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UNCUT - Prophet Motive (DS9 S3E16) | Star Trek Journey 350 (Patreon)

Published:
2026-03-01 04:38:35
Edited:
2026-03-05 13:50:37
Imported:
2026-09
Tags:
stj

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We've reacted to Star Trek 350 times. Do we know what a nebula is? No.

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Comments

Phenomenon (Doo - Dooo - Dah - Doo - Doo)

Am I losing it, or was there no video link on the Discord for this prior to being posted here? Wait.... don't answer. I don't care. I've got an episode and a reaction to watch! 🍿

Matchstick Jose

Ah, yes, a “Ferengi Episode.” Sometimes, they work. Other times, like here, IMO, it’s more: “Ah, I recognize that you are attempting comedy here.” Just not enough meat on the bones in this one to ground the mostly flat attempts at humor.

Phenomenon (Doo - Dooo - Dah - Doo - Doo)

Yup! I was far more interested in seeing Alex & Josh's takes on this episode than the episode itself. This is just a bottle episode that fully resets by the end

Matthew McKinnon-Gray

Regarding Ira & capitalism; Robert Hewitt Wolfe’s original pitch for “Past Tense” was about Sisko being stranded in 1990s LA and being dismissed as a crazy homeless man. Ira liked the idea of Sisko trapped in the past but thought Wolfe’s pitch was too preachy & on the nose so he created the Sanctuary Districts & come up with the idea of the hostage situation to try to make it less literal & more exciting.

Ryan

I had mercifully forgotten this one. This feels like they had about 10 minutes of plot to turn into a full episode. Ferengi episodes can really hit (as we've seen), but this felt way too broad and shticky to be effective. Now, Chief and Bashir playing darts? Give me that all day.

Jack Molitor

Welcome to the socialist revolution, Josh! All seriousness, I totally agree with you and think it’s absurd when I hear people contend that society will collapse if we provide people with the basics of living. There’s actually plenty of evidence that populations are much happier and successful when its people can focus on becoming truly self-actualized instead of working themselves to exhaustion to just barely survive.

JordanK1991

Indeed. The happiest places on Earth (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Québec...to name a few) are all what Americans would consider "socialist" nations. These places always rank at the top of the happiness index, year after year, and have for a long time now.

Scribe31oz

Thank God its over....this is one of those which I always skip. I watched it while playing Candy Crush on my phone.

Trent Bowles

Ferengi episodes are the ultimate wild cards. They can sometimes really work, and sometimes they really don't (looking forward to THAT reaction). But that's what I love about them. They are a huge curveball that helps break up the monotony of a 26-episode season. It doesn't hurt that I just generally love all of the characters in them. I literally smile every time I see Wallace Shawn as the Grand Nagus. And he's kind of...adorable here? That humming when he's in that sack after they kidnap him is hilarious to me. Way better than the little disgusting sex pest he was in his first several appearances. That said, this episode really needed to be placed somewhere else in the season. I think it works a lot better as a palate cleanser to a big eventful episode, which "Destiny" was anything but. Not to mention it involved the Prophets twice in a row, which is strange considering they were so rarely the subject of episodes up to this point. We saw that kind of odd placement with Nog's stories as well in "Life Support" and "Heart of Stone." Now, would that make the episode better? No. But I think the humor would have hit a little better if it was coming off the back of an intense episode.

TalynOne

S tier isn't enough for this, a new category S+ tier should be created just for this episode. It transcends not only Star Trek but the art of cinema itself. I predict you both will rate this higher than The Bonding. The direction, drama and story are second to none.

Sir, This is A Quark's.

Okay so I wanted to wait to make sure this was not in the discussion, 2 things about this episode and without future spoilers. 1. Rene directing. Most first time actor-directors were given a bottle type episode (existing sets, guest stars, make up, but no big costly set pieces or visual effects). Frankes talked about how Paramount had a "director's school" for members of the cast who asked to direct. They would usually be slotted into a mid to late season show after shadowing the process from start to finish with another director. Not all cast members that asked to direct were given this opportunity. And the episode was (again, usually) one they were "light" in (a paycheck scene, I think you coined before). I think Rene did the best with what he had. 2. SO... the Bashir storyline was written because of the 1994 Emmys. S7 of TNG was nominated for BEST DRAMATIC SERIES along with Picket Fences, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, and Nothern Exposure. When it was annouced EVERYONE agreed that Star Trek was not going to win. It was decided "it was just an honor to be nominated..." blah blah blah. Because Neilsen ratings never rated syndicated shows like network shows, it never reported that Star Trek was easily in the top 10 of shows when it aired (by adding all the stations that aired it and adding the audiences together). The show was liked by major stars and very popular... but it wasn't going to win. This was why Bashir's story was written as a "I won't win... but maybe... I deserve to win... but no one would actually say it... but maybeeeee..." Picket Fences won. But yeah, that's why this episode felt... kinda of off. But hey, bad pizza is still pizza.

Summer

However not all Ferengi episodes are meant to be funny, at least not totally. Not sure about this one. But in the future not all Ferengi episodes are comedy.

Wizardling

I laughed quite a bit at this when I originally watched it, and it still amuses me. Rom gets some good lines :-)

Keith S

I'm glad you noticed the baseball.

Sam Langanke

There is a bunch of not really great episodes in the middle of the season. You are just there. But you will get out of it.

River Acheron

Both A and B plots were a bit too sitcom-y for me. From what I've seen of mediocre cringe 90's sitcoms (Friends, Family Matters, Home Improvement, Everybody Love Raymond, etc), this seems similar to that. In fact I bet this episode can easily be edited with a laugh track. C-

Narnman

The heck was that? I cant make head or tails of this episode. Was it written by chatgpt. What was even the point of the B plot? Everyone in both plots are acting all weird. I was beginning to think this was all a nightmare of Dr Bashir

Ryan Roach

Next week is great, perfect for Alex’s birthday.

Matchstick Jose

I think doing comedy is a muscle that you have to hone and maintain. And it’s such a tall ask for a dramatic show to think it can just drop in a comedic episode a couple times a season when no one on the production (writers, actors, directors) is doing that for the other 24 episodes a year. The fact that any Trek show is ever able to pull off even a mostly successful comedic episode (it does happen) is kind of a miracle.

Ryan Roach

This episode could've redeemed itself with a surprise Crusher cameo as the winner of the whatever award.

harrypothead42024

NEVER give the patrons what they want!! Now they will feel they deserve it.

Ryan Roach

DS9 is has some really funny episodes in the later seasons.

Doctor Pulaski

If they love or hate this one, they are probably right. DS9 seems to have a midseason slump trend.

Prof Moff

God I hate Ferengi. I always have and always will. From the beginning. Yes I hate Rhom, I hate Nog, and (I know I will be excommunicated from the church of Trek for this) I also hate Quark. There I said it

River Acheron

Oh absolutely it does! I actually quite enjoy Ferengi episodes. The ones to come are absolute gold for me personally. But THIS one in particular was just too cheesy 90's sitcoms and boy I can't stand those. With the exception of Fraiser and technically Curb Your Enthusiasm started in the 90's.

Ryan

That makes so much more sense. The whole episode felt like an in-joke that I didn't get.

Holly Davis

"You're wrinkling my suit!" That line kills me every time. I've seen this episode many times and crack up every time. Love the Nagus.

Sam Langanke

I think Dr. Bashir suffers a bit of Quarterlife Crisis. It's a real thing and I had it myself. It hits typically between 25 and 30 and is caused by the uncertity after finishing education - in Julian's case Starfleet Academy and Med School - and before founding a family and going on a certain career path. Bashir is not sure what his purpose exactly is and his life will bring. Yes, he is a doctor and wants to help people but he is also ambitious and wants to do exceptional things. But he does not know yet if he is capeable of that.

Steven Linden

Yeah, you should igore all comments of the form, "This is where the show really starts!" or "From here on out, it's all good!" There are bad episodes in every single season. We haven't even hit my two least favorite episodes of the series yet.

Doctor Pulaski

A Nebula is a cloud of gas and dust. That is all, unless you are talking about the daughter of Thanos, who perhaps he treated too harshly...

Summer

When we got our cat 13 years ago she was a very ‘gassy’ kitten, I had been watching certain Trek so I said she was having gaseous anomalies, and to a degree, yes you are right.

Goddess of Empathy

I fell asleep watching this but woke up to at least be entertained by Grand Nagus Zek just humming along while being kidnapped. That always makes me chuckle.

Scott Woodward

Yeah. The Ferengi episodes are kind of infamous in being particularly hit or miss. They almost exist in their own little world when it comes to DS9. Some of them I'll stand by and praise all day. House of Quark earlier of the season? Solid episode. Showcased Quark being 'brave' in a way that was particularly calculated and appropriate to his character. This one...meh. I like some of the bits here. I chuckled at the meeting with the Prophets. Doing a bit of a parody of the first episode and Sisco's meeting with. It was bemusing seeing the Prophets being less than thrilled by their second meeting with a corporeal life form. But yeah. A lot of the episode drags and is a little too obviously trying to be amusing rather than actually being amusing. I think the Doctor bits are better but they don't do much with Bashir here. I do appreciate the small bits they establish here that become more prominent later- like the darts game. Otherwise a subpar outing for the series. Happens in the best of seasons, I suppose.

Scott Woodward

I mean...maybe? It'd need to be in interstellar space to qualify, though, which would imply some very strange circumstances about when and how you pass gas to say the least.

Scott Woodward

On balance, there are some very funny classic episodes coming up in later seasons.

Collin Freeman

If I remember correctly, this episode was basically a palate-cleanser between the previous and next episodes. All Star Trek series used to have these going all the way back to TOS. Gives a sense of how much variety there was in the kinds of stories they could tell.

Sir, This is A Quark's.

I watched this episode/reaction on my bedroom tv, while eating a bag of Salt & Vinegar... catching strays over here. 🖖

Duncan McDonald

Awww. I really enjoyed it! A harmless slice of light entertainment, and as with most DS9 content, the characters maketh the episode.

Collin Freeman

I like the philosophical discussion you guys get into sometimes. As to the capitalistic-money discussion, I tend to side with Josh on this one. People are going to do and be what they are going to do and be - for some, they need money for motivation, but not all. And some people will never be motivated, money or not.

Collin Freeman

I agree with Ryan. It helps to know that before going into watching this episode. The in-joke just lies flat, but I bet the cast and crew got a kick out of it.

Shayne

"Lobe Job" would be a sick band name. Just sayin'.

Matchstick Jose

One iteration of this idea was Picard and Geordi at the Watts Riots in Los Angeles in 1965. It was something Wolfe pitched to Michael Piller back before he even worked at Trek.

Vexx

59:30 - ouch bro. You may not have found content that lands on it's own but you are an integral part of TA. If it was just Josh I probably wouldn't be here. I love the way you two interact and your perspective is great. I like how excitable you are. The TA brand wouldn't be what it is without you. Thats an accomplishment and you deserve it. You earned it.

Elizabeth N

Ferengi episodes are either a hit or a miss for me. This one's largely a miss. Have to admit though that Zek humming while in that sack always makes me smile.

Philbot

VOY was Monday’s? DS9 aired Saturdays TNG was Saturdays luckily my local channel 8 aired TNG Reruns everyday at 6pm.

JordanK1991

I always found this one hilarious. Zek's humming was indeed very funny. Not exactly A-grade material, but passable nonetheless. The weakest of the season for me.

Better Watch Trek

This episode is like a bad joke that gets funny when a group who knows it tells the joke to someone who doesn't - and everyone is just laughing about the puzzled reaction... so with this in mind... I was fully entertained by your reaction and the way you looked with the "what-the-hell-is-happening" expression ;)

Philbot

Yea I don’t like most Ferengi episodes except for Quarks version of Casablanca. 😆

Philbot

I 🤣 at that. So cute and goofy

Worf and Riker Ride Again

This was such a nothing episode. It's effectively a sit-com but without any situation. Where was the story?

Kevin Jackson

I like the episode. Always have. Was it amazingly hilarious? No. Was it fun and entertaining? Absolutely. So comedically no it wasn't hilarious like Dumb and Dumber or Old School or something but lighthearted, cute, fun and entertaining. So I got zero complaints. No it's not Top Notch Trek but it's cool world building and character development.

Doctor Pulaski

I would watch Wallace Shaun read out of the phone book. I would even watch him eat dinner and I have (preferably with Andre). So for me, Zek is always welcome. He’s like Lwaxana situation, sometimes she’s mourning for Timison, sometime she’s being inappropriate with Klingon children; Either way you are greatful for the time. Episode quality becomes moot.

Doctor Pulaski

I know the two of which you speak… for they are also in my mind.

Summer

Just for clarification, nebulas and pulsars have 2 things in common, space and gas.

