The Quality of Mercy (17 Aug. 1994)

Talia must enter the mind of a convicted murderer while Dr. Franklin goes to Downbelow to investigate a doctor who apparently is 'magically' healing people.

Director:

Lorraine Senna

Writers:

J. Michael Straczynski (creator), J. Michael Straczynski

Stars:

Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael O'Hare	...	Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair
Claudia Christian	...	Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova
Jerry Doyle	...	Michael Garibaldi
Mira Furlan	...	Delenn (credit only)
Richard Biggs	...	Dr. Stephen Franklin
Andrea Thompson	...	Talia Winters
Stephen Furst	...	Vir Cotto (credit only)
Bill Mumy	...	Lennier
Julie Caitlin Brown	...	Na'Toth (credit only) (as Caitlin Brown)
Andreas Katsulas	...	G'Kar (credit only)
Peter Jurasik	...	Londo Mollari
June Lockhart	...	Dr. Laura Rosen
Kate McNeil	...	Janice Rosen
Mark Rolston	...	Karl Mueller
Damian London	...	Centauri Senator

Storyline

Talia must enter the mind of a convicted murderer while Dr. Franklin goes to Downbelow to investigate a doctor who apparently is 'magically' healing people.

---

Plot Keywords:

23rd century | title based on shakespeare

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1994 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Babylonian Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cracking sound when Londo's tentacle retracts is that of a leather bull-whip. Executive producer J. Michael Straczynski specifically ordered the bull-whip sound effect to audibly emphasize the idea of great length.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Centauri Senator: And so you understand our concern, Mollari. As well as preventing other races from gaining the upper hand we must continue to forge good relations with possible allies.
Ambassador Londo Mollari: Yes, I understand. But it's not an easy process. Very few here are as - trusting as I am.

User Reviews

While in many ways a "filler episode", it brings up some amazing points about capital punishment

The episode begins with the trial of a murderer. He is convicted and sentenced to the ultimate personality--"death of personality". It seems that in the 23rd century, they no longer do capital punishment as we know it, but use telepaths to literally wipe away the old mind and re-create a new one that is devoted to a lifetime of service to others. However, Talia hates being pressed into this duty--especially since the minds of killers can be so frightening. And, when it comes to sick and disturbed minds, this murderer is in a class by himself! A concurrent plot involves the doctor finding out about a "healer" (June Lockhart) in Down Below who seems to be using some sort of "quack cure". However, when he investigates, he is surprised to find that the alien device DOES work after all! There's a lot to this episode, and unlike many episodes, the two plots merge perfectly late in the show. This one really got me thinking about my own feelings about the death penalty--and I love shows that make me think and intelligently challenge my opinions. Well-written and acted, despite being a "filler episode" (one that doesn't directly relate to the plot involving the Shadows), it's well worth seeing.