Babylon 5 2x04 - 2x10
Nov. 7th, 2014 11:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
schneefinkBabylon 5 is a fantastic show, and I love Susan Ivanova a lot.
A Distant Star: So now at least they know that there's something waiting in hyperspace. And Sheridan is a bit happier with his post. It makes a lot of sense that the other Minbari are wary of Delenn's transformation, I'm very curious how that'll play out.
Ivanova with a crutch, yay continuity! And attempted meal exchange to dodge the food plan, heh.
The Long Dark: It reminded me of something I've seen before, but nothing specific, probably a combination of things. A ghost ship, a Trojan horse, an invisible alien invader... Iirc we don't know for certain that the creature has a connection with the Shadows, but it's likely. It reprogrammed the Copernicus, and we also saw it affect the computer system of Babylon 5. So theoretically it's possible that it left something behind...
I really liked Garibaldi's connection with the apparently crazy veteran.
I found Dr. Franklin's behaviour towards the thawed-out woman so creepy, at first I thought the creature was influencing him. You don't know her, she's out of time, and she just lost her husband! That's not the time to stroke her hair, bring her back to your quarters, etc. It's perfectly understandable on her part, but on his? And the last minute "I don't sleep with my patients" doesn't make it much better.
Spider in the Web: Was that the first time we saw a shot of Earth? "The San Diego Wastelands", ouch.
The future of Mars! I really hope the peaceful solution works out, though I'm not very optimistic. I liked Amanda Carter, and her revealed past makes a lot of sense.
What they did to Abel Horn is just creepy. Practically a mind-controlled zombie.
Sheridan is starting to suspect part of what's happening... Bureau 13, huh. Either in or with a strong connection to the Psi Corps.
The more we learn about Psi Corps, the creepier they become. They take the children at a young age, isolate them so they depend on the Corps... I wonder what justification they use to keep the children away from their parents even once they're fully trained?
AV theorized that the woman Talia recognized from Abel's mind was Abby, her former mentor, which would make sense. For a second I speculated about if that would make Talia vulnerable to being pulled back on Psi Corps' side, and I was ready to dismiss that thought when I noticed that LK was grinning. Now I'm worried.
Soul Mates: Londo and his three wives! "Ladies, ladies! Please, continue," hehe. He enjoyed them fighting over him a lot, because he doesn't like them and knows they don't either. No later than when he proposed the threesome and Timov refused I was certain that he'd choose Timov. She's very sportsmanlike, doesn't want him to die because it wouldn't be fun to win that way but doesn't want him to know because they dislike each other, but at least she's open in her dislike and he appreciates that.
Mariel even tried to kill him, and G'kar noticed, offered her a drink, and warned her not to underestimate Londo. "I warn you Mariel, do not be overconfident. If I were married to Londo Molari I'd be concerned." "G'kar, if you were married to Londo Molari we'd all be concerned." I want ALL the marriage fic! Forced political marriage, it'd be so easy. And I can't look for it yet because spoilers, grr.
Talia's ex-husband! That's a surprise. It was obvious from what Garibaldi saw at the beginning that he still has some powers, but I didn't see empath coming. The idea of telepaths running around unchecked and with questionable morals is sort of terrifying, which is a reminder that there is a reason why the Psi Corps was created.
Delenn and Ivanova! Ivanova making Delenn's hair! I loved it. And cramps, heh, poor Ivanova, I knew she was going to regret that offer.
A Race Through Dark Places: I think this is the first time we see Mars.
More Psi Corps being creepy! Bester literally killed that guy with his brain. And the stories the rogue telepaths told Talia, especially the one about the involuntary impregnation while sleeping, sound terrifying. It's hard for her, because the Psi Corps is the only family she ever knew, but Talia finally turns on them and supports the rogues. Good for her.
It's also fitting that Dr. Franklin was the staff member supporting them. He might be an inconsiderate prick at times, as AV put it, but he means well.
Was that Delenn flirting with Sheridan? ;) It's not true that she never simply sat down with human staff before just to talk. I wonder what she's planning. And what her current relation with the other Minbari is.
Sheridan being so extremely annoyed that Earth wants him to pay rent that he makes Ivanova and himself sleep in his office, haha. Telling bad jokes and snoring.
Susan and Talia becoming better friends in the aftermath is very nice to see :)
The Coming of Shadows: Centauri Prime! The Centauri Emperor! Wow, I didn't expect that. He tries to make a gesture to bring Centauri and Narn closer together, but his health fails him, and then it all becomes so much worse. At least he got to meet a Vorlon? Who didn't exactly have a reassuring message. (Why did Centauri ships never come back from trying to contact the Vorlons?)
I loved G'kar in this episode. At first determined to kill the Emperor, even if it costs his own life, and relieved that his path is clear. Then annoyed that the Emperor fell ill because he couldn't kill him, so much so that he hopes he recovers. When Dr. Franklin tells him about the Emperor's apology it really affects him. That a simple apology means so much. He's even willing to drink with Molari, to Molari's and his Emperor's health! Only to learn shortly afterwards that he's been betrayed, his people have been attacked and many died, and then he's enraged. But Sheridan manages to get through to him that the survival of his people is more important than revenge, and G'kar later thanks him for that.
Londo! What are you doing! He says he's feeling uncomfortable, Vir says he doesn't like it, but that's not enough. He gets the Shadows to conquer and destroy a Narn colony, which he knows will mean war. At first I thought he only did it for his ego, but for him it's also about "the glory of the Centauri Empire," fuck that shit. I liked the vision he had, that showed him his sad future - and then he wakes up and notices that it's too late, and he knows what happened even while G'kar comes up to him and drinks with him. The vision scared him enough that he doesn't want to become Emperor anymore, but that's all. The last words of his Emperor, spoken to him, were about him and Refa being damned, wow. And he twists that to do the opposite of what the Emperor would have wanted.
Sinclair! Wow, I didn't expect that. He clearly took a class in vague mysticism from the Minbari. And nothing he said was especially helpful, at most it confirmed some suspicions they already had.
At least it helps Sheridan get the Centauri to let the Narn prisoners go - labour camps, really, ouch.
The expected reaction: the Narn declare war.
It begins.
Fuck.
Gropos: Surprise, 25.000 infantry soldiers visiting! A logistical nightmare.
I liked how they showed the soldiers: they're diverse, in background and type, and they're real people if a bit different from civilians. Some of them still hate the Minbari, others recognize the importance of peace. I liked the female Sergeant, who just wants to have a one-night-stand with Garibaldi but he says he's not sure he's ready for a relationship that she wasn't even looking for. I think they handled that very well.
The relationship between Stephen and his father the general was also okay done, something that I've seen before. The generational difference between "humans first" and "aliens are also sentient lifeforms" was stark and interesting.
Many dead, to support one side of a civil war, to gain a strategic advantage on the edge of the Narn/Centauri war. (Did they even care about which side was "in the right"?) Well done showing the costs of war.
For the x-th time: I really really love the politics in show. And the characters, and their interactions. It's a bit annoying that it takes me so long to write these episode reactions (why is it so late again - and I'm sure I missed things), but it's just really interesting and I'm invested. I know things are going to get worse before they get better, foreshadowing and it's even in this season's intro, and even though I'm mostly convinced there'll be a mostly happy ending, it sucks to see it happen every time :(
A Distant Star: So now at least they know that there's something waiting in hyperspace. And Sheridan is a bit happier with his post. It makes a lot of sense that the other Minbari are wary of Delenn's transformation, I'm very curious how that'll play out.
Ivanova with a crutch, yay continuity! And attempted meal exchange to dodge the food plan, heh.
The Long Dark: It reminded me of something I've seen before, but nothing specific, probably a combination of things. A ghost ship, a Trojan horse, an invisible alien invader... Iirc we don't know for certain that the creature has a connection with the Shadows, but it's likely. It reprogrammed the Copernicus, and we also saw it affect the computer system of Babylon 5. So theoretically it's possible that it left something behind...
I really liked Garibaldi's connection with the apparently crazy veteran.
I found Dr. Franklin's behaviour towards the thawed-out woman so creepy, at first I thought the creature was influencing him. You don't know her, she's out of time, and she just lost her husband! That's not the time to stroke her hair, bring her back to your quarters, etc. It's perfectly understandable on her part, but on his? And the last minute "I don't sleep with my patients" doesn't make it much better.
Spider in the Web: Was that the first time we saw a shot of Earth? "The San Diego Wastelands", ouch.
The future of Mars! I really hope the peaceful solution works out, though I'm not very optimistic. I liked Amanda Carter, and her revealed past makes a lot of sense.
What they did to Abel Horn is just creepy. Practically a mind-controlled zombie.
Sheridan is starting to suspect part of what's happening... Bureau 13, huh. Either in or with a strong connection to the Psi Corps.
The more we learn about Psi Corps, the creepier they become. They take the children at a young age, isolate them so they depend on the Corps... I wonder what justification they use to keep the children away from their parents even once they're fully trained?
AV theorized that the woman Talia recognized from Abel's mind was Abby, her former mentor, which would make sense. For a second I speculated about if that would make Talia vulnerable to being pulled back on Psi Corps' side, and I was ready to dismiss that thought when I noticed that LK was grinning. Now I'm worried.
Soul Mates: Londo and his three wives! "Ladies, ladies! Please, continue," hehe. He enjoyed them fighting over him a lot, because he doesn't like them and knows they don't either. No later than when he proposed the threesome and Timov refused I was certain that he'd choose Timov. She's very sportsmanlike, doesn't want him to die because it wouldn't be fun to win that way but doesn't want him to know because they dislike each other, but at least she's open in her dislike and he appreciates that.
Mariel even tried to kill him, and G'kar noticed, offered her a drink, and warned her not to underestimate Londo. "I warn you Mariel, do not be overconfident. If I were married to Londo Molari I'd be concerned." "G'kar, if you were married to Londo Molari we'd all be concerned." I want ALL the marriage fic! Forced political marriage, it'd be so easy. And I can't look for it yet because spoilers, grr.
Talia's ex-husband! That's a surprise. It was obvious from what Garibaldi saw at the beginning that he still has some powers, but I didn't see empath coming. The idea of telepaths running around unchecked and with questionable morals is sort of terrifying, which is a reminder that there is a reason why the Psi Corps was created.
Delenn and Ivanova! Ivanova making Delenn's hair! I loved it. And cramps, heh, poor Ivanova, I knew she was going to regret that offer.
A Race Through Dark Places: I think this is the first time we see Mars.
More Psi Corps being creepy! Bester literally killed that guy with his brain. And the stories the rogue telepaths told Talia, especially the one about the involuntary impregnation while sleeping, sound terrifying. It's hard for her, because the Psi Corps is the only family she ever knew, but Talia finally turns on them and supports the rogues. Good for her.
It's also fitting that Dr. Franklin was the staff member supporting them. He might be an inconsiderate prick at times, as AV put it, but he means well.
Was that Delenn flirting with Sheridan? ;) It's not true that she never simply sat down with human staff before just to talk. I wonder what she's planning. And what her current relation with the other Minbari is.
Sheridan being so extremely annoyed that Earth wants him to pay rent that he makes Ivanova and himself sleep in his office, haha. Telling bad jokes and snoring.
Susan and Talia becoming better friends in the aftermath is very nice to see :)
The Coming of Shadows: Centauri Prime! The Centauri Emperor! Wow, I didn't expect that. He tries to make a gesture to bring Centauri and Narn closer together, but his health fails him, and then it all becomes so much worse. At least he got to meet a Vorlon? Who didn't exactly have a reassuring message. (Why did Centauri ships never come back from trying to contact the Vorlons?)
I loved G'kar in this episode. At first determined to kill the Emperor, even if it costs his own life, and relieved that his path is clear. Then annoyed that the Emperor fell ill because he couldn't kill him, so much so that he hopes he recovers. When Dr. Franklin tells him about the Emperor's apology it really affects him. That a simple apology means so much. He's even willing to drink with Molari, to Molari's and his Emperor's health! Only to learn shortly afterwards that he's been betrayed, his people have been attacked and many died, and then he's enraged. But Sheridan manages to get through to him that the survival of his people is more important than revenge, and G'kar later thanks him for that.
Londo! What are you doing! He says he's feeling uncomfortable, Vir says he doesn't like it, but that's not enough. He gets the Shadows to conquer and destroy a Narn colony, which he knows will mean war. At first I thought he only did it for his ego, but for him it's also about "the glory of the Centauri Empire," fuck that shit. I liked the vision he had, that showed him his sad future - and then he wakes up and notices that it's too late, and he knows what happened even while G'kar comes up to him and drinks with him. The vision scared him enough that he doesn't want to become Emperor anymore, but that's all. The last words of his Emperor, spoken to him, were about him and Refa being damned, wow. And he twists that to do the opposite of what the Emperor would have wanted.
Sinclair! Wow, I didn't expect that. He clearly took a class in vague mysticism from the Minbari. And nothing he said was especially helpful, at most it confirmed some suspicions they already had.
At least it helps Sheridan get the Centauri to let the Narn prisoners go - labour camps, really, ouch.
The expected reaction: the Narn declare war.
It begins.
Fuck.
Gropos: Surprise, 25.000 infantry soldiers visiting! A logistical nightmare.
I liked how they showed the soldiers: they're diverse, in background and type, and they're real people if a bit different from civilians. Some of them still hate the Minbari, others recognize the importance of peace. I liked the female Sergeant, who just wants to have a one-night-stand with Garibaldi but he says he's not sure he's ready for a relationship that she wasn't even looking for. I think they handled that very well.
The relationship between Stephen and his father the general was also okay done, something that I've seen before. The generational difference between "humans first" and "aliens are also sentient lifeforms" was stark and interesting.
Many dead, to support one side of a civil war, to gain a strategic advantage on the edge of the Narn/Centauri war. (Did they even care about which side was "in the right"?) Well done showing the costs of war.
For the x-th time: I really really love the politics in show. And the characters, and their interactions. It's a bit annoying that it takes me so long to write these episode reactions (why is it so late again - and I'm sure I missed things), but it's just really interesting and I'm invested. I know things are going to get worse before they get better, foreshadowing and it's even in this season's intro, and even though I'm mostly convinced there'll be a mostly happy ending, it sucks to see it happen every time :(
no subject
Date: 2014-11-17 04:25 pm (UTC)J Michael Stracynski really doesn't like SoCal, particularly San Diego. It tends to be his go-to place if he needs an Earth location to destroy.
The same justification they use for everything--mundanes need to be protected from telepaths, and telepaths need to be protected from mundanes, and besides, why would any telepath want to go back to living among mundanes? The Corps is mother, the Corps is father. (Creepy doesn't even begin to describe the PsiCorps. They all--even Bester--really do believe that.)
Soul Mates is one of my absolute favorite episodes. Timov! Delenn and Susan! G'Kar and Londo! I love it.
Also: there is a reason why Londo and G'Kar are perennial favorites among the fans. They are both complex, and switch off with who's right and who's wrong at any one time, and grow as people and as characters, and have great lines.
After you watch "War Without End" (both parts) you need to track down the book "To Dream in the City of Sorrows," which is by far the best of the tie-in novels and as canonical as a novel can get (Stracynski told the writer what Sinclair had been doing on Minbar, the writer wrote it).
Most of the characters get a happy ending in the end. But it is a rocky and perilous and heart-wrenching journey to get there.
no subject
Date: 2014-11-17 09:19 pm (UTC)One of the great things about Londo and G'Kar is that there are also situations where neither of them is wrong or right, that makes it much more interesting.
I haven't looked up any behind the scenes stuff yet because the one time I tried I accidentally stumbled upon spoilers, so I'm trying to avoid everything. But when I'm done! Thanks for the book tip.
no subject
Date: 2014-11-18 05:47 pm (UTC)