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G'Kar
Garibaldi and Sheridan
Delenn
Londo Molari |
Pilot Originally aired February 22, 1993 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Richard Compton Starring: Michael O'Hare as Jeffery Sinclair, Jerry Doyle as Michael Garibaldi, Mira Furlan as Delan, Peter Jurasik as Londo Molari, Andreas Katsulas as G'Kar, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. This was the first series I attempted to review, one episode at a time. That was six years ago. I am rewatching the series and editing my reviews. This series is unique in that it has a long and complex story arc, but most episodes are stand-alone stories. And almost every episode moves the plot further toward the eventual conclusion. The Gathering introduces the main non-humans: Delenn, a Minbari; G'Kar, a Narn; Londo Molari, a Centauri; and Kosh, a Vorlon. It also introduces the three major human characters: station captain Jeffery Sinclair, station security chief Michael Garibaldi, and telepath Lyta Alexander. Although Lyta disappears and isn't heard from for a while, she does return to play a significant role in the series. In the year 2258, ten years after the end of the Earth Minbari War, Babylon 5 serves as a neutral territory for resolving disputes and as a center of commerce. The members of the Babylon 5 Council, Delenn, G'Kar, Londo, and Sinclair, wait for Kosh, the fifth council member, to arrive. Kosh is poisoned before he gets more than a few feet inside the station. If he dies, the Vorlon empire will destroy the station. Since Kosh lives inside an environmental suit, treating him or even diagnosing him is nearly impossible until Lyta uses her telepathic powers to find out how he was poisoned. However, that implicates Sinclair. This is a bit of a who-done-it with evidence leading in the wrong direction and Vorlon ships charging weapons. Although the acting is often a bit flat, the story is well-developed, and the pacing moves the plot along at a good clip. The early 1990s' special effects were not as cutting edge as now, but they still work fine especially the fighter ships. Their thrusters actually fire in the correct direction when they turn, accelerate, or slow down. Although, flipping around like they do would take some getting used to. And without inertial dampeners of some kind, the pilots would get badly whipped around. They may be weightless, but the conservation of angular momentum still applies. The makeup and costuming in the pilot are a bit rough. However, The Gathering sets up the major plot lines that run through the entire series. It is a must-see if you want to watch the series. Reviewed by Roman Drew November 27, 2018 Revised January 6, 2024. |
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Londo and G'Kar
Ivonava and Talia
Delenn and Garibaldi
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Season 1, Episode 1 Originally aired January 26, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Richard Compton Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Stephen Furst as Vir Cotto, and Andrea Thompson as Talia Winters. This episode introduces three more main characters: Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova, telepath Talia Winters, and Londo's assistant, Vir Cotto. And it introduces more major plot lines. Narn warships attack the Centauri agricultural colony on Ragesh 3. The unprovoked attack sends Londo into a fit of rage because his nephew is stationed there. G'kar is equally outraged because the Centauri destroyed his world. He claims the attack was justified. Sinclair goes after the raiders. This episode is full of emotional posturing and political maneuvering, but the pace never bogs down. It goes into greater detail about the Centauri/Narn conflict and the complex relationship between Londo and G'Kar. Ivanova is not the easiest person to get to know, as Talia soon discovers. Their relationship will be long and complex. In the background, and seemingly unimportant, is the election of President Santiago. This is another setup for future episodes. There is also a great scene with Delenn and Garibaldi, and his second-most favorite thing in the world. The makeup and costumes are an improvement over the pilot, and the characters are better developed. The introduction of Vir and Ivanova adds comic relief and emotional depth. In this episode and the pilot, it is clear that J. Michael Straczynski had a long and well-developed storyline from the beginning. Except for soap operas, most TV series lack a cohesive long-term story. Reviewed by Roman Drew November 29, 2018 Revised January 9, 2024. |
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The Soul Hunter
Making a Deal
Dr. Stephen Franklin
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Season 1, Episode 2 Originally aired February 2, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Richard Compton Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, and Richard Biggs as Dr. Stephen Franklin. This episode introduces another main character, Dr. Stephen Franklin. And Sinclair learns that Delenn is a member of the Gray Council, the ruling body of Mimbar. The soul hunter, played by Willian Morgan Sheppard, nearly crashes into the station in his damaged spaceship. He is saved and set free to roam Babylon 5. Soul hunters collect the souls of the dying and preserve them in glass spears. Having failed to collect the soul of the Minbari leader, Dukhat, during the Earth Minbari War, this soul hunter sets his sights on Delenn. Rather than wait for her to die, he plots to kill her and add her soul to his collection. Needless to say, that is against Soul Hunter's rules, and Sinclair is determined to stop him. Delenn believes souls should be free to reincarnate into the next generation, which explores another aspect of the Minbari religion and sets up future storylines. The belief in a form of reincarnation will play a significant role in future episodes. The plot works, but the acting falls a bit flat. Willian Morgan Sheppard's performance lacks the fascinating presence or evil power to make this a great episode. His mumbling and chanting is more irritating than threatening. So, this episode is a little slow and lackluster, but worth watching. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 3, 2018 Revised January 12, 2024. |
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Adira
Of all things in life, are females not the finest?
Londo and Vir
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Season 1, Episode 3 Originally aired February 9, 1994 Written by Larry DiTillio. Directed by Bruce Seth Green Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas, Peter Jurasik, Fabiana Udenio as Adira, Tyree Mary Woronov as Ko D'Ath, and Clive Revill asTrakis. Londo has a girlfriend, an exotic dancer named Adira. He misses an important meeting to be with her, which upsets G'Kar and Sinclair. But Adira is a bit more than just a dancer. She is a slave and a spy. Once she gets the access code to Londo's Purple Files, her owner, Trakis, will have enough information to bring down the entire Centauri Republic. This is a fun episode. Most of what happens revolves around the negotiation. But the negotiations themselves are just a McGuffin. It isn't clear if Trakis intended to use the information in the purple files himself or sell it to G'Kar. But if the information got out, Londo would be in serious trouble. This shows a different side to both Londo and G'Kar. Both were more concerned about the files and other things than the negotiations. They both sent their assistants to settle the deal. Despite all Adira did, Londo still loves her. He frees her and asks her to stay. I wonder how Centauri men manage to keep their hair standing on end and why the women have bald heads except for a ponytail. This is the first episode not written by J. Michael Straczynski. There aren't many. Although I remember watching this episode back in 2018, apparently, I never wrote a review. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 15, 2023. |
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Dr. Vance Hendricks and Dr. Franklin
Nelson Drake With the Evil Atrfact
Nelson Drake as the Monster
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Season 1, Episode 4 Originally aired February 2, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Richard Compton Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Julie Caitlin Brown, Richard Biggs, David McCallum, and Marshall R. Teague. Dr. Stephen Franklin's old friend, archeologist Dr. Vance Hendricks, played by David McCallum, brings a box of artifacts from Ikarra VII to examine. Unbeknownst to Doctor Franklin, Hendrick's assistant, Nelson Drake, played by Marshall Teague, didn't send the artifacts through quarantine, and he killed a guard to get them on the station. The artifacts are designed to convert people into unstoppable bioweapons, monsters with built-in guns programmed to destroy anyone who does not conform to the ideal version of an Ikarran. Nelson gets blasted by one of the artifacts and turns into a hunting, killing machine. He then goes around the station, randomly vaporizing people and melting holes through walls. The plot is a bit predictable and straightforward. The Nelson/monster has to rest after every kill, returning more robust than before. How he gets all that power is never explained. Did he eat? Did he hook into the station's power grid? Oh well, Nelson/monster's costume and makeup are great. This episode explores three somewhat common themes: the unstoppable weapon that kills its makers, the concept of genetic purity, and the 'talk it to death' solution. I can see the wheel of discission spinning around in JMS's head - find the humanity in the creature or blast it to bits. Should he write for emotion or excitement? Either way, Sinclair risks his life to save the station. David McCallum does a fine job as Dr. Franklin's good old friend, who isn't quite as honest or clueless as he first appears. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 29, 2018 Revised January 20, 2024. |
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Londo Celebrating
G'Kar Terrified at the Sight of a Black Flower.
The Religions of Earth
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Season 1, Episode 5 Originally aired February 23, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnston Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, and Caitlin Brown. This episode introduces Lennier, played by Bill Mumy, and Na'Toth, played by Caitlin Brown. During a festival to celebrate different religious beliefs, G'Kar learns that someone is about to assassinate him. You will know pain. You will know fear. And then you will die. At first, he suspects his new attache, NaToth, but she isn't the assassin, so they join forces to find the real killer. While the rest of the station celebrates different religions, Sinclair rekindles his romance with an old girlfriend, Catherine Sakai. The Centauri host a feast of gluttony and debauchery. The Minbari contemplate life, death, and rebirth. Sinclair introduces representatives from some of the many Earth religions. The Centauri, Minbari, and Narn cultures are further developed. But, other than G'kar running around trying not to die, there isn't much plot to this episode. However, that isn't a problem. It has some great scenes. G'kar's fear and pain are palatable. Londo becomes one with himself after crawling on the table, kissing a statue's ass, and passing out drunk. Take a good look at the statue. It gets explained in a later episode. The look at the different religions is interesting. The Minbari and the Centauri religions don't make much sense, but I don't think they were supposed to. Apparently, the Narn version of an assassin's guild is unforgiving. So G'Kar and Na'Toth find a kind but ever-so-evil method of dealing with the fellow hired to kill G'Kar. The ending is perfect, both quiet and respectful. Getting all those people to line up at the same time must have taken some doing. Since Sinclair couldn't have done it alone, he must have had help, which makes me wonder why the rest of the staff didn't know about it. And why weren't there a lot more people watching the ceremony? And from the moment he walks into the show, Delenn's personal aid, Lennier, is the perfect complement to her character. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 7, 2018 Revised January 23, 2024. |
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Bester and His Assistant
Jason
Sigma 957
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Season 1, Episode 6 Originally aired March 2, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Bruce Seth Green Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Julie Caitlin Brown, Bill Mumy, Walter Koenig, William Allen Young, and Julia Nickson. This episode introduces Alfred Bester, Psi Cop extraordinaire, played by Walter Koenig. Talia Winters' friend and mentor Jason Ironheart, played by William Allen Young, comes to Babylon 5 for one last goodbye and to evade capture by the Psi Cops. The victim of a Psi Corps experiment, he has developed advanced telepathic abilities. With little control of his abilities, Ironheart wreaks havoc on the station. Bester either wants him or wants him dead. In the meantime, Sinclair's friend, Catherine Sakai, heads off to Sigma 957 against G'Kar's warning. There, she encounters something mysterious and dangerous. In the early episodes, G'Kar seems to be an angry troublemaker, but his character develops surprising depth as time passes. Some of that is seen here in his relationship with Sakai. The events at Sigma 957 do more than explore the Catharine and G'Kar characters; they hint at what is coming. Most episodes take the series along a very long story arc. This is no exception. The evil creatures inhabiting space are introduced. And we learn more about Psi Corps and its hold on society. Walter Koeing steals every scene he is in. There is always a tension surrounding Bester that never lets go. Although he sometimes seems to be a villain, and no one on the station likes him, he is committed to his job. He considers his actions to be honorable and necessary. Jurassic Park came out in 1993, showcasing how effective CGI could be in creating believable creatures and special effects. This episode first aired in 1994. The special effects are not as good as modern CGI, especially in the stills, like the ones of Sigma 957. But when viewed at speed, they work well enough to keep the show enjoyable. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 16, 2018 Revised January 25, 2024. |
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Malcolm and Ivanova
Kiron and Aria
Shaal Mayan
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Originally aired March 9, 1994 Written by D. C. Fontana. Directed by Richard Compton Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Julie Caitlin Brown, Bill Mumy. With: Nancy Lee Grahan as Shaal Mayan, Tristan Rogers as Malcolm Biggs, Rodney Eastman as Kiron, and Danica McKellar Aria. Malcolm Biggs, an old flame of Ivanova's, drops by to say hello and maybe pick up where they left off. In the rest of the station, a plague of attacks on non-humans sets everyone on edge. When Minbari poet Shaal Mayan is attacked and branded, Delenn demands Sinclair find the culprit. G'kar gets pissed and attempts to incite a riot. In the meantime, Vir's cousin Kiron and his girlfriend Aria come to Babylon 5 to marry against their parents' wishes. Londo insists they go home and accept their arranged marriages. They refuse, and then they also become victims. Londo demonstrates sensitivity and depth in this episode as he comes to terms with his feelings about his three arranged marriages and arranged marriages in general. And Ivanova learns that her old flame isn't quite the man she remembered. Ivanova has a strong sense of right and wrong and isn't very tolerant or forgiving. When she learns why Malcom came to Babylon 5, you can feel her infatuation turn to disgust. Although she goes along with the deception to catch him, she isn't quite 'all in.' But there is no hesitation in Sinclair's commitment to the cause until the end. What happened to the poor alien lady when the firefight broke out? She was right in the middle, on the floor, tied up and terrified. I would like to have seen someone go to her side. It would only take a few seconds of screen time to show that she was safe. However, she is in later scenes. This is a good, solid episode. It's not a masterpiece, but it's well worth watching. It explores feelings and justifications for racial hatred and intolerance but tempers it with action, humor, and romance. It is also one of the few episodes not written by JMS. It was written D.C. Fontana, a well know science fiction author and writer of several Star Trek episodes. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 18, 2018 Revised January, January 29, 2024. |
