https://archive.org/details/CharacterInsightEp240
Jake is a teenage character that grows with the show, and while he is the subject of many awkward storylines, he does add a unique dimension to the role of commanding officer as the parent of an only child. As you might expect, Jake gets into a lot of shenanigans with fellow youngster Nog.
In the episode In The Cards, Jake convinces Nog to come off some money to help Jake acquire the perfect present for his father, a baseball card. But not without significant complaining and debate.
QUOTE (from In The Cards, S5):
Cadet Nog: It's not my fault your species decided to abandon currency-based economics in favor of some philosophy of self-enhancement.
Jake Sisko: Hey - watch it! There's nothing wrong with our philosophy. We work to better ourselves and the rest of Humanity.
Cadet Nog: What does that mean exactly?
Jake Sisko: It means... it means, we don't need money.
Jake does not follow the path of his father, and we see him address this different desire in the episode Shadowplay. It's a typical type of conversation that all parents can relate to, and an important part of Jake's story arc in this show.
QUOTE (from Shadowplay. S2):
Jake Sisko: Dad... I don't want to join Starfleet.
Commander Sisko: Since when?
Jake Sisko: S-snce forever. Starfleet is too much like you. I need to find what's me.
Commander Sisko: It's your life, Jake. You have to choose your own way. There is only one thing I want from you: find something you love. Then do it the best you can.
Jake Sisko: I'll try.
Jake develops a passion for writing, and we see this lead him to an important life lesson in the episode Nor The Battle To The Strong. Jake is trying to write a profile on Doctor Bashir, but he ends up with a much better life story to write when they are diverted to help a Federation colony under attack from Klingons. Jake reacts in much different manners to save his life when Klingons attack multiple times, and it makes him learn one of the truisms of humanity.
QUOTE (from Nor The Battle To The Strong, S5):
Jake Sisko: The battle of Ajilon Prime will probably be remembered as a pointless skirmish. But I'll always remember it as something more - as the place I learned that the line between courage and cowardice is a lot thinner than most people believe.
Commander Sisko: It takes a lot of courage to look inside oneself, and even more to write it for others. I'm proud of you, son.
One final good character piece centered on Jake is The Visitor, in which we see a grown up writer Jake in an alternate timeline. Jake Sisko was played by Cirroc Lofton, who had a number of acting credits as a youth but has only recently appeared in the TV series Renegades after a 9 year break from acting. His uncle is longtime pro baseball player Kenny Lofton.
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