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 (E): Setting for season 3 Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu Organization: The Rangers 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 3 ("Point of No Return", Earth year 2260). Archive-name: tv/babylon-5/setting/season3 Frequency: bi-weekly Last-modified: 17 December 1997 +-----------------------------------+ | BABYLON 5 FAQ, part (E): | | Setting for season #3 | | | | A guide for viewers who wish to | | catch up to the events leading | | up to season 3, "Point of No | | Return." This is the year 2260 | | in the opening credits. | | | | This holds SPOILERS for season | | 1 & 2 episodes, and descrip- | | tions of season 3 settings. | | DO NOT READ unless you are now | | watching SEASON 3 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. It failed. But, in the Year of the Shadow War, it became something greater: our last, best hope... for victory. The year is 2260. The place: Babylon 5. -- Commander Ivanova ------------------------------ 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 has failed in its mission. War has erupted, and is quickly pulling all the major races in. The station's original mission of peace may have failed, but it has become something greater: a chance for victory. The alliances formed are recent, though, and the players may not be ready to win the war. Meanwhile, the Earth goverment back home seems to have its own agenda, and will likely not be of any help in the fight against the darkness. ------------------------------ 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. The corrupt administration of the EA, led by President Clark, has connections to the sinister activities of the Psi Corps, a government agency that tracks and trains human telepaths and increasingly seems to be running the government rather than serving it. An Orwellian agency called Night Watch is stifling any signs of dissent, carting people off to be reeducated if they don't cooperate. Earth has taken a questionable stance by allying itself with the expansionist Centauri Empire, hoping to save its own skin by allowing the Centauri to roll unhindered over the lesser races Earth once saved. Babylon 5's commander, Captain Sheridan, along with a small group, is covertly and subtly working to covertly wrestle control away from the current administration, bolstered by evidence that President Clark was directly involved in the assassination of his predecessor. ======== 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 and friendship with humanity, though how long that will remain the case is uncertain. The balance of power in the Minbari ruling body, the Grey Council, has shifted in favor of the warrior caste, many of whom are none too happy about the surrender to Earth twelve years earlier. (Only the Council and a few outsiders know that the war was ended when the Council discovered that some humans carry Minbari souls.) The Minbari have been a major power for well over a millenium, and were instrumental in the defeat of the Shadows, an ancient enemy, when they last rose up a thousand years ago; many are now preparing for another confrontation. ======== c. The Centauri Republic The Centauri Republic, only months ago a fading empire, is currently on an expansionist path. A deal with unknown forces enabled Ambassador Londo Mollari to regain much of their past glory. It seems only a matter of time, though, before the deal runs its course and the Centauri find out its price. 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 Centauri Emperor is a puppet, completely under the thumb of several royal houses who have risen to ascendancy with Londo's help. ======== d. The Narns Once a major power, the Narn Regime has been recently conquered in a brutal assault by the Centauri, especially humiliating since they were unwilling subjects of the Centauri Republic a hundred years ago and had broken free of their control. Former ambassador G'Kar, one of the few who knows that the Centauri aren't working alone, leads a resistance movement from Babylon 5, but his chances of reclaiming his homeworld seem slim. Narns have a reptilian appearance and are easily provoked. The strict new rules imposed by the Centauri (including the death of the killer's family if any Narn kills any Centauri) have forced them to move carefully. ======== e. The Vorlon Empire Very little is known about the Vorlon Empire. The Vorlons are an ancient race, the last remaining member of a group of elder races known as the First Ones who ruled the galaxy millions of years ago. The Vorlons have visited the lesser races for eons, possibly manipulating many of them for their own purposes. The fact that Vorlons appear as holy figures of legend to the few onlookers who see them outside their encounter suits -- different figures to different observers, no less -- seems to support that. The Vorlons are ancient adversaries of the Shadows, and it's to help wage war against them one last time that the Vorlons remained behind when most other First Ones went away. They