This article or section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style and may need cleanup. Please help rewrite this article according to the guidelines on writing about fiction, or discuss the issue on the talk page.

Babylon 5 character
Morden
Affiliated with	Shadows
Race	Human
Home planet
First appearance	Signs and Portents
Last appearance	Day of the Dead
Portrayed by	Ed Wasser

Morden, played by Ed Wasser, is a fictional character on the television science fiction drama Babylon 5. He is a recurring character and antagonist in the show. Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Fair Use Screenshot from the Babylon 5 DVDs This work is copyrighted. ... The Shadows are an ancient alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Signs and Portents is an episode from the first season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Day of the Dead is an episode from the fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Categories: Stub | 1964 births ... Categories: Stub | 1964 births ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Babylon 5 is an epic American science fiction television series created, produced, and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. ...

Character

Morden acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the Shadows, whom he refers to as his "associates". Although outwardly polite and gracious, he represents a dangerous hidden agenda. Any conversation is overheard by two cloaked Shadows, who acompany him at all times. Indoctrinated by the Shadows after his capture during an expedition to Z'ha'dum, he has willingly accepted their philosophy of chaos and evolutionary growth through conflict. When pushed, Morden drops any pretence of friendliness, openly threatening anyone who presents any difficulty to himself or his associates. The Shadows are an ancient alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... A Klingon Bird of Prey from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country fires while using a cloaking device In several science fiction universes, a cloaking device is an advanced stealth system which causes a spaceship or individual to be invisible and extremely difficult to detect with normal sensors. ... Indoctrination is instruction in the fundamentals of a system of belief (such as a philosophy, religion or science). ... Zhadum is the final episode of the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ...

History

The Icarus

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 was placed inside a Shadow vessel, making it unclear if she actually chose to serve, Morden seems to have signed on with the Shadows willingly, 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 or not the Shadows made good on their promise to save Morden's family. In the fictional Babylon 5 universe, Zhadum was the homeworld of the ancient, mysterious race known as the Shadows. ... John David Sheridan1 (2215–2281), played by Bruce Boxleitner, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Anna Sheridan is the second wife of John Sheridan on the television show Babylon 5. ... The Shadows are an ancient alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ...

After his return to Babylon 5 Morden was always accompanied by two Shadows which were prepared to kill anyone who threatened him. They were normally cloaked in invisibility; however, their high-pitched voices (which Morden could understand) could sometimes be heard by other races, and their images could sometimes be captured fleetingly by security cameras sensitive to infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths. They were eventually killed by two Centauri guards who obeyed Londo Mollari's command to shoot at what appeared to be thin air on either side of Morden. An example of how an object could appear to be invisible through the use of mirrors Invisibility is the state of an object which cannot be seen. ... Image of two girls in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. ... UV redirects here. ... Londo Mollari, played by Peter Jurasik, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ...

Babylon 5

In his first appearance as Morden (Ed Wasser made his first appearance on Babylon 5 as Guerra, a member of the Babylon 5 bridge crew during the pilot episode Babylon 5: The Gathering), during the episode Signs and Portents, Morden visits Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn, Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari, and Ambassador Londo Mollari of the Centauri, asking each of them the Shadow Question: Spoiler warning: Babylon 5: The Gathering was the pilot movie of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Signs and Portents is an episode from the first season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... This article or section may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Andreas Katsulas as GKar in Babylon 5 The Narns are a race of humanoid aliens in the television series Babylon 5. ... Delenn, played by Mira Furlan, is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari in Babylon 5 The Centauri are a humanoid species in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. ...

G'Kar answers that he would like revenge upon the Centauri, but his lack of vision beyond that goal isn't the answer Morden is looking for. (It can be said that through the eventual Shadow alliance with the Centauri and the oppression of the Centauri by the servants of the Shadows that in fact G'Kar's wish was granted) From Delenn, he receives no answer, as she detects the darkness about him and tells him to leave her quarters. This article or section may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Delenn, played by Mira Furlan, is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. ...

Morden was also seeking out the Humans through Commander Sinclair. Apparently he was deterred from doing so by Ambassador Kosh, who told him (or more likely his "associates") that "they are not for you". However that did not stop Morden and his "associates" from seeking alliances from other humans, such as Morgan Clark, as well as other high ranking Earth Alliance personnel. Morden may also have had a hand in the assassination of President Santiago, which allowed Clark to become President of the Earth Alliance. In the Science Fiction series Babylon 5, William Morgan Clark was the president of the Earth Alliance. ...

However, Londo gives an answer Morden and his "associates" like: to restore the glory and power of the great Centauri Republic. Shortly afterward, the Shadows attack the ship of raiders who had stolen the Centauri Eye, a priceless imperial artifact, from Londo. When next we see Morden, he returns the Eye to a stunned Londo, and offers the assistance of his associates: if he should ever need anything done, all he has to do is ask.

The Narn-Centauri Conflict

Initially, Londo resists the idea of consulting with Morden. However, in a situation with a Narn outpost late in 2258, Londo recognizes an opportunity to strike at the Narns using the Shadows' help, while increasing his prestige and revenging an earlier action by the Narns. He turns to Morden for assistance, and three Shadow ships descend upon a Narn outpost, utterly devastating it.

From this point on, Londo becomes trapped by his association with Morden and his newfound prestige with the Centauri government, and Morden becomes less friendly and more manipulative, especially after he is confronted by Londo's aide, Vir Cotto. When Morden asks Vir, somewhat mockingly, "What do you want?", he receives this answer: Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. ...

However, the Shadows continue to provide Londo assistance. This assistance culminates in their protection of Centauri supply lines during an assault by the Narn, enabling the Centauri to directly attack the Narn homeworld in a devastating assault using mass drivers, leading to the surrender of the Narn soon thereafter. A mass driver for lunar launch (artists conception) A mass driver or electromagnetic catapult is a method of spacecraft propulsion that would use a linear motor to accelerate payloads up to high speeds. ...

The Shadow War

After this action, Londo attempts to free himself and the Centauri from association with the Shadows, even at one point carving up the galaxy with Morden in an effort to be rid of him. However, Morden simply moves on to assisting Londo's associate Lord Refa, until a concerned Londo slips Refa one agent of a binary poison in an effort to stop him from dealing with Morden. Morden, at this stage, becomes openly hostile and aggressive in his dealings with Londo, and eventually resorts to poisoning Londo's love, Adira, convincing Londo it was Refa's doing. As thanks for this information, Londo again agrees to work with Morden. William Forward as Lord Refa in Babylon 5 Lord Refa, played by William Forward, is a fictional character from the television science fiction drama Babylon 5. ...

After Capt. Sheridan's trip to Z'ha'dum, during which Anna and Morden fruitlessly try to convince Sheridan to join the Shadows, the Shadows are thrown into disarray. Londo is recalled home to Centauri Prime, ostensibly to serve as a security minister, where he meets a disfigured Morden (he was near Sheridan's nuke blasts, first aid given by Technomage Galen and life saved by Lorien). At this meeting, Morden informs Londo that Emperor Cartagia has granted the Shadows an island to serve as a hiding place, and as security minister, Londo would be Morden's liaison with the Centauri. However, with the Vorlons now rampaging through the galaxy, destroying anything with the taint of the Shadows, Londo is faced with removing the Shadows from Centauri Prime and killing Cartagia, or watching his homeworld destroyed. John David Sheridan1 (2215–2281), played by Bruce Boxleitner, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... For other uses, see Centauri (disambiguation). ... Emperor Cartagia (Wortham Krimmer, right) and Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) in Babylon 5 Emperor Cartagia, played by Wortham Krimmer, is a fictional character from the television science fiction drama Babylon 5. ... The Vorlons are an advanced ancient race from the science fiction series Babylon 5. ...

Londo chooses the former, and, after Cartagia is eliminated, Londo, now temporarily the Prime Minister and head of the Centauri, is informed that Morden was actually behind the death of Adira. Enraged, Londo finally decides to confront Morden. After driving away his Shadow protectors, Londo explains to Morden the situation with the Vorlons, and proceeds to destroy the island the Shadows were given and where much of their fleet is parked as a horrified Morden looks on. Finally, Londo finishes with Morden, being sure to give Vir his wish.

Current status

Morden was killed and beheaded by Londo in 2261, during the efforts to expunge the Shadow influence from Centauri Prime. His head was placed upon a pike on the Centauri royal grounds, a gift from Londo to his aide, Vir Cotto, who mocks him as he threatened to do. It is interesting to note that of all the characters who answered the Shadow Question, Vir is the only one whose wish was granted. The execution of Morden is also the culmination of the second part of the prophecy concerning Londo's ascension to Emperor, where he would "Kill he who is already dead".

He did, however, make a final appearance during the Brakiri holy day, the Day of the Dead, in 2262, in which the living are able to consult with apparitions of the dead. During this night, Morden appeared to Delenn's aide and friend, Lennier. Lennier, recognizing Morden, is unwilling to accept counsel from him, unable to see Morden as anything more than the Shadows' emissary. Lennier proceeds to enter meditation, wasting his opportunity to learn from the experience. Morden, however, isn't finished, and he delivers one of the most important messages of the night: he leaves Lennier with a warning that he will betray the Rangers. The Brakiri are a race in the fictional Babylon 5 universe. ... Lennier, played by Bill Mumy, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. ... Marcus Cole, a Ranger, portrayed by Jason Carter in Babylon 5 A Ranger (Minbari: AnlaShok) is a fictional class of warrior that plays a prominent part of the science fiction television series, Babylon 5. ...