The previous statement is true.
Welcome to our corner of the universe."
Anonymous
Seefra Denizen
CY 10210
"The Past is Prolix" is episode 14 of Season 5.
Synopsis[]
Ocham Sembler comes out of hiding and returns to his bar that Seamus Harper had been tending. Harper's aboard the Andromeda Ascendant with Dylan Hunt, deciphering the Vedran blueprints which explain how the manufactured planet-system functions. All the planets, except Seefra-1 are designed to align themselves and explode, acting as a braking mechanism for the arrival of the Vedran sun; Trance Gemini's sun. With one artificial sun low on energy, the mechanics won't work. Doyle arrives and tells Harper about Sembler. Dylan orders him to fix the system problem first, then leaves to figure out how he'll evacuate people off 8! planets.
The Andromeda Ascendant Artificial Intelligence contacts him, reporting solar radiation moving into the outer edge of the system. Trance watches the monitor as her other embodiment moves into the system through a Route of Ages portal. She suddenly staggers and Dylan rushes her to the med deck where he discovers her core temperature's soaring.
Harper returns to the bar and Sembler tells him why he has returned Master Thux, the gangster he was hiding from, has discovered their ruse and is searching for him. Sembler wants to exchange the bar for his life. He ducks for cover when Thux walks in, accompanied by bodyguards and 2 humanoids on leashes. He threatens to kill Harper unless Sembler is handed over. Harper hides Sembler with Orlund in the Vedran Portal Chamber. Dylan contacts him with Trance’s status and needs the crystals to reduce her temperature. They turn to see Sembler disappear through a portal door with the whole supply of crystals.
Onboard the Eureka Maru, Beka Valentine, and Telemachus Rhade are on a water run and trying to dodge pirates who want their cargo. They shoot the pirates out of the sky, just in time to see the huge solar plume spewing through the portal. Dylan contacts them, telling them they need to collect some plasma from the plume and bring it to Andromeda for Trance. They’ve placed her in a cryo-device to keep her temperature down, but it won’t last long. Rhade balks at what he considers a suicide run, reminding Beka that she's the female progenitor and Matriarch of his race and he cannot allow her to endanger herself.
Dylan meets Orlund in the bar, intending to use him like a bloodhound as Orlund is very highly attuned to the crystals after prolonged exposure. He spots Thux examining the crystals but when they approach, Orlund gives away Dylan’s identity and the pair are captured and tossed into a cage with Sembler.
Beka laughs off Rhade’s reluctant efforts at chivalry and moves closer to the plume. He has prepared the probe for plasma collection but they must get dangerously close in order to pull it off. Time is critical, as Artificial Intelligence informs Trance her surface temperature will soon exceed the cryo-capsule's capabilities. The Maru closes in; its hull beginning to glow, and Rhade makes his decision. He powers down the ship, locking Beka out of the controls. She fumes until an idea comes to her. She gives him formal direction as her subject to do her bidding. He grudgingly complies and relinquishes the controls. They come within the probe’s range and launch just in time as sparks fly from the Maru’s console. The probe bears down on its mark as Beka struggles to stay close. The job's done, and they collect the probe, getting away from the searing flare.
Dylan wakes up, after being beaten, to find Orlund pacing. When he hears guards approaching, he feigns unconsciousness. The guards throw Sembler back into the cell but Dylan and Orlund jump them, knocking them out. Dylan checks Sembler’s pulse but there’s nothing he can do and they both escape, in search of the crystals.
Harper and Doyle are on the streets looking for Dylan and Orlund. They split up to cover more ground. Dylan leaves Orlund as a lookout and sneaks into Thux’s compound. Orlund spots Harper and Doyle but is torn about what to do when he sees Thux approach the tent Dylan entered. He hurls a rock at Thux and hits him in the face, prompting his guards to rush Orlund, cornering him. Thux is about to unleash his slaves but Dylan's voice stops him short. He has the crystals in one hand and his Force lance in the other, but he's outnumbered. He raises his hand in surrender, and sees Harper and Doyle out of the corner of his eye. Dylan tosses the crystals to Thux. His thugs fire, but hit each other, instead, as Harper and Doyle fire, killing the remaining guards. Thux lunges at Dylan but falls on his face, his humanoid slaves chase him down the alley.
Trance has become too hot for the capsule or even the ship, so they eject her into space. The Maru swoops in, launching the plasma filled drone. It impacts in a brilliant flare, rocking the ships with an enormous energy pulse. Once systems are back online, they recover Trance. Dylan greets her in the conference room, where they share their concerns for the future and her approaching sun.
Trivia[]
- The title is a clear connection to Shakespeare's "The Tempest" I ii, in which Antonio has the lines:
- We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again,
- And by that destiny to perform an act
- Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come
- In yours and my discharge.
- "What is past is prologue" is spoken in "13 Rue Madeleine".
- The title is used for the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "Past Prologue".
- The title is used for the "Star Trek: Discovery" episode "What's Past Is Prologue".
Quotes[]
Orlund: He needs me?
Doyle: Yes, even you.
Harper: Like I need a knife in the head. Come on, we've got to get those crystals.
Orlund: "Harper. Welcome to my corner of the planets. Tell me, how is Dylan? He is my captain, my hero, my mentor, my ideal. He is everything I aspire to be, Everything noble and brave. He embodies the spirit of adventure."
Production Information[]
| Production Number: | 514 |
| Aired: | February 4, 2005 |
| Writer By: | Larry Barber and Paul Barber |
| Directed By: | David Winning |
| Created By: | Gene Roddenberry |
| Developed By: | Robert Hewitt Wolfe |
| Executive Producers: | Majel Roddenberry Josanne B. Lovick Adam Haight Kevin Sorbo Bob Engels |
| Producer | Sherry Gorval |
| Production Designer | Brian Kane |
| Intro | The Universe is a dangerous place. But in our future my crew and I fight to make it safe. I am Dylan Hunt, Captain of the Andromeda Ascendant, and these are our adventures. |
Starring[]
Regular Cast[]
- Kevin Sorbo as Dylan Hunt
- Lisa Ryder as Beka Valentine
- Steve Bacic as Telemachus Rhade
- Gordon Michael Woolvett as Seamus Harper
- Laura Bertram as Trance Gemini
- Lexa Doig as Rommie
- Brandy Ledford as Doyle