####Overview

An archaeologist smuggles ancient artifacts onto the station, unleashing a living weapon.
####Guest Stars

David McCallum as Dr. Vance Hendricks. Marshall Teague as Nelson Drake.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/004.html
####Backplot

Ikarra 7, now a dead world, was a thousand years ago home to a highly advanced space-faring society. Their technology was organic: tools and artifacts made of living tissue yet immune to decay. Invaded over a dozen times, they finally built 12 devastating organic warriors to protect them. Programmed to destroy any but “pure Ikarrans”, those warriors repelled the last invasion and went on to kill any Ikarran who deviated from the ideal (ie all of them). A transcript of the scene in which this is discussed is available.

Organic technology is, according to archaeologist Vance Hendricks, “The one trick Earth hasn’t been able to crack. The ability to create living ships that thrive in the vacuum of space, to create weapons that produce their own power through internal generation, like a firefly lights up at night.”

The Vorlons have organic technology, and it’s suspected that the Minbari do as well.

Sinclair: “The last time I gave an interview they told me just to relax and say what I really felt – ten minutes after the broadcast I got transferred to an outpost so far off the star maps you couldn’t find it with a hunting dog and a Ouija board.” It’s not clear whether or not this was a joke.

Garibaldi: (to the reporter) “…and after walking 50 miles, we finally made it out of the desert. Later when he was put in charge of Babylon 5, Commander Sinclair asked if I’d come work security. I said yes – it’s been a great time…”

Garibaldi has been fired from 5 different jobs for “unspecified personal problems”. His assignment on Babylon 5 is probably his last shot in Earth Force.

Garibaldi was in Earth Force during the E/M war, but not on the Line.
####Unanswered Questions

Who invaded Ikarra so many times? What was so valuable about it?

Why is Sinclair so prone to heroism (read: suicidal bravery)? He’s deliberately put his life on the line three times now in the past year (cf [[The Gathering]], [[Soul Hunter]]). Garibaldi suggests an answer: when the war ended it took away the direction it gave his life, as happened to many veterans. So now he’s “looking for something worth dying for because it’s easier than finding something worth living for.” Sinclair’s not entirely satisfied with that answer, and resolves to give it more thought.
####Analysis

A “Bio-weapons” supplier backed Hendricks’ original expedition to Ikarra – they must have had advance information about what was to be found there.

Ivanova has little faith in the ethics of big government organizations (cf [[Mind War]], [[Deathwalker]]).

Franklin appeared to seriously ponder the image of great wealth Hendricks offered, before the guards took him away.

A team from Earth Force Defense, Bio-weapons Division confiscated the Ikarran artifacts just as the dust from the weapon-chase was settling. Earth now has bio-tech of its own to study.
####Notes

Garibaldi: “The commander’s a hands-on kind of guy, he’ll grab any chance he can get to take out a ship – he’s like that.”

This episode occurs right around the 2nd anniversary of Babylon 5 going on-line.

In a poll, 75% of “Interstellar Network News” said B5 wouldn’t last 5 minutes. Lloyd’s of London put the odds at 500 to 1 against it lasting one year.

The “Narn-Centauri negotiations” are to occur in the near future.

Sinclair: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth.” (His reply to Garibaldi’s joking guess that Sinclair’s interview would get him shipped off the station and himself promoted into Sinclair’s position.) This is a quote from Shakespeare (King Lear.)

Dr. Hendricks says to Franklin, “There’s a Martian war machine outside, and it wants to speak to you about the common cold.” That’s a reference to H. G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” in which the Martian invaders are killed by common microbes.

Sinclair: “When you become obsessed with the enemy, you become the enemy.”

At the last, the Ikarran begs forgiveness from the “Great Maker”.

Franklin: “I’m starting to wonder if what we just saw is a preview of things to come” (re: Pro-earth groups).

Ikarra may be an Australian Aboriginal word.

The Australian DSTO (Defence Sciences and Technology Organisation) developed the anti-submarine weapon “Ikara” in the 1950’s. It is no longer in use in the Australian Navy, having been fired for the last time in 1990. The Brazilian Navy may still use a variation of it.

Since the DSTO has a tradition of naming its products after warlike Aboriginal animals, it’s plausible that the word refers to an animal.

A slight visual gaffe: When the bioweapon self-destructs and falls to the ground, its head is facing to the left (away from the camera.) But when Sinclair watches him turn human again, Nelson’s head is facing to the right (toward the camera.)
####The Interview

Reporter: “After all that you’ve just gone through, I have to ask you the same question a lot of people back home are asking about space these days. Is it worth it? Should we just pull back, forget the whole thing as a bad idea, and take care of our own problems, at home?”

