn't be so lucky, but Quark blows off his concern, although admitting that Krax would benefit most from his death. Rom brings up Gral's threat, but Quark notes that both could not have set off the explosive, both being at the funeral along with all of the other Ferengi. Odo notes that Maihar'du is absent and recalls the devotion of [[Hupyrian|his species]] to their employers.
+
In the infirmary, Odo questions Quark, who tries to hide his fear behind his position as Grand Nagus. Sisko informs Quark that the next time he might not be so lucky, but Quark blows off his concern, although admitting that Krax would benefit most from his death. Rom brings up Gral's threat, but Quark notes that neither could have set off the explosive, both being at the funeral along with all of the other Ferengi. Odo notes that Maihar'du is absent and recalls the devotion of [[Hupyrian|his species]] to their employers.
   
 
Back in Sisko's quarters, Jake is preparing to leave for school when Sisko questions him on his whereabouts the previous night, as he returned home after midnight. Jake responds that he was with Nog, not doing anything wrong, but that it's private. Sisko tells Jake that he wants him home in time for dinner.
 
Back in Sisko's quarters, Jake is preparing to leave for school when Sisko questions him on his whereabouts the previous night, as he returned home after midnight. Jake responds that he was with Nog, not doing anything wrong, but that it's private. Sisko tells Jake that he wants him home in time for dinner.
   
In Quark's quarters, [[Nava]] is telling Quark that he wishes to find profit in a new field, introducing [[synthehol]] to the Gamma Quadrant. Quark points out that Nava was not pleased on Quark's ascension, nor did he congratulate him at the time, but wants this opportunity. Nava suggests a 50-50 split on the profits, so Quark grants him the opportunity. Quark, tired after all of his work, heads to his bar to count the day's take and left Krax and Rom behind. They note that he is going to become very popular with the way he is handing out such good opportunities, so they need a new plan to kill him, one that could not fail.
+
In Quark's quarters, [[Nava]] is telling Quark that he wishes to find profit in a new field, introducing [[synthehol]] to the Gamma Quadrant. Quark points out that Nava was not pleased on Quark's ascension, nor did he congratulate him at the time, but wants this opportunity. Nava suggests a fifty-fifty split on the profits, so Quark grants him the opportunity. Quark, tired after all of his work, heads to his bar to count the day's take and leaves Krax and Rom behind. They note that he is going to become very popular with the way he is handing out such good opportunities, so they need a new plan to kill him, one that could not fail.
   
 
===Act Five===
 
===Act Five===
 
Sisko sits alone in his quarters at the dinner table, dinner for two cooling. Dax enters and mentions that she was going to inquire as to whether he would be interested in a round of [[Jokarian chess]], but that Sisko is obviously otherwise occupied with his dinner of [[aubergine stew]]. Sisko says that he has been waiting for half an hour for Jake, but that he hadn't made an appearance as yet since he was with Nog. Dax suggests that he have a talk with Jake to set boundaries, having "been a mother three times and a father twice," but notes that she was not particularly successful with any of them. Sisko decides to go find Jake and bring him home to eat and finds out from the [[computer]] that he's in one of the [[cargo bay]]s. He thanks Dax and heads out while Dax takes a plate of the stew to eat.
 
Sisko sits alone in his quarters at the dinner table, dinner for two cooling. Dax enters and mentions that she was going to inquire as to whether he would be interested in a round of [[Jokarian chess]], but that Sisko is obviously otherwise occupied with his dinner of [[aubergine stew]]. Sisko says that he has been waiting for half an hour for Jake, but that he hadn't made an appearance as yet since he was with Nog. Dax suggests that he have a talk with Jake to set boundaries, having "been a mother three times and a father twice," but notes that she was not particularly successful with any of them. Sisko decides to go find Jake and bring him home to eat and finds out from the [[computer]] that he's in one of the [[cargo bay]]s. He thanks Dax and heads out while Dax takes a plate of the stew to eat.
   
Sisko heads to the cargo bay, not stopping by anything. In the poorly-lit cargo bay, he hears Nog and Jake's voices from ahead, and quietly makes his way through the stored materials. When he sees Jake and Nog, he stops and watches as Jake teaches Nog to read from a PADD. Sisko watches the two quietly.
+
Sisko heads to the cargo bay, not stopping by anything. In the poorly-lit cargo bay, he hears Nog and Jake's voices from ahead, and quietly makes his way through the stored materials. When he sees Jake and Nog, he stops and watches as Jake teaches Nog to read from a PADD. Sisko watches the two quietly, before leaving unnoticed.
   
In Quark's quarters, Rom is helping Quark finish dressing, but seems distracted. Quark says that he is looking forward to traveling through the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant to [[Stakoron II]] to negotiate for [[mizinite|mizinite ore]], negotiations that Zek had previously started, despite Quark not knowing about Zek's prior visit. Rom comments upon Quark having so much and he so little, and that maybe Quark could let him have the bar, but Quark states that's how things are meant to be. Quark and Rom head out and met up with Krax. Quark suggests bringing a [[Dabo girl]] along for the appearance, but Krax compliments Quark by pointing out that he is so imposing he won't need one.
+
In Quark's quarters, Rom is helping Quark finish dressing, but seems distracted. Quark says that he is looking forward to traveling through the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant to [[Stakoron II]] to negotiate for [[miszinite]] [[ore]], negotiations that Zek had previously started, despite Quark not knowing about Zek's prior visit. Rom comments upon Quark having so much and he so little, and that maybe Quark could let him have the bar, but Quark states that's how things are meant to be. Quark and Rom head out and met up with Krax. Quark suggests bringing a [[dabo girl]] along for the appearance, but Krax compliments Quark by pointing out that he is so imposing he won't need one.
   
  +
[[File:Zek saves Quark.jpg|thumb|"''Release him!''"]]
As they arrive at the airlock for the Ferengi ship, Krax steps aside and lets Quark make a regal entrance into the airlock, only to find that there's no ship, only space through the window, and that the airlock door is sliding shut behind him with Rom and Krax on the other side. He begins to panic, but this only makes Krax smile as he indicates that Quark has been voted out of the office of Grand Nagus. Rom also seems to be quite ready to open the airlock and rename the bar to Rom's, saying it's a nice name for a bar. Just as they are about to release the outer airlock door, a voice from down the corridor says, "''Release him.''" It is Zek, still alive, standing there with Mairhar'du and Odo. Both Krax and Rom are stunned, and Odo lets Quark out of the airlock. Zek explains that he had entered a [[Dolbargy sleeping trance]] taught to him by Maihar'du to test Krax and see if he were a worthy successor. However, despite the attempt by Krax to grab power, he is disappointed because "''you don't grab power. You accumulate it, quietly, without anyone noticing.''" and that Quark's was the key and a prime location to quietly gather information on the Gamma Quadrant from those who passed through.
 
  +
As they arrive at the airlock for the Ferengi ship, Krax steps aside and lets Quark make a regal entrance into the airlock, only to find that there's no ship, only space through the window, and that the airlock door is sliding shut behind him with Rom and Krax on the other side. He begins to panic, but this only makes Krax smile as he indicates that Quark has been "''voted out''" of the office of Grand Nagus. Rom also seems to be quite ready to open the airlock and rename the bar to Rom's, saying it's a nice name for a bar.
  +
 
Just as they are about to release the outer airlock door (Rom had in fact paused briefly), a voice from down the corridor says, "''Release him.''" It is Zek, still alive, standing there with Mairhar'du and Odo. Both Krax and Rom are stunned, and Odo lets Quark out of the airlock. Zek explains that he had entered a [[Dolbargy sleeping trance]] taught to him by Maihar'du to test Krax and see if he would be a worthy successor. However, despite the attempt by Krax to grab power, he is disappointed because "''you don't grab power. You accumulate it, quietly, without anyone noticing.''" and that Quark's was the key and a prime location to quietly gather information on the Gamma Quadrant from those who passed through.
   
