Messages from Earth (1)

Season 3, Episode 8, Aired
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Episode Summary

An archaeologist is brought to Babylon 5 with a grave message - a dormant Shadow ship has been found on Ganymede. It must be destroyed before it falls into the hands of President Clark.
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • Messages from Earth (1)

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 09, 2011 Report Abuse
    Messages from Earth (1) was a perfect and very entertaining episode of Babylon 5. I really enjoyed watching this episode because we got to see both the White Star and a Shadow ship in action as Sheridan and the 7R group learn that a Shadow ship has been discovered in Earth Space. I also enjoyed the continued development between Marcus and Ivanova with a few touching and fun scenes. Sheridan and Delenn shared a touching moment when the Captain was trying to sleep on a Minbari bed. It was interesting to see that Zack was the only one who was concerned with the path Night Watch is taking. I really like his story line. The ending of this episode has a shocking surprise that will turn Babylon 5 upside down and inside out!!!!!!!moreless

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  • Time for hard decisions

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By Parricida, Dec 11, 2009 Report Abuse
    I think this three episode story arc is one of my favorites if not the most favorite one. It has just all the things I love about the show - hard decision, great dialog, stunning char moments, great story. I think the signs for this story to come were here all along and even if the last episode before it gave us the hint, I think we were not ready for something so big.

    Somehow this has been falling on them for a long time and now they are in position when they have to act against Earth and I love how everyone take it. Sheridan leaving the ship, going closest to Earth he has been over long period of time.. and for what reason and how and meeting his old ship. I loved the anger Ivanova had and living it out on Marcus. Stunning

    I really loved the writing on this episode. It was brilliant. To portray something like that, so lively, so deeply and movingly. They got the message trough.. and what kind of message. Loved the episode.moreless

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  • the fight against earth starts to begin.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By seaqueastdsv, Sep 05, 2007 Report Abuse
    the opening scene is where michael and susan and sherdian are sitting down to breakfast when a waiter comes over and gives susan her breakfast its a surprise from marcus bacon and eggs. michael complains about his breakfast when ivanova and john say 'suaei' short for shut up and eat it. i love that scene. meanwhile marcus is down below fighting some guys who are trying to hurt a woman he is trying to protect. she has information about what she saw regarding the shadows and her life is in danger because of it. she tells the other about it and they must make a choose what to do next. they must take a stand against earth.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Continuity error - Marcus supplies Ivanova with Bacon and Eggs for breakfast, which she eats without passing comment on the fact that bacon is a no-no because she is Jewish! Edit
    • Factual Errors: There are several warnings that either weapons fire or opening a jump point inside Jupiter's atmosphere will ignite the atmospheric hydrogen. However, Jupiter has a atmosphere mainly composed of hydrogen, helium and methane. The lack of oxygen makes hydrogen ignition unlikey. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Peter Jurasik (Londo Mollari) does not appear in this episode. Edit
    • Stephen Furst (Vir Cotto) does not appear in this episode. Edit
    • JMS was reportedly upset over the B5 comics printing order DC used. The story was apparently printed before it should have been. This resulted in tipping off the surprise links revealed in this episode too soon. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Ivanova: I don't know how to relate to you, how you fit into anything here. I mean, where are you in the ranks? Above, below? Marcus: Left, right, in a box by the door? It doesn't matter. And that's not really the problem, is it? Ivanova: If anything happens to the Captain I'm holding you personally responsible. Marcus: Because I sent him off on a suicide mission. Ivanova: Ever since you've come here we've had nothing but trouble. You're a loose cannon! Marcus: He went of his own free will. He didn't have to go. Ivanova: Yes, he did, and you knew he would the second he found out what was going on. Marcus: I'd rather assumed he would send me. Funny that... But if you are right and it was inevitable why blame me? Ivanova: Because we shouldn't have to be doing this! Because he didn't have any business taking out that ship without me there to help him! Because we're going up against our own government, I don't know where the hell I fit in anymore, much less you! And dammit – because I don't have anybody else to blame! Edit
    • Nightwatch Leader: We'll start making arrests in the next two months. This has already been drawn up. Security Guard: What can we do to help? Nightwatch Leader: Earth needs all the information we can give her. Any source is acceptable. To make it easier for sources to come forward, we're going to allow them to give us information anonymously. We're authorized to look into pas history, social contacts, party affiliations, to conduct e-mail and vid surveillance, BabCom and StellarCom transmissions, to – Zack: Whoa, whoa, wait. Just how far does this go anyway? Do we start suspecting everybody? Nightwatch Leader: No, of course not. Anyone with the Nightwatch is automatically recognized as working in the best interests of Earth. Edit
    • Sheridan (to the rest of the command staff): The rest of you will be needed here to cover my absence. It's a two-day jump to Earth space, that's a long time to be gone. I'm leaving behind my Identicard, my uniform, command rank, anything that could lead back here if something should go wrong. Susan, in our absence, I'm leaving you and Garibaldi in charge of the Rangers. I'd tell you to take good care of the station but... I know that's not necessary. I've left instructions at my desk for a cover story if we don't come back. Then send out my Starfury and use the autodestruct sequence. Doctor, you'll provide the organic mass to simulate a casualty. (pauses) I wish none of this were necessary. We all knew that sooner or later we'd have to deal with Earth. So, guess it's time we got down to business. If there's any way we can come back, we will. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The Nightwatch is the title of one of Rembrandt's most famous paintings, depicting the Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq led by himself and his lieutenant, on the move. The girl on the painting is wearing a yellow dress, said to represent victory, and carrying objects that symbolize the militia's emblems. It produces a highly militaristic, yet at the same time sociable atmosphere, and has been the subject of much controversy, including attempts to vandalize it in 1975 and 1990. Edit
    • Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Freedom This Jefferson quote is repeated, ironically, by Nightwatch. Edit
    • Ivanova: suaei
      Short form for "shut up and eat it." Word used when Ivanova got bacon and eggs from Marcus. Edit

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