'Liner White Star, arriving from Earth'
'is now docking in Bay 5.'
'Passengers will disembark'
'through Customs Area 7.'
Well, it was a pleasure traveling with you, Mr. Smith.
It's not everyday you meet a man
with such an interesting calling.
Same here, Rabbi.
- Take care. - Shalom.
My and my. Slappers. With a Medlab seal, yet.
And I bet you two beauties are a couple of brain surgeons, huh?
Damn! Red 6, this is Garibaldi.
I got a smiling pair of 10-15s for you
'dealing in stolen slappers.'
One of these days, Garibaldi
you're going to learn to watch your back.
Walker Smith.
'Where the hell did you go after Orion 4?'
You name it. Io, Mars, the Grain station.
Any place somebody would pay to watch me
bust some rub-a-dub's head.
It wasn't pretty but it bought me passage
back to Earth and a boxing license.
I know. I saw all your fights.
Man, you were something!
Everybody said you were on your way
to the World Title until..
You believe what they said about me?
No. But I'd still like to hear it from you.
It's a long story and a wet one.
I need to get a berth and make some connections.
I'd say we'd hook up
in around 30 rounds?
I know a place off the Zocalo.
The Dugout, just your style.
Red 5, I'll see you there.
I heard some stuff about you too, Garibaldi.
- You believe it? - Hell, yeah.
It was the dawn of the Third Age of mankind..
...ten years after the Earth-Minbari War.
The Babylon Project
was a dream given form.
Its goal, to prevent another war
by creating a place where humans and aliens
could work out their differences peacefully.
It's a port of call, home away from home
for diplomats, hustlers entrepreneurs and wanderers.
Humans and aliens wrapped in 2,500,000 tons
of spinning metal... all alone in the night.
It can be a dangerous place.
But it's our last best hope for peace.
This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations.
The year is 2258.
The name of the place
is Babylon 5.
- Walker. - What's this?
Specialty of the house. Zoon burgers
Jovian tubers and a miner's draft of Traxian ale.
You drench in ketchup and you'll swear
you're back on that place on Cestus.
Where the waitresses all had three--
That it. That's the zone.
You always were a classy guy.
It's good.
Am I going to space-happy
or are you drinking water?
Nothing but. Gave up the rocket fuel a while ago.
Oh, right. You always were a lousy drunk.
Me? As I recall our first meeting
you were about nine sheets to the wind and taking apart
a holeopeep in Fortune City.
Until you bent a shock-stick over my brainpan.
Which you never would've done.
had I seen you coming.
It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
Stop program.
Open.
Suzotchka.
It's so good to see you again.
Rabbi Koslov.
So formal?
You used to call me Uncle Yossel.
I can't believe you're here.
Neither can I.
This is my first time among the stars, you know.
Such vastness seen so close makes one feel very small.
You must be tired. Please, sit down.
- Can I get you anything? - No. The seat, I'll take.
- You're here about papa. - Yes.
Andrei's death was a great sorrow for all of us.
'Before he died, he entrusted me'
'with a legacy. Your legacy.'
I was going to give it to you after his funeral
but you weren't there.
The station was in a crisis at that time.
I couldn't get away.
Of course, you're a military officer
in an important position.
Duty must come first.
I understand
and so would Andrei.
'It's the way he raised you.'
So...you sat Shiva here?
- I haven't sat Shiva. - It can still be done.
I'll sit with you. I'll arrange everything.
I'm afraid I can't.
My duties here are very extensive.
I just don't have the time.
Besides, it's been several months.
There's no point.
I see.
Well, I think I'll get some rest.
I'm staying over in the sanctuary area
in, uh-uh, what do you call it?
Blue 3...I'll take you there.
No, no, no, no. I'll find my own way back. You have duties.
But, uh, you will have dinner with me tonight.
Of course. I'll come by at 20:00.
- Huh? - 8 o'clock.
Blue 3. 20:00.
Such meshugaas.
You've done well, Suzotchka.
Andrei was very proud of you
and so am I.
Thank you, Uncle Yossel.
'So, after I beat Atagi'
I was the number one contender for the Title.
That's when it came down.
SportCorp had invested abundantly in Vizaro.
They were not about to let him be beat.
So, they told me it wasn't my time yet.
They said they would make it worth my while
to retire for a few years.
So you told them to stuff it?
And I wasn't that polite about it.
I worked long and hard for that type of shot.
And I didn't think there was anything they could do.
That's when they framed you?
Like a picture.
Doctored my blood test
to make it look like I was popping adrenals.
Spread the word that I was a stooge for the Syndi.
The Nets ate it up and me along with it.
I haven't been able to get a legitimate fight
in two years.
I earned that shot, Mike.
I sweated for it, I bled for it
I dreamed of it.
They took it away from me like it was nothing.
Like I was nothing.
So why did you come to Babylon 5?
To make history.
To be the first human to fight in the Mutai.
Mutai? Are you out of your skull?
You know that Mutai means "Trial of Blood."
Snappy. They called my fight with Atagi "World War IV."
No, no, no. You don't get it.
The Mutai isn't a prizefight, it's a meat grinder.
No rounds, no rules, no gloves.
Just take your opponent out.
Five aliens have been killed in there.
And ten times that number have been crippled.
I was dead when they took my title shot away.
So, I figure, I come up here bust a few snakehead
make a big splash in the Nets
the Corp will be begging me to fight the champ.
It's the real deal, Mike.
I am Rabbi Yossel Koslov.
What can I do for you, rabbi?
I'm an old friend of the Ivanov family.
And I wish to speak to you about Susan.
Please, have a seat.
You are aware of the recent death of Susan's father?
No. When did this happen?
A few months ago.
He was very ill. It was not unexpected.
I understand she was speaking to him
from here the moment he died.
She never said anything about it.
I'm not surprised.
Susan has always been very private about such matters.
And there was bad blood between them.
You know about her mother?
I know she was a telepath and that she took her own life.
A great tragedy.
And one for which I believe
Susan always blamed her father.
A year later, when her brother
Ganya, was killed in the Minbari Wars
and Susan chose to join
Earth force against Andrei's wishes..
...the rift between them became greater still.
I see.
Susan has traveled a hard road, commander.
Now that her family is gone that road is harder still.
I'm worried about her.
How can I help?
It is Jewish tradition to mourn the dead
by sitting Shiva so that family, friends
members of the Jewish community
can gather at the home of the bereaved
to offer comfort and also help fulfill
the obligation of prayer for the departed.
Yes, I'm familiar with it.
Well.. Susan has not done this.
And I believe it would help her accept her father's death..
...and his life.
Now, if you could possibly grant her a few days' leave.
Certainly, she can take as much time as she needs.
Thank you, commander.
I will tell Susan at dinner tonight.
By the way..
'...this Babylon 5 of yours!'
Phew!
Ness gadol.
A great miracle.
Thank you.
What did you say this was again?
It's Treel. It's a...sort of fish.
The Centauri raise them.
Treel? It's kosher?
That, I can't say.
Oh! I don't recall Treel being mentioned
in the Torah, so..
Mmm. It's wonderful.
So how are things back home?
They change, they stay the same.
Russia is Russia.
Your father used to say, "If regret could be harvested
Russia would be the world's fruit basket."
I remember.
You know..
...he would have liked this place.
I invited him, but he always refused.
He said humanity had no business in space
until we could learn to live in peace on Earth.
And you know how he felt about Earth force.
I know. But he didn't mean to hurt you by it, Suzotchka.
It was just that he was so terribly afraid of losing you
as he lost Sofie and Ganya.
He lost me long before that.
Is that why you won't sit Shiva?
No. I told you my duties won't allow it.
We've got three trade convoys due by Saturday and--
Commander Sinclair seems to think he can handle it.
And he said you could have as much time as you need.
You spoke to the commander about this?
Yes. A fine man.
You should not have done that.
I'm a rabbi.
When I see a Jew denying
one of our most basic traditions
I meddle.
My father always tried to control my life
when he was alive I don't need anyone to take his place
now that he's gone.
Please, excuse me.
Suzotchka,please, I didn't..
You know, you are demented. You can still call this off.
Relax, all I have to do is find
this Muta-Do character who runs the show and I'm in.
This place is only for Mutari.
- Go. - Relax, E.T.
I'm looking for the Muta-Do.
I'm Walker Smith from Earth.
I'm here to fight in the Mutai.
Humans..
...do not fight in the Mutai.
