Watching Babylon 5 for the first time... *Spoilers, duh*

[Bishop76]

Heck, "TKO" didn't completely fail for me because I got to learn more about Ivanova.

That is definitely a redeeming quality about it. Even some of the other real stinkers have good subplots. Grey 17 is Missing (which you should be hitting shortly if you haven't already) is one of those...

I was actually thinking I'd watch Thirdspace precisely where JMS' Master List on The Lurker's Guide dictates. It seems to have a specific point for some reason.

Honestly, it doesn't tie in at all, really. It's a very stand-alone story probably best watched out of continuity or not at all.

 

[RoJoHen]

I just love Ivanova is all. Even all her Russian jokes in the first season; I've noticed there are a lot of complaints on that one and I don't blame people for thinking as such but I liked her from square one. Heck, "TKO" didn't completely fail for me because I got to learn more about Ivanova. Love that one.

I love Ivanova, but I did get a little tired of her "characterization" in Season 1.

"Hi, my name is Susan Ivanova. I'm Russian, and I hate the PsiCorp. The PsiCorp was mean to my mother, who was also Russian, so I can only suspect that the PsiCorp hates Russians, which must mean they are my enemy, because if you didn't know, I am also Russian. I'm going to drink some vodka now because Russians drink vodka, and in case you forgot, I am Russian, so as a Russian, I will drink some vodka. You who doesn't drink vodka? Telepaths! I have never met a telepath that I liked, except my mother of course, but she doesn't count because she was Russian."

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

That is definitely a redeeming quality about it. Even some of the other real stinkers have good subplots. Grey 17 is Missing (which you should be hitting shortly if you haven't already) is one of those...

Nope, haven't seen anything since "Severed Dreams"; going to watch some more tonight!

Honestly, it doesn't tie in at all, really. It's a very stand-alone story probably best watched out of continuity or not at all.

Weird. *shrug* Oh well.

I just love Ivanova is all. Even all her Russian jokes in the first season; I've noticed there are a lot of complaints on that one and I don't blame people for thinking as such but I liked her from square one. Heck, "TKO" didn't completely fail for me because I got to learn more about Ivanova. Love that one.

I love Ivanova, but I did get a little tired of her "characterization" in Season 1.

"Hi, my name is Susan Ivanova. I'm Russian, and I hate the PsiCorp. The PsiCorp was mean to my mother, who was also Russian, so I can only suspect that the PsiCorp hates Russians, which must mean they are my enemy, because if you didn't know, I am also Russian. I'm going to drink some vodka now because Russians drink vodka, and in case you forgot, I am Russian, so as a Russian, I will drink some vodka. You who doesn't drink vodka? Telepaths! I have never met a telepath that I liked, except my mother of course, but she doesn't count because she was Russian."

That was sort of ridiculously funny, actually. Like I said, I don't blame people who feel as such!

 

[RoJoHen]

"Hi, my name is Susan Ivanova. I'm Russian, and I hate the PsiCorp. The PsiCorp was mean to my mother, who was also Russian, so I can only suspect that the PsiCorp hates Russians, which must mean they are my enemy, because if you didn't know, I am also Russian. I'm going to drink some vodka now because Russians drink vodka, and in case you forgot, I am Russian, so as a Russian, I will drink some vodka. You who doesn't drink vodka? Telepaths! I have never met a telepath that I liked, except my mother of course, but she doesn't count because she was Russian."

That was sort of ridiculously funny, actually. Like I said, I don't blame people who feel as such!

When I watched it the first time, I thought it was kind of annoying, but on rewatches it just makes me laugh. Mostly, I think I would have liked to learn a 3rd thing about Ivanova. 1) Russian, 2) Hates telepaths, 3) ???

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

She, uh, had an old flame who came back and haunted her.

Of course... I tend to dislike those sorts of episodes and lo and behold, I disliked that one.

 

[Elemental]

"Hi, my name is Susan Ivanova. I'm Russian, and I hate the PsiCorp. The PsiCorp was mean to my mother, who was also Russian, so I can only suspect that the PsiCorp hates Russians, which must mean they are my enemy, because if you didn't know, I am also Russian. I'm going to drink some vodka now because Russians drink vodka, and in case you forgot, I am Russian, so as a Russian, I will drink some vodka. You who doesn't drink vodka? Telepaths! I have never met a telepath that I liked, except my mother of course, but she doesn't count because she was Russian."

That was sort of ridiculously funny, actually. Like I said, I don't blame people who feel as such!

When I watched it the first time, I thought it was kind of annoying, but on rewatches it just makes me laugh. Mostly, I think I would have liked to learn a 3rd thing about Ivanova. 1) Russian, 2) Hates telepaths, 3) ???

When I watch season 1 I almost can't help but think that continuous attention she draws to herself being Russian is some kind of parody of Star Trek's Chekov. I didn't mind it that much but it does get slightly grating on repeat views.

"I'm Russian, Doctor. We understand these things."

 

[Elemental]

She, uh, had an old flame who came back and haunted her.

Of course... I tend to dislike those sorts of episodes and lo and behold, I disliked that one.

Actually, I think that that episode (The War Prayer) might be my least favourite episode in the entire series (actually I think there may be one in season 5 that I like a bit less). Sinclair and Ivanova's bad-guy impersonations are just too hammy to be believed. While it did have some redeeming qualities, these were few and far between in this case. And it came complete with one of B5's (especially season 1's) most annoying qualities - the stereotypical bad guy with a bad accent.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

She, uh, had an old flame who came back and haunted her.

Of course... I tend to dislike those sorts of episodes and lo and behold, I disliked that one.

Actually, I think that that episode (The War Prayer) might be my least favourite episode in the entire series (actually I think there may be one in season 5 that I like a bit less). Sinclair and Ivanova's bad-guy impersonations are just too hammy to be believed. While it did have some redeeming qualities, these were few and far between in this case. And it came complete with one of B5's (especially season 1's) most annoying qualities - the stereotypical bad guy with a bad accent.

I really disliked that episode. That was the same one that had Londo and Vir dealing with that young couple, wasn't it? That in particular had me cringing.

 

[Neroon]

Ahhh... but did you recognize who played the young Centauri girl?

 

[RoJoHen]

What is the episode where Londo falls in love with the dancer? I can't remember, but I always seem to skip it in my rewatches.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

Ahhh... but did you recognize who played the young Centauri girl?

Was that... Danica McKellar? Whoa, I never realized.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

What is the episode where Londo falls in love with the dancer? I can't remember, but I always seem to skip it in my rewatches.

I think that's "Born to the Purple". I could be wrong.

 

[Neroon]

What is the episode where Londo falls in love with the dancer? I can't remember, but I always seem to skip it in my rewatches.

I think that's "Born to the Purple". I could be wrong.

Yes, it is "Born to the Purple", which stars an Austin Powers alum.

 

[RoJoHen]

Dammit. I've already skipped over that episode again!

 

[Jan]

I love "Born to the Purple"! In fact, I think it's the only Larry DiTillio episode I do like a lot.

Apropos of nothing: February 22, 1993 was the first time ever that "The Gathering" was broadcast. Eighteen years...where does the time go (as somebody once said <g>)?

Jan

 

[Bishop76]

Today's depressing thought brought to you by Jan

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

I love "Born to the Purple"! In fact, I think it's the only Larry DiTillio episode I do like a lot.

Apropos of nothing: February 22, 1993 was the first time ever that "The Gathering" was broadcast. Eighteen years...where does the time go (as somebody once said <g>)?

Jan

Well then, very nearly happy birthday to Babylon 5. I'll be sure to, uh, feature a piñata or something in my next batch of reviews!

 

[Jan]

Today's depressing thought brought to you by Jan

My work here is done. Sadly, I never saw the pilot until it was released on VHS. Then I had to search out somebody who had the original version. The Special Edition is *so* much better. At least there's that to thank TNT for.

Jan

 

[OmahaStar]

Today's depressing thought brought to you by Jan

My work here is done. Sadly, I never saw the pilot until it was released on VHS. Then I had to search out somebody who had the original version. The Special Edition is *so* much better. At least there's that to thank TNT for.

Jan

And to answer the question asked a couple pages back, there's almost no possibility he watched the original edit of The Gathering. In the US, the only version on dvd is the TNT edit.

There are a few ways to watch the original:

1 - If someone recorded it during the original broadcast, they might still have it.

2 - The Complete B5 DVD box set in Germany (and only Germany) has the original edit.

3 - The videotapes released from Columbia House had the original edit *at first* ... At some unspecified point, they started sending out the TNT edit, but didn't change the labels, so unless you sit down to watch the tape (and still have a VCR), you just don't know which you have.

4 - The streaming version that was available on AOL's website a year or two ago had the original edit. The last I knew, they'd pulled that site, though. It was legit (WB and Time Warner, which owns AOL, are the same company), just not popular.

Every other release, including the flipper disc, the "Pilot Specials" (a brief trial during which WB released the pilot episodes of various series for a low price, around 5 bucks or less, then offered a coupon for that same amount off if you then bought the first season of that show on DVD), and other legal streaming sites, have been the TNT edit.

So basically to have the movies, and he's said he does have In the Beginning and the others, he'd have to have the movies DVD box set, which has the TNT version.

More than you wanted to know, huh?

 

[Neroon]

I think that "Born to the Purple" is somewhat underrated myself. The sweetness of Londo's love for Adira, even when it's clear she's betrayed him... of her astonishment for how strongly he feels for her.... If memory serves, Fiona Avery once alluded to the scene as she wrote about the demolition of some of the B5 sets.

Omaha - thanks for the alert to the anniversary!