I loved Brooks' acting. Very believable I thought and could really draw you in. Very intense. I did think the hyperventilating was a bit much, but...
And I don't understand why people think the idea for "Far Beyond The Stars" was a poor one. Trek always makes topical episodes with a futuristic spin, I thought this was just a more blatant take on it. But it was fresh and engrossing, and it DID fit in the context of the rest of the series. At that point, Sisko is tired of the war and is contemplating leaving, but the prophets need him to persevere, so they give him this vision that plays on something he would feel strongly about- racism in Earth's past- and teach him to never give up, despite obstacles. I didn't even really view the episode as that topical, just a kind of history lesson with a good message that was really different and unexpected and cool. I'm always really surprised at the flack this one takes sometimes.
