I never thought that I’d fall for another Starfleet Captain. Picard was my all. He had the accent, the presence, the expertise, he was just IT. Then I started watching Deep Space Nine and my entire Trek World changed. I tried to resist all of DS9′s charms and wave my TNG flag but little my little that space station sucked me right into their wormhole of awesomeness. The female characters were actually useful. All of the characters were fleshed out and dynamic. Hell they gave me Worf in Season 4 and I got to see a side of him TNG never could have given those of us who adore those brow ridges.
But above all else, DS9 gave the world The Sisko. Avery Brooks infuses so much life into this character. We watch him grow as person, love his son, and become one of the best tacticians and captains Starfleet has ever seen. Once he grew that beard it got real. It’s like the writers finally realized that Avery Brooks is an amazing actor and gave him the material to shine. Hearing his silky voice say “fortune favors the bold” always makes me feel empowered. Cheesy? Yes. True? Most definitely. He is the only fictional character that turns me into a pathetic fangirl and I love every minute of it.
I must admit that my adoration of The Sisko has to do with him being a Black man in power. Yes, Star Trek takes place in the 24th century but DS9 was written and filmed in the 20th century. The Sisko represents the future. I enjoy watching a show in which a Black man can be a leader and a father.The love and affection he showers Jake with makes me hope that one day my mini-mes will have a father like The Sisko – someone stern, fair, loving, gentle, affectionate, and attentive.
In my eyes, The Sisko is the best captain in the franchise and I’m sure I will continue to feel this way after I buckle down and watch Voyager and Enterprise.
LONG LIVE THE SISKO!!!
