Babylon 5 (TV Series) Deathwalker (1994) User Reviews

DeathWalker

[Scarecrow-88 · 9/10 · 5 June 2012]

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.

A war criminal arrives on Babylon 5

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 7 June 2018]

As this episode opens G'Kar's attaché Na'Toth viciously attacks an alien who has just arrived on the station. She claims her victim is Jha'Dur, known as Deathwalker; a warrior-scientist who caused countless deaths in the course of her experiments. At first it is thought this woman can't be Deathwalker as she is too young but when she regains consciousness she confirms who she is. We also learn that she has made a medical breakthrough and most of the major civilisations want to get their hands on her and her discovery... much to the chagrin of the nonaligned worlds who were her main victims. Away from this main story Ambassador Kosh has hired Talia Winters assist in a negotiation; it is very strange; she sees nothing when she attempts to scan the other party and they talk in a way that makes no apparent sense.

This was a solid episode that raised interesting moral questions as each of the main races on Babylon 5 has a reason to protect Deathwalker; some want her work and another doesn't want to acknowledge that they had been sheltering her. I liked how the character is entirely unsympathetic so it is clear that anybody helping her is acting out of self-interest. Sarah Douglas does a fine job in the role. Tensions raise nicely when the Nonaligned Worlds disagree with the council's initial discussion. It was nice to see more of these minor worlds' characters. Without giving any details it is safe to say the finale is both surprising and most satisfying. The subplot involving Talia was also intriguing; the Vorlons remain the series' most mysterious species.

Interesting Episode

[koriandr_star · 8/10 · 28 December 2007]

The episode has best of both worlds, humour regarding Tira winters tagging with the cryptic speaking kosh and drama regarding the arrival of the infamous 'Deathwalker' Sarah Douglas plays the character 'Deathwalker' very well, the character is arrogant, clever and very evil. I feel it was a wasted idea that rather then have the doomed spin off series 'crusade' they should had made a prequel series about the Dilgar war. In terms of background history regarding earth, the dilgar is essential and this episode helps give you the info in the form of the tyrant 'Deathwalker' The moral arguments is an interesting one but furthermore, the reasons why this woman chooses shelter with the humans (the race that defeated the dilgar) was perfect and cruel in irony and of her twisted humour.

I feel it was a shame that a attempt in creating a prequel regarding the Dilgar was never made as 'Death walker' has all the traits for a classic scfi villain.

Good episode.

Best viewed at the hour of scampering

[wyvije · 9/10 · 4 October 2021]

When you learn that the truth is a three edged sword.

Very good episode with an interesting moral dilemma

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 2 January 2007]

This show is highly reminiscent of an episode from one of the Star Trek series (though I cannot recall exactly which Trek series it was--let me know if you remember). In BOTH episodes, a brilliant but evil researcher has conducted important medical research through genocide! It's very much like some of the studies conducted by some Nazi researchers and the fundamental question is "do we benefit from something obtained through murder and mutilation?". Many on Earth and the other worlds have little, if any, compunction about taking this information even if it means immunity from prosecution for the Mengele-like researcher offering what seems like a blessing. Others could care less about the benefit and simply want to punish the evil-doer. I love how the moral question is asked and I particularly liked the ultimate details of this medical "miracle". However, since this is not an original idea, I gotta knock off a point and give it an 8 of 10.

Response to plankton

[robertdalton-43621 · 9/10 · 14 September 2022]

There was an episode like this on Stargate: SG-1 in Season 2 Episode 3 Title "Prisoners". In the episode, SG-1 is sentenced to prison for life for unknowingly helping an escaped prisoner. While in prison, they befriend a fellow prisoner called "Linea' who helps them devise a way to escape. After the team, and Linea, are back at Stargate Command, Linea uses the Stargate to go to another planet and disappears. At the same time, Samantha Carter learns that Linea had experimented on her planet's population, which resulted in half the population died and Linea was known as a modern day Josef Mengele. SG-1 is shocked that they have released a monster back on the galaxy.

"Prisoners" has many parallels to Babylon 5's episode "Deathwalker."