Valen
Encyclopedia
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. He is most notable for being the subject of a major plot twist
in the third season, in which it is revealed that he is actually Jeffrey Sinclair
, a major and established character on the show. This revelation resolves Sinclair's character arc
, which had been in motion since the pilot of the series.
Canonically, the Valen character is portrayed as an early religious leader of the Minbari
species. Although Valen technically only appears in one scene, as his life predates the time period of the show by a thousand years, he figures prominently in the backstory to the series. A question about his identity and eventual fate form one of the major mysteries of the show, as it is revealed that Jeffrey Sinclair is apparently Valen reincarnated. The reasons for this are explained in the third season, when Sinclair travels back in time and undergoes a transformation process, changing species in order to become Valen, explaining the oft cited claim that Valen is "a Minbari not born of Minbari".
Appearing around the year 1260 A.D. during the previous Shadow War
, in which the Vorlons and the Minbari joined against the chaotic race of Shadows
, Valen transforms Minbari society. His name is spoken reverently ("In Valen's name" being one of the most popular Minbari expressions) a thousand years later.
During the Minbari's greatest hour of need, he reorganized the caste system, created the Grey Council
and formed the legendary Rangers
, becoming the first Entil'Zha and, all at once, a religious, military and cultural leader. He is respected by members of all three Minbari castes.
After the great war ended, questions arose about Valen, and where he had come from. He and his family escaped Minbar and went into hiding; their later descendants returned to the Minbari homeworld. As a result, at the time of the series, countless Minbari unknowingly carry some human DNA. Most Minbari have no facial hair, but those few who do may have inherited the gene for facial hair from Valen. Little is known of Valen after he left Minbar. Valen eventually disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. Even the circumstances of his death are a mystery, and his body was never recovered.
station (and its advanced weapons and technology) one thousand years back in time to aid the Minbari during the Shadow War, and becomes "The One Who Was" as seen in Minbari prophecy.
Sinclair uses a chrysalis machine
that transforms him from a human into a Minbari (a "Minbari not born of Minbari"). With the aid of the Great Machine
on Epsilon 3, he travels back in time to greet the Vorlons and Minbari. This creates a link between the two races, as his children and their descendants mingle with other Minbari over the next thousand years. Delenn
, a descendant of Valen (and friend to Sinclair in his original life), would later use this same machine to transform herself into a Human/Minbari hybrid (in an attempt to restore the balance between the two races).
, part of official B5 canon) implies that it is Sinclair's lover, Catherine Sakai, who found herself transported into the past (as Sinclair was). This is also supported by the comic In Valen's Name.
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...
. Although he has only one scene in the show, he is an important character in the history of 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....
, and is frequently mentioned. He is most notable for being the subject of a major plot twist
Plot twist
A plot twist is a change in the expected direction or outcome of the plot of a film, television series, video game, novel, comic or other fictional work. It is a common practice in narration used to keep the interest of an audience, usually surprising them with a revelation...
in the third season, in which it is revealed that he is actually 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...
, a major and established character on the show. This revelation resolves Sinclair's character arc
Character arc
A character arc is the status of the character as it unfolds throughout the story, the storyline or series of episodes. Characters begin the story with a certain viewpoint and, through events in the story, that viewpoint changes. A character arc generally only affects the main character in a...
, which had been in motion since the pilot of the series.
Background
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....
species. Although Valen technically only appears in one scene, as his life predates the time period of the show by a thousand years, he figures prominently in the backstory to the series. A question about his identity and eventual fate form one of the major mysteries of the show, as it is revealed that Jeffrey Sinclair is apparently Valen reincarnated. The reasons for this are explained in the third season, when Sinclair travels back in time and undergoes a transformation process, changing species in order to become Valen, explaining the oft cited claim that Valen is "a Minbari not born of Minbari".
Appearing around the year 1260 A.D. during the previous Shadow War
Shadow War
The Shadow Wars are a fictional series of wars involving the Shadows in the television science fiction series Babylon 5. There have actually been many Shadow Wars since ancient times in the galaxy. Roughly every thousand years, the Shadows begin a new Shadow War to promote chaos in the universe in...
, in which the Vorlons and the Minbari joined against the chaotic race of 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...
, Valen transforms Minbari society. His name is spoken reverently ("In Valen's name" being one of the most popular Minbari expressions) a thousand years later.
During the Minbari's greatest hour of need, he reorganized the caste system, created 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...
and formed the legendary 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:...
, becoming the first Entil'Zha and, all at once, a religious, military and cultural leader. He is respected by members of all three Minbari castes.
After the great war ended, questions arose about Valen, and where he had come from. He and his family escaped Minbar and went into hiding; their later descendants returned to the Minbari homeworld. As a result, at the time of the series, countless Minbari unknowingly carry some human DNA. Most Minbari have no facial hair, but those few who do may have inherited the gene for facial hair from Valen. Little is known of Valen after he left Minbar. Valen eventually disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. Even the circumstances of his death are a mystery, and his body was never recovered.
Season 3
Later in the third season, Sinclair takes the Babylon 4Babylon 4
Babylon 4 is a fictional space station from the television series Babylon 5.In the series, Babylon 4 was the immediate predecessor of Babylon 5 and the largest of the Babylon stations...
station (and its advanced weapons and technology) one thousand years back in time to aid the Minbari during the Shadow War, and becomes "The One Who Was" as seen in Minbari prophecy.
Sinclair uses a chrysalis machine
Triluminary
Triluminaries are devices in the science fiction drama Babylon 5. The triluminary is a triangular shaped Minbari crystal with a small chip in the centre. The full extent of its abilities are unknown, although it is said to be the holiest of all relics in Minbari society and thus any readings it...
that transforms him from a human into a Minbari (a "Minbari not born of Minbari"). With the aid of the Great Machine
Great Machine
The Great Machine is an enormous technological complex of networked machines beneath the surface of the planet Epsilon III in Babylon 5.-History:...
on Epsilon 3, he travels back in time to greet the Vorlons and Minbari. This creates a link between the two races, as his children and their descendants mingle with other Minbari over the next thousand years. 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....
, a descendant of Valen (and friend to Sinclair in his original life), would later use this same machine to transform herself into a Human/Minbari hybrid (in an attempt to restore the balance between the two races).
Family
The identity of Valen's wife was never revealed on the show, although Kathryn Drennan's novel To Dream in the City of Sorrows (which is, according to series creator J. Michael StraczynskiJ. 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,...
, part of official B5 canon) implies that it is Sinclair's lover, Catherine Sakai, who found herself transported into the past (as Sinclair was). This is also supported by the comic In Valen's Name.