ISN sends a team to do a second story about Babylon 5.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Jeff Griggs as Dan Randall.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/074.html
####Plot Points

Clark has reinstated the Earth Senate in some form. It has begun investigating alleged alien influence in the entertainment industry and extracting confessions and lists of collaborators from writers and directors.

Sheridan’s father was a diplomat. The family farm has been burned to the ground, and his father’s whereabouts are unknown.

Earth, according to ISN, is slowly retaking Mars from the rebels who took over when Clark’s forces attacked ([[Severed Dreams]].)
####Unanswered Questions

Will the newscast prove convincing to people on Earth?

Where is Sheridan’s father? What about his mother?

What names did Sheridan give his father?

Is Garibaldi’s salvage business as it appears, or is he using it as a cover for other activities?

How did Randall get into the cryogenic freezer area? If it’s really restricted as he says, someone must have let him in.
####Analysis

Psi Corps presumably now knows the fate of the telepaths; two of their names are plainly visible behind Randall (see Notes.) Will the Corps try to come after them? What about the allies of the Shadows, who may have some interest in the telepaths’ implants? If Shadow ships were left behind (not unlikely, considering there were lots of them buried underground) they’ll need pilots who’ve gone through the proper preparation ([[Messages From Earth]]) and the telepaths are ready-made candidates.

Garibaldi seems to have turned against Sheridan completely, going so far as to allude to him as “the devil.” Is that a direct result of his programming (or whatever was triggered by the message in [[Epiphanies]]) or is there some other reason?

ISN’s new title sequence reflects the provincial, Earth-centric views of the Clark government: after a flight through space, the sequence ends up centered on Earth and the Moon.
####Notes

The newscast was broadcast on April 12, 2261. Four historical events were cited as taking place on the same date: Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space (April 12, 1961,) President Clinton’s establishment of a “Commission on the Future” in 1999, the start of construction of the first lunar colony in the Sea of Tranquility in 2018, and the founding of the Psi Corps in 2161.

The confession of the director bore strong resemblance to the confessions extracted by the House Un-American Activities Commission in the US during the 1950s. In that case it was Communists and homosexuals, not aliens, but the focus on entertainers was the same, as was the practice of demanding lists of collaborators. Those who refused to cooperated were “blacklisted,” and found themselves unable to get work in Hollywood.

In fact, the names cited are based on actual people blacklisted in the 1950s. Beth Trumbo is likely a reference to writer Dalton Trumbo, Adrian Mostel to producer Adrian Scott and actor Zero Mostel, and Carleton Jarrico to writer Paul Jarrico.

Paul Jarrico died in an automobile accident on October 28, 1997, the day after receiving a standing ovation at a Hollywood ceremony honoring the surviving blacklisted screenwriters.

Two names are visible on the cryogenic freezers during Randall’s report. One, Carolyn Sanderson, is Bester’s love ([[Ship of Tears]].) The other is John Flinn III, one of the show’s directors.

The psychological phenomenon of hostages sympathizing with their captors is the Stockholm syndrome, not the Helsinki syndrome as stated in the episode. Some readers have commented that both names are correct, but that appears to not be the case according to psychological literature. For example, “Stockholm syndrome” appears 30 times in the journals of the American Psychological Association from 1887 to 1999, but “Helsinki syndrome” isn’t mentioned even once.

The newscast misspelled Yuri Gagarin’s name; it was spelled “Gargarin” on the screen.

Bester arrives with news of an Earth Alliance plan to further isolate Babylon 5. Garibaldi delivers some surprising news to Sheridan.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Walter Koenig as Bester. Damian London as Minister.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/073.html
####Plot Points

With his Shadow allies gone, President Clark now views Babylon 5 as a significant threat to his power. There are still elements of the Psi-Corps loyal to the Shadows.

The telepaths rescued from the Shadows in [[Ship of Tears]] are being kept aboard Babylon 5 in cryonic suspension until a means can be found of disentangling them from their implants.

Lyta’s telepathic powers have definitely been enhanced by the Vorlons, to the point where she can easily block a scan by a P12-level telepath while making telepathic contact across several light-years.

Z’ha’dum has been destroyed, but not before the Shadows’ allies left with unknown quantities of Shadow technology and artifacts.

The Shadows’ allies have arrived on Centauri Prime and begun deploying the keepers seen in [[War Without End part 2]].

After receiving a strange message from an unknown source, likely related to what was done to him in [[Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?]]

Garibaldi has resigned as head of security. Zack has been promoted to take his place.
####Unanswered Questions

Since some in the Psi Corps apparently still side with the Shadows, did the Corps participate in the looting of Z’ha’dum? If not, is the Corps in contact with the looters?

Did all the Shadows’ allies go to Centauri Prime, or are there more of them headed for other destinations?

Exactly how powerful is Lyta now? Does she in fact have additional programming of which she’s not yet aware?

What does Bester know about Lyta that she doesn’t want others to find out?

What was the message Garibaldi received? If it activated an implanted personality or some hidden programming, why did he resign after receiving the message?

What exactly were the “station lock-down codes” Garibaldi gave Zack? Are they something Garibaldi knows, or something he might have kept a copy of?

What is Bester’s “ace in the hole?” Is it Garibaldi?

How does he plan to recover Carolyn?
####Analysis

Even Bester isn’t let in on the entirety of Clark’s plan, just the part involving the Black Omega squadron. What else is planned? Bester’s superior said the plan involves the Ministry of Peace and the Nightwatch, at least.

Apparently Bester either isn’t strong enough to scan his superior without being detected (telepathic strength may determine one’s placement in the Corps, so that’s not surprising,) or he’s loyal enough to the Corps as a whole to simply accept his boss’s statement that he doesn’t need to know the entire plan.

Bester took quite a personal risk by warning Babylon 5 of Clark’s impending plan. The entire plan was known only by a select few, according to Bester’s superior; presumably only Bester and his superior knew about the Black Omega operation. If that was the only part of the plan that failed, some degree of suspicion would naturally fall on Bester as head of the squadron, subjecting his recent activities to scrutiny. And if even one Nightwatch member noticed Bester’s presence on Babylon 5 — not too farfetched, since he entered through a public customs area — Clark’s people would presumably be able to put two and two together and conclude that Bester must have leaked the information.

The Shadows, according to Anna Sheridan ([[Z’ha’dum]]) believed they’d die if anything Vorlon touched Z’ha’dum. Many of them did die when Sheridan arrived with a piece of Kosh. And now Lyta’s telepathy, enhanced by the Vorlons (and, indeed, genetically seeded by the Vorlons in the first place) has triggered the destruction of Z’ha’dum itself.

Why did Sheridan not realize where the Shadows’ minions were headed? In [[War Without End part 1]], he saw that they had gone to Centauri Prime. His failure to do anything about their arrival there probably explains Londo’s accusation in that episode.

The pattern of light in Garibaldi’s message resembles the light shining on him from above in the escape pod in [[The Summoning]].

Why did Bester, who took pleasure in needling Garibaldi on his previous visits to Babylon 5, make no inquiry about Garibaldi’s absence from the station’s command staff?

If Garibaldi’s resignation is indeed a sign that he’s been programmed, the programming may be much more subtle than the Control personality implanted into Talia Winters ([[Divided Loyalties]].) The effect of the programming may simply be to cause Garibaldi to become disillusioned about Sheridan and his cause. That would be useful to Clark, who could use Garibaldi as a weapon in his propaganda attack on Babylon 5.

On the other hand, it may be that Garibaldi’s programming hasn’t been fully activated, and his resignation is his own choice; he may believe he can’t be trusted until he can piece together what happened to him, and doesn’t want to be in a position where he can compromise Babylon 5.

In either case, Garibaldi’s situation was foreshadowed in [[Divided Loyalties]], in which he pretended briefly to be Control while Lyta was sending the password to the command staff.

Was Delenn’s remark to Sheridan, “We are old souls,” a casual observation, or does it have something to do with Minbari-human soul migration? Might it relate to her observation in [[Soul Mates]] that Minbari believe that souls that have known one another in one life meet again in later lives to relive good relationships and to correct bad ones?

Do the Vorlons have allies like the Shadows do? If so, are they looting the Vorlon homeworld? The Vorlons have been known to keep members of other races on their homeworld (e.g. Sebastian in [[Comes the Inquisitor]]) and presumably those people were left behind when the Vorlons departed the galaxy. What will become of them?

At least some Vorlon technology was left behind: the White Star Fleet. That would seem to give Sheridan a huge military edge against Earth, whose armed forces aren’t even on par with the Minbari, let alone the Vorlons. (Assuming, of course, that Clark and the Psi Corps didn’t manage to procure any Shadow technology.)