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Jha'Dur
Talia and Abbut
Addressing the Babylon 5 Council
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Season 1, Episode 9 Originally aired April 20, 1994 Written by Lawrence G. DiTillio. Directed by Bruce Seth Green Starring: Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Julie Caitlin Brown, Bill Mumy. With: Katy Boyer as Neeoma Connally, John Snyder as Orin Zento, Aki Aleong as Senator Hidoshi, and Patricia Healy as Mary Ann Cramer. Na'Toth nearly kills a woman dressed in Minbari clothing as she enters the station. She claims the woman is a Dilgar named Jha'dur, or Deathwalker, an infamous war criminal and assassin. Jha'dur should be long dead or at least quite elderly, but here she is in the prime of her life. As Dr. Franklin treats her and saves her life, he discovers that she really is Jha'dur and that she has an anti-aging drug she intends to sell to Earth. This leads to dissent on several levels. Some want her tried for war crimes, some want the drug, and Na'Toth has a personal vendetta to avenge. Sinclair finds a compromise that sends Jha'dur to Earth with the promise of retribution in the future. At the same time, Kosh asks Talia to help with a negotiation. As in most things Vorlon, the negotiations don't make any sense, but they cause Talia to have disturbing visions. This episode gives insight into the Dilgar war, the league of non-aligned worlds, and a faction of the Minbari warrior caste called Wind Swords. Two things stand out. Sarah Douglas does a fantastic job as Jha'dur. Her evil is palatable. And Lennier is a quiet, unassuming character, but Bill Mummy steals every scene he is in. Jha'dur is obviously an evil mass murderer who deserves the worst punishment conceivable but escapes retribution for political expediency. Although I would rather not die, I don't understand the logic behind making everyone immortal. That only works if no one has babies. Otherwise, within a few generations there will be so many people that it will be impossible to feed and house everyone. The episode also introduces the Minbari caste system. This is an intense episode with little humor, but it moves along at a good pace and has a few unpredictable plot twists. And a rather abrupt and surprising ending. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 22, 2018 Revised February 3, 2024. |
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Zento, Sinclair, & Neeoma
Londo and G'Kar
G'Quan Eth Ceremony
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Season 1, Episode 12 Originally aired May 11, 1994 Written by Kathryn M. Drennan. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: Katy Boyer as Neeoma Connally, John Snyder as Orin Zento, Aki Aleong as Senator Hidoshi, and Patricia Healy as Mary Ann Cramer. Faulty equipment and fed-up dock workers lead to an illegal strike while Londo and G'Kar duke it out over a G'Quan Eth plant. Miscommunications in the landing bay kills a dock worker and damages a Narn transport, destroying the G'Quan Eth plant that G'Kar needs for a religious ceremony. Never fear, Londo has the only one on the station, which he keeps just out of G'Kar's reach. In the meantime, spaceships stack up outside the station, and tempers flare. The Earth Senate Labor Committee gets involved, and a full-blown riot is in the making. Although the strike is probably meant to be the main story, G'Kar and Londo steal the show. The Narn ritual must be held at a specific time, and time is running out. First, Londo agrees to sell the G'Quan Eth for an exorbitant price. But when G'kar gets the money, Londo changes his mind just to taunt G'Kar. It is delightful to watch the two actors play off each other. The interactions between Orin Zento, the government representative sent to quell the rebellion, and both Neeoma Connally, the union representative, and Sinclair feel very real. Zento's pompous assumption that the dock workers can be whipped into shape without addressing their concerns happens all too often in real life. So does the Senate's refusal to allocate funds for political reasons. In the end, Sinclair gets the better of both the Senate Labor Committee and Londo Mollari. This is a fun and thought-provoking episode, well-written and well-acted. And it is not written by MJS. As the series progresses, MJS writes almost all the episodes. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 26, 2018 Revised February 6, 2024. |
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Lord Kiro and Londo with the Eye
Mordon and Delenn
Shadow Ship
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Season 1, Episode 13 Originally aired May 18, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jaanet Greek Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: Gerrit Graham as Lord Kiro, Fredi Olster as Lady Ladira, Ardwight Chamberlain as Kosh (voice), Robert Silver as Reno, and Ed Wasser as Morden. Londo buys an ancient Centauri artifact called the Eye while Ivanova and Sinclair try to outwit the raiders. Centauri psychic Lady Ladira has a vision of destruction. Sinclair learns that the Minbari chose him to run Babylon 5, not the Earth government. And Morden goes around asking VIPs, "What do you want?" A transport vessel reports a raider attack, so Sinclair sends a wing of fighters to help, leaving the station defenses vulnerable. Londo arranges for Lord Kiro to take the Eye back to Centauri Prime, but Kiro is kidnapped. Raiders attack the station, and in the confusion, Lord Kiro is spirited away -- almost. Morden is quiet and polite and utterly evil. Both Londo and G'Kar, in their inimitable ways, initially treat him as a nuisance, but in the end, they tell him what they want. Delenn kicks him out and continues to arrange triangular-shaped objects in layers. And a shadow vessel makes a brief but decisive appearance. Mordon is such a slimy character that he is actually fun to watch. What would happen if I came up to someone and acted like Mordon? Would they eventually tell me their secret wishes or tell me to get lost? This is a significant and important episode. It establishes several plot lines that carry through the entire series. G'kar and Londo will come to wish there had never been an episode 13. Even though the thing Delenn is building will play a crucial role, at this point, it's simply there. It looks interesting but seems more like a sculpture or work of art. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 28, 2018 Revised February 9, 2024. |
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Jinxo and Aldous Gajic
Na'ka'leen Feeder
Answering Questions at His Trial
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Season 1, Episode 15 Originally aired July 6, 1994 Written by Christy Marx. Directed by Richard Compton. Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: David Warner as Aldous Gajic, William Sanderson as Deuce, Tom Booker as Jinxo, Jim Norton as Ombuds Wellington, Linda Lodge as Mirriam Runningdear, Ardwight Chamberlain as Kosh (voice), and John C. Flinn III as Mr. Flinn . Station worker and general loser, Jinxo, owes money to a general lowlife named Duce. When Jinxo can't pay Duce demonstrates what will happen if he doesn't get the money. Someone, or something in an encounter suit, which looks a lot like Kosh, extends an appendage and touches the head of a woman tied to a chair. The creature wipes her mind, leaving her alive but comatose. Jinxo takes the hint and works the Zocalo picking pockets. Garibaldi catches him stealing from Aldous Gajic, who has come to Babylon 5 to hunt for the holy grail. Aldous takes Jinxo under his wing and tries to rehabilitate him. As it turns out, Jinxo, or Thomas Jordan, his real name, worked on all five Babylon stations. As soon as he left, the stations either blew up or disappeared. He refuses to leave Babylon 5 for fear it will also suffer the same fate. When the bodies pile up, Dr. Franklin determines a Na'ka'leen Feeder is on the loose. Londo goes bonkers when he finds out and hides in his quarters. Even though most of the people on the station dismiss Gajic, Delenn treats him as an honored guest. David Warner portrays Gajic with warmth, kindness, and just enough skepticism. The character is believable and likable. Tom Booker's Jinxo goes from Duce's timid pawn to Thomas, the next seeker of the grail. And, as for the Na'ka'leen Feeder, He isn't quite as scary outside of the encounter suit, but he isn't easy to kill either, making for exciting special effects. Londo often comes off as self-centered, fun loving but not willing to make trouble. However, he is truly pissed about the creature and lays into several people at home for the lack of security letting it be transported off its world. The Duce character makes sense as far as nasty villains go, but Jinxo doesn't quite ring true. If he had important jobs building the first four Babylon stations, so why was he dumb enough to get tangled up with Duce? This is a fine episode. It doesn't further any long plot lines but does give insight into life on the station. It is also another episode not written by JMS. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 2, 2019. Revised February 7, 2024. |
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Colonel Ari Ben Zayn
Harriman Gray
Garibaldi, Lennier and the Motorcycle.
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Season 1, Episode 16 Originally aired July 13, 1994 Written by Lawrence G. DiTillio. Directed by Jim Johnson. Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: Gregory Paul Martin as Colonel Ari Ben Zayn, Jeffrey Combs as Harriman Gray, and Marie Chambers as Sofie Ivanova. Two men come to the station and question people about Sinclair. One is Colonel Ari Ben Zayn from Earth Force, and the other is Harriman Gray from Psi-Corps. They claim to be investigating Babylon 5's command staff to make sure everyone is loyal. Ivanova refuses to be scanned. Sinclair gets pissed but feels compelled to comply with the investigation. Ben Zayn commandeers Garibaldi to assist him. In the meantime, Lennier is fascinated with the 1992 motorcycle Garibaldi is assembling. Garibaldi claims the bike is in mint condition. He is building it from scratch from parts he scavenged from all over. One would expect Lennier to catch the contradictory statements, but he doesn't. This episode focuses squarely on Zayn and his increasingly unreasonable and apparently illegal investigative techniques. Unlike Bester, Gray is just a hapless telepath assigned to do a job. He tries to be nice, but no one wants to be near him. Zayn, played by Gregory Paul Martin, starts out oily and harsh, but by the end of the episode, hatred consumes him. Apparently, he is jealous because he didn't get Sinclair's job. It is delightful to see Jeffery Combs in his human form as telepath Herriman Gray. Science fiction fans know him as the Andorian commander Sharn; a Ferengi named Brunt and another Ferengi named Kerm; the Vorta, Weyoun; Plenk, a humanoid from the Delta Quadrant; Tiron, a questionable associate of Quark's; and others I may not know of. This also shows another side of Psi Corps. Herriman Gray never wanted to work for Psi Corps, but being a telepath, his choices were limited. This is a good comparison to Talia, who likes her job with Psi Corps, and the dream sequences about Ivanova's mother, who refused to join Psi Corps and took suppression drugs instead. We also learn more about how the Minbari manipulated Earth Force to get the one person they wanted to command Babylon 5. Why they did that isn't explained. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 3, 2019 Revised February 14, 2024. |
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Neroon and Delenn
Talking to Alisa Beldon
Respect Between Past Enemies
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Season 1, Episode 17 Originally aired July 10, 1994 Written by D. C. Fontana. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: John Vickery as Neroon and Grace Una as Alisa Beldon Alyt Neroon, a bigwig in the Minbari warrior cast, brings the body of Shai Alyt Bramner, a hero of the Minbari Earth war, to Babylon 5 so the Minbari on the station can see it. The body disappears, and Neroon blames everyone except the true culprit. He all but threatens war if the body isn't returned, further showing the rift between the Minbari religious and warrior castes. Both Talia and Ivanova find a young telepath, Alisa Beldon. Talia wants to take her to Psi Corps. The Narn offer her wealth in exchange for genetic material. Ivanova tells Alisa there are better options. Delenn proves instrumental in finding solutions to both Alisa and the missing body. She also continues to stack colored triangles on the increasingly complex structure on a table in her quarters. Grace Una's portrayal of Alisa is sensitive, natural, and believable. Like most of Babylon 5, the casting is perfect. Until now, Delenn has had moments when she seemed powerful, but nothing like how she put Neroon in his place. There is also another mention of the Gray Council and Delenn's title, Seti. We get a hint of the future when Alisa tells Sinclair that she saw the word chrysalis i+n Delenn's mind. And in the end Neroon tells Sinclair he talks like a Minbari - another sign of things to come. This is another good, solid episode. It continues to develop the characters and further the overarching plot lines within a complete and self-contained story. This episode was written by D. C. Fontana. Since so much of this episode is important to the long story arcs, I wonder if the writer credits are more for fleshing out a screenplay from a detailed outline than writing an episode from scratch. Although, it doesn't really matter. This is a good episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 8, 2019 Revised February 18, 2024. |
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Sinclairs Vision
Epsilon III's Weapon
Draal, Delenn, and Londo
The Machine
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Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Janet Greek. Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With Louis Turenne as Draal, Ron Canada as Captain Ellis Pierce, Curt Lowens as Varn, Denise Gentile as Lise Hampton, Aki Aleong as Senator Hidoshi, and Michelan Sisti as Takarn. Epsilon III, the planet Babylon 5 orbits, starts to have earthquakes. Ivanova sends a geological team to investigate, but they almost get shot down by something deep in a planetary fissure. Both Sinclair and Londo have visions of an elderly man begging for help. Both disregard the visions. The Mars colony breaks out in war. Garibaldi worries about his ex-girlfriend, who lives on Mars. And Delenn's old friend Draal stops by for a final goodbye. Sinclair and Ivanova manage to get inside the fissure and rescue the ancient alien controlling a gigantic machine, but he is dying of old age. Now that the controller is gone, the machine goes into self-destruct mode. Epsilon III will blow up within a few hours and take Babylon 5 with it. An Earth heavy-cruiser comes through the gate uninvited, and the captain announces he has orders to take over the station and claim any technology on Epsilon III for Earth. He doesn't get far before the Takarn fleet arrives, claiming to be the rightful owners of the planet. And then they shoot at each other. Often, two-part episodes have too much plot for a one-hour episode but not enough for two hours. That is not the case here. A strong, well-developed plot and compelling characters carry these two episodes and the next episode to an exciting and surprising conclusion. There are some great scenes. When a survey team ignores Ivanova's orders, she opens the comm and gives them a piece of her mind. "Ivanova is always right. I will listen to Ivanova. I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations. Ivanova is God. And if this ever happens again, Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out." Delenn and Draal enlist Londo to pilot a shuttle to take the alien back to the machine. With a wide-eyed grin, Londo makes a suicidal run through the warring Tarkan and Earth ships to dive deep into the fissure with Garibaldi hot on his tail. A Voice in the Wilderness is a great story. Everyone is still in their original roles. There are only two episodes left before things change. Even though A Voice in the Wilderness does come to a conclusion, the next episode finishes the story, Reviewed by Romana Drew January 10, 2019 Revised February 20, 2024. |
