The Needs of Earth

General Information

Episode Number: 111
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Directed By: Michael Vejar

Starring:
Gary Cole as Captain Matthew Gideon
Daniel Dae Kim as Lieutenant John Matheson
Carrie Dobro as Dureena Nafeel 
Peter Woodward as Galen  (not seen in this episode)
David Allen Brooks  as  Maximilian Eilerson 
Marjean Holden as Dr Sarah Chambers 
Tracy Scoggins as Captain Elizabeth Lochley (not seen in this episode)

Guest Starring:
Tony Amendola as Natchok Var
Bill Mondy as Nix

Also Starring:
Mark Hendrickson as Patrick
Peter Welkin as Trulann
Tom Wyner as Aprori Flentak

Plot

Summary: Gideon risks all to capture a wanted alien held on Praxis 9 said to posses information containing alien technology that may cure the plague.

Detailed Summary: Coming soon.

Observations

Facts

• Anla'shok Trulann gave the information to Gideon, deciding that life was more important than upholding the rule of law.
• Natchok Var is from Moradi.
• Praxis is outside Intersellar Alliance as is the Moradi Government.
• Praxis 9 is a commercial planetary colony with 4 habitation domes in the northern hemisphere. Atmospheres is toxic comprised of carbon monoxide and methane. Main dome is location of space port.  Way station for an assortment of criminals. Slavery is legal.Just about everything illegal.
• Places like Praxis 9 usually have at least one or two members of the Thieve's Guild at all times.
• Theives Guild uses hidden markers to indicate when they need help or information from one another.
• Red Jack an extortionist on Praxis who had captured Natchok Var.
• Against the law on Moradi for most to learn other races languages. Only those assigned to be translators learn other languages to prevent impure thoughts.
• Aprori Flentak-Moradi First Councilor, Minister of Justice
• Five Moradi vessels threaten the Excaliber.
• Tarkon 3 had no survivors.
• Natchok Var decides humanity is most deserving of his information, the collected aural history and music of his world.
• Natchok Var was killed as an example.
• TheMoradi  Government ordered everything of artistic value was to be destroyed because it was a drain on morality and didn't support the state.

Characters

Gideon

• Willing to break laws, violate customs and such to save earth
• Willing to blackmail to get what he needs to accomplish mission

Matheson

• Knew Natchok Var was going to die.
• Matheson was raised Cristian.

Dureena

• Was sold into slavery by her family for money. She escaped with four others and was the only one to survive.
• Dureena freed the slaves to do for them what no one ever did for her.

Max Eilerson

• Watches aliens sex videos

Quotables

• "Just so you know. It's nothing personal."--Gideon.
• "Maybe I should have started smaller."--Gideon
• "I don't think you've recovered from your last good idea."--Dureena
• "Don't say standby when we're one word away from good news."--Gideon
• "All the time. It's politics and self preservation."--Nix
• "Fair fight is not what thy have in mind."--Nix
• "Now if you can just sense the card I am thinking we can join the carnival."--Max Eilerson
• "How odd to know everyone's heart but my own."--Matheson

Questions

• Did Natchok Var know Matheson was a telepath?
• Just how far is willing Gideon to go to save Earth?

Ratings

Story: 9.00
Acting: 9.40
Special F/X: 9.20

Notes: An excellent episode with a strong emphasis on hope and what helps create and sustain that hope. Also a chilling reminder to those who try to control throught the eliination and subversion of arts for political gain. A strong ephasis on supporting creative freedom as well as free speech.

Best Actor/Actress: Carrie Dobro.