Who is in charge on Centauri Prime? The minister told Londo that the position of regent was mostly ceremonial. Londo is off on Babylon 5, presumably not spending his time dealing with matters of state. That would seem to leave a rather large power vacuum.

Why did G’Kar return to Babylon 5? It’s not a sanctuary for him any more, now that the Centauri have left Narn. Perhaps he was simply returning to collect his belongings, or perhaps he intends to resume his role as ambassador from Narn.

Sheridan’s comment about further troubles at the beginning of the episode, “But that’s tomorrow,” echoes Vir’s admonition to Londo to be happy about his victories ([[Into the Fire]].)

Zack and Garibaldi parallel each other to some extent. Garibaldi was willing to go on instinct and hire Zack when he was warned against it. Sinclair made the same leap of faith by hiring Garibaldi ([[The Gathering]].) Further, Zack’s socializing with Lyta parallels Garibaldi’s interest in Talia Winters. Given the way Garibaldi is acting now, do these parallels foreshadow any unpleasant developments for Zack?
####Notes

Bester founded the Black Omega Squadron.

The season-three theme music was played at the end of the end of this episode during the original US broadcast, just like [[The Long Night]] and [[Into the Fire]].

A visual pun: Zack commented to his staff that he wanted to get away before the next person came through the customs area, since with his luck it’d be the Second Coming. The next people through the door were three Kings — Elvis impersonators, a little far from Bethlehem.

The Army of Light mounts its final assault. Londo learns some surprising information about Morden.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Ed Wasser as Morden.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/072.html
####Plot Points

The first of Lorien’s people were effectively immortal, but later generations grew old and died.

The Shadows and Vorlons never attacked one another directly because their goal wasn’t to defeat the opposition in a military sense, but to convince their charges, the younger races, to forsake the opposing philosophy. Along the way, both races lost track of who they were and what they wanted.

All the First Ones, including the Shadows and Vorlons, are gone, ushering in the third age of mankind (which seems to refer to the younger races as a group, not just humanity.) In the first age, man was too primitive to be considered part of the larger picture. In the second age, man was intelligent and aware of the greater world, but his fate was manipulated by outside forces. Now, with all the older races gone, man has entered an age of self-determination.
####Unanswered Questions

What lies beyond the galactic rim? Why do all the elder races want to go there?

How far did Lorien’s broadcast of the conversations with the Vorlons and Shadows extend? Just to the crews of the ships at Coriana 6, or more broadly than that?

Does Londo sending Vir back to Babylon 5 mean that Vir is now the Centauri Ambassador?
####Analysis

The First Ones were of surprisingly little help, considering the trouble to which Ivanova and Lorien went to secure their assistance. They amounted to little more than strange-looking guns, just there to pop in, destroy the Vorlon planetkiller, and do little else (though one of them can be seen destroying a few Shadow and Vorlon ships.) Why were the Shadows and Vorlons seemingly undisturbed by the intervention of their peers, preferring instead to continue fighting as before? Why didn’t the First Ones do anything about the Shadow planetkiller?

It could be argued that they had to be present because Lorien needed them to see that it was time to depart. But given how reclusive most of the remaining First Ones were, they could likely have remained right where they were without ever significantly affecting mankind’s reign of the galaxy. Only the Shadows and Vorlons were actively interfering with the younger races. For all intents and purposes the remaining First Ones were already gone anyway.

Sheridan’s plan — luring the Shadows to Coriana 6 with false information, then planting bombs in nearby asteroids — is the same strategy he employed to good effect against the Black Star during the Earth-Minbari War ([[There All the Honor Lies]].)

The representation of the Shadows and Vorlons while Sheridan and Delenn were talking to them was symbolic of their nature. The Shadows moved around, shifted form, and spoke with many voices, representative of chaos. The Vorlons were frozen in ice, cold and aloof and unchanging.

The episode’s title can be read as a reference to a crucible, which certainly fits the theme of the storyline. Sheridan brought together the concentrated forces of the Shadows, Vorlons, the First Ones, and the younger races; as they were all forced to interact, they were transformed.

How did Londo know Morden was accompanied by Shadows? Perhaps he simply put two and two together after noticing the strange sounds near Morden in [[Interludes and Examinations]], but this is the first evidence that Londo has been doing research on Morden’s associates.

What happened to the Shadow hit by the guard’s weapon? Was its body recovered? In [[The Long Dark]], when the Shadow warrior was killed, it didn’t leave a body behind, so perhaps it’s some kind of standard protection mechanism used by the Shadows and their servants.

By killing Morden and destroying the Shadow base, Londo has probably sealed the fate of Centauri Prime as seen in [[War Without End part 2]] As Morden said, the Shadows may be gone, but they have allies, and Londo told Sheridan in that episode that the Shadows’ allies were the ones laying waste to Centauri Prime.

Whether those allies will also be responsible for putting the keeper on Londo isn’t clear. If so, they would appear to be after more than simple revenge, since they were trying to extract information from Delenn.

Ironically, if Londo had left the base and Morden alone, the Vorlons would have turned back anyway, since their planet-killer was summoned to Coriana 6 before it fired a shot at Centauri Prime. Of course, he had no way of knowing that.

When he first appeared in [[Signs and Portents]], Morden asked G’Kar, Delenn, and Londo what they wanted. Later, in “In the Shadow of Z’ha’dum”, he asked the same of Vir. The irony is, only Vir actually ended up getting exactly what he asked for.

As the Vorlon ship passed overhead, Londo and everything around him fell under its shadow, underscoring the point about Londo’s Shadow involvement.

After Selini was destroyed, Morden clutched almost desperately at his pendant. Just a reflex, or was it perhaps some form of link to the Shadows?

Given his fate when Sheridan destroyed the White Star on Z’ha’dum, and the fact that only extreme intervention restored any semblance of his physical body ([[The Hour of the Wolf]]) Morden may qualify as “the one who is already dead” from Lady Morella’s prophecy ([[Point of No Return]].) By killing Morden and thus condemning Centauri Prime to the dismal future seen 17 years hence, Londo has plausibly given up a chance to redeem himself.

The Shadows themselves may have departed, but what have they left behind? Many of their ships were manned by other races. Did the pilots leave for the Rim as well, or are there still Shadow ships flying around the galaxy? What about their cities on Z’ha’dum, and the ships they buried on worlds all over the galaxy? Did all their representatives on Earth and elsewhere leave too?

Similarly, is the Vorlon homeworld now accessible to anyone who cares to visit? What did the Vorlons leave behind?

Lorien also may have left something behind, namely the ship he and Sheridan took to Babylon 5 in [[The Summoning]].

Who will force mankind to step down when our time has passed? The Vorlons and Shadows likely wouldn’t have left were it not for Lorien’s intervention. With both of them, and their peers, gone, there’ll be no father figure to coax mankind out of the way millions of years hence, when we’re the mysterious elder race meddling in the affairs of the newcomers.

Perhaps that role will be filled by Jason Ironheart ([[Mind War]].) He indicated he’d be back in a million years.
####Notes

In the initial US broadcast, the end credits were accompanied by the theme music from season three, not season four.

Reflecting his increased status, Vir’s hair appears to be somewhat longer in this episode than previously.

The space background in the opening sequence, when the White Star awaits the arrival of more First Ones, is from a Hubble Space Telescope photo, part of the Eagle Nebula.

The island of Selini, shown being destroyed by Londo, bears strong similarity to the island of Sicily, Italy, as seen from space.

The scene in which Lorien tells Ivanova about his people and about his immortality was originally written for the previous episode, [[The Long Night]]. That’s why it takes place aboard Babylon 5 rather than the White Star, forcing a rather strange detour to the station when Ivanova would have wanted to head directly to the scene of the battle. When Lorien says, “I was told you were ready to leave,” he’s referring to Ivanova’s departure on Sheridan’s mission to find more First Ones. To cover for this inconsistency, an extra line of voiceover dialogue was added to the first scene in the episode, Ivanova telling Lorien that they need to get back to Babylon 5 and rejoin the fleet.

Lorien said there were six First Ones, but only five can be seen leaving the scene of the battle. Of course, the sixth might have left separately, or Lorien could have been referring to himself.

When Londo arrives in the throne room, he gathers his WITS about him: he orders the unnamed Minister to gather the ministers of War, Information, Transportation, and Security.

As the Army of Light prepares to strike, Londo and Vir continue to plot Cartagia’s downfall. Ivanova and Lorien look for more First Ones. The Shadows unleash a terrible new weapon.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/071.html
####Plot Points

The Shadows have deployed a planet-killer of their own, striking against Vorlon-aligned worlds much as the Vorlons are decimating worlds touched by the Shadows.

