Title
Writer J. Michael Straczynski explains that the title refers to the separation of the Babylon 5 space station, referred to as "a dream given form" in the season 1 opening title narratives, from the Earth Alliance. He writes, "If Babylon 5 was a dream given form, and the Earth Alliance had the potential to be something more than it has become, and the two part ways, then you have severed dreams."The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5: Guide Page: "Severed Dream", ''jms speaks''. http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/054.html#JS Accessed 2020-11-29Plot
After President Clark declares martial law, General Hague's fleet of ships are attacked by Earth Alliance forces. Only Hague's flagship, the ''Alexander'', survives, and travels to ''Babylon 5'' for repairs. Delenn brings Dr. Franklin to attend to a Minbari Ranger, injured while returning to the station with key information. The Minbari reports that the Shadows have engaged the Non-Aligned Worlds in civil and interplanetary wars, creating chaos. Delenn decides to see the Grey Council, angered by their ambivalent response to the situation. When the ''Alexander'' arrives, Sheridan learns that General Hague was killed in an attack. His second-in-command, Major Ryan, has attempted to continue Hague's resistance. President Clark orders the bombing of the Mars colony, which is resisting the martial law order. Hundreds of civilians are killed. The news network ISN, which has avoided broadcasting material critical of Clark, reports that the Proxima III and Orion VII colonies have seceded from the Earth Alliance. The television station is raided by Earth Alliance forces, terminating their broadcast. Another ship arrives, the ''Churchill'', under Captain Sandra Hiroshi. She warns that the Earth Alliance is aware of the ''Alexander''s presence and ships are en route to seize control of the station. Sheridan enlists G'Kar's Narn to augment his security forces under Garibaldi. Sheridan then announces ''Babylon 5''s secession from the Earth Alliance. Delenn reaches the Grey Council. When they refuse to speak with her, she barges into their chamber and addresses them, warning that all of their prophecies have come to pass. She declares the Council broken and departs, supported by the worker and religious caste council members. The Alliance ships ''Agrippa'' and ''Roanoke'' arrive, demanding the station's surrender. A firefight breaks out. Garibaldi, his security forces, and the Narn stop a boarding party, incurring many Narn losses. The ''Churchill'' is critically damaged and Hiroshi uses the last of its power to ram the ''Roanoke'', destroying both vessels. The combined forces of the station and ''Alexander'' destroy the ''Agrippa''. As they assess the damage, more Earth Alliance ships arrive demanding ''Babylon 5''s surrender. Suddenly additional jump points open and Minbari warships arrive. Delenn warns the Earth Alliance ships that ''Babylon 5'' is under Minbari protection. The Earth Alliance ships withdraw. As the station and ''Alexander'' complete repairs, Ryan states he will depart, hoping to split the Alliance's attention. Ivanova leads Sheridan to the Zocalo, where the residents applaud Sheridan's decision to have ''Babylon 5'' take a stand against Clark.Production
Writer J. Michael Straczynski regards this episode as the final part in a 3-episode arc, following '' Messages from Earth'' and ''Awards
''Severed Dreams'' was awarded the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, beating a number of major science fiction releases, including '' Star Trek: First Contact'', ''References
External links
{{Authority control Babylon 5 episodes Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation winning works 1996 American television episodes Holography in television