49. The House of Quark

Summary

When a drunken Klingon falls on his own knife and dies in Quark's bar, Quark sees the opportunity to bolster his flagging business and tells everyone that he slayed the Klingon, whose name was Kozak, in hand-to-hand combat. When the Klingon's brother, D'Gohr, comes looking for assurance that Kozak died an honorable death (in other words, one not requiring vengeance), Quark eagerly gives it to him. Kozak's widow, Grillka, is Quark's next visitor...she doesn't believe that Quark killed her husband in honorable combat for one second, and before Quark can do more than splutter an explanation she beams him away with her. He awakens on Q'oo'nos and before he can say a word, Grillka hauls him to his feet and marries him. She drags him to the Council Chamber where D'Gohr (who is the primary rival of the House of Kozak) is about to claim control of Grillka's house...but when she informs Gowron that she has taken her husband's killer as the head of her house (which is permitted by Klingon law), the Council accepts Quark as the new head of the house, much to D'Gohr's distress. Grillka explains to Quark that Kozak had squandered the family fortune and owed many debts and that the house would fall to D'Gohr unless she is granted special dispensation by the Council to lead her house on her own. Quark examines the family's ledgers and discovers that D'Gohr actually used finances to manipulate the House of Kozak into ruin...a very dishonorable action by D'Gohr. When Quark accuses D'Gohr of this before the Council, D'Gohr demands satisfaction through honorable combat...having learned from Rom that Kozak actually died in a drunken accident. Quark and Rom try to leave the planet in secret but Grillka catches them...but after some scathing words she lets them go. The next day, to everyone's surprise, Quark appears to answer the challenge, but as the fight is about to begin, Quark throws away his bat'leth and tells D'Gohr to just kill him....he doesn't stand a chance against D'Gohr and everyone knows it, they just want him to put up a fight to satisfy Klingon honor. He kneels and dares D'Gohr to do it. He almost does, but is stopped by Gowron, who tells him he has no honor and discommodates him. Grillka frees Quark from their marriage and thanks him...Gowron has granted her special dispensation and she can now lead her house on her own.

Meanwhile, on DS9, Keiko feels useless when she is forced to close the school as families, afraid of the Dominion, leave the station. The Chief tries to find a way to help her and eventually tells her to take a position working on Bajor.

Analysis

The House of Quark is definitely my favorite Ferengi episode. It's fast-paced, clever, funny...and for once, portrays Quark as a guy with a good deal of smarts, not a little bit of courage and even some nobility and feeling in his heart. Grillka is a great character, a Klingon woman endeavoring to play the system that keeps her from the things she wants. It's a tightly-plotted, well-presented episode that combines the best of a Klingon episode with the best of a Ferengi episode. When I saw it again after not having seen it for a long time, I was surprised at how much I liked it. Definitely recommended, both as a good Quark episode and as a good Klingon episode...and one without Worf! I always loved Gowron...no one can bug his eyes out like Charles O'Reilly...and he's in fine Chancellor form here.

The B plot is yet another let's-get-Keiko-out-of-the-way plot, which can get annoying. This one doesn't really do it for me, what can I say. The Chief tries so hard, he's too adorable...but completely clueless, to quote Vic Fontaine.

Rating: 9.0

Memorable Quote:

"I am Quark, son of Keldar! I have come to answer the challenge of D'Gohr, son of...whatever." -Quark

Classic Scene:

I always chuckle over the scene which finds Quark trying to explain the details of D'Gohr's financial schemes to the uncomprehending High Council...the way Gowron finally loses patience and tosses his PADD aside with an impatient flick of the wrist is a hoot.

Sexually Slanted Line 'O the Episode:

"There was a furious exchange of blows!" --Quark

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