Babylonia!

Welcome back to the Babylon 5 Season Two Book Club!

The first episode can be found here, Tod covered “Revelations” here, and then we hit The Geometry of Shadows back in early December before I fell off the Earth. Then we had “A Distant Star”, followed by “The Long Dark.

Next episodes are “Soul Mates” and “A Race Through Dark Places”, if someone would like to do either, let me know.

It’s very difficult to discuss this show without discussing the next one (or the one after that, or the one after that), or referring to the pilot; if you want to discuss something with a major plot point: please rot13 it. That’s a simple encryption that will allow the folks who want to avoid spoilers to avoid them and allow the people who want to argue them to argue them.

Everyone sitting comfortably? Then onward!

Season Two, Episode 6: “A Spider in the Web”.

Open!

Ivanova and Sheridan chatting station details. Incoming call, an ambassador needs some hand-holding. Ivanova volunteers, Sheridan reports help is on the way. Ivanova is starting to tackle the ambassador part of the role, good for her. Cut away.

Hey, cool, it’s Talia! We haven’t seen our resident telepath for a while. In comes Die Hard’s Mr. Takagi (he’s actually Taro Isogi in this episode). Banter. Sounds like he’s trying to work out some sort of corporate/political deal with Mars Colony, he’s a representative of FutureCorp. Talia offers the observation that this will be politically difficult to say the least. He’s undaunted. Enter Adrienne Barbeau, 80’s B-movie goddess, playing Amanda Carter, Mars Colony Business Affairs. Introductions around. Amanda echos Talia’s opinion that Isogi’s plan is craazy. Isogi mentions knowing a little about Amanda’s grandfather, John (a better nerd name drop than the whole movie made about him). Everyone sits, negotiations begin.

Cut!

HOLY CRUD! Our first real look at Earth on the series, and it’s the San Diego Wastlands, and man has San Diego seen better days. Well, at least they aren’t stuck with The Chargers any more. Some sort of Evil Overlord lair, looks like. Mysterious figure gets an update, “All components have arrived safely on Babylon 5”. Mysterious figure says, “commence operation”. This can’t be good.

Cut over to some containers somewhere in B5’s cargo hold, labeled “classified cargo”. Box pops open, and a hand with a Mysterious Ring pops out. Cut to intro reel!

Back from credits, we’re back to Sheridan

Incoming call from Senator Elise Voudreau. She’s reporting to Sheridan about the meeting that we just saw, except apparently Earth Central doesn’t think this is a business negotiation, they think it’s a ploy to finance another Mars rebellion. Sheridan is skeptical, what’s the proof? Voudreau mentions that FutureCorp wants to move into off-planet operations, and this would be a move to break the Mars Conglomerate monopoly. That doesn’t sound like credible evidence for a rebellion, Senator, that sounds like someone at the Mars Consortium gave you a call about FutureCorp, basically complaining and doin’ a little old-fashioned rent seeking. Sheridan points out that this isn’t his bag, baby (in fact, it’s directly against B5’s mission). She gives him Earth Alliance Security Threat, just do what the government tells you to do, Commander. He gives back, “My duties don’t include spying on civilians”. Dizam, good for you, Sheridan. Zoom in on Senator Voudreau, screw your principles, buddy, I expect to hear from you soon. She cuts the call. Ivanova calls for help with the earlier diplomatic call, Sheridan heads off.

Back to negotiation table. Isogi’s plan involves resource sustainability for Mars within 10 years, which would effectively decouple them from reliance on Earth. Yes, I could see how a politico would regard this as possibly pro-revolutionary. Talia steps in with a telepathic observation; Carter wants assurances. (side note: we’re not really clear yet on what’s kosher and what isn’t when it comes to these telepathically audited negotiations between parties, at least, I’m not). Isogi agrees, let’s go talk to the aliens. Carter is provisionally sold on the idea. Looks like we got a plan, Carter leaves. Talia confesses to Isogi she’s not convinced it’s gonna work. Dinner date!

Cut to Sheridan and Ivanova. Sheridan commends Ivanova on her handling of the ambassadorial duties. Sheridan adventure story from the Agamemnon. Sheridan’s having a Jovian Sun Spot, it’s drinky time.

Cut to Talia and Isogi strolling arm-in-arm through the station. Random passerby (hey, it’s the guy from Xanadu!) walks up, says, “Free Mars!” and grabs Isogi by the throat and this starts some sort of electrical attack. Isogi collapses, and Sonny moves menacingly towards Talia, and she gives him the Telepath Business. He has some sort of flashback, which Talia reads, and walks off looking stunned. Talia crawls to Isogi.

Cut to Sheridan, he’s asking about the images Talia pulled out of “the killer’s” head. Guess Isogi got Takagi’d. No idea, too quick. All he said was “Free Mars”? asks Sheridan. Yes, replies Talia, but she’s familiar with the Free Mars folk from her work prior to B5. This man was different, she says. Why would Free Mars have a problem with Isogi’s plan, asks Sheridan. They wouldn’t, replies Talia, it was a peaceful solution to “the Mars problem”. Sheridan tells her that Earth Central thought Isogi was going to back a second rebellion on Mars. Talia says Isogi would never support violence, “somebody’s been lying to you, Captain!”… “Or to you!” replies Sheridan, to which Talia points out that she’s the telepath. Sheridan points out that telepaths are still human, and she trusted Isogi. She insists that Isogi was trustworthy, and asks if she can go back to her quarters. Sheridan agrees and starts to call for an escort, Garibaldi shows up out of nowhere and volunteers. Geeze, Paden, her old man ain’t even cold yet!

I’ll get tired of that movie line too, at some point, I promise.

Garibaldi clumsily tries to get to know Talia better in the lift, she points out that Isogi was a father figure (oh, okay, no panky hanky there, Pat’s caught up), and to go stuff himself (politely). Garibaldi gives sheepish, admits he’s being a yutz. Exit elevator.

Cut to Sonny/the killer, strolling through B5. No APB out on this guy yet? Ah, he’s wearing the Mysterious Ring! I missed that when he electrocuted Isogi. He’s at a console, reporting on his mission. “Download mission data, then erase source file”. The ring comes off… nope, it’s the skin of his hand. Underneath is a cyborg/robot looking hand. He jacks into the console with his finger and we get a flashback of the assassination, Talia is in it. Response comes back, “Control states Ms. Winters could compromise mission. Eliminate her, then continue with Phase Two.” “Understood”. Looks like Sonny is a Terminator.

Ivanova and Sheridan on the bridge. Sheridan brings Ivanova up to date. Sheridan thinks the killer wanted a witness, which doesn’t jibe with the last scene. Let’s see how that plays out. Sheridan quizzes Ivanova about Talia, I guess he doesn’t know about Ivanova’s thing about PsyCorp. Nope, he knows. Oh, he really knows, apparently Ivanova has a history of defenstrating telepaths, out of a third story window no less. That’s news. Cut to the chase, Sheridan wants to know if Ivanova thinks Talia can be trusted. Yes, admits Ivanova, although Talis is “very loyal to PsiCorp”. Nobody trusts PsiCorp.

Over to Amanda Carter in her quarters. Sheridan comes in, he wants to know about the meeting with Isogi. She demurs, it’s a private negotiation, not subject to Earth Command interference. This time, yes, we’ve got a murder on our hands. She’s surprised. Sheridan mentions that the killer said, “Free Mars”. That can’t be, says Amanda, they didn’t know about this meeting, and if they did, they’d agree with the idea. Somebody’s setting Free Mars up for a fall. She suspects the Senate or Mars Conglomerate, and offers to help with finding Isogi’s killer.

Cut to Sonny/The Terminator, still strolling through B5. Yep, he’s definitely acting robotic now. Cut away, Garibaldi and Sheridan are talking about the case. Garibaldi suggests that this isn’t Free Mars standard issue technology, but he’s confused how a power source capable of electocuting someone that badly got on the station in the first place. Smuggled? Include Earth Gov and Corp secure areas in the search, says Sheridan. Garibaldi says, “Will do”. Cut!

Redshirt guy is escorting Talia somewhere on station. Up runs Sonny, zot goes the Redshirt guy. Talia rabbits. Sonny catches her and says, “Free Mars” and is about to give her the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, she gets into his head again. Longer flashback. First person view out on a ship attacking? Sonny is mentally stunned again. Maybe not a robot, maybe he’s a Robocop? Talia runs. Sonny says, “What have they done to me!??” and has a brainfire attack. It passes. Robot Sonny is back. He goes off. Cut!

Talia is reporting on the incident. She remembers some of the flashback detail. Large ship, she thinks it was an Earthforce cruiser. It was firing at him. “I know this sounds crazy, but it hit him, and he died!” He’s reliving the thought of his death, says Talia. Sounds more like a Robocop. In comes Garibaldi, they got hair samples of the attacker. Abel Horn, a Free Mars leader… Sheridan knows Abel Horn, he was a terrorist on Mars. Killed by a Earth Cruiser. Intriguing! Sheridan wants an APB out on Horn and Talia in protective custody.

Over to Amanda Carter, going into her quarters. Horn is there, addresses her by first name. She thought he was dead. Earthers blew me up over Phobos, he says, “your old buddy Singer found me and got me out.” He’s been hiding in the Tigris sector, until he heard she was on B5. Why did you kill Isogi, she asks? I haven’t killed anyone, he says, I have to get back to Mars, you need to help me. I can’t, she says, if anyone were to find out I was a member of Free Mars… ah, it’s blackmail time (whoever is running Abel Horn’s Robocop routines is setting up to discredit Ms. Carter, appears like?) Not your style, she says, he returns with “I’ve changed” and pulls off his fake skin on the electrocuting hand, then has some sort of seizure. He’s convulsing. They did something to me! The telepath knows! He collapses.

Cut to Garibaldi, putting Talia in protective custody. She invites him to tea.

