Confessions and Lamentations

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“Confessions and Lamentations”

Babylon 5 episode

Episode no.

Season 2
Episode 18

Written by

J. Michael Straczynski

Directed by

Kevin Cremin

Guest stars

Jim Norton (Dr. Lazarenn)

Production no.

218

Original airdate

24 May 1995

Episode chronology
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"Knives"	"Divided Loyalties"

List of Babylon 5 episodes

Confessions and Lamentations is an episode from the second season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

1 Synopsis
2 Arc significance
3 Production details
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

A deadly plague strikes the Markab race. Dr. Franklin desperately tries to understand the disease before it jumps species, which he succeeds in doing, but not before the Markab species becomes extinct.

Babylon 5 is under quarantine throughout the episode, with the Markabs enacting a self quarantine. Delenn and Lennier decide to offer comfort to the quarantined Markab, without knowing if they will fall ill as well. Sheridan tries to convince Delenn not to shut herself in with the Markab as he will not be able to let her out again.

The plague, with its attached religious taboos, is seen by many as an allegory for the AIDS epidemic, though the show's writer has repeatedly denied this was the intention.

[edit] Arc significance

The beginning of Dr. Franklin's addiction to stims.
Delenn and Lennier invite Sheridan to dinner in return for the human dinner Sheridan shared with Delenn earlier in the season.
Captain Sheridan tells Delenn to call him John in a touching scene that shows the beginning of romantic feelings in their relationship.
Warren Keffer's "expeditions into hyperspace" are mentioned.