I believe that this was one of the best interrogation episodes in TV history. People who watch this might remember famous Star Trek TNG episode "Chain of Command" which also gives a great deal of stuff to think about. Even though it might be boring for some, giving a whole episode to torture helps you sync yourself with Sheridan psychologically. As you move forward, you put yourself in his shoes and accompany Sheridan throughout the episode.
Seeing someone dealing with that kind of psychological attack for 40 minutes also makes you think about your limits as well. It's not easy to create that level of empathy for a show, that's why it was one of my favourites.
8 Reviews
RESISTENCE IS NOT FUTILE!
chazken-1437226 February 2021
Despite the theme of the episode being TORTURE, it's actually an amazing and interesting episode
planktonrules29 January 2007
This is an amazing and tough to watch episode, though unlike most of the best episodes it isn't action-packed and doesn't exactly have a big impact on the overall themes of season three or four. Instead, the entire episode is set in an unknown prison where Sheridan is being held and tortured in order to break him and get him to sign a confession based on trumped up charges. While at times, this episode was a tad tough to watch, most of the torture was more mental and intended to break his resolve, so it isn't THAT hard to watch. So why did I like the show--after all, I am NOT a sadist (seriously, I'm not--no matter what my students say about me). Well, it's because this episode is a GREAT look at human nature and the face of evil. The inquisitor isn't what you might expect from an amoral torturer--instead he looks like an average person who probably has a wife and kids and possibly even a dog. BUT, this is where the brilliance of the show comes through--so rarely does evil appear bad on the surface, but evil is assisted when supposedly good men and women comply because it's the expedient or safe thing to do. A terrific look at the face of evil and a great chance for Sheridan to stand out in what is almost a two man performance.
A fine script
rejennyrateduk21 April 2019
This for me is one of those stand out pieces of screenwriting, where many of the contradictions of human society are confronted and laid bare. Many scifi fans won't like this episode because essentially nothing at all happens, and yet it is an episode which cuts to the heart of things. The central issue, what constitutes reality and truth? Is it what you experience and personally know to be true, or is it what someone else, with power will allow.
Then again who really does have the power? Maybe the man who you THINK has power, is actually himself only another cog in the great machine. Maybe, despite appearances, the power really rests with you, as long as you can hold on to your reason, but then again how long can you hold onto that truth when you are tired, hungry and in pain?
I AM - two words which no ancient Jew could be permitted, because I AM was the name of God, who alone had the right to define reality. In our time we hold no such qualms, but still there remains a question which must be confronted. What is the truth? What is reality? and who has the final right to define it.
It is a question at the heart of many a conflict, and confronted by many a disident to some totalitarian regime. In this case Sheridan finds himself, by simple capture, instantly translated from war hero, to inconvenient disident who must now be silenced or somehow forced to recant his truth. Much verbal jousting will follow, with a tightly written, and surprisingly witty dialogue, for such a dark subject as torture.
Then again who really does have the power? Maybe the man who you THINK has power, is actually himself only another cog in the great machine. Maybe, despite appearances, the power really rests with you, as long as you can hold on to your reason, but then again how long can you hold onto that truth when you are tired, hungry and in pain?
I AM - two words which no ancient Jew could be permitted, because I AM was the name of God, who alone had the right to define reality. In our time we hold no such qualms, but still there remains a question which must be confronted. What is the truth? What is reality? and who has the final right to define it.
It is a question at the heart of many a conflict, and confronted by many a disident to some totalitarian regime. In this case Sheridan finds himself, by simple capture, instantly translated from war hero, to inconvenient disident who must now be silenced or somehow forced to recant his truth. Much verbal jousting will follow, with a tightly written, and surprisingly witty dialogue, for such a dark subject as torture.
These are my favourite episodes
HarbingerUK14 November 2018
A polarizing episode
bzo-189101 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is 45 minutes of torture, literally and figuratively, for this viewer. For this reason I refrain from assigning a number rating. It is one of a handful of what I consider experimental Babylon 5 episodes which take themself too seriously.
On the positive, Christopher Franke's sparse music fits the scenes well, if you can sit through them.
As someone who finds scenes of torture nothing more than a cheap plot device to elicit a reaction from the viewer, I generally avoid or skip through them. They just don't resonate with me. Was it really necessary to draw out what could have been a 5-10 minute scene for an entire 45 minute episode?
There's a phrase in music "sometimes the best notes are the ones you don't play". In retrospect I realize the creator was faced with a monumental task to wrap up many story lines rapidly thinking the show would be canceled, so I'm willing to give some benefit of doubt.
Where I am truly critical is the continued trend in season 4 of plot contrivances that exceed reasonable suspension of disbelief, and reverse-anachronisms which can't be ignored. This episode is meant to take place in 2261. Is the viewer really supposed to take seriously an interrogator dressed like an accountant carrying a 1980's style briefcase, pen, paper, and sandwich packed in wax paper? The Inquisitor 19th century agent brought forward in time by the Vorlon's was both highly creative and credible. This is not.
Are we then supposed to take seriously a protracted 5 minute discussion between the interrogator and his subject of corned beef and spicy mustard? If not for the eerie music setting the tone I would have thought this was yet another out of place joke that fell flat. In past episodes, the viewer has had to overlook similar weak plot devices - a motorcycle, revolver, on demand print newspapers, pension/postal service jokes, and shameless WB cartoon plugs. But those were always tongue-in-cheek. The acting and direction on this is deadpan as if its meant seriously.
In terms of character behavior, I kept waiting for Sheridan to do what he had always done when confronted by aggressors and call out the interrogator for what he was - a crony pawn of a tyrant. I also didn't understand the significance of the Drazi and why he would be in service to Clark.
In the end, it is the overwheleming conventionality and lack of sci-fi that ruins this episode for me. If you take the costumed alien out of the episode, there is very little to even qualify this as sci-fi. This story could easily be transplanted 99.9% intact into any military/law enforcement/political intrigue/spy drama. In my mind this makes it an entirely superfluous episode. In sports parlance its an unforced error in the race to resolve the broader story arc in the next few episodes.
On the positive, Christopher Franke's sparse music fits the scenes well, if you can sit through them.
As someone who finds scenes of torture nothing more than a cheap plot device to elicit a reaction from the viewer, I generally avoid or skip through them. They just don't resonate with me. Was it really necessary to draw out what could have been a 5-10 minute scene for an entire 45 minute episode?
There's a phrase in music "sometimes the best notes are the ones you don't play". In retrospect I realize the creator was faced with a monumental task to wrap up many story lines rapidly thinking the show would be canceled, so I'm willing to give some benefit of doubt.
Where I am truly critical is the continued trend in season 4 of plot contrivances that exceed reasonable suspension of disbelief, and reverse-anachronisms which can't be ignored. This episode is meant to take place in 2261. Is the viewer really supposed to take seriously an interrogator dressed like an accountant carrying a 1980's style briefcase, pen, paper, and sandwich packed in wax paper? The Inquisitor 19th century agent brought forward in time by the Vorlon's was both highly creative and credible. This is not.
Are we then supposed to take seriously a protracted 5 minute discussion between the interrogator and his subject of corned beef and spicy mustard? If not for the eerie music setting the tone I would have thought this was yet another out of place joke that fell flat. In past episodes, the viewer has had to overlook similar weak plot devices - a motorcycle, revolver, on demand print newspapers, pension/postal service jokes, and shameless WB cartoon plugs. But those were always tongue-in-cheek. The acting and direction on this is deadpan as if its meant seriously.
In terms of character behavior, I kept waiting for Sheridan to do what he had always done when confronted by aggressors and call out the interrogator for what he was - a crony pawn of a tyrant. I also didn't understand the significance of the Drazi and why he would be in service to Clark.
In the end, it is the overwheleming conventionality and lack of sci-fi that ruins this episode for me. If you take the costumed alien out of the episode, there is very little to even qualify this as sci-fi. This story could easily be transplanted 99.9% intact into any military/law enforcement/political intrigue/spy drama. In my mind this makes it an entirely superfluous episode. In sports parlance its an unforced error in the race to resolve the broader story arc in the next few episodes.
Torture is not entertaining
dranthonykstevens23 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I was shocked that an episode of any program would be nothing but torture and the viewers thought it was an excellent episode. I could not see any redeeming value in this episode. The story that Captain Sheridan was tortured by the earth alliance makes sense, but show only 5 minutes of it and move on with the story. To be honest, it makes me wonder what kind of people were the producers and directors for this episode. Moreover, who wrote this episode and what infatuation did they have with the psychology of human torture. I can only assume that the series was running out of material and needed filler. As a whole, Babylon 5 was a captivating series.
Bored
wilvis-9396324 September 2017
OK one reviewer found the episode interesting.The other was shocked.I thought it was something that could have been dealt with in 15 minutes and then the show could have moved on to something more interesting to watch.I hate anything having to do with torture cause it just bores me like nothing else can.Senseless violence bores.I wish they had finished the war in season 5 cause now things get hurried in season 4 and 5 was mostly very boring and we lost a few very good actors who either vanished or got replaced by non-interesting ones.When you see this for the first time watch it cause you need it when you have seen it and are watching the show again skip this one cause it will make you give the wrong idea about Babylon 5 and you may not want to continue watching it which would be a mistake.
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