Go back to Earth..
...Walker Smith.
Who the hell are you?
I am the Muta-Do.
The Sayer.
And I say..
...go back to Earth.
The Mutai..
...is not for you.
You heard him, Earthling.
You've worn out your welcome, ace.
Come on.
Damn snakehead caught me by surprise.
That snakehead is over 90 years old
and fought in over 1000 Mutai.
You knew who he was all the time?
Hey, look. Look, you wanna get your head handed to you
and I think it's a lousy idea. So, sue me.
But I had nothing to do with what went down with Muta-Do.
You did that all by yourself.
'These aliens may be just snakeheads to you'
But the Mutai means something to them.
You treat it like a tank fight. Oh, come on, man.
- Don't be like that. - Stroke off.
- Earther. - Who in the hell are you?
I am Caliban.
You wish to fight in the Mutai?
What if I do? I've already been turned down.
There is another way.
But it must be done properly.
With respect.
And it will require great courage.
Keep talking.
You wish to see me, commander?
Yes.
I wanted to offer my condolences on the death of your father.
Thank you.
Why didn't you request leave to attend the funeral?
You were negotiating the Euphrates Treaty at the time.
I was needed here.
That's commendable, but since B-5 is quiet now
I'm granting you indefinite leave
to sit Shiva for your father.
That won't be necessary.
May I return to my post?
No, you may not.
Have a chair.
I prefer to stand.
That's an order.
You're the best officer I've ever served with, Ivanova.
I couldn't run this station without you.
'But I also consider you a friend.'
As your friend I'm telling you
it does no good to bottle up your feelings.
Your father's dead.
'You need to express your grief or it'll eat you up.'
I appreciate your concern, commander.
And your friendship.
But...my feelings are my own.
And how I display them..
...or not...is my choice.
Now..
...if I may return to my duty?
Susan.
Before you make that choice
make sure you know what it is you're really feeling.
Mike?
Yeah?
About last night
I thought it over, you were right.
It was my screw-up.
I always did have too much mouth.
I'm sorry.
'Can I sit?'
So, what are you gonna do now?
I really don't know.
Maybe I'll catch some bouts in the Off-World Circuit.
Or maybe I'll hang up the gloves for good.
- You're kidding. - It's been a long haul, Mike.
A lot of blood, a lot of pain. I don't know if it was worth it.
The Sho-rin fights tonight.
That's what they call the champ of Mutai.
I have a couple of ducks. What do you say?
At least I get a chance to see what I missed.
These ducks cost me a bundle.
Garibaldi.
'Chief, we got a 2-45 on Red 3.'
'It looks like the perp's zoned.'
On the way.
See you tonight.
Alright, but if this is some kind of hose job..
The guy was a bum. I could have taken him.
This is good. What is it?
Yokdri. Fried tree worm.
Into the Sands of Blood
comes Luh-Kar of the Drazi
the bravest of his race.
And now comes
the Sho-rin.
Master of the Mutai.
Bravest of the brave.
Gyor!
Gyor! Gyor!
Fight with respect
and courage.
The Mutai begins!
The Sho-rin triumphs and remains.
Who is brave enough
to challenge
such a one?
I am!
Are you nuts?
Didn't you see what just happened in there?
It's my only shot, Mike.
'By their rules'
if the Sho-rin accepts a direct challenge
I get to fight.
No matter what anyone else says.
Your people do not walk in the Sands of Blood.
They fear the Sho-rin.
But I am the bravest of my race.
And when I face him in the Mutai
'their fear will be gone.'
Look, he doesn't know what he's saying. This is a mistake.
Do not interfere.
'The challenge is worthy.'
What says the Sho-rin?
The challenge is accepted.
'In three cycles'
'the Mutai will take place.'
Gyor! Gyor!
Sorry, Mike.
You're gonna be a lot sorrier when you step in there.
Why do you do this, human? You are not Mutari.
- What's your problem, pal? - You. All of you.
You intrude upon our worlds. Make mockery of our customs.
Meddle in matters you do not understand.
But humans have no place in the Mutai. It is ours.
And we will not let you dishonor it.
Not now...not ever.
Open.
Rabbi.
Susan.
I owe you an apology.
My behavior the other night was inexcusable.
- You came all this way for me-- - No, no, no, no.
