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A Niner Watches Babylon 5 (NO spoilers, please)

Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

You can skip season 5, it's the definition of "tacked on".

The first half, maybe. But the second half is some of my favorite stuff from the whole show!
Definitely, although I think "Day of the Dead" is another one I like. It has its problems, however, it's written by Neil Gaiman, which imho makes it worth checking out.

"The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari" and "A View From the Gallery" are two other episodes which merit watching. Some good character moments, though nothing all that arc-related.

Let's not have the "season 5 discussion" before he's even watched 'The Gathering', yes? ;)
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

It's a shame you're reviewing Babylon 5 instead of DS9. I don't like B5, but I'll probably stick around this thread to see your opinion of it.

...people are constantly calling it the greatest sci-fi show of all time...
They are wrong.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I'm watching the DVD version, but now I'm upset that there's not going to be a gorilla bartender. :(
If it's the same one as from the Movie DVD Package, then the gorilla bartender is present. At least on my version it is.

Great maker, you may be correct. Perhaps I automatically close my eyes when the gorilla makes an appearance, or maybe he was onscreen for longer in the original version. Otherwise, I'll just pretend he was in transit from David Brin's uplift universe.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I look forward to seeing these reviews. I enjoy season one quite a bit even though there are some stinkers in it. "Midnight on the Firing Line," "Mind's Eye," "And the Sky Full of Stars," "By Any Means Necessary," "Signs and Portents," "A Voice in the Wilderness I and II," and, of course, "Chrysalis" are just some of my favorites from the season. Granted, some of them are better in hindsight.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I've always meant to check this show out, but never got around to it. I'll be interested to see what you think of it.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

Hee, can't wait! As many are foreshadowing, season one is hit and miss. Where it hits though, it hits well. :D I'm sure with being starved for character and story arcs on VOY and ENT your curiosity will be peaked.

I saw The Gathering for the first time this year, both the original and edited versions. Edited is quite an improvement on original. Before that though I just jumped in at Midnight on the Firing Line as I had no access to the pilot, and it works just fine either way.

I'd not noticed before but we seem to have a similar taste in TV. :techman:
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I saw the version of The Gathering with the cheesy guitar music, was that the original one?
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

TheGodBen, as a long-time B5 fan I am very interested in reading your viewpoint of the series, no matter what you will think of it.

It will be an interesting read, just like Tomalak's excellent thread was last year.

[megaphone]BUT EVERYONE, PLEASE WATCH THE SPOILERS. NO NEED TO DISCUSS ANYTHING BEYOND WHAT HE IS REVIEWING.[/megaphone] :D
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

...people are constantly calling it the greatest sci-fi show of all time...
They are wrong.
:rolleyes:

It's always so silly to me how people proclaim these sorts of things so matter-of-factly.
Well, they are wrong. Farscape is the greatest sci-fi show of all time. :D

Looking forward to the reviews, Ben. Speaking of Farscape, maybe after B5 and DS9 you could check that out? If you haven't seen it, I think you'll like it. :techman:
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

Yeah. The edited version had a new Christopher Franke score.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I saw the version of The Gathering with the cheesy guitar music, was that the original one?
Yep, sounds like it.

Stewart Copeland of The Police fame scored that one. The second version of "The Gathering" was commissioned by TNT, and put back in some footage that had been edited out. My feeling is the completist needs to see both versions to get a proper feel for the movie.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I'm watching the DVD version, but now I'm upset that there's not going to be a gorilla bartender. :(
If it's the same one as from the Movie DVD Package, then the gorilla bartender is present. At least on my version it is.

Great maker, you may be correct. Perhaps I automatically close my eyes when the gorilla makes an appearance, or maybe he was onscreen for longer in the original version. Otherwise, I'll just pretend he was in transit from David Brin's uplift universe.

Oh he's defiantly still their in a few background shots, though they've clearly tried to edit around him as much as possible.
Exactly how much control or oversight did JMS have at this point? Though I realise B5 was still very much a work in progress at that point, I can't see how some of the sillier elements would have got past him.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

I might try and watch this alongside you, I'm a massive B5 (and DS9) fan, and have needed an excuse to watch it again.

I always thought that DS9 was the better series overall, but B5 at its peak was outstanding, DS9 couldn't match that.

Both excellent series though.
 
Re: A Niner Watches Babylon 5

Exactly how much control or oversight did JMS have at this point? Though I realise B5 was still very much a work in progress at that point, I can't see how some of the sillier elements would have got past him.

I'm pretty sure he had full control but The Gathering was his first shot as Exec. Producer and his first time responsible for editing the final cut of the movie and his tendency to defer to more experienced people shows.

Jan
 
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