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Day of the Dead (Babylon 5)
Encyclopedia
"Day of the Dead" is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5
. It was written by science fiction and fantasy author Neil Gaiman
, and is the only episode after the second season not written by J. Michael Straczynski
. The episode also features Penn & Teller
, who portray comedians Rebo and Zooty. It is a break from the show's usual continuing story arc, though some events do have relevance to the rest of the series.
is visited by a ground pounder, Dodger, with whom he almost had a romantic fling three years ago (see Gropos
), Londo cherishes a night with his lost love Adira Tyree (see Interludes and Examinations
), Lennier
tolerates the Shadows
' associate Mr. Morden
, and Captain Lochley
is visited by her friend for whose death she feels responsible. Kosh also delivers a message to Lochley for President Sheridan
: "When the long night comes, return to the end of the beginning."
was inspired to write this story when he heard of the Jewish concept of an eruv
, a shared physical domain that allows Jews to carry objects from one household to another on Shabbat
, the Jewish Sabbath. According to a literal reading of the Torah
(the five books of Moses) it would seem that one may not leave one's household on the Sabbath, which the rabbis found both impractical and not in the spirit of the holiday. Rabbinic literature
records the development of the eruv as a legal device which allows Jews in a community to symbolically, or in many views literally, merge their separate domains into one shared domain, thus allowing carrying and travel on the Sabbath. The idea of sharing distinct domains for a religious purpose was taken by Gaiman and expanded upon: what if one legally borrowed a domain that is far from one's home world? What if this merging of domains was made manifest in a literal and physical sense? The episode's storyline develops from Gaiman's extension of this idea.
" and before "Learning Curve
".
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...
. It was written by science fiction and fantasy author Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, and is the only episode after the second season not written by J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph 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,...
. The episode also features Penn & Teller
Penn & Teller
Penn & Teller are Las Vegas headliners whose act is an amalgam of illusion and comedy. Penn Jillette is a raconteur; Teller generally uses mime while performing, although his voice can occasionally be heard during their performance...
, who portray comedians Rebo and Zooty. It is a break from the show's usual continuing story arc, though some events do have relevance to the rest of the series.
Synopsis
The dead return for one night during a mysterious Brakiri religious festival: GaribaldiMichael Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi is a lead fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Jerry Doyle.-Overview:...
is visited by a ground pounder, Dodger, with whom he almost had a romantic fling three years ago (see Gropos
Gropos
"Gropos" is an episode from the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Dr. Franklin's father, General Richard "Firestorm" Franklin aboard EAS Schwarzkopf, leads 25,000 EarthForce marines of the 356th Infantry Division, through the station en route to a secret...
), Londo cherishes a night with his lost love Adira Tyree (see Interludes and Examinations
Interludes and Examinations
Interludes and Examinations is an episode from the third season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Dr. Franklin confronts his addiction to stims....
), 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:...
tolerates the Shadows
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...
' associate Mr. 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:...
, and Captain Lochley
Elizabeth Lochley
Elizabeth Lochley is a lead fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 and Crusade, played by Tracy Scoggins....
is visited by her friend for whose death she feels responsible. Kosh also delivers a message to Lochley for President Sheridan
John Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
: "When the long night comes, return to the end of the beginning."
Writing
Fantasy writer Neil GaimanNeil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
was inspired to write this story when he heard of the Jewish concept of an eruv
Eruv
An Eruv is a ritual enclosure around most Orthodox Jewish and Conservative Jewish homes or communities. In such communities, an Eruv is seen to enable the carrying of objects out of doors on the Jewish Sabbath that would otherwise be forbidden by Torah law...
, a shared physical domain that allows Jews to carry objects from one household to another on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, the Jewish Sabbath. According to a literal reading of the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
(the five books of Moses) it would seem that one may not leave one's household on the Sabbath, which the rabbis found both impractical and not in the spirit of the holiday. Rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature, in its broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of rabbinic writings throughout Jewish history. However, the term often refers specifically to literature from the Talmudic era, as opposed to medieval and modern rabbinic writing, and thus corresponds with the Hebrew term...
records the development of the eruv as a legal device which allows Jews in a community to symbolically, or in many views literally, merge their separate domains into one shared domain, thus allowing carrying and travel on the Sabbath. The idea of sharing distinct domains for a religious purpose was taken by Gaiman and expanded upon: what if one legally borrowed a domain that is far from one's home world? What if this merging of domains was made manifest in a literal and physical sense? The episode's storyline develops from Gaiman's extension of this idea.
Continuity
This episode was aired out of chronological sequence, the first and only Babylon 5 episode to be so after Season 2. Chronologically it comes after "A View from the GalleryA View from the Gallery
"A View from the Gallery" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. The episode is unusual in that it is told from the viewpoint of two maintenance workers as they witness the station being attacked.-Synopsis:Unknown forces attack the station; a pair...
" and before "Learning Curve
Learning Curve (Babylon 5)
"Learning Curve" is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Sech Turval and Sech Durhan visit Babylon 5 to report to Delenn on the Anla'shok training. They bring with them two trainees, Rastenn and Tannier.Garibaldi has an argument with Captain...
".
External links
- Day of the Dead 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...
- Babylon 5: Day of the Dead - TV.com