Watching Babylon 5 for the first time... *Spoilers, duh*
- Thread starter Quinton O'Connor
- Start date
There are some slight references to "Thirdspace" in the final batch of Season Five episodes. But aside from that it pretty much exists on its own. I think it's pretty good, had a very interesting premise and an extremely gorgeous space battle, though I'll be the first to admit the first half was extremely slow.
Actually in Finland you can find the original edit as a separate release quite easily. I bought one a year or two ago. Funny thing is that the front cover is the same as in In The Beginning, which really doesn't make any sense. Let's just say it's definitely not a quality release.
Bloody hell this thread is moving fast!
Worse than that, it also cuts out Sinclair's speech about the Battle of the Line (if you re-watch the SE you may notice they edited in dialogue from 'And the Sky Full of Stars'.) One of these days I might try using my laptop to watch both versions side by side just to see where all the changes were made.
I'm probably not the most objective person to ask because I really don't dislike any of the main characters...though if I had to pick a least favourite, it'd probably be Talia...
'TKO' is a bit of a weird one for me as while I couldn't care less about the Walker Smith plot, if you watch and listen carefully the episode itself does a pretty good job of fleshing out elements of the B5 universe, some of it quite detailed. If nothing else it gives us our only really good look at a Yolu and a Grome and I *think* the first appearance of a Drazi. Indeed most DiTillio episodes have this element of world building, which shouldn't be surprising given that IIRC his background is in writing for old pen and paper RPGs.
That'd be fine. I only suggested otherwise because you said you might feel like taking a breather.
The only contention is where it fits chronologically. Without getting into spoilers; plot-wise, the only connection it has with the rest of the season is that because of the state of affairs at the time the story takes place, it defiantly happens somewhere between two rather major incidents in season 4.
It depends if you take the novelization into account, in which case the absence of a certain Minbari is negated.
Small point but the UK version has it too. That it at leas the later, unbelievably (and wonderfully) compact version that includes Lost Tales. I know because I went and bought it as Amazon had it going cheep and a few of my old disc were getting buggy...plus the packaging was starting to come apart on a few of them.
Still doesn't have the version of 'In The Beginning' with the commentary track though, which rather irks me a bit. If I want that I'd have to import the entire movie set from the states. Bugger that!
Triva: That episode happens to feature a cameo by DiTillio's brother in the shape of Norg the bouncer. Based on how articulate the character's dialogue was and how central he was to the plot, I'd almost suspect nepotism.
Worse than that, it also cuts out Sinclair's speech about the Battle of the Line (if you re-watch the SE you may notice they edited in dialogue from 'And the Sky Full of Stars'.) One of these days I might try using my laptop to watch both versions side by side just to see where all the changes were made.
I'm probably not the most objective person to ask because I really don't dislike any of the main characters...though if I had to pick a least favourite, it'd probably be Talia...
'TKO' is a bit of a weird one for me as while I couldn't care less about the Walker Smith plot, if you watch and listen carefully the episode itself does a pretty good job of fleshing out elements of the B5 universe, some of it quite detailed. If nothing else it gives us our only really good look at a Yolu and a Grome and I *think* the first appearance of a Drazi. Indeed most DiTillio episodes have this element of world building, which shouldn't be surprising given that IIRC his background is in writing for old pen and paper RPGs.
That'd be fine. I only suggested otherwise because you said you might feel like taking a breather.
The only contention is where it fits chronologically. Without getting into spoilers; plot-wise, the only connection it has with the rest of the season is that because of the state of affairs at the time the story takes place, it defiantly happens somewhere between two rather major incidents in season 4.
It depends if you take the novelization into account, in which case the absence of a certain Minbari is negated.
In the book, Lennier is around, he's just not in any of the scenes that we see in the film. In fact there's a whole subplot with him, Vir, those brothers Lyta scanned at the beginning and the estranged wife. I think the closest he came to "appearing" is the scene where Delenn and Sheridan meet up to get the nuke. In the books, she had just left Lennier to hold back a group of rioters while she escaped.
So with that in mind, just before 'Atonement' actually works best.
So with that in mind, just before 'Atonement' actually works best.
Small point but the UK version has it too. That it at leas the later, unbelievably (and wonderfully) compact version that includes Lost Tales. I know because I went and bought it as Amazon had it going cheep and a few of my old disc were getting buggy...plus the packaging was starting to come apart on a few of them.
Still doesn't have the version of 'In The Beginning' with the commentary track though, which rather irks me a bit. If I want that I'd have to import the entire movie set from the states. Bugger that!
