Babylon 5 viewing order

[Distorted Humor]

As I told someone else...it started off as a space station show out in space with early CGI and some decent aliens, and suddenly before you know it it gone all LOtR on you and suddenly you feel like your in a Wagnerian epic.

And so much for the marcabs<sp>...

 

[Distorted Humor]

ok, it was the Markab race, not the Marcabs

Finished watching "Confessions and Lamentations" last night and I will say this, when they opened the door and ALL the Markab's where dead, I was floored. (Shiver)

Of course, two things that sprung into my mind - last encounter with this illness was 1000 years ago, when the shadows where known to be about (along with the weapon in "Infection") and it makes me wonder if it was something that just happened, or a genocidal weapon unleashed on the Markab's.

And of course, since humans don't get ill from the sickness, the viking blood in me was thinking "Markab homeworld and bases are now great looting and pillaging locations." That and our doctor might have a Stim problem.

I am following the Lurkers list for viewing order except I have not watched In the Beginning. So I have also watched knives prior to "In the shadow" and "Now for a word" was highly enjoyable and fun episode in its own way.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yeah, "Confessions and Lamentations" is one of the saddest episodes of anything ever. It's not every day that you witness the extinction of an entire race.

 

[Reverend]

^Even more unusual from the perspective of a TV show is that they did it to a race that had been around since early season one. If Trek or similar were to do this it'd just be some random alien-of-the-week type race...and even then they'd get them the cure *just* in time before trotting off along their merry, morally superior way.

That's actually one of B5's distinguishing features in the annals of Sci-Fi TV shows: things that happen matter and have tangible, lasting and often *permanent* consequences. No reset button, no technobabble contrivances that save the day.

 

[The Lensman]

^Even more unusual from the perspective of a TV show is that they did it to a race that had been around since early season one. If Trek or similar were to do this it'd just be some random alien-of-the-week type race...and even then they'd get them the cure *just* in time before trotting off along their merry, morally superior way.

That's actually one of B5's distinguishing features in the annals of Sci-Fi TV shows: things that happen matter and have tangible, lasting and often *permanent* consequences. No reset button, no technobabble contrivances that save the day.

Exactly. And that's why, despite it's shortcomings, Babylon 5 went on to surpass Trek as my favorite sci-fi show.

 

[BillJ]

Just finished season 1 and have watched a couple of the season 2 efforts. I have to say that the show is quite impressive for the budget it was done on.

I know the 'in-universe' reason for replacing Sinclair with Sheridan, but why was Micheal O'Hare replaced at the end of season 1? I was actually starting to like the character.

 

[Triple-F]

Just finished season 1 and have watched a couple of the season 2 efforts. I have to say that the show is quite impressive for the budget it was done on.

I know the 'in-universe' reason for replacing Sinclair with Sheridan, but why was Micheal O'Hare replaced at the end of season 1? I was actually starting to like the character.

Reasons vary depending on who tells it to be honest. But the writing, acting and relative lack of action were being quoted as the main reasons for the show getting pretty well hammered by the press during the first season. O’Hare in particular was the focus of a fair bit of it.

Season 2 saw a major shift in the levels of action and O’Hare being replaced by a more well known actor. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not. But according to someone (who was in the room at the time) Doug Netter walked up to him after a meeting with Warner and basically told him his contract would not be renewed for a second season.

 

[JoeD80]

the viking blood in me was thinking "Markab homeworld and bases are now great looting and pillaging locations."

Yep, the Markab Homeworld is an open target...

I am following the Lurkers list for viewing order except I have not watched In the Beginning. So I have also watched knives prior to "In the shadow" and "Now for a word" was highly enjoyable and fun episode in its own way.

I wouldn't watch In the Beginning until the end of the series myself, but there are lots of differing personal preferences for where to view that one.

Reasons vary depending on who tells it to be honest.

I think the important thing is that O'Hare was fine with it.

 

[Distorted Humor]

Just finished season 1 and have watched a couple of the season 2 efforts. I have to say that the show is quite impressive for the budget it was done on.

I know the 'in-universe' reason for replacing Sinclair with Sheridan, but why was Micheal O'Hare replaced at the end of season 1? I was actually starting to like the character.

As someone one a first run though, the new captain you get used to in season 2, and so far season 2 is better then season 1.

PS - not to spoil, but Micheal O'hare does show up now and then, and it might of been a mutual thing, all sides seem happy with the change, as O'hare I think was more used to and happy with stage work, where is well respected for.

I wouldn't watch In the Beginning until the end of the series myself, but there are lots of differing personal preferences for where to view that one.

I am planning to wait till the end or into season 5....who knows, might be the start of my rewatching

 

[Snatcher42]

As someone one a first run though

As someone on their 5th or so run through... err, I really like this show! And love seeing new fans discover it.

I'm at the end of the 4th season at the moment, so can't say much while avoiding spoilers. But my main reaction this time is how visually impressive the season still is even today. Definitely the height of the show's productions values, as there was a bit of a budget cut for season 5. But I'm looking forward to re-evaluating that season as well.

I am planning to wait till the end or into season 5....who knows, might be the start of my rewatching

Good choice!

 

[shivkala]

It's hard not to want to jump in and make specific points, for fear of spoiling things, so I'll go as general as possible: Distorted Humor, you are very perceptive and I think you'll find that Babylon 5 will reward you for that. As you've seen and will see, this show has some very small moments which become more important later on. It very rarely (if ever) pulls things from left field. Most of the major character moments and plot points can be traced back to some small moments, choices, decisions, etc. in previous episodes.

 

[Distorted Humor]

Should be onwords to season 3 after tonight....

They don't change the commander again do they?

 

[RoJoHen]

Not for a while.

 

[JoeD80]

Should be onwords to season 3 after tonight....

Any mini-reviews for the other season two episodes? Enjoy reading those.

 

[Distorted Humor]

Should be onwords to season 3 after tonight....

Any mini-reviews for the other season two episodes? Enjoy reading those.

Sure

Spoilers for those who have not seen these episode

Gropos - I found Dr. Franklin and his dad's part as not great, but not bad. The rest of the episode was a bit "paint by the numbers" and would of been more surprised if any of the troops Survived then died. They could of dropped the CGI ground battle bits and left it mostly to imagination and giving more action time elsewhere.

All Alone in the night - this was a much better episode, the dream I still don't get (I think that was the point) and General Hague added another notch to the series. The battle sequences where cool too. I smell trouble in the grey council.

Acts of Sacrifice - Susan Subplot = Narn bits realistic and sad, wheel of fate G'kar. I thought of a few kinky things you could do with the gift.

Hunter, Prey - I saw this on TV one time, So it kinda ruined the suspense on how they solved it. Lots of noteworthy stuff happened in this episode. loved the "NEVER ASK THAT QUESTION"...that and I wonder if he gave the real data-crystal in the end...

There the Honor Lies - I remember the singing bit the most, very amazing bit of TV viewing. The lying mainplot was only ok, I was more curious on the Kosh-Sheridan bits. Also the Giftshop bits was funny.

And Now for a word - I love this episode, cool way to tell a one off story. also shows a lot what is happening "Back home". Yes, I spent 20 mins getting netflix to stop at the frame in the commercial.

Knives - Is a lot better then it should be. The creature bit was odd, the Londo bits where meaty.

In the Shadow - very very good, discussed elsewhere.

Confessions and Laminations - Also discussed elsewhere, very sad. Still pains me when they open the door.

4 left in season 2...

 

[Distorted Humor]

and....I finished Season 2 for the first time....

Interesting...

 

[RoJoHen]

I love the end of Season 2. It's so depressing.

 

[JoeD80]

All Alone in the night - this was a much better episode, the dream I still don't get (I think that was the point)

There are several connections to later episodes presented in the dream that get clearer the farther you get in to the show. One that's not a spoiler though:

As for the dove on Garibaldi's shoulder...that doesn't mean anything. I just liked the idea of making Jerry have to stand around the set all day with a bird on his shoulder.

 

[Reverend]

^And yet I'm sure if we thought hard enough we could come up with a credible lie to explain it anyway.

Actually, I like the idea that some of that is just nonsense to throw off the clue seekers. Maybe Kosh got distracted for a split second thinking about ordering lunch and wasn't paying attention...

 

[Distorted Humor]

^And yet I'm sure if we thought hard enough we could come up with a credible lie to explain it anyway.

Actually, I like the idea that some of that is just nonsense to throw off the clue seekers. Maybe Kosh got distracted for a split second thinking about ordering lunch and wasn't paying attention...

Haha, or then again, since Kosh is a alien, it might make sense to Kosh, but no sense to a human. I don't mind the occasional red herring.

Spoilers bits for those who have not seen Season 2 below...

Well, Divided Loyalties, a lot going on in this episode...

Lyta Alexander looks a lot better with the longer hair, she looked a bit too much like another female character from the OTHER space station show that I love.

Talia and Susan, tastefully done and poor Susan will have a hard time trusting anyone again. (I hope I read the Talia and Susan staying over bit correctly, since it was done with a subtle hand...)

Garibaldi reaction cracked me up on the "command" bit, but then I thought, you know, if he really was the a sleeper, he protected himself. Guess I am getting paranoid enough.

The Long, Twilight Struggle - Wow, this is a impressive episode, actually in my mind, might be the best of the series so far. The tone of this episode is grim, but it is movie quality lighting and filming in this. Not going into details but a LOT was going on.

Comes the Inquisitor - Curious episode. Funny enough I guessed who it was once I saw his outfit and him looking down and talking about filth, and the camera zoomed in on what may be a "lady of the night."

The Fall of Night - Awarded the "Feel good episode of the year"... being sarcastic of course. Well done episode and we see Kosh, or more exactly, what Kosh WHATS us to see. Nice touches on earth "Peace in our time" talks. I get the weird feeling that B5 might not be a earth-force station for long, as I get the sense that the command crew is near a mutiny to the clark government, and they are being painted into a corner. I enjoyed the Vir/Lannier bit a lot more then I should. The lighting of the candles at the end by Susan was a nice touch of hope as things are going bad.

PS

Kiffer - Give a Vir like handwave, I don't think I will miss him.