Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Rules of Acquisition

Season 2, Episode 7, Aired 11/7/93

Episode Summary

Stardate: 47261.7 ''''A female Ferengi disguises herself as a male in order to help Quark with business deals in the Gamma Quadrant.

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Cast & Crew

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Armin Shimerman

Quark
Terry Farrell

Lt./Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Season 1-6)
Rene Auberjonois

Constable Odo

Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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Par for the course as far as Ferengi episodes - nothing earth-shattering, but amusing nonetheless.

7.5

"Good"

By pharoahsdance, May 14, 2010 Report Abuse

Like the Klingons in TNG, the "Ferengi episode" probably overstayed its welcome in DS9. (That's not to say that Quark, Rom or Nog ever got old - but simply that episodes about Ferengi culture ran out of steam at a certain point.)

This one is early enough that we haven't gotten bored with it yet. It's relatively engrossing, actually. Dax's fondness for the Ferengi is actually the best part, and it's tough not to chuckle as she schools them all at Tongo. Wallace Shawn's over-the-top Zek is also a source for amusement. The main plot itself is OK; an intriguing concept that's been done in plenty of other contexts, but not one that you'll remember in about 5 episodes.moreless

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An entertaining but insubstantial Ferengi romp

6.5

"Fair"

By Amoyaan, Jan 29, 2008 Report Abuse

This is a curious episode: a Ferengi take on Yentl, in which one of Quark's waitors is revealed to be a female who has had the audacity to challenge the rules of Ferengi society and pose as a male in order to prove that a female Ferengi can make it in a Ferengi male's world!

Pel seems to be a prototype of Moogie, Quark and Rom's revolutionary mother, who would appear in the following season. This is a fun, frothy romp that's entertaining from start to finish in spite of its flimsy plot. The Quark/Pel relationship doesn't quite have the resonance it needs and ends up being rather muddled, but it's still an enjoyable piece, perhaps most notable for DS9's first mention of the Dominion.moreless

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Profit!

7.7

"Good"

By sesza, Dec 31, 2006 Report Abuse

'Rules of Acquisition' is a fine example of an early Deep Space Nine episode. Whilst this episode is mostly a filler, it does make mention of the Dominion, a very important part of the later seasons.

In this episode, Quark is given a mission by the Grand Nagus to acquire 100,000 vats of tulaberries as a means to begin Ferengi business in the Gamma Quadrant. To accomplish this task, Quark enlists the help of Pel, a waiter from his bar. Pel is actually a female in disguise as a male in order to conduct business.

Along the way, Pel falls in love with Quark, her identity eventually being revealed to both Quark and the Nagus.

It was nice to a more 'human' side to Quark in this episode. Seeing him develop feelings for Pel made him a more complete character to me. And it was also good to see Dax reveal more about her symbionts previous hosts.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition:
  Number 21: "Never place friendship above profit."
  Number 22: "A wise man can hear profit in the wind."
  Number 33: "It never hurts to suck up to the boss."
  Number 48: "The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife."
  Number 59: "Free advice is seldom cheap."
  Number 62: "The riskier the road, the greater the profit."
  Edit
- The Karemma are first mentioned in this episode. They would play a more significant role in the episode Starship Down. Edit
- This episode marks the first of three Ferengi females we see on the series. The other two are Ishka in Family Business and a gender-changed Quark in Profit And Lace. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) does not appear in this episode. Edit
- This episode mentions the Dominion for the first time, beginning the Dominion-arc, one of the longest story-arcs in Star Trek. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Grand Nagus Zek: Let me remind you that taking business advice from a female is a violation of Ferengi law!
  Quark: I didn't know she was a female.
  Grand Nagus Zek: Stupidity is no excuse. Now, one more word out of you, and you are going to share her cell.
  Quark: Then you better make sure it's big enough for three.
  Grand Nagus Zek: Are you threatening me?
  Quark: I wonder what your associates will say when I tell them you allowed a female to represent you in a business negotiation!
  Grand Nagus Zek: I didn't know she was a female!
  Quark: Stupidity is no excuse.
  Edit
- Kira(about Ferengi): They're greedy, misogynistic, untrustworthy little trolls, and I wouldn't turn my back on one of them for a second.
  Dax: Neither would I. But once you accept that, you'll find they can be a lot of fun.
  Edit
- Dax: Is that really how you prefer your women- naked and submissive?
  Quark: You find such a lifeappealing?
  Dax: Ah... don't you wish?
  Quark: I do... I really do...
  Edit
Allusions
- Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions