Midnight on the Firing Line
Encyclopedia
"Midnight on the Firing Line" is the first regular episode of the science fiction television series Babylon 5
.
agricultural colony of Ragesh 3, a fleet of ships emerges from hyperspace and begins attacking the colony.
At Earth Alliance
Station Babylon 5
, Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova
, new to the station, is in search of Commander Jeffrey Sinclair
in the Zocalo
. Garibaldi suggests she try the Observation dome, where Sinclair generally goes to be away from the commotion when the dome is on standby. Ivanova finds him there and tells him "There's a problem."
Garibaldi is accosted by Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari; the two lightheartedly joke about past Centauri-Human relations before Londo's diplomatic aide, Vir Cotto
, arrives with news of the attack on Ragesh 3.
has on the attacks; he has not been able to receive a reply from his government. Minbari
Ambassador Delenn
and Narn
Ambassador G'Kar enter and offer their condolences. Mollari turns and asks G'Kar suspiciously if he really knows nothing about it. "I'm as astonished as you are," he claims. Sinclair calmly suggests that the ambassadors each attempt to contact their governments; he plans to call a meeting of the Babylon 5 Advisory Council and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds
later.
In Command and Control
, Ivanova
tells Garibaldi
that the station has just received a distress signal from a ship under attack by raiders. Garibaldi leaves C&C to investigate in a fighter as the signal is lost.
Commercial telepath Talia Winters
steps into C&C as Garibaldi leaves to officially report following her arrival on the station, per Psi Corps
regulations. Ivanova curtly rebuffs her introduction and attempt at conversation.
Ivanova enters Sinclair's office, finding him listening to a news report on the upcoming Earth Alliance
presidential election, inquiring if there's been any news on the situation with Ragesh 3. They discuss the possible culprits, and Sinclair dismisses the idea that the Minbari might be responsible, claiming that they are too honorable to launch a sneak attack; Ivanova is surprised to hear him compliment the Minbari after having fought them in the Earth-Minbari War
ten years earlier.
Vir
enters Londo's quarters with news of a signal from the relay station at Ragesh 3. The two watch footage of the attack, and Londo identifies the attack vessels as Narn. He storms out of his quarters, shouting epithets aimed at G'Kar.
Garibaldi and another fighter approach the damaged transport. They find the ship devastated and all of the crew dead. Garibaldi concludes that whoever carried out the attack used weaponry much more powerful than is customary for ordinary raiders.
Londo approaches G'Kar, who is eating in the Zocalo; he vows to "strike back hard" in retaliation for the Narn attack. The two exchange insults, G'Kar commenting on how the wheels of fate have turned since the Centauri occupation of Narn. The two come to blows and are separated by security personnel. G'Kar angrily threatens Mollari: "One night you'll wake up and find our teeth at your throat."
Ivanova comes up to Garibaldi as he eats in the Zocalo; they discuss the attacks and Ivanova leaves just as Talia attempts to approach them.
Sinclair goes to visit Vorlon
Ambassador Kosh; Sinclair enters Kosh's quarters to find Kosh visible only as a source of light behind a screen. Kosh agrees to attend the emergency council session Sinclair has called, but states: "They are alone. They are a dying people. We should let them pass." When Sinclair asks which race he is referring to, the Narn or the Centauri, Kosh simply answers "Yes."
In C&C, Garibaldi uses Ivanova's console to track down which company sold the supply routes to the ships recently attacked by raiders.
Vir, in Londo's quarters, attempts to get the Ambassador to go to the council meeting. Londo, drunk, tells Vir of the message he just received from the Centauri government, who have decided to take no action in response to the attacks. He tells Vir, though, that they will not tell the council of this, and see if the other races can take action and thus embarrass the Centauri government into acting.
Talia enters a transport tube; Garibaldi is inside and she asks about the best way to open a conversation with Ivanova. He suggests that Talia approach Ivanova while she's eating dinner at the casino, after her duty shift. Talia then rebuffs an offer by Garibaldi to join him in his quarters and share his "second favorite thing in the universe."
