Episode 6: "Dust"

Guest stars: Walter Koenig (The Lieutenant) as Bester, Jim Norton (Father Ted, Ombuds Wellington) as Narn in vision

Synopsis: The War Council get an alert that Bester is standing off station, waiting for permission for his ship to dock. Ivanova suggests blowing him out of the stars. Delenn has an idea. Later, Ivanova clears CnC and activates the defense grid. She is about to fire, when Sheridan stops her, telling her Delenn's plan will work. Bester arrives at Sheridan's office and is met with a surprise.



He is blocked by a group of Minbari telepaths. he is told he either takes the sleeper drugs, which suppress telepathy of he is accompanied by the Minbari. he chooses the sleepers. he is there to track a large shipment of Dust, a powerful narcotic that creates telepathic episodes. Garibaldi hauls in a known crook and interrogates. Bester uses psychology to intimidate him into cooperating.



The buyer is G'Kar, who wants to bring telepathy to the Narns. he buys a sample to test and injests it. he goes on a rampage, heading for Londo's quarters. First, he kicks Vir's butt...



...then Londo's...



He forces Londo to reveal his thoughts and sees images of the meetings with Morden and realizes Londo was the instigator of the war. He further rips out images of Londo's initial assignment to B5, a job no one else wanted; a joke. G'Kar laughs, then is hit with a vision of his dying father, tortured and hung from a tree...



A Narn appears to him and tells him that to save all of their people, some will have to be sacrificed. he then apepars as an angle and G'Kar realizes it is G'Quan.



G'Kar comes to his senses and weeps, as we see Kosh in the background, slipping away.

Garibaldi and Bester take down the Dust dealers and G'Kar is arrested. At his hearing, he gleefully pleads guilty and is sentenced to 90 days in the brig. He accepts his punishment with joy, as he will have time to think.

Londo and Vir tend to their wounds.



In a moment of compassion, Londo (who had been treating Vir harshly, over his reports of Minbar) tells Vir to submit his reports as is and never let people think his position is a joke. Bester is sent on his way and meets a Psi Cop, telling her that the Dust has been secured and it was a stupid experiment, one that he warned about.

So, we learn that the Psi Corps created a drug that stimulates the latent telepath gene, as an experiment; but, it fell into the wrong hands. G'Kar has a spiritual awakening, fuelled by Kosh, who manipulated his vision. When Kosh revealed himself to save Sheridan, G'Kar saw an image of G'Quan, his holy teacher. Kosh used the same guise to get G'Kar to understand that the fight is about more than just freeing Narn. Now, G'Kar is in the right frame of mind.

All Bester episodes are great and his scenes with Garibaldi are fun. Koenig really relishes playing the meaty role, something he really never got to do in Trek.

Episode 8:



Guest stars: Nancy Stafford (Matlock) as Dr Mary Kirkish, Vaughn Armstrong (lots of Trek) as Security Guard/Night Watch

Synopsis: Marcus' "package" has arrived from Mars; a woman. He fights off a group that tries to attack them, then gets her to Delenn. Later, she briefs the War Council. While working for Interplanetary Expeditions, on Mars, she was part of a group that uncovered a Shadow Vessel on Syria Planum. It was taken back to Earth for study. Now, another has been unearthed on Ganymede. Garibaldi talks about previously seeing something on Mars (as detailed in the DC comic book series). They need to stop this ship from getting to Earth. Garibaldi confirms that they found a Psi Corps badge on Mars, by the site of the first ship, making a conenction between them and the Shadows.



Delenn presents a gift to Sheridan..



The White Star, a hybrid of Minbari and Vorlon technology. It is smaller and faster than Earth capital ships, yet can create its own jump points. Sheridan, Delenn, and Lennier take the ship to Earth's system, to ganymede, to stop the movement of the Shadow vessel. On the long journey, Lennier tells Sheridan to get some sleep. He goes to the rest chamber, where we see inclined Minbari beds (they lie inclined, rather than flat). Delenn is there and tries to get Sheridan to relax, but he keeps sliding down the beds.



Sheridan falls even more in love with Delenn, in that moment.

They arrive on Ganymede to find the Shadow vessel breaking loose. They engage it in battle and sucker it into following them into Jupiter's gravity well, where it is sucked down and crushed, while the White Star barely escapes. They stumble across Sheridan's old ship, the Agamemnon. Sheridan decides to run, instead of fighting. They barely escape.

