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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2017 11:52:48 GMT -5
Episode 15: "And Now For a Word" Guest stars: "Kim Zimmer (several soaps) as Cynthia Torqueman, Christopher Curry (Starship Troopers)as Sen. Quantrell Synopsis: We interrupt or regular reviews to bring you this special report from Cynthia Torqueman and ISN. Torqueman just spent 36 eventful hours on Babylon 5 and brings it right to you. More, after a word from our sponsor...  The footage opens with a confrontation between Narn and Centauri ships, with the Narns attacking the Centauri. We see station emergency personnel attempting to treat the wounded and Torqueman tries to interview them, interfering with their jobs. Both Franklin and Sheridan issue "no comment" replies. We also get talking head interviews. Londo condemns the Narn act of aggression. G'Kar issues a formal statement that the Centauri ship was carrying weapons of mass destruction, meant for the conflict and that the Centauri have been ferrying weapons through B5 space. He warns that if it continues the Narn Regime will be forced to shut down the station. Torqueman interviews Sen. Ronald Quantrell about the cost of B5 and whether it is worth it. he gives left-handed praise to the station, then remarks that things have changed since the Earth-Minbari War and that it would go much differently today, with their improved might and technology. he says the focus on B5 must now be its economic benefits. HAZMAT teams are investigating wreckage to verify G'Kar's claims. Torqueman attempts to interview Kosh, to no avail. An interview with Delenn starts friendly, then turns personal and insulting, as Torqueman asks her how huans, who lost loved ones in the war, would react to her looking more human. She is saved by a call to the Council room. Ivanova reveals that evidence confirms G'Kar's claims and he calls for all Centauri ships to be searched. Londo retorts that their ships will defend themselves. The session is interrupted by explosions, as Narn and Centauri ships engage outside the station. A Centauri cruiser arrives and Londo issues a statement that attempts to search their ships will result in the use of deadly force and a blockade of B5.  We next see a public service message for the Psi Corps... Debate rages inside B5, while a standoff occurs outside, as Zeta Wing takes station around B5. Sen Quantrell speaks of B5 dragging Earth into alien conflicts. Sheridan rebukes the Centauri and calls their bluff by sending out an automated transport to the jump gate. It passes unharmed and the Centauri link to talk. Just as they are about to celebrate a Narn heavy cruiser shows up. Sheridan warns them off, that they have the situation under control and do not need assistance, when the Narns open fire. A brief battle rages and the Centauri cruiser is destroyed.  The Narn ship is also heavily damaged and attempts to jump; but, it's jump engines set off an explosion, destroying them. We end with talking heads agreeing that B5 is important, though Quantrell says that will have to undergo evaluation. he commends Torqueman on surviving her dangerous encounter. She signs off with the statement that B5 is a dangerous place.  Excellent episode, told through a new perspective, that of a news magazine piece for ISN. This gives us a slightly different take on events, rather than through the perspective of station personnel. It also presents a drama about how the media can manipulate events to tell a different story, by the editorial slant they put on things. Previously, ISN is seen as an intergalactic CNN, reporting on events with seeming neutrality. However, as we see here, their is less impartiality and more direct editorial point of view, making it more like an intergalactic Fox News. We see that the media can be used as a source of information or a source of propaganda, depending on who controls the delivery of the news, and by what they choose to cover and what they do not; not to mention how they cover it. What it really does is bursts the idea that the news media are impartial, regardless of who they are, because they are subject to the prejudices of the reporters, editors/producers, owners, and sponsors. As such, there can never be full impartiality. However, we see editorial bias morph into outright propaganda, especially with the Psi Corps PSA. You'll notice the subliminal message in the spot that the "Corps is your friend" and "Trust the Corps." Torqueman definitely slants things towards B5 being dangerous for Earth, without ever investigating the Centauri conduct of the war with the Narns. In her eyes, it is meaningless, only that it presents a danger to Earth. Her interview with Delenn comes off like a passive=aggressive attack. She lulls her into a comfort zone by asking about her culture, then goes on the attack about