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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox television episode {{Infobox television episode
| title = Far Beyond the Stars
| image = | image =
| caption = | caption =
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| episode = 13 | episode = 13
| production = 538 | production = 538
| airdate = {{Start date|1998|02|11}} | airdate = {{Start date|1998|02|09}}
| story = ] | story = ]
| teleplay = {{Plainlist| | teleplay = {{Plainlist|
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| photographer = Jonathan West | photographer = Jonathan West
| music = ] | music = ]
| guests = | guests =
* ] as Preacher / ] * ] as Preacher / ]
* ] as Kevin Mulkahey / Weyoun * ] as Kevin Mulkahey / ]
* ] as Burt Ryan / ] * ] as Burt Ryan / ]
* ] as Roy Ritterhouse / ] * ] as Roy Ritterhouse / ]
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| next = ] | next = ]
|episode_list = List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes |episode_list = List of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes
| season_article = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (season 6) | season_article = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6
}} }}


"'''Far Beyond the Stars'''" is the 137th episode of the ] ] television series '']'', the 13th episode of ]. The teleplay was written by ] and ], based on a story by ], and directed by ]. The episode is widely regarded as one of the greatest episodes of the Star Trek Franchise.<ref>https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-star-trek-episodes/</ref> "'''Far Beyond the Stars'''" is the 137th episode of the ] ] television series '']'', the 13th episode of ]. The teleplay was written by ] and ], based on a story by ], and directed by ], who also played the episode's – and series' – central character.


Set in the 24th century, the series takes place on ], a fictional ] adjacent to the galaxy's only known stable ]. In this episode, Captain ] is worn down by the stress of ] with the hostile ]. During a visit from his father, he experiences dream-like visions of a ] science-fiction writer facing racism in mid–20th century New York City. The main cast of the series, along with several recurring cast members, portray 20th-century humans in Sisko's vision; those who play alien characters appear in this episode unusually without their alien costumes and makeup. Set in the 24th century, the series takes place on ], a fictional ] adjacent to the galaxy's only known stable ]. In this episode, Captain ] is worn down by the stress of the ]. During a visit from his father, he experiences dream-like visions of being an ] science-fiction writer facing racism in mid–20th century New York City. The main cast of the series, along with several recurring cast members, portray 20th-century humans in Sisko's vision; those who play alien characters appear in this episode unusually without their alien costumes and makeup.


The episode received positive reviews and has been noted as one of the best episodes of the series. It was novelized by ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/farbeyondstars0000barn|title=Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Far Beyond the Stars|first=Steven|last=Barnes|authorlink=Steven Barnes|publisher=]|location=]|year=1998|isbn=978-0671024307|url-access=registration}}</ref> The episode received positive reviews and critics have called it one of the best '']'' episodes of all time.<ref name="Gross">{{cite web |date=2016-07-27 |author=Ed Gross |title=The 50 best Star Trek episodes ever |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-star-trek-episodes/ |website=] }}</ref> It was novelized by ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/farbeyondstars0000barn|title=Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Far Beyond the Stars|first=Steven|last=Barnes|author-link=Steven Barnes|publisher=]|location=]|year=1998|isbn=978-0671024307|url-access=registration}}</ref>


==Plot== ==Plot==
{{Long plot|date=December 2022}}<!--- bloated 510 word "synopsis" versus 400 word max for episode standalone articles per ]--->
⚫ Distraught by the death of a friend in the ], Captain ] contemplates leaving ]. He begins experiencing hallucinations of 20th-century ], and is suddenly taken over by his vision: becoming Benny Russell, an African-American science fiction writer in 1953, who is not conscious of his life in the 24th century.


⚫ Russell encounters people who bear the likeness of people from Sisko's life on Deep Space Nine, such as a newsstand vendor who resembles his son's friend ]. His fellow writers for the magazine ''Incredible Tales'' include Albert Macklin (]); the short-tempered, left-wing Herbert Rossoff (]); and married couple Kay Eaton (]) and Julius Eaton (]). The magazine's illustrator Roy Ritterhouse (]) shows them sketches to be used in an upcoming issue; Russell is drawn to one of a space station resembling Deep Space Nine, and offers to write the story for it. Magazine editor Douglas Pabst (]) tells Kay (who writes under a gender-neutral name) and Russell they are to be excluded from upcoming staff photos, as the magazine's readers might object to a woman and a "]" as science fiction writers.
⚫ Distraught by the death of a friend in the ], Captain ] contemplates leaving ]. He begins experiencing hallucinations of 20th-century ], and is suddenly taken over by his vision, becoming Benny Russell, an ] science fiction writer in 1953.


⚫ That night, Russell is harassed by two white police officers, Ryan (]) and Mulkahey (]). He encounters a street preacher (]) who seems to be speaking directly to him, imploring him to "write those words" in the name of "the ]". Russell goes home and begins to write.
⚫ The people Russell encounters bear the likeness of people from Sisko's life on Deep Space Nine. His fellow writers for the magazine ''Incredible Tales'' include Albert Macklin (who resembles ]); the short-tempered, left-wing Herbert Rossoff (]); and married couple Kay Eaton (]) and Julius Eaton (]). The illustrator Roy Ritterhouse (]) shows them some sketches; Russell is drawn to a drawing of a space station resembling Deep Space Nine, and decides to write a story for it. Editor Douglas Pabst (]) tells Kay and Russell they are to be excluded from upcoming staff photos, as the magazine's readers might object to a woman and a "]" as science fiction writers.


⚫ Some time later, he finishes his story "Deep Space Nine", about the black captain of a space station. His girlfriend Cassie (]) doubts his ability to earn a living as a writer, but is faithful to him despite flirtation from baseball player Willie Hawkins (]). A young hustler, Jimmy (]), laughs at Russell's idea of "colored people on the Moon".
⚫ That night, Russell is harassed by two police officers, Ryan (]) and Mulkahey (]). Later, he encounters a preacher (]) who seems to be speaking directly to him, imploring him to "write those words" in the name of "the ]". He goes home and begins to write.


⚫ At the magazine, the entire staff loves his story, including Pabst's secretary Darlene Kursky (]); however, Pabst refuses to print it on the grounds that the readers won't like a story with a black protagonist. But Russell keeps writing sequels to the story, and Macklin proposes a compromise: ] as just a dream, which Pabst reluctantly agrees to. While Russell and Cassie are out celebrating, Jimmy is shot and killed by officers Ryan and Mulkahey. When Russell protests, they beat him savagely.
⚫ Some time later, he finishes his story, "Deep Space Nine", about a black captain of a space station. His girlfriend Cassie (]) doubts his ability to earn a living as a writer, but is faithful to him despite flirtation from the baseball player Willie Hawkins (]). A young hustler, Jimmy (]), laughs at Russell's idea of "colored people on the Moon".


⚫ On his first day back at the office weeks later, Russell is eager to see his story in print. Pabst arrives empty-handed: the owner has pulped this month's issue rather than publish a story featuring a black hero, and Russell is fired. Russell breaks down, screaming that they cannot destroy his ideas and that the future he envisions is real. As he is taken away by an ambulance, the preacher appears next to him, and tells him that he is both the dreamer and the dream.
⚫ At the magazine, the entire staff loves his story, including Pabst's secretary Darlene Kursky (]); however, Pabst refuses to print it. As Russell keeps writing sequels to the story, Macklin proposes a compromise: the story will be ] as a dream. Pabst agrees to buy the story; but while Russell and Cassie are out celebrating, Jimmy is shot and killed by Officers Ryan and Mulkahey. When Russell protests, they beat him savagely.


⚫ Sisko wakes up back on the station. He is deeply moved by his vision and wonders if somewhere, far beyond the stars, Benny Russell is really out there, dreaming of them.
⚫ Weeks later, on his first day back at the office, Russell is excited to see his story in print. Pabst arrives empty-handed: the owner wouldn't publish a story featuring a black hero, and Russell is fired. Russell breaks down, screaming that they cannot destroy his ideas and the future he envisions is real. As he is taken away by an ambulance, he sees stars streaking past the window. The preacher sits by him and tells him that he is both the dreamer and the dream.


=== Afrofuturism ===
⚫ Sisko wakes up back on the station. He is deeply moved by his vision and wonders if somewhere, far beyond the stars, Benny Russell is dreaming of Deep Space Nine.
Although ''Star Trek'' has been noted for its commentary on racism and racial relations since its debut in 1966, this episode in particular is considered to have the most "overt discussion of white supremacy and black identity."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alexander |first=Lisa Doris |date=2016-07-02 |title=Far Beyond the Stars: The Framing of Blackness in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01956051.2016.1142418 |journal=Journal of Popular Film and Television |language=en |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=150–158 |doi=10.1080/01956051.2016.1142418 |s2cid=193597250 |issn=0195-6051|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It also presents to viewers the difficulty of including Black people in American science-fiction and the consequential delay in developing the genre of ].{{original research inline|date=February 2024}}


