Re: First time impressions from the Babylon 5 virgin
^^
I'm ready for the commentary. Just finished off Crusade tonight...
Crusade: "Appearances and Other Deceits"
There's nothing extra-special about this episode's plot--name the half dozen Star Trek episodes that share a similar premise--but there are enough good moments that I was able to enjoy it. First, there's Mr. Welles (*cough*Neroon*cough*), making a reapparance here for the first time since he was introduced in "The Fall of Night" (a subtle nod that he got away with being part of night watch here when he mentions being able to get out of any political situation). Second, Max is humanized just a little bit more (and his friendship with Dr. Chambers continues to show up more and more--I wonder, was JMS planning something with these two?). There were a few other moments, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. Still, nothing that screamed "this is stupid," except for the other PR guy onboard (The one who was not Not Neroon).
Of course, the uniform change subplot pretty much throws a flaming monkey wrench into any hope of finding a semblance of continuity for these 13 episodes. They clearly say that there are four years left to cure the plague here-- but I'm sure that they said five years in at least some of the ugly uniform episodes.
Finally, as a final episode of the series, seeing Gideon write a letter to the crew-members who have died shares a certain amount of symmetry to the series' death.
Grade: B+