Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?

"Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.

Synopsis

'Mr. (Michael) Garibaldi', the former Chief of Security on the space station Babylon 5 (B5) has disappeared. While searching for Garibaldi, the former Narn ambassador G'Kar is captured by his enemies the Centauri.

It's been nine days since the commanding officer of B5, Captain John Sheridan disappeared on the planet Z'ha'dum, and nine days since Garibaldi also vanished.

The League of Non-Aligned Worlds has fragmented as each member returns to their home planets to prepare for war.

Sheridan comes to in a dark place, with a voice asking him over and over "Who are you?" and "What do you want?". He wakes, and sees a figure, who calls himself Lorien. Lorien asks him some questions, and eventually breaks the news that Sheridan is dead. Sheridan doesn't believe it, but can find no pulse in himself. Lorien asks what's the last thing Sheridan remembers, which is him falling into an abyss. Lorien hints that Sheridan is in between life and death ("suspended between tick and tock").

G'Kar meanwhile is on the trail of Garibaldi in a bar, trying to trace down a part of a Starfury fighter spacecraft from someone in the bar. Things turn ugly, and Ranger Marcus Cole reveals himself as one of the customers. A brief fight takes place, and Cole and G'kar escape.

Minbari ambassadorial aide Lennier has told B5 Doctor Stephen Franklin that he is breaking protocol reporting this, but tells Franklin that Minbari Ambassador Delenn is in trouble. Franklin goes to see Delenn, who is maintaining a fast as she waits for Sheridan's return, saying that if he does not return she will meet him in death.

Marcus and G'Kar are lying low whilst Centauri guards are searching for them. G'Kar has a price on his head. Marcus suggests that he continue the interrogation of the man in the bar, as he is less likely to be apprehended.

Franklin is clearing out some of Sheridan's quarters when Delenn enters. He hands her a data crystal which Ivanova has found that contains personal information relating to Sheridan's relationship with Delenn.

Marcus discovers that the Starfury's location tracks back to Interplanetary Expeditions. He tells G'Kar, who urges Marcus to return to Babylon 5 to track down the puzzle from there. Marcus leaves, and later G'Kar is captured when the Centauri finally locate his hiding place.

Delenn, inspired by the data crystal's message, tries to rally people for the coming fight, using the Rangers as the catalyst.

On Centauri Prime, Londo is awakened and summoned to see Emperor Cartagia. The Emperor gives him a gift, which turns out to be G'Kar.

Garibaldi is revealed to be in a round room, where voices question him on what happened after he left Babylon 5. He doesn't know, and eventually starts to destroy the room, but is stopped when gas is released.

Londo goes to see G'Kar in his cell, and asks for his help. He explains that Cartagia will torture him over a long period, and that he needs his help to assassinate the Emperor. G'Kar agrees but his price is the freedom of the Narn homeworld.

At Z'ha'dum, Lorien tells Sheridan that he is the first one. Lorien has met Kosh before, and a piece of Kosh is still present in Sheridan. Lorien tells Sheridan that he is not embracing life, but fleeing death. Lorien says it is easy to find something to die for, but asks if he has anything worth living for. Sheridan answers "Delenn".

Arc significance

• Sheridan is "dead".
• Garibaldi's Starfury was found abandoned in space, but someone from Interplanetary Expeditions ("Infection", "Z'ha'dum") knew where to find it. Garibaldi was captured and is apparently in the custody of Psi Corps.
• Lorien claims to be the first of the First Ones, and lives deep within Z'ha'dum. He says the Shadows return to Z'ha'dum because he's there, and that Kosh "almost certainly" knew about his presence when he told Sheridan to jump.
• G'Kar has been captured by the Centauri. In exchange for help overthrowing Emperor Cartagia, Londo has promised G'Kar that the Centauri will withdraw from Narn after Cartagia is removed from power.

External links

• Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi? at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5