On the ISN network, reporter Cynthia Torqueman (Kim Zimmer) reports on 36 hours of Babylon Five. It begins with a battle between Narn and Centauri transport ships. The Centauri ship is destroyed by the Narns. Emergency teams struggle to save the wounded Centauri. Torqueman tries to interview Doctor Franklin (Richard Biggs) and Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner), but they are too busy for her. On the other hand, Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) is happy to blame the Narns, and Narn Ambassador G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) is happy to blame the Centauri. Later interviews include Sheridan, Franklin, and Eduardo Delvientos (Jose Rey) the foreman of the dockworkers. G’Kar states that the Centauri ship was carrying weapons of mass destruction, and if they continue to do this through Babylon Five, the Narns will shut down the station.
Torqueman asks Senator Quantrell (Christopher Curry) if Babylon Five is worth the money and he says it was necessary during the Earth-Minbari War. Earth is now much more powerful. Sheridan says the Earth Alliance could not defeat the Minbari, the Centauri Republic, or the Vorlon Empire even now. Commander Ivanova (Claudia Christian) says that teams are trying to verify G’Kar’s claims. An interview with Chief Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) is interrupted by a report from Ivanova that a problem has been found. Torqueman is unable to interview Kosh altogether.
An interview with Delenn begins with innocuous questions about Minbar, but veers into personal matters, like her new appearance and how the relatives of those killed in the war might feel about a blend of human and Minbari genetics. Almost in tears, Delenn is saved by a call to an Advisory Council meeting. It turns out the Centauri ship was indeed carrying fusion bombs, ion cannons, and mass drivers. G’Kar wants all of the Centauri ships searched and their weapons impounded. Mollari is interrupted by the Narn ships and the Centauri ships firing upon each other.
Station dwellers are sent to the shelters. Outside, both Narn and Centauri ships attack the Earth ships. Sheridan has the station weapons attempt to disable the Narn and Centauri ships, which they are able to do handily. The Narns and Centauri surrender to Earth. But a Centauri cruiser arrives and threatens to blockade Babylon Five. This report is followed by a cheerful public service message from the Psi Corps.
Debates take place in the Council chambers while the Centauri cruiser looms outside. Senator Quandrell wonders on camera if the presence of Babylon Five is now drawing Earth into alien conflicts. Earthgov refuses the Centauri demands. Sheridan sends an auto-piloted transport, tempting the Centauri while threatening retaliation. The transport passes unharmed and the Centauri want to talk. Then a Narn heavy cruiser arrives through the gate and engages the Centauri. The Centauri cruiser is destroyed and the Narn ship is too badly damaged to jump to safety. Concluding the segment, Torqueman says that Babylon Five is dangerous and will continue to be a source of controversy, but with time might fulfill the dreams of its founders. Is B-5 worth it? G’Kar and the Senator are not sure. Sheridan appeals for a better future.
If one pauses during the Psi Corps message, one can read a subliminal message: “The Psi Corps is your Friend. Trust the Psi Corps.” The message was just long enough not to qualify as subliminal on American TV, but it qualified as subliminal in France and was cut out. This was a favorite episode of Mira Furlan. She left Yugoslavia because of harassment after she refused to take sides during the Yugoslav War. Her performance was heart-rending as she is browbeaten by the reporter. The Minbari have three languages: Lenn-ah, Fik, and Adrenato. What was particularly telling was her assertion that only the humans would build a station for all species to use.