“Babylon 5: The Lost Tales” was originally intended to be an anthology show for Babylon 5 but consists of a sole straight-to-DVD episode. It is set in 2271 and is usually recommended to be watched between season five‘s “Objects at Rest” and the series finale, “Sleeping in Light”, and after every other episode or film of Babylon 5 and Crusade. This is the last, and most recent, Babylon 5 production, and the improvements in technology are shown in the depiction of the station.
The episode starts in 2281 with a darkened Babylon 5 and ships leaving it. The station then explodes (which is a pretty terrible way of decommissioning something; think of the debris). The years then count back to 2271 as there is a speech from G’Kar about how when we leave a place a part of it goes with us and a part of us remains, a modified version of the speech from “Objects in Motion”. The speech was already recorded; G’Kar does not appear in this episode. Both he and Dr Franklin are mentioned, and are said to have gone together beyond the Rim, a recognition that the actors who played them, Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs, had died before The Lost Tales was filmed.
This is a compilation of two different stories, although they are set at the same time. The first is Voices in the Dark: Over Here and starts with a man in a corridor in Babylon 5, stumbling and falling. There are whispers and the man shouts at them to get out of his dead.
Now-colonel Lochley states in her personal log that is has been 9 years since she took over running the station, and in that time, she has had to requisition some pretty odd things. Food, alcohol, exotic dancers for a Centauri business meeting. But this, she says as a ship exits the jump gate and heads for the station, is new even for her. On the ship is what appears to be a priest. And he is, Father Cassidy. He mentions a big line at customs to Lochley; it’s the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Interstellar Alliance and there is a big party planned. Sheridan himself is coming from Minbar, and the place is crazier than usual. Which is saying something.
In Lochley’s quarters, Father Cassidy apologises that it took so long for his superiors to grant her request, but there are not many priests in this sector of space. Or any sector. Priests are a dying breed. It was only to be expected, when humans penetrated the heavens and found nothing but infinite space. After some talk about religion, Lochley explains that the problem started in Brown Sector. A smell that wouldn’t go away and voices in the hallways. Then Simon Burke, recently returned from Earth, started screaming that they are not alone and barricaded himself inside the chapel at Blue Four. Only, he’s not himself anymore. It can probably be guessed by now that Lochley wants an exorcism.
According to the father, a mundane example is more likely than a supernatural one, but as they approach Burke’s cell the temperature drops rapidly and there is a terrible stench. Burke, who is in a straightjacket, invites them inside. Burke was found covered in blood, but there was no DNA in it. When asked if he’s the devil, replies no, just a humble servant. After changing the smell to roses and sparring over the names, Burke says his own name is Asmodeus. He wants to be exorcised. He and the others were bound amongst the stars long ago by one whose name they do not speak. It was inevitable that man’s faith would wane as he crossed the stars, but also inevitable that they would be stumbled across. The existence of Hell also proves the existence of Heaven.
This is a very religious-themed episode, with only three main characters, Lochley, Cassidy and Burke/Asmodeus. Is Burke truly possessed by a devil? A strange one, all told.
The second tale, Voices in the Dark: Over There, opens on Minbar as President Sheridan is setting off on his journey to Babylon 5. He recollects the changes over the past ten years, and the political stuff done. The big picture, and how the small picture gets overlooked. On his ship, he is looking at an image of Babylon 5 when he is told an ISN reporter is there. Sheridan’s first response is to tell his staff to tell the reporter he is dead and to throw how down the stairs, but then says to send her in. Because the details of the small picture may change the future.
The reporter, Ms. Chambers (Teryl Rothery), asks him about Babylon 5. Sheridan says that this may not be the best time for an interview; perhaps later. She replies she has seen his schedule; he doesn’t have a later. Ms. Chambers asks how it feels to be coming back to the station after ten years. Yes, the interview has started, and she is wearing a camera. Situated so that it will make sure people look at it. Well, mostly male people. There is a rumour that Londo might show, but he isn’t coming. Prince Regent Dius Vintari, third in line to the throne, will be picked up on the way. The ship is going to jump into quantum space, new technology developed from what the Vorlons left behind. And more unpleasant.
That night. Sheridan dreams of a destroyed city when Galen asks him if it looks familiar. Of course it doesn’t; Galen apologises, resetting the scene to show New York. Vast war machines, Galen says, are warping into normal space armed with terrible engines of destruction of a like never seen before. Huge energy beams spear down from the sky at the city.
This ends and Sheridan has a go at Galen. Why him? Because Sheridan is what they call a nexus; when others doubt, he listens and believes. This saves lives and may do so again. In one day, Sheridan will pick up the prince. In two, they will be at Babylon 5. In 20 years, the prince will become emperor. In 30, he will decide that his plan to return the republic to its former glory requires the elimination of the one power that could stop him. Earth. Sheridan asks if it can be stopped. No, Galen came all this way to tell him nothing can be done. Of course it can be stopped. How? Galen would have thought this would be eminently obvious. Kill the prince.
The prince is a young man and he says, when met, it’s nice to be somewhere that he isn’t a target for assassination. Who by? The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh in line for the throne for a start. Vir is the second in line and Dius thinks that the Centarum only added him to punish him for what his father did. Yes, this is Cartagia’s son, not a great sign. There’s also a rumour that Vir killed his father, which he did, in “The Long Night”.
Like the previous story, this has a limited cast. Mostly Sheridan, Prince Vintari and Galen, with a brief appearance by Lochley. Like the first, this also seems to focus on just what the right thing to do is.