are able to project images into people's minds, no doubt part of the reason for their subjective appearance. ======== f. The Shadows The Shadows are a dark power, ancient beyond even the Vorlons. They have fought fierce wars against the First Ones across millions of years. The last Great War against the Shadows was ten thousand years ago; after that, perhaps thinking the Shadows destroyed, most of the First Ones departed. A thousand years ago the Shadows rose again, and were defeated by an alliance of the few remaining First Ones and others, including the Minbari. Now, with no First Ones other than the Vorlons to oppose them, their victory seems certain; what their ultimate goals are, nobody knows, except perhaps their human representative, Morden. The Shadows generally choose to make themselves invisible, though some can sense their presence anyway. ======== g. The Rangers The Rangers are an underground "army of light," comprised of Humans and Minbari, formed to gather information and perform covert operations in the war against the Shadows. Organized with the help of Minbari Ambassador Delenn, Sinclair (former Babylon 5 commander and current Earth ambassador to Minbar) and Captain Sheridan, the Rangers have pledged their lives to fight the coming darkness. Rangers are identified by a pin which depicts elements of human and Minbari appearance. ------------------------------ 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, though since his appointment he has generally gotten along with the Minbari. Working with a General back home, he is involved in a "consipiracy of light," a covert effort to wrestle control away from the corruption spreading in EA government. When he found out that the Shadows were responsible for the loss of his wife Anna, he pledged himself to help defeat them. Along with Delenn, Sheridan is in charge of the Rangers on Babylon 5. COMMANDER SUSAN IVANOVA Claudia Christian Second in command and in charge of the day-to-day operations, along with some ambassadorial duties, on Babylon 5, Ivanova is an ambitious career officer, hoping one day to command B5 or her own starship. 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. Having poor success in relationships, most recently in losing Talia, she is not an easy person to get to know. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and raised abroad on Earth, Ivanova is a latent telepath, "not even a P1," but has spent her life hiding her talent from Psi Corps after their legally-mandated drug treatments drove her mother to suicide. She is a member of Sheridan's "conspiracy of light." SECURITY CHIEF MICHAEL ALFREDO GARIBALDI Jerry Doyle In charge of security on Babylon 5. Though he has a troubled past, bouncing from position to position and trying to overcome alcoholism, he seems to have found his home on Babylon 5. 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 two years ago by his own second-in-command while he was investigating the death of President Santiago. He is working with Sheridan in the fight against the corruption on Earth, and assists in dealings with the Rangers. 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. Bordering on the obsessive, Franklin overworks himself frequently, to the point of abusing medical stimulants to keep himself going. He 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 serves on an "underground railroad" for telepaths who do not want to be found by the Psi Corps; he is also part of Sheridan's work against the corruption back on Earth. In his middle thirties now, he spent years hitchhiking through space, offering his medical services in exchange for the opportunity to examine new life forms. ii. Ambassadors AMBASSADOR LONDO MOLLARI Peter Jurasik The representative of the Centauri Republic. Once on an inconsequential assignment, Londo has become one of his government's most powerful figures due to a Faustian bargain struck with new "friends" he knew nothing about, a deal that has spun far out of control. With their help, and the help of a few other ambitious Centauri, his government decimated the once powerful Narn Regime. Once jovial and indulgent, Londo is now deadly serious as he comes to realize what the consequences of his association with the Shadows really are. AMBASSADOR DELENN Mira Furlan Represents the Minbari. Once a member of Minbar's ruling body, the Grey Council, she lost her position after her controversial decision, following a prophecy, to undergo a transformation that gave her human characteristics. Religious, with a strong sense of fate and justice, she believes that she is the chosen one, who will lead in the upcoming fight against the Shadows. G'KAR Andreas Katsulas The ambassador of the Narn Regime when there was a Narn Regime to represent, G'Kar is now a refugee in exile, wanted by the Centauri Republic. Sheridan granted him asylum on Babylon 5, which G'Kar is using as a base of operations from which to organize a movement to retake his homeworld from the Centauri. With limited resources, his authority challenged by the other Narn, G'Kar's position is truly desperate. Ironically, he was among the first to realize that the Shadows were helping the Centauri, but nobody heeded his warnings. 