Plot Synopsis:
The Dock Workers' Strike: When a Narn cargo ship crashes into Babylon 5's docking bay, killing one dock worker and injuring another, the incident touches off a serious labor dispute. Labor leader Neeoma Connally argues that the accident was inevitable given the staff shortages and the substandard equipment down in the docks, and she demands that these issues be rectified at once. Unfortunately, Sinclair's hands are tied by his currently limited budget, though he assures Connally that he has spoken to the Senate about increasing the funding for the dock workers.
Unfortunately for Sinclair, the next budget revision contains no additional allocations for the docks. When this news reaches the dock workers themselves, they begin to call in sick en mass. Sinclair calls Connally in and tries to persuade her to send her people back to work, but Connally holds firm: she refuses to send anyone back to work until her people get the money and attention they need.
Earth handles this rapidly escalating situation by sending Orin Zento, supposedly the government's best labor negotiator, to handle the dispute. When Zento arrives, however, he seems to have already decided that the Rush Act - which would require Sinclair to use military force to stop the strike - should be invoked, as he offers the workers no concessions save empty assurances that Earth Central will "look into the situation." Connally and the workers respond to Zento's crack negotiating skills (and yes, I am being sarcastic here) by dropping the "Blue Flu" pretense and declaring an official strike. As a consequence, the Rush Act is indeed invoked; Garibaldi and his men are sent to quell the strike, and a scuffle breaks out.
But Sinclair, in a nice bit of malicious compliance, decides he's going to obey the letter rather than the spirit of the law: he wields his power to stop the strike "by any means necessary" by shifting some of the military budget over to fund improvements down in the docks. Zento leaves in a huff, and later, Senator Hidoshi informs Sinclair that he has made some enemies.
Meanwhile, G'Kar gets upset because Londo won't give him a flower. This flower, of course, is the G'Quan Eth, which is used in the most important ritual of G'Kar's faith, the time for which is fast approaching. Londo is the only individual on the station who possesses the flower, and he's not about to give it to G'Kar, as he's still nursing a grudge over the Raghesh III incident. A beleaguered Sinclair tries to mediate, but Londo refuses to cooperate, so G'Kar sends Na'Toth to steal a religious statue from the Centauri Cultural Center in retaliation.
Ultimately, once the above described labor dispute is resolved, Sinclair researches the G'Quan Eth and determines that it is illegal to possess except for religious or medicinal purposes. Londo relents and gives up the flower, as by this point, the time for G'Kar's ritual has passed. G'Kar laments this state of affairs, and Sinclair comes up with a rather novel idea that allows G'Kar to perform his ritual anyway.
Overall:6.2
Writing: 5.5
First, let me outline what I do like. First, I like what is done with Sinclair here; he really gets a chance to display his competence and thoughtfulness as a leader. The way he resolves the dock workers' strike is, I believe, a fair compromise, and the manner in which he handles G'Kar's problem is equally clever. It is episodes like these that really make you appreciate Sinclair as a strong character in his own right.
Second, I like the G'Quan Eth plot, mostly because it's funny and involves two of my favorite characters knocking horns with each other and displaying their inimitable chemistry, but also because it features yet another appearance of G'Kar as the philosopher. Just as I appreciate it when a later development in Londo's arc is telegraphed, I also appreciate it when G'Kar's future evolution is foreshadowed.
What I don't like, though, is the way the labor plot is handled. Sinclair's ingenious solution aside, I feel the entire story is much too broadly written. In particular, the character of Orin Zento is absolute joke. No real world labor negotiator would behave as arrogantly as Zento does here. A real world negotiator would at least put forth several counter-proposals - would at least offer the workers something other than empty promises and threats. But apparently Drennan is more interested in writing a black-and-white morality play than in writing a story that reflects reality.
Acting: 7.0
No major problems with the performances present themselves. I don't even think it's fair to complain about John Snyder's turn as Zento, as I believe his coming across as an annoying little twit is entirely a function of the writing.
Message: 6.0
Drennan and I basically agree when it comes to workers' rights. It is a teaching of the Church that laborers should be granted the right to organize and demand safer working conditions and reasonable pay. The problem is, Drennan's presentation of the issue is woefully out of date. In the past century or so, some unions have grown so irredeemably corrupt and so hostile to systems that - gasp! - reward merit that the "Unions Good, Management Bad" paradigm no longer applies - if it ever did. Consider the teachers unions, for example. I believe that teachers, like anyone else, have the right to come together to negotiate contracts with their school systems. But in the modern age, teachers unions have blocked school choice, fallen for a panoply of worthless educational fads, and have made it extraordinarily difficult to fire the incompetent -- and what has resulted is a failing public school system, particularly in our urban areas. Bottom line, given the shenanigans of the Teamsters, the SEIU, the NEA, and so on, I just can't find such an unambiguous celebration of unionization credible.
Highlights:
LONDO: Ah, G'Kar! Doing a little shopping, are you? (Londo makes a clicking noise of disapproval and wags his finger at G'Kar.) Is that permitted during the Holy Days of G'Quan?
G'KAR: It's no concern of yours, Mollari.
LONDO: I heard about the mishap involving your transport. Shocking. Truly shocking. If there is anything I can do to be of assistance, you will let me know, yes?
G'KAR: No.
(Londo chuckles to himself and walks away. Then Na'Toth approaches and makes her customary sign of respect.)
G'KAR: Well?
NA'TOTH: There's no one who can have a G'Quan Eth delivered in time for the ceremony.
G'KAR: Shrok!
NA'TOTH: However -- according to import records, there is one being on the station who has the flower.
G'KAR: Well, who is it?
NA'TOTH: Ambassador Mollari.
G'KAR: WHAT?!
LONDO: Yoohoo!
(We see Londo in the transport tube waving and cackling gleefully before the door shuts.)
G'KAR: Ugh. Why does the universe hate me?
G'KAR: (on the view screen) Ambassador Mollari, I have the money. Fifty thousand credits, in cash. Where is the G'Quan Eth?
LONDO: Actually, G'Kar, I have changed my mind. The G'Quan Eth plant is not for sale.
G'KAR: What?
LONDO: I have also changed my lock code, so don't bother visiting me. Consider this a small - a very tiny portion - of revenge for what you did to our colony on Raghesh III -- and to my nephew! Did you think that I had forgotten that? Ambassador -- enjoy the last few hours of your festive holiday. I know I will.
(After Londo closes the connection, we shift to G'Kar's quarters, where G'Kar starts throwing a fit.)
G'KAR: I'LL KILL HIM WITH MY BARE HANDS! BY MY POUCH, THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP ME! SINCLAIR CAN ONLY KICK ME OFF THE STATION! HE MIGHT EVEN THANK ME!
(G'Kar almost smacks the Book of G'Quan, but stops himself. Calming down, he touches the book reverentially instead.)
G'KAR: You're not a follower of G'Quan, are you, Na'Toth?
NA'TOTH: My father was a disciple of G'Lan. My mother didn't believe in much of anything.
G'KAR: What do you believe in?
NA'TOTH: Myself, Ambassador.
G'KAR: Too easy an answer. We all believe in something greater than ourselves.
SINCLAIR: Are you telling me this is about a flower?
G'KAR: Not just a flower, Commander, but the very symbol of my faith. All followers of G'Quan must perform a ritual once a year when our sun rises precisely behind the G'Quan mountain. Each year, the celebrant must acquire a new plant for the ceremony. Well, I made all the arrangements. It should have been here months ago, but you know how bureaucracies are and -- well, this must all sound ridiculous to you.
SINCLAIR: No, it doesn't, Ambassador, but we'll have to talk about this some other time --
G'KAR: Commander, there is no other time. You see, those who are able perform the ritual in the first rays of sunlight that shine past the mountain - a magnificent sight. And those of us who can't be there must still perform the ritual at the same moment - a moment which is almost upon us. It is the most important observance of my beliefs, and it requires the G'Quan Eth, which, as the highest ranking member of my faith on this station, it is my responsibility to provide.
