Babylon 5 Episode Capsule Summaries

If you've ever looked at your pile of Babylon 5 tapes and wondered "Now what happens in {episode name} again?" this list is for you. This list gives the title and author for each episode (if no author is listed, JMS wrote the episode) and describes the main plot points and important non-plot-related scenes.

Obviously, this page contains spoilers for all the episodes.

Jump to Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4


Babylon 5 Pilot

The Gathering
The Vorlon ambassador Kosh is poisoned on arrival and Sinclair is a suspect.

Season One: Signs and Portents

#1 Midnight on the Firing Line
B5 fights raiders and deals with the diplomatic fallout when a Centauri outpost is attacked. Talia Winters tries to make contact with Ivanova.

#2 Soul Hunter
Franklin arrives. A mysterious alien called a Soul Hunter arrives on the station, upsetting Delenn. Sinclair discovers Delenn is Satai.

#3 Born to the Purple
Writer: Larry DiTillio
Londo's new love steals his files of "dirt" on other Centauri. Sinclair uses this to negotiate a settlement between Londo and G'Kar. Garibaldi investigates an unauthorized use of a restricted communications channel. Ivanova's father dies.

#4 Infection
A reporter visits B5. A friend of Franklin's brings aboard an artifact that turns into a biotechnology weapon.

#5 The Parliament of Dreams
B5 is holding religious festivals. Sinclair's old flame Sakai arrives. G'Kar's aide Na'Toth arrives. Delenn's aide Lennier arrives. An old enemy of G'Kar's sends an assassin after him.

#6 Mind War
A genetically altered telepath, Jason Ironheart, flees to B5 with Psi Cop Bester in pursuit. Sakai explores a dangerous planet near Narn space.

#7 The War Prayer
Writer: D.C. Fontana
A Minbari poet is attacked by the Home Guard. Two young eloping Centauris seek help from Vir. An old flame of Ivanova's visits the station.

#8 And The Sky Full Of Stars
A security officer has been engaging in gambling. Sinclair is captured and interrogated about the missing 24 hours in his life and learns that Delenn was involved. Franklin examines Delenn.

#9 Deathwalker
Writer: Larry DiTillio
DeathWalker, a war criminal, arrives on B5 with a drug that prevents aging, causing diplomatic chaos. Ambassador Kosh hires Talia Winters for a mysterious assignment.

#10 Believers
Writer: David Gerrold
Franklin tries to save a dying child against the religious wishes of the parents. Ivanova takes a squad of Starfuries to protect a starliner adrift in raider territory.

#11 Survivors
Writer: Mark Scott Zicree
A presidential security official, whom Garibaldi knew when she was a child, visits B5 and accuses Garibaldi of sabotage.

#12 By Any Means Necessary
Writer: K. Drennan
Dock workers on B5 strike. G'Kar tries to obtain a plant for a religious ceremony.

#13 Signs and Portents
Londo recovers a valuable Centauri artifact. Raiders are becoming more powerful. A mysterious man named Morden asks each of the ambassadors a question. A Centauri prophetess forecasts doom for B5.

#14 TKO
Writer: Larry DiTillio
A human boxer seeks to compete in a dangerous alien martial art. Rabbi Koslov meddles with Ivanova's mourning process.

#15 Grail
Writer: Christy Marx
Summary: A man visits B5 looking for the Holy Grail. Something is brainwiping victims and Kosh is a suspect. A man named Jinxo is sentenced to deportation. Ivanova warns of booms.

#16 Eyes
Writer: Larry DiTillio
Garibaldi and Lennier assemble a 1992 Kawasaki Ninja. An Earth Alliance investigator and telepath are sent to test the loyalty of the B5 command staff.

#17 Legacies
Writer: D.C. Fontana
The body of a Minbari warrior is brought on board the station. When the body disappears, Neroon blames Sinclair. A human girl is discovered to be a telepath and is fought over by Talia, Ivanova, G'Kar, and Delenn.

#18 A Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1)
A mentor visits Delenn. Ivanova and Sinclair investigate earthquakes on Epsilon 3, discovering an ancient city and a dying alien. Violence breaks out on the Mars colony; Garibaldi asks Talia for help contacting Mars.

