Severed Dreams
Encyclopedia
"Severed Dreams" is an episode from the third season 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...

. It won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...

.

Synopsis

After the removal of Nightwatch
Nightwatch (Babylon 5)
In the Babylon 5 science fiction universe, Nightwatch was an Earth Alliance paramilitary organization set up during the Presidency of Morgan Clark...

 personnel from active duty, the station is still adjusting to the new Narn
Narn
The Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...

 security forces. The recent declaration of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...

 by Earth Alliance
Earth Alliance (Babylon 5)
The Earth Alliance is the name of a fictional alliance of the nations of Earth and off-world colonies in the television series Babylon 5. The transition of Earth government from a democratic, elected government to an authoritarian, militaristic one and back to a democracy again is a major theme of...

 President Morgan 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....

 has also led to increased activity at Babylon 5 which interferes at all levels, including the diplomatic ones. As a result Londo Mollari is forced to wait for several hours to gain admission to the station, and the attending Narn at the checkpoint, who overheard the ambassador's insulting grumblings blaming his species for the delays, won't let him in until his ID can be verified.
Meanwhile, the EAS Alexander
EAS Alexander
In the Babylon 5 science fiction universe, the EAS Alexander was an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer. It may have been named after Alexander the Great. It played a key role in the Earth Alliance Civil War of 2260 - 2261....

 is locked in combat with the EAS Clarkstown. The Alexander has suffered severe damage, and as a last resort, is forced to destroy the Clarkstown to escape. Major Ryan, in command of the Alexander, wonders what he will find to say to the wives of the captain of the Clarkstown and of General William Hague, who also died in the battle. They need time to rest and make repairs, and Babylon 5 is the only safe harbor. He orders the ship to proceed to the station.

Captain 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...

 learns that the Alexander is heading towards the station. He has 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:...

 install a cutoff switch to disable external communications so that word of this can't be sent back to Earth. Major Ryan comes onboard the station as soon as the Alexander arrives. He informs Captain Sheridan, Commander Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...

, and Mr. Garibaldi that General Hague is dead. Ryan tells them that Xavier Montoya, head of Mars Provisional Government, had refused to implement martial law. They are soon interrupted by a transmission to Major Ryan announcing that Earth Force has begun bombing Mars.

A Ranger arrives at Babylon 5. Although seriously injured by agents of the Shadows
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...

, he manages to tell 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....

 that the Shadows are moving. The Ranger tells her that the Shadows have encouraged a number of races in the League of Non-Aligned Worlds
League of Non-Aligned Worlds
The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a fictional collection of races in the Babylon 5 universe.The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a loose confederation of independent worlds and minor species, most of whom had endured subjugation under the Centauri Republic at its height...

 to go to war with their neighbors, which they have done in fear of being attacked by the Centauri
Centauri (Babylon 5)
The Centauri are a humanoid species in the fictional universe of the Babylon 5 television series. They were the first alien species to make open contact with the human race. Their homeworld is Centauri Prime, a small Earth-like planet consisting of two large continents and several smaller islands...

. When Delenn asks if the Grey Council
Grey Council
In the Babylon 5 fictional universe, the Grey Council is the governing body of the Minbari Federation. Its members carry the title satai...

 is aware of this, the Ranger tells her that the Minbari
Minbari
The Minbari are a fictional alien race featured in the television show Babylon 5. The Minbari characters of Delenn and Lennier figure prominently throughout the series; Neroon, Draal, and Dukhat are less prominent Minbari characters....

 government has said that "The problems of others are not our concern." Angered by this, Delenn soon leaves the station to confront the Grey Council about their apathy.

During a live ISN
Interstellar Network News
Interstellar Network News is a fictional TV news network in the Babylon 5 universe. ISN's motto is The Galaxy's Most Important Network. ISN was modelled on real-world news outlets, such as CNN....

 broadcast the reporter, Jane, is interrupted by her news director who announces that the colonies at Proxima III and Orion VII just declared independence from the Earth Alliance in protest over the bombings. Realizing that ISN will not remain silent forever, Clark is sending troops to seize the ISN broadcast center, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, even as the reporter makes the announcement. Suddenly there is an explosion, and ISN stops transmitting.

When Delenn leaves, the EAS Churchill
EAS Churchill
The EAS Churchill is fictional spacecraft, an Omega-class destroyer, from the science fiction television series Babylon 5. The Churchill is under the command of Captain Sandra Hiroshi...

 arrives in Babylon 5 space. Captain Sandra Hiroshi meets with the Babylon 5 command staff and Major Ryan. She tells them that her ship had intercepted orders relayed from Earth to a task force led by Captain Dexter Smith of the EAS Agrippa. Hiroshi tells them that the task force is on its way to seize the station and put it under the control of the Nightwatch. Ryan offers to jump and hopefully draw off some of the attacking forces, but Hiroshi tells him that it wouldn't matter: the task force was ordered to seize control of the station before the Alexander arrived. Sheridan decides to make their stand there. He asks 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:...

, Mr. Garibaldi, and Commander Ivanova if they're willing to fight. They all are.

Captain Sheridan orders fighters deployed, and for all available security forces to be prepared for Clark's forces in case the station is boarded. He asks Ivanova to see if they can access Draal
Draal
Draal is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played first by Louis Turenne and later by John Schuck.-Overview:...

's holographic system so that he can make an announcement.

Meanwhile, a righteously indignant Delenn confronts the Grey Council. Having learned that the Council did not wish to participate, she replied that the Council had thus abandoned its primary duty: to stand against the Shadows. She then takes the staff of leadership and declares, "If the Council has lost its way, if it will not lead, if we have abandoned our covenant with Valen...then the council should be broken...as was prophesied!" She then breaks the staff and urges the Worker and Religious castes to stand with her. Those five members of the council do follow her out, leaving only those from the Warrior caste in the chamber.

Sheridan makes a private call to his father. David Sheridan knows what is happening. He asks his son what the first lesson he taught him was. The younger Sheridan replies that it was to never start a fight, but always finish it. David Sheridan tells his son not to worry about his parents; they could take care of themselves, and their neighbors would protect them.

Sheridan proceeds to C&C where, thanks to Draal's holographic projector, he addresses everyone on Babylon 5.
Sheridan offers anyone on the command deck the opportunity to leave without penalty; one person takes him up on the offer, but the rest of the crew remains. Ivanova persuades Sheridan to let her lead the fighter attack since the fighter pilots were being asked to go against their training and fire on other Earth vessels.

Soon, the destroyers Agrippa, and Roanoke, two heavy cruisers, and scores of fighters jump into Babylon 5 space. Captain Dexter Smith of the Agrippa orders Babylon 5 and the renegade ships to stand down. Sheridan refuses and tries to reason with Smith, but Smith refuses to listen to Sheridan, and has his forces close in for attack. Sheridan tells his forces not to fire the first shot but to let the other side do so first. He says that they won't start the fight but they will finish it. As both forces close, he then orders the station itself armed and locked down for battle.

The battle soon begins. Fighters from both sides engage each other. Clark's fighters begin making strafing runs on the station and the renegade ships. Meanwhile, a breaching pod attaches itself to the station, and the Marines on the pod burn through the hull. They are met by station security forces led by Garibaldi. Unfortunately, the Narn troopers disobey his orders about taking defensive positions and recklessly charge the invaders. The security personnel are forced to back them up, starting a deadly hand-to-hand struggle. Outside Ivanova and two other Starfuries are providing fighter cover for the Alexander. They observe that the Churchill has been severely damaged by enemy fire. Internal sections of the ship are seen ablaze. Knowing that her ship is doomed, Captain Hiroshi rams the Roanoke, destroying both ships in the process. Distracted by the carnage she has witnessed, Ivanova's fighter collides with another Starfury. Unable to regain control she is forced to eject seconds before it hits the Agrippa. As this is happening the Alexander closes in on the Agrippa from the side and opens fire, inflicting heavy damage. Sheridan orders the defense grid to add its firepower to the assault, which results in the destruction of the Agrippa.

With the space battle apparently over, Sheridan asks for a status report. The hull of the station is in poor shape. The deadly melee between station security and the Marines is still taking place in Brown sector. Sheridan orders Lt. Corwin to get more troops down there. A few seconds later the jump-gate opens and the destroyers Olympic and Nimrod arrive to reveal that the station had only faced the first wave of the assault forces. Captain Drake orders Babylon 5 and the Alexander to surrender. Sheridan knows he has no way of defeating these fresh reinforcements, at least without requesting Draal on the planet to use his defenses against these invaders.

At that moment, however, four jump points form above the station. Three Minbari warcruisers
Sharlin Class Warcruiser
The Sharlin Class Warcruiser is the main starship used by the Minbari Federation in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. Also commonly known as the Minbari War Cruiser, the Sharlin class is very large but conflicting sizes have been noted by different resources...

 and the White Star jump into Babylon 5 space. In command of the White Star, Delenn tells Captain Drake that the station is now under the protection of the Minbari. Drake tries to assert his authority, ending with the words "Do not force us to engage your ship," to which Delenn coolly responds:
Realizing that an attack would be suicidal, the second wave of Earthforce ships withdraws from the area.

The casualties are quite high. About 30% of the Starfury fighters have been destroyed or disabled in the attack. A large number of Narns and humans on both sides of the hand to hand battle in Brown sector have been injured or killed. Garibaldi, Sheridan, and Ivanova had all been injured during the battle, but their injuries are not serious, and they will recover.

Major Ryan decides to withdraw from the area, knowing that it would help keep Clark's forces from concentrating on the station. Ryan says that there are others in Earth Force who would be willing to help them, and says that he needs to find them. He adds that he has no room for the fighter pilots from the Churchill and offers to assign the fighters and pilots to Babylon 5 in order to bring the station's squadrons back up to full strength. Sheridan agrees to take care of Hiroshi's crew in light of her ship's sacrifice. Upon leaving the conference room, Ryan asks Sheridan why he is leaving his uniform jacket behind. Sheridan replies that he could no longer wear the uniform and maintain a clear conscience.

Sheridan meets up with Garibaldi, and they observe the Nightwatch people being put off the station, as well as others who wanted to leave. Delenn arrives, and Sheridan expresses his gratitude for what she has done for them. Ivanova arrives and takes them to the Zocalo, where a large number of people applaud Sheridan for taking a stand against Clark.

Arc significance

  • Before this episode, the opposition of the station's command crew had been covert. In this episode Sheridan and the others finally openly oppose President Clark.
  • Delenn fulfills part of Minbari prophecy when she breaks the apathetic Grey Council
    Grey Council
    In the Babylon 5 fictional universe, the Grey Council is the governing body of the Minbari Federation. Its members carry the title satai...

    , and the Minbari take a more active role in fighting the Shadows.
  • Babylon 5 is now an independent state.
  • The Minbari are now providing protection for the station.
  • The Earth Civil War kicks into full swing, with Clark's forces besieging Mars and the outer colonies. Clark begins to openly turn Earth into a fascist police state, as highlighted by the storming of ISN, which will soon be re-instated as a twisted propaganda-tool version of its former self.
  • Sheridan uses Draal's Holographic Projection System to send a message to areas of Babylon 5 about the upcoming attack, but refuses to use Draal's defence system, wanting to keep it in reserve.

Production details

  • Delenn's speech to the Grey Council
    Grey Council
    In the Babylon 5 fictional universe, the Grey Council is the governing body of the Minbari Federation. Its members carry the title satai...

     was originally meant to be done in one long take, but had to be done in multiple takes. From the beginning of the speech up to the point where Delenn broke the staff was done in one long take. But after that point a second take was needed because Mira Furlan was unable to snap the leader's staff in two initially. The production crew needed to make a cut into the staff to enable her to break the staff. In the season three outtakes - which can be found on the last disc in the season 3 DVD set - Mira is shown struggling with the uncooperative staff. It's unclear if the continuation of Delenn's speech is a continuation of the first take, or a separate take in itself. Also, her turning to leave the chamber is a new take — according to Straczynski's commentary, Mira had actually turned and walked into one of the Grey Council members at one point.
  • The episode was noted for the high number of special effects.
  • Stephen Furst
    Stephen Furst
    Stephen Furst is an American actor and film and television director. He was a regular in the science fiction series Babylon 5 playing Centauri diplomatic attaché Vir Cotto and as Dr. Elliot Axelrod on St...

     (Vir Cotto
    Vir Cotto
    Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. He is a Centauri male who was from a family of minor nobility, who would eventually become the Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5, and then became the Emperor of the Centauri Republic in 2278.Vir Cotto...

    ) and Jason Carter
    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....

     (Marcus Cole
    Marcus Cole
    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...

    ) do not appear in this episode. Peter Jurasik
    Peter Jurasik
    Peter Jurasik is an American actor known for his television roles as Londo Mollari in the 1990s science fiction series Babylon 5 and Sid the Snitch on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and its short-lived spinoff Beverly Hills Buntz.-Career:Among Jurasik's guest appearances are an entomologist in...

     (Londo Mollari) only appeared briefly at the beginning of the episode.
  • General Hague was killed off (offscreen) because Robert Foxworth
    Robert Foxworth
    Robert Heath Foxworth is an American film, stage and television actor.-Early life and career:Foxworth was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Erna Beth , a writer, and John Howard Foxworth, a roofing contractor...

     was unavailable to reprise the role. This is because Foxworth's agent had double-booked him for B5 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...

    (specifically, the two part DS9 episodes "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost"). Since the two schedules conflicted, Foxworth happened to choose DS9, necessitating that Hague be written out of the script; coincidentally, in said DS9 episodes Foxworth plays an Admiral who attempts to start a coup.
  • In the episode, Sheridan asks the Roanoke to surrender, although that ship was rammed and destroyed by the burning Churchill earlier in the battle. The ship that should have been asked to surrender, and seen in the following and preceding CGI was the Agrippa. This appears to be a miscommunication between the special effects department and writers, because in the later episode "Intersections in Real Time", an EarthGov interrogator tries to force Sheridan to sign a confession that he unlawfully destroyed the Roanoke.
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