It is I who must apologize.
I handled things badly.
I brought your legacy.
The samovar.
It was passed through your family
since the days of the tzars.
Andrei prized it beyond all his other possessions.
I know.
Well, I will be leaving in the morning.
There is nothing more here for me to do.
Unless you changed your mind about the Shiva?
It's not because I've ceased being a Jew.
Then why?
My father was not ...a loving man.
But in his own way I always felt he loved me.
Until my mother began her Psi Corps treatment.
It was the law. There was nothing he could do.
You cannot blame him for it.
I don't.
I blame him for denying me his love.
Even as mama became incapable of giving me hers.
I needed him, Yossel.
And he wasn't there.
My father wasn't there for me.
And when mother took her life and Ganya died
still he couldn't find a shred of love for me.
So I left.
And he never forgave me for it.
As if I were the one who'd abandoned him.
And now that he has left for good
you cannot forgive him?
No, I can't.
Then the tragedy is greater than I thought.
Without forgiveness, you cannot mourn.
And without mourning
you can never let go of the pain.
I have to go on duty.
You cannot run away from your own heart, Susan.
Not even in space.
Thank you for bringing the samovar.
I'll see you before you leave.
'We are sorry to announce..'
Got any ideas on how I should fight this guy?
From inside a mean battle tank would be good.
I knew I could count on you.
You did well last night, Earther.
- Garibaldi. - Caliban.
He's the one who told me about challenging the Sho-rin.
- And what's your angle, pal? - Angle?
He wants to know why you're helping me.
Mmm.
I too once challenged the Sho-rin Gyor.
It was my last Mutai.
Now I will stand Ka-Tow
to your friend.
Garibaldi will also stand Ka-Tow to me.
As you wish.
You must honor the Muta-Do
before you begin.
Listen very carefully.
'Uncle Yossel?'
Ah! Susan. I was afraid I'd miss you.
'Earth registered liner White Star'
'is now in final boarding for departure to Earth.'
My starship.
- Thanks again for coming. - My pleasure.
Where else could I dine on Treel with my favorite Ivanova?
So...you'll take care of yourself?
Yes.
You're very dear to me, Suzotchka
as you were to Andrei.
Even if he never said it.
Shalom, Suzotchka.
May God keep you in his thoughts.
You too.
'I want you to know..'
'...how proud'
'I am of you, Susan.'
I always have been.
B-but a father should give his daughter love..
...as well as respect.
And in that, I failed you.
I'm sorry.
And I'm ashamed.
Forgive me.
'Forgive me.'
Uncle Yossel?
Stay.
Help me sit Shiva.
Oh, my God!
- Nice punch. - Glass jaw.
But he kicks like a mule.
- What is a mule? - You're training one.
You did well out there.
Rest now.
Buy you some dinner?
Sounds good. Give me a minute.
Has he got a chance?
He will fight bravely.
In sports, Babylon 5
is about to be the site of a history-making event
as ex-sports Corp boxing star
Walker Smith prepares to be the first human
'to fight in the Mutai.'
What did I tell you, Mike? History.
Yeah, let's hope you don't wind up history.
You're my backup, remember? My Ka-Tow.
- Have some faith. - What do you want me to do?
Hire some cheerleaders?
Walker, you're a great fighter
but Gyor isn't some Sport Corp media star.
He's going in there to take you apart.
- And he can do it. - I know.
That's son of a spaceman's the best I've ever seen.
And you're still going through with this?
'You have always been thick, Garibaldi.'
That's what the game's all about.
To be the best, you have to face the best.
'I could take Vizaro on crutches'
but Gyor...he's gonna show me where my heart is.
And maybe..
...I'll show him a little something too.
I'm gonna turn in. See you tomorrow, buddy.
Walker.
You're the best I've ever seen.
Commander? May I have a word?
Of course.
I'd like to take your offer of leave.
Granted.
Thank you.
'Lieutenant commander?'
Yes, sir?
It believe it's customary
for friends to pay their respects
during Shiva.
'I'll see you there.'
I'd like that.
Amen.
As you know, we're all gathered here
to help Susan sit Shiva
for Andrei Ivanov..
'...beloved husband of Sofie'
'of blessed memory'
'father of Ganya'
'of blessed memory'
and...of Susan.
