DS9 Nog borrows Sisko's desk (Treachery, Faith, and the Great River)

Where's the captain's desk?

[@mrandrews3616]

Is it weird that Al Lorenzo is one of my favorite characters in all of Star Trek? Just, the idea that there is this one weirdo who loves sneaking onto ships, taking selfies behind Captain's desks and then sneaks off, it's brilliant.

[@xander1052]

he's an absolute legend, imagine how many photos he has taken

[@XR171]

Imagine him infiltrating Section 31 just to add to his collection.

[@fanboygamer3e]

It’s like some guy hoping the fence of some celebrity’s backyard & taking a selfie of himself swimming in their pool or something like that

[@Psiros]

@@XR171 Lorenzo: So this is Agent Sloan's desk. Sloan: (Turns his chair) We've been expecting you.

[@BeastBoom24]

They need to have him show up in Lower Decks. He’d be a hilarious addition to an episode.

[@PsiTerrorPrime]

Nog needs to be in logistics, because goddamn if he can get a graviton stabilizer in exchange for a desk, give the man a promotion

[@jonsnor4313]

Not even for a desk, just for the right to take a selfie with the desk. I think he would be good in political nagotiations too, given the concept is similar.

[@RequiemPoete]

@@jonsnor4313 So long as it's after he stopped telling women to chew his food for him.

[@fixt100]

he had aa unique item the buyer needed to complete a set, the item had more value to that person than to any other purchaser.

[@crazedvole]

@@jonsnor4313 Guys taking a selfie back in the 90s. Once again star trek is ahead of the curve

[@RequiemPoete]

@@fixt100 Yeah, but he had the tenacity to find this chain of needs that ultimately got what he needed. I'm getting the impression most Starfleet personnel would only have looked for a straight trade, rather than trade A for B, to trade for C then D then E ultimately to get F.

[@GameKeeper28]

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." "Chief, I can't operate under those kinds of restrictions."

[@jerodast]

I was already laughing at the casual mention of "my first set of ears" (radical new Ferengi biology reveal!), and now you remind me of that line. Very fun episode XD

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

The B plot in this episode was a great example of how Nog as a Ferengi was able to bring his own unique skills to serve Starfleet. Having Nog join Starfleet was one of the cleverest decisions the writers of this series ever made. RIP Aron Eisenberg.

[@thegreenmanofnorwich]

I really liked his character and the way he acted it.

[@emperorzarkov]

Nog grew into one of my favourite characters and this episode really shows him at his best.

[@DAClarkism]

I always had a soft spot for Nog. He was such a great character that developed so much from where he started. He grew up rough, but he was at heart a good soul that just wanted to make the best of himself. Also, it's pretty clear whoever wrote his early starfleet scenes had military experience. The awkwardness of trying to get past Captain Sisko and General Martok so he can access a console - like who could pick up on that bit of nuance except someone who had lived it in a real military? The way bull Ensign Nog tried to organize the Ferengi mercenaries for the trip to the other space station, with all his pomp and rigidity that often comes from a brand new officer? The episode that covers his PTSD - damn good and so true. It's a shame we won't get to see the late Aron Eisenberg replay him in any future seasons of Picard. I would almost want to see another actor take his place, almost, if just to see what probably now Captain Nog has been up to, and how he's grown. But I have mixed feelings about that as it would almost seem like a slap in the face to Aron Eisenberg. Maybe a much older Grom could make a cameo and talk about him.

[@emperorzarkov]

@@DAClarkism It wouldn't feel right to have another actor do that role. Who could possibly get it right? We will have to be content with the glimpses of his bright future we saw in 'The Visitor'.

[@Saddler1944]

Best example of this is in post DS9 book Nog "passed" the Kobayashi Maru by trying to barter for the lives of the crew. He crashed the simulation as he kept haggling for price and the simluation could not keep up with his deal. Starfleet had to add an entire new set of rules to the simulation after.

[@PavarottiAardvark]

TNG: The Ferengi are weird silly goblin creatures who screech a lot. They are the opposite of the Federation. DS9: Here is an actual philosophy, economic model and religious principle all rolled into one. Watch as it contrasts with the Federation, while also proving compatible in surprising ways.

[@polarknight5376]

DS9: They are also silly goblin creatures.

[@persebra]

Yes, each star trek series explores one or more alien species very well the first series we got to know Vulcans, The next generation we got to know Klingons and the Borg, in DS9, we got to know the Ferengi, Cardassians, the Bajorans, etc.

[@russell5078084]

I think they got the idea for DS9 from Babylon 5.

[@momokochama1844]

@@persebra and enterprise (yes, I know, we don't speak about this one :) ) had Andorians, Vulcans and a little bit Tellarites

[@zvimur]

@@momokochama1844 so, we need Jeffrey Combes as an alien in a ST show.

[@Asher_Tye]

Nog, here's a loaf of bread. Turn it into a Bird of Prey. I'm not interested in how.

[@golvic1436]

You know he would do it, too. In a week.

[@carlzerris6566]

While throwing in a case of blood wine for the crew.

[@Tounushi]

#oneredpaperclip

[@tomabenas964]

He gave the bread to a hungry farmer who had an extra phaser rifle. He then gave the phaser rifle to an outpost that needed it in trade for 13 spare comm badges. He gave those comm badges to the engineering team on DS9 in trade for an extra induction coil. He used this induction coil to buy 5 barrels of blood wine from a weird klingon. He used the blood wine to then bribe the captain of one BoP into loaning him the ship, which he then loaned out for 500 barrels of blood wine, which he then gave to the captain to let him keep the BoP, and thus getting you your BoP. FYI, the captain was an idiot.

[@Roboglenn387]

Like getting an egg and turning it into a big powerful sword.

[@3oct1111]

Nog left 3 locations in better condition and a guys hobby fulfilled

[@3Rayfire]

Nog is a good Egg.

[@Tacitusreborn]

Hah, I see what you did there.

[@ianmcpherson2171]

Fucking hero

[@aaronanglea]

NOG IS LEGEND!

[@limiv5272]

Nog also got Martok better blood wine

[@mrgabest]

I just realized that O'Brien asks 'who are they' instead of 'what is that' because the only continuum he has experience with is the Q Continuum, from his time on the Enterprise. That's a subtle bit of writing with no real payoff, really just a detail for its own sake.

[@FriezaSucks]

It's to prematurely quell the nerd arguments, although i appreciated it too.

[@Trek001]

Did he ever encounter Q or Q or even Q?

[@leonsantana3646]

B P dude he’s flying the battle bridge on encounter at farpoint

[@sminkycorp]

It could have sounded like a prog rock band?

[@Trek001]

@@leonsantana3646 I know he is, but he did not get taken by Q to the Courtroom

[@stephenfurlong4230]

What i love is that Nog claimed he was a terrible businessman like his father yet on 3 seperate occasions he managed to apply logistics to his current predicament and come out 10 times better off. Considering that he started as an illiterate bully i can truly say Nog was my favourite character.

[@nepntzerZer]

He was a terrible businessman becuase he had ethics and moral decency. The character nog must be dead too now though.

[@chucklipsig2595]

He was terrible for a Ferengi. But compared to Hoo-mans and most other species, he was probably still quite adept. Similarly, I suspect the Klingon Chef who had a restaurant on the Promenade wasn't going to be winning any Bat'leth tournaments. But if a non-Klingon got rowdy in his establishment, they'd have to be very highly skilled fighters for their species to keep the chef from kicking them out of there.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

@@chucklipsig2595 We have to accept that on Ferenginar there are schmucks too. (Think of Grand Nagus's son, Krax) Hence the saying, "he didn't have the lobes for it." Even Quark felt he himself was a poor businessman because he was running a bar whilst his Cousin Galon owned his own moon. Of course, Galon wasn't a people person, there's no call for it in the arms-business. Here, have another root beer.

[@jamesconvery2907]

Nog failed at the Ferengi way of doing business which was a zero-sum game. Someone wins and someone loses. Nog excelled at the win-win game. He wasn't trying to screw anybody over, he was trying fulfil his win condition and if he helped others, it was a plus.

[@AtlasBlizzard]

The Ferengi value profit, while Nog understands and values the principles of trade.

[@vguyver2]

Picard's desk too?! Once again Worf, you failed at your job.

[@Sraye]

+V Guyver Could've happened after Worf left.

[@vguyver2]

Xepthrichros This is just as Worf was joining. This was mentioned as a prior accomplishment. So I have to assume it was either Worf or Tasha Yar, but Tasha has been dead for years.

[@Sraye]

V Guyver This happened in Season 7. "Just as Worf was joining". More like just as Worf was leaving.

[@tigersebel]

+V Guyver It could have been on the Enterprise-E. This is the 7 Season. If i remember correctly the Enteprise-E was already in service doing these time

[@Sraye]

tigersebel It could even have been with Picard's permission. Nowhere were we told whether Picard and that fella who wants the photo were friends or strangers to each other.

[@timdrugge907]

DS9: We need one thing, Nog. Get it for us. Nog: Done. I've also gained favor with a political official and provided desired components to two ships. Star Fleet: We need more Ferengi!

[@DinsRune]

How many bars of latinum will it cost for you to join our Federation???

[@dontes5009]

Ferengi philosophy is actually really practical.

[@DinsRune]

It kind of makes sense. It's just the basics of supply and demand writ large.

[@AzguardMike]

kinda like Lucifer on the show Lucifer. He makes deals with people, and then trades what he gets from person with another, and so on. Never really keeping the deal for himself. ("Oh you want to be the drummer in that new club, well ok but you owe me a favor." Later contacts him for a free ticket to the show that he gives to a woman who wants to see said band because he can later get a favor from her.)

[@johngarry1238]

It is similar to Adam Smith's "Invisible Hand", and it has worked far better than any other economic philosophy.

[@titusmccarthy]

@@johngarry1238 That's total BS.

[@RBSmada]

It’s capitalism so yeah certainly

[@robertmorris8997]

I have a friend that when we were in the Marine Corps, he was an expediter. Gets parts for us. We were on Okinawa, and our OV-10 detachment needed some brake assemblies. He grabbed 10 squadron patches, H&MS-36 Flight Section, and headed over to Kadena Air Force Base. He comes back with 10 OV-10 brake assemblies. He was a master.

[@Excalibur01]

The master

[@DinsRune]

Man knew his Rules Of Acquisition.

[@AtlasBlizzard]

That's awesome!

[@robertmorris8997]

yep yep yep

[@viridisxiv766]

"the river will provide" "if it doesn`t sink us first" that`s some genuine first class philosophy right there.

