What…? Another B5 thread?!
So I’m halfway through Season Four on my rewatch and the thought yet again occurs to me: why did the Shadow War end so early in the series? Why does the Earth War happen after it?
One of the basic rules of drama is your climax should occur as close as possible to the ending of your story. A denouement should be as brief as possible. For B5, almost 2/5 of the series is after the climax of the story.
I always thought the Earth War would have been much more interesting if the Shadow threat was still in the background, and the Shadow War finale was saved until after that.
Here’s my scenario:
Season One through Three as is.
4X1, 4X2, 4X3 as is, with a few more standalones thrown in. Sheridan returns from Z’ha’dum. I guess Lorien will have to stay behind for the purpose of this scenario, remaining a mysterious god-like figure who saves Sheridan‘s life, gives him something to live for, and then lets him escape from Z‘ha‘dum. Garibaldi is messed with by Bester and then “rescued” and returns to B5. The Shadows retreat from the war and hide ships on Centauri Prime.
4X4, 4X5, 4X6 only include the Centauri / Narn plotline. Londo and Vir assassinate Cartagia, free Narn, kill Morden, and wipe the Shadows off Centauri Prime.
At this point the Shadows remain in hiding and the Vorlons have yet to unleash their campaign.
Season Four continues mainly as is. With the Shadow threat in retreat, Earth and Minbar collapse into civil war. It’s more interesting this way because the Shadows are still around, presenting a distant motivation and pressure. Sheridan and Delenn need to get their homeworlds back into order so they can face the Shadows when they return! There’s a ticking clock!
After “Endgame”, the Interstellar Alliance is formed in “Rising Star”, with its primary goal to stand united against the coming Shadow threat. Cue Season Five.
First half of Season Five is the Shadow War Finale. The Shadows return with a vengeance and the Vorlons unleash their planet killer campaign of terror. I guess at this point Lorien leaves Z’ha’dum to join Sheridan’s cause. They kill Ulkesh and convince the Shadows and Vorlons to leave…. In episode 5X11.
I think this would make a much stronger statement of unity to have the entire Interstellar Alliance saying “NO!” to the Shadows and the Vorlons. As is, the only people standing with Sheridan were a few thousand humans, 2/3 of the Minbari, and the League (who are pretty much a joke in terms of power). The Centauri, the Narn, Earth Alliance, 1/3 of the Minbari… none of them were there.
This means the first half of Season Five doesn’t really happen. If Byron is there it’s as a couple episodes.
Second half of Season Five is mostly as is. With the Shadows defeated, the Drakh turn their eye to Centauri Prime and start a war between the Centauri and the Alliance.
Good idea? Terrible idea?
So I’m halfway through Season Four on my rewatch and the thought yet again occurs to me: why did the Shadow War end so early in the series? Why does the Earth War happen after it?
One of the basic rules of drama is your climax should occur as close as possible to the ending of your story. A denouement should be as brief as possible. For B5, almost 2/5 of the series is after the climax of the story.
I always thought the Earth War would have been much more interesting if the Shadow threat was still in the background, and the Shadow War finale was saved until after that.
Here’s my scenario:
Season One through Three as is.
4X1, 4X2, 4X3 as is, with a few more standalones thrown in. Sheridan returns from Z’ha’dum. I guess Lorien will have to stay behind for the purpose of this scenario, remaining a mysterious god-like figure who saves Sheridan‘s life, gives him something to live for, and then lets him escape from Z‘ha‘dum. Garibaldi is messed with by Bester and then “rescued” and returns to B5. The Shadows retreat from the war and hide ships on Centauri Prime.
4X4, 4X5, 4X6 only include the Centauri / Narn plotline. Londo and Vir assassinate Cartagia, free Narn, kill Morden, and wipe the Shadows off Centauri Prime.
At this point the Shadows remain in hiding and the Vorlons have yet to unleash their campaign.
Season Four continues mainly as is. With the Shadow threat in retreat, Earth and Minbar collapse into civil war. It’s more interesting this way because the Shadows are still around, presenting a distant motivation and pressure. Sheridan and Delenn need to get their homeworlds back into order so they can face the Shadows when they return! There’s a ticking clock!
After “Endgame”, the Interstellar Alliance is formed in “Rising Star”, with its primary goal to stand united against the coming Shadow threat. Cue Season Five.
First half of Season Five is the Shadow War Finale. The Shadows return with a vengeance and the Vorlons unleash their planet killer campaign of terror. I guess at this point Lorien leaves Z’ha’dum to join Sheridan’s cause. They kill Ulkesh and convince the Shadows and Vorlons to leave…. In episode 5X11.
I think this would make a much stronger statement of unity to have the entire Interstellar Alliance saying “NO!” to the Shadows and the Vorlons. As is, the only people standing with Sheridan were a few thousand humans, 2/3 of the Minbari, and the League (who are pretty much a joke in terms of power). The Centauri, the Narn, Earth Alliance, 1/3 of the Minbari… none of them were there.
This means the first half of Season Five doesn’t really happen. If Byron is there it’s as a couple episodes.
Second half of Season Five is mostly as is. With the Shadows defeated, the Drakh turn their eye to Centauri Prime and start a war between the Centauri and the Alliance.
Good idea? Terrible idea?
Personally I find plot/action to be more important than making a thematic note. Every action should (on a meta scale) be larger than the last one.
