Babylon 5 - I'm finally going to do it

[tomalak301]

The Coming of Shadows

Ok, that was epic. I saw the dream sequence and I was like, I remember this episode. I remember the hand from what looked like the sun reaching out, and Londo looking up seeing the Shadow Ships. Still, it was long ago, so seeing it now with a lot of things in context does feel like watching it for the first time again. Things moved full speed ahead in this episode. Narn and Cintauri are done negotiating and are at war, and it was great seeing Sinclair again. So the Rangers are like a secret army, gathering information and Sinclair pretty much started it? Very interesting stuff.

Really loved G'Kar in this episode. It is interesting that at the beginning of the series G'Kar was the one gloating and happy. The tables have definitely turned.

I'd say it's the best episode of the season, (so far) but just so I'm not naming the "big" episodes the best of the season, I also liked the previous episode, Soul Mates, and the Premiere also. Still, there was just something epic and grand about this one. Things are really picking up.

 

[Hyperspace05]

Good! "TCOS" is usually in polls voted as the "best" episode of B5. (or in the top 3)

Personally I have several I put above it on my list, but I think "TCOS" is one of the episodes that is perhaps most pure B5, or most representative of B5. Or to put it another way.. If you don't like it, there isn't much point staying with the show. It is moving in this direction.

About the dream... Some of the shots were seen before (in the season 1 premiere), but many of them are new here. Like the view of shadow ships in the sky. Although they have always been in his dreams - we are simply seeing more and more glimpses of this (possible?) future.

As you can probably tell, the evolving characters of Londo and G'kar (and their interaction) is one of the absolute highlights of the series. As G'kar said in the S1 premiere, "The wheel turns, does it not?". They have in a way traded places with each other - and this dynamic will continue to evolve over the show.

 

[tomalak301]

I was just looking at the Lurkers guide for this episode, and this was the one that DS9's The Visitor was competing against for the Hugo Award. I've been wondering which B5 episode it was. Now I know. I guess it was a much deserved win, but the acting from Todd and Brooks and the gut wrenching performance might make me prefer The Visitor over this one. Not to take away anything from COS, but The Visitor was just that good.

 

[Hyperspace05]

Yeah, they are hard to compare. Such different episodes.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

Sinclair didn't start the rangers. He's the current leader of them, though.

 

[tomalak301]

Sinclair didn't start the rangers. He's the current leader of them, though.

Ok, I thought the episode implied that he formed them. He didn't.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

Well, let's just say there's a bit more to it than what was shown in that episode. But it's impossible to say more without major, major spoilers.

 

[Jan]

Re: The Coming of Shadows - That was one of the episodes that I used to swear had two hours worth of stuff in one hour. Fans used to joke about the 'time dilation' bubble that JMS would send out to our houses during these episodes. It's just that there's been so much momentum built up that it feels like so much more.

Sinclair didn't start the rangers. He's the current leader of them, though.

Ok, I thought the episode implied that he formed them. He didn't.

The Anla'Shok have been around for about a thousand years. Sound familiar?

I don't want to spoil the new folks but what happened to the Season Five script Peter David was supposed to write?

It was called 'Gut Reactions'. He and Bill Mumy wrote it but it never went past the First Draft. JMS decided to go in different directions on two elements and (imo) it really wasn't very good, though that may be harsh since it was a first draft. For those interested, I've written a synopsis I can send if you PM me.
ETA: The synopsis is too long for one PM so let me know if you want me to break it into 3 PMS or give me an email.

Jan

 

[Mr Light]

Coming of Shadows is definitely a great episode but I wouldn't put it in the top five or anything. There's so much down the road that is just amazing

 

[tomalak301]

Sinclair didn't start the rangers. He's the current leader of them, though.

Ok, I thought the episode implied that he formed them. He didn't.

The Anla'Shok have been around for about a thousand years. Sound familiar?

Vaguely.

 

[tomalak301]

Gropos

Not as good as the previous episode, but still good. Kind of sad what happened to Yang and Dodger, but that was the theme of the episode, doing things because you're not sure if you can be alive to do them again. On that end it was a little predictable, and Stephen and his father making up at the end was nice for the typical cliche kiss and make up moments, but despite that it was an enjoyable episode. I was thinking watching this that this one was referencing back to Garibaldi and his Aid, and his Aid saying that the racism had gone far deeper than the Home Guard. The scenes with Delenn were very poignant.

 

[Mal]

Kind of sad what happened to Yang and Dodger

dodger was a keeper

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

Ok, I thought the episode implied that he formed them. He didn't.

The Anla'Shok have been around for about a thousand years. Sound familiar?

Vaguely.

Well, suffice to say: A Lot of interesting stuff happened 1000 years ago in the B5 universe.

 

[tomalak301]

All Alone in the Night

You know, I don't know if this is considered one of Season 2's best episodes, but 11 episodes in, I think it might be the best I've seen. Yeah you have Coming of Shadows (Which was an event episode but might have not exceeded all my expectations), Race Through Dark Places, and some others, but this episode was awesome. First off, I love that title. It's so appropriate for the different stories, such as Delenn's and her dismissal of the Gray Council and that shot of her standing alone (In the night ), Shariden and the dream sequence (What did Kosh mean when he said you belong here), and then the end sequence saying there might be a rise against Clark somewhat foreshadowing what is to come. Adds another layer of complexity to the B5 universe.

 

[Forbin]

Okay, please, it's spelled "Sheridan."

 

[Mr Light]

I give "All Alone" a 3.5/4 and I do think it's a great one. You've got major revelations, Sheridan goes from an affable nut to a secret conspirator, you've got a sweet little spaceship battle, you've got alien abduction, the foreshadowing dream, other stuff I forget at the mo...

 

[Jan]

Trivia note: The alien 'Streib' were named after Whitley Streiber who's written several books about alien abduction.

Jan

 

[Lindley]

On a similar note, the Gaim are named after Neil Gaiman.

 

[tomalak301]

Okay, please, it's spelled "Sheridan."

Good to know.

 

[tomalak301]

I give "All Alone" a 3.5/4 and I do think it's a great one. You've got major revelations, Sheridan goes from an affable nut to a secret conspirator, you've got a sweet little spaceship battle, you've got alien abduction, the foreshadowing dream, other stuff I forget at the mo...

Something I did forget to mention. Loved seeing Neroon again.