Quodo in Every Episode discussion: "The Nagus"

[chacusha]

Okay, we're in a new season this week -- hope people enjoy this one. This week, we're discussing... episode 1x11 "The Nagus"!

Episode synopsis: The nagus of the Ferengi Alliance visits DS9 for the first time and surprises everyone by appointing Quark as his successor. Meanwhile, the culture clash between Federation and Ferengi values becomes too great a strain for Nog to attend school -- but not too much for his and Jake's friendship.

What The Boys are up to in this episode: This is a Quark-centric episode: he is waiting on Zek, becoming nagus, becoming aware of the privileges and dangers of that role, and getting almost-murdered by Rom. Odo pops in and out to do various security-related things: keeping an eye on the Ferengi visitors, investigating both the attempted murder of Quark and the unusual "death" of Grand Nagus Zek, and bringing Zek to Quark in time to save him from being thrown out an airlock.

One screencap from this episode:


Transcript: http://chakoteya.net/DS9/411.htm

Quodo fics tagged with this episode: I am unable to find a tag for this episode (it looks like no one has used it?), but I did a search for "the nagus" (https://archiveofourown.org/works/search?work_search%5Bquery%5D=the+nagus) and got a Quodo fic and one tagged Quodo "if you squint":
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53017672
https://archiveofourown.org/works/26159671

Tell us:
- What did you think about this episode?
- Have you written a fic set during/after this episode?
- Have you read any of the fics linked above? Let us know if they fit! Do you know of any other fics set in or that build off this episode that weren't linked above?
- What do you see as the Quodo potential for this episode?

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Event info & rules
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Comments

[chacusha]

Random thoughts:

Oh gosh, there are so many things I want to say about this episode.

- First, there are a lot of good dynamics here: Ben feeling like Jake is growing up/growing more distant from him and the interesting contrast of Ben (having lived through life and become a bit jaded) nevertheless having successfully raised Jake to be very idealistic and principled in a way that is easier to be when you're young; Nog (kind of mirroring Jake) also caught between his dad and his best friend, although here the culture clash is much harder on him; Quark and his bullying relationship toward Rom, which is central to the plot/intrigue of this episode; etc.

- For example, I love the part in the opening where the way Quark bullies Rom is directly passed on to the way Rom treats Nog. You get the feeling that this is the only way they know how to be.

- Zek's introduction here is so ridiculous, I love it. He's a very Crouching Moron Hidden Badass type character.

- Love Miles as the beleaguered substitute teacher. XD

- "Because they don't have ethics?" is a legit great answer, though. But the tension when Nog makes Jake lie for him -- I'm sweating. You kind of get the feeling that to Nog, this isn't a big deal -- it's what friends naturally do for each other, but to Jake it is asking him to do a LOT for the sake of friendship.

- "Please feel free to use my own -- brother's quarters for as long as you're with us." -- lol.

- Love that we get a mention of Cousin Barbo in this episode.

- Omg Odo's smug face when he's asked to keep an eye on the Ferengi visitors. XD People are so racist against the Ferengi, though. 🥲

- I like how Morn has to be shooed away from the bar like a loyal dog who won't leave its owner's side. XD

- I love Shady Muscle Ferengi. Also, all these Ferengi suits.

- I like how Nog tries to spin not going to school as his personal decision / something he has control over, but he's obviously upset about it and feeling pretty powerless over his life direction.

- Love Quark's shocked reaction to being named nagus. It's so good!

- Lol, Quark is such a jerk to Rom. I'm always like "Good for him" when Rom tries to kill Quark in this one XD

- Oh I actually didn't realize Odo gets explained Ferengi death rituals in this episode. He mentions having an interest in it in TWO separate episodes (2x06 "Melora" and 2x12 "The Alternate") -- I guess this is how it started!

- The dropped coin on the floor in this episode is so funny to me, because I always initially think that the suspicious loose coin rolling on the floor *is* the murder plot, but it's actually just some random thing that happens(?) that leads to Quark very narrowly avoiding getting murdered. There's also the added humor that Quark is now the most powerful guy on Ferenginar and has access to so many ways of making big money, but on the inside, he's still the smalltime bar owner who gets excited when someone accidentally drops money in his bar. That contrast is so interesting to me.

- Max Grodenchik's physical comedy is so good. I love the way he pops his head in to correct Sisko and then slides back out.

- According to the DS9 Companion, a lot of this episode is an homage to Godfather, and the scene where someone is asking Quark for better opportunities is basically parodying that "You don't even think to call me Godfather" scene, up to the venetian blinds in the background.

- I love how Jadzia just gives Ben advice so that she can get her hands on that stew.

- Jake/Nog friendship is so wholesome.

Overall, I like this episode a lot. I feel like there's some early series weirdness to it (a lot of people are quite *headscratch* at how it could be that literacy is seen as unimportant in such a contract-based society as the Ferengi Alliance, and try to explain this), but the whole premise of "what if this random smalltime dude found himself the supreme leader of his government" tickles me, and I like seeing how Quark reacts. And great family and friendship dynamics all around!


Quodo potential:

- IDK, it's kind of hard to beat Quark holding up his staff for Odo to kiss... 🤣 I mean, you can just expand it: What's going on in Odo's mind in that long beat where he doesn't respond, before he scoffs and leaves? What is Quark thinking as he watches Odo walk away?

- Or established relationship with nagus/supplicant roleplay lmao.

- I do think you could do a divorced read for Quark and Odo here. Something about the way Odo is obviously concerned for Quark's safety and Quark is like "It's none of YOUR business (anymore)" makes me think divorced vibes.

I read both of the fics linked above. One is kind of platonic/pre-shippy but very Quodo-focused and clearly set in the episode, so I added it to our masterlist. The other one is indeed "Quodo if you squint"; Quark and Odo are both in the background here so I decided not to add it.

Also, not Quodo, but this is probably my favorite fic that references this episode (Rom & Quark): https://archiveofourown.org/works/35833420