The Federation makes first contact with the Ferengi in this little side adventure. Although they grow into a slightly more complex and nuanced race in later seasons, the first appearance of these big-eared aliens portrays them as completely snivelly and back-stabby. One reason for this is because as the Next Generation sought to differentiate itself from the Original Series, and assert its own identity, the creators of the show wanted to introduce a new villain which had nothing to do with Klingons or Romulans. Unfortunately, this first encounter plays out very much like a classic verbal sparring match with the Romulans. In the same vein, the Ferengi prove to be secretive, mistrusting, and hostile. These could just be Romulans with different ears. After the Ferengi steal technology from a Federation outpost, Picard and crew are in hot pursuit. The Enterprise catches up with the Ferengi ship near a planet that appears to be draining energy from the vessels, stranding them both.
Much like the encounter with the Ligonians, the Ferengi clash with the Federation due to their extensive cultural differences. It didn’t help that this first contact, the most delicate of diplomatic situations, takes place under dire circumstances. The aliens immediately blame the Starfleet vessel for their power drain and fire upon it. Picard is calm and interprets the act as self-defense. The Federation values the preservation of life, mutual trust, and cooperation while the Ferengi, in stark contrast, value competitiveness and greed. They have a selfish utilitarian view of ethics, in which each individual tries to maximize profit and gain for themselves, while Starfleet officers have a duty of care to other beings and prefer not to exploit anyone. Things really break down when the Enterprise crew tries to negotiate with the Ferengi, but are only met with hostility because the new aliens are too suspicious to trust anyone.
The Ferengi as a species were substantially changed as this series and subsequent spin-offs progressed. This version of them was too similar to the ‘Cold War’ aesthetic of the Romulans that they lacked a unique identity apart from a one dimensional villain. It didn’t help that they were played so comically that no one could take them seriously as a threatening foe. Far from villainous, the Ferengi came into their own when they found their niche as slimy salespeople. It could be argued that in this first incarnation of the Ferengi, they would be terrible businessmen because they are so mistrustful and deceitful. One would at least want to portray a friendly demeanor when trying to foster trade relationships. Free market commerce is based on mutual trust and the open exchange of goods, as pro-capitalist idealists are wont to advocate. In reality, the transactions are not nearly so perfect, and current systems are still rife with exploitation, backstabbing, greed, and abuse of power from those on top. Likewise, the Ferengi of later episodes embrace free trade and mutual partnerships as part of a healthy economic system. This system is also rife with exploitation and greed, prompting a discussion as to whether valuing profit as a goal in of itself could ever really be free from greed. It is this nuance and complexity which enables these unique aliens to explore new philosophical territory, instead of being yet another Cold War metaphor.
As the energy drain becomes more dire, Picard convinces the Ferengi to explore the planet with them, in hopes of discovering the source of the issue. On the planet, the two away teams continue to bicker and antagonize each other. Their weapons fire is absorbed by a portal which contains an ancient guardian of the long extinct inhabitants of the planet. The guardian does not understand that his people are long gone, and asks if the visitors would like to enter the Empire. The Ferengi try to convince the guardian that humans are hostile savages, but the guardian senses their deception. Reading Riker’s thoughts, the portal ghost is impressed with the human capacity for compassion and understanding. It was this similarity to the ancient and extinct civilization which endears the guardian to the humans and sets both ships free. Riker even goes so far as to advocate for the Ferengi as well, saying they are simply at a more primitive stage of development, but they will grow. The triumph of cooperation and mutual understanding highlights the importance of entering a new encounter with an open mind and good faith, a lesson which the Ferengi will eventually learn.
Hopeless Trekkie 