Marcus Cole
Encyclopedia
Marcus Cole, played by Jason Carter
, is a fictional character
in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5
. He was a regular in the third and fourth seasons of the show. During his time on the series he was a leading member of the Rangers
, a military force consisting of Humans and Minbari who served the "One", a triumvirate
consisting of Jeffrey Sinclair
/ Valen
, Delenn
, and John Sheridan
.
; she does not learn until it is too late that one reason he has remained a virgin is because he loves her and is waiting to win her heart.
and become a Ranger on Minbar; he was killed by the Shadows while visiting Marcus on Arisia. Marcus was one of the few survivors (if not
the only survivor) of the attack. Much of Marcus Cole's early background is told in the novelization To Dream In the City of Sorrows (ISBN 0-345-45219-4) by
Kathryn Drennan. (Note: it is possible [confirmation needed] that the name Arisia was chosen as a reference to the planet of the same name that originated in the Lensman
novels written by E. E. 'Doc' Smith and first published in Amazing Stories
. If so, it demonstrates another example of the subtle symmetry of JMS
, who has also been published by the same compendium).
Marcus Cole joined the Rangers
following the death of his brother, William, and at times he seems to have joined the Rangers as a form of guilt over his brother's death.
Cole became close friends with Dr. Stephen Franklin
. Defending Delenn
during her transition to become "Ranger One", Cole engaged Neroon
in a fierce one-on-one battle. Despite losing, and nearly being killed, he earned Neroon's respect, even getting Neroon to laugh warmly. It was also revealed on the show (episode: The Summoning
) that Marcus Cole was a virgin, a character aspect which was a marked departure for a dashing hero role.
He fell in love with Susan Ivanova
. However, the two did not become involved in the course of the television series. Some attribute this to Ivanova's previous history of disastrous romantic relationships (e.g. Talia Winters
and Malcolm Biggs). Later, after a devastating attack on Ivanova and Cole's White Star
during the battle to reclaim Earth from the tyrannical government of President Clark
, Cole took the severely injured Ivanova to Babylon 5. Using
an alien execution device that takes one person's life-energy and transfers it to another, he sacrificed his life to save hers. His corpse was then preserved by
Ivanova's request in cryogenic suspension in the future hope that he might be revived. This was actually not shown in the series, but in the credits of "Sleeping in Light
". The credits showed each character as we first saw them and as we last saw them, and the last image of Cole showed a cryogenic capsule showing
that he was preserved at Captain Ivanova's request.
Cole's story concludes in "Space, Time & the Incurable Romantic", a short story written by JMS
and published in Amazing Stories
#602. It takes place hundreds of years after the series ends. Cole (still preserved in cryogenic suspension) is revived when the homeworld of those who built the life-energy transfer machine was found. He then proceeds to create a clone of Ivanova by enlisting one of Garibaldi's descendants to help him. Endowing it with her exact memories by stealing the scans done of her memory, he then strands them on a desolate and uncharted world with the intent of living "happily ever
after" together. There are significant moral questions raised by his actions in this story, but JMS has been quoted as "wishing to give the character the happy
ending he deserves" while at the same time raising the type of ethical question for which Babylon 5 is famous.
Jason Carter (actor)
Jason Brian Carter is an English actor, best known for his role as Ranger Marcus Cole on the science fiction television series Babylon 5....
, 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...
in the universe of the science-fiction television series 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...
. He was a regular in the third and fourth seasons of the show. During his time on the series he was a leading member of the Rangers
Ranger (Babylon 5)
Rangers are a fictional class of warriors that play a prominent role in the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-History:...
, a military force consisting of Humans and Minbari who served the "One", a triumvirate
Triumvirate
A triumvirate is a political regime dominated by three powerful individuals, each a triumvir . The arrangement can be formal or informal, and though the three are usually equal on paper, in reality this is rarely the case...
consisting of Jeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair is a character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by actor Michael O'Hare. He was a regular in the first season of the show, as Commander of the Babylon 5 station, and made a number of guest appearances afterward.-Early life and...
/ Valen
Valen
Valen is a character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. Although he has only one scene in the show, he is an important character in the history of the Minbari, and is frequently mentioned...
, Delenn
Delenn
Delenn is a fictional lead character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Mira Furlan.-Overview:Delenn, an alien ambassador and leader from the planet Minbar, is one of the pivotal characters in Babylon 5....
, and 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...
.
Personality
Marcus Cole joined the Rangers after the death of his brother, who was himself a Ranger, and Cole appears to blame himself for his brother's death. Delenn mentions at one point that Cole's reasons for joining the Rangers may have been motivated more by personal guilt than by a true desire to serve, and that this may have ultimately accounted for his tragic fate. Cole is a fearsome opponent in combat - his skill with the Minbari fighting pike is well-known. He is a virgin, which raises the eyebrows of Commander Susan IvanovaSusan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
; she does not learn until it is too late that one reason he has remained a virgin is because he loves her and is waiting to win her heart.
Fictional character biography
Marcus Cole was born on the Arisia Mining Colony, where his family operated a relatively dangerous mining operation. His brother William had left the colonyand become a Ranger on Minbar; he was killed by the Shadows while visiting Marcus on Arisia. Marcus was one of the few survivors (if not
the only survivor) of the attack. Much of Marcus Cole's early background is told in the novelization To Dream In the City of Sorrows (ISBN 0-345-45219-4) by
Kathryn Drennan. (Note: it is possible [confirmation needed] that the name Arisia was chosen as a reference to the planet of the same name that originated in the Lensman
Lensman
The Lensman series is a serial science fiction space opera by Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith. It was a runner-up for the Hugo award for best All-Time Series ....
novels written by E. E. 'Doc' Smith and first published in Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
. If so, it demonstrates another example of the subtle symmetry of JMS
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, who has also been published by the same compendium).
Marcus Cole joined the Rangers
Ranger (Babylon 5)
Rangers are a fictional class of warriors that play a prominent role in the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-History:...
following the death of his brother, William, and at times he seems to have joined the Rangers as a form of guilt over his brother's death.
Cole became close friends with Dr. Stephen Franklin
Stephen Franklin
Stephen Franklin is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by the late Richard Biggs. He serves as the chief medical officer on the Babylon 5 space station.-Personality:...
. Defending Delenn
Delenn
Delenn is a fictional lead character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Mira Furlan.-Overview:Delenn, an alien ambassador and leader from the planet Minbar, is one of the pivotal characters in Babylon 5....
during her transition to become "Ranger One", Cole engaged Neroon
Neroon
Neroon is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by John Vickery. He was a recurring guest character throughout the series.-Background:...
in a fierce one-on-one battle. Despite losing, and nearly being killed, he earned Neroon's respect, even getting Neroon to laugh warmly. It was also revealed on the show (episode: The Summoning
The Summoning
"The Summoning" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Zack finally locates Garibaldi. Delenn faces opposition from the League of Non-Aligned Worlds in organizing a strike against the Shadows. Sheridan returns from Z'ha'dum, to the shock of...
) that Marcus Cole was a virgin, a character aspect which was a marked departure for a dashing hero role.
He fell in love with Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
. However, the two did not become involved in the course of the television series. Some attribute this to Ivanova's previous history of disastrous romantic relationships (e.g. Talia Winters
Talia Winters
Talia Winters is a fictional character appearing on the science fiction television show Babylon 5 during its first and second seasons. She was portrayed by actress Andrea Thompson....
and Malcolm Biggs). Later, after a devastating attack on Ivanova and Cole's White Star
during the battle to reclaim Earth from the tyrannical government of President Clark
Morgan Clark
William Morgan Clark is a fictional character and a major antagonist from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Gary McGurk. His character rarely appeared on-screen, but is a major off-screen presence in the show....
, Cole took the severely injured Ivanova to Babylon 5. Using
an alien execution device that takes one person's life-energy and transfers it to another, he sacrificed his life to save hers. His corpse was then preserved by
Ivanova's request in cryogenic suspension in the future hope that he might be revived. This was actually not shown in the series, but in the credits of "Sleeping in Light
Sleeping in Light
"Sleeping in Light" is the final episode of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. The episode was nominated for the 1999 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.-Plot:...
". The credits showed each character as we first saw them and as we last saw them, and the last image of Cole showed a cryogenic capsule showing
that he was preserved at Captain Ivanova's request.
Cole's story concludes in "Space, Time & the Incurable Romantic", a short story written by JMS
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
and published in Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
#602. It takes place hundreds of years after the series ends. Cole (still preserved in cryogenic suspension) is revived when the homeworld of those who built the life-energy transfer machine was found. He then proceeds to create a clone of Ivanova by enlisting one of Garibaldi's descendants to help him. Endowing it with her exact memories by stealing the scans done of her memory, he then strands them on a desolate and uncharted world with the intent of living "happily ever
after" together. There are significant moral questions raised by his actions in this story, but JMS has been quoted as "wishing to give the character the happy
ending he deserves" while at the same time raising the type of ethical question for which Babylon 5 is famous.