Niners Unite...around Babylon 5!

[aladinsane]

"Messages from Earth"

This episode was very X-Files-ish--in a good way. The discovery of the Shadow vessel with the cover-up by PsiCorp and EarthGov was done very well. It had mystery, suspense, a tight story. Great stuff. 5/5

I'm not a huge Stargate fan, but I have seen the first 5 seasons and I didn't notice that the doctor looked like Sam Carter. I'll have to go back and take another look.

 

[aladinsane]

"Point of No Return"

The martial law decree--always a sign of a government on the verge of being overthrown or scrambling for more control. The B5 crew takes a stand against earth and must fight their own, with a little help from their friends the Narn. This was done well, even though the Han Solo tactics employed by the Narn, as noted by others, was less than effective in preserving lives.

The other story involved the coming of the Star Trek matriarch. I never really liked Majel on Star Trek, but she really did a great job on this episode. Her prognostication that both Londo and Vir will be emerors was quite a shock.

Very good episode. 4/5

 

[aladinsane]

"Severed Dreams"

What can I say that hasn't been said umpteen times before? Brilliant episode. Delenn's finest moment and speech--goose bump material for sure, the standoff outside B5, Earth losing against Sheridan and co., and B5 declaring independence from Earth. As close to a perfect episode of television as one is likely to find. 5/5

 

[BigFoot]

I watched all three of this week's eps tonight. I'll post my thoughts on them tomorrow.

 

[Orac Zen]

I'll make a start on this week's offerings, then.


Ceremonies of Light and Dark

After the drama of the past three episodes this is a definite change of pace. The "loyal-to-Earth"-loonies-kidnapping plot is rather ordinary, except perhaps for the fact Delenn is quite prepared to sacrifice herself for Sheridan (not that we hadn't worked that out by now ). The performances of the various Nightwatchers aren't particularly impressive, which doesn't help.

Mollari's meeting with Refa is interesting. "Is there anyone along our border with whom we are not currently at war?" "We need room to expand." – a rather ugly echo of recent history. It's good to see Mollari is growing even more concerned about the implications of associating with Morden and the Shadows; Refa couldn't care less. Mollari has taken steps to deal with Refa, though....

Delenn's attempts to get the Rebirth Ceremony to happen meet with some predictable results – Sheridan's acceptance, Mollari's disdain. G'Kar's lack of interest is mildly surprising, but his reasons make sense in the circumstances. What's more interesting is Marcus' reaction, and we get some good background about the character. Seeing him deal with the dimwits in Downbelow is quite priceless. "Bugger – now I have to wait for someone to wake up."

The computer problem subplot? Ugh.

The various revelations made during the ceremony aren't terribly revelatory. The really interesting (non) revelation is Lennier's declaration of love for Delenn. A lot of what he tells Marcus is nonsense, of course. So much for the notion that Minbari don't lie. More likely he hasn't admitted - or doesn't want to admit - the reality of the situation to himself yet. That can be a problem for people in situations like that....

The Army of Light uniforms? A very definite :thumbsup:.

 

[Lindley]

Orac Zen said:
The computer problem subplot? Ugh.

The computer was voiced by Harlan Ellison.

 

[Orac Zen]

I know. I still don't like the subplot.

 

[Autobot]

Orac Zen said:
I'll make a start on this week's offerings, then.

Ceremonies of Light and Dark

I agree 100% with you on all points!

Other thoughts...


Does anyone else find it interesting that for the rebirth ceremony, it involves everyone telling Delenn one secret? So the purpose is for Delenn to know information about the others? Just a little odd. The entire ceremony could definitely be manipulated by others wanting to hold a rebirth "ceremony".

Ivanova’s “I think I loved Talia”?? Please. They never even talked to each other until they shared quarters in the very episode Talia was booted off the series. Did not like AT ALL. Completely implausible. Her saying “I am in love with Dr. Franklin” would be just as likely/unlikely.

I did like the introduction of the new uniforms, that fit the story nicely given Sheridan’s ongoing dilemma about wearing the uniform but breaking free of the Earth Alliance. What is this "Army of Light" you mentioned, Orac Zen? I haven't heard this before.

Trek connections: NONE

 

[Autobot]

SIC TRANSIT VIR

An insight into Vir’s activites while stationed on Minbar, and an arranged wife arrives on B5 to visit him.

