Interludes and Examinations

Interludes and Examinations is an episode from the third season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

Synopsis

Dr. Franklin confronts his addiction to stims. The Shadows have started openly attacking the races of the galaxy, beginning with the Brakiri.

Morden arrives back on the station, but Londo brushes him off as he's expecting Adira Tyree back on the station too. Morden's "associates" are unwilling to let their demands be ignored, so Morden will do whatever is necessary to eliminate the distraction, and make Londo need him again.

The Brakiri ambassador asks Sheridan for help fighting the Shadows, as they can't manage on their own. Sheridan has already asked the Gaim ambassador to help the Brakiri, but has been turned down, as they don't want to be attacked next, and demand that Sheridan show them that he has greater or equal power to combat the Shadows.

In Medlab, Dr Franklin is losing his patience and not being very effective. Garibaldi takes him to task telling him he is not coping well, but Franklin is not receptive. Garibaldi makes preparations to dig deeper into this situation.

Vir has prepared a suite for Londo to receive Adira in.

Delenn looks over the Shadow attack reports, and tells Sheridan they follow the same non-pattern that was used a thousand years ago. Sheridan hopes to organize the worlds into an alliance to fight the Shadow threat. Sheridan goes to see Kosh and asks for his support in the war, which he (rather cryptically) refuses to give. Sheridan finally loses his temper and shouts at Kosh, telling him the Vorlons need to pull their weight too. They have a brief exchange where Kosh throws him against the wall with a force field. Sheridan keeps coming back though, and finally Kosh agrees to do something. He warns however that there will be a price to pay for his help later, especially when he goes to Z'ha'dum.

The Shadows attack the Brakiri again, but this time jump points appear and Vorlon ships come into the fight. Several Shadow vessels are destroyed, and some Vorlon casualties occur.

Londo waits for Adira to disembark from an incoming ship, but she doesn't appear. Finally a team of medics arrive with her body. Londo suspects Lord Refa and poison.

Sheridan has a dream in which his father appears to talk to him, just as Kosh is being attacked by Shadows in his quarters. Sheridan's father tells him he was afraid to do what was required, that it's not easy when you have lived a long life to give it up, but that he has to go now—just as Kosh is dealt a mortal blow. The last thing Sheridan's father tells him in his dream is "As long as you're here, I'll always be here".

Garibaldi searches Kosh's quarters but can find no evidence of forced entry. His effects are collected and placed on his ship.

Londo talks to Morden about Adira's poisoning, and asks for his help. Morden puts himself at Londo's service.

Sheridan talks with Franklin, and Franklin admits to overwork and taking too many stims. He resigns his post as head of Medlab.

Finally Kosh's ship, with his remains on board, departs and heads into the local sun.

Arc significance

• The last war with the Shadows, 1,000 years ago, followed a similar pattern to this one.
• Kosh reluctantly agrees to intervene on behalf of Babylon 5.
• Doctor Franklin resigns as commanding officer of Medlab due to his addiction to stims.
• Adira Tyree, the dancer from "Born To The Purple", was poisoned by Mr. Morden, who persuades Londo that Lord Refa is responsible. Londo's desire for revenge makes him suitable for Morden's needs.
• The Vorlons possess telekinetic abilities.
• For the first time Vorlon ships are shown in battle with Shadow vessels, giving a direct comparison of ship strengths between the two races. The Vorlons win, but at the cost of Kosh's life, who is killed by the Shadows in retaliation for his intervention.

External links

• Interludes and Examinations at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5