B5 got backs: Sheridan has space teamsters on his back, G'Kar has a Narn quisling on his back and Franklin has a monkey on his back.

Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by David J. Eagle

Straight Lines and Swordplay

IVANOVA: I don't want to get killed because of a typo. It would be embarrassing.

IVANOVA: Always finding the good in every situation, eh, Captain?    More Stories The Name of the Place: SPACE.com's Babylon 5 Nexus Babylon 5 - 'Convictions' Babylon 5 - 'Matters of Honor' Babylon 5 - 'The Fall of Night'    Related Links SPACE.com's television coverage Babylon 5 The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 SHERIDAN: Absolutely. If I didn't I might end up like you.

TA'LON: I carry my sword in my hand. You carry yours in your heart andin your mind. As I see it, that gives you a two to one advantage in arms. Be fair, Citizen G'Kar.

GUEST STARS

Stephen Macht - Na'Far
Marshall Teague - Ta'Lon
Anne Betancourt - Doctor Gonzalez

WATCH OUT FOR

* Garibaldi's account of his encounter with a Brakiri. Aside from his initial misnaming of the alien as "Brikari," the religious significance of comets to the Brakiri plays a major role in the season five episode "Day of the Dead".

* Corwin tells Sheridan that there is only one MaintBot in the vicinity of the alien probe. However, the footage used clearly shows two 'bots in close proximity to one another. Looks like Mr. Corwin ought to run a diagnostic on his stock footage generating equipment.

ANALYSIS

While G'Kar's moment in the sun here is not as dramatic as his drug-induced vision quest in "Dust to Dust" or as existentially liberating as his prison experiences, this episode serves as the flashpoint for the big changes that lie ahead for our favorite non-sword-wielding Narn.

G'Kar has already come a long way from the duplicitous schemer of season one. The Narn-Centauri war transformed him from a diplomat to a freedom fighter. He no longer seeks personal and political advantage, but rather the salvation and liberation of his people.

Despite his noble motives, G'Kar's focus remains primarily personal. Even when he acts on his people's behalf, G'Kar is still fighting a personal battle for vengeance against the Centauri who killed his father all those years ago. It isn't until they stop him from leaving the station that G'Kar realizes he is as important to his people as they are to him.

As a wise man once said, "supreme executive power derives from mandate from the masses." In the waning moments of "A Day in the Strife", G'Kar receives this mandate from his fellow Narn. From here on, G'Kar truly understands that not only is the struggle greater than any one person, but that the fight for freedom and justice transcends any personal motives that the freedom fighter brings to the struggle.

It is this understanding, coupled with the telepathic message Kosh sends him in "Dust to Dust" that leads to G'Kar's rebirth as a philosopher and teacher -- albeit one who can still kick ass with the best of them. Unfortunately, the trust the Narn place in him in "A Day in the Strife" also lays the foundation for the cult of personality that grows around him in later episodes.

COMING UP NEXT

"Passing Through Gethsemane"

"Death walks among you"
Past sins return to haunt him
A life for a life.