Cut to Ivanova on the bridge, administrative details are howling. She tells administrative details to bugger off. Sheridan comes in. What’s the sitrep? Everyone is bitching because the station has been holding up departures. Sheridan gives the okay to start moving them out. What about the murderer? Sheridan doesn’t think he’s trying to leave yet.

Back to Garibaldi and Talia over tea. Garibaldi is being Charming. Dad stories. Talia was in PsiCorp since she was 5. Some background on being a kid in PsiCorp. Abby helped her get through her first years at PsiCorp. Sheridan calls for Garibaldi, cut the “getting to know more about you” scene.

Back to Garibaldi and Talia over tea. Garibaldi is being Charming. Dad stories. Talia was in PsiCorp since she was 5. Some background on being a kid in PsiCorp. Abby helped her get through her first years at PsiCorp. Sheridan calls for Garibaldi, cut the “getting to know more about you” scene.

Garibaldi reports to Sheridan’s quarters. Sheridan shows Garibaldi a report on “Project Lazarus”, a cyber experiment. Regular Dr. Mengele stuff. Sheridan recognizes the description of Horn’s behavior as matching Project Lazarus’s “cyber zombies”. Sheridan’s theory is that Talia’s scan of Horn woke up the part of his brain that normally would be enslaved to the computer programming part of the Robocop deal. Interesting theory, fits with Horn’s behavior in Carter’s quarters. He’s schizophrenic, part of him being the dead bit that is mostly-Horn, the rest of him being the the computer running the Terminator program.

Cut to Horn and Carter in her quarters. He’s apparently out. She goes to the console to call Talia, in the foreground his eyes pop open. Dun dun dun. Carter arranges a meeting with Talia, when she cuts the call Horn is going through some personality trouble but the robot bit takes over and K.O.’s Carter.

Back to Sheridan and Garibaldi. Sheridan remembers some details of the Lazarus Project that emits a low level of benign radiation they might be able to use to track Horn. He’s hacking B5’s environmental scanners to try and pick up the radiation. Incoming call, Talia wants an escort to Amanda’s quarters for business negotiations. Sheridan nods assent, Garibalid gives the okay. Humor moment, then Garibaldi leaves to catch up to Talia’s escort.

Talia gets to Amanda’s quarters, Garibaldi and Redshirts wait outside. She finds Amanda. Horn gets her around the neck from behind, don’t make a peep! Meanwhile, Sheridan is making progress hacking B5. Back to Horn, he wants Talia to tell him what’s going on with his head. She scans him again. We see the first person perspective of Horn again… the ship attack, then waking up in a surgery room, apparently a subject of Project Lazarus. There’s a Psi Cop there… interesting!

Sheridan gets the report from B5’s scanners that Horn is in Amanda’s quarters, he calls Garibaldi. Get him alive. Standoff, Horn’s got Talia under the hand of death, he gets the security guys to drop their guns and scoops one up. Sheridan runs in, he starts using Kirk logic on Abel. You’ve died too many times Abel, you don’t need to die again. He lets Talia go, but pulls the gun on Sheridan and Sheridan shoots him. “Thanks for ending it, Earther.” Dangerous energy surge from the body! Everybody out! Robocop Abel self-destructs. No evidence.

Cu to medlab, Amanda is getting treatment. Wrapup. Sheridan offers to hide Amanda’s relationship with Free Mars if she continues with Isogi’s plan. Minor conspiracy concluded. Garibaldi isn’t happy. Horn wasn’t trying to kill me, interjects Talia. He was trying to remember what happened to him. Did you see anything, asks Sheridan? Here’s Talia’s chance to come clean about Psi Cop involvement, but she covers it up. Loyalties die hard?

Final scene(?) Garibaldi is curious to know how Sheridan knew about Project Lazarus. Sheridan fesses up that he “collects” secrets, black projects, conspiracies… they fascinate him. Garibaldi wants to know if one of those secrets includes whoever was behind the latest affair. Better you don’t ask, says Sheridan. Garibaldi says, hey, I know you don’t trust me the way Sinclair did, but I’ve got a job to do here. This is way bigger than B5, says Sheridan. You know who it is, says Garibaldi. Okay, Sheridan says, but this doesn’t leave this room. Garibaldi agrees. For six years there’s been a rumor about a secret rogue agency in Earth Gov, a star chamber, a dirty tricks organization. It took Sheridan three years just to get their name, “Bureau 13”. The man that gave Sheridan that name died shortly after telling him about it. Sheridan thinks the whole affair was to kill Isogi, discouraging other corporations from interfering with the Mars Conglomerate, discrediting Amanda. There is a Spider in the Web, Mr. Garibaldi… and I intend to find it and kill it.

Man, if it weren’t for this episode, I’d be ready to check Sheridan into the Tin Foil Hat Club.

Cut to our Mysterious Stranger in The Ruins of San Diego. Report, control, this is 13. Babylon 5 mission only partly successful. 13 wants follow-up. Pan back, “13” is the Psi Cop we saw in Talia’s mindread of Horn. Cut!

Back to B5, Talia is going through Psi Corp files looking for the Psi Cop she saw in Horn’s memory. Match found. The file is marked “DECEASED”. Fade to end credits!