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Babylon 4
Zathras
The One
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Season 1, Episode 20 Originally aired August 10, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: Kent Broadhurst as Major Krantz, Tim Choate as Zathras, and Denise Gentile as Lise Hampton. Babylon 4 suddenly appears in Sector 14, so Sinclair and Garibaldi investigate. The station is unstuck in time, going back and forth randomly. The crew is in a panic to get off. At the same time, Delenn is called to the Gray Council. She has been selected to replace Dukhat as the new leader of the Minbari. Babylon 4 is a mess. As time ripples through the station, Sinclair and Garibaldi find themselves fighting in a battle. Then, he meets Lise Hampton, his ex-girlfriend, on Mars. Then it's back to the station as if nothing happened. In the middle of everything, a strange creature named Zathras says that Sinclair is not The One. Someone in a spacesuit partially materializes and floats around. Zathras insists he is The One, but he is unstuck in time. Delenn must decide to accept the greatest honor her world can bestow or leave the Gray Council and return to Babylon 5. It's not a decision she makes lightly. The Gray Council is a wondrously mysterious place. It looks too huge to be on a spaceship, but the special effects are excellent. There didn't seem to be any kind of audience to the council's deliberations, so the dramatic lighting is a bit excessive. However, it makes for a great scene. Zathras steals every scene. The costume and makeup are perfect for his character. And the dialogue gives him one of the most unique personalities in the series. Plot-wise, this is a big episode. It introduces Babylon 4, the Gray Council, time stabilizers, Zathras, a triluminary, and The One. And it is the first time we hear the name Valen. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 17, 2019. Revised February 25, 2024. |
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The Machine
Linnier and Londo
Karl Mueller
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Season 1, Episode 21 Originally aired August 17, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Lorraine Senna Ferrara Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: June Lockhart as Dr. Laura Rosen, Kate McNeil as Janice Rosen, Mark Rolston as Karl Mueller, Damian London as Centauri Senator, and Lynn Anderson as Rose. While running a free clinic in Downbelow, Dr. Franklin discovers Laura Rosen treating patients with an alien machine. Karl Mueller is convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to a mind wipe, even though Garibaldi would rather space him. And Londo takes Lennier on a trip to the Darkstar strip bar/casino. At first, Dr. Franklin thinks Laura Rosen is a quack. He learns that her machine transfers some of her life force to her patients, healing their injuries or curing their illnesses. Since she is suffering from an incurable disease, she chooses to spend what life she has left helping others. However, the machine does have a more sinister purpose. It was invented to drain the life force of criminals slated for execution. Talia must scan Muller's mind to confirm that the mindwipe is successful. There, she learns of the dozens of murders he committed before getting caught, making him the perfect character to come to a bad end. All the seriousness of the first two stories could drag this episode into a depressing melodrama. But Lennier and Londo come to the rescue. In a bar full of gorgeous showgirls, Lennier relates his life story. Londo is about to die of boredom until Lennier mentions he studied probability. So off to the poker table they go. Lennier rakes in a fortune. Londo, being considerably less successful, has a unique method of cheating that ends in a brawl. Mild-mannered Lennier is quite an expert in hand-to-hand combat. When Lennier asks Londo how he nicked the cards from across the table, Londo grins and picks up a gold statue, explaining that the snake-like appendages are not decorations. This episode gives us a closer look at Downbelow, where the less fortunate live. It kind of rounds out the social structure of Babylon 5. Rather than being a structured, organized society, it is a conglomerate of different kinds of people and different levels of success. As always, Bill Mumy and Peter Jurasik play their characters perfectly, making otherwise silly scenes believable and wonderfully enjoyable. And Mark Rolston's performance as Karl Muller is impeccably evil. Oh, and June Lockhart steals every scene she is in. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 21, 2019 Revised March 1, 2024. |
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Delenn
Earth Force One
Kosh
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Season 1, Episode 22 Originally aired October 26, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Janet Greek Starring: Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Andreas Katsulas, and Peter Jurasik. With: Julia Nickson as Catherine Sakai, Edward Conery as Devereaux, Cheryl Francis Harrington as Senator, David Anthony Marshall as Stephen Petrov, Gary McGurk as Vice President Morgan Clark, and Ed Wasser as Morden. Garibaldi discovers a plot to kill Earth Alliance President Santiago but is nearly killed before he can tell anyone. Morden gives Londo credit for removing the Narn problem in Quadrant 37. Delenn has a less than illuminating conversation with Kosh. Throughout this season, J. Michael Straczynski consistently produced episodes that are self-contained but further several long and complex plot lines. As the season finale, this episode has a strong hook at the end to keep viewers wondering and waiting for the next season. But the rest of the season does not rely on cliffhanger endings. However, it does develop those plot lines consistently and memorably. For the first time, we see shadow creatures. Londo learns the price of his association with Morden. G'Kar realizes there are things worse than Centauri. And Delenn uses a triluminary to encase herself in a cocoon, leaving Lennier to worry and Sinclair to wonder. Sinclair proposes to Catherine, but we don't here the answer. This is never followed up. Next season Sinclair is the Earth ambassador to Minbar. Londo meets Mordon in a hedge maze. Although it makes for a good scene, a hedge maze seems like a strange thing for the station to have. It would take a lot of space. I would expect lurkers to set up residence in its nooks and corners. This is a must-see episode. Not only because it brings all the storylines into focus and sets up the field for next season but because it is just plain good. Although Michael O'Hare is in a few later episodes, this is his last episode as a regular character on Babylon 5. He left because of health issues. It would be interesting to know what would have happened had he been able to continue. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 22, 2019 Revised March 8, 2024. |
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John Sheridan
Kalain
The Trigati's Fate
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Season 2, Episode 1 Originally aired November 2, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Janet Greek Starring: Bruce Boxleitner as Captain John Sheridan, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Julie Caitlin Brown, and Bill Mumy. With: Richard Grove as Kalain, Robin Sachs as Hedronn, Robert Foxworth as General William Hague, and Jennifer Anglin as Deeron. Delenn is in a cocoon. Sinclair is on Minbar. John Sheridan is assigned to head up Babylon 5 against the wishes of the Minbari. They call Sheridan Starkiller. While captain of the Agamemnon, he destroyed the Minbari war cruiser, Black Star, the only human to ever commit such a dastardly deed. Kalain, captain of the Minbari war cruiser Trigati, threatens to kill Lennier and Delenn but gives up way too easily when station guards confront him. The crew of the Trigati never accepted the Minbari defeat and have been in exile, waiting to start another confrontation. Kalain's presence on the station is a mystery and warning sign. Lennier tells Sheridan and Ivanova why the Minbari surrendered to the Humans at the Battle of the Line. He barely finishes before the Trigati comes through the jump gate spoiling for a fight, demanding Kalain's release, and spewing out fighters. Then Kalain kills himself. This is another must-see episode. It sets up Sheridan as the new commander and explains a lot about Earth/Minbari history. Although changing the main character can spell doom for a series, Bruce Boxleitner steps into the captain's shoes without a hitch. In the end, he shows both wisdom and restraint in dealing with the Trigati. This episode delves a little deeper into the feelings some Minbari have about humans. Kalain is so distressed about the number of Minbari Sheridan killed but has no remorse or even recognition of the number of humans the Minbari killed. This is a great beginning for the second season. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 27, 2019 Revised March 16, 2024. |
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Delenn
G'Kar and Londo
Quadrant 37
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Season 2, Episode 2 Originally aired November 9, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Beverly Leech as Elizabeth Sheridan and Beth Toussaint as Anna Sheridan. G'Kar is nearly killed investigating the destruction of the Narn base in Quadrant 37. Delen emerges from her cocoon. Londo meets with Morden. Sheridan spends time with his sister, Liz. And Garibaldi is still in a coma. The book of G'Quan has pictures of the ships that attacked G'Kar in Quadrant 37. It warns that they are evil creatures from Z'ha'dum bent on taking over the galaxy. However, his warnings of impending doom are not taken seriously. Londo meets with Morden and tells him about G'Kar's plan to send a ship to Z'ha'dum, which is something he will someday come to regret. Garibaldi recovers, but his assailant escapes thanks to President Clark. Sheridan suspects Psi Corps is behind it all. Sheridan sees a message his wife, Anna, sent to his sister, Liz, which helps him recover from the guilt he felt over her death. With important events in the lives of five main characters, the episode doesn't dwell long on any one of the stories, but they are all necessary developments that further the tale of Babylon 5. This episode introduces John's deceased wife, Anna Sheridan, who will be seen again. It also fuels Sheridan's distrust of Earth Dome and President Clark. Skipping this episode isn't recommended. Besides being entertaining, it fills in a lot of gaps and gets the station back into normal operations. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 30, 2019 Revised March 18, 2024 |
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Purple Green
Elric
Vir and the Monster
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Season 2, Episode 3 Originally aired November 16, 1994 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Michael Vejar Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Michael Ansara as Elric, William Forward as Lord Refa, Kim Strauss as Green Drazi, and Neil Bradley as Purple Drazi. Londo discusses Centauri politics with Lord Refa. Ivanova sorts out the Drazi. A troupe of Technomages invades the station. And Garibaldi contemplates not returning to work. To increase his standing in the Centauri government, Londo wants the endorsement of a Technomage. He sends Vir to make an appointment. Vir has a nice chat with a monster. So Londo tries subterfuge with even less success. Techomages use science to simulate magic. They are just passing through and want to be left alone. Londo's persistence doesn't sit well, and the mages make him suffer. Ivanova is promoted to Commander. Her first assignment is to stop the green and purple war. Bands of Drazi, some wearing green and some wearing purple, pick fights with each other. Somewhere on the station, there just has to be a vat of purple dye. Garibaldi's insecurity about returning to work after his second-in-command shot him in the back adds depth and complexity to his character. It shows that underneath his commanding exterior, he is a bit insecure. Michael Ansara gives a commanding performance as Elric the Techomage. He warns of impending doom. Although Londo looks worried, I doubt there will be much he can do to avoid his ultimate fate. This episode introduces Lord Refa and gives information about the Centauri government. Both of which will be important in future episodes. Even though Londo, Garibaldi, and the techomages are the bits that further the long story arcs, the Drazi are the most memorable part of this episode. Their way of choosing leaders is absurd but maybe just as successful as the Centauri version. And Ivanova's solution is both funny and excellent. As soon as I saw the Drazi with green neckties, I couldn't wait to watch the rest of the episode. Apparently, Claudia Christian actually broke her foot, so that was added to the script. This is a good, fun, and very memorable episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 5, 2019 Revised March 20, 2024. |
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The Cortez
Garibaldi Eating Bagna Cauda
Food Plans
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Season 2, Episode 4 Originally aired November 23, 1994 Written by D. C. Fontana. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Russ Tamblyn as Capt. Jack Maynard, Daniel Beer as Patrick, Art Kimbro as Ray Galus, Miguel A. Nœ–ez Jr. as Orwell, Patty Toy as Ogilvie, Kim Delgado as Comm Tech, and Sandey Grinn as Teronn. When the EAS Cortez stops by Babylon 5 to resupply, Sheridan catches up with his old friend, Captain Jack Maynard. And Doctor Franklin puts everyone on a food plan, otherwise known as a diet. After listening to Maynard's exploits, Sheridan regrets taking the Babylon 5 job. But, as soon as the Cortez leaves, it's lost in hyperspace with Sheridan to the rescue. Sheridan's method of rescuing the Cortez highlights some of the problems of travel in hyperspace. Apparently, the ships must keep a lock on the jump gates, or they drift off course. That implies that the gates broadcast on a very narrow beam. Why not broadcast over a wider area? Sheridan's method of daisy chaining starfurys to reach out and find the Cortez works fine, except . . . why do the comm signals have such a limited range? The ISM feed makes it to Babylon 5, as do communications with people on Earth. There isn't even a time delay. This isn't a bad episode, but it isn't a great one either. Russ Tamblyn's portrayal of Jack Maynard falls a bit flat, and the need to rescue the ship seems contrived. However, it does give a good picture of the shadow vessels in hyperspace and the threat they pose to ships. In a second and somewhat more delightful storyline, Dr. Franklin decides Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Sheridan all need to change their eating habits, much to their dismay. Then he catches Garibaldi smuggling the ingredients for bagna cauda, and Italian dipping sauce. Since that is too good to pass up, Franklin insists he be invited to the feast. There is a good scene where Garibaldi, Ivanova, and Sheridan are sitting at a table with their prescribed diets, eying each other dishes. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 9, 2019 Revised March 22, 2024. |
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Amis
The Monster
Mariah and Dr. Franklin
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Season 2, Episode 5 Originally aired November 30, 1994 Written by Scott Frost. Directed by Mario DeLeo Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Anne-Marie Johnson as Mariah Cirrus and Dwight Schultz as Amis. An old ship, the Copernicus, drifts past B5. Sensing something alive, the crew pulls it into a landing bay and looks inside. They find two cryonic chambers, one with a living woman and one with a dead man. Down below, a lurker named Amis goes bonkers, wandering the station shouting about the hand of evil reaching out to kill everyone. Dr. Franklin revives the woman, Mariah Cirrus, and learns that her ship has been in space for over one hundred years. The dead man was her husband. The dead man is a bit of a mystery because all his organs are missing, even though there is no evidence of an incision. Amis continues to run around the station, shouting about impending doom. Garibaldi chalks it up to post-war trauma until people show up dead with all their organs missing. Most Babylon 5 episodes have two or more stories that run simultaneously. Except for a minor romance between Franklin and Mariah, the entire episode focuses on the Amis and the creature killing people. Dwight Schultz's performance is compelling. Underneath the freewheeling insanity, there is sensitivity and vulnerability. And he is correct about the impending doom. Dwight Schultz also played Lieutenant Reginald Barclay in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This episode reinforces the threat from Z'ha'dum and the prophecies of G'Quan. This is an excellent episode. I highly recommend watching it, if for no other reason than Dwight Shultz's delightful performance. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 19, 2019 Revised March 24, 2024. |
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Able attacking Taro Isogi
Thirteen
Talia and Amada
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Season 2, Episode 6 Originally aired December 7, 1994 Written by Kevin G DiTillio. Directed by Kevin G Cremin Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Michael Beck as Abel Horn, Adrienne Barbeau as Amanda Carter, James Shigeta as Taro Isogi, Jeff Conaway as Zack Allan, and Annie Grindlay as Thirteen / Psi Cop. Talia's old friend, Taro Isogi, comes for a visit. He wants to negotiate a peaceful solution to the situation on Mars. He meets with Mars government representative Amada Carter. All goes well until he is killed by Abel Horn. Talia sees enough of Abel's mind to determine that he is not in control of his actions. Abel is supposed to be dead, which leads Sheridan to suspect that he might have been part of the Lazarus project. People who are killed are brought back to life, cybernetically enhanced, and programmed to relive their death a thousand times every day. Although it should drive Horn stark raving mad, he has also been programed to follow orders from Control. This is the first time we meet Zack Allen, played by Jeff Conaway. He will become a regular as time passes. There are a couple of Tuckerisms in this episode. Amada Carter mentions her great-grandfather, John Carter, who lived on Mars. Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote a series of stories about John Carter of Mars. Control agents 86 and 99 worked diligently to thwart KAOS on the Man From UNCLE. And the Psi Cop even had a number. A Tuckerism is when a name is used as an 'in joke.' Wilson Tucker was an excellent and prolific science fiction writer who named characters after his friends, and others. Talia learns that her beloved Psi Corps has an evil streak. This is a well-crafted story. Michael Beck gives an intense performance as the painfully disturbed and confused Abel Horn. And Adrienne Barbeau is always a joy to watch. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 19, 2019 Revised on March 30, 2024. |
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Timov
Matthew Stoner
Delenn and Ivanova
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Season 2, Episode 7 Originally aired December 14, 1994 Written by Peter David. Directed by Mark C Flinn III Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Lois Nettleton as Daggair, Blair Valk as Mariel, and Jane Carr as Timov For the thirtieth anniversary of Londo's ascension, the Centauri emperor grants him one wish. Londo, in his great wisdom, wishes to divorce his three wives but decides to keep one just for appearances. Matthew Stoner, ex Psi Corps telepath and Tallia's ex-husband, arrives at B5 claiming to have lost his telepathic abilities, but Garibaldi isn't so sure. For Londo's wives, being divorced means losing access to Londo's bank account and prestige. Two wives, Daggair and Mariel, fawn over him wanting, to be the wife he keeps. And Mariel plots with G'Kar to kill him. His third wife, Timov (vomit spelled backward) doesn't even try to be nice. Jane Carr's portrayal of Timov is spot on. She never gives Londo a moment's rest and has nothing positive to say about her co-wives. I think she could take on the shadows if she were so inclined. Talia has no love for Stoner but agrees to travel with him, much to Garibaldi's surprise. As it turns out he isn't quite as free of telepathic abilities as he pretends. In fact, his telepathic abilities are powerful. There are several scenes reminiscent of Luke Skywalker using the force to influence others. Stoner's telepathic skills hint at some of the more complex kinds of telepathy, which are displayed in later episodes. In a third, quite enjoyable, side story, Delenn asks Ivanova to help with her unruly hair and cramps, a hint that her human looks may be more than skin deep. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 4, 2019 Revised March 31, 2024. |
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Bester
John and Delenn having dinner.
Rogue Telepaths
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Season 2, Episode 8 Originally aired January 25, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Apesanahkwat as Telepath, Brian Cousins as Rick, Gianin Loffler as Lurker, and Walter Koenig as Alfred Bester. Bester discovers an underground railroad funneling unregistered telepaths away from Psi Corps and comes to B5 to shut it down. Sheridan and Garibaldi have no choice, they are obligated to help Bester round up the culprits. But they don't have to do a good job of it. The telepaths tell their stories to Talia, shaking her faith in Psi Corps, and persuading her to help them outwit Bester. Bester is bested by the unregistered, untrained telepaths he wants to capture and control. It is great to see him on the short end of the stick for once. And Talia may be more than just a P5. Delenn asks Sheridan out to dinner and they talk for hours, setting up a long story arc about their relationship. Too often the fancy dress that is supposed to make a woman look enticing doesn't work. In Delenn's case, the dress worked just fine. Talia and Ivanova also begin to develop a friendship. Gianin Loffler gives an intense performance as an escaped telepath living in Downbelow. His unique appearance and voice add to the eerie, but powerful way he delivers his lines. This is a good episode, a pleasure to watch. It gives further insight into Psi Corps. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 6, 2019 Revised April 1, 2024. |
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Centauri Emperor
Laundo and G'Kar
Lord Refa and Londo
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Season 2, Episode 9 Originally aired February 1, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Janet Greek Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Turhan Bey as the Centauri Emperor, William Forward as Lord Refa, Fredric Lehne as the Ranger, and Michael O'Hare as Jeffery Sinclair. The Centauri emperor travels to Babylon 5 to apologize to G'Kar for past Centauri atrocities. But before he can say anything to anyone, he collapses, which denies G'Kar the chance to kill him. It isn't foul play. He is simply dying of old age. All the while, a strange man follows Garibaldi around the station. G'Kar is humbled and amazed when Dr. Franklin tells him that the emperor came all the way to B5 just to apologize. He even believes that reconciliation may be possible. Unfortunately, Londo and Refa take advantage of the emperor's imminent demise and call on Mr. Morden. Now, the Narn and Centauri are at war again and G'Kar is crushed. Garibaldi apprehends his shadow only to discover that he is a ranger sent by Sinclair. The first of many rangers to come through B5. It is good to see Michael O'Hare even if he is only a head on a screen. It reminds viewers that he is on Minbar and taking an active role in galactic events. Londo and Refa's plans put Cartagia on the Centauri throne, perhaps not the best choice. We also see Londo's dream of his death. Like most of the B5 episodes, this is a complete story, but it's main purpose is to push major plot lines forward. Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas never fail to deliver outstanding performances. G'Kar goes from suicidal resolve to ecstatic happiness, to anger and despair. While Londo goes from worry about his future, to polite political maneuvering, to the internal pain that comes from knowing your success will end in tragedy. This is a pivotal, must-see episode. In asking Morden for help, Londo not only seals his own fate but G'Kar's as well. There is no way for him, or his world, to escape the clutches of the shadows. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 10, 2019 Revised April 3, 2024 |
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Sheridan
Sheridan and Narn Prisoner
Dream with Kosh
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Season 2, Episode 11 Originally aired February 15, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mario Di Leo Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, and Ed Wasser. With: Jsu Garcia as Lt. Ramirez, Marshall R. Teague as Ta'Lon, Robin Sachs as Hedronn. John Vickery as Neroon, Robert Foxworth as General William Hague, and Ardwight Chamberlain as Kosh (voice). Just before General Hague arrives, Sheridan leads a small squadron out to investigate a strange ship. It destroys all but one starfury and captures Sheridan. Delenn gets a summons to the Gray Council, and Lennier insists he travels with her. Sheridan is tortured and forced to fight for his life without any explanation. In a dream, Kosh says, "You have always been here." When he finally gets home, Kosh walks up to him, says the same thing, and then leaves. This episode has several significant plot developments. Delenn, of the religious caste, is replaced by a member of the warrior caste, tipping the balance of the council to the warrior caste. Sheridan tells Hague that the senior staff are all loyal to Earth. Franklin, Ivanova, and Garibaldi all agree to help Hague and Sheridan discover who killed Santiago, and whether or not Psi Corps has infiltrated Earth Gov. Scooping up people and testing them is a tried-and-true scifi trope that tends to fall apart if you examine it too closely. Here, it works to get Sheridan in trouble and off the station so we get to know Hague a little better. It also lets Delenn come to, or at least assist in, the rescue. Several statements stand out in the dream sequence. "The man in between is searching for you," probably refers to an upcoming episode. "This is the first time your mind has been quiet enough to hear me," lets us know that Kosh can contact Sheridan telepathically, which will also be important in future episodes. And, in one of the sweetest scenes, Lennier is secretly in love with Delenn. Of course, he will never let her know. Bill Mumy, as Lennier, is always perfect. This is not a very pleasant episode, but it delves deeper into the intricacies of human and Minbari cultures and sets up tension between the B5 crew and Earth. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 13, 2019 Revised April 5, 2024. |
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Consumating the Deal
Garibaldi and Londo
G'kar and a Group of Angry Narns
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Season 2, Episode 12 Originally aired February 22, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnson Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Mary Kay Adams, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. Paul Williams as Taq and Ian Abercrombie as Correlilmurzon. G'kar quells a rebellion and begs for help in the war against the Centauri. Ivanova must learn the fine art of diplomacy, and Londo misses his old friend Garibaldi. G'Kar nearly gets killed trying to stop his fellow Narns from assassinating the station's Centauri. The war is going badly, but neither Earth nor Minbar will join the fight. Everybody wants a piece of Londo, or at least they want a favor. His star is on the rise, and friends he never heard of all want something. The Lumati are arrogant, pretentious, and condescending. The delegate, Correlimurzon, travels with Taq, who speaks for him. Apparently, just talking to lesser species is beneath the Lumati delegate. But once they agree to a deal, they don't sign off, they "consummate it." How does that work with different species? Narns have pouches, or at least pouchlings. Centauri have . . . I don't know what those appendages are called or what they do, but they aren't at all like humans. This is one of those situations that shouldn't be analyzed too closely, or the fun goes away. Although there is no main story in this episode, it shows a day in the life as tensions rise and lives are disrupted. With each episode, both Londo and G'kar develop greater complexity and depth. Ivanova's unique solution to the Lumati quandary is the perfect counterpoint to the seriousness of the other storylines. This is another memorable episode that is well worth watching. Boom! Shabba-labba. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 16, 2019 Revised April 7, 2024. |
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Dr. Evertt Jacobs
Kosh's Ship
Sarah
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Season 2, Episode 13 Originally aired March 1, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Menachem Binetski Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway ,and Ed Wasser. With: Bernie Casey as Derek Cranston, Wanda De Jesus as Sarah, Tony Steedman as Dr. Everett Jacobs, and Richard Moll as Max. Derek Cranston from EarthGov demands that Sheridan help him find Dr. Evertt Jacobs, President Clark's former doctor. Cranston turns the station upside down, searching for Jacobs. He even commandeers Garibaldi's security officers. Then Sarah, one of General Hague's operatives, shows up, telling Sheridan that Jacobs has proof Clark murdered President Santiago. While the official EarthGov manhunt is on, Sheridan and Garibaldi do a bit of sleuthing on their own. Jacobs makes his way to Downbelow, not the safest place for the well-dressed and uninitiated. Even though Garibaldi and Cranston can't find him, Max has no problem catching the hapless doctor and selling his possessions to the highest bidder. Richard Moll is perfect as the nasty, bad man Max. Most B5 episodes have a main story with two or three side stories that may or may not be related. Except for Sheridan's attempt to make friends with Kosh, this episode stays focused on Jacobs and his attempts to find him. Sheridan's attempts to befriend Kosh pay off, not only in this episode but also in the next. This episode delves further into the corruption inside EarthGov, and the willingness of Babylon 5's leaders to circumvent or outright defy EarthGov. We also get a good look at Kosh's ship. Apparently, it is alive and able to defend itself and also do a bit of subterfuge for the cause. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 24, 2019 Revised April 11, 2024. |
