Babylon 5 - Episodics (#318)
"Walkabout"

Sheridan wants to test the newfound theory that telepaths can be used as a weapon against the Shadows and enlists the help of Lyta Alexander. They take the White Star into hyperspace, close to where previous shadow attacks had taken place, and wait for the enemy to appear. Dr. Franklin has gone 'walkabout' in order to find himself. By walking in a straight line across the station, he hopes to rediscover who he is. Visiting a bar Down Below, he meets Cailyn, a talented singer and they spend the night together. He soon discovers that Cailyn is a metazine addict, needing the drug to fight the pain from a terminal illness. He gives the medlab instructions to help in whatever way they can and continues his walkabout. When a Shadow vessel finally appears, the White Star emerges from hyperspace and attacks. Lyta immobilizes the ship, but it manages to send a distress call before being destroyed. Four Shadow vessels appear, and the White Star calls in a Minbari ship carrying three telepaths for support. They're able to hold three Shadow vessels at bay, but the fourth attacks. At the last moment, G'Kar arrives with allies from the Non-Aligned Worlds and the Shadows are forced to retreat.

As Sheridan finds out that telepaths can be used as a weapon against the Shadows, Dr. Franklin decides to go walkabout, the Australian aboriginal journey of self-discovery. 'Walkabout' was originally supposed to air before the two-part 'War Without End,' but that would have meant separating 'War I' and 'II' by several months of reruns. There- fore, 'Walkabout' directed by the former production manager Kevin Cremin, was shot first. More hints about the Vorlons are in this episode, including the fact that Sheridan may be carrying a piece of the now-dead Kosh inside him. A different, more reptilian encounter suit was designed by Optic Nerve Studios for the new Vorlon ambas- sador who takes Kosh's place. Cailyn, the singer that Franklin meets Down Below is played by Erica Gimpel, former cast member of the TV series Fame. Writer J. Michael Straczynski wrote the lyrics for Cailyn's two musical numbers which he describes as 'bluesy, Billie Holliday kinds of songs, updated slightly.' The idea for using telepaths as weapons against the Shadows is suggested in the episode 'Ship of Tears' and will crop up a number of times during seasons three and four. More importantly, G'Kar reveals that every sentient race has their own version of Swedish meatballs!

Joe Nazzaro