Rom (Star Trek)
Rom is a recurring character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is played by Max Grodénchik.
| Rom | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek character | |
 | |
| First appearance | "Emissary" (1993) |
| Last appearance | "The Dogs of War" (1999) |
| Portrayed by | Max Grodénchik |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Ferengi |
| Affiliation | Ferengi Alliance Bajoran Militia |
| Children | Nog |
| Posting | Ferenginar Resident (Season 7) Deep Space Nine Resident (Seasons 1-7) |
| Position | Grand Nagus (Season 7) Maintenance Engineer (Seasons 4-7) Bar Employee (Seasons 1-4) |
| Rank | Crewman (Seasons 4-7) |
| Partner | Leeta |
Rom is a Ferengi, the son of Keldar and Ishka. He is Quark's younger brother, and the father of Nog.
Overview
Born around 2335, Rom did not have the business acumen typically associated with the Ferengi race; he was described as one who "didn't have the 'lobes' for business". He had a knack for fixing things but, until around 2372, he worked exclusively as a waiter and stock boy in his brother Quark's bar on Deep Space Nine (DS9). In the first episode, he was credited only as "Ferengi Pit Boss". Rom frequently displays a lack of confidence, largely due to Quark's habit of belittling him. However, there is evidence to suggest that Quark was attempting to protect Rom from inevitable failure by preventing him from venturing into business for himself. Nevertheless, after four years living among Federation and Bajoran citizens on the station, and possibly inspired by his son Nog's admission to Starfleet (which made him very proud), Rom left the bar to become an engineer in the Bajoran Militia.
Odo once described Rom as "an idiot, [who] couldn't fix a straw if it was bent". These opinions, however, were only due to Rom's social ineptitude and meek, almost subservient, demeanor (largely due to the near-constant verbal and emotional torment he suffers at the hands of Quark), and stood in stark contrast to his genius as an engineer. This talent allowed him to play an important role in the station's participation in the Dominion War. In 2373, Rom designed and distributed a self-replicating minefield that blocked access to the Bajoran wormhole and prevented Dominion reinforcements from entering the Alpha Quadrant for several months.
His first wife, Prinadora, bore his son Nog. She stayed behind on Ferenginar when Rom first came to Deep Space Nine, but the marriage was later dissolved after she and her father stole the bulk of his profits. Rom eventually married Leeta, a Bajoran Dabo girl employed at Quark's bar, after a period of doubt about her love after having been burned in his first marriage.
When Grand Nagus Zek became less greedy after coming into contact with the Bajoran prophets, he founded the Ferengi Benevolent Association and appointed Rom chairman ("Prophet Motive"). However, acting atypically, Rom took advantage of the opportunity and embezzled money from the charity.
Throughout his seven years on DS9, Rom underwent great personal growth as a colleague, parent, and in nearly every other aspect of his life and career. He also proved valuable, on several occasions, in helping his people deal with important issues facing their society. In 2375, to the shock of everyone, including Rom himself, Zek appointed Rom to succeed him as Grand Nagus, becoming the new leader of the Ferengi and their economy. Rom's political affiliations are frequently hinted as being left-wing and more liberal than those of his brother. In the episode 'Bar Association' he forms a union of the bar staff at Quark's bar and quotes Karl Marx ("Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!") as well as demonstrating admiration for Miles O'Brien's ancestor, Sean Aloysius O'Brien, a union leader.
Quark, Rom and Nog do not understand or speak English/Federation Standard, but rather rely on Universal Translators implanted near their ears ("Little Green Men").