Babylon 5 viewing order

[Snatcher42]

Holy cow, blasting through 'em DH!

War Without End gets a lot of attention, but Interludes and Examinations is one of my favorites of the season. And the finale, Za'ha'dum, is my fav of the whole show. It's also the first episode I ever saw. Heck of a place to start!

 

[Distorted Humor]

Holy cow, blasting through 'em DH!

War Without End gets a lot of attention, but Interludes and Examinations is one of my favorites of the season. And the finale, Za'ha'dum, is my fav of the whole show. It's also the first episode I ever saw. Heck of a place to start!

Indeed, didn't work today, and so dealt with the Playstation network, then been netflixing on the big screen.

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/guide/055.htmlCeremonies of Light or Dark - this is actually a good episode after the punch of Severed Dreams. It is good to slow things down, deal with some of the issues, and move on. The Computer of course was funny, and I will give you this, B5 does humor a lot better then most Star Trek. You know that Londo and Refa's issue will not end well. Of course, I half expect that there is no poison, just that the threat of it could cause him much trouble. Like the new uniforms...

A Late Delivery from Avalon - I really don't like the episode. However Marcus is growing on me. I love his line (though not from this episode I don't think) of "you know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought 'Wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them?' So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe. " I don't think I really enjoy any of this "Historical" B5 episodes. I thought Grail, the Jack the ripper, and this one, well...sucked.

Sic Transit Vir- Ok, this is more of what I can sit down and enjoy. And it really is funny to see the sweet, kinda adorable girl be a cold blooded Genocidalist. (Also, where do they get the actresses who look decent bald?) Also Abrahamo Linconi was hilarious.

Ship of Tears - I like this development of Bester, he doesn't suddenly turn into a good guy, but i Like how he throwing his weight behind the "good guys". Wonder if we see any of the frozen telepaths anytime soon. Also, dust might be useful as a weapon if push comes to shove.

Interludes and Examinations - Kosh noooo!!!.. sniff sniff... Also, my theory on who londo cannot kill who already dead...as soon as I saw morden I was like "Dou!" and that my theory on who that is...I thought they did a VERY VERY good job on this episode. I thought it was brillant all around.

War Without End - This two parter is another good one. It wraps up a lot of stuff nicely. Nice twist at the end that feeds into the early stuff again. It was nice to see Kosh again (even in the past.) Nice little twists from Babylon Square to this episode.

Walkabout - Now, this is no longer the best episode with this name (The lost episode is better) But a lot happened in this episode. The sweedish meatballs bit cracked me up. We are starting to build up to a climax, then the next episode hits...

Grey 17 is missing - Ok, this was a clunker of a episode. Almost took a break after watching this episode. I just thought it failed at whatever it was trying to show outside of showing that Deleen has control of the rangers.

And the Rock Called out, No hiding Place - First off, I love the use of music and Refa getting it from the Narns to be classic. A lot of key infomation is fed in (There is a resistance on earth, the Whitestar fleet, and feeling all Donnie Darko with the Countdown to Z day....

 

[JoeD80]

Wonder if we see any of the frozen telepaths anytime soon.

We will see the frozen telepaths again...

Grey 17 is missing - Ok, this was a clunker of a episode. Almost took a break after watching this episode. I just thought it failed at whatever it was trying to show outside of showing that Deleen has control of the rangers.

Also a key point for Neroon, when Marcus refuses to back down. The Zarg does make this one of the less popular episodes though.

 

[Snatcher42]

War Without End - This two parter is another good one. It wraps up a lot of stuff nicely. Nice twist at the end that feeds into the early stuff again. It was nice to see Kosh again (even in the past.) Nice little twists from Babylon Square to this episode.

Any thoughts on the flash-forwards to future Centauri Prime? This episode is often remembered for wrapping up loose ends from the past, but it also sets up some important stuff for the future.

 

[Distorted Humor]

War Without End - This two parter is another good one. It wraps up a lot of stuff nicely. Nice twist at the end that feeds into the early stuff again. It was nice to see Kosh again (even in the past.) Nice little twists from Babylon Square to this episode.

Any thoughts on the flash-forwards to future Centauri Prime? This episode is often remembered for wrapping up loose ends from the past, but it also sets up some important stuff for the future.

I felt bad for Londo, and it was a good twist to see that Londo ASKS Gkar to kill him.

 

[Distorted Humor]

As a funny note, I didn't notice londo had a keeper on him while he was talking, in the War without end future bits. Noticed on a 2nd look! (I heard him TALK about it, but didn't see it...)

Shadow Dancing - This epsiode is Very, VERY good. I love how Franklin "Found himself" and I still grin at him berating himself for all the "A bunch of mealy-mouthed self-indulgent crap"... and, the fact that they go out and go toe-to-tow with the shadows and hold there own ground is great.


Z'ha'Dum - Now this is another great episode, and what a way to end the season, with Kosh telling our Captain to jump as two major Thermonuclear devices go off. Also, I spent the entire episode wondering "why would Sheridan be married to a cold fish like this?" then it revealed that this is NOT her personality, it is her after being a ship CPU. Also, I didn't get that one of my fave Characters was missing till they showed his ship inside a shadow ship.


Season 3 in general was a home run. one of the better season of a show of ANY format. Yes, there was some just bad episodes (Convictions, even if it had a classic bit in it) and others that didn't work for me. But a lot of good TV was in this season....

The Hour of the Wolf - I liked how so much of this episode happened "In the Hour of the wolf" as even Vir and Londo are dealing with the insane Emperor Cartagia in the early hours. Moden lives, and the Vorlons are being very Vorlon-y. Setting this season for a major jump. We see Sheridan is still alive (though i figured that since he was in the main credits....

Whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi? - First off, I love this title as you spent the entire time looking at the other issues and its like "O-yea, one of the longest running major characters is missing. Londo is playing a dangerous game, and I just want to make a note that Londo went from a humorous character to a tragic figure in the series. Great writing and acting. Speaking of Geribaldi, this cannot end well. The Loren<Sp> bits ALMOST fall into being cheesy, but it works.

The Summoning - ok first off. Marcus is a virgin. Now that is a neet surprise (I like it both for self reasons (I am LDS and that virtue is highly prized in males and females, but also in that how many adult virgin characters do you see on TV? but I am sure there is a foreshadowing on his status that I missed! ) Also, the "opening the door" is apparently the Vorlons now think they can go on a Genocidal rampage to take out the Shadows once and for all. Or that or they are STILL pissed about Kosh's death at the hands of the Shadow and are going to kill billions to prove the point (which is not past them, they where never played as "Nice" even if sometimes you are hinted that you want to say they are nice. As a note, Kosh was teaching our captain to "defeat legends" ... perhaps including the Vorlon?

Also the reveal was fun, even if I know it was coming. And between the last two episodes, we know that Sheridan is now past Amy and Deleen is his love of his life.

 

[Snatcher42]

I just want to make a note that Londo went from a humorous character to a tragic figure in the series. Great writing and acting.

Indeed, I think it's one of the greatest character arcs on television (and not over yet).

and what a way to end the season, with Kosh telling our Captain to jump as two major Thermonuclear devices go off.

There aren't words to describe how much I love the last 10 minutes of this episode. A friend had been bugging me to watch B5 for months, and I'd been putting it off for no particular reason. He called while Za'ha'dum was on and said just watch it, it's a big episode. I did and was absolutely floored. Fan for life.

You're at the most intense part of the series now, and my personal favorite. It will be interesting to see where you fall on the whole season 3 vs 4 debate. Suffice to say, they're both great!

Btw, Sheridan's a lucky man. I wish this crew of fine ladies would attempt to rescue me!

 

[RoJoHen]

You're at the most intense part of the series now, and my personal favorite. It will be interesting to see where you fall on the whole season 3 vs 4 debate. Suffice to say, they're both great!

Indeed. I go back and forth between Season 3 and Season 4 being my favorites. They both have so many awesome episodes that it's really hard for me to settle on one or the other.

 

[chrisspringob]

And between the last two episodes, we know that Sheridan is now past Amy and Deleen is his love of his life.

Amy?

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm guessing he means "Anna."

 

[JoeD80]

The Hour of the Wolf - I liked how so much of this episode happened "In the Hour of the wolf" as even Vir and Londo are dealing with the insane Emperor Cartagia in the early hours. Moden lives, and the Vorlons are being very Vorlon-y. Setting this season for a major jump. We see Sheridan is still alive (though i figured that since he was in the main credits....

Well Sheridan is dead in the first episode, as described by Lorien in the 2nd episode before he "breathes life on the remaining embers." Between Z'ha'dum and this and the next episode, more of Sheridan's dream back in season two can now be interpreted (Justin the middle-man, and Sheridan being stuck "in-between").

Whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi? - First off, I love this title as you spent the entire time looking at the other issues and its like "O-yea, one of the longest running major characters is missing.

Well G'Kar's search for Garibaldi is certainly a large portion of the episode; we just don't see much of Mr. Garibaldi himself. We will see plenty of him soon though...

Londo is playing a dangerous game, and I just want to make a note that Londo went from a humorous character to a tragic figure in the series.

Londo has certainly changed throughout the show and plenty more to come. I remember when my ex first watched the show with me and said in the first season, "Londo is my favorite; I hope he doesn't change," and I just had to hold my tongue knowing what was to unfold.

 

[Distorted Humor]

I'm guessing he means "Anna."

Amy, Anna, you say Tomato, I say Tomato

Its anna, not sure why I said "Amy"

 

[shivkala]

As you saw, they did get more ships . I smiled when I read your post "Severed Dreams" comment about them needing more ships.

I know I'm in the minority, but season 4, due to fear of being cancelled felt rushed and uneven to me. Season 3 is still my favorite.

"Grey 17 is Missing," well, let's go to the man about this one:

Date: 01 Oct 1996 20:19:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Grey 17

{original post had no questions}

Thanks. I think it's about 3/4ths of a good episode. Where it
falls down, for me, is the Zarg...I just have this constant desire to
go to everyone's house and personally apologize....

 

[Snatcher42]

I know I'm in the minority, but season 4, due to fear of being cancelled felt rushed and uneven to me. Season 3 is still my favorite.

I'd say that's a fair criticism. Though DH, don't let anyone tell you that two season's worth of plot has been crammed into one. Had a 5th year been assured, season 4 probably would have ended around the 18th or 19th episode, so we're only really talking about a 4 episode or so compression here. What suffers most, I think, are the early episodes of season 5 which feel a little padded.

 

[JoeD80]

Uneven is just Joe's writing style though. It's that roller coaster thing; not only up and down, but side-to-side as well. The fifth season is my favorite, but we should get in to all that discussion later since this thread has just started on season 4!

 

[shivkala]

JMS always said that season 5 was about

Spoiler

empire building

, so I agree that season 4 did not cram two seasons worth of plots. However, I believe JMS did say that some plot lines were truncated to allow a sense of closure as the season ended.

 

[Distorted Humor]

As you saw, they did get more ships . I smiled when I read your post "Severed Dreams" comment about them needing more ships.

I know I'm in the minority, but season 4, due to fear of being cancelled felt rushed and uneven to me. Season 3 is still my favorite.

"Grey 17 is Missing," well, let's go to the man about this one:

Date: 01 Oct 1996 20:19:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Grey 17

{original post had no questions}

Thanks. I think it's about 3/4ths of a good episode. Where it
falls down, for me, is the Zarg...I just have this constant desire to
go to everyone's house and personally apologize....

when I saw the Zarg, I though it was at first one of those bad "Infection" bioweapons on the loose.

 

[Jan]

when I saw the Zarg, I though it was at first one of those bad "Infection" bioweapons on the loose.

According to the script (and script book), it was never supposed to be seen anywhere near as clearly as it was.

I do love the final scene between Marcus and Nerroon in that episode, though.

Jan

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I do love the final scene between Marcus and Nerroon in that episode, though.

Jan

I liked everything to do with Neroon and Marcus in that episode, and I also really liked Delenn's recollection of her father; that was beautiful.

So in all, the episode gets a pass for the B plot, even if the A plot is...less than satisfying.

 

[shivkala]

Another reason I really love season 3 is because of the great character development of G'Kar. The character he starts becoming in the third season is truly amazing and G'Kar remains one of the few highlights of Legends of the Rangers. Quite a turn around for a character, who, for all intents and purposes served as a villain in the pilot and early season 1 (I just started rewatching the series and was struck by how both "The Gathering" and "Midnight on the Firing Line" have G'Kar being revealed as manipulating events and Sinclair threatening/bullying him into stopping. *Beep, Beep*

Even more impressive is how G'Kar and Londo are really polar opposites. When one comes off as the victim, the other fills the role of the aggressor. While the beginning of the series really made Londo a sympathetic character (which is needed for us to feel sympathy for him, even as we see him do some not so great things), we almost feel the opposite for G'Kar, until season 2, which really makes you feel horrible for him, just as we begin shaking our heads at Londo's decisions.