Sinclair: “No. We have to stay here, and there’s a simple reason why. Ask ten different scientists about the environment, population control, genetics – and you’ll get ten different answers. But there’s one thing every scientist on the planet agrees on: whether it happens in a hundred years, or a thousand years, or a million years, eventually our sun will grow cold, and go out. When that happens, it won’t just take us, it’ll take Marilyn Monroe, and Lao-tsu, Einstein, Maruputo, Buddy Holly, Aristophanes – all of this. All of this was for nothing, unless we go to the stars.”

####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]])

####Overview

The Vorlon ambassador is nearly killed by an assassin shortly after arriving at the station, and Commander Sinclair is the prime suspect.
####Guest Stars

Tamlyn Tomita as Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima. Blaire Baron as Carolyn Sykes. Johnny Sekka as Dr. Benjamin Kyle. Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. John Fleck as Del Varner. Paul Hampton as the Senator.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/000.html
####Backplot

Earth has been keeping genetic records of telepaths for the last 6 generations.

The Psi Corps takes children with psi abilities when they are young and trains them to use this ability in a very strict manner. There are definite rules governing the use of psi. No unauthorized mind scans. No gambling.

All races but the Narn have telepathy.

The Narn are a young but powerful civilization, with (G’Kar claims) unlimited manpower.

The Narn heard about the reason for the Minbari surrender in the Earth-Minbari war – a decision from their Grey Council (a secret group of “holy men”).

The Minbari are the oldest of the “five federations,” and centuries ahead of the others technologically.

Londo says to Garibaldi: “You know why I am here? I’m here to grovel before your wonderful Earth Alliance, in hopes of attaching ourselves to your destiny. […] There was a time, when this whole quadrant belonged to us! What are we now? Twelve worlds and a thousand monuments to past glories, living off memories and stories, selling trinkets.”

Centauri status is based on family history. Political and personal power must be built up over generations.

The Narn were once enslaved by the Centauri and have only recently gained independence. This seems to be a sensitive spot for the Narn, or at least G’Kar. (cf: [[Midnight on the Firing Line]])

Sinclair fought in the last battle of the Earth-Minbari war, the Line. In the midst of battle, he blacked out while attacking a Minbari warship and remained unconscious for 24 hrs. He has no idea what happened to him during those 24 hrs. (cf: [[And the Sky Full of Stars]])

Takashima used to work at a corrupt mining station on Mars. Refusing to go on the take, she was never going to get promoted out of there. She recounts lashing out and “breaking the rules” out of frustration at it all. However, Sinclair was her superior there for a while, and he got her to shape up and play things by the book.

Garibaldi has been “bounced from station to station” for a long time before Sinclair requested him for Babylon 5. (cf: [[Survivors]])
####Unanswered Questions

####The Station

Why was Babylon 5 really built, and rebuilt, and rebuilt, and rebuilt, and… rebuilt? Sinclair’s story about human stubbornness doesn’t hold water. B5 is a monstrous project, especially for a society very recently decimated by war. Yet it was made five times, the fifth time from SCRATCH.

Who sabotaged B1-B3, and why? Who vanished B4, and why?
####The Minbari Assassin

How did the assassin get the voice and image of Sinclair in diplomatic dress before he poisoned Kosh? For everyone else he obviously impersonated, we’d seen him in close proximity to them earlier.

The assassin-as-Varner pointed a gadget at Lyta in the bazaar. It is widely assumed that this acquired her visual pattern for the changeling net, but it could have been something else.

Why did the assassin-as-Varner arrange to make Londo late for the reception? He kept Londo in a public place, making him unframeable.
####Takashima

What hold did G’Kar et al. have on her? (see Analysis) Perhaps she was on the take in that corrupt mining colony, and she’s still living on the take today.
####Lyta Alexander

Why was she talking to the assassin-as-Varner, as reported by Garibaldi and Londo? Garibaldi must have asked her at some point, but we never get to see this.

How was she involved? (see Analysis) Perhaps her role was only passive – agree to scan Kosh if asked, report any information she gathers (possibly via telepathy).
####Sinclair

Judging by the headlines of Universe Today, Babylon 5 is a very big deal back on Earth. Why is Sinclair, a lowly Commander, both in charge of the station and acting as the Earth diplomat? (cf: [[Signs and Portents]])

What happened to Sinclair on the Line? (cf: [[And the Sky Full of Stars]])

What is the hole in his mind? Is it simply the 24 hour memory loss from his experience on the Line, or something more significant?
####Del Varner

According to Garibaldi’s information, Del Varner would normally stay far away from B5. So, why was he recognized by a local tech (Eric)?
####The Vorlons

Why did they request that the monitors in the docking bay be turned off? Kosh was walking out in public, hidden safely in his encounter suit.

