Ulkesh
Encyclopedia
Ulkesh Naranek is a character within the fictional universe of the science fiction
television series Babylon 5
. The voice for the character was provided by Ardwight Chamberlain
.
Ulkesh is a Vorlon
, and is never named in the televised episodes. His role was greatly expanded on (and finally named) in the canon novel To Dream in the City of Sorrows.
In the years 2259 and 2260, Ulkesh served as the Vorlon
ambassador
to Minbar. During that time, he developed an occasionally adversarial relationship with Earth ambassador Jeffrey Sinclair
, recently reassigned from Babylon 5
. He was briefly seen in this role in the episode "War Without End, Part I."
Following Kosh's death at the hands of the Shadows, Ulkesh succeeded him on Babylon 5. Upon his arrival, he took on Kosh's name, enigmatically declaring "we are all Kosh". His first order of business was to confirm what the Vorlon Empire knew: Kosh was assassinated by the Shadows and that they had human
assistance.
He first suspected Lyta Alexander
but when questioning her he discovered that she had not been on the station at the time, was away on Kosh's orders, and thus could not have any involvement. Despite declaring her a failure, he let her go unharmed for reasons unknown, perhaps hoping that she would lead him to the human he sought as he still suspected there was a human connected somehow.
He was proved correct in his beliefs, because after his diplomatic attaché, Lyta Alexander, assisted the Army of Light to defeat a Shadow ship, she returned with news that Kosh may still be alive. This vital piece of information was put on hold when John Sheridan apparently died on the Shadow homeworld allowing the Vorlons to put their secret plans and war fleet into action. Then John Sheridan returned from the dead.
Still contemptuous, arrogant and hateful, Ulkesh became a liability when the Vorlons decided to take up arms against the Shadows' affiliates. He refused to leave the station when Vorlon hostilities threatened friendly planets. He was betrayed to Babylon 5 security forces by Lyta, and killed in single combat with the remnant of Kosh, bolstered by John Sheridan and Lorien
.
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...
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...
. The voice for the character was provided by Ardwight Chamberlain
Ardwight Chamberlain
Ardwight Chamberlain is a voice actor and screen writer currently living in Los Angeles, California. He is best known as the voice of Vorlon Ambassador Kosh on the science-fiction television series Babylon 5...
.
Ulkesh is a 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...
, and is never named in the televised episodes. His role was greatly expanded on (and finally named) in the canon novel To Dream in the City of Sorrows.
In the years 2259 and 2260, Ulkesh served as 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...
ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Minbar. During that time, he developed an occasionally adversarial relationship with Earth ambassador 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...
, recently reassigned from 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....
. He was briefly seen in this role in the episode "War Without End, Part I."
Following Kosh's death at the hands of the Shadows, Ulkesh succeeded him on Babylon 5. Upon his arrival, he took on Kosh's name, enigmatically declaring "we are all Kosh". His first order of business was to confirm what the Vorlon Empire knew: Kosh was assassinated by the Shadows and that they had human
Human (Babylon 5)
Humans are one of the many races in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. They appear in all seasons of Babylon 5, and all of its spinoffs. Their homeworld is Earth, from which the interstellar Earth Alliance is governed...
assistance.
He first suspected 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...
but when questioning her he discovered that she had not been on the station at the time, was away on Kosh's orders, and thus could not have any involvement. Despite declaring her a failure, he let her go unharmed for reasons unknown, perhaps hoping that she would lead him to the human he sought as he still suspected there was a human connected somehow.
He was proved correct in his beliefs, because after his diplomatic attaché, Lyta Alexander, assisted the Army of Light to defeat a Shadow ship, she returned with news that Kosh may still be alive. This vital piece of information was put on hold when John Sheridan apparently died on the Shadow homeworld allowing the Vorlons to put their secret plans and war fleet into action. Then John Sheridan returned from the dead.
Still contemptuous, arrogant and hateful, Ulkesh became a liability when the Vorlons decided to take up arms against the Shadows' affiliates. He refused to leave the station when Vorlon hostilities threatened friendly planets. He was betrayed to Babylon 5 security forces by Lyta, and killed in single combat with the remnant of Kosh, bolstered by John Sheridan and Lorien
Lorien (Babylon 5)
Lorien is a fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. He appears at the start of season four and again in the last episode of the show. Lórien is also a name given to one of the Valar, god-like beings in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, of whom series...
.