“BAR ASSOCIATION”
“Didn’t anyone ever warn you that oo-mox will make you deaf?!”
What’s this—another winner? Back when I first watched the series I think this one passed me by just a little. I liked it, but I don’t think I fully appreciated it as I do now. It has all the trappings of a standard Ferengi comedy, except for one thing—it’s not actually that funny. In fact, there are actually probably more laughs from the sub-plot than from the Ferengi hi-jinks. The reason for this is simple. It’s not actually a comedy. It’s a drama, and a very nice little drama, too.
Watching the series in retrospect and knowing where things will end up actually makes me appreciate certain things even more than I did back at the time. The Ferengi have a neat little arc throughout the series; one that sees their society’s core values and codes of conduct come into question at both an individual and, latterly, a collective level. “Bar Association” is a pivotal part of that arc.
Nog was the first Ferengi character we saw openly question and defy Ferengi custom and tradition by turning his back on Ferengi life altogether and enlisting to join Starfleet Academy. While Quark is disgusted and fears for the very future of Ferengi society, Rom is incredibly proud and, for the first time possibly ever, actually musters the courage to stand up to Quark. Little did Quark know that this would open a floodgate. “Bar Association” sees Rom finally able to stand up for himself and, not just that, but to blatantly defy Ferengi business practice. The very word “union” is heretical to Ferengi, and there’s an immediate backlash in the form of Liquidator Brunt, who is surprisingly menacing in this, his second appearance in the series. The orthodoxy does not like being challenged and it rightly fears that even the slightest dissent might have far-reaching consequences. The Ferengi revolution begins here (although it did have its seeds in Nog’s entry to Starfleet and Moogie herself, Ishka, whose radical streak doubtlessly had an influence on Rom and Quark’s upbringing, even if the latter is still unprepared to admit that).
Ira Behr and Robert Wolfe’s script is a good one, and Max Grodenchik does a nice job carrying the show, delivering a performance that’s infectiously enthusiastic, earnest, and, this being Rom, at times just a tad grating. It’s rather wonderful seeing the beleaguered barman capitalise on his newfound confidence and, realising that he operates best when he’s not around Quark, accept a job that utilises his engineering skills. N’awww; I’m with Leeta: I’m proud of him. Armin Shimmerman is on top form as always, with Quark steadfastly resisting any threat to the status quo and the values he unwaveringly lives his life by. Things are gradually changing for Quark, though—he genuinely wants to protect his brother and before long we’ll see Quark openly question his sacrosanct values (“Body Parts”). It’s a gradual, subtle arc as Quark slowly, grudgingly begins to shift from being a “good Ferengi” to a more open-minded, and open-hearted individual across the seasons. I’m really enjoying watching this unfold.
While not a comedy as such, there are some fun moments scattered throughout, particularly Quark’s disastrous and gloriously surreal use of holographic waiters, and there are some amusing scenes with Miles, Julian and Worf who, rather inexplicably, end up in a brawl at Quark’s. The Worf sub-plot, which sees him continue to struggle with the disorderly environment of the station, is nicely executed and, contrary to how the Commander may feel, it made me realise just how well the character has settled into the series. Perhaps the comedic highlight of the episode for me was Worf complaining to Odo about the security lapses on the station and Odo immediately grabbing a PADD and rattling off a list he’d compiled of security fuck-ups on the Enterprise (beginning with the events of “Rascals” and continuing with “A Matter of Time”). The way Worf promptly shuts up is hilarious. I loved that scene.
Overall, a very strong episode. It’s intelligently and perceptively written and features some delightful character growth. The performances are strong and LeVar Burton does a nice job directing. I’d definitely rate this one of the finest Ferengi episodes. Rating: 8
“Didn’t anyone ever warn you that oo-mox will make you deaf?!”
What’s this—another winner? Back when I first watched the series I think this one passed me by just a little. I liked it, but I don’t think I fully appreciated it as I do now. It has all the trappings of a standard Ferengi comedy, except for one thing—it’s not actually that funny. In fact, there are actually probably more laughs from the sub-plot than from the Ferengi hi-jinks. The reason for this is simple. It’s not actually a comedy. It’s a drama, and a very nice little drama, too.
Watching the series in retrospect and knowing where things will end up actually makes me appreciate certain things even more than I did back at the time. The Ferengi have a neat little arc throughout the series; one that sees their society’s core values and codes of conduct come into question at both an individual and, latterly, a collective level. “Bar Association” is a pivotal part of that arc.
Nog was the first Ferengi character we saw openly question and defy Ferengi custom and tradition by turning his back on Ferengi life altogether and enlisting to join Starfleet Academy. While Quark is disgusted and fears for the very future of Ferengi society, Rom is incredibly proud and, for the first time possibly ever, actually musters the courage to stand up to Quark. Little did Quark know that this would open a floodgate. “Bar Association” sees Rom finally able to stand up for himself and, not just that, but to blatantly defy Ferengi business practice. The very word “union” is heretical to Ferengi, and there’s an immediate backlash in the form of Liquidator Brunt, who is surprisingly menacing in this, his second appearance in the series. The orthodoxy does not like being challenged and it rightly fears that even the slightest dissent might have far-reaching consequences. The Ferengi revolution begins here (although it did have its seeds in Nog’s entry to Starfleet and Moogie herself, Ishka, whose radical streak doubtlessly had an influence on Rom and Quark’s upbringing, even if the latter is still unprepared to admit that).
Ira Behr and Robert Wolfe’s script is a good one, and Max Grodenchik does a nice job carrying the show, delivering a performance that’s infectiously enthusiastic, earnest, and, this being Rom, at times just a tad grating. It’s rather wonderful seeing the beleaguered barman capitalise on his newfound confidence and, realising that he operates best when he’s not around Quark, accept a job that utilises his engineering skills. N’awww; I’m with Leeta: I’m proud of him. Armin Shimmerman is on top form as always, with Quark steadfastly resisting any threat to the status quo and the values he unwaveringly lives his life by. Things are gradually changing for Quark, though—he genuinely wants to protect his brother and before long we’ll see Quark openly question his sacrosanct values (“Body Parts”). It’s a gradual, subtle arc as Quark slowly, grudgingly begins to shift from being a “good Ferengi” to a more open-minded, and open-hearted individual across the seasons. I’m really enjoying watching this unfold.
While not a comedy as such, there are some fun moments scattered throughout, particularly Quark’s disastrous and gloriously surreal use of holographic waiters, and there are some amusing scenes with Miles, Julian and Worf who, rather inexplicably, end up in a brawl at Quark’s. The Worf sub-plot, which sees him continue to struggle with the disorderly environment of the station, is nicely executed and, contrary to how the Commander may feel, it made me realise just how well the character has settled into the series. Perhaps the comedic highlight of the episode for me was Worf complaining to Odo about the security lapses on the station and Odo immediately grabbing a PADD and rattling off a list he’d compiled of security fuck-ups on the Enterprise (beginning with the events of “Rascals” and continuing with “A Matter of Time”). The way Worf promptly shuts up is hilarious. I loved that scene.
Overall, a very strong episode. It’s intelligently and perceptively written and features some delightful character growth. The performances are strong and LeVar Burton does a nice job directing. I’d definitely rate this one of the finest Ferengi episodes. Rating: 8
