SPOILER ALERT: A Heartfelt Tribute to “Deep Space Nine” in “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” Episode 5
“Starfleet Academy” delivered a touching homage to “Deep Space Nine” in the latest episode, which saw the return of Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko.
In this installment, SAM (Kerrice Brooks) is given the task by her Kasqian creators to delve into the world of “organics.” During her exploration, she stumbles upon the enigma surrounding Capt. Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), who vanished in the series finale of “Deep Space Nine” after being taken in by the wormhole aliens known as The Prophets of Bajor.
SAM becomes consumed with uncovering the truth about Sisko’s disappearance while also grappling with her own role as an emissary to the organic world on behalf of the Kasqians. Her journey leads her to a book penned by Jake about his father, with Jake making a spiritual appearance to shed light on the kind of man and emissary Capt. Sisko was.
In an interview with Variety, Lofton commended Kerrice for the unique connection she shares with his onscreen father. “Honestly, I work well with Brookses,” he quipped. “So it just happened to be a nice bit of synchronicity there.”
Lofton went on to praise Kerrice as a “phenomenal” performer who contributes to the rich legacy of “Star Trek.” “She was a perfect scene partner,” he remarked. “She elevated every moment with her ability to channel emotions and delve deep into the character.”
Kerrice reciprocated the admiration for Lofton, describing him as a guiding star both on and off screen. “He’s beautiful, genuinely beautiful, inside and out,” she expressed.
The episode concludes with a poignant dialogue from Avery Brooks, sourced from an album he recorded years ago. Lofton shared his appreciation for hearing Brooks’ distinctive voice in a different context, emphasizing the impact it had on him.
“Series Acclimation Mil” was co-written by Tawny Newsome, known for her work on “Lower Decks,” who also appears onscreen as Professor Ila at Starfleet Academy. The character is later revealed to be Ila Dax, the Trill symbiont who served alongside Capt. Sisko on Deep Space Nine. Newsome’s portrayal required her to don prosthetic makeup for the first time, a transformative experience for the actress.
Reflecting the lives of the characters, Kerrice shared her connection with SAM, highlighting the character’s intellect while lacking cultural knowledge, mirroring her own struggles. The episode’s unique format, featuring on-screen graphics, added an exciting dimension reminiscent of the “Into the Spider-Verse” films.
The episode also featured an intense bar fight between Starfleet Academy and the War College, with Kerrice recalling a mishap during the stunt choreography. She expressed gratitude for her co-star’s resilience and humor in the face of the unexpected incident.