[@tnerbtnerb5136]

Lexington73300 You mean classic Irish *realism*, don't you? **takes swig of pint**

[@Arturius]

I'm noticing some similarities between Irish realism and Polish realism. We'd make a good team. *Swigs some vodka*

[@ColonelBragg]

Not quite as legendary as British cynicsim

[@Tomcat_Coyote]

And lucky for us , we just happened to be graced with both Irish and British cynicism in DS9 :)

[@IPfreely333]

did you mean 1st class as in Petty Officer, or style? because hes a Chief, above 1st class.....

[@SirCraigius]

Its good to know that even in the 24th century, there will still be weirdo's with bizarre hobbies.

[@OpenMawProductions]

SirCraigius I'd wager, given the technology and the likelyhood that every individual probably has all the free time in the world, that there are a lot of "weirdos with bizzarre hobbies" out there. Just imagine what a holodeck could give us... *shudder*

[@frankg2790]

***** Too risky.

[@frankg2790]

***** Worst case scenario is that you get picked up by Section 31 and have to infiltrate the Cardassian military.

[@goob67896]

It's the holodeck, no need to masturbate you can just stick it in.

[@rkmugen]

The Holodeck/Holosuite will only make things worse. lol

[@markirizarry4851]

Rest in Peace Aron Eisenberg. Sadly passed away at 50 on September 21, 2019. Love ya, Nog!

[@dsandoval9396]

Noooo! Really!? That sucks. So many great actors in ST series that gave it a genuine real feeling, Nog was was no exception.

[@medexamtoolsdotcom]

You'll learn as time goes by that all the celebrities will die, it's just a question of which ones you'll outlive. When I was young my classmates in school were just SO SHOCKED when Jim Henson died. And I said to one of them "one day you will be shocked that Michael Jackson has died, and then soon after, people will think of him in exactly the same way as they think of Elvis now". That blew his mind, since Elvis had been dead either all his life or since he was a baby and to him, he was a relic of a time he never was around to see. And yet it has come to pass. Remember, all the big celebrities you can hardly imagine will die. It's just a matter of crossing them off the list one by one. It's unlikely to take another 20 years for all the cast members of the original star trek to bite it for instance.

[@khankrum1]

Life is rarely fair

[@khankrum1]

@@medexamtoolsdotcom don't worry, you will get to see them again.lol

[@zindi1138]

My most loved ... His laugh...

[@E100Omega123]

Nog missed his true calling as a supply clerk. Those magical men and women who can procure seemly anything with the right amount of motivation and incentive.

[@DWolf2k2]

E100Omega123 Fortunately, as an Engineer, they often have to be supply clerks in getting the gear they need.

[@captin3149]

If anyone had ever seen 'Operation petticoat' Tony Curtis plays one of those magical supply officers. I could totally see Nog taking that role as a chief quartermaster for a starship. 'Where did you get this extra tachyon emitter? It still has Romulan Proofmarks on it!' "Best not to ask Captain, and those proofmarks won't be there tomorrow, just give me an hour and a fusion cutter....."

[@wrongway1100]

E100Omega123 When I was in the service we called them the Philipino Mafia.

[@GFRzeszutek]

Nog ranks right up there with the great scroungers like Cpl. Max Klinger or Neelix.

[@SantomPh]

In "The Visitor" Nog actually becomes a captain of a starship though

[@Stardweller1]

I love how Chief O'Brien, formerly stationed on the Enterprise, angrily cut him off after Nog mentions this guy sitting behind Picard's desk.

[@shalifi7774]

I seem to remember something like that being mentioned in ST:TNG. lol

[@AllknowingUnknown]

James Elles Could you tell me the episode please? I'd love to check it out.

[@RurouniKalain]

Never er picked up on that, nice. And I don't recall that was said in TNG.

[@Varekai0723]

@@Scyllax DeSoto's is RIker's former commander. Maxwell was O'Brien's former.

[@mardus_ee]

+Eric Naylor, Varekai0723 | Knowing about Picard's desk must have been the last straw, because that increased the chance of Nog mentioning the Starfleet Admirals' desks. That was something that O'Brien did not want to know, for the sake of both himself and Nog.

[@willerwin3201]

*This episode, and Nog's character arc, was DS9-style subversion at its very best.* Ferengi go from being a caricature on TNG, to comic relief in early DS9, to offering a philosophical counterpoint to that of Starfleet. Nog, who rejected the Ferengi way of life to join Starfleet and make a better life for himself, brings Ferengi thinking to Starfleet and makes Starfleet better for everyone by his actions. Damn, this show was awesome.

[@jy3n2]

Nog is an example of IDIC in action.

[@TheEndKing]

@@jy3n2 What does IDIC mean?

[@jy3n2]

@@TheEndKing Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations.

[@PantherMom512]

​​@@jy3n2​ @TheEndKing IDIC, and how this diversity brings beauty and meaning to the universe

[@rayloc420]

Nog months earlier, 'I KNOW I have something to offer, I just need a chance to prove it." This scene epitomizes that. This is valuable for Star Fleet and could better their negotiations skills.

[@scaper8]

Remember back in season one's "Progress" when Nog couldn't see the possibility of a trade-chain to get what his final goal was? And now here he has it down like second nature. He may not have been a traditional Ferengi, but whether he knew it or not, he _did_ have the lobes for business, just not for _profit._ When he's working towards something else, he comes out on top far more often than not. Another example is when he was using Vic Fontaine's holoprogram to help with his recovery and helped Vic expand his business. He saw ways to expand hand-over-fist. Sure "money" was on the table, but it was about helping Vic, who'd been a friend and comfort to him.