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Ashan
Londo with his Doll
A Moment of Perfect Beauty
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Season 2, Episode 14 Originally aired April 26, 1995 Written by Peter David. Directed by Mike Vejar Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway ,and Ed Wasser. With Sean Sullivan as Ashan. To offset some of the station expenses, a shop sells everything B5, dolls, masks, teddy bears, etc. Much to her surprise, Sheridan assigns Ivanova to oversee the shop while he strolls off for a lesson with Kosh. According to the Centauri government, Londo is now too important to have lowly Vir as his assistant. A replacement is on order. Before he finds Kosh, someone steals Sheridan's link. He gives chase, crashing into Lavell, a Minbari, who attacks him. He kills Lavell in self-defense. The only witness is Ashan, also a Minbari. He claims it was murder. Sheridan appears doomed. He is obviously being framed, but why? This episode delves deeper into relationships; Minbari prejudices and what they will do to protect their beliefs, Londo's fondness for Vir, and his refusal to accept a replacement, and Kosh's relationship with Sheridan. And from behind the scenes, Linnier seems to be controlling everyone. There are a few technical issues. The B5 store couldn't just spring up overnight without all the command staff knowing about it. Who is running the store, and why give profits to the station? Why would a group of people gather in a crawl space in Downbelow to sing medieval church music for a fee? It has a few truly memorable moments. Londo gets pissed because his action figure lacks proper attributes. Sheridan spaces a teddy bear. And there is Kosh's lesson - a moment of perfect beauty. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 26, 2019 Revised April 13, 2024. |
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Cynthia Torqueman
Almost Subliminal
Narn and Centauri Ships
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Season 2, Episode 15 Originally aired May 3, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mario Di Leo Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway ,and Ed Wasser. With: Kim Zimmer as Cynthia Torqueman and Christopher Curry as Senator Ronald Quantrell. Cynthia Torqueman, ISN reporter, spends 36 hours on Babylon 5. Back on Earth, support for the station is faltering, and she intends to find out if the investment is worthwhile. A Narn ship destroys a Centauri transport claiming it was carrying weapons of mass destruction. It's just a typical day on B5. Narn and Centauri ships battle it out right in front of the station. Torqueman interviews G'kar and Londo, getting very different versions or the war. She also interviews Sheridan, Garibaldi, Delenn and Senator Quantrell. Each gives their own interpretation of B5. There is even a creepy ad for Psi Corps, with an obvious subliminal message. And Kosh says a few words in his language. This episode further develops the Narn/Centauri conflict, showing that they are both guilty of advancing the conflict, but the Centauri are better at pretending to be innocent victims. It also develops the conflict with EarthGov that will eventually result in significant changes. At one point, the lights dim and distant weapon's fire is heard. Ivanova says Narn and Centauri ships are firing at each other just outside the station. Noise doesn't carry in space. Traditional shock waves don't either. Without air molecules to compress, a shock wave, or wave of compressed air molecules, can't travel through space. Perhaps debris was hitting the station. This is a solid episode, well-crafted and never boring. For B5 fans it is an important part of the station's history. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 24, 2019 Revised April 15, 2024. |
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Icarus on Z'ha'dum
Vir Talking to Mordon
Mordon Is Never Alone
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Season 2, Episode 16 Originally aired May 10, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. Sheridan discovers that Morden was on the Icarus, the ship that exploded and killed his wife. To say he gets pissed is a bit of an understatement. Why is Mordon alive when his wife is dead, or is she? The medical staff is overwhelmed with the constant stream of injured Narn refugees pouring in. And the Ministry of Peace recruits for the Nightwatch. The episode focuses on Sheridan and Morden. He incarcerates and interrogates Mordon without cause and refuses to let him go, refusing to listen to anyone who tells him he is wrong. Eventually, Kosh gives him an answer of sorts, and he learns, beyond a doubt, that Morden is never alone. This is an important revelation for both Sheridan and the audience. In the background, we learn about the Ministry of Peace and their eyes and ears, the Nightwatch. Zack seems oblivious to the more sinister implications. But for me, the Ministry of Peace is just creepy and wrong, as later episodes will prove. In a memorable and prophetic scene, Vir tells Morden that he wants to live just long enough to see Morden's head on a pike. This episode gives more information about the shadows, the first ones, and a threat much greater than the Narn/Centauri conflict. And it's obvious that Delenn and Kosh have a deeper understanding of current events than mere humans. It's an important episode and a good one. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 9, 2019 Revised April 17, 2024. |
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Dr. Franklin & Dr. Lazarenn
Delenn & a Markab Child
No Survivors
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Season 2, Episode 17 Originally aired May 24, 1995 Directed by Kevin G. Cremin. Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. With: Robert Rusler as Lt. Warren Keffer, Jim Norton as Dr. Lazarenn, Diane Adair as Markab Mother, Maggie Egan as Jane / ISN Anchor, and Kim Strauss as Markab Ambassador. Dr. Lazarenn, a Markab doctor, doesn't like Dr. Franklin looking over his shoulder. But Franklin is concerned because this is the fourth Markab to die of natural causes in three days. And a Markab ship is missing. When it is found, everyone is dead. Delenn invites Sheridan to her quarters for a meal, but it isn't what he expected. Lennier is also there and has spent several days preparing the meal. Instead of eating, they must follow rather strict guidelines, which include lots of meditation. Apparently, the Markab on the ship all died of a disease that is 100% fatal and 100% contagious. As more Markab get sick, they are herded into one huge room. The Pak'ma'ra are also susceptible. The Markab could have used better isolation, done more research, even educated people about the plague, but it is considered divine punishment for immorality. This story has a more ominous feeling today than it did in 1995. It might have been possible to prevent the entire Covid pandemic had the first people involved realized how serious it was and taken measures to prevent the spread. This is not the most pleasant episode, and it doesn't further any long story arcs except to show how much Delenn and Sheridan care for each other, even if they are not obviously aware of it. Apparently I didn't review this back in 2019 even though I remember watching it. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 18, 2024. |
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Lyta
Ivanova & Friend Talia
The Other Talia
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Season 2, Episode 19 Originally aired April 26, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mario Di Leo Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. With Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. Lyta returns to Babylon 5 in a small ship and half dead. She insists a Psi Corps super sleeper agent is somewhere on the station, and only she can find them. Sheridan is skeptical and initially refuses, saying it is an invasion of privacy. Someone tries to kill Lyta, but she survives. Sheridan then agrees to let her send the secret password into people's heads telepathically. Ivanova refuses, which looks rather suspicious. Ivanova also spends the night with Talia. But she was not in her room when Lyta was attacked. That looks rather suspicious. This is Andrea Thompson's last episode as a regular cast member. She leaves with a stunning transformation. It also signals Lyta's return, although it will be a few episodes before we see her again. At the end of the episode, Lyta asks Kosh if she can see him one more time. He comes out of his encounter suit, but we don't get to see him. Although it lacks some of the comic relief typical of B5 and it lacks a second storyline, this is a good episode. Patricia Tallman gives an intense performance as Lyta. And Andrea Thompson does a great job as the new Talia. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 11, 2019 Revised April 19, 2024. |
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Draal
Bombing Narn
Londo Forcing G'Kar to Leave
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Season 2, Episode 20 Originally aired October 18, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by John C. Flinn III. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. With John Shuck as Draal and William Forward as Lord Refa. The Narn plan to attack Gorash 7 leaves their homeworld unprotected but should strike a decisive blow against the Centauri. However, the Centauri learn of the plan and launch an attack on the Narn homeworld. At the request of Lord Refa, Londo asks Morden to defend Gorash 7. Draal visits B5. Well, his holographic self does. He invites Sheridan and Delenn down to Epsilon 3 for a chat. With his world devastated, G'Kar is the only member of the Kha'Ri who is still free. As much as he doesn't want to, he asks Sheridan for sanctuary, which stops him from being deported and imprisoned, or worse. Londo is forced to watch while Centauri ships bombard Narn. Although he must continue to act like a conquering ass, he now knows that his fate is sealed. Nothing good can come from his past actions, no matter how much power or land the Centauri acquire. And the surrender agreement the Narn government signs is abominable. It guarantees future hostilities. The Centauri bomb Narn with mass drivers instead of explosives. That only makes sense if the mass the driver hurls is large enough to survive the atmosphere and massive enough to do more damage than an explosion. Nudging large asteroids into descending orbits could be devastating, but that is not what was portrayed. The Centauri ships fired glowing balls at the planet. It was impressive CGI, but it didn't really make sense. Why not put explosives into those balls? Why not show the ships nudging asteroids toward the planet, then stand back and watch them fireball through the atmosphere to explode on impact. This is a pivotal episode, well-written and well-executed. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 14, 2019 Revised April 21, 2024. |
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Kosh Saving Sheridan
Centauri Attacking Babylon 5
Ivanova Lighting a Menorah
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Season 2, Episode 22 Originally aired November 1, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jamnet Greek. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik, Andreas Katsulas, Claudia Christian, Stephen Furst, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jeff Conaway, and Ed Wasser. With Roy Dotrice as Frederick Lantz, John Vickery as Mr. Welles, and Joshua Lee Patton as Kosh. Nightwatch representative, Mr. Wells, and Ministry of Peace representative, Mr. Lantz, invade Babylon 5. Wells wants to bring Nightwatch in line with his goals. Lantz has come to investigate the Centauri/Narn conflict. A Narn cruiser hides behind the planet and asks for help, supplies, and sanctuary, which Sheridan grants, promising to keep its location secret. Lantz proudly announces that Earth is about to sign a non-aggression treaty with Centauri just as a Centauri warship arrives to take out the Narn ship. Sheridan launches starfuries, and the battle is on. From the beginning to this point, the plot is predictable but never boring. The tension builds, and the battle doesn't disappoint. On his way to apologize for saving a Narn warship, saving B5, and destroying a Centauri battleship, Sheridan sees a bomb on the transport tube. With no other option, he leaps out into the middle of the station. And we finally get to see Kosh. Peter Jurasik gives an intense, almost over-the-top performance as the enraged and terrified Londo Mollari. Andreas Katsulas is just as powerful when G'Kar's hopes are shattered by Mr. Lantz. And Vir and Lennier have a heart-to-heart talk that reveals nothing except their mutual feelings of being left out. Nightwatch is at odds with the philosophy of B5. EarthGov is at odds with Sheridan and most of the command staff. As an end-of-season episode, this one is great. It signals the massive changes to come. And the rest of the galaxy gets to see a Shadow vessel. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 15, 2019 Revised April 23,2024. |
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Marcus and Delenn
The White Star
Mordon and Londo Dividing Up the Galaxy
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Season 3, Episode 1 Originally aired November 6, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kevin G. Cremin. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With: Tucker Smallwood as David Endawi, Jonathan Chapman as Drazi Pilot, Kitty Swink as Senator, and Andrew Walker as Psi Cop. It's a new season, and Babylon 5 takes several steps toward the coming war. Marcus escapes Zagros VII but nearly dies before he gets to the station. Mr. Endawi, from Earth Force Special Intelligence, comes to investigate. Londo tells Morden he wants nothing more to do with him. Morden can always turn to Lord Refa. But, as payment for services rendered, Londo must agree to stay out of specific areas of space and continue the blockad of Zagros VII, where a ranger training camp is located. Delenn and Marcus give Sheridan a new ship, the Whitestar, and he goes to the rescue. At Zagros VII, they encounter a shadow vessel. Sheridan once again shows that he can outwit even a shadow ship. Mr. Endawi searches for information about the ship that killed Keller (a shadow vessel) and comes up dry until he meets G'Kar. Back on Earth, Endawi has an ominous meeting with Mr. Morden, a Psi Cop and a senator. Morden and Psi Corps are intimately intertwined with EarthGov, which can come to no good. One wonders what the Shadows want with the Rangers. That will become more obvious in future episodes, but at this point, it doesn't make a lot of sense. If the Shadows wanted the Rangers dead, why not just kill them? Why keep them alive and confined? This isn't explained. With each episode, the storylines get more complex and intertwined. This is a good episode with an exciting battle and many insights into political and personal agendas. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 12, 2019 Revised April 25, 2024. |
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Robert Carlson
Brother Theo
Londo and G'Kar Trapped Together