I think that "Born to the Purple" is somewhat underrated myself. The sweetness of Londo's love for Adira, even when it's clear she's betrayed him... of her astonishment for how strongly he feels for her....If memory serves, Fiona Avery once alluded to the scene as she wrote about the demolition of some of the B5 sets.
Triva: That episode happens to feature a cameo by DiTillio's brother in the shape of Norg the bouncer. Based on how articulate the character's dialogue was and how central he was to the plot, I'd almost suspect nepotism.
I would like Thirdspace more if it had been expanded upon. I, too, thought it had a cool premise, and I would have liked to see more. The fact that there isn't more just makes it seem like a wasted opportunity.
The original DVD release of The Gathering over here was the original version, despite Amazon saying otherwise. I've got that version, and it has the Copeland score etc. I've also got the R1 version of the SE. Never lined them up for a side-by-side though.
I've actually got 4 copies of the pilot. The original VHS version that was released years ahead of the series volume releases is the original cut, whilst the regular volumes kicked off with the SE version.
Having seen both many times, the SE is clearly the better version IMO.
The lack of a commentary track on any of the UK releases - infuriating.
Finally finished watching the pilot episode.
I use the word "Finally" because I really had to force myself to watch it all.
Was a real struggle and the thing that topped it off was the doctor's epiphany after seeing a Vorlon "in the flesh".
Please, please tell me that the pilot was not just a low point of the series but the lowest possible point and all other episodes are streets ahead.
I use the word "Finally" because I really had to force myself to watch it all.
Was a real struggle and the thing that topped it off was the doctor's epiphany after seeing a Vorlon "in the flesh".
Please, please tell me that the pilot was not just a low point of the series but the lowest possible point and all other episodes are streets ahead.
A few episodes probably won't be enough.
Really, to give yourself the best chance, stick with the first season.
The first year's primarily about putting things into place and establishing the world, the characters, the politics, etc. You'll only get hints at what's to come. Mind War, And the Sky Full of Stars, A Voice in the Wilderness, Babylon Squared and Chrysalis is where it's really at.
If you stick with it, and enjoy the first season, rest assured, come season 2 the rollercoaster ride begins in earnest.
Really, to give yourself the best chance, stick with the first season.
The first year's primarily about putting things into place and establishing the world, the characters, the politics, etc. You'll only get hints at what's to come. Mind War, And the Sky Full of Stars, A Voice in the Wilderness, Babylon Squared and Chrysalis is where it's really at.
If you stick with it, and enjoy the first season, rest assured, come season 2 the rollercoaster ride begins in earnest.
The original version is available on iTunes as well, or at least it was the last time I checked.
I only have a moment so I won't be replying to much right now, but I want to hurriedly reply directly to theblitz; I can vouch that the show gets a hell of a lot better (I wasn't exactly... uh... thrilled with "The Gathering" either) soon enough.
But the first string of episodes are held down by some pretty big stinkers, too. You need to commit to a long haul for this show but it's really, really paying itself off for me right now.
But the first string of episodes are held down by some pretty big stinkers, too. You need to commit to a long haul for this show but it's really, really paying itself off for me right now.
The pilot is just bad. 
Things get infinitely better. Also, the majority of the characters i the pilot quickly disappear.
I think I might have watched the pilot when it first aired... which explains why I didn't start watching the series until mid Season Four
When I convinced my GF to watch Babylon 5 I only showed her the most important S1 episodes and skipped all the horrible stuff, or else she never would have watched the whole thing! And when I showed her the pilot I explained, OK I know this is horrible but you have to watch it to understand the series' premise!
Things get infinitely better. Also, the majority of the characters i the pilot quickly disappear.I think I might have watched the pilot when it first aired... which explains why I didn't start watching the series until mid Season Four
When I convinced my GF to watch Babylon 5 I only showed her the most important S1 episodes and skipped all the horrible stuff, or else she never would have watched the whole thing! And when I showed her the pilot I explained, OK I know this is horrible but you have to watch it to understand the series' premise!
Yeah, I remember watching the pilot when it first aired, too, which is why I didn't start watching the series until...um...two years ago!I think I might have watched the pilot when it first aired... which explains why I didn't start watching the series until mid Season Four
The funny thing about the pilot is that it feels like its from the 1980s. The effects, the costumes, the acting, the sets... it looks like a cheap version of the Mars sets on Total Recall or something.
The beginning of S1 still has a little bit of this feel, but by S2 it gets a timeless look to it that transcends the time it was filmed. Also the CGI is pretty good looking by S2. I think it still holds up well today.
The beginning of S1 still has a little bit of this feel, but by S2 it gets a timeless look to it that transcends the time it was filmed. Also the CGI is pretty good looking by S2. I think it still holds up well today.
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