Summer

So, we who have seen it multiple times are the ones laughing, happens a lot with DS9

Summer

Doc we did consider changing her name at least to anomoly, but others insisted on Cashmere

Tim Nikiforovs

or McCoy, since they emphasized the candidates being so old and he's still kicking as far as we know

Sykonee

An episode I suspect Behr and Wolfe had a punny title sitting around for a couple years, and finally wrote an episode to support it.

Brandon W

I find Alex's reaction to Bashir's plot interesting. I think Alex would describe it as a tragedy, because he would find Bashir's attitude at the beginning of the episode very healthy (and same as his), and then his friends got in his head and gave him false hope, and he gave into it and was disappointed. Which is exactly the opposite of why I watch Star Trek -- for good stories and inspiration, not a reminder that life sucks and you're probably going to lose. And also, there's the fact that they're making a mockery of the prophets and suggesting they would do something pretty horrific, which is rewrite a person's brain to think differently just because they find it off-putting. I hate this episode more than I ever did before.

Erik L Jerks

I don't mind it, but there's nothing here that actually elevates it. Competently directed. Good character work. Heck, I remember a lot of the individual scenes as they contribute to the greater lore, but there's nothing from scene to scene that propels tension forward.

Aroha

You hate...Nog? bro that's wild

JRandolph

I don't disagree that this episode isn't anything to get excited about, or even worth a re-watch if you catch it again somewhere later, but it is kind of an example of one of DS9's strongest traits. Even an episode like this adds to the character development in the series in at least a minor way, especially once you've watched all seven seasons. I won't elaborate because I obviously don't want to spoil anything, but when I watch it now I can see it, and I feel 100% certain that my reaction was similar to TA's when this episode premiered.

Joe Concepts

Sorry, but the Nagus just isn't for me. Too goofy and over the top for me.

Derek Locke

We said it gets good in season 3. We didn't say it gets perfect in season 3!

Tim Nikiforovs

This is one of those "yeah....it's a ferengi episode" episodes. Sure, they can be a lot of fun, but other times they just don't work. I did find the bizarro rules of acquisition entertaining. Wish there was a full list. And as others have said, the Prophets really crossed a line here. Not the worst episode, but very forgettable. I saw the name and for the life of me couldn't remember what it was beyond a ferengi episode. Even knowing it's the one where the Nagus gets brainwashed, I couldn't recall any other details. And since I have nothing more to say on the episode, I'll jump into the more interesting discussion of economics. Obviously Quark's speech about the virtues of greed is exaggerated for comedic effect. I don't think the majority of people are overly greedy. They want to own a home, they want their basic needs provided for, and they want some things mostly because they just want them. I don't want a home as a status symbol or anything. I want it for security and so I don't have to deal with things like my building management wanting to enter my apartment like 5 times a year for some reason or another. Not to say there isn't greed, but getting rid of money wouldn't eliminate that. All money is really is a universal trade good. If you want a car, but all you have is lumber, blueberries, and copper wire, and the guy with the car doesn't need any of those things, you're out of luck. but if you can sell them to someone who does need them and get something that has value to anyone in return(money), you can buy the car. Getting rid of money would just make exchanging goods and services almost impossible. Star trek can get around it because they have replicators, but it wouldn't work today. Can't just make everything free either, because what stops people from just grabbing anything they like? Now they're rationing things out, and you just have to accept what they decide you deserve. And sure, you can say people would still work because doctors are in it to save lives, not get rich. OK, but what about garbage men, or oil rig workers, or factory workers? How many jobs have any of us worked where we WOULDN'T quit right away if we won the lottery? How many of our coworkers would stay if they didn't need the money. MOST people are working because they have to. A select few actually love their jobs. Alex is right on this. Even if there was a base requirement to work SOME job in order to access all the free food and housing, everyone is going to want some easy desk job or serve coffees or something. If the job involves risk, or it's backbreaking work, or it's high responsibility, nobody is going to want that just to get the same as everyone else. Now you might say harder, dirtier or higher risk jobs earn you more points you can use to requisition better stuff, but now you've circled back to money. The only other alternative is they decide the job has to be done and you're going to do it whether you like it or not. Not you have no choice but to work, and you take what they give you, and that's what we call slavery. Hard pass. Others suggest a universal basic income. That's a pipe dream. You can never "tax the rich" enough to make it work. In most populations around 75-80% of the people are adults. So let's look at it globally. Let's say there are 6 billion adults. to give each of them $2000 a month, which isn't a lot to live on in developed countries, you're need $12 trillion each month. You'd run up the equivalent of the US national debt 4 times a year. All the world's billionaires have $14-16 trillion, and all the millionaires have $200-226 trillion, so $214-242 trillion, or enough to run this program for 18-20 months, and that's only if you forcibly strip everyone with more than $1,000,000 of every last thing they own. After that if they're gonna give you $2000 a month, they gotta tax you $2000 a month, which is pointless. Moreover since the rich keep their wealth in assets like stocks or real estate, you'd never get all that wealth. If you start selling off those assets the prices will crash and you'll wind up with far less than they're worth on paper. There are certainly issues to address. Inflationary monetary policy chief among them. The more governments print money, the less valuable it becomes because of supply and demand, especially when there hasn't been a corresponding increase in goods and services to buy with that money. It becomes a hidden tax. If you've got $10000 if your bank account, and over 20 years the money supply doubles, well you'll still have your $10000, but it'll only buy what $5000 used to. The rich are not only unaffected by this but actually benefit because their assets become more valuable relatively speaking. Suffice it to say, until we have a post scarcity society like Trek, we're stuck with capitalism. If they can get fusion developed that'll help a lot since it'll make energy ridiculously cheap in the long run, which affects the cost of everything else.