What is Kosh inside that suit anyway? (cf. Lost Scenes from Babylon 5)

How did the poison get through to Kosh? He must have had his hand, or whatever the limb was, completely outside his encounter suit. Perhaps that explains why the Vorlons wanted the monitors turned off; they didn’t want anyone else to see Kosh’s hand. In that case, why did they want Sinclair to see it? Special Edition (spoiler for a pivotal revelation later in the series): Kosh greeted what he thought was Sinclair by addressing him as “Entil-zha Valen,” indicating that he already knew Sinclair in some context.

Is there anything to that legend about someone turning to stone when they saw a Vorlon? Have people ever gotten into situations where they could conceivably have seen one?

The Vorlons seem to be puppet thugs of the conspirators in the pilot, yet clearly they do some things for their own reasons. Why such secrecy around their technological inferiors? Why break the veil to send an ambassador to B5?

For that matter, why agree to ship Sinclair to their world? Surely that would mean him finding out about them. Unless they never intended to bring him there alive, of course.

Did Delenn really tell Sinclair everything the Minbari know about the Vorlons? Either way, how much does he know now?
####The Minbari

Why did they surrender at the Line? It’s already pretty clear that Sinclair had Something to do with it. Furthermore, what was the real reason the Minbari were fighting the war to begin with?
####The Centauri

Why have they fallen so far from power? From Londo’s stories it seems they were a great Empire within his lifetime (which may be quite long, for all we know).
####Miscellaneous

Why was the access panel outside Varner’s quarters busted, by the time Garibaldi arrived? It probably has something to do with the assassin using Takashima’s clearance to gain entry. Perhaps the panel keeps the only record, locally, of who’s used it, and thus breaking it would prevent the illegal entry from being discovered.

The very presence of a changeling net aboard the station invites us to open the question, “Who else did we see that could have been that Minbari in disguise?”

Four major actors in the pilot left the production for various reasons and do not have permanent roles in the series (though Lyta Alexander reappeared later.) However, since jms slipped reasons why in the B5 universe two of the the characters no longer appear, it is meaningful to ask:

Why was Lyta Alexander replaced as station telepath? Did she get in trouble for unauthorized mind-scanning after all, or was it because she’s been in the mind of a Vorlon?

Why has Carolyn drifted out of Sinclair’s life?
####Analysis

####The Plan

G’Kar et al. wanted to start a war between the EA and the Vorlons. The primary plan was for Kosh to be dead; Takashima’s announcement that the Vorlons had forbidden the opening of his suit should have nailed that coffin shut. Framing Sinclair for the murder was probably also part of the primary plan (the Vorlons’ request that the bay monitors be turned off could well have been a surprise to them).

There may have been a secondary plan to achieve the same results: having Lyta scan Kosh. This could have been foreseen, impromptu, or coincidence.

The assassin was Minbari, which indicates a violent faction of the Minbari still exists (cf: [[Deathwalker]]). The goals of that group are unknown, but so are the goals of the mainstream Minbari government.

In particular, the Minbari warrior class may have had their own reasons for getting Sinclair sent to the Vorlon homeworld.

Takashima was somehow involved

The assassin used Takashima’s palmed security access to gain entry to Varner’s quarters.

Takashima agreed to Kyle’s plan of getting Lyta to scan Kosh even though (by her own story) it went very much against her grain. “I guess I’m about due” is hardly a believable reason.

Takashima broke into Varner’s files. 260 years from now, would someone be able to crack open a technology criminal’s secure files in a matter of hours without inside information?

There were lots of instances when very recent information was used to further the Plan, for all of which Takashima was in an ideal position to be responsible.

The assassin met Kosh at the right docking bay at the right time.

In general, the Plan proceeded smoothly in spite of Kosh’s 48 hour early arrival (the angriest response we saw from Takashima was to this very discovery).

Sinclair was trapped in a lift at just the right time for just long enough, and the record cleared.

Someone actually contacted the Vorlons and told them about the poisoning, thus acquiring the predictable response that opening Kosh’s suit is verboten.

Someone leaked – very quickly – the fact that Sinclair had been fingered by a witness. This is what brought on the Vorlon cruisers.

G’Kar found out – again very quickly – that Kosh would recover from the poisoning (“There has been a complication”).

Lyta may have been involved

She seems to have exchanged glances with the real Del Varner as she walked off with Sinclair at the very beginning. The two probably came in on the same ship.

Later, she’s seen talking to the assassin-as-Varner. Yet the latter scans her image for the changeling net without her knowledge (if that was what he was doing), so their level of cooperation is mixed at most.

The assassin, disguised as Lyta, didn’t kill her in the ample moment they shared outside the medlab.

On the other hand, her conversation with G’Kar within “privacy” would almost certainly have been very different if they were in cahoots. So perhaps she was only in contact with Del Varner and/or the assassin.
####The Minbari assassin

The assassin didn’t need any special clearance to enter Varner’s quarters; he was expected. So he must have used Takashima’s clearance in order to leave a record of her entry at that time. Since the panel was broken before this could be discovered, this suggests clandestine cross-purposes.

“There is a hole in your mind” may have been his response to Sinclair’s question, “Why did you do it?” Interesting.

It was not part of the plan for the Minbari to set off his explosives. Else why arrange to be able to get off the station? So, they were just to prevent his capture/interrogation.

Sinclair is inexplicably trusting and friendly with Delenn

He would have sacrificed his life to kill a few more Minbari during the war ten years ago, yet:

He does not appear to be discomfited by Delenn’s evasions in their Garden conversations.

When he encounters Delenn after escaping the exploding assassin, it would have made sense for him to confront or question her, or at least be suspicious. Instead, he was relaxed and jovial. Later, he made sure Delenn knew he didn’t hold her responsible.

Delenn

“The power of one mind to change the universe” likely refers to Sinclair. (Recall the other Minbari’s reference to his mind.)

There were two stones in the stone garden.

She evades most of his questions, yet volunteers two big files during the episode, and drops lots of other hints to him. As with her abstention on the council, she seems subject to contrary forces. Keep him in the dark, yet point him toward the light.

She is a personally powerful representative of a very powerful race. Yet we don’t observe her taking any active hand in the big picture so far.

In the B5 council vote to extradite Sinclair to the Vorlon homeworld, an abstention was equivalent to a “No” (presumably abstentions are interpreted to mean “None of the above” or “Take no action”, whichever is appropriate). So, what conflict prevented Delenn from explicitly voting against the motion? Special Edition: Delenn claimed she couldn’t vote one way or the other because she didn’t yet have all the information at hand, and that her orders where Sinclair was concerned were simply to observe, not interfere.
####Londo

He fills Garibaldi’s ears with stories of the good old days of conquest. Bygone days, unlike the way things are now. He may be honest, or he may be trying to allay suspicions. More likely the former, since Garibaldi’s suspicions don’t have much political significance.

A heavy drinker and compulsive gambler.
####G’Kar

Notice his jollity in telling Takashima his transport will submit to the weapons search (now that the assassin has successfully come aboard). True, if she was in cahoots with him, that little exchange was for show, as was their earlier confrontation at Ops. He’s nonetheless consistently transparent in his emotional states.

A schemer and warmonger.
####Takashima

Some of her ideas were faultlessly loyal to the EA (eg “You better take a recorder – the way things are going you may need a witness.”). So, her heart’s in the right place, at least.
####Garibaldi

Self-esteem trouble. He’s ready to give up on the investigation after Varner’s death. He’s used to failure at his other jobs.

Garibaldi also messes up the investigation in several ways:

No guards around Kosh.

Losing sight of Varner while questioning Londo.

Not talking to Lyta about Varner while it’s still relevant.

Not noticing all those Takashima timing and information clues.

Lets the Commander get into a shooting fight with a superior foe, alone.
####Notes

An alternate introduction was written, but not filmed.

Universe Today main headline: Vorlons to Make Contact

Universe Today sub-headline: Narn Protest of EA’s B5 Heats

Among the messages flashing by on Lyta’s identicard: ELVIS STILL LIVES

When the assassin scans his hand at Varner’s door, words are visible on the screen. If you have a lucid pause function on your VCR, you too will be able to read what they say – “Laurel Takashima Cleared”.

Minbari ships have short-range FTL, or cloaking, or jamming (Sinclair: “They came at us out of nowhere”). Basically, they can put themselves right where they want to be without Starfuries noticing them en route.

Cruisers can “wait” in hyperspace outside a jump gate.

Unscheduled uses of the jumpgates, at least during this earlier part of B5’s history, are practically unheard of.

Special Edition: Two plot points, Kyle’s use of stims to stay awake and Takashima’s use of the Garden to grow coffee, were both transferred to the characters who replaced them in the series.

Ed Wasser played C&C technician Guerra, and later went on to play Mr. Morden (first appearing in “Signs and Portents.”) There’s no evidence that the two characters are related, however.