Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5,alt.tv.babylon-5,aus.sf.babylon5,rec.arts.sf.tv,alt.answers,rec.answers,news.answers From: Babylon 5 FAQ Subject: Babylon 5 FAQ (D): Setting for season 2 Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu Organization: Free Mars Movement Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated Reply-To: (see signature) Summary: This document is a supplement to the Babylon 5 FAQ list. It contains information to help viewers of the show who are catching up with the show in season 2 ("The Coming of Shadows", Earth year 2259). Archive-name: tv/babylon-5/setting/season2 Frequency: bi-weekly Last-modified: 17 December 1997 +-----------------------------------+ | BABYLON 5 FAQ, part (D): | | Setting for season #2 | | | | A guide for viewers who wish to | | catch up to the events leading | | up to season 2, "The Coming of | | Shadows." This is the year 2259 | | in the opening credits. | | | | This holds SPOILERS for season | | 1 episodes *AND* for the first | | *two* episodes of season 2, and | | descriptions of season 2 set- | | tings. DON'T READ if you haven't | | seen the first two s#2 episodes! | +-----------------------------------+ There are SEVEN parts to the FAQ: (A) Information about B5; (B) News and Schedule; (C), (D), (E), (F) are the settings for seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. The latest version of all parts of the FAQ can be retrieved via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/ or via e-mail by sending a note to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with any or all of these lines in the message body: send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/faq send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/news-schedule send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season1 send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season2 send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season3 send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season4 send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season5 WORLD WIDE WEB users should see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html for the much more detailed "Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5"; the information in this document is similar to the "Universe" section. ------------------------- Contents of this document ------------------------- 1. Introduction 2. The Setting of Babylon 5 3. The Major Players 4. The Characters 5. The Story So Far 6. Past and Current reference 7. Credits and Legalese ------------------------------ Subject: 1. Introduction The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace. A self-contained world five miles long, located in neutral territory. A place of commerce and diplomacy for a quarter of a million humans and aliens. A shining beacon in space, all alone in the night. It was the dawn of the Third Age of Mankind...the year the Great War came upon us all. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2259. The name of the place is Babylon 5. -- Captain Sheridan ------------------------------ Subject: 2. The Setting of Babylon 5 A hundred years ago, humanity made contact with its first alien civilization -- or more to the point, they made contact with us. Before the arrival of the Centauri, we were confined to our own solar system, forced to use slow sleeper ships to explore the universe. The Centauri gave us the stars, offered us the use of their "jumpgates" -- portals into hyperspace -- and later, taught us to make our own. In exchange for this and other technologies, they asked only for trinkets, novelties to sell back home. In the eighty years that followed, humanity flexed its muscles, expanding outward at a rapid pace. When a group of less powerful races was attacked by an invading army, Earth came to their aid, cementing its role as a major galactic power, if a young, brash one. The wave of euphoria came crashing down when humanity made contact with a mysterious race called the Minbari. The Earth-Minbari War began with a misunderstanding, a human captain and a Minbari commander too quick on the trigger. Thanks to bad luck or something darker, our first meeting with the Minbari resulted in the death of their supreme religious and political leader. To the Minbari, what followed was a holy war, vengeance for the murder of their spiritual leader. Earth was no match for the technologically superior Minbari, and they easily beat us back to our home planet. Then, without explanation, as their ships closed in on Earth and wiped out our last desperate defenses, the Minbari halted their advance and surrendered. Only an elite few knew why. The Babylon Project was conceived in the aftermath of the war. Modeled after the United Nations, it would be a meeting place, neutral ground where the powers could meet and work out their differences peacefully. The first three Babylon stations were sabotaged in mid-construction. The fourth was completed, but just as it was about to go online, it vanished without a trace. The Earth government would have stopped there, but some of the alien governments, seeing the value of a meeting ground, offered financial assistance for the construction of a fifth station. Naturally, there were strings attached. Babylon 5 is the story of the last of the Babylon stations, the last hope for a galaxy without war. It begins in the year 2257 with the opening of the Babylon 5 station. + + + + + Babylon 5's mission appears increasingly hopeless. After nearly two years of operation, everything is changing for the worse. Though Babylon 5's mission of peace continues, war appears to be imminent, and there is a dangerous new power in the galaxy that few even suspect exists. Amid the heightening tensions, the complex relationships among the major powers are shifting in unpredictable ways. ------------------------------ Subject: 3. The Major Players ======== a. The Earth Alliance The Earth Alliance, headquartered in Geneva, is in charge of the station and the surrounding space. Its president was recently killed in an "accidental" explosion. His successor seems to be taking the goverment in a sinister direction. President Clark is connected with the Psi-Corps, an organization responsible for the tracking and training of human telepaths; increasingly, though, the Corps appears to be meddling in Earth politics, pursuing its own agenda. Evidence that the last president's death was not an accident isn't being taken seriously. Babylon 5's first commander, Sinclair, was abruptly removed from his post and sent to the Minbari homeworld. The new commander, Captain Sheridan, has his work cut out for him; keeping the peace has never been more difficult. ======== b. The Minbari Federation An old, highly spiritual race, Minbari are humanoid with exterior bone crests on their heads. Once an adversary of Earth, the Minbari Federation has continued to show interest in and friendship with humanity. Over the past year, a few have discovered why: the Minbari religious caste believes that some humans are carrying reincarnated Minbari souls, a discovery made by the Minbari ruling body, the Grey Council, on the brink of victory over Earth eleven years earlier. The abrupt cessation of the Earth-Minbari War was a direct result; Minbari have a strict moral code against killing others of their kind. Some in the religious caste also believe in a prophecy of their original spiritual leader, Valen, that the Minbari must unite with another race to defeat an ancient enemy. ======== c. The Centauri Republic The Centauri Republic, long considered a fading empire, seems to be on the upswing, thanks to a deal that Ambassador Londo Mollari struck with a mysterious race he knows next to nothing about. In terms of appearance, Centauri appear human at first glance, though that's deceptive. Women shave their heads; men wear their hair in fans, with length indicating social standing. The Republic is rife with political intrigue and backstabbing. ======== d. The Narn Regime Among those formerly under Centauri domination are the Narn, a reptilian-looking race who fought off their oppressors in a century-long war of attrition. The Narn Regime has been building up its military, and it looks like that preparation may pay off, as the Centauri have gotten aggressive again and there may be more conflict ahead. Only Narn Ambassador G'Kar believes that somebody else is responsible for the Centauri's military flexing and that more races than the Narn are in danger. ======== e. The Vorlon Empire Even though the Vorlon Empire has had a representative on Babylon 5 for a year and a half, almost nothing is known about their race; even their appearance is shrouded in mystery as their Ambassador, Kosh, is only seen in a bulky encounter suit. Kosh seems to be taking an interest in Captain Sheridan, but his interest in humans is still shrouded in mystery. The Vorlons are an extremely powerful race; no expedition into their space has been heard from again. There seems to be some history between the Vorlons and the Minbari, but neither one is willing to say what it is. ======== f. The Shadows The Shadows are a strong and dark power who are clearly not interested in being discovered. Only those who pay attention to prophecies suspect they may have returned after a centuries-long absence. Through their human agent Morden they have offered to help Londo restore the Centauri Empire's glory... but clearly that's only one step in their larger plans. ------------------------------ Subject: 4. The Characters ======== a. Main Cast (appearing in most episodes throughout the season) i. Humans CAPTAIN JOHN SHERIDAN Bruce Boxleitner The commander of Babylon 5 and representative of the Earth Alliance. One of the few heroes of the Earth-Minbari War, Sheridan scored Earth's only major victory of the war, something which has earned him the hatred of the Minbari warrior caste. Charismatic, quick-thinking, and occasionally serious, Sheridan was hand-picked by the President to replace Sinclair. Sheridan is still recovering from the loss of his wife Anna, who died on an alien archaeological dig. Most of his career has been spent aboard starships; he's still in the process of getting used to being the head of what is essentially a small city in space. Sheridan and Ivanova have served together in the past. COMMANDER SUSAN IVANOVA Claudia Christian Second in command and in charge of the day-to-day operations of Babylon 5, Ivanova is an ambitious career officer. She can be quirky or pessimistic at times, but she has a dry sense of humor that shows itself in the rare moments she is able to relax among others. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and raised abroad on Earth, she has a strong dislike for the Psi-Corps, whose legally-mandated drug treatments drove her mother to suicide after it was discovered her mother was a latent telepath. Although she has become more comfortable with her job and her role on Babylon 5, she has a tendency to bury herself in her work. Her promotion to Commander has given her new ambassadorial duties, which she finds extremely challenging. SECURITY CHIEF MICHAEL ALFREDO GARIBALDI Jerry Doyle In charge of security on Babylon 5. He has a troubled past, bouncing from position to position and trying to overcome alcoholism. He was picked by the station's first commander, Sinclair, who knew that Garibaldi would be persistent, not willing to give in to political pressures -- in Sinclair's words, "a pain in the ass." Garibaldi is something of a smart-aleck, always ready to crack a joke, but given to bouts of self-doubt and introspection when nobody's looking. His natural sense of paranoia wasn't reduced when he was shot in the back by his own second-in-command while he was investigating the death of President Santiago; he recovered, but is now convinced that something is dreadfully wrong at the heart of the Earth Alliance. His rank is "Chief Warrant Officer." DR. STEPHEN FRANKLIN Richard Biggs Dedicated and assured, a specialist in xenobiology (alien biology,) and in charge of Medlab on Babylon 5. His background is mainly in experimental medicine, so his bedside manner is occasionally not what it should be. His strong sense of personal morality is at times in conflict with his duties as the chief medical provider for aliens from hundreds of worlds and cultures, some of whom view his obligations rather differently. Often bordering on the obsessive and overworking himself frequently, Dr. Franklin is known to operate outside the rules when he feel the issue is important: he runs a free clinic in the Downbelow section for those who cannot afford medical care; he also serves on an "underground railroad" for telepaths who do not want to be found by the Psi Corps. In his middle thirties now, he spent years hitchhiking through space, offering his doctoral services in exchange for the opportunity to examine new life forms. TALIA WINTERS Andrea Thompson Babylon 5's resident telepath, on her first solo assignment, with level 5 psi rating, bound by the rules and regulations of the Psi Corps. She sells her telepathic services to businessmen and occasionally assists the station personnel. Talia was raised and trained by the Psi Corps, meaning that that organization is her family. Last year, she was visited by an old teacher who had undergone a Psi Corps experiment. He altered her, giving her telekinetic abilities and possibly other powers as well. He also warned her of the changing nature of the Corps; she is now not entirely sure she trusts its motives. ii. Ambassadors AMBASSADOR LONDO MOLLARI Peter Jurasik The representative of the Centauri Republic. Londo views Babylon 5's mission as something of a sham, with limited chance of helping his people regain their lost glory and sense of purpose. He has a biting, cynical sense of humor. Without realizing it at first, Londo has struck a bargain with the Shadows, who are working to advance his career and restore the Centauri to their past splendor, asking in return only the granting of an unspecified "favor" at some point in the future. It is a bargain he is already beginning to regret, but the restoration of his people means so much to him that he feels it's worth the price. AMBASSADOR DELENN Mira Furlan Represents the Minbari. A member of the Minbari ruling body, the Grey Council, she came to Babylon 5 posing as a simple ambassador to study humans after the discovery that some of them carry Minbari souls. She was offered the leadership of the Council but turned it down, instead returning to Babylon 5 to play a role in a prophecy involving a struggle between darkness and light. Once back, after consulting with the Vorlon ambassador, she used a mysterious device to transform herself into a bizarre half-Minbari, half-human hybrid. She claims she undertook the change to act as a bridge of understanding between humans and Minbari; whether that's the real reason or not, only she knows. AMBASSADOR G'KAR Andreas Katsulas Represents the Narn Regime. Though ambitious and often antagonistic, G'Kar is extremely spiritual, and his knowledge of ancient scripture has led him to realize that an ancient race has come back to help the Centauri rebuild their empire. He has even survived an encounter with the shadows, but none in his own government or the Babylon 5 council admit to believing him. G'Kar is well-read, deeply spiritual, and extremely intelligent. AMBASSADOR KOSH NARANEK Ardwight Chamberlain (translation) Chris Franke (voice effects) Jeffrey Willerth (in the suit) and animatronics After a year and a half on the station, Kosh and his people are still an enigma, and Kosh seems to prefer it that way. With the coming of the Shadows -- Kosh is one of the few who seem to know about them -- he has started attending council meetings, though his reasons for coming to Babylon 5 are still unknown. Kosh communicates through a complex sequence of musical tones, translated into English by a device on his encounter suit. When he speaks, his words are few and sound cryptic, but often have a strange truth to them. Kosh's quarters are filled with a dense atmosphere of methane and