The Ferengi --- are you a fan?

[Trollheart]

I have to say, I thought the Ferengi were an inspired creation. A race that go totally against what most of the others (say they) stand for, are interested in profit and only profit (and uumax), are great fun on one level and on another level the most honest race in the galaxy. They never make any secret about the fact that they're "in it for the money", and the Rules of Acquisition is one of the sharpest, most insightful pieces of satire I have ever read.

Favourite Ferengi line: "The latinum's gone! No! It's gold! Nothing but worthless gold!"

 

[Herbert1]

I wasn't a fan of the race when they first appeared in the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the episode "The Last Outpost" or in "The Battle". Remember that the Ferengi were originally intended to be the major adversary race in Star Trek: The Next Generation and be the new Klingons/Romulans.

It wasn't until they started to be re-written as semi-comedic characters and a satire of capitalism that I started to like them.

 

[CaptainStoner]

It wasn't until they started to be re-written as semi-comedic characters and a satire of capitalism that I started to like them.

Same here. I love the DS9 Ferengi episodes. Each time one would pop up it was sure to be fun. I also like the layers of emerging feminism/equality with Quark's "Moogie".
I know some folks want their aliens to be really alien, but after all, the aliens of Trek do represent different aspects of humanity and that is where I find them most enjoyable. Or as Kirk said, "Everybody's human".
To which Spock replied, "I find that remark..offensive."

 

[Joeman]

Yes I am, thanks of course to DS9. Quark, Rom, Nog, Brunt, Zek, and Moogie were all very interesting characters, and made the Ferengi a respectable race in Trek. They were pretty much annoying buffoons on TNG.

Voyager had a good Ferengi episode too with False Profits.

 

[Trollheart]

Absolutely agree re TNG. They just were no use as "bad guys". Even in EaF, when they're mentioned for the first time, and Picard says to (can't recall his name: the guy who administered Farpoint) "Well, I hope the Ferengi find you as tasty as their last ally", it just didn't work.

A rare example of character redesign that worked like a dream.

And let's be honest: isn't there a little Ferengi in all of us?

(Oh, and why aren't there any Ferengi icons here! Discrimination, I say! You'll be hearing from my lawyers! HOW much latinum? Hmm, perhaps we can make a deal....)

 

[sbk1234]

Didn't like them much in the early eps of TNG. THe first time I thought they had potential was the episode with the Hathaway. I also liked them in the episode Rascals. (Don't hurt me!)
I was extremely cynical about the character of Quark for DS9, but I think they used him alright.
Using them on ENT made me want to puke my guts out.
I'd say DS9 used them the best, but it got to be a little too much humor for my taste.

 

[RyuRoots]

After DS9, I'd say so. Quark, Rom, and Nog all ended up being pretty interesting characters with surprising amounts of development, and some of the Ferengi eps were actually pretty good. In TNG though, not so much. Although they did have their moments. "Then who gets the chairs?!"

 

[doubleohfive]

I never had any problems with the Ferengi. I became quite the fan though once the writers on DS9 got to them. I honestly don't understand all the hate the Ferengi episodes get.

 

[MikeS]

All my thoughts have pretty much been covered. Didn't work as an enemy in TNG. Excellent reworking in DS9 into a great satire of Capitalism. They're great and the most "Hoo-man" of any Star Trek alien or even Human character!

 

[nx1701g]

I liked them in DS9. I thought they were a good addition.

 

[Kirby]

I enjoyed them because they were never over-used. A whole series revolving around the Ferengi would have been horrible, but they got enough exposure (1 or 2 Ferengi-heavy episodes per season) to be tolerable.
Quark and later season Nog were great characters.

 

[Admiral Shran]

I did not care for them at all in their first three appearances, The Last Outpost, The Battle, and Peak Performance.

However, starting with their fourth appearance, The Price, I began to warm to them. Looking back on it now, you can see the underpinnings of what they would become later on DS9 in this episode.

Of course, if it weren't for Armin Shimerman, I would probably be relatively indifferent about them. Thanks to his nuanced performance, I really like them.

 

[USS Kongo]

I hated the Ferengi until Quark came along on DS9. I liked the character a lot, and through him, began to enjoy the Ferengi.

As stated before, when they were being set up as the major villains, they fell flat. Yet as the comic relief, they're perfect.

Sean

 

[Danny99]

So I guess I'm in the minority.

I also turned off Ferengi episodes with the exception of "The Magnificent Ferengi"

All that I ask of episodic television is that characters grow. Trek has never great with it. However, the fact that outside of Rom and Nog, no Ferengi character grew, instead remaining as poor comedic relief, turned me off.

 

[SilentP]

However, the fact that outside of Rom and Nog, no Ferengi character grew, instead remaining as poor comedic relief, turned me off.

While maybe not growth per se, I'd say that with Quark that we got to see more aspects of him as time went on, that I only began to really appreciate as I rewatched DS9.

 

[Kegg]

Loved the Ferengi. They've had their weak spots and indifferent episodes, but mostly, an integral part on DS9. Quark was also one of the best principals on the show.

However, the fact that outside of Rom and Nog, no Ferengi character grew, instead remaining as poor comedic relief, turned me off.

While maybe not growth per se, I'd say that with Quark that we got to see more aspects of him as time went on, that I only began to really appreciate as I rewatched DS9.

Quark's lack of growth had to do with his integrity, which made him a strong character. He had his convictions and he was completely sincere about them.

Granted, those convictions were about being a greedy profitmonger, but to the Ferengi, those are ideals.

 

[Tyjos Azari]

I love the Ferengi part of my inspiration to become a merchant.

Quark: Weapons, no one ever went broke selling weapons.

 

[ChadHydro]

Of course, if it weren't for Armin Shimerman, I would probably be relatively indifferent about them. Thanks to his nuanced performance, I really like them.

Soooo true. His portrayal of Quark was simply fantastic. I adore the adversarial relationship with Odo. One of my favorite all-time "friendships".

 

[Saquist]

I'm okay with them but I could do without them.

 

[Lor'Vela]

Indifferent.

I liked the character of Quark, but the others I could do without. TBH, my opinion is the exact opposite of Herbert... I preferred the way they were handled in TNG, and began not to like them as much when they became comic relief material.