Saturday, September 11, 1999
"Walkabout" (ep #318) by J. Michael Straczynski
Dr. Franklin resigns from MedLab and begins a Walkabout -- a religious ritual that he hopes will help him confront his drug addiction and its underlying cause. During his travels, he meets a singer, Cailyn, who promises to help him.
The new Vorlon ambassador arrives -- an ambassador also named Kosh -- and begins to seek an answer to his predecessor's death. Although also a Vorlon, this Kosh is a cooler, slightly menacing figure.
Striving to find a weapon against the Shadows, Sheridan decides to test a theory. The Shadows ran when confronted with Bester; will they run from any telepath? With Minbari aid, he and Lyta Alexander go looking for Shadows to confront them. But will Lyta be able to fend them off -- even when she realizes that the Shadows were the ones who killed "her" Kosh?
"Grey 17 is Missing" (319) by J. Michael Straczynski
A series of disappearances lead Garibaldi to look into a "Bermuda Triangle" on Babylon 5. There seems to be no Grey Level 17, yet there is something where it should be!
With the disappearance of Sinclair, a new Ranger One must be chosen. With one exception, all feel the new Ranger One should be Delenn. But Neroon, as Warrior caste and still furious at Delenn for having broken the Grey Council, demands the post. He makes it clear to Lennier that he will kill for the position, knowing full well that Lennier can do nothing to stop him.
When Marcus is told by Lennier, the dark Ranger decides to set things right. Alone, he stands up to Neroon, putting his life on the line for his new leader!
"And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place" (320) by J. Michael Straczynski
A confluence of Earth's religious leaders brings old friends of Brother Theo's to Babylon 5. They are present for more than just a conference: most have agreed to become couriers to Babylon 5 of what is actually happening on Earth. One of the leaders -- Baptist minister Will Dexter -- suggests to Sheridan that he share his serious thoughts ... if not with God, then with the woman God made for Sheridan: Delenn.
Lord Refa and Londo reach a point beyond reconciliation. Londo tells Vir to set up a meeting with G'Kar, where Londo will tell the Narn that his apparently-lost aide Na'Toth has been found. But Refa intercepts Vir and tortures him with a telepath to find out what Londo plans, how G'Kar will be used ... and then plan for Refa to abuse both, to further his own House!
"Shadow Dancing" (321) by J. Michael Straczynski
As the Shadow war continues, Sheridan discovers they have held off from attacking one sector. Theorizing that the Shadows intend to swoop down on refugees and kill them all, Sheridan sends Marcus and Ivanova in the White Star to scout out the opposition.
Still on Walkabout, Dr. Franklin receives a mortal blow. Only then does he have the religious epiphany that shows him why he has done what he has done ... and how he can stop the madness before it claims him!
Having discovered a Shadow fleet, Ivanova and Marcus manage to fight off enough to send a message to the main fleet. The White Star fleet joins them, along with the ships of all the anti-Shadow allies. But can Sheridan's forces win, when the Shadows kill two ships for every one they lose?
"Z'Ha'Dum" (322) by J. Michael Straczynski
Sheridan's worst nightmare comes true as Anna Sheridan returns from the dead, with the message that not only is she alive, but that the Shadows are misunderstood. Sending Delenn from Sheridan's side, she argues with him to understand everything the only way possible: to come to Z'ha'dum, and have it all explained.
Dr. Franklin finds that Anna is indeed Anna -- although there is some odd scarring on the back of her neck. Sheridan decides to go with her, and leaves the station. Shortly after he goes, Londo receives a "tip" from one of Mr. Morden's less-Shadowy associates: if he's wise, he'll leave Babylon 5 now! G'Kar comes to Ivanova with disturbing news. His people had gathered together atomic bombs on station, for protective uses. But now, two of those bombs have gone missing!
Sheridan's heading for a trap -- but is he heading there with or without defenses?
Last episode of 3rd year, Sheridan's wife is played by the actor's real-life wife.
"The Hour of the Wolf" (401) by J. Michael Straczynski
With Sheridan dead and Garibaldi taken by the Shadows, Ivanova takes charge of Babylon 5. But it is a bittersweet holding; she feels numb, unable to accept the depth of her loss. Delenn, convinced that Sheridan is still alive, argues in vain for a rescue mission from the League to be sent to Z'ha'dum. But her request is met with fear and refusal.
