Walkabout

Original Airdate: September 30, 1996
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Kevin Cremin
Episode #: 62
Production #: 318 

Guest stars: Erica Gimpel as Cailyn. Jennifer Balgobin as Dr. Hobbs. Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. Robin Sachs as Na'Kal.

Overview

Babylon 5 receives a new Vorlon ambassador. Captain Sheridan tests the theory that Shadow vessels are weakened by telepath jamming.

Synopsis

Note: This synopsis came from Time-Warner's official Babylon 5 page.

Sheridan convenes a meeting of the war council with the Ambassadors and details his suspicions about how the Shadows are vulnerable to telepathic interference. From past encounters, Sheridan believes that a telepath may be able to jam their central operating system, leaving them susceptible to attack. In an effort to test this theory, he makes plans to take the White Star, accompanied by a skeleton crew including resident telepath Lyta Alexander, and engage one of the Shadow fleet ships. Sheridan asks the Ambassadors if they could lend their assistance by sending along backup ships. Delenn agrees and suggests they also bind in a few Minbari telepaths in case Lyta's telepathic powers don't prove strong enough. G'Kar asks was leader Na'Kal if they could use one of the Narn ships for this important mission, but he refuses. Later, an agitated Garibaldi confronts G'Kar about Na'Kals decision, and implores him to rethink their stance.

After setting out for a precise area, Sheridan and the crew encounter a Shadow vessel and Lyta freezes the ship so that the White Star can attack. In need of additional fire power, Lennier turns the jump engines off-line, leaving them unable to jump for 20 minutes. The White Star eventually destroys the enemy, but not before the ship sends out a distress signal for help. Four Shadow vessels answer the call, and a stranded Sheridan, still 10 minutes away from being able to jump, is left with no choice but to outrun the Shadows. The backup Minbari ship comes to the air of the White Star, armed with three telepaths who attempt to influence and slow down the four Shadow ships.

Being pursued by the one Shadow vessel, not affected by a telepath, the White Star loses ground and is on the verge of being overtaken. At the last minute, to the surprise of everyone, the Narn war cruiser emerges, flanked by G'Kar and several other fighters who successfully manage to chase away the Shadows.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi tracks down Dr. Franklin who hasn't been seen for several days. Franklin explains that he has no idea who he is anymore and in an effort to find himself, is embarking on a journey he refers to as "walkabout." A determined Franklin claims that he will walk every inch of the station until he finds himself once again.

On his journey, Franklin meets a singer named Cailyn and a mutual attraction develops. Going back to her apartment, they spend some intimate time together. When she learns he is a doctor, Cailyn asks him about getting the narcotic Metazine. He strongly refuses. As Franklin sleeps, Cailyn goes through his belonging and steals his identicard. When he awakens, Franklin finds her unconscious on the floor, clutching a vial of Metazine. Later at Medlab, Franklin discovers that Cailyn used his identicard to get Metazine from the local dispensary. It is then Franklin learns of Cailyn's true illness and vows to see she gets whatever medical attention she needs.

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Unanswered Questions

Analysis

Notes

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