Roger Mortimer

Uh.. that's a joke about the nebula obviously?

Sir, This is A Quark's.

"Nebula?" "Josh, you keep using that word... I do not think it means what you think it means." (And if you, Josh, or you, Alex, do not understand these references... Bridge Crew, get on this in the suggestions.) 🖖

Derek Locke

I don't see the Prophets as 'out of line' in there actions. They aren't human, they don't have our beliefs or values. They were doing something good as they see it.

BeefNugs

Quark been sitting on those Stem Bolts since season one. LMAO good job JaNo consortium haha

Ashley Sigmon

I love this show but oomox always makes me uncomfortable.

Narnman

yes public wanking should be discouraged

Dipper

Well Alex... I think you're going to find that Star Trek decided to up its game and become better because you entered the world. ;) Thank you for your role in it.

Dipper

Too EARogenous for you? ;)

Loot Narsbaar

Imagine a fart so massive that a star and planets form under the weight of its gravity

Naglfarius

One of weirdest Star Trek Episodes, and i'm all here for it. A Tier. The Comedy is pure Gold in this Episode. I don't like the Prophet Scenes in general, and here i also think they are the weakest Part. BUT the Scene with the Orb, was so weird that it was good. Minus mutliplited with Minus, is Plus i guess.

Meanwhile, in Space....

My wife and I met Wallace Shawn a few years ago at a convention. It was the best interaction we've ever had in an autograph table context. He was so generous with his time, which meant we had to wait longer to see him, but we knew it'd be worth it and it was.

EnigmaticPenguin

To hell with darts, give us more Anbo-jyutsu with the crew!

Numinous2019

I understand that people like ST being optimistic, but I always wonder about how people will overcome life's challenges because optimism isn't the only quality or attitude needed. ST is never realistic. It's best aspect is telling engaging but superficial stories about human potential. Real life is where the rubber hits the road. ST may get someone through a certain amount of difficulty, but is it worse to base optimism on simplifications or sober realism?

Forbidden Donut

On the concept of 'people who sit around eating potato chips', the question is: How does that work? Do they just work entry level jobs? Are they on government welfare? Are they trust fund babies? Which type do you have in mind?

Forbidden Donut

Also, scarcity isn't a mindset, it's just nature. Unless technology changes the game.

Forbidden Donut

Also, money is a medium of exchange so that people can do what they do best and trade that value in for what they want and need. It's not about threatening people with starvation. Again, nature is what it is. Either you provide for yourself, or someone else does it for you, or you starve. That's not a money thing, that's a nature thing.

Loot Narsbaar

It doesn’t get perfect until season 4

Deep Red

We are in a bit of a mid-season slump. That crazy streak just illuminates it more clearly. There are some quality nuggets, but I'm really looking forward to the episodes to come this season

Forbidden Donut

As to the Prophets, I think the episode wants us to understand that they DO have a sense of their own morality. They criticize the Ferengi as aggressive and whatnot, with the obvious implication being they think that's bad, and they appear to be internally motivated (by what I interpret as their sense of morality) to "fix the Ferengi" by mind violating Zek.

