A Tragedy of Telepaths

"A Tragedy of Telepaths" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

Synopsis

Londo and G'Kar rescue Na'Toth from imprisonment on Centauri Prime. The telepaths have made their home deep in brown sector and are on hunger strike to try to obtain a planet of their own. Sheridan is busy with the attacks on shipping, so Captain Elizabeth Lochley calls on Bester for help to resolve the situation. Zack tells her the telepaths are using suggestion to slow down attempts to cut through to them. Lochley decides she will make an attempt to reason with them by going through the air ducts to talk to them.

On Centauri Prime, G'Kar discovers that Na'Toth is in the cells; she has been left there since the days of the previous emperor and G'Kar is aghast that she was simply forgotten. Knowing that they do not have the political authority to simply release Na'Toth, G'Kar and Londo free her and work on a plan to get her back to Narn.

The Drazi meanwhile have found debris from Brakiri ships after the latest attacks, and plan to introduce it as evidence at the council meeting.

Lochley makes it through to Byron, and tries to reason with him. He will not compromise, and finally she asks why she was allowed to see him. He says that it was to say goodbye.

In the council meeting the Drazi are threatening to destroy Brakiri ships, but meanwhile the Gaim have found Drazi debris after the latest attack on their ships. Sheridan points out that analysis shows the debris was cut off the ships, not blasted off, and is an obvious plant. He pleads for more time to work out the source of the attacks, but the ambassadors have run out of patience.

Londo gets Na'Toth onto a transport ship by dressing her as a Centauri, and escorting her whilst pretending to be drunk.

Bester arrives on the station, and some of the telepaths panic and attack the guards, stealing weapons.

Sheridan meanwhile has dispatched the Whitestar fleet to patrol the borders with the threat they will fire on any ship taking action against other members of the Alliance.

Na'Toth is transferred to a Narn ship, and returns successfully, although deeply traumatised. G'Kar thinks she will recover...in time.

Bester's bloodhounds arrive on the station and the assault on the telepaths' stronghold starts.

Spoo

This episode involves a food called spoo. The foodstuff had become a running gag among Babylon 5 fans^[1] and has been mentioned in other episodes^[2] and included in a fandom cookbook.^[3]

Arc significance

• The alliance is starting to show signs of cracking under the shipping attacks.
• The telepath crisis continues to worsen.

References

1. ↑ http://www2.hawaii.edu/~sable/thegroup/spoo.html
2. ↑ O'Callaghan, Scott (2000-11-02). "Babylon 5 - 'Geometry of Shadows'". Space.com. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
3. ↑ Briggs-Wallace, Emerson; Smith, Steve (June 1998). Dining on Babylon 5: Human Edition - The Ultimate Collection of Space Station Cuisine. UK. ISBN 0-7522-1143-9. 

Production details

"A Tragedy of Telepaths" was originally titled "Cat and Mouse."

External links

• A Tragedy of Telepaths at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5