her transformation. The episode helps demonstrate how dark things are becoming on Earth, as we see even ISN has been altered, under Clark. The Psi Corps PSA shows the influence the Corps has, and how it is attempting to manipulate public opinion, via subliminal messages and propaganda. The piece itself mirrors PSAs for groups like the Mormons, which ran at the time, showing family conflict that is miraculously resolved via Mormon teachings. Other groups ran similar messages that seemed to go beyond simple marketing into outright disinformation, depending on the commercial. Along similar lines were commercials for Dianetics, making it sound like the "wonder book," rather than the center of cult, started by an ambitious sci-fi writer, who became very wealthy from it. The episode also shows how the Centauri-Narn War has spilled over into other areas, threatening the security of the entire galaxy. We start to see the Shadows' designs, as this mass conflict draws more and more worlds into this state of chaos. We will soon learn that chaos is their aim. In Londo, they found the perfect vessel, as he longed for lost power and glory and is willing to make compromises with his personal morals for that power and glory. The compromises are small, at first, but grow ever greater, as he is sucked in deeper and deeper. Just when you think he will pull back, he takes another step further into the abyss. The conflict mirrors the state of the former Yugoslavian republics, as the Serbs encroached on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Centauri act much like the Serbs, under Milosevic, while the Narns retaliate with their own atrocities, much as did the Bosnian military units and mercenaries. Paramilitary groups, loosely affiliated with government forces, acted with impunity, terrorizing the civilian population. That element isn't exactly seen on B5, though you could argue that the Shadow vessels act in that manner, though they have a bigger agenda. ISN reports will be used again, in a similar fashion. We will also, later, get an episode from the point of view of the Psi Corps and Bester, which was quite interesting, mirroring an issue of the DC Comic (issue #11, "The Corps is Mother, The Corps is Father.") |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2017 12:15:55 GMT -5
The Babylon 5 novels: On his own, JMS approached Dell Books about publishing B5 novels. Star Trek had had great success in publishing and many other genre series had book lines out there. The early novels were stand alone stories, without direct relation to events in the series.  Voices focuses on Talia, as a planned Psi Corps convention is attacked, on Mars and is relocated to B5, to Garibaldi and Ivanova's consternation. A terror attack is attempted and Talia is framed as an acoomplice. With the help of Kosh, she is spirited away to Earth, with security and the Corps in pursuit. It climaxes on Mars, with Free Mars aiding Talia. The book provides character moments and bits about Talia and Garibaldi's relationship and Garibaldi and Sheridan. It also gets into Psi Corps' involvement in the military and the attempts to put it in private hands. Harriman Grey, from season 1's "Eyes" makes an appearance in the book.  Accusations involves Ivanova and an old flame, who ends up murdered. Ivanova is implicated and must prove her innocence. She uncovers a gun running operation, involving raiders and an arms company on Mars.  Blood Oath involves an attempt on G'Kar, part of another Shon'kar. Na'Toth, Garibaldi and Ivanova travel to Narn and become embroiled in events.  Clark's Law sees the Earth meet a new race, which could expand their influence; but, one is a mass murderer. Clark orders his execution, even though his mind has beenreduced to that of a child. Franklin tries to stop the execution.  The Touch of Your Shadow, The Whisper of Your Name finds violence breaking out on B5. It seems tied to a mysterious phenomena in nearby space. Very much a Trek kind of plot, though it also has many antecedants in sci-fi literature.  Betrayals sees a brother and sister, on opposite sides of an alien conflict, come to B5 to mediate peace; but, a murder upsets things and brings the fighting on B5's doorstep. These early novels are, as I say, mostly character pieces, as events have no bearing on the tv series. As such, they are standard tie-in novel fare. They are generally well written and feature some name authors, such as SM Stirling. Response was decent, among fans, though not much beyond, as is typical of these kind of things. After Betrayals, JMS moved the books more into filling in story gaps, starting with The Shadow Within, which will tie into "In the Shadow of Za'ha'dum" and "Zha'ha'dum," from season 3. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2017 14:42:59 GMT -5
Episode 16: "In the Shadow of Za'ha'dum" Guest stars: Alex "Reed Richards" Hyde White (Corman Fantastic Four, Pretty Woman, son of Wilfred Hyde White) as Pierce Macabee, Ed Wasser as Morden. Synopsis: Zack and Garibaldi are discussing the Narn refugees coming through the station. They are running out of space and resources. Garibaldi makes an appeal to Sheridan, who makes a few compromises but won't stop sending the dying to Medlab, saying he won't have "People dying alone on the floor of the docking bay!" He is looking through his wife's personal effects and the log of the Icarus, her fateful exploratory ship, is playing on the screen. Garibaldi notices one of the faces and recognizes it. It is Mr Morden.  Meanwhile, Morden is in the Zocalo, waiting for Londo. Vir shows instead and they have a conversation, with Morden, in response to Vir's open distate for him, asking what he wants... Drakh yeah, Vir! In Medlab, Franklin is falling asleep, having run himself ragged for 36 hours. Ivanova orders him to get sleep and food, despite his protests. Garibaldi checks and sees Morden is still on the station. He alerts security at customs to block his exit. Zack runs into him at boarding and asks him to step aside. Morden, all smiles and menace, refuses and starts to move to his ship, when Security pulls weapons and he is arrested.  Sheridan stares at Morden, who makes quiet conversation. Sheridan then puts down a picture of his wife and Morden claims not to know her. Sheridan activates a video of the Icarus' departure and Morden says, "Oh, that." He then tells his story of amnesia, due to some kind of accident and being found by a transport in the area. Sheridan doesn't believe him. Morden tells him he has to charge him or release him and Sheridan replies that he is officially dead and without rights. He keeps him in detention and interrogates him. Morden claims he was dropped off at the Vega colony and recuperated, but, had gaps in his memory. He did not file a report with Earth. Sheridan is obsessive and aggressive, repeating questions, demanding to know the fate of his wife. Talia receives a visit from Pierce Macabee, from the newly formed Ministry of Peace. He is there to make a presentation and invites Talia. She agrees to come. At the meeting, he speaks to invited station personnel about the mission of the Ministry and a new volunteer unit, the Night Watch. The group is named after the sentries who stood guard over military encampments during the war. He speaks of not being able to have peace in the galaxy until they have peace in their hearts, which sounds logical and noble on the surface. Then, he starts speaking of discontent and fear which disrupts the peace and how they must be vigilant against it. he says their mission is to promote the Ministry, for which they receive 50 credits a month in addition to their regular salary. They are also asked to report suspicious activity, discontent, and other disruptions to the peace, remarking that even thought can be a problem. Zack seems uneasy about some of it. Talia seems impassive. Sheridan is confronted by Garibaldi who says the captain must either charge Morden or let him go, quoting regulations. Sheridan makes a veiled threat to garibaldi, who then threatens to resign. Sheridanrefuses to release Morden and Garibaldi quits. Sheridan orders Zack to find Talia. He is then met by Vir, who petitions for Morden's release under diplomatic immunity, as he is a guest of the Centauri Republic. Sheridan finds this interesting and refuses. He later asks Talia to scan him and she reminds him of the law preventing unauthorized scanning. he says he is officially a dead man and that can't be illegal. She retorts that he is using the letter of the law to defeat the spirit and refuses. Sheridan then orders the prisoner to be moved, setting up for the passing Zack and Talia to come across the detail escorting Morden. Talia receives a thought and briefly sees a spidery creature and cries out, collapsing. She is later recovering in Medlab and describes what she saw. Franklin says she should tell Sheridan and she says she thinks she just did. he walks into the room and apologizes and she slaps him as she storms out. Finally, Ivanova confronts Sheridan and he still refuses to comply. He is met by delenn and Kosh, who tell him the story of the Icarus. The Icarus landed at Za'ha'dum and probed deep into the surface, awakening the Shadows. Those who would not serve the Shadows were killed. They say he must release Morden or invite a Shadow attack on the station. Sheridan goes to the Brig and talks to Zack. He stares at the monitor and asks if they can scan other wavelengths. Zack gives it a try and Sheridan briefly sees the Shadows, who accompany Morden.  Sheridan tells Zack to release the prisoner. he later makes amends with Garibaldi and he takes back his assignment as head of security. Garibaldi encounters Zack, wearing the Night Watch armband. he says he gets 50 extra credits a month to do his own job and laughs it off. Sheridan goes to Kosh and asks his help to fight the Shadows, vowing to take the fight to Za'ha'dum. Kosh makes a cryptic reply... He agrees to teach Sheridan. Tremendous episode and a major point in the season arc and the series. We finally get at the heart of the mystery of Morden. He was a crewmember on the Icarus, with Anna Sheridan, though he claims not to know what happened. Is he a pawn or a quisling? Sheridan learns of the Shadows and the fate of the Icarus and has to let Morden go, but, secures Kosh's aid. We also see that Morden is always surround by minders, furthering the question of whether they are bodyguards or watchers. The Nightwatch is another step in the EarthGov road to fascism. Nightwatch is modelled after the SA (the Brown Shirts), who were the Nazi's chief street thugs, intimidating the populace and committing acts of violence against Jews, Communists, Socialists, and other political opponents. Nightwatch drips in this, as well as the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police. Qui custodiet ipsos custodes? The Nightwatch seems harmless now, but we will see it grow in menace. Zack thinks he is pulling a scam, even though he was visibly troubled by some of the things Macabee said, which sounded like spying. Ed Wasser is his usual great self. JMS said he created Morden for him, as he reminded him of Rod Serling and liked the idea of a character like that, who knows more than he says, at the heart of things. Vir's scene with him is great, as we see Vir has grown in confidence, to the point of essentially telling off this emissary of Darkness. Vir's wish is a brilliant piece and even after Morden intimidates him, Vir recovers and does his wave, reestablsihing his courage. Vir is no longer the meek and bumbling neophyte we saw in season one. he has endured Londo's schemes, watched and learned from not just Londo. As we will see, Vir starts drawing lines in the sand and will grow to have great importance for the future. That is another reason I love this series. We see how first impressions often miss the depths within a person, which only come out when the stakes are higher. How someone reacts to a crisis speaks much of their true character and Vir will show very deep character. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2017 23:07:49 GMT -5
Episode 17: "Knives" Guest stars: Carmen Argenziano (Stargate SG-1, Godfather Part II) as Urza Jaddo Synopsis: Sheridan is hitting baseballs when Garibaldi comes along and makes small talk, about Grey sector, where strange things occur. They have noticed strange energy reading. Sheridan wants to poke around, but Garibaldi doesn't want him going there alone; but, he later does so anyway. he finds a Markab corpse and before he can link in, it grabs his face and energy transfers from it. Sheridan is beset by visions that only he can see. He is checked out in Medlab and nothing medical is found. Eventually, he is driven to fly to sector 14 (where B4 disappeared) where the energy is released from his body and disappears into a glowing area. Sheridan learns it was a being of unknown make-up that possessed him and made an empathic connection, sending him memories of home and loss, compelling him to help it get home.   Meanwhile, Londo and Vir are discussing Centauri opera... when Londo is grabbed from behind someone who calls him Paseo Liatti.  it turns out to be his oldest and dearest friend, Urza Jaddo, a fellow member of a duelling society and whose house has been aligned with House Mollari since the early days of the Republic. They catch up and then make a date to share some Bravari wine. Later, Urza comes to Londo's quarters and tells him of his political troubles at home. He has been denounced as a traitor by factions and speaks disparagingly of the new Emperor, cartagia, and says Prime Minister Malachi was murdered. Londo is distressed by this and promises to help. After the pair part, he contacts Lord Refa and demands the motion to denounce Urza be tabled. refa argues that Londo is making a mistake but says he will do what he can. Later, Londo and Vir attend Urza's celebration, where Londo tells Urza that he has solved the problem, speaking to Lord Refa personally. Urza is dismayed that Londo is allied with refa and says he entered the motion and is probably responsible for the murder of Prime Minister Malachi. harsh words pass and Urza bequeaths Londo with a present of a duelling sword (modelled after a Roman gladius). he then challenges Londo under the duelling society code. Londo accepts the challenge. Vir doesn't understand. Londo recognizes he has made bad choices and Vir argues that he can then make new choices. londo refutes this and says he must see the course out. He faces Urza in combat and is beaten, ready to receive a killing stroke, when he thrusts upward, mortally wounding Urza. Urza tells him why he did it, as under the code, Londo will take care of Urza's house and family and his honor will be protected. Londo realizes Urza could have killed him but manipulated this to save his House.    