Episode Number: Television Movie #3 Air Date: 8 November 1998 Written By: J. Michael Straczynski Directed By: Janet Greek
Starring: Jerry Doyle Michael Garibadi Tracy Scoggins Captain Elizabeth Lochley Jeff Conaway Security Chief Zack Allan Richard Biggs Dr. Stephen Franklin/Soul Two
Guest Starring: Martin Sheen Soul Hunter Ian McShane Dr. Richard Bryson Also Starring: Joshua Cox Lt. David Corwin Ray Proscias Klaus Joel Brooks Jacob Mayhew Stuart Parkin James Riley Jean St. James Shiela T.J. Hoban Hologram (Male) Nikki Schieler Ziering Hologram (Female) Wayne Alexander Soul One John Snyder Soul Hunter #2*
Description: An alien device belonging to the Soul Hunters is stolen by an
archeologist, working for Edgars Industries, who believes it may hold the
key to immortality. A Soul Hunter comes to retrieve the device but it is
activated causing havoc on the station. More Soul Hunters arrive threatening
to destroy the station unless the artifact is returned to them immediately.
Meanwhile, an illegal holobrothel is discovered
in Down Below.
Soul Hunters:
Soul Hunters live thousands of years. One that is 4,000 years old is still
considered young and inexperienced. Soul Hunters also do not allow their
souls to be saved believing it is simply their role in the universe to save
others. They also have little contact with other races aside from when they
collect souls. Soul Hunters can go several days without sustenance after
leaving their vessels. Soul Hunter vessels also have the capability to attach
themselves to vessels and burn their way into their target.
Only the Minbari have been ever able to stop the Soul Hunters.
The so called "Love Bat" is used to relieve stress.
Holobrothel's appear to be illegal to operate on Babylon 5 given a comment Garibaldi made to Zack upon discovering one was on the station.
If a race is transcendent, such as the Vorlons, does that mean the Soul Hunters lack the ability to preserve such races?
Just exactly how many more black projects was Edgars Industries running?
Story: 9.50 Acting: 9.80 Special F/X: 9.00 Scores are out of a possible 10.0
Notes: JMS has done an excellent job once more, bringing forth issues of beliefs (souls) and legal issues (the use of images of people for the holobrothel) without being preachy or trying to decide for the audience what they should think.
The special f/x was especially good with the virtual world scenes for the archeological dig and the ancient race destroyed by the Soul Hunters.
Best Actor/Actress: Martin Sheen/Tracy Scoggins
Martin Sheen was excellent as Soul Hunter, continuing the fine tradition set by W. Morgan Sheppard's Soul Hunter from Season 1*. Tracy Scoggins was also excellent. These two never once seemed forced or stilted, seemingly perfectly comfortable with their subject matter.
* Special thanks to WULF5 <wulf5@email.com> for his information on John Snyder as Soul Hunter #2 and for his unknowingly reminding me to correct an error regarding who played the Soul Hunter is Season 1.