 
Back in the bar, Quark returns Zek's staff, and Zek comments that he had been looking forward to retirement, and before leaving jokes that he might return and buy the bar next time he passes through. Quark catches up with Rom and says that he was pleased with Rom's show of treachery and makes him the [[Assistant Manager for Policy and Clientele]], a position he'd just made up.
 
Back in the bar, Quark returns Zek's staff, and Zek comments that he had been looking forward to retirement, and before leaving jokes that he might return and buy the bar next time he passes through. Quark catches up with Rom and says that he was pleased with Rom's show of treachery and makes him the [[Assistant Manager for Policy and Clientele]], a position he'd just made up.
Line 103: Line 80:
 
Out on the Promenade, Jake and Nog agree to meet up again at the end of Jake's next school day. Sisko steps out of the [[Replimat]] and calls Jake over to give him a hug and a kiss on the head before sending him off to spend time with Nog.
 
Out on the Promenade, Jake and Nog agree to meet up again at the end of Jake's next school day. Sisko steps out of the [[Replimat]] and calls Jake over to give him a hug and a kiss on the head before sending him off to spend time with Nog.
   
 
==Memorable quotes==
===Teaser===
 
==Memorable Quotes==
 
 
"''Tell me, is the Grand Nagus here on business or pleasure?''"<br />
 
"''Tell me, is the Grand Nagus here on business or pleasure?''"<br />
 
"''Is there a difference?''"<br />
 
"''Is there a difference?''"<br />
Line 111: Line 87:
   
   
"''Hold on... you're saying Vulcans stole your homework?''"<br />
+
"''Hold on&hellip; you're saying Vulcans stole your homework?''"<br />
 
"''Yes, sir.''"<br />
 
"''Yes, sir.''"<br />
 
"''Any idea why?''"<br />
 
"''Any idea why?''"<br />
 
"''Because they don't have ethics?''"
 
"''Because they don't have ethics?''"
: - '''Nog''' telling '''O'Brien''' what happened to his essay on ethics
+
: - '''Nog''', telling '''O'Brien''' what happened to his essay on ethics
   
   
 
"''My father requires rest!''"<br />
 
"''My father requires rest!''"<br />
"''Please feel free to use my own... brother's quarters for as long as you're with us.''"
+
"''Please feel free to use my own&hellip; brother's quarters for as long as you're with us.''"
 
: - '''Krax''' and '''Quark'''
 
: - '''Krax''' and '''Quark'''
   
Line 127: Line 103:
   
   
  +
"''There's a Federation school here. Run by a Human. A female.''"<br />
"''But, I thought since you were so busy being Grand Nagus, I could take over running the bar!''"<br />
 
  +
"''And you allow your son to attend such a place.''"<br />
"'' (Bursts into laughter) You running my bar?! (Continues laughing)<br />
 
  +
(to Nog) "''Nog, I never want you to step foot in there again! Now go to your room! And no studying!''" (to Zek) "''My apologies, Nagus. It's those Federation do-gooders, always sticking their ugly noses in other people's business.''"<br />
Rom runs away, embarrassed
 
  +
"''Most distressing.''"<br />
:- '''Rom''' and '''Quark''', discussing future of Quark's Bar
 
  +
"''Yes, Nagus. Most distressing. Yes, yes.''"
  +
: - '''Krax''', '''Zek''', and '''Rom'''
   
   
"''Now go to your room! And no studying!''"
+
"''Now look here, Quark &ndash;''"<br />
: - '''Rom''' to Nog, forbidding him to go to school
 
 
 
"''Now look here, Quark-''"<br />
 
 
"''Ah ah ah! Grand Nagus Quark.''"
 
"''Ah ah ah! Grand Nagus Quark.''"
 
: - '''Sisko''' and '''Rom'''
 
: - '''Sisko''' and '''Rom'''
Line 159: Line 133:
 
"''Forgive me, brother.''"<br />
 
"''Forgive me, brother.''"<br />
 
"''Forgive you? Why brother, I didn't think you had the lobes!''"
 
"''Forgive you? Why brother, I didn't think you had the lobes!''"
: - '''Quark''' and '''Rom'''
+
: - '''Quark''' and '''Rom'''
   
==Background Information==
+
==Background information==
 
===Story and script===
 
===Story and script===
  +
[[File:Filming The Nagus.jpg|thumb|220px|David Livingston directs Armin Shimerman and Max Grodénchik]]
* Two working titles for this episode were "Friends & Foes" and "Friend Like Me".
+
* Two [[working title]]s for this episode were "Friends & Foes" and "Friend Like Me".
* The original story featured [[Klingon]]s, [[Romulan]]s, [[Vulcan]]s and several new races visiting Deep Space 9 to establish a new criminal syndicate. Behr modified the story to specifically feature the Ferengi. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
+
* The original story featured [[Klingon]]s, [[Romulan]]s, [[Vulcan]]s, and several new races visiting Deep Space 9 to establish a new criminal syndicate. [[Ira Steven Behr]] modified the story to specifically feature the Ferengi. ({{ds9c|?}})
* [[David Livingston]] pitched the original story idea for this episode, dealing with Quark acting as some sort of a businessman, with the B plot having Jake teaching Nog how to read. The producers liked the B story idea, but disliked the A story. Finally, on a story meeting, [[Michael Piller]] came up with the idea of "doing ''The Godfather''", and [[Ira Steven Behr]] was assigned to write the script. Livingston's only contribution to "''The Godfather'' story" was the name [[Zek]]. {{st.com|david-livingston-on-directing-star-trek-episodes-part-1||article}}
+
* [[David Livingston]] pitched the original story idea for this episode, dealing with Quark acting as some sort of a businessman, with the B plot having Jake teaching Nog how to read. The producers liked the B story idea, but disliked the A story. Finally, on a story meeting, [[Michael Piller]] came up with the idea of "doing ''The Godfather''", and Ira Steven Behr was assigned to write the script. Livingston's only contribution to "''The Godfather'' story" was the name "[[Zek]]". {{st.com|article/david-livingston-on-directing-star-trek-episodes-part-1}}
  +
* Ira Steven Behr commented, "''David Livingston pitched me an idea for a meeting of the great criminal minds of the galaxy, similar to ''The Godfather''. I said to him, 'Maybe we should do a Ferengi episode', so his idea evolved into 'The Nagus'. I looked through the thesaurus for a good expression for leader and found negus, an Indian word, which I changed to nagus and Grand Nagus Zek, leader of the Ferengi empire was born. With the Ferengi being intergalactic capitalists I also knew that we needed a financial bible for them and after some thought I came up the Rules of Acquisition.''" ("Behr Necessities", [[TV Zone|''TV Zone'' special #34]])
  +
*Behr also commented: "''I still remember the date where I came up with the idea for the Nagus and the Rules of Acquisition. I remember sitting in my office, having to figure out these stupid Ferengis and this episode, and looking up and finding the term Nagus, and going, “That’s a good name. I’m going to use that.” It’s like there’s a set of rules, and what are the rules? “Rules of greed?&hellip; That’s terrible&hellip;” I just was going through different words. 'Rules of Acquisition, of course! That’s it'. ''" [https://www.geektown.co.uk/2018/10/23/interview-star-trek-ds9-showrunner-ira-steven-behr-talks-the-show-the-what-we-left-behind-doc-ferengi/]
 
* The [[Rules of Acquisition]] are mentioned for the first time in this episode. The two Rules mentioned are the first, "''Once you have their money, you never give it back''" and the sixth, "''Never let family stand in the way of opportunity.''" That last one is arguably the most broken rule in the show.
  +
* According to Ira Behr, the writing of this episode was somewhat daunting, as he was keeping the budget in mind and the fact that speaking roles were paid more than guest performers without any lines. "''As I wrote my first script,''" he said, "''one of the things I thought as I was going over it was dare he speak? Dare they speak? Well, dare I take out this optical so this person might be able to speak?''" (''[[Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages]]'', p. 27)
  +
 