Sunny

If I look at myself, whether it’s work or leisure, I enjoy the feeling of completing something. My two week vacation in 2025 was me trying out crafts and recipes that I wanted to learn but typically can’t because my job is exhausting. I love to potato-out too, but it’s only enjoyable for so long before I start feeling frustrated. There’s plenty of people who think they want to retire early but then end up taking on another job or volunteer work because to do nothing all day was not fulfilling on the long term.

Loot Narsbaar

If I were Quark I would hold it over every Bajorian that I won a face to face debate with the prophets

Narnman

Reminding us all "hey guys we still exist here in the wormhole"

Forbidden Donut

Oh, you've (at least Josh) seen Community? Sweet! Although, there goes one more show I was kinda curious to see your reaction to some day.

Brandon W

I don't disagree, and DS9 is one of the better Star Trek series for that. But this episode didn't convey that very well -- it came off as cruel to get his hopes up for an award he shouldn't be in a position to win anyway. I don't know what the writers intended for me to get out of the episode, but what I got was "Don't let people convince you that you deserve something when you know better" -- which by itself is a dangerous statement.

Forbidden Donut

@Loot Narsbaar If the writers' goal was to make me think the Prophets are good, having them mind r*** Zek ain't gonna convince me lol

reactive1

I barely remember this episode. Definitely my least favorite Grand Nagus episode. C

TC Green

This episode is fine for what it is. Better than the last DS9 episode. But we are clearly in a mid season lull in terms of quality. But if the lull is a C, that’s still pretty good over all.

Ca$hWednesday

I need a drink after having to sit through another Nagus episode. I give this one a C because they tried something weird and different, but not for me overall.

Brandon Blume

There's a difference between getting a vision from an orb on its own and speaking with the Prophets themselves inside the wormhole, which is what Quark did in the ship with Zek. Opening the orb box inside the ship was just getting the Prophets' attention, as Zek said. That wasn't a typical orb vision per se. That was the actual Prophets at that point. You can't speak to the Prophets only through the orbs. You have to be inside the wormhole. You also don't necessarily need the orbs in the wormhole to talk to the Prophets.

Brandon Blume

The "potato chips" argument I think is a little off-base. Quark wasn't making a case for capitalism when he was talking about people being lazy and not working. He abandoned that talking point specifically about money and shifted to specifically "the need to better ourselves", which is actually correct. Even for humans in Star Trek's future the driving force in every person is still to better themselves, just without monetary gain as the prime motivating factor. Granted, Quark was just using that angle to get the Prophets to return Zek to normal, but being the amazing salesman he is, he was using any kernel of truth he could to get through to the "buyer" and convince them so he can make a sale. That's what he does. And that would possibly appeal to an "enlightened species". In the end none of that ended up convincing the aliens, and so he just stooped to the next available option he had which was "we'll keep annoying you until to fix Zek." By the way, I thought was pretty impressive. Quark is quite the businessman who can usually get what he wants. Even from the non-corporeal, outside-of-linear-time wormhole aliens. Lol

TinMan_7B9

Wallace Shawn as The Nagus(!!!) is hilarious in small doses. This is an overdose. But Rom almost getting himself killed in the final scene is perfect. C.

Doug

I love the Ferengi episodes but this one is definitely a bit over the top. Still a few great moments though, like Rom standing up to Quark in his quarters or revealing he embezzled money from the Nagus

Nolan

For Alex: It's a kin to... Similarily... It's reminiscent of... It reminds me of... In comparison to... In contrast to...

The Sisko

People who say the episode is weird are missing the point. It's clearly a simulation of a bad beetle snuff trip.

Zerocooleo

This episode may be an example of early cringe comedy. You can make the court jester the hero of the episode but we still know they are meant to be the comic relief. it is hard for them to do both well at the same time.

Numinous2019

No, you had one 2-parter you both disliked, which is your right of course. You both really liked 2 episodes which are considered among the worst of the season, which is your right of course. But calling Past Tense "horrific" is really gratuitous. I'm not saying that conformity of opinions is a good thing, but I consider Generations to be a misfire. Good and bad are clearly subjective.

Ja Dav

I give this one a C if only because Armin, Max, and Wallace. If a script is campy, just go all in, and they did. To cite a film from the year you were born...it's the Showgirls effect...know the movie you're in and act like it.

Greg Quinn

The message of caring about homelessness angered them. Lol

Sic Coyote

I liked this episode where it's a full on comedy and it allows the show to poke fun at itself doing stuff that they had done previously, but this time it's done for laughs. Also Quark outsmarts yet another species.

