Another jam packed episode is here, with the central question being “What the hell is apotheosis?” A thankfully seldom used word, it means elevation to godhood, and on the surface it pegs Cartagia’s madness, but it also has a meaning for the rest of the cast too, as they confront a member of a race that likes to pose as supernatural beings. If you can come back from the dead and kill a god, doesn’t that suggest something about your own status?
The episode opens up with Ivanova being a talking head on an emergency broadcast that is sharing news of the war and directing refugees to safe zones. It is a good use for the no nonsense character, giving the announcements more gravitas. Her reassuring tone does not do any good, and a panic begins down in customs. The dangerous situation is undone in seconds though by the appearance of Sheridan and Lorien, as both of them cause the crowd to go quiet and draw back.
When we return from credits, we get to see Garibaldi relaxing by obsessively watching security footage of Sheridan and Lorien. The idle security chief does not trust Lorien, and shares that with Zack has come to talk to him. Zack is unconcerned about the alien, but does act pretty uncomfortable once Garibaldi brings up the fact that Sheridan died on Z’Ha’Dum. I like that the show is taking steps to show this as not your standard scifi resurrection but something that the other characters really have to figure how to handle psychologically. For Zack, it is as simple as just not dwelling on that part of the story. Garibaldi expresses his problems with a rant about how unfair he is being treated compared to the Captain.
Back at the Imperial Court, Cartagia is in a good mood, stargazing and dreaming of his own godhood. He summons.Londo to the gardens where he and Morden reveal that the Vorlons have been attacking worlds with Shadow ships. Londo is horrified, but Morden judges that the Vorlons would not attack Centauri Prime and Cartagia does not really care one way or the other viewing the situation as accelerating his path to godhood. Cartagia’s good mood extends to him showing Londo another of his secret rooms, this one with all the heads of the nobles that opposed him. Cartagia views the planet being destroyed as a grand announcement of his new godhood, and as a mercy since his people would be deprived of his leadership otherwise.
Garibaldi gets a physical and Franklin makes sure to check on whether he has been inside a Shadow ship before officially clearing him for duty. The doctor also has a better bedside manner when it comes to talking to Garibaldi about his missing time. As Garibaldi heads out, Sheridan comes in asking after his own tests. Later on Delenn comes to see him in his quarters where he is watching Ivanova’s announcements. He laments the fact that even Ivanova sounds scared about their situation. Delenn however is also afraid, afraid that Sheridan may have returned but not forgiven her. He assures her that he loves and forgives her and that his love for her is what helped him find his way back.
In the war room Ivanova, Franklin and Garibaldi discuss how overwhelmed their departments are with all of the refugee traffic. Franklin has the good idea of using the caves on Epsilon 3 to house the overflow of refugees. Sheridan arrives and announces their first order of business is to get rid of New Kosh. New Kosh is functioning basically as a spy instead of an ambassador and they cannot begin to build their forces while he is still around. Garibaldi is assigned the task of evicting the Vorlon and he reacts with incredible pessimism. Lorien arrives to warn Sheridan that New Kosh is incredibly dangerous and that killing him will be difficult.
Garibaldi and his team go through with the attempted eviction. It goes as well as Garibaldi predicted, with New Kosh shattering the security teams’ breathing masks and forcing them out, after shooting one of them. Lyta comes in later to warn New Kosh and to drop the tidbit that Captain Sheridan has a piece of Kosh in him. The idea of it is insulting enough to New Kosh, that he demands to be taken to Sheridan at once. Lyta leads him into a trap and security takes another crack at defeating him. It is supposed to be an exciting scene that is let down somewhat by the staging and the effects but they manage to crack open New Kosh’s suit to get to the angry energy squid inside. New Kosh goes to attack Delenn and when Sheridan intervenes Kosh emerges from him to help in the fight. With help from Lorien as well they are able to fully defeat New Kosh and even destroy his ship too. We also see Lorien use his own energy to bring Sheridan back from his injury.
Sheridan gets to share a short scene with Londo, who calls asking for help. Londo is in need of accurate information on the Vorlon advance and he knows enough to ask for it from outside sources. Londo uses the information to set a timetable for his own plans and then manages to bring the emperor up short with the idea that he will need worshippers, and that will be difficult if all the Centauri people are dead. He manages to plant the idea in Cartagia’s head that they can hold G’Kar’s trial and execution on Narn, and that will inspire the Narn and other races to worship him as a god.
Sheridan and Lorien have a meeting with Delenn in Sheridan’s quarters. He breaks the news to Delenn that even with Lorien’s power helping him, he will only live about another twenty years. Delenn is devastated, pointing out that humans regularly live to be one hundred. Sheridan though plans on using his remaining twenty years without delay and proposes to Delenn with an engagement ring that he has to explain to the confused and overwhelmed Minbari.
We get one quick scene at the end of the Centauri court preparing to head to Narn. Cartagia complains about how G’Kar is staring at him, and asks Londo for a suggestion. Londo has no ideas and hurriedly just suggests that whatever Cartagia decides would be appropriate. WIthout Londo there the emperor decides to have one of G’Kars eyes removed, become irritated when one of the guards asks which eye, before arbitrarily deciding on getting rid of G’Kars left eye as the door closes and the credits roll.
This is yet another table setting episode as the characters get back into their routine, and start running toward the end of the Shadow/Vorlon plot. We also get a character eliminated with not that much fanfare. As with most of these episodes the Centauri plot feels the most relevant to today, and also the one plot that feels like it is moving at a normal pace, though that may only be in contrast to how quickly everything is moving at Babylon 5. Next week we ratchet up the preparations for the Shadows, and get to a climax in the Centauri plot with “The Long Night”.
Hard to say where you can find Babylon 5 at the moment(maybe Roku Channel?), but I am continuing on with some pretty good quality downloads from Itunes that I made years ago.
Where do I know them from?
- Another episode that is pretty short on guests, the compressed schedule does not leave much room for introducing new characters even as one offs.
The Good
- Seeing Londo’s delicate balancing act every time he has to interact with the emperor continues to be great. Trying to gently guide the insane person without making him mad enough to have you killed is quite the tight rope.
The Bad
- I feel like the death of New Kosh and the final death of Kosh Classic should have had some more fanfare. Ditto to Delenn and Sheridan becoming engaged.
Arc Points (Spoilers Ahead)
- Sheridan’s shortened lifespan is brought up. It only comes up again a few times, but also serves to show why he may be more impatient than he was previously.
- Londo is able to get everything moved to Narn, which would have been expensive set wise, but thankfully we already know that there is an exact replica of the imperial palace on Narn.
- Garibaldi is much more paranoid, to the extent that it is noticeable to Ivanova, Franklin, Zack and Sheridan.
- Epsilon 3 will be used as a disaster shelter, and I like a show that remembers their own backstory and uses it in logical ways.
- Sheridan also appears to be getting his wish about the largest fleet in history. The way the finally confrontation actually plays out is a bit of a subversion for a show that is noted for it’s excellent fleet battles.