Into the Fire (Babylon 5)

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“Into the Fire”
Babylon 5 episode

Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 6
Guest stars	Wayne Alexander (Lorien) Julian Barnes (Durano) Damian London (Minister) Ed Wasser (Morden)
Written by	J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by	Kevin Dobson
Production no.	406
Original airdate	3 February 1997
Episode chronology
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"The Long Night"	"Epiphanies"
List of Babylon 5 episodes

"Into the Fire" is an episode from the fourth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

1 Plot synopsis
2 Arc significance
3 Production details
4 Trivia
5 External link

[edit] Plot synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

At the height of the Shadow War, Sheridan stages a final showdown between the Vorlons and the Shadows at Coriana 6.

This episode uses a massive amount of CGI effects to show the strength of the fleet that Sheridan has amassed to confront the Vorlons and the Shadows. In one sense, it is similar to the Battle of the Line in the Earth - Minbari war. It is a desperate attempt to stop a seemingly unstoppable enemy.

Sheridan shows his strength as a leader by being able to assemble a fleet from so many diverse worlds, many of whom are historical enemies of one another, now united against common enemies.

In this episode, the Vorlons and the Shadows make one last attempt to sway the younger races to follow them by explaining to Sheridan and Delenn their different viewpoints. Lorien secretly broadcasts these conversations to the entire assembled fleet. It is clear that the Vorlons and the Shadows have become so consumed in their own philosophies, they have forgotten that their original purpose was to help the younger races develop. Hearing this, Sheridan commands them to "Get the hell out of our galaxy!"

Lorien then tells the Vorlons and the Shadows, as well as the remaining First Ones that have been assembled that their time is over and they must all go "beyond the rim." He assures them that he is going with them. This will leave the younger races to define their own history without interference.

The "Third Age of Mankind" has begun.

[edit] Arc significance

Morden is dead, fulfilling Vir's fondest wish from "In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum."
The Vorlons, Shadows and other First Ones have left the galaxy, leaving the younger races to fend for themselves, initiating the beginning of "Third Age of Mankind."

[edit] Production details

[edit] Trivia

Many fans were surprised that the Shadow War was wrapped up so early in season four, and speculated that it was due to the show's end being forced onto that season. However, J. Michael Straczynski has maintained that this was always where the Shadow War was meant to end. Rather, the time compression required to end the series in year four was taken out of the Minbari civil war arc, which takes place over four episodes rather than the eight or nine that were planned.