Another Night Watch security guard alerts Zack to a meeting. Later, he shows footage of the Shadow vessel and says it is part of an alien plot. Night Watch is told that forces are repared to move against seditionists and traitors and they will be ready there.

Tremendous arc episode. The White Star gives Sheridan some firepower, coupled with speed and jump capability. It can move in quickly, hit hard, and run off. We will soon see that it is just the first. The Psi Corps have been involved with the Shadows, as we learn that humans are needed to act as a CPU for the Shadow vessels. Specifically, a telepath. Clark has been looking for Shadow technology to boost Earth's power and is in league with them. He now has the crisis he needed to institute his crackdown. The Night Watch is readying their moves.

Episode 10:



Guest stars: Bruce McGill (Animal House, Quantum leap finale) as Maj. Ed Ryan, Phil Morris (Terk, Smallville) as Bill Trainor, Kim Miyori (St Elsewhere, the original Punisher movie) as Capt. Sandra Hiroshi, Rance "Opie's Real Pa" Howard (Chinatown, The Waltons, numerous roles not related to his sons) as David Sheridan.

Synopsis: The story opens with Londo griping about inefficiency and the Narns, then runs into one of the new Narn security personnel, who decides to Drakh with him. Londo is in a long wait for customs clearance. Meanwhile, the EAS Alexander is in an engagement with the Clark-loyalist Clarkstown (probably deliberate). Maj Ed Ryan reluctantly orders his ships to attack and goes on the offensive, destroying the Clarkstown and they escape into hyperspace. Ryan remarks to his exec, Bill Trainor, that the CO of the Clarkstown was at the academy with Gen. Hague and an old friend. In this war, they know everyone they kill.



The ship heads for B5, as it is the only safe haven. Sheridan briefs the command staff and they decide to cut comm channels before the ship arrives, to delay the alert back to Earth by any Clark loyalists or Night Watch. Lennier leads Franklin to the docking area, where Delenn has a wounded Ranger. He is taken to Medlab (by G'Kar, who carries him) and tells of League worlds allying with the Shadows, rather than face Centauri aggression. they are now making war on their neighbors. Delenn asks about the Grey Council and is told they are unconcerned about other races. She decides she must confront the Council. She thanks G'Kar and remarks on the change that has come over him since they first met.

The Alexander hops out of hyperspace and Sheridan has the comm systems killed. He then briefs CnC, affirming that it is the Alexander and they will aid them, because it is right. He lays down the case for Clark violating the Earth Alliance Constitution, which they are sworn to defend. He offers anyone who opposes the chance to leave. All stay and he then rallies them to the rightness of their cause. Sheridan meets with Ryan and is informed of Gen Hague's death).

ISN reports that Mars has gone into open rebellion. Later, he receives a message from the Alexander that Clark's forces are bombing Mars. The EAS Churchill arrives, another ship opposing Clark. They bring urgent intel for Sheridan. We see a crowd watching ISN in the Zocalo, when things really get heavy...



Sheridan orders preparations and launches ships. The security personnel are put on alert. They contact Draal for support from Epsilon 3.

Delenn arrives on the Grey Council ship and finds her way barred. She intimidates her way in and tells off the Grey Council. She says they have broken the covenant with Valen and declares that there is no more Council and breaks the staff of leadership. She urges the others to join her in the fight against the Shadows. All but 3 of the Council follow her.



Sheridan makes a call to his father, to basically say goodbye. His father gives him some last words of wisdom and we see the man that shaped the hero.



Sheridan is steeled and heads to CnC to make an announcement.



The Agrippa arrives and orders B5 to surrender.



Sheridan refuses and activates the defense grid. A breaching pod is headed for the station. The Agrippa engages and the battle is launched, with Starfuries battling starfuries, Destroyers attacking Destroyers. Marines breach the hull and are met by Garibaldi and his troops, including the Narns. The fighting is brutal and at close range.; Outside, the battle rages just as heatedly.



After a tense battle, it appears that B5 and the Alexander have the upper hand. Then, a new alert comes.



After the battle, Sheridan confers with Ryan. The Alexander will head out to seek other allies in the fight. B5 takes on the Churchill's surviving Starfuriess, replenishing their numbers. Sheridan meets Delenn when she arrives. She says she had to save her partner and offers her hand to shake. Sheridan takes it and kisses the back of her hand. The other command staff arrive and bring them into the Zocalo to see something. Sheridan and delenn are given a standing ovation by the populace, human and alien.