G'Kar enters the garden, where he finds Sinclair; G'Kar vows that the Narn will take vengeance on the Centauri for their occupation of the Narn homeworld. G'Kar reminds Sinclair that the Narn supported Earth during the Earth-Minbari War, but Sinclair accuses the Narn of cowardice -- selling to anyone who would pay, and launching sneak attacks.
Garibaldi meets up with Sinclair in a corridor and informs him that he's discovered the raider's strategy: the raiders cracked the database of the company which sold transport vessels jumpgate access. The only ship not yet attacked, though, was booked by a refugee transport service and is filled with civilian passengers.
As Ivanova calls the council meeting to order, G'Kar bursts in, claiming that the attack was justified because, a hundred years earlier, Ragesh 3 was a Narn world. Delenn speaks up against a "cycle of hatred," but G'Kar counters that actions merely constituted justice. He brings in a live transmission from Ragesh 3, featuring Londo's nephew Carn, bruised and obviously (at least to Human and Centauri perceptions) coerced into reciting a prepared statement by his captors, who claims that the leaders of Ragesh 3, suffering internal disputes, requested assistance from the Narn after receiving no reply from Centauri Prime. Londo asserts that the statement was read as gunpoint and dismisses it as "lies." G'Kar brings up the fact that the Centauri government itself opposes military action and cautions Mollari against using the council to further personal vendettas. G'Kar moves to dismiss all charges against the Narn.
In his quarters, Londo assembles a hidden weapon. On his way to murder G'Kar, he bumps into Talia, who telepathically senses his intentions. She locates Garibaldi, who intercepts Londo and intervenes, threatening even to kill Londo if he tries to take revenge. "This isn't the way;" he tells the ambassador. "Not now, and not here."
Sinclair approaches G'Kar with his discovery from the raiders' base: a Narn officer, supplied along with weapons sold to the raiders by the Narn. Intercepted transmissions logged on the base also confirm Mollari's assertions that the attack was entirely unprovoked. Sinclair threatens to bring the evidence before the council unless Narn forces withdraw from Ragesh 3.
In the casino, Talia approaches Ivanova at dinner and the two strike up a civil conversation. Ivanova explains her earlier hostility: her mother, a telepath, refused to join the Psi Corps, and opted to take drugs to suppress her telepathic abilities instead of going to prison. The drugs lead Ivanova's mother into a deep depression, ultimately lead to her suicide.
cartoon "Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century
" — with a very perplexed Ambassador Delenn. Sinclair watches election returns, showing a victory for the incumbent
president. He falls into bed just as his link goes off once again; Ivanova tells him: "Commander, there's a problem…"
Although The Gathering was filmed as the pilot episode and was intended to be followed immediately with regular episodes, there was actually almost a year between the broadcast of the pilot and the broadcast of the first episode -- therefore "Midnight on the Firing Line" functioned in part as a second pilot. As a consequence, several cast members left the series: Tamlyn Tomita
(Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima
), Patricia Tallman
(Lyta Alexander
) and Johnny Sekka
(Dr. Benjamin Kyle
), hence the introduction of Lt. Cmdr. Ivanova
and Talia Winters
in this episode. For that same reason, the episode also recaps many of the relationships between races touched on in the pilot: the Earth-Minbari War, the occupation of Narn, and the decline of the Centauri Republic. However, "Midnight on the Firing Line" was not the first episode to be filmed; that status belongs to "Infection
."
Although aired as the first episode of the season, it was not actually the first produced episode, which was actually 'Soul Hunter', hence the slightly crisper performances, most notably by Claudia Christian.
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
.
Teaser
During a shift change at the CentauriCentauri (Babylon 5)
The Centauri are a humanoid species in the fictional universe of the Babylon 5 television series. They were the first alien species to make open contact with the human race. Their homeworld is Centauri Prime, a small Earth-like planet consisting of two large continents and several smaller islands...
agricultural colony of Ragesh 3, a fleet of ships emerges from hyperspace and begins attacking the colony.