On Centauri Prime, Londo meets the Emperor, Cartagia. Cartagia is quite mad, claiming that he is all-powerful. But Londo dares not confront his emperor; those who have, have disappeared.
When the new Kosh refuses to help with the search for Sheridan, Lyta Alexander agrees. Together on the White Star, the three women travel to Z'ha'dum, hoping to find a hint that Sheridan is still alive. Instead they find the Shadows are waiting for them....
"Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi" (402)by J. Michael Straczynski
G'Kar, searching for Garibaldi and his fate, has left Babylon 5. Together with Marcus, he searches on a distant colony. Finding a hint, he sends Marcus back to Babylon 5 with the news - only to fall victim to stalking Centauri.
On Babylon 5, Delenn refuses to eat [a Minbari mourning custom] until Dr. Franklin forces her to realize that her Human body cannot endure what her Minbari one could. He shows her parts of Sheridan's diary.
On Z'ha'dum, Capt. Sheridan continues to talk with the mysterious Lorien. He realizes that he isn't injured, hasn't eaten ... yet he seems to be unchanged. Lorien reveals a terrible secret which Sheridan must confront.
And what did happen to Mr. Garibaldi?
"The Summoning" (403) by J. Michael Straczynski
Delenn tries again to gather the fleets of the Non-Aligned Worlds to go to Z'ha'dum and is again rebuffed. Lyta confronts the new Kosh about Sheridan, and is violently rejected.
Ivanova and Marcus, using a White Star to search for answers, get one they didn't expect when they discover a fleet of Vorlon ships hiding in hyperspace. Zach finds a lead on Garibaldi. But when he investigates, the ship holding the Security Chief threatens to blow up!
G'Kar, enslaved and tortured by Cartagia, makes a bitter agreement with Londo: if Londo will see that the Narn race is freed, G'Kar will kill Cartagia. But the mad Emperor wants supplication from G'Kar, and he decides that he will torture G'Kar until he gives it - or dies!
Saturday, October 9
"Falling Towards Apothesis" (#404) by J. Michael Straczynski
With the Vorlons openly attacking Shadow bases, Londo fears that Centauri Prime may be a target. Emperor Cartagia doesn't care: he is to become a God, and he wants his world to become a pyre in celebration. Seeking a distraction, Londo suggests - and Cartagia agrees - to have G'Kar tried and executed on Narn.
Now that Sheridan has returned, Lorien beside him, the allies realize their greatest danger is the new Vorlon Ambassador. Sheridan asks Garibaldi to order the new Kosh to leave, knowing that, if he refuses, they may not have the power to enforce their command.
Garibaldi agrees, but he isn't happy. He's getting angry at the people who keep asking him what happened after the Shadows abducted him, and worries about the few flashes of memory he's had.
But when Lyta lures the new Kosh out for a final showdown, no one is prepared for what - and who - returns for the fight!
"The Long Night" (405) by J. Micheal Straczynksi
The Shadows strike against the Vorlon planet-killer with a world-wrecker that leaves only interstellar dust where a planet was. Sheridan, having noticed a weakness in their strategy, calls for the Rangers to attack the Shadows. He sends the Rangers orders which he tells them are deliberately misleading, knowing that the Shadows will find the orders....
Having blinded G'Kar in one eye, Emperor Cartagia is ready to execute him. Londo has prepared G'Kar's chains to be weakened, but Cartagia - worried that the chains look weak - has them replaced. Still, G'Kar's righteous anger is brought to bear and Cartagia flees. Londo believes that the time has come to assassinate Cartagia, but the mad emperor discovers his intent, and beats off Londo's attack. He turns to call for guards - and is as shocked as Londo by what happens next!
"Into the Fire" (406) by J. Michael Straczynski
Sheridan leads his fleet - which includes some of the First Ones, who stayed behind after the last Shadow War - into battle at Coriana 6. To catch their attention, he deliberately targets a Vorlon vessel and a Shadow ship ... and the enemies turn on him with a vengeance!
On Centauri Prime, Londo calls in Morden to remove the final Shadow presence. With Morden gone, he assumes that the Vorlons will turn from the Centauri ... forgetting that there is still one, deadly Shadow-influenced person to attend to.
