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From: Andronicus1001
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  • I'm gonna expound at some length as to why I don't think this episode works by contrasting it with another trek installment: TNG's "The Inner Light" Both episodes have a similar premise: the captain is incapacitated by an alien intelligence and forced to experience another person's life inside his mind. But TIL suceeds because it's a great story in the "Star Trek" ethos: it's about an encounter with a new species, done in a unique way.

  • Furthermore, TIL is a great character piece. Picard loves history, archeology, and studying ancient civilizations. Int hat episode, he gets to study a civilization in the most intimate and personal way imaginable and in so doing, gets in touch with unexplored parts of his own personality and psyche. We see him get a chance to embrace having a wife and children, something that, in his real life, he sacrificed for his career. He learns to cherish his friendships as a result of the experience.

  • FBS, while an interesting premise, doesn't really have much to do with the story of DS9 and the Dominion War or of Star Trek overall, nor does it really add any new dimension to Sisko's character or anyone else's. How are the Prophets helping Sisko by placing him in a situation completely irrelevant to his own? He's dealing with war-weariness, not racism. It's just too obviously contrived as a "message" show.

  • Anyway, that's why when Picard plays his flute alone at the end of TIL, I tear up, but when Sisko looks out the window at the end of FBS and wonders if they're all just Benny Russell's dream, I just shake my head.

  • and I heard the writers wanted to end the SERIES with benny looking out the window, as if all of Star Trek was the imagination of a black man in the 50s. how bad of an idea would that be?!?! i mean that's just over the top. People watch this show for its scifi and futurism, not more didacticism.. you get that cheap anywhere

  • effective episode and all, but what I don't like about it is that it's drawing out the issue. It reminds me perfectly of Black History Month. yes it happened yes yes yes tears sorrow racism black people lynching rights buses yes, but it's just not relevant anymore. Not even when this aired. I hate these guilt trips self-righteous people force on the rest of the world and if we don't bow down at the profundity of it then we're racist..

  • @genericusername337 I didn't see this as a guilt trip & I'm pale, pink and squishy. The historical portrayal of inequality vs the limitless imagination of the human race as a whole shined out. It made me feel that it was only a few decades prior that it was normal to see eachother thus, that women were second class, that image truly was everything. And yet the Star Trek universe has NONE of that. Humanity had transcended its tired limitations and embraced the stars. THAT was the message I saw.

  • People seem to either love this episode or hate it. Personally, it just confuses me. If there was a movie or TV show about a black science fiction writer in the fifties, I would be very interested in seeing/watching it. It's an interesting story, but what in hell does it have to do with the story of Deep Space Nine? How are the Prophets helping Sisko by trapping him in a hallucination of someone else's life?

  • @mdfilmguy agreed

  • As time passes DS9 as a series will only improve in quality :)

  • @ciroslive - WELL SAID!!! :D

  • It kills me that this episode didn't win a single award.

    It's one of the best & IMAO the fact that Avery Brooks wasn't even nominated for an Emmy shows that the racism prevalent in this episode in the 1950s is alive and well today.

  • @IDioGenesis - It's the same reason George Lucas couldn't get Hollywood to help him make the outstanding "Red Tails' movie recently release. Hollywood, clearly has a problem with people of color being the hero in REAL LIFE SITUATIONS. As a person that has black, white and native american people in my family tree, I am truly offended by that prevalent attitude that "chooses" who can be the hero and who cannot. It's covert, grans-scale brainwashing of the most evil nature. So sad!!!

  • I loved this episode on so many levels. . . .

  • God how I loved DS9 passionately and still do..

  • @KelapaGirl - Amen!! I've been saying for years how DS9 is so uncanny because its so unlike the other Treks. Sometimes, things can be so far ahead of their time they are not fully appreciated when they are present. I'm thrilled to see of the last several years DS9 get the praise that it deserved years ago!!!!

  • well the more things change,the more they stay the same.

  • And yet to this day you wonder how in the world Avery Brooks didn't win an Emmy for this performance, not even a nomination.

  • Wow!

  • Videos like this make me so proud of our Black Brothers.

    They when from being despised to President of the United States.

    No other race have overcome so much in such a short time.

  • @Bracerjack I despise Barack. No president has done so much damage to the United States in such a short time! And come on, since when is being president of U.S. a milestone of racial greatness? We have excelled at many things far greater such as; music, theater, poetry/written word, science, law, athletics...just like every other race out there. Comparing ourselves to other races only leads to pride and contempt for others. That is the same kind of thinking that allows slavery to exist!

  • @BoothLandry

    Correct.

  • Odo + Quark = DS9

  • @tjbayliss Bah, nonsense. DS9 = Brunt, FCA. ;)

  • In truth I always find this scene in tribute to the man whom created Star Trek,In no small part did any one man and his ideas have such a profound effect upon the world,and if nothing else shone a light on a path unseen, Avery Brooks brings to the small screen a performance rarely seen,and I think he drew on the aspirations and frustrations of the great bird himself,and many tears later we are privy to witness, to Eugene i would say thank you ,thank you for rescuing so many from lesser life.

  • @honeysuckle1000 - Your words are OUTSTANDING. As a long time Trek fan I salute you!!

  • In truth I always find this scene in tribute to the man whom created Star Trek,In no small part did any one man and his ideas have such a profound effect upon the world,and if nothing else shone a light on a path unseen, Avery Brooks brings to the small screen a performance rarely seen,and I think he drew on the aspirations and frustrations of the great bird himself,and many tears later we are privy to witness, to Eugiene i would say thank you ,thank you for rescuing so many from lesser life.

  • In my interpretation, the episode is not simply about racism but more broadly about artists standing up for the integrity of their work. Benny had to write the character of Sisko as a black man not just because he wanted Sisko to be black, but **because Benny WAS Sisko.**

    For those of you who think that Star Trek should be "color-blind," please read the story of how Whoopi Goldberg got involved with TNG. Her own future as a star had been influenced by watching Uhura on TOS.

  • This reminds me of when Dave Chapele did those 'When Keeping it Real Goes Terrible Wrong' skits.

    The actor was great here, though.

  • You might want to put in the title that this is an ending.

    Also, just another Emmy Award that Brooks inexplicably didn't get. I mean, seriously. He was amazing here.

  • @EGRJ Wait, Avery Brooks didn't win one fucking Emmy? You're kidding me? The same bullshit actors get nominated year after year these days and Brooks never won once? Avery Brooks is worth 1,000,000 Jon Hamms.

  • @viperhalberd Science fiction don't get no respect.

  • The two people who disliked this are fake....

  • Overact much?

    Look, I am very into science fiction and DS9 sux and that was some gushy nonsciencefictional stuff.

  • @tunapig

    If you are so much into science fiction, why are you involved in Star Trek anyway ? It's SOCIOLOGICAL / ADVENTURE show with setting in some vision of relatvely near future and some para-technical background, that's all. Wanna sci-fi ? Go to Babylon 5 and StarGate. Wanna fantasy ? Get Star Wars. True, DS9 doesn't measure up in most cases to other installments and has deviated from Roddenberry's vision the most, but still it had it's moments - and this episode is one of them.

  • "I'm a Human Being! Damn it!" - The Network =)

  • I always thought that Avery Brooks was the most underrated Captain of all the Trek series. Performances like this, particularly his breakdown only strengthen that argument. In American History X he was also a strong presence.

    The man is a brilliant actor, & I really miss this series, largely due to him.

  • The quintessential sci-fi episode,kudos to cast!

  • This is a false vision supplied by the Pah wraithes and is not real even to Sisko in any sense of the word. It is connected to an episode in the 7th season where Benjamin Russel (Sisko) is in an asylum Dr. Wycoff keeps him there.

  • @celestemekent This episode is the real vision from the prophets. The pah-wrath false vision is only the 7th season episode.

  • Ah me, what a fantastic episode from the Best Trek series they did.

    The Series: Awesome plots and great characters. The Dominion War was amazing.

    The Episode: Fantastic! Great lines, wonderful story, brilliant acting, costumes, and sets. Really cool to see them all out of "character." Supersnazz!

  • @TheRadical42

    This series had some diamond episodes, "Far Beyond Stars Beeing One of Them". It's good it has appeared - but it dosen't have much common with ST in general and Roddenberry's vision. Cast is of course great, especially characters of Quark and Garak, and Jadzia Dax is I think one of best looking natural females in ST.

  • @AnteyPL yeah, becuz star trek does not cover man's inhumanity towards man at all.

  • @TheRadical42 - Totally agree. Bajor was the perfect planet to compare and contrast with the Federation. Federation science and logic versus Bajorian faith and religion. Then you add in the new worlds and lifeforms, the Defiant (I still drool over that ship), shady Cardassians, the Dominion War, Sisko as a messiah figure, Section 31, seeing the workings of the Ferengi people, the massive character development and of course, Morn.... EPIC SERIES with a great ending. Awesome!!!

  • This episode is amazing.

    The first time I saw it on TV, I had to leave in the middle of it and never got to see the end, Watching it now, I had no idea how intense and emmotional it would get. Its unlike any Star Trek episode I've seen, or any other TV show for that matter.

  • @eddddedddd - AGREED. If only half of the stuff they show on TV was this good anymore.....

  • Such a heartbreaking and powerful episode! Poor Benny... Talk about your tearjerkers.

  • I remember seeing this episodes a couple of years ago on TV. The best DS9 episode by far!

  • Wow, avery brooks put on an incredible performance in that scene

  • @ShaqZigWINNER64

    He is an underrated actor. Patrick Stewart deservedly is widely known and respected. Shatner is (deservedly or mockingly) widely known too. Brooks is every bit as good.

  • @ShaqZigWINNER64

    He is an underrated actor. Patrick Stewart deservedly is widely known and respected. Shatner is (deservedly or mockingly) widely known too. Brooks is every bit as good. Powerful and heartfelt performance.

  • This is a very powerful scene. Benny's speech had me on the verge of tears. MY heart genuinely went out to him.

  • I think the most heartbreaking part about this entire monologue is when Benny rips off his glasses and declares that he is a human being. It's so poignant and moving and it just sticks to your ribcage and makes you ache.

    Possibly the best episode of DS9, and certainly one of the finer samples of Star Trek as a whole. Way to go!

  • @HellsOnlyBelle Benny is human and he knows what's real. That's what he's got over the racist scum! Such a moving performance when he breaks down. Shocking!

  • @HellsOnlyBelle Yes I agree, I was crying when he did that. I also felt the anger and injustice he felt against those people who were holding him back because of the colour of his skin. God bless Avery Brookes. xox

  • DAAAAAAAAAMN this is good!

  • DS9 was sadly underrated as a sci-fi program. It explored so many provocative issues, like in this episode.

  • @frantic1971 - True. However, in the last several years the show's popularity and proper credit/applause has seen a huge increase. When something is so far ahead of its time, it takes the public a while to catch up. I'm so happy is finally receiving its due. I'm hoping for a special direct-to-DVD 3 hour movie for the Trek's 50th Anniversary. Hey, I can't dream?? :D

  • Yes! One of the best written and best acted. Thanks for posting it again.

  • I think the reason Benny's story was scrapped was horse-shit, because writers like Robert Heinlen were popular at the time this story takes place and he used heroes and main characters that were non-white alot.

  • I have a message for Sisko, "Next time you see Benni, thank him for me."

  • @Nothruzem - Me too!!!!

  • According to Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wikia, everyone involved in this episode was upset that Avery Brooks was not nominated for an Emmy for his performance in this episode (especially this particular scene). I can only imagine the reaction this cast would have gotten had Avery been nominated and won Best Actor, a truly remarkable performance, so sad that the people in charge of the Emmy's don't know what a real winner is.

  • To this day every time one of my friends talks about getting into Star Trek this is the scene I point them to. You simply cannot deny the heart and conviction in Sisko's words and the fact that it is purely acting this level of skill is unbelievably staggering to me. I was blown away the first time I saw.

  • damn that was a powerful scene just got the episode will watch it later and shit like racism still goes on but on the down low my mother experniences it everyday at work and i have last friday nothing violent just the actions certain people did to offend us

  • awsome to see this once again! thank you Andronicus!

  • when i frist saw this episode i honestly did not really understand it that well i was too young, but i saw it again and i honestly felt like it had a powerful message to give but like a little while ago i heard this one guy porably say its worse then the episode threshold. so now i am very confused.

  • Respectfully, I don't know what you mean when you write that this episode is self indulgent. It harkens to a time when it was unspeakable for a black man to be concerned in such a story line. DS9 is only a hand full of shows that that tackled issues of race, sexuality, homophobia and other hot button issues we still struggle with today. All that said, the writing and acting here are superb. Peace...

  • This is a fantastic scene (Siskos breakdown). It moved me when I first saw it here in the UK. It's really nice to see that it means a lot to others aswell. It makes me sad to see the hurt that racism has caused. I suppose that's the reason why this is such a great episode.

  • !! Is Sisko Catholic? I knew he was from New Orleans but I wouldn't have figured the writers of Star Trek to figure out that most Noliners were Catholic. If he is Catholic that means that there are grand total of two Catholics in Star Fleet, the other being La Forge.

  • I love this scene, it made me cry the first time I saw it. I love how star trek always had a social message.I also love Ben Sisko and how even in the 24th century when racism seemed nonexistent how he was still was proud of his African heritage and showing respect to his ancestors that came before him. I'm pretty sure he was playing Earth classics like Jazz, Blues and James Brown with a pinch of real hip hop. lol

  • I know this is an epic scene, but I can't stop humming the opening theme to the Magic School Bus when I saw the end.

  • Science fiction is the aspiration for the future we want it be, this could be policatical, social & etc. ,but without the story telling of it history the future in which the writer wanted to portray would be baseless.

    Some say this episode is about race, some say it has gone outside the usual Star Trek writing and some say it not gone far enough.

    Perhaps it all of above, but without this insight, DS9 or even the entire Star Trek story would be another piece of baseless & incomplete Sci Fi.

  • From my perspective... * the best Star Trek episode  * the best scene

    Great performance...

    thanks

  • Wow.

  • Could you explain to me the difference between "blackness" and the supposed opposite, "whiteness", besides some of us having different colour skin than others?

    And here I am thinking we're all people.

  • In spite of my reservations about its chip-on-the-shoulder, this episode does NOT "spam" racism. It's one of the most naked love letters to fans ...no, believers... of science fiction. Because it IS real. We all know it's real, and waiting.

  • One of Trek's best episode - top five at least.

    Nice to see the actors' actual faces.

    Having grown up in that time, this rings so true. Garbage like this went on all the time.

  • this song always reminds me of a KC & JoJo song "It's Real"..... also from around the same time.... late 1990's.

  • I thought this episode was incredibly pwrful And u have 2 take it in context Yes, maybe it was a bit over bearing But the flashback takes places in the 50s/60s when racism was that in ur face &as to Avrey Brooks acting Have u nvr got into a argument that u absolute was completely passionate about that you got so angry, so upset, so passionate that u lose control of urself Ur breathing and all that I have I was so upset I was ragged like that. Huffing and puffing, trying to get my point across

  • LOL, the only thing I liked about this episode was seeing all the aliens out of make-up. What was even better was Dukat and weyoun as 2 chain-smoking NYPD officers, even better during the beat-down scene when they keep switching back and forth.

  • really? that's the only reason you liked this episode? didn't you find the story involving benny russel any way compelling?

  • Why do people even like this episode?

  • because they appreciate good stories.

  • "It's crass, exploitative and violates all established principle on race in the Star Trek universe."

    How? I don't get your reasoning on this. If you mean that it has characters being racist towards avery's character then that doesn't necessary violate that principle since this is supposed to be the fifties when that principle didn't yet exist. The episode itself isn't promoting racism it's showing how wrong it is.

  • But at the begining of the episode sisko is thinking of standing down from command of ds9 because he can't handle any more losses and the prophets show him this vision as inspiration as to why he shouldn't give up and how important it is that he doesn't. So he's not relating to benny based on race he's relates to him because they both have causes that they're fighting for and are both up against certain obstacles trying to stop them from achieving that.

  • I see what you're saying, but racial adversity is very specific. If it's just a matter of having him struggle in a historical setting, there's no reason to have him in the black civil rights movement.. other than his blackness. And his blackness is supposed to be meaningless in the Star Trek universe.

