No Compromises

"No Compromises"
Babylon 5 episode
Episode no.	Season 5 Episode 1
Directed by	Janet Greek
Written by	J. Michael Straczynski
Production code	502
Original air date	January 21, 1998
Guest appearance(s)
Joshua Cox (Lt. Corwin) Anthony Crivello (John) Robin Atkin Downes (Byron)
Episode chronology
← Previous "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars" Next → "The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari"
List of Babylon 5 episodes

"No Compromises" is the first episode of the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5 . This was the first episode of Babylon 5 to air on TNT.

Synopsis

Ivanova's replacement, Captain Elizabeth Lochley, arrives at Babylon 5 a day ahead of the inauguration ceremony for President Sheridan for the Interstellar Alliance. Sheridan agrees to avoid interfering with Lochley's station operation outside of political matters. Later, Lochley is met by a group of rogue telepaths, led by Byron. Byron requests if they could find refuge on the station for their safety until they find a permanent homeworld. While Lochley is wary of the long-term request, she does make sure their immediate needs are met, including having Dr. Franklin check the health of Simon, a younger telepath that refuses to speak but can project images into others' minds as a means of communication.

Elsewhere, a man assassinates a Ranger and sends the body to be found by Babylon 5 as a message. The man later arrives at the station and sends an untraceable message to Sheridan, intending to kill him at the inauguration ceremony. Sheridan meets with his staff, including Lochley and Garibaldi, and despite their warnings to reschedule the event until the threat has been found, Sheridan insists to continue, otherwise it would be seen as a sign of weakness. After the meeting, Lochley and Garibaldi have an argument, as Garibaldi technically is no longer part of the station staff, but Garibaldi insists he can help while his replacement Zach Allen gets on his feet. The assassin later kills the Gaim ambassador to acquire its encounter suit as part of his plan. Simon, who has found his way into the air vents, hears noises and tracks down the assassin. He telepathically sees his plan to kill Sheridan, but as he moves to leave, makes noise that draws the assassin's attention. The assassin shoots at the air vent wildly, and sees he hit someone as blood drips from one of the holes. He then flees with his gear in preparation for the ceremony. Simon, mortally wounding, makes his way out of the vent. Garibaldi, using the messages left behind by the assassin, identifies him as a former Earth Force security officer with a vendetta against Sheridan.

At the inauguration ceremony, security watches for the assassin, unaware he has arrived as the Gaim ambassador. Simon makes his way there and is allowed in by Franklin; once inside, Simon telepathically alerts everyone there to the assassin's plan. His plan revealed, the assassin tries to kill Sheridan but his shot is taken by a security guard. The man flees, while Franklin checks on Simon and finds he has died from his wounds. Sheridan insists on going on with the inauguration and moves the ceremony to an observation deck while the assassin knocks out a Starfury pilot and steals his ship, just as Garibaldi discovers from his records that the man is a skilled Starfury pilot. Garibaldi gives chase in a second Starfury, tethering the other ship as the assassin prepares to fire on the observation deck and pulls it back far enough to let the station's weapons systems destroy the vessel. G'Kar, who has been waiting to give an eloquent speech to inaugurate Sheridan, tersely swears Sheridan in so they can finally end the ceremony. Afterwards, Sheridan expresses his sympathy for Simon's lost to Byron; and although Lochley was initially against it, Sheridan offers Byron and his telepaths a space on the station believing that they may be allies in the pending confrontation with the Psi-Corps. Sheridan also further creates a new office of covert operations for the Alliance and puts Garibaldi in charge, giving him the necessary authority to work alongside Lochley.

Story Arc

• B5 is now under the command of Captain Elizabeth Lochley, an Earth Force officer hand-picked by Sheridan for her ability to defuse crises without resorting to violence, and her ability to fight effectively when required. He has placed her in charge of all aspects of station operation except political decisions affecting the Interstellar Alliance.
• B5 hasn't rejoined Earth yet. The Alliance is discussing buying it from Earth. In the meantime it remains an independent state.
• Sheridan has allowed a group of rogue human telepaths, led by a man named Byron (whose psi powers seem to be quite strong) to establish a colony on Babylon 5.
• Narns aren't given their adult names at birth; they're given temporary ones for the first ten years of their lives, after which they're allowed to select their true names from whatever pantheon they've come to believe in. G'Kar was no exception.
• G'Kar has assembled a declaration of principles for the Alliance. It consists of the first page of every holy book of every race in the Alliance, a reminder that the Alliance is a multitude of voices and beliefs, all worthy of respect.
• G'Kar continues to write his own book ("Point of No Return") and has shown it to other Narn and to Garibaldi. The other Narn have even begun quoting it.
• Sheridan has named Garibaldi the head of the Alliance's covert operations division.
• B5 continues to employ Narns in its security forces.
• Sheridan's first assignment in Earthforce was the 54th North American Unit.

External links

• No Compromises at The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5