Sheridan and Delenn are flung by the Shadows and the Vorlons into a mental arena, each to confront the enemies. Lorien lends a hand, sending an image of their battle to the surrounding fleet. As Sheridan rebuts the Vorlons' demand of "Who are you?", Delenn gives the ultimate answer to the Shadows demand that she tell them "What do you want?" Refusing to accept Sheridan's and Delenn's answers, the foes-turned-allies turn to the other races....
"Epiphanies" (407) by J. Michael Straczynski
The Shadow War has ended on Babylon 5, but Earth wants retribution. A series of attacks is launched, beginning with an ISN announcement that Babylon 5 is off-limits to Earth, due to terrorist attacks. The Black Omega Starfury squadron is sent from Earth to deliberately attack an Earth convoy and make Babylon 5 appear responsible. Bester is sent to Babylon 5, also to cause trouble.
But Bester has his own agenda. He asks Sheridan to take him to Z'ha'dum, hoping that they will find answers to removing the headsets implanted on captured telepaths - including his lover, Carolyn. He also tries to manipulate members of the C&C staff, but Lyta is there, and he finds himself oddly blocked.
Together, the group travels to Z'ha'dum. The planet is being evacuated as they arrive, and trouble mounts as they approach.
But there is yet another plot set into motion....
"The Illusion of Truth" (408) by J. Michael Straczynski
An ISN news team arrives, to cover news on Babylon 5. Aware that the news channel has become a puppet of President Clark, Sheridan orders cooperation ... but carefully. Each department answers questions set by the reporter, aware that they will be misquoted.
But there is a fly in the ointment: the increasingly-angry Garibaldi. He has resigned from running Security, and gives an interview that's a bit too honest.
Then Babylon 5 sees the report, and discover that truth is in the telling... and how it isn't told.
"Atonement" (409) by J. Michael Straczynski
Zach, fitted as the new Security Chief, expresses concern that nothing will be right until Garibaldi is back as head of Security. Sheridan decides to send Marcus and Franklin to Mars and gets some disturbing personal news.
Delenn is recalled to Minbar to explain her relationship with Capt. Sheridan. Minbar fears that it is not so much love as duty, and they order her into the Dreaming.
Accompanied by Lennier, Delenn remembers key moments in her life: her apprenticeship to Dukhat - the great and wise Minbari leader killed by the humans during First Contact. Through these memories, it appears that she is being taught the real reason for her relationship with Sheridan. She does not love him, it seems to say; she is merely trying to atone for starting the Earth-Minbari war!
"Racing Mars" (410) by J. Michael Straczynki
Ivanova takes charge of dealing with the Black Market, while Capt. Sheridan takes the day off. But when he tries to watch the vid channels, only one is showing: ISN, with its damnable "story". He and Garibaldi try to talk to each other, but they cannot agree on anything.
Two men come to Garibaldi and make him an offer. If he wants, he can come to work for their employer, who will do what's best for Earth!
Franklin and Marcus arrive on Mars, to coordinate the resistance to Pres. Clark with the Martian Resistance. On their way, they meet Capt. Jack, a member of the Resistance. He seems an odd creature, unaware of the Shadow War and bored with much of Babylon 5's struggles. Once on Mars, they meet Number Two, who doubts that they come from Babylon 5. When their identi-cards are revealed to be fakes, the Martian Resistance decides that these two troublemakers should die!
"Lines of Communication" (411) by J. Michael Straczynski
Sheridan still listens to ISN, despite its disinformation. There must be a way of countering these reports: but how? And then he gets the idea for the Voice of the Resistance.
On Mars, Franklin and Number One learn that the Resistance - against their orders - has bombed a hotel. A furious Number One threatens to blow up anyone who repeats the error, but the more militant members of the Resistance aren't interested. Then Franklin gives them Sheridan's message: Babylon 5 is willing to come to their aid if they don't bomb civilians.
War threatens to break out between the Warrior and Religious castes on Minbar. At the request of Forell, she takes a flight of White Stars to investigate an offer from a race of aliens recently displaced by the Shadow War's aftermath. But there is more to the Drakh than meets the eye ... and more than Forell knows!
The regular Saturday morning time slot for Babylon 5 will be pre-empted in late December and early January due to our 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" on Saturday, December 25 and our Y2K marathon on Saturday, January 1, 2000. Babylon 5 will return on Saturday, January 8 and will appear every Saturday at this time in a regular one-hour time slot. Thanks for watching and enjoy the holidays.
