This is probably one of the most moving episodes of BABYLON 5, as the show is very well written and really tugs at your heart. A race called the Markab are dying on B-5 at an alarming rate. When Dr. Franklin first notices this increase, the Markab doctor on the station refuses to acknowledge that there is any sort of epidemic. However, within a short time after this, the numbers increase to a point that denials are no longer possible. Then, the doctor tells Franklin that the disease is something the Markab NEVER talk about, as it is seen as occurring only to the sinful or wicked--in essence, it's their god's judgment and is beyond science! This is obviously a metaphor for AIDS, but the Markab are much less open to discuss the disease than we were back in the early 1980s. It seems that even discussing it is a major taboo and an insult to the Markab--even though the disease appears to be 100% fatal and seems to be affecting every Markab--not just the ones on B-5!!! And, since it's a taboo, doing any sort of research to find a cure is out of the question!! Well, Franklin being a doctor (and know-it-all) cannot just sit back and do nothing, so he gets to work looking for a cure--otherwise, it appears that EVERY Markab across the galaxy will die.
The episode goes on from there and I don't want to spoil the episode by giving you every detail. Suffice to say, it's a tough one to watch but so well made and touching.
The episode goes on from there and I don't want to spoil the episode by giving you every detail. Suffice to say, it's a tough one to watch but so well made and touching.