==Production== ==Production==
===Conception=== ===Conception===


Zicree's original pitch for the episode featured ] as the main character, and did not deal directly with racial issues. Zicree originally patterned the Bashir/Kira characters on ] and ], and the O'Brien character on ].{{sfn|Nazzaro|1998|pages=42–46}} This story was combined with ideas that story editor ] had written for a script called "Cold and Distant Stars", a very early draft for the season{{nbsp}}3 two-part episode "]". The story, suggested by Wolfe, featured Sisko as a contemporary homeless man who believes he is a star base captain, but who is diagnosed as schizophrenic and drugged to suppress his visions. At that time, producer ] had rejected the hallucinatory element in favor of a time-travel story, because it felt too much like a "gimmick".{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=196}}{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} Researcher Allen Kwan wrote that the episode may have originally featured a more positive ending, where instead of showing Benny being institutionalized, it would show him on a set, producing an episode of ''Deep Space Nine''. Supposedly, that ending was not used for fears of breaking the continuity of the franchise.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Kwan|first=Allen|s2cid=144304868|date=February 1, 2007|title=Seeking New Civilizations: Race Normativity in the Star Trek Franchise|journal=]|volume=27|issue=1|pages=59–70|doi=10.1177/0270467606295971}}</ref> Zicree – who was not a regular writer for the series – pitched the story with Jake Sisko as the main character, and did not deal directly with racial issues. He originally patterned the Bashir/Kira characters on ] and ], and the O'Brien character on ].{{sfn|Nazzaro|1998|pp=42–46}} This story was combined with ideas that story editor ] had written for a script called "Cold and Distant Stars", a very early draft for the season{{nbsp}}3 two-part episode "]". The story, suggested by Wolfe, featured Sisko as a contemporary homeless man who believes he is a star base captain, but who is diagnosed as schizophrenic and drugged to suppress his visions. At that time, producer ] had rejected the hallucinatory element in favor of a time-travel story, because it felt too much like a "gimmick".{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=196}}{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} Researcher Allen Kwan wrote that the episode may have originally featured a more positive ending, where instead of showing Benny hospitalized with a breakdown, it would show him on a set, producing an episode of ''Deep Space Nine''; that ending was reportedly not used for fears of breaking the continuity of the franchise.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Kwan|first=Allen|s2cid=144304868|date=February 1, 2007|title=Seeking New Civilizations: Race Normativity in the Star Trek Franchise|journal=]|volume=27|issue=1|pages=59–70|doi=10.1177/0270467606295971}}</ref>


===Design=== ===Design===


Much work was put into making their version of New York City as authentic to reality as possible. The production crew included several references to past Star Trek series and episodes{{snd}}as well as to Deep Space Nine itself. Inside the office, memos from Pabst can be seen. For instance, one is addressed to Rossoff, complaining to him that "no one would believe that a cheerleader could kill vampires", a reference to Shimmerman's work on '']''.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} The production crew included several references to past ''Star Trek'' series and episodes, as well as other science fiction series. For instance, a memo from Pabst to Rossoff is visible in the office, complaining to him that "no one would believe that a cheerleader could kill vampires", a reference to Shimerman's role as ] on '']''.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}}


Brooks, who both directed the episode and played Sisko/Russell, went to great lengths to ensure period authenticity, even during post-production. Brooks went to the music spotting session, and had long discussions about things such as what music Russell would dance to, and the style of the scoring. The only other ''Star Trek'' director to attend a music spotting session was ], when working on '']''. Inequality was also portrayed through design; the ambulance which carries Benny was portrayed as dirty and outdated because, as Brooks notes, "that's what they would have sent."{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} Much work was put into making the New York City presented look authentic. Brooks, who both directed the episode and played Sisko/Russell, went to great lengths to ensure period authenticity, even during post-production. Brooks went to the music spotting session, and had long discussions about things such as what music Russell would dance to, and the style of the scoring. The only other ''Star Trek'' director to attend a music spotting session was ], when working on '']''. Inequality was also portrayed through design; the ambulance which carries Benny was portrayed as dirty and outdated because, as Brooks notes, "that's what they would have sent."{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}}


===Filming and makeup=== ===Filming and makeup===
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] ]


Brooks was chosen by the production staff because they wanted a director who had experienced racism.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} The scene where Russell collapses and has a breakdown was perhaps more realistic than most fans had realized. Once the assistant director called cut, Brooks did not stop. Brooks was so into the part that, as Lou Race remarked, even if he had stayed for half an hour, Brooks would have "kept on".<ref>{{cite AV media|url=|title=What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|date=May 13, 2019|people=|first=|type=Motion picture|language=|publisher=]|location=|time=|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|format=|ref=|id=|oclc=|quote=|medium=}}</ref> Brooks was chosen to direct by the production staff because they wanted a director who had personally experienced racism.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} The scene where Russell collapses and has a breakdown was perhaps more realistic than most fans had realized. Once the assistant director called cut, Brooks did not stop. Brooks was so into the part that, as Lou Race remarked, even if he had stayed for half an hour, Brooks would have "kept on".<ref>{{cite AV media|title=What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|date=May 13, 2019|type=Motion picture|publisher=]}}</ref>


The cast had little trouble separating their characters in this episode from the ones they normally played. Ira Stephen Behr, for instance, had been concerned at how René Auberjonois might react to being the only main character who had to play a "bad guy". However, Auberjonois loved the part, and was delighted to play it. Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun/Mulkahey) had some trouble at first "finding Weyoun" in Mulkahey, but realized that Mulkahey and Weyoun are both "suppressing authority figures" in Sisko's mind, and played the character from that perspective. Armin Shimmerman (Quark/Rossoff) agreed, claiming that Rossoff is not an extension of Quark, as Rossoff, a ], was "about as far from a ] as you can get".{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} The cast had little trouble separating their characters in this episode from the ones they normally played. Ira Stephen Behr, for instance, had been concerned at how René Auberjonois might react to being the only main cast member to play a "bad guy". However, Auberjonois loved the part, and was delighted to play it. Armin Shimerman (Quark/Rossoff) agreed, claiming that Rossoff is not an extension of Quark, as Rossoff, a ], was "about as far from a ] as you can get".{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun/Mulkahey) had some trouble at first "finding Weyoun" in Mulkahey, but realized that Mulkahey and Weyoun are both "suppressing authority figures" in Sisko's mind, and played the character from that perspective.


