Babylon 5
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1x06 - Mind War
A gripping episode which sheds some of the weaker parts of earlier instalments (such as that black market bug gangster dude) while giving much needed development to the show's idea of telepaths and the character of Winters.
The show seems to understand or at least, place far more importance (compared to Trek) in the idea that telepaths have the capacity to be more dangerous or more transcendent than almost any other being.
Walter Koenig was delightfully smarmy - a thoroughly enjoyable presence. I do so relish when guest stars knock it out of the park. It's hard not to make psychic battles look anything but absurd, but I was willing to roll with it. The CGI energy being that Ironheart became was a tad goofy, but otherwise, the plot worked. Though, what on earth was going on visually with that scene where Winters explains telepath sex?
The side-plot was also an interesting way of distinguishing the show from others - some the mysteries of the universe, as G'Kar puts it, should stay mysterious rather than be attempted to be explained or explored... at least for another "million years".
Both of the past two episodes seemed to be steps up in quality from the first few - and they also added more complexities to G'Kar. At first what seemed to be a straight up villain is now a far more intriguing figure.
Rating: ***
- A sign of good world-building is that I enjoy seeing the various races of the station interact in the background of scenes, and indeed, am curious as to what they're discussing.
- I'm beginning to suspect that the Vorlons will not be as big a part of the show as I'd initially hoped; at least, not yet.
- I'm still getting a sense that the "real" story of the season hasn't started yet.
"Go ahead, ask me to say 'nuclear wessels'..."
A gripping episode which sheds some of the weaker parts of earlier instalments (such as that black market bug gangster dude) while giving much needed development to the show's idea of telepaths and the character of Winters.
The show seems to understand or at least, place far more importance (compared to Trek) in the idea that telepaths have the capacity to be more dangerous or more transcendent than almost any other being.
Walter Koenig was delightfully smarmy - a thoroughly enjoyable presence. I do so relish when guest stars knock it out of the park. It's hard not to make psychic battles look anything but absurd, but I was willing to roll with it. The CGI energy being that Ironheart became was a tad goofy, but otherwise, the plot worked. Though, what on earth was going on visually with that scene where Winters explains telepath sex?
The side-plot was also an interesting way of distinguishing the show from others - some the mysteries of the universe, as G'Kar puts it, should stay mysterious rather than be attempted to be explained or explored... at least for another "million years".
Both of the past two episodes seemed to be steps up in quality from the first few - and they also added more complexities to G'Kar. At first what seemed to be a straight up villain is now a far more intriguing figure.
Rating: ***
- A sign of good world-building is that I enjoy seeing the various races of the station interact in the background of scenes, and indeed, am curious as to what they're discussing.
- I'm beginning to suspect that the Vorlons will not be as big a part of the show as I'd initially hoped; at least, not yet.
- I'm still getting a sense that the "real" story of the season hasn't started yet.
"Go ahead, ask me to say 'nuclear wessels'..."
You ain't seen nothing yet.
Guy asks "Guess who's coming to dinner?" Then shows up an hour early. Without wine.
The color correction (which is weird on a lot of the first-season core shuttle scenes, at least on the DVD; I can't remember if they were that bad first run) or the really on-the-nose "train going into a tunnel" bit?
1x07 - The War Prayer
A mostly average episode carried in large part by some terrific moments from Londo, who's emerged as the best and most enticing character on the show.
He's capable of anchoring scenes of pathos and melancholy as well as humor, and as long as he's on screen, something entertaining is usually going on.
The main theme is laid on pretty thick: I can't remember if these racists were actually running around saying "we hate aliens! They're no good! Humans are the best!" but the real dialogue can't have been that far off. Then again, real-world sentiments from similar xenophobic groups are hardly more elegant, so why not have art imitate life?
The members of the anti-alien group also weren't very bright to say the least; Sinclair's plan to infiltrate them with the anvil-subtle line "the only good alien is a dead alien!" was so transparent, it's shocking that it actually convinced them.
And yet, even though the plot was over the top, even though a lot of the acting remains awkward... it's becoming a lot easier to sit through even average episodes as the show and world grows on me.
Rating: ***
-The best two lines of the episode belonged to Londo: "What does love have to do with marriage?!!!" and "you think I married them for their personalities? Their personalities could shatter entire planets!"
-I wonder if I'll meet Londo's wives? Or perhaps the better question is, based on his descriptions, do I want to?
-A Vorlon sighting!!! And, as usual, it's typically brief and only leaves me wanting more.
-Overly obvious anti-racism plots aren't exactly the best way to endear me to Sinclair. I already know that racism is bad; what I don't know, and am eager to learn more about, is Sinclair's role in the Earth-Minbari war.
"We're here, we're queer, we don't want any more aliens!"
A mostly average episode carried in large part by some terrific moments from Londo, who's emerged as the best and most enticing character on the show.
He's capable of anchoring scenes of pathos and melancholy as well as humor, and as long as he's on screen, something entertaining is usually going on.
The main theme is laid on pretty thick: I can't remember if these racists were actually running around saying "we hate aliens! They're no good! Humans are the best!" but the real dialogue can't have been that far off. Then again, real-world sentiments from similar xenophobic groups are hardly more elegant, so why not have art imitate life?
The members of the anti-alien group also weren't very bright to say the least; Sinclair's plan to infiltrate them with the anvil-subtle line "the only good alien is a dead alien!" was so transparent, it's shocking that it actually convinced them.
And yet, even though the plot was over the top, even though a lot of the acting remains awkward... it's becoming a lot easier to sit through even average episodes as the show and world grows on me.
Rating: ***
-The best two lines of the episode belonged to Londo: "What does love have to do with marriage?!!!" and "you think I married them for their personalities? Their personalities could shatter entire planets!"
-I wonder if I'll meet Londo's wives? Or perhaps the better question is, based on his descriptions, do I want to?
-A Vorlon sighting!!! And, as usual, it's typically brief and only leaves me wanting more.
-Overly obvious anti-racism plots aren't exactly the best way to endear me to Sinclair. I already know that racism is bad; what I don't know, and am eager to learn more about, is Sinclair's role in the Earth-Minbari war.
"We're here, we're queer, we don't want any more aliens!"
Nice to see someone testing the Babylon 5 waters for the first time. I always enjoy seeing people react to things for the first time whilst I read and nod knowingly. 
BlueStuff: tread carefully in this thread. B5 fans have a reeeeeeeeeally bad habit of dropping spoilers when peeps are documenting first time watches like you are. It's inevitable and will happen.
B5 fans: please don't start with the subtle hints and innuendo. That's what usually gets the avalanche going. Let the pebble learn on their own
B5 fans: please don't start with the subtle hints and innuendo. That's what usually gets the avalanche going. Let the pebble learn on their own
G'kar and Londo emerge as probably the two most well-nuanced characters of the entire show. Peter Jurasik and the late Andreas Katsulas are among B5's most talented actors.
Walter Koenig episodes are like B5 dessert - he's so good, and just carries off Bester so well, you always look forward to his recurring appearances.
Just keep watching, and enjoying.
Walter Koenig episodes are like B5 dessert - he's so good, and just carries off Bester so well, you always look forward to his recurring appearances.
Just keep watching, and enjoying.
Undeniable.
Agree!
Agree. They were shitheads.
True, but it may be exactly what they were yearning to hear.
I love how much care was put into building it.
I'm not here to argue but I never had a problem with the acting (with one exception which you haven't seen yet). I think the acting is one of B5's greatest strengths. Scenery and effects are great, but if this was a play on a stage I'd still love it, the story and acting are strong.
Beauty!
But this is the kind of show where a main character may actually be a bigot, unlike the more fantasyland everybody is wonderful or a "bad guy" series.
I will only say,"Take nothing for granted."
God, the main titles (especially for the first season) are depressing nowadays. The last time, i watched the show, O'Hare, Doyle, Furst and Conaway were still with us. 
I absolutely love listening to the commentary tracks. I think it's the track for "Falling Towards Apotheosis" where Jurasik starts making fun of the dents in Doyle's head. They are comedy gold.It's also depressing when you listen to an audio commentary with Boxleitner, Doyle and Biggs.
1x08 - And the Sky Full of Stars
Just as I was hoping both for an episode to truly kickstart the "real" story of the show and for something that sheds some light on the Earth/Minbari war, I get this nugget. Of course, it doesn't "reveal" much; that's why we're still in season 1 I guess. But I'm definitely on board this ride for the long haul.
Delenn was involved in Sinclair's capture? That's one heck of a bomb which really makes the dynamics of the station a lot more interesting. I can't wait for all this simmering plot to eventually boil over, when that "hole" in Sinclair's mind is filled (if it ever is).
I found this one largely engaging even if it provided little in the way of answers; perhaps because I wasn't necessarily expecting it to. I liked the simple structure of the story without a B-plot, bolstered hugely by the performance of the main interrogator (missed his name, if they gave it).
The first episode that I would legitimately describe as "very good". Now that the groundwork has been laid out and I'm comfortable with the characters and station dynamics, I'm looking forward to this story hitting new heights in future.
Rating: ****
- Is it wrong that I quite enjoyed the image of Garibaldi being "killed" and was kinda hoping it would happen again and again to really drive home the interrogator's point?
- The FX seemed noticeably better in this episode. The space battle sequences were satisfactory.
Not just a Coldplay song.
Just as I was hoping both for an episode to truly kickstart the "real" story of the show and for something that sheds some light on the Earth/Minbari war, I get this nugget. Of course, it doesn't "reveal" much; that's why we're still in season 1 I guess. But I'm definitely on board this ride for the long haul.
Delenn was involved in Sinclair's capture? That's one heck of a bomb which really makes the dynamics of the station a lot more interesting. I can't wait for all this simmering plot to eventually boil over, when that "hole" in Sinclair's mind is filled (if it ever is).
I found this one largely engaging even if it provided little in the way of answers; perhaps because I wasn't necessarily expecting it to. I liked the simple structure of the story without a B-plot, bolstered hugely by the performance of the main interrogator (missed his name, if they gave it).
The first episode that I would legitimately describe as "very good". Now that the groundwork has been laid out and I'm comfortable with the characters and station dynamics, I'm looking forward to this story hitting new heights in future.
Rating: ****
- Is it wrong that I quite enjoyed the image of Garibaldi being "killed" and was kinda hoping it would happen again and again to really drive home the interrogator's point?
- The FX seemed noticeably better in this episode. The space battle sequences were satisfactory.
Not just a Coldplay song.
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