After the success of his assassination plot, Londo has taken Cartagia’s place as head of the Centauri, though for the moment only as prime minister, not as emperor.

Making good on his promise to G’Kar in [[Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?]] Londo has ordered the withdrawal of Centauri forces from Narn.
####Unanswered Questions

Who were the Centuari nobles in the secret meeting with Londo and Vir?
####Analysis

Now that Narn is free, will G’Kar retain his stature? Or will most of his countrymen come to feel the way the Narn in the palace did, that G’Kar’s sacrifice wasn’t significant and doesn’t give him any special moral authority?

It’s unlikely the Narn could mount any meaningful offensive against the Centauri regardless of their antagonism, given the near-total destruction of their fleet and the razing of their planet. But G’Kar’s warnings have a habit of being ignored until it’s too late ([[Revelations]] and [[The Long, Twilight Struggle]], to name two instances) and given the justifiable rage many Narn no doubt feel, they may well ignore him again.

The Narn clearly don’t know why the Centauri really left their world. How will they react if and when they learn that it was a bargain on G’Kar’s part, not the stubborn resistance of the Narn people as a whole, that caused their invaders to leave?

In [[Falling Toward Apotheosis]], Garibaldi speculated that in a week’s time, the crush of incoming refugees would overwhelm Babylon 5’s resources. That doesn’t seem to have happened. Has the diversion of people to the surface of Epsilon 3 gone smoothly enough to take the load off the station?

This episode marks the first time Sheridan has been shown ordering someone to certain death, though perhaps it’s something he had to do during the Earth-Minbari War as well. His death and rebirth on Z’ha’dum likely makes such orders more credible: he was willing to die for the cause, so he’s clearly not sending others into the fire just to save his own skin. Delenn, on the other hand, might not be ready for that aspect of command; as Lennier pointed out in [[Grey 17 Is Missing]], she holds individual lives in high esteem and is reluctant to risk them even for a greater good.

What did Londo mean when he told the other Centauri that when he died, there would be a reckoning? He could have been referring to his own alleged complicity in the death of Prime Minister Malachi, or to a reckoning for Refa’s actions. If the former, he was probably thinking in particular of his rather ignoble death, strangulation at the hands of G’Kar as foreseen in his dream ([[The Coming of Shadows]], [[War Without End part 2]].)

Although it was clearly unintentional (see jms speaks) one of Vir’s earliest appearances has what could be considered foreshadowing of his killing of Cartagia. In [[Born to the Purple]], Londo asks Vir, “What do you want, you moon-faced assassin of joy?” Vir has turned out to be an assassin, and by killing Cartagia, Vir has undone some of the damage that began when Londo first answered Morden’s question, “What do you want?” in [[Signs and Portents]].

Another possible unintentional foreshadowing of Vir’s actions was the Minbari rebirth ceremony in [[The Parliament of Dreams]]. During the ceremony, Delenn handed out fruits while she recited a Minbari holy text. As she gave Londo his fruit, she spoke of birth; Vir’s, death and renewal. Obviously it wasn’t JMS’s intent at the time, but Londo can be seen as bringing on the birth of the newly ascendant Centauri Republic by helping Refa bring Cartagia to power. Vir brings its death in the form of the assassination, and its rebirth in the resulting shift in power.
####Notes

The poem recited by Sheridan at the end of the episode was probably left by Sinclair, who quoted it to Delenn as far back as [[The Gathering]], It is Tennyson’s “Ulysses.”

When Londo first saw G’Kar, G’Kar commented that his eye offended Cartagia. That’s no doubt a Biblical reference, to Matthew 18:9.

G’Kar’s newfound vision bears some resemblance to Norse mythology, in which the god Odin sacrificed one of his eyes in exchange for the ability to perceive things beyond the normal senses.

In the initial US broadcast, the third-season theme was played over the closing credits.

The Shadow weapon was devised by Harlan Ellison.

Effects glitch: About a half-second before the executive producer credit, as the fleet is leaving Babylon 5, some Starfuries enter the picture on the right side. As they appear, they flicker out of existence for a frame or two. The effect is visible (barely) at normal speed, more obvious in slow motion.

The Vorlons step up their battle against the Shadows. Londo uncovers a new wrinkle in his plan to unseat Emperor Cartagia. Sheridan asks Garibaldi to remove Kosh from the station. Delenn gets a surprise from Sheridan.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Ed Wasser as Morden. Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia. Wayne Alexander as Lorien.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/070.html
####Plot Points

With the help of Lorien and the original Kosh, Sheridan has successfully removed the new Vorlon ambassador from the station, possibly killing it in the process.

Lorien healed Sheridan at Z’ha’dum by transferring some of his own life energy into Sheridan. Sheridan has at most 20 years left to live.

Londo owes Sheridan a favor.

Emperor Cartagia has plucked out G’Kar’s eye, as Londo saw in his dream ([[The Coming of Shadows]].)
####Unanswered Questions

Why is Lorien keeping such close watch on Sheridan?

How does Sheridan plan to stop the Vorlons?

Why did Kosh’s ship go berserk during the battle? What was it trying to do? (See jms speaks)

Now that the Vorlons have been seen without their illusions in place, will they still bother to maintain their angelic facades around the younger races?

What was the Vorlon “cause” that compelled Lyta to cooperate with them? Did they explain their true motives to her, or did they feed her a palatable lie?
####Analysis

Sheridan and Lorien appear to have gotten to know each other well. What has each of them been getting from the relationship? So far, Lorien doesn’t appear to be feeding Sheridan specific information about the Vorlons or the Shadows (though that could be happening offscreen.) He seems to be providing moral and philosophical support more than anything else, aside from the occasional dose of life energy. What is Sheridan giving him in return? Presumably it’s something worth leaving Z’ha’dum to get.

Sheridan authorized the transfer of refugees to Epsilon 3 without even consulting with Draal. How does he know Draal wouldn’t object? If the planet is still available as a defense mechanism for the station, Draal would most likely need to tell the crew where to set up camp, lest they put refugees right on top of an underground weapon. It’s also interesting that the surface of Epsilon 3 is apparently habitable, given that oxygen masks were required to breathe underground ([[A Voice in the Wilderness part 1]]) Perhaps the crew is assuming Draal will provide an appropriate atmosphere.

Kosh expressed outrage, not surprise, that a human could mentally imprison a Vorlon. Perhaps the Vorlons have a weakness like the Shadows’, and can be contained by sufficiently powerful telepaths.

Is the difference in color between the two Vorlons significant? It may simply be due to the fact that what emerged from Sheridan wasn’t just Kosh, but a combination of Kosh, Sheridan, and Lorien.

Delenn recognized Kosh immediately. Does that mean she had previously seen his true form? If so, it was most likely in [[Chrysalis]], though why he would let her see through his mask then isn’t clear, since he most likely projected an image to her in [[The Fall of Night]].

Lorien’s healing technique resembles that of the healing machine from [[The Quality of Mercy]]. Could that machine be used to further extend Sheridan’s life, or Lorien’s, for that matter? How much life does Lorien have left?

When he used it on Z’ha’dum, it obviously extended to the original Kosh as well, since Kosh was able to battle his successor.

Sheridan’s shortened lifespan may be the terrible price Delenn mentioned in the flashforward in [[War Without End part 2]]. At that time, 17 years in the future, he would only have another two or three years left to live, barring other developments. (See jms speaks)

Kosh gave his life willingly to stop the other Vorlon. Perhaps that goal was what he needed to live for, his version of Sheridan’s devotion to Delenn. If he had to come to terms with his own death as Sheridan did, such self-sacrifice was presumably somewhat easier when the time came.

Is the original Kosh the only Vorlon to oppose what’s going on now? Perhaps they’re factionalized much like the Minbari, and the new Kosh represented the more belligerent faction, which has the upper hand at the moment. In any case, why did the original Kosh care about the younger races more than his replacement?

How much of Kosh is still left in Sheridan in the form of memories and knowledge? Was Kosh’s presence instrumental in putting together whatever plan Sheridan has in mind?

Londo clearly plans to strike at Cartagia on Narn, where presumably he’ll be an easier target than he is in the royal palace. But even if he succeeds, what then? The Shadows will still be on Centauri Prime, with only a few days left until the projected arrival of the Vorlon fleet. It’s unlikely Morden and his associates would look favorably on a request to leave the planet, and even if they went away immediately, Centauri Prime would still have been touched by the Shadows and thus would still be a target.

By failing to suggest a punishment for G’Kar, Londo has likely just wasted his first chance for redemption: saving the eye that does not see ([[Point of No Return]].)

Cartagia’s vision of the end of Centauri Prime (“Let it all end in fire”) may be related to Kosh’s reply to Emperor Turhan in [[The Coming of Shadows]], to whom he said that things would end “in fire.”

