"Passing Through Gethsemane" discussion

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 3X04, "Passing Through Gethsemane". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
One of Brother Theo's monks is haunted by violent visions. Lyta returns to Babylon 5 as Kosh's assistant.

Extra reading:
The article for "Passing Through Gethsemane" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it just struck me that the teep here seems to be the only freelance telepath we ever see of any race. There's also a Centauri telepath working for Refa in "And the Rock Cried Out..." Don't remember if he's confirmed to be freelance or whether he's a full time employee of House Refa or what.

The Emperor's telepaths seem to be a special case; other noble houses don't seem to have anything like them, and for that matter, Cartagia doesn't seem to make use of them either. It does seem that at least some Centauri telepaths have the same opportunities as mundane Centauri.

(Hmm. In the real world, 'psychic' covers both telepathy and clairvoyance - do the Centauri also see them as the same sort of thing? If so, they might not draw as much of a distinction between telepaths and mundane Centauri when all Centauri are at least limited seers...)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I, err, have a personal fanon why the Emperor's telepaths weren't around in the Cartagia era, as I wrote a story about them. A combination of him wanting to be scandalous and the Shadows not wanting telepaths in the palace.

Good point about the Centauri not seeing that much difference because of the general low level clairvoyance! Given that strong seers enjoy higher social status, that would influence attitudes as well.

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

Cartagia presumably wouldn't see much point in the telepaths anyway - "What's the point of knowing what's going on Centauri Prime while I'm away? I'm the only important thing on Centauri Prime!"