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Score: 8.7 Great 66 votes

The Illusion of Truth

Episode Number: 74    Season Num: 4    First Aired: Thursday February 20, 1997    Prod Code: 408
A team of ISN reporters arrives at the station wanting to do a story about Babylon 5. Sheridan refuses at first, but finally agrees on the theory that at least a small part of their side of the conflict will be shown.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Stephen Furst
Star: Mira Furlan (Delenn),  Jerry Doyle (Michael Garibaldi),  Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander),  Stephen Furst (Vir Cotto),  Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin),  Jeff Conaway (Zack Allan),  Peter Jurasik (Londo Mollari),  Jason Carter (Marcus Cole),  Claudia Christian (Susan Ivanova),  Bruce Boxleitner (John Sheridan),  Bill Mumy (Lennier),  Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar)
Guest Star: Jeff Griggs (Randall),  Henry Darrow (Dr. Indiri),  Diana Morgan (Alison Higgins),  Andrew Craig (Client),  David A. Kimball (Parks),  Albert Garcia (Ramirez)

Notes

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Jason Carter (Marcus Cole) does not appear in this episode. (edit)
Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander) does not appear in this episode. (edit)
Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) does not appear in this episode. (edit)
Stephen Furst (Vir Cotto) does not appear in this episode. He did, however, direct the episode. (edit)
The cryogenic freezers containing telepaths are labeled. On reads Carolyn Sanderson (Bester's lover, "Ship of Tears") and John Flinn III who is one of the directors of the series. (edit)

Quotes

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Sheridan: I thought we had seen the worst of it with the Shadows, the Vorlons, the War... But there's something much worse. Reporters. (edit)
Sheridan: We have an open door policy-
Ivanova: And an open airlock policy.
Sheridan: Commander...
Ivanova: Sorry. (edit)
Last lines before opening credits
Zack: Everybody back! Everybody back, back! What the hell's going on here Ramirez?
Ramirez: Scanners turned up something suspicious in those crates, sir. We went to take a look and they got in our way.
Zack: Explosives?
Ramirez: Scanners say no. It could be weapons, contraband, dust.
Zack: Well then, let's open them up.
Randall: Hey, that's private property! We've got rights.
Zack: What you're gonna have is my foot 16 inches up your butt if you don't get the hell out of my way!
Zack slowly smiles, starts to turn away, draws his PPG and shoots the crate's lock as Randall and his crew duck
Randall: You're crazy! I'm gonna file a report with your superior officer!
Zack: Well, you do that sunshine! Ramirez, check the box.
Ramirez: Yes sir. Nice shot Chief.
Zack: Well, don't say that until you know what I was aiming at.
Hovercam rises out of the crate
Zack: What the....? It's a camera.
Randall: That's right, a camera. It goes with the territory. I'm a reporter and this is my crew. And you just made the evening news.
Zack sheepishly grins at the camera
(edit)
Alison Higgins: To celebrate this latest victory against the tyranny of a fanatical few who have endangered the lives of our citizens, Clark proclaimed today a planetary holiday. Curfew has been extended two full hours until 9 PM Earth standard time, so go out and enjoy. (edit)
Sheridan: There is no force in this galaxy that can stop what we have done here together. Nothing will be able to stop us. (edit)

Trivia

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Factual Error: The newscast misspells Yuri Gagarin's last name; it was spelled "Gargarin" on the screen. (edit)
Factual Error: Dr. Indiri, played by Henry Darrow, states that Sheridan is suffering from Helsinki Syndrome and that's why he's helping the Minbari. Stockholm Syndrome is the actual term for a hostage that begins to identify with one's captors. (edit)

Allusions

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Historical Reference: Producer's Confession.
The confession of the producer strongly resembles confessions acquired by the House Un-American Activities Commission in the United States in the 1950s. (edit)
Character Names: Parks, Beth Trumbo, Adrian Mostel, and Carleton Jarrico.
These names are likely references to actor Larry Parks, film producer Dalton Trumbo, actor Zero Mostel, and writer Paul Jarrico. They were entertainers who were blacklisted in Hollywood for their political views. Allegedly they had communist sympathies. (edit)
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Community Reviews (3)

 
8.4
Great
The Illusion of Truth
"Well written"
I hate fictional reporters.
Continue » Posted Apr 3, 2008 8:31 am PST
10.0
Perfect
The Illusion of Truth
"Another great installment"
return of ISN
Continue » Posted Aug 6, 2007 1:50 am PST

Kim_sprite2009
Report Abuse 2 users agree
with this review
2 users disagree
with this review
7.1
Good
The Illusion of Truth
"Painful to watch"
ISN reporters are very rude!!!
Continue » Posted Jul 13, 2005 8:49 pm PST
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Episode: The Illusion of Truth
Season Number: 4
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8.7 Great 66 votes
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