This was a great episode, I really liked that Vir gets a chance to shine by having a whole episode where he is the focus. I was disappointed, though, that over a commercial break we never see how Vir reacted to his fiancée’s wanting to kill the captured Narn. He’s just all of a sudden talking to Ivanova in Sheridan’s office?

The scene with Londo and the bugs in his quarters was cute at first, but then dragged on way too long. Episode must have run short, I guess. Ehh. Regarding the attack on Vir in the corridor, I thought at first that it was arranged by him to impress his fiancée. Ok I was wrong. And hey, if PPG’s don’t have a stun setting, couldn’t the security forces have used some sort of non-lethal weapon, or shot him in the leg or something instead of killing the guy?? I never heard a “shoot to kill” order given.

Sheridan and Delenn… STOP the flirting PLEASE… (they lean in for a kiss)… NOOOOOO!!!!!!!

So the command staff have new black uniforms, and everyone else on the command deck who previously had EarthForce uniforms now have to wear bland jumpsuits?

Trek connections:
- episode directed by Jesús Salvador Treviño, who directed 5 eps of Voyager and 3 of DS9.

 

[Lindley]

Autobot said:
Sheridan and Delenn… STOP the flirting PLEASE… (they lean in for a kiss)… NOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I advise you to get used to it. For what its worth, this is not your usual "scifi romance"; it goes deeper than most ever would.

So the command staff have new black uniforms, and everyone else on the command deck who previously had EarthForce uniforms now have to wear bland jumpsuits?

They're not EarthForce anymore. As time goes by, a few more people get the black uniforms.

What is this "Army of Light" you mentioned, Orac Zen? I haven't heard this before.

The phrase itself isn't used often, but it essentially refers to the Rangers and other forces aligned with them under Sheridan. It's rather fluid, actually, at least until....well, that would be spoiling.

 

[Fist McStrongpunch]

Autobot said:
Does anyone else find it interesting that for the rebirth ceremony, it involves everyone telling Delenn one secret? So the purpose is for Delenn to know information about the others?

No, it involves everyone telling someone a secret. Those four chose Delenn.

 

[glindros]

When ?character name?(Majel Barrett) prophesized he would be emperor I was skeptical.
SIC TRANSIT VIR made me help believe that Vir actually could turn the Centauri empire around.

 

[OmahaStar]

Severed Dreams

Severed Dreams

Gods, this is such a hard episode to watch. The "other" war coming up is all because of what happens right here.

As the crew of Babylon 5 watch the ISN feed, Jane is transmitting the news. Suddenly, one of her producers, Rick, interrupts her. For the first time, the camera breaks away, and we can see more of the ISN studios.

Rick tells us there's information they haven't been able to give out over the last year. Jane begs him to stop. But Clarke's forces are already surrounding the building, quickly making their way inside.

As the building crumbles, pieces fall inches away from Jane. And suddenly, ISN is off the air. Jane, the senior ISN Anchor, the most trusted source of news, is gone.

And that is what causes Sheridan to break away from the Earth Alliance. It was not until Jane was captured, that he made the decision to cut ties.

Very quickly after this, Clarke's ships arrive at Babylon 5. Sheridan's army does not win. There are too many losses on both sides to call it a win. Captain Hiroshi's ship is lost. So is General Hague.

There is only a brief pause before more ships come through. At the moment when all hope is lost, three new jumppoints open right over the station. And out come the Minbari, with Delenn at its head. The same Delenn who only a short time before dissolved the Grey Council, launching her people into chaos.

Without firing a single shot, Delenn convinces Clarke's forces it would be a better idea for them to all leave. After all, only one Human Captain has ever survived a fight with the Minbari. He is behind her. They are in front of her. If they value their lives, they'll go somewhere else.

She is, of course, devistated at the events at the ISN studios in Geneva. As are we all.

5/5 stars, and a full box of Puffs Plus.

 

[OmahaStar]

Season 3, week 4

Ceremonies of Light and Dark

Various secrets come out, as part of the Minbari Rebirth Ceremony. Each participant must give up something of great value to them, and tell someone a secret they've never told anyone else.

Among the revelations - Susan still loves Talia, Franklin knows he has a problem with stims, Garibaldi is afraid of what happens if he lets go (he is a recovering alcoholic, remember), Marcus has nothing to give up, he's lost everything but the clothes on his back, and Lennier loves Delenn.

Members of NightWatch capture Delenn and two other Minbari. One of those two is killed right away.

