Sherridans fate - a discusion

[Talwyn]

I recall making a post along these lines sometime back but since then,I've just finished watching "The very long night of Londo Molari" and was interested in one of his dream sequences and also would like to revist these great unanswered questions.
The particular dream he had was of the one where he is conversing with Sherridan and we see Sherridan appear in a number stages of his life. At the end of their conversation, Sherridan who is in a white robe and has his face obscured by the hood, turns into a ball of light/energy and ascends.
Now then, we know that Lorien comes for Sherridan at the end of "Sleeping in Light" and Sherridans body is never found. We also know that the Vorlons, as first ones, had the ability to preserve very important people and Lorien could effectively stop time and make people exist between the moments.
What I'm interested in is this: was Sherridan "preserved" or perhaps converted into a higher being/form by Lorien like Jason Ironheart was from the psi corps experiments in "Mind Wars"? And if so, was this also the fate that occured to Sinclair as well in his incarnation as Valen? If both Sinclair & Sherridan have become higher beings, do they then go with the other first ones to journey beyond the rim?
Also, does that mean there is the chance that once humanity reached the point of evolution that is shown in "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars" [they become beings of light & move from the dying earth to the Vorlon homeworld] that Sherridan would return to visit humanity?
Or is it that he is allowed to die as we know it and his body is taken by Lorien so as to enhance the myth of his passing?

I'm keen to read others views & opinions on these questions so please chime in with your ideas and thoughts

[raw_bean]

I think in this kind of situation no answer imaginable is as interesting as the question simply left open.

[WorkerCaste]

I like to think that Sheridan, being part Vorlon and being connected to Lorien, did become a being of energy with a lot of help and moved beyond the rim with the others. Then again, I like to think jelly donuts are good for you since they're fruit and fibre.

[Darth_librarian]

I like to think that Sheridan, being part Vorlon and being connected to Lorien, did become a being of energy with a lot of help and moved beyond the rim with the others. Then again, I like to think jelly donuts are good for you since they're fruit and fibre.

I love the fact, that like all legends and stories, it was open to intepretation

[Morden]

I love the fact, that like all legends and stories, it was open to intepretation

Same goes for me.

[grumbler]

It was always my assumption that "going beyond the rim" was death, just as "going to the sea" (in the Minbari phrasing) was death - and "sailing into the West" was in LOTR.

Like the issue of life after death, the issue of "life after BTR" is unknowable. Pretty much any speculation which doesn't challange the canon is as likely as any other.

[Capt.Montoya]

It was always my assumption that "going beyond the rim" was death, just as "going to the sea" (in the Minbari phrasing) was death - and "sailing into the West" was in LOTR.

Like the issue of life after death, the issue of "life after BTR" is unknowable. Pretty much any speculation which doesn't challange the canon is as likely as any other.

I do think there is a literal meaning to going beyond the rim: getting the hell out of the (our) galaxy.

Otherwise you may be implying that Sheridan and Lorien convinced all the remaining First Ones to commit mass suicide.

Of course maybe the only way to go beyond the rim is hitching a ride in a comet, through a Heaven's Gate method... then it might all be the same.



[ RANT]

Can't people read anymore?

It's Sheridan (one single r, not 2!!).

Is it really that hard to learn the correct spelling for characters you supposedly care about? Really, it's in the credits of tens of B5 episodes, as well as in many webpages and other documents.

Same goes for those writing Garabaldi, etc...

[ /RANT ]

[raw_bean]

It was always my assumption that "going beyond the rim" was death, just as ... "sailing into the West" was in LOTR...

...except that it wasn't, not exactly, and to differing extents for different beings!

It's not an ideal example either, because as opposed to no-one knowing what happens after death or BTR, there's much canon record of what goes on in the West, and the fates of various characters who sail away there in LOTR have been covered. Sorry to be nit-picky.

EDIT: That's a highly ironic and amusing rant, Montoya, from a man with a spelling mistake in his signature!

[Talwyn]

IMO, going "beyond the rim" into the space between galaxies is just that, although it's a great metaphor for death as well. We know that all the remaining first ones left with Lorien and I seriously do not think that they were all agreeing to die or give up their existance. Sheridan commented to Lochley that beyond rim lies the "the truth" - and that is about as Vorlonesque as you can get! Cryptic to say the least but at the same time an answer.

I just rewatched "Sleeping in Light" and listened carefully to the dialogue between Sheridan & Lorien. Sheridan asks if he can return to which Lorien replies no, this journey is over and a new one will begin. This leads me to believe that he has become a higher being, a being of light because of his wisdom and achievements or becoming a first one, after a fashion. So even though the Minbari believe he may return but I do not think that would occur.

Finally to Montoya - I do not know where your anger comes from and I am not responsible for the anger your feel. To get worked up over a simple spelling mistake is trivial to say the least. To launch a rant over something so small where instead a kind word & a gentle reminder of correct spelling of Sheridans name would have been better.

I can correct my spelling but can you correct your attitude?

[luvB5]

I think SIL was a "Once and Future King" kind of ending. Traditional and quite "in canon" with almost every hero/savior/fisher king/grail quest mythology. The uncetainty of it resonated for me.

[moreorless]

Also, does that mean there is the chance that once humanity reached the point of evolution that is shown in "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars" [they become beings of light & move from the dying earth to the Vorlon homeworld] that Sherridan would return to visit humanity?

Well Lorien's final message was that whatever races do reach "first one" level should know when to leave so I'd guess the future humans joining Sheridan is much more likey than him visiting them if he did indeed become a first one.

Personally I found that whole concept one of the most interesting within B5 aswell as the main area where there was similarity with LOTR rather than merely refference.

[Capt.Montoya]

spelling matters

Finally to Montoya - I do not know where your anger comes from and I am not responsible for the anger your feel.

No anger at all sir.
It was more of a good-natured rant than a "full-on" rant from my part, and sorry if it came across too harsh for you.

(And sorry for taking too long to answer, I should remember to postpone replies to times when I won't be travelling and unable to check back.)


(To Raw_Bean: thanks for pointing out the mistake on my current signature, I had really not noticed it! At least that served to comply with that dictum that any post that points out spelling msitakes will contain one (and the corollary that someone will point it out!) )

[raw_bean]

...except mine, fo course.

(Yes, that was deliberate)

[irish1964]

I thought that the "First Ones" found the Vorlons and the Shadows as children, and that they hung around until Sheridan brought the Shadows and the Vorlons together in the Shadow wars. Lorien gathered all of the "First Ones" in that battle and then instructed them as well as the Vorlons and Shadows to go beyond the rim and that Lorien would go with them. I also thought that "beyond the rim" meant way past known and explored space.

[Jan]

Welcom, irish1964!

The Shadows and Vorlons were both First Ones. Remember how Delenn told Sheridan that all of the First Ones had left after the last Shadow War...or so she thought.

Beyond the Rim in the B5 universe meant the 'rim' of known, explored space. Over time, though, it became a metaphor for 'the great beyond' or even death sort of like the Minbari 'going to the sea'.

Jan