At Earth Alliance
Earth Alliance (Babylon 5)
The Earth Alliance is the name of a fictional alliance of the nations of Earth and off-world colonies in the television series Babylon 5. The transition of Earth government from a democratic, elected government to an authoritarian, militaristic one and back to a democracy again is a major theme of...
Station Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
, new to the station, is in search of Commander Jeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair is a character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by actor Michael O'Hare. He was a regular in the first season of the show, as Commander of the Babylon 5 station, and made a number of guest appearances afterward.-Early life and...
in the Zocalo
Zócalo
The Zócalo is the main plaza or square in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. The plaza used to be known simply as the "Main Square" or "Arms Square," and today its formal name is Plaza de la Constitución...
. Garibaldi suggests she try the Observation dome, where Sinclair generally goes to be away from the commotion when the dome is on standby. Ivanova finds him there and tells him "There's a problem."
Garibaldi is accosted by Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari; the two lightheartedly joke about past Centauri-Human relations before Londo's diplomatic aide, Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. He is a Centauri male who was from a family of minor nobility, who would eventually become the Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5, and then became the Emperor of the Centauri Republic in 2278.Vir Cotto...
, arrives with news of the attack on Ragesh 3.
Act I
In council chambers, Mollari demands any information Commander SinclairJeffrey Sinclair
Jeffrey Sinclair is a character in the fictional universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by actor Michael O'Hare. He was a regular in the first season of the show, as Commander of the Babylon 5 station, and made a number of guest appearances afterward.-Early life and...
has on the attacks; he has not been able to receive a reply from his government. Minbari
Minbari
The Minbari are a fictional alien race featured in the television show Babylon 5. The Minbari characters of Delenn and Lennier figure prominently throughout the series; Neroon, Draal, and Dukhat are less prominent Minbari characters....
Ambassador Delenn
Delenn
Delenn is a fictional lead character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Mira Furlan.-Overview:Delenn, an alien ambassador and leader from the planet Minbar, is one of the pivotal characters in Babylon 5....
and Narn
Narn
The Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
Ambassador G'Kar enter and offer their condolences. Mollari turns and asks G'Kar suspiciously if he really knows nothing about it. "I'm as astonished as you are," he claims. Sinclair calmly suggests that the ambassadors each attempt to contact their governments; he plans to call a meeting of the Babylon 5 Advisory Council and the League of Non-Aligned Worlds
League of Non-Aligned Worlds
The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a fictional collection of races in the Babylon 5 universe.The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a loose confederation of independent worlds and minor species, most of whom had endured subjugation under the Centauri Republic at its height...
later.
In Command and Control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
, Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
tells Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi
Michael Garibaldi is a lead fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Jerry Doyle.-Overview:...
that the station has just received a distress signal from a ship under attack by raiders. Garibaldi leaves C&C to investigate in a fighter as the signal is lost.
Commercial telepath Talia Winters
Talia Winters
Talia Winters is a fictional character appearing on the science fiction television show Babylon 5 during its first and second seasons. She was portrayed by actress Andrea Thompson....
steps into C&C as Garibaldi leaves to officially report following her arrival on the station, per Psi Corps
Psi Corps
In the fictional universe of Babylon 5, the Psi Corps is an agency of the Earth Alliance responsible for all humans with telepathic or other para-psychological abilities anywhere within Earth controlled space. All persons with Psi abilities are required to either join the Corps, face lifetime...
regulations. Ivanova curtly rebuffs her introduction and attempt at conversation.
Ivanova enters Sinclair's office, finding him listening to a news report on the upcoming Earth Alliance
Earth Alliance (Babylon 5)
The Earth Alliance is the name of a fictional alliance of the nations of Earth and off-world colonies in the television series Babylon 5. The transition of Earth government from a democratic, elected government to an authoritarian, militaristic one and back to a democracy again is a major theme of...
presidential election, inquiring if there's been any news on the situation with Ragesh 3. They discuss the possible culprits, and Sinclair dismisses the idea that the Minbari might be responsible, claiming that they are too honorable to launch a sneak attack; Ivanova is surprised to hear him compliment the Minbari after having fought them in the Earth-Minbari War
Earth-Minbari War
The Earth–Minbari War is a fictional war that formed a major part of the back story of the science fiction television series, Babylon 5. The war was fought between the Earth Alliance and the Minbari, an older alien race that overwhelmingly outmatched Earth in terms of technology and weapons...
ten years earlier.
Vir
Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. He is a Centauri male who was from a family of minor nobility, who would eventually become the Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5, and then became the Emperor of the Centauri Republic in 2278.Vir Cotto...
enters Londo's quarters with news of a signal from the relay station at Ragesh 3. The two watch footage of the attack, and Londo identifies the attack vessels as Narn. He storms out of his quarters, shouting epithets aimed at G'Kar.
Garibaldi and another fighter approach the damaged transport. They find the ship devastated and all of the crew dead. Garibaldi concludes that whoever carried out the attack used weaponry much more powerful than is customary for ordinary raiders.
Londo approaches G'Kar, who is eating in the Zocalo; he vows to "strike back hard" in retaliation for the Narn attack. The two exchange insults, G'Kar commenting on how the wheels of fate have turned since the Centauri occupation of Narn. The two come to blows and are separated by security personnel. G'Kar angrily threatens Mollari: "One night you'll wake up and find our teeth at your throat."
Act II
Back in his quarters, Londo apologizes for the incident to Commander Sinclair. Londo tells Sinclair of a prophetic dream he once had, a vision of his own death where he saw himself and G'Kar, both 20 years older, strangle each other to death. He also tells Sinclair of his nephew, Carn, who he had arranged to be assigned as head researcher on Ragesh 3 because it was a "safe" position. Sinclair cautions Mollari about the dangers of escalating the conflict, but Londo is apathetic about the "paper fantasy" of peace. "Only one thing matters," he claims. "Blood calls out for blood."Ivanova comes up to Garibaldi as he eats in the Zocalo; they discuss the attacks and Ivanova leaves just as Talia attempts to approach them.
Sinclair goes to visit Vorlon
Vorlon
A Vorlon is a member of a fictional alien species in the Babylon 5 television series and fictional universe. The Vorlon species is a member of the First Ones, a group made up of the earliest species to gain sentience in the galaxy...
Ambassador Kosh; Sinclair enters Kosh's quarters to find Kosh visible only as a source of light behind a screen. Kosh agrees to attend the emergency council session Sinclair has called, but states: "They are alone. They are a dying people. We should let them pass." When Sinclair asks which race he is referring to, the Narn or the Centauri, Kosh simply answers "Yes."
In C&C, Garibaldi uses Ivanova's console to track down which company sold the supply routes to the ships recently attacked by raiders.
Vir, in Londo's quarters, attempts to get the Ambassador to go to the council meeting. Londo, drunk, tells Vir of the message he just received from the Centauri government, who have decided to take no action in response to the attacks. He tells Vir, though, that they will not tell the council of this, and see if the other races can take action and thus embarrass the Centauri government into acting.
Talia enters a transport tube; Garibaldi is inside and she asks about the best way to open a conversation with Ivanova. He suggests that Talia approach Ivanova while she's eating dinner at the casino, after her duty shift. Talia then rebuffs an offer by Garibaldi to join him in his quarters and share his "second favorite thing in the universe."
G'Kar enters the garden, where he finds Sinclair; G'Kar vows that the Narn will take vengeance on the Centauri for their occupation of the Narn homeworld. G'Kar reminds Sinclair that the Narn supported Earth during the Earth-Minbari War, but Sinclair accuses the Narn of cowardice -- selling to anyone who would pay, and launching sneak attacks.
Garibaldi meets up with Sinclair in a corridor and informs him that he's discovered the raider's strategy: the raiders cracked the database of the company which sold transport vessels jumpgate access. The only ship not yet attacked, though, was booked by a refugee transport service and is filled with civilian passengers.
Act III
Sinclair, in his office, speaks with an Earth Alliance Senator; Sinclair seeks an authorization to vote for military intervention. The Senator is hesitant to authorize action so close to an election, and tells him to abstain from the vote. Ivanova, who has been watching from the doorway, informs him that a flight of starfuries is ready to intercept the raiders. Sinclair comes up with the plan to lead the mission himself. Telling Ivanova that she "never heard" the conversation, Ivanova is left to chair the council meeting and vote in support of sanctions.As Ivanova calls the council meeting to order, G'Kar bursts in, claiming that the attack was justified because, a hundred years earlier, Ragesh 3 was a Narn world. Delenn speaks up against a "cycle of hatred," but G'Kar counters that actions merely constituted justice. He brings in a live transmission from Ragesh 3, featuring Londo's nephew Carn, bruised and obviously (at least to Human and Centauri perceptions) coerced into reciting a prepared statement by his captors, who claims that the leaders of Ragesh 3, suffering internal disputes, requested assistance from the Narn after receiving no reply from Centauri Prime. Londo asserts that the statement was read as gunpoint and dismisses it as "lies." G'Kar brings up the fact that the Centauri government itself opposes military action and cautions Mollari against using the council to further personal vendettas. G'Kar moves to dismiss all charges against the Narn.
Act IV
Sinclair leads the squadron of fighters to intercept the raiders, who are already attacking the refugee transport. He successfully fends off the attack and pursues the raiders back to their base in a nearby asteroid belt.In his quarters, Londo assembles a hidden weapon. On his way to murder G'Kar, he bumps into Talia, who telepathically senses his intentions. She locates Garibaldi, who intercepts Londo and intervenes, threatening even to kill Londo if he tries to take revenge. "This isn't the way;" he tells the ambassador. "Not now, and not here."
Sinclair approaches G'Kar with his discovery from the raiders' base: a Narn officer, supplied along with weapons sold to the raiders by the Narn. Intercepted transmissions logged on the base also confirm Mollari's assertions that the attack was entirely unprovoked. Sinclair threatens to bring the evidence before the council unless Narn forces withdraw from Ragesh 3.
In the casino, Talia approaches Ivanova at dinner and the two strike up a civil conversation. Ivanova explains her earlier hostility: her mother, a telepath, refused to join the Psi Corps, and opted to take drugs to suppress her telepathic abilities instead of going to prison. The drugs lead Ivanova's mother into a deep depression, ultimately lead to her suicide.
Tag
Later that evening, Garibaldi shares his "second favorite thing in the universe" — the Duck DodgersDuck Dodgers
Duck Edgar Dumas Aloysius Eoghain Dodgers is the metafictional star of a series of cartoons produced by Warner Bros. He is actually the famous cartoon star Daffy Duck, cast in the role of an intergalactic future hero....
cartoon "Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century
Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century
Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century is a Merrie Melodies cartoon created in 1952 and released on July 25, 1953, starring Daffy Duck as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant, and Marvin the Martian as his opponent...
" — with a very perplexed Ambassador Delenn. Sinclair watches election returns, showing a victory for the incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
president. He falls into bed just as his link goes off once again; Ivanova tells him: "Commander, there's a problem…"
Arc significance
- "Midnight on the Firing Line" marks the first mention of Londo's dream foretelling his own death. The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in "War Without End," although it takes place in a markedly different context than that which Londo anticipates in this episode.
- The Narn conquest of Ragesh III which included the abuse of his nephew to justify it, his own humiliation in council chambers over the issue and his government's impotent response to the incident establishes a personal motivation for Londo's dream of restoring Centauri dominance. Although Commander Sinclair managed to resolve the issue in Mollari's favor, this experience would lead to him being open to MordenMorden (Babylon 5)Morden is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Ed Wasser. He is a recurring antagonist in the show.-Overview:...
's temptation, which would drive much of the later events of the series.
- The first part of the episode touches on the Earth presidential election, involving the re-election campaign of President Luis Santiago and Vice President Morgan ClarkMorgan ClarkWilliam Morgan Clark is a fictional character and a major antagonist from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Gary McGurk. His character rarely appeared on-screen, but is a major off-screen presence in the show....
. Ivanova mentions that she distrusts the pair, a feeling that would be justified later in the season & series.
