Re: First time impressions from the Babylon 5 virgin
Well, I've started watching Babylon 5 again, from the beginning, according to the Lurker Guide's best possible
episode order. If you all remember, with the exception of a few episodes, I absolutely hated the pilot and first season of Babylon 5. The acting, the sets, the nature of the episodes--nothing really gelled with me until I saw Babylon Squared and Chrysalis. After seeing the entire series through, however, new things have already begun coming to light and the brilliant foreshadowing layered throughout has really transformed my experience. I never thought I'd say it before, but on second viewing, I really like the first season of Babylon 5. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less, since I felt the same way about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
So, without further ado, a look back at Babylon 5...
"The Gathering" (TNT Version)
This is probably as unpolished as Babylon 5 gets, and yet on second viewing, there are so many things in it that I love. Londo, whom I initially found to be a buffoon and a waste of screen time, is a great character. Seeing G'Kar in full form as the villain of the piece is a shock and wonderful, with full knowledge of his impending transformation. It's equally interesting to get a look at Lyta Alexander here, before her experience with the Vorlons later in the series. And Michael O'Hare is excellent as Sinclair. His acting is a little suspect until we get to the scene in which he describes the Battle of the Line--but after that, he absolutely takes off with the role. I'm glad we got him for 24 episodes before Sheridan. They're two very different characters, and they're both great. Dr. Kyle's last lines ("Nothing is the same anymore"), which are of course echoed by Sinclair in the finale of this season are a little overdone, but in the context with what comes after, not as cheesy as I had initially thought.
Grade: B-
"Midnight on the Firing Line"
Ivanova is a welcome addition to the series, and I'm starting to like Claudia Christian's acting a lot more re-watching everything from the beginning. The talk of the election, which in another series would be dropped in and never referenced again, puts a dark shadow over what will come next. The same goes to Londo's dream, which is mentioned in the very first episode, but not realized until War Without End two and a half years later. The raiders and the easy solution to the Narn-Centauri conflict seemed like a lame resolution the first time I saw it, but now I realize that it was just a stop-gap of things to come.
Grade: A-
"Soul Hunter"
Knowing Sinclair's fate, this episode is a lot stronger. The actor playing the Soul Hunter didn't grab me at first viewing, but on second viewing, he's perfect for the part. Further foreshadowing about Sinclair's missing 24 hours and his destiny. If there's anything wrong with this episode, it's the criminal way in which special effects have been cropped near the end, totally ruining the composition. And that Bug Alien looks pretty cheesy. Glad they got rid of it after this year.
Grade: B+
"Born into Purple"
Adira is basically a love-interest of the week, at least, that's what it seems when you first see this episode. Most of the other characters in it are pretty stock, but Clive Revill brings a nice performance to a mostly thankless role. However, upon second viewing, when you realize the destinies of Adira, G'Kar, and Londo, everything is greatly improved.
Grade: B
I'm doing sound recording on a documentary film in Seattle, Washington Saturday-Wednesday, so I don't know if I'll be able to watch any more episodes until then. I should also note that I've been watching these all with a friend, and he's been enjoying them, though I have to turn to him and tell him that "this seems lame, but five years down the road it will be really important." I remember when you all told me that, and I was skeptical. The learner has become the teacher I guess.
what kind of crazy school holds finals in April 