#19 A Voice in the Wilderness (Part 2)
An alien ship arrives and claims Epsilon 3. An Earth Force captain disagrees with Sinclair about how to handle the situation. Draal, Delenn, and Londo decide on their own solution. Garibaldi talks to an old flame.

#20 Babylon Squared
Babylon 4 reappears several years after its disappearance; Sinclair and Garibaldi investigate. Delenn is summoned to the Grey Council and asked to become its leader.

#21 The Quality of Mercy
Dr. Franklin discovers the healer in Downbelow isn't such a quack after all. Talia must scan the mind of a mass murderer before brainwipe. Londo and Lennier play cards.

#22 Chrysalis
Morden offers to help Mollari with Quadrant 14. Garibaldi finds out about an assassination plot against the President and is shot by his own aide. Sinclair proposes to Sakai. Delenn enters a chrysalis. G'Kar disappears to check out his theory about the attack on Quadrant 14.

Season Two: The Coming of Shadows

#1 Points of Departure
A new commander, Sheridan, is suddenly appointed to B5. A renegade Minbari warship arrives on the scene. Delenn remains in the chrysalis. Lennier tells Sheridan of what happened at the Battle of the Line when the Minbari realized that some humans have Minbari souls.

#2 Revelations
G'Kar returns with news of a terrible enemy. Sheridan has a visit from his sister, who wants to talk about the death of his wife. Franklin and Sheridan revive Garibaldi. Delenn emerges from the chrysalis. Londo spies for Morden. Garibaldi interrogates his aide. The Shadows destroy an investigating Narn warship.

#3 The Geometry of Shadows
Garibaldi is despondent. Refa conspires with Londo. Several Technomages arrive on the station and Londo tries get an audience with them. Ivanova deals with Drazi internecine fighting.

#4 A Distant Sun
Writer: D.C. Fontana
The Explorer ship Cortez visits the station, with stories of strange things on the rim. Franklin dispenses unwelcome diets. Minbari are distrustful of Delenn's new appearance. The Cortez is rescued from hyperspace. Keffer encounters a Shadow ship.

#5 The Long Dark
A war veteran has nightmares about invisible monsters. B5 discovers an ancient Earth ship with two crew in cryonic suspension, one of whom has mysteriously died. The other crew member comes under suspicion.

#6 A Spider in the Web
Writer: Larry DiTillio
Talia witnesses the murder of Isogi, a businessman with a proposal to save Mars, and is stalked by the killer. A senator pressures Sheridan to spy on Isogi. Sheridan reveals he is a collector of secrets.

#7 Soul Mates
Writer: Peter David
Londo summons his three wives to the station and explains he will divorce two of them. Talia's ex-husband appears on the station with artifacts and a proposal for Talia. Delenn asks Ivanova for help with her hair.

#8 A Race Through Dark Places
Sheridan and Ivanova refuse to pay rent for their quarters. Delenn invites Sheridan to dinner. Bester shows up pursuing an underground railroad of unregistered telepaths. Talia seeks Ivanova's friendship.

#9 The Coming of Shadows
The Centauri emperor pays a visit to B5 in an attempt to apologize to the Narn but falls ill before he can do so. Londo has a dream, plots with Refa, and asks a favor of Morden. A mysterious man gives Garibaldi a message from Sinclair. The Narn declare war on the Centauri.

#10 GROPOS
Writer: Larry DiTillio
A division of infantry, led by Franklin's father, come to B5 in preparation for an attack on a rebel base at Akdor. Franklin and his father resolve old differences. Garibaldi botches a chance to get laid.

#11 All Alone in the Night
Sheridan is kidnapped by unknown aliens and makes friends with a captured Narn. Delenn is removed from the Grey Council. General Hague visits the station. Kosh sends Sheridan a dream. Sheridan puts together a conspiracy.

#12 Acts of Sacrifice
G'Kar asks for military aid. Ivanova practices diplomacy with the Lumati. Narns on the station kill a Centauri and question G'Kar's authority. Londo dispenses favors.

