What Does Jake Sisko's Earring Mean in 'Starfleet Academy' Episode 5?
Although buoyant on the surface, cadet Sam (Kerrice Brooks) struggles with her identity and her preordained purpose. Not only is she the first sentient hologram to join Starfleet, her people — the Kasqians — created her to be a liaison between inorganic and organic life. Needing guidance, Sam begins studying historical emissaries and finds herself specifically drawn to Benjamin Sisko. The emissary for the Bajoran gods vanished not long after the Dominion War concluded; over 800 years later, the Bajorans revere him as a religious icon while Starfleet considers him a cold case.
Professor Illa Dax (Tawny Newsome), Benjamin's best friend and the guardian of Jake's unpublished book about his father, notes Sam's earnest curiosity and loans Jake's writing to her student. Between reading his insights and speaking directly to a middle-aged Jake (thanks to some sci-fi wizardry), Sam gains both the confidence she needs and an intimate perspective on Benjamin Sisko as a multifaceted human: a grieving widower, a beloved parent, a reluctant spiritual leader, an ethical officer forced into moral conflict, and a baseball-loving man from New Orleans.
It goes without saying that a lot of character growth can occur during three decades. Starfleet Academy silently suggests Jake's journey through costume design, specifically the single gold ring he wears throughout his appearance. Lofton confirmed the adornment is Bajoran jewelry during a special episode of "The 7th Rule," the Star Trek podcast he co-hosts with producer Ryan T. Husk. A recognizable symbol tied to Bajor's devout faith, Lofton explained the jewel's inclusion:
"Part of the creative process was creating the look for what Jake would look like. So we agreed on a Bajoran earring because maybe he would have decided to get into Bajoran studies, and pay homage to how his father has now become this big icon. So I believe he would have adopted some of that into his persona."
'Starfleet Academy' Finally Gives Benjamin and Jake Sisko the Recognition They Deserve
Unlike characters from their fellow series, Deep Space Nine's crew haven't been canonically explored beyond Star Trek: Lower Decks' delightful tidbits. Between Jake and Illa, Starfleet Academy addresses some of those swirling loose ends and serves as a stunningly tender affirmation of Brooks' impact. A courageous, empathetic, exquisitely nuanced, and revolutionary genre icon, Benjamin commands Deep Space Nine's seven seasons as the franchise's first Black lead and captain, and he co-anchors one of television's single greatest parent-child relationships. Benjamin and Jake's mature, vulnerable, and mutually nurturing dynamic breathes life into the series' emotional core; the heartbroken family enters an uncertain future side by side, draws strength from each other, and tentatively forges a new home together — a small harbor built for two.
Jake's future deeds might be inseparable from his dad's legacy, but Starfleet Academy doesn't address the mystery of Benjamin's disappearance at the expense of his beloved son. Rather than write him as a surly teenager, Jake enters and exits Deep Space Nine as an evolving character on his own journey of self-discovery — an adolescent boy adjusting his dreams, navigating self-doubt and loneliness, and smuggling information to the resistance during the galaxy-wide Dominion War. After a 27-year absence from our screens, Jake has flourished into a warm, wise, and content man. He's finished his book, become a parent, guides Sam with the same tender care his father demonstrated, and his intimate connection to the Bajoran religion makes perfect sense.
It's especially wonderful to see Lofton reprise his role not as simple nostalgia bait, but with intentionality. He was heavily involved in the episode's direction, collaborating on Jake's unseen years and the Bajoran earring, creating clothing inspired by Lofton's Ethiopian heritage, and incorporating a sample from Brooks' spoken word album in lieu of the retired actor's own appearance. Lofton's detailed involvement is a gift that pays gentle homage to the actors' lasting friendship and their characters' shared, enduring legacy.
Release Date
January 15, 2026
Network
Paramount+
Showrunner
Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
Directors
Douglas Aarniokoski
Image via Paramount+
English (US) ·