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Byron (Babylon 5)
Encyclopedia
Byron Gordon, played by Robin Atkin Downes
, is a fictional character
from the television science fiction
drama
Babylon 5
, introduced in the fifth and final season.
in the season 5 episode "No Compromises
" as a strong telepath (P12 rating). Byron is shown arriving on the Babylon 5
station with a large contingent of rogue telepaths early in the year 2261. At this stage Byron is portrayed as a Gandhi
-like figure; a leader of telepaths who seeks freedom from the Psi Corps
and from mundanes, but that will only do so through assive resistance/physically non-violent means, though he does show himself to be mentally violent, using intimidation and blackmail against members of the alliance. In "The Paragon of Animals
", Byron helps the new Interstellar Alliance
by revealing treachery by the Drazi against the Enphili. John Sheridan
offers Byron and his telepaths political asylum
at Babylon 5
. They are allowed to establish a small colony in Brown 3.
In his early appearances in Season 5, Byron is shown as trying to maintain distance from conflict between his telepaths and the aggressive mundanes from "Down Below", the Psi Corps, and from being used as tools by the Interstellar Alliance. Key disputes come between Byron and Michael Garibaldi
over his wish to employ Byron's telepaths as spies ("The Paragon of Animals" (episode 3)
), and between the telepaths and the Earth Force/Psi Corps over their rogue status ("Strange Relations" (episode 6)
). Ultimately, Byron agrees for two of his people to serve the Alliance, and Elizabeth Lochley
negotiates for the telepaths to remain temporarily on the station.
It is later revealed in "Secrets of the Soul" (episode 7)
that Byron had trained with the Psi Corps. In fact, he had interned with the Psi Cops and was the protege of the famous/infamous Alfred Bester
. This later episode also revealed that he was part of Bester's elite Black Omega squadron, and had deserted after receiving orders to fire upon defenseless mundanes (non-telepaths).
The Psi Corps Trilogy books by Gregory Keyes
expand on this apparent crisis of conscience a little. Byron and his ship appear to have crashed or been lost around Venus
, but this turns out to be a ruse to effect his desertion without raising suspicions.
A second major shift in Byron's outlook occurs in as the result of a romantic relationship with telepath Lyta Alexander
that evolves over several episodes of the television series. Lyta and Byron find comfort and acceptance in each other, however intimate moments ("Secrets of the Soul" (episode 7)
) eventually unlock secrets of the Vorlon
s hidden deep within Lyta's mind. It is revealed to Byron that the Vorlons had generated telepaths as weapons in their war against the Shadows. Byron is shown as angered by this. As the Vorlons are no longer around to be blamed, he decides that the remaining races who had been "saved" by telepaths owe him and his people a new homeland. Furthermore, from comments of his in "The Paragon of Animals" and other episodes, it is clear that in his own way, he despises mundanes just as much as Bester does.
In "In the Kingdom of the Blind" (episode 9)
, Byron threatens the members of the Interstellar Alliance with the revelation of their deepest secrets. The aim of this exercise is increased leverage to further his and his followers' goal of a new telepath homeworld. However, Byron's mental intimidation merely caused conflicts to rapidly escalate, and the Psi Corps is called in to arrest Byron and his followers. While many remained with Byron in a starvation protest sealed in their colony, a group of renegades take a more aggressive stance attacking station personnel and seizing hostages. Amongst the hostages are Garibaldi and Dr Franklin.
In a story arc carried over several episodes ("A Tragedy of Telepaths" (episode 10)
-"Phoenix Rising" (episode 11)) Byron is portrayed as distraught over killing in his name; this is not how he wanted the battle to be fought. With the aid of Lyta Alexander
, he is able to free the hostages and kill the leader of the renegade telepaths. He surrenders under the condition that those who did not take part in the violence would be freed; the renegades and himself would turn themselves in to station security. While these terms are agreed to by Sheridan, the appearance of Alfred Bester during the surrender precipitates a shooting battle, during which many telepaths and security members are killed. Byron, not wanting to return to Psi Corps
, fires into a chemical leak, causing an explosion and turning himself and the other renegades into martyrs.
takes over Byron's mission for a telepath homeland or homeworld, and she becomes the leader of the telepath resistance.
The actions of Byron's more aggressive followers along with Alfred Bester's own violence against them arguably form the opening moves of the Telepath War
.
Robin Atkin Downes
Born in London, England, Robin Atkin Downes is an English actor who is one of the most prolific voice-over actors in Los Angeles. He is well known for his work in film, television and voice acting...
, is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the television science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, introduced in the fifth and final season.
Fictional Biography
Byron Gordon is introduced to Babylon 5Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
in the season 5 episode "No Compromises
No Compromises
"No Compromises" is the first episode of the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. This was the first episode of Babylon 5 to air on TNT.-Synopsis:...
" as a strong telepath (P12 rating). Byron is shown arriving on the Babylon 5
Babylon 5 (space station)
Babylon 5 is a fictional space station and the primary setting in the television series Babylon 5. Its design is a variation of an O'Neill cylinder....
station with a large contingent of rogue telepaths early in the year 2261. At this stage Byron is portrayed as a Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
-like figure; a leader of telepaths who seeks freedom from the Psi Corps
Psi Corps
In the fictional universe of Babylon 5, the Psi Corps is an agency of the Earth Alliance responsible for all humans with telepathic or other para-psychological abilities anywhere within Earth controlled space. All persons with Psi abilities are required to either join the Corps, face lifetime...
and from mundanes, but that will only do so through assive resistance/physically non-violent means, though he does show himself to be mentally violent, using intimidation and blackmail against members of the alliance. In "The Paragon of Animals
The Paragon of Animals
"The Paragon of Animals" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:G'Kar drafts a declaration of principles for the Interstellar Alliance.-Arc significance:...
", Byron helps the new Interstellar Alliance
Interstellar Alliance (Babylon 5)
The Interstellar Alliance is a fictional interstellar government of civilizations in the Babylon 5 universe.Formed in 2261 AD in the aftermath of the liberation of Earth and the Shadow War, the Interstellar Alliance was formed between the Minbari, Narn, Centauri, the Earth Alliance and the...
by revealing treachery by the Drazi against the Enphili. John Sheridan
John Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
offers Byron and his telepaths political asylum
Right of asylum
Right of asylum is an ancient juridical notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her own country may be protected by another sovereign authority, a foreign country, or church sanctuaries...
at Babylon 5
Babylon 5 (space station)
Babylon 5 is a fictional space station and the primary setting in the television series Babylon 5. Its design is a variation of an O'Neill cylinder....
. They are allowed to establish a small colony in Brown 3.
In his early appearances in Season 5, Byron is shown as trying to maintain distance from conflict between his telepaths and the aggressive mundanes from "Down Below", the Psi Corps, and from being used as tools by the Interstellar Alliance. Key disputes come between Byron and Michael Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi is a lead fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Jerry Doyle.-Overview:...
over his wish to employ Byron's telepaths as spies ("The Paragon of Animals" (episode 3)
The Paragon of Animals
"The Paragon of Animals" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:G'Kar drafts a declaration of principles for the Interstellar Alliance.-Arc significance:...
), and between the telepaths and the Earth Force/Psi Corps over their rogue status ("Strange Relations" (episode 6)
Strange Relations (Babylon 5)
"Strange Relations" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Arc significance:* "Strange Relations" is set on the day after "Learning Curve"....
). Ultimately, Byron agrees for two of his people to serve the Alliance, and Elizabeth Lochley
Elizabeth Lochley
Elizabeth Lochley is a lead fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 and Crusade, played by Tracy Scoggins....
negotiates for the telepaths to remain temporarily on the station.
It is later revealed in "Secrets of the Soul" (episode 7)
Secrets of the Soul
"Secrets of the Soul" is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Dr. Franklin discovers a secret hidden by the Hyach. Lyta and Byron become closer, eventually having sex...
that Byron had trained with the Psi Corps. In fact, he had interned with the Psi Cops and was the protege of the famous/infamous Alfred Bester
Alfred Bester (Babylon 5)
Alfred Bester is a Babylon 5 character played by Walter Koenig. He is a senior Psi Cop and a recurring antagonist in the series. J. Michael Straczynski named the character after the science fiction writer Alfred Bester, since telepathy is a recurring theme in his work .-Early Life and Career:The...
. This later episode also revealed that he was part of Bester's elite Black Omega squadron, and had deserted after receiving orders to fire upon defenseless mundanes (non-telepaths).
The Psi Corps Trilogy books by Gregory Keyes
Gregory Keyes
Gregory Keyes is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy who has written both original and media-related novels under both the names "J. Gregory Keyes" and "Greg Keyes". He is famous for his quartet The Age of Unreason, a steampunk/alchemical story starring Benjamin Franklin and Isaac...
expand on this apparent crisis of conscience a little. Byron and his ship appear to have crashed or been lost around Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
, but this turns out to be a ruse to effect his desertion without raising suspicions.
A second major shift in Byron's outlook occurs in as the result of a romantic relationship with telepath Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander is a character from the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Patricia Tallman.Lyta was introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a telepath assigned to the Babylon 5 space station by the Psi Corps, a fictional organization...
that evolves over several episodes of the television series. Lyta and Byron find comfort and acceptance in each other, however intimate moments ("Secrets of the Soul" (episode 7)
Secrets of the Soul
"Secrets of the Soul" is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Dr. Franklin discovers a secret hidden by the Hyach. Lyta and Byron become closer, eventually having sex...
) eventually unlock secrets of the Vorlon
Vorlon
A Vorlon is a member of a fictional alien species in the Babylon 5 television series and fictional universe. The Vorlon species is a member of the First Ones, a group made up of the earliest species to gain sentience in the galaxy...
s hidden deep within Lyta's mind. It is revealed to Byron that the Vorlons had generated telepaths as weapons in their war against the Shadows. Byron is shown as angered by this. As the Vorlons are no longer around to be blamed, he decides that the remaining races who had been "saved" by telepaths owe him and his people a new homeland. Furthermore, from comments of his in "The Paragon of Animals" and other episodes, it is clear that in his own way, he despises mundanes just as much as Bester does.
In "In the Kingdom of the Blind" (episode 9)
In the Kingdom of the Blind
"In the Kingdom of the Blind" is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. The title alludes to a Latin proverb quoted by Erasmus: "In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king".-Synopsis:...
, Byron threatens the members of the Interstellar Alliance with the revelation of their deepest secrets. The aim of this exercise is increased leverage to further his and his followers' goal of a new telepath homeworld. However, Byron's mental intimidation merely caused conflicts to rapidly escalate, and the Psi Corps is called in to arrest Byron and his followers. While many remained with Byron in a starvation protest sealed in their colony, a group of renegades take a more aggressive stance attacking station personnel and seizing hostages. Amongst the hostages are Garibaldi and Dr Franklin.
In a story arc carried over several episodes ("A Tragedy of Telepaths" (episode 10)
A Tragedy of Telepaths
"A Tragedy of Telepaths" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Londo and G'Kar rescue Na'Toth from imprisonment on Centauri Prime. The telepaths have made their home deep in brown sector and are on hunger strike to try to obtain a planet of...
-"Phoenix Rising" (episode 11)) Byron is portrayed as distraught over killing in his name; this is not how he wanted the battle to be fought. With the aid of Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander is a character from the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Patricia Tallman.Lyta was introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a telepath assigned to the Babylon 5 space station by the Psi Corps, a fictional organization...
, he is able to free the hostages and kill the leader of the renegade telepaths. He surrenders under the condition that those who did not take part in the violence would be freed; the renegades and himself would turn themselves in to station security. While these terms are agreed to by Sheridan, the appearance of Alfred Bester during the surrender precipitates a shooting battle, during which many telepaths and security members are killed. Byron, not wanting to return to Psi Corps
Psi Corps
In the fictional universe of Babylon 5, the Psi Corps is an agency of the Earth Alliance responsible for all humans with telepathic or other para-psychological abilities anywhere within Earth controlled space. All persons with Psi abilities are required to either join the Corps, face lifetime...
, fires into a chemical leak, causing an explosion and turning himself and the other renegades into martyrs.
Legacy
In the aftermath shown at the end of "Phoenix Rising", Lyta AlexanderLyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander is a character from the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Patricia Tallman.Lyta was introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a telepath assigned to the Babylon 5 space station by the Psi Corps, a fictional organization...
takes over Byron's mission for a telepath homeland or homeworld, and she becomes the leader of the telepath resistance.
The actions of Byron's more aggressive followers along with Alfred Bester's own violence against them arguably form the opening moves of the Telepath War
Telepath War
The Telepath War is a conflict in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. This conflict occurs a few years after the events of the television series, and before the events of the Crusade television series...
.