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Season 3, Episode 2 Originally aired November 13, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mike Vejar. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With: Patrick Kilpatrick as Robert Carlson, Louis Turenne as Brother Theo, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Morishi. Chaos is coming in two hours, or so the message says. And it does. One explosion after another goes off. In the meantime, Brother Theo and a group of monks ask Ivanova for permission to live on B5 so they can learn all the names of God. She is skeptical but eventually agrees. Lannier saves Delen and Londo from one of the explosions but gets trapped behind a safety door. While Lennier is critically injured and comatose. Londo sits with him, showing a softer and more caring side. When Londo takes a break, another explosion forces him to dive into the elevator with G'Kar or die. Londo expects G'Kar to kill him. But G'Kar only laughs, finding it funny that he gets to watch Londo die without suffering the consequences of killing a Centauri. Brother Theo and his associates don't appear to have much to offer until it comes time to find the person responsible for all the havoc. They search all the security cameras and find one face that is always in the crowd after the explosion - Robert Carlson. The man is completely insane. Patrick Kilpatrick does a very believable portrayal of Carlson. Although the series is called Babylon 5, it could be called the tale of Londo and G'Kar. These two characters anchor so many storylines. Their relationship grows and changes with the political events of the times. Both Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas portray the complexity of their characters with sensitivity and believability. This is an exciting episode with lots of action. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 14, 2019 Revised April 27, 2024. |
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The Mysterious Probe
Na'Far and Ta'Lon
Garibaldi and Franklin
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Season 3, Episode 3 Originally aired November 20, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Stephen Macht as Na'Far and Marshall R. Teague as Ta'Lon. A lot happens during A Day in the Strife. Traders are upset over new security procedures. Na'Far arrives to send G'Kar home and take his place. A probe will destroy the station unless they answer all six hundred questions correctly. Dr. Franklin's addiction to stems becomes obvious. And Vir is sent to Minbar. Na'Far persuades G'Kar to return to Narn for the good of all Narns, even though it means life in prison or worse. Na'Far's bodyguard, Ta'Lon, has more honorable inclinations, as do the majority of Narn on Babylon 5. Sheridan helped Ta'Lon escape in Season 2, Episode 11, Alone in the Night. He wants to repay the debt. The stress of finding the answers to all six hundred questions, combined with the general unrest and possible loss of G'Kar, makes for an exciting episode. Just at the last minute, Sheridan's insight saves the station. Is Na'Far a quisling? Does he truly believe that destroying G'Kar will help bring peace, or does he see this as personal advancement? We may never know. But it unifies the station's Narn in support of G'Kar. And on a quieter note, Garibaldi tries to confront Franklin about his addiction to stims. This will become an issue in a later episode. A Day in the Strife is a fast-paced episode chocked full of action, suspense, and character development. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 16, 2019 Revised April 19, 2024. |
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Sheridan With Malcolm and Theo
Lyta Giving a Report to Kosh
Edward Being Punished By the Families of His Victims
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Season 3, Episode 4 Originally aired November 27, 1995 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Adam Nimoy. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Brad Dourif as Brother Edward, Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander, Louis Turenne as Brother Theo, and Robert Keith as Malcolm. Lyta's back! She has been living on the Vorlon homeworld and arrives in Kosh's ship. Brother Edward, one of Brother Theo's flock, is forced to remember his violent past. Edward was a serial killer before he was captured and sentenced to death of personality. The friends and family of his victims hire a telepath to break the mind block and force him to remember his deeds. Then, they exact their revenge. Lyta returns from the Vorlon homeworld harder and stronger. Even if Psi Corps finds her, it's doubtful they can capture or control her. This is a powerful but dark and disturbing episode, somewhat difficult to watch. It explores concepts of spirituality, guilt, revenge, and, ultimately, forgiveness. It questions the humanity of death of personality for both the convicted and their victim's families. Although, torture and murder hardly seem better. Most of the episode is devoted to the Brother Edward story, which is not important to the history of Babylon 5. But the return of Lyta and the revelation that Valen was Minbari, not of Minbari born and that he formed the gray council are significant. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 29, 2019 Revised April 20, 2024. |
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Julie Musante
Draal and Ivanova
The Avitar of a First One
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Season 3, Episode 5 Originally aired January 20, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Menachem Binetski. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With John Schuck as Draal and Shari Shattuck as Julie Musante. Political Officer Julie Musante informs Sheridan that she will help him make politically correct decisions. Ivanova meets with Draal on Epsilon 3 and steps into the great machine. While in the machine, Ivanova uncovers a video of Morden and Clark discussing Santiago's impending death. Draal records the conversation. Sheridan knows just what to do with it. Ivanova also learns where she might meet some of the first ones. The first ones turn out to be more enigmatic than helpful. Although their ship is impressive, they send a childish version of a Halloween lantern to frighten the impudent intruders. Undeterred, Ivanova stands up to the huge, fiery image and calls its bluff. The recording of Clark and Morden makes its way to Earth, causing enough havoc to force Julie Musante home, much to everyone's relief. John Shuck has such a distinctive look, voice, and presence that he often overtakes the character. But I can't think of anyone who would be better at playing Draal. Voices of Authority is another good episode that moves the long story arc forward while still being an independent episode, demonstrating that it is quite possible to tell a long and complex story while giving each episode a satisfying conclusion. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 18, 2019 Revised April 22, 2019 |
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Bester on Sleepers
Londo and G'Kar
A Bit of Dust
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Season 3, Episode 6 Originally aired February 5, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Walter Koenig as Alfred Bester. No one, Sheridan, Garibaldi, Franklin, and especially Ivanova, wants to get scanned by Bester. But they can't stop him from coming aboard. So, they surround him with Minbari telepaths until he agrees to take the sleeper drug. Temporally defanged, he is free to roam the station. Someone is selling Dust. Bester wants him, but so does G'Kar. Well, to be honest, G'Kar only wants a sample, just enough to test. Dust enhances telepathic abilities in humans. Once, there were Narn telepaths, but no more. Will Dust give G'Kar telepathy? Telepathy he gets, but only after a period of uncontrolled rage. After trashing his quarters, G'Kar goes after Londo. Two things intervene to stop him from killing: a peek into Londo's mind and Kosh. This is a turning point for G'Kar. He is left with a greater understanding of Londo, a brief encounter with Kosh, and several weeks in the brig to think about it. Dust to Dust delves deeply into the political forces that created Londo Mollari, giving him a greater depth and somewhat tragic quality. This is a must-see episode, not just because it is good, but because it explains why both Londo and G'Kar will change their opinions of each other. It gives the G'Kar a reason to change his outlook on life. It is also one of the best Bester episodes. Since he can't invade their minds, Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Sheridan are free to tell him what they think of him. Their insults have little effect. Bester just shrugs them off. He may be defanged, but his self-confidence and ego are unimpaired. And he demonstrates a unique sense of humor. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 30, 2019 Revised May 2, 2024. |
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Marcus and the Flowers
A Vindrizi
Duncan
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Season 3, Episode 7 Originally aired February 12, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kevin G. Cremin. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Josh Coxx as Lt. David Corwin, Aubrey Morris as Duncan After Corwin is promoted to full lieutenant, Ivanova invites him to her quarters to assertain his loyalities. Marcus discovers his old friend Duncan is missing Corwin mistakes Ivanova's intentions and buys a bouquet of flowers, starting a funny chain of misunderstandings. At the last moment, Corwin comes to his senses and says he found the flowers outside Ivanova's door. Since Ivanova knows Marcus likes her, she assumes the flowers are from him. She then questions Corwin about his political beliefs. He leaves, more confused than enlightened. Later, Ivanova gives the flowers to Marcus, adding to his confusion, but pleasing him none the less. This thread runs through the episode adding delightful counterpoint to the main story. Dr. Franklin discovers a parasite in a man who died unexpectedly. Marcus finds Duncan and other contacts are infected with parasites called Vindrizi. Together they try to stop the Vindrizi. But all is not as it first appears. The Vindrizi are thousands of years old. They bring their memories to their hosts, along with improved health. They have no political agendas and select only willing hosts, preferring to improve the lives of those who have little. This episode focuses on misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions. It is full of surprising revelations and gentle humor. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 8, 2019 Revised May 3, 2024. |
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Dr. Kirkish
Shadow Vessel Waking Up
Dead Shadow Vessel
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Season 3, Episode 8 Originally aired February 19, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mike Vejar. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With William Forward as Lord Refa, Louis Turenne as Brother Theo, Mel Winkler as Reverend Will Dexter, and Marva Hicks as the singer. A team of religious leaders arrive with information about the resistance. Londo sets a trap for G'Kar. Brother Theo and Reverend Dexter trade jibes and insults. Their clever banter serves as a counterpoint to Vir's discomfort and Londo's scheming. In the end, Reverend Dexter holds a typical Southern Baptist service, which rejuvenates almost everyone except Lord Refa. Londo orders Vir to tell G'Kar that Na'Toth is alive and imprisoned on Narn. It is likely that G'Kar will be captured and imprisoned if he goes to Narm. This upsets Vir, especially after G'Kar falls for the lie and goes to Narn. But all is not as it first appears. Londo wants revenge and has plotted a diabolical scheme to increase his political standing. Instead of giving G'Kar to his guards, he gives Lord Refa to G'Kar and friends. It is amazing that G'Kar was able to get on and off Centauri Prime without getting caught. At the very end, Delenn surprises Sheridan with a fleet of White Star ships. Much happens in this episode that is important to the long story arc, but at times it feels a bit disjointed. However, is it still a good episode. "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place," a traditional spiritual, is wonderfully sung by Marva Hicks. I wished it could have continued for a little longer. Ominous words begin every new day, starting with "Z minus 14 days" and ending with "Z minus 10 days." No explanation is given for the countdown. Just like the first time through, many years ago, none is needed. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 1, 2019 Revised June 28, 2024. |
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Vir, Lady Morella, and Londo
Garibaldi and Nightwatch
General Hague
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Season 3, Episode 9 Originally aired February 26, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jim Johnson. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Majel Barrett as Lady Morella and Marshall R. Teague as Ta'Lon. President Clark declares martial law throughout Earth's colonies, and Nightwatch takes over Babylon 5 security. Londo welcomes Lady Morella, the wife of the late Emperor Turhan. Sheridan calls General Hague and is told to "follow the chain of command." Nightwatch starts arresting people and causing general havoc. Zack and Garibaldi challenge Nightwatch. Zack stays with Nightwatch, and Garibaldi quits. Lady Morella, played so wonderfully by Majel Barrett, sees right through Londo's pretense of giving her a tour. But the future she sees and the advice she gives are both enigmatic and disturbing. It takes Sheridan a while to figure out what Hague meant by "follow the chain of command," but when he does, he sets a trap for Nightwatch and kicks them off the station. Point of No Return is just that. Initially, Nightwatch recruited people into a neighborhood watch type organization - pretty innocent, just looking for dissidents and criminals. But with time and power, it became the Gestapo. Zack had doubts and questions along the way, but he never quite understood until the end. Power often corrupts, but it feels so good. Nightwatch was a perfect example. Had the members understood the real purpose of Nightwatch when they first joined, would they have approved? The Nightwatch story is well done and thought-provoking. The Londo story hinges on the performance of Lady Morella. Majel Barrett is perfect. Once Sheridan realizes what Hague meant, he takes care of Nightwatch in a most creative way. And G'Kar, now free of incarceration, comes to the rescue. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 8, 2019 Revised May 7, 2024 |
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Sheridan's Announcement
The Churchill
Ivanova in a Starfury
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Season 3, Episode 10 Originally aired April 1, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Kim Miyori as Captain Sandra Hiroshi, Rance Howard as David Sheridan, Bruce McGill as Major Ed Ryan, James Parks as Drakhen, Josh Coxx as Lt. David Corwin. And here we go! Defeated by Earth Alliance forces, the Alexander calls asking for help. An injured Minbari Ranger makes it to B5 with news that the shadows have caused civil and interplanetary wars. ISN defies President Clark and reports the secession of the Proxima III and Orion V colonies. Sheridan cuts all communications before the Alexander arrives, hoping to avoid conflict. It doesn't work. Hague is dead, but the crew is still opposed to Clark and in desperate need of repairs. The Churchill arrives to tell Sheridan Earth Alliance ships are on the way, so Sheridan prepares for war. G'Kar and the Narn join station security. A much-needed boost since Nightwatch got kicked out. Delenn gets pissed and gives the gray council a piece of her mind. When she leaves, three members of the council stay, but six follow her out. Sheridan announces that Babylon 5 has seceded from Earth. He didn't consult anyone first. But he does have chutzpah. Earth Alliance ships charge through the jump gate and fire on the station. The Churchill is destroyed. Babylon 5 defenses and starfurys give all they have, but more Alliance ships arrive. Either Sheridan must surrender, or B5 will be destroyed and everyone on board killed. This is a great, exciting, must-see episode. The entire season has built to this breaking point. In the old cowboy movies, this when Calvary rides over the hill to save the day. In 1977, Star Wars astounded everyone with space battles that looked real, dozens of ships zooming in every direction. Explosions and phaser bolts adding excitement to the battle scenes. That was all done on film, using models. It was technically arduous, time consuming, and expensive. Thirty years later, when B5 was filmed, computers made it possible to 'film' massive space battles on a TV series budget and timeline. In this episode, the space battles are an integral part of the story. And the hand to hand combat in Brown Sector was quite realistic, a melee that killed many on both sides. In the end, Delenn offers Sheridan her hand as partners. Only moments later, he puts his arm around her. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 13, 2019 Revised May 9, 2024. |
