Line #8 Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E03TheHouseOfQuark


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ds9_thehouseofquark_246.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Quark gets married like a ''warrior.'']]
3
4	It's a slow night at Quark's, and a drunken Klingon who is close to passing out is making matters worse by not paying for his drinks. When Quark tries to talk to the Klingon about his tab, the mean drunk suddenly draws his dagger and lunges at him, only to fall over and stab himself by accident.
5
6	The Klingon's death draws a large crowd to the bar, people curious as to what exactly happened. Seeing an opportunity to drum up business, Quark weaves an elaborate lie of how he fought the Klingon and killed him in self-defense. It's enough to get the bar buzzing with customers once more. Odo warns Quark, however, that it wasn't just any Klingon who died in his bar, but Kozak, a Klingon of considerable power and influence. Quark, however, sticks to his story. When Rom asks why he would continue to commit to the falsehood after turning a profit, Quark explains that it's no longer just about making money, but having respect and prestige as a Ferengi who managed to slay a Klingon in mortal combat.
7
8	Meanwhile, O'Brien learns that Keiko has been forced to close her school due to the same lack of patronage that is affecting Quark's bar. In spite of his best efforts to cheer her up, she remains listless and without a purpose. O'Brien gets permission from Sisko to create an arboretum on the station, but Bashir tells him that it won't be enough.
9
10	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.
11
12	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.
13
14	Quark awakens on the Klingon homeworld of Qo'nos in the company of Tumek, Grilka's advisor. Tumek explains that D'Ghor was no brother of Kozak, but a hated enemy who had long sought to conquer the House of Kozak and seize its power and property. D'Ghor had gained considerable influence over the years, and with Kozak dying without a male heir, the house was doomed to being taken over by D'Ghor. Had Kozak died in an accident, the Klingon High Council might have seen fit to grant special dispensation to Grilka and grant her control of the house, even though she would normally not have that right under Klingon tradition. Grilka, however, has a contingency plan: She forces Quark to wear a ceremonial robe and recite Klingonese chants, then very reluctantly kisses him. A very confused Quark learns that he and Grilka are now officially wed!
15
16	When D'Ghor makes his petition to take over the House of Kozak, Grilka interrupts the meeting to announce that she has completed the ''brek'tal'' ritual, wherein a warrior who slays the leader of a house is granted the right to marry the widow. Because D'Ghor claimed Kozak died in honorable combat, he had opened the door for the ritual to be conducted. The council, and D'Ghor in particular, are shocked to find that this warrior is actually a Ferengi. Chancellor Gowron, in particular, is flabbergasted by these developments and announces that he would need time to consider how to proceed. For the time being, the House of Kozak would be rechristened as the House of Quark.
17
18	Things are not panning out quite the way that Grilka hoped. When Grilka admits that she hadn't planned this far ahead, Quark asks what exactly was happening. Grilka explains that D'Ghor is seeking to claim a position in the High Council, increasing his influence and political clout at the expense of Kozak's. Intrigued, Quark proposes a new strategy: look through the financial records of the house for evidence of D'Ghor's acts of financial sabotage. Grilka is less than pleased with looking through some "filthy ledgers", but at a loss of any other recourse, agrees to Quark's proposal.
19
20	Quark's idea bears fruit, as a look through the ledgers reveals over five years of plots and schemes to devalue the House of Kozak's property and take on Kozak's debts for his own. Grilka is outraged: D'Ghor was sabotaging her house ''like a Ferengi'' instead of challenging her for the house's property. Quark thinks the idea ingenious, however: challenging Grilka would risk destroying the prize that he sought. With this evidence, Quark convenes with the High Council. When Gowron demands D'Ghor answer for these allegations, D'Ghor counters that Quark is lying, explaining that Kozak died in an accident and having an eyewitness to verify this: Quark's bumbling brother, Rom. Claiming his honor was insulted by Quark's "lies", D'Ghor challenges Quark to a duel.
21
22	With everything unraveling, Quark and Rom prepare to make a hasty escape. They are confronted by Grilka, who demands Quark answer D'Ghor's challenge, as it was the honorable thing to do. Quark shirks at accepting the duel, disgusting Grilka with his cowardice. She dismisses him, granting Quark an opportunity to escape.