other gases; whether he needs it or is using it to make himself less accessible is an open question. Even when he's receiving visitors there, Kosh wears his suit. ======== b. Supporting Characters (also in the opening credits) iii. Ambassador assistants LENNIER Bill Mumy Delenn's aide, recently of a monastery on the Minbari homeworld. He reveres Delenn as an almost holy figure and accepts her transformation without question. Still something of an innocent thanks to his isolated upbringing, Lennier is slowly learning the ways of diplomacy. First appears in "The Parliament of Dreams." VIR COTTO Stephen Furst Diplomatic Attache to Ambassador to Londo. Generally timid and unsure of himself, Vir occasionally works up the nerve to confront Londo about the dangerous path he's following by dealing with Morden. NA'TOTH Mary Kay Adams A female Narn, assistant to G'Kar. She is one of the few whom he's told about his discovery that an ancient enemy is on the move. Fiercely loyal to G'Kar, she prefers the direct approach rather than G'Kar's subterfuge and deception. iv. Humans LIEUTENANT WARREN KEFFER Robert Russler Head of Zeta Squadron, the newest of Babylon 5's fighter wings. Keffer leads many of the excursions away from the station, when the presence of a command-level officer isn't required. Keffer's family is back on Earth. First appears in "Points of Departure." ======== c. Recurring and Past Characters +-----------------------------------+ | This section lists characters | | that are seen from time to time | | on Babylon 5. Characters that | | have appeared in the past, and | | may have some relevance to the | | current season, are listed here | | as well, to provide context. | +-----------------------------------+ AMBASSADOR JEFFREY DAVID SINCLAIR Michael O'Hare The commander of Babylon 5 and representative of the Earth Alliance for its first two years of operation. Shortly after the death of President Santiago, Sinclair was recalled to Earth and assigned to a new post, as the first human ambassador to the Minbari (cf. comic "In Darkness Find Me.") He had been named commander of Babylon 5 at the insistence of the Minbari, who captured him during the Battle of the Line and scanned him. Delenn is certain Sinclair has an important destiny (cf. "Soul Hunter," "A Voice in the Wilderness, part 2.") This is borne out by the brief glimpse into the future in "Babylon Squared," in which he was the leader of an army of light fighting in a great war. PRESIDENT WILLIAM MORGAN CLARK Gary McGurk When President Santiago was killed in an "accidental" explosion, Clark took office and immediately began his own agenda. He personally assigned Sheridan to his position, unaware of Sheridan's interest in fighting the mounting corruption in Earth government. Not much of an advocate of Babylon 5's interests. First appears in "Chrysalis." ALFRED BESTER Walter Koenig A Psi-Cop, one of an elite unit of the Psi Corps whose function is to track down rogue telepaths, among other things. Perhaps in part because of his P12 psi rating -- more than twice as high as Talia's -- he seems to have risen to a position of some importance in the Corps. Bester ruthlessly pursues his agenda, which most of the time is the same as the Corps'. First appears in "Mind War." MORDEN Ed Wasser Little is known about the human agent of the Shadows. He is able to communicate with them directly, and is one of the few who know they've been on Babylon 5. Never a major player, he is always ready to talk to Londo and pass messages to and from his "associates." Delenn and G'Kar have met him, but only Delenn has any idea who he is. Morden is meticulously polite, but nonetheless is a menacing presence who can casually discuss the deaths of tens of thousands of Narn as easily as most people talk about the weather. First appears in "Signs and Portents." JACK Macaulay Bruton Garibaldi's seemingly naive and loyal assistant until he shot him in the back on New Year's Eve when Garibaldi discovered a conspiracy to assassinate President Santiago. Garibaldi identified him as his assailant, but he disappeared while being transferred to earth for prosecution. Possibly associated with the Psi Corps. First appears in "Mind War." LOU WELCH David Crowley One of Garibaldi's lieutenants. First appears in "Survivors." ZACK ALLAN Jeff Conaway One of Garibaldi's lieutenants, Zack is earnest and trustworthy, if not necessarily the brightest person on the station. After the arrest of Garibaldi's old aide for attempted murder (cf. "Revelations,") Zack has risen to a new level of importance in Garibaldi's staff. First appears in "A Spider in the Web." LORD REFA William Forward A ruthless, unprincipled Centauri noble with whom Londo is cooperating in a bid for power. First appears in "The Geometry of Shadows." LYTA ALEXANDER Patricia Tallman Babylon 5's first commercial telepath, rating P5, in her early thirties or late twenties. She was transferred off the station shortly after examining Kosh, presumably due to her newfound knowledge of the Vorlons. First appears in "The Gathering." DRAAL John Schuck The steward of the vast machinery below on Epsilon 3. He is a Minbari who was looking for a new purpose in life when he heeded the call to replace the caretaker of the planet, immediately declaring it off-limits to all until the time was right. First appears in "A Voice in the Wilderness" (part 1) and