One of the few examples of ]s in the episode was the shot where Russell's drawing of the station falls out of his hand, and lands near the foot of a racist police officer. The drawing was attached to a helium balloon which was connected to some ] on a fishing line. Then, it had to be "yanked" towards the foot of the police officer, while making sure it would land in the right direction for the camera. Despite concerns that it could take hundreds of tries, the shot was completed with only two attempts.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} With few science-fiction elements, one of the few ]s in the episode was a shot where a drawing of the space station falls out of Russell's hand, and lands near the foot of a police officer. The drawing was attached to a helium balloon which was connected to some ] on a fishing line, and had to be "yanked" towards the foot of the officer, and land at the right orientation for the camera. Despite concerns that it could take hundreds of tries, the shot was completed on the second attempt.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}}


Makeup was unusually easy for this episode; since most characters appeared as humans, only minimal makeup was required. Appearing out of costume was an unusual experience for many cast members. Shimmerman said wearing a mask had been his mechanism for support, it recused him from being nervous about how he looked on camera. Appearing without one, then, was a "very bizarre" experience. Even though J.G Hertzler (Martok/Ritterhouse) had never appeared on ''Deep Space Nine'' out of makeup, he enjoyed the role. Hertzler has a drawing hobby, so when Ritterhouse was seen drawing in the episode, Hertzler was really drawing the cast.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}} Makeup was unusually easy for this episode; since most characters appeared as humans, only standard makeup was required. Appearing out of costume was an unusual experience for many cast members. Shimerman said that wearing the mask for Quark normally helped him avoid being nervous about how he looked on camera, and that appearing without it was a "very bizarre" experience. J.&nbsp;G. Hertzler had never appeared on ''Deep Space Nine'' out of Klingon makeup as Martok, and enjoyed the role of Ritterhouse. Hertzler draws as a hobby, so when Ritterhouse was seen drawing in the episode, the actor was really drawing the cast.{{sfn|Erdmann|Block|2000|page=534-537}}


==Reception== ==Reception==


In 2012, '']'' ranked this the fourth-best episode of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', praising the cast's performances, and called it "a treat" to see the actors such as Michael Dorn and Rene Auberjonois without their alien makeup and prosthetics.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=2012-11-11|title=Top 10 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/top-10-star-trek-deep-space-nine-episodes/|access-date=2021-03-18|website=]|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620072354/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/top-10-star-trek-deep-space-nine-episodes/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫ '']''{{'s}} Zack Handlen said that by escaping the "trap" of cloaking its concerns in "pure symbol" that some other ''Star Trek'' episodes fall into, the episode ends up creating something unique.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tv.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-far-beyond-the-stars-1798178688|title=''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'': 'Far Beyond The Stars'|last=Handlen|first=Zack|date=November 14, 2013|website=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214181324/https://tv.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-far-beyond-the-stars-1798178688|archive-date=February 14, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> ] ranked "Far Beyond the Stars" 4th out of the 50 top episodes of any show ''Star Trek'' as of 2016. They also noted that seeing the cast out of makeup was an "added bonus".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-star-trek-episodes/|title=The 50 best ''Star Trek'' episodes ever|date=2016-07-27|website=]|language=en|access-date=2019-07-02}}</ref> A 2015 ] guide for ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' by '']'' recommended not skipping this "essential" episode, and said it is probably the best episode of the series.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/binge-guide-star-trek-ds9/|title=''Wired'' Binge-Watching Guide: ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=2015-05-13|work=]|access-date=2019-07-23|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> In 2019, '']'' included this among the top 12 best morality plays of the ''Star Trek'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-treks-12-best-morality-plays/|title=''Star Trek''{{'s}} 12 Best Morality Plays|website=]|language=en|access-date=2020-07-03}}</ref>


⚫ '']''{{'s}} Zack Handlen said that by escaping the "trap" of cloaking its concerns in "pure symbol" that some other ''Star Trek'' episodes fall into, the episode ends up creating something unique.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-far-beyond-the-stars-1798178688|title=''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'': 'Far Beyond The Stars'|last=Handlen|first=Zack|date=November 14, 2013|website=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214181324/https://tv.avclub.com/star-trek-deep-space-nine-far-beyond-the-stars-1798178688|archive-date=February 14, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> '']'' ranked "Far Beyond the Stars" 4th out of the 50 top episodes of any show ''Star Trek'' as of 2016. They also said that seeing the cast out of makeup was an "added bonus".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-star-trek-episodes/|title=The 50 best ''Star Trek'' episodes ever|date=2016-07-27|website=]|language=en|access-date=2019-07-02}}</ref> A 2015 ] guide for ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' by '']'' recommended not skipping this "essential" episode, and said it is probably the best of the series.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/binge-guide-star-trek-ds9/|title=''Wired'' Binge-Watching Guide: ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=2015-05-13|magazine=]|access-date=2019-07-23|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> In 2019, '']'' included it among the top 12 best morality plays of the ''Star Trek'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-treks-12-best-morality-plays/|title=''Star Trek''{{'s}} 12 Best Morality Plays|website=]|date=January 8, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-07-03}}</ref>
⚫ The '']'' praised the episode for having the racism be on Earth, and not on some "far-flung planet". They also claimed the episode would "shatter whatever remnants of that opposition linger".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Allan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49606499/the-chicago-tribunes-review-of-star/|title=Back to the future|date=February 10, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 26, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426170845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49606499/the-chicago-tribunes-review-of-star/|archive-date=April 26, 2020|page=59|via=]}}</ref> The '']'' agreed, and said fans will consider this the "most remarkable episode in the history of ''Deep Space Nine''", and that once Lofton's character says the "]" they knew they were "not on Vulcan any more".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Norman|first=Tony|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49685463/the-pittsburgh-post-gazettes-review-of/|title=''Deep Space Nine'' episode boldly faces racism|date=February 14, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427165442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49685463/the-pittsburgh-post-gazettes-review-of/|archive-date=April 27, 2020|page=29|via=]}}</ref>

