2262: "The Wheel Of Fire"

NO COMPROMISES (5x02 - #97502) - 1/21/98
The story begins with the arrival of Capt. Elizabeth Lochley, who arrives to take control of the massive station. Lochley is certain she can take charge with little fuss but, as Lt. Corwin explains to her, "Babylon 5 is different."

When she reports to Sheridan for her assignment, he explains that he specifically asked for her: to serve as a reminder that Babylon 5 is an Earth-designed station, and to protect the station when diplomatic means fail.

Meanwhile, Sheridan is warned - through two terrible "messages" - that a lone gunman has targeted him for assassination. Despite the concern of his fellows, Sheridan takes charge of things as a simple citizen, hoping to stay in touch with the needs of ordinary citizens.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Janet Greek

THE VERY LONG NIGHT OF LONDO MOLLARI (5x03 - #97503) - 1/28/98
While arguing with a customs agent, Londo falls deathly ill. Unconscious,he comes to grips with the terrible things he has done ... and how he can change.

Vir and Lennier discuss their friendship, and the ways Lennier has helped Vir accomplish some of the things he has done. Both agree that they have grown through their relationship to their respective Ambassadors, and with each other.

After some reflection, Lennier - feeling that "three's a crowd" and not a "sacred number" - makes a decision about his future.

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

THE PARAGON OF ANIMALS (5x04 - #97504) - 2/04/98
The Alliance faces its first challenge, when a race called the Enfil asks for help from them through the Rangers. As tensions escalate, Sheridan must decide who is responsible for bombing the Enfil - and how to deal with an unwilling ally.

Telepaths, who have formed a community in Babylon 5, consider giving assistance to the Alliance. Byron, their leader, argues that the telepaths must be free from the "Normals = master, Teeps = slaves" attitude that has so crippled Psi Corps. In that light, Babylon 5's resident telepath Lyta must decide a new direction in her life.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Mike Vejar

A VIEW FROM THE GALLERY (5x05 - #97505) - 2/11/98
An unknown adversary attacks Babylon 5. Once again, the station braces for attack.

But this time, the action is seen through two members of the stations' Maintenance crew. Bo and Mack spend their day repairing damage while observing the command crew, working around battles, and giving their opinion of the people who control their lives. Through Delenn, Lockley, Zack we see how the leaders work with the ordinary people of Babylon 5.

CREDITS:
Story by Harlan Ellison & J. Michael Straczynski
Teleplay by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Janet Greek

LEARNING CURVE (5x06 - #97506) - 2/18/98
A group of Minbari Rangers - teachers and students - go to Delenn, in part to show her how they are progressing. Two Religious caste, two Warrior caste, they bring their differing views of life to their jobs and their ways of teaching.

A new man arrives among the Lurkers: Trace, who intends to become The power on Babylon 5. But his plans go awry when one Ranger trainee stumbles into his clutches. With both trainees in peril, Delenn has to choice but to declare mora'dum: the application of Terror.

CREDITS:
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by David Eagle

STRANGE RELATIONS (5x07 - #97507) - 2/25/98
Bester returns to the station with "bloodhounds" - telepaths who can track other telepaths. Together, they demand the Command Crew turn over the telepaths who have moved to Babylon 5. Byron, the leader of the telepaths, surrenders to Bester and his bloodhounds, hoping to find mercy for his people.

Lockley is forced to deal with Mr. Garibaldi, who has his own plans for Bester.

Delenn and G'Kar request Franklin's help for the Alliance.

CREDITS:
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by John C. Flinn III

SECRETS OF THE SOUL (5x08 - #97508) - 3/04/98
Dr. Franklin, in his capacity as Medical Advisor to the Alliance, begins to make a database on alien medicine. In the process, he stumbles onto a mystery involving the Hyach - one that they'd kill to keep secret.

Byron's people continue to increase, as new teeps arrive on Babylon 5. Zach is concerned, partly because he fears them, partly because he fears he'll lose Lyta to Byron. When Byron is arrested by mistake, trouble brews on all fronts.

CREDITS:
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Tony Dow

DAY OF THE DEAD (5x11 - #97511) - 3/11/98
It's a red-letter day when Rebo and Zooty arrive on Babylon 5, spreading joy and chaos. But there's an odder reason - and one more complex - that the two comedians are coming to speak to Sheridan and Delenn.

Lennier returns to Babylon 5 for a brief visit.