    The whole premise with the prophets is tortured. It really seems like the episode was written for people who had never watched Star Trek before (and possibly for Emmy consideration alone).

  • "And his blackness is supposed to be meaningless in the Star Trek universe."

    It still is to all of the other characters in the 24th century and that's what really counts but as for the prophets well maybe they didn't have any problems with this because they're aliens and they don't think the way we do since they bascially live in an different existance than we do.

  • Ok I know the episode isn't as subtle about this as say TOS was. But I think just because it isn't doesn't necessarily make it any less powerful a message than what TOS or TNG did. It just depends on your point of view.

  • As far as TOS, the human rights themes were subtle because they HAD to be. The networks shot down giving a woman any sort of commanding lead in the original show. I think Roddenberry would have fought adamantly to make a show like this in 1967 if there was even a chance it would make it to air.

    This show gives so many nods to the science fiction of the time too. Colm Meaney is obviously a take on Asimov, etc. I thought it was great.

  • Also, while I don't disrespect your right to an opinion, I can't help but feel you've ruined any of the appeal of this episode with pretense and doublethink, saanichprince. It's not that much of a stretch either; Sisko adored Baseball, he was already stuck in a past he was never a part of, at heart. This was a sort of fever dream designed by the Pah Wraiths to break his will. Seems pertinent to me. Sorry you are too jaded to enjoy this one.

  • you my friend, are blind.

  • "And his blackness is supposed to be meaningless in the Star Trek universe."

    Which be even more jarring and powerful for him to encounter it in the past, when it did matter.

  • Wow. Powerful.

  • This is by far the best episode of DS9 ever

  • what ep was this from?

  • far beyond the stars.

  • It's a faaaaaake

    It's REAL!

    faaaaake!

    Real!

  • Has anyone made a video of that yet, I'll upload one XD

  • Ever trek has an instance where the captain over reacts a little ("KHAAAAAN!" ect). I always thought this scene was well done, watching someone have a nervous breakdown isn't supposed to be a comfortable experience.

  • Yes, for Picard it was in First Contact when he goes nuts about the Borg and calls Worf a coward.

  • I have to disagree...

    Yes, it seems like he's going 'over-the-top' with his reaction...but I feel that because of the way he handled the scene, it captured that feeling we have all sometimes had of just being so angry, so frustrated, that we just completely lose it. I FELT his character's absolute complete mental breakdown at that point.

    This scene felt like a person completely overtaken by raw human emotion. This scene felt like it focused on a person who just had nothing left in him by hurt

  • I felt so embarrassed for CMajors1 when I read the post. Who ever wrote it made themselves sound like the biggest asshat by critiquing what they have no business commenting on. It's always been the poster's problem, and I can't understand how the writer thought his inane comments were worth posting.

  • The cast the producers assembled for this show was extraordinary in every respect.

  • ...oh man...best Star Trek episode ever...it really is...

    "oooh...she's got a worm in her belly...oh, that's digusting..."

  • this and the 37s on Star Trek Voy, were my favorites.

  • THE REEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAL

  • Of all the DS9 episdoes I've seen, this one has stuck out in my mind the most. Brilliant.

  • One of my favourite episodes of DS9 - excellent acting from all of them

  • This Is my ALL time fav. DS9 episode... and it ranks up of my fav. Star Trek altogather. it was so well done....

  • Absolutely brilliant acting from avery brooks, i cried the first time i saw this.

  • Tears of the Prophets? :)

  • So which reality was real?

  • it was supposed to be the REAL Reality, if you watch later seasons the beginning episodes of season 7, he is seen commited into a mental institute where he continues to write the episodes of DS9.

    The ending of the series was however changed, as it was apparently imagined to be as follows:

    Benny was a writer for thr show and the ending sequence showed him stood as himself on the set of the station when it made into a stage show.

    this idea was apparently chucked away and we got the ending

  • Definitely one of the best Star Trek episodes of all the series. Outstanding work by all involved.

  • I wonder how many times they filmed the scene in the office? That would be a demanding task for any actor playing Brooks character to pull off several times.

  • Every since I saw this episode, and espicially this clip, I knew it would become a classic. The writing and acting were excellent!! Did any nominations/awards come out of this episode?

  • "You are the dreamer...and the dream."

