Star Trek Deep Space Nine Ruminations S2E07: Rules Of Acquisition

[@badmaninc.536]

You brought up the fact that Zek was prepared to give that shipment of valuable fertilizer to Bajor for free, as a means of improving the relationship between the bajorans/federation and the Ferengi. Which would help open up future opportunities for his people, greasing the wheels of diplomacy and trade so to speak. This is what “the Battle” was missing, instead we got a revenge plot. Imagine the difference had Bok clued in his officers that “by us gifting the Federation with their recovered lost ship (the Stargazer), we improve our reputation with the humans, and that will help open up more opportunities for trade and profit down the line. Short term loss for long term gain” It would have helped tremendously to lessen the damage that “the last outpost” did to the Ferengi. That being said, I’m glad DS9 picked up the dropped ball of the Ferengi and did something with it. Nobody at this point would accept the Ferengi as a military power in the setting... that’s okay. I mean we already have four major military powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. (The Federation, The Klingon Empire, The Romulan Empire, and the Cardassian Union) so instead the Ferengi become a major Economic Power... which is pretty awesome in my opinion.

[@sigurd9143]

Hello, Lorerunner. I'm more of a silent Watcher. Just wanted to say, that your Work is abolutley amazing. You made me start playing J-RPGs and you really showed me another Perspective to look at Things in Fiction and in real Life. Keep it up, Dude. You're the greatest Guy on KZbin. Sorry for my bad English. I'm from Germany.

[@oldhatAN]

What Pel is offering is essentially just bar/pub snacks. Lots of bars in real life do the same thing. That's why they put out salty snacks and let you eat all you want. Eating that makes you thirsty.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

I LOVE how they did this. Introducing the Dominion in what appeared to be a non-serious Ferengi episode.

[@rebeccatomlin3121]

When I went into that episode and heard that namedrop, it sent chills down my spine. That that was where it started, really, and I loved how they were brought up and up and up until the finale. Great anticipative tidbits.

[@DerBeppone]

I also like, how they treat that. They don't know anything about it and since the Karremans were praised as this big economic force, they anticipate huge amounts of profit out of it. So naive and casual, it is perfect!

[@SchneeflockeMonsoon]

This is an absolute must-watch episode, and honestly it’s so well constructed that if necessary; you can start DS9 with this episode and more or less pick up what you need going forward. I’d recommend you not, but it’s possible: I really like the dichotomy of Zek and Quark. They’re almost like… they’re like Nachayev & Kirk, almost. Zek is an admiral. He plans the big picture but the details escape him and if he’s just left to his own devices: he tends to get himself into trouble when something unexpected hits him. Quark is a captain. He commands is little pocket of the universe, but he knows every little detail of it inside and out, and because he knows his own strengths and weaknesses perfectly: he can hit any curveball because he never has to worry about expecting something.

[@Davlen]

The actor for Zek i believe is the one who was famous for the princess bride, "Lost and Employed...in Greenland..."

[@Brando64]

"Inconceivable!"

[@TheBlarg111]

I wonder the reason, in universe, why they didn't bring her back for profit and lace. I mean, when they were going 'where in Ferenginar could we possibly find someone who's good at business, and a FEMALE!?!?!?!'

[@resurrectedstarships]

Looking forward to your rumination on Where Silence Has Lease on tng. It's a classic trek episode, one of my favorites. So many wtf moments.

[@Davlen]

Also, think about this episode, and think of Quark's mom, if not for this episode, Zek might not have had those feeling for his mother. It also show you how he isnt surprised by female doing business, later going to his mother later on.

[@NoelleMar]

I really like that Jadzia finds out Pel is a woman because, 1) Jadzia a huge gossip and loves to give relationship advice, and, 2) is obviously unphased by gender expectations due to living as both women and men. I'm also amused by the tenacious Ferengi getting the leg up on other species in terms of finding out about the Dominion first. XD Great comparison between Zek, Quark, Pel, and CHESS, hehe.

[@mr51406]

(Professr Frank arriving to the review 2 years after it was made) Grand Nagus Zek: A little late aren’t we? 😉🖖🏼

[@roystonsbailey]

Quark may love making profit, but he doesn't seem to care about keeping it for very long. He always ends up spending it on fun or on other people.

[@johnashley327]

Always good to see Zek.😂

[@roystonsbailey]

Ferengi are somehow implied to be an economic power, yet nobody seems to think that doing business with a Ferengi is a good idea (including Ferengi). Once analyzed, ST cultures don't make sense, with the exception of Vulcans (yes even human culture doesn't make sense in many aspects).

[@Mikanojo]

Hmmmn... so selling peanuts at a bar, or popcorn at a movie theater would also be negative reinforcement, to follow your thinking... since salty snacks make people thirsty, which makes them more inclined to buy drinks, yes? It is not exactly the textbook definition of negative reinforcement: In negative reinforcement, a response or behavior is strengthened by stopping, removing or avoiding a negative outcome or adverse stimulus... If you perceive the effect of eating salty snacks AS a negative, and then claim that since the drinks cancel the "negative" effect of the salty snacks that salty snacks are negative reinforcement. i believe i have deduced your reasoning? If i have, i confess i am inclined to disagree. I think it would be more correct to define the salty snacks as positive inducements in their own right, that consuming salty snacks is some thing many people seek to do and see as a positive experience. i posit that the natural side effect of consuming salty snacks, a dry mouth, suggests the purchase of a drink. So it is arguably subtle, nonverbal suggestive selling, rather than negative reinforcement.

[@khomo12]

Thank you!👍👍👍

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Indirectly the first Dominion episode .

[@zeromancer-x]

I do find it odd how Quark has two different viewpoints on females doing business. In this episode he's rather accepting of it while in the future where his mother is found out by the FCA, he's completely opposed to the concept.

[@kalarhifauxe8202]

I don't think it's necessarily him accepting it fully, seeing as that's the reason that he refuses to be with her, and more so him trying to defend himself from getting in trouble, as having a female business partner would land him in jail, there is a slight mix of love in there too. The situation between Pel and Quark's mother I'm pretty sure is quite different, I haven't watched much into Quark's mother, but Quark is against it because it could get his mother in a lot of trouble and Ferengi are all about their mothers, so of course he would be completely opposed by it, while with Pel it could get both of them in trouble as Pel had been deceiving Quark for some time and "stupidity is not excuse" taking something straight from the episode, he had to accept it or he would be punished.

[@tee_es_bee]

A lot of decent world work in this one. Surprisingly not that memorable of an episode otherwise. At least for me. 🧡💛🧡

[@UncleHaul]

Oh neat I'm early

[@5610winston]

Is it just me, or is this guy excruciatingly dull?

[@Sevish]

It's definitely you