How Quark Became A Fully Realized Ferengi On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

[Qonundrum]

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-quark-became-a-fully-realized-ferengi-on-star-/1100-6457562/

Sorry if that's a repost... but if nothing else, it's nice to read "Move Along Home" getting some love.

Early on in the first season, there was an episode called "Move Along Home" [where Quark is coerced into a game where he literally bets on the crew members' lives]. They wrote on the page that I was a sniveling, cowardly sort of creature, much like the Ferengi in The Next Generation. So I played against that in "Move Along Home." I tried to make him as troubled and conflicted about the dilemma in front of him as anyone would be. And that, for me, was the first time I had an influence on the writers, where they saw the quality that Armin Shimerman was bringing to the Ferengi.

Win!

 

[ItIsGreen]

Great interview. I love Armin Shimerman, and I love Quark.

I'm surprised that they allowed the actors so little input into their characters though, I know it was filmed on a tight schedule and budget, but I would have thought they'd have a little give and take with the actors.

 

[kkt]

Whereas I'm surprised they allow the actors as much input as they do. In Shimerman's case it worked out well, but generally writers write, and actors act.

 

[DS9forever]

I've never played Star Trek Online, but reading in that article that Shimerman, Nana Visitor, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig and Andrew Robinson are all returning makes me want to check it out. It would be cool if Colm Meaney returned to voice O'Brien in a future update too.

 

[Farscape One]

Agreed about "MOVE ALONG HOME". I am in the minority of people who really enjoy that episode. It's a favorite of mine from that first season.

I've heard this before, how the actors had virtually no input on their characters or dialogue. TNG, from what I heard, was the actors say the dialogue verbatim with no wiggle room. Not even a syllable difference. Not sure if VOYAGER and ENTERPRISE were the same, though.

It's also a different era, too. Seasons at that time were 26 episodes long, so I wonder if that's a factor.

 

[DS9forever]

J.G. Hertzler is involved as well; in total ten actors are involved.