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Delenn is Captured
Londo and Lord Refa
Sheridan and Delenn
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Season 3, Episode 11 Originally aired April 8, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by John C. Flinn III. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With as Lord Refa and Don Stroud as Boggs.. Delenn schedules a Rebirth Ceremony. Each participant must give up something the value and tell a secret they have never told anyone before. Everyone can find a good reason why they can't attend. Former Nightwatch members plot to defeat Sheridan. While giving a few Minbari VIP's a tour, Delenn and two other Minbari are captured by Boggs and his friends. They demand Sheridan send the Minbari ships guarding B5 home or they will kill the Minbari. Marcus takes umbrage at that. He finds a bar where someone should know something and starts a fight. Once Marcus subdues everyone, he has to wait for someone to wake up. While waiting, he and Lennier have a heart to heart about Delenn. It works. Marcus finds Boggs and Sheridan tricks them in believing they are in danger, so they all run out into the waiting arms of station security. One throws a knife at Sheridan but hits Delenn. Sheridan catches him. There are some good fight scenes. Marcus is impressive as he subdues everyone in the bar. Although, his ability to do that is a bit farfetched. Sheridan's anger and the intensity of his pursuit shows how much he cares for Delenn. Maybe the rebirth ceremony is just what they need. Sheridan, Garibaldi, Franklin, and Ivanova all visit Delenn in sickbay, tell her a secret, and leave their Earth Force uniforms. This episode is a kind of rebirth for the series. No longer bound by Earth laws and politics, Sheridan and friends are free to make their own futures, or at least use their wits to avoid getting blown to bits in the impending war. In a side story, Londo poisons Lord Refa in an attempt to free his world of Mr. Morden and friends. He only gives Refa part of the poison, so Refa will never know when or where the other half, the lethal half, will be administered. Although, a bit convoluted, it does work in this context. It also shows that Londo understands the threat Morden poses and is trying to do something about it. Ceremonies of Light and Dark is another excellent and pivotal episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 15, 2019 Revised May 10, 2024. |
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Lindisty and Vir
Lindisty Showing Her True Colors
Abrahamo Lincolni
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Season 3, Episode 12 Originally aired April 15, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by John C. Flinn III. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Carmen Thomas as Lyndisty. After a few bad dreams, Ivanova coming to work naked and Vir confined with angry Narns, the story gets going. Vir returns from the Centauri homeworld to find Londo has gifted him with a wife, the stunningly beautiful Lindisty. Loosely translated the title mean 'in this way passes Vir.' Or perhaps more coequally, 'so goes Vir.' Vir doesn't want an arranged marriage, but Lindisty is so pretty and so kind that he changes his mind. Ivanova discovers that Abrahamo Lincolni transferred a couple thousand Narns from the homeworld to Centauri labor camps where they died. And that Abrahamo Lincolni is Vir. While on the Minbari home world he had the ability to infiltrate the Centauri systems. But nothing is what it seems. The Narns are not dead. They have been shipped to other worlds. Vir made it look as if they died, so no one came after them. And Lindisty... Carmine Thomas does an incredible portrayal of a kind and loving young Centauri. The perfect wife, until she captures a Narn and gives him to Vir. She is so proud of her father's Narn cleansing raids, and the pleasure she gets from killing Narns. There is no remorse or guilt in her voice or demeanor. And she truly expects Vir to kill the Narn tied up on the floor. Vir is appalled. We never find out what happened to that Narn. After the previous two episodes, this one is a bit tame. However, it adds depth and compassion to Vir and a greater understanding of how ruthless the Centauri are toward Narns. Lindisty justifications for killing Narns have been repeated throughout history to justify slavery and genocide. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 15, 2019 Revised May 12, 2024. |
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Bester
Bester's Girlfriend
Delenn Confessing to G'Kar
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Season 3, Episode 14 Originally aired April 19, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Mike Vejar. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Walter Koenig as Alfred Bester. Sheridan investigates a distress call only to find Bester waiting to ask him for help. G'Kar begs to be let into the War Council. ISN returns as a propaganda machine for Clark. Bester wants to intercept a Shadow transport carrying weapons components using the argument that 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Sheridan agrees, and they take the White Star. The White Star defeats the fighters protecting the transport. Then another Shadow vessel appears and then mysteriously leaves without attacking. The transport is full of humans in stasis, so they wake one up. She goes bonkers, attaching herself to a web of wires and invading the station's systems. She nearly kills Bester, shooting at his Psi Corps badge. He insists she not be hurt. Even though she is out of control and a rogue telepath, she is his lover. Delenn has the difficult task of telling G'Kar that by her inaction, she let the Shadows help the Centauri destroy his homeworld. G'Kar had tried to warn everyone about the Shadows long before any serious conflict. Delenn could have confirmed his suspicions but chose to remain silent. This is a powerful scene. Mira Furlan and Andreas Katsulas work perfectly together. Delenn is truly distressed, and G'Kar is furious but understands that as much as his world has suffered, it would have been worse had Delenn not kept the secret. Rather than letting that anger show, Andreas Katsulas keeps it under control, making for a powerful performance. In a previous episode, Sheridan told the story of Coventry, a town that Churchill didn't warn of an impending Germain bombing even though he knew about it. To reveal that knowledge would let the Germans know that the British had broken their codes. Garibaldi calls a war council. The Book of G'Quan, which he is still struggling through, tells of a Shadow attack on the Narn homeworld a thousand years ago. The Shadows killed the telepaths first, which may explain why the Shadow vessel didn't attack the White Star when Bester was aboard. But it doesn't explain why human telepaths are weapons components - unless . . . So much happens in this episode. It explains why there are no Narn telepaths. The Shadows both fear and need telepaths. Although the Shadows have invaded Psi Corps, they don't seem to have any hold on Bester. Bester actually loves someone. And the Shadows openly attack the Brakiri. It also shows that, to some extent, Bester can be trusted. He is a strange ally but has the potential to be a powerful ally. Another great must-see episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 18, 2019 Revised May 14, 2024 |
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Sheridan Confronting Kosh
Saying Goodbye to Franklin
Kosh's Remains
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Season 3, Episode 15 Originally aired May 6, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jesus Trevino. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Jennifer Balgobin as Dr. Lilian Hobbs, Rance Howard as David Sheridan, and Ardwight Chamberlain as the voice of Kosh. In order to get other worlds to join the fight against the Shadows, Sheridan asks Kosh to help, not realizing the ultimate cost. Londo prepares for the arrival of the lovely Adira Tyree. Franklin loses it, making bad calls and yelling at people. Sheridan dreams about his father, but when he finally wakes, he realizes Kosh was talking to him. And Kosh is dead. This is an important hint, but full realization won't come for a few more episodes. The Vorlon victory over the Shadows brings many other worlds into the fight. Londo makes elaborate preparations for Adira, the slave he freed a while back. But Morden knows that Londo is responsible for Lord Refa's refusal to work with him. He finds the perfect way to get back at Londo, making it appear as if Lord Refa is responsible. This will play out later. Franklin admits that he is addicted to stims and leaves Medlab to find himself, which will also be addressed in future episodes. Although Morden doesn't have a lot of screen time, he dominates the behind-the-scenes actions. Londo wants revenge, and Morden is just the guy to help, to hell with Centauri. And Kosh must be punished for involving the Vorlons. The episode has several emotionally powerful scenes. The intensity of Sheridan's argument with Kosh and his refusal to take no for an answer shows Sheridan's commitment to winning the Shadow War. And Londo's grief is palpable. For all his bluster, inside, he is miserable. Everything he tries fails. This is a major, pivotal episode. Interludes and Examinations sets the scene for the next few episodes and another major change in the B5 saga. In a future episode, another Vorlon is killed. It is extremely difficult, so I wonder just how Mordon and the Shadows managed to kill Kosh. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 19, 2019 Revised June 20, 2024 |
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Sinclair
Zathras
The Future Londo Molari
Valen
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Season 3, Episode 16 and 17 Originally aired May 13 and May 20, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kevin G. Cremin. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Tim Choate as Zathras and Michael O'Hare as Ambassador Jeffrey Sinclair/Valen. On Minbar, Ambassador Jeffery Sinclair reads a letter he wrote to himself a thousand years ago. With the help of Draal, Babylon 4 returns to Sector 14. Garibaldi intercepts a message from eight days in the future showing Babylon 5 being destroyed. This two-part episode brings several plot lines together and opens many new possibilities, but it does slip around in both time and space. While Draal keeps the time rift open, Sinclair takes Sheridan, Ivanova, Marcus, and Delenn to Sector 14 on the White Star. Zathras arrives and gives everyone time stabilizers. When the White Star flies through the rift to Babylon 4, Shadow fighters are about to blow up the station. The White Star defeats the fighters, but Sheridan's stabilizer is destroyed. Now unstuck in time, Sheridan finds himself many years into the future, facing an elderly Emperor Londo Mollari. Much of Centauri Prime is in ruins, and Londo blames Sheridan. Back in his cell, Sheridan meets Delenn, who begs him not to go to Z'ha'dum and tells him their son is safe. Londo is controlled by a parasite on his neck. He gets drunk enough for the creature to sleep and orders Sheridan and Delenn to escape. Then G'Kar walks in and strangles Londo. While the White Star and its crew wait in space, Sinclair, Sheridan, Delenn, and Zathras go to Babylon 4. Sinclair and Zathras attempt to install time control equipment on Babylon 4 to send it one thousand years into the past. Once there, the Minbari can use it as a base to help them defeat the Shadows, making it much harder for the Shadows to gather enough strength to wage war in the present. There is a lot of exciting running around and going back and forth before the B4 crew is rescued, Sheridan is back in his own time, and the station is ready to head into the past. Back on the White Star, Marcus puts it all together, who and what Sinclair is - Minbari not of Minbari born. The concept of being unstuck in time is a bit hard to believe. Why didn't any of the B4 crew get unstuck when the station went forward in time in Babylon Squared? Why did Sheridan reappear in his body in the past rather than as a separate person? Why did he materialize inside a spacesuit? It doesn't really matter. The concept works here. Best not to spend too much time analyzing it. Tim Choate gives another great performance as Zathras. The dialogue and acting complement each other perfectly. Although this episode runs in circles, and the middle and can get a little confusing, it is a great episode. It's well worth watching in two one-hour segments, or better yet, back to back. It explains what happened to Babylon 4, who Valen is, how Lady Morella's prophecies come to pass, and gives hope for the Sheridan and Delenn romance. And maybe Sheridan will win the Shadow War. But it won't be easy, and there will be causalities. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 22, 2019 Revised June 22, 2024. |
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Lyta
Sheridan Taking a Walk Outside
Dr. Frankllin and Cailyn
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Season 3, Episode 18 Originally aired September 30, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kevin G. Cremin. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Erica Gimpel as Cailyn, Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander, Robin Sachs as Warleader Na'Kal, and Ardwight Chamberlain as the voice of Ulkesh. G'Kar learns that several Narn warships survived the Centauri war. A new Vorlon comes to town. Franklin goes walkabout. And Sheridan tests the Shadow's fear of telepaths. The new Vorlon, Ulkesh, tells Sheridan to call him Kosh and asks Lyta, none too politely, if she carries a piece of Kosh. To test the Shadows, Sheridan takes Lyta aboard the White Star and confronts a Shadow vessel. At first, Lyta isn't strong enough to contact the Shadow vessel. Then Sheridan puts his hand on her shoulder, and Kosh enters the scene, so to speak. Lyta paralyzes the Shadow ship. Sheridan drains the White Star's power to kill it, leaving him vulnerable until the ship can recharge. Four Shadow vessels arrive. A Minbari ship hiding in hyperspace jumps to the rescue. The telepaths aboard the Minbari ship stop three of the Shadow vessels. Just before the fourth one fries the White Star, G'Kar leads a fleet of ships to the rescue, bringing the non-aligned worlds into the fray. Franklin wanders the station looking for himself and finds a beautiful singer. But she is ill and committed to singing in Downbelow. He is on a quest for redemption, or at least for a life without stims. According to my research, or Wikipedia at least, Ulkesh is the name JMS gave to Kosh's replacement. Although that name is never used in the show. Now might be a good time to say a word or two about the League of Non-Aligned World. Since they are all part of the 'League,' aren't they aligned with each other? The League of Non-Aligned Worlds sounds like an oxymoron. In past episodes, light streamed out of Lyta into Kosh without any explanation as to what that light was. It appears that Vorlons can put part of themselves inside humans, then take the bits back. Walkabout lacks the intensity of the previous two episodes, but it is just right for this part of the saga. The Franklin story is sensitive and well done. The space battle is exciting and intense. Lyta comes into her own against the Shadows. And, perhaps Kosh isn't quite as dead as would be expected. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 23, 2019 Revised June 24, 2024 |
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Jeremiah
The Monster
Neroon and Marcus
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Season 3, Episode 19 Originally aired October 7 20, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Jonn C. Flinn III Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Robert Englund as Jeremiah and John Vickery as Neroon A maintenance worker goes missing, and Garibaldi goes to investigate. Delenn is chosen to become Entil'Zha, or Ranger One, to replace Sinclair. As it turns out, Gray Sector has two levels 17s. One Level 17 that everyone knows about, and one just above, also labeled Level 17. The alternate 17 is the realm of Jerimiah, his friends/disciples, and a monster. The show never explains if Jeremiah hid the floor or if some malfunction prevents the elevator from stopping at that floor, only to be discovered by a few unfortunate souls who get in and can't get out. Or how the numbering got messed up. Also, if this level 17 is cut off from the rest of the station, what do the people living there eat and drink? And why are so many objects spewing smoke or steam? This storyline, although a bit unbelievable, makes a nice break from the more intense one about Delenn and Neroon. Neroon challenges Delenn's right to lead the Rangers. He demands the Rangers be under the Warrior cast. Lennier sees this as a threat and asks Marcus to prevent Neroon from reaching Delenn until the ceremony is complete. Marcus challenges Neroon to a fight. Marcus fights the valiant fight, but he is no match for Neroon. Before killing Marcus, Neroon asks why. This is an important episode because Delenn becomes head of the Rangers. Neroon gains a greater understanding of the Rangers and a greater respect for humans. There is also a brief scene about recruiting telepaths. However, it's a bit weak. The Grey 17 story is not as well-crafted as it could be. Robert Englund does a great job as Jeremiah, but living trapped in a level full of junk with a delusional leader and a man-eating monster doesn't bear too much scrutiny. However, the fight between Marcus and Neroon is well-choreographed and quite convincing. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 24, 2019 Revised June 26, 2024 |
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Refa About to Meet His End
The Church Service
Ivanova and Bester
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Season 3, Episode 20 Originally aired October 14, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Engle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With William Forward as Lord Refa, Louis Turenne as Brother Theo, Mel Winkler as Reverend Will Dexter, and Marva Hicks as the singer. A team of religious leaders arrive with information about the resistance. Londo sets a trap for G'Kar. Brother Theo and Reverend Dexter trade jibes and insults. Their clever banter serves as a counterpoint to Vir's discomfort and Londo's scheming. In the end, Reverend Dexter holds a typical Southern Baptist service, which rejuvenates almost everyone except Lord Refa. Londo orders Vir to tell G'Kar that Na'Toth is alive and imprisoned on Narn. There is no way G'Kar can save Na'Toth. If he goes to Narn, he will be captured and imprisoned. This upsets Vir, especially after G'Kar falls for the lie and goes to Narn. But all is not as it first appears. Londo does want revenge and has plotted a diabolical scheme to increase his political standing. Instead of giving G'Kar to his guards, he gives Lord Refa to G'Kar and friends. It is amazing that G'Kar was able to get on and off Centauri Prime without getting caught. At the very end, Delenn surprises Sheridan with a fleet of White Star ships. Much happens in this episode that is important to the long story arc, but at times it feels a bit disjointed. However, is it still a good episode. "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place," a traditional spiritual, is wonderfully sung by Marva Hicks. I wished it could have continued for a little longer. Ominous words begin every new day, starting with "Z minus 14 days" and ending with "Z minus 10 days." No explanation is given for the countdown. Just like the first time through, many years ago, none is needed. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 1, 2019 Revised June 28, 2024. |
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Directing the Battle
Franklin
Anna Sheridan
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Season 3, Episode 21 Originally aired October 21, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kim Friedman. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Melissa Gilbert as Anna Sheridan. Here we go! The penultimate episode of Season 3. Sheridan, and everyone he can round up, engage the Shadow fleet. Franklin meets himself and lives. When Franklin gets stabbed in Downbelow, he nearly gives up and dies. Then, his alter ego shows up and throws insults until Franklin gets his act together and decides to live. Sheridan and Delenn get as many ships as they can from the non-aligned worlds and other allies. Then they wait in ambush for the Shadow fleet. They drive the Shadows away, but one tiny ship exits a Shadow vessel and heads for B5. The Franklin story is extremely well-acted and has a lot of emotional impact. It adds depth to the Franklin character. However, it feels as if it is here to pad out the plot. Although the Shadow attack story isn't complex, it is both critical and exciting, but it can't fill up an hour by itself. On the positive side, Franklin fighting for his life at the same time our heroes are fighting for theirs is great counterpoint. Beth Toussaint played Anna Sheridan in the season 2 episode Revelation, but Melissa Gilbert plays her in this episode. Although Beth Toussaint is a fine actress, Melissa Gilbert seems much more believable as Sheridan's wife. Although this episode doesn't have a complex plot, it does have an exciting space battle and a real twist at the end. Shadow Dancing is a must-see episode. Z minus 2 days. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 4, 2019 Revised June 30, 2024. |
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Directing the Battle
Franklin
Anna Sheridan
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Season 3, Episode 22 Originally aired October 28, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Adam Nimoy. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Melissa Gilbert as Anna Sheridan and Jeff Corey as Justin. Anna Sheridan returns, and Londo leaves. Londo is promoted. He is now an advisor to Emperor Cartagia, a job he does not want. Cartagia, insane to the core, has given the Shadows refuge on Centauri Prime, believing this will bring him Godhood and immortality. Anna Sheridan shows up in the middle of the night and invites Sheridan to Z'ha'dum to meet the Shadows. She accuses Delenn of lying about almost everything and promises Sheridan that once he understands, he will join the Shadows, and the war will be over. Unable to trust either woman, Sheridan takes the White Star to Z'ha'dum with Anna. After he leaves, Shadow ships surround B5. At Z'ha'dum, things don't go the way Anna or the Shadows had planned. The early parts of this episode are a bit melodramatic. Sheridan is pissed with Delenn, thinking she should have told him Anna might be alive. He's also stressed out because Anna just can't be Anna, but she is. And of course, Kosh warned him that if he went to Z'ha'dum, he would die. So, there is a lot of heated back and forth. Once that's over, the story really gets going. In the end, JMS tosses everything in the toilet. Sheridan jumps to his death just before the White Star crashes, detonating two enormous nukes. Garibaldi gets captured by a shadow ship. And, both Delenn and Ivanova fall into depression. However, we do learn a few things about both the Shadows and the Vorlons. What a way to end the season. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 5, 2019 Revised July 2, 2024. |
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Ivanova and Lyta
Sheaching for Sheridan
Emperor Cartagia
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Season 4, Episode 1 Originally aired November 4, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia, Wayne Alexander as Lorien, Damian London as the Centauri Minister. G'Kar asks two questions, "Where is Mr. Garibaldi?" and "What happened to Captain Sheridan at Z'ha'dum?" Londo is still on Centauri Prime, and so is Vir. Cartagia, insane to the core, has given the Shadows refuge on an island, believing this will bring him Godhood and immortality. Delenn asks Ulkesh, Kosh's replacement, why he has not attended any meetings or helped in any way. He says it is irrelevant. We do learn that sometimes Lyta carries the Vorlon, or part of him, inside her. Morden survived the destruction at Z'ha'dum, but he is weak and peeling. Londo is to be his liaison - like it or not. Ivanova, Delenn, Lyta, Lennier, and a Minbari crew take a White Star to Z'ha'dum to find Sheridan. They barely escape the telepathic trap set for them. Deep in the tunnels of Z'ha'dum, a shivering and weak Sheridan meets a strange alien. The early narration by G'Kar sets the tone for this episode. The war has halted for a time, and everyone is taking a moment to figure out what to do next. Throughout the episode, there is a feeling of despair and loss. It is an odd way to start a new season. Ulkesh is the name of the new Vorlon on B5, according to the scripts, but it was never used in the show. Ivonava pours herself a drink that looks very much as if it is alcoholic, yet in later episodes she admits to abusing drugs and alcohol, and no longer drinks. Had The Hour of the Wolf come after a long break, it might have seemed a bit disappointing because it is basically a catch-up episode. The main characters are still figuring out what to do next. However, when broadcast originally, there was only one week between the previous episode and this one, which worked fine. Watched together, they make a great pair. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 6, 2019 Revised July 4, 2024 |
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Garibaldi
Londo and G'Kar
Lorien and Sheridan
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Season 4, Episode 2 Originally aired November 11, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by Kevin James Dobson. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia, Wayne Alexander as Lorien, Damian London as the Centauri Minister. The League of Non-Aligned Worlds has disbanded. Garibaldi and Sheridan are still missing. G'Kar leaves B5 to search for Garibaldi. Delenn organizes the Rangers for one final assault. Although G'kar is safe on Babylon 5, as soon as he leaves, he is vulnerable. Now captured and in chains in a Centauri prison, he and Londo plot to save both their worlds. Garibaldi is in a room without any explanation or hope of escape. Sheridan is still in a cave with Lorien, neither alive nor dead. This episode is still sorting out the aftermath of "Z'ha'dum." It follows Sheridan, Delenn, G'Kar, and Garibaldi. It doesn't spend very much time on any one of them. However, it does justice to all the characters, giving each a chance to explore their role in the story. Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas portray their characters with intense emotions, sensitivity, and depth. Their scenes in the Centauri prison overwhelm the rest of the story. Everything else that happens is overshadowed by the power of their performance. Most of the time, Babylon 5 episodes are individual stories. They further the long plotline but are discrete stories. That is changing. Although the recent episodes are not entirely serialized, they rely heavily on the previous episode, and they don't wholly resolve their plots. There is just too much backstory and too many intersecting plotlines to do that. That is not a criticism, just an observation. This is a great episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 18, 2019 Revised July 6, 2024 |
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Zack and Garibaldi
G'Kar Being Tortured
Sheridan Returns
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Season 4, Episode 3 Originally aired November 18, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by John McPherson. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, and Ed Wasser. With Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia, Wayne Alexander as Lorien, Damian London as the Centauri Minister. Sheridan is still missing and presumed dead. Ivanova wants to take a White Star and find a few First Ones. G'Kar is in a Centauri prison being tortured. Zack finds Garibaldi. Delenn plans to attack Za'ha'dum. So many things happen in this episode, that it's hard to imagine they all fit in. All of the scenes in the episode pale compared to G'Kar and Londo. GKar, beaten almost to death, still refuses to give in to Cartagia's insanity. Although Londo needs G'Kar to stay alive in order to defeat Cartagia, there is a sense that he does, on some level, care for G'kar. Londo is obviously distressed at Cartagia's cruelty. Vir even more so. The interaction between Ivanova and Marcus is fun to watch. He is so infatuated and she is clueless. Lyta is abused by the new Vorlon. Using Lyta, then either ignoring or treating her badly, is a common theme. It isn't wise, but no one seems to see that. We meet Lorien and learn a lot about the Vorlons and the Shadows. It is nice to see that Garibaldi, having just returned from who knows where, is his same old self, not trusting anyone new, especially Lorien. In the end, Sheridan returns, and once again, the battle is on. This is a tense and engaging episode. It is crucial to the long story arc. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 6, 2019 Revised July 4, 2024 |
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Destroying the Vorlon
Sheridan Proposes to Delenn
Londo in Cartagia's Special Room
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Season 4, Episode 4 Originally aired November 25, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by David J. Eagle. Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, Stephen Furst, Jeff Conaway, Peter Jurasik, Ardwight Chamberlain, Andreas Katsulas, Patricia Tallman, and Ed Wasser. With Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia, and Wayne Alexander as Lorien. The Vorlons keep destroying any planet that has any connection to the Shadows without regard for the millions of innocent people living on those worlds. They will destroy Centauri Prime in seven days. G'Kar is still in a Centauri prison, being tortured by Cartagia. Before Sheridan can plan to attack the Vorlons or the Shadows, he needs to get rid of their spy, Kosh's replacement. So, he sends Garibaldi to antagonize the Vorlon and Lyta to trick him. On Centauri Prime, Londo persuades Cartagia to take G'Kar to Narn for execution. It seems like a really dumb idea, but Cartagia falls for it. The story does take a small break in the excitement so Sheridan can propose to Delenn. Knowing he now has only twenty years to live, he wants to spend all of them with her. Falling toward Apotheosis (a climax) is a great title. This episode doesn't exactly fall toward the climax. It charges headlong into the war between the Vorlons and the Shadows. It intertwines scenes of the Vorlon's anger with Londo's cunning and desperate attempts to control Cartagia. For Londo and Sheridan, there's no backing out now. This is the first in a three-episode conclusion to the Shadow War. It isn't billed that way, but nonetheless, this and the next two episodes belong together. However, when this originally aired, the next episode wasn't broadcast for two months. It wasn't an easy wait. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 24, 2019 Revised July 10, 2024 |
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