This article researched/written by orac@plover.com.

Carnell appears in only one episode, "Weapon" (B3). However, he is such a fascinating (and physically attractive) character that he is frequently used in B7 fanfic. This is a summary of the canonical information available about Carnell.

He is seen to interact only with Servalan and a Space Command officer. In his first scene, we learn that he is a "psychostrategist" and believes himself to be brilliant--an opinion borne out by the fact that Servalan has employed him. An added spice is that they appear to enjoy flirting with one another.

SERVALAN: Send in Carnell.
CARNELL: Supreme Commander.
SERVALAN: It's going wrong, Carnell.
CARNELL: Wrong? Ma'am, I'm mortified by your lack of confidence.
SERVALAN: If I lose Coser--and his invention--mortified is exactly what you'll be.
CARNELL: I realize that.
SERVALAN: So long as you do.
CARNELL: A brilliant psychostrategist like me? Come now, Supreme Commander. How would I not?
SERVALAN: Carnell...[She walks from her desk, over to him]
CARNELL: Yes, Supreme Commander?
SERVALAN: [Runs her hand down his chest] You miscalculated Coser's breakdown.
CARNELL: He went a little sooner, that's all. The rest will be on schedule. You'll get IMIPAK. And when you do, no one will realize you've got it, because everyone else involved will either be dead or running away.[Grasps her hand but she walks away]
SERVALAN: Except you.
CARNELL: Should I be nervous?
SERVALAN: [Picks up the flower on her desk and smiles] Oh, you're the strategist--you tell me.

Carnell's predictions are accurate, bearing out that he is a talented psychostrategist, but since he has not been told that Coser was accompanied by Rashel, his predictions are faulty.
TRAVIS: We found [Coser's] ship--it looks to have crashed and blown up.
SERVALAN: Wait. [Clicks off the intercom and turns to Carnell] Carnell?
CARNELL: [Playing with a hand-held chess computer] It's a ruse. He landed first, then blew up the ship.
SERVALAN:Leaving himself no means of escape?
CARNELL: Guilt. Symbolic suicide.
SERVALAN: What?
CARNELL: It fits his personality. Checkmate. Six times in a row I've beaten it. Supposed to be the best chess computer available. Cost me a fortune. I don't suppose you'd care to discuss my fee at this particular point, would you?
SERVALAN: [Smiles] No.
CARNELL: Oh.
SERVALAN: Why are you so certain he isn't dead?
CARNELL: He's too good a pilot to have lost control that close to the ground.
SERVALAN: You don't know how close to the ground he was.
CARNELL: They identified the remains of the ship. If he'd lost it in the descent from primary orbit, there'd be nothing left to find, let alone identify. Therefore, he was close and slow when it happened. Therefore, it didn't happen.
SERVALAN: You're very plausible.
CARNELL: I'm very good, Supreme Commander, believe me. I've taken everyone and everything into consideration. It's all as predictable as that very expensive chess machine.
SERVALAN: [Into intercom] Travis, I want three pursuit ships ready for immediate launch. And I want all in the vicinity of that planet recalled.
TRAVIS: [Visible on screen] Recalled?
SERVALAN: That's what I said.
TRAVIS: [Visible on screen] May I ask why?
SERVALAN: No, you may not. [Clicks off the intercom and turns back toward Carnell] You'd better be right.
CARNELL: By now Coser is completely psychotic. It won't strike him as remotely odd that a folk hero he admires so much arrives out of nowhere. And when a second Blake turns up, he probably won't even notice. He's a very sick man. He shouldn't be totally alone as he is. It's awfully bad for his health.

Carnell often appears flippant, which can effectively conceal his powerful intellect or the seriousness of his intentions when necessary.
CARNELL: [Appears from the left and looks out the window at the starfield] Almost the only thing I never find boring: contemplating the infinite. Is there something I can do for you?
OFFICER: I was to report to the Supreme Commander, sir.
CARNELL: Too late, I fear. She's already on her way. "To what?" do I hear you ask?
OFFICER: No, sir.
CARNELL: Excellent. It was a trick question. Always remember, the Officer Corps will forgive anything it can understand. Which makes intelligence about the only sin.
OFFICER: Have I your leave to go, sir?
CARNELL: What did you want to see the Supreme Commander about? Or am I being indiscreet?
OFFICER: I have a report for her. [Carnell puts out his hand for the report folder] It's confidential.
CARNELL: From an official psychostrategist?
OFFICER: You're a Puppeteer?
CARNELL: Do they still call us that? I never really felt that did me justice.
OFFICER: My apologies, sir; I meant no offense.
CARNELL: I was offensive. Why shouldn't you be?
OFFICER: Sir?
CARNELL: Give me the report. [Flips the folder open and closes it] Do you play chess?
OFFICER: A little, sir.
CARNELL: [Hands him the chess computer] Take it, it's yours.
OFFICER: [Accepts] Thank you, sir.
CARNELL: A small return for saving my life. But then it's all I own. You have my leave to go now. [Officer leaves] And the other mistake I made was not getting an advance on my fee.

Carnell's final scene is a recorded message he has left for Servalan after he departs Space Command.
CARNELL: Welcome back, Supreme Commander. I apologize for not being here in person to greet you, but I think you'll appreciate my reasons. I overlooked the girl [Rashel]. Well, no, to be fair to myself, your people overlooked her. I know she was only a bond slave, but they should have realized she was gone rather sooner than they did. I might have adapted the strategy. Ah well, even a genius can make mistakes. Look at it this way, Supreme Commander, you haven't lost anything. Whereas I, well, I've lost my career, my position, the respect of my peers. Come to think of it, I haven't lost much, either. On the subject of losers, be careful of Travis. The catharsis he got by killing that first clone will have worn off by now. He's as mad as ever he was. But then aren't we all? One last thing, Supreme Commander. I must tell you this. You are undoubtedly the sexiest officer I have ever known. Goodbye, Servalan. [Servalan smiles and picks up the flower]

It's a great pity Carnell was never used again...since he had to flee Space Command, he might have been enticed to work for the rebellion.

Carnell

Carnell was played by Scott Fredericks.

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