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 In order to save Sheridan's Life, Kosh finally has shown himself outside of his encounter suit, which he would wear even in his own methane-filled quarters when receiving visitors. Kosh is still very much an enigma; to many species, he appears as a holy being of light -- an angel, for instance. Kosh has taken a great interest in Sheridan, and is attempting to train him for the upcoming fight against the Shadows. He 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. ======== b. Supporting Characters (also in the opening credits) iii. Ambassador assistants LENNIER Bill Mumy Delenn's aide, recently out of a monastery on the Minbari homeworld. He reveres Delenn as an almost holy figure and accepts her physical transformation without question. He has pledged his life to her, in fact, and is perfectly willing to die by her side. Still something of an innocent thanks to his isolated upbringing, Lennier has learned some of the art of diplomacy during his tenure on Babylon 5. First appears in "The Parliament of Dreams." VIR COTTO Stephen Furst Diplomatic Attache to Ambassador Londo. Vir feels strongly that the choices Londo has made over the past year and a half are taking the Centauri down a self-destructive and morally wrong path, and he's getting less and less shy about expressing that opinion to Londo. He feels somewhat powerless in his position, close to the major decisions but always on the sidelines. He is being groomed for career advancement, although that may be just Londo's way of getting him out of the way. iv. Humans MARCUS COLE Jason Carter A Ranger permanently stationed on Babylon 5, he oversees the flow of information from rangers stationed in the area. Often flamboyant and acerbic, Marcus has picked up the Minbari language and fighting skills from his tenure on Minbar. He has taken a liking to Commander Ivanova, though she's approaching the relationship with more than a little caution. Unlike many Humans who felt a calling to become a Ranger, he says he joined their number only after his brother was killed by Shadows. ZACK ALLAN Jeff Conaway Garibaldi's principal lieutenant, Zack is earnest and trustworthy, if not necessarily the brightest person on the station. He is a member of the Nightwatch, though he's having second thoughts now that he sees how it's being used to persecute and harass innocent people. First appears in "A Spider in the Web." ======== 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. Officially, he's on the Minbari homeworld as Earth's ambassador, but his main function is as the head of the Rangers. Sinclair is of special importance to Delenn, and though she hasn't fully explained why, it's likely he carries a Minbari soul of some stature. A glimpse into the future when he was head of Babylon 5 revealed that he will be involved in the theft of Babylon 4, and will possibly be witness to the eventual destruction of Babylon 5 at Garibaldi's hands. PRESIDENT WILLIAM MORGAN CLARK Gary McGurk The president of the Earth Alliance, not much of an advocate of Babylon 5's interests. When President Santiago was killed in an "accidental" explosion, Clark took office and immediately began his own corrupt agenda. He personally assigned Sheridan to his position, unaware of Sheridan's interest in fighting the mounting corruption in Earth government. 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 Lyta'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 A member of the same expedition Sheridan's wife was on, Morden was captured by the Shadows and now works for them. He is often accompanied by one or two of them, though they're invisible to most people. 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. And, it appears that he is involved with the dark activities going on back on Earth as well. First appears in "Signs and Portents." BROTHER THEO Louis Turenne A Dominican monk, establishing residence on the station to study the religious beliefs of alien races. Willing to trade the services of his order for the ability to stay on the station. First appears in "Convictions." JACK Macaulay Bruton He was Garibaldi's seemingly loyal assistant until he shot him in the back as soon as 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." LORD REFA William Forward A ruthless, unprincipled Centauri noble with whom Londo is cooperating in a bid for power. Refa and his cohorts are more or less in charge of the Centauri Republic; the Emperor is simply a figurehead who follows their lead. As Londo has grown uncomfortable in his dealings with his mysterious allies, Refa has taken to dealing with them himself. First appears in "The Geometry of Shadows." (Second) LIEUTENANT DAVID CORWIN Joshua Cox Third in command in C&C, after Sheridan and Ivanova. Corwin is shy but well-intentioned, a loyal officer. First appears in "Signs and Portents." LYTA ALEXANDER Patricia Tallman A former Psi Corps telepath -- the first one assigned to the station, in fact. Three years ago she scanned Ambassador Kosh, an experience that left her forever altered, though she has told nobody the full extent of it. Shortly thereafter she was recalled to Earth for questioning. Now she's on the run from the Corps, even working to expose some of its machinations. 