“Far Beyond the Stars” is one of those stories you cannot imagine how it ever got made, but are infinitely glad it found a way. It is a masterpiece of creativity. Highly original and loaded with trek idealism, yet has no pretension or preachiness about it. Far more stories should have been done with such heart.Sisko is given a vision by the prophets of Benny Russell, a black science fiction writer in 1953. He is part of the staff for pulp magazine Incredible Tales, which consists of his crewmates from DS9 as homage to various real science fiction writers of the day. There are subtle hits of Harlan Ellison, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Block which I notice immediately. There are probably others.
Benny is the star writer, but his identity has to remain a secret because of his skin color. Trouble begins for him when he begins writing down visions he sees of a black man named Sisko in charge of a space station in the far future. Obviously, the story cannot be published.
Benny begins losing his mind as he has trouble discerning whether his life as Benny Russell is real or his vision of the future. One thing is for certain--the idea of Sisko’s acceptance as an equal in the future emphasizes the racism Benny has to face in his life, including being mistaken for janitor and being beaten by police who just shot his young friend, Jimmy. (Cirroc Lofton/Jake)
Benny has an emotional breakdown at the end of it all. They can bury history out of racism, but they cannot stop the idea that a black man can eventually make it into space for other reasons than shining a white man’s shoes.
The episode really has to be seen to appreciate it. It is far less pedestrian than this review lets on because Avery Brooks’ heart is solidly behind it. Some people complain that he is a ham actor. I disagree it. It is passion, especially when he believes the message the story is attempting to tell. This is his episode and it shows.
It should be noted “Far Beyond the Stars” features the only time the n-word is ever used in trek. The wod is used by Jimmy to describe the status blacks will always have, no matter what time period. When he says it, you are caught off guard, then become depressed at the cynicism of his attitude. Considering his fate, he obviously has a short, sad life.
“Far Beyond the Stars” stands out among the rest of the series for certain. Its Twilight Zone atmosphere allows you to enjoy the episode even if you have never seen DS9 before. Truly imaginative ad haunting.
Rating: ***** (out of 5)
