Why Quark Was Destined to Miss Out on Becoming Grand Nagus in Star Trek: DS9

Summary

In "The Nagus" Zek names Quark as his successor, but it was a ploy to expose his son's murderous intentions.

Quark's irresponsible actions and disregard for the outcomes render him unsuitable for the position of Grand Nagus, despite his impressive business acumen.

Contrary to the perception of Rom as inferior to Quark, he proved to be a more effective Grand Nagus owing to his forward-thinking policies and genuine interest in diverse extraterrestrial civilizations.

Quark never had the opportunity to become Grand Nagus on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as the first Ferengi episode of the series, titled "The Nagus," introduced Grand Nagus Zek as the leader of the Ferengi Alliance. Zek held immense power on Ferenginar, and Quark's Bar played a crucial role in expanding Ferengi business interests into the Gamma Quadrant. Quark garnered favor with the Grand Nagus, leading many to believe he could succeed Zek if he ever retired.

However, it was Quark's brother, Rom, who ultimately became the new Grand Nagus in the later stages of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the current Star Trek series, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Grand Nagus Rom has initiated the process for the Ferengi to join the Federation. Meanwhile, Quark has established a thriving business empire spanning Deep Space Nine to Freecloud and beyond, as depicted in Star Trek: Picard. This outcome aligns with Quark's strength as a businessman and Rom's aptitude for politics, as hinted at in "The Nagus" episode, where Grand Nagus Zek even stays in Rom's quarters.

Star Trek: DS9 Season 1 Proved Quark Would Never Be Grand Nagus

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In "The Nagus," Zek visits Quark's Bar to discuss business opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant. During the meeting, Zek appoints Quark as his successor. However, when Zek suddenly dies, Quark not only inherits power but also the danger that came with being the Grand Nagus. In an attempt to appease potential assassins, Quark recklessly starts offering business deals to his rivals. This behavior is highly irresponsible, and even Rom recognizes that it is not appropriate for the leader of the Ferengi Alliance.

Although Quark and Zek were a strong team, there was never a serious suggestion that Quark would become the next Grand Nagus. Throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Quark gets involved in various money-making schemes without considering the consequences. This impulsive behavior is not befitting someone who is responsible for making final decisions regarding Ferengi society. The fact that Zek appoints Quark as his successor solely to expose his son Krax's murderous intentions suggests that the Grand Nagus doesn't view the DS9 bartender as a serious candidate for the position.

Why DS9’s Rom Made A Better Grand Nagus For Star Trek’s Future

Rom, despite being considered inferior to his brother Quark, proved to be the ideal candidate for the position of Grand Nagus in Star Trek's future. Initially, Rom's aspiration was simply to take over Quark's Bar on the space station, presuming that his brother would advance to become the Grand Nagus or expand his business elsewhere. This lack of ambition served as inspiration for his son, Nog, who dreamt of accomplishing much more and pursued a career in Starfleet. As a result, Nog ultimately motivated his father to strive for goals beyond the confines of Quark's Bar.

Rom demonstrated his progressive political stance by leading a revolt of workers at Quark's Bar and aligning himself as a Union advocate. It was evident even early on, in the episode "The Nagus," that Rom was more than just an ordinary Ferengi when he returned a customer's purse without appropriating any money from it. Nog gained invaluable experience in understanding various alien cultures on both sides of the wormhole through his collaboration with Chief Miles O'Brien and the engineering team of Deep Space Nine. Considering that effective negotiation with different cultures is a critical aspect of the Grand Nagus role, Rom's innate curiosity and progressive politics in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine made him the perfect successor in the eyes of Zek.