Marcus and Dr. Franklin combat an invasion by parasitic aliens that attach themselves to humans. Ivanova investigates the possibility of bringing a new member into the conspiracy.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Joshua Cox as Corwin. Aubrey Morris as Duncan. James Warwick as Matthew Duffin.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/051.html
####Backplot

A race of symbiotes, the Vindrizi, has existed for half a million years. They were created as recorders, observing events all over the galaxy so that others can learn about the past when all the books and records have been swallowed by the next dark age. They survive by passing from host to host, always seeking volunteers who have nothing left to live for and want to live out their lives participating in a grand endeavor.

The Shadows have been building up forces in sector 800, near the border of Centauri space.
####Unanswered Questions

What is the “package” from Mars that Marcus is waiting for?

Why are the Shadows building up their forces in sector 800?

Will Corwin prove problematic for the conspiracy of light?

Who created the Vindrizi half a million years ago, and what made them think such living histories would become necessary?
####Analysis

It’s never made clear how much time has passed before the Vindrizi’s departure, but it’s odd that Sheridan and company didn’t jump at the chance to get all the information they could about the Shadows and the previous wars while the Vindrizi were still aboard. Of course, it’s possible such discussions took place, but they’re never mentioned.

Now that Sheridan and his people know about the Vindrizi, perhaps they’ll call upon them in the future.

What came in on the ship at the beginning of the episode? The two people waiting for the ship were quite happy to see it arrive. Were they not yet joined with the Vindrizi, or did the ship simply carry more of their kind?

Marcus seems a good deal less concerned with secrecy than his coconspirators; he was talking to Garibaldi openly, and loudly, about his network of contacts in a public place. By contrast, Ivanova and Sheridan didn’t even want to be seen with him at the Earhart’s party for fear of raising questions.

Why is Ivanova so hostile toward Marcus? Have her last few romantic experiences made her want to discourage any new developments in that area? (For example, [[The War Prayer]] and [[Divided Loyalties]].)

During the medical staff meeting, Franklin mentions that there’s a need for Drazi blood. Is the station being flooded with Drazi refugees, much like it was with Narn refugees while the Narn-Centauri War was at its peak? If so, is Babylon 5 becoming a sort of haven for refugees of all stripes?
####Notes

Duncan’s line, “I don’t like being poked by doctors,” is also spoken by the main character Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.”

The ship carrying the Vindrizi is called the Dyson, most likely named for physicist Freeman Dyson.

Marcus quotes from Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” to Garibaldi, and from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” when he wakes Duncan up. Note that Marcus refers to Macbeth as “the Scottish play,” and replaces “Macbeth” with “Marcus” in his quote — there is a superstition among actors that referring to Macbeth by name is bad luck. (See jms speaks)

The particular Macbeth quotes are from Act II, scene 2:

Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!

Macbeth does murder sleep” — the innocent sleep,

Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,

The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath,

Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,

Chief nourisher in life’s feast.

Then, a moment later:

Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house.

“Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor

Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

Glamis and Cawdor are two earl titles that Macbeth holds.

Marcus refers to his fighting staff as a “Copeland J5000” while trying to convince the Vindrizi it’s a medical instrument. That’s most likely a reference to producer John Copeland.

The Vindrizi’s musing about what they’ve experienced is reminiscent of Batty’s dying words at the end of the movie “Blade Runner.”