History Recap / BabylonFiveS03E10SeveredDreams

* IntrepidReporter: Rick from ISN. Doubles as a RedShirtReporter. [[ItHasBeenAnHonor Knowing that ISN]] is about to be shutdown, he interrupts a live news cast [[IDieFree to expose]] (as much as he can) what Clark's regime has been keeping underwraps for the past year. He is [[DyingMomentOfAwesome clearly afraid, but pushes through anyway]]. [[HeroicSacrifice He doesn't survive this]], sadly.

** The EAS Alexander is named after Alexander the Great. The Churchill is, obviously, named after Winston Churchill.

** To a Minbari trying to prevent her from seeing the Grey Council: "Sixteen years I served the council. I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him. I held him when he died. His blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes... his word on my lips. You will stand aside in his name and mine, or, ''in Valen's name'', I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them!"
** To the Clark-loyalist fleet: "Only one Human captain has survived battle with a Minbari fleet. ''He'' is behind me. ''You'' are in front of me. If you value your lives, '''''be somewhere else.'''''" The assault fleet proceeds to '''''RUN LIKE HELL'''''.

* DespairEventHorizon: When Corwin [[OhCrap reports 4 jump points]] opening right on top of the station, Sheridan assumes the worst--that the [[TrappedBehindEnemyLines enemy has them surrounded]]. Sheridan struggles to stay calm and firm, barely [[LoudGulp managing to ask]] how many jump points are opening as he [[HeroicBSOD closes his eyes]].

* ForgottenSuperweapon: When the second wave of Earth ships arrives, it seems to be implied that Sheridan would give up, but what about asking Draal to use Epsilon's firepower to support his side as was previously discussed? Sure, it wouldn't be good for optics, but this is life and death.
** WordOfGod from JMS - Sherridan didn't want to give Clarke the excuse to try again and de-ligitimize B5 in the eyes of the Earth Force rank and file. President Clark has the Shadows as allies and they would ambush the station later in the series.

** [[spoiler:Rick's fate is never revealed.]]

The ''Alexander'' is in one of those fights right now, with the cruiser ''Clarkestown'' in pursuit, and firing a shot that strikes the ''Alexander'' amidships. On the bridge, the man in command, Major Ryan, reluctantly authorizes opening fire on the other ship, and the ''Alexander'' easily destroys the ''Clarkestown''. Ryan comments on how he met the ''Clarkestown's'' CO before and how in this war they know everyone they kill. For now the ''Alexander'' needs repairs and there is only one safe port for them, Babylon 5.

This is bad news for the command staff; as soon as the ''Alexander'' arrives, they'll become traitors themselves. Sheridan has Garibaldi put a kill switch in the comm system so no one can alert anyone as to the ''Alexander's'' location, except for one line for them and ISN, their link to home.

** To the Earth fleet: "Only one Human captain has survived battle with a Minbari fleet. ''He'' is behind me. ''You'' are in front of me. If you value your lives, '''''be somewhere else.'''''" The assault fleet proceeds to '''''RUN LIKE HELL'''''.

** Delenn's is hit when the Grey Council refuses to take a stand, saying it's "not their problem." Delenn... takes exception to this.

* BystanderSyndrome: As part of toeing a fine line, ISN kept mum about all the atrocities going on outside of Earth. But when ''civilian'' targets were being bombed, Rick, another reporter, interrupted Jane to tell the audience the truth.

* HeadInTheSandManagement: Delenn accuses the Council this, standing by as the Shadows' influence grew. It's true that Delenn had been doing the same, but she had been making preparations in quiet. The Council had outright stated that they were doing nothing, as they believed it wasn't really happening.

* KatanasOfTheRisingSun: Captain Hiroshi of the Churchill is, of course, of Japanese descent. Her LastStand follows the Japanese war code to a T, in an awesome TakingYouWithMe moment.

A fan favorite episode and winner of the HugoAward for Best Dramatic Presentation, 1997.

** To the Earth fleet: "Only one Human captain has survived battle with a Minbari fleet. ''He'' is behind me. ''You'' are in front of me. If you value your lives, '''''be somewhere else.'''''" The assault fleet proceeds to scatter in short order.

** Delenn's is hit when the Grey Council refuses to take a stand, saying it's "not their problem." Delenn... takes exception to this. (See also RealitySubtext below.)

-->'''Londo''': Madness, total and complete madness! This never would have happened if the humans had not started fighting with one another!

** "Only one Human captain has survived battle with a Minbari fleet. ''He'' is behind me. ''You'' are in front of me. If you value your lives, '''''be somewhere else.'''''" The Earth Force assault fleet proceeds to scatter in short order.
** "Sixteen years I served the council. I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him. I held him when he died. His blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes... his word on my lips. You will stand aside in his name and mine, or, ''in Valen's name'', I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them!"

Angry at their indifference, Delenn leaves the station to confront the Grey Council and make them see reason. As she leaves, another ship, the ''Churchill'', arrives. Its CO, Captain Hiroshi, wants to speak with them in person.

