Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Larry DiTillio
Directed by Michael Vejar

There’s little action but quite a it of intrigue in Comes the Inquisitor as G’Kar attempts to do what he can for the Narn race who are under the control of the Centauri at this point in time, but it is the story of Delenn and Sheridan that really is front and center during the episode. In some ways, it doesn’t make sense, especially watching it the first time. However, in the context of having viewed the entire series, it holds a bigger impact.

The former Narn Ambassador, G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) is publicly speaking on Babylon 5 trying to convince others that the Centauri will not stop with the Narn Homeworld. The assistant to the Centauri Ambassador, Vir (Stephen Furst) is watching, and he is very uneasy about what’s happening.

Meanwhile, the Minbari Ambassador, Delenn (Mira Furlan) meets with Ambassador Kosh. He states she must submit to the authority of an Inquisitor. She attempts to explain this to Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner). Her assistant, Lennier (Bill Mumy) explains that if someone is doing the right thing for the wrong reason the work is corrupted, and that Kosh needs to know that the right people are in the right place.

A Vorlon transport arrives on Babylon 5. A man dressed in a top hat and tails emerges from the ship. He introduces himself as Sebastian (Wayne Alexander). He tells Sheridan he has been on Earth in the past.

G’Kar meets with an arms dealer in an attempt to arm the resistance on the Narn Homeworld. Security Chief Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) confronts G’Kar and warns him about buying weapons at the station. As much as he supports G’Kar, Garibaldi states that the weapons cannot come through the station. At the same time, Garibaldi has made arrangements for G’Kar to get the weapons away from the station. G’Kar questions why Garibaldi is doing it, but appreciates the help.

Delenn presents herself to The Inquisitor and is asked to wear shackles. She can take them off at any time, but that is admitting defeat. The Inquisitor begins to question her. His mission is to determine if she is really up to the task ahead. It seems like he is trying to break down the hubris Delenn feels. At one point he ascertains that she has doubts about what she is doing.

Vir finds himself in an elevator with G’Kar. He starts off with an apology. G’Kar asks how to apologize to those that are dead, and Vir states he can’t.

The other Narn on Babylon 5 challenge G’Kar’s leadership. If they can’t even get messages from the survivors on the Narn Homeworld, how can they get weapons through? G’Kar asks Sheridan’s help, saying that is the only way he can keep control of the Narn population on the station. Sheridan proposes to Garibaldi that they put this in the hands of the Rangers.

Lennier asks Sheridan to find Ambassador Kosh and have him put a stop to what’s happening before The Inquisitor kills her. Sheridan enters the room and tells Sebastian to get away from her. Sebastian casts him away and ties him up to be questioned as well. Delenn challenges him to come after her instead, and suddenly it’s over. He says his job is over and they are the right people in the right place at the right time.

There are some great moments in this episode. When Vir and G’Kar are in the elevator, there is about 30 seconds of Vir being quiet and G’Kar staring him down before Vir can speak. It’s a great bit of acting without using words by Andreas Katsulas and Stephen Furst. G’Kar’s position is obvious at this point, but Vir’s is not. We know he’s been uncomfortable with a lot of what’s been going on under Londo’s machinations, but it’s not yet apparent how far he will go to help the Narn. There’s so little said, but there’s so much impact between the two.

The Inquisitor seems like a convenient plot point at first, but there’s a reason for it. The Vorlons want to make sure that Delenn and Sheridan aren’t looking to do something for selfish reasons, nor are they looking to be regarded as saviors. The Vorlons have their own duplicity that will be dealt with down the road, but right now they need people who want to do the right thing because it’s the right thing, not because of how it will go for them afterward. It’s something to think about when we regard our current crop of politicians in the country.

Sheridan: Your ship is ready to go. I’ve taken care of all the clearances.
Inquisitor: Thank you.
Sheridan: Mr.Sebastian, I did a little digging based on what you told me. The records confirm that you lived on Earth, in London in the year 1888. The records also indicate that you vanished suddenly without a trace on November 11th 1888. A very interesting date Mr. Sebastian. The morning after the last of a string of murders on the East End.
Inquisitor: The city was drowning in decay, chaos, immorality. A message needed to be sent etched in blood for all the world to see. A warning. In the pursuit of my holy cause I…did things,..terrible things,..unspeakable things. The world condemned me. But it didn’t matter because I believed I was right and the world was wrong. I believed I was the divine messenger. I believed I was…
Sheridan: Chosen
Inquisitor: I was…..found by the Vorlons…..they showed me the terrible depth of my mistake…my crimes. My……presumption. I have done 400 years of penance in their service. A job for which they said I was ideally suited. Now.. perhaps, they will finally let me die…
Sheridan: I think that might be wise
Inquisitor: Good luck in your holy cause, Captain Sheridan. May your choices have better results than mine. Remembered not as a messenger, remembered not as a reformer, not as a prophet, not as a hero, not even.. as Sebastian. Remembered only.. as Jack.

There’s a good bit of intrigue as the episode sets up an underground communication for the Narn as well as funnelling weapons to a Resistance on the Narn homeworld. It also advances the bond that Sheridan and Delenn have developed. I keep trying to think of where the story would be if Commander Sinclair was there, rather than Sheridan. My guess is that his girlfriend would have disappeared in space by now and he and Delenn would be bonding like Sheridan and Delenn are. It makes much more sense with a few of the things we saw in the first season, but it’s still handled very well. I think I like Sheridan and Delenn better than if she were with Sinclair, because they seem to be growing as people with their relationship.

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