The Quality of Mercy

From The Great Machine

Episode Title: Babylon Squared
Episode Number: S1E21
Original Air Date: August 17, 1994
DVD Release Date: November 5, 2002
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Lorraine Senna Ferrara
Guest Stars: June Lockhart, Kate McNeil, Mark Rolston, Damian London, Jim Norton

1 Preview
2 Synopsis
- 2.1 Main Plot
- 2.2 Backstory
3 Characters
- 3.1 Season 1 Cast

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An alien healing machine operated by a former physician brings relief to those in need. Is the machine real or fake? Either way, it is vital to the escape attempt of a psychotic killer.

[edit] Synopsis

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

Ivanova discovers that Dr. Franklin has been operating a free clinic for dwellers of Down Below, the area of Babylon 5 where most of the unemployed eke out a poverty-stricken existence, and that he's been using some of his medlab supplies to do so.

Not much later, Franklin himself learns of another free clinic being operated aboard the station, one which promises to heal everything. Franklin finds Dr. Laura Rosen, an aging physician who has discovered an alien device with an unknown origin that seems to remove illness, disease and debilitation harmlessly. Dr. Rosen herself is slowly dying of a terminal illness, but does not use the machine on herself.

In the meantime, convicted murderer Karl Mueller is sentenced to have his personality mindwiped and reprogrammed so he may serve a useful function in society. Prior to the wipe, Talia must scan him so she can compare his thoughts before and after the wipe to verify the success of the operation. What she finds in Mueller's mind horrifies her...and when he escapes his guards, more terrors are sure to follow. (Attrib: B5 LogBook [1])