In fact, Kosh may have been saying more than the Emperor knew; perhaps he foresaw the deployment of the Vorlon planet-killer, or believed it likely, and figured it’d be used against Centauri Prime. If so, how long have the Vorlons been planning their current course of action?

Garibaldi theorized to Franklin that he might have been caught in the hyperspace backwash when the Shadows pulled out. This was first mentioned as a danger in [[Signs and Portents]], in which Sinclair warns Ivanova to stay away from the raider mothership to avoid being pulled into its backwash.
####Notes

The list of sites accepting refugees from Ventari III, as shown in Ivanova’s broadcast:

• Tizino Prime (presumed destroyed later in the episode)
• Mokafa Station
• Drazi Fendamir Research Colony
• Kazomi III
• D’Grn IV
• L’Gn’Daort
• Nacambad Colony
• 7 Lukantha
• Oqmritkz
• Velatastat
• Lesser Krindar
• Greater Krindar

The rightmost head in Cartagia’s shadow cabinet is Andreas Katsulas (G’Kar.) See jms speaks.

“Apotheosis” means “elevation to divine status,” or more simply, deification.

The two Koshes left the scene of the firefight through the ceiling. If they were headed for space, they took the long way there; to get outside through the ceiling, they’d have to pass through the center of the station.

Zack makes a discovery in the search for Garibaldi. Delenn’s plan to attack the Shadows runs into trouble. Ivanova and Marcus attempt to solicit aid from more First Ones.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Wayne Alexander as Lorien. Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia. Eric Zivot as Verano. Jonathan Chapman as Ambassador Lethke.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/069.html
####Plot Points

Lyta’s telepathic abilities were enhanced by the Vorlons to enable her to more easily carry one of them.

The Vorlons, apparently determined to wipe the Shadows out once and for all, have begun destroying worlds that have had contact with the Shadows, and to that end have amassed a fleet of thousands of ships.

Sheridan has returned to Babylon 5, as has Garibaldi.

Initially, when the Vorlons and Shadows took on the task of looking after the younger races, they were equally balanced, obeyed rules of engagement, and respected each other’s perspectives. But at some point, one of them grew tired of the arrangement and the two started fighting in earnest, with the younger races caught in the middle.
####Unanswered Questions

Who, if anyone, was on the ship that carried Garibaldi’s lifepod? Why were they transporting him, and why did they self-destruct?

What was done to Garibaldi? Was he implanted with a new personality, like Talia Winters?

What was the program that activated as Garibaldi’s pod was ejected?

Why did Lorien accompany Sheridan?

How did they get to Babylon 5? Was that Lorien’s ship?

What exactly did Lyta learn when she scanned Kosh?

What exactly does Sheridan have in mind to end the war once and for all?

What happened to Marcus’ family? His brother died in a Shadow attack ([[Matters of Honor]],) but what about his parents?
####Analysis

Delenn said, “Everyone I hold dear is gone.” She didn’t list Lennier among them. Why not?

Lyta says she allowed the Vorlons to modify her because she believed. Believed in what? What did they tell her about their intentions? Does she know anything about the Shadows and Vorlons, and the nature of their conflict, that Sheridan would find useful?

What made the Vorlons change their strategy? Most likely it has something to do with the “unexpected door” they feel Sheridan opened on Z’ha’dum ([[The Hour of the Wolf]].) By attempting to wipe out the Shadows, it’s arguable they’ve lost the war on a philosophical level; attempting to wipe out a race to gain supremacy is exactly the method the Shadows advocate.

On the other hand, if there’s no way to get the Shadows to stop fighting and causing wars except by completely destroying them, the Vorlons may have reached the conclusion that the very existence of the Shadows means their philosophy can never take hold.

Given that the old Kosh, at least according to Lyta, cared about the younger races, would he have approved of the Vorlons’ change in strategy? If not, will the piece of him still alive in Sheridan try to stop the plan?

Lyta referred to the old Kosh as “the real Kosh.” What isn’t real about the new Kosh? What is the new Kosh’s actual name (or its human-pronounceable version?)

Lorien’s visit to B5 would seem to indicate that he, at least, still cares about the younger races. What can he do about it? Presumably he’ll be able to provide valuable information, but does he have any capabilities beyond that? For example, does he have access to technology millions of years more advanced than even the Shadows and Vorlons?

In [[Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?]] he appeared to have a significant presence on the “dream plane” (for lack of a better term) through which Kosh sent the dreams to Sheridan in [[All Alone in the Night]] and [[Interludes and Examinations]]. It’s plausible that that’s where much of a Vorlon’s consciousness lives; if so, Lorien may be capable of much more direct impact on the Vorlons than his physical presence implies. Whether the same is true in the Shadows’ case is less clear, but the fact that the Eye at Z’ha’dum found Ivanova while she was in the Great Machine ([[Voices of Authority]]) suggests that they too have some presence in that mode of existence.

Destroying planets may seem excessive, but perhaps the Vorlons are doing so, rather than simply wiping out all surface life, because of the Shadows’ habit of burying their ships underground ([[Messages From Earth]]) and building cities underground ([[Z’ha’dum]].) They may feel that completely destroying a planet that’s been visited by the Shadows is the only way to ensure that there are no surprises left behind.

Is the current Vorlon rampage due in part to the death of the original Kosh at the hands of the Shadows? If so, there’s a parallel to the Earth-Minbari War, in which, according to Delenn ([[Ceremonies of Light and Dark]]) the Minbari went collectively mad after the death of their leader Dukhat at human hands.

By wiping out younger races as they battle the Shadows, the Vorlons can no longer really claim to be looking after their juniors. What will the other First Ones think of that? They don’t seem to be on particularly good terms with the Vorlons to begin with ([[Voices of Authority]]) and this change in attitude may further irritate their peers. Lorien will likely be able to provide greater insight into the feelings of the other First Ones toward the Vorlons.

If the Vorlons are truly intent on wiping out any worlds the Shadows have touched, that means they’ll be targeting Mars, Centauri Prime, Earth, and B5. Depending on how recently a planet has to have had contact to be considered tainted, they may also destroy Narn. Only the Minbari seem, so far, to have never been under Shadow influence, so their homeworld may be spared.

The only evidence so far of Shadow influence is the assassination attempt against Kosh in [[The Gathering]], but given that the Shadows didn’t try to touch Kosh until the Vorlon offensive in [[Interludes and Examinations]], the hallway meeting in [[Signs and Portents]] notwithstanding (Kosh initiated that confrontation too) it’s more likely the Minbari warriors were acting of their own volition.

The Vorlons’ new tack is somewhat ironic, given that they filed an official protest when the Centauri used mass drivers to bombard Narn from space ([[The Long, Twilight Struggle]].) Clearly the Vorlons don’t have any qualms about attacking planets from space if they’re the ones doing it.

Since the Shadows have already come to Centauri Prime, could the blasted landscape of [[War Without End part 2]] be due to a Vorlon attack, not the doing of the Shadows? If the Vorlons attack because of the Shadow presence, that would explain Londo’s bitterness toward Sheridan, who he might consider to be on the side of the Vorlons.

Does Sheridan share the Vorlons’ goal of wiping the Shadows out completely, or does he have some other plan in mind? The fact that Lorien accompanied him suggests the latter, since Lorien commented that he didn’t approve of warfare among his juniors ([[Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?]]) On the other hand, his speech to the crowd did imply that he had genocide against the Shadows in mind.

The original Kosh tried to train Sheridan “to fight legends” (“Hunter, Prey.”) But in his speech, Sheridan appeared to be setting himself up as a legend of sorts: “the only man to come back from Z’ha’dum alive.” (A claim, incidentally, which isn’t true; Morden and Anna were on Z’ha’dum and left alive, if changed.) His bravado seems to indicate he now sees himself as having a larger role to play than before, and validates the Shadows’ view of him as a nexus ([[Z’ha’dum]].)

Oddly, in [[Interludes and Examinations]], Sheridan pointed out to Kosh that the Vorlons were legends, or wanted to be perceived as such. Did Kosh know that eventually Sheridan might have to combat the Vorlons?

Sheridan returned from Z’ha’dum under unknown circumstances, accompanied by an alien he won’t tell anyone about. Garibaldi’s whereabouts were unknown for two weeks, and he turned up in a ship that self-destructed to avoid being closely investigated. Why, then, do Delenn, Ivanova, and the others accept both of them back seemingly without question? Given the threat of implanted personalities and other modifications ([[Divided Loyalties]], [[Z’ha’dum]]) the crew should at least be skeptical that both returnees are what they appear.

Sheridan’s speech from the catwalk echoes his appearance on the catwalk in the dream in [[All Alone in the Night]]. If Garibaldi symbolized “the man in between,” a description that fits Lorien at least as well as anyone else, then was the Sheridan on the catwalk “the man on the other side,” presumably the other side of death? If so, Sheridan has now become that man.

G’Kar’s refusal to scream was foreshadowed in [[The Parliament of Dreams]]. In that episode, when he was put into paingivers by the Narn assassin and tortured, he said he would rather die than cry out.
####Notes

Marcus has never been romantically involved with anyone. This was hinted at in [[A Late Delivery From Avalon]], in which he jokingly compared himself to Sir Galahad, the chaste knight from Arthurian legend. In [[Ceremonies of Light and Dark]], he told Delenn he’d lost a woman he cared a great deal for, but that’s not necessarily a contradiction; he didn’t say she felt the same way.

The scene in which Ivanova asks Delenn for one of the White Star ships was originally written and filmed for [[Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?]] but was cut from that episode for time.

This is the first regular episode to feature all the cast members listed in the opening credits; aside from [[The Gathering]], all the earlier episodes were missing at least one.

G’Kar was whipped 39 times, because 40 would kill a Narn. That’s probably a reference to the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 25:1-3 warns against whipping a man more than 40 times; more than that will cause one to lose the respect of one’s brothers.

Some renditions of the New Testament also show Jesus being whipped 39 times by Pilate, though that number doesn’t appear in the Bible itself. The Apostle Paul was whipped 39 times, which was the maximum number under Jewish law, to ensure that miscounting wouldn’t cause one to give more than 40 lashes.

This is the second time Garibaldi has awakened from a traumatic event and found his commanding officer missing; Sinclair left the station while he was in a coma ([[Revelations]].)

G’Kar tries to avoid capture by the Centauri while continuing his search. Delenn urges the Rangers to strike against the Shadows.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Wayne Alexander as Lorien. Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia. Lenny Citrano as Isaac. Anthony DeLongis as Harry.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/068.html
####Plot Points

Garibaldi was captured and is apparently in the custody of Psi Corps.

Lorien claims to be the first of the First Ones, and lives deep within Z’ha’dum. He says the Shadows return to Z’ha’dum because he’s there, and that Kosh knew about his presence when he told Sheridan to jump.

G’Kar has been captured by the Centauri. In exchange for help overthrowing Emperor Cartagia, Londo has promised G’Kar that the Centauri will withdraw from Narn after Cartagia is gone.
####Unanswered Questions

Exactly who captured Garibaldi, and why? The Psi Corps, or some other group associated with them? How did they recover him from the inside of a Shadow vessel? Did the Shadows give him up voluntarily?

Why did they want to know what he remembered?

Is Lorien’s claim true? Is he a member of a race of elder beings, or is he somehow the first intelligent lifeform in the galaxy? What is he, exactly?

When, and under what circumstances, did Lorien meet Kosh?

How is Londo planning to use G’Kar to unseat Cartagia?
####Analysis

If Garibaldi has indeed been captured by the Psi Corps, why do they need to question him? Presumably they could just pick whatever information they need out of his mind. Perhaps they’re simply trying to get him to cooperate, on the assumption that if he cooperates in one area, he’ll be more malleable in others.

Alternately, perhaps they’re making sure he doesn’t remember what happened to him because they’ve done something to him and wiped his memory of the event. That would explain the conclusion of the interrogation scene; they gassed him to transport him elsewhere once they were satisfied that their memory wipe was solid.

Centauri torture is likely to result in the loss of G’Kar’s left eye ([[The Coming of Shadows]], [[War Without End part 2]].) Whether that eye is the subject of Lady Morella’s prophecy ([[Point of No Return]]) isn’t clear; it’s certainly plausible that Londo could redeem himself by halting the torture of G’Kar, but there are other eyes that don’t see (e.g. the Shadows’ Eye at Z’ha’dum in [[The Hour of the Wolf]], or the Centauri Eye from [[Signs and Portents]].)

Given Lorien’s assessment of his situation, Sheridan presumably qualifies as “the one who is already dead” in Morella’s prophecy. And, in fact, Londo spares his life 17 years in the future ([[War Without End part 2]].) Assuming the prophecy is correct and Londo was thus redeemed, obviating the need for a third chance, what form would that chance have taken?

Why is Lorien so interested in what happens to Sheridan? He said Sheridan was “the only one to make it this far.” Was he referring to the physical descent down the chasm, or some more spiritual journey?

Lorien said neither Kosh nor Sheridan wanted to die. Assuming he was able to resurrect Sheridan, is Kosh also still alive? If so, what did Kosh find to live for?

Lorien said he had been waiting for someone to talk to. He also said, several times, that Sheridan was trapped between life and death, between seconds. Given that he was there with Sheridan, and that Kosh knew about Lorien’s presence, it’s plausible that Lorien, not Justin, is in fact “the man in between” from Sheridan’s Kosh-induced dream ([[All Alone in the Night]].) If so, what will he do now that he’s found Sheridan?

Lorien, if that’s who the formless being in Sheridan’s dream is, asked both the Vorlon and the Shadow questions. Why are those questions significant to him? He said that there was no good answer to “Who are you,” implying perhaps that the search for an answer is what matters.

Did the Shadows and the Vorlons get those questions from Lorien? Lorien claims to have met Kosh (who, oddly, he knew by name, which would seem to contradict the new Kosh’s statement that “we are all Kosh”) so presumably he has also met the Shadows. Perhaps each race latched onto one of the two questions, adopting it as its own.

Later, however, Lorien asked Sheridan three questions: who he was, why he was, and what he wanted. The middle question is new. If the Vorlons and the Shadows are supposed to ask the first and last questions, is there supposed to be another group asking the second? (See jms speaks)

One person did ask all three questions once: Sinclair, when he was captured during the Battle of the Line ([[And the Sky Full of Stars]].)

Kosh may have implied the presence of a third question in [[Deathwalker]] when he told Talia, “Understanding is a three-edged sword.”

Lorien echoed another statement of Sinclair’s, also from [[And the Sky Full of Stars]]. Sinclair said of his wingman Mitchell, “I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen… you never listened.” Lorien said the same of the Shadows and Vorlons, or so it seemed, though he didn’t provide any more context or explanation.

Vir made a similar comment to G’Kar in [[Comes the Inquisitor]]. “I wish… there was something that I could do. I tried telling them, but they wouldn’t listen. They never listen…”

In [[Infection]], Garibaldi observed to Sinclair that people look for things to die for, because it’s easier than finding something to live for. Lorien echoed that sentiment at the end of this episode.

Lorien said he hated to see his children fighting. Does that imply he doesn’t approve of Sheridan’s war against the Shadows? For that matter, does it mean he doesn’t approve of the Vorlons and the Shadows fighting? If so, can he do anything about it?

Can Lorien leave Z’ha’dum? Perhaps the planet is part of him, or he’s bound to it in some way; in that case, Delenn’s plan to attack Z’ha’dum could prove disastrous, assuming the Vorlons are as interested in Lorien as the Shadows are.

Lorien said the Shadows think they return to Z’ha’dum to show him respect, but that they don’t understand any more. What don’t they understand? Why did they originally start returning to Z’ha’dum, and why don’t they understand now what they did long ago?
####Notes

The lighting at the end of the prison cell scene is symbolic; as soon as Londo agrees to free Narn, the cell door opens and G’Kar is bathed in white light, his life’s goal finally within reach.

The passage of time on Z’ha’dum, or at least in Sheridan’s condition, is similar to the effect of a black hole at the event horizon: time slows down to a standstill from the point of view of an outside observer.

As originally broadcast, Franklin cites the date as January 8 in his opening monologue, and says it’s been 14 days since Sheridan disappeared. In the second US broadcast of the episode Franklin’s opening monologue was fixed to say it was 9 days since both Sheridan and Garibaldi disappeared. (See jms speaks) However, the UK broadcast, and possibly others, used the original incorrect date. The engine part G’Kar handed to the man in the bar is an overthruster prop from “Buckaroo Banzai.”

Sheridan’s disappearance begins to unravel the alliance. Londo discovers that Emperor Cartagia has struck a disturbing deal. G’Kar decides to search for Garibaldi. Ivanova, Delenn, and Lyta head toward Z’ha’dum to search for Sheridan.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Ed Wasser as Morden. Wortham Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia. Wayne Alexander as Lorien. Damian London as Minister.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/067.html
####Plot Points

A thousand years ago, the Shadows seeded hundreds of worlds with their ships so their forces couldn’t be wiped out in a single attack. The explosion on Z’ha’dum destroyed the Shadows’ biggest city and threw them into chaos. Now they’ve decided to seek outside help, and have enlisted the Centauri to shelter a small fleet of their ships in case Z’ha’dum is attacked while they’re weak.