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 become caretaker of the planet. He has offered his services in the upcoming Shadow War as well as in Sheridan's "consipiracy of light." First appears in "A Voice in the Wilderness" (part 1). TALIA WINTERS Andrea Thompson Operating as Babylon 5's resident telepath for nearly two years, Talia left the station when her unwilling involvement in a classified Psi Corps experiment was exposed and changed her forever. Her whereabouts -- or her fate -- are not known. ------------------------------ Subject: 5. The Story So Far +-----------------------------------+ | This section contains spoilers | | for seasons 1 and 2 of Babylon | | 5. It contains no spoilers for | | this or subsequent seasons. | +-----------------------------------+ After B5's commander, Jeffrey Sinclair, is reassigned, Captain Sheridan takes over command of the station, unaware of his fate. G'Kar realizes that there is a new race lurking in the shadows. Delenn emerges, transformed to be half human, though not fully explained. The mystery of the Minbari surrender is finally revealed: The Minbari discovered that Minbari souls were being reborn in humans. The situation on Earth is getting worse; an unknown "Bureau 13" is working in the background and the "Night Watch" program is stomping down on dissidents; meanwhile, Sheridan is part of an underground movement to gain control back from the corrupted government; he brings his trusted officers into the fold. On the eve of an historic speech that would have prevented a Narn-Centauri War, Londo calls upon his unknown agents to attack a major Narn colony, starting the war. The mysterious shadows behind the Centauri brutality are finally revealed to Sheridan; it has been known that this ancient race has been building up strength; Delenn and Kosh enlist Sheridan to help in the upcoming war against the shadows. The Centauri, with the aid of the shadows, end the war with the Narn decisively by bombing the Narn home- world "into the stone ages." The Centauri soon begin annexing other worlds, Kosh has finally revealed himself, and a shadow has been caught on camera. The Great War is begun. ------------------------------ 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 TWO SEASONS, PLEASE SEE PART (C) AND PART (D) OF THIS DOCUMENT. Season 3: "Point of No Return" * Matters of Honor Earth investigates reports of shadows; Sheridan is given a new ship. * Convictions Somebody is planting bombs in populated areas on the station. * A Day in the Strife G'Kar is told to go home; an alien probe arrives at the station. * Passing Through Gethsemane Lyta is back; A peaceful monk is confronted by violent images. * Voices of Authority Earth sends B5 a political officer; Ivanova goes to contact some Old Ones. * Dust to Dust Bester returns in search of drug smugglers; G'Kar has a revelation. * Exogenesis Alien parasites are invading the bodies of lurkers. * Messages from Earth An archeologist brings a tale of shadows which leads Sheridan to Jupiter. * Point of No Return Nightwatch attempts to take over the station; a Centauri prophetess visits. * Severed Dreams Clark tries to seize Babylon 5, forcing Sheridan to declare independence. * Ceremonies of Light and Dark Delenn is held hostage; New uniforms for the crew. * Sic Transit Vir Vir discovers he has a betrothed, who is not as innocent as she seems. * A Late Delivery from Avalon King Arthur appears on Babylon 5, but he may not be who he claims. * Ship of Tears Bester is at odds with the Shadows; G'Kar joins the B5 war council. * Interludes and Examinations Confrontations with the shadows begin; the shadows retaliate against Kosh. * War Without End I * War Without End II Sinclair returns to pull Babylon 4 1000 years through time. * Walkabout Franklin leaves to find himself; Sheridan tests out a Shadow weakness. * Grey 17 is Missing Garibaldi investigates a missing level; Delenn is appointed Ranger One. * And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place Londo uses Vir in a plot against Lord Refa; Religious leaders arrive on B5. * Shadow Dancing The forces of light attempt a preemptive strike against the Shadows. * Z'ha'dum Sheridan goes to the homeworld of the Shadows. ------------------------------ 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 (E) 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. ------------------------- "Saying Windows 95 is equal to Macintosh is NAME: Dan Wood <*> like finding a potato that looks like Jesus and WEB: www.karelia.com believing you've witnessed the second coming." EMAIL:danwood@ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ --Guy Kawasaki ------------------------- BOYCOTT MICROSOFT: