Let’s go back in Mr. Peabody’s “Wabach Machine” or “Way Back Machine” depending on how you remember it, to February 11th, 1998 and see a Star Trek Deep Space Nine episode called “Far Beyond the Stars.” In this story, series lead Benjamin Sisko finds himself experiencing the life of Benny Russell, a black science fiction writer in 1950s America. Russell “imagines” Deep Space Nine as a story he’s trying to sell, but struggles with the racism of the era. In the end, this is revealed as a vision sent to Sisko from the prophets in the wormhole near Deep Space Nine. In reality, it’s a powerful episode about what science fiction is for, what it is capable of, and why who writes it matters.
Now let’s move forward to 1999. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine brought its saga of the Starfleet crew aboard the space station during a time of war to a close with the finale episode, “What You Leave Behind.” The finale was mostly well-received by fans, but it was not the ending that showrunner Ira Steven Behr initially pitched or desired.
While speaking during a panel at Star Trek Las Vegas, Behr revealed that he really wanted the series finale to call back to the aforementioned episode “Far Beyond the Stars,” revealing that the entire story of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actually WAS the dream of science fiction writer Benny Russell.
“I did pitch to [executive producer] Rick Berman that the final episode would end up with Benny Russell on Stage 17 at Paramount, wandering around the soundstages, realizing that this whole construct, this whole series, that we had done for seven years, was just in Benny’s head,” Behr said (via Trek Movie).
The problem studio heads had was that Deep Space Nine was just one television series in the Star Trek franchise, and Behr’s dream ending, while creative, could have had major implications for the rest of the franchise as well.
“That is how I wanted to end the series. And Rick said ‘Does this mean The Original Series was in Benny’s head? Does this mean Voyager was in Benny’s head?’ I said ‘Hey man, I don’t care who is dreaming THOSE shows, I only care about Deep Space Nine and yes, Benny Russell is dreaming Deep Space Nine.’ He didn’t go for it,” Behr said.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To celebrate, there’s a documentary planned for release later this year titled What We Left Behind that will feature the cast and creative team that worked on the show looking back on the time they spent, the stories they created, and the legacy of the series.
If you’re looking to celebrate Deep Space Nine’s anniversary another way, you can rewatch some of the show’s best episodes. You can find them on NetFlix or on CBS.Com.
How do you think Behr’s dream ending for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine might have worked as a final episode? Send us a communique here at GVNation headquarters.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