SINCLAIR: I truly sympathize with you, G'Kar, but it's Londo's flower to do with as he likes. (Sinclair's exasperation in this scene and in the one immediately below is hilarious.)
SINCLAIR: Look, I can't force you to do this, but in the name of interstellar goodwill - not to mention peace and quiet on this station - I'm asking.
LONDO: You know I would do anything for you, my good friend Commander Sinclair - but not this.
REPORTER: We're making the strike our lead item in tonight's program. Is it true Mr. Zento has declared the dockers' slow down an illegal strike and is seeking senate approval for the Rush Act?
SINCLAIR: No comment.
IVANOVA: Commander, we have a Minbari convoy on the way in.
SINCLAIR: They'll have to wait.
(G'Kar and Londo enter the command center shouting at each other.)
LONDO: Commander, this creature is a thief. I demand you arrest him at once!
G'KAR: Call me that again, Mollari, and I'll tear your pale throat out!
LONDO: This barbarian has stolen the statue of our god Rutarian from the Centauri Cultural Center!
G'KAR: I have been in the presence of many witnesses for several hours. I have not stolen anything!
LONDO: All right, then it was your attack dog Na'Toth. But on your orders!
G'KAR: I'm fed up with your fabrications, Mollari!
REPORTER: Commander, do you have a comment on this?
LONDO: I demand you arrest him!
G'KAR: I demand you arrest him!
(This is the last straw.)
SINCLAIR: THAT'S ENOUGH! Get the hell out of here. All of you. Now. Lieutenant Commander Ivanova, in ten seconds, you will escort any unauthorized personnel still present to the brig - and leave them there.
IVANOVA: Yes, sir!
(Ivanova starts chasing the reporter, Londo, and G'Kar out of the command center.)
IVANOVA: Ten... nine... eight... seven...
LONDO: I'm filing an official protest!
IVANOVA: ... six... five...
G'KAR: I'm filing two official protests!
REPORTER: You are impeding a public's right to know, Commander!
IVANOVA: ... four... three...
(Garibaldi enters just after the others exit.)
GARIBALDI: Two, one. So - what'd I miss?
IVANOVA: (on the link) Commander, you'd better get up here.
SINCLAIR: What is it this time?
IVANOVA: (on the link) G'Kar and Londo are approximately half an inch from killing each other.
(Later, in the council chamber.)
SINCLAIR: Gentlemen, I've been up for nearly two days straight with no sleep. This makes me a very cranky man.
LONDO: Yes, we've noticed. Have you considered meditation?
LONDO: All right, Commander. You may have the G'Quan Eth.
SINCLAIR: Thank you, Ambassador.
LONDO: (smirking at G'Kar) I have already gotten my enjoyment from it anyway.
(Londo leaves.)
SINCLAIR: Ambassador G'Kar - when you have returned Londo's statue, I'll turn the G'Quan Eth over to you, and you'll compensate Londo for it full price.
G'KAR: Why should I turn over the statue - assuming that I knew where it was - when it's already too late for the ceremony? Mollari knows that. That's why he gave in so easily.
SINCLAIR: This ceremony is supposed to be performed in the sunlight that's touched the G'Quan Mountain on a particular day at a particular time, right?
G'KAR: Yes.
SINCLAIR: But as your people went into space, it wasn't always possible to be at the foot of that mountain and pray in that sunlight.
G'KAR: Yes, yes, if we can't be there, we must still make our prayers at the same moment as those on our planet.
SINCLAIR: What you forgot to take into account is that sunlight also travels through space. Think about it: this station is 12.2 light years from Narn. That's just a little over ten of your years. The sunlight that touched the G'Quan Mountain ten of your years ago should reach the station in twelve hours. It's been on a long journey - but it's still the same sunlight. (I really, really like Sinclair's solution here. I think it's very thoughtful.)
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