"Babylon 5" Mind War (TV Episode 1994) Poster

(TV Series)

(1994)

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9/10
Mind War
Scarecrow-882 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"Let me pass on to you the one thing I've learned about this place. No one here is exactly what he appears."

This was a statement from G'Kar to Sakai and I certainly think it holds a universe of truth, importantly established here for later use in the series. While I do believe Babylon 5 fans are a bit harsh to the show's earlier episodes, I do agree that the series would develop fundamentally and structurally as it continues into must-follow television, starting threads in this episode that progressively build to supreme effect.

Various story lines for Babylon 5, Mind War: Psi Corps, a telepathic organization used to protect Earth's interests, send two of their best cops, (including Star Trek's Chekov himself, Walter Koenig, in perhaps the best part of his career as the sinister Bester) to Babylon 5 station believing a "rogue telepath" is on his way (if not already there). The rogue is named Jason Ironheart (William Allen Young, a fine actor with a kind face), and his association with Babylon 5's stationed telepath, Talia Winters (the curvy, sexy Andrea Thompson, in a terrific performance here) is the emotional core of this episode. Catherine Sakai (Julia Nickson) has information that a planet named Sigma 957 which could have significant minerals/resources considered quite profitable, but G'Kar (rightfully so) forewarns her of strange things that happen in that sector. She encounters an unusual energy-draining "space anomaly" (I honestly don't know how else to describe it) that seems to work almost as a type of star gate. What it is Sakai poses to G'Kar who himself doesn't know, comparing us to ants and how we appear as ants to it. Most importantly, established above all else, is the disturbing development of what the Psi Corps is planning in regards to the use of telepaths, involving telekinesis and the gaining of power.

Koenig's first episode as Bester sets the stage for what future turbulent times are in store for the Babylon 5 station. I think with what Ironheart mentions to former lover Talia in regards to the dangerous Psi Corps, Babylon 5 foretells of the telepathic organization's frightening motives with the future of Earth in question. The end result of the episode—what Ironheart "becomes"—is quite profound. His mindquakes are quite a sight to behold and render a whole section in disarray; also Ironheart's moments with Talia, when we see he is not the evil turncoat Becker insists he is, are dramatically potent. Strong episode of the first season.
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9/10
Hoo-ray for Bester!!!
planktonrules2 January 2007
This was an exceptional episode and was a welcome relief from many of the early B-5 shows, as most of the very early ones were more "time fillers" than part of the over-arching plots that made this show one of the greatest sci-fi series ever. Now in episode 6 you could finally start to see some of the plot threads necessary to later episodes start to appear. Plus, it just so happens that my all-time favorite character from the show is seen for the first time--"Bester". Walter Koenig ("Chekov" from the original Star Trek) was just great as the slimy, egotistical and darkly evil Psi Cop and in this episode he seems less awful than he will be in later shows. But this slow unfolding of characters is one of the best things about this show and having Bester and many of the characters from earlier shows re-appear in later episodes help to give the show an almost epic movie quality--like it's all one giant tapestry. See this one and see how the Bester character was from day 1. An excellent episode.
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9/10
This is where it all started...
GraXXoR23 June 2022
For me, this is the episode where the B5 story truly began.

I consider the earlier episodes simple character introductions, devised to bring the main players together, with some memorable moments but nothing really that hinted at B5's future greatness.

Here, in episode 6 is where we start to get to the meat and vegetables of the whole show. Where the first outlines of major story arcs are hinted at and deeper layers are revealed.

And of course, I can't finish without the obligatory homage: The introduction of Bester. He is an infuriatingly delightful character, one of my favourites throughout the show's span.

Be seeing you.
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10/10
Introducing Bester and the Psi-cops
Tweekums3 June 2018
As this episode opens a stolen ship is approached by fighters but manages to escape; its destination is Babylon 5. Shortly afterwards two Psi-cops, the Psi-Corps police who enforce their rules on telepaths arrive on Babylon 5. They are looking for Jason Ironheart; the man on the stolen ship who was previously Talia Winters trainer and lover. Bester, the senior Psi-cop declines to say why they want Ironheart but he does expect full cooperation. They scan Talia to ensure she hasn't been contacted by Ironheart; shortly afterwards he does make contact and tells her why he is wanted. If he is to be believed the Psi-corp present a grave threat to everybody. Elsewhere Catherine Sakai has been contracted to survey the planet Sigma 967; it is in Narn space and G'Kar warns her against going as 'strange things happen their' she ignores him and learns just what he meant.

This was a great episode, possibly the best so far. The highlight is the introduction of Bester and the sinister Psi-cops. Walter Koenig does a great job in this role; he makes his character arrogant without becoming annoying and quietly menacing in a way that seems believable... he may be best known as Star Trek's Ensign Chekov but Bester is the better role! The main story tells us more about telepaths in general and the operations of the Psi-corps and the Psi-cops in particular. Ironheart was an interesting character; dangerous but not obviously malicious. William Allen Young did a solid job in the role. The secondary story might not have been as important to the episode but it opened details that could prove very important... until now it appeared that the species we see on Babylon 5 are the galaxy's dominant life forms; this suggest that there may be other beings beyond our comprehension; so far advanced that they would look on us the way we look at ants. Overall this was a great episode; both because of what it included but also because of hints of what might come later regarding the Psi-cops and the beings that may dwell near Sigma 967.
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8/10
The making of the show
rclay-114 November 2013
Up until this episode the fact is it had all been a bit silly. Not the concept .... that was really quite good, but some of the story lines and scripting was a bit ... well ... childish. But this episode ... wow ... took two great concepts, the psi corps, and some alien life form so advanced we were little more than ants ... well that's great sci-fi. For me this was the making of this series, and although it could never escape it's cliché-ed scripting, it now had a quality that made it worth watching, and the Sinclair and Shadow War made for a good story. B5 became quality Sci-Fi, and I can think of no greater acknowledgement from my point of view ... (to follow Uncle Albert's lead.)
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