####Overview

Londo’s career is in jeopardy when a beautiful slave seduces him and steals a sensitive computer file. Garibaldi investigates an unauthorized use of a restricted communications channel.
####Guest Stars

Fabiana Udenio as Adira Tyree. Clive Revill as Trakis. Robert Phalen as Andrei Ivanov.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/003.html
####Backplot

Trakis: “Do you know why a drunken fool like Mollari has the power he does? Because his family has been collecting dirt on other families for years, like all the ‘noble’ houses of the Centauri republic.”

Londo: “We Centauri live our lives for appearances: position, status, title. These are the things by which we define ourselves. But when I look beneath the mask I am forced to wear, I see only emptiness.”

Centauri law permits individuals to own Centauri slaves. Owners are legally responsible for the actions of their slaves. This appears to be a slave system of economics rather than of caste. According to Trakis, powerlessness and slavery is the fate of all Centauri who don’t play the game of blackmail and backstabbing.
####Unanswered Questions

What was the Euphrates treaty compromise that Sinclair forced Londo to accept?
####Analysis

Londo and G’Kar agree over a drink that females are the finest of all things in life. They are much more friendly with each other now than when last we saw them (cf: [[Midnight on the Firing Line]]). The Narn must have been very pacifying in the meantime.

Intense anger from a couple nearby people is enough to send Talia away for a breather.

Londo agrees to Sinclair’s compromise on the Euphrates treaty in exchange for his personal help recovering the purple files. However, this should not be taken as another example of Londo putting personal concerns above state concerns. In a profoundly blackmailable culture like the Centauri, power lost by one individual or family would always be gained by another. But if an outsider were to get hold of a treasure trove like Londo’s purple files, all of Centauri would be diminished. There is an interesting parallel here to the Minbari concern for souls (cf: [[Soul Hunter]]).

Ivanova’s brother was killed in the Earth/Minbari war, her mother committed suicide (cf: [[Midnight on the Firing Line]]), and she’s been estranged from her father for years. Thus it’s unsurprising she’s so hard-edged.

Talia is willing to skirt Psi Corps regulations when a life is at stake (though she has no concern for Londo’s career). The Psi Corps’ hold on remote psis appears to be pretty weak.

When she was approached about the plan, Talia asked Sinclair if Londo was serious about a woman’s life being at stake. Shouldn’t she have sensed Londo’s distress? Strong emotions are difficult to block out, she says (“Mind War,”) and with Adira’s life and his career at stake, Londo would presumably be quite anxious. Of course, she may have sensed the anxiety but not its reason.

Ivanova is willing to skirt EA regulations for personal perks. (cf: “War Prayer”)

When G’Kar meets with Trakis to exchange the information, Trakis says to him, “You said nothing about a telepath.” From this it is clear that G’Kar was the one who contacted Trakis. However, Trakis knew through the bug he planted on Londo that Sinclair was onto him. So, Sinclair must have set up G’Kar’s call to Trakis in such a way that it wouldn’t arouse his suspicions.

Telepath-aided negotiation must make future diplomacy much different than it is now. No posturing, tailored versions of the situation back home, empty threats, or hidden agendas. Parties have the same freedom to make choices for their governments, but there are vanishingly few tactics left to gain more advantage over one’s adversary than one already has.
####Notes

The episode’s title is a term dating back to Roman times, still in use in Britain. Roman senators in the days of the Republic wore purple edged togas as a symbol of royalty, since purple dye was very expensive. Today, members of the House of Lords wear purple robes for state occasions. When someone is made a peer in the UK they are said to have been “raised to the purple.” Hereditary peers are [[born to the purple]]. Perhaps this implies that the purple files are so named because they are what keeps Londo’s family in its preeminent position.

G’Kar glances no less than four times at the human dancer behind him when he and Sinclair first confront Londo about the treaty.

Babylon 5 communications has a priority “Gold Channel” reserved for emergency communications. Sinclair’s express permission is required to use it, and its existence is known only to the ambassadors and senior officers.

Londo’s family heirloom, from the earliest days of the Empire, is a stylized eye-and-teardrop.

Universe Today main headline: Homeguard Leader Convicted

“Fresh Air” is the finest restaurant on Babylon 5.

Talia used to work for the “Political Bureau”.

“I like to know all there is about Babylon 5,” Sinclair says, “and Garibaldi’s files are very thorough.”

Ivanova appears to wear only one earring, though it’s hard to tell since throughout the episode we get no more than a glimpse of the right side of her head.

####Overview

Delenn is in danger when a soul hunter, an alien who captures the souls of the dying, arrives at the station.
####Guest Stars

W. Morgan Sheppard as Soul Hunter #1. John Snyder as Soul Hunter #2.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/002.html
####Backplot

The soul hunter of this episode has visited Earth before.

Minbari are trained from childhood to protect their souls from soul hunters.

