“Strange Relations” is episode six of season five of Babylon 5.
In the previous episode, “Learning Curve”, Sheridan revealed whatever his connection to Lochley was to Delenn. This episode opens with Delenn approaching the captain. She says that she knows why Lochley was chosen, in addition to her position in Earthforce. Lochley wishes Sheridan had given her advance warning, but Delenn says she forced the issue. Delenn believes that Lochley is the correct logical choice and supports it. Lochley is concerned that others may not be as understanding, and would prefer the matter kept quiet. She doesn’t think anyone else needs to know. However, Garibaldi, who has been trying to find out more about the new captain, overheard the conversation.
Londo is looking out at a Centauri liner when Zack approaches him. Zack had come to tell Londo the ship had arrived. Londo states that this is the end of the line. The Regent is not doing well. Londo will have to be at his side as much as possible, and will shuttle between the station and Centauri Prime. After the Regent dies, the Centarum will look to Londo for leadership, and then he will not return, except for the occasional state visit. Zack didn’t think Londo would mind that part. Londo didn’t think he would either. Zack tries to cheer Londo up; he will be Emperor Mollari I. The II, actually, there was another long ago. It ended badly. Londo feels that this is where is begins to go badly for all of them.
In C&C, Corwin is communicating with a ship that is having problems. They are inside the station and start to back up – even though Corwin told them they wouldn’t get the doors open in time. There is an explosion. Lochley examines the damage in a Starfury; it’s going to take some time to repair. As she leaves, some official transports arrive, ones with a Psi Corps logo on them.
Lyta is ransacking part of Medlab when Dr Franklin asks if she has everything she need. Lyta is looking for things for the telepath colony as they are short of, well, everything. Franklin suggests that they come to Medlab, but the telepaths have been subjected to Psi Corps medical experiments and don’t trust doctors. They also want to be self-sufficient. Franklin points out that stealing stuff is hardly self-sufficient. Lyta replies that everything is marked for the lurkers in Downbelow, and she is doing it off her own back. Byron has a dream and she believes in it. Delenn then contacts Franklin and, as Lyta leaves, he tells her to next time just ask. Lyta takes the supplies to the telepaths and, despite Byron’s attempts to change the subject, gets him to take some stuff as well. Then all the other telepaths react; they have detected bloodhound units. And Bester.
Garibaldi is in security and a guard comes in looking for Zack. He didn’t think he was supposed to tell Garibaldi something, but does. That Bester is on board. Garibaldi reacts rather badly to this and barges into Lochley’s office and tries going for Bester. Lochley slugs him and has security cart him away.
Delenn and G’Kar meet with Dr Franklin. They would like him to delegate more of his Medlab duties so that he can spend time on other things. The Alliance means that there will be more interactions between races, and some diseases and problems cross racial lines. Something Franklin knows and is worried by. But there hasn’t been much opportunity for real research. That’s what they want the doctor to do – to put together the definitive work. His experience on Babylon 5 will be a starting point, and he can also visit other worlds and speak to ambassadors. There may be danger, as some races keep their medical information confidential. Franklin is more than willing to do the job though. Afterwards, G’Kar comments to Delenn that he doesn’t feel he is doing enough for the Alliance. Delenn warns him that such statements tend to cause the universe to answer.
Lochley goes to see Sheridan about Garibaldi. He wanted to see her too. She knows why Garibaldi, and Sheridan, aren’t that fond of Bester. She also wants to know is Sheridan would like to hear her side as well, or just continue shouting. The telepaths are wanted by Psi Corps under a number of charges and the Corps is still part of EarthGov, which Lochley is still accountable to. The terms of the Alliance mean that they have to respect internal policies of members. Sheridan is finding the captain’ argument annoyingly logical. That wasn’t a compliment. Lochley can’t throw Bester out unless he breaks the rules. Although she encountered him previously, and he helped her, Lochley doesn’t even like him.
The Centauri liner contacts C&C and says they can wait no longer. They are given permission to leave – and the liner promptly explodes. Zack tells Lochley that it was a bomb. A Centauri explosive targeting someone leaving here. Londo. Lochley says she will speak to Londo to see if she can narrow down the list of people who might want him dead to a few thousand. She is looking through a report, saying that the station seems to bring out the worst in people, when she notices that Garibaldi has been poking through her records. At which point the captain decides if you can’t beat them, join them, and heads off to deal with Garibaldi.
Lyta confronts Bester and is able to, briefly, delay him. He’d forgotten how strong she was. Bester attempts to annoy Lyta and she replies that she might ‘accidentally’ kill someone. A stalemate, for now, but Bester will return with security. Lochley heads to see Garibaldi; his problem is that he doesn’t trust her because he doesn’t know her. She points out that the world is full of people he doesn’t know. A fact that Garibaldi worries about all the time. Lochley neither likes nor trusts Bester, but she can’t do anything until he does something unpleasant. She also gives the reason why Sheridan picked her.
So, Lochley is trying to find a way of stopping Bester from taking the telepaths whilst staying within the rules. Just as Delenn said it would, the universe answers G’Kar in an unexpected way.