#13 Hunter, Prey
Sheridan and Ivanova visit Kosh's ship. President Clark's doctor flees to B5 with a government agent in pursuit and gets kidnapped by a thug. Sheridan talks to Kosh.

#14 There All The Honor Lies
Writer: Peter David
A souvenir shop opens up on board. Sheridan kills a Minbari in self-defense; Lennier and Garibaldi get in the way of each other's investigations. Kosh gives Sheridan a lesson. Vir believes he will be replaced. Londo reveals that the Minbari lie.

#15 And Now For a Word
An ISN investigative report on B5. The Narn destroy a Centauri transport carrying weapons. A reporter interviews station personnel and ambassadors.

#16 In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum
The station is inundated by Narn refugees. Vir tells Morden what he wants. Sheridan illegally detains and interrogates Morden. The Nightwatch recruits station personnel. Franklin discusses his religious beliefs. Delenn and Kosh tell Sheridan about the Icarus and the Shadows.

#17 Knives
Writer: Larry DiTillio
Sheridan practices batting. An old dueling friend of Londo's requests help in clearing his name. After finding a dead Markab in Gray Sector, Sheridan is plagued by visions nobody else can see.

#18 Confessions and Lamentations
Sheridan orders Keffer to stay out of hyperspace. Sheridan shares a ritual meal with Delenn and Lennier. An ancient epidemic strikes the Markab and threatens to spread to other species. Delenn tends to the dying while Franklin races to find a cure.

#19 Divided Loyalties
Delenn reads Universe Today. Lyta Alexander brings warning of a traitor on the command staff. Ivanova and Talia spend the night together. Ivanova tells Sheridan she is a telepath. Lyta visits Kosh.

#20 The Long, Twilight Struggle
Londo reluctantly renders to Refa his associates' help with the war. Draal contacts Sheridan and Delenn. G'Kar tries to warn a Narn war leader of a trap, but not in time -- the Narn are forced to surrender. Delenn gives Sheridan command of the Rangers.

#21 Comes the Inquisitor
G'Kar buys weapons for the resistance. Delenn submits to an inquisitor summoned by the Vorlons. Vir tries to apologize to G'Kar. The Narns on board question G'Kar's leadership. The Rangers are put into action for the first time.

#22 The Fall of Night
The Centauri invade neighboring territories. Keffer seeks the ship he saw in hyperspace. Earth negotiates a treaty with the Centauri. The Nightwatch gathers intelligence. Sheridan aids a Narn ship against the wishes of Earth. In saving Sheridan's life, Kosh reveals himself to many. Keffer is killed by the Shadows.

Season Three: Point of No Return

#1 Matters of Honor
Sheridan and Kosh have an unproductive conversation. Marcus arrives on the station. Londo tries to break away from Morden. An Earth official asks questions about the Shadows. Delenn and Sheridan fight Shadows in the new White Star. Morden and a Psi Cop meet with an Earth senator.

#2 Convictions
A madman is setting off bombs on B5. Lennier injures himself saving Londo. Brother Theo and his monks arrive. Londo and G'Kar get stuck in a transport tube.

#3 A Day in the Strife
Sheridan and Ivanova deal with the transport association. A mysterious probe promises new technology or destruction. Franklin shows the effects of stim use. A Narn appointed by the Centauri tries to convince G'Kar to return home. Londo asks Delenn to appoint Vir as ambassador to Minbar.

#4 Passing Through Gethsemane
Garibaldi and Delenn argue over the death penalty. A monk is plagued by strange visions of a former life as a murderer. Lyta returns altered from the Vorlon homeworld.

#5 Voices of Authority
Political advisor Musante glues herself to Sheridan. Ivanova visits the Great Machine and records a transmission between Clark and Morden. G'Kar tries to join the Alliance. Ivanova and Marcus find First Ones. Zack's trust in Garibaldi is shaken. G'Kar gives Garibaldi the Book of G'Quan.

#6 Dust to Dust
A Nightwatch member harasses a shopkeeper. Ivanova tries to kill Bester. Bester and Garibaldi track a supplier of dust. Vir returns from Minbar. Delenn cannot mediate between the Centauri and Drazi. G'Kar takes dust, plunders Londo's brain, and is sent a vision by Kosh.

