01x14 - T*K*O

[bunniefuu]

Liner White Star, arriving from Earth,
is now docking in Bay 5.

Passengers will disembark
through Customs Area 7.

It was a pleasure traveling with you.

You don't often meet a man
with such a calling.

- Same here, Rabbi. Take care.
- Shalom.

My, my. Slappers.
With a Medlab seal, yet.

And I bet you two beauties
are brain surgeons, huh?

Damn! Red 6, this is Garibaldi.

I got a smiling pair of 10-15s
for you, dealing in stolen slappers.

One day, Garibaldi,
you'll learn to watch your back.

Walker Smith.

- Where did you go after Orion 4?
- You name it. Io, Mars.

Any place they'd pay
to watch me bust a head.

It bought passage to Earth
and a boxing license.

I know. I saw all your fights. You were
on your way to the World Title until...

- You believe what they said about me?
- No.

It's a long story. I need to get
a berth and make some connections.

I'd say we meet
in around 30 rounds?

I know a place off the Zocalo.
The Dugout, just your style.

- See you there.
- I heard stuff about you too.

- You believe it?
- Hell, yeah.

It was the dawn
of the Third Age of mankind...

...10 years after
the Earth-Minbari w*r.

The Babylon Project
was a dream given form.

Its goal: to prevent another w*r
by creating a place...

...where humans and aliens
could work out their differences.

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?

Zoon burgers, Jovian tubers
and a miner's draft of Traxian ale.

Add ketchup and you'll swear
you're back on Cestus.

- Where the waitresses had three...
- That's it.

You always were a classy guy.

It's good.

Am I space-happy,
or are you drinking water?

Nothing but.
Gave up the rocket fuel a while ago.

- You always were a lousy drunk.
- Me?

When we met, you were drunk
and taking apart a holeopeep.

Until you bent a shock-stick
over my brainpan.

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.

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.
I couldn't get away.

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 time.

Besides, it's been several months.

There's no point.

I see.

Well, I think I'll get some rest.

I'm staying in the sanctuary area in...
What do you call it?

Blue 3. I'll take you there.

I'll find my own way back.
You have duties.

But you will have dinner with me?

Of course. I'll come by at 2000.

- Huh?
- 8:00.

Blue 3.2000.
Such meshugaas.

You've done well.

Andrei was very proud of you,
and so am I.

Thank you, Uncle Yossel.

After I beat Atagi,
I was the main contender.

That's when it came down.

SportCorp had invested heavily in
Vizaro. They wouldn't let him be beat.

They told me it wasn't my time.

They said they'd pay me
to retire for a while.

- So you told them to stuff it?
- I wasn't that polite.

I worked hard for a shot.
I didn't think they could do anything.

- So they framed you?
- Like a picture.

Doctored my blood test
to show I was popping adrenals.

Said I was a stooge for the Syndi.
The Nets ate it up, and me with it.

I haven't had a fight in two years.

I earned that shot. I sweated for it,
I bled for it, I dreamed of it.

They took it away like it was nothing.
Like I was nothing.

So why did you come to Babylon 5?

To make history. I'll be the first
human to fight in the Mutai.

Are you crazy? You know that
Mutai means "Trial of Blood."

They called my fight with Atagi
"World w*r IV."

The Mutai isn't a prizefight,
it's a meat grinder.

No rounds, rules or gloves.
Take your opponent out.

Five aliens were k*lled.
More were crippled.

I died when they took my title shot.
If I bust some heads, make a splash...

...the Corp will beg me
to fight the champ.

It's the real deal, Mike.

I am Rabbi Yossel Koslov.

- What can I do for you?
- I'm an old friend of the lvanov family.

- 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
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 blamed her father.

A year later, when her brother, Ganya,
was k*lled in the Minbari Wars...

...and Susan chose to join Earthforce
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.

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!

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.

I don't recall Treel being
mentioned in the Torah, so....

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 had peace on Earth.

- You know how he felt about Earthforce.
- But he didn't mean to hurt you by it.

It was just that he was
so afraid of losing you...

as he lost Sofie and Ganya.

He lost me long before that.

Is that why you won't sit shiva?

My duties won't allow it. We've got
three trade convoys due by Saturday.

Commander Sinclair seems to think
he can handle it.

And he said you could have
as much time as you need.

- You spoke to him 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 tried to control my life.
I don't need anyone to take his place.

Please, excuse me.

Suzotchka, please, I didn't....

You can still call this off.

Relax. All I have to do is find
this Muta-Do character 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.

He's over 90 years old
and fought in over 1000 Mutai.

You knew who he was?

You wanna lose your head,
and I think that's lousy.

But I had nothing to do with what
went down. You did that yourself.

The Mutai means something to them.
You treat it like a t*nk fight.

- Come on, 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 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. I was needed here.

That's commendable.
Since B-5 is quiet...

...you have 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.

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 you're really feeling.

- Mike?
- Yeah?

About last night, you were right.

It was my screwup. I always did
have too much mouth. I'm sorry.

Can I sit?

What are you gonna do?

I don't know. Maybe I'll catch
some bouts in the Off-World Circuit.

- Maybe I'll hang up the gloves.
- 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 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.

We got a 2-45 on Red 3.
It seems the perp 's zoned.

On the way.

See you tonight.

All right, but if this
is some kind of hose job....

He 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!

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?

It's my only shot.

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.

When I face him in the Mutai,
their fear will be gone.

Look, 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.

- Sorry, Mike.
- You're gonna be a lot sorrier.

Why do this, human?
You are not Mutari.

- What's your problem, pal?
- You. All of you.

You intrude upon our worlds.

Mock 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 was inexcusable.

- You came all this way for me.
- 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's 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
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.

When mother took her life
and Ganya died...

...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.

- Any ideas on how I should fight?
- From inside a battle t*nk.

I knew I could count on you.

- You did well last night, Earther.
- Garibaldi, Caliban.

He told me about
challenging the Sho-rin.

- And what's your angle?
- Angle?

He wants to know
why you're helping me.

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?

Susan. I was afraid I'd miss you.

Earth 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 lvanova?

So you'll take care of yourself?

Yes.

You're very dear to me,
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.

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.

- 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.

Babylon 5 is about to be the site
of a history-making event...

...as Walker Smith prepares to be
the first human to fight in the Mutai.

- What did I say? History.
- Let's hope you don't end up history.

- You're my backup. Have some faith.
- Want me to hire cheerleaders?

You're a great fighter,
but Gyor isn't some media star.

- He's going in to take you apart.
- I know.

He's the best I've ever seen.

- And you're still going through with it?
- You were always thick.

It's what the game's about. To be
the best, you must 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.

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's customary for friends to pay
their respects during shiva.

I'll see you there.

I'd like that.

As you know, we're gathered to help
Susan sit shiva for Andrei lvanov...

...beloved husband of Sofie,
of blessed memory...

...father of Ganya,
of blessed memory...

and of Susan.

Most of you did not know Andrei,
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.

He's got reach on you.
Get inside. Watch his knees.

Keep moving.
Don't let him trap you.

It is time.

Let's do it.

When I was 13, I had a passion for
Kasharev, a neo-communist author.

Your father felt that Kasharev
would be responsible...

...for the destruction
of Russian culture.

Exactly.

He was invited to a reading by
Kasharev, and I begged him to take me.

I whined as only a 13-year-old can.

Eventually, he was forced to surrender.

After the reading, there was
a question-and-answer session.

For days, I had been formulating
the perfect question to impress my idol.

So the time comes and I stand up,
I'm trembling, and I ask my question.

And?

He said it was the most
foolish thing he ever heard...

...and he wouldn't talk to a bourgeois
twit who was barely out of diapers.

I was crushed.

But then Papa stood up.

He said his daughter was
neither bourgeois nor a twit...

...and had been out of diapers
for years...

...while Kasharev's writing was below
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...

...as his own father should
have done 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.

Fight with courage and respect.

The Mutai begins.

Inside! Work inside!

Yeah!

Come on, back up! Stay clear!

Get out of the way!

Work inside!

Oh, yeah! Yeah, baby! Go!

The mule! The mule!

Watch the kick! Watch the kick!

Back up! Stay clear!

- Stay clear!
- No!

Garibaldi. I have a pickup
in the Mutai.

Come on!

I want to thank all of you for sharing
this time of sorrow with me.

You've helped me to find somebody...

Iong 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 dwellest on high...

...grant perfect rest beneath
the sheltering winds of thy 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?
- It's a draw.

Smith!

- Thank you, Uncle Yossel.
- You'll write...

or com-link or whatever.

I will.

Commander?

Ness gadol. Take good care of it.

Le'hitraot.

I'm ready to go back on duty.

Good. I've had my fill
of double shifts.

Perhaps you'll remember that
next time Ms. Sakai visits.

You're sure you can't stay?

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 for the rematch.
- Give me a break.

Watch your back.

He fought bravely.

The best I've ever seen.