===Cast and characters===
  +
* [[Armin Shimerman]] commented that this episode was "''a fun and different type of ''[[Star Trek]]'' episode, like {{dis|The Trouble with Tribbles|episode|the 'Tribbles' episode}} of [[TOS|the original]].''" (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'') He also said, "''{{'}}The Nagus' was interesting, but also nerve-wracking for me because it was the first episode where they told me, 'OK, you're going to shoulder this; everybody else can go home', and it was my responsibility to make the episode work. Suddenly, I was the key member doing the work.''" ({{STDS9|19}})
  +
* Armin Shimerman joked about [[Max Grodénchik]]'s role in this episode, stating, "''In 'The Nagus', he had a chance to kill me and fulfill whatever fantasies he had.''" (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 24, No. 3/4, p. 90)
  +
 
===Production===
 
===Production===
  +
* [[John Debney]] composed the music for the episode, and the score was recorded on {{d|2|March|1993}}. Debney commented, "''There was a sound that [[Dennis McCarthy|Dennis]] [McCarthy] and [[Jay Chattaway|Jay]] [Chattaway] had established and you adhered to that. But those shows had a comedic edge to them, so I could be a little quirky and comedic with some of the hijinks that Quark was engaged with.''" (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Collection]]'')
 
[[File:Quark Corleone.jpg|thumb|''The Godfather'' homage]]
 
[[File:Quark Corleone.jpg|thumb|''The Godfather'' homage]]
* The scene where Quark meets [[Nava]] is an homage to the opening scene of {{w|Francis Ford Coppola}}'s [[1972]] movie ''{{w|The Godfather}}''. [[Quark]]'s [[Corvan gilvo]], the way he scratches his ear, the blinds on the windows, even the dialog ("''Yet now you call me Nagus''") are all allusions to the 1972 film. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
+
* The scene where Quark meets [[Nava]] was an homage to the opening scene of {{w|Francis Ford Coppola}}'s 1972 movie {{wt|The Godfather}}. [[Quark]]'s [[Corvan gilvo]], the way he scratches his ear, the blinds on the windows, even the dialogue ("''Yet now you call me Nagus''") were all allusions to the film. ({{ds9c|?}})
 
* The Ferengi face seen on the [[Grand Nagus' staff]] was originally sculpted to resemble Armin Shimerman's [[Quark]].
 
* The Ferengi face seen on the [[Grand Nagus' staff]] was originally sculpted to resemble Armin Shimerman's [[Quark]].
  +
 
===Reception===
 
===Reception===
  +
* Although the ''Deep Space Nine'' writers and producers had feared that fans might reject comedic episodes that focused on the Ferengi so heavily as this one does, "The Nagus" was surprisingly successful with viewers, to the point that [[Armin Shimerman]] cited this episode as the one that convinced the producers that DS9 would be able to produce comedic episodes as well as serious ones. Shimerman commented, "''Whatever success we had on 'The Nagus' convinced the writers, and, more importantly, the producers, that we ''could'' have purely comic episodes and the audience wouldn't leave us in droves. There are probably many people who grimace when they see there's going to be a Ferengi episode next week, but I think there are even more who are looking forward to the comic episodes, and that was something [[Rick Berman]] and company learned from 'The Nagus'. [[William Shakespeare]] taught us that &ndash; whenever he had a history play like ''[[Henry V]]'', he made sure to have a character like Falstaff in there to lighten it up.''" ({{STDS9|19}})
*Michael Piller commented ''"It's a very funny episode, and Wally Shawn is something you've never seen on ''The Next Generation''. He's certainly a character that is the most different from anything you'd find on ''The Next Generation''"''. (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'')
 
*[[Armin Shimerman]] commented "''It was a fun and different type of ''[[Star Trek]]'' episode, like [[The Trouble With Tribbles|the 'Tribbles' episode]] of the original''". (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'')
+
* Michael Piller commented, ''"It's a very funny episode, and Wally Shawn is something you've never seen on ''The Next Generation''. He's certainly a character that is the most different from anything you'd find on ''The Next Generation''.''" (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'')
  +
===Cast and characters===
 
*This episode features the first appearance of [[Wallace Shawn]] as [[Zek]] and [[Tiny Ron]] as [[Maihar'du]].
 
*[[Krax]] may be Zek's son, but is not mentioned or seen again after this episode.
 
 
===Continuity===
 
===Continuity===
 
* This episode features the first appearance of [[Wallace Shawn]] as [[Zek]] and [[Tiny Ron]] as [[Maihar'du]].
*The [[Rules of Acquisition]] are mentioned for the first time in this episode. The two Rules mentioned are the first, "once you have their money, you never give it back" and the sixth, "Never let family stand in the way of opportunity".
 
 
* [[Krax]], Zek's son, was not seen or mentioned again after this episode.
  +
* In their book ''[[Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages]]'' (p. 36), writers [[Edward Gross]] and [[Mark A. Altman]] commented that this episode "firmly established Rom, along with Jake and Nog's relationship." However, both elements were previously established in the series. While not the first episode to feature [[Max Grodénchik]] as Rom, his voice and mannerisms are completely changed in this episode to the ones he became known for the rest of the series.
 
* This episode is the first to mention the [[Fire Caves]] on Bajor (home of the [[Pah-wraith]]s), although Sisko calls them the "Fire ''Caverns''".
 
* This episode is the first to mention the [[Fire Caves]] on Bajor (home of the [[Pah-wraith]]s), although Sisko calls them the "Fire ''Caverns''".
 
* The Gratitude Festival is later celebrated on Deep Space 9 in {{e|Fascination}} and {{e|Tears of the Prophets}}.
 
* The Gratitude Festival is later celebrated on Deep Space 9 in {{e|Fascination}} and {{e|Tears of the Prophets}}.
* [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien]] returned in this episode. His last appearance was in {{e|Q-Less}} after which he and [[Keiko O'Brien]] went to visit Keiko's mother for her 100th birthday on [[Earth]]. (This is mentioned in the episode {{e|Dax}}.) O'Brien returned sooner than his wife since he took over her class in school while she was gone.
+
* [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien]] returned in this episode. His last appearance was in {{e|Q-Less}}, after which, as is mentioned in the episode {{e|Dax}}, he and [[Keiko O'Brien]] went to visit Keiko's mother for her 100th birthday on [[Earth]]. O'Brien returned sooner than his wife, since he took over her class in school while she was gone.
  +
* This episode is not given a [[stardate]], but the above reference suggests that it happened even later than "Dax" (which, according to its own stardate, occurred later than most other episodes of the season).
  +
* Commander Sisko mentions, in this episode, that Jake is fourteen while Molly is three. Molly's age is questionable, as she was born in {{TNG|Disaster}} and that episode took place only a year and a half previously.
  +
 
===Trivia===
 
===Trivia===
  +
* The screen behind O'Brien in the school scene includes a figure of the [[Ornithoid life form|Ornithoids]] from {{TOS|Catspaw}}, as well as [[tribble]]s.
 
* [[Morn]] is seen laughing in this episode. He never opened his mouth again throughout the series.
 
* [[Morn]] is seen laughing in this episode. He never opened his mouth again throughout the series.
* At the beginning of Act 1, there appears to be a model each of a {{ShipClass|Miranda}} and a {{ShipClass|Nebula}} vessel in the rear of the school room. The two models lack the upper hull attachments that usually adorn the respective ship classes. There is also a poster containing dorsal views of the five [[Enterprise history|USS ''Enterprise'']] vessels commissioned by the [[Federation]] [[Starfleet]] to date along with two other unknown diagrams.
+
* At the beginning of Act 1, there appears to be a model each of a {{class|Miranda}} and a {{class|Nebula}} vessel in the rear of the school room. The two models lack the upper hull attachments that usually adorn the respective ship classes. There is also a poster containing dorsal views of the five [[Enterprise history|USS ''Enterprise'']] vessels commissioned by the [[Federation]] [[Starfleet]] to date, along with two other unknown diagrams.
* A rivalry between two Ferengi businessmen, [[Hoex]] and [[Turot]], over [[Volchok Prime]] is mentioned, but neither of them are credited as making an on screen appearance.
+
* A rivalry between two Ferengi businessmen, [[Hoex]] and [[Turot]], over [[Volchok Prime]] is mentioned, but neither of them are credited as making an on-screen appearance.
  +
  +
=== Remastered version===
  +
*Remastered scenes from the episode are featured in the documentary ''[[What We Left Behind]]''.
   
