The Summoning

Airdate: November 18, 1996

Episode # : 68

Production # : 403

Guest stars: Worthan Krimmer as Emperor Cartagia and Wayne Alexander as "Lorien"

Episode Plot

The date is January 17, 2261. Ambassador Delenn opens the episode with a personal log. Commander Ivanova asks Delenn if she may borrow a White Star class ship, in order to search for some First Ones, who may help them attack Z'Ha'Dum. Delenn readily agrees, and Marcus Cole accompanies Ivanova. With Ivanova gone, Delenn appears to take charge of C & C.

Meanwhile, on Centauri Prime, Emperor Cartagia "enjoys" the company of G'kar. Dressed like a buffoon, G'kar is made to entertain the Emperor and his court. Londo and Vir, sickened by Cartagia's actions, decide that Cartagia must be killed as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Vir, having second thoughts about killing Cartagia, soon changes his mind after a meeting with the insane Emperor. Londo later talks to G'kar in his cell. Londo begs G'kar, having refused to scream, wimper, or otherwise acknowledge pain and beg for mercy, to give in to the pain because Cartagia will be satisfied. Also, Londo explains that he needs a "live ally" rather than a "dead martyr." G'kar seems to refuse. However, when put to the whip, G'kar finally gives in and screams out in pain, which satisfies the Emperor. Cartagia has G'kar put back in his cell and left alone.

Back on B5, Delenn finds Lyta and asks her to tell "Kosh" that Vorlon help would be appreciated in the upcoming attack on Z'Ha'Dum. However, Lyta is in a state of turmoil because of certain restrictions placed upon her by "Kosh," such as the removal of all comforts from her quarters. After Lyta telepathically "carries" the Vorlon ambassador, she demands to know what the Vorlons are planning. "Kosh" stubbornly refuses and attempts to shoo her away. Lyta refuses to go, and attempts to scan "Kosh" without his permission. He retaliates with a powerful, and painful, telepathic blast which knocks Lyta to the floor.

Zack Allen, Garibaldi's XO, leaves B5 with a small expedition in an attempt to locate Garibaldi. Zack pursues the transport which salvaged Garibaldi's starfury and inadvertently destroys it. Fortunately, a lifepod is ejected moments before the explosion, revealing an injured but alive Garibaldi. Michael is immediately returned to B5 and put under strict medical care. When he comes around, Garibaldi tells Zack that he doesn't remember anything after having left B5, a lie. Zack dismisses the problem, happy to have Garibaldi back on the station.

The Brocuri ambassador from the League of Non-Aligned Worlds meets with Delenn, informing her that many members of the League are planning to hold an open rally to oppose her decision to attack Z'Ha'Dum. Delenn decides to attend the rally, because she believes that she has a right to tell her side of the story, and let the people decide.

Meanwhile, on the White Star, Marcus and Ivanova discover a HUGE Vorlon fleet hiding in hyperspace. The Vorlons have several THOUSAND ships in one huge fleet, some ships as big as Babylon 5. Inanova has no clue as to what the Vorlons are planning, and immediately sets course for B5 to get some answers from Lyta of "Kosh."

When Ivanova gets back, she goes to C & C, learning that an unidentified ship is entering B5 space via the local jump gate. She attempts to hail it, but to no avail. Fearing for the worst, she orders a security team to the docking bay to cut off the intruder. Garibaldi, although not quite well, decides to go along with the team. In another part of B5, the rally does not go very well for Delenn. Many people agree with the opposition. Back at the docking bay, the security team is stunned to find out that the "intruder" is Captain Sheridan and Lorien.

Sheridan makes his way to the Zocalo and confronts the members of the League, who quickly quiet down when they see him. Sheridan explains that the Shadows are not immortal and can be beaten, and he is living proof of that. He quickly and effortlessly rallies support from everyone present to attack Z'Ha'Dum and build to biggest fleet in history. After that, he and Delenn embrace, happy to see each other. Sheridan also explains that the Shadows can be defeated. . . forever.

Sheridan has his command staff, Delenn, Lennier, and Lorien meet in his private office to discuss recent events. He explains the purposes of the Vorlons and Shadows much the same way Anna did for him on Z'Ha'Dum. Ivanova and Marcus enter the office, happy to see him. But on B5, there's always bad news with good news. Ivanova explains that a known Shadow base was destroyed, along with the entire planet which housed it. The planet, home to 4 million people, was completely obliterated by the Vorlon fleet. They conclude that the Vorlons have decided to take matters into their own hands and attack anything the Shadows touch. Lyta explains that unless they can be stopped, the Vorlons will attack, and destroy, every planet and space station in this area of space.

Questions

Have the Vorlons completely lost it? They are attacking entire civilizations, with a madness bordering on lunacy at the Shadows. They are stooping to the level of the Shadows because they, like the Shadows, are now destroying entire worlds.
Since the Vorlons are attacking anything that relates to the Shadows, does that mean that the Vorlons are more powerful than the Shadows? If so, what happened to the balance of power which existed a long time ago?
How much has Garibaldi changed, since no one is ever quite whole again after being placed in a Shadow vessel?
For that matter, how much has Sheridan changed? And why does Lorien have his own ship? He is a First One and probably can get around space without a ship. Although Sheridan can't, but how should Lorien have known that?
Is Sheridan now working for Lorien like Lyta works for the Vorlons? If so, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Back to Garibaldi. Why did the ship eject him before exploding? Why did the ship explode? Most importantly, who was on the ship and did they want Zack to find them? If so, could the ship belong to the Psi-Corps? If it does, did they put the "sleeper" into Garibaldi?
When are Ivanova and Marcus going to get together?
Since Lyta said that Kosh let her keep the mattress because humans need sleep, does that mean Vorlons don't need to sleep? If so, that explains why the Vorlons are always so cranky, mean, and hostile.
Why is Delenn in charge of C & C in the beginning of the show?
When Zack transmitted his message to Garibali's captor's ship, did I hear Shadows on board? It almost sounded like the whining sound of a Shadow.
How long were Ivanova and Marcus gone from B5?
Since Sheridan now knows "why he is alive and what he wants," does that mean he is now the "perfect leader?" If so, is he now "The One," replacing Delenn? For that matter, is "The One" merely Ranger One, or is it more?
Kosh said to Sheridan "If you goto Z'Ha'Dum, you will die." Perhaps he was wrong? Or did Sheridan die in some way or other? Perhaps a bad part of him died?
Since Kosh was the last "Vorlon First One," does that mean that the Vorlons are different in some way? Of course they mourn his death, but did Kosh hold them back, since he was obviously very powerful? If that is the case, is their mission of annihilation a coincidence, or is it timing?
Since the Vorlons have taken it upon themselves to purify the galaxy, if they destroy the galaxy in the process, what good will it do?

Notes / Interesting Facts

The docking procedure used by Sheridan is very impressive.
The life pod which housed Garibaldi seems a bit large for a simple ejection device.
The League of Non-Aligned Worlds is very fickle, almost like they change with the wind.
The Brocuri seem to be the only members of the League who still suppor the B5 treaty.
The members of the League seem to follow Sheridan like sheep.
Centauri Prime is politically correct!!

Predictions

Ivanova should keep learning Minbari...she may actually get it by 2262.
JMS will probably (sooner or later) put some mushy stuff in involving Sheridan/Delenn, and possible Ivanova/Marcus.
Someone will start asking questions concerning Mr. Garibaldi.
With Cartagia, well, what goes around comes around.
The new Kosh is gonna get his Vorlon butt thrown off the station eventually, and I hope it's into the dead of space.
Perhaps Londo and Vir should ask B5 to help them assassinate Cartagia and free Narn. Since B5 is an enemy to anyone who helps the Shadows, they would be willing to eliminate Cartagia. Also, with Cartagia gone, a new emperor (perhaps Londo) will free Narn, and Narn will assist in the alliance.
Perhaps the biggest prediction (and possibly fear) of the season is that the Shadow war might end. That's good for the alliance, but bad for the show. The first 3 seasons have been leading up to this war, and it looks as if it's already half over. Perhaps I am incorrect, but JMS may have some other things in mind. . .
A spin-off show, entitled Babylon5 : Crusaders, may eventually air, which will concern the quests of the Rangers. The Rangers are used as front line troops against Shadows. That means, if the show does run, the war is not over, the Shadows are still strong, and B5 and the Rangers still got some work to do.
Next week's episode "Falling Toward Apotheosis" deals with Cartagia. And possibly the Vorlons. Apotheosis = deification. We'll see.
The new Kosh won't go willingly.