- The attack by the NarnNarnThe Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
against the Centauri Republic foreshadows a war that would formally end in the second season episode The Long, Twilight StruggleThe Long, Twilight Struggle"The Long, Twilight Struggle" is an episode from the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Its title alludes to a speech given by John F. Kennedy of the same name.-Synopsis:...
.
- Ivanova despises the Psi Corps because of her mother's death.
- Vir Cotto is introduced as the new aide of Ambassador Mollari.
- Ambassador Kosh has a mysterious way of leaving and entering his encounter suit very quickly.
- When Londo approaches G'Kar to confront him about the attacks, G'Kar offers Londo spooSpooSpoo is a fictional food product that served as a running joke within the Babylon 5 science fiction television series. In the series' fictional universe, spoo is made from worm-like creatures of the same name and is generally regarded as the most delicious food in the galaxy; the creature itself,...
, noting that it is "quite fresh." In the fifth season episode "A Tragedy of TelepathsA Tragedy of Telepaths"A Tragedy of Telepaths" is an episode from the fifth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Londo and G'Kar rescue Na'Toth from imprisonment on Centauri Prime. The telepaths have made their home deep in brown sector and are on hunger strike to try to obtain a planet of...
," we learn that the Centauri consider an offer of fresh spoo an insult.
- A relationship worth exploring, is clearly set up between Ivanova and Talia.
Production details
"Midnight on the Firing Line" was originally titled "Blood and Thunder."Although The Gathering was filmed as the pilot episode and was intended to be followed immediately with regular episodes, there was actually almost a year between the broadcast of the pilot and the broadcast of the first episode -- therefore "Midnight on the Firing Line" functioned in part as a second pilot. As a consequence, several cast members left the series: Tamlyn Tomita
Tamlyn Tomita
Tamlyn Naomi Tomita is an actress, who has appeared in many Hollywood films and television series.-Early life:Tomita was born in Okinawa, the daughter of Shiro and Asako Tomita. Her father then later became a Los Angeles Police Officer, rising to the rank of sergeant. He succumbed to cancer in...
(Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima
Laurel Takashima
Laurel Takashima is a fictional character from the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Tamlyn Tomita. Her only appearance was in the pilot movie The Gathering.-Character background:...
), Patricia Tallman
Patricia Tallman
Patricia J. Tallman is an American actress and stunt performer, sometimes credited as Pat Tallman.-Early life:Patricia is the daughter of Jerry Tallman, a radio entertainer...
(Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander
Lyta Alexander is a character from the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Patricia Tallman.Lyta was introduced in the pilot episode "The Gathering" as a telepath assigned to the Babylon 5 space station by the Psi Corps, a fictional organization...
) and Johnny Sekka
Johnny Sekka
Johnny Sekka was a British film and television actor.Born Lamine Sekka in Dakar, Senegal, the youngest of five siblings, his Gambian father died shortly after his birth...
(Dr. Benjamin Kyle
Benjamin Kyle
Doctor Benjamin Kyle is a fictional character from the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, portrayed by Johnny Sekka. His only appearance was in the Babylon 5 pilot movie The Gathering.-Character background:...
), hence the introduction of Lt. Cmdr. Ivanova
Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Claudia Christian.-Character overview:...
and Talia Winters
Talia Winters
Talia Winters is a fictional character appearing on the science fiction television show Babylon 5 during its first and second seasons. She was portrayed by actress Andrea Thompson....
in this episode. For that same reason, the episode also recaps many of the relationships between races touched on in the pilot: the Earth-Minbari War, the occupation of Narn, and the decline of the Centauri Republic. However, "Midnight on the Firing Line" was not the first episode to be filmed; that status belongs to "Infection
Infection (Babylon 5)
"Infection" is an episode from the first season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-A-Plot:Dr. Vance Hendricks brings to Babylon 5 a deadly weapon from a long-dead civilization that is revived and wreaks havoc on the station....
."
Although aired as the first episode of the season, it was not actually the first produced episode, which was actually 'Soul Hunter', hence the slightly crisper performances, most notably by Claudia Christian.