 
===Video and DVD releases===
 
===Video and DVD releases===
* UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 6, <!--catalogue number x, -->{{d|4|October|1993}}.
+
* UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 6, <!--catalog number x, -->{{d|4|October|1993}}
* As part of the [[DS9 Season 1 DVD]] collection.
+
* As part of the [[DS9 Season 1 DVD]] collection
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
  +
{{DS9 Cast (S1-S3)}}
=== Starring ===
 
*[[Avery Brooks]] as [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko]]
 
 
=== Also Starring ===
 
*[[Rene Auberjonois]] as [[Constable]] [[Odo]]
 
*[[Siddig El Fadil]] as [[Doctor]] [[Julian Bashir]]
 
*[[Terry Farrell]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Jadzia Dax]]
 
*[[Cirroc Lofton]] as [[Jake Sisko]]
 
*[[Colm Meaney]] as [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien]]
 
*[[Armin Shimerman]] as [[Quark]]
 
*[[Nana Visitor]] as [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys]]
 
 
 
=== Guest Stars ===
 
=== Guest Stars ===
*[[Max Grodénchik]] as [[Rom]]
+
* [[Max Grodénchik]] as [[Rom]]
*[[Lou Wagner]] as [[Krax]]
+
* [[Lou Wagner]] as [[Krax]]
*[[Barry Gordon]] as [[Nava]]
+
* [[Barry Gordon]] as [[Nava]]
*[[Lee Arenberg]] as [[Gral (Ferengi)|Gral]]
+
* [[Lee Arenberg]] as {{dis|Gral|Ferengi}}
*[[Aron Eisenberg]] as [[Nog]]
+
* [[Aron Eisenberg]] as [[Nog]]
*[[Tiny Ron]] as [[Maihar'Du]]
+
* [[Tiny Ron]] as [[Maihar'Du]]
 
;And
 
;And
*[[Wallace Shawn]] as [[Zek]]
+
* [[Wallace Shawn]] as [[Zek]]
   
 
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
 
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
*[[Scott Barry]] as a [[Unnamed Bajoran Militia personnel#Bajoran command division officer|Bajoran officer]]
+
* [[Scott Barry]] as a [[Bajoran DS9 cmd officer 002|Bajoran officer]]
* [[Robert Coffee]] as a [[Unnamed Bajoran Militia personnel#Bajoran officer (2369-2375)|Bajoran civilian]]
+
* [[Ivor Bartels]] as a [[Human DS9 ops security 005|operations officer]]
*[[Brian Demonbreun]] as a [[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Science officer|science division officer]]
+
* [[Robert Coffee]] as a [[Bajoran DS9 dual officer 001|Bajoran officer]]
  +
* [[Brian Demonbreun]] as a [[Human DS9 dual officer 003|sciences officer]]
* [[Jeannie Dreams]] as an [[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Female operations division ensign|operations division ensign]]
 
*[[Judi Durand]] as [[Deep Space 9]] [[computer voice]]
+
* [[Jeannie Dreams]] as a [[Human DS9 ops ensign 002|operations ensign]]
*[[Randy James]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Jones (Lieutenant)|Jones]]
+
* [[Judi Durand]] as [[Cardassian Computer Voice]]
  +
* [[Robert Ford]] as [[Human DS9 ops security 006|operations officer]]
*[[Mark Lentry]] as a [[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Lieutenant Commander|command division lieutenant]]
 
*[[Mark Allen Shepherd]] as [[Morn]]
+
* [[Randy James]] as [[Lieutenant]] {{dis|Jones|Lieutenant}}
*[[Theresa St. Clair]] as a [[Unnamed Deep Space 9 residents#Vulcan girl|Vulcan girl]]
+
* [[Mark Lentry]] as a [[Human DS9 cmd lieutenant 001|command lieutenant]]
  +
* [[Chad McCord]] as [[Human DS9 ops ensign 001|operations ensign]]
*[[Unknown performers]] as
 
  +
* [[Mark Allen Shepherd]] as [[Morn]]
**[[Unnamed Deep Space 9 residents#Alien school child (2369)|Alien school girl]]
 
  +
* [[Theresa St. Clair]] as a [[Vulcan DS9 girl 001|Vulcan girl]]
**[[Dabo girls#Quark's possible companion|Dabo girl]]
 
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
**[[Unnamed Bajorans#Female customer (2369)|Female Bajoran customer]]
 
  +
** [[DS9 school children|Alien school girl]]
**[[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Grey-skinned promenade alien|Grey-skinned alien]]
 
 
** [[DS9 school children|Six Bajoran children]]
**[[Hoex]]
 
  +
** [[Bajoran DS9 female 001|Bajoran female customer]]
**[[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Operations Ensign|Operations ensign]]
 
 
** [[Dabo girl Quark 002|Dabo girl]]
**[[List of Pardshay's species#Airlock passenger|Pardshay's species member]]
 
 
** [[Ferengi businessmen 001|Three Ferengi businessmen]]
**[[Unnamed Bajorans#Bajoran children (2369)|Six Bajoran children]]
 
 
** [[Grey-skinned alien 001|Grey-skinned alien]]
**[[Unnamed humanoids (24th century)#Tailheads|Tailhead]]
 
 
** [[Hoex]]
**[[Unnamed Ferengi#Businessmen|Three Ferengi businessmen]]
 
**[[Unnamed Deep Space 9 residents#Human children (2369)|Three Human children]]
+
** [[DS9 school children|Three Human children]]
  +
** [[Rotciv DS9 visitor 001|Rotciv member]]
**[[Turot]]
 
  +
** [[Tailhead alien 001|Tailhead]]
**[[Unnamed Deep Space 9 personnel#Security officers (2369)|Two security officers]]
 
