Encyclopedia
Morden, played by
Ed Wasser, is a fictional character on the television
science fiction drama Babylon 5 is an epic science fiction television series [i] created, pr ...
.
Character
Morden acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the
Shadows, who he refers to as his "associates". Although outwardly polite and gracious, he represents a dangerous hidden agenda. Any conversation is overheard by two
cloaked Shadows, who acompany him at all times. Indoctrinated by the Shadows after his capture during an expedition to
Z'ha'dum, he has willingly accepted their philosophy of chaos and evolutionary growth through conflict. When pushed, Morden drops any pretence of friendliness, openly threatening anyone who presents any difficulty to himself or his associates.
History
The Icarus
Morden was a member of the Earth expedition ship, the
Icarus, which was dispatched on a research mission to
Z'ha'dum late in 2256. While there, the expedition, which also included John Sheridan's wife Anna, re-awakened the
Shadows, whereupon all members of the expedition were killed or made to serve the Shadows. Unlike Anna, who was placed inside a Shadow vessel, making it unclear if she actually
chose to serve, Morden seems to have signed on with the Shadows willingly, to the point that he served as their emissary. Morden did this because the Shadows promised to release Morden's family, who were supposedly trapped in hyperspace when their ship was destroyed in a jumpgate bombing; fearing for their lives, Morden pledged to serve the Shadows in any way they asked. It is unknown whether or not the Shadows made good on their promise to save Morden's family, though it seems unlikely that they would have.
After his return to Babylon 5 Morden was always accompanied by two Shadows which were prepared to kill anyone who threatened him. They were normally cloaked in
invisibility; however, their high-pitched voices could sometimes be heard by other races, and their images could sometimes be captured fleetingly by security cameras sensitive to
infrared or
ultraviolet wavelengths. They were eventually killed by two Centauri guards who obeyed
Londo Mollari's command to shoot at what appeared to be thin air on either side of Morden.
Babylon 5
In his first appearance as Morden , during the episode
Signs and Portents, Morden visits Ambassador
G'Kar of the
Narn, Ambassador
Delenn of the
Minbari, and Ambassador Londo Mollari of the
Centauri, asking each of them the
Shadow Question:
G'Kar answers that he would like revenge upon the Centauri, but his lack of vision beyond that goal isn't the answer Morden is looking for. From
Delenn, he receives no answer, as she detects the darkness about him and tells him to leave her quarters.
Morden was also seeking out the Humans through Commander Sinclair. Apparently he was deterred to do so by Ambassador Kosh, who told him that "they are not for you". However that did not stop Morden and his "associates" from seeking alliances from other humans, such as
Morgan Clark, as well as other high ranking Earth Alliance personnel. Morden may also have had a hand in the assassination of President Santiago, which allowed Clark to become President of the Earth Alliance.
However, Londo gives an answer Morden and his "associates" like: to restore the glory and power of the great Centauri Republic. Shortly afterward, the Shadows attack the ship of raiders who had stolen the Centauri Eye, a priceless imperial artifact, from Londo. When next we see Morden, he returns the Eye to a stunned Londo, and offers the assistance of his associates: if he should ever need anything done, all he has to do is ask.
The Narn-Centauri Conflict
Initially, Londo resists the idea of consulting with Morden. However, in a situation with a Narn outpost late in 2258, Londo recognizes an opportunity to strike at the Narns using the Shadows' help, while increasing his prestige and revenging an earlier action by the Narns. He turns to Morden for assistance, and three Shadow ships descend upon a Narn outpost, utterly devastating it.
From this point on, Londo becomes trapped by his association with Morden and his newfound prestige with the Centauri government, and Morden becomes less friendly and more manipulative, especially after he is confronted by Londo's aide,
Vir Cotto. When Morden asks Vir, somewhat mockingly, "What do
you want?", he receives this answer:
However, the Shadows continue to provide Londo assistance. This assistance culminates in their protection of Centauri supply lines during an assault by the Narn, enabling the Centauri to directly attack the Narn homeworld in a devastating assault using
mass drivers, leading to the surrender of the Narn soon thereafter.
The Shadow War
After this action, Londo attempts to free himself and the Centauri from association with the Shadows, even at one point carving up the galaxy with Morden in an effort to be rid of him. However, Morden simply moves on to assisting Londo's associate
Lord Refa, until a concerned Londo slips Refa one agent of a binary poison in an effort to stop him from dealing with Morden. Morden, at this stage, becomes openly hostile and aggressive in his dealings with Londo, and eventually resorts to poisoning Londo's love, Adira, convincing Londo it was Refa's doing. As thanks for this information, Londo again agrees to work with Morden.
After Capt. Sheridan's trip to Z'ha'dum, during which Anna and Morden fruitlessly try to convince Sheridan to join the Shadows, the Shadows are thrown into disarray. Londo is recalled home to
Centauri Prime, ostensibly to serve as a security minister, where he meets a disfigured Morden . At this meeting, Morden informs Londo that
Emperor Cartagia has granted the Shadows an island to serve as a hiding place, and as security minister, Londo would be Morden's liaison with the Centauri. However, with the
Vorlons now rampaging through the galaxy, destroying anything with the taint of the Shadows, Londo is faced with removing the Shadows from Centauri Prime and killing Cartagia, or watching his homeworld destroyed.
Londo chooses the former, and, after Cartagia is eliminated, Londo, now temporarily the Prime Minister and head of the Centauri, is informed that Morden was actually behind the death of Adira. Enraged, Londo finally decides to confront Morden. After driving away his Shadow protectors, Londo explains to Morden the situation with the Vorlons, and proceeds to destroy the island the Shadows were given and where much of their fleet is parked as a horrified Morden looks on. Finally, Londo finishes with Morden, being sure to give Vir his wish.
Current status
Morden was killed and beheaded by Londo in 2261, during the efforts to expunge the Shadow influence from Centauri Prime. His head was placed upon a pike on the Centauri royal grounds, a gift from Londo to his aide, Vir Cotto, who mocks him as he threatened to do. It is interesting to note that of all the characters who answered the Shadow Question, Vir is the only one whose wish was granted.
He did, however, make a final appearance during the Brakiri holy day, the Day of the Dead, in 2262, in which the living are able to consult with apparitions of the dead. During this night, Morden appeared to Delenn's aide and friend,
Lennier. Lennier, recognizing Morden, is unwilling to accept counsel from him, unable to see Morden as anything more than the Shadows' emissary. Lennier proceeds to enter meditation, wasting his opportunity to learn from the experience. Morden, however, isn't finished, and he delivers one of the most important messages of the night: he leaves Lennier with a warning that he will betray the Rangers.
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