An alien family refuses surgery to save their dying child.An alien family refuses surgery to save their dying child.An alien family refuses surgery to save their dying child.
Andrea Thompson
- Talia Winters
- (credit only)
Stephen Furst
- Vir Cotto
- (credit only)
Julie Caitlin Brown
- Na'Toth
- (as Caitlin Brown)
- (credit only)
Jonathan C. Kaplan
- Shon
- (as Jonathan Charles Kaplan)
Ardwight Chamberlain
- Kosh
- (voice)
Peter Wick
- Alien worker
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis takes place in June 2258.
- GoofsIt makes no sense that the operation would require an incision. Dr. Franklin would have figured out a way to remove the growth by endoscopic surgery through Shon's mouth/throat. The religious beliefs of the parents seem to rest on not treating the humanoid body in the same manner as food animals, which are prepared by cutting the skin.
- Quotes
Kosh Naranek: The avalanche has already started; it is too late for the pebbles to vote.
- ConnectionsReferences Babylon 5: Babylon 5: The Gathering (1993)
Featured review
A medical dilemma
This episode sees two aliens arriving on Babylon 5 to seek medical treatment for their son. Dr Franklin tells them that if untreated he will die but thankfully a minor surgical procedure will save him. They categorically refuse permission as they believe cutting the boy open will cause his spirit to leave his body. Dr Franklin is exasperated that they will allow the boy to die because of religious beliefs so tells them he will seek permission from Commander Sinclair to operate anyway. This leaves the commander with a tough choice to make as the parents, whose species isn't represented on Babylon 5, seeks help from each of the major ambassadors. Meanwhile a transport ship heading to Babylon 5 has broken down in space where raiders are known to operate.
I must admit that stand-alone, issue of the week episodes aren't my favourite. It is a pity that the issue didn't involve an established species with known beliefs; as it was it felt as though the reactors wanted an episode that concerned the clash between religious belief and medical best practice so invented a new species who will probably never see again. For the most part the story plays out as expected; it has some good points though; I enjoyed the various reasons the ambassadors gave for refusing to help and the stories conclusion wasn't quite as I'd expected. The side story involving the rescue of the broken down ship was enjoyable enough but was definitely a minor part of the story. The main story put Dr Franklin centre stage so we got to know more about the character and his own beliefs, Richard Biggs does a fine job in the role. Overall a decent enough episode but one that I suspect will ultimately be fairly forgettable.
I must admit that stand-alone, issue of the week episodes aren't my favourite. It is a pity that the issue didn't involve an established species with known beliefs; as it was it felt as though the reactors wanted an episode that concerned the clash between religious belief and medical best practice so invented a new species who will probably never see again. For the most part the story plays out as expected; it has some good points though; I enjoyed the various reasons the ambassadors gave for refusing to help and the stories conclusion wasn't quite as I'd expected. The side story involving the rescue of the broken down ship was enjoyable enough but was definitely a minor part of the story. The main story put Dr Franklin centre stage so we got to know more about the character and his own beliefs, Richard Biggs does a fine job in the role. Overall a decent enough episode but one that I suspect will ultimately be fairly forgettable.
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- Tweekums
- Jun 11, 2018
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