Intersections in Real Time

This for me is one of those stand out pieces of screenwriting, where many of the contradictions of human society are confronted and laid bare. Many scifi fans won't like this episode because essentially nothing at all happens, and yet it is an episode which cuts to the heart of things. The central issue, what constitutes reality and truth? Is it what you experience and personally know to be true, or is it what someone else, with power will allow.

Then again who really does have the power? Maybe the man who you THINK has power, is actually himself only another cog in the great machine. Maybe, despite appearances, the power really rests with you, as long as you can hold on to your reason, but then again how long can you hold onto that truth when you are tired, hungry and in pain?

I AM - two words which no ancient Jew could be permitted, because I AM was the name of God, who alone had the right to define reality. In our time we hold no such qualms, but still there remains a question which must be confronted. What is the truth? What is reality? and who has the final right to define it.

It is a question at the heart of many a conflict, and confronted by many a disident to some totalitarian regime. In this case Sheridan finds himself, by simple capture, instantly translated from war hero, to inconvenient disident who must now be silenced or somehow forced to recant his truth. Much verbal jousting will follow, with a tightly written, and surprisingly witty dialogue, for such a dark subject as torture.

I believe that this was one of the best interrogation episodes in TV history. People who watch this might remember famous Star Trek TNG episode "Chain of Command" which also gives a great deal of stuff to think about. Even though it might be boring for some, giving a whole episode to torture helps you sync yourself with Sheridan psychologically. As you move forward, you put yourself in his shoes and accompany Sheridan throughout the episode. Seeing someone dealing with that kind of psychological attack for 40 minutes also makes you think about your limits as well. It's not easy to create that level of empathy for a show, that's why it was one of my favourites.

This is an amazing and tough to watch episode, though unlike most of the best episodes it isn't action-packed and doesn't exactly have a big impact on the overall themes of season three or four. Instead, the entire episode is set in an unknown prison where Sheridan is being held and tortured in order to break him and get him to sign a confession based on trumped up charges. While at times, this episode was a tad tough to watch, most of the torture was more mental and intended to break his resolve, so it isn't THAT hard to watch. So why did I like the show--after all, I am NOT a sadist (seriously, I'm not--no matter what my students say about me). Well, it's because this episode is a GREAT look at human nature and the face of evil. The inquisitor isn't what you might expect from an amoral torturer--instead he looks like an average person who probably has a wife and kids and possibly even a dog. BUT, this is where the brilliance of the show comes through--so rarely does evil appear bad on the surface, but evil is assisted when supposedly good men and women comply because it's the expedient or safe thing to do. A terrific look at the face of evil and a great chance for Sheridan to stand out in what is almost a two man performance.

Love the one to one genres. Deep dark and brilliant

He survived Z'ha'Dum and his own 'death'. He has a destiny to sustain him and no amount of torture will ever break him!