History Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E03TheHouseOfQuark

* AuthorAppeal: Having joined the Writers Room this Season following the end of ''Next Generation'', Ronald D. Moore brings his ''Trek'' bread and butter (i.e. Klingon episodes) along with him.

* TheBusCameBack: In the larger context of the 24th Century era of the franchise, Gowron returns two years [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E21RightfulHeir last TNG appearance]].

** Averted with the Klingon --- well, most of them (D'Ghor obviously an exception). Watching Quark attempting to explain profits to them is hilarious. At least one turns the Ferengi PADD sideways in an attempt to understand it.

* KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect: They don't much care for accountants, either.

* PragmaticVillainy: D'ghor has shades of this, favoring financial schemeing as oppossed to the more traditional Klingon method of raiding and {{plunder}}ing due to the fact that, as Quark notes, it runs the risk of destroying the very lands and property he seeks to claim.

* BatmanGambit: How Quark gets out of having to fight a duel with D'Ghor. Instead of attempting to put up a fight, he throws away his weapon, pointing out that him against D'Ghor is basically [[CurbStompBattle an execution anyway]]. By refusing to fight, he removes all pretense of D'Ghor defeating him in 'honorable combat'. When D'Ghor attempts to kill him anyways, Gowron summarily rules against him. (If you're wondering what D'Ghor ''should'' have done, since Quark refused to fight, D'Ghor should have offered him the chance to withdraw his accusation. If Quark refused, D'Ghor then could have "reluctantly" killed him.)

* GenreSavvy: Quark is a known conman from a race of people who specialize in financial and economic crimes and exploitation. When Gowron hears his petition of D'Ghor's crimes are backed up with only complicated financial summaries and paperwork that Gowron can barely follow, he is smart to not trust Quark's papers alone. This is the exact type of con a Ferengi might pull. So, Gowron moves the case to the Klingon Justice System for resolution: prove the validity of one's claim by combat.

** Bluntly pointed out from Gowron to D'Ghor when the latter is ready to execute an unarmed Quark. Honor really is paramount in Klingon society.
** Klingon society may recognize 100 different forms of honor killing that are completely legal and socially acceptable but they still find murder detestable.

** Quark gives a grilling one to his would-be executioner:

* YouWouldntShootMe: Quark evokes this when forced to duel D'Ghor, stating that this fight was little more than D'Ghor executing a Ferengi that couldn't defend himself. D'Ghor was willing to carry through, but Gowron decides that he couldn't abide this and has D'Ghor discommendated for his (dishonourable) financial dealings and attempting to murder Quark.

Later on, however, Quark finds himself confronted by another Klingon: D'Ghor, who claims that Kozak was his brother. He is enraged that Kozak is dead and demands to know the circumstances. Fearful, Quark tells the truth. D'Ghor expresses further rage at the idea of Kozak dying in a drunken accident, as there was no honor in such a death...but if he had died in combat, it ''would'' be honorable, and he could accept that. Quark recommits to his lie and claims once more to have defeated Kozak in battle, placating D'Ghor.

Later in the evening, while Quark is counting his earnings, he is approached by another Klingon: Grilka, Kozak's widow. When she draws her dagger, Quark instinctively runs for cover. Grilka is displeased to learn that the man who allegedly killed her husband in battle was a cowardly Ferengi with a gift for lying...but that gift would be a great boon to her. Thus, she sedates and abducts Quark.

* BookDumb: Judging from the reactions to Quark's explanation, a knowledge of mathematics and economics is ''not'' one of the requirements for serving on the Klingon High Council.

** Averted with the Klingons- well, most of them (D'Ghor obviously an exception). Watching Quark attempting to explain profits to them is hilarious. At least one turns the Ferengi PADD sideways in an attempt to understand it.

** Gowron is a pretty decent ruler for a Klingon in this episode. While he fails to grasp Quark's proof of D'Ghor's shady dealings, he doesn't dismiss it out of hand and asks for D'Ghor's response to the charges. When D'Ghor is about to execute Quark, Gowron is disgusted by his dishonorable intentions and immediately discommendates him.

* ShipperOnDeck: After D'Ghor is discommendated, Gowron gives special dispensation to Grilka and tells her she can be head of house. Then adds "If that is what you want", while nodding at Quark.

* GenreSavvy: Quark is a known conman from a race of people who specialize in financial and economic crimes and exploitation. When Gowron hears his petition of D'Ghor's crimes are backed up with only a complicated financial summaries and paperwork that Gowron can barely follow, he is smart to not trust Quark's papers alone. This is the exact type of con a Ferengi might pull. So, Gowron moves the case to the Klingon Justice System for resolution: prove the validity of one's claim by combat.

** Played VERY straight with Klingon Honor this episode. Any like minded Ferengi would have pulled ScrewThisImOuttaHere And Quark nearly did so.

--> "I am Quark, son of Keldar and I am come to answer the challenge of D'Ghor, son of...whatever."

-->'''Grilka:''' You mean D'Ghor has been scheming and plotting like a Fe..(Remembers who she is talking to)

* {{Irony}}: Quark - A Ferengi - outwits and bests D'Ghor - A Klingon who had become as Greedy [[PlanetOfHats as Ferengis are known to be]] - by being ''better'' at having a Klingon sense of Honor.

* BerserkButton: Gowron flies into a fury during Quark's attempt to explain the ridiculously complicated evidence of D'Ghor's financial scheming. Both at Quark for making him listen to it, ''And'' at D'Ghor for potentially being guilty of it.

* ContinuityNod: While it's never stated what they're doing, the the Klingon High Council cross their arms and turn their backs on D'Ghor [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E17SinsOfTheFather just like they did to Worf]] when he was discommendated.

* FunnyBackgroundEvent: When Gowron gets tired of trying to follow Quark's explanation of D'Ghor's financial trickery, he tosses the padd off to the side somewhere.