Airdate: February 17, 1997
Episode # : 74
Production # : 408
Guest stars: Jeff Griggs as Dan Randall, Diana Morgan as Alison Higgins and Henry Darrow as Dr. Indiri.
Babylon 5 War Room
Sheridan sits alone and observes a model of a starfury. Ivanova enters and the two talk about the quiet, and the absence of activity. Ivanova states that the loss of revenues from Earth ships will hurt the financial situation of the station. Sheridan is optimistic though.
Sheridan: "We'll get by. We always have. This place has been declared dead more times than Lazarus. But, we keep coming back."
Ivanova agrees, but senses that something is upsetting John. He explains that he's worried about his father, who said that strange humans have been asking questions about him. Ivanova says that from what she knows about Sheridan's f ather, he'll be alright. She also comments that Zack's promotion to Security Chief was a good one, since no major incidents have yet occured.
Babylon 5 Customs
Zack breaks up a fight. Security says that the passengers refuse to reveal the contents of a box they are carrying. Zack blows the top off of the box, and a camera floats out. The passenger, who is really an ISN reporter says: "I'm a reporter and this is my crew. You just made the evening news!"
Babylon 5
Franklin informs Sheridan that the cryo units are malfunctioning and must be serviced. Sheridan agrees and tells Franklin to do whatever is necessary.
Ivanova and Sheridan meet with the ISN reporter, Dan Randall, in the brig. Randall explains that he is going back with a report one way or another. He gives Sheridan the chance to tell his side of the story. Randall acknowledges that ISN is a propaganda tool for Clark, but persuades Sheridan that he will tell as much of the truth as possible.
Mr. Garibaldi meets with a "client," who wants Garibaldi to track down an object. After a humorous conversation, the client leaves. Lennier then approaches and asks if the rumors regarding Garibaldi's resignation are true. Garibaldi lets Lennier know that he doesn't want to talk about Captain Sheridan, who then appears with Dan Randall. Sheridan asks Lennier to escort Mr. Randall around the station. Since Minbari do not lie, Lennier will guide Randall to prove that nothing has been exaggerated or "trumped up" for his benefit. Lennier and Randall leave, and after an awkward moment between Garibaldi and Sheridan, the captain leaves. Garibaldi, alone now, has a flashback to his interrogation on board the alien ship.
Babylon 5 Downbelow
Randall asks Lennier about the alien ships which are orbiting the station. Lennier explains that Babylon 5 is that safest place for ships to make repairs. The alien governments pay for the parts, but the time required for repairs is free.
Lennier:"It is the least we can do for them."
While Lennier and Randall tour Downbelow, Lennier explains that many of the lurkers came to Babylon 5 in search of a better life. However, they could not find jobs, ran out of money and had no way of paying their way off the station. Lennier says that some are exploited, but Sheridan puts an end to it when he hears of it, and he instituted work programs to help the lurkers earn money while repairing the alien ships. Dr. Franklin rushes through with a patient. Lennier stops Franklin and introduces him to Randall. Lennier explains that Franklin runs a free medical clinic for the lurkers. As Franklin is about to leave, his communicator beeps and a nurse reports that "The cryo units are ready for restart" as a camera takes a picture of him. . .
Zocalo
Londo complains to Sheridan that his quarters are too cold.
Londo: "I don't mean 'Oh, it's a bit chilly, perhaps I should throw a blanket on the bed.' No, I said it was COLD, as in, 'Oh, look, my left arm has snapped off like an icicle and shattered on the floor!' This is highly inappropriate Captain!"
Sheridan: "You're right. There are other parts of your body I'd much rather see snapped off!"
Sheridan's office
The ISN newscrew sets up for an interview. Sheridan and Delenn sit closely. Delenn looks uncomfortable, and pushes the makeup woman away.
Randall: "So, it was never your intention to break away from Earth?
Sheridan: "No, we did that as a last resort to protest the illegal bombings of civilian targets on Mars and Proxima 3. We'll rejoing the Earth Alliance as soon as President Clark rescinds the martial law decree and steps down."
Randall: "And you still contend that Clark is responsible for the death of former President Santiago?"
Sheridan: "Santiago was an impediment to Clark's plans. I mean, with Clark, anything that gets in the way, (while snapping his fingers) disappears!"
Randall: "Ambassador Delenn, this all must strike you as being very confusing."
Delenn: "Not at all. This sort of thing happens everywhere. Which I suppose is good in that it gives all races something in common, for much that same reason."
Randall: "I see the two of you have become very close over the past few years."
Delenn: "Yes, very."
Randall: "Any truth to the rumors that you might eventually marry?"
Sheridan: "No comment. . . for now"
Randall: Well, as relationships go, you certainly have the odds against you. You were on different sides during the Minbari War and I'm sure that there are other forces constantly pulling at you."
Delenn: "Or course, but the heart does not recognize boundaries on a map, or wars of political parties. The heart does. . . as the heart does."
Randall: "And if others don't understand?"
Delenn: "If they don't understand, we will make them understand."
Randall: "Then you're not concerned about the possible repercussions?"
Delenn: "It will be a struggle, but --"
Sheridan: (finishes for her)"there's no force in this galaxy that can stop what we have done here together. Nothing will be able to stop us."
Zocalo
Randall approaches Garibaldi. Randall says he's about to leave, but wanted a chance to talk with Garibaldi for a few minutes, since he's the only one who has been on B5 since it went online. Randall says he's interested in what Garibaldi has to say about anything. . .
