“Babylon 5: In the Beginning” is a made-for-television film for Babylon 5. “In the Beginning” is set in the year 2278 and over a number of years earlier during the Earth-Minbari War. The earlier parts are chronologically prior to the events of “Babylon 5: The Gathering” but is was released between the season four finale “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars” and season five‘s “No Compromises” and this is when it is usually recommended to be watched.
The episode begins with Delenn and G’Kar talking. In every age, there is a singular event that changes the world around. The future is always born in pain. In the future, there is a name that is known on a hundred worlds, the last, best hope for peace. Babylon 5.
On Centauri Prime in 2278, a gloved hand moves the curtains away from a window in the palace. Outside, buildings are on fire. Then, two children, one boy and one girl, enter and look out. A woman follows and tells them they shouldn’t play here. Bad people made the buildings fall down and the window, the last one open in the palace, is for the emperor’s use only.
The gloved hand gestures and a voice tells the children to approach. It belongs to Londo Mollari, Emperor of the Centauri Republic. He speaks to the children, although the girl, Lyssa, doesn’t talk. Londo tells them that it is the quiet ones who change the universe. Londo is older and looks ill.
The boy, Luc, wants to know if Londo is really the Emperor. Londo replies that he sometimes asks that himself. Yes, he is the emperor. He has the seal of the Centauri Republic, which only the emperor may wear. So Londo is either the emperor or in a great deal of trouble. Perhaps both.
Londo puts the seal around Luc’s neck and tells him that he is the emperor for five minutes. Luc can give one order. Londo asks him ‘What do you want?’ Luc asks for a story. Londo, referencing Mr Morden’s asking the question of him in “Signs and Portents”, tells Luc he did far better with that question than Londo did.
Luc wants a story of great battles, wars and bravery, heroes and villains. His sister wants a true story. Londo promises to give them both what they want. Londo says he was there at the beginning of the Third Age. It began with the humans, the quiet ones he mentioned earlier. They changed the universe, but paid a terrible price. Earth was in a part of the galaxy that never interested the Centauri much. As a culture becomes decadent, it becomes interested in art, trinkets, and those the humans had. But it was pride that was their undoing.
A much younger Londo is escorted to see General Lefcourt. Following their victory in the Dilgar War, Earth is expanding its sphere of influence. They want to know more about the Minbari, to see if they pose a threat. Londo advises sending just one ship so they are not perceived as a threat. Lefcourt replies that they took care of the Dilgar; they can take care of the Minbari. Londo informs him that the Minbari are one of the oldest spacefaring races and, even at the height of the republic, the Centauri never opposed them. Londo thinks the general is being foolish.
Londo tells the children that they didn’t listen. Arrogant men never do. Which is not simply a human trait. A Minbari approaches another, Lenonn, who thanks him for coming. Lenonn is the leader of the Anla’Shok – the Rangers. The other Minbari passed on Lenonn’s request for support. It was rejected. Lenonn wants to speak to the Grey Council, for now is the time prophecy says that the Rangers are needed. That night, Lenonn wakens to the sound of bells and several Minbari escort him to the Grey Council’s cruiser. Dukhat says that Lenonn wanted to speak to them. So, speak.
Luc is impatient for battle. Londo tells him there is a terrible truth, that the blood of many who died in that war is on Londo’s hands. The Centauri woman tells Londo that he had nothing to do with it. He disagrees.
Lenonn is concerned that the Shadows will soon return, and the Rangers are not ready. They are too few, too old, too tired, and mocked by the council and the warrior caste. They need money, resources and people, and rapprochement with the Vorlons. Coplann of the warrior caste thinks this is a terrible idea.
Delenn is there, and she suggests sending an expedition to Z’ha’dum. Coplann thinks this is a bad idea as well. So Dukhat says the council will go themselves, with a few support vessels, and thanks Coplann for the idea. After the meeting, Delenn thinks that both Lenonn and Coplann are correct. Dukhat is going to meditate in private in his quarters. In them, a shape moves – Kosh. The Vorlons are already making their move.
Lefcourt meets with Lt. Commander Sheridan, offering him the first officer’s post on the Prometheus, which is heading for a mission on the border of Minbari space. Sheridan is currently assigned to the Lexington, which the general says will never see battle again. Sheridan thinks that Captain Jankowski of the Prometheus is not suited to first contact situations, and declines the offer.
The Grey Council is heading towards Z’ha’dum and the Prometheus comes out of jump and picks something up. They are outside Minbari space, so Jankowski wants to get in closer. His first officer says they are supposed to avoid first contact. The captain is a little too confident. The Minbari pick up the Earth Alliance ships and start scanning. This stops the Earth ships from being able to jump. Delenn is attending the ceremony to join the Grey Council when events start spiralling. The Prometheus goes to red alert, the Minbari approach with gun ports open and the order is given to open fire. There are clips from “Atonement” and “A Late Delivery from Avalon” of the battle.
And the Earth-Minbari war begins. The Minbari are accepting no surrenders and destroying everything. More background is found out about the Earth-Minbari war and attempts are made to stop it earlier. Of course, they fail. Ivanova and Franklin are also seen, Kosh says ‘We have always been here’ and this episode takes place roughly during “War Without End: Part Two”.