KingPin124

Damn, guys. Not every episode has to be a crying episode. Have a drink and chill. This episode is a lot of fun.

KingPin124

Absolutely agree. There are SO MANY examples of a pair of entertainers that would not be the same on their own. It hurts to see Alex so hard on himself, because I've been there at points in my life too. I think he was having a bad day. I hope his birthday stream after this helped lift him up.

Scarpad’s Domain

The episode wasn’t off it was pretty good I think I’d give it a B. But these guys have not really cared for comedic episodes , I mean cmon they dislike Tribbles. It’s a ferengi episode and I think armin and Wallace Shawn nail it

Sam Langanke

Have they ever watched a comedy movie on the channel?

AdamPacio.art

If we didn't have the occasional 'meh' episode, the S tier wouldn't shine quite so bright.

Mark Jacobs

"So far I think the Brunt of the good episodes were early on" -Alex regards season 3 after seeing S3E16. I love seeing how your impressions evolve over the course of a season! Both of you, keep up the great work!

Pixels At Dawn

A story he would tell for a few slips of latinum of course.

Pixels At Dawn

I think this is one of those episodes that suffers from the rewatch. I know the gag and it's not as funny second or third time around. It's alright but probably only a C.

Todd

Don't forget, Quark also went before Gowron.

Loot Narsbaar

You think, as a visiting head of state, The Nagus could at worst get a studio guest room

Loot Narsbaar

Season 3 is a easily the best season of TNG c'mon now

L J

Zek is 1000 times more annoying than Neelix! I'm really not a fan of Ferengi episodes in general... I think they're all too weird for my preferences. That said, as far as Ferengi episodes go, this one is probably my favorite just because there are parts that make me laugh and it's not all just bizarre weird "what did I just watch" type of feeling.

HeatheЯ

This episode is an A for me, LOVE IT. The writing of the Quark/Rom scenes and the acting/camera work is phenomenal. But I love satire and not everyone finds that style funny or recognizes it.

Chris

The sobering thought unfortunately is that all these goofy Ferengi moments feel more genuine and entertaining than listening to that space hedgehog, Neelix.

JoeMama47

I found My Dinner With Andre surprisingly engaging, and I like Wallace Shawn in general, but the Nagus's voice is so grating.

HeatheЯ

Agreed 100%.

HeatheЯ

Same, I love it.

JoeMama47

The argument that the Prophets violated Zek is absurd. He broke into their home in order to pressure them into giving him knowledge of the future for personal gain. Perhaps they went too far, but it wasn't unprovoked.

Often Wrong Soon(g)

The transition from money to goal orientation is not such a reach, but is system wide as Josh stated. The availability of cheap energy and a replicator. Food and basic needs taken care of, done. Would change the world overnight.

Aaron Wells

I can't stand TNG Ferengi. DS9 Ferengi are somehow a lot more fun. I'm...7/10 times anyways, okay with DS9 Ferengi cartoon shenanigans. My Neelix tolerance is waaay down at 2/10.

Spartan-463

Saw some smiles, a few laughs and pure confusion from both of you in these, though wasn't expecting the afterthoughts..... idk, I forgot this episode, but had a good time with it and cheered up my day

Aaron Wells

A comedy episode is comedic if funny. This is embarrassing. Star Trek is BAAAD at comedy. And I don't know why they ever felt they needed this sort of goofiness in the franchise to begin with. Remember when Troi asked Riker what his birthday wish was...and he looked at her like she was a piece of pizza? THAT was funny. This is not.

Miranda

This middle section of Season 3 is really living up to my memory of it being dull. I think that ends with the next episode? Pretty sure it is the next one. I hope so, at least. Ferengi episodes are hit or miss. This one is a miss. It's just dull. I enjoy the performances of all the actors. Armin Shimmerman is giving 100% to this, and is genuinely trying to make it funny. But the story is just boring. It isn't as funny as the writers think it is. Alas. Also, if they wanted to write about the wormhole aliens having the ability to wipe people's memories and change their personalities... this is kind of a scary power and maybe shouldn't have been presented in a comedic way.

Nolan

I think on average, the trajectory of this season has matched what I've seen on average of auality TV seasons. Strong start, (with maybe a few bumps) all the way to just past the mid-point, then the back-half slump, where the fatigue sets in after the writers worked their asses off to deliver. Theuy're tired, they need a break, so the quality dips, but then, the excitement of the approaching end of the season reinvigorates them and they get excited and passionate again, and might just deliver.

Paul

Odd episode indeed. I think the humor lands a hair more for me than you guys but it's highly subjective and comedy episodes typically are not for me in Star Trek. When it comes to comedy shows, I always defer back to the two classics: Seinfeld & Friends. I know, basic, but they feel so warm and unlike any others. I think it's the chemistry of the cast flowing together. I did like the Bashir storyline even if it's murky, and I agree with Josh. I interpret it as Bashir wanting to win, wanting that grandiose honor, who wouldn't right? But being nominated put that idea into his mind more pronounced than it'd ordinarily be, which makes then losing bite much more because it kindled just a little seedling of hope. Otherwise, I'd figure he'd mostly ignore the award. Also, regarding motivation, I think it depends on the task. Without money and profit, I don't think anyone would do the bulk of work, because the bulk of work in society is extremely dull or extremely physically demanding blue collar jobs. Who's going to clean and maintain a sewer system for "self-improvement" or anything nebulous like that? I certainly wouldn't. For higher order intellectual or creative work, that I think would still be done even without a profit motive, but that's a tiny sliver of current society. Maybe with the advent of automation, AI and other advancements, we can close in on Star Trek's utopian society though, so we can indeed all be artists and whatnot, whatever fulfills you.

Cranky Grandma

There are funny Ferengi episodes. This was not one.

Cranky Grandma

Past tense was awful. Not the message but it was dull as dirt. I agree with you on generations but I’d say “misfire” is generous

Numinous2019

Past Tense has too much story for a single episode, but not really enough for a two parter. It is weak in places I will definitely agree.

International Man of Leisure

Oh hey, look, a Star Trek episode creating a looong, deep discussion on people, money's effect on society, individualism, etc. between friends. Nothing more Trek than that!

BN13

This one's fine for me. It's not one of my favorites or anything, but it's ok. I don't watch any of the "comedy" episodes for the comedy, so it doesn't matter to me how funny it is, how great of a comedy episode it is, or how much or how little I'm laughing at it. I actually like that the prophets made Zek "better." But the Ferengi are so against it that their whole society would collapse. This is why we can't have nice things in real life. We too resist too much positive change too quickly. As for the prophets violating Zek's autonomy in order to do it, I don't have a problem with this because these are type 4 civilization, 4th dimensional god-like beings who have an entirely different perception than us. They don't think of it that way, or fully realize what that is. They see each person, and each civilization as it's entire timeline, not just as we see it. Since the Ferengi were already apparently like that in the past, they didn't see this as an intrusive change because it was already part of who they were/are. I guess for them they'd see it as the equivalent of pulling up someone's pants, or throwing a fish back into the water. From Quark's orb experience, I interpret that they clearly thought they were doing good, and were doing Zek, and the entire Ferengi society as a whole a great favor by reawakening them to the potential that they already had within themselves for an altruistic society. They view that as every society's natural evolutionary path, away from being "aggressive and adversarial" and perhaps they're right? Maybe societies like the Ferengi have just temporarily fallen off course? Maybe the prophets knew the Ferengi could "get back on track" because they already had? I kind of wish Ferengi society had gone through with the reformation. But of course we can't do that because it's a show. Maybe they would have adapted to it better than we think? How many Ferengi are actually getting along well in their current society? We already know all females, and people like Rom and Nog aren't. What happens when all of those people are suddenly running things through the Ferengi Benevolent Association? Assuming of course that they don't all get assassinated. I think the most selfish thing the prophets did was actually turning Quark and Zek back to their old selves just because they realized that "evolving" the Ferengi would mean continued interactions with them, and they didn't want to be bothered. But then again, that's the funniest part of the whole episode.

BN13

Nog and Jake traded the stembolts for land though, then sold the land to Quark. So these would be new stembolts.

Sam Langanke

We all become Eloy - and will be eaten by Molocks.

Prof Moff

DS9 sex scoreboard catch up version No scores that I saw (remember I am only catching up with the short versions) The sex score board Quark 5 Jadzia 3 Chief 1 Keiko 1 Odo 1 Kira 1 Bashir 1 Jake 1

paultardspambot .

Nagus was in the episode that first named the Dominion. the tulaberry win deal with the female ferengi posing as male

Josh Mariota

............................Surrrrrpriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiise.