"All Great Neptune's Ocean"-Episode #110 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

Aboard the Andromeda preparations are underway by Rommie for a formal reception much to the dismay of Seamus Harper and Beka Valentine. This in honor of President Lee of the protocol conscious Castalians. Lee (Allan Morgan) united his system's water, air and space dwellers and plans to sign the Commonwealth charter.

At the reception the Castalian "presidential music" is played as Lee (a genetically engineered human water-breather) is praised by all, including by his security chief Colonel Yau(Mikela J. Mikael), who is part of the air-breather minority. However, this changes as Tyr 'toasts' Lee, accusing him of murdering the Nietzscheans who were related to (Tyr's) Kodiak pride.

Over the objections of Chancellor Chandos(Malcom Stewart), Lee explains that the Nietzscheans lived in a space habitat, dominated others and enslaved many air-breathers. The water-breathers later destroyed the Nietzschean fleet, but the Nietzscheans destroyed their habitat before it was attacked. Lee is willing to sign the charter the next day, but wants Tyr to formally apologize.

Convinced by records Lee gives him, Dylan speaks to Tyr privately. He advises the long view, recognizing the Commonwealth will benefit all, providing justice inquiries for the Nietzscheans.

Tyr apologizes to Lee, who asks to speak to him privately. However, the "presidential music" is unexpectedly heard, followed by the cries of Lee. As the rest rush to them they find Lee shot/dead and Tyr unconscious. As Tyr is rushed to Medical, Colonel Yau plans for Tyr's arrest, but is countered by Dylan who insists on jurisdiction and on a complete investigation.

Later, Dylan questions Tyr, who denies any memory of what happened. He does however rattle off many more sophisticated ways he could have assassinated Lee as proof that he would not have done it as accused.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Chandos becomes president and swears vengeance, followed by the launch of 300 Castalian ships (supposedly out of concern for Chandos's safety). A small group of Castalian militia board the Andromeda, but are defeated by Dylan using a remotely triggered force lance.

The use of the lance leads to realizing that Tyr's force lance must have been remotely controlled, explaining both the 'assassination' and the fact that it shocked him (since he was using a lance no longer keyed to him). Unfortunately, the evidence points to Rommie, who over the protests of Dylan, delivers herself up to have her personality erased. Seamus attempts to confess to save Rommie but is not believed by anyone.

However, Harper does later notice a key inconsistency in how President Lee and later President Chandos is introduced. Just before Rommie is "destroyed" this is revealed by playing the "presidential music" which triggers a virus in Andromeda/Rommie that causes Tyr's lance to fire again (apparently with "blanks" this time).

The virus was planted by Chandos who privately tells Dylan and Yau that he did this because Lee was planning to resign soon and confess to ordering the Nietzschean habitat destroyed, which could lead to civil war. Colonel Yau is appalled since 10,000 air-breather slaves, including her family, were in the habitat. She later tries to kill Chandos but is stopped by Dylan, who insists that the rule of law is essential.

The episode ends with the Commonwealth charter signed, but the Castalians experiencing riots and civil unrest. Dylan wonders if he did the right thing and is comforted by Rev Bem who believes he did.

Synopsis 01/22/01 by Larry Kramer       Updated 10/25/01

© 2001 Larry Kramer (See Copyright Disclaimer)