23
24	As Gowron prepares to rule in favor of D'Ghor and permit him to take over the fallen House of Kozak, Quark suddenly returns to accept D'Ghor's challenge. The two take up ''bat'leths'' and prepare to fight, but then suddenly, Quark throws his blade aside and launches into an impassioned speech about how this duel is a sham. He has no hope of winning against D'Ghor, and forcing him to fight is nothing more than an execution. As such, he will not participate in this farce and leaves himself to D'Ghor's mercy, daring him to kill an unarmed Ferengi. D'Ghor happily accepts Quark's offer, but Gowron stops him. Disgusted at D'Ghor's willingness to kill a weak and unarmed Ferengi and realizing how truly cowardly he was, Gowron announces that D'Ghor has no honor and no place in the High Council. He crosses his arms across his chest and turns his back, the other Klingons in the High Council following suit: D'Ghor is summarily discommendated and ejected from the premises.
25
26	Impressed at Quark's bravery and recognizing that the circumstances are indeed peculiar, Gowron rules that special dispensation will be granted to Grilka, allowing her to lead her own house. Grilka, genuinely grateful to Quark, asks if there is anything she could do for him. When Quark suggests a divorce, Grilka grants it, slapping him across the face and loudly declaring their marriage dissolved in Klingonese. Afterwards, she gives Quark a kiss as thanks for his invaluable help.
27
28	Back on the station, O'Brien suggests that Keiko take a six-month scientific excursion on Bajor, assuring her that he's willing to make the sacrifice for her happiness. As for the Ferengis, Quark and Rom are back to lamenting their lack of business. While Quark would prefer to have some more latinum, Rom assures him that at the very least, he has respect - ''genuine'' respect from the Klingon High Council and Grilka. Afterwards, at Rom's request, Quark regales his brother with a (heavily embellished) retelling of his adventures on Qo'nos.
29	----
30	!!Tropes
31
32	* AccidentalMisnaming: Gowron initially mishears Quark's name as "Quirk".
33	* AmicablyDivorced: Grilka ritualistically slaps Quark and spits on him to signal the divorce. But then they part amicably.
34	* AssholeVictim: Downplayed with Kozak, who, while not a particularly ''bad'' person, was a drunken idiot who led his house into financial ruin and who pulled a knife on Quark for demanding that Kozak pay for his drinks. His own wife doesn't particularly miss him and is more annoyed that the circumstances of his death threaten the future of their House than she is affected by the death itself.
35	* AuthorAppeal: Having joined the Writers Room this Season following the end of ''Next Generation'', Creator/RonaldDMoore brings his ''Trek'' bread and butter (i.e. Klingon episodes) along with him.
36	* 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, since the accusation in and of itself represented a form of attack.)
37	* BelligerentSexualTension: Mostly one-sided, as Grilka has no love for this weak Ferengi she has to marry in order to keep her House safe from D'Ghor's treachery. But by the episode's end, Grilka is genuinely grateful for what Quark did and recognizes Quark's bravery in coming back to fight for her (House's) honor.
38	* 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.
39	* BigDamnHeroes: For a split second, it almost appears as if D'Ghor will kill Quark before Gowron intervenes.
40	* BigOlEyebrows: Grilka has some downright impressive eyebrows.
41	* BlatantLies: Quark plays up Kozak's death, initially to drive up business, and later, because D'Ghor threatened him to. Odo doesn't buy that Quark killed a Klingon, even a drunken one, for a second, and both Grilka and D'Ghor see through the lie with ease.
42	* 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. Gowron at least accepts that Quark is telling the truth, if only because he's tired of listening to it.
43	* BreatherEpisode: After several episodes in a row dealing with the looming, existential threat of the Dominion, this scene is largely a comedic romp, with Quark showing off his bravery and a sideplot without any danger.
44	* TheBusCameBack: In the larger context of the 24th Century era of the franchise, Gowron returns two years after his [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E21RightfulHeir last TNG appearance]].
45	* CharacterOverlap: Gowron is still chronologically the Klingon Chancellor at this point in the 24th Century Timeline, allowing him to cross over onto TNG's spinoff.
