27 Years on, Star Trek Finally Gave Sisko the Perfect Ending (No Matter What You Think)

Nobody expected Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to release a surprise epilogue for Deep Space Nine, but that’s what we got with episode 4. Named “Series Acclimation Mil” after the episode’s starring character SAM, the episode saw her investigate the disappearance of Captain Benjamin Sisko back in the 24th century. Attentive viewers had already noticed that Sisko seemed key to the series, but this episode officially unveiled his ultimate fate.

Sisko disappeared at the end of the Deep Space Nine finale, leading to intense speculation over whether he’d ever return. Few Starfleet officers had ever been more of a family man than Benjamin Sisko, after all, and it was heartbreaking to see him disappear from the lives of his loved ones – especially his son Jake. But Starfleet Academy confirmed Jake never saw his father again, although he sensed his presence but was unable to prove it. Though this revelation has been controversial, it was the right decision.

Sisko’s Heroism Was All About Sacrifice

Benjamin Sisko’s heroism is rooted in the conflict that lies at the heart of his story. A family man who was utterly devoted to his son, he was also a man with a formidable sense of duty and a destiny that he hadn’t really chosen for himself. He was (as one of the exhibits at the Sisko Museum declared) a “Chosen One,” his life orchestrated by the Prophets so he could serve as their Emissary and play a vital role in the Dominion War. Deep Space Nine consistently stressed the tension between these aspects of Sisko’s character.

Sisko gradually evolved into a sort of “for the greater good” character, willing to do whatever it took – no matter how much it cost. This was perfectly demonstrated in the episode “In the Pale Moonlight,” in which Sisko conspired to bring the Romulans into the Dominion War on the side of the Federation. With the fate of the galaxy at stake, Sisko chose to betray his own ethical code and condone crimes including forgery, bribery, and even murder to achieve his goal. That episode should be seen as a key moment in Sisko’s life, demonstrating his ruthlessness.

It’s one thing to sacrifice others. A hero, however, is willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others; “In the Pale Moonlight” sets up the question of whether Sisko is truly a hero at all, and it is only answered if he is willing to pay the ultimate price. If Sisko returned to his loved ones after the Deep Space Nine finale, it would reduce the cost of his heroism to the extent that he couldn’t truly be considered a hero anymore. Fortunately, in keeping with Avery Brooks’ own wishes, Starfleet Academy preserves Sisko’s heroism.

It Is Always Others Who Pay the Price of Heroism

Star Trek chose to balance Sisko’s sacrifice through his son, Jake, who clearly dedicated his life to honoring his father. This stressed a truth most heroic sagas forget; that when the hero gives his life, it is their loved ones who pay the price. For Jake, Benjamin Sisko’s decision meant the loss of his father, a wound that clearly remained with him throughout his life. Likewise, for Dax it meant the death of a dear friend who she continues to honor almost a millennia later in lessons she teaches at Starfleet Academy. Sisko’s death had a profound effect on everyone he left behind.

It would be easy for this discussion to be presented in a rather downbeat manner, focusing on the void left behind. But Starfleet Academy episode 5 also revealed that Jake always had a sense that his father was with him. He could never prove it, but he believed it, and he presented an unshakable confidence in his father’s love that sustained him. Even better, the episode featured a brief spectral vision of Benjamin Sisko watching over events even in the 32nd century, clearly implying Jake was absolutely right.

Starfleet Academy episode 5 is the perfect tribute to Sisko, albeit one nobody really saw coming. It was carefully written to build on the themes of Deep Space Nine and indeed of Sisko’s own fictional life, while also honoring Avery Brooks himself. It’s always quite dangerous for a franchise to return to a dearly-loved story like this; nostalgia is a powerful force, and it can easily lead to missteps and mistakes. But Starfleet Academy pulled it off, making this quite an impressive epilogue to the classic series.

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