Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) Bar Association (1996) User Reviews

Rom continues growing into his own....

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 2 January 2015]

One thing I appreciate with "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" is that over their seven seasons, the characters changed and grew. This is NOT the case with most series--or at least as much as many changes in this series. Of the characters that changed, Ferengis such as Nog and his father, Rom, changed among the most. And, in both cases, seeing them change and grow was a delight.

When the show begins, as usual Quark is treating his employees like dirt. However, after hearing Dr. Bashir talking about the benefits of a union, Rom decides to lead a strike and force Quark to allow a union. Not surprisingly, this sort of thing is 100% non-Ferengi-- and the Ferengi government is NOT pleased to hear about this. What will become of this unprecedented strike?! And, how will Rom change grow by the episode's end?

As I said above, it was a delight seeing the Ferengis grow and this one ends well. All in all, well worth seeing--as are all the episodes involving these odd aliens!

Rom quotes Marx

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 2 June 2010]

After Rom collapses at work Dr. Bashir is shocked to learn that he has had an ear infection for three weeks but couldn't come to the surgery earlier due to Quark's harsh working conditions, as Rom leaves the doctor jokingly says he should start a union. As the bar's profits fall due to the Bajoran festival of cleansing Quark decides that he must cut the wages of all his employees. Remembering what Julian said earlier Rom decides to start a union to fight for better pay and conditions. Quark refuses to give in to their demands and soon his workers are all on strike. It isn't long before Liquidator Brunt arrives on the scene to do what is necessary to break the strike including giving a severe beating to the person closest to Rom... namely Quark. Quark isn't the only one having a hard time, Worf is finding life on the station rather frustrating and after a his quarters are robbed he decides to move off the station and live on the Defiant.

While not the greatest episode this wasn't bad and was the first to hint that something might happen between Rom and dabo girl Leeta, even though she is dating the doctor. The secondary story is quite entertaining; watching Worf get irritated is more amusing than an industrial dispute.

Rom --- Ferengi stud.

[thevacinstaller · 7/10 · 3 July 2021]

We learn that Rom has a major pair of lobes in this episode.

I am not a union man. I am a self employed business owner. I do however appreciate the role unions have in elevating the workers of the world from being essentially slave labor to being better paid slave labor. Check out the amount of labor dispute deaths in USA history for a bit of an eye opening experience.

Rom (and moogie/nog) appear to be the focal point of ferengi political and cultural change while Quark remains the loveable Archie Bunker character grasping onto tradition.

I also get a big laugh out of Leeta having the hots for this ferengi activist over Doctor Bashir ---- perhaps Julian brain wiping kurn without his permission an episode ago was a contributing factor. It does mirror real life though ----- Effective activists tend to get groupies.

Overall, a pretty good episode.

Facing the Ferengi Oligarchs

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 23 October 2018]

Rom show his lobes when brother Quark decides to drop everyone's wages. His workers are treated like dirt, but the Ferengi way is to do just that. Those in business can do whatever they want and damned be everyone else. When Rom gets wind of what unions were on earth, he organizes the bar workers and soon a strike occurs. The dynamics are pretty much like those of early unions. Soon an enforcer comes in and threatens to do whatever it takes. Except he has no real interest in Quark and his interests, only in breaking the union. Rom is courageous here. Generally, he is a much better man than Quark and multi-talented, to say the least. This is a bit preachy at times. Deep Space Nine did get at social issues at times. We also have some focus on Worf, who is trying to fit in at the station, not used to this kind of setting.

Funniest Trek scene of all time!

[TheEmptyNoggin · 10/10 · 19 December 2021]

This episode is worth watching solely for the exchange between Rom and Leeta in Quark's regarding oo-mox. Funniest Trek scene of all time! Even tops all of those Q moments that crack me up.

Quark Vs Rom and Leeta

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 16 September 2022]

Rom starts a Union to get better pay and conditions from Quark.

This is a reasonably light but enjoyable Ferengi episode (like most).

The plot works well to generate banter between the Ferengi characters and also uses the likes of Worf, Odo, O'Brien and Leeta quite well. However, there are some interesting portrayals of union-management negotiations and family dynamics that are enjoyable to watch.

For me the best moments are the dialogue exchanges between Quark and Rom. The development of Rom in the episode's conclusion was a good idea to make the character more interesting.

All performances are good, especially Armin Shimerman, Max Grodénchik, Chase Masterson, and Jeffrey Combs.