Category: Babylon 5 / Crusade

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

Movements of Fire and Shadow

Babylon 5As the Alliance worlds are plunged into yet another bloody war, this time against the might and unusual strategy of the Centauri, Sheridan asks Delenn to go to Minbar and ask the Grey Council to approve construction of more ships using the technology of the White Star fleet. After an unusual experience on Centauri Prime, Londo talks his way out of his cell and begs the Regent to stop the war before any more lives on both sides are lost – but his requests are met with cryptic and terrifying answers. Lochley finds out, almost too late, that even Babylon 5 isn’t safe from the aggression of the Centauri. Franklin and Lyta find out, just too late, that perhaps the Centauri are not fighting their own war after all. But for the Centauri homeworld, and the man who will rule it at the dawn of the next day, it is too late by far.

Order now!Download this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by John C. Flinn III
music by Christopher Franke

Guest Cast: Wayne Alexander (Drakh), Josh Clark (Kulomani), Joshua Cox (Lt. Corwin), Damian London (Regent), Thomas MacGreevy (Minister), Bart McCarthy (Daro), Robin Sachs (Na’Tok), Neil Bradley (Dr. Uterana Varta)

Notes: Sheridan’s discussion about creating a destroyer-class White Star ship is later realized in the Excalibur, the ship on which the spinoff series Crusade takes place.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade TV Movies

Thirdspace

Babylon 5En route back to Babylon 5 after springing a trap on unwelcome raiders, a Starfury squadron led by Ivanova happens upon an immense alien artifact, miles long, adrift in hyperspace. No sooner is it towed into Babylon 5 space than Interplanetary Expeditions scientist Elizabeth Trent arrives, intent on taking charge of the alien object. Sheridan is wary of IPX’s motives – after all, they played a part in unearthing Shadow vessels on Mars and Ganymede – but Lyta Alexander is wary of the presence of the artifact itself. Her telepathy picked up on it the moment Ivanova found it, but now that it’s at close range to the station, she has almost been reduced to a vegetable. Others are affected by the proximity of the object as well, even those without telepathy, and Zack worries that the sudden increase of violence on the station is no coincidence. Dr. Trent finds hints that the Vorlons may have had something to do with the artifact, but does not reveal that information to Sheridan willingly. Long ago, the Vorlons built the device with delusions of godhood, unwittingly unleashing hell in the process. When the Vorlons altered Lyta, they implanted an instruction to be given should the passage to thirdspace ever be encountered – destroy, or be detroyed.

Order the DVDsDownload this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Jesus Salvador Trevino
music by Christopher Franke

Cast: Bruce Boxleitner (Captain John Sheridan), Claudia Christian (Commander Susan Ivanova), Mira Furlan (Delenn), Richard Biggs (Dr. Franklin), Jeff Conaway (Zack Allan), Stephen Furst (Vir), Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander), Clyde Kusatsu (Bill Hiroshi), Shari Belafonte (Dr. Elizabeth Trent), William Sanderson (Deuce), Kip King (Leo), Floyd Levine (Alex), Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter (Merchant), Joshua Cox (Lt. Corwin), Judson Mills (Delta 7), G. Adam Gifford (Guard), Jerry Kernion (Kuehler), Valerie Red-Horse (Technician)

Timeline: This movie is set during season 4 of Babylon 5, after the end of the Vorlon-Shadow war, but before the open declaration of hostilities against Earth.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

The Fall of Centauri Prime

Babylon 5Sheridan arrives at Centauri Prime, too late to stop the Narn and Drazi fleet from laying waste to the planet. They cease their bombing upon his arrival, only to demand the aid of the White Stars against the returning Centauri fleet. Delenn and Lennier limp through hyperspace, trying to avoid the Centauri while remaining detectable to would-be rescuers. Londo’s past returns to haunt him, and bring him one step closer to his ultimate fate.

Order now!Download this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Douglas E. Wise
music by Christopher Franke

Guest Cast: Wayne Alexander (Drakh), Simon Billig (Ranger), Damian London (Regent), Robin Sachs (Na’tok)

Appearing in footage from Into The Fire: Ed Wasser (Morden)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

The Wheel of Fire

Babylon 5G’Kar returns to Babylon 5 to a more enthusiastic welcome than he’d prefer. Garibaldi can no longer hide his drinking problem; Sheridan and Lochley take different paths in reaching out to help him. Lise arrives on the station, offering to share Michael’s struggles with him and asking him to share control of Edgars Industries with her. Zack and Lochley learn that Lyta has been supporting terrorist activity against Psi Corps, creating a dilemma – how does one arrest someone who may be a living Vorlon doomsday weapon? But while station security sees problems, Garibaldi sees an opportunity to take back control of his life…and perhaps settle a score.

Order now!Download this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Janet Greek
music by Christopher Franke

Guest Cast: Monique Edwards (Officer), Denise Gentile (Lise Hampton-Edgars)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

Objects In Motion

Babylon 5Sheridan plans a grand farewell for G’Kar and Garibaldi, not just to express his gratitude, but to smoke out an assassin trying to keep Garibaldi and Lise from learning too much about Edgars Industries’ less benevolent projects. Number One rekindles her acquaintance with Franklin and once again asks for help in dealing with Earth. Earthforce may have stopped shooting at the rebels, but Mars’ provisional government is learning that red tape can be just as effective a weapon as a PPG. An eager Narn who comes to learn from G’Kar teaches him a lesson instead: an icon disappoints his followers at his own peril.

Order now!Download this episodeteleplay by J. Michael Straczynski
story by J. Michael Straczynski and Harlan Ellison
directed by Jesus Salvador Trevino
music by Christopher Franke

Guest Cast: Denise Gentile (Lise Hampton-Edgars), James Hornbeck (Casey), Marjorie Monaghan (Number One), Jeffrey James Castillo (Guard), Walter Williamson (Paretti), Neil Bradley (Tru’nill)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

Objects At Rest

Babylon 52262 nears its end, and the last of B5’s departing residents say their goodbyes. Franklin hands the keys to Medlab over to Dr. Hobbs. Ta’lon answers a summons from G’Kar, not knowing that he has been chosen to succeed the departed ambassador. Garibaldi takes charge of Edgars Industries. Lennier returns to the station to escort Sheridan and Delenn to the new Alliance headquarters, but his arrival sets the stage for a possibly fatal betrayal. And an unexpected reunion provides a few moments of joy for Londo…while once again advancing his associates’ sinister agenda.

Order now!Download this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by John Copeland
music by Christopher Franke

Guest Cast: Marshall Teague (Ta’lon), Jennifer Balgobin (Dr. Lillian Hobbs), Simon Billig (Ranger), Joshua Cox (Lt. Corwin), Marjorie Monaghan (Number One), Maggie Egan (ISN Reporter), Mike Manzoni (Employee)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Season 5

Sleeping In Light

Babylon 5Twenty years after the end of the Shadow War, only Zack remains on Babylon 5, waiting to fulfill his promise to be there when they turn the lights out. Garibaldi and Lise run their corporation and a family that includes a daughter. Franklin continues his xenological medical research from Earthdome. Ivanova is a respected, but tired, General in Earthforce. Emperor Vir Cotto has helped Centauri Prime recover from its devastation. The Rangers seek them all with a message from Delenn, now president of the Alliance…as Lorien predicted, Sheridan’s life is coming to an end. But even as they gather to commemorate his imminent passing, there is still a place for the hope of new beginnings.

Order now!Download this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by J. Michael Straczynski
music by Christopher Franke

Babylon 5Cast: Bruce Boxleitner (John Sheridan), Claudia Christian (General Susan Ivanova), Jerry Doyle (Michael Garibaldi), Mira Furlan (President Delenn), Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin), Stephen Furst (Emperor Vir Cotto), Jeff Conaway (Zack Allan), Wayne Alexander (Lorien), Romy Rosemont (Publicist), David Wells (Commander Nils), Sharon Annett (Mary Garibaldi), Dan Sachoff (Aide), Lair Torrant (Ranger), Kent Minault (Captain of the Guard), J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5 shutdown technician)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade TV Movies

A Call To Arms

Babylon 5On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the formation of the Interstellar Alliance, Garibaldi – who has been heading up the project to construct a new destroyer-class starship with Earth, Minbari and Vorlon technology – picks up President Sheridan for a secret test run of the new vehicle. However, the test run is neither successful nor secret. Unknown to Sheridan or Garibaldi, a technomage called Galen is watching them, against the wishes of his fellow wizards. Galen uses the technological magic of his order to contact Sheridan secretly, warning him that the Drakh – the surviving servants of the Shadows who engineered the Alliance’s war with Centauri Prime – are preparing to ascend to the throne of their former masters by launching an attack on Earth. Galen drops a hint about the planet Daltron 7, and is then gone. Galen also sends Sheridan a vision of Babylon 5, and Sheridan immediately sets off for the station at top speed with Garibaldi in tow, sketching a handful of faces from his vision…faces of people whom he has never met.

After arriving at the station, the faces from Sheridan’s vision begin to appear – Dureena Nafeel, a skilled thief and the last known survivor of the Shadow-destroyed world of Zander Prime, and Captain Anderson, an Earthforce officer who, like Sheridan and Dureena, has been contacted by Galen through mysterious visions. With three pieces of the puzzle together, Sheridan puts a plan into motion to stop the Drakh before they can attack Earth, until Anderson points out that his Earthforce heavy cruiser may not be enough to stop the Drakh if they now command abandoned Shadow technology. Sheridan, Dureena and Anderson quietly slip away, returning to the proving grounds for the two new destroyers and hijacking both ships. Soon, the Excalibur and the Victory – under the command of Sheridan and Anderson, respectively – are en route to Daltron 7. But upon arrival, they find an annihilated world and a dead Drazi, the only remaining face from Sheridan’s vision. The Drazi, however, left a recorded message with a warning – the Drakh have revived a Shadow planet killer, the most powerful weapon in their arsenal, and intend to use this to wreak vengeance on Earth.

Sheridan convinces Captain Lochley to warn Earth of the impending attack as the Excalibur and the Victory race to lead the battle. But when the Drakh assault on Earth is over, the human race’s days are numbered, the Earth’s ecosystem poisoned with a lethal, contagious, time-released toxin of alien origin. And all at once, nothing will ever be the same…

Order the DVDsDownload this episodewritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Michael Vejar
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Bruce Boxleitner (President John Sheridan), Jerry Doyle (Michael Garibaldi), Jeff Conaway (Security Chief Zack Allan), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), Peter Woodward (Galen), Tony Todd (Captain Leonard Anderson), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Tony Maggio (Drake), Michael Harris (Bishop), Scott MacDonald (First Officer), Wayne Alexander (Drakh), Carlos Bernard (Communications), Burt Bulos (Navigation), Ron Campbell (Drazi), David Coburn (Minbari Ranger), Matt Gallini (Rolf), Valeria Ghiran (ISN Reporter), Marjean Holden (Navigation), Endre Hules (Yuri), Tim O’Hare (First Mage), Tom Ramirez (Second Mage), LaRita Shelby Mullen (Lynne), Kayla Spell (Sarah)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

War Zone

CrusadeIn the aftermath of the Drakh War, Earth Alliance ships pursue remnants of the Drakh fleet. The government has moved to Mars, and those trapped behind the Earth quarantine have already begun to surrender to despair. The EA assembles a team of scientists and soldiers to crew the Excalibur and search the galaxy for any clue that may lead to a cure before all life on Earth ends. Despite the government’s attempt to maintain control of this politically delciate mission, two participants in the War are determined to take their place in the effort. On its shakedown cruise, the Excalibur has its first opportunity for action: save a team of archaeologists from an advancing Drakh army, and salvage the Drakh’s fallen ship.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Janet Greek
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Alex Mendoza (Trace Miller), Tim Thomerson (Sentator McQuate), Chris Comes (Aide), Maggie Egan (ISN Anchor), Don Fischer (Captain Henson), Mark Hendrickson (Drakh Captain), Elijah Majar (Crew #1), Rebecca Markham (Sam), Brook Parker (Lieutenant Ross), John Sanderford (Mr. Ames), Will Schaub (Jenson), Otto Sturcke (Ensign)

Notes: The episode Racing The Night was originally intended to lead off the series, but TNT insisted that series creator J. Michael Straczynski turn in a script with more action and introductions to the characters (since production delays meant that Crusade didn’t premiere until half a year after the Babylon 5 movie A Call To Arms, which was meant to segue between the two series). As such, the inclusion of elements like the mutiny aboard Gideon’s ship and the obviously 20th century news footage were last-minute additions. Galen and Dureena were both introduced in A Call To Arms, as was the Excalibur herself; Marjean Holden also appeared in that movie, though not in her regular Crusade role of Dr. Sarah Chambers.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer with notes by Earl Green

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

The Long Road

CrusadeSome time ago, Earth colonists discovered a planet whose water supply contains an anti-viral agent. An EA destroyer sets up a mining operation near the planet’s major settlement, a group of humans who voluntarily live with 1800’s-era technology. The locals, however, are opposed, and somehow they are causing all sorts of mischief – including the appearance of a giant golden dragon – to impede the effort. The destroyer captain enlists Gideon’s aid, and Galen arranges for him to meet the locals’ protector, an exiled Technomage named Alwyn. Before they can reach some agreement, the locals take hostages, and the captain sends troops. With no one willing to compromise in the resulting standoff, Alwyn resolves to take matters into his own hands, and forces Gideon to decide whose lives are to be saved.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Mike Vejar
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Edward Woodward (Alwyn), Alison Lohman (Claire), Scott Paetty (Lieutenant Meyers), Mik Scriba (Barkeep), Marshall Teague (Captain Daniels), Michael O’Connell (Worker #2), Sophia Santi (Worker #1), Rex Ryon (First man)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

The Well of Forever

CrusadeAn investigator from the Department of Telepathic Integration arrives on the Excalibur to examine Matheson. This Mr. Jones is particularly eager to find a flaw in Matheson, whose part in this prestigious mission has made him something of a role model to telepaths. Galen asks Gideon to bring the ship deep into hyperspace in search of the Well of Forever, which Galen promises holds the answers to whatever questions the crew might hold in their hearts. Dureena suspects Galen’s motives, while Eilerson doesn’t care as long as something profitable may lie at the end of the journey. When the ship arrives at Galen’s coordinates and finds nothing there, Gideon resolves to turn back…prompting Galen to betray his trust, and possibly the ship’s safety, in order to fulfill a promise.

Order the DVDswritten by Fiona Avery
directed by Janet Greek
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Michael Beck (Mr. Jones), David A. Saunders (Navigation), Joe Wandell (Communications officer)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

The Path of Sorrows

CrusadeThe crew brings a seemingly-imprisoned alien aboard the Excalibur. Although it is completely cut off from physical contact with anyone, Gideon discovers that it is able to communicate. It forces him to relive first his abandonment by his ship as it unsuccessfully fled a Shadow vessel, and then his winning of a strange box in a poker game from a man who seemed happy to lose it. Expecting the creature to use this information against him, he is surprised when it instead offers forgiveness. Matheson also receives forgiveness for an episode from his past – his inadverdent role in the destruction of a Psi Corps base during the Telepath War. Galen, however, accuses the creature of feeding off the others’ pain and refuses to accept that it values forgiveness. Seeking to discover why, the creature and Galen relive the slow death of his lover, betrayed by other technomages and stranded without any of their technology and equipment. In his grief, Galen denies the possibility of any plan or order to the universe, unable to believe that any design would include her death, and Isabell promises to prove him wrong. After the creature is returned to its home, for other travlers to find, Matheson offers Galen a hint that the promise has ben fulfilled…if he can believe in the impossible.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Mike Vejar
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Mark Blankfield (Jenson), Gary Graham (Bruder), Sophie Ward (Isabelle), Dawn Stern (Allison), Daniel Guzman (XO), Kevin Major Howard (Officer), Matt O’Toole (First man), Patrick St. Esprit (Captain Ross)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Patterns of the Soul

CrusadeEarthforce diverts the Excalibur from its next investigation in order to test a group of refugees from the Drakh War for the plague. The orders do not sit well with Eilerson, who is under pressure from IPX to report something profitable. They are even less popular with the refugees, whose suspicions of Earthforce’s motives only grow when Chambers’ tests confirm they were infected – but probably after they left Earth. Dureena discovers that others escaped her world before the planet-killer destroyed them – but now the plague threatens to finish the job. A borrowed security code helps Gideon uncover the refugees’ past as military test subjects, but before he can offer any help, some of the refugees take Chambers hostage and demand to leave the planet…thus spreading the virus across the galaxy.

Order the DVDswritten by Fiona Avery
directed by Tony Dow
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Peter Deanda (General Thompson), Sharrise Baker (IPX official), Brian Thompson (Robert Black), Eric Ware (Tim), Scott Carollo (Colonist), Nancy Linehan Charles (Villager), Curt Lowens (Old One)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Ruling From The Tomb

CrusadeThe Earth Alliance convenes a conference on Mars to organize and focus the efforts to defeat the plague. When one of Trace’s former colleagues, a last-minute invitee to the conference, is murdered by a doomsday cult, it renews a crisis of faith for the pilot. Lochley and Gideon clash with each other and with local authorities over control of the investigation, and try to get to know each other better – despite their belief that each already knows the other far too well. Max attempts to escort Dureena through the streets of his hometown, but ends up needing protection himself. A subsequent murder and an attack on Trace set the stage for the cult’s final act – the destruction of Earth’s best minds, and with them, all hope for a cure.

Order the DVDswritten by Peter David
directed by John Copeland
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Alex Mendoza (Trace Miller), Juanita Jennings (Lieutenant Carr), John Novak (Doctor Alain LeBeque), Fred Estrada (Cultist #1), Mario Roberts (Passerby), Jason Rodriguez (Rivera), Harley Zumbrum (Spuser)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Rules Of The Game

CrusadeWhile visiting Babylon 5, Gideon tries to secure permission for the Excalibur to investigate a long-dead civilization from the Lorkans, the planet’s current inhabitants. He and Lochley share some quiet time alone – and the Drazi equivalent of a barbecued beef sandwich – on a tour of Down Below, where they become the targets of two Lorkans who wish to put a permanent end to Gideon’s inquiries. Max’s ex-wife asks for his help in settling a debt with a loan shark, but his stubbornness may only make things worse, not only for them, but for their cat.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Jesus Trevino
music by Evan H. Chen

Cast: Gary Cole (Captain Matthew Gideon), Tracy Scoggins (Captain Elizabeth Lochley), Daniel Dae Kim (Lt. Matheson), Carrie Dobro (Dureena Nafeel), David Allen Brooks (Max Eilerson), Marjean Holden (Dr. Sarah Chambers), Peter Woodward (Galen), Tim Choate (Polix), Timothy Landfield (Lorkan #3), Sal Landi (Rolf Mueller), Jamie Rose (Cynthia Allen), Joel Swetow (Ris), Jonathan Chapman (Brakiri Ambassador), Carl Reggiardo (Drazi vendor), Kathe Weeks (Diane), and Mr. Kitty (himself)

Notes: This episode carries a dedication to Mr. Kitty, pictured in Eilerson’s photograph, who apparently died prior to the airing of the episode. Mr. Kitty was in real life J. Michael Straczynski’s cat. Guest star Tim Choate is better known to Babylon 5 fans as Zathras.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer