Ep 5. The Long Dark

In Babylon 5 season 2 episode 5 entitled "The Long Dark," the crew of the station is faced with a distress call from a research vessel that has been missing for over 100 years. The ship is found adrift in space, and the team discovers that the crew had been dead for centuries due to a deadly virus. As they investigate the abandoned ship, they find a survivor - a man who has been in cryogenic freeze for over a century.

The survivor, named Malcolm Biggs, is awakened and brought back to the Babylon 5 station for medical treatment. However, his body has aged significantly due to prolonged cryogenic freezing, and his ailing health is further complicated by a mysterious alien organism that has infected him. Dr. Franklin works tirelessly to find a cure for the infection, while Commander Sinclair tries to unravel the mystery of how the virus came to be on the research vessel.

In the meantime, the surviving crew of the research vessel - a group of eccentric scientists - arrive at Babylon 5 to claim the remains of their lost comrades. They bring with them an air of excitement for their groundbreaking and controversial research, which focused on developing a system to harness the energy of black holes. However, as they get closer to unlocking this technology, a dark and dangerous side of their research is revealed.

As tensions rise and the clock ticks down, the crew of Babylon 5 must work together to overcome both the deadly virus and the scientists' ulterior motives. In the end, they must make a difficult decision that will determine the fate of both Biggs and the research that led to the tragedy on the abandoned ship.

"The Long Dark" is a suspenseful and emotional episode that delves deeper into the complex web of politics, science, and ethics that define the Babylon 5 universe. It explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The episode features excellent performances from the ensemble cast, particularly Stephen Furst and Richard Compton who portray the ill-fated Malcolm Biggs and the ruthless Dr. Lazarenn, respectively. The story also touches on the larger arc of the series, including the ongoing conflict with the mysterious alien race known as the Shadows. Overall, "The Long Dark" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that showcases the show's ability to blend science fiction and social commentary.