⚫ The '']'' praised the episode for having the racism it showed be on Earth, and not on some "far-flung planet". They also argued the episode would "shatter whatever remnants of that opposition linger".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Allan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49606499/the-chicago-tribunes-review-of-star/|title=Back to the future|date=February 10, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 26, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426170845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49606499/the-chicago-tribunes-review-of-star/|archive-date=April 26, 2020|page=59|via=]}}</ref> The '']'' agreed, and said fans will consider this the "most remarkable episode in the history of ''Deep Space Nine''", and that once Lofton's character (Jimmy) says the "]" – a rare departure from the franchise's generally inoffensive language – they knew they were "not on Vulcan any more".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Norman|first=Tony|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49685463/the-pittsburgh-post-gazettes-review-of/|title=''Deep Space Nine'' episode boldly faces racism|date=February 14, 1998|work=]|access-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427165442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49685463/the-pittsburgh-post-gazettes-review-of/|archive-date=April 27, 2020|page=29|via=]}}</ref>

U.K. science fiction magazine and website '']'' ranked this one of the top ten episodes of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' in 2020, describing it as "one of the series' most powerful episodes" and commending it for taking on racism.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-31|title=Deep Space Nine: Top Ten Episodes|url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/tv/deep-space-nine-top-ten-episodes/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=SciFiNow}}</ref>


===Academic=== ===Academic===
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In a paper published by the '']'', Allen Kwan argued that while the episode should be "given credit" for portraying racism more directly than any other episode, the ending in which Russell is institutionalized weakens the moral of the story. Parallels, Kwan claimed, can be drawn from Pabst, the racist magazine editor, to the producers of the Star Trek franchise. Kwan maintains that, like Pabst, the franchise as a whole tends to ignore actual diversity, instead opting to portray a future with only a single cultural and racial norm.<ref name=":0" /> Jan Johnson-Smith has noted parallels between Sisko being "the dreamer and the dream" and ]'s "]" speech.{{sfn|Johnson-Smith|2005|page=84}} In a paper published by the '']'', Allen Kwan argued that while the episode should be "given credit" for portraying racism more directly than any other episode, the ending in which Russell is institutionalized weakens the moral of the story. Parallels, Kwan claimed, can be drawn from Pabst, the racist magazine editor, to the producers of the Star Trek franchise. Kwan maintains that, like Pabst, the franchise as a whole tends to ignore actual diversity, instead opting to portray a future with only a single cultural and racial norm.<ref name=":0" /> Jan Johnson-Smith has noted parallels between Sisko being "the dreamer and the dream" and ]'s "]" speech.{{sfn|Johnson-Smith|2005|page=84}}


⚫ The storyline of the episode has been compared to a real-life experience of African-American science fiction author ], whose novel '']'' was rejected by ] editor ]. in 1967, claiming it was because "he didn't feel his readership would be able to relate to a black main character".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Canavan|first=Gerry|title=Black and Brown Planets: The Politics of Race in Science Fiction|publisher=]|year=2014|editor-last=Lavender|editor-first=Isiah III|location=Jackson MS|pages=49–51|language=English}}</ref>
<!-- COMMENTING OUT, because it is likely this will be replaced otherwise: You CANNOT say that this episode was based on the Delany/Campbell incident, or even draw attention to the parallels, without citing an external reference which pre-dates the incident having been mentioned in this Misplaced Pages article.


== Home media ==
This was one of the episodes included in the 2007 anthology DVD box set ''Star Trek Fan Collective: Captain's Log''; the set also includes episodes from other series in the '']'' franchise. The other ''DS9'' episodes included in the set were "]" and "]", and the episodes include an introduction by Avery Brooks. Brooks chose this episode to be included in the set, and an interview with him is also included.<ref name=":02">{{cite web|author=Todd Douglass Jr.|date=August 5, 2007|title=Star Trek Fan Collective - Captain's Log|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29600/star-trek-fan-collective-captains-log/|website=]}}</ref>


