Recap and discussion of 4 x 12 – Conflicts of Interest

I disliked all the Garibaldi story line after the programming and I hated this one a lot.

Having said that, here goes.

We begin by seeing a good side of Garibaldi. He helps a man find his daughter and gets almost misty eyed over their reunion, so there is still come good left in Garibaldi. While this touching scene happens, we see that horrid Wade watching nearby. He and an associate talk about how they will give Garibaldi his first mission soon.

Sheridan has summoned Zack into his darkened (for what reason, I don’t know) office and tells Zack he wants him to get Garibaldi’s weapon and credentials, since he never turned them in. Zack objects but Sheridan says he doesn’t like the company Michael is keeping.

Franklin has returned from Mars and is talking to Ivanova in the War Room. She mentions that she wishes to begin the Voice of the Resistance broadcasts again, but they can’t get the signal out very far since they can’t use ISN anymore. Franklin suggests trying Epsilon III. Ivanova does a facepalm over not thinking of it.

Zack gets Garibaldi’s ID and guns, though Michael is not happy about it.

While Susan heads down to the planet, Wade visits Garibaldi and tells him of his mission – as a body guard and expediter(whatever that is). He agrees.

Ivanova goes to Epsilon III and meets Zathras. She is surprised since she knows he went into the past. They have a long and interesting conversation in which she learns there are 10 (now 9) of Zathras. He agrees to help her.

Garibaldi uses his ‘spare’ identicard to find a back way to the docking bay to meet the person he is to escort and guard. The original contact is not coming and has sent his wife in his stead. She turns out to be Lise Hampton, Garibaldi’s ex and the one he carries a torch for. Her name is now Lise Hampton Edgars.

It turns out that Lise divorced the man who she married after Garibaldi and he took her child. She is now married to William Edgars, the richest man on Mars, who owns a huge medical research facility. Wade tells them the meeting is set.

Sheridan meets with Mollari and G’kar, explaining to them that he has a new job for the Rangers, to protect civilians against Raiders and the Drakh. He wants to place them on Centauri and Narn borders as an example to encourage other of the Non-Aligned Worlds to allow them to help as well. Both object, citing that the other planets will think B5 is trying to use undue influence. Londo also mentions the Drakh are just legends used to frighten Centauri children. They finally reluctantly agree.

Zack notes an unauthorized entry onto the station by Garibaldi. He know then that Garibialdi kept his credentials. He invalidates all of Garibaldi’s IDs and locks him out of using them.

Garibaldi, Wade and Lise head for Downbelow to meet their contact. They do and he gives them an isoblock with something that is supposed to save telepaths from a flaw in their genes that could endanger them, according to Lise. There is trouble and shooting starts. Garibaldi and the rest run and Garibaldi finds out that the ones after them are telepaths. He saved Lise though when the telepaths are caught, they commit suicide.

Ivanova comes back with what she needed but Franklin warns her away from Sheridan, who is yelling at Garibaldi about the three dead men. He threatens Garibaldi but does nothing.

Garibaldi gets a message from Lise and deletes it.

Williams Edgars calls Garibaldi and offers him a job. He takes it.

The Voice of the Resistance is back on the air.


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Quotes:

Cmdr. Susan Ivanova: I'm trying to put together a facility to broadcast messages back home and to the other colonies. We've got all of the pieces we need, but--
Zathras: But not having enough power to reach far places! Yes, Zathras understand. Everyone always coming to Zathras with problems. Big responsibility but Zathras does not mind. Zathras trained in crisis management.
Cmdr. Susan Ivanova: That's great, but--
Zathras: But only Zathras have no one to talk to. No one manages poor Zathras, you see. So Zathras talks to dirt. Or to walls, or talks to ceilings. But dirt is closer. Dirt is used to everyone walking on it. Just like Zathras. But we have come to like it. It is our role. It is our destiny in the universe. So, you see, sometimes dirt has insects in it. And Zathras likes insects. Not so good for conversation, but much protein for diet. Hmmm, huh, huh, very good! - Zathras fix now. Come, this way.
~~~
Cmdr. Susan Ivanova: [as anchor for the Voice of the Resistance] This is Commander Susan Ivanova of Babylon 5, and this is the first official broadcast of the new Voice of the Resistance. We're sending this signal out to every ship that wants to hear the truth, to our fallen comrades and freedom fighters on Mars and Proxima 3, and to Earth, which, despite what you may have heard, is still our home and still the one dream that we are as loyal to now as we ever have been. Over the last three years, ever since President Clark took over after arranging the assassination of President Santiago, you have been hearing nothing but misinformation, propaganda, and outright lies. Now we're going to tell you the truth, and we're going to keep telling it until they shut us down or until President Clark steps down and returns Earth to the hands of its people. You can kill us, you can bomb our colonies, destroy our ships, murder innocent civilians, but you cannot kill the truth - and the truth is back in business.


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Questions:
1. Who do you think sent the telepaths to intercept the serum?
2. Do you think Lise was actually a surprise stand in for her husband?
3. Does Wade work for Edgars? Or Earth?
4. Is Londo still the Ambassador to B5 even though he is part of the government too?
5. Do you feel sorry for Garibaldi? Or do you just wish him gone?


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Sources:
Lurker’s Guide to Babylon 5: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/078.html
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517640/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflicts_of_Interest_(Babylon_5)
The Babylon Project: http://babylon5.wikia.com/wiki/Conflicts_of_Interest