That's not what was referred to. You spoiled season 2 big time with the second sentence of the post in question.
1x09 - Deathwalker Another very good one. The main plot and trial scene in particular deftly made use of all the major players (except the absent Delen) with an intriguing story. It really feels by now like the character dynamics have come together and the occasional clunkiness of the first few episodes has cleared up. What I most liked about the episode is how it demonstrated so much about each individual race in the differing ways that they each in turn reacted to the situation. And, in answering a major wish I've had since the start, the Vorlons play a key role. After all the talk by the other races, it's the Vorlons who simply act, with no regard at all for the others and their various attempted machinations and plots and concerns and wishes and ideas of justice. For them, it's simple. "You are not ready for immortality"; *turns and exits.* Totally badass. In fact, this was probably my favorite moment so far. Rating: **** - the Winters/telepath stuff remains a little weird to me; I was never a fan of these concepts and the execution of psychic scenes even on Star Trek. - is it just me or is Kosh's voice a little hard to understand at times? Also, if there's any pairing I would've been least likely to imagine, it's him and Mr Brain-Under-Hat. - Saavik as Deathwalker! "MWAHAHAHA!"
There are a lot of plot threads that run though this episode which are picked up later on. Also, there are a few cultural observations which inform later character choices. Yeah, the Vorlons really don't seem to give a crap what anyone thinks, do they? They became one of my favorites with this episode. Saavik played the ambassador Kalika. Deathwalker was played by Ursa of Superman fame, Sarah Douglas. Telepath stuff is something that does get annoying when shows go overboard trying to show it in action through some visual metaphor. That doesn't really happen too much in B5, fortunately. I really liked how B5 dealt with telepaths much more than other shows. Especially, with how they are kept at such arms length. I can't see folks being so blase having people around who can walk into your head at will like Trek folks were around the Beta Zeds. B5 struck me as showing a much more believable human reaction to such folks.
Holy shit, I didn't know that. They both looked really familiar but I couldn't place their faces and I was too lazy to research.
1x10 - Believers Somewhat heavy-handed, but an interesting ethical dilemma presented from both sides, with a legitimately shocking ending. I liked that the episode didn't clearly take sides, more asking you to consider your own belief systems and choose for yourself accordingly. It also did more to flesh out Dr Franklin, though he still can't shed those shades of arrogance; particularly his poor timing in smugly asking Sinclair for an apology. The ending was definitely a gut-punch; though it felt inevitable, very much in line with the behavior and convictions expressed by the parents throughout. Their religion and beliefs aren't just words to them: they're every bit as real and steadfast to them as Franklin's trust in science and his own ideas about morality. Rating: *** - I liked the scene involving the parents asking help from each ambassador in turn; I liked even more that each race had very different reasons for refusing to assist. "I beg you, Kosh! How would you feel if it were your child, or even you yourself?" "THE AVALANCHE HAS ALREADY STARTED! IT IS TOO LATE FOR THE PEBBLES TO VOTE!" "I knew this was a waste of time..."
Regarding Franklin's arrogance... I've noticed that with a lot of doctor portrayals on tv and movies. To be honest, based on experiences I've had with doctors for myself and family members, it comes with the job. So for my money, every time I see that on a show, it gives it a sense of realism. I know you have to be smart to be a doctor, and a sense of arrogance can come with a lot of intelligence, particularly if you're a great doctor. Look at Bashir. He eventually softened, but he started as REALLY arrogant. And The Doctor... Voyager's EMH has to be the very embodiment of arrogance. (I love characters tremendously, but I do recognize some of their flaws.)
Bashir had a reasonably good bedside manner though, and the EMH was never intended to be a 'real' doctor. Franklin was nice enough to the kid but a real jerk to his parents. I don't know whether a better solution was possible, but I don't think Franklin particularly did much to help the situation versus exacerbating it.
In reality, I expect there would be protocols in place on B5 for handling such a situation, just as there are nowadays. For Franklin to break the rules might well result in his dismissal and the removal of his licence to practise medicine.
I expect there are, certainly the Vorlons were ready to haul in Sinclair over the operation on Kosh. Unfortunately, these aliens are low on the diplomatic importance list so the complaints are probably kicked back from whoever Sinclair reported the incident in the diplomatic logs. Earth Senate really has a low batting average when it comes to respecting alien customs.
It never made much sense for doctors such as Franklin, Chambers, McCoy, Crusher, Pulaski, Bashir... to be treating all alien races on B5, Crusade, and Star Trek. Veterinary surgeons on present-day Earth specialise and they're usually treating vertebrates that stem from the same tree of life.
Cost implications, as you say. Though TOS, remarkably, did better than most of the others by at least referencing Dr. M'benga as the Enterprise's expert on Vulcan medicine in later episodes. Shame he wasn't aboard for Sarek's heart surgery in Journey to Babel... probably that's the point at which McCoy admitted his limited understanding might be an issue and requested M'benga transfer aboard?
I'm pretty sure Phlox had already been dealing with humans for quite a while by the time joined the Enterprise crew, so it's not like they just randomly picked him up on Denobula and he miraculously knew all about humans. I have a feeling you probably have to cross train in treating different races before you can serve on a Starship. If a vet can learn how to treat dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, birds, ect. I'm pretty sure a Starfleet Doctor can learn how to treat a human, Vulcan, Betazoid, ect. I have a feeling in general a Vulcan is probably closer to a human than a bird is to a horse.
It's not just the physical anatomy that would be radically different, so would the underlying biochemistry. You'd need a completely different pharmacopeia.