#7 Exogenesis
Marcus investigates why his liaisons are dropping out. Franklin discovers a body infected with a mysterious worm-like creature. Ivanova and Corwin have a date.

#8 Messages From Earth
Marcus smuggles aboard a scientist who reveals that EarthGov and the Psi Corps are trying to activate a Shadow ship. Sheridan goes to stop them, arousing the suspicions of Nightwatch. Delenn makes it rain on the White Star. Zack is ordered to spy on Garibaldi. Clark declares martial law.

#9 Point of No Return
As martial law takes effect, Nightwatch is put in charge of security. Lady Morella prophesies for Londo and Vir. G'Kar offers the Narn as security forces to Sheridan.

#10 Severed Dreams
Delenn dissolves the Gray Council. B5 breaks away from Earth and fights off Earth forces with the help of the Minbari. Sheridan speaks with his father.

#11 Ceremonies of Light and Dark
Delenn tries to organize a rebirth ceremony but is captured by remnants of the Night Watch. Londo poisons Refa. The computer's alternate personality takes over. The War Council get new uniforms.

#12 Sic Transit Vir
Ivanova has embarrassing dreams. Londo fights a bug. Vir meets his fiancee. Ivanova investigates the movement of a large number of Narns through the station. Sheridan and Delenn try to have a date.

#13 A Late Delivery from Avalon
Garibaldi wrangles with a post office employee. A man claiming to be King Arthur comes on board and charms G'Kar.

#14 Ship of Tears
ISN is now government propaganda. Delenn tells G'Kar that she delibarately allowed his homeworld to be conquered. Bester asks for help in rescuing the teepsicles. Garibaldi discovers that telepaths are weapons against the Shadows. The Shadows begin to attack openly.

#15 Interludes and Examinations
Morden threatens Londo. Sheridan convinces Kosh to render aid against the Shadows. Garibaldi confronts Franklin about stims and Franklin resigns. Londo blames Refa for Adira's death by poison. A dying Kosh sends Sheridan a message.

#16 & #17 War Without End (parts I and II)
Sinclair arrives on B5 on a mission to save Babylon 4 against the Shadows so it can be used in the past. Sheridan is thrown into the future and learns the fate of Centauri Prime.

#18 Walkabout
Garibaldi talks to Franklin on walkabout. The new Vorlon ambassador arrives. Franklin befriends a singer in Downbelow. Sheridan tests telepaths as weapons against the Shadows. Garibaldi berates G'Kar for refusing to help. Lyta learns Sheridan has a piece of Kosh.

#19 Gray 17 is Missing
Ivanova visits Franklin, seeking information on the underground railroad of telepaths. Delenn's appointment as Ranger One is opposed by Neroon and defended by Marcus. Garibaldi finds a strange cult living on a sealed deck.

#20 And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place
Londo uses G'Kar and Vir to plot against Refa. Religious leaders visit B5. Sheridan figures out the Shadows' war strategy.

#21 Shadow Dancing
The League joins Sheridan. Ivanova and Marcus scout in Shadow territory. Delenn asks Sheridan to sleep with her. Sheridan's forces ambush the Shadows. Franklin, injured from a stab wound, finally meets himself. Sheridan discusses his dream. Anna Sheridan arrives on the station.

#22 Z'Ha'Dum
Sheridan accuses Delenn and Kosh of withholding the truth about Anna. Anna convinces Sheridan to go to Z'ha'dum to find out the Shadows' point of view. Londo receives a message to return home. Garibaldi is captured by the Shadows.

Season Four: No Surrender, No Retreat

#1 The Hour of the Wolf
The League refuses to send a ship to Z'ha'dum. Londo meets Cartagia and a singed Morden and sees part 1 of his dream come true. Kosh2 refuses to render aid to Delenn. G'Kar leaves B5 in search of Garibaldi. Ivanova, Delenn, and Lyta search for Sheridan. Sheridan meets Lorien.

#2 What ever happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
G'Kar is captured and taken to Centauri Prime, where Londo makes him a deal. Sheridan converses with Lorien. Delenn is dragged back from the brink of despair and plans to send the Rangers to Z'ha'dum. Garibaldi is tortured.

