A Morn episode... without Morn

6x12 - "Who Mourns for Morn?"

QUARK: "Oh, that-that can't be! There's... there's no latinum in these bricks!"
ODO: "What?"
QUARK: "Someone's extracted ALL THE LATINUM! There's nothing here but worthless gold!"
ODO: "And it's all yours."
QUARK: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"


For some time during Deep Space Nine's run, the writers had wanted to do a Morn-centric episode.  However, the crux of the character was the fact that he never spoke on camera (although he was reportedly quite verbose otherwise).  So the question became, how do you do an episode about someone who is not allowed to speak?  The answer, it turns out, was fairly simple: you have to do an episode about Morn that didn't actually feature Morn for the most of the hour.

This episode, while enjoyable, was not one of DS9's finest hours.  Many times, the plot seems a little thin, and some aspects of the story clash with things that had already been established within the Trek universe.  For example, if latinum is a liquid at room temperature, how could Lwaxana Troi have a latinum hair brooch in "The Forsaken"?  Or how could the Nagal residence on Ferenginar have latinum-plated plumbing fixtures?  Minor quibbles, to be sure, but I am a Trekkie after all.  Obsessiveness is part and parcel.

Krit and Nahsk threaten Quark

Our first look at Larell

Hain, deep in thought

What does make this episode enjoyable is the guest cast.  The "mobster" brothers Krit and Nahsk are well-played by Brad Greenquist and Cyril O'Reilly.  Bridget Ann White is quite alluring as Morn's supposed "ex-wife" (actually co-conspirator) Larell.  My favorite, however, is the bumbling, idiotic Hain, played by one of my all-time favorite guest actors, Gregory Itzin.  Mr. Itzin pops up from time to time in various television shows, usually playing memorable guest roles.  Arguably, his most famous turn is as President Charles Logan in the Fox television series 24.  In fact, this is not Gregory Itzin's first role in Star Trek; he previously played Ilon Tandro in the first season DS9 episode "Dax," and would go on to play a role in Star Trek: Voyager and two different roles in Enterprise.  Armin Shimerman, of course, is a wonderful actor, and the earnestness and believability he brings to the character of Quark really help sell this episode.

Morn, proud owner of a new painting

Another aspect of this episode that appeals to my Trekkie-obsessiveness is the attention paid to continuity.  Remember that painting in Morn's quarters?  The one that is smashed over Quark's head by the mobster brothers?  Well, we actually see Morn purchasing that painting at an auction in the fifth season episode "In the Cards."

Mark Alan Shepherd as not Morn

Also, a small in-joke:  During Quark's eulogy for Morn, he says that Morn's barstool should never be empty, and directs a Bajoran man to sit in it.  That man is, in fact, Mark Alan Shepherd, the man who played Morn for all seven seasons of Deep Space Nine.







For the most part, a fairly average outing for the DS9 group... I would have to give this episode a 6/10.  Competent, interesting, but overall nothing really amazing.

Also, I would be quite remiss if I didn't say that I really enjoyed watching this episode with Miramanee over Skype.  It was great to watch Trek with her once again, an experience I hope we can repeat in the future.

Next Time:

Yay.  That is all.