Most of you did not know
Andrei Ivanova, so let me say
a few words about him.
He was..
...a Russian Jew.
And a scholar.
A man devoted to logic
and to reason.
'And above all..'
'...to peace.'
Hmm, yeah, alright.
He's got reach on you. So, get inside.
Watch his knees when you do.
And keep moving. Don't let him trap you.
It is time.
Let's do it.
'When I was 13, I had developed a passion for..'
'...uh, Kasharev'
'one of the radical, neo-communist authors.'
'Oi.'
'Your father felt that Kasharev'
'would be personally responsible'
for the destruction of Russian culture.
Exactly.
But he was invited to a reading
by Kasharev, and I begged him to take me.
Of course, he had no intention of going
but I whined and pouted as only a 13-year-old can.
And eventually, he was forced to surrender.
So, after the reading, there was a question-and-answer session.
And for days, I had been formulating
the perfect question
with which to impress my idol.
So, you know, the time comes
and I stand up, I'm trembling
and I ask my question.
And?
Uh, he promptly said that it was the most foolish thing
that he ever heard and he had no...intention of bending
words of a bourgeois little twit who was barely out of diapers.
I was crushed.
But then papa stood up.
And he said that his daughter
was neither bourgeois
nor a little twit...
and had been out of diapers
for many, many years.
while Kasharev's writing
had yet to rise above the contents
of those garments.
That sounds exactly like Andrei.
He then added that were he not a man of peace..
...he would have horsewhipped Kasharev
through the streets of St. Petersburg
as his own father should have done many years ago.
Bravo, bravo.
Well, of course, I was mortified.
But then..
...papa took my hand, and he turned
and as we walked out he said to me..
"...It was a good question, dushenka."
Into the Sands of Blood
comes
Walker Smith of Earth
the bravest of his race.
And now comes
the Sho-rin.
Master of the Mutai.
Bravest of the brave.
Gyor.
Gyor! Gyor! Gyor!
Fight with courage and respect.
The Mutai begins.
Gyor! Gyor! Gyor!
Inside! Work inside!
Yeah!
Gyor! Gyor! Gyor!
'Come on, back up! Stay clear! Stay clear!'
Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
'Work inside! Work inside!'
'Oh, yeah! Yeah! Yeah!'
Oh, yeah. Yeah, baby! Go!
Whoo!
The mule! The mule!
Watch the kick! Watch the kick!
Back up! Stay clear!
- Stay clear! - No!
This is Garibaldi. I have a pickup for you in the Mutai.
- Come on! - Yah!
'Yeah! Yeah! Whoo-hoo!'
I want to thank all of you
for sharing this time of..
...sorrow with me.
You've helped me to find somebody..
...long lost
and...very precious to me.
The father I loved.
Though it's traditional to recite
the Mourning Prayer in Hebrew..
...I would like to read it in English tonight..
...so that my good friend, Jeffrey Sinclair..
...may share it with us.
"Oh, God, full of compassion..
"...who dwell'est on high
"...grant perfect rest beneath the sheltering winds
"of thy divine presence..
"...among the holy pure who shine...as the brightness..
...of the firmament... to Andrei, my father..
...who has gone to his eternal home.
- Amen. - Amen.
'What are they saying?'
They call him "The Great Heart."
It is done!
Take it easy. It's over.
- How'd I do? - Uh, it's a draw.
Gyor! Gyor! Gyor!
Smith!
Smith! Smith! Smith!
'Thank you, Uncle Yossel.'
You'll write or, uh or com-link or whatever.
I will.
Commander?
Ness gadol. Take good care of it.
Ooh!
I'm ready to go back on duty, sir.
Good. I've had my fill of double shifts.
Well, perhaps you'll remember that next time
Ms. Sakai visits the station.
You're sure you can't stick around for a while?
And now that you're not in training, I know some spots
in Brown 6 we could haunt.
I heal better in real air.
Walker Smith!
You fought well in the Mutai.
From now on humans may enter the ring
as brothers to all Mutari.
If you ever return to the Mutai I will stand Ka-Tow for you.
- I wouldn't want anyone else. - I'm honored, Smith.
Safe voyage.
Garibaldi, thanks.
See you when I come back for the rematch.
Oh, give me a break.
Watch your back.
He fought bravely.
The best I've ever seen.