46	* ContinuityNod: While it's never stated what they're doing, 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 discommended.
47	* TheComicallySerious: The Klingon High Council trying to wrap their heads around Quark's explanation about how D'hor had been trying to bring down the House of Kozak. Gowron quickly decides he's heard enough, walks up to D'Ghor and delivers this gem;
48	-->'''Gowron''': The charge has been made. That you have used... [[SuddenlyShouting MONEY TO BRING DOWN A GREAT HOUSE!]]
49	* CurbStompBattle: What is expected to happen between a Ferengi who barely passes the chest of a Klingon warrior. Quark, knowing this, takes a third option.
50	* DeliberateValuesDissonance:
51	** Quark is thrown for a loop when he discovers that Klingon society finds it less objectionable that he intentionally killed Kozak in a brawl than for it to have been an accident.
52	** Kira doesn't understand why two human men would want to be alone to discuss women problems. Sisko has to kick her out of the room.
53	** In another society, particularly amongst Ferengis, D'Ghor's scheme to steal Kozak's House without killing anyone by using economics would considered acceptable if not outright admirable. Amongst [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Klingons]], it's dishonorable and cowardly, to the point D'Ghor is sentenced to [[FateWorseThanDeath discommendation]].
54	* DidntThinkThisThrough:
55	** Standing up to a drunken Klingon and telling him to leave was ''not'' a smart move, Quark.
56	** Attempting to execute an unarmed Ferengi in plain view of the Klingon High Council was also not a smart move, D'Ghor.
57	* DirtyCoward:
58	** D'Ghor. No respectable Klingon uses ''money'' to defeat his opponents. And no respectable Klingon would be so eager to perform an execution of an unarmed Ferengi in what was supposed to be an honorable duel.
59	** Initially played straight and then averted with Quark- when he is confronted with a duel with D'Ghor, he initially decides to cut his losses and run. He later changes his mind: despite his reputation as a Ferengi, and thus as people who would rather wheel and deal, or outright ''run''- Quark uses this reputation to stand up to D'Ghor and deliver one of the best "The Reason You Suck Speeches" in Star Trek.
60	* DrowningMySorrows: Kozak's brief screentime starts with him downing mug after mug of bloodwine, lamenting his dismal financial state.
61	* EveryoneHasStandards:
62	** In Klingon society, dueling and war for property, lands, and titles are perfectly fine, but using ''money'' to achieve one's aims is a step too far for the Klingons.
63	** Klingon society may recognize 100 different forms of honor killing that are completely legal and socially acceptable but they still find murder detestable. This is bluntly pointed out from Gowron to D'Ghor when the latter is ready to execute an unarmed Quark, showing how in Klingon society, honor really is paramount:
64	---> '''Gowron:''' D'Ghor, what are you doing? I did not want to believe the things he said about you yesterday, but if you can stand here and murder this pathetic little man, then you have no honor… and you have no place in this hall!
65	* EvilCannotComprehendGood: In this case, it is the "good" for Klingons. While Quark has made the claim of dishonorable behavior on D'Ghor's part, his response fails to consider what an honorable Klingon would do against a man who refuses to draw his weapon but still holds firm to his claim of dishonorable action. The "good" Klingon would have looked at Quark and asked him to withdraw the claim because while there is no physical weapon in his hands, Quark's words wound him and his family's honor. When Quark refuses, and perhaps the Klingon asks again to make sure, the "good" Klingon would then make clear his reluctance in killing Quark. By going for the quick kill, by showing no respect for Quark, D'Ghor exposes his vileness to the council and Gowron.
66	* EvilVirtues: D'ghor is an an honorless petaQ, but there's no denying that, by the standards of Klingons, he's smart and clever. Using the power of economics and some quick thinking after Kozak's death, he almost manages to nab a Great House and its assets, including Grilka and a seat on the Klingon High Council, without firing a shot.
67	* FiveSecondForeshadowing: Quark is confused when D'Ghor claims to have a witness to what really happened to Kozak. After all...
68	--> '''Quark:''' ''(quietly to Grilka)'' The only other person who was there was--\
69	''(Rom gets shoved into the Great Hall)''\
70	'''Rom:''' ''(sheepishly)'' Hello, brother.
71	* 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. Another Council member is holding the padd upside down.
72	* GoodWithNumbers:
73	** Quark's business mind is able to piece together how D'Ghor has been attacking Grilka's lands by financial means.
74	** 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.
75	* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Neither Odo nor anyone else on Deep Space Nine seems to notice that Quark and Rom are abducted and taken to Qo'nos. Then again, it is Odo we're talking about. He was likely relieved to be rid of Quark.
76	* HoldYourHippogriffs:
77	-->'''Rom:''' Money isn't everything.
78	-->'''Quark:''' If father were alive, he'd wash your mouth out with galcor.
79	* HonorBeforeReason:
80	** Played VERY straight with Klingon Honor this episode. Any like minded Ferengi would have pulled ScrewThisImOuttaHere and Quark nearly did so.
81	** It's also made VERY clear that Klingon honor [[DeliberateValuesDissonance is not like what the modern viewer thinks of as honor]]. It's very much in the medieval knight/Samurai vein of reputation and MightMakesRight, with no value placed on [[HonorIsFairPlay fairness or good sportsmanship]]. Thus the fact that another house challenged D'Ghor's honor with its accusations is what mattered, not whether the evidence Quark provided is ''true''.
82	* IAmXSonOfY: Quark gets to use this introduction before his fight against D'Ghor.
83	--> "I am Quark, son of Keldar and I am come to answer the challenge of D'Ghor, son of... whatever."
84	* InstantDeathStab: When Kozak falls onto his own dagger at Quark's bar, he dies instantly. It does look like the dagger pierced near to where a human heart would be, but it fits this trope all the same.
85	* InsultFriendlyFire: When Grilka finds out that D'Ghor has been using financial plots to attack her house.
86	-->'''Grilka:''' You mean D'Ghor has been scheming and plotting like a Fe... (Remembers who she is talking to)
87	-->'''Quark:''' (Proudly) Like a Ferengi.
88	* {{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.
89	* KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect: They don't much care for accountants or economists, either. One wonders who has the unenviable job of keeping the Klingon Empire's economy and finances in order.
90	* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent: After Quark throws down his bat'leth and launches into his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech, instead of focusing on Quark like almost everyone else in the room, Gowron is instead closely watching ''D'Ghor'', likely to see what his reaction would be.
91	* MyRuleFuIsStrongerThanYours: D'Ghor plots to use Quark's embellished tale of Kozak's death as justification he died in honorable combat. This would deny Grilka's claim for special dispensation that would allow her to rule the house despite being a woman. Grilka then uses that fact to marry Quark under a ritual that would keep her house from becoming dead.
92	-->'''Grilka:''' All I have done is follow the brek'tal ritual. If the leader of a House is slain in honourable combat, the victor may be invited to take his place and his wife. You're the one who made this possible, D'Ghor. You certified before the Council that Kozak died an honourable death at the hands of this man. I am simply exercising my rights as an honoured widow.
93	* OhCrap:
94	** Quark realizes he goofed up bad when he finds Kozak dead, then once more when his widow comes to marry him.
95	** This is D'Ghor's reaction when Gowron has him discommendated.
96	* PlanetOfHats: Very interesting subversion/deconstruction. Quark (a Ferengi) and D'Ghor (a Klingon) both take off their race's hat. D'Ghor acts like a typical Ferengi (using money to try to bring down a Klingon house), while Quark shows Klingon honor and stands up to a challenge with a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech that is so good even Gowron (the Klingon chancellor) commends him. "A brave Ferengi, who would have thought that possible?"
97	* PragmaticVillainy: D'ghor has shades of this, favoring financial scheming as opposed 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.
98	* PutOnABus: Keiko leaves for a six-month agrobiology expedition, along with Molly. This was written in to give O'Brien more screen time with Bashir.
99	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure:
100	** 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 takes it seriously because Quark obviously put the work in and demands D'Ghor's response to the charges. When D'Ghor is about to execute Quark without a fight, Gowron is disgusted by his dishonorable intentions and immediately discommendates him.
101	** Sisko makes time to hear O'Brien's problems and offers to help him in any way he can.
102	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Two of them.
