Re: First time impressions from the Babylon 5 virgin
“Moments of Fire and Shadow”
The saga continues. This is really all one big story, so I doubt I’ll have a lot to say between now and the end. Suffice it to say, I’m pretty happy with season five. Those who told me to wait it out while Byron babbled on were right—season five does get better. A lot better. Lochley finally reappears here—her character really has gotten the short end of the stick this year. Budget cuts, I guess. Was Londo really implanted with a keeper, or was that all a premonition as to what will happen later? Lyta is continuing her changed ways—asking Vir for half a million credits for work Stephen does out of friendship? And the Narns and Drazi strike a pact to attack the Centauri Homeworld. And Delenn is attacked on course to Minbari. Unfortunately, there isn’t any real drama there, since we saw her in Deconstruction of Falling Stars well over a hundred years old. At least Lyta and Franklin have discovered the truth about the Centauri’s attacks—but is it too late?
“The Fall of Centauri Prime”
So many things happened in the last episode that they had to have a re-cap for only the third time in the course of the series (IIRC—A Voice in the Darkness, II and War Without End, II had them). So Centauri Prime is finally in flames as I saw back in In the Beginning. And the White Stars were so close to stopping it, too. And it looks like Mollari hasn’t gotten a Keeper until this point. I guess that was inevitable. I do wonder why one was placed on Captain Jack though, back in season four. What did the Drakh have to do with that? His final meeting with G’Kar is a very sad one, considering how they will die. There is talk of an alien story with Londo in the Lost Tales—I don’t know how I feel about that. His story is so tragic, and without G’Kar to take part in it, I don’t know if I want to see more. And Lennier finally tells Delenn he loves her, though she doesn’t really hear.
“The Wheel of Fire”
What is there left to do after last episode? It seems like all that is left is to say good-bye to our characters. I’m sure I’ll be proven wrong as these next few episodes progress. Garibaldi is forced to deal with his alcoholism—and they finally mention Stephen went through something similar a couple of years previous. Lochley helps him, and we finally realize what her experience in Day of the Dead was all about. And Lise is back, to dry him out for good I hope. G’Kar deals with what is practically sainthood—and it would be a great moment instead of a good one if there was a budget for more extras. I wonder how much this show cost per episode—certainly a fraction of what Star Trek, Farscape, Stargate, or BSG cost no doubt. The Psi Corp problem continues. And Lyta is involved. I doubt her life will end well anymore. This deal she’s struck with Garibaldi looks like foreshadowing for a season we won’t ever see. The Telepath War better happen in the Lost Tales or a movie. Delenn is pregnant, so there’s some good news, at least, though not entirely unexpected given some of the future we’ve seen.
This is the last episode I’ll watch tonight. Later this week, I’ll watch the last trilogy of episodes. Then I’ll be ready for a second viewing of Sleeping in Light, with all your comments. Then, I’ll begin re-watching the series, and this time I’ll throw in “Thirdspace, “River of Souls,” “Legend of the Rangers,” “Call to Arms,” and “Crusade.” Around that time, “The Lost Tales Vol. 1” should be released. I can’t wait.
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“Objects in Motion”
Number One returns from Mars, and we learn her name. Awfully convenient that Stephen was right there
. And bringing cheery news of impending murder against Mr. and Mrs. Garibaldi, no less. Earth can’t seem to let Mars go—will that be resolved in this final trilogy, or be continued elsewhere? G’Kar and Lyta leave the station for what appears to be the final time. I used to care for Lyta, but she’s gone down a dark path lately, and I don’t know if I care about her anymore. Number One being named Garibaldi’s replacement was a wonderful moment though. I didn’t see that coming at all. And Garibaldi leaves the station one last time. He’s been here since the beginning, and even though I know he’ll be back, it will never be the same again.
“Objects at Rest”
Every one is moving on. Franklin is headed to Earth, Sheridan and Delenn are headed to Minbar. Lennier is headed out on his own, after betraying Sheridan. Londo returns one last time, in a moment of foreboding and a moment of sadness. G’Kar bids Tannier, and us, farewell. It’s very sad knowing that Andreas Katsulas is no longer with us watching these scenes. I know there is a bit more of him waiting in the movies I have not yet seen, but it still is a closing of a chapter here. And it is very, very sad moment.
“Sleeping in Light”
The end is here. An epilogue to the series, there is no action here, just characters and emotion. I’m pretty much without words. I thought I would be mad about the documentary reveal, but it was perfect. I teared up at the end when Sheridan moved on. But I won’t use up any more space here to talk about it. The live commentary still waits, and hopefully, I’ll be able to watch Sleeping in Light without crying like a baby that time. I doubt it, though—Sleeping in Light is a beautiful, poignant ending to a series that has had its ups and downs, but went out, in its final stretch, at the top of its game. And I couldn’t have asked for anything more than that.
Vir is becoming the new Centauri ambassador… it really is the beginning of the end for Babylon 5. Thankfully, it’s made a full return to form in the final stretch—almost erasing the memory of the telepath arc. The new Minbari fighters (at least I think they’re new) are cool, but somewhat limited by the CGI technology of the time. I hope they show up in the Lost Tales— they’re pretty cool looking. It’s nice to see Franklin mentioning his belief in foundation. “What happened to Vir?” “I promoted him.” 
