Episode Title: The River of Souls
Series: Babylon 5
Episode No.: Telemovie
Genre: science fiction

General Information

Episode Number: Television Movie #3
Air Date: 8 November 1998
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed By: Janet Greek

Starring:
Jerry Doyle	    	Michael Garibadi
Tracy Scoggins	    	Captain Elizabeth Lochley
Jeff Conaway	    	Security Chief Zack Allan
Richard Biggs	    	Dr. Stephen Franklin/Soul Two

Guest Starring:
Martin Sheen	    	Soul Hunter
Ian McShane	    	Dr. Richard Bryson

Also Starring:
Joshua Cox	 	Lt. David Corwin
Ray Proscias 	 	Klaus
Joel Brooks	 	Jacob Mayhew
Stuart Parkin	   	James Riley
Jean St. James		Shiela
T.J. Hoban		Hologram (Male)
Nikki Schieler Ziering	Hologram (Female)
Wayne Alexander	    	Soul One
John Snyder		Soul Hunter #2*

 

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Plot

Description: An alien device belonging to the Soul Hunters is stolen by an archeologist, working for Edgars Industries, who believes it may hold the key to immortality. A Soul Hunter comes to retrieve the device but it is activated causing havoc on the station. More Soul Hunters arrive threatening to destroy the station unless the artifact is returned to them immediately.
Meanwhile, an illegal holobrothel  is discovered in Down Below.

 

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Observations

Soul Hunters:
Soul Hunters live thousands of years. One that is 4,000 years old is still considered young and inexperienced. Soul Hunters also do not allow their souls to be saved believing it is simply their role in the universe to save others. They also have little contact with other races aside from when they collect souls. Soul Hunters can go several days without sustenance after leaving their vessels. Soul Hunter vessels also have the capability to attach themselves to vessels and burn their way into their target.

Only the Minbari have been ever able to stop the Soul Hunters.

The so called "Love Bat" is used to relieve stress.

Holobrothel's appear to be illegal to operate on Babylon 5 given a comment Garibaldi made to Zack upon discovering one was on the station.

 

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Questions

If a race is transcendent, such as the Vorlons, does that mean the Soul Hunters lack the ability to preserve such races?

Just exactly how many more black projects was Edgars Industries running?

 

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Ratings

Story: 9.50
Acting: 9.80

Special F/X: 9.00

Scores are out of a possible 10.0

Notes:  JMS has done an excellent job once more, bringing forth issues of beliefs  (souls) and legal issues (the use of images of people for the holobrothel) without being preachy or trying to decide for the audience what they should think.

The special f/x was especially good with the virtual world scenes for the archeological dig and the ancient race destroyed by the Soul Hunters.

Best Actor/Actress: Martin Sheen/Tracy Scoggins

Martin Sheen was excellent as Soul Hunter, continuing the fine tradition set by W. Morgan Sheppard's Soul Hunter from Season 1*. Tracy Scoggins was also excellent. These two never once seemed forced or stilted, seemingly perfectly comfortable with their subject matter.

 

Note:

*  Special thanks to WULF5 < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it > for his information on John Snyder as Soul Hunter #2 and for his unknowingly reminding me to correct an error regarding who played the Soul Hunter is Season 1.