askchapo

There are a lot of classics that people will say, like "Measure of a Man", "Drum Head", "The Inner Light", and these are great episodes, but one of my all-time favorite episodes is "Far Beyond the Stars" from DS9, Season 6, Episode 13.

It takes that classic trope in StarTrek, where the crew end up in a different time and place, usually in Earth's history, and really pushes it. Instead, all these characters are new, just played by the same actors. They're not Ben Sisko, they're not Quark, they are Benny Russell, they are Herbert Rossoff.

It's like the writers found a cheat code for the show, that allowed them to write an episode for an entirely different show, within the confines of DS9 and let all these wonderful actors really shine. The plot of the episode deals heavily with racism, with representation, and the struggles Benny Russell goes through as a black man in 1950s America. It is a powerful episode. It's just good sci-fi writing through and through. I could say a lot about it, but maybe I'll let Armin Shimerman talk about it:

ARMIN SHIMERMAN: “‘Far beyond the Stars’ is my favorite episode of DS9. It is not just good Star Trek, but the best of Science Fiction, powerfully combining fantasy with social commentary. Racism is bred in the bone of American culture. Even in the 21st century, we all need to be reminded of the scars and tragedies that plague left on our national conscience, so that we and future generations never forget its ugliness. It was brilliantly conceived by Marc Zicree, brilliantly written by Ira Behr and the staff, and most brilliantly directed by Avery Brooks. I especially remember Avery giving an Emmy-deserving performance as he broke down over the crushing of Ben's dreams. I had tears in my eyes as I watched off camera. I know many of the Niner fans did the same. Non-Star Trek fans often sneer at our franchise's frothy and light entertainment. ‘Oh yes,’ they say, ‘you pose some interesting questions; but to what end?’ I always suggest watching this episode to rebut the inanity of ‘To what end?’

Brooks's performance as Benny in this episode is so incredible, that every time I watch it, I'm brought to tears. It is so tragic, and so intense, and so masterfully performed, that it always leaves me in awe. They get these people, with such raw, incredible talent, to play space soldiers in this generally jaunty, regularly campy, SCIFI action drama show, and every so often they lay a script in front of them that allows their full skill set to be revealed, creating these incredibly impactful peaces of media.

"Far Beyond the Stars" Is not just the best episode of Star Trek ever produced, it is, in my opinion, one of the best episodes of television ever produced.