Sorry, Cарtаіn Pісаrd: Stаr Trek Just Sаw Sіsko Outdo а Clаssіс Next Gen Eріsode

Sorry Captain Picard, but Star Trek just saw Sisko outdo a classic The Next Generation episode. The relationship between Captains Picard and Sisko has evolved over time, going from outright hatred to uneasy allies. Now, with Sisko stranded in Bajor’s distant past, he finds himself in a dilemma similar to one Picard faced in an episode regarded as one of the franchise’s finest hours, as seen in Star Trek #28.

Star Trek #28 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Tess Fowler. Sisko wakes up on Bajor, but one vastly different from the planet he left behind. Sisko is, in fact, hundreds of thousands of years in Bajor’s past, to a time before the people even worshipped the Prophets. Instead, as the issue spells out, it is Sisko who begins leading the people toward the veneration of the Prophets. Sisko lived for many hundreds of years among the Bajorans, and the issue implies much of their culture came from him.

"The Inner Light" Is One of Star Trek's Finest Hours

"The Inner Light" Helped Captain Picard Grow as a Character

Captain Sisko’s actions in this issue recall one of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s best episodes. First broadcast in the show’s fifth season, “The Inner Light” is today regarded as a classic. In it, Captain Picard is zapped by an ancient probe. He then lives an entire, simulated life on the planet of the probe’s origin, called Kataan. The people sent the probe out as a way of educating others about their planet, which was later destroyed by a supernova. Picard’s experiences with the probe had a profound impact, as he lived a whole lifetime in the span of 30 minutes.

During the course of Picard’s simulated life, he becomes an integral member of Kataan society, even if it was just a fake one. At first, Picard was obviously skeptical about his situation, and was outright hostile towards it as well. In time, however, he came to embrace the new life he had, because it gave him one thing he had always wanted: a family. The flute-type instrument Picard learned to play on Kataan would make appearances throughout the franchise, coming to symbolize this important chapter in his life.

In Bajor's Stone Age, Captain Sisko Outdoes Picard

Picard Lived a Good Life, But Sisko United a People

Star Trek #28 does not specify whether what is happening to Sisko is real, or merely a simulation like Picard experienced, but what he manages to accomplish is nothing short of miraculous. At this point in their history, the Bajorans are tribes of hunter-gatherers and have no Prophet-worship to keep their society in check. Sisko unites these ancient Bajorans, winning over everyone who stands against him. Sisko does this not through violence, but through empathy and wisdom. Sisko is far from Starfleet at this point, but he still exemplifies its values, and passes them onto the Bajorans.

Sisko’s unification of the ancient Bajorans far outclasses what Picard did in “The Inner Light.” Picard made the best of his situation, just like Sisko does in Star Trek #28. Picard rises through the ranks of Kataan’s society, becoming a respected elder along the way. He became a deeply devoted family man too. While Sisko did not start a family in this issue, it could be argued the entire Bajoran people served this purpose, and this outlook was crucial to his bringing the Bajoran people together. Picard became a respected member of society, but Sisko forged one.

Will Sisko's Version of "The Inner Light" Save the Star Trek Universe?

Sisko Is "Forging" A World to Stand Against Lore

“The Inner Light” is rightly regarded as a classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as it used a clever, high-concept science fiction premise to tell a very emotionally resonant story. Likewise, Star Trek #28 is a highmark in Sisko’s life, just as Picard’s time on Kataan was instrumental to him. Picard gained valuable insight into life during his simulated one, and here Sisko may be gleaming the knowledge he needs to defeat Lore and restore the Star Trek universe.