The Brakiri cajole Lochley into "selling" them a part of Babylon 5, although G'Kar warns her that there is more to their request than it simply seems.

Some of the residents - including Garibaldi, Londo, Lennier, and Lochley - have eerie encounters.

CREDITS:
Written By: Neil Gaiman
Directed by Doug Lefler

IN THE KINGDOM OF THE BLIND (5x09 - #97509) - 3/18/98
A new danger appears, as ships are attacked and destroyed ... including their cargo. In the middle of this, the telepaths interrupt with a demand of their own: a homeworld, where teeps can live in peace.

On Centauri Prime, Londo and G'Kar - Londo's new bodyguard - find an uneasy Court and a seemingly mad Emperor. But Londo's attempts to dig beneath the surface may be worse than simply "not successful".

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

A TRAGEDY OF TELEPATHS (5x10 - #97510) - 3/25/98
Alliance ships continue to disappear. But clues are being found: clues that the Allies are preying on each other. As the situation with the telepaths deteriorates, Lockley decides to call in the only man who can resolve the situation: Bester.

On Centauri Prime, Londo and G'Kar play a deadly game when they discover a hidden captive.

CREDITS:
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Tony Dow

PHOENIX RISING (5x12 - #97512) - 4/01/98
As the telepath situation deteriorates, Bester brings bloodhounds to the station and begins to try to catch Byron's people. Mr. Garibaldi decides to settle matters with Bester.

Byron reveals to Lyta his hidden past. By speaking with Sheridan - and not Bester - Byron resolves the telepath's desperate situation.

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

THE RAGGED EDGE (5x13 - #97513) - 4/08/98
As the Alliance flounders, the mysterious raiders finally miss a victim: a human, who escapes to the Drazi homeworld. Garibaldi, who has contacts everywhere, goes to check for this human and finds himself making mistakes.

Londo and G'Kar return to Babylon 5, where G'Kar receives surprising news.

Londo divulges some information. Sheridan and Delenn shore up the Alliance as Dr. Franklin receives an offer too tempting to pass up.

CREDITS:
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by John Copeland

THE CORPS IS MOTHER, THE CORPS IS FATHER (5x14 - #97514) - 4/15/98
At the headquarters of Psi Corps, Bester meets two recruits: Chen and Lauren. They already know the Psi Corps principle; he teaches them to care for all telepaths as members of the same extended family. He gently deflects Chen's hero-worship, and Lauren's interest in him.

A call for help requires they go to Babylon 5. There, Bester is met with hostility from Zack ... and, more disturbing, acceptance from Dr. Franklin.

But when a rescue becomes a trap, Chen's life - and Bester's - are on the line.

CREDITS:
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Stephen Furst

MEDITATIONS ON THE ABYSS (5x15 - #97515) - 5/27/98
After careful consideration, Delenn asks Lennier to check on the raiders harrying members of the Alliance. G'Kar struggles to adjust to his new position. Londo decides to appoint Vir as Ambassador to Babylon 5, once he himself is elevated to Emperor.

Lennier is appointed to the White Star Maria, and her captain, Montoya. He continues to study and be trained as a member of the Anla-Shok. Lennier is joined by Findell, a Minbari who has joined the Rangers under unusual circumstances. As Findell is trained, it becomes clear that his unconsidered motives may prove dangerous ... or even fatal.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Mike Vejar

DARKNESS ASCENDING (5x16 - #97516) - 5/03/98
Garibaldi awakens from a terrible nightmare to find Lise - on Babylon 5.

Sheridan overhears Delenn and Lennier. When he confronts Delenn, he finds out something he didn't really want to know. G'Kar and Lyta re-open negotiations to seal an old bargain.

Garibaldi and Lise visit a restaurant, with fateful results. Vir continues to be instructed by Londo on his future role as Centauri ambassador. Lennier decides to track down the source of the raiders' transmissions - a decision that could cost him more than just his life.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Janet Greek

AND ALL MY DREAMS, TORN ASUNDER (5x17 - #97517) - 6/10/98
The raiders are finally identified. In a full Council Meeting, Sheridan calls experts and fingers their identity. Even the ambassador for the raiders is left shocked by the savagery of the attacks, but few are sympathetic.

After asking Vir to serve as temporary ambassador, Londo returns to Centauri Prime. G'Kar goes as well, as his bodyguard. Delenn, fearing the worse, bids him to fare well and reminds G'Kar how far he has come as a person. Garibaldi swears to Sheridan that he will do all he can to keep the Rangers between warring parties.

