Niners Unite...around Babylon 5!

[Orac Zen]

It's the most likely explanation, <span class="spoiler"><font class="small">Spoiler:</font><hr /><span>but for a show that left so few loose ends it's annoying to have one like this - a whole B-plot that basically amounted to nothing.</span><hr /></span>

Not a huge deal, really...just annoying.

 

[Kolrad]

Like I said, I don't have access to the episodes, so I'm going based on memory here...

One of the little things I appreciate about the early episodes is the little coda segment at the end of each one, usually just a minute or two long. It usually features the characters reflecting on what's happened, asking questions about it. Sometimes it's used for a joke. I think it's refreshing, because very few TV shows include much in the way of resolution-- shows usually end as soon as possible after the climax.

I hope this isn't a spoiler, but at some point B5 stopped using that structure as much-- maybe because it didn't fit as well when the arc really got intense and involved. So now, I just think it's one of those neat things that's unique to early B5.

 

[Evil Twin]

Bah... Hate to say it, but I'm gonna have to drop out of this, guys. I'm already six episodes behind, and just haven't had the time or inclination to watch these days, and I know that isn't going to change any time soon. Sorry!

 

[Blade Runner]

^

Maybe you can just pop in to comment now and again. The door is always open...

 

[D Man]

I saw this thread pinned up at the top just now, and though "Oh crap, I've missed all the fun, it's already out to five pages." I was thinking you guys had already covered most of everything. Luckily I was wrong, and this thread is actually delving into some terrific commentary and insight. I may not be a regular around these DS9 parts, but I'm certainly a regular lurker, and I think it's time to leave my protective non-posting shell behind me.

This B5 runthrough is a terrific idea, and I'd like to find my way into your illustrious group of BBSers . I first went through B5 about a year ago, and then through most of it again (pretty much everything but season 1) with a friend of mine. I've been wanting to do it again from the beginning for a while now, and this is the perfect opportunity. I'm just glad I found the thread in time for "Believers." I'll be chiming in on that one for sure, and hopefully have the time to hang out for the rest of the run. Hope I won't be too much trouble!

 

[Blade Runner]

^ Welcome D Jazzy Man. Nice to have you around. Not too much catching up to do yet.

*passes Jazzy a glass of Brevari*

 

[Jan]

It'll be interesting to read your thoughts as you review the first season, D Jazzy Man. It's rather famous for people realizing just how much was forshadowed 'way back at the beginning.

Jan

 

[Ranger Firell]

I think I will be dropping out as well three is to much to review.

 

[Blade Runner]

^ You don't have to review as such, if you want you can just comment on certain things or other people's posts.

 

[OmahaStar]

Posted by Ranger Firell:
I think I will be dropping out as well three is to much to review.

I do not accept your resignation. Try to leave, and I'll send you-know-who with his pike to kick your butt and force you to do nothing but review B5 episodes 24 hours a day.

 

[D Man]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I love being a Trekkie . (Trekker?)

I'll start playing catch-up tonight, I think. I might skip a few just to get up to speed a bit quicker. We'll see how it goes. Man, I can't wait to see the season ender again...talk about a cliffhanger!

 

[PKTrekGirl]

^ Good to see you, D Jazzy Man! I'm glad you decided to join us!

 

[aladinsane]

Thanks for the reassuring welcome. I've been thoroughly enjoying revising B5 (with the exception of "Infection" that is). I've been surprised by how consistant season one really is--at least so far. When the DVD's came out I passed on seasons one and five as I remembered them being very spotty in quality. Hopefully season one continues to surprise. I haven't seen these episodes since 1998, I believe, when TNT showed regular reruns, so while I remember them as I watch, I'm still met with surprises. And, as someone mentioned, I'm catching the foreshadowing that is sprinkled throughout the episodes.

"War Prayer" is another great episode. The whole treatment of "racism" is well done. The acts of violence are very hard to watch--as they should be if done well. Home Guard adds another possible threat to safety and security, but unlike the obvious use of alien threats, this one hits home and is more powerful to me because of it.

"And the Sky Full of Stars" is one of those episodes I remember thinking was average at best when I first saw it. This time though it seemed much more significant. Like another poster above, I also hadn't seen the pilot or the latter seasons when first viewing. I don't want to open a can of worms, but this reminded me so much of the DS9 episode when Obrien and Bashir go into Sloan's mind. The ending scene with Sinclair and Delenn was very well done. Now Jeff is the one with a secret.

I'm probably way off base, but is the guy who takes Sinclair prisoner the same guy who plays Arthur later in the show? And another question, why do the Minbari want Sinclair dead if he remembers what happened on the Minbari ship? I've seen seasons 2-4 many times and that desire seems to go against later events if memory serves correctly.

 

[Blade Runner]

Posted by aladinsane:
And another question, why do the Minbari want Sinclair dead if he remembers what happened on the Minbari ship? I've seen seasons 2-4 many times and that desire seems to go against later events if memory serves correctly.

You're right, it makes no sense that I can see.

 

[Lindley]

It makes no sense for one of the Grey Council to advocate that. If it were a random Warrior Caste, I would understand; they were not told everything.

 

[OmahaStar]

Posted by aladinsane:
I'm probably way off base, but is the guy who takes Sinclair prisoner the same guy who plays Arthur later in the show?

No. This was Christopher Neame. The actor playing Arthur is Michael York.

And another question, why do the Minbari want Sinclair dead if he remembers what happened on the Minbari ship?

Because, despite their own beliefs, they don't know everything. They make mistakes. Were they to kill Sinclair, it would be another mistake of monumental proportions.

 

[aladinsane]

Posted by Lindley:
It makes no sense for one of the Grey Council to advocate that. If it were a random Warrior Caste, I would understand; they were not told everything.

That does make sense; however, wouldn't Delenn point out that he isn't to be killed since she's a Grey Council member?

 

[aladinsane]

I watched "Deathwalker" last night and for the most part found it a solid Holocaust allegory. While Holocaust allegory isn't anything new, I thought this episode did a nice job of looking specifically at the medical experiments that went on. It is a horrible irony that Dr. Mengele and others' experiments on humans during the Holocaust resulted in significant medical advancements for people of all races. Should those new techniques/discoveries be tossed aside because of the horrific means of their coming about? That's really the question this episode asks. It's easy to answer yes, but it isn't easy to live with.

I think all on B5 are satisfied with Deathwalker's demise--particularly when she reveals the price for creating her drug. I think it would have been more thoughtful had the writers not had the drug's creation dependent on human life. Then the moral struggle would have been more difficult. Would it be a tragedy if all those lives Deathwalker took didn't result in some advancement? Or would her success make futher similar experiments easier to green light even if the moral cost is so high? This episode definitely made me think more than most hours of tv.

 

[D Man]

I watched "Believers" on Monday, and "Mind War," "And the Sky Full of Stars," and "Deathwalker" tonight. Not quite in order, but time constraints will do that. It's surreal diving back in to the beginning! "And so it begins..."

Knowing what's going to happen, it's quite fascinating seeing the pieces being put into place here. Seeing Garibaldi's aide was interesting, as <span class="spoiler"><font class="small">Spoiler:</font><hr /><span>during my first runthrough, he seemed to me to come out of nowhere when he shot Garibaldi in "Chrysalis." I didn't realize he showed up earlier. He seems like a normal guy in his first few appearances. Cool.</span><hr /></span>

I've noticed that pretty much anything Kosh says sets something up for the future. I LOVE how that works. "The avalanche has already begun...it is too late for the pebbles to vote." That line gives me goosebumps. Kosh is probably one of my favorite characters.

Franklin got a real workout in "Believers," and even though it's not really an "arc" episode, it does wonders for his character and establishes from the get-go that he's not going to make any compromises when it comes to saving a life. "Believers" is one of my all-time favorites in the series, although the pointless sublot with Ivanova and the Raiders bugs me a little. I hate to say it, but I'm not really a big Ivanova fan, especially in the early seasons. It took me a long time to really warm up to her character and the way her lines are delivered. As the show goes on, though, she grows on me more and more, especially towards the end. But we'll get to that.

So far, my trip back through season 1 has been very enjoyable and informative. Some of the dialogue at this point still seems pretty clunky, but the actors are all pretty much great. Michael O'Hare is especially surprising the second time around, I'm finding I really like Sinclair and his command style. His strong friendship with Garibaldi is particulary compelling.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep up and stay current with this thread. See you next episode!

P.S. I noticed in the schedule that "War Without End" is listed coming up, I think you may have meant "Voice in the Wilderness." Although it would be pretty interesting to see "War Without End" before <span class="spoiler"><font class="small">Spoiler:</font><hr /><span>"Babylon Squared."</span><hr /></span> I wonder if the story would be as interesting that way?

 

[BigFoot]

I just watched Deathwalker and Believers. Deathwalker is a pretty good ep with some good moral questions. And Believers is definately a very good ep.