Original Airdate: April 22, 1996 Written by J. Michael Straczynski Directed by Mike Vejar Episode #: 57 Production #: 312
Guest stars: Michael York as Arthur / David McIntyre.
A man comes to Babylon 5, believing he is King Arthur.
Sheridan (BRUCE BOXLEITNER) and Ivanova (CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN) ask Londo (PETER JURASIK) if the Centauri government will recognize Babylon 5 as an independent state, and he refuses. Meanwhile, G'Kar ( ) agrees to acknowledge the independence of Babylon 5, and vows to contribute to the defense of the station.
Arthur (MICHAEL YORK) arrives at Babylon 5 dressed in knight's clothing, believing he is the legend. Marcus (JASON CARTER) and Franklin (RICHARD BIGGS) meet Arthur and take him to Medlab, which he reluctantly agrees to. With no identification, travel papers or knowledge of how he got to Babylon 5, Franklin takes a DNA sequence to discover his real identity. Arthur escapes, and eventually befriends G'Kar, who he refers to as Sir G'Kar, the Red Knight.
Meanwhile, Sheridan addresses the Members of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds and unveils the Babylon Treaty. In exchange for using the facility as neutral territory to use for peace negotiations, the participants must agree to ask their respective governments to take part in the ongoing defense of Babylon 5. With the Drazi ambassador appointed spokesman of the league, a number of governments comply to make the treaty an effective policy of defense.
From the DNA sequence, Marcus learns that Arthur is actually David McIntyre, a man who was honorably discharged from Earthforce several years ago. He was a gunnery sergeant on the Prometheus, one of the first ships to encounter the Minbari, and took part in what was to become history when he was ordered to fire upon a passing Minbari vessel which had its gun ports open. The captain misinterpreted this Minbari sign of respect as a threat, and his unlawful attack killed Dukhat, the Minbari leader, thus starting the Earth-Minbari war. He was never able to put the incident behind him, living with recurring nightmares despite being absolved of all responsibilities by the review board.
Marcus and Franklin realize from the legend of King Arthur that if they took away his sword, or the symbol of his pain, he may regain his old identity. Using Delenn's (MIRA FURLAN) help, he eventually gives up his sword, and his past torment. In the end, G'Kar takes him to his people, promising that Arthur will be placed in a prominent position of authority in the resistance -- perhaps the start of a new round table.