The full series of ''Deep Space Nine'' was released on DVD in 2003, and then re-released in 2017 in a ] format.<ref>{{Cite web |author=TrekNews net Staff |date=2017-02-10|title= Deep Space Nine Complete Series DVD Box Set|url=https://treknews.net/2017/02/10/review-star-trek-ds9-complete-series-dvd-box-set/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=TrekNews.net }}</ref>
⚫ The story line of the episode bears striking resemblance to a real-life experience of the African-American science fiction author Samuel R. Delany, whose novel ''Nova'' was rejected by the editor of Analog Magazine, John W. Campbell, Jr. in 1967 because "he didn't feel his readership would be able to relate to a black main character.
-->


==References== ==References==


{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


===Sources=== ===Sources===


{{Refbegin|30em}} {{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite magazine|url=http://titanmagazines.com/t/star-trek/us/40/|title=Going Far Beyond the Stars|first=Joe|last=Nazzaro|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=June 1998|pages=42–46}}

* {{cite magazine|url=http://titanmagazines.com/t/star-trek/us/40/|title=Going Far Beyond the Stars|first=Joe|last=Nazzaro|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=June 1998|pages=42–46|ref=harv}} * {{Cite book|last1=Erdmann|first1=Terry|last2=Block|first2=Paula|title=The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion|publisher=]|location=]|year=2000|edition=1st|isbn=978-0671501068}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Erdmann|first1=Terry|last2=Block|first2=Paula|title=The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion|publisher=]|location=]|year=2000|doi=|edition=1st|isbn=978-0671501068|ref=harv}} * {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americansciencef0000john_j6p5|last1=Johnson-Smith|first1=Jan|title=American science fiction TV: Star Trek, Stargate and beyond|publisher=]|year=2005|isbn=978-1860648823}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americansciencef0000john_j6p5|last1=Johnson-Smith|first1=Jan|title=American science fiction TV: Star Trek, Stargate and beyond|publisher=]|year=2005|doi=|isbn=978-1860648823|ref=harv}}
{{Refend}} {{Refend}}


==External links== ==External links==

{{wikiquote|Star Trek: Deep Space Nine#Far Beyond the Stars .5B6.13.5D|"Far Beyond the Stars"}} {{wikiquote|Star Trek: Deep Space Nine#Far Beyond the Stars .5B6.13.5D|"Far Beyond the Stars"}}
* {{IMDb episode|0708538}} * {{IMDb episode}}
* {{Memory Alpha|Far Beyond the Stars (episode)|"Far Beyond the Stars"}}
* {{tv.com episode|star-trek-deep-space-nine/far-beyond-the-stars-20963}}
{{Memoryalpha|Far Beyond the Stars (episode)|"Far Beyond the Stars"}} * {{StarTrek.com|far-beyond-the-stars|"Far Beyond the Stars"}}
* at
{{StarTrek.com link|DS9|71932|"Far Beyond the Stars"}}


{{Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes|6}} {{Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes|6}}


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Latest revision as of 01:51, 19 November 2024

13th episode of the 6th season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
"Far Beyond the Stars"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
Episode no.Season 6
Episode 13
Directed byAvery Brooks
Story byMarc Scott Zicree
Teleplay by
Featured musicDennis McCarthy
Cinematography byJonathan West
Production code538
Original air dateFebruary 9, 1998 (1998-02-09)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6
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"Far Beyond the Stars" is the 137th episode of the syndicated science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 13th episode of season 6. The teleplay was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler, based on a story by Marc Scott Zicree, and directed by Avery Brooks, who also played the episode's – and series' – central character.

Set in the 24th century, the series takes place on Deep Space Nine, a fictional space station adjacent to the galaxy's only known stable wormhole. In this episode, Captain Benjamin Sisko is worn down by the stress of the Dominion War. During a visit from his father, he experiences dream-like visions of being an African-American science-fiction writer facing racism in mid–20th century New York City. The main cast of the series, along with several recurring cast members, portray 20th-century humans in Sisko's vision; those who play alien characters appear in this episode unusually without their alien costumes and makeup.

The episode received positive reviews and critics have called it one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time. It was novelized by Steven Barnes.

Plot

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Distraught by the death of a friend in the Dominion War, Captain Benjamin Sisko contemplates leaving Starfleet. He begins experiencing hallucinations of 20th-century New York City, and is suddenly taken over by his vision: becoming Benny Russell, an African-American science fiction writer in 1953, who is not conscious of his life in the 24th century.

Russell encounters people who bear the likeness of people from Sisko's life on Deep Space Nine, such as a newsstand vendor who resembles his son's friend Nog. His fellow writers for the magazine Incredible Tales include Albert Macklin (Miles O'Brien); the short-tempered, left-wing Herbert Rossoff (Quark); and married couple Kay Eaton (Kira Nerys) and Julius Eaton (Julian Bashir). The magazine's illustrator Roy Ritterhouse (Martok) shows them sketches to be used in an upcoming issue; Russell is drawn to one of a space station resembling Deep Space Nine, and offers to write the story for it. Magazine editor Douglas Pabst (Odo) tells Kay (who writes under a gender-neutral name) and Russell they are to be excluded from upcoming staff photos, as the magazine's readers might object to a woman and a "Negro" as science fiction writers.

That night, Russell is harassed by two white police officers, Ryan (Dukat) and Mulkahey (Weyoun). He encounters a street preacher (Joseph Sisko) who seems to be speaking directly to him, imploring him to "write those words" in the name of "the Prophets". Russell goes home and begins to write.

Some time later, he finishes his story "Deep Space Nine", about the black captain of a space station. His girlfriend Cassie (Kasidy Yates) doubts his ability to earn a living as a writer, but is faithful to him despite flirtation from baseball player Willie Hawkins (Worf). A young hustler, Jimmy (Jake Sisko), laughs at Russell's idea of "colored people on the Moon".

At the magazine, the entire staff loves his story, including Pabst's secretary Darlene Kursky (Jadzia Dax); however, Pabst refuses to print it on the grounds that the readers won't like a story with a black protagonist. But Russell keeps writing sequels to the story, and Macklin proposes a compromise: frame the story as just a dream, which Pabst reluctantly agrees to. While Russell and Cassie are out celebrating, Jimmy is shot and killed by officers Ryan and Mulkahey. When Russell protests, they beat him savagely.

On his first day back at the office weeks later, Russell is eager to see his story in print. Pabst arrives empty-handed: the owner has pulped this month's issue rather than publish a story featuring a black hero, and Russell is fired. Russell breaks down, screaming that they cannot destroy his ideas and that the future he envisions is real. As he is taken away by an ambulance, the preacher appears next to him, and tells him that he is both the dreamer and the dream.

Sisko wakes up back on the station. He is deeply moved by his vision and wonders if somewhere, far beyond the stars, Benny Russell is really out there, dreaming of them.

Afrofuturism

Although Star Trek has been noted for its commentary on racism and racial relations since its debut in 1966, this episode in particular is considered to have the most "overt discussion of white supremacy and black identity." It also presents to viewers the difficulty of including Black people in American science-fiction and the consequential delay in developing the genre of afrofuturism.

Production

Conception

Zicree – who was not a regular writer for the series – pitched the story with Jake Sisko as the main character, and did not deal directly with racial issues. He originally patterned the Bashir/Kira characters on Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, and the O'Brien character on Isaac Asimov. This story was combined with ideas that story editor Robert Hewitt Wolfe had written for a script called "Cold and Distant Stars", a very early draft for the season 3 two-part episode "Past Tense". The story, suggested by Wolfe, featured Sisko as a contemporary homeless man who believes he is a star base captain, but who is diagnosed as schizophrenic and drugged to suppress his visions. At that time, producer Ira Steven Behr had rejected the hallucinatory element in favor of a time-travel story, because it felt too much like a "gimmick". Researcher Allen Kwan wrote that the episode may have originally featured a more positive ending, where instead of showing Benny hospitalized with a breakdown, it would show him on a set, producing an episode of Deep Space Nine; that ending was reportedly not used for fears of breaking the continuity of the franchise.

Design

The production crew included several references to past Star Trek series and episodes, as well as other science fiction series. For instance, a memo from Pabst to Rossoff is visible in the office, complaining to him that "no one would believe that a cheerleader could kill vampires", a reference to Shimerman's role as Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Much work was put into making the New York City presented look authentic. Brooks, who both directed the episode and played Sisko/Russell, went to great lengths to ensure period authenticity, even during post-production. Brooks went to the music spotting session, and had long discussions about things such as what music Russell would dance to, and the style of the scoring. The only other Star Trek director to attend a music spotting session was LeVar Burton, when working on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Inequality was also portrayed through design; the ambulance which carries Benny was portrayed as dirty and outdated because, as Brooks notes, "that's what they would have sent."

Filming and makeup

Avery Brooks
Avery Brooks both directed the episode and played Sisko/Russell.

Brooks was chosen to direct by the production staff because they wanted a director who had personally experienced racism. The scene where Russell collapses and has a breakdown was perhaps more realistic than most fans had realized. Once the assistant director called cut, Brooks did not stop. Brooks was so into the part that, as Lou Race remarked, even if he had stayed for half an hour, Brooks would have "kept on".

The cast had little trouble separating their characters in this episode from the ones they normally played. Ira Stephen Behr, for instance, had been concerned at how René Auberjonois might react to being the only main cast member to play a "bad guy". However, Auberjonois loved the part, and was delighted to play it. Armin Shimerman (Quark/Rossoff) agreed, claiming that Rossoff is not an extension of Quark, as Rossoff, a communist, was "about as far from a Ferengi as you can get". Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun/Mulkahey) had some trouble at first "finding Weyoun" in Mulkahey, but realized that Mulkahey and Weyoun are both "suppressing authority figures" in Sisko's mind, and played the character from that perspective.

With few science-fiction elements, one of the few special effects in the episode was a shot where a drawing of the space station falls out of Russell's hand, and lands near the foot of a police officer. The drawing was attached to a helium balloon which was connected to some monofilament on a fishing line, and had to be "yanked" towards the foot of the officer, and land at the right orientation for the camera. Despite concerns that it could take hundreds of tries, the shot was completed on the second attempt.

Makeup was unusually easy for this episode; since most characters appeared as humans, only standard makeup was required. Appearing out of costume was an unusual experience for many cast members. Shimerman said that wearing the mask for Quark normally helped him avoid being nervous about how he looked on camera, and that appearing without it was a "very bizarre" experience. J. G. Hertzler had never appeared on Deep Space Nine out of Klingon makeup as Martok, and enjoyed the role of Ritterhouse. Hertzler draws as a hobby, so when Ritterhouse was seen drawing in the episode, the actor was really drawing the cast.

Reception

In 2012, Den of Geek ranked this the fourth-best episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, praising the cast's performances, and called it "a treat" to see the actors such as Michael Dorn and Rene Auberjonois without their alien makeup and prosthetics.

The A.V. Club's Zack Handlen said that by escaping the "trap" of cloaking its concerns in "pure symbol" that some other Star Trek episodes fall into, the episode ends up creating something unique. Empire ranked "Far Beyond the Stars" 4th out of the 50 top episodes of any show Star Trek as of 2016. They also said that seeing the cast out of makeup was an "added bonus". A 2015 binge-watching guide for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Wired recommended not skipping this "essential" episode, and said it is probably the best of the series. In 2019, Den of Geek included it among the top 12 best morality plays of the Star Trek franchise.

The Chicago Tribune praised the episode for having the racism it showed be on Earth, and not on some "far-flung planet". They also argued the episode would "shatter whatever remnants of that opposition linger". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette agreed, and said fans will consider this the "most remarkable episode in the history of Deep Space Nine", and that once Lofton's character (Jimmy) says the "N-word" – a rare departure from the franchise's generally inoffensive language – they knew they were "not on Vulcan any more".

U.K. science fiction magazine and website SciFiNow ranked this one of the top ten episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 2020, describing it as "one of the series' most powerful episodes" and commending it for taking on racism.

Academic

In a paper published by the Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Allen Kwan argued that while the episode should be "given credit" for portraying racism more directly than any other episode, the ending in which Russell is institutionalized weakens the moral of the story. Parallels, Kwan claimed, can be drawn from Pabst, the racist magazine editor, to the producers of the Star Trek franchise. Kwan maintains that, like Pabst, the franchise as a whole tends to ignore actual diversity, instead opting to portray a future with only a single cultural and racial norm. Jan Johnson-Smith has noted parallels between Sisko being "the dreamer and the dream" and Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech.

The storyline of the episode has been compared to a real-life experience of African-American science fiction author Samuel R. Delany, whose novel Nova was rejected by Analog magazine editor John W. Campbell, Jr. in 1967, claiming it was because "he didn't feel his readership would be able to relate to a black main character".

Home media

This was one of the episodes included in the 2007 anthology DVD box set Star Trek Fan Collective: Captain's Log; the set also includes episodes from other series in the Star Trek franchise. The other DS9 episodes included in the set were "In the Pale Moonlight" and "What You Leave Behind", and the episodes include an introduction by Avery Brooks. Brooks chose this episode to be included in the set, and an interview with him is also included.

The full series of Deep Space Nine was released on DVD in 2003, and then re-released in 2017 in a box set format.

References

  1. Ed Gross (July 27, 2016). "The 50 best Star Trek episodes ever". Empire.
  2. Barnes, Steven (1998). Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Far Beyond the Stars. New York City: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0671024307.
  3. Alexander, Lisa Doris (July 2, 2016). "Far Beyond the Stars: The Framing of Blackness in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Journal of Popular Film and Television. 44 (3): 150–158. doi:10.1080/01956051.2016.1142418. ISSN 0195-6051. S2CID 193597250.
  4. Nazzaro 1998, pp. 42–46.
  5. Erdmann & Block 2000, p. 196.
  6. ^ Erdmann & Block 2000, p. 534-537.
  7. ^ Kwan, Allen (February 1, 2007). "Seeking New Civilizations: Race Normativity in the Star Trek Franchise". Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society. 27 (1): 59–70. doi:10.1177/0270467606295971. S2CID 144304868.
  8. What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Motion picture). Shout! Factory. May 13, 2019.
  9. "Top 10 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes". Den of Geek. November 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  10. Handlen, Zack (November 14, 2013). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: 'Far Beyond The Stars'". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  11. "The 50 best Star Trek episodes ever". Empire. July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  12. McMillan, Graeme (May 13, 2015). "Wired Binge-Watching Guide: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  13. "Star Trek's 12 Best Morality Plays". Den of Geek. January 8, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  14. Johnson, Allan (February 10, 1998). "Back to the future". Chicago Tribune. p. 59. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Norman, Tony (February 14, 1998). "Deep Space Nine episode boldly faces racism". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 29. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Deep Space Nine: Top Ten Episodes". SciFiNow. December 31, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  17. Johnson-Smith 2005, p. 84.
  18. Canavan, Gerry (2014). Lavender, Isiah III (ed.). Black and Brown Planets: The Politics of Race in Science Fiction. Jackson MS: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 49–51.
  19. Todd Douglass Jr. (August 5, 2007). "Star Trek Fan Collective - Captain's Log". DVD Talk.
  20. TrekNews net Staff (February 10, 2017). "[REVIEW] Deep Space Nine Complete Series DVD Box Set". TrekNews.net. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

Sources

External links

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