  • Awe-inspiring performance by Avery. If it was in any other programme besides Star Trek it would have won awards. The outstaning acting on Star Trek, and Deep Space Nine in particular, is consistently underrated and unappreciated.

  • That's so true, I was surprised to learn this show didn't earn more awards... :( Though I'm glad at least some of the crew won something and the wonderful theme was recognised too. But anyway, it is weird none of the actors or writers were at least nominated for their great performances...

  • Brilliant episode. Avery deserved an Emmy. The story and supporting cast deserve credit for this, one of the best Trek episodes.

  • Favorite scene, I did cry, for the whole humanity. Why is it that we are all born good and some of us become nasty ?

  • I can't watch this episode!its tooo painful to watch :-(

  • One of the most poingant scenes in television history in my opinion.

    When Benny says "...and it's REAL!" it gives me chills and makes me cry every time.

  • Thanks for posting this.. one of the best scenes in any Star Trek episode ever!

  • I almost cried when I saw this. This episode totally redeemed the entire series for me as I didn't really like it to begin with.

    Bring Star Trek back you facist bastards!!

  • love this show so much XD

  • Truly one of the best of the best.

  • People have said that Auberjoinos (or wutever his name is) was the antagonist. I disagree, he was the bearer of bad news. The antagonists were the two corrupt cops (Weyoun and Dukat) and Mr Stone (who we never meet). Great episode with a moving ending.

  • Actually, I think Mr. Stone was the Avatar of the Pah Wraiths. just as Joeseph Sisko was of the Prophets.

  • Actually, I think Mr. Stone was the Avatar of the Pah Wraiths. just as Joeseph Sisko was of the Prophets.

  • Just goes to show you what a wonderful dynamic this group of actors had. This was a really good episode of ds9.

  • I cre-ATED it!!

  • REEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL

  • This episode is a masterpiece. I have watched it many times on my Season 7 box set. This is one of my favorites. This also wanted to give a message to those who watches it. I love this one.

  • While I can't help but laugh at this (because that's just the kind of guy I am) I realise it is a wonderful acting performance (just as I laugh at Garak and Sisko in 'In The Pale Moonlight').

    One of the best DS9 episodes. Rene and Armin WERE awesome, although I liked Cirroc's performance the best.

  • A lot of people thought this was a little over the top, but I don't think so. If you saw the whole episode and... understand what many people had to go through during that time, it probably would make more sense. DS9 was possibly one of the best Star Trek Series ever, but my true favorite is Enterprise.

  • wtf

  • This is one of the greatest episodes for DS9! :D

  • Rene and Armin were 1337 in this episode

  • yeah with a name like "BNPBloke" i'm sure you had no bias whatsoever when making your conclusion on a race centred episode of trek. we are sure to take your views seriously.

    You and your kind have no place to make a comment on star trek. Trek is everything that you and your flawed ideology are not. It paints a vision for the future that is free from your sort of ignorance and stupidity.

  • @u2atomicbomb Couldn't have said it better myself. Why don't people like BNPBloke go & set up a colony on some deserted island somewhere, & see how long it takes for them to turn on eachother-because without a convenient scapegoat, ignorant people like them have no other choice!

  • @MrHicks091 Wouldn't take long. There'd be dark haired verses blonds. Viking verses Saxon lol

  • @Pulsar205 That was exactly my point, without the more obvious scapegoats, they'd find some other pathetic reason to exclude & isolate people-like eye or hair colour. That's because racism is inherently irrational.

  • my favorite scene, out of my favorite episode, of my favorite star trek series. thanks for posting it man, i just hope CBS doesnt find it too soon.

  • The Dream Lives on... this is posting to MinorPhaserBurns

    --Berzerkomand

  • Fantastic. It is despicable that this show never won an emmy for best drama series or best an emmy in the performance categories

  • Indeed fantastic!

    Who cares for awards? I don't need anyone to tell me that this is an amazing show of a great series ;o)

  • Don't you know? You are the dreamer... and the dream!

  • One of the best stories of the 6th season, and the best morality tales of all 7 seasons of DS9.

  • great episode, but he was way way way over the top acting in that final bit. also, what was it with making him look blind at the beginning of it?

  • Way over.