Londo and Vir are scheming to kill Emperor Cartagia, who Londo believes has seriously endangered Centauri Prime by giving land to the Shadows.

According to Kosh, Sheridan opened an unexpected door on Z’ha’dum. Whatever that means, Sheridan somehow survived the two-mile fall, and now finds himself in the company of an enigmatic being, Lorien, who appears to know why Sheridan survived.

The nonaligned worlds, believing Sheridan dead and the battle against the Shadows at an end, are beginning to withdraw from the alliance.

The Shadows have something called “the Eye” near Z’ha’dum. It appears to be able to telepathically contact normals, probing their minds and drawing them to the planet. It was this “Eye” that sensed Ivanova during her journey in the Great Machine on Epsilon 3 ([[Voices of Authority]].)

The Vorlons are aware of what happened on Z’ha’dum, but according to Kosh, plan to do nothing about it. Lyta, however, believes they’re planning something.
####Unanswered Questions

What did Kosh mean about Sheridan opening an unexpected door? A door to where, and why was it unexpected?

Was Morden the human who introduced Cartagia to the term “the big picture?”

What happened to Lyta while she was scanning for Sheridan?

What is the “Eye” at Z’ha’dum?

Why does it speak with a voice of infinite sadness?

How did Sheridan survive his fall?

Where is he now?
####Analysis

The Eye spoke to Ivanova and Delenn in the voices of their fathers. That’s the same image the old Kosh chose on more than one occasion (to Sheridan in [[Interludes and Examinations]] and to G’Kar in [[Dust to Dust]].) Is there a connection?

Is the Eye at Z’ha’dum the one Lady Morella referred to in the first of her prophecies ([[Point of No Return]]?) If so, how will Londo be able to save it? Will it be moved to Centauri Prime, or is it perhaps already there in some form as a result of Cartagia’s arrangement with the Shadows?

Perhaps the Eye is the Shadows’ main defense system on Z’ha’dum. That would explain why the White Star was able to get to the surface unharmed in [[Z’ha’dum]]. It wasn’t touched by the Eye because there was nobody onboard to influence.

The blackening of Lyta’s eyes was similar to G’Kar’s telepathic experience in [[Dust to Dust]]. Perhaps it’s simply a side effect of intense telepathic activity.

In [[Interludes and Examinations]], Morden warned Londo that the Shadows might turn their eye toward Centauri Prime if Londo stood in their way. Was he speaking in general terms, as it appeared to Londo, or was he referring to something more specific? If he meant the Eye in this episode, what implications are there in Londo’s reply that the Centauri would pluck the eye out?

Morden said Sheridan’s actions forced the Shadows to seek outside assistance earlier than they’d planned. That implies they thought they’d eventually have to do so. When were they originally planning to get help, and from whom? Seeking outside help would seem to put them on par with the Vorlons, who Morden castigated for doing exactly the same thing in [[Z’ha’dum]].

G’Kar credits Garibaldi with giving him a second chance and allowing him to redeem himself. Garibaldi probably had that capacity in part because he’d been given a second chance himself, by Sinclair.

The White Star seems to have been replaced with one of the other ships from the fleet; Ivanova and Lyta talked about taking the White Star to Z’ha’dum without referring to the fact that Sheridan destroyed the original White Star.

Kosh may not have meant that Sheridan opened a door in a literal sense; perhaps it’s more figurative. Maybe Sheridan’s attack on the Shadows has weakened them enough to make it possible for the Vorlons to wipe the Shadows out, if indeed that’s what they want.

“Some must be sacrificed for the greater good” is a sentiment that’s widely shared, and “the greater good” typically means “your own good.” Kosh planted the idea in G’Kar’s mind, implying it was the way to the salvation of the Narn people ([[Dust to Dust]].) Justin told Sheridan that some races are lost along the path of evolutionary progress, but that humans would likely come out on top ([[Z’ha’dum]].) And here, Cartagia uses the same reasoning to justify, in his mind, the destruction of his own people, if it means his deification. About the only one firmly opposed to the idea is Delenn, who, as Lennier observed, treasures each life ([[Grey 17 Is Missing]]) and would sacrifice herself to save another ([[Comes the Inquisitor]].) The latter, of course, also applies to Sheridan, and is amply demonstrated by his journey to Z’ha’dum to save Centauri Prime.

What did Lyta mean about the new Kosh being darker than the old one? His demeanor is certainly less pleasant, but does she sense something beyond a simple difference in personality?

Why did Lyta put on the mask after returning Kosh to his suit, if she has gills and can breathe in his quarters? Perhaps simply to conceal her modification from anyone who might see her emerging from his quarters. But gill implants aren’t unheard of ([[The Gathering]]) and it’s presumably widely known that she’s Kosh’s aide, so there would seem to be little to gain by concealing that.

Ivanova may not have been the only one awake during the hour of the wolf. Emperor Cartagia visited his heads late at night, and Londo called Vir in the middle of the night.

Who or what is Lorien? Quite possibly, he’s a Soul Hunter ([[Soul Hunter]]) since he has a similar gem implanted in his forehead. If so, does that mean Sheridan is indeed physically dead? The Soul Hunters capture the personalities of the dying, then spend their days talking with the dead souls and learning from them. Sheridan’s environment might simply be what one of the Soul Hunters’ globes looks like to the occupant, and Lorien might be projecting himself inside somehow in order to converse with Sheridan.

If, on the other hand, Sheridan survived physically, could it have been due to the presence of Kosh in his mind? Kosh has already shown that Vorlons can fly ([[The Fall of Night]]) and that they have telekinetic power ([[Interludes and Examinations]].) The latter might well have softened Sheridan’s landing.

Does Lorien’s presence on Z’ha’dum (if that’s where he’s speaking with Sheridan) imply some connection to the Shadows?

Sheridan and Lorien greet each other with the Vorlon question: “Who are you?” Perhaps Lorien knows what significance that question has to the Vorlons.

Sheridan dropped his rank insignia on the ground. This parallels his experience in [[There All the Honor Lies]], in which he had to give up his insignia during one of Kosh’s lessons and in return was granted “beauty… in the dark.” His current situation is certainly the darkest he’s seen.

Now that the Shadows are on Centauri Prime, will they begin eliminating Centauri telepaths as they did to the Narn? ([[Ship of Tears]])

Why didn’t Ivanova bring along more than one telepath on the White Star? Given that for all she knew, Z’ha’dum was crawling with Shadow vessels, going there with only Lyta ran the risk of the White Star being blown out of the sky the moment it emerged from hyperspace. Granted, telepaths are a scarce, strategically valuable resource, but she could probably have justified bringing three or four others to hold any nearby Shadow ships at bay.

Is this the arrival of the Shadows and their minions mentioned by Londo in [[War Without End part 2]]? If so, why did Londo blame Sheridan for it? Certainly Sheridan’s attack on Z’ha’dum prompted the Shadows to seek shelter, but as Londo described it, it seemed more like he thought Sheridan had intentionally neglected Centauri Prime.
####Notes

Filming began August 26, 1996.

Continuity glitch: During the Morden-Londo scene, when Londo is about to sit down, Morden begins picking at his left hand. After Londo is seated, he drops a flake of skin he clearly just removed from his right hand.

Third season finale. A face from Sheridan’s past takes him on a dangerous mission to meet his Shadow counterpart. Londo receives important news about his political future. The Shadows mass a fleet against Babylon 5.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Melissa Gilbert as Anna. Ed Wasser as Morden. Jeff Corey as Justin.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/066.html
####Backplot

The Shadows claim that the Icarus was sent to Z’ha’dum by Earth after Interplanetary Expeditions planted a homing device on the Shadow ship discovered on Mars ([[Messages from Earth]]) and traced its path through hyperspace.

A million years ago there were many immensely powerful species roaming the galaxy, but most left for “greener pastures,” leaving the Vorlons and the Shadows behind.

The Shadows claim they and the Vorlons are “shepherds,” guiding younger races through the evolutionary process, though they have different methods: the Vorlons are like parents, trying to get their children to play nice and get along, while the Shadows believe that only through conflict and death can races become stronger and more advanced. They also claim that by enlisting the help of the Minbari and others against the Shadows, and by manipulating the younger races genetically, the Vorlons haven’t been playing by the rules.

The Shadows claim that the Vorlons’ genetic tinkering is responsible for the sudden appearance of telepathy in humans, and that they got involved with Psi-Corps to try to minimize the threat to themselves.

The Shadows’ own name for themselves is 10000 letters long, and unpronounceable.

Z’ha’dum is, according to Delenn, the Shadows’ homeworld.

