“The House of Quark” is an amusingly comedic affair which manages to find some important thematic and character moments tucked into its oftentimes implausible and cringeworthy events and dialogue. Despite the missteps, however, this episode is a strong example of why DS9 is a fascinating and compelling series, even in a story with the silliest of premises. To that end, fans of DS9 will likely find much to enjoy about the events in this episode – even if they might elicit groans of derision from casual viewers.

The story gets started in Quark’s establishment, which has seen business drop precipitously as a result of the new threat of the Dominion. It’s an important bit of continuity, demonstrating the consequences from one episode to the next. More importantly for this installment is the one customer left in the bar – a bad-tempered drunk Klingon, named Kozak who, after being confronted to pay his bill, pulls his dagger and tried to fight Qaurk. Being drunk, however, Kozak promptly falls on his blade and dies. To drum up business afterwards, Quark tells the tale a bit differently, casting himself as a “Klingon killer.” Unfortunately for Quark, however, the events pull him into a bitter family dispute on the Klingon homeword. It’s these events which take up the biggest share of the story.

It’s kind of an obscure premise to begin with and, from here, the episode is never quite sure where it wants to go next in terms of tone or mood. Parts of the story, like Quark’s sudden marriage to Kozak’s widow, are played for humor, others, such as his confrontation with D’Ghor, are for dramatic heft. It certainly is amusing watching Quark get in way over his head with Klingon customs and conflicts – particularly when Quark inexplicably becomes the head of a distinguished Klingon family (hence the title of the episode). And, too, it’s interesting to learn more about the Klingon culture. The episode also manages to capitalize on Quark’s inner nobility – his desire to do the right thing in spite of his greed. Indeed, his final confrontation in the chambers of the Klingon High Council is wonderfully played and a rather ingenious solution to his problems – and that of Kozak’s widow. But the shifting tone is a detriment to the episode, often creating caricature, instead of character.

Even more strange is the inclusion of Gowron and the High Council. I couldn’t help but get the feeling that their presence was gratuitous – more style than substance – because I imaging the Klingon Chancellor has much more important things to do in running an empire than to settle land and inheritance disputes (although, Gowron really does have some amusing facial expressions at the absurdity before him). Additionally, the sudden appearance of the Discommendation ceremony likewise seems a gratuitous addition – as if writer Ronald D. Moore wanted to pluck a dramatic plot device from his powerful TNG offering, “Sins of the Father.” But whereas the ceremony carried a deeply profound meaning when it happened to Worf, here in this episode it seems rather perfunctory.

The episode experiences a bit more success from its subplot involving Miles and Keiko O’Brien. The effects of the new Dominion threat are once again being felt – this time in the form of Keiko’s school. With families leaving DS9 out of fear of an invasion, she’s been forced to close the school. That leaves her once again to confront her own feelings about having sacrificed her career as a botanist so that Miles could be Chief of Operations at DS9.

Much of this story involves Miles’ attempts to cheer up Keiko. And it’s handled with great success in the episode – from his romantic dinner to his attempts to build an arboretum on DS9. And this is where DS9 continues to demonstrate its inherent quality. Instead of playing Keiko’s reservations as melodramatic and forcing conflict, this is a quiet story in which her emotions are demonstrated by simple, but effective, postures or facial expressions. And the conversations Miles has with Sisko and Bashir demonstrate the real humanity of these characters. Even when faced with adversity, there’s still room for kindness, compassion and understanding.

Ultimately, O’Brien learns of a six-month long botanical survey on Bajor and suggests that Keiko head there with their daughter. It makes sense, though, unfortunately, it includes the regrettable line, “Be the best damned botanist in the galaxy!”

“The House of Quark” is, ultimately, entertaining. It requires a bit too much suspension of disbelief to be a true classic episode. But nevertheless, fans will enjoy Quark’s misadventures as well as the personal moments between Miles and Keiko.

Filed under: Deep Space Nine