More Babylon 5 thoughts!
Apr. 24th, 2011 09:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eponymous_roseBecause I am in definite marathon mode, I managed to finish season one last night, and this time I kept notes! Spoilers and screencaps under the cut.
"Survivors" was mostly Garibaldi angst, although it was kinda interesting to see the relapse foreshadowed. Also, his goodbye to Liana seemed weirdly permanent, which makes sense if you consider that, as head of presidential security, she was probably aboard Earth Force One at the end of the season. Ouch.
I actually really enjoyed "By Any Means Necessary", mostly because Naomi is such an awesome character. It's a fun resolution to the conflict (although maybe a little too neat - you'd assume that increased military spending was sent their way for a reason), and we get to see Sinclair being a bit of a rebel again, which is always fun. And the plot with G'Kar and Londo at odds, with Londo being the jerk for once, was quite fun as well - there's also a little throwaway line about how Na'Toth and G'Kar have different religious beliefs, which is quite cool.
"Signs and Portents", yay! I love episodes where the A-plot is, you know, whatever, and the B-plot seems totally forgettable until you realize it's actually a major game-changer. And we have the first appearance of Morden the Door-to-Door Plot Salesman. (He's all, "Can I interest you in a tragic downfall? No? I'll try next door.") There was a story floating around about how Ed Wasser went to a florist's and the guy behind the counter said, "Do you know what you want?", and he said, "Well, I'll get-", and the florist leaned forward and said, very meaningfully, "But what do you want?" And I adore the effect they use on Morden when he's in Delenn's quarters. It's a real moment of "whoa, whoa, whoa, something's seriously wrong here". Such a simple effect, but it's really quite scary because at this point, you have no idea what's happening with this guy.
Oh, "TKO". What a silly plot. At least there were elements of Ivanova's subplot that were fairly well done, and we got the foreshadowing of "Watch your back!" Yes, do that, Garibaldi.
"Grail" was okay? I don't really remember it now. I liked that we saw a bit of the legal system on Babylon 5, and there was a point where Delenn talked about how what a terrible thing it is when the religious and warrior castes agree with each other.
"Eyes" had a really awesome guest spot by Jeffrey Combs (poor guy keeps playing people everyone just plain doesn't like - he was a bit Weyounish in this), but he does get to do the badass telepathic thing where he just says "Pain". Lennier and Garibaldi's incredibly awkward bonding was fun, and Ivanova's reluctance to be scanned (and the nightmare sequence) are hints that she's hiding something.
For "Legacies", I have a lot written down for some reason. Most notably: "Man, it sucks that my friend's death is being used as a political tool. Welp, time for some bodysnatching!" Delenn doesn't just write angry letters or file protests - she goes all out. It's a D.C. Fontana episode! I love when Fontana writes for this series. And hi, Neroon! I forgot he was in season one. He's so angry. The young telepath was quite adorable (I loved that she hugged pretty much everyone), and there were some great Bechdel moments because that whole plot was about Ivanova and Talia and the girl, with Na'Toth and Delenn guest-starring. We also have Talia buying Ivanova a drink, even if it's only coffee. ♥
This is a case where I'd question the wisdom of the whole "only JMS must know the coming plot" idea, because Neroon makes a very direct reference to Dukhat's death being the catalyst for the war, and there's nothing on Delenn's face. I guess she's still got a good poker face at this point. This is also the first time since "And the Sky Full of Stars" that we've had Delenn and Sinclair just chatting alone, which is interesting (possibly because at this point, Delenn is starting to seem like the person who winds up opposing the Grey Council - it's pretty clear she believes in Valen's prophecy more than in their threats to kill Sinclair if he finds out what happened on the Line). These are also our first glimpses of Sinclair as Valen - "You talk like a Minbari, Commander."
I always forget that "A Voice in the Wilderness" is a two-parter. It's strange, because it doesn't seem like a terribly important episode (even though Epsilon 3 winds up becoming incredibly important later on), but it's not like there's a lot of filler or anything. Not too big on this one - the Draal thing seems a bit too convenient. Although we do have the Babylon 5 mantra, and the start of the Mars conflicts, and actual scientists doing science. And Londo is amazing in this one. (Okay, maybe I like it more than I thought.) Love him cheering Garibaldi up and then scamming him out of a drink, and studying the Hokey Pokey for seven days - bit of time on his hands. Oh, and... I think it was parmaline's tumblr that had this in perfect form:
LONDO MY LOVE. It's quite sad, because this is the Londo we could've had if not for the deal with the devil - he really does just want to do something big and heroic.
"Babylon Squared" was very confusing the first time around (and I remember getting really annoyed at all the loose ends - LITTLE DID I KNOW), but I really like it this time. It's a kind of stealth massive game-changer episode, because you don't expect it to have such a giant effect later on. Basically, it's a three-parter, only there's a two-year gap between parts one and two. So cool. Love the breakfast prank on poor Ivanova, and the awkward shuttle conversation between Garibaldi and Sinclair. "You wanna talk socks?" Garibaldi, you are so weird. And we get the start of Delenn-as-outcast. It's interesting that the three ambassadors all get offered positions of major leadership, and both G'Kar and Delenn turn them down, while Londo is so tragically forced into it. (Heck, Sheridan gets an offer of power as well, and he accepts, which is interesting.) And at the end, Ivanova says that if it ever happens again, "I'm going and Garibaldi's staying here." True! Babylon 4 is much fancier-looking than Babylon 5, and of course that makes sense, since after the destruction of 1 through 3, and the disappearance of 4, they'd just be building the station out of whatever they had left.
"The Quality of Mercy" was a real yellow brick moment, where they threw this massive plot point into the air (we have a machine that can cure fatal injuries), and it doesn't hit the ground again until the end of season four, apart from the time they use it to heal Garibaldi. Sneaky. We get more of idealistic!Franklin (who's also quite tactless in this one), and a bit of foreshadowing of the stims. And the funny Lennier/Londo subplot. Love their sent-to-the-principal's-office scene at the end.
And on to "Chrysalis"! Sinclair's awkward proposal to Catherine was really quite endearing. And then the whole episode turns into a series of "holy crap" moments. Londo! The scene in the maze! The shadow vessels (very cool effect, just barely visible against the black)! The assassination! The best quote from the commentary was about all the actors' frustrations over not knowing what was going to happen next. "Why am I making this thing out of plastic?" "Trust me, it'll be great." How did this show survive for five years with only one person knowing where it was going? That's bizarre.
On to season two!
"Survivors" was mostly Garibaldi angst, although it was kinda interesting to see the relapse foreshadowed. Also, his goodbye to Liana seemed weirdly permanent, which makes sense if you consider that, as head of presidential security, she was probably aboard Earth Force One at the end of the season. Ouch.
I actually really enjoyed "By Any Means Necessary", mostly because Naomi is such an awesome character. It's a fun resolution to the conflict (although maybe a little too neat - you'd assume that increased military spending was sent their way for a reason), and we get to see Sinclair being a bit of a rebel again, which is always fun. And the plot with G'Kar and Londo at odds, with Londo being the jerk for once, was quite fun as well - there's also a little throwaway line about how Na'Toth and G'Kar have different religious beliefs, which is quite cool.
"Signs and Portents", yay! I love episodes where the A-plot is, you know, whatever, and the B-plot seems totally forgettable until you realize it's actually a major game-changer. And we have the first appearance of Morden the Door-to-Door Plot Salesman. (He's all, "Can I interest you in a tragic downfall? No? I'll try next door.") There was a story floating around about how Ed Wasser went to a florist's and the guy behind the counter said, "Do you know what you want?", and he said, "Well, I'll get-", and the florist leaned forward and said, very meaningfully, "But what do you want?" And I adore the effect they use on Morden when he's in Delenn's quarters. It's a real moment of "whoa, whoa, whoa, something's seriously wrong here". Such a simple effect, but it's really quite scary because at this point, you have no idea what's happening with this guy.
Oh, "TKO". What a silly plot. At least there were elements of Ivanova's subplot that were fairly well done, and we got the foreshadowing of "Watch your back!" Yes, do that, Garibaldi.
"Grail" was okay? I don't really remember it now. I liked that we saw a bit of the legal system on Babylon 5, and there was a point where Delenn talked about how what a terrible thing it is when the religious and warrior castes agree with each other.
"Eyes" had a really awesome guest spot by Jeffrey Combs (poor guy keeps playing people everyone just plain doesn't like - he was a bit Weyounish in this), but he does get to do the badass telepathic thing where he just says "Pain". Lennier and Garibaldi's incredibly awkward bonding was fun, and Ivanova's reluctance to be scanned (and the nightmare sequence) are hints that she's hiding something.
For "Legacies", I have a lot written down for some reason. Most notably: "Man, it sucks that my friend's death is being used as a political tool. Welp, time for some bodysnatching!" Delenn doesn't just write angry letters or file protests - she goes all out. It's a D.C. Fontana episode! I love when Fontana writes for this series. And hi, Neroon! I forgot he was in season one. He's so angry. The young telepath was quite adorable (I loved that she hugged pretty much everyone), and there were some great Bechdel moments because that whole plot was about Ivanova and Talia and the girl, with Na'Toth and Delenn guest-starring. We also have Talia buying Ivanova a drink, even if it's only coffee. ♥
This is a case where I'd question the wisdom of the whole "only JMS must know the coming plot" idea, because Neroon makes a very direct reference to Dukhat's death being the catalyst for the war, and there's nothing on Delenn's face. I guess she's still got a good poker face at this point. This is also the first time since "And the Sky Full of Stars" that we've had Delenn and Sinclair just chatting alone, which is interesting (possibly because at this point, Delenn is starting to seem like the person who winds up opposing the Grey Council - it's pretty clear she believes in Valen's prophecy more than in their threats to kill Sinclair if he finds out what happened on the Line). These are also our first glimpses of Sinclair as Valen - "You talk like a Minbari, Commander."
I always forget that "A Voice in the Wilderness" is a two-parter. It's strange, because it doesn't seem like a terribly important episode (even though Epsilon 3 winds up becoming incredibly important later on), but it's not like there's a lot of filler or anything. Not too big on this one - the Draal thing seems a bit too convenient. Although we do have the Babylon 5 mantra, and the start of the Mars conflicts, and actual scientists doing science. And Londo is amazing in this one. (Okay, maybe I like it more than I thought.) Love him cheering Garibaldi up and then scamming him out of a drink, and studying the Hokey Pokey for seven days - bit of time on his hands. Oh, and... I think it was parmaline's tumblr that had this in perfect form:
LONDO MY LOVE. It's quite sad, because this is the Londo we could've had if not for the deal with the devil - he really does just want to do something big and heroic.
"Babylon Squared" was very confusing the first time around (and I remember getting really annoyed at all the loose ends - LITTLE DID I KNOW), but I really like it this time. It's a kind of stealth massive game-changer episode, because you don't expect it to have such a giant effect later on. Basically, it's a three-parter, only there's a two-year gap between parts one and two. So cool. Love the breakfast prank on poor Ivanova, and the awkward shuttle conversation between Garibaldi and Sinclair. "You wanna talk socks?" Garibaldi, you are so weird. And we get the start of Delenn-as-outcast. It's interesting that the three ambassadors all get offered positions of major leadership, and both G'Kar and Delenn turn them down, while Londo is so tragically forced into it. (Heck, Sheridan gets an offer of power as well, and he accepts, which is interesting.) And at the end, Ivanova says that if it ever happens again, "I'm going and Garibaldi's staying here." True! Babylon 4 is much fancier-looking than Babylon 5, and of course that makes sense, since after the destruction of 1 through 3, and the disappearance of 4, they'd just be building the station out of whatever they had left.
"The Quality of Mercy" was a real yellow brick moment, where they threw this massive plot point into the air (we have a machine that can cure fatal injuries), and it doesn't hit the ground again until the end of season four, apart from the time they use it to heal Garibaldi. Sneaky. We get more of idealistic!Franklin (who's also quite tactless in this one), and a bit of foreshadowing of the stims. And the funny Lennier/Londo subplot. Love their sent-to-the-principal's-office scene at the end.
And on to "Chrysalis"! Sinclair's awkward proposal to Catherine was really quite endearing. And then the whole episode turns into a series of "holy crap" moments. Londo! The scene in the maze! The shadow vessels (very cool effect, just barely visible against the black)! The assassination! The best quote from the commentary was about all the actors' frustrations over not knowing what was going to happen next. "Why am I making this thing out of plastic?" "Trust me, it'll be great." How did this show survive for five years with only one person knowing where it was going? That's bizarre.
On to season two!
