The Parliament of Dreams

Season 1, Episode 6, Aired

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Sinclair's old flame, Catherine Sakai, arrives during a weeklong festival when humans and aliens demonstrate their religious beliefs. An old enemy sends an assassin to kill G'Kar.
  • A good little filler episode.

    7.0
    "Good"
    In this episode we are finally introduced to the two remaining main characters Na'toth and Lenier. The main focus of this episode is on G'Kar as he tries to avoid being assassinated. There is also a sub-plot looking at Sinclair once again meeting up with his old flame Catherine Sakai. All this takes place during a week where all the different species on Babylon 5 are displaying their religious ceremonies.

    To be fair not a lot really happen in this episode but it is still enjoyable to watch thanks mainly to Andreas Katsulas's great performance as G'Kar. The Sinclair plot shows us a little more of his character however O'Hare still seems a little wooden in his acting. The Centauri ceremony is also quite a good little scene allowing Peter Jurasik some screen time, which is always worthwhile.

    Another filler episode really but an entertaining one none the less, which shows us a different side of G'Kar and continues to build up the characters.moreless
  • The Parliament of Dreams

    9.0
    "Superb"
    The Parliament of Dreams was a really interesting episode of Babylon 5. I really enjoyed watching this episode that was full of intrigue, drama, and action. There was a lot of character development in this episode. I enjoyed watching the multiple story lines over lap each other and move the season forward. It was interesting to learn a little about some of the Alien's faith's on Babylon 5. Na Toth of the Narn is a very interesting character and I look forward to seeing more of her. I enjoyed watching this episode and look forward to watching more of Babylon 5!!!!!!moreless
  • One of my personal favorites.

    8.8
    "Great"
    This episode is somehow special for me. Maybe because finally we have all the ambassadors and their aids on the station and this is the culture episode.. The way we get to see those scenes of rituals of other aliens. And maybe that they use that Londo scene on the table later in very special places.

    Anyway, I adore the mystery that is building around Delenn. I like her costumes.. I more and more like minbaris. And Lennier.. the way he did not looked at her.. oh..

    And ofcourse.. we learn more about Sinclair and his personal life and Sakai. Very intriguing I most say.moreless
  • More character development

    7.8
    "Good"
    This was the first episode of season one that just seemed to be somewhat of a 'filler' - moving the characters forward in various ways and introducing two new people - but not a lot actually 'happened'

    We are in a religious awareness week, and indeed we have two set piece scenes with a demonstration of the religious traditions of the Centauri and the Minbari. The contrast is massive - the Centauri ceremony is little more than a booze-soaked banquet, whereas the Minbari is deeply spiritual and rich in symbolism. At the end of the show we see the Earth demo, a simple series of religious figures - presumably trying to make the point that tolerance is better than any one dominant religion (which clearly led to violent ethnic cleansing on Centauri Prime)

    The other plot lines revolve around an attempted assination of G'Kar, which allows us to meet the new attache Na'Toth (we also meet the new Minbari sidekick Lennier). We also see the arrival of Sinclair's old flame Catherine. I have to say that some of the dialogue between these two was risible, almost painful to watch - Sinclair has never looked so wooden and awkward as during the romance scenes.

    Babylon 5 is continuing to build - with the character ensemble receiving generous chunks of development, but the overall feel of this one was that not much was 'happening'.

    An average to above-average episode...moreless
  • g'kar receiving a death threat

    10
    "Perfect"
    i loved this episode of babylon 5 the parliment of dreams. in this episode of babylon 5 we see the aliens and humans demonstrate their religious beliefs. mabassador g'kar receives a death threat from a political adversary, who has hired a professional assassin to settle an old score. mean while sinclair has troubles of his own when an old flame catherine sakal reppears on the station.. we also get to meet the new aids to ambassador delenn, and also ambassador g'kar. we first meet the loyal assistant lennier. and then we meet na'toth. i enjoyed the scene were londo shows us his religious beliefs.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (4)

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    • A scene of Sinclair talking to Kosh about the poisoning incident from "The Gathering" was originally filmed for this episode, but due to time overruns was redubbed slightly and moved to "The War Prayer".

    • This episode marks the first appearances of G'kar's attaché, Na'toth, and Delenn's loyal assistant, Lennier.

    • A translation of G'Kar's song is as follows:
      I'm thinking of thinking of calling her right after my afternoon nap.
      I'm thinking of thinking of sending her flowers, right after Bonnie gets back.
      So many fishies left in the sea, so many fishies, but no-one for me...
      I'm thinking of thinking of hooking a love, soon after supper is done.

    • Continuity: When Lennier first arrives, the same man goes up the entry ramp twice.

  • QUOTES (29)

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    • Sakai: Oh, it's a rebirth ceremony, all right. It also doubles as a marriage ceremony. Depending on how seriously anyone took it, somebody got married the other day. Sinclair: Maybe that's why G'Kar was smiling. Funny. I didn't think Londo was his type.

    • G'Kar: (To Tu'Pari after he had been framed by G'Kar and Na'Toth) With luck, they may never find you, but if they do, you will know pain.. Na'Toth: ..and you will know fear.. G'Kar: ..and then you will die. Have a pleasant flight.

    • G'Kar: That hurt. Na'Toth: Ambassador, it was the only way to disable the pain-givers. I had to hit them as hard as possible, as often as possible and still make it appear as though I were beating you into another incarnation. G'Kar: And you didn't enjoy it in the least. Na'Toth: I didn't say that.

    • Tu'Pari: The pain must be overwhelming. Why hold it in? Cry out, Ambassador. With luck, someone will hear you. G'Kar: I would die before giving you that satisfaction.

    • Tu'Pari: My orders are quite specific. You are to know pain. You are to know fear. And then you are to die at the required hour. I confess I'll be happy when this assignment is finished. Delaying the target's suspicions can be so time-consuming.

    • Garibaldi: Just trying to get your story down, Ambassador. G'Kar: It's not my story, it's the truth!

    • Sakai: I usually think about you in summer. Sinclair: I think about you in the fall. Sakai: We never could agree on anything.

    • Sakai: The other half of the dance goes something like this: We meet, renew acquaintances, talk about old times at the academy, you ask about my aunt, I ask about your brother, we lie about not missing each other and we end up in bed together. And then you leave. Sinclair: Or you leave. Last time it was you. Sakai: No it wasn't. Sinclair: Yes it was. Sakai: No. .. Was it? .. You're right, last time it was me. Oh god, who can keep it all straight anymore.

    • Sakai: Is this a breach of protocol? Sinclair: I'm off duty. Sakai: I thought you are never off duty. Sinclair: Maybe you didn't know me as well as you think.

    • Delenn: You will not use my title Satai. You will address me only as Delenn. Do you understand? Lennier: No, but understanding is not required, only obedience.

    • G'Kar: I fight my own battles! I survived our war of independence, five years on the council and two prior assassination attempts. I can survive this.

    • G'Kar: What would you say if I told you that councilor Du'Rog hired someone to kill me? Someone close to me. Na'Toth: Ambassador, with all due respect, if it were me, you wouldn't be here for us to have this conversation.

    • Londo: (To Delenn) Did I ever tell you that you are very cute for a Minbari? (To Garibaldi) Even you are cute, in an annoying sort of way. Everybody's cute! Everybody's cute! Even me. But in purple.. I'm stunning!

    • Londo: Gods by the bushel! Gods by the pound! Gods for all occasions!

    • Londo: Ah, our household gods. In a world where every day is a struggle for survival, you need all the gods you can get.

    • Londo: Oh, come on, Commander! Loosen up! You are supposed to enjoy yourself! Sinclair: I am! Words just can't express how much I'm enjoying this.

    • Vir: (About Centauri ceremony)It's a celebration of life. It comes from a time in our world history when two dominant species were fighting for supremacy. Our people, and a species we called Xon. At year's end we'd count how many of our people survived and we celebrated our good fortune.

    • Vir [about Londo]: Ah, he has become one with his inner self. Garibaldi: He's passed out. Vir: That too.

    • G'Kar [to an assassin]: With luck, they may never find you, but if they do, you will know pain ... Na'Toth [to an assassin]: ... and you will know fear... G'Kar [to an assassin]: ... and then you will die. Have a pleasant flight.

    • Garibaldi [to G'Kar]: And just let me say, Ambassador, from the bottom of my heart; hot pink is definitely your color.

    • G'Kar [to Na'Toth]: Earthers have a phrase: 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' I believe they stole it from us. By the way, I look forward to strengthening our relationship.

    • Na'Toth [to G'Kar]: Ambassador, it is not my place to speculate on how anything gets into your bed.

    • Delenn: I cannot have an aide who will not look up ... you will be forever walking into things.

    • Garibaldi: I don't care if you're the Easter Bunny. You're not bringing this [a knife] on the station.

    • Londo [toasting]: Valtoooo!

    • Garibaldi: And what happened to the Xon? Londo: Dead, all of them, and good riddance. Do you know what the last Xon said, just before he died? [Clutches heart] "AAAAARGH!" Garibaldi [to Sinclair]: Can I kill him now?

    • [Sinclair puts his link in his pocket] Ivanova [on his link]: Commander Sinclair. Commander? Commander Sinclair. Sakai: I don't mean to alarm you, but your pants are talking to you. Sinclair: I know.

    • Tu'Pari: Are you Ambassador G'Kar? G'Kar: This is Ambassador G'Kar's quarters. This is Ambassador G'Kar's table. This is Ambassador G'Kar's dinner! What part of this progression escapes you?

    • Delenn: Will you follow me into fire, into storm, into darkness, into death? And the Nine said, 'Yes.' Then do this in testimony to the One who will follow, who will bring death couched in the promise of new life. And renewal disguised as defeat. From birth through death and renewal we must put aside old things, old fears, old lives. This is your death, the death of flesh, the death of pain, the death of yesterday. Taste of it, and be not afraid. For I am with you until the end of time. Taste of it. And so it begins

  • NOTES (1)

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    • This is the first episode written after the show went into production. Thus, it was the first episode Straczynski wrote after seeing the actors portray their characters on film.

  • ALLUSIONS (1)

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    • Mr. Blacksmith The name of the Australian Aborigine introduced at the end is based on the novel The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, the story of a half-caste Aborigine pushed by the white man's prejudice until he fights back.

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