A Voice in the Wilderness

From The Great Machine

Jump to: navigation, search

Episode Title: A Voice in the Wilderness
Episode Number: S1E20/21 (2 part)
Original Air Date: July 27/August 3, 1994
DVD Release Date: November 5, 2002
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Janet Greek
Guest Stars: Ron Canada, Louis Turenne, Curt Lowens, Deinise Gentile, Aki Aleong

1 Preview
2 Synopsis
- 2.1 Part 1
- 2.2 Main Plot
3 See Also
4 Characters
- 4.1 Season 1 Cast
5 Notes

[edit] Preview

In this two-part episode, it is discovered that Epsilon 3 is not as deserted as it seems.

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot, character development, or ending details follow.

[edit] Part 1

Seismic disturbances on the surface of Epsilon 3, the planet B5 orbits, draw the attention of the crew. A shuttle manned by a science team leaves the station to investigate, but it is thrown off course by a burst of intense energy from Epsilon 3's surface.

A further attempt to survey the planet activates an automatic defense system which fires heat-seeking missiles from an installation hidden beneath the planet's surface. In the meantime, news reaches the station that the Mars Colony has been engulfed in a full-fledged political revolt, and a mysterious image is sighted aboard B5 pleading for help. Deciding that the recent attack constitutes a threat to station security, Sinclair and Ivanova are the next shuttle crew to try to land on Epsilon 3.

Evading the defense systems, they dive below the surface and discover an underground installation filled with astounding technology on a scale never before seen. And at the center of this vast complex, the being from the mysterious image begs Sinclair and Ivanova for help - and warns that anyone near Epsilon 3 is in grave danger. (Attrib: B5 LogBook [1])

===Part 2=== As Sinclair and Ivanova return to the station with the dying being from Epsilon 3, the Earth Alliance heavy cruiser Hyperion arrives, supposedly to provide backup should any of the alien governments object to an anticipated Earth takeover of the unimaginably powerful technology found on Epsilon 3.

In the meantime, Draal, a friend of Delenn's who has arrived to tell her he is probably never going to return to Minbar, somehow picks up on the presence of the alien Varn in the Medlab.

Varn reveals that Epsilon 3 is the hiding place of a level of technology which could be malevolently destructive in the wrong hands, and Varn is its guardian, but with his condition fading of natural causes, the planet's defenses are becoming erratic and volatile.

As if the uncooperative captain of the Hyperion isn't enough for Sinclair to deal with, an alien ship containing beings similar to Varn arrives, demanding custody of Epsilon 3's technology and theatening any who stand in the way.

Draal wants to take Varn and go to Epsilon 3, and Delenn convinces Londo to fly them down to the surface in the midst of a pitch battle between the combined forces of B5 and the Hyperion and the alien attackers.

Draal intends to take Varn's place as the Guardian of Epsilon 3 - but who will lay claim to the planet and its arsenal? (Attrib: B5 LogBook [2])

[edit] Main Plot

Babylon 5 orbits a barren, uninhabited world named Epsilon 3.
When the crew suddenly begin to detect massive quakes within the planetary surface, they send a research team to explore: The planet isn't as uninhabited as they thought.
The Great Machine is introduced.
Varn seeks a successor.
Delenn re-kindles an old friendship with Draal.
Londo pulls some surprises.