Overall: 6.7
When Staczynski remembers his larger arc, he turns out some pretty good - and sometimes even brilliant - stuff; when he veers off the path, however, I find myself zoning out. This episode is a mishmash in which Straczynski does both.
Plot Synopsis:
The Lurker's Guide has a summary here.
The Skinny:
Why does Sheridan get saddled with the pointless plots? Why should I care that there are Roswell-Grey aliens called the Steib who are roaming the galaxy looking for scientific specimens? I suppose you could come to the conclusion that the Streib are a support race for the Shadows considering their interest in watching their specimens fight and their mind-control tech, the devices for which look like poor man's Keepers. One of the tie-in authors assumed the same thing, which tends to lend credence to the whole idea. But given that the Streib never show up again in the official canon, it's difficult to get fully invested in Sheridan's plight. Dropped plot, anyone?
When Sheridan is rescued and finally meets up with Hague, things take a turn for the better, as Straczynski suddenly remembers that Earth is currently under the heel of a developing fascist dictatorship. I find it especially interesting to discover that Sheridan has been spying on his people all along to ascertain whether they are trustworthy enough to be pulled into the underground opposition. Still, these final scenes covering the burgeoning conspiracy against President Clark feel a little tacked on. The true strength of this episode is Delenn's plot, which continues to set up the two sides of what will eventually develop into the Minbari Civil War -- and also, incidentally, hints at Lennier's growing love for Delenn.
And as for Sheridan's prophetic dream? Meh. Londo's is better; it avoids deliberate obfuscation.
Writing: 7.0
Half of this script is good and half is only par. That gives us the average score noted above.
Acting: 7.0
The Minbari are the standouts here; in particular, John Vickery makes an excellent foil for Mira Furlan (but then, I believe I've said that before). On the other hand, there is one really bad death scene in this episode that unfortunately pulls down what could've been a solid overall acting score. Alas.
Message: 6.0
No strong messages - good or bad - are conveyed by this pretty standard episode.
Highlights:
DELENN: For twenty cycles, I stood beside you as one of the Nine. I called many of you friends. And now, you call me outcast. You know me. You know I believe in the task that is before us - the great war that is coming. I have not turned my back on you. In trying to help, I have sacrificed all that I was and all that I am. We can no longer allow ourselves to be separated by names and borders. Our two sides must unite - or we will be destroyed. Do not make my sacrifice a vain one. Allow me to finish what I started. In the name of our friendship - and the future of our people - let me remain on Babylon 5.
NEROON: (his face in shadow under his hood) I'm more than happy to let you remain with the... humans.
DELENN: You are the one chosen to replace me? I do not know you.
NEROON: I believe you do. (He removes his hood.)
DELENN: Neroon? (To the others) I do not understand. He is Warrior Caste from the Starriders Clan! What is happening here? What are you doing? When Valen called the Nine together, he chose three from the Worker Caste, three from the Religious Caste, and three from the Warrior Caste. My replacement should've been from the Religious Caste! Four from the Warrior Caste gives them unprecedented power!
NEROON: Why not? It was the Warrior Caste who died in the war against the Earthers - Warrior Caste who defended our world for centuries while the Council floated among the stars, isolated from its own people!
DELENN: This is wrong.
NEROON: Is it? You say prophecy tells us a great war is coming. Should not the Warrior Caste lead against it?
DELENN: The Warrior Caste cannot be allowed to set policy!
NEROON: Have you done any better? When I was inducted into this circle, I was finally told the reason why we were ordered to surrender. I didn't know whether to laugh or weep! If we had been told the truth then, we never would've surrendered!
DELENN: You don't understand --
NEROON: I understand that before me is a creature I do not recognize - one foot in two worlds. You are an affront to the purity of our race! And your belief that you are satisfying prophecy is presumption of the highest order - and yet, it is true that you are now the perfect liaison between us and the Earthers. You have no home with either of us. So please - act out your fantasy. Be our go-between. Return to Babylon 5 - and stay there. (This is the episode's best scene.)
DELENN: You do not have to go back with me, Lennier. You could go home. You could be free of all this - return to your studies, to your family.
LENNIER: Where you walk, I will walk. I have sworn myself to your side.
DELENN: You do not know. You cannot know what you're saying.
LENNIER: Yes, I do. Come what may, Delenn, I will not leave you while I am still alive. (He bows his head.)
DELENN: I remember when you first came to me. You would not look up 'til I ordered you to do so. But it did no good. Even when you were looking up, you were looking down. (Delenn touches Lennier's chin.) Look at me, Lennier. (Lennier raises his head.) Very soon now I will be going into darkness... and fire. I do not know if I am fated to walk out again. If it is your choice to come with me, then I could not wish for a better - or braver - companion. (This is also a nice scene.)
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