 
** [[Turot]]
   
 
=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[Afternoon]]; [[airlock]]; [[Alpha Quadrant]]; [[Andorian]]; [[Andorian freighter (24th century)|Andorian freighter]]; [[anti-gravity tractor]]; [[anti-grav sled]]; [[arcybite]]; [[argine]]; [[aubergine stew]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajoran Gratitude Festival]]; [[Bajoran language]]; [[Bajoran wormhole]]; [[Balosnee VI]]; [[Balosnee system]]; [[Barbo]]; [[baseball]]; [[baseball glove]]; [[beetle]]; [[birthday]]; [[bodyguard]]; ''[[Bonaventure (C1-21)|Bonaventure]]''; [[brain]]; [[brother]]; [[businessman]]; [[cane]]; [[Cardassian language]]; [[cargo bay]]; [[cargo port]]; [[chopstick]]; [[Clarius system]]; [[coin]]; [[Corvan gilvo]]; [[cousin]]; [[crab]]; [[currency pouch]]; [[dabo girl]]; [[dabo table]]; {{ShipClass|Daedalus}}; [[daughter]]; [[day]]; [[daydream]]; [[death]]; [[Denebian slime devil]]; [[dinner]]; [[disk]]; [[docking bay]]; [[Dolbargy sleeping trance]]; [[ear]]; [[Earth]]; [[Enterprise history|''Enterprise'', USS]]; [[essay]]; [[ethics (philosophy)|ethics]]; [[evening]]; [[examination]]; [[Excalbian]]; [[father]]; [[Federation]]; [[Ferengi]]; [[Ferengi death ritual]]; [[Ferengi language]]; [[Unnamed tools and technology#Ferengi tooth tools|Ferengi tooth tools]]; [[Ferengi transport]]; [[Unnamed drinks (24th century)#Ferengi wine|Ferengi wine]]; [[fire]]; [[Fire Caves|Fire Caverns]]; [[fish]]; [[food taster]]; [[fork]]; [[funeral]]; [[Gamma Quadrant]]; [[gouge mining]]; [[Grand Nagus]]; [[Grand Nagus' staff]]; [[hallucination]]; [[holiday]]; [[holosuite]]; [[homework]]; [[Horta]]; [[hour]]; [[Human]]; [[Human language]]; [[Hupyrian]]; [[Iota Geminorum IV]]; [[Iota Geminorum system]]; [[Jokarian chess]]; [[joke]]; [[jumja stick]]; [[Klingon]]; [[latinum]]; [[lobe]]; [[locator bomb]]; [[midnight]]; {{ShipClass|Miranda}}; [[mirror]]; [[miszinite]]; [[molecular imaging scanner]]; [[money]]; [[moon]]; [[morning]]; {{ShipClass|Nebula}}; [[Neural parasite (23rd century)|Neural parasite]]; [[night]]; [[oatmeal]]; [[Keiko O'Brien|O'Brien, Keiko]]; [[Molly O'Brien|O'Brien, Molly]]; "[[Old Man]]"; [[operations center|ops]]; [[Unnamed drinks (24th century)#Orange drink|orange drink]]; [[orange juice]]; [[ore]]; [[ornithoid lifeform]]; [[PADD]]; [[painting]]; [[pheromone]]; [[pheromonic sensor]]; [[Quark's]]; [[quarters]]; [[Rawlings]]; [[Regulan bloodworm]]; [[replicator]]; [[replimat]]; [[Risa]]; [[Risian]]; "[[Rom's]]"; [[Rules of Acquisition]]; [[Saturn]]; [[school]]; [[scepter]]; ''[[Sepulo]]''; [[servant]]; [[shoes]]; [[silverware]]; [[socks]]; [[Sol system]]; [[son]]; [[sorium]]; [[spoon]]; [[Stakoron]]; [[Stakoron system]]; [[Stakoron II]]; [[substitute teacher]]; [[synthehol]];[[Tarahong detention center]]; [[Tarahongian]]; [[Tarahong government]]; [[three-dimensional chess]]; [[transporter]]; [[Tribble]]; [[tube grub]]s; [[tympanic membrane]]; [[vacation]]; [[Volchok Prime]]; [[vacuum dessication]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[waffle]]; [[warp drive]]; [[wife]]; [[wormhole]]; [[xenobiology]]
+
[[2284]]; [[2368]]; [[2355]]; [[accomplice]]; [[adolescence]]; [[afternoon]]; [[airlock]]; [[Alpha Quadrant]]; [[amateur]]; [[Andorian]]; {{dis|Andorian freighter|24th century}}; [[anti-gravity tractor]]; [[anti-grav sled]]; [[arcybite]]; [[argine]]; [[Assistant Manager of Policy and Clientele]]; [[aubergine stew]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajor's moons 001|Bajor's moons]]; [[Bajoran Gratitude Festival]]; [[Bajoran language]]; [[Bajoran system]]; [[Bajoran wormhole]]; [[Balosnee VI]]; {{dis|bar|latinum}}; [[Barbo]]; [[baseball]]; [[baseball glove]]; [[beetle]]; [[best friend]]; [[birthday]]; [[bodyguard]]; [[body odor]]; [[brain]]; [[brother]]; [[businessman]]; [[cane]]; [[Cardassian language]]; [[Cardassian Union]]; [[cargo bay]]; [[cargo port]]; [[chopstick]]; [[chronic condition]]; [[Clarius system]]; [[coin]]; [[competitor]]; [[Corvan gilvo]]; [[cousin]]; [[crab]]; [[currency pouch]]; [[dabo girl]]; [[dabo table]]; {{class|Daedalus}}; [[daughter]]; [[day]]; [[daydream]]; [[death]]; [[dinner]]; [[disk]]; [[docking bay]]; [[Dolbargy sleeping trance]]; [[ear]]; [[Earth]]; [[elder]]s; [[essay]]; [[ethics]]; [[evening]]; [[examination]]; [[death#faking death|faking death]]; [[father]]; [[Federation]]; [[Ferengi]]; [[Ferengi Alliance]]; [[Ferengi death ritual]]; [[Ferengi language]]; [[Ferengi ship 003|Ferengi ship]]; [[Unnamed tools and technology#Ferengi tooth tools|Ferengi tooth tools]]; [[Ferengi wine]]; [[fire]]; [[Fire Caverns]]; [[fish]]; [[food taster]]; [[fork]]; [[funeral service]]; [[Gamma Quadrant]]; [[gold-pressed latinum]]; [[gouge mining]]; [[Grand Nagus]]; [[Grand Nagus' staff]]; [[hallucination]]; [[holiday]]; [[holosuite]]; [[homework]]; [[hour]]; {{USSr|Horizon}}; [[Human]]; [[Human language]]; [[Hupyrian]]; [[Jokarian chess]]; [[joke]]; [[jumja stick]]; [[Klingon]]; [[leader]]; [[lobe]]; [[locator bomb]]; [[midnight]]; {{class|Miranda}}; [[mirror]]; [[miszinite]]; [[molecular imaging scanner]]; [[money]]; [[moon]]; [[morning]]; [[new plan]]; {{class|Nebula}}; [[night]]; [[oatmeal]]; {{revname|Keiko|O'Brien}}; {{revname|Molly|O'Brien}}; "[[old man]]"; [[operations center|ops]]; [[Unnamed beverages (24th century)#Orange drink|orange drink]]; [[orange juice]]; [[ore]]; [[PADD]]; [[painting]]; [[pheromone]]; [[pheromonic sensor]]; [[polishing]]; [[Quark's]]; [[quarters]]; [[rail]]; [[Rawlings]]; [[receipt]]; [[replicator]]; [[Replimat]]; [[Risa]]; [[Risian]]; "[[Rom's]]"; [[Rules of Acquisition]]; {{USSr|Saratoga|NCC-31911}}; [[school]]; [[scepter]]; [[seating arrangement]]; ''[[Sepulo]]''; [[servant]]; [[shoe]]s; [[silverware]]; [[socks]]; [[son]]; [[sorium]]; [[spoon]]; [[Stakoron]]; [[Stakoron II]]; [[strangulation]]; [[substitute teacher]]; [[synthehol]]; [[Tarahong detention center]]; [[Tarahongian]]; [[Tarahong government]]; [[three-dimensional chess]]; [[transporter]]; [[tribble]]; [[tube grub]]s; [[tympanic membrane]]; [[vacation]]; [[vacuum-desiccation]]; [[Volchok Prime]]; [[vote]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[waffle]]; [[warp drive]]; [[wife]]; [[wormhole]]
  +
  +
====Other references====
  +
* '''[[Comparative Xenobiology]]:''' [[Deneb IV]]; [[Denebian slime devil]]; [[flying parasite]]; [[Excalbia]]; [[Excalbian]]; [[Horta]]; [[Iota Geminorum IV]]; [[Large Magellanic Cloud]]; [[Ornithoid life form]]; [[Pyris VII]]; [[Regulan bloodworm]]; [[Regulus II]]; [[tribble]]
  +
* '''Starship Chronology:''' {{class|Ambassador}}; ''{{dis|Bonaventure|C1-21}}''; {{class|Constitution}};{{class|Constitution II}}; {{class|Excelsior}}; {{class|Galaxy}}
  +
  +
====Unreferenced material====
  +
[[algebra]]; [[Luta]]
   
 
=== External links ===
 
=== External links ===
* {{NCwiki|The Nagus}}
+
* {{mbeta-quote|The Nagus}}
* {{wikipedia|The Nagus}}
+
* {{wikipedia-quote|The Nagus}}
  +
* {{startrek.com|database_article/the-nagus|"The Nagus"|external}}
  +
* {{ml|the-nagus|"The Nagus"|external}}
  +
* {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/411.txt|"The Nagus" script|external}}
   
 
{{DS9 nav|season=1|last={{e|Move Along Home}}|next={{e|Vortex}}}}
 
{{DS9 nav|season=1|last={{e|Move Along Home}}|next={{e|Vortex}}}}
 
   
 
[[cs:The Nagus]]
 
[[cs:The Nagus]]
 
[[de:Die Nachfolge]]
 
[[de:Die Nachfolge]]
 
[[es:The Nagus]]
 
[[es:The Nagus]]
[[fr:The Nagus]]
+
[[fr:The Nagus (épisode)]]
 
[[nl:The Nagus]]
 
[[nl:The Nagus]]
 
[[pl:The Nagus]]
 
[[pl:The Nagus]]

Latest revision as of 05:29, 19 November 2023

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

The Nagus redirects here; for the position, please see Grand Nagus.

