Nog, played by

Aron Eisenberg Aron Eisenberg (January 6, 1969 – September 21, 2019) was an American actor and podcaster known for his role as Nog on ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Early life Eisenberg was adopted into a Jewish family. He was born with only one partia ...

, is a

recurring character A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who frequently appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in more than one episode, sometimes being the main ...

on the

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...

'' (''DS9''). A member of the profit-driven alien species known as the

Ferengi The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series ''Sta ...

, he becomes the first Ferengi to join

Starfleet Starfleet is a fictional organization in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. Within this fictional universe, Starfleet is a uniformed space force maintained by the United Federation of Planets ("the Federation") as the principal means for conduc ...

. He is the nephew of the Ferengi bartender

Quark A quark () is a type of elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. All commonly ...

, 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 Nine''s protagonist

Benjamin Sisko Benjamin Lafayette Sisko is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise portrayed by Avery Brooks. He first appeared in the television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (''DS9'') and became prominent on the TV show in the United ...

. 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 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence, or other threats o ...

Fictional character biography

In the ''Star Trek'' universe, Nog was born to Rom and Prinadora on

Ferenginar The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise '' Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series ''St ...

in 2353. Later, he moved with his father to ''

Deep Space Nine ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the '' Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication fr ...

'' 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 Keiko O'Brien is a character in the fictional ''Star Trek'' universe, played by actress Rosalind Chao. Introduced in 1991, she is the civilian spouse of Starfleet crew member Miles O'Brien (played by Colm Meaney) appearing occasionally in later ...

's school. When Rom, under pressure from Quark and

Grand Nagus Zek This is a list of secondary characters from the science fiction television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Characters are ordered alphabetically by family name, and only characters who played a significant major role in the series are li ...

, pulls Nog out of school, Jake tutors him without Rom's knowledge ("

The Nagus "The Nagus" is the 11th episode of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures on Deep Space Nine, a space station located adjacent to a stable wormho ...

"). 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

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

(" 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 The Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in several story arcs of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures. In the fictional ''Star Trek'' universe, the Dominion Wa ...

(" 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

Prophet In religion, a prophet or prophetess is an individual who is regarded as being in contact with a divine being and is said to speak on behalf of that being, serving as an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings from the ...

s is to promote Nog to the rank of lieutenant junior grade (''DS9'': "

What You Leave Behind "What You Leave Behind" is the series finale of the television show '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the 175th and 176th episodes, the 25th and 26th episodes of the seventh season. The episode was written by showrunner Ira Steven Behr and Hans ...

"). In the 32nd century, Starfleet has named a starship after Nog. The USS ''Nog'' (an ''Eisenberg''-class starship, named after the actor who portrayed him) is stationed at

Federation A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government ( federalism). In a federation, the self-gover ...

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

Top episodes

The episode " It's Only a Paper Moon", focuses on Nog's recovery from the trauma of having lost his leg in the episode " The Siege of AR-558". These two episodes were ranked as the 14th and 15th best of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' by

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...

in 2016. Hollywood Reporter ranked "It's Only a Paper Moon" as the 56th best of all episodes of the ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

'' franchise aired by 2016, calling it a touching and ambitious story. The A.V. Club's Zack Handlen lauded Aron Eisenberg's acting in this episode, noting that his portrayal of Nog's

PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence, or other threats on ...

"has some real edges to it, and some aspects of it should be familiar to anyone who's suffered a period of severe depression". Stephanie Marceau, writing for ''

Screen Rant ''Screen Rant'' is an entertainment website that offers news in the fields of television, films, video games, and film theories. ''Screen Rant'' was launched by Vic Holtreman in 2003, and originally had its primary office in Ogden, Utah. ''Scr ...

'', ranked the top ten episodes featuring Nog: # It's Only A Paper Moon # Heart of Stone #

The Magnificent Ferengi "The Magnificent Ferengi" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the 134th episode overall, originally aired in syndication on December 29, 1997. It was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler, and direct ...

# The Jem'Hadar #

Treachery, Faith, and the Great River "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" is the 156th episode of the television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the sixth episode of the seventh season. It was first aired the week of November 2, 1998. The teleplay was written by David Wedd ...

# Badda-Bing Badda-Bang # The Visitor # Progress # Valiant # Empok Nor Marceau says of "Its Only a Paper Moon" that "Watching Nog deal with his conflicted feelings and trauma about the war and Starfleet was powerful and inspiring" and found the show's treatment of the character's loss "respectful". Clint Worthington, writing for

SyFy Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. La ...

, felt " Heart of Stone", in which Nog decides to join Starfleet, was the most important Nog episode; he also noted " The Siege of AR-558", in which Nog is confronted with the hardships of war.

Reception

In 2016, the character of Nog was ranked as the 51st most important character of

within the ''Star Trek'' science fiction universe by

Wired Magazine ''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San Fr ...

. Richard A. Hall observed that not the least through the influence of his Starfleet neighbours, Nog becomes a more thoughtful and caring individual over the course of the show's run. Discovery co-creator and co-showrunner Alex Kurtzman saw in Nog "a character who exemplified the possibility of resilience after a period of darkness". Malissa Longo, widow of the portrayer Aron Eisenberg, commented: "Nog was a trailblazer in DS9. I have no doubt that he would have left a lasting impression on the Federation". In 2019, Clint Worthington writing for

, said that Nog was "one of Star Trek's most aspirational characters" noting how the character progressed throughout the show. They point in the early seasons he "dragged Jake into one misadventure or another", a cackling sidekick for Jake, but then in "Heart of Stone" he has realization he does not like where is life is headed. With the help of Commander Sisko, he sets his dreams on Starfleet hoping to rise above the limited opportunities available to him. CNN remembered Nog as the major role for actor Eisenberg in his career when he died in 2019.

References

External links

Nog
at

StarTrek.com ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vario ...