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

This episode gives the audience the perspective of what life is like on Babylon 5 on a “typical” day. Unlike an episode in an earlier season that did the same thing, this is at a time when the station is trying to stay neutral in the Narn/Centauri conflict while at the same time honoring its mission to help out those who need it.

After events in Convictions, Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) has started a more thorough screening of incoming transports, resulting in delays. Sheridan faces down a man who accuses him of being a coward with a gun.

One of the transports brings a Narn who says he is G’Kar’s (Andreas Katsulas) replacement. Na’Far (Stephen Macht) accuses G’Kar of aiding the Resistance on the Narn Homeworld and causing problems with the Centauri. He states he wants things to cool down for the time being and he’s authorized by the provisional government to take charge of the local Narn population on Babylon 5. Sheridan states that G’Kar has sanctuary and can’t be forced to go anywhere he doesn’t want to go.

Commander Ivanova (Claudia Christian) meets with Mr. Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) and Doctor Franklin (Richard Biggs), who’s coming off of a 20-hour shift. He’s talking with them about Captain Sheridan when he’s paged. Another doctor called out and he’s needed back in MedLab. Franklin comes back from a visit to the bathroom with a resurgence of energy, raising Mr. Garibaldi’s suspicions.

Na’Far meets with Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) and his assistant, Vir (Stephen Furst). Londo quizzes Na’Far about whether or not it would be safe for Londo to visit the Narn Homeworld. Londo likes what he hears from Na’Far. Vir challenges Londo.

Sheridan is in C&C when there’s a report of a new ship they’ve never seen before. The vessel seems to be a probe of some kind that is initiating first contact. They are transmitting an intelligence test to the Station, promising that they will be given a wealth of information if the correct answers are sent. If they aren’t sent within 24 hours, the probe will explode and destroy everything around it.

Londo meets with Minbari Ambassador Delenn (Mira Furlan) and proposes Vir be the new ambassador to the Minbari. The position has been vacant for a number of years. Delenn asks why Londo is proposing this. Londo states he is fond of Vir and thinks he would be better off away from Babylon 5. Vir states he doesn’t want to go to Minbar. Londo says it is already done and urges him to embrace it.

Garibaldi invites Dr. Franklin to dinner. He talks to him about his use of stims. Garibaldi knows what it’s like, having been an alcoholic himself. Franklin denies there’s a problem, and states that they are legal. He says he will cut back, but as soon as there is pressure in MedLab, he’s back to using them.

Na’Far’s bodyguard is Ta’Lon (Marshall Teague), whom Sheridan helped escape the Streib ship in All Alone in the Night. They meet up in one of the bars on Babylon 5. Ta’Lon apologizes for not coming back sooner to thank Sheridan for saving his life. Ta’Lon volunteers to be Sheridan’s bodyguard.

Na’Far meets with G’Kar. They have different perspectives on what is happening on the Narn Homeworld. Na’Far argues that the Resistance is making the situation worse. Na’Far thinks they must lull the Centauri into a false sense of security and accept the way things are for the time being. He urges G’Kar to surrender to the Centauri, threatening the families of those Narn who are still on Babylon 5. However, even with that, the Narn on Babylon 5 accuses Na’Far of being a traitor. G’Kar steps in and stops the infighting among the Narn, saying he will return to the Narn Homeworld with Na’Far.

Mr. Garibaldi meets with G’Kar to urge him not to leave Babylon 5. The Narn on the station also beg him not to go, even knowing that their families are in jeopardy. Na’Far even agrees to stay on Babylon 5 and help the resistance as long as G’Kar stays.

Sheridan is in C&C with two minutes left until the probe blows up. They are about to transmit the answers when he puts a halt to it. He now theorizes that it’s a way of identifying races that can be a threat to them if they are able to answer the questions. He is right as they have a maintenance probe to send the answers once the alien probe is far away from the station and it then is blown up.

In the end, Captain Sheridan and Ivanova are still dealing with a crowd of people still angry about the increased screening of transports.

While this is a bit of “a day in the life of Babylon 5” it also serves to develop the ongoing situation. Dr. Franklin’s issues with stims came up before and were dismissed. It’s resurrected here, although he is assuring everyone he has the situation under control, even himself. Like most addicts, he doesn’t. Having been an alcoholic himself, Garibaldi recognizes the signs. It’s a reminder of Garibaldi’s own weakness which will be impactful later.

Vir has been Londo’s conscience a bit, similar to a Jiminy Cricket whispering in Londo’s ear. It’s beginning to have an effect on Londo. He would prefer to revel in his success rather than consider what the cost has been. It’s not that he dislikes Vir; on the contrary, he thinks quite a bit of him, which is why he wants him far away from him.

The Narn on Babylon 5 have been following G’Kar for the most part, although he’s no longer an Ambassador for the Narn. The Centauri hope that by replacing him with someone more compliant, they will be able to control the Resistance to them which is being aided by the Narn on Babylon 5. The Narn are willing to suffer for their beliefs at this point, even as G’Kar is troubled by the fact that his presence alone is putting their families in danger. They know that even if G’Kar turned himself over to the Centauri, in another month it would be something else the Centauri would be using to cower them.

The only pure filler here is the situation with the probe, and even that is interesting. It shows how Sheridan has to think of all of the angles in a situation. His background might be that of a warrior, but he’s a thinker as well. It’s also emphasized in how he handles the multitudes who are upset about the extra security at the station. Sheridan is not a reactionary. He’s not the dutiful warrior that Earth Government thought they were getting when they put him in charge of the station.

This is a good episode that builds nicely on several things that were set in motion earlier, as well as being entertaining. It builds on the characters and makes them even richer, while at the same time keeping the ongoing story forefront in the series. There are minimal effects here, with just the probe blowing up in space, but there is good use of the various parts of the station to keep the story going.

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