"Infection" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X04, "Infection". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Extra reading:

The article for "Infection" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[ruuger]

This clearly isn't Anna Sheridan's IPX or Max Eilerson's IPX - it has the same basic strategy and ethics, but... continuity error?

I was wondering about that too. Maybe Anna and Eilerson were part of the "front" organisation. Although the idea that the Icarus really was looking for possible bioweapons (perhaps without the crew knowing about it) would fit with Earth later making a deal with the Shadows to get that same technology. And by the time Eilerson is introduced Earth then already has organic technology, so IPX maybe have also changed with the times.

[wychwood]

But - Anna seems to have been involved, seriously, with IPX for some years, and as an archaeologist. If the "front" was that substantial, Franklin would have found about it. IPX having a sideline in selling bioweapons? Absolutely - that's canon, or near as damnit. But it's more than just a front for that, based on everything we see.

When does Anna actually go off with the Icarus? It's some time before Sheridan goes to B5, right? Canon timeline-wise, I think she has *already* gone on that mission, which means IPX ought to be "real" by now...

[ruuger]

Ah, you're right. I'm now trying to remember what we were told about IPX in Shadow Within .

According to the official chronology, the Icarus was on Z'ha'dum about the same time as the events of "The Gathering" took place.

eta: And apparently Mary Kirkish was working for IPX already in 2248, so it really doesn't fit that Franklin has never heard of it :/

[kathrid.livejournal.com]

I don't think IPX fronts for a bioweapons firm, but for Earth Force's bioweapons research division. Basically, they've found biological technology on Mars, but have had trouble understanding it, and IPX is a useful front for acquiring more examples of the same, or similar, technology for further research. They are mostly doing what they claim, just not for the exact reasons they claim.

As such many of the scientists working for them might not notice the lies, especially if they spend most of their time digging stuff up or 'poking it with sticks' in laboratories. And especially if they don't find any shadow tech or other organic tech themselves. They just do their jobs, and what IPX does with it afterwards isn't their business.

[wychwood]

Yeah, that does make sense - like I said, most of the stuff we see about IPX in this really isn't much of a surprise. What I'm mostly quibbling with is the idea that Franklin can't find out anything about the "front" IPX, because that doesn't make any sense of, basically, every other appearance of the organisation in the rest of the show (and Crusade) *g*.

[kathrid.livejournal.com]

I think it might have been trying to keep a low profile before Clark's days because it was part of his 'conspiracy'. Once he was in charge it starts advertising (as seen in And Now for a Word?) and generally more high-profile.