One of the finest episodes of the series and the second Hugo Award winner. JMS hits all of the right notes in the script and the actors nail their parts. The battle is furious and delenn's arrival, with the cavalry is probably the greatest "F*** YEAH!" moment of the series. This episode and the seasons arc further demonstrate why this series was not a Trek clone. It went into the darkness of hatred and politics; but, never lost sight of hope and optimism. It demonstrated that true heroism comes from making tough choices and facing the consequences of those choices. The events around this part of the arc are very timely and timeless, as it shows how dictatorships arise and how people of courage stand against them. It also demonstrates that the military are not mindless robots, obeying orders no matter how wrong. It shows that they have higher loyalties to the ideals of their country and are often the first to stand against tyranny. We see some do follow orders; but others refuse unlawful orders. This was necessary, as for too long, Hollywood had depicted much of the military as blindly following orders, in the wake of Vietnam. B5 showed a far more accurate depiction of the military than most shows set in contemporary times.

Bruce McGill was cast by accident. JMS had wanted to get Everett McGill for the series, but forgot his first name and told the casting director to reach out to....someone McGill. She said Bruce McGill and he said right. it was only when they started filming he realized that she hired the wrong person. However, Bruce McGill does a stellar job (and he has always been a much better actor than Everett McGill. Rance Howard shows what a great actor he is, in just a small scene. it may look like he got cast in Ron's films and tv shows, or Clint's series; but, Rance had a major career of his own, appearing in numerous tv shows and movies, without another Howard in the cast or crew. His kids learned to act by watching their parents and they cast them because they are good actors, not just their parents (Jean Howard steals Apollo 13 in just one scene).

By the third season, the effects work of the series was the best on tv and they really staged battles well. JMS and the visual effects people actually mapped out the course of battles, employing real tactics to tell a better story. There will be many fights to come, as the Shadow War builds and the Constitutional forces take the fight back to Earth.

Episode 12: "Sic Transit Vir"

Guest stars: Carmen Thomas (All My Children) as Lyndisty, Damien London (lot of tv in the 60s and 70s) as Centauri Official (later named Milo Virini, Minister of Protocol and eventual Regent)

Synopsis: Ivanova has a dream that she walks into CnC starkers...



unfortunately, she is never shot lower than her collar bone.. Come on guys, even Tracy Scroggins paraded around in lingerie!

On Centauri Prime, Vir is feeling up the Emperor's throne, as an official comes in and compliments him on his reports, though he detects Londo's voice in them. He says not to sugarcoat the reports about the Minbari, as Londo does. He is sent back to Minbar, by way of B5.



The official makes a joke: "What is more dangerous than a room full of angry Narns? One angry Narn with the key!" Vir laughs politely, then goes back to his quarters, where he opens the door to a room full of Narns, one of whom quickly shuts the door.



Back on the station, Londo is trying to kill something in his quarters. He throws a few things and then gets nasty!



He calls maintenance to complain; but, things are backlogged, after the break from Earth. Londo has to fight his own battle. He is interrupted by a call at the door and into his chambers comes a beautiful Centauri woman. She announces that she is Vir's wife to be. And to use the Centauri vernacular, she is a cup of hot Jala...



Sheridan notices Ivanova is sleepy and asks her about it. She tells him about the dream and he says it is the sense of loss over the break from Earth, a loss of her purpose and role. he says not to worry, it will pass. Sheridan then catches up with Delenn and invites her to dinner, at his place (Oooooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Vir arrives and Londo isn't there to meet him. He goes on to Londo's quarters, where Londo introduces him to his wife. The marriage has been arranged by Vir's uncle and Lyndisty's father. She seems pretty warm for Vir's form and he's pretty smitten; but extremely confused. They get better acquainted. Meanwhile, Londo is still hunting bugs, worried that they are evolving before his eyes. he asks the two lovers if they have seen one and that he must kill it before it develops language skills.

Zack finds Ivanova in CnC and alerts her to a large number of Narns who have passed through with travel orders signed by a Abrahamo Lincolni, an alleged Centauri official. Ivanova traces it to the Minbar diplomatic mission and Vir, as he is the only one familiar with Earth history.

Vir and Lyndisty smooch and then Vir catches up with Ivanova. She hits him with the fake travel orders and he admits it, saying that he moved them off Narn to work camps, to save their lives. Ivanova isn't totally buying it. then, Vir asks some relationship advice.



Six!!!

Sheridan cooks Flarn for Delenn and bugegrs it up. While his back is turned, she adds tons of salt and pepper. meanwhile, Vir and Lyndisty are walking, when a narn attacks, shouting about a shonkar, a blood oath. Vir pushes Lyndisty behind him and gets hit by the Narn. Security gets involved and Sheridan is alerted to the attack, just one level down. he runs out and knocks the Narn down, only for security to have to fire when he tries to renew his attack. Lyndisty attends to her brave hero, while Ivanova and Sheridan converse. She does more digging and is shocked by what she finds. She confronts Vir with it, saying that all 2000 Narns that he moved off their homeworld are dead and believes vir is committing mass murder. Londo is happy with this. Vir explodes that they aren't dead. He forged the documents listing them dead, since no one pays attention to dead Narns. He couldn't live with what the Centauri had done and used his position to funnel as many as he could offworld and to other planets and stations, away from the Centauri. This angers Londo.



Vir is warned that the dead Narn had a "pouch brother," who has taken up the shonkar. Vir talks with Lyndisty and learns that she is a nasty piece of work. her father was sent to Narn to "cull the herds." She has killed many herself, gleefully. Later, we see a narn following her with a knife. Vir catches up with Lyndisty and she shows him a present, the Narn puch-brother trussed up and she presents his katar to Vir to kill him. Vir is horrified. He calls security and saves the Narn. Londo later informs him that the marriage has been put on hold. Lyndisty still favors the idea; but, Vir realizes he dodged a bullet. Ivanova shows Sheridan her new project. She has fabricated an official record for Abrahamo Lincolni (using Sheridan's file photo, photoshopped into a Centauri) and continues to issue travel orders to spirit away Narn refugees, realizing that this will give her a purpose.

Great Vir episode, as Stephen Furst gets to play everything from comedy to drama, as Vir shows that he has some backbone. Unlike Londo, Vir has no ambition; he just wants to serve and help others. He tried to stop Londo from dealing with Morden and the Shadows, to change course when Londo began to have second thoughts. His episode with G'Kar, in the elevator ("Dead, dead, dead, dead...") forced him to make a decision. Vir chose the preservation of life, even Narn life. As we will see, Vir will continue to make hard choices; but, usually the right ones. For once, it seems like Lady Marella's prophesy that he, too, will be Emperor is not a joke. For the actions that will lead him to the throne, check out the Centauri Trilogy, by Peter David...



They tell of what happens to Londo and Vir, after the events of the 5th season, leading to events seen in "War Without End," "In the Beginning" and "Sleeping in the Light." Technomages will be involved and even Timov has a role. Vir will prove that heroes often come in the most unlikely packages.

Episode 14: "Ship of Tears"

Guest Stars: Walter Koenig (Combat, Ben Casey) as Bester, Joan mcMurtrey (Simon & Simon, Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael) as Carolyn Sanderson

Synopsis: ISN is back online; but, it has turned into Fox News.



Sheridan is checking out the new Thunderbolt Stafuries, which have retractable wings for operating in planetary atmosphere (as we saw when they were used to bomb targets on Mars). He receives a call and goes to check out a Black Omega Starfury, which happens to have Bester onboard. Bester is allowed to land, under escort and he briefs the command staff about the Shadows moving a cargo of weapons.



Bester is allowed to accompany Sheridan on the White Star, as they seek out the Shadow transport.



After Sheridan kicks Bester out of his chair, they find the transport and attack.



Poor Walter, never gets the command chair!

The Shadow crew commits suicide, rather than be captured; but, the weapons are rescued...humans in stasis cylinders, with Psi Corps emblems! They are taken to B5 and Franklin examines one, a woman. he sends an ID bracelet to Sheridan. Bester ID's the person as a Blip, someone who refused to join the Corps or take the sleepers. Then, he stops and demands to see the person.

Meanwhile, the woman has awakened and reacted violently. She has merged with the equipment of the station and defends herself. When Bester shows up, she fires upon seeing his badge.



The woman is Carolyn Sanderson, Bester's lover. His marriage was arranged by the Corps and has no love. he met Sanderson at the re-education center on Mars. She is carrying his child. Sanderson has visions of aliens probing...



Eventually, by getting rid of Bester's Psi Corps badge, they are ale to talk her down and sedate her. The telepaths were provided by the Psi Corps, for use in the Shadow ships. Bester is now allied with Sheridan, as Dr Franklin seeks a way to safely remove the Shadow implants and free the telepaths.