Trying to find her, Marcus goes ballistic in the bar. But it's like he always says, he can get more with a kind word and a two by four than with just the kind word.

I love that part. "Oh bugger. Now I have to wait for one of them to wake up"

Delenn, now in the MedLab, has a surprise for the command staff (well, Susan, Sheridan, Franklin, and Garibaldi) ... In their quarters are new uniforms, referred to as the "Army of Light" uniforms.

And last, but not least, Londo poisons Lord Refa. (about time!)

4.5/5

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: Season 3, week 4

Sic Transit Vir

When I set up the viewing schedule for this season, I had no idea how appropriate it was that this should happen. Tomorrow night, Vir will be here in Omaha.

Bruce Crawford, a film historian from Omaha, does a film event once or twice a year, where he takes a classic film, restores it to pristine quality, and has a full presentation on the film, complete with actors and crew who were involved in the making of the film.

Stephen Furst, known to all of us as the loveable Vir, also starred in Animal House as the character "Flounder". He'll be here to talk about the making of the film, and do a meet-and-greet, tomorrow at the Joslyn.

So it's rather appropriate that the week he's here, we get to talk about Sic Transit Vir, the episode which most features him.

***

Returning from the homeworld, Vir discovers his family has arranged a marriage for him, with a very beautiful woman named Lyndisty.

At first, everything seems to be going swimmingly for him. Until he finds out she is nuttier than a fruitcake (indeed, she's psycho!). And one of his secrets has gotten out. He's been arranging for Narns to escape the workcamps, a thousand or so at a time. As far as the records are concerned, all the Narns are dead. But they aren't. He's getting them to freedom, through a fake beaurocrat he's created named Abrahamo Lincolni.

The first couple times seeing this episode, the actress playing Lyndisty really grated on my nerves. I thought her acting was at a junior high level, at best. But lately, I've changed my mind about her. She's perfect for the character.

She's not playing the typical Centauri woman. She's playing a nutcase, and the look in her eyes, the pure joy at having a bound and gagged Narn, is just perfect.

4/5 stars

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: Season 3, week 4

A Late Delivery From Avalon

Another of my favorite episodes. Michael York, best known for his role in Logan's Run, appears as a man who may or may not be the legendary King Arthur.

While wondering about the station, he finds an old lady crying in the hallway. He quickly discovers she is a widow, and the only thing of value she had left was a pictureframe containing a picture of her late husband. It was stolen by thugs, who soon discover the error of their ways, at the hands of Arthur and his newly-discovered friend Sir G'Kar, the Red Knight.

Ok, usually there's something in an episode that is kinda like "well we could have cut that and not missed a thing", whether it be a part of dialogue or entire acts (I'm looking at you, Grey 17). This episode is not among them. It is one of the tightest, and most fun, episodes of them all.

And even though I've seen this episode at least a couple dozen times, I still can't help but lose it when he returns the frame to the old woman. There's something about her that reminds me of the old ladies I cared for when I worked in the nursing home, and it just rings true.

5/5

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: Season 3, week 4

Ship of Tears

The return of two of our most love-to-hate characters.

First, Bester returns. He is tracking what he has been told are weapon supplies belonging to the Shadows. He knows the Shadows have been working with the leadership of the Psi Corps, EarthGov, and are the real power behind Clarke. And he tells the B5 crew as much.

He needs their help, and for a change, we see a real person beneath the exterior shell. It's a change for the better in Bester, and happens in the last 15 minutes, as he stares at a bracelet containing an identification for a blip (telepath on the run). It is his lover, Carolyn. Oh yes, he's married - an arranged one set up by the Corps - but it is Carolyn he loves. And she is one of those weapons.

The other return is that of ISN. Jane is gone, replaced by her protege Alison Higgins. This "new" ISN is the Fox News of the future. The President can do no wrong, misinformation is everything. She talks about the "extremely popular" martial law, for example. Well since when has martial law ever been popular?

We hatesess her! Unfortunately, she is the new face of ISN. And also like the Fox News of today, people will believe what she tells them, because "the news doesn't lie"...

5/5

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: Season 3, week 4

The week with War Without End, and nobody's watching? Is everyone far ahead, or have they given up?

 

[BigFoot]

Re: Season 3, week 4

^ I'm one episode behind currently. I might be able to watch an ep tonight.

 

[Orac Zen]

I've gotten behind with my reviews yet again. Hopefully I can get up to date some time in the next few days. This week's episodes are certainly worth the effort. :thumbsup: