Tag: TNT

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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

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Appearances and Other Deceits

CrusadeThe investigation of a derelict ship brings a colony of mental parasites aboard the ship. Gideon manages to contain them before they take over the entire ship, but they are only willing to relinquish control of the possessed crewmen if the Excalibur lets them loose on an inhabited world. A security officer gives his life to save Max from the parasites, and Max wonders if the sacrifice was worth it. A designer and public relations consultant from Earth overhaul the “look” of the mission to help reassure the viewers at home of its eventual success.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Stephen Furst
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), Luanne Ponce (Janey), John Vickery (Mr. Welles), Wayne Anderson (Kevin Sprach), Christopher Michael (Earthforce Captain)

Notes: John Vickery appeared as Minbari warrior Neroon in Babylon 5, as well as the shifty Mr. Welles in the episode The Fall Of Night. This episode was written as a segue into the first produced episodes of the series, and some of its dialogue was a parody of the real-life problems between Crusade’s producers and TNT executives that eventually killed the series. The references to changes in the Excalibur’s decor and uniforms reflected TNT’s demands; in actuality, the costumes and sets seen in Racing The Night and later episodes were what Crusade was originally intended to look like.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Racing The Night

CrusadeGideon’s sources lead the Excalibur to a world that may have fallen victim to the plague centuries ago. After a crewman is murdered and vivisected despite the planet’s apparent lack of life forms, an investigation reveals a graveyard of alien ships – and attracts a well-armed defense force determined to prevent the Excalibur’s departure. Galen continues to refuse Dureena’s request to be trained as a technomage. Despite his mistrust, Gideon turns once more to his hidden source – the box he won years before.

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), Brenan Baird (Kulan), Madison Mason (General Miller), Neil Bradley (Drazi Ambassador), Roxanna Brusso (Crew member #1), Jonathan Chapman (Brakiri Ambassador), Adam Clark (Ranger)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

The Needs of Earth

CrusadeA Ranger tips Gideon off on the whereabouts of an alien refugee named Natchok Var, who is on the run with a very important cargo – the sum total of all of his race’s knowledge. That data could include a lead on the cure to the Drakh plague – but to procure it, Gideon and his crew will have to break any number of local laws and assist a fugitive from justice. The captain and Dureena take great personal risks to rescue the man, but Dureena’s lifelong distaste for servitude causes her to set free a shipment of slaves, which alerts the authorities to the Excalibur’s presence. Gideon may have the precious information in his hands, but the price for his crew’s survival will be the life of the man they have just rescued.

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), Tony Amendola (Natchok Var), Bill Mondy (Nix), Mark Hendrickson (Patron), Peter Welkin (Trulann), Tom Wyner (Aprori Flentam)

Notes: This was the first episode produced.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

The Memory of War

CrusadeLegend speaks of a world long dead, its population destroyed by an undetectable, unstoppable killer, whose cities remain untouched. The Rangers find a world that may be the source of the legend, but when the Excalibur arrives to investigate, Galen warns them to turn back. This world has been off-limits even to technomages for over a hundred years. Gideon is determined to see what information this world may have, however. (And Eilerson is equally determined to see what technology may have survived.) Dureena finds a final mesage left by the planet’s inhabitants, but no one can determine what killed them, until members of the landing party start dying in violent fashion. Chambers’ autopsy uncovers the cause of death – and sends Galen deep underground to stop the madness of one of his own kind.

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), Susie Park (Sogayu), James Parks (Duncan), John St. Ryan (Technomage), Ron Campbell (Belan), Maggie Egan (ISN Reporter), Dustin MacDonald (Guard)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Visitors From Down The Street

CrusadeTwo aliens are retrieved from a drifting life pod, but instead of showing gratitude when brought aboard the Excalibur, they take a hostage and accuse Gideon of imprisoning, torturing and murdering their race – but when Matheson checks with Earth, there is no record of any contact with this species. Gideon learns from the male alien, Durkani, that his race’s deep space probes have photographed Earth, and that some kind of spacecraft from Earth supposedly crash-landed on their world, causing a firestorm of speculation and paranoia. Durkani and his colleague, Lyssa, have spent years investigating the rumors, the leads, and the scant evidence, until finally the authorities closed in on them and forced them to flee. Durkani believes that he and Lyssa were getting too close to secrets being concealed by the government – secrets pointing to a long-range plan for a takeover by the human race. Of course, Gideon doesn’t believe a word of it…but when another member of the same species approaches in another ship, demanding that Durkani and Lyssa be handed over for summary execution, Gideon wonders if the two might not be on to something very real.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Jerry Apoian
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), Josh Clark (Kendarr), Francoise Robertson (Lyssa), Harry Van Gorkum (Durkani), Robert Caso (Maintenance Man), Sandra Gonzalez (Maintenance #2), Eric Whitmore (Security #1), Camila Griggs (Security #2)

Notes: British actor Harry Van Gorkum was one of the final contenders for the role of the Doctor in Fox’s 1996 TV movie revival of Doctor Who; he lost the role to Paul McGann.

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer with notes by Earl Green

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Babylon 5 / Crusade Spinoff: Crusade

Each Night I Dream Of Home

CrusadeGideon is most annoyed when a member of the Earth Senate commandeers the Excalibur for a high-security mission (about which its crew is told nothing). He’s even more mystified when Senator Redway’s enigmatic mission takes the Excalibur back to Earth, and instead of an aide, the Senator has his plumber in tow. Stopping just long enough to rescue a heavily damaged Starfury piloted by Captain Lochley, Excalibur arrives safely at Earth, where a shuttle on autopilot is launched from the Earth, releases a sterile life pod, and is destroyed. The pod is opened under heavy quarantine, and its occupant is none other than Dr. Stephen Franklin, head of xenobiological research for the Earth Alliance, the lead researcher tackling the problem of the plague – and a carrier of the deadly virus. For Franklin to study the Drakh virus closely, he must take readings as it infects a new victim. Senator Redway’s plumber, whose fiancee is trapped on Earth, has volunteered to be infected so he may return home for his wedding. Eager to break the news to his intended, Mr. Williams breaks radio silence and contacts her on Earth…but when the Drakh intercept the transmission, they realize that it must be part of the search for a cure, and they set out to destroy the Excalibur once and for all.

Order the DVDswritten by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Stephen Furst
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), Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin), Lance Le Gault (Senator Redway), Timothy Williams (David Williams), Liz Lavoie (Carole Miles), Carl Reggiardo (Drakh)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Pilot Movie Witchblade

Witchblade (Pilot Movie)

WitchbladeNYPD detectives Sara Pezzini and Danny Woo are on the trail of a criminal named Gallo who, among other things, is suspected by Pezzini of murdering her father, and, more recently, a childhood friend of hers. In the ensuing chase, Pezzini and Danny are separated, and Pez finds herself in an art gallery at the mercy of a trained killer. The only thing that saves her life is the Witchblade – an armored gauntlet in one of the display cases which seems to somehow make its own way onto her arm in the melee, deflecting bullets and effectively ending the fight by sparking a huge explosion which kills the gunman. Pezzini is understandably confused by what has happened, especially when there is no evidencee of the gauntlet later (though she can’t explain the origin of the ancient-looking bracelet which now graces her wrist) – nor is there any evidence of a dark-clothed man who she spotted gazing at the Witchblade in the gallery.

As she recovers from the fierce fight, Pezzini’s dreams are infiltrated by the bracelet, filling them with images of death, battle, and even Joan of Arc. And the man in black from the gallery is watching her and reporting back to an unseen master – a master who owns the Rialto Theatre, a property in which Gallo is interested. Pezzini and Danny act on a tip about Gallo’s interest in the Rialto from rookie cop Jake McCarty – whose somewhat hazy background doesn’t inspire Danny’s trust. Unknown to the two veteran cops, two others tag along when they stake out the Rialto – the man who has been trailing Pez, and McCarty, who seems determined to get a piece of the action. But the stakeout goes horribly wrong when Danny is captured by Gallo’s thugs and killed in cold blood by Gallo himself. Before McCarty can come to the rescue, the mysterious man in black knocks him out cold. Pezzini is alone against her arch nemesis, and suddenly the bracelet’s true nature makes itself known – it unfolds across her arm, becoming the Witchblade, enabling her to take on and defeat Gallo’s mob literally single-handedly.

As if her life isn’t already complicated enough, Pezzini files a report about the Rialto incident, but leaves out any mention of her secret weapon, which arouses the police department’s suspicion. Danny appears to her at his own funeral, seemingly as a ghost that only she can see. Gallo is still on the loose, and even tries to claim the Danny’s death is Pezzini’s fault. And perhaps most shockingly of all, her mentor (and the captain of the NYPD homicide division) admits that Pezzini was adopted at birth – and the man whose death she seeks to avenge wasn’t even her real father. McCarty tries to shoehorn himself into the position of being Sara’s partner, even coming up with an unusual link between the museum where she found the Witchblade, the Rialto, and the man in black. The common denominator is eccentric billionaire Kenneth Irons, owner of the gigantic Vorschlaag Industries, and collector of art and artifacts related to the Witchblade. Irons tells her the nature of her newfound savior, and even offers to help her hone her skill at using it. But as soon as she leaves, Irons and his minion begin laying out plans to manipulate Sara, to see if she is truly destined to wear the Witchblade. Even though she doesn’t know how to summon its powers in battle, Sara Pezzini will have to use the Witchblade as best she can in one last showdown with Gallo.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by J.D. Zeik
directed by Ralph Hemecker
music by Joel Goldsmith and Neil Acree

Cast: Yancy Butler (Detective Sara Pezzini), Anthony Cistaro (Kenneth Irons), Conrad Dunn (Gallo), David Chokachi (Detective Jake McCarty), Kenneth Welsh (Captain Joe Siri), Will Yun Lee (Detective Danny Woo), Eric Etebari (Ian Nottingham), Jody Racicot (Maria), Hal Eisen (Lorenzo Vespucci), Jim Codrington (Drexler), Tony Munch (?), Katherine Trowell (?), Whitney Westwood (?), Phil Hay (?), Tyson McAuley (?), Noah Danby (?), Sven Wan De Ven (?), Tig Fong (?), Sean Baek (?), and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Parallax

WitchbladeThe inquiry into the ambush at the Rialto Theater is not looking good for Pezzini – and her prospects of keeping her badge look even worse when the antagonistic Captain Dante is appointed as the head of the homicide department. Evidence involving a bladed weapon at the site of the massacre has turned up, and there are questions about a man who knocked Jake out cold just before the fight – a man who is at this very moment being hunted down by three heavily-armed combatants on motorcycles. After the inquiry session is over, Jake and Pez respond to this duel, only to find that two of the three combatants didn’t make it out of the fight. Pez gives chase to one of them, but loses him after narrowly missing one of his bullets. The trail of evidence eventually leads her to the door of Kenneth Irons, who is also being hunted by the sole surviving assailant of his bodyguard – but will protecting Irons neceessarily be the lesser of two evils for the wielder of the Witchblade?

Season 1 Regular Cast: Yancy Butler (Detective Sara Pezzini), David Chokachi (Detective Jake McCarty), Anthony Cistaro (Kenneth Irons), Will Yun Lee (Danny Woo), Eric Etebari (Ian Nottingham)

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by Ralph Hemecker
story by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by Ralph Hemecker
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: Nestor Serrano (Captain Dante), Peter Mensah (Moebius), Kenneth Welsh (Captain Siri), Kathryn Winslow (Vicki), Sandrine Holt (?), Wade Eastwood (Black Dragon #2), Fragna Dusai (Black Dragon #3), and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Conundrum

WitchbladePezzini receives an anonymous tip – suspicious in itself – about a murder. When she and McCartey arrive on the scene, all they find are bleached bones. Clues lead Pez to a modeling agency run by Dominique Boucher. In the course of questioning the victim’s roommate, Pez stumbles upon a stunning discovery – a photograph of a woman, circa World War II, who looks exactly like her, and she appears to be wearing the Witchblade on her wrist. The evidence begins to point toward Ms. Boucher, who Pezzini discovers has had a torrid past with Kenneth Irons – and she also finds out, too late, that Boucher has also worn the Witchblade…and knows how to control it, even if someone else is now wearing it.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by Edithe Swensen
story by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by Neill Fearnley
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: Laila Robins (Dominique Boucher), Malin Ackerman (Karen Bronte), Kathryn Winslow (Vicki), Will Corno (Photographer), Quancita Hamilton (Gina Maris), Malcolm Xerxes (?), Martin Samuel (?), and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Diplopia

