10 Star Trek Undercover Operations That Went Wrong

False Profits opens with a rogue replicator signal on a planet that really isn't ready for such advanced technology. Chakotay and Tom's initial covert operation to blend in and track down the replicator goes well. So far, so good. But whatever they'd been expecting, it wasn't a pair of Ferengi posing as demi-gods to exploit the locals.

You have to admire the sheer skill of the hustle; using the people's religion against them, teaching them the Rules of Acquisition and utilising their replicator for cheap tricks. They even manage to persuade Janeway that removing these people's 'gods' without explanation could cause even more damage.

But they have no idea which Starfleet Captain they're dealing with. Janeway devises a plan to beat them at their own game...sending Neelix in disguise as the Ferengi Grand Proxy to order them back home.

Now, as a viewer, seeing Ethan Phillips' turn as a Ferengi is spectacular, and a nod to his outing as Farek in the otherwise icky episode Ménage à Troi. However, in the story, Janeway sending the ship's chef on a crucial undercover mission rather than one of her highly trained crew members is...certainly a choice.

Neelix actually starts well, fooling the pair into believing his orders to return are real. Unfortunately, they take matters into their own hands and chase Neelix around with swords until he panics and admits he's from Voyager. To be clear, we appreciate Neelix around here, but he broke faster than a Vulcan in a group hug.

The hijinks escalate in true Ferengi style, with a blistering finale that almost ends with all three of them burned at the stake. It's safe to say that things got more than just a little out of hand during this adventure, but it was a nice excuse to see some familiar faces in the Delta Quadrant.