Warning: contains spoilers forStar Trek: Lower Decks#5!
Star Trekreally tried to make one species evil, but failed miserably, and now it is ready to explain why. The galaxy is diverse, full of species both friendly and adversarial, such as the Klingons and the Cardassians. One species, theFerengi, were intended to be the main bad guys, but did not stick the landing, andStar Trek: Lower Decks#5 offers a reason why.
Ryan North has also written otherStar Trek: Lower Deckscomics for IDW.
Star Trek: Lower Decks#5 was written by Ryan North and drawn by Jack Lawrence. Thanks to the meddling of a mysterious time-traveler, theCerritos’junior officers are tripping through alternate realities, including one where the Ferengi have commandeered the ship.These Ferengi are different, wearing the fur sashes featured in their early appearances. They also use electro-whips, just as they did in the early days, and display a much more ruthless attitude than fans are accustomed to. A note at the bottom calls out the early Ferengi look, mentioning the shift in dress they underwent later.
The Ferengi Really Were Meant to Replace the Klingons
When Gene Roddenberry and company createdStar Trek: The Next Generation, they wanted to distinguish it from its predecessor, including its bad guys. The Klingons, whohad menaced Captain Kirkall through the classicStar Trek, were now allies of the Federation, necessitating the creation of a new species that could threaten the newEnterprise.Enter the Ferengi. Alluded to inThe Next Generation’sfirst episode, the Ferengi appeared shortly thereafter in “The Last Outpost.” Unlike the Klingons or the Romulans, who sought conquest and subjugation, the Ferengi were hyper-capitalitisic, constantly in pursuit of profit.
Star Trek: The Next Generationwent out of its way to make the Ferengi terrifying in those early episodes.
Star Trek: The Next Generationwent out of its way to make the Ferengi terrifying in those early episodes. They were only mentioned in the first episodes, building an aura of mystery and menace around them. Their technology was equivalent to the Federation, and no one from the Federation had even seen a Ferengi prior to “The Last Outpost.” The Ferengi were the subject of intense speculation, rumors and hearsay, all of which went a long way to building suspense, and set the bar extremely high for first contact.
Star Trek’s Most Incredible Alien Is a Total Secret to the TV Show Which Is a Crying Shame
Star Trek has shown some incredible alien creatures in its 59-year history, but perhaps the biggest, most impressive was never seen on-screen.
However, when theEnterprisefinally met the Ferengi, the species failed to impress. It was not for lack of trying: not only had the franchise hyped the Ferengi up, but they gave them (what they thought was) a terrifying look. The Ferengi’s first full appearance revealed a highly misogynistic culture, and one that was quite barbaric and savage. The Ferengi also used electro-whips capable of generating massive electrical shocks on their victims. All of this indicated the Ferengi should have been great bad guys, but they did not stick the landing.
The Reasons for the Ferengi Failure Are Many
Theories circulated on why the Ferengi failed to make an impression on fans, or at least as bad guys. Fans have suggested that the Ferengi’s pursuit of gold and other material goods is pointless in a society that can easily replicate goods, making them ineffective as villains. The Ferengi makeup job, which detractors felt made them look like goofy little trolls, may have been another contributing factor to their failure to launch. Whatever the reason for the Ferengi’s failure, it forcedStar Trek: The Next Generation tofall back and create better villains,such as the Borg.
WhileStar Trek: Lower Decks#5 does not give a precise, in-universe reason for the Ferengi’s change in appearance, it does not acknowledge it nonetheless. The note at the bottom of the page calls the fur sashes “high camp,” recognizing that the outfit is a little ridiculous, especially for a space-faring civilization. Why the electro-whips were abandoned is also a mystery, as they were undeniably cool weapons. The Ferengi inStar Trek: Lower Decks#5 use the whips effectively, boasting that they used them to “break” the crew.
The Ferengi of the alternate timeline seen inStar Trek: Lower Decks#5 also display a far more vicious and savage attitude than the Ferengi seen in later episodes and shows.
The Ferengi of the alternate timeline seen inStar Trek: Lower Decks#5 also display a far more vicious and savage attitude than the Ferengi seen in later episodes and shows. When the Ferengi debuted in “The Last Outpost,” they displayed a far more hostile demeanor than they did in later seasons, andLower Decks#5 shows this as well. The note at the bottom of the page seems to also acknowledge that this timeline, where the Ferengi are still a threat, may be a “better” timeline, a sly callout to what could have been.
The Ferengi Eventually Redeemed Themselves onDeep Space Nine
Rom, Nog and Quark Redefined the Ferengi
Star Trekfans know that the Ferengi would go on to be redeemed in a major way onDeep Space Nine.By this point, the franchise had given up on trying to make them villains. Instead,Deep Space Nine’swriters gave the Ferengi depth and nuance, showing there was more to them than just acquiring profit and latinum. Characters such as Quark, Rom and Nog helped elevate the Ferengi in theStar Trekuniverse, taking them from written-off villains to one of the most compelling in the franchise.
Star Trek: Lower Decks#5 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
