Re-Watching DS9

[Orac]

Spoiler: B5: Soul Hunter

The Soul Hunter is the start of the strange man visits B5 trope which occurs frequently in the first season. I love this episode despite the weak ending. I must point out that I think you misinterpreted the scene where the Soul Hunter senses the death of the lurker, i don't believe there was any possession going on there, he was was just getting horny because someone was about to die. There's more to this episode that you'll appreciate after watching the whole show and go back and watch it from the start again.

 

[Lord Garth]

"Born to the Purple" (B5 S1E3)

I feel like the first 15 minutes need their own space!

Spoiler

Glad to see Londo back after he was missing last episode. And I'll start off by saying: this is different! "Born to the Purple" might as well be called "Londo's Libido". No doubt about it. "Females are the finest!" And G'Kar being a slippery type who we already saw try to make some moves in the pilot tells Londo, "On this we agree!" They are, of course, watching an exotic dancer, Adira Tyree. It felt kind of like watching Mad Men With Aliens. No other comment!

Later on, Londo has sex with Adira. (How does his hair NOT get messed up? That Aqua Net from space has the real Super Hold!) I guess he'd rather be reproductive than productive, because he shows up late to a meeting where the Ambassadors are discussing claims to a particular region of space. Londo's horniness could cause the Centauri to lose out big time! Either way, Adira's using him and she's going to put Londo into a sticky situation in more ways than one.

Adira Tyree, with her mostly bald head (except for a ponytail), and the bracelet around her forehead, reminds me of Ilia from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It also makes me think this is what Deltans might be like if they didn't take an Oath of Celibacy.

Wait a minute. Did Gene Roddenberry guest-write this episode from beyond the grave?

Gotta play some music before we move onto the next part. I think it fits...

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On with the rest of the show! Actually wait. NOT on with the show! I'm going to play back a couple of scenes with that music above. Just to see how it works.

Spoiler

And it worked like a charm! I feel so bad for Londo. He's fallen deeply in love. When Adira asks Londo what people might think if he's seen with her, he thinks "To Hell with appearances!" You know, don't tell me, but I think Adira might be starting to feel bad now. She might also possibly have feelings for Londo!

Okay, I'm not finished with this episode, but screw it. I'm putting up this part of review/reaction right now! Why not?

 

[Lord Garth]

"Born to the Purple" (B5 S1E3) -- Continued

Spoiler

"Born to the Purple" actually has a good soundtrack of its own. Note to '90s Trek, synthesizers aren't your enemy! (And firing Ron Jones was a gigantic mistake!) And it enhances the scene where I started to wonder if Adira might not actually betray Londo... but then she does! Even though she tells Londo, while he's unconscious that she's sorry.

The plot then thickens and it looks like Adira has not only betrayed Londo, but also Trakis, who she was really for. Or rather, Trakis wants Londo (and Sinclair) to think she's betrayed them all. When Londo and Sinclair to go search for Adira, he leads them into a trap! I didn't see that one coming.

By the end Trakis is stopped, Adira's found, her freedom is bought, and she leaves B5 to seek a new life, but she still has feelings for Londo and maybe they might get back together again. The way all of this is executed just plain works. And ending on Londo walking into the background, deep in his thoughts is the perfect way to close out.

The B-Story doesn't get much focus, but Garabaldi found a gremlin in the system. Actually, he found it last episode, but it's still an issue here. He tells Ivanova about it only to find out, eventually that it's really Ivanova talking to her dying father in private. Garabaldi tells Ivanova he found the gremlin, then lies about what it is. I think Ivanova knows that Garabaldi knows, but they both play it as if he doesn't. The unspoken speaks volumes. Even though Ivanova declines an invitation to dinner from him, I think a friendship will grow between Garabaldi and Ivanova. Friendship.

This is the best episode of Babylon 5 yet. Pilot included. I give it a 9.

Looking forward to watching more! Not that I wasn't before, but now I'm hooked.

Non-Spoiler Detail: Garabaldi reading a Universe Today newspaper. I'm guessing that's the future equivalent of USA Today.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

You're enjoying Babylon 5 more than most Babylon 5 fans did at this point! I hope this trend continues and you're not put off by how the series evolves.

Also, whenever you see a newspaper in the series, it might be worth pausing and reading what it says.

 

[Lord Garth]

Also, whenever you see a newspaper in the series, it might be worth pausing and reading what it says.

Thanks for the head's up!

It's like in Back to the Future, Part II where Doc holds up the Newspaper in the Alternate 1985 from 1983. Underneath the headline that said Doc Brown was committed ("This has happened to ME!!!"), there's an article where it says Nixon was seeking a fifth term and vowed to end the Vietnam War by 1985.

 

[Farscape One]

Not to be spoilery, but keeping an eye on the newspaper articles on B5 will be very beneficial. Not just for getting more enjoyment, but for keeping track of things as the series progresses.

 

[Lord Garth]

When I watch DS9 tonight, should I have a glass of Kanar or Tulaberry Wine? It's a tough choice.

 

[Farscape One]

When I watch DS9 tonight, should I have a glass of Kanar or Tulaberry Wine? It's a tough choice.

Why not both?

 

[Lord Garth]

It's like in Back to the Future, Part II where Doc holds up the Newspaper in the Alternate 1985 from 1983. Underneath the headline that said Doc Brown was committed ("This has happened to ME!!!"), there's an article where it says Nixon was seeking a fifth term and vowed to end the Vietnam War by 1985.

Speaking of which, I'm going to see Back to the Future, Part II in the theater at a Special Screening on October 21st! I saw the first one at a Special Screening in 2009.

I missed out on watching BTTF II in the theater the first time around, when I was 10, because my first exposure to any of these movies was when my uncle rented Part II when it came out on VHS the following summer. So yes, I saw Part II before I saw Part I.

This makes up for my not being able to see Star Trek III in the theater this year. I was hoping they'd do a 40th Anniversary Screening, but no. They only did it in the UK. So TSFS is the only Star Trek movie I haven't seen in a theater. I saw TMP, TWOK, and TVH at Special Screenings in the 2010s, and everything else from TFF on when it was originally in the theater.

I also went to see What We Left Behind in the theater. It's probably the closest we'll ever get to seeing DS9 itself on the Big Screen.

 

[Farscape One]

Speaking of which, I'm going to see Back to the Future, Part II in the theater at a Special Screening on October 21st! I saw the first one at a Special Screening in 2009.

I missed out on watching BTTF II in the theater the first time around, when I was 10, because my first exposure to any of these movies was when my uncle rented Part II when it came out on VHS the following summer. So yes, I saw Part II before I saw Part I.

This makes up for my not being able to see Star Trek III in the theater this year. I was hoping they'd do a 40th Anniversary Screening, but no. They only did it in the UK. So TSFS is the only Star Trek movie I haven't seen in a theater. I saw TMP, TWOK, and TVH at Special Screenings in the 2010s, and everything else from TFF on when it was originally in the theater.

I also went to see What We Left Behind in theater. It's probably the closest we'll ever get to seeing DS9 itself on the Big Screen.

I'm mad that ST III isn't getting a 40th anniversary release in theaters. I missed TMP when it was released, and I have seen all from V until BEYOND in the theater. (Except '09 and ID... I'm frankly glad I didn't waste money going to see those.) I still need to catch IV in the theater, but given how hugely popular that one is, I'm expecting a re-release. (Well... really more wishful thinking and truly hoping.)


Maybe for the 50th anniversary, we'll get III in theaters.

 

[Lord Garth]

"Paradise"

I didn't expect to have this observation, but I think "Paradise" is a better-done version of TOS's "The Way to Eden". "What?!" Hear me out! Alixus hates technology. Just like Dr. Sevrin. She takes her fellow colonists away from any technology and cuts them off from it to bring them closer to their "true" selves. It's like a hippie commune trying to separate itself from the rest of society.

They're determined to get Sisko and O'Brien out of their uniforms. In "The Way to Eden", one the hippies asks Sulu how he can breath, wearing his uniform.

Cassandra wants to make love to Sisko, just like Irina Galliulin wanted to make love to Chekov. Sisko, like Chekov, is devoted to Starfleet. Sisko doesn't give in to the temptation of Paradise.

And like any Paradise, there are deadly pitfalls and a hefty price. Those who don't conform (there's some irony there) are put into a box where they're tortured because of how hot it gets. Because they've rejected their previous technology, colonists die from ailments they can no longer cure. There's more to it than "The Way to Eden" where Adam just finds a poisonous apple, eats it, and dies.

After O'Brien discovers what's inhibiting any technology and keeping it from working, the colonists want to stay. To be honest, I've never understood luddites. I don't think abandoning technology makes life better. It makes it more difficult. I'm of the mindset of "work smarter, not harder." But that's just me. Eventually Sisko and O'Brien are rescued, and Alixus has to return with them to answer for deliberately sabotaging the colonists, lying to them for 10 years, and allowing several to die because of her beliefs.

I'm going to give this an 8.

BONUS: I like how this episode was able to weave different parts of O'Brien's past to together to make for an interesting character backstory. How did he go from whatever he was at first to Tactical Officer on the Rutledge to Helm in "Encounter at Farpoint" (TNG) to Security in "Lonely Among Us" (TNG) to Transporter Chief for the rest of TNG until DS9 began? He wasn't always an Engineer. He learned how to become one. It looks like he was a jack of all trades and Engineering was the trade that made him.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I realise that I've been very negative toward DS9 so far, but I'm not going to lie and say I enjoyed these episodes because sometimes I just didn't. Invasive Procedures and Sanctuary especially were real low points for me.

But I've always liked Paradise and I'm a bit surprised that you rated it so high yourself. I remember reading a lot of negativity towards the episode, and it seems like people really hate the villain. Personally I thought she was exactly what the story needed and I was happy to see her finally get what she deserved. The ending's a bit dark, with people choosing to stay, but that doesn't mean Alixus was right, or that the Federation's just going to leave them there without sending anyone to check up on them. And they haven't decided if they're going to continue living without technology or not, they just don't want to leave their colony, which makes sense as they were colonists in search of a new life to begin with. So I was pretty satisfied with how it all worked out.

 

[Lord Garth]

I remember reading a lot of negativity towards the episode, and it seems like people really hate the villain. Personally I thought she was exactly what the story needed and I was happy to see her finally get what she deserved. The ending's a bit dark, with people choosing to stay, but that doesn't mean Alixus was right, or that the Federation's just going to leave them there without sending anyone to check up on them. And they haven't decided if they're going to continue living without technology or not, they just don't want to leave their colony, which makes sense as they were colonists in search of a new life to begin with. So I was pretty satisfied with how it all worked out.

I'm glad I missed out on all the negativities. Alixus has a point-of-view I can understand, even though I don't agree with it. She's convinced she's right, as misguided as she is. And that's my favorite type of antagonist.

As far as the hippie elements, I've said for years that "The Way to Eden" is a guilty pleasure of mine. So, I was bound to look positively upon something that reminded me of it that I thought handled it better.

One thing I didn't mention was the level of Sisko's absolute resolve. After he comes out of the box, Alexus offers him another chance to become one of them, and he goes right back in. That's a Sisko Moment if I've ever seen one.

 

[Farscape One]

I like "PARADISE", but the ending sort of ruins the rest of the episode.

Why? After being lied to and forced to live a way with no choice in the matter for 10 years... NOBODY decided to leave or at least try to give Alixus a beatdown?

That is completely unbelievable. I don't care how 'evolved' humans are at that point, there is no way that not a single person wouldn't pack up and go or try to attack Alixus.


I'll be honest about something else... she's actually one of the worst villains in DS9. Worst as in irredeemable. She has the same narcissistic quality Dukat has... her way is the only way, and everyone else MUST follow.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

Alixus has spent the last 10 years indoctrinating them with her philosophy and forcing them to rely on each other to survive, with the penalty for disobedience being basically torture, so I wasn't surprised by their unnatural reaction. I kind of wish we got a bit of discussion about the Federation checking them out first to determine if they're physically and mentally healthy enough to stay there, and how they were going to help them. But I can respect the choice to wrap it up quickly and end on a dramatic shot.

 

[DonIago]

I like "PARADISE", but the ending sort of ruins the rest of the episode.

Why? After being lied to and forced to live a way with no choice in the matter for 10 years... NOBODY decided to leave or at least try to give Alixus a beatdown?

That is completely unbelievable. I don't care how 'evolved' humans are at that point, there is no way that not a single person wouldn't pack up and go or try to attack Alixus.


I'll be honest about something else... she's actually one of the worst villains in DS9. Worst as in irredeemable. She has the same narcissistic quality Dukat has... her way is the only way, and everyone else MUST follow.

I can't speak to how real-world cultists tend to react if/when they find out that their belief systems have been enforced via manipulation and their leader is dethroned (political snark redacted), but I agree that I wish at least some of the people on the planet had recanted Alixus's teachings when they found out how they'd been coerced. But maybe, while it's depressing to contemplate, that really isn't realistic, and what we saw is the most likely outcome.

Their unwillingness or inability to do so kind of left me hoping that at some point the Dominion dropped a photon torpedo on them.

Anyway, I suspect any negativity is less about the quality of the episode itself and more frustration with the ending and an entirely reasonable dislike of Alixus as a person. Jammer gave it 3/4 stars while KRAD gave it an 8/10.

 

[Lord Garth]

My 8s are like Jammer's 3 stars, so it looks like I agree with both him and KRAD.

 

[JesterFace]

Nice coincidence, I have been digging into DS9 episodes I haven't watched in very many years, to a point I don't remember much if anything about them.... anyway....

The end was weird in this episode. Everybody wants to stay.
Maybe they are in a wonderful place and don't want to leave and eventually they will bring tech to the planet, now that it works.
We don't know what happened after Sisko and the gang leaves, a follow up to this episode could've been interesting?
And.... if you have to suffer in a warm box for who knows how long without drink or food, why not just change your clothing? You don't have to change your perspective on the situation, just the uniform.

 

[DonIago]

^If you're referring to Sisko refusing to take off his uniform, it's because that's not how civil disobedience works. When you surrender at all you open the floodgates. "Oh Ben, it's so good to see you out of uniform, but you still must be parched! Would you like some water?"

 

[Lord Garth]

Tonight, I'm going to take a close look at everything the fictional newspapers say in the first few episodes, before I put on the next episode of B5.

I'm glad this was recommended to me early instead of half-way through the series!