Niners Unite...around Babylon 5!

[The Habs Fan]

Epiphanies
This feels like an episode in transition. The Shadow War is finished, but there's still trouble on the horizon. We have President Clark doing everything he can to stay in power. We also have allies of the Shadows that made off with lots of shadow technology. What they're up to, who knows. Bester was his usual slimy self, and it's nice to see him care about something other than himself. I ahve no idea what Lyta is hiding (if anything), and if Garibaldi resigned because he's programmed to or not. On Centauri Prime, the fluttering minister (who is hilarious by the way) is named Regent while Londo is away on Babylon 5. One night he wakes up to a nightmare. But this was no nightmare, as the "keeper" has woken up...

What are those "keeper" things anyway??

 

[Neroon]

Do you remember "War Without End, Part 2" ? You saw one there on Londo.

 

[Can]

I am sure you have some ideas about what the Keepers are Tom. As you said "Epiphanies" signifies some kind of transition. In spite of Shadow Wars finale things still will be interesting

 

[Neroon]

Tom.... before we say anymore about keepers, you will learn more in just a couple of episodes - "Racing Mars" gives you more insights.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Can said:
I am sure you have some ideas about what the Keepers are Tom. As you said "Epiphanies" signifies some kind of transition. In spite of Shadow Wars finale things still will be interesting

You can say that again! I really like some of the episodes he has on the horizon! I won't say more...but no...the action is far from over.

 

[The Habs Fan]

Neroon said:
Do you remember "War Without End, Part 2" ? You saw one there on Londo.

Yeah I know that. I still have no idea what they are and what they do though. But judging from the other posts, I will be soon.

Tonight I'll try to watch The Illusion Of Truth and Thirdspace.

 

[Can]

Tom Riker said:

Neroon said:
Do you remember "War Without End, Part 2" ? You saw one there on Londo.

Yeah I know that. I still have no idea what they are and what they do though. But judging from the other posts, I will be soon.

Tonight I'll try to watch The Illusion Of Truth and Thirdspace.

I envy you Waiting your reviews.

 

[Neroon]

Tom Riker said:
Yeah I know that. I still have no idea what they are and what they do though. But judging from the other posts, I will be soon.

Yeah, "Racing Mars" ought to answer most of your questions about what keeper is. They will still play a role later on in the series however.

They'd make an excellently creepy costume piece for a con, don't you think?

 

[DWF]

One of Neroon's favorite scenes this one is from In The Beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se9FNdyKFtk

 

[Neroon]

No kidding. Chokes me up every time.

 

[DWF]

Neroon said:
No kidding. Chokes me up every time.

I think the music is what really makes it work, Franke did a great job on In The Beginning and I liked his work on Thirdspace as well, but then I liked the use of the Thermin in that movie's soundtrack.

 

[Neroon]

It really is. But... there is a sober, powerful combination of the instrumentation along with the story and the images behind it that work in concert for the effect. I don't want to go into any more detail, because I'm not sure how many others here have already seen the movie.

 

[Harvey]

^^
I saw it after War Without End II. Easily the best piece of Babylon 5 I've seen, which is every episode to "Endgame." Are any of the other movies (besides The Gathering, which I saw and loathed) as good?

 

[Neroon]

No, not really. You should watch all of them at least once, though. Without trying to bias you... I felt "A Call to Arms" was the only decent one after "In the Beginning".

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Okay, I have bought season 1 on DVD. I am (technically) a Babylon 5 virgin though I have seen the odd bit of an ep here or there. I have always loved DS9 and after years of reading favourable comparisons between the two *I AM READY*.

So, brief question:

Is season 1 considered "slow" the way some Trek first seasons are?

I will probably only squint at this forum through my fingers now and then as I am quite the spoiler-phobe.

 

[BigFoot]

^ Yeah, season 1 is definitely on the slow side.

 

[Can]

Season 1 is entrance of Babylon 5 universe. So it might be considered as slow and tedious at first. Plus CGI is not good ( but only in this season. Later seasons CGI effects is much more improved ) There are lots of stand alones and tidbits , entrances to main story , Season 1 lays the basics of a magnificent story. So don' be restless. Some stand alone episodes are also quite good and fun actually. Just enjoy Babylon 5.

 

[Neroon]

What Can said. The series is best enjoyed if you simply sit back and let it unfold and just "happen". Not everyone will take to it, but I've found that is the best way to properly evaluate a show for oneself. It's after that where you might find you want to go back and examine things in more detail.

It's been almost a cliché to say this, but the series is more like a book. Consider S1 episodes to be the opening chapters as you get to know the B5 universe. Also, check out The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 as a reference point. It's organized in such a way that you can look episode by episode at questions regarding the show, without spoiling anything in the future.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

teacake said:
Okay, I have bought season 1 on DVD. I am (technically) a Babylon 5 virgin though I have seen the odd bit of an ep here or there. I have always loved DS9 and after years of reading favourable comparisons between the two *I AM READY*.

So, brief question:

Is season 1 considered "slow" the way some Trek first seasons are?

I will probably only squint at this forum through my fingers now and then as I am quite the spoiler-phobe.

First, welcome to the ranks of Niners who are willing to give this show a chance! That's great!

Second - season 1 is, by Babylon 5 standards, slow. Alot of character development and plot set-up....but some great episodes too.

B5 is a very plot-driven show. Where as DS9's strength lies in it's character development, my feeling is that B5's strength lies in it's plot development. JMS had pretty much the whole series in his head before he even *started* - he knew the story he wanted to tell. Whereas with DS9, that was not always the case.

Now, I will say this - season 1 of B5 is actually BETTER after you have seen the whole series. There is alot of foreshadowing in season 1 - things that you won't recognize right now, but are a real treat to watch after you have seen the entire series.

So...don't give up if you think season 1 is on the slow side. I would at LEAST give the show until the end of season 2. If you are a DS9 fan, I promise you will be glad you made the time (and money) investment.

I can't tell you that every single DS9 fan who has ever watched B5 became a fan. But I honestly think that most DS9 fans who REALLY give this show a fair chance won't be sorry. For alot of us - myself included - B5 ends up being on a VERY short list of their favorite shows.

So keep watchin' those DVDs, come hang out with us and give us your reviews...and don't give up during season 1. Remember - by the end of season 2, I can almost assure you that you will be in love with this show.

 

[Neroon]

Allow me to apologize ahead of time for any spoilers I inadvertantly let loose.