"Into the Fire"
That was a more abrupt end than I'd expected, but still a worthy finish. Oh, and some of the stuff that goes on here
totally fits into my whole 'vague memories' stockpile, specifically Lorien, Sheridan, Delenn and the Vorlon and Shadow representatives. I got some major details and big predictions wrong, though -- for one thing, I could have
sworn the scene happened on Babylon 5.
For another, the distant memory of Lorien's face kept entering my head and making me think it was the Vorlons' true form for the longest time, so I was half-expecting Kosh to be revealed as such for ages, so when I saw Lorien on Zha'dum I was look, 'oh, is that Kosh?' but then he pointed out that there was a Vorlon inside Sheridan, and I always figured Kosh for a guy who wouldn't point out the obvious, so I became flustered because my prediction fell apart, and...
What? Shut up and review the episode?
I think I'm going to focus my thoughts this time on the big question, even though I've already partially answered it. Do I or do I not like the resolution of the Shadow War? Well, I've had more time to think about it, and you know... I
really like it. If I want wars that end on big, triumphant explosions there are any number of things I can watch. Sometimes I like the big, climactic battle going on to play second fiddle to character truths, ideologies and so on. Without spoiling anything for those not in-the-know concerning
Farscape and its finale, I'll simply say that
that's a big chunk of why I like how that one ends. Here, it's a totally different ballgame in a vastly different ballpark, but I still feel the same way.
Although I kind of do concur with
Mr Light that the representatives from both sides sounded a bit too much like children and not enough like supreme rulers of order and chaos. But hey.
I like how the initial, more bombastic (I'm sorry) part of Sheridan's plan involved asteroid bombs, because as The Lurker's Guide reminds me, that's how he took down the Black Star during the Earth-Minbari War. JMS has got continuity in spades. JMS has so much continuity, and he knows exactly how to employ it.
Initially I was on the fence about the ease in which Londo took down that Shadow fleet, but then I really grew to admire it. The Shadows fell to overconfidence again, allowing their ships to get bundled-up in one island. And then Londo merrily tapped a switch, Morden screamed out in what was sadly Ed Wasser's last great scene, then next thing I knew I was bursting out laughing and applauding because Vir got to do his hand wave he'd been pining for.
Bon voyage, all you First Ones. I'm happy to see them all getting the boot like I was just recently droning on about how I'd be trying to give them. Screw off, chaotic Shadows, and go organize yourselves elsewhere, cryptic Vorlons. And as for the rest of you, well, some of you had cool ships and at least one of you was Lorien, so you're alright... so long, thanks for all the fish and... oh, yeah,
zorg.
In other news, when will Susan finally realize she should be spending a little less time smiling into the distance and a little more time getting frisky with Aragorn?