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Encyclopedia > Lorien (Babylon 5)
Babylon 5 character
Image:B5_lorien.jpg
Lorien
Affiliated with
Race The First One
Home planet Z'Ha'Dum
First appearance The Hour of the Wolf
Last appearance Sleeping in Light
Portrayed by Wayne Alexander


Lorien, played by Wayne Alexander, is a fictional character from the television science fiction television series Babylon 5. He appears at the start of season four and again in the last episode of the show. Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Fair Use Screenshot from Babylon 5 DVDs. ... This article is about an episode of the TV series Babylon 5. ... Sleeping in Light is the final episode of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Wayne Alexander is an American actor who grew up in San Joaquin Valley in California. ... Wayne Alexander is an American actor who grew up in San Joaquin Valley in California. ... Babylon 5 is an epic American science fiction television series created, produced, and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. ...

Contents

Overview

Lorien is the first of the First Ones, an immortal of great wisdom and power, and quite possibly the first sentient being in the entire galaxy. It was his race that discovered and nurtured many of the other First Ones, including the Vorlons and the Shadows. The First Ones is the collective name of a group of aliens from the television science fiction drama Babylon 5. ... The Vorlons are a fictional alien race in the Babylon 5 universe. ... The Shadows are an ancient alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ...


In the millennia after most of the First Ones left the galaxy, Lorien came to reside on Z'ha'dum, and it is his continued presence there that draws the Shadows to return every time they are driven off. However, in late 2260, during the final Shadow War, Capt. John Sheridan of Babylon 5 comes to Z'ha'dum to parley with the Shadows. After this meeting ends poorly, with Sheridan exploding nuclear warheads within the Shadow capital city and leaping into a gorge, Sheridan ends up stuck between life and death in the depths of Z'ha'dum. During this dream state, Sheridan meets Lorien, and near the end of the ensuing discussion on life, death, and the universe, Lorien asks Sheridan a question: In the fictional Babylon 5 universe, Zhadum was the homeworld of the ancient, mysterious race known as the Shadows. ... The Shadow Wars refer to the great wars involving the Shadows in the television science fiction series Babylon 5. ... now. ... Babylon 5 is an epic American science fiction television series created, produced, and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. ...

   
Lorien (Babylon 5)
Do you have anything left worth living for?
   
Lorien (Babylon 5)

As Lorien lulls him to embrace death, this is the question Sheridan answers. Freed from the fear of death, Sheridan lets go, and Lorien in turn imbues Sheridan with a part of his own life force, returning Sheridan to life. Together they depart Z'ha'dum for Babylon 5, where Sheridan, presumed dead, arrives in time to prevent a rebellion among the alliance races. During the remnant of the Shadow War, Lorien becomes Sheridan's constant companion, serving as councilor, teacher, and ally. It is partly with Lorien's assistance that Sheridan is able to defeat the Vorlon ambassador Ulkesh after the Vorlon involvement in the Shadow War begins. Most critical, however, is Lorien's role in bringing about the end of the Shadow War in 2261, by providing a stage for Sheridan and Delenn to speak to both the Shadows and the Vorlons, and showing the alliance races the truth behind the war. In the end, beseeched by the Vorlons and the Shadows as if by children to their father, Lorien agrees to leave the galaxy with them and the remaining First Ones, ushering in a new era in the galaxy. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ... Vorlon ambassador Kosh in Babylon 5 Kosh is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Delenn, played by Mira Furlan, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ...


However, Lorien reappears a last time, in 2281, when Sheridan returns to Coriana 6 during the last hours of his life, as he was enjoined by Kosh to do. When he returns, he initiates contact with Sheridan asking four key questions: This article is about the Babylon 5 character. ...

  • Who are you? (The Vorlon Question)
  • What do you want? (The Shadow Question)
  • Why are you here? (Lorien's Question)
  • Where are you going? (The Final Question)

Lorien's questions are the questions mankind and the younger races are to introduce to break the stalemate between the Vorlons and the Shadows. Though Lorien does not need these to be answered, he asks them nonetheless, likely as a welcome to Sheridan. As Lorien enters the ship, he explains to Sheridan that they had not forgotten him. Lorien remains with Sheridan as he dies, and it is believed that he took Sheridan back with him beyond the Rim, joining the many First Ones there, though whether Sheridan does so corporeally or as an energy being like Lorien is an open question.


Appearance

Lorien's true form during Sheridan's dream state
Lorien's true form during Sheridan's dream state

Though Lorien's initial appearance seems to indicate that he has retained his corporeal form, there are several instances in which we see that he has evolved into another state. It is thus assumed that Lorien's true appearance form is that of a tentacled energy being, much like the true appearance of a Vorlon, though more evolved and larger in size. This energy form is seen on several occasions: first, during Sheridan's dream state on Z'ha'dum, then when Lorien departs the galaxy with the remaining First Ones at the end of the Shadow War, and finally, when he returns to Coriana 6 at the time of Sheridan's death. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (852x480, 26 KB) Summary Fair Use Screenshot from the Babylon 5 DVDs. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (852x480, 26 KB) Summary Fair Use Screenshot from the Babylon 5 DVDs. ... now. ...


Quote

   
Lorien (Babylon 5)
I waited a long time for someone to find me. Now, like the others, I find I hate to leave. But none of us can stay behind this time. That is why it was necessary to find all the remaining First Ones. This is yours now. And you have an obligation to do as we have done. To teach the races that follow you, and when the time comes as ours has, to step aside and allow them to grow into their own destiny. If your races survive — if you do not kill yourselves, I look forward to the day when your people join us beyond the rim. We will wait for you.
   
Lorien (Babylon 5)
 
— Lorien's final words to Sheridan and Delenn at the conclusion of the Shadow War

Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ...

Name

Lórien is also a name given to one of the Valar, god-like beings in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, whom J. Michael Straczynski is a fan of. Irmo is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens legendarium. ... J. R. R. Tolkien in 1916. ... J. Michael Straczynski Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is an award-winning American writer/producer of television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. ...

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  Results from FactBites:
 
Babylon 5 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (4948 words)
Babylon 5 is an epic American science fiction television series created, produced, and largely written by J.
Babylon 5 is the fifth Babylon space station, a modified version of an O'Neill Cylinder.
Babylon 5 is substantially smaller than the previous stations, due to budget constraints after the failure of the first four stations.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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