#3 The Summoning
Ivanova and Marcus search for more First Ones. Vir decides Cartagia must be killed. Garibaldi is rescued. G'Kar is flogged within an inch of his life. Lyta finds out the Vorlons' plans. Sheridan reappears on B5. The Vorlons begin attacking planets.

#4 Falling Towards Apotheosis
Zack questions Garibaldi. Cartagia reveals his plans for Centauri Prime. Sheridan and Co. destroy Kosh2. Sheridan tells Delenn he has 20 years to live and proposes to her. Londo convinces Cartagia to try G'Kar on Narn. G'Kar's eye is plucked out.

#5 The Long Night
The Shadows have a planet killer of their own. Vir kills Cartagia. Sheridan's plan to engage the Shadows and Vorlons requires a ship to make a sacrifice. G'Kar refuses to become the leader of the Narn.

#6 Into the Fire
Ivanova and Lorien search for First Ones. Londo discovers that Morden killed Adira, destroys the Shadows on Centauri Prime, and gives Vir a gift. Sheridan engages the Vorlons and the Shadows and they are talked into leaving.

#7 Epiphanies
Garibaldi resigns. Bester offers information about a plot to discredit B5 in exchange for a visit to Z'ha'dum. Lyta destroys Z'ha'dum. The Minister grows a Keeper.

#8 The Illusion of Truth
Sheridan worries about his father. A reporter visits B5 and uses the footage to make propaganda.

#9 Atonement
Zack becomes head of security. G'Kar gets a prosthetic eye. Delenn returns to Minbar to justify her marriage to Sheridan. She recalls Dukhat and her role in starting the Human-Minbari war, and her clan learns that human DNA has been mixing with Minbari for a thousand years.

#10 Racing Mars
Franklin and Marcus, disguised as newlyweds, go to Mars to meet with the Resistance and discover a human infected with a Keeper. Sheridan confronts Garibaldi and engages in a Minbari ritual with Delenn.

#11 Lines of Communication
Franklin and Marcus present Sheridan's plan to the Martian Resistance. Sheridan dreams up the Voice of the Resistance. Delenn confronts the Drakh and discovers that Minbar is on the brink of civil war. Franklin gets laid and Marcus gets horny.

#12 Conflicts of Interest
Zack relieves Garibaldi of his badges of office. Garibaldi does a job for William Edgars, who is the husband of Garibaldi's old flame. The Voice of the Resistance starts broadcasting. Ivanova goes to Epsilon 3 and meets a brother of Zathras.

#13 Rumors, Bargains and Lies
Sheridan tricks the League of Non-Aligned Worlds into accepting a defense pact. Delenn plots with Neroon to end the Minbari civil war. Misunderstanding, members of the religious caste come up with a plot of their own.

#14 Moments of Transition
Bester wants to buy Lyta's body after she dies. Neroon, Shakiri, and Delenn find a resolution to the Minbari civil war. Garibaldi is hired to find a dog and cat. Sheridan declares war against Clark.

#15 No Surrender, No Retreat
Sheridan's forces attempt to liberate Proxima 3 and recruit more warships. Londo tries to enlist G'Kar's aid in backing Sheridan against Earth. Garibaldi leaves for Mars.

#16 The Exercise of Vital Powers
Garibaldi meets William Edgars, who has him scanned. Lyta helps Franklin make contact with the frozen telepaths on B5. Edgars also experiments with telepaths. Garibaldi agrees to capture Sheridan's father.

#17 The Face of the Enemy
The Agamemnon joins Sheridan. Garibaldi captures Sheridan and finds out more about Edgars' plans. Lyta warns Franklin of a coming war between telepaths and normals. Bester tells Garibaldi how he was programmed and used. Edgars is killed and his telepath virus and antidote drug stolen.

#18 Intersections in Real Time
Sheridan is interrogated and tortured.

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Created: 09 Jul 97
Created by: Stef
with help from Colin Glassey's episode guide and the Lurker's Guide episode synopses.
No unsolicited commercial email.
Copyright 1997 Stef Maruch Babylon 5 is Copyright PTEN and Warner Bros.