Post from Tawny Newsome, who co-wrote the episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUa62lyjUTf/
It was my absolute honor to bring you a story about the Siskos. Trek has done a lot of looking back and celebrating its elders, lately. Benjamin Sisko’s absence from that never felt right. When I joined the Academy writers room I pretty much made it my mission to help fill that absence in any way I could.
Cirroc Lofton is my family, and he deserves an Emmy, a Pulitzer, an executive producer credit and a Ferrari for this episode. I won’t go into all the details of the love and labor he put into it on and off screen, but his contribution to this episode, and the franchise as a whole is immeasurable. There is no one better to serve as the caretaker and steward of the Siskos, and of Avery’s legacy.
Kerrice Brooks is my new favorite actor. She is such a beautiful person, and a welcome addition to this franchise I’ve loved since I was 10. More SAM more SAM more SAM, I say!
Kirsten Beyer was a ferocious partner to have for my first written episode. She protects Trek with her whole heart, and once she joined me in my fight to honor The Sisko she wrapped her arms around me and the story and protected the shit out of it. Our director Larry Teng brought his humor and love to it from day one, ushering us along with care.
Alex, Noga and Aaron Baiers moved Kendra Valley-sized mountains for this episode. Without them it wouldn’t be the tribute Kirsten or I wanted, or Avery deserved. I’m in y’all’s debt for that one, forever.
Avery Brooks didn’t just lend his voice. The minute we started down this path, we knew we couldn’t do it without Avery’s blessing. Cirroc kept him in the loop throughout the process to make sure he was happy with every step of this tribute. It wouldn’t have been right to do it otherwise. We all may have broken our NDA but I’d absolutely fucking do it again (allegedly, and/or this is satire, etc).
Second to last slide is Kerrice on the phone with Mr. Brooks. He called Cirroc one night after we wrapped and asked to speak to us. There’s too much to say about that call. But what I can tell you is Mr. Brooks is forever the best father figure in the galaxy. He congratulated us, encouraged us, and handed Kerrice the reins.
Other fun stuff iI’m proud of: we feature the first canonical drag queen (my sis @jackiecoxnyc) because our show gay as fuck and don’t you forget it. We also got someone thrown out a door “DJ Jazzy Jeff style”, we finished Anslem, and I got to make some of the biggest powerhouses in Trek do a fucked up alien seder.
Professor Illa was an honor. I hope I did her justice. Thank you Terry and Nicole for the template. Devouring hours of their beautiful work for the past 39 years made it easy to do mine. That said, the makeup took 5 1/2 hours and for that reason iono if she ever coming back, friends. 😂 Shouts to the prosthetic team who held my literal and emotional hands through the whole ride.
Last slide is me having to do zoom therapy on my lunch break still in makeup. (Therapist is not a Trekkie and was not amused!)
So much more to say but most importantly just… Thank you, Avery.
This is the beta of the new site from the ex Comixology people. Looks very similar but I notice they have a ‘resellable’ tag on the books so looks like you can trade after you’ve read.
