Recap and Discussion for 5 x 9 – In the Kingdom of the Blind

"In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." - Desiderius Erasmus

We are about to see the last of our wonderful Londo as we know him and that makes me sad to watch. Also, more tiresome telepath stuff with Byron.

The show opens with Garibaldi telling Sheridan and Delenn about random attacks near the shipping lanes that leave no survivors and no clues, since even the cargoes aren’t taken. We see a ship blowing up in space.

Londo’s ship arrives at Centauri Prime and Londo introduces his new bodyguard to all and sundry. They actually believe he is joking.


Byron calls the telepaths together to tell them about their mostly Vorlon origins and he says they have been enslaved long enough. He says there is a way to get what they want – a homeworld – but it is dangerous.

Lord Jaro comes to visit Londo. He is an apparent friend and he tells Londo of the strange behavior of the Regent and how no one sees him very often and also how he has taken up drinking heavily. Jaro sauid he was working on reports about food and such when he was told to stop as they were now top secret and for the Regent’s eyes only.

Jaro goes to this own rooms and the Regent is there. He mentions there are no more pastel colors, just darkness and tells him if it were his decision, Jaro would come to no harm, if it were his decision. Then an unseen assailant attacks Jaro.

As the members of the Alliance come out of a meeting with Sheridan, telepaths follow them and scan them. Byron tells Lyta their plan is set in motion. He says she must coordinate while he goes to find Mr. Garibaldi, that he needs her strength and wisdom on the next 24 hours. She asks if he is afraid and he tells her constantly.

At the Centauri court, the talk is still about G’kar and one of the lords says it is unacceptable for him to be at court as he might stab them in the back. G’kar assures him he’d stab in the chest so he could watch the light go out of his eyes. The lord then offers G’kar the chance to ship the man who whipped him and even hands him the whip. G’kar declines, saying is the hand or heart to blame – the heart commands the hand and the mouth commands them all.

Jaro is found hanging in his room and neither Londo nor G’kar buy that it was suicide.

Byron asks to speak to the council but he won’t tell Garibaldi what he wants. Garibaldi refuses but Byron ‘convinces’ him to do it. He speaks to the council, talking about how telepaths came to be and then goes offbook and asks for a homeworld. Then he tells them they were all scanned and if they refuse, their secrets will be revealed to all.


Garibaldi is furious. He apologizes to John and John tells him it wasn’t his fault. Delenn says perhaps the telepaths have a point. John says it’s the wrong time and Delenn reminds him of his recent attack on Earth.
Londo is being led to see the Regent when two men in hoods try to kill him While G’kar is occupied with them, Minister Vole throws a knife, which stops in midair and turns back to Minister Vole. We see a creature with red glowing eyes in the shadows.

Byron is angry that someone has left their compound in Brown sector for supplies. He says they must wait the others out. The one who went for supplies is being beaten by several Drazi and several of them leave to help their comrade while Lyta remains.

Sheridan is sitting laone when Zack comes and tells him that lock=hley ahs sent him to remoind him how she didn’t want the telepaths on B5 in the first place and she needs him to poull his protection so she can arrest them. John agrees.

Byron plans on peacefully refusing to be arrested. He says they will wait them out. But one of the teeps says he will not wait, he will act, will fight to force them to understand and they leave. He tells them he will stay and some stay and some go.

Londo asks again to see the Regent and finds him drunk and hiding behind the throne. He tells Londo he is glad ‘they’ were able to save him but does not name them. He says ‘You will be emperor soon. I’m so sorry.” He tells Londo NOT to enquire about the supplies.

Later while he is bed, Londo tells G’kar they will go back to Babylon 5 in the morning.

Zack is on the station wide com and asks the teeps to turn themselves in or they will use force. Byron says they will hold out and when he asks her to leave him behind, she must do it. She promises.

*

Quotes:
”Besides, everyone knows the true source of pain is neither the hand nor the heart. It is the mouth. Is it not, Minister?" – G'Kar to Minister Vole
Never, ever, ever trust a telepath. I swear to you, I'm gonna have that tattooed inside my eyelids. Garibaldi
*
Questions:
1. Who is the one-eyed man? What does the quote mean here?
2. Did you know who the red-eyed things were at the time?
3. Is Byron right? Is the other telepath right? When is it time to abandon peaceful protest and fight? Is there ever time?
4. Do you think all the court, minus Londo’s friend Jaro, were in on the plot to kill Londo?
5. Why did the red eyed creature protect Londo, do you think?
*

Sources:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517656/quotes/?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
The Lurker’s Guide to Babylon 5: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/097.html
The Babylon Project; http://babylon5.wikia.com/wiki/In_the_Kingdom_of_the_Blind

** This entry is backdated. I had it ready and simply forgot to post it.