103	** First Grilka gives one to Quark when he attempts ScrewThisImOuttaHere:
104	--->'''Grilka''': I thought you were different. I thought you had something in here (points to chest). But all you have in there is a piece of Latinum. And it is a pretty small piece at that.
105	** Quark gives a grilling one to his would-be executioner after tossing his bat'leth on the floor:
106	--->'''Quark''': Go ahead, kill me. That's why I'm here, isn't it, to be killed? Well, here I am, so go ahead and do it. You all want me to pick up that sword and fight him, don't you? But I don't have a chance and you know it. You only want me to put up a fight so that your precious honour will be satisfied. Well, I'm not going to make it so easy for you. ''(drops to his knees)'' Having me fight D'Ghor is nothing more than an execution, so, if that's what you want, that's what you'll get. An execution. No honour, no glory. And when you tell your children and your grandchildren the glorious story of how you rose to power and took Grilka's House from her, I hope you remember to tell them how you heroically killed an unarmed Ferengi... ''half your size''.
107	*** Not just D'Ghor- Gowron and the High Council are perfectly willing to let D'Ghor steal Grilka's house, despite Grilka and Quark exposing the plot- as long as the letter of the law is followed. Quark is calling them out by removing any pretenses of honor.
108	* RightForTheWrongReasons: Quark's gambit in his duel against D'Ghor by not fighting back and [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech calling out the Klingons on how this duel was a sham]] did technically work, though not in the way Quark probably intended. His speech was intended to remove any pretense of honour from the duel by stating how it was purely for the Klingon's satisfaction and he never had a chance of winning. What actually happened was that it revealed D'Ghor's lack of honour when he tried to murder the now unarmed Ferengi without a second thought (when D'ghor should at least have offered Quark a chance to withdraw his claim at least once before "reluctantly" killing him), which is enough for Gowran and the rest of the High Council to intervene and declare that D'Ghor is without honour and discommendate him.
109	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere:
110	** Most of the Bajoran families living on [=DS9=] move back to Bajor in the face of the Dominion threat, forcing Keiko to close her school.
111	** Rom and Quark attempt this after D'Ghor's challenge but Grilka initially stops them both and chews them out for trying to do so. This leads Quark to his BatmanGambit.
112	* ShipperOnDeck: After D'Ghor is discommendated, Gowron gives special dispensation to Grilka and tells her she can be head of her house. Then adds "If that is what you want", while nodding at Quark.
113	* SlapSlapKiss: Grilka is affectionately grateful to Quark for his defense of her House.
114	* SoapPunishment: When Rom says that latinum isn't everything, Quark replies that their father would've used the Ferengi equivalent on him.
115	* SoProudOfYou: Grilka says this about Quark before the duel begins.
116	* SwappedRoles: Quark, a Ferengi, behaves honourably like a Klingon. Meanwhile, D'Ghor, a Klingon, goes through shady dealings like a Ferengi, and is later found to have zero honour.
117	* TakeAThirdOption: Quark is forced into a duel of honor with D'Ghor, which would end either with him killing D'Ghor (very unlikely), or with D'Ghor killing him (quite likely). However, Quark comes up with a solution where he manages to point out the hypocrisy of the Klingon honor code without needing to fight at all.
118	* TitleDrop: PlayedForLaughs when Gowron has trouble saying "Quark" properly.
119	* UndignifiedDeath: Kozak dies because he fell on his own knife in a drunken stupor.
120	* YouAreACreditToYourRace: Gowron marvels at the "brave Ferengi" and treats Quark with great respect after his stunt.
121	* YouGotGuts: Gowron is quite impressed by Quark's action.
122	--> '''Gowron:''' [[YouAreACreditToYourRace A brave Ferengi.]] Who'd have thought it possible?
123	* YouKillItYouBoughtIt: The ''brek'tal'' ritual amounts to this; if a Klingon is slain in honourable combat, as D'Ghor is claiming that Kozak was, then the slayer of said warrior may marry the deceased's widow. Quark is forced to go through the motions under threat of death.
124	* YouWouldntShootMe: Quark evokes this when forced to duel D'Ghor, stating that this fight would be 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.

Context Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS03E03TheHouseOfQuark