The episode begins with Chief O'Brien worrying about a pregnant Keiko and an unusually cheerful Quark entering his bar after a two week trip on Ferenginar. The plot and subplot both start rolling with two events - Keiko is injured and Major Kira has the O'Brien's baby transferred into her body, automatically make the Bajoran Major a surrogate mother. But the biggest event of the episode is centered on Quark.
Here, Quark learns that he is dying from a rare, incurable disease and he has six to seven days to live. But that is the least of Quark's worries, Quark is considered a joke on Ferenginar and he's depressed about his life, as he is a small-time, mediocre operator to his fellow Ferengis (except his brother, Rom) and that no Ferengi would want to purchase his vaccuum dessicated remains on the future exchange (which is pretty much the Star Trek version of eBay). However, Quark's mood starts to improve when he gets an anonymous buyer who bids a hundred bars of latinum for the entire set of 52 discs. Quark's mood is greatly improved when his doctor's diagnosis proves to be faulty and that he is not going to die after all (which includes one of Quark's funniest moments where he says "I get to sue Dr. Orpax for malpractice!"). But the joy is short lived when it is revealed that the anonymous buyer is Quark's old adversary, Brunt of the Ferengi Commerce Authority. In spite of Quark's protests that he is not going to die, Brunt remains adamant that Quark would pay him the pound of flesh in the form of his remains. Quark is forced to choose between killing himself, having himself killed by someone (in this case, Garak), or breaking the contract, which will inevitably result in Quark being stripped from his business license, family property and being ostracized from other Ferengi. After much debate, Quark ultimately decides to live and break the contract after a dreamland visit from Grand Nagus Gint, who gives him permission to break the rules to save his life.
This episode has a wonderful blend of drama and comedy, and holds a great, meaningful message with Quark learning how his life is far too important for him to lose. There were a handful of touching moments, including the scene where Kira reassures Keiko that her baby is alright.
Keeping in touch with the "Merchant of Venice" and "It's a Wonderful Life" story themes, it is clear that Quark is the anagram of Antonio and George Bailey, while Rom is the Bassiano/Uncle Billy like character. Brunt is obviously the Shylock/ Mr. Potter character, who wishes to take down, even humiliate Quark as the former sees the latter as a pathetic excuse for a Ferengi. Grand Nagus Gint (Max Grodénchik in a dual role) acts as a humorously bad-tempered version of Clarence the Angel.
Quark's story line ends on a bittersweet note where the penniless Quark is startled to see Captain Sisko and the DS9 crew helping him restart his business by bringing in everything he needs. It is at this moment in the series where Quark learns the most poignant lesson of all - No man (or Ferengi) is a failure who has friends.
Another fun, wonderful and sympathetic episode featuring every trekkie's Favorite Ferengi bartender that's worth watching.
Here, Quark learns that he is dying from a rare, incurable disease and he has six to seven days to live. But that is the least of Quark's worries, Quark is considered a joke on Ferenginar and he's depressed about his life, as he is a small-time, mediocre operator to his fellow Ferengis (except his brother, Rom) and that no Ferengi would want to purchase his vaccuum dessicated remains on the future exchange (which is pretty much the Star Trek version of eBay). However, Quark's mood starts to improve when he gets an anonymous buyer who bids a hundred bars of latinum for the entire set of 52 discs. Quark's mood is greatly improved when his doctor's diagnosis proves to be faulty and that he is not going to die after all (which includes one of Quark's funniest moments where he says "I get to sue Dr. Orpax for malpractice!"). But the joy is short lived when it is revealed that the anonymous buyer is Quark's old adversary, Brunt of the Ferengi Commerce Authority. In spite of Quark's protests that he is not going to die, Brunt remains adamant that Quark would pay him the pound of flesh in the form of his remains. Quark is forced to choose between killing himself, having himself killed by someone (in this case, Garak), or breaking the contract, which will inevitably result in Quark being stripped from his business license, family property and being ostracized from other Ferengi. After much debate, Quark ultimately decides to live and break the contract after a dreamland visit from Grand Nagus Gint, who gives him permission to break the rules to save his life.
This episode has a wonderful blend of drama and comedy, and holds a great, meaningful message with Quark learning how his life is far too important for him to lose. There were a handful of touching moments, including the scene where Kira reassures Keiko that her baby is alright.
Keeping in touch with the "Merchant of Venice" and "It's a Wonderful Life" story themes, it is clear that Quark is the anagram of Antonio and George Bailey, while Rom is the Bassiano/Uncle Billy like character. Brunt is obviously the Shylock/ Mr. Potter character, who wishes to take down, even humiliate Quark as the former sees the latter as a pathetic excuse for a Ferengi. Grand Nagus Gint (Max Grodénchik in a dual role) acts as a humorously bad-tempered version of Clarence the Angel.
Quark's story line ends on a bittersweet note where the penniless Quark is startled to see Captain Sisko and the DS9 crew helping him restart his business by bringing in everything he needs. It is at this moment in the series where Quark learns the most poignant lesson of all - No man (or Ferengi) is a failure who has friends.
Another fun, wonderful and sympathetic episode featuring every trekkie's Favorite Ferengi bartender that's worth watching.
