Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Cirroc Lofton Reflects on Deep Space Nine’s “The Visitor” and its Lasting Impact as One of Star Trek’s Greatest Episodes

Cirroc Lofton Reflects on Deep Space Nine's "The Visitor" and its Lasting Impact as One of Star Trek's Greatest Episodes
Photo: CBS

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s Cirroc Lofton talks “The Visitor”

Cirroc Lofton is still deeply touched by the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fourth season episode “The Visitor.” The episode, which is widely considered one of the best in all of Star Trek, deals with a son’s loss of his father and his ongoing struggle to bring him back.

“The Visitor” was directed by David Livingston and written by Michael Taylor, who also wrote another DS9 touchstone “In the Pale Moonlight.”

Lofton, who played a young Jake Sisko on the third live-action Star Trek series, recalled the episode on the latest episode of his 7th Rule podcast, saying “This one was a tough one to watch for me,” noting that it’s “such a great story,” and how he cried reading the script for the first time. The episode features an older Jake Sisko (Tony Todd) as he’s visited by aspiring writer Melanie (Rachel Robinson) and reveals his life story and how it’s been overtaken by his obsession to bring his father, Benjamin Sisko, permanently back, after disappearing in a subspace accident.

Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko and Avery Brooks as Benjamin Sisko
Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko and Avery Brooks as Benjamin Sisko | Image: CBS

“Tony Todd deserves his credit for this one because he really knocks this one out of the park.” He recalled how Todd would spend time with him on set and observe him from a distance to try to pick up some of his mannerisms.

Lofton, who was 18 years old at the time of filming, revealed that the initial idea for the episode was for him to play the older version of Jake Sisko, through age makeup and prosthetics. Saying it was finally decided to cast Tony Todd in the role.

Lofton notes that while he saw the episode from Jake’s perspective as a child on the series, he’s now able to see it from the father’s point-of-view, now that he has children of his own. “The other thing that moved me was when Jake started showing his dad his books and saying ‘Look, dad,’ and [Ben] Sisko says ‘I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished.’ That was just another great moment for me… as a father looking at his son grown-up.”

Tony Todd as Jake Sisko and Avery Brooks as Ben Sisko
Tony Todd as an older Jake Sisko and Avery Brooks as Benjamin Sisko | Image: CBS

“As a parent we’ve all had the moments where we’re looking at our sleeping child… and there’s a moment where you’re just watching somebody sleep and it’s like you’re observing their face and thinking about them and wishing what they’re going to be in life… and I felt that same kind of curiosity when Sisko was looking at Jake. I felt there was so much in that.” said Lofton of the scene where Benjamin watches an elderly version of his son sleeping.

Lofton later went on to discuss how his interpretation of the episode changed over time, saying “I thought this [episode] was about Sisko dying for Jake… but in the end, it becomes about Jake dying in front of Sisko.”

Aron Eisenberg as Nog and Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko
Aron Eisenberg as Nog and Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko | Image: CBS

Premiering in October of 1995, it’s been a quarter century and “The Visitor” still resonates with so many of us today, as it did back then. Lofton talked about how it still brings out emotion in him to this day.

“All these years later, you know what’s going to happen. You know what it’s about. I’ve read the script. It’s been 25 years but yet still I’m dripping tears watching this episode. I can’t make myself not feel these emotions. You feel the loss. You feel the emptiness. You feel the regret. You feel all of those emotions and then you reflect on your own life and the people that you love and what it means to have them in your life or lose them. If you have any feelings at all, they will be activated by watching this episode.”

Cirroc Lofton and Tony Todd on stage together at Star Trek Las Vegas in 2014
The two Jakes: Cirroc Lofton and Tony Todd on stage together at Star Trek Las Vegas in 2014 | Photo: TrekNews.net

Lofton was joined by his co-host Ryan Husk and Malissa Longo (the widow of Deep Space Nine’s Aron Eisenberg) on this episode of The 7th Rule, which you can watch embedded below or subscribe to on your podcast app of choice.

You can follow The 7th Rule podcast on Twitter at @7thRule and Cirroc Lofton at @CirrocL.


Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, and more.

You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Written By

Founded TrekNews.net in 2011. UX, visual designer, and published photographer based in the Boston area. Connoisseur of Star Trek, sci-fi, '80s horror, synthwave sounds, and tacos. You can follow Brian on Twitter @brianwilkins.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Jeff S.

    December 15, 2020 at 4:19 pm

    What an absolutely incredible episode. I can’t watch it without getting teary eyed.

  2. Graham French

    December 15, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    I listen to 7th Rule on occasion and really enjoy it. Hearing Cirroc discuss this episode brought me all the way back to the ripe young age of 16 when I first saw it in mid 90s.

  3. Herb Jerb

    December 15, 2020 at 10:52 pm

    I consider this a tie for the best Trek episode with The Inner Light. Amazing acting all around, but Tony Todd and Avery Brooks together really brought it home. I usually skip it during rewatches so I don’t end up bawling.

  4. B. Savage

    December 16, 2020 at 12:41 am

    I watches the episode for the first time a few days ago (thank you google for listening ahah) and I was bawling like a baby! My father passed away five years ago, and what I wouldn’t give to see him again. Truly beautiful episode with phenomenal acting!

  5. Jen

    December 16, 2020 at 2:20 am

    I watched all of ds9 this month, and this is ome of my three favorige episodes. The series finale is great, too.

  6. Evan

    December 16, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    I do not like DS9 despite being a lifelong Star Trek fan from the 1970’s. I change the channel whenever I see that it is on.

    But this episode … I cry like a baby every time I watch it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook

More



Trek Geeks Podcast

Shop LLAP

Trending Articles

Preview

With the launch of the final season of Star Trek: Discovery right around the corner, Paramount+ has released an official trailer for the series’...

Books

Back to the Stars: Rediscovering Star Trek’s Legacy with Captain to Captain – A Retro-Review There are near-countless Star Trek novels out there. Unlike...

News

Production has begun on Star Trek: Section 31 The 14th Star Trek film has now begun production, as Paramount+ announced the start of production...

Books

Rediscovering The Lost Era: Serpent Among the Ruins – A Retro-Review Captain John Harriman, seen only for a brief period in Star Trek: Generations,...

AboutContactTip UsTerms of UsePrivacy Notice

TrekNews.net, the website, the promotion thereof and/or any exhibition of material created by TrekNews.net is not endorsed or sponsored by or affiliated with CBS/Paramount Pictures or the STAR TREK franchise.


© 2011–2024 TrekNews.net