The ''Alexander'' is in one of those fights right now, with the cruiser ''Clarkestown'' in pursuit, and firing a shot that strikes the ''Alexander'' amidships. On the bridge, the man in command, Major Ryan, reluctantly authorizes opening fire on the other ship, and the ''Alexander'' easily destroys the ''Clarkestown''. Ryan comments on how he met the ''Clarkestown's'' CO, before and how in this war they know everyone they kill. For now the ''Alexander'' needs repairs, and there is only one safe port for them, Babylon 5.

This is bad news for the command staff; as soon as the ''Alexander'' arrives, they'll become traitors themselves. Sheridan has Garibaldi put a kill switch in the comm system so no one can alert anyone as to the ''Alexander's'' location, except for one line for them, and ISN, their link to home.

Delenn leaves the station to confront the Grey Council and make them see reason. As she leaves, another ship, the ''Churchill'', arrives. Its CO, Captain Hiroshi, wants to speak with them in person.

On C&C, Sheridan makes an announcement via Draal's holographic projections, in which he explains that warships are now en route to seize control of the station. He recounts recent events, listing President Clark's crimes and the response of the outer colonies, and declares that Babylon 5 will join them in seceding from the Earth Alliance until such time as President Clark is removed from office.

* EnforcedMethodActing: The debris wasn't supposed to fall so close to the reporters. Their reactions were genuine shock.

* McLeaned: General Hague is killed offscreen; the actor had been double-booked to appear on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''.

* RealitySubtext: Creator/MiraFurlan, who escaped Croatia in the early '90s, drew on her fury with the European powers who failed to help when the Balkans went to hell to fuel her speech to the Grey Council. Obviously, it worked. Furlan actually asked JMS, "So when did you go to Croatia?"
* RealLifeWritesThePlot[=/=]McLeaned: The character of General Hague was killed off because the actor had been booked for a two-parter in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' at the same time. At least one [[HilariousOuttakes blooper]] delivered by Bruce [=McGill=] (who played Major Ryan) references the situation.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: JMS wrote the role of Major Ryan for Everett [=McGill=], after being impressed with his work on ''{{Twin Peaks}}''. But he couldn't remember his first name while talking with the casting director, and when she suggested he might mean Bruce [=McGill=], who she'd worked with before, he agreed and found out his mistake too late. But ever since, he's been sure to emphasize that he thought Bruce did a great job.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Rick's fate is never revealed.]]
** Similarly, two of the four Earthforce ships that arrive with the first wave to attack B5 simply disappear after their first appearance. It's not shown if they were destroyed or if they retreated.
** WordOfGod is that they were destroyed in the fighting; this was filmed, but cut from the final episode for time.

Delenn leaves the station to confront the Grey Council and make them see reason. As she leaves, another ship, the ''Churchill'', arrives. Captain Hiroshi wants to speak with them in person. ISN is reporting on the Mars attacks, saying there's been no response from the outer colonies, but another reporter interrupts with information that several of them have broken away, and shock troops are actually moving in on ISN itself. Gunfire is heard, and then [[SnowyScreenOfDeath the feed is abruptly cut]].

* ContinuityNod: In "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E07Exogenesis Exogenesis]]", Ivanova felt Lt. Corwin out about obeying a direct order. He said at the time that it wasn't his call to make. When Babylon 5 secedes, she checks with him; "You okay?" He's just fine, much to his surprise.

* HollywoodTactics: Garibaldi arranges a sensible defense for the invaders, but the Narns don't listen and [[LeeroyJenkins charge headlong to the entry point]]. Garibaldi is forced to abandon the defensive position to back them up.

* OhCrap: Sheridan's face when he is informed that four jump points are forming right on top of them. Luckily for him, it's a coldly furious Delenn with the White Star, three Minbari war cruisers, and no intention of allowing Babylon 5 to be overrun.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: A single {{Bridge Bunny}} leaves the deck when Sheridan gives permission for anyone to do so before the battle, in a deliberate subversion of the typical scene where everyone shows {{Undying Loyalty}} at such an order.

Fighting is fierce and losses are heavy on both sides. Garibaldi goes to repel a boarding crew, but the Narns [[LeeroyJenkins rush ahead]] of him and get caught in a killing zone. The ''Churchill'' takes catastrophic damage and rams an enemy destroyer, [[RammingAlwaysWorks destroying both ships]]. Ivanova collides with another fighter and is forced to eject, while the boarding action has devolved into a giant brawl in close quarters. Finally the last enemy ship is destroyed, but almost immediately a new wave arrives. Then a set of jump points form right next to the station, but it's three Minbari warcruisers, and the ''White Star''. Delenn declares that Babylon 5 is under her protection, and the attack fleet leaves rather than engage Minbari ships.

On C&C, Sheridan makes an announcement, in which he explains that warships are now en route to seize control of the station. He recounts recent events, listing President Clark's crimes and the response of the outer colonies, and declares that Babylon 5 will join them in seceding from the Earth Alliance until such time as President Clark is removed from office.