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Score: 9.2 Superb 60 votes

The Face of the Enemy

Episode Number: 83    Season Num: 4    First Aired: Thursday June 12, 1997    Prod Code: 417
After arranging for the arrest of Sheridan's father, Garibaldi gives his former commander the news, and urges him to come to Mars to arrange a rescue operation. But Garibaldi drugs Sheridan as soon as he gets there, and hands him over to Clark's forces. Finally, Edgars reveals his plans to Garibaldi.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Mike Vejar
Star: Jason Carter (Marcus Cole),  Claudia Christian (Susan Ivanova),  Bruce Boxleitner (John Sheridan),  Bill Mumy (Lennier),  Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin),  Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander),  Mira Furlan (Delenn),  Jerry Doyle (Michael Garibaldi)
Recurring Role: Denise Gentile (Lise Hampton),  Marjorie Monaghan (Number One),  Walter Koenig (Bester)
Guest Star: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (William Edgars),  Richard Gant (Captain Edward MacDougan),  Diana Morgan (Alison Higgins),  David Purdham (Captain James),  Ricco Ross (Captain Frank),  Mark Schneider (Wade),  Harlan Ellison (Psi Cop)

Notes

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JMS stated in Vol. 10 of his script books that had he know for certain that season five would have occurred, this episode (or more accurately this point in the story) would have been the season 4 finale.
This is in contradiction to an earlier statement from him, saying that season 4 would have finished with "Intersections in Real Time". (edit)
The scene in which Sheridan fights was shot in slow motion and was edited to feature shots taken by still photographer Byron Cohen. Normally, Cohen shot publicity photographs for the show. (edit)
It was previously stated that Bester's "Be seeing you" salute to Garibaldi as he leaves is a reference to the The Prisoner. This is, in fact, not true. As J.Michael-Straczynski states at The Lurkers Guide To Babylon 5:

"Nope, not a Prisoner homage at all, in any way."

Though, it is still worth noting that the Lurker page still lists it as a Prisoner reference elsewhere.

Bester first used the salute in "Mind War." (edit)
Science Fiction writer Harlan Ellison has a cameo appearance in this episode as the Psi Cop Bester instructs to adjust Garibaldi's personality. (edit)

Quotes

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Ivanova: The Captain once told me: 'The person is expendable, the job is not.' We keep going. (edit)
Bester: By nature Mr. Garibaldi is rebellious, stubborn, and suspicious. He has an innate distrust to the authority figures. And he is very good at figuring out when conspiracies are taking place and tracking it back to its source. We need that part of him, so I don't wanna risk tampering with him. (edit)
Bester: I knew there were forces out there with plans for my telepaths, but this.. I had no idea. The sheer scope of it. Well, we'll stop it now, of course, in our own way. (edit)
Wade: We're engaged in a very dangerous game, Mr. Garibaldi. In this game you have to pick a target very carefully, because you only have one shot. And this is much, much bigger than you suspect.
Edgars: President Clark isn't the real problem, he's trivial. One way or another he'll be gone in a few years, but the telepaths he put in power, the Psi Corps, those will be with us forever. That's the real danger. If information is power, then telepaths represent the greatest threat to freedom we've ever seen. We have to deal with that, or face the very real possibility of our own extinction. (edit)
ISN Broadcast: We interrupt our regular programming for this important announcement. The leader of the renegade fleet that has been attempting to destabilize Earth for months has finally been located and detained. Captain John Sheridan, formerly of Earth Force, was captured earlier today by forces loyal to president Clark and is now being held in a secure facility. Unlike many of his victims, he is being given proper care and treatment until a hearing can be convened. (edit)

Trivia

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Continuity: The Agamemnon joins Sheridan's rebellious fleet. In the original broadcast of "Moments of Transition" the Agamemnon was seen attacking civilian targets. However, this was a mistake and on later broadcasts and DVD, the ship attacking civilians was changed to the Pollux. (edit)

Allusions

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Agamemnon: Sheridan's old ship is named after the Greek king who returned from the Trojan War only to be betrayed and murdered by his wife. This not only references the plot at the end of Season Three, but its appearance foreshadow's Michael's treachery in this one. (edit)
Garibaldi: Last guy who did this paid 30 pieces of silver. Garibaldi is comparing himself to Judas because of what he's about to do. (edit)
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Community Reviews (3)

 
8.8
Great
The Face of the Enemy
"Character development"
Sucks to be Garibaldi
Continue » Posted Apr 7, 2008 1:30 pm PST
10.0
Perfect
The Face of the Enemy
"Exactly why I watch this series"
what bester really did to garibaldi
Continue » Posted Aug 6, 2007 3:05 am PST

Shivkala
Report Abuse 1 user agrees
with this review
9.7
Superb
The Face of the Enemy
"Pivotal"
In this episode we have everything that one can wish for from a tv show.
Continue » Posted Mar 26, 2007 11:02 am PST
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Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: The Face of the Enemy
Season Number: 4
Episode Reviews: 3
Episode
Score:
9.2 Superb 60 votes
Rating Statistics:
superb: 32 (53.3%)
perfect: 16 (26.7%)
great: 9 (15%)
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