WitchbladePezzini’s sixth sense tells her something is wrong during an investigation into the murder of a New York art dealer – and she’s irritated with McCartey’s reluctance to touch the case with a ten-foot pole because the victim was homosexual and the trail of clues leads back to Badlands, a well known gay bar. Artist Issac Sullivan seems to be a promising lead until Pezzini discovers that his whereabouts can be vouched for at the time of the murder. Another murder is committed, and Pezzini realizes she has a serial killer on her hands. Her search for clues about the Witchblade is also proving fruitless, with Dominique Boucher rapidly aging toward her death in a holding cell, but she does find a potential ally in a young internet entrepreneur, Gabriel Bowman. Little does Pez know that the key to both mysteries is Kenneth Irons.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by David Michaelson
stoey by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by Vern Gillum
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: John Hensley (Gabriel Bowman), Laila Robbins (Dominique Boucher), Anthony Lemke (Isaac Sullivan), Rory Feore (Dr. Dandwell), Peter Cockerey (Foster), Jeff Courington (Foster’s lover), Andrea Pinock (Waitress), Johnie Chase (?), Shaun Austin-Olsen (?), Milka Schiro (?), and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Sacrifice

WitchbladePezzini investigates what appears to be a ritualistic murder, and is intrigued by a symbol painted on the walls near the murder scene. She takes a photo of the symbol to Gabriel, hoping that his penchant for the occult might provide her with a clue – and it does, pointing her to a nightclub were an Irish rock musician named Conchobar is playing. But at the same time, it’s revealed that the body found earlier was a cadaver – the “victim” was already dead. Pezzini still visits the club, which seems pointless until Conchobar’s lyrics mention “the witch’s glove” – and proceed from there to describe, in detail, a murder that isn’t reported until the next day. Conchobar himself has an alibi, but someone seems to be following his lyrics to the letter – and the words aren’t new. The same story is already spelled out in an ancient Celtic text owned by Kenneth Irons.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by Richard C. Okie
story by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by David S. Jackson
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: Nestor Serrano (Captain Dante), John Hensley (Gabriel Bowman), Kim De Lury (Conchobar), Paulino Nunes (Brian Reilly), Jean Youn (Iona), Maini Thorston (Debra Mason), Sandra Jackson (?), Robert Lee (?), Junior Williams (Vaughn) and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Legion

WitchbladeAn elderly Catholic priest is murdered in his own church, and a suspect is immediately captured – a mentally ill man named Edward Nolan who had frequently sought absolution by confession to the deceased priest. Two other priests admit that Nolan may, in fact, be possessed by Satan – but Pezzini doesn’t buy it. When Danny appears to her to offer advice, Pez asks him to put her in touch with the murdered priest – but this deposition from beyond the grave leads her to answers more terrifying than she could have imagined. There is a strong possibility that the Catholic Church may have its own agenda where the Witchblade is concerned – and so too may the devil himself.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by Richard C. Okie
story by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by Neill Fearnley
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: Roger Daltrey (Father Del Toro), Nestor Serrano (Captain Dante), Kim De Lury (Conchobar), Paul Robbins (Father Petrozzi), David Hemblen (Monsignor Bellamy), Sandrine Holt (Newscaster), Martin Samuel (?), Jessica Booker (Old woman), Jamie Robinson (?), Noah Dianev (?), Neill Fearnley (Desk officer) and Lazar

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 1 Witchblade

Maelstrom

WitchbladePezzini finds it tempting to call in sick and stay in bed all day – with Conchobar – but decides to go to work anyway. Not long after she leaves, however, a band of masked thugs burst into her apartment and kidnap Conchobar. Like him, they’re Irish nationals, but they have no personal interest in him. To his captors, Conchobar is valuable only as a bargaining chip they hope to use to lure his brother, an IRA terrorist, out into the open. Pezzini goes above and beyond the call of duty to find who has taken her lover and where he’s been taken – and she even begins to use powers beyond those granted by her badge to this end. The terrorists want not only money, but the Witchblade itself – and when Kenneth Irons refuses to help her retrieve it, Sara Pezzini finds herself up against the invincible might of her own weapon…and an infinite well of rage and hatred tapped by the death of someone very close to her.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonteleplay by Richard C. Okie
story by Ralph Hemecker & Richard C. Okie
directed by James Whitmore Jr.
music by Joel Goldsmith

Guest Cast: Nestor Serrano (Captain Dante), John Hensley (Gabriel Bowman), Kim De Lury (Conchobar), Trent McMullen (Sean), Deborah Pollitt (Terrorist), Dree MacDonald (Terrorist), Brendan Wall (Terrorist), Tracy Shreve (?), Johnie Chase (?), Kevin Rushton (?), Nenna Abuwa (?)

LogBook entry by Earl Green