Stephen Franklin quotes from Babylon 5

Stephen Franklin

May God save us from false religion.

Stephen Franklin

You know, what the folks back home don't understand--the ones who've never left Earth--is just how dangerous space can be. Aside from incidents like this, just the everyday reality of living your days and nights in a big tin can surrounded by a vacuum. I remember my first time on a transport on the Moon-Mars run. I was just a kid, maybe 17. A buddy of mine was messing around and zipping through the halls. And he hid in one of the airlocks. I don't know, I guess he was going to try to scare us or something. I don't know. But just as I got close, he must have hit the wrong button, because the air doors slammed shut, the space doors, opened, and he just flew out into space. And the one thing they never tell you is that you don't die instantly in vacuum. He just hung there, against the black, like a puppet with his strings all tangled up--or like one of those old cartoons where you run off the edge of a cliff and your legs keep going. You could see that he was trying to breathe, but there was nothing! And one thing I remember when they pulled in his body--his eyes were frozen. [long pause] A lot of people make jokes about spacing somebody, about shoving somebody out an airlock. I don't think it's funny. Never will.

Stephen Franklin

And then, just at the last, it's as if they look past you at something else, and the look on their face, it's like nothing you can describe. And then, just as they look past you--the moment that they look past you--you can't help but meet their gaze and just for an instant, you see God reflected in their eyes. [pauses] I've seen a lot of reflected gods today, Susan. And I'm wondering how we can keep believing in them, when they've stopped believing in us.

Stephen Franklin

Something here doesn't add up, and unlike Mr. Garibaldi, I don't like mysteries.

Stephen Franklin

It's all so brief, isn't it? Typical human lifespan is almost a hundred years, but it's barely a second compared to what's out there. It wouldn't be so bad if life didn't take so long to figure out. Seems you just start to get it right and then...it's over.

Ivanova

Doesn't matter. If we lived 200 years we'd still be human, we'd still make the same mistakes.

Franklin

You're a pessimist.

Ivanova

I'm Russian, doctor. We understand these things.

Franklin

So, I hear you saw something.

Jeffrey Sinclair

Yes...something.

Franklin

Well, uh, you think you can be a little more specific?

Sinclair

I'm not sure. I don't know if I'll ever be sure.

Franklin

Well, I still don't believe it. And I'd be careful if I were you, Commander. That sort of talk will get you sent off on a very long vacation.

Stephen, there's a Martian war machine parked outside. They'd like a word with you about the common cold.

Stephen Franklin

Tell them to make an appointment.

Jeffrey Sinclair

Who asked you to play God?

Franklin

Every damn patient who comes through that door, that's who. People come to doctors because they want us to be gods. They want us to make it better...or make it not so. They want to be healed and they come to me when their prayers aren't enough. Well, if I have to take the responsibility, then I claim the authority too. I did good. And we both know it. And no one is going to take that away.

Franklin

I'm waiting. For an apology.

Sinclair

You'd better check the temperature in Hell first.

Stephen Franklin

[not paying attention] You can start by removing your clothes.

Susan Ivanova

Not without dinner and flowers.

Ivanova

Well then, I'll say a prayer for him tonight.

Stephen Franklin

He's agnostic.

Ivanova

Then I'll say half a prayer.

Stephen Franklin

I can give you something for the pain...

Susan Ivanova

Oh, great. Now you can give me something for the pain.

Franklin

What?

Ivanova

Where were you when I was going through puberty?

Ivanova

No, it's okay; I'll get used to it. If it gets too bad, I'll just...gnaw it off at the ankle.

Susan Ivanova

Figures. All my life, I've fought against imperialism. Now, suddenly, I am the expanding Russian frontier.

Stephen Franklin

But with very nice borders.

Michael Garibaldi

Trust me, Doc, you are gonna love this!

Franklin

I can feel my arteries hardening just being in the same room with it!

Stephen Franklin

Are you okay? Londo, do you know where you are?

Londo

[looks around and sees his wives] Either in Medlab, or in Hell. Either way, the decor needs work.

Daggair

Oh, Doctor Franklin! Thank you for saving our husband! You've done the Centauri a great service!

Mariel

I agree. It's so good to see you with us again, Londo!

Londo

Well, that settles it, Doctor! I am in hell! And what, not a word from you, Timov? Not an insincere word of relief? Not a blink of false concern for my well-being?

Timov

No. If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my quarters. I'm suddenly feeling...quite fatigued. [She leaves.]

Mariel

Yes, I think I will do the same. [She leaves, followed by Daggair.]

Londo

Augh. Nightmares, all of them! And Timov, the worst of the lot!

Franklin

Ambassador Mollari, do you mind if I make one personal observation?

Londo

No, not at all.

Franklin

Stick it. [He walks off.]

Londo

[to himself] How odd. And I didn't even know we were married.