With the sudden death of Grand Nagus Zek, Quark becomes the new leader of the Ferengi Alliance, but he also becomes a target for murder.

Summary

An airlock door opens, and a Ferengi, Krax, steps out and looks around carefully. Once satisfied, he gestures, and a hunched-over obscured figure, Zek, emerges leaning on a taller humanoid, Maihar'du. In his other hand, he clutches a staff with a golden Ferengi head.

In Commander Sisko's quarters, Jake is getting ready for school gathering his many PADDs when his father enters. Sisko informs his son that they're going to Bajor for the Gratitude Festival. After the festival, Sisko suggests visiting the Fire Caverns that Jake had wanted to see. They'll be leaving at the end of that day's school day and going for three days. Jake asks if he has to go because he and Nog have plans for the next day.

In his bar, Quark is dealing with a customer and sends her on her way. When she is gone, he grabs Rom by the lobes and questions him as to why he had returned her purse against the First Rule of Acquisition and insists that Rom polish every rail in the bar that night. Rom runs off to find Nog, who is building a tower out of PADDs and knocks them over accidentally when his father arrives. Rom insists that Nog polish all of the rails in the bar that night. Nog sighs and heads off to school.

Meanwhile, Quark is telling Morn and some other customers a joke about an Andorian and someone's wife. Just after the finish of the joke, Krax, Zek, and Maihar'du enter the bar looking for Quark. Krax then introduces his father, Zek, as the Grand Nagus. Quark and Rom move to kiss Zek's staff and ask if they're visiting on business or pleasure, and of course, to a Ferengi, there is no difference between the two. Krax demands the use of a holosuite from Quark for his father and takes Quark's five favorite programs for use there.

Act One

In the classroom at the school, the students are all sitting around talking loudly with no sign of their teacher, Keiko O'Brien, in sight. Her husband, Miles, rushes in as their substitute teacher, but only for another two weeks before Keiko is due to return from Earth. The older students had a homework assignment to write an essay on ethics. Nog is chosen to present his first, but claims that his PADD had been stolen by some Vulcans in Quark's. He gets Jake to corroborate his story, and O'Brien lets Nog hand in his essay the following day.

In Quark's, Quark and Krax watch the holosuites and Quark wonders how much longer the Grand Nagus would be. Quark suggests they should check on Zek in case he has somehow injured himself, but Krax strongly disagrees, as Zek left orders not to be disturbed. Quark wanders down the bar to where Rom is standing, thrilled to have the Grand Nagus there, but Quark points out that Zek is likely there to purchase the bar for a price far lower than it is worth. Meanwhile, Zek has emerged from his holosuite, and proclaims it to have been a "good program". Quark offers up Rom's quarters for the Nagus' use while he is at the station and then invites him to dinner… at the Nagus' request.

Sisko approaches O'Brien and asks how school is. The chief mentions that he can't wait for Keiko to get back. O'Brien suggests that Sisko find another friend for Jake, one besides Nog, who seems to be a bad influence. Sisko appreciates the advice, but points out that if Jake were forced to choose between his friend and his father, he likely would choose his friend. When O'Brien expresses doubt at this, Sisko suggests that O'Brien will understand in another eleven years, when O'Brien's own daughter will be Jake's age (14).

At dinner, Zek enjoys the tube grubs, and informs Quark that his cousin Barbo has been released from the Tarahong detention center and that Zek is quite impressed with their sale of defective warp cores to the Tarahong government. Zek also brings up how Quark had left Barbo to "rot behind bars while Quark kept all the profits…" to which Quark quotes the Sixth Rule of Acquisition. Zek compliments Quark on his brilliance at opening a bar so close to a stable wormhole. Nog brings over a tray of instruments, and Zek chooses one to pick his teeth with. Nog asks if he could go to do his homework, to which Krax points out to his father's disappointment that a "hew-mon fee-male" is teaching at a Federation school on the station, and Rom tells his son that he will not be attending school anymore. Zek tells Quark that he needs his bar… and his services to host a Ferengi conference to discuss business in the Gamma Quadrant.

Act Two

Meanwhile, in Ops, Major Kira informs Sisko that the Ferengi ship Sepulo is docking at bay five, the third Ferengi ship in the last eighteen hours. Dax suggests that it might be Quark's birthday. Sisko contacts Odo to ensure that the situation will be looked after.

Ferengi conference on DS9 in 2369

Zek convenes a conference on business opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant

In Quark's, none of the regular patrons are around, and the dabo tables have been replaced with a large conference table. Krax informs Quark that the seating had to be changed to separate rivals Turot and Hoex. Meanwhile, Morn arrives at the bar, and Quark sends him away since the bar is closed for the impending conference. Gral, one of the other Ferengi, threatens to leave when the Grand Nagus enters, supported by Maihar'du. Rom and Nog leave, but Zek tells Quark to stay.

Out on the Promenade, Jake runs into Nog, who is quite firm in his belief that he did not belong in the school and that school is a waste of time for a Ferengi because there is no profit in it. Nog stomps away after calling Jake a "stupid hew-mon".

Back in Quark's, Zek salutes Nava for taking over the arcybite mining refineries in the Clarius system. However, he points out that the reputation of the Ferengi is making it more and more difficult to do business in the Alpha Quadrant, and that in the Gamma Quadrant, their word could be their bond… until they chose to break it. Zek declines to lead the venture, claiming that he is "just not as greedy as [he] used to be"—and informs the group that the new Grand Nagus is Quark. The other Ferengi complain loudly and storm out of the bar, while Zek congratulates Quark on his new job, commenting that he is sure he will do great. Quark laughs in disbelief.

Act Three

Nog and Jake hanging out

Nog and Jake at the railing

At breakfast in their quarters, Sisko and Jake discuss Nog being pulled out of school over their oatmeal. Jake points out that Nog can't even read and that school wasn't going to be as much fun. To Sisko's comment that they could still get together after school, Jake expresses his worry that Nog no longer wants to be friends because Ferengi and Humans don't get along. Sisko agrees, noting that Human and Ferengi values are very different, and suggests playing some baseball after school, but Jake insists that he has something else to do.

On the Promenade, Grand Nagus Quark and his brother are walking along when Gral approaches Quark and formally introduces himself as Quark's "new best friend," but in ominous tones. Gral suggests that he will protect Quark if Quark would be grateful enough to allow Gral his pick of the more profitable opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant. Though Gral is outwardly polite and respectful, his demeanor suggests to Quark it is more like a threat than an offer.

In Rom's quarters, Zek is trying to figure out where to take his retirement, either Risa or Balosnee VI, as he hasn't taken a vacation in eighty-five years. Quark bursts in and asks Zek what he should do since Gral just seemed to threaten his life. Zek points out that more threats would follow, and that to survive, Quark must surround himself with loyal men, but none too loyal, and that he should be ruthless. Then, without warning, Zek's head slumps onto his chest. Maihar'du checks him, but he is already dead.