While all of this is going on, G'Kar demands to join the War Council and the rest give in, showing him the War Room. Delenn takes him aside and confesses that the Grey Council knew the Centauri were in league with the Shadows, but said nothing, so as not to tip their hand. G'Kar says he understands but cannot forgive Delenn. Later, Garibaldi calls a meeting, after flipping through the Book of G'Quan, that G'Kar loaned him. he thumps the book when G'Kar joins them, displeasing the Narn. garibaldi says the Narns have no telepaths, which G'Kar confirms. garibaldi then reveals that they once did and that they helped drive the Shadows from Narn. They now realize that telepaths are a weapon against the Shadows.



MORE BESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great episode, giving us a tool to use against the Shadows. We see more of Bester's human side, giving more layers to a complex character. he is still a villain, with his own motivations, but, we can understand them and even sympathize, a bit. Again, no one is exactly what they appear.

The scenes between Delenn and G'Kar are powerful, as Delenn admits complicity with the devastation of G'Kar's people. he has great respect for Delenn, but sees that even she has weaknesses. His spiritual awakening is challenged by this revelation. Will he find forgiveness, for the sake of the greater good?

At the time, many fans thought the aliens were the Streib. However, JMS dismissed this idea and said they were agents of the Shadows, as they had many minions, of whom the Drakh, we will see in the future (in B5 and Crusade).

This is the episode where we learn Bester's first name: Alfred. Bester is named for sci-fi author (and writer of Golden Age Green Lantern comics) Alfred Bester, whose novel, The Demolished Man, features a telepathic cop who investigates a murder in a world where murder is impossible (psychic police, after all). JMS was influenced by elements of it, in developing the telepaths, on the show. We also see a tribute to Isaac Asimov, via the starliner that periodically docks with B5. Of course, Harlan Ellison is a consultant in the series (as well as an occasional actor).

Episodes 16 and 17: "War Without End"

Guest stars: Michael O'Haire as Jeffrey Sinclair, Tim Choate as Zathras.

Synopsis: On minbar, a hooded figure is stopped and told of the unsealing of a box, left by Valen, over 900 years ago. The man sees the name on an envelope and removes his hood. It is CDR Sinclair and the message, from Valen, is for him.



Ivanova monitors a distress call from Sector 14. It is her own voice, saying "they're coming through..." Sheridan and Garibaldi listen to it and agree it is Ivanova and that it is from the future. He requests to go to Sector 14 and investigate and Sheridan agrees.



Zack is checking in visitors when he meets Sinclair, who recognizes him. Lennier goes into Delenn's darkened quarters and says "He is here," and she replies "I Know." She also has a letter from Valen, addressed to her. Sheridan and Marcus are discussing strategy in the War Room, when Delenn arrives with Sinclair. The two commanders of B5 meet and the torch is officially passed. Delenn says they must go to Sector 14 and asks John to trust her. Sheridan, Sinclair, Ivanova, Delenn, Marcus and Lennier all depart for the White Star. Sinclair and Sheridan talk and Sinclair gives cryptic answers. marcus tells Sheridan that Sinclair rarely speaks in a straightforward manner. he shows great reverence and respect for the master of the Rangers.

On the White Star, Delenn explains the hidden history of what happened to Babylon 4. It was taken back in time 1000 years, where it became a new starbase for the Minbari, during the previous Shadow War. We see the White Star stopping an attack on the station and she reveals they are the ones taking it back in time. She is interrupted by Zathras, who has arrived from Epsilon 3, where Draal is trying to stabilize the temporal rift. Zathras has time stabilizers to protect the group. He recognizes Sinclair and is in awe. They move into the rift and attack Shadow ships, which are moving a fusion bomb towards the station. They destroy the ships and set off the bomb, which causes damage to Sheridan's stabilizer and he becomes unstuck in time. Sinclair takes over command of the mission and they board B4.



They land on the skin of the station and cut inside. They then concoct to clear an area so they can work. Marcus and Ivanova create a phony fusion reactor alarm, to get the personnel off the station.

Sheridan awakes in the future, on Centauri Prime, where he is beaten by guards, then confronted by a much older Londo, as Emperor. Londo shows him the devastation of Centauri Prime, as a result of the Shadow War. He says Sheridan will soon pay for it. Sheridan is later joined by an older Delenn. They are eventually brought before Londo, who is drunk and he reveals a parasite attached to his shoulder and neck area, a "keeper." he says the alcohol dulls it. He releases them, in exchange for saving his people. He then faces a one-eyed G'Kar and tells him to get on with it. G'Kar strats strangling him and the keeper awakes and attacks. We end by seeing Londo and G'Kar dead, with Vir picking up the symbol of the Centauri Emperor.

