This is one of those episodes that adds further sinister mystery to the already enigmatic Vorlon species whose Ambassador Kosh gets really involved in this particular episode of Babylon 5. A notorious war criminal, whose species were infamous for massacring whole worlds, enslaving aliens of all kinds, experimenting on what the lone remaining survivor (the worst of her kind), Jah'Dur (Sarah Douglas, memorably repellent and loathsomely vile) has now practically perfected, an "immortality serum" that can eliminate aging and sickness so the body can live forever. Earth, Narn, Centauri, many different worlds species want this anti-aging serum, but the "league" of other aliens, full of anger and rage at the mere thought of her not standing trial for her war crimes, want justice for their slain ancestors. As different ships appear from the jump gate, demanding Jah'Dur's extradition to them for trial, Commander Sinclair will have to come up with a strategy that halts a possibly ugly, violent situation before it escalates
Jah'Dur to me really is an example of a type of Hitler, but she wants her extinct people (Earth Alliance helped the league of aliens defeat Jah'Dur's warriors/soldiers) to be remembered with honor, with glory. Ultimately, she wants all the worlds to benefit from a created serum that was made possible by the blood spilt and aliens killed
a dark, dark irony that really leaves a sour taste, for sure. A very important subplot involves Kosh wanting telepath Talia Winters to participate in a negotiations with another strange associate, but the meetings stir up frightening images/feelings/memories of a time when she had to read from the mind of a serial killer
Kosh had perhaps "set her up" acquiring an information crystal from the "brain" of the associate, an unflappable "Vicker" (a slang term for a "cyberorganic" part sentient/part machine lifeform), with her memories/fears "processed" for Kosh's further use if necessary. Kosh and his species have hidden motivations and do not reveal much more than what they want others to know, just enough but by no means satisfying; being this guarded and secretive gives them an upper hand. This is certainly a fascinating show, giving us just a taste so our appetite is wetted. There is a GREAT scene, puzzling at that particular moment until we know why it happened, has G'Kar's attaché brutally attacking DeathWalker (Jah'Dur's name), bound by a family oath to kill the evil sociopath. There's a revelation regarding the Minbari "Wind Swords", those we saw in Sinclair's memories in the previous episode, part of the Grey Council, offering protection to DeathWalker, once again reinforcing the horrifying thought that despite all she had done, the genocides and slaughter, her "contribution" in eternal life was worth more than justice for those lost at her hands.
Review of Deathwalker
