Episode Number: Television Movie #2 Air Date: 19 July 1998 Written By: J. Michael Straczynski Directed By: Jesus Trevino
Starring: Bruce Boxleitner Captain John Sheridan Claudia Christian Commander Susan Ivanova Pat Tallman Lyta Alexander Mira Furlan Ambassador Delenn Jeff Conaway Security Chief Zack Allan Richard Biggs Dr. Stephen Franklin Stephen Furst Vir Cotto
Guest Starring: Shari Belafonte Dr. Elizabeth Trent Clyde Kusatsu Bill Morishi William Sanderson Desmond "Deuce" Muzachenko Kip King Leo Floyd Levine Alex Also Starring: Joshua Cox Lt. David Corwin Judson Mills Delta 7 Don Swayze Raider
Description: While returning from a mission Commander Susan Ivanova discovers a strange alien device in hyperspace. This object is taken to Babylon 5 for further study where a representative from Interplanetary Expeditions arrives demanding to study the object. While studying the artifact, strange dreams start to effect the populace of the station. Soon Babylon 5 faces destruction when the object is activated, unleashing an ancient enemy that even the Vorlons feared.
Apparently Sheridan's contact with Kosh left him the ability to recognize Vorlon writing instantly.
Human telepaths rated P9 or higher can detect electronic devices.
IPX is tracking Lyta Alexander. (Apparently as they do with any potential discovery or weapons system)
Lingering Questions Answered: Lyta does have some Vorlon programming that can take control of her and is able to pass some information along.
Old Faces In The Crowd: Desmond "Deuce" Muzachenko (William Sanderson) is seen again and falls under the control of the artifact. Deuce was first seen in Season 1's "Grail".
Can Lyta's ability to transfer information to Sheridan be done to one who has not carried a Vorlon inside them?
Why were only some of the people affected by the artifacts telepathic abilities and others not?
Will the information provided to Sheridan by Dr. Trent ever be put to use by anyone in the future?
Story: 7.50 Acting: 8.00 Special F/X: 9.00 Scores are out of a possible 10.0
Notes: The novelization of this movie did not do it justice. (Ed Note: I made the mistake of reading the book first and decided never to do such a thing again.)
An excellent story overall, but seemed choppy in some sections. The movie was above the normal episode from the show, but seemed to lack the compelling emotional content found in the regular series. An excellent movie that even new viewers will enjoy.
The CGI was excellent much of the time, but what appeared to be a few minor errors arose during the battle with the alien vessels especially with the Star Furies. There also seemed to be a few discrepancies in the sound mix as if the type of weapons fire sound desired had not been decided upon and were thus freely mixed.
Best Actor/Actress: Jeff Conaway/Pat Tallman
All the cast did an excellent job but I chose Conaway after it seemed like some of the scenes from the other actors were either forced or just simply did not seem to fit together well. For best actress Tallman was chosen for much the same reason, though Shari Belafonte was an extremely close second. Tallman did an excellent job through out the movie.