I’ll start.
For Guinan: I loved that her character was that classic trope of the “bartender / therapist” who was always around, but never got too involved in the main plot. She would give casual advice, but wasn’t officially an “advisor”, so it served the show well for the main characters to share what they were thinking.
For Quark: He was unquestionably the better developed character, with his own wants and desires that frequently intertwined with the main plot. He also served as a sort of foil to the values of the federation, which let the viewers see how greed was incompatible with the best interests of the people.
I love both. Which was your favorite? Which approach did you like better for the “bartender” character?
It’s apples to oranges. They served two totally different roles. If you’ve seen Picard you understand she played a much move pivotal role in time and events than Quark. He was a great character, but didn’t hold the power to change life altering events like Guinan. Personally, I like Quark’s character better though.
Apples to oranges was my first thought. Guinan is good at listening, helping to sort out someone’s thoughts, and if needed saying that there is a path for someone to follow. Quark is about that profit, and when he gives advice it is direct, not subtle. Sometimes accompanied by an insult. I think both are good characters, but Quark is definitely more well-rounded and developed. Over time, little is learned about the El-Aurians from Guinan. A lot is learned about the Ferengi from Quark.
I still need to see Picard. I honestly have only watched TOS, TNG, and DS9 a billion times for some reason, and I have a lot of catching up to do.
I’d heard it had mixed reviews… I’m someone who will power through the stinkers if I have to though.
I watched the first episode and noped out of it, but I was tempted to skip first season. Do you think starting with season three would work? I’m not particuarly completionist, and I’m sure I can fill in the blanks…
I think it’s a pretty open and shut case for Quark. I love Guinan, but Quark is just a much more developed and interesting character for me.
He also fills the smuggler role. He pairs nicely with Garek’s information brokering.
Garek deserves a prequel series. What was tailor school like? Did he get grief for being into fashion instead of war games like other Cardassians? Did his family support his decision?
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod @Datas_Cat_Spot @atlasraven31 @TotalElipse I would watch the HELL out of this
Coming soon from CBS Studios, Young Garak! See how a young Cardassian grows up under a ruthless tyrant!
Followed by the sequel, Breaking Baste, where a once-infamous spy becomes a simple tailor.
Um… you do know that was after his career in the Obsidian Order, right? He was kinda exiled… I mean, I’d love to see a Garak-focused prequel series that also runs until the end of the Dominion War (because you never really ever leave the Obsidian Order), telling some DS9 plot points from his perspective… but I don’t think the whole tailoring thing was ever more than part of a cover he learned as a spy that he turned into a pseudo-career during exile.
Yeah I mean it’s gotta be Quark and it’s not close. He also became the de-facto representative of life outside the Federation & Starfleet, which was one of the things DS9 really leaned in to.
I enjoy the more humourous tone that Quark gives the show; so my vote goes for Quark!
However, if I were to live on a Starship or a Deep Space station, I would probably visit Guinans bar more often than Quarks…
Scenes in Ten Forward always feel so cozy, and nobody would be trying to rip you off. Lol
That’s where I’d personally want to hang out too.
But Ten Forward is on a Starfleet vessel, and therefor far more exclusionary. Anyone can take a shuttle to Quark’s.
Now that I think of it, I do really like that aspect of Quark’s bar as a story tool. Since they were located on a station, anyone who’s just passing through could be sitting at the bar.
I think the vibe was better in Guinans bar. Who wants carpeting in their drinking hole?!
Neelix was Voyager’s unofficial bartender, spreading cheer to Tuvok and helping Tom Paris hit Warp 10!
Please don’t ban me.
