Babylon 5 Rewatch: “Grey 17 is Missing”

Sure, the titular half of the plot is so terrible that J. Michael Straczynski is still apologizing for it three decades later, but the Ranger half of the plot is actually quite good. The Babylon 5 Rewatch finds something to like in “Grey 17 is Missing.”

An excerpt:

First of all, you’ve John Vickery being awesome as Neroon. I especially like that his argument against Delenn gaining more power is one I agree with in principle: a religious zealot gaining military and political power is a recipe for disaster. We know as viewers that Delenn doesn’t have the ambition Neroon accuses her of, but her actions are very easy to interpret that way. 

Then you’ve got Bill Mumy beautifully playing Lennier’s loyalty, as he does everything he can to save Delenn and also save face. That’s matched by Jason Carter’s dedicated Ranger. Carter’s performance here is phenomenal, modulating from amusement at Lennier’s convoluted justification for coming to him to righteous indignation and determination as soon as Lennier makes it clear that Delenn’s life is in danger. Cole’s dedication to the cause is thorough and complete, and Carter sells the character’s willingness to do the second half of the Ranger credo regarding the one.