"Far Beyond The Stars"

[Allyn Gibson]

Red Ranger said:
I also like how we're not completely sure whether Benny Russell actually existed or if he's a figment of Ben Sisko's imagination -- or if Ben Sikso himself is a figment of Benny Russell's imagination. It's been awhile since I've seen the ep, but I remember getting that impression.

I thought the episode actually failed there. Had it gone into true phildickian territory -- perhaps with the final line of the episode being Sisko saying, "Computer, do a search in records for Benny Russell, Earth, circa 1950," and then a fade to black -- I'd have thought the episode wasn't just very, very good, but absolutely brilliant. As it is, the episode went to the mirror, but didn't break the glass.

I seem to recall that one of the ideas for the series finale would have been the reveal that Benny was the reality and Sisko was the dream, which was nixed due to the effects that would have had on the franchise as a whole.

 

[indranee]

I love this episode. Brooks was fantastic in it. and, all around, nobody dropped the ball. the next best performance IMO came from Lofton. good stuff.

 

[UnknownSample]

Spoiler...




I could not believe it when Benny came back, in season 7. That was inspired. Sorry, thought I'd have more to say on that, but it's not coming.

 

[Apogeal Alpha01]

It did, in my mind, confirm that Benny and Sisko's experience of him, was a creation of the Prophets. However, it could be that the Pah Wraithes tapped into that vision and used it for their purposes knowing how profound an experience it was for him.

Those were very well done scenes where I almost doubted that he might not have the courage to finish the story and open the Orb.

 

[HRHTheKING]

The introduction of Benny Russell was a good idea.

It added more depth to a storyline that was already superb.

I loved the Sarah Sisko element too.

 

[exodus]

Mike Have-Not said:
^
Yeah, I thought the irony of the comment about "colored people on the moon" was intentional as well...

As for Dorn's performance, I just think his inflection was off. His attempts at 1950's African-American dialect just weren't very convincing. Same with Lofton, to a lesser degree.

I don't think Dorn was off by mistake.

He was a Black man caught between two worlds. He was admired by the Black community because he had found a way to intergrate into White society thru sports, so he spoke similar to that race. However because he was still seen by Whites as "colored" and never truly intergrated. I think he way he speaks reflexs that. Benny had no '50's African-American dilect at all just to show that speaking that way is often a stereotype. Lofton spoke that way because he was a hussler, a man of the streets while poeople like Benny & Dorns character didn't use that type of speak because they were older and their main focus was to intergrate.

Lofton also represents African-American youth and they disatisfaction at being rejected upon trying to intergrate. Loftons character had given up on White society and ever being seen as equal. His mentality was, if they think we are all nothing but jive talking thugs, then I'll give them exactly what they believe I am.

 

[Jax]

I thought I would of hated this episode cause last time TREK tried this type of story with 11:59 (VOY), I hated it. However this was done so well and seeing Nog, Dukat & Martok as humans was enjoyable but everyone gave great performances.

I loved how the writers handled and played out the racism part of the story. My favourite bit was when Benny brokedown and shown Avery's great ability as an actor and for me the best part of acting I've seen in a TREK episode.