Sheridan's office
Ivanova prepares a snack for herself. Sheridan enters with one of his own. Ivanova says the she is nervouse about the broadcast. Sheridan says he expects a lot of bias, but he let ISN do the story now so that they could get everything out in the open. Sheridan knew it would happen sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.
Sheridan: "Anything we said we kept down to short declarative senctences, to make it harder for them to quote us out of context. We didn't have a big crisis while they were here. What can they do to us?"
Delenn enters and Sheridan turns on the monitor.
ISN reporter Alison Higgins. She reports that Earth Force troops hace "liberated" large portions of the Mars colony, and have freed 75% of the New Vegas and Flinntown colony. President Clark reinstated the Senate and hearings have begun by the Committee of Anti-Earth activities. She also presents a brief "This year in history segment." Higgins reports that on this day in 1961, Yuri Gargarin orbited the Earth; in 1999 Clinton created a Presidents' Commission on the Future; in 2018 the Luna Colony (Moon) foundation was laid; and in 2161 the Psi-Corps was created.
After the history segment, Randall appears on the screen and explains that despite personal danger, the first rule of journalism is to "Go where the story is." Therefore, he went to Babylon 5.
Randall: "Nothing could have prepared us for what we found. . . "
Randall's story opens with an external shot of the station. He explains that the station is all business on the outside, but note the alien ship docked outside. Footage then switches to inside the station. There is a shot of DownBelow and several dirty lurkers. Randall explains that humans live in the slums of the station while high ranking alien guests live in comfortable quarters which are paid by the tax dollars of many EA citizens.
Randall remarks that the Minbari, former enemies, have been appointed "keepers" of the station underclass. Franklin is shown wheeling a heart attack victim to medlab. Randall states that any attempt to protest is cruelly put down. [During this time, Randall is voicing-over the footage, not allowing the actual dialogue to be heard]
The next shot shows Sheridan and Londo. Sheridan listens to Londo's complaints about his quarters. Randall edits out the dialogue and makes it appear as if Sheridan is "subservient" to Londo. Randall concludes that the aliens call the shots on Babylon 5.
Randall tells the cameras that he has enlisted the help of Dr. Indiri, a Harvard xenopsychiatrist and an expert on Minbari War Syndrome. Dr. Indiri explains that many veterans of the war suffer an "inferiority complex" because of the technological superiority of the Minbari at the time. He goes on to explain that Minbari War Syndrome or an unhealthy fascination with aliens can lead to personality changes or violence.
Randall: "The second rule of journalism is that no one does anything without a reason."
Randall explains that the reason Babylon 5 seceded from Earth may be explained by a brief conversation they overheard by chance -- Dr. Franklin rushes the heart attack patient, his communicator beeps and the nurse says "The cryo units are ready for restart." Randall states that he'll explain this conversation when ISN comes back.
Randall shows footage of a Minbari War Cruiser being repaired using station resources. Randall explains that aliens benefit while Earth Alliance taxpayers foor the bill. He also says that it may not be a coincidence that Babylon 5 received a massive weapons upgrade just before the station seceded from Earth.
Randall: "But, what does it mean? Where is the key, the Rosetta Stone that will unlock the mystery?"
The next segment shows the interview of John and Delenn. The question regarding their personal relationship is answered. Next, Randall stands against a black backdrop made to look like Sheridan's office. EDITING:
Randall:"[About] the struggle against Earth?"
Delenn: "If they don't understand, we will make them understand."
Sheridan: "Anything that gets in the way, disappears"
Randall, against the fake backdrop again
Randall: "There's a lot of people back home that might be concerned about what you're saying. It sounds as if you're putting the mingling of human and Minbari above the safety of your own world."
Sheridan:"There's no force in the galaxy that can stop what we have done here together. Nothing will be able to stop us."
Back to the ISN broadcasting headquarters, Randall explains that there may be reason for alarm. He spoke with Garibaldi, former security chief for Babylon 5.
Garibaldi states [no editing here] that Sheridan has changed since he returned from "alien space" and Garibaldi can't talk to him anymore. He wasn't comfortable with the situation, and he felt as if he had to speak out.
Randall's next segment shows the cryo freezer room on Babylon 5. He explains that "sources" on the station let him in. Randall shows shocking footage -- 20 or 30 people cryogenically frozen. He says that Babylon 5 is only supposed to use 4 or 5 at a time, and only for emergencies.
Randall now states that the puzzle is beginning to come together. He says that humans are stored in the cryo units and alien ships are being build and repaired outside the station.
Randall shows one last interview, with Dr. Franklin. Franklin explains that the medlab is used for short term care of humans and aliens. When asked about cryogenic suspension, Franklin says that it is used rarely, and in emergencies. Randall asks if any are in use now, and Franklin says "no."
Randall: "People only lie when they have something to hide."
Randall turns back to Dr. Indiri, who says that the footage he has seen makes him believe that Sheridan is mentally unstable and receptive to alien "suggestions." Dr. Indiri also suggests that many sufferers from Minbari War Syndrome mutilate themselves to look "more alien."
Randall concludes that Captain Sheridan is experimenting, trying to make humans into aliens. He says that Sheridan will try this on Earth, and use the fleet of alien ships on anyone who dissents.
Sheridan's office
Ivanova angrily storms out of the office. Sheridan stares at a painting on his wall. Delenn touches his shoulder, and leaves. Sheridan, disgusted, turns off the vidscreen and stomps off.