GUEST STARS
Nick Corri - Lt. Ramirez
Marshall Teague - Narn
Robin Sachs - Hedronn
John Vickery - Neroon
Robert Foxworth - General Hague
WATCH OUT FOR
* The aliens who abduct Sheridan. Their name - the Striebs - is a reference to the Grisham of UFOlogy, Whitley Strieber.
* Garibaldi, Franklin and Ramirez's discussion of the World Series. Sheridan tells General Hague that he waited six months for someone to contact him. Since Sheridan came aboard in January, this suggests that the 2259 Fall Classic is taking place during at about the time of the All Star break.
ANALYSIS
Sheridan's alien abduction contributes to a transformation that began the moment he arrived on Babylon 5. His experiences up to this point in the season broaden his perspective and make him receptive to the message he receives from Kosh. The abduction is simply the last piece of this character development puzzle.
The Striebs force him into a life or death situation, and Sheridan unequivocally chooses life. Sheridan spares his fellow prisoner when it would probably have been in his best interests to focus on his own survival and kill the Narn. This action is part of the pattern that points the way to his leadership of the Army of Light.
In the midst of a spreading galactic conflict, with powerful forces arrayed against him, Sheridan champions the cause of life, and - with a little help from Kosh - convinces the alien governments to stop fighting each other and start fighting together against the real enemy. However, before Sheridan can fight legends, he must first be willing to fight at all.
The enemy is on the move. The forces of Darkness are gathering, and the forces of Light are not even remotely prepared to stand against them. Although he does not yet know all the details, Sheridan's dream is his wake up call. Delenn receives a similar reminder that the Minbari - who in theory have been preparing for this war for a thousand years - have placed their internal divisions ahead of this millennium of preparation.
While it serves as a reminder that her actions have consequences, Delenn's summary dismissal from the Grey Council speaks volumes more about the Council's failings than her own. Although she threw the Council out of balance by defying their wishes, the remaining members compound that imbalance by giving the Warrior caste a slim majority.
Rather than taking Delenn's defiance as a rebuke of their complacency, the Council focuses only on her transgression, not the reason she felt it was necessary to transgress. They perceive only her disobedience, and their wounded pride leads them to compound their institutional myopia.
Delenn transgressed - and upset the order of the Council - because she felt it was the only way to get things done. In retaliation, the Council upsets the underlying order of Minbari society by tipping their balance to the Warriors. Not only do two wrongs not make a right, but the Council's disproportionately compensatory wrong leads to civil war.
Thus, Delenn becomes an outcast, cut off from the institution that forms the core of her identity. General Hague demands the same sacrifice of Sheridan. He asks the captain to dedicate his patriotic spirit to the greater good rather than to the damaged institutions that are supposed to embody those principles.
The recognition that each has chosen a form of ideological - and eventually physical - exile is certain to contribute to the growing attraction between Sheridan and Delenn. Regardless of where it leads them together, neither of them begins the journey entirely alone. Lennier pledges himself to Delenn's side. Sheridan receives the support and allegiance of his command staff.
COMING UP NEXT
'Acts of Sacrifice'
Who will aid the Narn?
G'Kar's leadership at stake
Londo needs a friend
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