[@kenjisparks]

That's a really great point. Nog had the lobes for business but not for profit. Usually I and most would group the two together, not consider them two different concepts. Well said.

[@toomanyaccounts]

@@kenjisparks nog couldn't see why land was valuable. most people know that land is valuable because of what is there or will be there in the future. even the most worthless land today in the future could be extremely valuable,

[@Johnnywilsonforever]

And the Willie Mays baseball card as well.

[@bigmeknurgle]

He had the lobes for profit, but lacked greed as a motivator - the profit he makes isn't financial and it's exclusively to help people. A desk goes missing for a few hours in exchange for a vital starship part that probably costs hundreds of thousands of credits? Pure gravy.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Nog was too wise for his own good. His problem was that he was living on the Space Station. To do any kind of business on there he would have had to compete with Quark. He proved with the 'stem-bolts' that he had a Ferengi nouse for business, but he had a poor education at that point, which is why he didn't see the potential in the 'value of land' or the 'Mays card.' Ironically, it was his schooling at the Academy that made him a better Ferengi.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

Nog basically explains the gameplay of every adventure game of the mid 2000's. take object, bring object to person, person gives you another object, sends you across the map to kill monster, monster drops object, bring object to the guy right next to the first guy who gave you the quest, and then make all the way back in reverse, back to the first guy.

[@movie0007]

Or with adventure games, talk to first person, get info to go to X. Go to X to find item, and do things you don't even know to do, without looking up a walkthrough. Okay like, Conquests of Camelot for PC, it's an adventure game that back in the day, took me exactly one full year to finally figure out. I was in the catacombs. There is a tomb with some kind of green monster inside. Get too close and it pulls you in. BUT, there is an item inside that tomb you need. In a different room is a medallion around the neck of a very, very, very short mummy. Walk too close and a poisonous rat bites you. I tried EVERY combination. Get medallion, use sword for medallion, even tried to press space with the sword drawn but that didn't work, and then, finally, "Use sword on medallion" Once I got past that part, the rest of the game was a breeze.

[@maestososhifu]

Or any RPG ever.. especially Skyrim

[@RequiemPoete]

You forgot the part where you need x number of body parts from a mob thstogic tells you should only need to kill 2-3 of the things (example 10 spider legs, 3 tiger hearts, 7 Raven feathers) but somehow hours later and dozens upon dozens of the things killed you only have a third of what you need.

[@Speaker4200]

@@RequiemPoete that's mmorpg's m8 not adventure games. think monkey island not world of warcraft.

[@halfling49]

Nog would be at home in a King's Quest game

[@g4lt]

There's an old saying about warfare: "when you're short of everything except the Enemy, you're on the front line"

[@3Rayfire]

That's fantastic.

[@Zaluskowsky]

Superb

[@sharpe227]

Just need to figure out how to trade the enemy.

[@ProfTuNichts]

Instructions unclear. I am in a middle of a two sided warfare

[@AxistigerAKARegent]

Rest in Peace - Aron Eisenberg - 1969-2019

[@slitor]

(ok I'm not good with actor names so i had to google it) And DAMNIT! Really surprising to, to learn of his circumstances. Would have never thought he was in his late twenties when playing Nog.

[@Pippinn13]

Rene Auberjonois died too =(

[@Shawn_White]

@@slitor Me too, I always assumed Nog was played by a teen

[@hughmahn484]

@@slitor Heh it's funny he was actually cast for his stature so he could convincingly play Jake siskos contemporary only for Jake's actor to end up dwarfing him and a good deal of the cast by the end.

[@hammond1994]

Military logistics never changes. You always have to barter.

[@hoopsonwheels]

Nog should have been a quartermaster or supply officer he seems like the kind of guy that could get anything anyone wanted

[@rangelo7281]

@@hoopsonwheels If Nog ended up doing a tour as a logistics officer his Officer Efficiency Report would likely end with '...will make admiral in record time OR end up in a penal colony for life, likely both. Immediate promotion out of zone to next rank is heartily endorsed by this command'

[@mr6johnclark]

@@rangelo7281 1 year later we know he ended up... Who dou think can find parts for a galaxy class ship for the federation meuseum?

[@DinsRune]

If you've gotta barter, you want a Ferengi in your corner.

[@Kalenz1234]

To be fair, simply loaning the desk of your commanding officer for 2 days (while he is away) for something they apparently couldn't requisition from star fleet is a pretty amazing deal.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

and in the 24th century the spirit of Radar O'Reilly lives on.

[@crackwitz]

in a fella with radar dishes for ears

[@BigWillyG1000]

And Klinger.

[@CaptainM792]

I find your lack of faith disturbing, chief O’Brien. I have got faith of the heart.

[@matthewbrown2567]

Star Trek Enterprise

[@nicholasavasthi9879]

Mixin’ your references there.

[@k1productions87]

At least O'Brien said "Engineering School" this time, instead of "The Academy" Chief O'Brien did not attend Starfleet Academy, he is an enlisted man.

[@joe6167]

Glad I.m not the only one that saw that... O'Brien even looks a bit like Admiral Motti...

[@MichaelCollins1922]

It's been a long road...

[@RandallFrequentFlyerFlagg]

Rest In Peace, Nog. Enjoy the Divine Treasury.

[@Girintina]

I always thought this episode made a great parallel to that earlier episode where Nog and Jake trade a bunch of stuff just to get a few strips of latinum. In the first episode Nog is impatient and wants to just sell what they have to get some money. But in this one, he carefully and patiently navigates his ay through the continuum to get what he desires.

[@TheKyrix82]

DS9 has continuity. Something most of the other Treks lacked in large quantities.

[@Koszegi89]

acutally trading a simple desk for a graviton thingy sounds like a terrific deal, even if Nog can not get it back

[@aqacefan]

Even if he couldn’t, between his lobes and his father’s intuitive leaps they’d have no problems procuring one that’s even better.

[@IceWolfLoki]

Not if it has Sisko's baseball on it.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

One important thing to note here: Nog is doing WORK. Some might argue that he's not adding anything of value, he's not creating anything, but his making of contacts and arranging of trades takes time and effort. The crews off the Sentinel and Mushashi are no doubt busy themselves, until this Ferengi comes along and helps.

[@TheKyrix82]

This is like a large scale version of 'In the Cards', and no doubt raised morale in those places as well

[@kentvesser9484]

Yeah, that network of traders he is building is just as valuable as one a ship's captain may build with officers and diplomats.

[@Alaschafad]

Actually he is adding value. One needs to understand that value is subjective. So by bringing items of low value somewhere they are valued more increases the total value. This is how trading works in general (and why it was very lucrative across all human history).

[@danielcostello4041]

Having served many years in the Navy and worked a few deals this whole scene made me homesick. Nog could have worked for me and we would have either both been in the brig or we would have owned Star Fleet.

[@dixievfd55]

It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.

[@tnerbtnerb5136]

dixievfd55 Binds us together...FOR PROFIT!

[@Furzkampfbomber]

Moneychlorians!

[@videomaster412]

Good description… OF THE FORCE FROM STAR WARS.

[@XR171]

Luminous beings are we! Not this crude requisition form.

[@rkmugen]

It might surround us..... it might bind the galaxy together... but as far as the penetration goes..... I think i'mma pass on that.

[@schwarzerritter5724]

Deep Space 9 predicted the selfie.

[@AvangionQ]

The selfie has been around since artists reproduced their own form on canvas while gazing in a mirror, all the way back in the 14th century ... and the first photo selfie was probably taken in 1839 ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-portrait + publicdomainreview.org/collections/robert-cornelius-self-portrait-the-first-ever-selfie-1839/

[@288theabe]

AvangionQ thanks captain killjoy

[@sharpe227]

@@288theabe Thats Admiral Killjoy the 3rd

[@NeoDragonKnight]

I love how this shows Nog still has Ferengi beliefs despite being molded into a starfleet officer.

[@CJR-wv8kc]

And that he would be a better businessman than he believed he ever would be.

[@blockmasterscott]

My favorite part of this episode is at the end when Nog mentions getting something Miles very casually asks how much does the guy want for it. Miles finally came around!

[@WillKeaton]

"It's the force that binds the universe together." So, it's like the Force, but instead of being about spirituality, it's all about having stuff?

[@targetseeker]

yes.

[@tbeller80]

The laws of supply and demand, but in religious form.

[@smartalec2001]

It's material, you might say.

[@DutchGuyMike]

Sounds just like capitalism.

[@tmage23]

Trickle Down Jedi

[@Rubyofthedead]

I loved this episode because it showed how Nog really did have a lot to contribute to Starfleet, as a Ferengi. Nog's sense of hearing and ability to forge connections and make deals really proved useful over the series.

[@name-vi6fs]

I really enjoyed Nog's evolution on DS9. At first you feel compelled to root for Jake Sisko (as the young person coming of age "hero"), but by the end, everyone is a Nog fan.

[@fredcasdensworld]

Doesn't help that Jake basically was given nothing to do

[@HacksignKT]

I think what would have helped Jake S. is if he like NOG had gone off to Starfleet instead of just being a military brat. And could have been a combat correspondent which would have fit well with the Fed/klingon war as well as the dominion war arc.

[@lvc394]

There would be no Nog without Jake. Remember the self sealing stembolt.

[@lvc394]

@@HacksignKT Not everyone can watch their mother die and want to be in Star Fleet.

[@fangorn23]

I think I love this Al Lorenzo guy, he sounds hilarious

[@TheKonkaman]

he sounds like a massive dork

[@juansantos-lq2kz]

Everyone on Dagos Prime is pretty cool.

[@tomb7088]

There was a MASH episode where they did this sort of thing, except they really traded Col Blakes brand new HUGE beautiful desk to a black market operator in exchange for a piece of medical equipment they needed which required about ten different trades. The last scene had a helicopter flying away with the desk.

[@CaptCovfefe515]

A minor thing, but one detail I loved about Nog was that he got a Ferengi headscarf thing (whatever it's called) that matched his grey Starfleet uniform.

[@Anonie324]

Ferhijab

[@heisdeadjim]

There is a precedent. Fairly sure Ensign Ro wore a command red coloured headscarf on Picard's Enterprise.

[@TheZapan99]

The way they designed this thing is so stupid. How does it stay on their head? It is way too obvious that it is designed to avoid showing a seam at the back.

[@filipinowhiteboy]

I liked that too. I always imagined if he were to become captain, he'd add a strip on it to show his rank

[@reygarcia7707]

I read from one of the books that it's called a headskirt.If i remember correctly.

[@triviaaddict1528]

From Radar to Klinger to Nog the great material continuum continues...

[@calanon534]

1952 to 2372, or something like that.

[@kentvesser9484]

Don't forget Crap Game (Don Rickles) from Kelly's Heroes and Specialist Peterson in The Green Berets.

[@possiblepilotdeviation5791]

"Computer, replicate one desk." Roll credits.

[@vincentchang2259]

Sisko: Where is my baseball?

[@Archedgar]

OUCH, that's a really good point. It was said that latinum cannot be replicated but there's nothing stating that Sisko's desk couldn't be created by the computer. Massive plot hole.

[@Starsaber222]

Or go onto a holodeck

[@ajet0452]

They need a specific replicator for that. One DS9 is being used for is constant repairs and maintenance for starships. Plus it also has Siskos baseball on it which was signed by the crew. You can't replicate that.

[@timezerohour8864]

They need a scan of it first maybe

[@JamStunna]

Had to watch this, from my favorite Nog episode. RIP Aaron Eisenberg

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

I dont understand what all the huff is about Picard's desk. I imagine when it is refit time hundreds of station personnel are going throughout the ship doing work. One person sneaking into a non-secure area like that wouldnt draw any attention at all. Half of the ships crew would be on shore leave anyway during that time. Now If he managed to get a pic of Janeway's desk when it was 60,000 lightyears away, THAT would be an amazing feat.

[@schwarzerritter5724]

Nog could make it possible.

[@almisami]

Something something replicator patterns, something something unable to work for inorganic material, something something there, desk!

[@calanon534]

@@captin3149 He would, too.

[@victorh5513]

I mean, the things I’ve done on my boss’s desk when he’s out of town...

[@calanon534]

@@victorh5513 Going to share?

[@jt4369]

You know, as I recall, Nog had told then Commander Sisko that he "may not have the lobes for business," and yet he pulled all of this off smoothly. Seems pretty bizniss to me...

[@Uejji]

+Jonathan Ryan Tung Yeah. His lack of business sense was one of his reasons for joining Starfleet in the first place, and yet he does all this. Maybe he did miss his true calling as a Ferengi after all.

[@ChuckLipsig]

+Jonathan Ryan Tung Not having the lobes for a Ferengi is still probably more than a few lobes ahead of the average human or other non-Ferengi humanoid.

[@TheRocketdrive]

You'll note that these are non-profit trades, but simple "piece for piece" deals. Theres no business here, just simple trade.

[@chucklipsig2595]

There is no cash involved, but that doesn't mean that there is no profit. If nothing else, Nog traded away one batch of bloodwine and eventually got back a batch that was of a superior vintage, which would be, one assumes, more expensive if sold for latinum. But even so, trading away something you don't need for something you do need is good business. It's value to you makes it profitable to you, whether or not cash is involved. What people forget is that good business is not necessarily a zero-sum game.

[@TheRocketdrive]

due to no cash involved, the amount of "profit" is extremely subjective. Hence, why these trades work well for nog. The real proof would be turning out a steady stream of latnum from it.

[@daemondrogan1875]

Yes, definately missed his calling. He would have made a great supply clerk like Radar or Klinger in the M.A.S.H TV series. Rest in peace Aron Eisenberg - 2019

[@BigWillyG1000]

Imagine if Jamie Farr and Gary Burghof could have done cameos in this episode as supply officers in the chain of deals.

[@SweetBearCub]

@@BigWillyG1000 What a missed opportunity.

[@jerodast]

@@BigWillyG1000 Dayum, that would've been amazing!

[@balconi89]

This is the most underrated episode of DS9.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

May the Continuum be with you

[@videomaster412]

+MrPete8680 Nog is speaking and describes the Continuum on the same way as Obi-Wan Kenobi describes the Force to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.Or is it, like davidkevin says, The Great River Nog speaks about. No mater what, I think it is the Force whichs is the inspiration for it. and if Chief O'Brien tells this conversation to dr. Bashir, the good dr. bashir would indeed tell him that it is like that energy field called the Force

[@hawkthephoenix4701]

Actually, the Continuum is more similar to the Invisible Hand that makes capitalism work. Basically, everyone will set a fair price because if the price is too high, nobody buys; and if it's too low, the seller runs out of money.

[@MirrorDimly]

That's if it doesn't sink us first. ;-)

[@3Rayfire]

Always.

[@deadpoet4]

And also with you.

[@markr9293]

"...Captain Picard's..." "OK FINE!"

[@DrBagPhD]

I adore the mental image of someone sneaking into Picard's office to grab a selfie behind his desk.

[@walker6168]

I love that it's not even questioned whether or not Sisko would be terrifying if he walked into his office and the desk was missing.

[@redzeppelin6]

"Worf, why is my desk missing?"

[@Justforvisit]

@@redzeppelin6 Worf: "Maybe today is a good day to die"

[@AgentoftheMartianConspiracy]

He would probably blame Quark.

[@DrownedInExile]

I can't help but think of MASH, where Col Blake's desk got stolen. Now I'm picturing a cargo ship flying away, with Sisko's desk in tow! "It just keeps going... up, and up..." "To a better place."

[@brochslanders1845]

RIP Chief Engineer (USS Valiant) Nog

[@IN-tm8mw]

RIP NOG, Aron Eisenberg. One hell of a character. love his voice and wit.

[@csxfan_]

Chief O'Brian would then go on to put this lesson into practice when he became an 19th century railroad tycoon.

[@SodaPolycarbonate]

Kira: the most lovable hardass in TV character history.

[@TheBaltimoreDude]

"this guy al lorenzo....he's got quite a collection..picard" o.O THIS GUY NEEDS TO BE A CHARACTER

[@Anglomachian]

"You have to have faith" Is that... is that sophistry I smell?

[@3Rayfire]

Actually no, since Nog is a true believer.

[@theshlauf]

Nog learned some valuable skills back when he and Jake got that Willie Mays baseball card.

[@22espec]

I loved this part, the Ferengi understand the universe better than most.

[@WolfeSpeider]

RIP Aaron Eisenberg. Nog was what Wesley Crusher wishes he was.

[@k1productions87]

The only growth Wesley experienced was external and superficial. But Nog's growth was internal and emotional. Did any of us think the delinquent brat we saw in the premiere episode would go on to be one of the most valuable members of the crew years later? Yes, RIP Aaron Eisenberg, you wonderful, wonderful Human Being and thank you Ira Steven Behr for believing in him and giving him such wonderful material to work with

[@bryanstortenbecker2724]

Nog is radar from "Mash"

[@sighbrgeek77]

yup exactly. this episode is very similiar to the one in MASH

[@hecate235]

Or James Garner in "The Americanization of Emily." Great movie.

[@k1productions87]

Actually, Nog is like a merging of Radar and Klinger (Clerk Klinger, not Section 8 Klinger)

[@cheowesley860]

Rest in peace, Aron Eisenburg.

[@ProfessorChasG]

I always love when significant, unknown, and often downright baffling lore just gets dropped on us in casual conversations like this. "We learn about the Continuum when we still have our first set of ears." Nothing further is elaborated. Awesome.

[@highstimulation2497]

Love Nog's gift for extreme wheeling and dealing. Once a Ferengi, Always a Ferengi.

[@pattimcb31]

Worf must be laying down on the job if someone can sneak into Picard's office and take selfies.

[@BladeOfLight16]

Maybe it was when Tasha was still chief.

[@danielhaire6677]

This is after Worf came to DS9, so it's whatever fool took over fo Worf.

[@pattimcb31]

@@danielhaire6677 how do you know?

[@danielhaire6677]

@@pattimcb31 Worf was the Strategic Operations Officer on DS9 during the Dominion War. He was actually with Martok in this episode when they found Nog had traded Martok's blood wine during the schemes to get the needed parts.

[@pattimcb31]

@@danielhaire6677 but that doesn't mean Al Lorenzo got the pic of Picard's desk then it doesn't give a time but you could be right he may have snuck in while the Enterprise was being rebuilt.

[@Serin9X]

So something that always struck me about this episode and the way Nog does this. Back towards the beginning of the series, Jake and Nog acquire a large supply of self-sealing stembolts. JAKE makes a bunch of trades and turns that shipment of stembolts into a plot of land. All the while Nog is bitching and moaning about how he wants latinum (cash) instead of whatever Jake is trading for at the moment. Eventually Jake and Nog sell the land for the cash Nog wanted in the first place. But the FERENGI spends the entire episode failing to understand barter. And now here, he's navigating the process like a master.

[@BlackDiamond2718]

reminds me of dwight with the thumbtack into a telescope.

[@jerodast]

@@BlackDiamond2718 And the magic beans?

[@BlackDiamond2718]

@@jerodast legumes* 😂

[@NoBudjetFilms]

Adding Ferengi to Star Fleet was a great decision.

[@RobsonRoverRepair]

An Irish man asking in shock about deals, swaps and rumours. It's a way of life here.

[@squireob]

I note Nog thought of himself as not much of a businessman. That's why he entered Starfleet.

[@CJR-wv8kc]

Yeah he wheels and deals as good as his uncle seems to.

[@TheKyrix82]

The problem is, he has business ethics. He doesn't describe the river as a way to fleece people, but as a way to help people. He's the sort of person who would be content making enough to stay afloat, instead of making enough profit to build himself a golden barge constructed entirely out of smaller golden barges.

[@carlosbot01]

Captain DeSoto was Rikers commanding officer on the USS Hood before he was transfered to the USS Enterprise. These little continuity details are what make Star Trek great.

[@TheNN]

"our first set of ears." Oh...oh god...does, does that mean that the ears fall OFF and regrow back or something?

[@3Rayfire]

Well, consider this, Ferengi teeth are always growing and they have to file them down. Humans on the other hand always keep our ears, but our Teeth fall out as we transition to adulthood.

[@jamesbrice3267]

He could be referring to his first layer of ears.

[@crazypiratesquirrel3038]

James Brice This. Yes, this is what I believe it is.

[@Saiyanprince1114]

I'm so glad someone else noticed this!

[@jhwheuer]

And to think that Aron died a few days ago, aged 50... good bye Nog

[@subraxas]

Passed away yesterday.

[@maigretus1]

"The Great Material Continuum" is actually a wonderfully poetic way to state Ricardo's Law of Comparative Advantage (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage), which is one of the foundational laws that trade is based on. I love how DS9 made Ferengi Capitalism an actual system that could work, and not a parody/strawman.

[@hang10wannabe]

Haha, I love when O'Brian says "well that makes sense"... so great.

[@TheKyrix82]

O'Brien had some odd hobbies himself. His 'last stand' war simulations with Julian, building ships in bottles, suffering horribly once a year...he knows a man has to have something to occupy his downtime

[@Rygoat]

The contrast between this scene and the scene where Nog was talking to Sisko is staggering. He gained so much confidence in his own abilities in a pretty short amount of time.

[@benw9949]

"On Ferenginar, we learn about the [ Great Material ] Continuum when we still have our first set of ears." -- Wait, so Ferengi grow new ears, at least once, more than once? I somehow missed this in this episode. Wow, what a funny, cool Ferengi lore fact. (Thank you, Nog, you are quite a wheeler-dealer supply officer.) Miss ya, Nog and Aron Eisenberg.

[@redpillfreedom6692]

I think it means they grow in layers, gaining them as they age. You may have noticed Grand Nagus Zek, a very elderly Ferengi, has HUGE lobes.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

Nog just helped 4 different vessels out by being clever and greedy. Greed is good.

[@Dragon_Lair]

No, it wasn't greedy. It was finding ways to match the needs of as many people as possible and giving yourself everything you need in the process. Clever is good.

[@Shinigami13133]

@@Dragon_Lair but it is motivated by greed/self-interest it's just important to do it in a way where you're positively effecting those around you as well because that also benefits you

[@cheshire_skatkat9093]

I wouldnt call it greed. Greed is destructive,harmful and indifferent to others. He was merely following the rules of supply and demand. Good old-fashioned capitalism.

[@SirNilzey]

@@cheshire_skatkat9093 Greed isn't inherently bad. If making a high risk/reward gamble isn't greedy then what is?

[@JP-rf8rr]

@@cheshire_skatkat9093 That all depends on your definition of greed. Many define greed as simply wanting something due to self interest.

[@markirizarry4851]

One of my favorite scenes and episodes of all time!

[@rossy2056]

I loved this. Season 1 Nog would have just stole the stabiliser and got caught. Season 7 goes on a ridiculous trading expedition and got everyone what they wanted including the future head of the Klingon state. Character growth!

[@stevelucky7579]

Ya know, I haven’t seen this episode, and I haven’t really watched DS9, but his confidence sounds like the kind that’s assured rather than misplaced.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Nog's whole run reminds me of a common RPG quest type. The "one small favor" quest. A super easy thing that will take five minutes tops and three hours later you are on the other side of the world map trying to maintain your sanity.

[@kynikersolon3882]

Sisko absolutely deserved to lose his desk. He gave an unreasonable order and should live with the consequences.

[@mdh269]

RIP, Aron Eisenberg.

[@sixyears]

For a minute there I thought Nog was talking about the "force".

[@Zaluskowsky]

Jeah I already started to hear Obi Wan twice while Nog is talking. Lol

[@carlzerris6566]

Remember way back before he jooned starfleet when nog said he didn't have an instinct fpr buisiness. That must have only been by ferengi standards.

[@silvertemplar8061]

Carl Zerris 😂😂😂

[@vexxama]

He’d be fantastic in logistics and supply acquisition

[@oldtwinsna8347]

ferengi measure of business success needs to be huge scale, like galatic dominance of slug o cola. Or running ruthless business practices to destroy your competitors. No room for ethics in this line of work if you want success under Ferengi standards.

[@juansantos-lq2kz]

Quark or the Nagus woulda had the stabilizer in an hour.

[@k1productions87]

He knows the logistical side of business, but he is no good at the cutthroat manipulative end of business (which is one of the most essential parts of Ferengi business). You also notice, none of his dealings here involve profit, more supply and demand. He is a near genius when it comes to organization, but he is poor at actually acquiring profit.

[@jorgeserrano6304]

This most become a mandatory subject to review for Supply Chain Master clases! This is the perfect way to explain how the Supply Chain works

[@willforest5302]

when star trek teaches you about capitalism and the invisible hand of the market

[@cheshire_skatkat9093]

Indeed. You would almost think Milton Friedman was the ferrengis Jesus.

[@JP-rf8rr]

@Flekk Bone Gnawer It works

[@maestososhifu]

@@cheshire_skatkat9093 Or Adam Smith

[@RequiemPoete]

@Flekk Bone Gnawer Not really fairy tales so much a metaphor for how economics work.

[@Justin_WithThreeDots]

one of my favorite scenes is in this episode, where Bashir is teasing Obrien about the desk situation, and then as soon as Kira comes in Bashir switches to (half-jokingly) defending Obrien without missing a beat, because both are what a buddy would do

[@OptimusWombat]

"Great Material Continuum" would be a great name for a band

[@patrickturner6878]

This is like that site "One Red Paperclip" where the guy started by trading a red paper clip and traded up each item. He's at a house now.

[@devilmaster73]

I was waiting for Nog to say mitichorians :)

[@RequiemPoete]

Moneychlorians.

[@MrThorain]

"The river will provide."

[@808INFantry11X]

If it doesnt sink us first LOL

[@xaviervega468]

Quite possibly the most hilarious episode of DS9

[@Rubyofthedead]

In the Cards begs to differ.

[@olicityfan1150]

And The magnificent ferengi or take me out to the holosuite

[@Davidkevin]

The Great River surrounds us, penetrates us, binds the Galaxy together. Works for me. May the Great River be with you.

[@Zaluskowsky]

.. Have an Ace on the river

[@ladyvalerian6423]

Rule one: be nice to your quartermaster, if they're good they can turn a ball of yarn into a shotgun and a case of scotch.

[@kuribayashi84]

How the hell did he get in Picards' Office unnoticed!?

[@infinightsky]

During a barion sweep...

[@andypetrovich2155]

+infinightsky funny. maybe Tim Russ let him in.

[@infinightsky]

+Andy Petrovich lol well said

[@blockmasterscott]

+Andy Petrovich That was good, I lol'ed!

[@Trek001]

+Schwatvogel Perhaps it was taken whilst Picard was on a shore station awaiting completion of Enterprise-E