Pivotal early series episode of Babylon 5 has the entire cast involved (typically, because of all the multi-storied characters, it was difficult for the show to get the whole cast, usually selecting a few for particular stories). G'Kar was missing from the opening episode but returns to Babylon station with news he believes is crucial for all worlds associated on the Council (or most worlds, period), speaking about an old race with great destructive power, silently gathering numbers and populating dead planets in secret. "Revelations" is a good episode for Bruce Boxleitner and provides back story for his Captain James Sheridan. It concerns his wife, who was killed in an explosion, and the grieving process he still endures. Sheridan's sister, Elizabeth (Beverly Leech), arrives at the B5 to spend some time with her brother, and she tries to force him to move on with his life and not remain in such mourning. He blames himself for not only canceling their anniversary dinner but for not telling her he loved her due to a rushed mission that preoccupied him. A communication crystal reveals a conversation that might just allow him to get on with his life, provided by Elizabeth during one of her talks with John's wife. Also, Garibaldi awakens from his coma because both Franklin and Sheridan allow use of their life force through the benefit of the alien healing device (from "The Quality of Mercy"). With Talia's help, Garibaldi learns of who it was that blasted him in the back. But the corrupt security officer tells him it wasn't HomeGuard that assassinated the President, but a force coming that will be the victor in a great war (and he will be on the winning side). There's implying in the episode that the current President was behind the murder of the past President (confirmed with his contact with Sheridan, and demand for the prisoner to be sent out to Earthforce for an investigation into the charges of how the officer was involved in the assassination conspiracy), and when the prisoner transfers onto a faux Earthforce ship, it perhaps signals that Psi Corps (the prisoner sends a mocking sign to Garibaldi that indicated the Corps involvement) are also involved in the conspiracy regarding a frightening uprising that could overtake Earth. All of this and Ambassador Delenn awakens from her cocoon, for a little while encased in a brittle shell, but with Franklin's help she arrives to a Council meeting a new woman, human and Minbari, a transformation in the hopes of bridging the races. Mira Furlan's beauty can now be even more appreciated through this stunning transformation. Probably the most troubling part of the episode is how Ambassador Molari further embraces the darkside in association with Morden and the Shadows, particularly in how he gives out a position to a world, investigated by G'Kar's people. Sitting on the Council of B5, Molari was only one of few who knew of the investigation, more than willing to tell Morden. It's a dangerous alliance that shows that Molari is in over his head but so longing for great power he's willing to lend support to an old race with a diabolical master plan.
4 Reviews
pretty much a follow-up from the last episode
planktonrules5 January 2007
This episode is pretty much a continuation of the last episode and it is a purely transitional episode--linking season 1 with season 2 and setting the stage for future episodes. As a result, not a lot is accomplished per se in the episode--it's more like sitting back and watching everything being put in place for future action. For example, Garibaldi is STILL in a coma from the end of season 1, people are still trying to get used to the replacement of Commander Sinclair and G'Kar is off on some unknown mission and you are waiting to find out what he is up to. While this makes for a not especially satisfying episode by itself, it did a good job of getting the ball slowly rolling.
We're on a Roll
VenVes24 July 2018
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