The soul hunter had a unique perspective on a significant event in Minbari history:

[to Sinclair] “Minbari: jealous, selfish, private. We have saved only a few – very rare. The rarest of all, their leader Dukat, dying; your fault, your war; the pinnacle of Minbari evolution. We came, I, others. They made a wall of bodies to stop us! He died. And his dreams, his ideas – all that he was, all that he could ever be – gone… wasted… jealous…” Later he recognizes Delenn from the Grey Council, which was responsible for stopping him.
####Unanswered Questions

Why do all races but humans know about soul hunters? Since they all share the Minbari’s fear of them, do most of them share the Minbari belief in reincarnation?

Why are so many non-humans moving to Earth? They must face a fair amount of prejudice there. (cf: [[The War Prayer]])

What are the “certain classes” of Minbari in which Delenn says soul hunters have always taken a particular interest?

“Your fault, your war,” says the soul hunter to Sinclair, recounting Dukat’s death. Was he referring to humans in general, Sinclair in particular, or Dukat?

“If only you could see,” says the soul hunter to Franklin. Apparently he can actually observe the soul’s departure from a dying body. Later we see, possibly through Delenn’s eyes, a blue wispy something escape as she breaks a soul vessel. Does this mean that Minbari too can see souls?

With a glimpse into Delenn’s soul, the soul hunter exclaims, “You would plan such a thing? You would do such a thing? Incredible.” He’s had a long history with the Minbari – what would so surprise him? (Revealed in [[Chrysalis]] and [[Revelations]])

Recovering in Medlab, Delenn says to Sinclair, “I knew you would come. We were right about you.” Clearly, the Minbari have made predictions about him. However, Sinclair didn’t really prove anything about his character by rescuing Delenn – someone else could easily have been the one to find her. Perhaps he’s just fulfilled part of a prophecy, thereby confirming his role in it. (cf: “Parliament of Dreams”)

Combining the above questions, does Delenn’s incredible plan involve the Minbari predictions about Sinclair?

As the soul hunter himself challenged, why is one of the great Minbari leaders acting as their ambassador on Babylon 5? Sinclair is now wondering the same thing.
####Analysis

Delenn meets Sinclair just as he’s going to check out the injured pilot, and offers to help him ID the fellow. She has a knack for being at the right place at the right time. (cf: [[The Gathering]]).

Sinclair did not call for backup when he encountered the soul hunter, even though there were four others nearby searching for Delenn. He has a tendency to put himself into dangerous situations. (cf: [[Infection]])

During this episode there are three different stories told about the soul. Sinclair heard all three, and doesn’t know which to believe. All he knows is what he saw.

• Franklin: There is no soul that survives the body. With advanced technology, he allows, one could preserve a record of someone’s personality, but death is death.
• Delenn: All sentients have immortal souls. When a Minbari dies its soul merges with the souls of other dead Minbari. These are recycled into future generations, so as individuals advance their own souls, the Minbari as a whole advance.
• soul hunter: All sentients have ephemeral souls. When a person dies, the soul expires into oblivion. However, soul hunters have a prescient attraction to death – if they so choose they can capture and preserve a soul “for the greater good” at the moment it leaves the body. They carry with them a bag full of the souls they have “saved”, each in its own glass vessel.

For a Minbari, the soul hunter’s method of preservation is true death, for it cuts a soul off from the rest and diminishes the next generation; for a soul hunter, the true loss is uncollected souls.

These are completely irreconcilable belief systems.
####Notes

Dr. Franklin arrives on the starliner Asimov, which we see again later.

Dr. Kyle is on his way to a new assignment working with the president. He’s much needed there what with “so many aliens migrating to Earth,” as Franklin puts it.

The average human lifespan is almost 100 years.

Ivanova conducts a simple funeral with these words: “From the stars we came, and to the stars we return, from now until the end of time. We therefore commit this body to the deep.”

The soul hunter tells Sinclair his opinion of the Minbari: “pale, bloodless, look in their eyes and see nothing but mirrors, infinities of reflection…”

When Delenn is recovering in medlab at the end of the episode, she’s attached to a machine that should presumably be pumping blood back into her body. But the fluid is flowing out of her instead. The shot was played backwards so the director could get the camera movement he wanted.

####Overview

When the Narn attack a Centauri colony, Londo and G’Kar nearly come to blows. Meanwhile, raiders are attacking transport ships near the station.
####Guest Stars

Paul Hampton as The Senator. Peter Trencher as Carn Mollari.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/001.html
####Backplot

Earth’s first contact with an alien race was with the Centauri. At the time, the Centauri claimed to be the dominant species in the galaxy, a “huge empire” – but (according to Garibaldi) this hasn’t been true for almost a hundred years. Furthermore, they tried to convince the Terrans that they were actually a Centauri lost colony, which genetic analysis proved also false.

All Centauri foresee the circumstances of their deaths in a dream. In Londo’s dream, it is 20 years in the future and he and a Narn have one another by the throat. When Londo first saw G’Kar, he recognized him as the one from his dream.

According to G’Kar, the Centauri occupation of his homeworld was a “hundred year reign of terror.”

The Sinclairs have been fighter pilots since the Battle of Britain. Jeffrey Sinclair’s father taught him everything he knows about flying and combat.

The Narn sold weapons to Earth during the Earth/Minbari war.

The first Mars colony was destroyed by an enemy sneak attack.

Ivanova’s mother was a long-undiscovered telepath, never able to use her powers very well. When the Psi Corps finally caught up to her, they put her on very potent psi-retardant drugs. “Every day we just watched her drift further and further away from us. The light in her eyes went out bit by bit. And when we thought she could go no further, she took her own life.” (cf. [[Eyes]] and [[Legacies]].)

Londo has enough clout to get a member of his family assigned to an agricultural colony rather than admitted to the military.
####Unanswered Questions

There are two references in this episode to a major event in the Centauri empire about a hundred years ago. What happened back then? (cf: [[Signs and Portents]], perhaps)

How did Kosh get into his encounter suit so quickly? When Sinclair visits to ask about his position on the Ragesh 3 situation, Kosh’s suit is in plain view but un-animated, the “shoulders” at rest about two feet below the “head” (which they normally encircle). Sinclair can see a large light moving behind a translucent screen; Kosh’s voice also appears to come from behind the screen. When Sinclair turns his back to go, the light flashes across him for a moment, and when he spins around the encounter suit is just reaching its full height, with Kosh as in it as he ever is.

When Londo tells Garibaldi he couldn’t possibly understand his situation, Garibaldi replies, “I understand better than you’ll ever know. I know it burns, I know the things it makes you want to do.” What was he referring to? (cf: [[Survivors]], perhaps)

How did G’Kar know about the Centauri decision to make no response to the Ragesh 3 attack?

Why did Kosh attend the council session?

Is it part of a larger Narn plan to supply the raiders with weapons?

What is Garibaldi’s most favorite thing in the universe?
####Analysis

From the things they say about each others’ races at various times during this episode, neither Londo nor G’Kar seem likely to strive for lasting peace:

• Londo: “We should have wiped out your kind when we had the chance!…On the issue of galactic peace I am long past innocence and fast approaching apathy. It’s all a game, a paper fantasy of names and borders. Only one thing matters: blood calls out for blood.”
• G’Kar: “Your time has come and gone! It’s our turn now. One night you’ll wake up and find our teeth at your throat…I will confess that I look forward to the day when we have cleansed the universe of the Centauri and carved their bones into flutes for Narn children. ‘Tis a dream I have.”

Londo was absolutely consumed by anger and hatred. He would have sacrificed peace and justice for personal vengeance. (cf: [[By Any Means Necessary]])

The Narn attack a distant easy target with little military value. This must have been to test the Centauri reaction – see how many ships they send in response, how hard they’re willing to fight to defend any part of their territory. The Narn are forced to withdraw for non-military reasons, but they learn a great deal about their enemies with that move.

Ivanova is surprised to hear Sinclair defend the honor of the Minbari. (cf: [[The Gathering]])

The EA is not in a strong enough position at home to take an ethical stance toward its neighbors. “The Earth Alliance can’t go around being the galaxy’s policemen,” says the senator, “They want to fight it out, let’em. Just keep us out of it – at least until after the election.”

One of the most alien moments was watching Delenn try to understand Garibaldi’s cartoons and popcorn. She is at times a sage, and sometimes an innocent.

Sinclair claims he confiscated data crystals detailing Narn communications that confirm Londo’s claims about the situation at Ragesh 3. However, Sinclair has bluffed before (cf: [[The Gathering]]). There is no proof that the crystals actually contained data.
####Notes

Centauri have no major arteries in their wrists.

Garibaldi knows about the habitual movements of the senior staff (Sinclair turning off his link during down time at C&C, Ivanova going to the bar after work).

Garibaldi has had prior experience with the raiders. (“I knew they’d be back sooner or later.”)

Ships move to and from the “secondary jump point” through hyperspace via the primary.

Starfuries can take multiple hits from Narn heavy weapons without losing function.

Earth is ruled by a Senate and a popularly elected President, though it remains to be seen how much these positions resemble those of today’s USA. America, Russia, and China are among the “states” in this democracy.

A Senate subcommittee can dictate Sinclair’s vote on the council.

G’Kar’s spoo was quite fresh that week.

Sinclair attributes two aphorisms to his father:

• “The best way to understand someone is to fight him, make him angry. That’s when you see the real person.”
• “Ignore the propaganda. Focus on what you see.”

Kosh speaks:

• K: They are alone. They are a dying people. We should let them pass.
• S: Who, the Narn or the Centauri?
• K: Yes.

Shipping companies buy access to the jumpgates in bulk, then sell it on the open market. However, the schedules are kept secret to protect against piracy.

All incoming ships log their routes through Ivanova’s console.

A Narn weapons deal always includes an advisor who instructs the buyer in the weapons’ use and insures they aren’t sold to a third party.

All Earth Telepaths are given three options: join the Psi Corps, go to jail, or take drugs. Unlicensed telepaths are heavily controlled in the name of protecting public privacy.

Luis Santiago wins the presidential election over challenger Marie Crane. His platform included promises to cut the budget and keep Earth out of war. His agenda for his coming term includes cultivating a closer relationship with the Mars colony and “preserving Earth cultures in the face of growing non-Terran influences” (cf: [[The War Prayer]], [[Survivors]])