Points of Departure (Babylon 5)
| "Points of Departure" | |
|---|---|
| Babylon 5 episode | |
 Sheridan Arrives |
|
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Janet Greek |
| Written by | J. Michael Straczynski |
| Production code | 201 |
| Original air date | 2 November 1994 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Richard Grove (Kalain) |
|
Richard Grove (Kalain)
Robin Sachs (Hedronn)
Robert Foxworth (General William Hague)
"Points of Departure" is the first episode of the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. It first aired on November 2, 1994. The DVD brochure included with season two teases the episode by saying "New station chief Capt. John Sheridan is tested by a warship leader (Richard Grove) who wants to goad him into initiating a battle so that Minbari forces can justify a counterattack on Babylon 5."
The A.V. Club argues that "if you want to understand Babylon 5's place in television history, you can grasp a lot in just the first few minutes of 'Points of Departure.'" One reason for this is because the show had just "replaced its protagonist and hero," something shows would no longer consider doing. According to The A.V. Club, a change made in the season two title credits, the additional line "The year the Great War came upon us all," is "a big promise to make... a huge change in the status quo, and television of the era didn't really go for huge changes to the status quo." About this episode, Geek.com writes that "things have changed quite a bit, and trust me: they won't ever be the same again."
Earth Alliance Destroyer EAS Agamemnon is seen orbiting an unspecified planet. Captain John Sheridan is heard informing an unspecified party that if they have any further trouble with hijackers to contact him and he will handle the situation. Sheridan then receives an incoming message from General William Hague, the Chairman of the EarthForce Joint Chiefs of Staff informing him of sightings of a renegade Minbari warcruiser, the Trigati, and orders for "one other mission."
In a voice-over we learn that Lieutenant Commander Ivanova is temporarily in command of Babylon 5 and that Jeffrey Sinclair, the Commander of Babylon 5, had been recalled to Earth 8 days earlier. The events from the last episode of season one are recounted.
...
Wikipedia