Later on, at a private funeral service held at Quark's, Krax is selling small discs with powder, Zek's vacuum desiccated remains, each for twenty bars of latinum. Quark asks Rom to be his bodyguard, because Rom is his closest associate, friend, and brother. Rom expresses his dismay, hoping that he could take over the bar. Quark bursts into laughter at this, until interrupted by Odo, who has questions to ask. Krax explains that his father died from "a massive infection of the tympanic membrane – a chronic condition." Odo wants to have Doctor Bashir examine the body, but of course, the body has already been vacuum desiccated for sale.

Out on the Promenade, Jake and Nog are sitting by their usual railing, but neither says a word. They both try to speak for a moment before the silence descends again. Jake suggests that Humans and Ferengi don't have much to talk about, but notes that they always had stuff to talk about previously. They agree to continue to be friends, despite the fact that it won't please either of their fathers.

The funeral continues in Quark's, where Odo questions Quark about his new status. Quark offers his staff to be kissed by Odo, who grunts at it before leaving. A coin rolls across the floor and Quark steps on it, glancing around to ensure that nobody is watching him, bends over to pick it up, when something zips by overhead and explodes against the wall behind him – an obvious assassination attempt.

Act Four

In Quark's, O'Brien, Odo, and Sisko investigate the explosion and O'Brien points out traces of argine and sorium, a sign of a Ferengi explosive. He notes that it appears to be a Ferengi locator bomb designed to lock onto a target's body odor. If Quark hadn't bent over at the last minute, he would have been fried.

Outside the bar, Bashir informs Sisko that Quark is fine, but a bit shaken up. As they head to the infirmary, Sisko spots his son and Nog running along the upper level and laughing together.

In the infirmary, Odo questions Quark, who tries to hide his fear behind his position as Grand Nagus. Sisko informs Quark that the next time he might not be so lucky, but Quark blows off his concern, although admitting that Krax would benefit most from his death. Rom brings up Gral's threat, but Quark notes that neither could have set off the explosive, both being at the funeral along with all of the other Ferengi. Odo notes that Maihar'du is absent and recalls the devotion of his species to their employers.

Back in Sisko's quarters, Jake is preparing to leave for school when Sisko questions him on his whereabouts the previous night, as he returned home after midnight. Jake responds that he was with Nog, not doing anything wrong, but that it's private. Sisko tells Jake that he wants him home in time for dinner.

In Quark's quarters, Nava is telling Quark that he wishes to find profit in a new field, introducing synthehol to the Gamma Quadrant. Quark points out that Nava was not pleased on Quark's ascension, nor did he congratulate him at the time, but wants this opportunity. Nava suggests a fifty-fifty split on the profits, so Quark grants him the opportunity. Quark, tired after all of his work, heads to his bar to count the day's take and leaves Krax and Rom behind. They note that he is going to become very popular with the way he is handing out such good opportunities, so they need a new plan to kill him, one that could not fail.

Act Five

Sisko sits alone in his quarters at the dinner table, dinner for two cooling. Dax enters and mentions that she was going to inquire as to whether he would be interested in a round of Jokarian chess, but that Sisko is obviously otherwise occupied with his dinner of aubergine stew. Sisko says that he has been waiting for half an hour for Jake, but that he hadn't made an appearance as yet since he was with Nog. Dax suggests that he have a talk with Jake to set boundaries, having "been a mother three times and a father twice," but notes that she was not particularly successful with any of them. Sisko decides to go find Jake and bring him home to eat and finds out from the computer that he's in one of the cargo bays. He thanks Dax and heads out while Dax takes a plate of the stew to eat.

Sisko heads to the cargo bay, not stopping by anything. In the poorly-lit cargo bay, he hears Nog and Jake's voices from ahead, and quietly makes his way through the stored materials. When he sees Jake and Nog, he stops and watches as Jake teaches Nog to read from a PADD. Sisko watches the two quietly, before leaving unnoticed.

In Quark's quarters, Rom is helping Quark finish dressing, but seems distracted. Quark says that he is looking forward to traveling through the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant to Stakoron II to negotiate for miszinite ore, negotiations that Zek had previously started, despite Quark not knowing about Zek's prior visit. Rom comments upon Quark having so much and he so little, and that maybe Quark could let him have the bar, but Quark states that's how things are meant to be. Quark and Rom head out and met up with Krax. Quark suggests bringing a dabo girl along for the appearance, but Krax compliments Quark by pointing out that he is so imposing he won't need one.

Zek saves Quark

"Release him!"

As they arrive at the airlock for the Ferengi ship, Krax steps aside and lets Quark make a regal entrance into the airlock, only to find that there's no ship, only space through the window, and that the airlock door is sliding shut behind him with Rom and Krax on the other side. He begins to panic, but this only makes Krax smile as he indicates that Quark has been "voted out" of the office of Grand Nagus. Rom also seems to be quite ready to open the airlock and rename the bar to Rom's, saying it's a nice name for a bar.

Just as they are about to release the outer airlock door (Rom had in fact paused briefly), a voice from down the corridor says, "Release him." It is Zek, still alive, standing there with Mairhar'du and Odo. Both Krax and Rom are stunned, and Odo lets Quark out of the airlock. Zek explains that he had entered a Dolbargy sleeping trance taught to him by Maihar'du to test Krax and see if he would be a worthy successor. However, despite the attempt by Krax to grab power, he is disappointed because "you don't grab power. You accumulate it, quietly, without anyone noticing." and that Quark's was the key and a prime location to quietly gather information on the Gamma Quadrant from those who passed through.

Back in the bar, Quark returns Zek's staff, and Zek comments that he had been looking forward to retirement, and before leaving jokes that he might return and buy the bar next time he passes through. Quark catches up with Rom and says that he was pleased with Rom's show of treachery and makes him the Assistant Manager for Policy and Clientele, a position he'd just made up.

Out on the Promenade, Jake and Nog agree to meet up again at the end of Jake's next school day. Sisko steps out of the Replimat and calls Jake over to give him a hug and a kiss on the head before sending him off to spend time with Nog.

Memorable quotes

"Tell me, is the Grand Nagus here on business or pleasure?"
"Is there a difference?"
"No, of course not."

- Quark and Krax


"Hold on… you're saying Vulcans stole your homework?"
"Yes, sir."
"Any idea why?"
"Because they don't have ethics?"

- Nog, telling O'Brien what happened to his essay on ethics


"My father requires rest!"
"Please feel free to use my own… brother's quarters for as long as you're with us."

- Krax and Quark


"Shoo! Shoo!"

- Quark, telling Morn his bar is closed


"There's a Federation school here. Run by a Human. A female."
"And you allow your son to attend such a place."
(to Nog) "Nog, I never want you to step foot in there again! Now go to your room! And no studying!" (to Zek) "My apologies, Nagus. It's those Federation do-gooders, always sticking their ugly noses in other people's business."
"Most distressing."
"Yes, Nagus. Most distressing. Yes, yes."

- Krax, Zek, and Rom


"Now look here, Quark –"
"Ah ah ah! Grand Nagus Quark."

- Sisko and Rom


"So, you were going to toss me out an airlock!"
"I never meant it!"
"Well, I do. Rom's. Nice name for a bar, don't you think?"

- Rom and Quark


"You failed! Miserably!"

- Zek, speaking about his test of Krax's readiness to become Grand Nagus


"It's like talking to a Klingon!"

- Zek, frustrated with Krax


"So, you were going to toss me out an airlock."
"Forgive me, brother."
"Forgive you? Why brother, I didn't think you had the lobes!"

- Quark and Rom

Background information

Story and script

Filming The Nagus

David Livingston directs Armin Shimerman and Max Grodénchik

  • Two working titles for this episode were "Friends & Foes" and "Friend Like Me".
  • The original story featured Klingons, Romulans, Vulcans, and several new races visiting Deep Space 9 to establish a new criminal syndicate. Ira Steven Behr modified the story to specifically feature the Ferengi. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion (p. ?))
  • David Livingston pitched the original story idea for this episode, dealing with Quark acting as some sort of a businessman, with the B plot having Jake teaching Nog how to read. The producers liked the B story idea, but disliked the A story. Finally, on a story meeting, Michael Piller came up with the idea of "doing The Godfather", and Ira Steven Behr was assigned to write the script. Livingston's only contribution to "The Godfather story" was the name "Zek". [1]
  • Ira Steven Behr commented, "David Livingston pitched me an idea for a meeting of the great criminal minds of the galaxy, similar to The Godfather. I said to him, 'Maybe we should do a Ferengi episode', so his idea evolved into 'The Nagus'. I looked through the thesaurus for a good expression for leader and found negus, an Indian word, which I changed to nagus and Grand Nagus Zek, leader of the Ferengi empire was born. With the Ferengi being intergalactic capitalists I also knew that we needed a financial bible for them and after some thought I came up the Rules of Acquisition." ("Behr Necessities", TV Zone special #34)
  • Behr also commented: "I still remember the date where I came up with the idea for the Nagus and the Rules of Acquisition. I remember sitting in my office, having to figure out these stupid Ferengis and this episode, and looking up and finding the term Nagus, and going, “That’s a good name. I’m going to use that.” It’s like there’s a set of rules, and what are the rules? “Rules of greed?… That’s terrible…” I just was going through different words. 'Rules of Acquisition, of course! That’s it'. " [2]
  • The Rules of Acquisition are mentioned for the first time in this episode. The two Rules mentioned are the first, "Once you have their money, you never give it back" and the sixth, "Never let family stand in the way of opportunity." That last one is arguably the most broken rule in the show.
  • According to Ira Behr, the writing of this episode was somewhat daunting, as he was keeping the budget in mind and the fact that speaking roles were paid more than guest performers without any lines. "As I wrote my first script," he said, "one of the things I thought as I was going over it was dare he speak? Dare they speak? Well, dare I take out this optical so this person might be able to speak?" (Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages, p. 27)

Cast and characters

Production

  • John Debney composed the music for the episode, and the score was recorded on 2 March 1993. Debney commented, "There was a sound that Dennis [McCarthy] and Jay [Chattaway] had established and you adhered to that. But those shows had a comedic edge to them, so I could be a little quirky and comedic with some of the hijinks that Quark was engaged with." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Collection)
Quark Corleone

The Godfather homage

Reception

  • Although the Deep Space Nine writers and producers had feared that fans might reject comedic episodes that focused on the Ferengi so heavily as this one does, "The Nagus" was surprisingly successful with viewers, to the point that Armin Shimerman cited this episode as the one that convinced the producers that DS9 would be able to produce comedic episodes as well as serious ones. Shimerman commented, "Whatever success we had on 'The Nagus' convinced the writers, and, more importantly, the producers, that we could have purely comic episodes and the audience wouldn't leave us in droves. There are probably many people who grimace when they see there's going to be a Ferengi episode next week, but I think there are even more who are looking forward to the comic episodes, and that was something Rick Berman and company learned from 'The Nagus'. William Shakespeare taught us that – whenever he had a history play like Henry V, he made sure to have a character like Falstaff in there to lighten it up." (The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine issue 19)
  • Michael Piller commented, "It's a very funny episode, and Wally Shawn is something you've never seen on The Next Generation. He's certainly a character that is the most different from anything you'd find on The Next Generation." (The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion)

Continuity

  • This episode features the first appearance of Wallace Shawn as Zek and Tiny Ron as Maihar'du.
  • Krax, Zek's son, was not seen or mentioned again after this episode.
  • In their book Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages (p. 36), writers Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman commented that this episode "firmly established Rom, along with Jake and Nog's relationship." However, both elements were previously established in the series. While not the first episode to feature Max Grodénchik as Rom, his voice and mannerisms are completely changed in this episode to the ones he became known for the rest of the series.
  • This episode is the first to mention the Fire Caves on Bajor (home of the Pah-wraiths), although Sisko calls them the "Fire Caverns".
  • The Gratitude Festival is later celebrated on Deep Space 9 in "Fascination" and "Tears of the Prophets".
  • Chief Miles O'Brien returned in this episode. His last appearance was in "Q-Less", after which, as is mentioned in the episode "Dax", he and Keiko O'Brien went to visit Keiko's mother for her 100th birthday on Earth. O'Brien returned sooner than his wife, since he took over her class in school while she was gone.
  • This episode is not given a stardate, but the above reference suggests that it happened even later than "Dax" (which, according to its own stardate, occurred later than most other episodes of the season).
  • Commander Sisko mentions, in this episode, that Jake is fourteen while Molly is three. Molly's age is questionable, as she was born in TNG: "Disaster" and that episode took place only a year and a half previously.

Trivia

  • The screen behind O'Brien in the school scene includes a figure of the Ornithoids from TOS: "Catspaw", as well as tribbles.
  • Morn is seen laughing in this episode. He never opened his mouth again throughout the series.
  • At the beginning of Act 1, there appears to be a model each of a Miranda-class and a Nebula-class vessel in the rear of the school room. The two models lack the upper hull attachments that usually adorn the respective ship classes. There is also a poster containing dorsal views of the five USS Enterprise vessels commissioned by the Federation Starfleet to date, along with two other unknown diagrams.
  • A rivalry between two Ferengi businessmen, Hoex and Turot, over Volchok Prime is mentioned, but neither of them are credited as making an on-screen appearance.

Remastered version

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest Stars

And

Uncredited Co-Stars

References

2284; 2368; 2355; accomplice; adolescence; afternoon; airlock; Alpha Quadrant; amateur; Andorian; Andorian freighter; anti-gravity tractor; anti-grav sled; arcybite; argine; Assistant Manager of Policy and Clientele; aubergine stew; Bajor; Bajor's moons; Bajoran Gratitude Festival; Bajoran language; Bajoran system; Bajoran wormhole; Balosnee VI; bar; Barbo; baseball; baseball glove; beetle; best friend; birthday; bodyguard; body odor; brain; brother; businessman; cane; Cardassian language; Cardassian Union; cargo bay; cargo port; chopstick; chronic condition; Clarius system; coin; competitor; Corvan gilvo; cousin; crab; currency pouch; dabo girl; dabo table; Daedalus-class; daughter; day; daydream; death; dinner; disk; docking bay; Dolbargy sleeping trance; ear; Earth; elders; essay; ethics; evening; examination; faking death; father; Federation; Ferengi; Ferengi Alliance; Ferengi death ritual; Ferengi language; Ferengi ship; Ferengi tooth tools; Ferengi wine; fire; Fire Caverns; fish; food taster; fork; funeral service; Gamma Quadrant; gold-pressed latinum; gouge mining; Grand Nagus; Grand Nagus' staff; hallucination; holiday; holosuite; homework; hour; Horizon, USS; Human; Human language; Hupyrian; Jokarian chess; joke; jumja stick; Klingon; leader; lobe; locator bomb; midnight; Miranda-class; mirror; miszinite; molecular imaging scanner; money; moon; morning; new plan; Nebula-class; night; oatmeal; O'Brien, Keiko; O'Brien, Molly; "old man"; ops; orange drink; orange juice; ore; PADD; painting; pheromone; pheromonic sensor; polishing; Quark's; quarters; rail; Rawlings; receipt; replicator; Replimat; Risa; Risian; "Rom's"; Rules of Acquisition; Saratoga, USS; school; scepter; seating arrangement; Sepulo; servant; shoes; silverware; socks; son; sorium; spoon; Stakoron; Stakoron II; strangulation; substitute teacher; synthehol; Tarahong detention center; Tarahongian; Tarahong government; three-dimensional chess; transporter; tribble; tube grubs; tympanic membrane; vacation; vacuum-desiccation; Volchok Prime; vote; Vulcan; waffle; warp drive; wife; wormhole

Other references

Unreferenced material

algebra; Luta

External links

Previous episode:
"Move Along Home"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 1
Next episode:
"Vortex"