Ep 18. Confessions and Lamentations

Confessions and Lamentations is the eighteenth episode of the second season of Babylon 5. The episode deals with a deadly epidemic that breaks out on the station. The disease is called the Drafa virus and it is transmitted through physical contact. The virus has a 100% fatality rate and the infected die within 36 hours.

The episode begins with Dr. Franklin returning to the station after a few days on Earth. He learns that an epidemic has broken out on the station and his staff is already overworked dealing with the crisis. He rushes to the medical center where he sees the extent of the epidemic. The virus has spread rapidly and the medical staff is struggling to keep up with the demand for treatment.

Franklin learns that the Drafa virus only affects one particular species called the Markab. The Markab are an alien species that are known for their obsession with cleanliness. Franklin and Garibaldi investigate the source of the epidemic and find out that it was caused by a Markab who brought the virus with him on his journey to Babylon 5. The virus spread rapidly and within hours, the entire Markab population on the station was infected.

The storyline follows Dr. Franklin and his team as they struggle to find a cure for the epidemic. The Markab are forced to isolate themselves in the Zocalo, as they do not want to infect others on the station. They are left to die as there is no known cure for the virus. The Markab are left to contemplate their mortality and the possibility of their species becoming extinct due to the virus.

The episode takes a dramatic turn as the Markab start to blame each other for the outbreak of the virus. They start to confess their sins to each other, hoping that it will provide them with some solace before they die. The scene is a powerful message about how people react when faced with their own mortality. The confessions are raw and emotional, with some Markab admitting to things that they would have never said otherwise.

The episode is tense and emotional, with the death toll rising and no cure in sight. The Markab are left to die alone and isolated, their species facing extinction due to the virus. The episode also highlights the dangers of ignorance and lack of knowledge in the face of a crisis. The Markab did not know anything about the virus and as a result, they did not take any precautions to prevent its outbreak.

The episode also touches upon the theme of responsibility. Dr. Franklin and the rest of the crew are responsible for the welfare of all the species on the station. Their failure to prevent the outbreak of the virus has resulted in the extinction of an entire alien species. The episode is a powerful message about the importance of responsibility and how our actions can have large-scale consequences.

In conclusion, Confessions and Lamentations is a powerful episode that deals with themes of mortality, responsibility, and consequence. The episode is an emotional rollercoaster, with a tense and dramatic storyline that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The episode is a testament to the quality of storytelling and production value of Babylon 5.