Confessions and Lamentations

From The Great Machine

Episode Title: Confessions and Lamentations
Episode Number: S2E18
Original Air Date: May 24, 1995
DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Director: Kevin G. Kremin
Guest Stars: Jim Norton as Dr. Lazarenn

Preview

When the Markab population on Babylon 5 begin to die suddenly, Dr. Franklin discovers the terrible secret of the Markab race.

Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot, character development, or ending details follow.

A Markab ship turns up derelict, its passengers and crew dead of an unspecified illness. Dr. Franklin, who happens to be investigating a slightly higher than normal death rate among the Markab on the station, can't seem to get his Markab medical colleague to reveal any reason for the increased mortality rate.

When the Markab begin dying in greater numbers, however, Franklin discovers that a highly contagious disease is spreading which threatens to render the Markab extinct.

The Markab themselves have known of an isolated instance of this disease for some time, having accepted it as judgment upon the immoral; but now comes judgment day for the entire species.

Franklin races to devise an antidote, but when the Markab disease infects a member of another alien race, it appears his efforts may be in vain. (Attrib: B5 LogBook [1])

Main Plot

A Markab transport with over 200 passengers onboard is overdue. At the same time, an unusual number of Markab citizens aboard the station have died, attributed by Markab Dr. Lazarenn to natural causes.

Owing to strongly held Markab religious caveats, nobody is talking -- neither Dr. Lazarenn, nor the Markab Ambassador, nor anyone on the Markab homeworld.

Dr. Stephen Franklin is perplexed, until he stumbles upon the cause, the Drafa plague, and obtains his confirmation via a confrontation with the Markab Ambassador.

The prime thrust after this point, is for Dr. Franklin, with assistance from Dr. Lazarenn, to find a cure for the plague. He does find the cure, too late for the Markab, but in time to spare the Pak'ma'ra, who have similar neuro-transmitter chemistry.

Backstory

Commander Ivanova forbids Lieutenant Keffer from pursuing any further Shadow vessel hunts.
Delenn and Lennier, over Captain Sheridan's objections, sequester themselves with the dying station-bound Markab to offer solace. When the doors are open, only Delenn and Lennier remain alive.