originally played by Louis Turenne. ------------------------------ Subject: 5. The Story So Far +-----------------------------------+ | This section contains spoilers | | for season 1 of Babylon 5. It | | contains no spoilers for this | | or subsequent seasons. | +-----------------------------------+ The first season, titled "Signs and Portents," introduced the players and plot elements of the five-year saga. The Psi Corps is shown to have a very strong control of the government back home. Commander Sinclair's involvement in the sudden Minbari surrender in their war with Earth ten years before is partially explained, and it is clear that Delenn is more than just an ambassador on Babylon 5. A strange man named Morden does a favor for Londo Mollari, who doesn't realize how dearly he will pay for that favor. The planet under Babylon 5 turns out not to be lifeless, but its caretaker does not want any visitors. Babylon 5's predecessor, Babylon 4, which had mysteriously dissapeared just after going online, appears again, and is being yanked through time to serve as a military base for a war in another time; a much older Sinclair seems to be involved in that war. Finally, on New Year's Eve of 2258, Delenn, acting on a prophecy, builds a device which produces a physical transformation for her; the Earth Alliance president is assassinated and it appears that the political climate back home is getting worse; and Londo calls upon his new friend and his mysterious associates to wipe out a Narn base which will plummet the Centauri and Narn into war. ------------------------------ Subject: 6. Past and Current Episode Reference +-----------------------------------+ | This section contains brief de- | | scriptions of episodes up to, | | and including, the current sea- | | son. These entries do contain | | minor spoilers, enough to iden- | | tify the episode title based on | | its storyline. | +-----------------------------------+ FOR THE FIRST SEASON, PLEASE SEE PART (C) OF THIS DOCUMENT. Season 2: "The Coming of Shadows" * Points of Departure Sheridan arrives; a long-missing Minbari ship appears at Babylon 5. * Revelations Sheridan's Sister visits the station; Delenn's change is revealed. * The Geometry of Shadows Technomages visit Babylon 5; Ivanova must calm fighting Drazi factions. * A Distant Star An explorer starship is lost in Hyperspace; Dr. Franklin advises nutrition. * The Long Dark A lurker is terrorized by powerful alien that has escaped a sleeper ship. * Spider in the Web "Bureau 13" sends an operative to B5, putting Talia in danger. * Soul Mates Londo's three wives visit the station; Talia's ex-husband visits as well. * A Race Through Dark Places Psi-Cop Bester returns to track down an underground railroad for telepaths. * The Coming of Shadows Londo initiates war with the Narns as the Centauri emperor visits B5. * Gropos Foot Soldiers are stationed on B5 as Franklin is reunited with his father. * All Alone in the Night Sheridan is held captive on an alien ship; Delenn's fate is under decision. * Acts of Sacrifice Ivanova attempts to impress a new species; G'Kar asks for support. * Hunter, Prey Garibaldi and Franklin must find a fugitive with sensitive information. * There All The Honor Lies Sheridan must defend himself against accusations of a Minbari. * And Now For a Word A TV Newsmagazine pays a visit to B5 amidst Narn/Centauri strife. * In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum Sheridan discovers Morden's connection with the Shadows; Nightwatch begins. * Knives Londo must duel an old friend; Sheridan is hit by hallucinations. * Confessions and Lamentations A deadly plague breaks out over the Markab population. * Divided Loyalties Lyta Alexander returns with accusations of a traitor on Babylon 5. * The Long, Twilight Struggle Londo initiates a decision that will end the Narn-Centauri war. * Comes the Inquisitor An inquisitor arrives to question Delenn's belief in her destiny. * The Fall of Night Sheridan goes against Earth's stance on the Centauri; Keffer finds a shadow. ------------------------------ Subject: 7. Credits and Legalese This text file may be distributed online, in complete or excerpted form, as long as acknowledgement is made to the authors, and the URL of the current version of this file is indicated. (see top of document.) The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List part (D) is Copyright 1996-98 by Dan Wood and Steven Grimm. Acknowledgement is made to J. Michael Straczynski, previous FAQ maintainer Lee Whiteside and to excerpted contributions from the Babylon 5 online libraries. Currently maintained by Dan Wood. Comments, suggestions, etc. are always appreciated. This text file was edited on QUED/M text editor running on a Macintosh. If you maintain an online B5 service, I can send you each FAQ update. I don't have the resources to send updates to individuals, so please don't ask. ------------------------- "In a manner that would have left the robber barons NAME: Dan Wood <*> of the late 19th century gaping in absolute awe, WEB: www.karelia.com Microsoft is approaching something unprecedented: EMAIL:danwood@ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ a monopoly that could well own the choke points of SPAM:abuse@hormel.com :) tomorrow's commerce and communications." ------------------------- -- Dan Gillmor, San Jose Merc. News Computing Ed. BOYCOTT MICROSOFT: