King Arthur has returned from Avalon, in the form of Michael York. Or has he?
A-Plot: This is really most of the plot of this done-in-one episode. Arthur — in chainmail and bearing Excalibur — comes to B5. Marcus is smitten by the romance of it all. Franklin is skeptical of someone who’s obviously mentally unstable. Garibaldi sees a security threat. And G’Kar is enraptured by a brave fighter for justice against impossible odds.
York does an entrancing job as “Arthur,” enduring mysterious flashbacks while applying standards of medieval honor to the plight of Lurkers down-below. I almost wished Marcus wasn’t there, egging him on, because the Ranger’s support feels heavy-handed and overly-romantic, and York’s Arthur is charismatic enough.
His relationship with G’Kar is the most interesting, as the Narn assists him against some gang members down-below, and is in turn knighted (during a drinking bout) as Sir G’Kar, the Red Knight. Arthur’s nobility and seeking after justice no matter the odds clearly resonates with G’Kar’s own quixotic fight against the Centauri. Also, G’Kar can’t hold his booze.
Ultimately, Franklin over-rationally unravels the mystery. “Arthur” was really the gunnery officer on the EAS Prometheus, the ship that first encountered the Minbari, and whose captain mistook open Minbari gun ports as a sign of aggression (as hinted at in earlier B5 episodes). “Arthur” obeyed the orders to fire, leading to the Earth-Minbari War, which he’s turned into a guilt-induced dementia related to the Battle of Camlann and a mistaken move that led to the battle beginning and the death of the Round Table. Franklin (over Marcus’ strenuous objections) confronts “Arthur” with the evidence. The revelation drives “Arthur” catatonic —
— until Franklin and Marcus determine that Arthur came there seeking to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake, to lay down his guilt — a role that Delenn is willing and able to play.
“Arthur” (now going by his true name of David McIntyre) ultimately ships out to join the Narn resistance, and Marcus argues with Franklin over who the other Arthurian characters are on-board.
It’s a fun, but frothy, plotline, not meaning a lot but providing some enjoyable quotes, both Marcus’ observations on the unfairness of the universe …
MARCUS: I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, “Wouldn’t it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them?” So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe.
… and G’Kar’s on the joy of an unambiguous battle against evil.
G’KAR: By G’Quan, I can’t recall the last time I was in a fight like that. No moral ambiguity, no hopeless battle against ancient and overwhelming forces. They were the bad guys, as you say, we were the good guys. And they made a very satisfying thump when they hit the floor.
B-Plot: Sheridan realizes that B5 can’t survive depending on the kindness of Delenn’s Minbari cruisers (and G’Kar’s Narn security guards). So he crafts a
“Babylon Treaty” for the Unaligned Worlds: B5 will serve as a neutral port of call and trading post, a place for arbitration and peaceful coexistence, if their fleets will join in protecting it. They get enough support to make a go of things.
This plot was actually a lot more fleshed out in the script (cut for time), including a scene where Londo insists his government will never recognize B5’s independence — which frees them to instead offer shelter to (and get protection from) stray Narn vessels.
C-Plot: So, of course, we need a humor-based plot, in this case Garibaldi vs. the Earth Alliance Postal Service, whose local reps have jacked up shipping prices COD, so that he can’t get his final shipment of foodstuffs from Earth without paying an extortionate rate. Hilarity ensues.
Well, no, actually, it’s not all that hilarious, though it does point out some of the logistical issues of breaking away from Earth.
Overall: It’s a done-in-one, and you could in theory skip watching it without losing anything arc-related. That said, it’s generally entertaining, and Michael York lends an air of professionalism and charisma that makes the episode what level of success it is.
Most Dramatic Moment: Franklin forces “Arthur” to face reality, and Arthur bends reality around him (or at least his psyche) before going catatonic. Or, perhaps, “Arthur” giving up his sword to Delenn’s Lady of the Lake.
Most Amusing Moment: G’Kar’s drinking bout with “Arthur.”
Most Arc-ish Moment: Very little if anything, aside from Marcus assigning Arthurian cycle roles to the station personnel.
MARCUS: [Indicating Kosh] Next thing you’ll be saying is he’s not Merlin.
FRANKLIN: I am not hearing this.
MARCUS: They say he aged backward. That was how he was able to foretell the future, by remembering it. Which means he came from the future. Maybe he had Arthur form the round table by remembering us. We’re forming one of our own after all. Which makes you Percival. I’m Galahad, him being sinless and all. Sheridan as Arthur. Ivanova perhaps Gawain. I think we both know who Mordred is. So the question is: Who is Morgana Le Fay?
Hmmmm. A sorcerous woman with ties to the king who helps bring down the realm? Hmmmm …
[That begged the question in our family of who is Lancelot. Obviously Lennier.]
Overall Rating: 3.8 / 5 — For an episode as inconsequential as this one, it’s still highly entertaining. (Rating History)
Other Resources for this episode:
- Lurker’s Guide
- Babylon Project Wiki
- IMDb
- AV Club (includes next episode)
- Kay Shapero
- TV Tropes
Next episode: “Ship of Tears,” as Bester returns — in a way that nobody expects.
(Google+ Link to this post, and here.)
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