The Shadows badly want to have Sheridan on their side because he has succeeded in uniting the various races into the “Army of Light,” something that’s anathemic to their goal of growth through universal conflict. If he unravels the Army of Light, it’ll stay unravelled, but past experience has shown that killing him would simply cause someone else to take his place.
####Unanswered Questions

If the future as seen in [[War Without End part 2]] is unchangeable, then how does Sheridan survive?

What was left of Anna after she was removed from the Shadow ship and sent to Sheridan?

Was the entire crew of the Icarus put inside Shadow ships, or were some of them killed?

What was behind the door Anna wouldn’t let Sheridan open? (See JMS Speaks)

How much truth is there in the Shadows’ statements?

Why did the Vorlons and Shadows stay behind when the other First Ones left?

Where exactly did the other First Ones go, and why?

Were the Vorlons also responsible for telepathy in Narns and Minbari around the time of the last war?

If the Vorlons and the Shadows are trying to guide the evolution of the younger races, do they have an objective in mind? If so, what?

Who or what is Justin? Where did he come from? Was he also a member of the Icarus crew?

What is the pit Sheridan jumped toward? (See Analysis)

Anna told Sheridan that time doesn’t work the same way on Z’ha’dum as elsewhere. How does time work there, and why is it different?

Was the destroyed city the only city on Z’ha’dum?

How badly have the Shadows been hurt?

Did Morden and/or Justin survive?

Did Londo get off the station after his warning?

Where were the Minbari ships shown at the beginning of the episode when the Shadows appeared?

Why did the Shadows take Garibaldi? Luck? Their plan? His plan?

What ever happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
####Analysis

Given that Anna most likely lied about the fate of the Icarus’ crew, and that they tried to mislead him about what had been done to her, much of what Sheridan was told may be lies or misrepresentation as well, and it’s possible that important elements of the relationship between the Vorlons, Shadows, and the other First Ones were left unsaid.

The Shadows have a similar worldview to that of the Lumati ([[Acts of Sacrifice]],) namely that individuals deserve to fall by the wayside if they aren’t strong enough to fend for themselves. The Drazi and others might also come to agree with the Shadows’ motives if they were explained.

Assuming Sheridan has survived somehow, what will Delenn and Kosh do to keep the Shadows’ side of the story from becoming public?

Anna told Sheridan, “It was supposed to be an equal balance between our side and the Vorlons.” According to who? Did both sides agree to follow rules of conduct? Are they acting on behalf of some other party who wants to see which style of evolutionary help will prove more fruitful?

Some part of Kosh is definitely in Sheridan’s head — Sheridan sees or hears him twice. The first time is just before he leaves for Z’ha’dum, when Kosh says, “If you go to Z’ha’dum, you will die.” The second time is just before the White Star crashes into the Shadow city, when he tells Sheridan to jump into the pit.

Sheridan decides he is willing to sacrifice himself in the nuclear destruction of the Shadow city for two main reasons — first, to help defeat the Shadows, and second, to try to avoid the destruction of the Centauri Homeworld he has foreseeen ([[War Without End part 2]]) His willingness to sacrifice himself also brings to mind the judgment of Sebastian ([[Comes the Inquisitor]]) that both Sheridan and Delenn can sacrifice themselves for their cause. Delenn also told Sebastian the same thing the Shadows told Sheridan: that if they were killed, another would come along to take their place.

Anna claims that the Shadows believe they’ll die if anything Vorlon touches Z’ha’dum. Is that simply a superstition, or do they have some reason to think that’s true? Perhaps they foresaw the detonation of the White Star in some way — as it turned out, that belief wasn’t too far from the truth.

Justin is probably “the man in between” from Sheridan’s dream ([[All Alone in the Night]]) — Sheridan’s counterpart. But if he’s truly equivalent to Sheridan, does that mean he’s in control of the Shadows? Of course, given the amount of manipulation by the Vorlons and the Minbari, it’s questionable whether Sheridan is really in control of the army of light in any meaningful way; Kosh and Delenn have steered him toward their viewpoints from the beginning. Still, if Justin is Sheridan’s counterpart, he’s more than a simple spokesman, and if that’s the case, it begs the question, how did he achieve that position?

Another interpretation is that “the man in between” implies that there’s a third person, a “man on the other side.” The presence of Garibaldi and two versions of Sheridan in his dream supports that interpretation. In that case, who is Sheridan’s opposite? Perhaps it’s Sheridan himself: if Justin had managed to convert him to the Shadows’ side, he would have become the man on the other side.

Both Justin and Sheridan drink tea to help them sleep ([[And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place]].)

Sheridan’s first question to Justin is, “Who are you?” That’s the same question Sebastian asked Delenn and Sheridan ([[Comes the Inquisitor]].) One could plausibly consider it the Vorlon question, their version of the Shadows’ “What do you want?” ([[Signs and Portents]].) Significantly, Justin refuses to answer the question in any direct way, even claims it’s not important who he is. That probably points to a major philosophical difference between the Vorlons and the Shadows.

Justin claimed there were two elder races left behind. Does that mean the Shadows don’t know about the Walkers at Sigma 957 ([[Voices of Authority]]?) Or would they not consider that race to be remaining behind?

What did Justin mean when he called Sheridan a nexus? Does it imply there’s something inherently special about Sheridan, or does one become a nexus simply by being in the right place at the right time? Certainly Sheridan’s decisions affect the fates of millions of people now, but was that destined to be the case?

Delenn said that nobody returns from Z’ha’dum the same as they arrived. How does she know, and what does she mean by that, exactly? Is it simply a matter of all visitors to Z’ha’dum being put inside Shadow warships?

The Shadows don’t seem to have very good security, given that they failed to detect that Sheridan was carrying a second gun. On the other hand, it’s possible they did detect it, but elected for some reason not to do anything about it.

Z’ha’dum’s defenses are similarly flawed; the White Star was able to crash into the surface of the planet intact, apparently with no opposition on the way down. Why weren’t the Shadows vigorously protecting their homeworld? Obviously they left the White Star alone while it was in orbit because of their guarantee to Sheridan, but once it started plummeting toward one of their cities, it’s odd that they didn’t shoot it out of the sky.

The pit Sheridan jumped into was more than a simple depression; as he fell, just before the White Star detonated, he appeared to be passing through a tunnel of some kind. Perhaps he was transported to safety by some means; that would explain Kosh urging him to jump. If so, what is the pit, and did the Shadows build it, or are they merely taking advantage of something that predates their presence on Z’ha’dum? If the latter, was the city surrounding the pit a Shadow installation, or was it peopled by someone else?

It’s also odd that, given that they moved their base underground “for security purposes,” the Shadows would build a large, exposed dome above the pit.

Perhaps the pit is related to the Shadows’ absence. In [[Chrysalis]], Delenn asked Kosh, “Have the Shadows returned to Z’ha’dum?” That implies they’d been somewhere else. Perhaps the pit is a gateway of some kind, and Sheridan will survive by passing through it.

Is Sheridan’s descent into the pit related to Londo’s odd greeting in [[War Without End part 1]], “Welcome back from the abyss, Sheridan?” If so, does that mean he somehow spends the intervening seventeen years either in the pit or associated with it in some way? The former is unlikely if Sheridan and Delenn already have a son seventeen years later.

A parallel to Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” is possible: Gandalf fell into the pit at Khazad-dum with the Balrog, died (as Sheridan will, according to Kosh) and was reborn as Gandalf the White, an even more powerful figure.

Sheridan may also, if he survives in some fashion, qualify as “the one who is already dead” from Lady Morella’s prophecy ([[Point of No Return]].) It’s an even closer fit since Sheridan would be The One who is already dead.

In [[Interludes and Examinations]], Kosh said he wouldn’t be there to help if Sheridan went to Z’ha’dum. But that’s not how it turned out; Kosh was there, though it’s not yet clear how much help he was. What would Kosh have done for Sheridan on Z’ha’dum if he hadn’t been killed?

This is the second time Sheridan has leapt from great heights to avoid a bomb ([[The Fall of Night]].) And both times, Kosh was involved, though Sheridan didn’t know that when he leapt the first time. Will Kosh’s presence in Sheridan’s mind somehow save him once again?

Ivanova’s plan (or possibly Sheridan’s) to plant mines near an upcoming Shadow attack is the same strategy Sheridan used to defeat the Black Star in the Earth-Minbari War ([[There All the Honor Lies]].) How will the Minbari, who denounced Sheridan’s tactic as dishonorable then, feel about its use against the Shadows? Perhaps they’ll have no problem with it, since presumably Ivanova won’t use a fake distress call to lure the Shadows in as Sheridan did to the Minbari.

