My personal bias is going to shine brightly in reviewing “Bar Association.” Fair or not, I have the natural Southern aversion to labor unions. The whole concept is nothing but yankee agitators coming down here ad putting ideas in Sally Fields’ head. There is nothing we Southerners like better than arrogant Yankees advising us on what we are doing wrong. Foe those of you unfortunate enough to be born on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon, you can despise the episode for its communist themes. When organizing the workers at Quark’s into a union, Rom quotes Karl Marx--”Workers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!” Ugh.
Bashir plays the yankee agitator here when Rom collapses in the bar with a massive ear infection he never had time to treat. The doctor insists Rom demand vacation time and better working conditions. Quark dismisses the call, so Rom and the others form a union and eventually go on strike. Neither concept is acceptable in Ferengi culture. Because of this, the Ferengi Commerce Association brings in heavies to break up the situation.
The regular cast members take sides in the dispute when they have to decide whether to respect the union’s boycott of Quark’s. O’Brien, Bashir, and Sisko support the union, though Sisko does so tacitly. Worf has no qualms breaking the boycott. I would almost consider that the usual trek case of aliens doing the ’wrong” thing while humans are always on the side of angels, but here it fits in with the B-story of Worf’s frustration with life on the station. He will move to the Defiant by the end of the episode.
After getting beaten up by some of the FCA’s hired goons, Quark decides to give in to demands, but only if the union dissolves. Rom agrees, resigns as head of the union, and then joins the engineering crew rather than go back to his job as a waiter. All returns to relative normal.
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Rom’s character development is the only bright spot in “Bar Association.” He has never been a favorite character, but but he is being built up and put in position to take on an important role for the Dominion War which would not have been plausible before. So kudos for that. Bemusement, however, for the outlandish idea that he and Leeta will eventual fall in love. The seeds of their romance our sown here as they lead the union.
“Quark episodes are hit and miss. When they hit they are great. When they miss, they are serious duds. “Bar Association” is a serious dud. I am certain many fans with more progressive leanings think differently, but there is too much Marx in it for me. I do enjoy the idea of a bunch of wealthy Hollywood screenwriters urging the oppressed to rebel against management, however. It is all part of that fantasy world wealthy progressives without a hint of irony or rationality live in.
Rating: * (out of 5)
