History Series / Quark

* HumansAreSuperior: Spoofed by Ficus, whose always able to turn these arguments around on Quark. For instance when [[JobStealingRobot Vanessa looks like making the crew redundant]], Ficus concludes that humans are indeed superior, as no other creature could endure the HumiliationConga that Quark has just undergone and [[DarthWiki/WarpThatAesop still believe he's relevant]].

* AIIsACrapshoot: In the final episode, their ship gets a new computer called Vanessa, while proceeds to turn crazy and try to kill them in a parody of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' and the ''Series/{{Star Trek|the Original Series}}'' episode "The Ultimate Computer"

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Several elements in the pilot are quite different from the rest of the series. Aside from the absence of Ficus -- as noted in DroppedAfterThePilot -- the design for the Head was noticeably different.

* PlantAlien: Ficus, despite looking exactly like a human being. His role as TheSpock of the crew is due to his having no animal emotions.

* SpiritualSuccessor: With Creator/BuckHenry on board as creator, it was attempting to do for ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'' what ''Series/GetSmart'' had done for Franchise/JamesBond.

* '''Dink''': The NonHumanSidekick for Otto, he was basically Cousin It from ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' [[RecycledINSPACE IN SPACE]].

* BBCQuarry: Bronson Canyon is used for the battle between good and evil Quark.

Not a [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Ferengi bartender]], nor a [[UsefulNotes/QuantumPhysics subatomic particle]], nor a [[Franchise/RatchetAndClank galactic president]], but a 1970s sci-fi [[ParodyTropes parody]] of ''Franchise/StarTrek'' from ''Series/GetSmart'' co-creator Buck Henry. It was basically the US-version of ''Series/RedDwarf'', but with only eight episodes.

* TheForce: Parodied, along with ''StarWars'', in "May the Source Be With You."

** Despite the fact that "telegram" is an archaic term, the general principle of keeping messages short to save on costs is one that will probably be with us for many centuries to come. Today, in the early 21st century, users of cell phones typically keep text messages as short as possible so as to fall under their calling plan's texting limit, to the point of using standard abbreviations. The cost per bit of sending a transmission across ''interstellar distances'' would have to be enormous.

** A spaceship ejects a bag of garbage from its rear end with a defecation sound.

* YouMeanXMas: Christmas has become "Holiday Number 11".

* ThrownOutTheAirlock: When an [[AIIsACrapshoot computer goes insane and tries to kill the crew]], Quark disconnects the computer and throws it out the garbage chute. The episode ends with the computer floating through space singing "Born Free".

* SmallAnnoyingCreature: Ergo, Quark's pet, a one-eyed blob.

* {{Technobabble}} Satirizes it, naturally.\\

'''Quark:''' What does it mean?!!

->'''Quark''': They're chasing us? Ficus, who are they?\\
'''Ficus''': Well, commander, there are three possibilities. Either they are the dreaded Gorgons, in which we'll probably all be killed, or they're the allies of the dreaded Gorgons--\\
'''Quark''': Ficus, I don't have time for long lists!\\
'''Ficus''': --in which case we'll probably also be killed.\\
'''Quark''': Ficus, what you're saying is that all possibilities end in our death.

* '''Gene/Jean''': Chief engineer, with the twist that he's a "transmute", with both male and female chromosomes and both sets of hormones . Thus, as Gene, he's a BloodKnight {{Jerkass}}, but as Jean complete with a [[CrossDressingVoices female voice]] , she's a TechnicalPacifist.

-->'''Libido:''' What now?
-->'''Ficus:''' It's simple. We wait for the bee.

-->"Would you want your brother or sister to marry one?"

-->'''Quark:''' ''(calmly)'' Ficus, program Maneuver Plan Red. Jean, give me as much power as you can.
-->'''Jean:''' Yes sir.
-->''(cut to other ship)''
-->'''Evil!Quark:''' Ficus! Program ''Attack'' Plan ''Red!'' (grabs Jean's shirt) Jean, give me more ''power'' or I'll ''break'' your face!
-->'''Evil!Jean:''' (grabs Quark's shirt) Commander, you're such a [[SpaceX space-head]], ''I'm'' taking over this ship!
-->'''Evil!Quark:''' Try it, transmute, and you're ''space jelly!''

-->'''Betties:''' Well Ficus, [[MsFanservice how do we look?]]
-->'''Ficus:''' Light passes through the retina to an optic nerve...

-->"People of Spartan, this is the High Gorgon. I command your unconditional surrender. You shall be treated with compassion, honor and patience. You have twenty seconds before I blow you out of the galaxy."

-->"Where can they possibly hold their gamma guns, or protect themselves from the heat and cold? Look how little material there is."
* {{Technobabble}} Satirizes it, naturally.
-->'''Dr Mudd:''' It's some kind of protein-hydrolizing amino producer!
-->'''Quark:''' What does it mean?!!
-->'''Dr Mudd:''' I'm not quite sure... but it's got a nice ring to it.

-->'''High Gorgon''': I suggest you take a closer look at my space ship.\\
'''Leader of the Spartans''': A ship? We see no ship. All I see is a large maroon planet.\\
'''High Gorgon''': That is my space ship!\\
'''Leader of the Spartans''': '' [pause] '' Just give us a few minutes to move our things out of the palace.

-->'''Quark:''' What do you make of that?
-->'''Ficus:''' A most fascinating phenomenon, but one which leaves the mind facing a myriad of possibilities, alternatives and conclusions that are at best strictly hypothetical with no sound basis in fact.
-->'''Quark:''' In other words, you don't know.
-->'''Ficus:''' That's what I said.

-->'''Quark:''' Ah, but as a plant, you can never love.
-->'''Ficus:''' Yes, but as an animal you must endure the pain of love.
-->'''Quark:''' That's true, Ficus, but the pain of love is what makes love so endearing.
-->'''Ficus:''' Following your logic, Commander, the pain of a toothache would make a toothache endearing. The more painful, the more endearing.
-->'''Quark:''' ''[[CaptainsLog Starnote]] -- I've just argued over the concept of love with a plant...and lost.''

* {{Technobabble}} Satirizes it, naturally.
-->'''Dr Mudd:''' It's some kind of protein-hydrolizing amino producer!
-->'''Quark:''' What does it mean?!!
-->'''Dr Mudd:''' I'm not quite sure... but it's got a nice ring to it.

* ToTheBatpole: In addition to elevators and stairs, the ship has special sliding tubes that allow crew members to descend to the deck immediately below quickly.
* TwinThreesomeFantasy: Both Bettys love Captain Quark, but there's a stigma against sleeping with a clone, so since he never knew which one was a clone, he couldn't sleep with either.
* TwoPartEpisode: "All the Emperor's Quasi Norms", with the requisite {{Cliffhanger}} at the end of Part One.
* UncannyFamilyResemblance: Palindrome's father is [[ActingForTwo played by the same actor]].
* SingleMindedTwins The Bettys often said the same thing at the same time. However in "The Old and the Beautiful", Quark puts them in charge of the ship during a space battle, and all they do is argue.

* GlamorFailure: Quark destroys the LotusEaterMachine in "Goodbye Polumbus", only to find the gorgeous woman of his dreams he's been smooching is the queen of the Clay People. He hastily beams up before she can show her gratitude for freeing her.

* {{Technobabble}} Satirizes it.

* ZeeRust: Sending a telegram. In the 23rd century.

* AccidentalTruth: In "All the Emperor's Quasi Norms", Zorgon threatens to kill Quark unless he reveals where "it" is. Having no idea what he's talking about, Quark plays for time by saying it is on a particular asteroid. Turns out the MacGuffin really is there, causing Quark to believe this is a case of BecauseDestinySaysSo when he's told by the locals of a legend about a Stranger who will use "It" to defeat their enemy. But it turns out that "It" is just a worthless rock and the whole thing is a coincidence.

* HumansAreSuperior: Spoofed by Ficus, whose always able to turn these arguments around on Quark. For instance when [[JobStealingRobot Vanessa looks like making the crew redundant]], Ficus concludes that humans are indeed superior, as no other creature could endure the HumiliationConga that Quark has just undergone and [[WarpThatAesop still believe he's relevant]].

->'''Palindrome:''' Of course it would mean certain death for everyone on board.\\

* AIIsACrapshoot: In the final episode, their ship gets a new computer called Vanessa, while proceeds to turn crazy and try to kill them in a parody of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' and the ''Series/{{Star Trek|the Original Series}}'' episode "The Ultimate Computer"

[[quoteright:320:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Quark_cast_4432.jpg]]

** Transmutes have the expected homosexuality and transgender jokes.

* AIIsACrapshoot In the last episode, their ship gets a new computer called Vanessa, while proceeds to turn crazy and try to kill them in a parody of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' and the ''Series/{{Star Trek|the Original Series}}'' episode "The Ultimate Computer"