A Late Delivery from Avalon
Encyclopedia
A Late Delivery from Avalon is an episode from the third season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5
.
. Given that Jack the Ripper
actually did show up on the station last year
, the possibility that he is telling the truth cannot be dismissed out of hand ...
He helps out an old woman who had been robbed of everything, including her husband's picture. He finds the thieves beating up another man, confronts them and beats them all with skillful sword and fist combat. Then more of the gang turns up, but G'Kar, who has been observing the fight with admiration, jumps in and helps "Arthur" give the new malefactors a thorough beating. Then the pair drink together, and "Arthur" impresses G'Kar with talk of the round table and fight against injustice, then knights him as "Sir G'Kar, the Red Knight".
Meanwhile, Dr Franklin
finds out that "Arthur" is David McIntyre, the gunnery sergeant who had fired the fateful shots on the Minbari
ship that started the Earth-Minbari War
. Despite serving with valor on the Battle of the Line
, David was deeply troubled. So his mind took on the new persona of Arthur, and replaced the misunderstanding of the Minbari's open gun ports with a knight who drew his sword to kill an adder, likewise misunderstood as an aggressive move.
The only way to heal his trouble was for "Arthur" to return Excalibur
to the Lady of the Lake
, a role Delenn
willingly accepted. After "Arthur" recovered, he took off with some Narns, and G'Kar promised Dr Franklin that he would have a position of authority with the resistance, who needed men of his caliber and ideas. In effect, "Arthur" will be forming a new "roundtable" of sorts in the resistance.
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
.
Synopsis
A man arrives at the station, claiming to be King ArthurKing Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
. Given that Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
actually did show up on the station last year
Comes the Inquisitor
-External links:* "Comes the Inquisitor" at Wikiquote...
, the possibility that he is telling the truth cannot be dismissed out of hand ...
He helps out an old woman who had been robbed of everything, including her husband's picture. He finds the thieves beating up another man, confronts them and beats them all with skillful sword and fist combat. Then more of the gang turns up, but G'Kar, who has been observing the fight with admiration, jumps in and helps "Arthur" give the new malefactors a thorough beating. Then the pair drink together, and "Arthur" impresses G'Kar with talk of the round table and fight against injustice, then knights him as "Sir G'Kar, the Red Knight".
Meanwhile, Dr Franklin
Stephen Franklin
Stephen Franklin is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by the late Richard Biggs. He serves as the chief medical officer on the Babylon 5 space station.-Personality:...
finds out that "Arthur" is David McIntyre, the gunnery sergeant who had fired the fateful shots on the Minbari
Minbari
The Minbari are a fictional alien race featured in the television show Babylon 5. The Minbari characters of Delenn and Lennier figure prominently throughout the series; Neroon, Draal, and Dukhat are less prominent Minbari characters....
ship that started the Earth-Minbari War
Earth-Minbari War
The Earth–Minbari War is a fictional war that formed a major part of the back story of the science fiction television series, Babylon 5. The war was fought between the Earth Alliance and the Minbari, an older alien race that overwhelmingly outmatched Earth in terms of technology and weapons...
. Despite serving with valor on the Battle of the Line
Battle of the Line
In the Babylon 5 fictional universe, the Battle of the Line was the final battle of the Earth-Minbari war. The Battle of the Line was a desperate attempt by the Earth Alliance to stop a Minbari combat fleet from attacking Earth. Over 20,000 Human defenders fought in the battle; including most of...
, David was deeply troubled. So his mind took on the new persona of Arthur, and replaced the misunderstanding of the Minbari's open gun ports with a knight who drew his sword to kill an adder, likewise misunderstood as an aggressive move.
The only way to heal his trouble was for "Arthur" to return Excalibur
Excalibur
Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was...
to the Lady of the Lake
Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake is the name of several related characters who play parts in the Arthurian legend. These characters' roles include giving King Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father...
, a role Delenn
Delenn
Delenn is a fictional lead character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Mira Furlan.-Overview:Delenn, an alien ambassador and leader from the planet Minbar, is one of the pivotal characters in Babylon 5....
willingly accepted. After "Arthur" recovered, he took off with some Narns, and G'Kar promised Dr Franklin that he would have a position of authority with the resistance, who needed men of his caliber and ideas. In effect, "Arthur" will be forming a new "roundtable" of sorts in the resistance.
Arc significance
- The Babylon treaty is formed
- We learn more about the humans' first encounter with the Minbari and how the war started
- The last line regarding the person who represents Morgan le FayMorgan le FayMorgan le Fay , alternatively known as Morgane, Morgaine, Morgana and other variants, is a powerful sorceress in the Arthurian legend. Early works featuring Morgan do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a fay or magician...
of the episode alludes to the last episode of the seasonZ'ha'dumZ'ha'dum is the final episode of the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Teaser:Anna Sheridan, John Sheridan's lost wife, returns to the station, unexpectedly showing up at Sheridan's room, much to the shock and anxiety of Delenn. Anna attempts to get close to...