Plot Synopsis:
Alisa: When an orphaned lurker named Alisa Belden suddenly collapses after stealing jewelry from a vendor in the Zocalo, it is Ivanova and Talia who come to her aid. Talia tells Ivanova - and, later, Dr. Franklin - that Alisa has suffered a "mind burst" - a sudden intensification of her latent telepathic ability - and recommends that the Psi Corps be contacted so Alisa can be properly trained. But Ivanova, as you might expect, refuses to allow Alisa to be taken by the Psi Corps until she has been fully informed of her options.
Throughout the course of the episode, several people try to persuade Alisa that the lifestyle they offer is best. Talia, a loyal member of the Psi Corps, assures Alisa that, should she decide to join the Corps, she will be well cared for. Ivanova, however, is quick to point out that the Corps is less charitable when it comes to those telepaths who do not join and urges Alisa to look beyond Earth. The first alien offer to come Alisa's way, however, is hardly ideal: said offer is extended by the Narn government, which seeks to have permanent access to Alisa's genetic code. The second alien offer is extended by the Minbari, whose telepaths live as highly respected mendicants. This is the offer Alisa eventually accepts - after, of course, the events discussed below.
Branmer: Representatives of the Star Riders, a militant Minbari warrior clan, arrive on Babylon 5 bearing the body of Branmer, the Minbari general who led the assault on the Line. In the interest of diplomacy, Sinclair does his best to accommodate them, but their leader, Neroon, certainly makes matters more difficult. He refuses to allow Garibaldi's men to guard Branmer's body before the viewing ceremony and needles Sinclair about his experiences on the Line. Overall, Neroon seems to be spoiling for a renewed fight -
- and he very nearly gets his wish, for when the viewing ceremony finally arrives, it is discovered that Branmer's body has been stolen! With Neroon's threats of war hanging over his head, Garibaldi launches an investigation. Despite his best efforts, however, a search of the station - and the stomach contents of a few Pak'Ma'Ra - turns up nothing. It is only when the aforementioned Alisa Belden inadvertently scans Delenn's mind that the location of Branmer's body is revealed. A former religious, Branmer was close friends with Delenn and explicitly expressed to Delenn his wish that he be cremated. Dismayed that the Star Riders were deliberately disregarding Branmer's wishes, Delenn stole the body herself and had it burned in secret.
After admitting her role in the disappearance of Branmer's body to Sinclair, Delenn takes on the responsibility of informing Neroon, threatening him with dishonor in the name of the Grey Council if he doesn't accept what she has done and apologize for inconveniencing Sinclair. His tail tucked between his legs, Neroon does as he's told. Sinclair offers to send a message to Minbar honoring Branmer's talent in battle, and Neroon seems sincerely touched by the gesture.
As Sinclair accompanies Alisa to her transport, he asks her, out of curiosity, what else she saw in Delenn's mind. Alisa mentions that she sensed the word "chrysalis" but could not access what this word meant to Delenn. When Alisa departs, Sinclair is left to ponder this new mystery.
Overall: 7.3
It's been a rocky season so far, but we're starting to pick up steam.
Writing: 8
The strength of Legacies lies in its arc-related details. First - and most importantly - it continues to set up what will evolve into a full scale civil war between Minbar's warrior and religious castes by introducing us to Neroon, a Minbari patriot who clearly resents the Grey Council's decision to surrender at the Battle of the Line. Secondly, we see very clearly that Delenn is building something in her quarters. What that something is will not be revealed until our next feature episode, but D.C. Fontana drops a tantalizing clue by allowing Alisa to read the word "chrysalis" in Delenn's mind. Lastly, it is mentioned in passing that the Narn have started to use alien slaves - something to keep in mind as the story continues to unfold in the episodes ahead.
Acting: 7
For once, not a single guest star makes me want to gouge out my eyeballs with a spoon. John Vickery is delightful as Neroon - and while I wouldn't say that Grace Una completely bowls me over with her portrayal of Alisa, on the whole, she is sweet and inoffensive.
Message: 7
The Star Riders are very presumptuous here. Babylon 5 may technically be neutral territory, but it is administered by Earth Force, which makes the clan's insistence that they be permitted to display Branmer's body on the station on their terms feel rather on par with the Germans demanding that they be allowed to parade a celebrated Nazi general through Israel. And lest you think this comparison is too harsh, bear in mind that the Minbari were trying to kill us all up until the surrender order was issued.
Still, I approve of the way Sinclair handles the situation - in particular, the complimentary message he sends to Minbar regarding Branmer - as it is quite in keeping with my understanding of the warrior's code. Funny thing about soldiers: they tend to have great respect for other soldiers - even those in the enemy's ranks. Which is not to say they don't feel perfectly free to kill the enemy and smash his stuff, but when the war is over, the most honorable fighting men hold no grudges.
No comments:
Post a Comment