If the Ferengi in TNG maintained the idea of being the main antagonists

[suarezguy]

I really don't think that would, could work, Capitalists/Traders can be antagonistic/antagonists but them actually being evil rivals main villains on a big budget major TV show/(20+year/already four movies made) franchise feels a little too weird and at least verging on hypocrisy that you've pretty much got to at least also have bumbling humorous elements or undertone to at least make any hypocrisy at least self-aware.

I think Bok actually worked pretty well, both times, as a villain but with the show acknowledging he was pretty unusual even his crew being at least a bit less nefarious and very differently motivated and it was believable why there were different motivations.

 

[BillJ]

Honestly, that last bit’s pretty uncomfortable too.

Yeah, probably needs a rewrite or two.

 

[Dukhat]

What if the Ferengi in TNG maintained the idea of being the main antagonists? No bumbling humorous vibes out of them, but instead, they are cutthroat ruthless Capitalists and are hostile to the Federation as a whole. This means that later on in DS9, they are not the humorous comedic relief Aliens, but rather an intimidating hostile race. Assuming the Ferengi are written completely different from the get-go, no "Yankee Traders" sort of thing.

But what does being 'ruthless capitalists and hostile to the Federation' actually mean? Wanting to make lots of money or having lucrative trading agreements while being extremely hostile toward everyone doesn’t seem to be a viable long-term business strategy.

 

[FredH]

But what does being 'ruthless capitalists and hostile to the Federation' actually mean? Wanting to make lots of money or having lucrative trading agreements while being extremely hostile toward everyone doesn’t seem to be a viable long-term business strategy.

You noticed that…

 

[Snowdrop82]

But what does being 'ruthless capitalists and hostile to the Federation' actually mean? Wanting to make lots of money or having lucrative trading agreements while being extremely hostile toward everyone doesn’t seem to be a viable long-term business strategy.

Being extremely manipulative, intelligent, and savvy with manipulating their way into deals and agreements. By hostility, I do not mean militarily, but in their intent to expand their business Empire - while also being Barbarians and using trade, economic deals, etc to get others to look the other way from their Barbarism.

 

[FredH]

You noticed that…

I’m just saying, I can think of certain individuals in the political realm who take precisely this approach — but not necessarily due to intelligence.

 

[Dukhat]

Being extremely manipulative, intelligent, and savvy with manipulating their way into deals and agreements. By hostility, I do not mean militarily, but in their intent to expand their business Empire - while also being Barbarians and using trade, economic deals, etc to get others to look the other way from their Barbarism.

Okay, but I didn’t think that’s what you were implying in your opening post. I took it to mean that you wanted the Ferengi to be absolutely vicious like the Gorn in order to be taken seriously as a threat. Again, wanting to expand your business empire by being more cuttthroat is fine, but I still don’t think the Federation would be treating them like they treat the Cardassians or the Dominion.