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Chrysalis (Babylon 5)
Encyclopedia
"Chrysalis" is the final episode of the first season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5
.
An informant Lurker named Petrov dies in Garibaldi's
arms with the statement, "They're going to kill him." This triggers an investigation by Garibaldi.
Sinclair
proposes marriage
to Catherine Sakai and she says yes.
As Mollari complains to Vir
, Morden
contacts Mollari and offers his help.
Lennier
relays to Delenn
the answer to a question she asked of Kosh. The answer was, true to the Vorlon's cryptic speak patterns, "Yes." Delenn leaves to see Kosh.
Garibaldi discovers a Lurker involved with Petrov who informs Garibaldi that Petrov once worked for someone named Devereaux.
Mollari meets Morden and Morden says that his associates want to help Mollari with his career. Morden tells Mollari that he will take care of Quadrant 37 in return for a favor in the future.
Kosh reveals himself to Delenn. She tells him that he will not see her again as she is now.
Garibaldi finds Devereaux and detains him for questioning.
At dinner, Sinclair and Sakai ask Garibaldi to be best man and Ivanova
to be maid of honor. The dinner is interrupted by Garibaldi's investigation; Devereaux is "missing."
The Narn
outpost in Quadrant 37 is destroyed by two Shadow
vessels.
Ivanova is watching the news and learns that Vice President Clark
leaves the President's
tour due to illness.
During Garibaldi's investigation, he finds devices that could be used as a jamming device
. They are set to transmit near the transfer point at Io on the channel of EarthForce One
. Garibaldi's aide watches him call Sinclair to meet for an ultraviolet priority problem, but Garibaldi refuses to discuss it over the link. On his way to meet Sinclair, Garibaldi confronts Devereaux, and is shot in the back by his aide.
Delenn shows Sinclair the Triluminary
and agrees to tell him about what happened to him while he was on the Minbari
ship at the Battle of the Line
in the Earth-Minbari War
. Sinclair wants to find Garibaldi first. She warns him that she doesn't have much time.
G'Kar learns of the destruction of the base in Quadrant 37. Ten thousand Narn warriors were killed. G'Kar realizes that none of the species
that have the power to do it would use their power in this manner. He tells Na'Toth
that "there's someone else out there."
Shortly after the countdown to January 1, 2259, Garibaldi is found in an elevator tube lift.
Delenn attaches the Triluminary to the chrysalis device she built. It activates.
Garibaldi manages to tell Sinclair that they're going to kill the President at the transfer point at Io before he loses consciousness again. Unfortunately the channels are already being jammed, so Sinclair can’t warn anyone. As they watch ISN, EarthForce One explodes killing the President.
Sinclair asks Garibaldi's aide to continue the investigation and to protect Garibaldi.
Mollari is upset that Morden's associates caused the death of 10,000 Narns. Morden explains that Mollari is now a hero to his people and that was the point.
Sinclair is not believed when he tells a Senator about the assassination attempt. The explosion is considered an accident caused by a malfunction.
Garibaldi's aide killed Devereaux and his men. The security team realizes that his story about their deaths is not completely the truth, but covers for him anyway.
While watching Vice President Morgan Clark being sworn in as President, Sinclair is approached by Kosh. Kosh says, "And so it begins," and reminds Sinclair that he has forgotten something. When Sinclair goes to Delenn's quarters, Delenn is already in a cocoon and undergoing a mysterious transformation.
G'Kar returns to his homeworld to find more information about the destruction of the base in Quadrant 37.
Garibaldi is being operated on and the outcome is uncertain.
Morden is communicating with two alien beings in his quarters. They are non-humanoid
, non-bipedal, and do not have solid bodies that can be clearly seen, but can be perceived through the warping of light effected by their bodies. They discuss their plans for Mollari.
Sinclair's last words of the episode and season are "Nothing's the same anymore."
.
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
Mollari and G'Kar argue about Quadrant 37.An informant Lurker named Petrov dies in Garibaldi's
Michael Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi is a lead fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Jerry Doyle.-Overview:...
arms with the statement, "They're going to kill him." This triggers an investigation by Garibaldi.
Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair is a character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by actor Michael O'Hare. He was a regular in the first season of the show, as Commander of the Babylon 5 station, and made a number of guest appearances afterward.-Early life and...
proposes marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
to Catherine Sakai and she says yes.
As Mollari complains to Vir
Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. He is a Centauri male who was from a family of minor nobility, who would eventually become the Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5, and then became the Emperor of the Centauri Republic in 2278.Vir Cotto...
, Morden
Morden (Babylon 5)
Morden is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Ed Wasser. He is a recurring antagonist in the show.-Overview:...
contacts Mollari and offers his help.
Lennier
Lennier
Lennier is a character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bill Mumy. He is Minbari and acts as ambassadorial aide to Delenn throughout most of the series.-Background and career:...
relays to 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....
the answer to a question she asked of Kosh. The answer was, true to the Vorlon's cryptic speak patterns, "Yes." Delenn leaves to see Kosh.
Garibaldi discovers a Lurker involved with Petrov who informs Garibaldi that Petrov once worked for someone named Devereaux.
Mollari meets Morden and Morden says that his associates want to help Mollari with his career. Morden tells Mollari that he will take care of Quadrant 37 in return for a favor in the future.
Kosh reveals himself to Delenn. She tells him that he will not see her again as she is now.
Garibaldi finds Devereaux and detains him for questioning.
At dinner, Sinclair and Sakai ask Garibaldi to be best man and Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
to be maid of honor. The dinner is interrupted by Garibaldi's investigation; Devereaux is "missing."
The Narn
Narn
The Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
outpost in Quadrant 37 is destroyed by two Shadow
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
vessels.
Ivanova is watching the news and learns that Vice President Clark
Morgan Clark
William Morgan Clark is a fictional character and a major antagonist from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Gary McGurk. His character rarely appeared on-screen, but is a major off-screen presence in the show....
leaves the President's
Luis Santiago
Luis Santiago is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television drama Babylon 5, portrayed by a still photo of Douglas Netter...
tour due to illness.
During Garibaldi's investigation, he finds devices that could be used as a jamming device
Radio jamming
Radio jamming is the transmission of radio signals that disrupt communications by decreasing the signal to noise ratio. Unintentional jamming occurs when an operator transmits on a busy frequency without first checking whether it is in use, or without being able to hear stations using the frequency...
. They are set to transmit near the transfer point at Io on the channel of EarthForce One
EarthForce One
EarthForce One is a fictional spacecraft used in the Babylon 5 science fiction television series to transport the Earth Alliance President to other planets.-2258 Presidential visit to Babylon 5:...
. Garibaldi's aide watches him call Sinclair to meet for an ultraviolet priority problem, but Garibaldi refuses to discuss it over the link. On his way to meet Sinclair, Garibaldi confronts Devereaux, and is shot in the back by his aide.
Delenn shows Sinclair the Triluminary
Triluminary
Triluminaries are devices in the science fiction drama Babylon 5. The triluminary is a triangular shaped Minbari crystal with a small chip in the centre. The full extent of its abilities are unknown, although it is said to be the holiest of all relics in Minbari society and thus any readings it...
and agrees to tell him about what happened to him while he was 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 at 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...
in 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...
. Sinclair wants to find Garibaldi first. She warns him that she doesn't have much time.
G'Kar learns of the destruction of the base in Quadrant 37. Ten thousand Narn warriors were killed. G'Kar realizes that none of the species
Civilizations in Babylon 5
This article discusses fictional civilizations on the science-fiction television show Babylon 5.As the Babylon station was conceived as a political and cultural meeting place one of the show's many themes is the cultural and social interaction between civilizations...
that have the power to do it would use their power in this manner. He tells Na'Toth
Na'Toth
Na'Toth is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Na'Toth is the aide to Narn Ambassador G'Kar, one of the main characters of the series...
that "there's someone else out there."
Shortly after the countdown to January 1, 2259, Garibaldi is found in an elevator tube lift.
Delenn attaches the Triluminary to the chrysalis device she built. It activates.
