DS9: Profit and Lace

         This is an episode that doesn't seem to know what it wants to do with itself. At one level it is all about Quark and his family causing a revolution of Ferenginar liberating women to go out in public and earn profit which is clearly a good thing. But to get there we have to go through a super sexist sex change farce to get there. I did a little background reading before this write up and it seems Armin Shimerman actually significantly toned down the sexism in the episode through his performance which really makes me dread what they had it mind. 
         The episode begins with Quark coercing sex out of one of his dabo girls but is interrupted by Rom, there is a problem on Ferenginar. Rom tried calling their moogie and couldn't get through so he tried everyone else that he knows there and got no answer. They rush to ops and tell Sisko that the Dominion has invaded but cooler heads prevail, especially when Zek arrives. With his is Ishka who arrives fully clothed. Zek tells Quark that he legalized women dressed outdoors and even earning profit. But he was deposed by Brunt who is now acting Grand Nagus. They have a plan though, they are going to try and convince the commissioners that it is profitable to allow females to earn profit but only one will talk to them. Ishka and Quark are fighting as usual when she collapses, which is especially bad since she is the one who was supposed to do the convincing. The only alternative they can come up with is to have Quark get a sex change and convince him in her place.
         Things get pretty crazy sexist for a while as everyone tries to get Quark to be more female and all he can do is stare at his breasts. And of course Zek starts hitting on him immediately. Things get worse when the commissioner arrives early and insists on meeting instantly. Quark convinces him successfully but he is determined to get some sex out of the deal. Brunt shows up but Quark is female enough to keep the commissioner happy. In the end Quark goes back to being male but still is extra emotional. He even apologizes to the dabo girl from the opening before going back for some oo-mox. 

         Review: Not really successful as either a comedy or a drama. I can kinda see where they were going but it just doesn't work in this episode.

3 out of 10