Sheridan reappears on B4, in a suit that Zathras prepared. he and Sinclair go to attach components to the station's reactor, to move it through time. Sheridan flashes forward again and Sinclair has a vision. he meets up with the others, looking far older. Zathras has been picked up by security and we see his side of events from "Babylon Squared." Sinclair (of the past) tries to help Zathras when a beam falls on him, as they evacuate. he sees the future Sinclair in his spacesuit and they touch, and are blown apart. Past Sinclair evacuates and future Sinclair helps free Zathras. he sends the others off and Marcus realizes that the station needs someone to move it through time. he volunteers, as he has no family left and Sinclair refuses, saying he is the one who did it in the past and will do it now. it is his destiny. he says good bye to the others, as he and Zathras remain.



The others depart and Sinclair builds the same device that transformed Delenn.



Sinclair is wrapped in a cocoon and waits. 1000 years in the past, we see two ancient Minbari ships arrive at the station. Inside, two warriors are met by Zathras. He takes them to a chamber, where we see two Vorlon angels, flanking a Minbari. It is Valen, and he presents the station to them, to fight the Shadows.



Jeffrey Sinclair, the first commander of Babylon 5, is Valen, the legendary leader of the Minbari. He has completed the circle.

This was the moment where B5 entered classic status. It now brought a conclusion to Jeffrey Sinclair's arc, why revealing the true history of the first Shadow War, the origin of Valen (Minbari not born of Minbari), the reason Babylon 4 disappeared, what was happening on the other side of things in "Babylon Squared," and why B5 was so vital to the new war. It also explained who Zathras was, who he met in "Babylon Squared," and who was in the spacesuit.

There is plenty of comedy, mostly from Zathras (picking up the broken stabilizer, "Zathras cannot have anything nice!") ; but, there is far more drama and action. Sinclair, who always had a spiritual presence, seems almost mystic, when he appears. We learn why, as he is Valen, the spiritual leader of the Minbari. Valen set forth Minbari society, with three castes: worker, warrior and religious. he created the Grey Council, with 3x3 representatives. Zathras explains that "The One" he referred to in "Babylon Squared" is Sinclair, Sheridan and delenn. Sinclair is The One Who Was (Valen, from the past), Delenn is The One Who Is (leader of the Rangers and the Army of Light) and Sheridan is the One Who Will Be (to be seen soon).

The episode serves as a fine exit for Michael o'Haire, now healthy enough to shoot his character's ending. It makes sense. Sinclair travels back through time and uses the triluminary (provided by Draal) to transform into a Minbari, Valen. Two Vorlons are there (Kosh and Ulkesh, who we see on Minbar, after Sinclair reads his letter). He presents B4 to the ancient Minbari and leads them against the Shadows. he builds their society and their spiritual beliefs. He leaves a letter for himself, to be opened at a precise time and date, as well as one for Delenn. He then des and his spirit departs and rejoins the cosmos. 900+ years later, his spirit is reborn in an Earthman, Jeffrey Sinclair, who is taught by Jesuits, and who enters military service. During the Earth-Minbari War, he is at the battle of the Line and makes a kamikaze attack on the Grey Council ship. he is captured and interrogated, then scanned with the triluminary. It reveals that he has a Minbari soul. What's more, it is Valen's soul. The war is brought to a halt and peace ensues. The babylon stations are built; the first three destroyed by sabotage, the 4th taken to be a base in the ancient war. babylon 5 is built and Sinclair becomes its commander, with Delenn, his descendant, as the Minbari ambassador, tasked to watch over Sinclair until it is the right time. He departs the station and becomes Earth ambassador to Minbar. There, he secretly rebuilds the Rangers, who keep tabs on the Shadows. He then reads of his own past and acts to complete the cycle, starting it anew.

The episode and Sinclair's story draws much from the Lord of the Rings. Sinclair has elements of Aragorn and Gandalf, as he watches the growing evil, then acts secretly to stop it. However, he is not the hero to bring the victory, he is the one who brought it to the past.



There are little messages throughout. Sinclair thanks Sheridan for caring for the station, as bruce Boxleitner took over the lead of the series, helping to keep it going (as O"Haire was afraid his illness would end the series). Sinclair says goodbye to Garibaldi and to us, the fans. He gets to go out as a legend and that is how he is remembered. Michael O'Haire is remembered with great fondness by fans, even more as the truth of his illness became known, after his death.

Now, Sinclair's story is closed and we concentrate on Sheridan and the others, the war with the Shadows, and the eventual battle to oust Clark.