Deep Space 9 - Episode 19: Exploring ‘Far Beyond the Stars’ - Themes of Racism and Reality in DS9

Get ready for an exciting new season of Because That’s What Heroes Do. This season, they take a deep dive into their favorite 15 episodes of Deep Space 9. In this exploration, Tom and Megan are joined by Star Trek maven Alex Murphy (Murphy) from Montreal, a local historian, cinema, and TV fan who loves weird foreign films, all things horror, and obscure media. He has been watching Trek since he was a tiny punk, and it’s been a lifelong love. The team reviews the Far Beyond the Stars of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, one of Tom’s all-time favorite episodes. In this episode, Captain Sisko finds himself experiencing life as a Black science fiction writer in 1950s Harlem. The narrative explores themes such as racism, the struggles of following one’s dreams versus societal expectations, and the nature of reality itself. Through a blend of science fiction and social commentary, the episode offers a unique lens into character reimaginations and their inherent traits drawn from DS9’s universe. The podcast delves into the contrasts and similarities of characters’ alternate personas, the social challenges of the 1950s, and the continuous, layered test presented to Sisko by the Prophets. Key highlights: Exploring the Story of Benjamin Sisko  Themes of Racism and Society Murphy’s Analysis of Character Personas The Penance of Benny Russell Sisko’s Eternal Test of Loyalty Comparing Madness: Sisko vs. Dukat Resources: Megan Dougherty  LinkedIn One Stone Creative Twitter Tom  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn