“Rules of Acquisition” is the second episode to feature the Ferengi and their Grand Nagus. And like the first one, this installment is a mixed bag. The results here are slightly better, thanks to the episode’s rather obvious message against Ferengi misogyny – as well as the introduction of the mysterious Gamma Quadrant entity known as The Dominion. But the pacing, characters, and primary story are either too weak or too silly for the episode to be taken seriously. As a result, it doesn’t quite work either as a comedy or as a serious commentary.

The episode begins with a Ferengi betting game in which Dax, of all people, is a participant. Her stated and continued fascination with the Ferengi is an interesting element to her character. But it also doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, either – given the inherent sexism of the Ferengi. More to the point of the episode, though, is the introduction of a new waiter at Quark’s: a Ferengi named Pel who is well-versed in the Rules of Acquisition and who desperately wants to impress Quark. And when the Nagus himself arrives, the opportunities for profit will lead to a couple of revelations.

The first, and most significant to the episode, is the fact that Pel is, in fact, a Ferengi woman, masquerading as a male so that she can participate in activities other than waiting naked at home for her man to return. As a sideways commentary on the importance of gender equality, it’s an important point to make. But the episode doesn’t successfully make use of this revelation, instead opting for a quasi-romance between Quark and Pel.

But while Quark is said to also have feelings for Pel, the onscreen interactions between the two characters hardly demonstrate any real romance. And, in the end, Quark simply wants her off the station because he doesn’t approve of her decision to pretend to be a male – despite his stated “love” he still wants her to be naked and waiting at home, unseen by anyone else.

The other revelation comes by way of Quark’s negotiations with the ridiculously conceived Dosi race from the Gamma Quadrant. Their look is simply laughable – complete with red body paint and rhinestones (yes rhinestones) attached to their faces. Embarrassing would be too kind of a word for it. But they do point Quark in the direction of the Dominion – an important development for the future of the series.

About the only reason that “Rules of Acquisition” fares any better than Season One’s “The Nagus” is the inclusion of The Dominion, and the commentary about gender equality. But the rest of the episode is difficult to wade through.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine