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After deciding to watch B5 again, I thought I take the addicted2dvd approach and make a marathon thread out of it
Babylon 5 Marathon
WARNING: In my analysis there will be spoilers (but marked as such) about future events so don't read them lightly unless you already know the show.
(http://doena-journal.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/babylon5.jpg)
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Pilot Episode: The Gathering (Director's Cut)
Synopsis: A human space station called Babylon 5 was built in neutral terrritory between several star empires including the Minbari Federation, the Narn Empire, the Centauri Republic and the Earth Alliance. The construction finished ten years after the Earth-Minbar war where the Minbari nearly annihilated the humans but then surrenderd on the eve of victory. Now the station is complete to prevent such wars and every race sends an ambassador including the mysterious race called the Vorlons. But when the Vorlon ambassador Kosh arrives he is attacked and things get out of hands.
My opinion: Great start into the show even when not all things are already set as they will be in the following season(s). Babylon 5 is a show of great speaches and many wisdoms. It doesn't matter that the effects are somewhat cheesy because the show is built upon the characters and that will never change. We also learn that there is something mysterious about the end of the E-M war and that Sinclair is involved even if he doesn't remember.
It is never explained how anyone could poison Kosh because we know he is a being of light and he has no hand. The only explanation would be that the Vorlons (and the Minbari) wanted Sinclair safe until he is needed for his great journey because at least the Vorlons know who he will become. But that wouldn't explain why Kosh was suprised and called out "Valen" in the DC.
Quote of the episode:
Sinclair: "When something we value is destroyed we rebuild it. If it's destroyed again we rebuild it again. And again and again and again. Until it stays. That is our poet Tennison once said the goal: To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield."
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I will have to keep an eye on this thread... never seen a single episode. May be another show to add to my collection! :)
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Season 1: Signs and Portents
Disc 1
Midnight of the Firing Line
Synopsis: A Centauri agricultural colony is attacked by the Narns and taken over. The head researcher of the Centauri happens to be the nephew of Centauri embassador Londo Mollari and the Narn have no intention of giving the colony back. Meanwhile unarmed transports are raided by people who seem to know exactly when and where a transport will be.
My opinion: This episode is somewhat of a second pilot. While it doesn't introduce the station or the characters it sets certain things in order and makes changes to the staff and the appearence of certain aliens (e.g. Delenn, the Minbari ambassador). It also introduces the concept of a primary and a secondary storline to this show, a concept that many of the following episodes will use, too.
It's not that great an episode but it shows the mutual hatred between the Narn and their former oppressors, the Centauri. But I loved Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova from the start and while Lt. Cmdr. Takashima (from the Pilot) was ok, Susan seems much more powerful from the beginning.
Soul Hunter
Synopsis: An alien unknown to mankind "stumbles" through the jump gate and lands himself in the infirmary. To other aliens his kind is known as Soul Hunters because they catch the soul of people the moment they're dying. And this particular Soul Hunter has come for a certain ambassador.
My opinion: I liked this episode because it discussed the different belives of what happens to a soul when the body is dying. And everyone was certain that his/her concept alone was to be the correct one and than one should act accordingly.
I also liked the hints that Delenn is hiding something from Sinclair and the first mention of Dukhat, although the events leading to his demise are not revealed yet.
Born to Purple
Synopsis: Londo falls in love with a Centauri exotic dancer and doen'st care much about his duties as ambassador of the Centauri Republic. Meanwhile someone uses illegaly the high priority communication channels known as "Gold Channel" and security chief Michael Garibaldi is determined to find him or her.
My opinion: I really liked the insight of the Centauri society because it showed that the Republic is more like an aristocracy with houses and titles and slaves. I also liked. We also learn more about Ivanova and that she is russian. OK, since Star Trek's Chekov this is no new concept but I was always a fan of the idea that not every human in space is of american origin.
Infection
Synopsis: Babylon 5 has its second birthday and Sinclair is trying to evade from a InterStellar Network (ISN) News reporter. But more danger to the station are some artefacts from a world long dead and the realization that not one person of a species is a pure being of that species.
My opinion: I love enemies who mus be defeated in the great Star Trek tradition of "talk them to death". While ST often used it on computers and confused them with logic, it works with bio weapons, too. And we learn that there are deserted worlds and civilisations long gone and the earth company InterPlanetary eXpiditions (IPX) sponsors such expiditions.
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Disc 2
Parliament of Dreams
Synopsis: With the arrival of the aides to the Minbari ambassador Delenn, Lennier and to the Narn ambassador G'Kar, Na'Toth the main cast for the first season and - by and large - the entire show is complete. The Earth administration has planned that each of the alien cultures and Earth show in a festival the ceremonies of their largest believe system. Meanwhile G'Kar gets a death threat against him from an enemy who has currently died.
My opinion: It's an interesting fact to notice that alien cultures in TV shows - especially the alien of the week in most shows - seem to be somewhat uniform. Look at the Klingons or the Romulans of Star Trek for example. Except of course the story is about two rivaling parties on the same planet. But more than two? Seldom. But Earth is always depicted as a diversed culture. And coming back to my point, I simply adored the scene when Sinclair presented all these people with their different believe systems, it was a great ending of that show.
Mind War
Synopsis: For over a hundred years there have been telepaths ("teep") among the human population. Every teep who whishes to use his/her abilities has to join the Psi Corps. And the Psi Corps has its own police: The Psi Cops. And two of them arrive at the station to look for a renegade and former lover of the stations teep Talia Winters. But that renegade has developed abilities even the Psi Corps couldn't have imagined. Meanwhile, Sinclairs lover tries to examine a planet for its minerals and nearly gets killed.
My option: A Bester show is always a good one. Bester is a Psi Cop portrayed by Walter Koenig (ST: Chekov) and the mutual loathing between the stations personell and Bester is build up and continues throughout the show. We see for the first time that Psi Corps is experimenting on their own people to enhance them beyond their given abilities.
We've seen one of the First Ones and we don't even know it yet! And Talia got a bit of a teek (telekineth) ability. Unfortunatly she left the show later on and her part was written onto Lyta.
Quote of the episode:
G'Kar: "Let me pass on to you the one thing I've learned about this place. No one here is exactly what he appears. Not Mollari. Not Delenn. Not Sinclair. And not me."
War Prayer
Synopsis: Enmity and hatred is shown from humans to any form of alien. A good friend of Delenn's is struck down and branded. There is an organisation that tries to bring Earth back to its "rightful place in the universe". And meanwhile Londo has to deal with a young Centauri couple who fell in love but both are promised to other people.
My opinion: We see the first glimpse of hatred between humans and aliens based on simple racism and the fear of "alien influence". It's a sad episode because of that story but a good one.
And the Sky Full of Stars
Synopsis: Two men arrive at the station and capture Sinclair to find out what happend in the 24 hours he can't remember when the war ended.
My opinion: They shed some light onto the events happened at the Battle of the Line. But when I say some I mean some. It's more a form of grey than really white light. We don't get all the facts at once and that's what makes the show so interesting. From now on we can wonder what exactly Delenn had to do with the ending of the war.
From a knowing POV the end was not logical. Minbari do not kill Minbari, that's why the war ended. So why should Delenn get the order to kill Sinclair if he finds anything out?
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Disc 3
Deathwalker
Synopsis: Na'Toth attacks a women who just left a space ships and declares that she is Deathwalker, a Dilgar war criminal. But that is impossible, even if she is still alive she would be much older than that woman. Except of course she had found the fountain of youth.
My opinion: Great episode. Asks a lot of valid questions, e.g. how much are you willing to pay and what to sacrifice to become immortal.
The most interesting question is, whether Deathwalker invented the serum herself or did she had help. I would presume the latter and I would name the Shadows as a likely ally. After all to sacrifice half teh universe for the other seems right in their line of thinking.
Quote of the episode:
Kosh: "Thuth is a three-edged sword."
Believers
Synopsis: Two aliens bring their sick child to the infirmary. But to heal their son Dr. Franklin has to resolve to surgery. But the parents believe system does not allow the opening of the body because the soul would leave the body.
My opinion: Great conflict between science and religion. Who is right and who is authorized to make such a decision?
Quote of the episode:
Kosh: "The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote."
Survivors
Synopsis: Earth Alliance president Santiago plans a visit to Babylon 5. But the station is shaken by bomb explosions and a presidential team takes over the security department while Garibaldi is supected to be an assassin.
My opninion: We get a glimpse into Garibaldis history on Mars (Garibaldi, like Sinclair, was born on Mars) and his drinking problems back then. Good episode about revenge and paranoia.
By Any Means Necessary
Synopsis: Overworked and underpaid the dock workers of Babylon 5 go on strike after some of them have been killed and hurt because of errors due to the stress. But the Earth government threatens to break the strike with force, if necessary. Meanwhile G'kar is trying to get hold onto a G'Quan Eth flower for a religious ritual and the only one having one on B5 is - Londo Mollari.
My opninion: Good episode. Showed that in the B5 universe some things haven't changed at all throughout the centuries. And personally I think episodes like this make the show much more realistic than the Happy World of Star Trek. I also loved the resolution of Sinclair for both problems (strike / G'Quan Eth).
Sheridan makes a similar move when it comes to his and Susan's rent for the quarters.
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Disc 4
Signs and Portents
Synopsis: A human man arrives on the station who was on the outer territories for the last couple of years. And in turn he sets up a meeting with every ambassador and asks one simple question "What do you want?". When this man called Morden encounters Delenn and later Kosh it gets darker as if shadows were moving. Meanwhile Mollari aquired an ancient piece of jewlery that belonged to the very first emperor of the Centauri Republic and tries to bring it back to Centauri Prime.
My opinion: It's the name-giving episode to the entire season and what an episode it is. Many important things are set in motion although one doesn't really know it. I found it quite fascinating how the different people answered to a simple question like "What do you want?". It's one of the key episodes of the entire series.
And for the first time we see a shadow vessel!
TKO
Synopsis: A rabbi and a boxer arrive at the station. The rabbi sets out to seek Susan Ivanova and sit shiva (a jewish mourning ritual) for Susans father who died in "Born to Purple". And the boxer tries to enter an alien martial arts kombat known as "Mutai" which is forbidden for humans.
My opinion: Even with the Mutai it's a rather quit episode. It shows that not all aliens are pleased with the behaviour with the average human because they behave as they do on earth: mocking about the rituals and traditions of foreign cultures. But there is hope, they are able to learn.
The Grail
Synopsis: On the station arrives a human man who is treated with utmost reverence by the Minbari. This man searches for the Holy Grail. Sinclair can't really take him seriously but for the Minbari it doesn't matter if the object of the search really exist but only that one is a true seeker.On the station he meets Jinxo, the "curse of Babylon 5" who had helped building all five Babylon stations and every time he left, the station was destroyed or got lost. And so he never left Babylon 5.
My opinion: The search for the Holy Grail should have always been a spiritual journey and not one for riches and/or power. I was moved when Aldous (the seeker) died and Jinxo promised to continue the search.
Eyes
Synopsis: A colonel and a Psi Corps enter the station and start an investigation against Cmdr. Sinclair which soon turns to be a witch hunt. All command staff shall be questioned and scanned by the Psi Corps agent. But Ivanova won't allow a scan by any teep.
My opinion: I felt reminded of the Star Trek TNG episode "The Drumhead" in which Cpt. Picard said the memorable quote "With the first link, a chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." (Did I mention I love quotes?), which also turned out to be a witch hunt. I liked it because it showed the strong loyalty between the command staff.
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Disc 5
Legacies
Synopsis: The body of a dead Minbari warrior is presented on Babylon 5 as a sign of respect towards the warrior. But the body is stolen and the Star Rider clan of his blames the humans for the loss. Meanwhile a young girl is found who has teep abilitiies. Whila Talia Winters wants her to enter the Psi Corps, Susan Ivanova tries anything to keep her away from that organisation.
My opinion: Funniest moment was when somone remined Garibaldi that the Pak'Ma'Ra are carrion eathers. ;) We also learn that the Narn are the only people that have no teeps. And we get another look into the Minbari culture and tradition. For the first time we see Delenn use her power as member of the Grey Council. And I liked the ending where Talia and Susan - who where opponents over the teep business - apologized to each other.
And again she's building on the crysalis device!
Quote of the episode:
Neroon (to Sinclair): "You speak like a Minbari"
A Voice in the Wilderness Part 1
Synopsis: The planet Epsilon 3 around which Babylon 5 is orbiting devolps a series of quakes. A survey team which tries to land is being attacked when the planet is supposed to be uninhabited. Meanwhile riots have broken out on the Mars colonies and Garibaldi tries to communicate with a previous lover.
My opinion: At last we learn something about the planet below Babylon 5 except it being a nice wallpaper. We see that there's a huge machinery down below the planet's surface but like most two-parters the first one is only the prelude to the second part.
Quote of the episode:
Draal: "The third principle of sentient life is the capacity for self-sacrifice. The conscious ability to override evolution and self-preservation for a cause, a friend, a loved one."
A Voice in the Wilderness Part 2
Synopsis: Earth heavy cruiser Hyperion arrives at Babylon 5 to protect anything of interest that may be found on Epsilon 3. But another ship arrives, too; claiming the planet belongs to them and that they will take it by force, if necessary. And the dying man from the Great Machine tells Draal and Delenn, that someone must take his place in order to prevent the planet's destruction.
My opinion: Loved it. Sinclair is willing to risk everything to protect the station and the people living there. He is truly a man who understands the third principle of sentient life. And to see the sparkle of excitement in Londos eyes to really do something again - marvelous. It was also interesting to see that there are (and have always been?) tensions between the Earthers and the Marsians.
On could only imagine how history would have changed when indeed Londo had taken the place in the Great Machine.
Babylon Squared
Synopsis: Babylon 4 is back! After Bablon 1 to 3 were destroyed during constructions, Babylon 4 got lost 24 hours after going operational. Babylon 4 was trapped in a time distortion field and it seems to fall back into it. It's decided to evactuate the station before it disappears again. Meanwhile Delenn is summoned back to the Grey Council to take back her place there which means she has to leave Babylon 5.
My opninion: I alsways like time travel episodes even though this time it wasn't really a time travel. But I loved the hints about Sinclairs future. And I like the fact that Delenn left the Grey Counsil because of the calling of her heart and her expressed opinion about the humans (even if it came from a human script writer ;))
I know where (or better when) B4 is going. ;)
Quote of the episode:
Zathras: "The One leads us. The One tells us to go. We go. We live for the One. We would die for the One."
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The Quality of Mercy
Synopsis: A convicted murderer is sentenced to a "wipe of personality" and afterwards serving to the community until his natural death. The death sentence whill only be applied in cases of high treason. Meanwhile a doctor heals persons in "Down Below" with an alien device.
My opinion: A quiet episode before the great season finale. But nonetheless an important one because it introduces the concept of "mind wipe" and the alien healing device. And we see Lennier fighting like we've never seen a Minbari fighting before (not even Neroon a few episodes earlier).
Chrysalis
Synopsis: The Babylon 5 crew discovers a plot to kill the Earth Alliance president Santiago but has no chance to prevent it. Meanwhile Narn and Centauri argue about the rulership of quadrant 37 and Mr. Morden offers his help to Londo.
My opinion: Great finale! First great battle of the show while it lastened not long. And Garibaldi should have listened to Walker Smith in "TKO" as he said "Watch your back!" And Delenn puts herself into a cocoon. While I don't like the concept of cliffhangers - if I tune in again or not wouldn't depend on one single episode - it's a good one and it leaves many questions. Did someone recognize the similarity between the inauguration between Clark and US president Johnson in 1963?
This episode is the turning point for the character developement of G'Kar and Londo.
Season analysis: Great introduction to a great show. It hasn't the quality of the following 3 seasons but it stands out in comparison to other first seasons, e.g. Star Trek TNG. I think Babylon 5 was one of the first shows using the concept of a continued storyline instead of seperate episodes with only a small background story. Nowadays we are used to it (Lost, Heroes, 24) and I personally require it from a TV show.
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Season 2: The Coming of Shadows
Disc 1
Points of Departure
Synopsis: Cmdr. Sinclair has been re-assigned, Garibaldi is still comatose, Delenn is still in her cocoon and Babylon 5 gets a new commander: Captain John Sheridan, amongst the Minbari known as "Starkiller", because he destroyed their flag ship - the Drala Fi (Black Star) - in the war. And now a renegade Minbari war cruiser takes course to Babylon 5.
My opinion: The new season starts as powerful as the last season ended. While I liked Sinclair, Sheridan seems much more powerful as a station commander. And we finally learn why the Minbari ended the war. I especially liked the speech of Sheridan in front of - no one. ;)
Revelations
Synopsis: G'Kar has returned from his search and reports from a great ancient enemy who has returned after a thousand years and he believes that this foe is responsible for the destruction of the Narn base in quadrant 37. Meanwhile Dr. Franklin heals Garibaldi by using the alien healing device we've seen in the previous year and Anna Sheridan - Cpt. Sheridan's sister - visitis the station. And Delenn has left the cocoon!
My opinion: Without knowing Garibaldi Sheridan decides to give his own life power to heal him, I liked that a lot. And we learn about the loss of his wife, who died on an IPX expidition on the Rim. But at least the traitor has been apprehended. But Londo drifts deeper and deeper in the maelstrom of his destiny. And finally, Delenn has been transformed into a beautiful being!
Londo asks about the complete destruction of the Narn homeworld and Morden answers something like "not everything at once" - we know it will happen. :(
The Geometry of Shadows
Synopsis: The Techno Mages are leaving for the Rim and don't intend to return because they feel a dark force rising. But Londo wants to meet with them because it would be a powerful symbol to his people. Meanwhile Ivanova has to "negoiate" between the "purple" and the "green" fraction of the Drazi who are fighting over leadership.
My opinion: Ivanova says our flags have meanings whereas the colors of the Drazi are totally random but I tend to disagree. A flag is nowadays a symbol for a country. In earlier days it was the clan or the colors of the local lord. They only showed alliegience but for most of the people who fought and died it made no difference on which side they fought because they were forced to and often one side wasn't an inch better than the other. Even nowadays for most people the color of the flag is set by the birth place. Therfore it's not entirley true that our flags aren't random.But i liked the episode because it showed how stupid it is to fight over flags or colors.
The Techno Mage wasn't that interesting except for the dialog between Elric and Londo at the departure.
A Distant Star
Synopsis: A huge earth explorer ship arrives at Babylon 5 and refills their supplies. When it re-enters Hyperspace there is an accident and the ship drifts aways from the marked routes and may get lost. The station's Starfurys try to find and rescue it.
My opninion: I think we've seen the Hyperspace for the first time in the show. Yes we've seen ships entering and leaving but not being in Hyperspace. Except from that it was an OK episode, nothing world-shaking.
Quote of the episode:
Sheridan: "If the primates that we came from had known that someday politicians would come out of the gene pool they'd have stayed up in the trees and written evolution off as a bad idea!"
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Disc 2
The Long Dark
Synopsis: A ships enters the Babylon 5 area which comes from a different time. Sent from earth before jump gates were known it contains two passengers in stasis chambers. On the station is a confused man who announces the return of a dark being,
My opinion: Murdock is back and he is as mad as ever. ;-). Again we are warned that a dark force is gathering its allies and that they have awoken not long ago. While the "ship from the past" is no new concept to sci-fi shows I liked the combination with the main arc.
A Spider in the Web
Synopsis: A business man from earth tries to make a great contract with the Mars provisional government and gets killed by a man who is presumed to be dead.
My opinion: It was ok, not great though. Interesting about it was seing nuclear wastelands on Earth and again the meddling of Psi Corps with humans (even though in this case not with teeps).
Soul Mate
Synopsis: The three wives of Mollari - he described them as pestilence, famine and death in an earlier episode - arrive at the station. Also a man who has done the impossible - he left Psi Corps.
My opinion: And yet again we see a walking Psi Corps experiment. It seems they try everything to enhance teeps beyound their natural borders. But the more interesting part of this episode is the Londo arc. As I said, Londo described his wives as pestilence, famine and death - three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. And that would make Londo the fourth - war. Not even a seer could have described it better. It was one of the last happy episodes for Londo even if there was an attempt for his life.
Although the funniest moment was the struggle between Delenn and her hair.
It's sad we never see Timov again - read the Centauri trilogy if you're interested, it explains a lot of what happend between 2262 (last season) and 2278 (Londo's death).
A Race Through Dark Places
Synopsis: Bester's back. Renegade teeps are hiding or are being hidden on Babylon 5. And he wants them back - badly. And Talia is re-evaluating her loyalty towards the Psi Corps.
My opninion: Although I said I loved Bester episodes, this is not one of my favourites. It was a simple catch-me-if-yo-can episode. Nothin special.
Maybe I didn't like it that much because the Talia storyline is soon coming to an end and her newly developed abilities have not much meaning afterwards. Basically, the part of the super-teep goes to Lyta although they had to give her a different background story why she had devolped these abilities.
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Disc 3
The Coming of Shadows
Synopsis: The Cenaturi emperor arrives at Babylon 5 with the not widely known intent to apologize to the Narn before he dies. Meanwhile a man contacts Garibaldi with a message from an old friend.
My opinion: Again the name-giving episode of the season and once again a turning point of the story. This time Molari used Mr. Mordens forces with the full knowledge of what they are capable of and what they will do to the Narn colony. And ironically we have the same situation as in "Midnight of the Firing Line" although with opposite signs (this time G'Kar tries to kill Londo in the ambassadorial quarters). Great but very sad episode.
When the emperor asks Kosh how it will end, Kosh answers "In fire.". When the last human leaves Earth in "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars" he says something similar: "This is how the world ends: Swallowed in fire, but not in darkness."
Gropos
Synopsis: 25,000 Earth soldiers, most of them Gropos (Ground Pounder) have arrived at the station and the crew has to find sleeping places for them. Commander of these troops is General Franklin, the father of Dr. Franklin, and he intends to attack a rebel stronghold on a planet allied to the Earth Alliance.
My opinion: Another very sad episode. We spend an entire episode to get to know some of the Gropos just to realize they are all - the good ones as well as the bad ones - dead by the end of the episode. One cannot say that this is an enjoyable episode, but it leaves a strong impression. Especially when you watch it for the second or n-th time and you are aware that they will all die. :(
All Alone in the Night
Synopsis: Captain Sheridan is kidnapped by an unknown alien species while he is away from the station. These aliens have kidnapped other aliens as well, e.g. a Narn.
My opinion: Let's cut to the chase: I think it is a very boring episode, although some parts are important for the main arc (such as Kosh being in Sheridans mind; the now unbalanced Grey Council and the conversation between General Hague and Sheridan). But the main story with the capture aboard this alien ship is not really interesting.
Acts of Sacrifice
Synopsis: Since the war between Narn and Centauri has started, open fights have been broken out between the residents of the station. G'Kar is trying to get military aid from the humans and/or the Minbari. Meanwhile Ivanova has to deal with a new race that has it's very own point of view in matters of evolution.
My opninion: I liked it because we see that Londo is not too happy about his new "popularity", because he is aware that things like real freindship matters more. But I think since the events of "The Coming of Shadows" he has passed "the point of no return" and is trapped on the path he set foot on with his choices.
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Disc 4
Hunter, Prey
Synopsis: The personal physician of the former president Santiago and the former vice-president (now president) Clark is on the run and tries to hide on B5.
My opinion: The intersting thing about this episode is not really the run of the doctor, but the relationship between Kosh and Sheridan. For the first time we see Kosh doing a bit more but standing around. And Sheridan must have made quite an impression for Kosh allowing him to hide the doctor within Kosh's ship.
There All The Honor Lies
Synopsis: Sheridan shoots a Minbari in self-defence but is accused of murder. Meanwhile a gift shop has opened on the Zocalo that sells stuff like Mollari dolls and Sheridan "Babearlon" teddy bears.
My opinion: The whole episode is build around the fact that Minbari do not lie. It is an OK episode, but definitively not a must-see one.
And Now for a Word
Synopsis: An ISN News team has arrived on the station and makes a "36 hours on Babylon 5" report and the whole episode is told from that angle. Meanwhile the Narn destroy a Centauri ship just outside the station under the accusation that the Centauri ship has loaded weapons of mass destruction to be used against the Narn.
My opinion: Very interesting approach for an episode. One could see that Earth isn't entirely sure anymore that B5 is worth all the trouble, while the stations command crew as well as Deleen are sure that it is the only way to - not maintain, but to - make peace.
The TV team approach is used in the fourth season again
In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum
Synopsis: Sheridan's wife died on an expidition to the rim. Now we see that she was on the Icarus and that they were on Z'ha'dum when they died: And one other person was also on that expidition: Mr. Morden, Londo's associate. Meanwhile a man from the "Ministry of Peace" arrives and recruites people for a new-founded organisation called "Night Watch".
My opninion: Great episode. Loved to see Sheridan clinging to his wife's death and the hope she might not be dead after all. And we learn that the great enemy Delenn (and also G'Kar) is talking about are the Shadows and that they are Londo's allies. And that the Vorlons are one of the First Ones - one of the oldest races in the universe.
I also liked the other storyline very much because if you listen with care you'll see immediately where this is going when the recruiter speaks of "harmful ideas" the society has to be protected from. And I also liked the hint in the direction of "1984" when the Ministry is called MiniPax.
Delenn describes the Vorlons as First Ones, but not the Shadows. I am not sure whether this is a story glitch or that she has been told this by Kosh. After all, we know that the Vorlons are as manipulative as the Shadows
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Disc 5
Knives
Synopsis: An old friend of Londo's arrives at the station and asks for help. His house and his name are about to be destroyed with false accusations. Meanwhile the captains begins to get hallucinations.
My opinion: Alas, there are still Centauri who feel uneasy about this whole war. I liked the character of Urza Jaddo and I like the actor Carmen Argenziano (Jacob Carter/Selmak from "Stargate SG-1"). But the Sheridan storyline wasn't that interesting.
The children from the movie "In the Beginning" - Luc and Lyssa - who want to hear a story are the nephew and niece of Urza Jaddo. This is revealed in the novelization to ITB.
Confessions and Lamentations
Synopsis: The Markab aboard the station and aboard transports begin to die. It seems to be of natural causes but there are to many of them to call it natural.
My opinion: Again you get to know some people just to see them die. In this case an entire species. And again a sad episode.
Divided Loyalties
Synopsis: Lyta Alexander - the commercial teep from the pilot episode - arrives at the station and announces that there is a sleeper agent amongst the station's crew. But the sleeper him- or herself doesn't even know it.
My opinion: And this is how the Talia storyline has ended. And again we see the Psi Corps meddling with one of their own. But all in all not a very good episode.
The Long, Twilight Struggle
Synopsis: Again Londo uses his associates (on Lord Refa's request) to strike against a Narn fleet, while the Centauri fleet is attacking the Narn homeworld directly. Meanwhile Draal - the Minbari who has taken the place in the Great Machine on the planet beneath B5 - asks Sheridan and Delenn to visit him.
My opninion: Great episode. One could see the sadness and disgust in Londo's face when he see's what his people are doing to the Narn homeworld (they've collected meteors and asteroids and shoot them on the planet's surface with mass drivers, a weapon that is outlawed by most planets including the Centauri). And a great speech when G'Kar is removed from the council.
I also liked the side remark, that the appearence of Draal has changed (he's being played by a new actor ;))
Did anyone recognize the name Draal is shouting? "Zathras"? Don't we know that name? Of course we do, from "Babylon Squared".
Quote of the episode:
Citizen G'Kar: "No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand."
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Disc 6
Comes the Inquisitor
Synopsis: A human arrives at the station in a Vorlon vessel and he is about to interrogate Delenn, because the Vorlons want to make sure that she is the right person in the right place at the right time.
My opinion: I've been waiting for this episode since Sheridan has taken command of the station. After the shadows got their question "What do you want?", the Vorlons now have one of their own: "Who are you?" I really like the inquisition because the actor of Sebastian played it very plausable. And I really liked the revelation who he really was. Also, Delenn and Sheridan are getting closer with every episode. I don't know what would have happend in the original draft of the story, but I've got the feeling they had to rush Sheridan into the position Sinclair previously held. Within one year he gets very close to both Delenn and Kosh, closer than Sinclair has ever been. But it serves the story well.
The actor of Sebastion/Jack the Ripper - Wayne Alexander - returns in the fourth season in the role of the First One called Lorien.
The Fall of Night
Synopsis: After the victory over the Narn, the Centauri attack other races as well and the Earth Alliance plans to sign a non-aggression pact with them. Meanwhile one of the last (the last) Narn battle cruisers arrives heavily damaged at the station and is hidden behind the planet. But the Centauri get wind of it and send a battle cruiser of their own.
My opinion: Another great finale. I must admit, there isn't a season finale I didn't like, I even like the one between the fourth and the fifth season. But the battle between Babylon 5, the Narn and the Centauri cruiser and the flight of Kosh afterwards? Magnificent. And the circle is closed. The Starfury pilot who saw the shadow vessel for the first time very early in this season ("A Distant Star") saw it now for the second but last time. But the long-kept secret is out: there is a new (or better: a very old) race out there.
Season analysis: As I said before, I liked Sinclair, but Sheridan is so much better. In this season most of the things have been set in motion that are essential for the following years. In my personal rankings of the seasons it takes the third place (first place is the third season; second place is the fourth season).
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Season 3: Point of No Return
Disc 1
Matters of Honor
Synopsis: A Ranger training post is sealed of with mines and one ranger who could escape asks Babylon 5 for help. Meanwhile Londo tries to cut his connections to Mr. Morden and his associates. Also a representative of Earth comes to Babylon 5 to investigate about the Shadow vessel that destroyed Lt. Keffer's Starfury.
My opinion: I always liked Marcus and I sure love the White Star. But Sheridan has to be a bit mad to try a stunt like the one in this episode. :D Good introduction to the next step of the story.
Convictions
Synopsis: A series of bombings shake Babylon 5. Bombs planted by a person who has no political agenda but to spread fear. And when Lennier tries to save Londo he gets badly hurt.
My opinion: While I never really understood the motives of the bomber I really liked the tube scene between Londo and G'Kar. I also liked the arrival of the monks around brother Theo who will stay for a while on the station.
A Day in the Strife
Synopsis: A probe approaches Babylon 5 and transmits a message: When Babylon 5 can answer a series of highly complicated questions, they will receive important knowledge in return. If not, the probe will explode and take B5 with it.
My opinion: Another average episode, there's not really much to say about it.
Passing through Gethsemane
Synopsis: Again we see the monks. But one of them is troubled because he gets flashes of memories but he can't remember the events. Meanwhile Lyta Alexander return to the station on a Vorlon(!) transprt ship. She has been to the Vorlon homeworld but is forbidden to tell about it. She now works for the Vorlons and must hide from the Psi Corps.
My opninion: Great episode about crime and punishment. To see the life of a mind-wiped person and how the victims of a crime can't let go. I really liked the acting of Brad Dourif (Dune, Deadwood) and the actions of brother Theo at the end of the episode.
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Disc 2
Voices of Authority
Synopsis: Draal invites Sheridan to Epsilon 3 to search and contact the First Ones but Sheridan is distracted with the arrival of his new political officer from Earth.
My opinion: The direction in which Earth policy is developing is quite alarming. Did anyone recognize the off-voice to whom Clark was speaking? It was Mr. Morden's voice, so the Shadows are also involved in the murder of the former Earth Alliance president Santiago.
Dust to Dust
Synopsis: Someone smuggles a drug called "Dust" onto the station. Dust gives temporarily teep abilites to normal humans. But it has strong side effects and is highly addictive. Bester comes to the station to catch these dealers, too.
My opinion: One does not know it yet, but this is a very important episode in G'Kar's character developement and I also liked the idea of disabling Bester's abilities via the sleeper drugs Ivanova's mother was forced to take.
Exogenesis
Synopsis: There is an alien parasite that takes over the bodies of lurkers in down below. But the parasites aren't what they appear to be.
My opinion: The idea of symbiotes who keep the knowledge of the universe is interesting and the story was well told.
Messages From Earth
Synopsis: During archiological diggings a Shadow vessel is found on the Jupiter moon Ganymede. This has happend before on a digging on Mars several years back. But back then another Shadow vessel nourished the first on and both escaped. Bujt this time Earth wants the knowledge of that ship and the Babylon 5 crew cannot allow to let the ship fall into Earths hand.
My opninion: Great action flick. It shows what the White Star is capable of. Sheridan had to take a stand. His own government in league with the shadows wasn't something he could bear and he made his point very clearly although no one on Earth knows it - yet.
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Disc 3
Point of No Return
Synopsis: All hell is breaking loose. Clark has declared martial law and dissolved the senate. Open fights have broken out on Earth. General Hague is on the run and tries to organize a counter-strike. And Night Watch tries to take over command of Babylon 5.
My opinion: "Name of the season" episode. Loved it. As well as the next one. If Sheridan would be a lawyer I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw Babylon 5. ;) Night Watch has was practically destroyed on Babylon 5 and G'Kar change of character is completed. He is now a different person than the one he was in the first season. I also liked Majel Barrett ("Nurse Chapel" in ST TOS; "Lwaxana Troy" in ST TNG; widow of ST creator Gene Roddenberry) in the role of Lady Morella.
Londo has to do three things to avoid the fire according to Lady Morella's prediction;
"You must save the eye that does not see.
You must not kill the one who is already dead?
You must surrender yourself to your greatest fear, knowing that it will destroy you."
I always thought about them and what they mean. I assume that the "eye that does not see" is referering to G'Kar. Londo saves him and his homeworld later, although G'Kar loses an eye. The second one is refering to Sheridan IMHO. He dies on Z'Ha'Dum, but Londo saves him and Delenn in events told in "War Without End" and "In the Beginning" shortly before Londo dies. But the surrender part - I never figured out where exactly JMS was hinting at.
Severed Draems
Synopsis: After the bombings of Mars the Earth colonies Orion 7 and Proxima 3 are declaring endependence from the Earth Alliance. And so does Babylon 5 when Earth heavy cruisers are coming to take over control.
My opinion: As I said: Another great episode. Many died this day. :( But it were fantastic battle scenes, especially when the Churchill rammed straight into that other destroyer. And the favour of the battle is turning every second. When the reinforcments from earth jump into normal space you think it's all over and then Delenn comes to the rescue with Minbari cruisers and the White Star. Awesome!
Quote of the episode:
Delenn: "Only one human capatin ever survived a battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else!"
I'll watch the rest of the disc tomorrow because it's getting late.
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I'll watch the rest of the disc tomorrow because it's getting late.
Having said that almost a fortnight has past.
Sorry, I've been quite busy over the last weeks and I also watched my newly acquired first season of "J.A.G." over the last three days.
But here it continues:
Ceremonies of Light and Dark
Synopsis: After heaving defended Babylon 5 against the Earth cruisers the crew has to "bury" the dead. But there are still followers of Clark's and members of Night Watch on board who intend to retake the station. Meanwhile Delenn plans a Minbari rebirth ceremony which commemorates a great change.
My opinion: It is the "cool down" episode after the heated events happend in the previous episodes. Although it's not really a full cool down. For that matter from now on it won't be really cooled down until after the last but one episode of the fourth season. Sheridan finally admits that he has fallen in love with Delenn and the main staff gets their new uniforms!
A minor remark: Sometimes B5 has the same problem as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The authors can't decide how strong some aliens are. In an episode in season one we see Sinclair and Neroon fight and they both seem equally strong while in this episode Lennier (who has a far less impressive stature than Neroon) lifts Marcus easily with one outstreched(!) arm. We've got the same problem with the Narn and (in Star Trek) with the Klingons and the Cardassians.
Sic Transit Vir
Synopsis: Vir Cotto - being Centauri ambassador on Minbar for some time now - visits the station. So does Vir's soon-to-be-wife. And also a blood-thirsty Narn who has sworn a blood-oath to kill Vir because Vir apparently has sent over 2000 Narns into labour camps - where they all died.
My opninion: One must admit it: Young Centauri women are very, very hot! Even when they are bald. I find it a very good Vir episode and it is unfortunately one of few episodes. I always liked him because he is so different than Londo and most of the Cenaturi. He has seen to much of what Londo has done and he always at least tried to talk him out of it - but now he could actually do something! Too bad, G'Kar never learns of it.
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Disc 4
A Late Delivery From Avalon
Synopsis: Arthur Pendragon, King of the Britons has arrived at the station to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. Meanwhile Sheridan tries to set up a defense treaty of Babylon 5 with the League of Non-Alligned Worlds.
My opinion: Loved the speculation whether or not he could be King Arthur, especially with the experience that the Vorlons have indeed taken people from Earth. Michael York played this role very well. I also liked the episode because I think that a sword is the most fair weapon on a battle field - if something like a "fair weapon" exist. I always liked what I call "sword movies" (e.g. all kinds of "3 Musketeers" movies, Highlander, "Last Samurai" and so on). "Sword movies" are one of the few movies I'd watch even if they were made before the 80s.
Another slight contradiction to "In the Beginning": Marcus tells Dr. Franklin, that the Rangers badge he wears is called "Isil'Zha". It's Minbari and means "the future". Franklin doesn't seem to having it heard before. In ITB this one Minbari word saves his life. Would you ever forget the one word in a foreign that saves your neck?
There's also another glitch regarding this badge and ITB: In an early episode of this season Marcus explains how these badges are being produced. One needs Minbari and Human blood for it. Lenonn wears that badge even before the Minbari ever encountered the Humans. So how have they produced it back then?
Quote of the episode:
Garibaldi: "What are you so nervous about? We went up against the entire Earth Alliance and two carrier groups." Security guard: "Yeah, but this is the post office. This could get us in real trouble."
Ship of Tears
Synopsis: Bester comes yet again to the station to ally himself with Sheridan. He fears that alien forces have to much influence on the president and that they are threatening the Pis Corps. And so he acts accordingly to the old rule "the enemy of my enemy ..."
My opinion: Again a very good Bester episode in which we learn a lot about the Shadows and we get the insight that Bester has indeed a heart beating in his chest. And now it makes sense why the Narns were the first victims of this great war. They knew too much about the Shadows and how to beat them.
Interludes and Examinations
Synopsis: Sheridan needs a great victory against the Shadows to draw other races into the war against them. And for this victory he needs the support of the Vorlons, the only race capable of winning such a battle. Meanwhile Londo is awaiting Adira Tyree, the exoctic dancer he fell in love with in the first season. But Morden is unhappy, that Londo did cut Morden's connection to Lord Refa.
My opinion: It was great to see that a Vorlon can be made angry and that they have feelings just like the rest of us (fear of death for instance) and it was a very sad moment to see Kosh die. It was also sad to see Londo doing all the wrong things again. He was fooled again by Morden and was too blind to see it.
War Without End Part 1
Synopsis: Ranger One / Entil'Zha Sinclair comes to the station because he got a letter addressed specifically to him, but written over 900 years ago. When he arrives Delenn discloses to him, Sheridan, Marcus and Susan that she knows, where (or better when) Babylon 4 went, after it got lost. It was used in the great war a thousand years ago and it would be their task to steal it and move it back in time.
My opninion: Just like I waited for "Comes the Inquisitor" in the last season I waited for this one in this season. I always liked the fact that Sinclair simply wasn't forgotten after he left Babylon 5. And for this episode he had to be there since we saw a "future Sinclair" in the "Babylon Squared" episode in the first season. Can't wait to see the continuation.
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Disc 5
War Without End Part 2
Synopsis: While Sheridan is somewhere stuck in time the rest brings Babylon 4 from the time where it originally disappeared (six years previously) to the time where Sinclair and Garibaldi evacuated it (2 years previously). And then one of them brings it back a thousand years in time.
My opinion: Valen, a Minbari not born of Minbari. A very good conclusion to the Sinclair storyline. And very well put together with the events and footage in "Babylon Squared".
Let me make another point about time traveling: Time travelling is a fairly common conept in Sci-Fi. Personally I distinguish between three different kinds of "time theories".
The first one is the Multiverse. In that you travel "back in time", repair something and when you travel forward again you land in a different universe. It's based on the theory that every choice you or anyone else makes creates a new universe for each possible outcome. Left or right? There will be two universes, one in which you went left, one in which you went right. When you back in time you simply choose to ge left instead of right this time. But the other universe will still be there where you went right. Although it is not really time travelling the TV show "Sliders" uses the concept of multiverses.
The second one is the most comfortable. You went back in time, repair something and when you arrive in the future you will be the only one who recognizes the change that has be done. This concept is used in "Back to the Future" and several Star Trek episodes.
In the third one time is a closed circle. You can jump in any point of time but whatever you do it has always been done this way and will always been done so. The first "Terminator" movie is an example for this (but only the first one, not the sequels). Kyle Reese brings the photograph with him that is made at the end of the movie. John Connor sends Kyle back in time and Reese becomes the father of John. Has always been, will always be that way. Ironically, Star Trek uses this concept, too, for example in the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations".
The third one may seem scary one because one could think there is no such thing as a "free will" because every event seems to be carved in stone, but that is not true. It only states that every descicion we make can only be made once and when we look on it from an out-of-timeline perspective we see which descision we've made when the time has passed or what descision we will make when it still lays ahead. But once we've done anything we cannot undo it. It is unchangeable and unerasable.
Babylon 5 uses the third concept of time travelling. Sinclair is Valen and he has always been. He didn't change the past, we (the viewer) knew of Valen before we knew of Babylon 4. And when Sheridan jumps into the future we see events previously seen in dreams or prophecies. And it makes perfect sense. Prophecies (that are actually seen and come true, not fake ones) are only possible when the future has already been written. Londo sees his death and it comes true exactly as he saw it. Delenn warns Sheridan not to got to Z'ha'dum but he will go as he has always done it and will always do.
Walkabout
Synopsis: After Dr. Franklin took a leave from his post as chief of medical staff a few episodes earlier he wanders around the station. He tries to get rid of his stim addiction and uses an old aborigines tradition called Walkabout. Meanwhile Kosh's replacement called "Kosh" arrived at the station.
My opinion: Assumed she sung herself, Erica Gimpel has a great voice. And we see the first real fight between the White Star and the Shadows.
Gray 17 is Missing
Synopsis: After Sinclair has left Delenn is supposed to be become the new Ranger One / Entil'Zha. But that is a post the warrior caste member Neroon claims for himself. Meanwhile Garibaldi investigates the mystery of "Gray 17", a section of Babylon 5 which does not exist - officially.
My opinion: The "Gray 17" part was - in a miss for another word - weird. And so was the character played by Robert Englund. But I really liked the other part where Marcus was willing to lay down his life for Delenn and Neroon had to acknowledge her leadership over the Rangers.
And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place
Synopsis: The royal court on Centauri Prime demands that the dispute between House Mollari and House Refa is to be settled. And Mollari as well as Lord Refa have a plan how to achieve this. Meanwhile three religious people come to the station. Officially to sheperd their herds, inofficially to bring news from home and the resistance.
My opninion: The Z-countdown has begun. Sheridan once said "Always plant a lie inside a truth, that makes it esear to swallow.". And what a nice plan had Londo planted into another plan. I really liked the plot twist because at the first watch it came fairly unexpected. And it was awesome to look at the White Star fleet.
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Disc 6
Shadow Dancing
Synopsis: Many refugess are gathering in sector 83, where the Shadows have not yet attacked. But Sheridan expects an attack on that sector soon. So he assembles a fleet of Minbari ships and ships of the non-alligned worlds to protect the refugees. Meanwhile Dr. Franklin is still on Walkabout.
My opinion: Babylon 5 has a great way of showing fantastic space battles but never fails to show the price, too. The view of that many destroyed ships is terrible and yet awesome.
Z'ha'dum
Synopsis: Anna Sheridan has returned from Z'ha'dum. She is an ambassador of the Shadows and she tries to convince John that the Shadows are not the evil race the Vorlons and Minbari say they are. And John went with her to Z'ha'dum.
My opinion: "If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die." And he died. Great season finale. Finally we understand why the Shadows do what they do, but does he end justifies the means? I think not. And that includes the means of the Vorlons, too.
Season analysis: Best season of Babylon 5. It feels as if it were made out of one piece. And n fact it is, JMS has written the entire season himself. Yes, there were weaker episodes in it but I have yet failed to hear of a perfect TV show season but bottom line is that was one of the best Sci-Fi show seasons. And I know quite a lot of Sci-Fi shows.
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Yes, there were weaker episodes in it but I have yet failed to hear of a perfect TV show season...
That would be Buffy Season Two. :P
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Season 4: No Surrender, No Retreat
Disc 1
The Hour of the Wolf
Synopsis: Sheridan seems to be dead. Mr. Garibaldi is missing. Londo is called back home to the royal court and emperor Carthagia. Carthagia has given the Shadows a base on Centauri Prime on the Island of Selini. Mollari fears for the safety of his homeworld. Meanwhile the alliance against the shadows is breaking apart because the shadows have temorarily retreated and Sheridan has gone.
My opinion: A very slow beginning of a new season. That is somewhat ironic if one knows how packed this season will be. But at least we know that the character of Sheridan isn't out of the game. But it is not clear whether hes is dead or not.
Whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
Synopsis: Sheridan is still in what seems to be a cave with a being that identifies himself as Lorien. Lorien claims that Sheridan is dead and all indications point to that being true. Meanwhile G'Kar is looking for Mr. Garibaldi.
My opinion: I really liked the conversation between Sheridan and Lorien who was the very first being in the universe. And again Londo proves that his first priority is the well-being of Centauri Prime even if that means to kill the emperor and/or die in the attempt.
Quote of the episode:
Sheridan: "If you're falling off a cliff, you may as well try to fly. You've got nothing to lose."
The Summoning
Synopsis: Delenn plans to attack Z'ha'dum with the entire White Star fleet and all who are willing to come along. Ivanova tries to find more of the First Ones to join the fight. Meanwhile the captured G'Kar is humiliated in the royal court on Centauri Prime and tortured afterwards. And Ivanova discovers a huge Vorlon fleet in hyperspace.
My opinion: The Vorlons have attacked the Shadows directly. Now it gets really ugly and the younger races are cought in the middle. This episode leaves you with the foreboding of doom. Now it even seems to be pointless that Sheridan has returned from Z'ha'dum. Very depressing.
Quote of the episode:
Drazi: "We thought you were dead." Sheridan: "I was. But I'm better now."
Falling Toward Apotheosis
Synopsis: The Vorlons have attacked and destroyed several more planets that were "touched by the Shadows". They use a vast ship called the Planet Killer. Sheridan plans to kill the Vorlon ambassadorand Londo suggests to trial and execute G'Kar on the Narn homeworld.
My opninion: Sheridan plans to kill a Vorlon. That's a though decision that could've turned out very badly. But it was really cool to see an angry Vorlon and then to see two Vorlons fighting. It had to be done and it won't be the only hard decision to make for Sheridan (see next episode). But we also learn that Sheridan has a price to pay for his journey to Z'ha'dum but he has accepted that price for a greater good. Very good episode.
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Disc 2
The Long Night
Synopsis: Now the Shadows use a Planet Killer of their own and they attack planets that supported the Vorlons. Meanwhile Londo tries to assassinate emperor Carthagia. And Sheridan plans to lure the Vorlons and the Shadows into the same solar system to confront them.
My opinion: It's a decision I'd never would want to make. To command people to go into battle where they might die is one thing. But to order a mission where the soldiers have to die in order to accomplish the mission it is totally differnt thing.
Into The Fire
Synopsis: Parts of the White Star fleet are attacking Vorlon outposts to delay the arrival of the Vorlon fleet at Coriana 6. Meanwhile Londo tries to get rid of the Shadow vessels on his planet and he learns about the truth of how Lady Adira (see "Interludes and Examinations") actually die. And then the greatest battle of our time begins...
My opinion: The Shadow war may be over. But the story isn't over yet. It's quite intersting to see that races like the Vorlons and the Shadows, both millions of years old, are still frightened of the unknown, of what lays ahead. And even they feel more secure if they are accompanied by someone who is even older than they are. But now the younger races have this galaxy for themselves. Let's see what they make of it.
Epiphanies
Synopsis: Bester arrives at the station and tells the crew of the new sanctions that Earth president Clark has put into place. But his informations come - as usually - at a price. Meanwhile Mr. Garibaldi quits his job as chief of security.
My opinion: Something's going on with Garibaldi, that's for sure. It was aain a good Bester episode but in the great picture it's one of the transition episodes between the Shadow war and the liberation of Earth.
Quote of the episode:
Bester: "The corps is mother. The corps is father". Lyta: "In that case, Mr. Bester, I'm an orphan."
The Illusion of Truth
Synopsis: A team of reports from ISN tries to sneak on the station but they are caught. Nonetheless they get permission to make a report about the stations and its crew. The "documentation" is shown at the end of the episode.
My opninion: It's the second time a TV show is aboard Babylon 5. And it is perfectly shown what power lies in the hand of the media. If they want to they can twist every fact into its exact opposite. In the eastern bloc there was a joke: Russians and americans do a race. The americans win. But when it comes to the news it goes like this: "In a race today the russian team achieved a very good second place. The americans however were only the last but one."
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Disc 3
Atonement
Synopsis: Delenn is called back to Minbar. Her clan will decide if she should be allowed to marry a non-Minbari. She has into go to the dream oracle and relives the events that lead to the Earth-Minbar war. Meanwhile Sheridan sends Dr. Franklin and Marcus to Mars to bring news and make contact with the Mars resistance.
My opinion: Great episode which fills the last holes about Delenn's involvement in the Earth-Minbar war and a great explanation why The merging of Human and Minbari souls began a thousand years ago. Loved it
Racing Mars
Synopsis: Dr. Franklin and Marcus arrive on Mars and make contact with the resistance - or at least they try to. Meanwhile Ivanova suspends Sheridan for 48 hours from active duty, he hasn't had a free day fro more than nine months.
My opinion: It's an OK episode. Not much to say about it.
Lines of Communication
Synopsis: The problems of Minbar are getting worse. The conflicts between the warrior caste and the religious caste becomes more violent and Minbar stands on the brink of civil war. Delenn is forced to meet with a race called "Drakh". Meanwhile Franklin convinces the Mars resistance to work with them and stop the terrorist bombings on the Mars colonies.
My opinion: Delenn has to go to Minbar to fight for her planet, Sheridan has to go to Earth to his planet. It's a sad episode because even with the ended war there are still many open wounds that must heal and many conflicts left to be solved. One asks oneself if it will ever going to end. It's the same question as in real life: Will there be ever a time where there is not a war or fight going on on this planet?
Quote of the episode:
Delenn (to Sheridan): "Curious thing about Humans. Minbari cities remain untouched and unchanged for centuries. I leave for three days and you redecorate."
Conflicts of Interest
Synopsis: Garibaldi has to smuggle his former love in and out of the station. Meanwhile Invanova tries to find a power source for their news broadcasting system.
My opninion: One asks oneself what the Psi Corps did to Mr. Garibaldi. He is so hostile towards his former friends and colleagues he won't get any help from them in the near future. Nonetheless it was a good episode especially the ending with the newly installed broadcasting system.
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Disc 4
Rumors, Bargains and Lies
Synopsis: Sheridan tries to get the League of Non-Alligned Worlds sign a defense contract that allows the White Star fleet to patrol along the borders. And he does that in an very unusual way. Meanwhile Delenn (as representative of the religious caste) negoiates with Neroon (as representative of the warrior caste) in secret to end the fully outbroken civil war on Minbar.
My opinion: The episode is a great mixture of humour and seriousness. It's funny to see hwo Sheridan drives the league into the illusion that there is a new enemy to make them sign the treaty. And it's great to see how the mutual adversaries Delenn and Neroon work together to help their people. And then you realize that Neroon is going to betray Delenn. Very sad.
Moments of Transition
Synopsis: The religious caste has to surrender to the warrior caste. A place is chosen for the surrender. A place of great historical meaning from the time before Valen founded the Grey Council. Meanwhile Lyta is desperately looking for a job when Bester comes along an makes a proposal.
My opinion: While the Lyte storyline wasn't that interesting, the events back on Minbar were quite fascinating. One episode you are to believe that Neroon betrays Delenn. And the next you learn the plan hidden in another plan. It was a very good ending for the character or Neroon, an end worthy of a true warrior. And the end of the episode promises a great storyline for the next episodes.
No Surrender, No Retreat
Synopsis: After President Clark ordered the killing of 10'000 inoocent people on refugee ships, Sheridan is no longer willing to stand by. He prepares an attack agains Earth Force ships that carry out such illegal orders. They are going to retake the colony of Proxima 3, then Mars and finally Earth. A fleet of White Star ships and Starfuries has taken course to Proxima 3.
My opinion: Brother against brother. Civil war. The Minbari just had their own civil war, but it didn't feel as real as this one. This is probably because I - the viewer - am human. Of course I know it's only a TV show but nonetheless a battle between humans feels much more real than the war amongst the Minbari castes. And you hope with Sheridan that the crew of the destroyer can evacuate before it explodes. A worthy episode as name--giver of the season.
The Exercise of Vital Powers
Synopsis: Garibaldi has arrived on Mars and finally meets the head of Edgars Industries, William Edgars. And Edgars fills him in on his thoughts and worries about Clark, the Psi Corps and Sheridan. Back on Babylon 5 Lyta is able to awake the teeps that were "modified" by the Shadows. Sheridan needs them for a certain task in the war to free Earth.
My opninion: A quieter episode but nonetheless an important one. Garibaldi decides to capture Sheridan and hand him over to Clark. What the hell did the Psi Corps do to him that he would do such a thing? The interesting question is: How many decisions made Garibaldi on his own and how many was he forced to do due to his Psi Corps reprogramming.
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Disc 5
The Face of the Enemy
Synopsis: Lyta and Dr. Franklin have arrived on Mars with a shipload of frozen teeps who were altered by the Shadows. Meanwhile Sheridan is lured to Mars were his father is held captive and Garibaldi learns of the plans that William Edgers has for the teeps.
My opinion: Garibaldi is fucked. He cannot be held responsible for his actions but nobody will believe him. And why? Bester! But seriously: I can understand Bester's motives. He cares a lot about "his" teeps. Although it's hard for me to understand why both Edgers and Bester see the teeps as a different species.
Intersections In Real Time
Synopsis: Sheridan is being interrogated.
My opinion: Short synopsis? Yes. But great episode. It's practically a two man show featuring Sheridan and his interrogator. But Bruce Gray plays his role perfectly. I wouldn't want him to interrogate me. ;-)
If a fifth season would have been for sure at this time, this episode would have been the season finale. But since it wasn't for sure, JMS wanted to make sure that his story is properly finished.
Between the Darkness and the Light
Synopsis: Garibaldi can convince Lyta, Franklin and the Mars resistance that he was reprogrammed by the Psi Corps. Then they try to break out Sheridan. Meanwhile Ivanova has to deal with advanced Earth Force destroyers that are anhanced with Shadow technology.
My opinion: The race for Earth is coming to an end. But as Indiana Jones said "That's usually when the ground falls out from underneath your feet". And while they technically had won the battle they had heavy losses. In my opinion it was necessary to see that Sheridan's forces are not entirely unbeatable, that makes it more believable.
Quote of the episode:
Ivanova: "I am Susan Ivanova. Commander. Daughter of Andrei and Sophie Ivanov. I am the right hand of vengeance and the boot that's gonna kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth, sweetheart. I am death incarnate. And the last living thing that you are ever going to see. God sent me."
Endgame
Synopsis: The final attack on Mars and Earth begins. First the Earth destroyer fleet over Mars is taken out with the help of the frozen teeps, then Sheridan takes on Earth directly. Meanwhile, Marcus is making a hard decision.
My opninion: "Prepare for ramming speed." Sheridan is also aware of the third principle of sentient life (see "A Voice in the Wilderness"). He would have sacrificed himself. He did it before on Z'ha'dum and was ready to do it again. Great episode, although it was a bit implausible that nobody on Earth was able to deactivate the defense grid.
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Disc 6
Rising Star
Synopsis: Marcus sacrificed his own life to rescue Ivanova with the alien healing device (see "The Quality of Merci"). Sheridan has to answer for his actions against his own government. Meanwhile Garibaldi is on the search for Lise Hampton-Edgers and Delenn makes a proposal to EarthGov.
My opinion: The great storylines are over. The Firt Ones are gone. Minbar is peaceful again. Earth is free. Mars is free. Everytime I see that episode I know it's over. Yes there is another season, but it isn't the same anymore. A very good second to last episode.
The Deconstruction of Falling Stars
Synopsis: In german the episode is called "In Hundred, In Thousand Years" and that's pretty descriptive. The episode shows what will happen over the next year, in a hundred years, in five hundred years, in a thousand years, in a million years.
My opinion: As I explained earlier JMS wasn't sure whether there would be a fifth season. The final episode "Sleeping in Light" was shot with the fourth season. But then it became clear that JMS got the OK for another season and SiL was moved to the end of season 5. As a replacement this episode was shot. Most people don't like it but I always thought it to be a good episode. I really liked the university discussion, the abbey and the end of the episode.
Quote of the episode:
Last man on Earth: "This is how the world ends. Swallowed in fire, but not in darkness. You will live on. The voice of all our ancestors, the voice of our fathers and our mothers to the last generation. We created the world we think you would've wished for us. And now we leave the cradle for the last time."
Season analysis: Another great season. Second only to the third season. Both seasons togaether are one of the best pieces of Science-Fiction I've ever seen.
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Season 5: Wheel of Fire
Disc 1
No Compromises
Synopsis: It is planned that the inauguration of President Sheridan will be take place on Babylon 5. But there is someone who has a faible for dead presidents. Meanwhile Captain Lochley arrives at the station as a replacement for Commander Ivanova. Also a group of telepaths arive and they are not Psi Corps.
My opinion: It was an ok introduction to the last season and I really liked G'Kar's way of getting the ceremony done.
The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari
Synopsis: One of the two hearts of Londo has given up and while they wait for a transplant, Londo lies in a coma where he has to face the things he has done or not prevented.
My opinion: A walk down on the sin road. I am not much of a fan of any dream or coma episode, they are often strange (and supposedly intended to be that way), but I don't like the idea that I have just to decide subconsciously to wake up and suddenly wake up.
The Paragon of Animals
Synopsis: Sheridan tries to convince the members of the Interstellar Alliance to sign the Declaraton of Principles. But there is some resistance to do so. Meanwhile a planet on the border of Drazi space is attacked by Raiders and they ask Babylon 5 for help.
My opinion: This one as a fan of speeches I liked a lot. The writers did a excellent job in putting those words into G'Kar's mouth. Although I found it a bit unrealistic that the Drazi could be suddenly a thread to a large Whitestar fleet, even when they ambushed them.
A View From the Gallery
Synopsis: We watch the events of this episode through the eyes of the maintenance people Mack and Bo who work on the station And they have to repair all kind of things while an unknown force is attacking the station.
My opninion: Great episode. To switch the view from the main characters to some "by-standers" was a fantastic idea. Of course they had to cross paths with the mains, but the focus remained on them.
Quote of the episode:
Mack (to Bo about Londo and G'Kar): "So, how long you figure they've been married?"
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Disc 2
Learning Curve
Synopsis: Two Minbari Ranger trainer come to the station with two of their students. One of the students is attacked by a new underground boss in Down Below and the Rangers take matters into their own hands. And Garibaldi tries to figure Captain Lochley out, why she was chosen by Sheridan.
My opinion: Average episode. It didn't happen much in it.
Strange Relations
Synopsis: The centauri regent is dying and Londo is ordered back to Centauri Prime, for he is chosen to become the next emperor of the Centauri Republic. But his transport is sabotaged and explodes. Meanwhil is Bester back and he brought a Psi Cops Bloodhound unit with him to hunt down the "blips", the unregistered telepaths around Byron.
My opinion: I never really liked Byron and his "hippie gang". The teeps that were hidden on the station during the second(?) season by the underground railroad were much more likable. Thus it felt har to sympathize with them when they were hunted down.
Secrets of the Soul
Synopsis: Franklin has a new job aside of being chief of the Medlabs. He catalogues the DNA and other stuff from all the races of the new alliance to find cures for their diseases and check if any of that iseases could spread to other races. But something is wrong with the profile of the Hyach. Meanwhile one of the teeps is attacked by undergorund scam and Byron lands behind bars.
My opinion: This is mostly a teep episode. And I hate Byron's kumba-ya bullshit. Did I mention that I didn't like him much?
Day of the Dead
Synopsis: The Brakiri buy a square mile of the station for one night for a ritual. Lochley sells it because she thinks that it is metaphorical. But then this part of the station is suddenly gone and the inhabitants have visitors who should be dead.
My opninion: One could qualify it as "dream episode" but it didn't felt weird. It was a cool idea and I liked to see some characters again.
It is discussed whether or not this episode belongs here. While it stands on its own the next episode "In the Kingdom of the Blind" practically continues where "Secrets of the Soul" ended.
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Disc 3
The Kingdom of the Blind
Synopsis: The attacks on alliance ships have been increased and the alliance races point fingers at each other of who is being repsonsible for the attackes. And the blips have made things worse because they spied on the ambassadors and have stolen their secrets to ransom a homeworld of their own. Meanwhile Londo and his bodyguard G'Kar have arrived on Centauri Prime where the regent seems to be under the influence of a foraign power.
My opinion: Now we know that the Centauri or at least a part of them is behind the attacks and that the regent is influenced and so will his successor as seen in "War Without End". But this episode also marks the beginning of the end. From now on more and more main characters will leave Babylon 5.
A Tragedy of Telepaths
Synopsis: The teeps are becoming a real problem to Captain Lochley, especially since they've threatened to reveal the secrets of the ambassadors. Lochley asks Bester for help and he comes again to the station. Meanhwile Londo and G'Kar discover a forgotten prisoner in one of the palace's prison cells.
My opinion: Teeps again, but at least the Londo/G'Kar story was worth watching and funny to see how Londo got the prisoner out of the palace.
Phoenix Rising
Synopsis: Bester and his Bloodhound units hunt one part of the teeps down, while the other has sealed themselves off and has gone to a hunger strike. But the first group takes hostages, Michael and Stephen among them and Byron (who is with the second group) has to act.
My opinion: Byron and his storyarc is gone! Good riddance! Now the season can really begin and it sadly does this with Michael starting to drink again.
The Ragged Edge
Synopsis: While G'Kar was on Centauri Prime, his book, the "Book of G'Kar" has been gotten in the hands of other Narns and they copied it - about 500 to 600,000 times. G'Kar is treated like a religious icon although he does not want to be. Meanwhile another attack on a ship has taken place and this time there was a survivor. Garibaldi gets the job of getting him out of the Drazi homeworld.
My opninion: Now Sheridan knows that a fraction of the Centauri is involved but I worry for Michael who's drinking more and more. It was a good episode, better than the last ones.
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Disc 4
The Corps is Mother, the Corps is Father
Synopsis: A Psi Cop trainee kills his roommate and escapes to Babylon 5. Bester and two other trainees pursue and try to capture him.
My opinion: This whole episode was being told from the Psi Corps' point of view, most prominently from Bester's view. They even changed the intro for this episode and put the Psi Corps sign on the back end of the station. This episode was quite interesting but it showed egain, how ruthless the Psi Corps is and how both sides don't see each other as the same race (homo sapiens vs. homo superior)
Meditations On the Abyss
Synopsis: Delenn secretly orders Lennier to gather proof that the Centauri are behind the attacks. For this he takes a post upon a White Star ship as a Ranger trainee (which he in fact is). But to find this evidence he has to take an enormous risk. Meanwhile Londo offers the post of the Centauri Ambassador to Vir Cotto when Londo decides that Vir is ready.
My opinion: It was great to see Vir getting enraged like that. :) I also liked the reluctance with which G'Kar sees himself as some religious leader, especially when he's asked "What is the Truth?" and "What is God?".
Darkness Ascending
Synopsis: Lennier has picked up on a trail, but he is alone in his fighter and the chances of being found and coming out of this alive are small. But finally he finds the proof that he was looking for. Meanwhile Londo is fed up with the information that the Alliance Council will falsely blame the Centauri for the attacks.
My opinion: If Londo only knew what he was going into. It was interesting to see whether or not Lennier would make it out alive, there are only a few episodes left and they could've easily killed him. But they haven't - yet.
And All My Dreams, Torn Assunder
Synopsis: A Council meeting is held and all the evidence against the Centauri is presented. The Alliance decides to build up a blockade on all jump points into Alliance space. As a consequence the Centauri who still deny of being responsible resign from the Alliance and send warships along their transporters. Sheridan tries to prevent a shooting war but he relies on a person that has become unreliable.
My opninion: Michael screwed it up badly this time. He may have prevented that encounter but he was too drunk and now there's war again. In the new Rambo movie there is a line said by him that was supposedly cut: "Old men start wars. Young men fight in them. And all others get killed. War is natural. Peace is an accident. We are animals." Unfortunatly that seems to be true and it saddens me.
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Disc 5
Movements of Fire and Shadow
Synopsis: The war spreadens and even on the station fightings are breaking out and Centauri get killed. Sheridan has no choice but to give up Babylon 5's neutrality and order the White Star fleet to fight in the war. He also has to send Delenn back to Minbar to discuss a matter of great importance back there. Meanwhile Lyta and Dr. Franklin discover a secret about the attacking Centauri ships and Londo finds himself in a very uncomfortable position.
My opinion: I liked this episode because it set a storyline in motion that will be contibued in the "Legion of Fire" book trilogy which I liked to read.
The Fall of Centauri Prime
Synopsis: The regent has sent all ships away from Centauri Prime and has deactivated the planetary defense systems. When the Drazi and Narn fleet arrives they find the door wide open and they use it to bring destruction upon Centauri Prime. After the regent has died, Londo becomes emperor and surrenders immediately. But this defeat comes at a high price.
My opinion: The Drakh really want to punish the Centauri for what Londo did in the Shadow war. Londo's regency and torment will last 16 years and only with his death his people will become free again. He always wanted the best for his people and he brought the worst to them. He is the tragic figure of this play and for this he is to be pitied.
Wheel of Fire
Synopsis: It finally comes out in the open that Michael is drinking again and he gets consequentially suspended. G'Kar returns from Centauri Prime and is revered as never before and his only wish is to get away. He offers to help Lyta who in turn sits in a prison cell because she financed terrorist attacks on Psi Corps facilities.
My opinion: Did I say I didn't like teeps? Only those around Byron. Lyte I always liked a lot and I think that she didn't get the thanks that she deserved for what she has done over the years. And that woman can kick ass!
Objects in Motion
Synopsis: Someone tries to kill Michael because they fear that he could dig out stuff at Edgar Industries they don't want to be found. And because he has decided to marry Lise and don't to return to his job as Chief of Covert Intelligence the former head of the Mars resistance, Number One, gets the job. Together they bring down those who hired the assassin.
My opninion: Now they are leaving. Londo gone. Michael and Lise gone. G'Kar and Lyta gone. Soon Sheridan and Delenn and Stephen will follow. I said I didn't like the fifth season that much, but that's because of the first half. Now I am really into it again and have to realize that it will soon be over. :(
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Disc 6
Objects at Rest
Synopsis: The episode of departure. Stephen takes his job on Earthdome, Ta'lon becomes the new Narn ambassador and Sheridan and Delenn leave for Minbar, where they surprisingly meet Londo who has a gift for their unborn child.
My opinion: A quiet episode which brings the immideate story to an and. But as Londo would say "Their story isn't over yet."
Sleeping in Light
Synopsis: 2281. 19 years after the fith season. Sheridan is going to die and he invites the old friends who are still alive: General Ivanova, Garibaldi,Dr. Franklin, Emperor Cotto and Zack Allen. Then he goes to Babylon 5 which is about to be decommissioned (read: to be blown up). After that he goes to Corriana 6, the place from where the Vorlons and the Shadows have left the galaxy. And Lorien awaits him there.
My opinion: A very emotional episode. To be honest, I cry every time when I see it. And that doesn't happen very often, after all I know it's just a TV show. But I can't help it with this one.
BTW: The service technician that shuts down the lights on B5 just before it is blown up, is JMS himself.
Season analysis: In the big picture it's one of the weaker seasons of that show but in the second half it's very good and the ending is magnificent.
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In the Beginning
Synopsis: "I was there at the dawn of the third age of mankind". Londo has chosen the same words when he told the story of the pilot "The Gathering". Now it is 2278, Londo has been emperor for 16 years but his time is coming to an end. When two children aks him to tell them a story, a story about "great battles and war and bravery and heroes and villains", a true story, he tells them the events around the Earth-Minbar war.
My opinion: From all the TV movies they've made I like this the most. It is a good story and has great speeches in it. Without one exception we learn nothing new about the events in that war. There are some minor glitches that contradict the series but in the big picture it's well put together.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=se9FNdyKFtk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KbBRrK9Q-rw
And with this I conclude my Babylon 5 marathon. My first post was in August 2007 and it took me a while to get here, but now the mission is accomplished and I can be at peace.
After you've seen the series you can enjoy this two-part video. Especially pay attention to the words of the songs in combination with the scenes shown:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Spsu4UKUodg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-kNWkZ2Xtpg