Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by John C. Flinn III

With so much that has happened in the past few episodes, it was time for a breather. Ceremonies of Light and Dark gives the crew some time to catch their breath. It’s not exactly filler, as there are elements that advance the ongoing story, but it’s focused more on seeing where the characters stand at the present moment.

Security Chief Michael Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) has rounded up all known Night Watch members, and they have been dispatched from Babylon 5. He discusses with Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Commander Ivanova (Claudia Christian) how to circumvent computers that were installed by Earth Government. Sheridan decides to go out and be seen on the station as a way of inspiring confidence in what’s going on. He doesn’t know that an assassin who was part of Night Watch has him in his sights.

The Minbari Ambassador, Delenn (Mira Furlan), is meeting with other Minbari to thank them for their help against EarthForce. Delenn asks Lennier (Bill Mumy) what he thinks of what’s going on, and he quotes the prophecy to her. Delenn wishes to host a rebirth ceremony. Marcus Cole (Jason Carter) isn’t so sure that it’s the right time to do so. Meanwhile, Sheridan leads a ceremonial burial in space for those who died during the conflict.

Meanwhile, Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) meets with Lord Refa (William Forward) and questions him about his alliance with Mr. Morden and his associates. Londo warns Refa that they need to put distance between themselves and Morden. Refa thinks Londo is a fool. Londo claims to have poisoned Refa with a sophisticated poison to make him cooperate.

Garibaldi reprograms the computer that runs the station. It reboots with an artificial intelligence personality similar to Garibaldi’s.

Londo asks Delenn and Lennier what is involved in the rebirth ceremony. Delenn assures him that she wants to heal wounds, but he refuses to join the ceremony. Former Narn Ambassador, G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas), states that he is too busy right now. Delenn says she will go ahead with the ceremony. She asks Marcus to accompany her on giving a tour of the station to one of the Minbari commanders who helped them. It’s an excuse to talk to Marcus, and she learns more about his life before he joined the Rangers.

The group of potential assassins grabs Delenn and the Captain she was giving a tour to and holds them hostage. Marcus blames himself. The remaining Night Watch members who were hidden make demands to expel the Minbari from the station, or they will kill the hostages. Marcus goes off on his own, trying to find out where they are holding Delenn. Lennier confesses his love for Delenn to Marcus.

There’s a bit of everything in Ceremonies of Light and Dark. There’s some humor with the station’s computer and Marcus’ evasiveness. There’s suspense with the former Night Watch assassins targeting Delenn. There’s political intrigue with Londo and Lord Refa. There are revelations by Lennier and Marcus. None of this is intrinsic to the ongoing story, but are great character moments that give everyone time to regroup as well as building on the story so far.

Londo says he has poisoned Lord Refa, but has he really? The idea is that Refa has ingested something that will stay in his system and will be benign unless a second poison is added to his food or drink and then he will die. It could all be a bluff, or it could be real. The Centauri are pretty ruthless. Londo knows he made a mistake aligning with Mr. Morden and the Shadows, and he is afraid what he’s done will result in the destruction of the Centauri. Refa isn’t quite there yet. He only sees the potential of having the Shadows at their disposal.

Sheridan has qualms about continuing to wear his EarthForce uniform, but he doesn’t know what else to do at this point. Delenn comes to the rescue in that regard by gifting the command staff new uniforms. It seems like Babylon 5 will be an independent place in space. Imagine the United Nations floating on an island in the ocean. That’s kind of what it is heading towards. The people who are currently on it aren’t exactly citizens. They have worlds they belong to, or at least some of them do. The staff who have declared Earth President Clark as being in office illegally do not have a place anymore, except here.

While Ceremonies of Light and Dark has the feeling of filler, there’s plenty in it to like and appreciate. The ensemble characters are given more background. Londo shows what lengths he will go to in order to distance himself and Centauri Prime from The Shadows. The identity of Babylon 5 itself is evolving. It’s a great episode to give people time to take a breath and also move the story along a bit.

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