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Babylon 5

Ceremonies of Light and Dark was very good. The ceremony scene actually moved me. One question, will all the loyal crew members now get new uniforms? Don't tell me if the answer contains huge plot spoilers! Ha ha.
 
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We've already seen Talia's trap-door used; originally the was supposed to be "cured" of the control personality, thanks to Kosh's shenanigans back in 'Deathwalker'.

This bit is what I tend to call a B5 'Urban Legend'. It's repeated all the time (like those note cards) but there's no real basis for it in things JMS or Larry DiTillio have said that I've ever found. I never thought that the data crystal was going to be used as anything but a weapon. "Reflection, surprise, terror. For the future." aren't exactly what you'd throw at somebody for benevolent purposes, are they? Unfortunately, all Larry DiTillio said in his introduction to the episode was "...Joe also wanted to plant a seed for a story he had in mind down the line involving Talia Winters." with no other details.
 
Severed Dreams was very good. The ceremony scene actually moved me. One question, will all the loyal crew members now get new uniforms? Don't tell me if the answer contains huge plot spoilers! Ha ha.
What? You mean you've never seen the bright red spandex they're all going to be sporting?!? :lol: Nope won't spoil it - it's worth waiting for.
 
This bit is what I tend to call a B5 'Urban Legend'. It's repeated all the time (like those note cards) but there's no real basis for it in things JMS or Larry DiTillio have said that I've ever found. I never thought that the data crystal was going to be used as anything but a weapon. "Reflection, surprise, terror. For the future." aren't exactly what you'd throw at somebody for benevolent purposes, are they? Unfortunately, all Larry DiTillio said in his introduction to the episode was "...Joe also wanted to plant a seed for a story he had in mind down the line involving Talia Winters." with no other details.

Probably more of an extrapolation than a full on myth. Clearly there was a link there, whether or not what Abbut did would have directly figured into it, the seed for removing or otherwise dealing with Control were clearly planted in that scene, along with whatever else Ironheart did besides give her telekinesis. I mean they even reference it in the episode when Talia leaves (presumably in-case Thompson ever came back) so it's not just isolated foreshadowing.
I suspect at that point they might not have known exactly how it would play in yet, just that it was there to be used again if need be.

Of course it's all moot since according to canon, she never shows up again and as of <side-steps spoilers> a long time from now, a certain individual who is in a position to know has never seen or heard of her since.

Personally I like to think Psi Corps put her on ice in some forgotten blacksite and she eventually shows up again *way* down the line.

It's been years since I've really seen or read anything (kind of burnt out on B5 research after a while) but I do recall JMS talking about the binder of file cards *somewhere*, though it may have been how he laid out the episode assignments at the start of each season rather than a grand plan that was put in place on day one.

Ceremonies of Light and Dark was very good. The ceremony scene actually moved me. One question, will all the loyal crew members now get new uniforms? Don't tell me if the answer contains huge plot spoilers! Ha ha.

Suffice to say you won't have to wait long to find out how that is addressed.
 
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It's been years since I've really seen or read anything (kind of burnt out on B5 research after a while) but I do recall JMS talking about the binder of file cards *somewhere*, though it may have been how he laid out the episode assignments at the start of each season rather than a grand plan that was put in place on day one.
Yes, he did have the cards but not all of them laid out before the series, just the beats. Then, when it came time for each season, he did all of the cards (iirc) and they were in binders in his office. And talking any more about the import of those cards would have spoiler-y implications...
 
Severed Dreams is the only TV show episode that has ever made me leap up out of my recliner and yell "Ram it down their throats, baby!"

You know the moment.
 
Severed Dreams is the only TV show episode that has ever made me leap up out of my recliner and yell "Ram it down their throats, baby!"

You know the moment.
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Ceremonies of Light and Dark was very good. The ceremony scene actually moved me. One question, will all the loyal crew members now get new uniforms? Don't tell me if the answer contains huge plot spoilers! Ha ha.
It's not that big a spoiler. Basically B5 is it's own identity now, which was the purpose for the uniforms. Honestly, I'm so glad they switched them up. Loved those black uniforms, especially the jacket/vest that Ivanova and Sharidan work
 
I can't help but wonder how differently the show would have played out if Sinclair had stuck around past Season 1. Would he have just had the same story Sheridan did?
 
I don't know. Everything I've read (And I'm in no way a B5 aficionado.) is that, for the most part, everything that happened to Sheridan would've happened to Sinclair. If that would have been the case, I actually think everything worked out better in the end.

The biggest difference, though, might have been:

Garibaldi's storyline. It always seemed to me like it was haphazardly written, anyway. The whole thing was really convoluted and almost paradoxical in a way. It's always been my least favorite bit of the show. (Aside from anything in season 5, but I digress.) And I just don't see how it would have worked with Sinclair.
 
I don't know. Everything I've read (And I'm in no way a B5 aficionado.) is that, for the most part, everything that happened to Sheridan would've happened to Sinclair. If that would have been the case, I actually think everything worked out better in the end.

The biggest difference, though, might have been:

Garibaldi's storyline. It always seemed to me like it was haphazardly written, anyway. The whole thing was really convoluted and almost paradoxical in a way. It's always been my least favorite bit of the show. (Aside from anything in season 5, but I digress.) And I just don't see how it would have worked with Sinclair.
I'm not sure I completely follow this. How it actually ran always felt half as potent as it should have, given the bond between Garibaldi and Sheridan was never THAT strong. Meanwhile, his bond to Sinclair was almost brotherly, so the betrayal would have been that much greater and impactful. It would have required a much more distinct shift in philosophy between the pair to believably divide them, but if JMS had found that schism the final betrayal would have been legendary.

As it stands I don't mind Garibaldi's departure. He always saw himself as "a regular Joe", never a "great big hero" and so his decision to go his own way wasn't too implausible. The main problem with it was the immediate play of the scene where he stands in front of the mirror and draws the blank face. One immediately knows that all is not right and the audience begins to second guess everything after it. A more subtle metaphor, or even placing this reveal later in the series would have given Garibaldi's departure a less forced feel.

Hugo - this looks like a weird post
 
I can't help but wonder how differently the show would have played out if Sinclair had stuck around past Season 1. Would he have just had the same story Sheridan did?
There probably would have been some similarities but not parallel. Back when the reasons for Sinclair's leaving were still secret, JMS maintained that there always would have had to be a Sheridan-like character introduced because having Sinclair with ties to the Minbari AND the Shadows would have been stretching credulity. And while many believed that Sakai's fate would have been the same as Anna Sheridan's, the arc memo that came out with the B5 script books pretty much put that one to rest as the fate described was very different.
 
"Severed Dreams" was an amazing episode-- and was perfectly positioned, right at the mid-point of the series.

My favorite scene is the meeting where the camera slowly dollies in on Sheridan's face, while the urgent discussion continues around him. He doesn't say a word, but you can see that decision being made.
 
I'm cheating. I took the discs home with me. Just finished "Interludes and Examinations". Londo's misdeeds are really catching up with him now, aren't they? Kosch is dead. Didn't have much in the way of security, did he? He obviously knew they would be coming for him, why not stay on the super duper living ship of his?
It's hard to express how far this show has come from season 1. Writing, and production wise. I wasn't sure if I would continue after season one, but I'm glad I did. It is really paying off now.
The whole break from Earth took me by surprise. I was expecting the season to deal exclusively with the shadow war.
 
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Okay, you don't know the moment. I speak of when Hiroshi rammed her ship down the throat of the other destroyer. Delenn wasn't ramming anything.
 
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