Garibaldi manages to tell Sinclair that they're going to kill the President at the transfer point at Io before he loses consciousness again. Unfortunately the channels are already being jammed, so Sinclair can’t warn anyone. As they watch ISN, EarthForce One explodes killing the President.
Sinclair asks Garibaldi's aide to continue the investigation and to protect Garibaldi.
Mollari is upset that Morden's associates caused the death of 10,000 Narns. Morden explains that Mollari is now a hero to his people and that was the point.
Sinclair is not believed when he tells a Senator about the assassination attempt. The explosion is considered an accident caused by a malfunction.
Garibaldi's aide killed Devereaux and his men. The security team realizes that his story about their deaths is not completely the truth, but covers for him anyway.
While watching Vice President Morgan Clark being sworn in as President, Sinclair is approached by Kosh. Kosh says, "And so it begins," and reminds Sinclair that he has forgotten something. When Sinclair goes to Delenn's quarters, Delenn is already in a cocoon and undergoing a mysterious transformation.
G'Kar returns to his homeworld to find more information about the destruction of the base in Quadrant 37.
Garibaldi is being operated on and the outcome is uncertain.
Morden is communicating with two alien beings in his quarters. They are non-humanoid
Humanoid
A humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
, non-bipedal, and do not have solid bodies that can be clearly seen, but can be perceived through the warping of light effected by their bodies. They discuss their plans for Mollari.
Sinclair's last words of the episode and season are "Nothing's the same anymore."
Arc significance
This is the final episode of the first season, and ends with a number of questions hanging. Unlike most Season One episodes, nearly every scene in this episode is relevant to the story arcStory arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
.
- DelennDelennDelenn 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....
starts to undergo a transformation. - There is a mysterious connection between Delenn and Kosh.
- There is a plot to kill President Luis SantiagoLuis SantiagoLuis Santiago is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television drama Babylon 5, portrayed by a still photo of Douglas Netter...
. - The ShadowsShadow (Babylon 5)The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
attack a NarnNarnThe Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
outpost on behalf of Londo Mollari. - It is evident MordenMorden (Babylon 5)Morden is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Ed Wasser. He is a recurring antagonist in the show.-Overview:...
has some invisible masters/helpers. - Garibaldi'sMichael GaribaldiMichael Garibaldi is a lead fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Jerry Doyle.-Overview:...
aide has attempted to kill him to keep the assassination plot secret. - Sinclair has proposed marriage to Catherine Sakai.
Production details
- Garibaldi's shot in the back is foreshadowed 8 episodes earlier in "TKOTKO (Babylon 5)"TKO" is an episode from the first season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.- Synopsis :As Susan Ivanova comes to terms with her father's death , an old friend of Garibaldi's comes to the station to participate in a dangerous alien martial arts contest.Garibaldi arrests two aliens...
". - The question Delenn asks Kosh through Lennier, to which the answer is "Yes," is revealed in Season Two.
- The episode first aired in the United Kingdom on October 3, 1994, and in the United States on October 26. This detail is significant because many British viewers, US viewers, and the creator/executive producerJ. Michael StraczynskiJoseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, were all communicating with each other via various online services at the time (starting in 1991). - This is the last episode in which the interesting looking T'Loth Narn Cruiser is seen. They were completely replaced with the G'Quan Cruisers beginning in the second season. This is explained in universe as a controlled phase out of the cobbled together T'Loth; they were used to attack Ragesh 3 and to defend quadrant 37 because the former was not defended and the latter was considered unimportant. Meanwhile, the rest of the T'Loths were scrapped to provide materials for the massive buildup of G'Quans off screen. The production crew has indicated that Strackzynski felt that the T'Loth looked too generic compared to the other major race ships or even some of the ship of the non-aligned worlds, and ordering its replacement was one of the first things he did upon receiving the second season pickup. The G'Quan, however, looks as if it were built from one of the wings of the T'Loth, and as such, is not as imposing in appearance when the two are compared.
External links
- Chrysalis at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 is a fan-run website that includes detailed episode guides and analyses, production history notes, background materials, references, and other information related to the science fiction epic, Babylon 5...