Morden (Babylon 5)
| Morden | |
|---|---|
| Babylon 5 character | |
 |
|
| Portrayed by | Ed Wasser |
| Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Home planet | Earth |
| Affiliated with | Shadows |
Morden is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Ed Wasser. He is a recurring antagonist in the show.
Morden serves as the spokesman on behalf of the Shadows, an ancient and incredibly powerful alien race whom he refers to as his "associates." Although outwardly polite and gracious, he represents a dangerous hidden agenda. Any conversation is overheard by two or three cloaked Shadows, who accompany him at all times and work through him as seen both in the television series and in the novel: Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages - Invoking Darkness. Indoctrinated by the Shadows after his capture during an expedition to Z'ha'dum, the Shadows' homeworld, he has accepted to serve because of the Shadows' manipulation of his guilt of the death of his wife and child and because they promise to save his family whom he believed were trapped in hyperspace. When pushed, Morden drops any pretense of friendliness, openly threatening anyone who presents any difficulty to his associates. He is arguably the face of the primary villains of the series during its first four seasons, as he often manipulates the series' other characters for the Shadows sinister purposes.
Morden was a member of the Earth expedition ship, the Icarus, which was dispatched on a research mission to Z'ha'dum late in 2256. While there, the expedition, which also included John Sheridan's wife Anna, re-awakened the Shadows, whereupon all members of the expedition were killed or made to serve the Shadows. Unlike Anna, who refused to serve and was placed inside a Shadow vessel, Morden seems to have signed on with the Shadows willingly to save his family, but was also controlled by them, to the point that he served as their emissary. Morden did this because the Shadows promised to release Morden's family, who were supposedly trapped in hyperspace when their ship was destroyed in a jumpgate bombing; fearing for their lives, Morden (whose first name has never been revealed) pledged to serve the Shadows in any way they asked. It is unknown whether the Shadows made good on their promise to save Morden's family, or if the situation as represented to him was even genuine. In all his appearances he wears a jewel on a chain around his neck; according to the trilogy of novels The Passing of the Techno-Mages, carved on the side of the stone against his chest is an ancient alien love oath, representing his continued devotion to his deceased wife.
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