Watch What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a documentary film chronicling the creation and legacy of the science-fiction television series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The film was directed by Ira Steven Behr, who served as executive producer and showrunner for the last four seasons of the series. It features interviews with the cast, crew, and fans of the show, as well as rare behind-the-scenes footage, newly remastered footage, and never-before-seen deleted scenes.

Deep Space Nine premiered in 1993 and ran for seven seasons, becoming one of the most beloved and controversial series in the Star Trek franchise. Unlike its predecessors, which followed the voyages of starships as they explored new worlds and civilizations, Deep Space Nine was set on a space station orbiting the planet Bajor. The series explored complex political, social, and philosophical issues, including war, terrorism, religion, slavery, and gender identity. It also featured one of the most diverse and compelling casts in television history, including Avery Brooks as Commander Benjamin Sisko, a black Starfleet officer and single father; Nana Visitor as Major Kira Nerys, a Bajoran freedom fighter; Terry Farrell as Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax, a Trill symbiont; and René Auberjonois as Constable Odo, a shape-shifting security officer.

What We Left Behind begins with Behr and his collaborators brainstorming a hypothetical eighth season, which they call "The Visitor." This season would pick up where the series left off, with the Dominion War won and the station returning to Bajor. Each episode would focus on a different character, exploring their personal and professional challenges, as well as their relationships with each other. The episode pitches are illustrated with storyboards and animated sequences, featuring the original actors voicing their characters. These sequences are intercut with interviews with the actors, who reflect on their characters' growth and their own experiences on the show.

The film also features interviews with the writers, directors, editors, and visual effects artists who worked on the series, as well as celebrities such as George Takei, Wil Wheaton, and Jonathan Frakes, who express their admiration for the show and its impact on pop culture. The filmmakers also address some of the controversies surrounding the series, such as its darker tone, its portrayal of religion and spirituality, and its representation of LGBTQ characters. They argue that these controversies are precisely what made the show groundbreaking and resonant.

What We Left Behind is not just a nostalgic tribute to a beloved show, but a thoughtful and provocative exploration of why the show mattered and what it means today. The film celebrates the diversity, complexity, and humanity of the characters and their stories, and argues that they are still relevant and inspiring in a deeply divided and uncertain world. As Behr puts it, "We need Star Trek now more than ever."

What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a 2019 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes.