Summary
The return of Quark and Rom in Star Trek: Lower Decks highlights the absence of other members of their Ferengi family, making their reunion even more tragic.
Aron Eisenberg (Nog) and Cecily Adams (Ishka) passing away prevents Nog and Ishka from reprising their roles in Star Trek alongside Quark and Rom. The animated series Lower Decks provides an opportunity for Quark, Rom, and Leeta to make a comeback, as live-action follow-ups to Deep Space Nine have been restricted. Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing a more mature and knowledgeable version of Quark in upcoming episodes.
In Star Trek: Lower Decks, the return of Quark and Rom has highlighted the absence of two other members of their Ferengi family, making their absence even more tragic. In the episode "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place," fans get a glimpse of the progressive changes brought about by Rom and Leeta after DS9. It's interesting to consider how Quark would react to these changes, especially since previous episodes showed him to be just as crafty as ever.
Hopefully, a future episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks will bring about a reunion between Quark and Rom, updating the dynamics of the Ferengi family from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It's important to note that Quark's family in DS9 wasn't limited to just Rom but also included his nephew Nog and mother Ishka. Nog's journey into Starfleet and Ishka's push for gender equality had a significant impact on the Star Trek universe, setting the stage for Rom's progressive policies in Lower Decks. However, due to real-life events, any future Ferengi family reunion will be limited to Quark, Rom, and Leeta.
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2 Ferengi Can’t Return To Star Trek With Quark & His Family
Regrettably, Aron Eisenberg passed away in 2019 at age 50, preventing Nog from making a return to Star Trek alongside his Ferengi kin. In Season 3, Star Trek: Discovery commemorated the actor by introducing the Eisenberg-class starships. Within this class, the USS Nog stood as a testament to the enduring impact of Starfleet's first Ferengi well into the 32nd century. Considering Eisenberg's unwavering affection for Star Trek prior to his passing, it is truly disheartening that he never had the opportunity to reprise his role as Nog one final time.
Cecily Adams, the actress who portrayed Moogie, beloved mother of Quark and Rom in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, passed away at a young age. In 2004, at the age of 46, Adams lost her battle with lung cancer, less than five years after her final appearance on the show. The transformative impact of Ishka, the character she portrayed, was recognized and honored by Rom, who later assumed the esteemed position of Grand Nagus. With this in mind, Star Trek: Lower Decks' journey to the new Ferenginar serves as a meaningful tribute to the enduring legacy of Ishka, while also marking a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between the Ferengi and the Federation.
Why Quark, Rom & Leeta Have Only Returned In Star Trek: Lower Decks
Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks, expressed his gratitude to Chase Masterson by penning the episode titled "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place". This gesture was in return for her kind gesture of allowing him to attend a party at Comic-Con. When it comes to Leeta, her spouse Rom is never too far away, which explains his appearance in the notable Ferengi episode of Lower Decks. While the live-action Star Trek series has introduced new Ferengi characters, it is only in the animated format that fans have witnessed the return of Quark, Rom, and Leeta.
The characters in Star Trek: Lower Decks remain active due to the show taking place after the events of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The lack of live-action sequels to 1990s Trek shows, aside from Star Trek: Picard, is the reason why fans haven't seen the Ferengi family from Deep Space Nine return. It is hoped that Quark, played by Armin Shimerman, might make an appearance as an older and wiser character in future installments of Star Trek. Catch the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks streaming every Thursday on Paramount+.
