John Sheridan (Babylon 5)

John David Sheridan1(?? - 2281), played by Bruce Boxleitner, is a fictional character in the universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

The Aftermath of Z'ha'dum

In the weeks following Sheridan's visit to Z'ha'dum, the war paused. There was no major Shadow attacks during this time. The alliance made by Sheridan had started to fall apart. Many governments felt that if they did nothing the Shadows would leave them alone. Delenn realized that this was wrong, that the Shadows would attack anyway. During this time, Delenn was shown one of Sheridan's recordings, in which he said if someone fell they might as well try to fly. With that, she began to organize a large Anla'Shok attack on Z'ha'dum.

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Meanwhile, Sheridan had died on Z'ha'dum. But somehow, Sheridan had become trapped on Z'ha'dum in between life and death. He met Lorien, who was the very first intelligent being in the galaxy. Lorien tried to talk him into letting go, that no matter how important the cause, that death could ultimately not be denied. Sheridan learned to let go of the world of the living, but he could not let go of Delenn. Lorien agreed to try to help him. Lorien did not know if he would be successful or not, but Sheridan knew he had to leave the state he was in. Lorien was able to help bring him back from the dead.

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An alien ship was approaching Babylon 5. When the ship began using the station's codes to begin the docking sequence, Commander Ivanova thought they were being invaded. Garibaldi, who had returned to the station shortly before, insisted on going to the docking bay to see who was boarding the station. When the car used to transport Sheridan and Lorien opened, Garibaldi said, "Well I'll be dammed."

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Some of the alien ambassadors had arranged a protest on the Zocalo against Delenn's attack. She tried to convince them of the folly of doing nothing. When some bystanders tried to attack Delenn, her aide Lennier responded, and the situation began to degenerate into a large fight. But Sheridan entered the Zocalo. Everyone stopped fighting as Sheridan made his way to a ramp to address the crowd. When an Ambassador said that they all thought he was dead, Sheridan replied by saying, "I was. I'm better now."

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Sheridan told the assembly that the Shadows were not Gods, nor were they indestructible. He had fought them, and many Shadows had died at his hands. He told the crowd that Delenn was on the right track. Sheridan asked the assembled Ambassadors to help build the largest fleet ever assembled. He told them that if their governments balked, Sheridan said for them to tell their governments that as the only man to have returned from Z'ha'dum that the Shadows could be defeated, and that the Shadow threat could be ended "not just for now, not just for the next thousand years, but forever". And the hostile mob was forged into a cheering crowd ready to follow Sheridan.

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Later, he briefed his staff on some of his experiences on Z'ha'dum. Sheridan revealed the truth of the Shadow War. At first, two races of First Ones, the Shadows, and the Vorlons agreed to remain when most of the other First Ones left. The two races would guide the developing younger races. For a while, the two races abided by rules that had been set down. But eventually, the two races began to have their differences. The Vorlons believed that strength and evolution only came from order. The Shadows believed that the only way for races to evolve and become stronger was through conflict. Over time, the two races became diametrically opposed to each other. Eventually, hostility broke out between the two races and their respective allies.

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With Delenn, he led an alliance of races against the Shadows, ultimately leading to the departure of the First Ones from the galaxy in early 2261.

Related Topics:
Delenn - Shadows - First Ones

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