Nog, played by Aron Eisenberg, is a recurring character on the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9). A member of the profit-driven alien species known as the Ferengi, he becomes the first Ferengi to join Starfleet. He is the nephew of the Ferengi bartender Quark, a major character on the series; the son of Quark's brother Rom; and a close friend of Jake Sisko, the son of Deep Space Nines protagonist Benjamin Sisko. Episodes of the series often paired Nog with Jake.
Nog is the main character in the episode "It's Only a Paper Moon", which was noted for exploring his recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fictional character biography
In the Star Trek universe, Nog was born to Rom and Prinadora on Ferenginar in 2353. Later, he moved with his father to Deep Space Nine and worked at his uncle Quark's bar. This time is depicted in DS9, and Nog is characterized as being very mischievous and a slight delinquent. Throughout the course of the series, Nog befriends Jake Sisko. In the first seasons of DS9 he is, though reluctantly, one of the first students in Keiko O'Brien's school. When Rom, under pressure from Quark and Grand Nagus Zek, pulls Nog out of school, Jake tutors him without Rom's knowledge ("The Nagus").
Recognizing his father's failure to capitalize on his proficiency in mechanics and electronics, and not wanting to follow in those footsteps, Nog resolves to go into a career where he can make something of himself. He requests a recommendation from Commander Benjamin Sisko to be admitted to Starfleet Academy ("Heart of Stone"). Although Sisko takes considerable convincing that this young Ferengi is serious in this uncharacteristically unprofitable ambition for his species, Nog is admitted with his recommendation and becomes the first Ferengi in Starfleet ("Facets").
Starfleet assigns Nog to Deep Space Nine as part of his cadet field training ("The Ascent"). Upon returning to the station, he and Jake become roommates. As a cadet, Nog works mainly under chief of operations Miles O'Brien. Nog receives a commission as ensign shortly before Starfleet retakes Deep Space Nine during the Dominion War ("Favor the Bold").
In the height of the Dominion War, Nog loses his leg due to a battle injury ("The Siege of AR-558"). Although a biosynthetic leg is grown for him to replace the amputated one, after months of therapy Nog still feels phantom pain in his new leg. Nog chooses a holosuite simulation of a Las Vegas nightclub as the place to recuperate from his trauma and adjust to using an artificial limb, living in the holosuite until the simulated nightclub singer Vic Fontaine forces him to leave ("It's Only a Paper Moon").
One of Sisko's final acts before joining the Prophets is to promote Nog to the rank of lieutenant junior grade (DS9: "What You Leave Behind").
In the 32nd century, Starfleet has named a starship after Nog. The USS Nog (an Eisenberg-class starship, named after actor Aron Eisenberg, who played Nog and had recently died) is stationed at Federation headquarters. (Star Trek: Discovery: "Die Trying")
Appearances
Nog appears in the following episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine:
Season 1
Emissary
A Man Alone
The Nagus
The Storyteller
Progress
Season 2
The Siege
Sanctuary
The Jem'Hadar
Season 3
Life Support
Heart of Stone
Facets
Season 4
The Visitor (alternate timeline version) Little Green Men Homefront Paradise Lost Shattered Mirror (Mirror Universe counterpart)
Season 5
The Ascent
The Darkness and the Light
For the Uniform
Soldiers of the Empire
Blaze of Glory
Empok Nor
In the Cards
Call to Arms
Season 6
A Time to Stand
Rocks and Shoals
Behind the Lines
Favor the Bold
Sacrifice of Angels
You Are Cordially Invited... The Magnificent Ferengi Far Beyond the Stars One Little Ship Valiant Profit and Lace Tears of the Prophets
Season 7
Image in the Sand
Take Me Out to the Holosuite
Chrysalis
Treachery, Faith, and the Great River
The Siege of AR-558
Covenant
It's Only a Paper Moon
Badda-bing, Badda-bang
'Til Death Do Us Part
The Changing Face of Evil
When it Rains... The Dogs of War What You Leave Behind