On Centauri Prime, Londo is told, compelingly, that no one knows where the raiders are coming from. But when two fleets conflict in hyperspace, and war looks imminent, Garibaldi's nightmare comes terribly true.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Goran Gajic

MOVEMENTS OF FIRE AND SHADOW (5x18 - #97518) - 6/17/98
Vir begs Franklin and Lyta to find out why the Drazi are not returning the bodies of Centauri killed in battle with them. Franklin agrees to do this for the Alliance, but Lyta refuses unless she is paid - money she intends to finance the telepath homeworld. What they discover among the Drazi only makes things worse.

Sheridan asks Delenn to request the Grey Council permit production of White Star-class cruisers and destroyers. She has barely left when Lochley finds herself fighting off a Centauri attack on the jump-gate of Babylon 5! Another attack by the Centauri leaves Delenn's and Lennier's ship drifting in hyperspace ... where few ships survive.

Londo and G'Kar protest their detention, with mixed results. Londo finally meets with the Regent, and wishes he hadn't.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by John Flinn III

THE FALL OF CENTAURI PRIME (5x19 - #97519) - 10/28/98
Londo drags G'Kar from immediate danger, but must find the Narn a physician if he is to survive.

Sheridan discovers the truth behind the raids on shipping, and races to Centauri Prime. There, he confronts both Drazi and Narn in an attempt to force them to stop.

Delenn and Lennier try a last, desperate attempt to draw attention to their plight. But the maneuver backfires, and the Centauri are the ones who find them.

The Regent passes power to Londo as Emperor. With his friends in danger, Londo pays the highest price to rescue them, knowing he will never be free again.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Douglas Wise

WHEEL OF FIRE (5x20 - #97520) - 11/04/98
G'Kar returns to Babylon 5 to find his followers have come for him.

Garibaldi's secret becomes common knowledge, and his leadership of Covert Intelligence comes into question. Episodes of vandalism and destruction on Earth are traced to Lyta Alexander on Babylon 5, and officials ask Sheridan to help.

Lochley lectures Garibaldi about things they have in common. Lise returns from Mars with an offer Garibaldi may not be able to refuse. Lyta comes to a meeting of minds with Garibaldi.

After some thought, G'Kar decides to become something more than just an Icon.

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Janet Greek

OBJECTS IN MOTION (5x21 - #97521) - 11/11/98
Number One arrives from Mars with the disturbing news that Lise and Garibaldi have been slated for assasination. Zach, well-trained and paranoid, sets a trap for the killer that should be triggered without danger to either of them.

G'Kar tells his people that he is not a Messiah, and -- when pushed -- reacts firmly to prove his point. He also takes Lyta Alexander under his wing, arguing that he understands how corrosive hate can be.

Zach's trap goes awry, however, when the assassin's steps are echoed by an alien!

CREDITS:
Story by Harlan Ellison & J. Michael Straczynski
Teleplay by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Jesus Treviņo

OBJECTS AT REST (5x22 - #97522) - 11/18/98
Sheridan and Delenn prepare to leave Babylon 5, trying to keep inconspicuous. Lennier arrives with a White Star, to take them back to Minbar for their new future. But ISN gets word of their departure, and everyone is eager to get their final words before they go.

Ta'Lon arrives on Babylon 5 and learns that G'Kar has a final request of him. Dr. Franklin asks Dr. Hobbes to take care of MedLab as he also prepares to go. Sheridan realizes, with a bit of distress, that everyone is going: Garibaldi, Franklin, Londo and G'Kar, even Lyta. Delenn tries to reassure him that the fact that they're leaving is a good thing, for Life is not stagnation. Zach reassures him that he, at least, will be present as long as possible.

Even after a touching farewell, there is a fly in the opintment....

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by John Copeland

SLEEPING IN LIGHT (4x22 - #96422) - 11/25/98
One quiet day in 2282, John Sheridan wakes knowing that he will be dead soon. With the aid of his wife, he sends out notices to his old friends:

Susan Ivanova, an old war-horse, unused and embittered; Michael Garibaldi, married and a doting father; Dr. Stephen Franklin, still dedicated, still determined to heal Sheridan; the revered and beloved Vir Cotto.

Together, they meet and reminisce for one last time, remembering missing friends and old glories. The following day Sheridan arises, and takes a White Star for one final trip. His destination: Babylon 5!

CREDITS:
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by J. Michael Straczynski