Sheridan has now destroyed both the Black Star and the White Star, further justifying the Minbari nickname for him, Starkiller ([[Points of Departure]].)

If the Shadows were planning to implant Sheridan, as the arrival of the Shadow implied, why did they surround the station? Would they have attacked? Their warning to Londo implies so. Perhaps they came both to attack if necessary and to pick up Garibaldi.

Shadow ships seem to have instantaneous communication with Z’ha’dum; they left Babylon 5 as soon as the explosion occurred. That’s perhaps not so remarkable; B5 has near-instantaneous contact with Earth, and it’s not clear how far Z’ha’dum is from B5.

The Shadows may have taken Garibaldi to try to alter him and get him to work for them. Justin said, “Once you’ve been inside of one of those ships for a while, you’re never quite whole again. But you do as you’re told.” Garibaldi may already be altered by virtue of his transportation in the belly of the Shadow ship.

Ivanova immediately knew that Sheridan was gone. Simple deduction based on the missing bombs and White Star and the sudden departure of the Shadows, or did she sense something telepathically?

If human telepathy is the result of Vorlon genetic tampering, is the same also true of Minbari and (former) Narn telepathy, and of other races as well? What, then, of the Centauri, who (to judge by Londo’s failure to see Kosh in [[The Fall of Night]]) haven’t been altered by Vorlons? Where did they get their telepathy?

Again assuming that all human telepaths owe their abilities to Vorlon modifications, Ivanova’s genes, or rather those of her ancestors, have been altered by the Vorlons. What other changes did the Vorlons make in addition to granting telepathy? Will Ivanova, for instance, be more susceptible than other crewmembers to images projected by the new Kosh?

The Vorlons may have had more than one motive for creating telepathy among the younger races. There’s the obvious reason, namely that telepaths are useful as weapons against the Shadows. But it may also be that the Vorlons’ goal of universal cooperation, if Justin’s representation is to be believed, is furthered by widespread telepathy. Presumably people are less likely to fight if they can feel their blows landing on an opponent’s body from the other person’s point of view, and certainly direct mind-to-mind contact would enable much more productive cooperation. The Vorlons may feel that telepathy is ultimately most useful as a means of pacification, not as a weapon.

If so, the path to that goal cuts straight through Shadow territory; the Psi Corps, as represented by Bester in [[Ship of Tears]], is perhaps internally cohesive, and its members cooperate with one another effectively, but its leaders hold the rest of the human population in contempt (“Normals are expendable,” as Bester put it.) It’s plausible that eventually that will lead to conflict between telepaths and normals, with the winners in charge afterwards — exactly the process the Shadows advocate.

Likewise, the Shadows’ actions seem to be at odds with their stated goal. As Morden said to Sheridan, every time the Shadows come out and try to put their plans in motion, someone tries to unite all the other races against them. Given that the Shadows seem to have been defeated in at least the last two wars, and probably many others, it’s likely that someone succeeds in uniting all the races against them every time. By attempting to create conflict, they instead promote unity and cooperation.

Of course, it could be that the Shadows and Vorlons actually want exactly the opposite of what Justin claimed, and they realize that if they push in one direction, the younger races will move in the other.

The Vorlons’ tinkering with humans may have been foreshadowed as far back as [[The War Prayer]], in which Kosh told Sinclair, “We take no interest in the affairs of others,” while he was studying images of Earth history. Perhaps he was simply studying the effects of Vorlon intervention.

Morden seemed disgusted by the thought of the Vorlons tampering genetically with humans. Why is that more objectionable to him than the Shadows’ implantation? Perhaps it’s because the Shadows aren’t aiming to directly modify the species with their tinkering; presumably humans who are put inside Shadow ships never return to human society.
####Notes

The episode’s title, originally under wraps as mentioned below, was announced by JMS at the San Diego Comicon on July 6, 1996.

The concept of someone being a nexus also appeared in the novel “The Demolished Man” by Alfred Bester, which also contains the inspiration for the Psi Corps. In the novel, the term is “focal point,” and it’s suggested that a focal point can cause tremendous changes not only to the lives of other people, but to the very structure of the universe.

Delenn’s rendition of the human saying, “What is past is prologue,” is from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”

Sheridan launches a preemptive strike against the Shadows. Franklin jeopardizes his life while trying to do a good deed.
####Overview

####Guest Stars

Shirley Prestia as Barbara. Melissa Gilbert as Anna.
####Lurk

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/synops/065.html
####Backplot

In Minbari tradition, when two Minbari become close it is the custom for the female to keep vigil at the male’s side for three nights while he sleeps. This is thought to reveal the male’s true personality, because while you’re asleep, you can’t keep up your guard, and this helps the female decide whether the relationship should continue.
####Unanswered Questions

How many ships did the League worlds withhold from the battle?

How many ships were destroyed in the battle? How many people died?

Why has Anna Sheridan come to Babylon 5? Is she as much of a pawn of the Shadows as Morden? (See Analysis)

How will Anna Sheridan’s presence affect Sheridan’s near-engagement to Delenn?

How did Anna get into Sheridan’s quarters?

Why have the Shadows not yet attacked Babylon 5?

How badly were the Shadows hurt by this battle?

Why did Sheridan keep dreaming the dream after Kosh died? Is it because of the piece of the Vorlon inside of him, and if so, is it somehow guiding him?

How did Anna know Delenn’s name? Did Morden tell her?

Were the Vorlons approached to be part of the battle fleet?

Who else might have survived the Icarus?
####Analysis

In this battle, it’s said that for each Shadow ship that was destroyed, two Army of Light ships were destroyed. This forces the question: who has more ships, the Army of Light, or the Shadows? And if the Shadows have as many or more, what does that bode for the coming battles of this war?

It’s plausible that Anna Sheridan is acting on behalf of the Shadows just as Morden is. Will Sheridan react to her presence with an understanding that she’s now an emissary of the Shadows?

Delenn had a flashforward to Anna’s arrival ([[War Without End part 2]].) Why, then, was she surprised to see Anna? Perhaps she didn’t expect it to happen that night. It’s also true that Anna didn’t identify herself in Delenn’s flash, so perhaps Delenn didn’t get as complete a view of the future as Sheridan (and earlier, Garibaldi and Sinclair) did.

This episode resolves, at least initially, most of Sheridan’s dream from [[All Alone in the Night]]. Sheridan is “the hand,” one half of a pair of opposing forces. He wears the Psi Corps badge to signify their alliance with Bester, and his position as someone in charge of large numbers of telepaths. Ivanova’s statement, “Do you know who I am?” refers to her latent telepathic ability ([[Divided Loyalties]].) However, it’s still not clear who the “man in between” is. It’s also not clear whether Sheridan’s analysis, even with the help of Delenn and Ivanova, is actually correct.

Perhaps Anna Sheridan is the “man in between” from Sheridan’s dream, despite the personal pronoun problems. Or perhaps she’s an envoy of that man.

“The man in between” implies someone on the other side. Who might that be?

Sheridan openly talked about Ivanova’s latent telepathy in front of Delenn. Does Ivanova no longer consider it such a secret, now that she’s presumably beyond the reach of the Psi Corps? Or does Sheridan simply trust Delenn so much that it didn’t occur to him he might be violating Ivanova’s trust?

Who is the third spotlight on the Minbari flagship meant for? Most likely it’s simply a result of the Minbari doing everything in threes. Sheridan and Delenn gave orders from more than one place in the tactical center, so it’s probably not a matter of the lights denoting different functions.

Garibaldi’s empathy for Franklin, to the poi substance abuse ([[Survivors]], among other episodes.) He presumably knows something of what Franklin has been through.

When Franklin and Sheridan are discussing Franklin’s experience, the doctor comments, “Moments are all we have.” Sheridan pauses as if remembering something. He may be recalling Delenn’s similar comment in [[War Without End part 2]]: “Savor the moments, for they will never come again.”
####Notes

Franklin’s stumble into the crowd was reminiscent of two scenes from [[Chrysalis]], both Petrov’s approach toward Garibaldi, and Garibaldi’s later emergence at the party.

In Britain, Channel 4 edited out seven seconds of the attack on Franklin.

In a video message in [[Revelations]], Anna Sheridan was originally played by Beth Toussaint, not Melissa Gilbert.

Some people have pointed out an apparent continuity glitch, but it’s not. When Franklin is being wheeled into medlab after being stabbed, he sees Garibaldi, Ivanova, and Sheridan above him, even though Sheridan hasn’t yet arrived on the station. But if you look at the surrounding shots from Franklin’s point of view, it’s clear he’s simply hallucinating and imagining that the doctors around the gurney are his fellow officers; nowhere but that one shot do any people in command uniforms appear.

The Egyptian blessing was first mentioned in [[A Distant Star]].