Character episode for Londo and standard sci-fi plot for Sheridan. The B5 episodes, where they try to branch into sci-fi mystery rarely work well, with the story arc-centric episodes having greater impact. The Londo-Urza story is the more compelling, as we see that Londo's friends are being harmed by the New Order on Centauri Prime. Urza was a great warrior, hero of Gorash, who is haunted by what he saw and did and doesn't want to see those days returned. he first tells Londo that the Emperor did not want this war and the Narn are blameless. There is no honor in it. Urza is an old soldier, who has seen too much fighting and killing, and seen too many schemers profit. Londo has attached himself to these people, seeking a return to past glory. Urza knows there was no glory in conquest, only death. Londo starts to understand the price he is paying for his wishes and regrets them. Vir tries to tell him there is a way out; but, he won't listen, won't say "I was wrong." He hasn't learned the great lesson that Emperor Turhan learned, that for things to move forward to a better future, they must leave behind the past and admit that they were wrong, and say "I'm sorry." More tragedy in history is the result of people who wouldn't admit that they were wrong. Politicians fear those words. True strength comes from admitting your mistakes and learning from them. Londo still isn't at that point. His descent into darkness continues. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2017 23:49:56 GMT -5
Episode 18: Confessions and Lamentations" Guest stars: Jim Norton (Father Ted, Ombudsman Wellington in season 1) as Dr Lazarenn. Synopsis: Ivanova alerts Sheridan about an overdue Markab transport. No communications have passed. Zeta Wing are scrambled. When they are briefed, ivanova tells Keffler that his off duty searches for the Shadows must cease, by order of the captain. Zeta Wing head off to find the Markab transport. meanwhile, Franklin attends to the death of a markab, confirming the death certificate from the Markab Dr Lazarenn. It is one of several markab deaths, all appearing to be natural causes, though the statistics make that seem unlikely. Lazarenn seems to be hiding something. Delenn invites Sheridan to a traditional Minbari dinner, where the hungry Sheridan is befuddled by the rituals and customs that prevent him from eating. After one bite, he must meditate and falls asleep, only to be awakened by delenn. he claims he was meditating and Lenier asks if all humans make that sound when they meditate. Sheridan, for the second episode, reiterates that he does not snore. He is called away by Ivanova, with a report from Zeta Wing. Lenier and Delen exchange words in Minbari. The gag reel gives translation (NSFW) Sheridan sees that all of the Markabs on the ship are dead. Dr Lazarenn later admits the outbreak of an ancient virus, equated with a dark angel. Religious myths have prevented proper study and treatment of the disease. A total outbreak is at hand. Unrest grows as other races are afraid of the Markabs. They cordon themselves away, to keep purity, according to the Markab spiritual beliefes, while Franklin and Lazarenn search for a cure. Just prior to this, Delenn helps a little Markab girl who has found her father dead.  As the Markabs head to the isolation area, others stand by and jeer and security looms over them, frightening the little girl.  Lazarenn is succumbing to the virus and acts to help Franklin understand the early stages. Hysteria reins as a Pak'Mara succumbs. They look for a link. meanwhile, Delenn asks Sheridan to allow her and Lenier to join the Markabs, to comfort them in their time of need. he doesn't want to but she insists. She says they will meet again, even in the place where no shadows fall. She caresses his face. He tells her that when they do meet again, to call him John. Delen and Lenier join the Markab and administer to them. Delenn encounters the little girl, who can't find her mother. Delenn asks Lenier to find her and he asks how. She says "Faith manages." She asks the girl her mother's name and she replies "Moma." Lenier says "Faith manages," and heads off on his task. To comfort the girl, Delenn tells her a story of when she was lost on a trip with her parents. She searched for them and got more lost. She stopped in a temple to wait for them. Someone stood over her and said not to worry. She was then reunited with her parents. Just then, lenier arrives with the mother and Delenn smiles as the little girl runs over to her mother.  Delenn's smile fades as she sees the girl stumble and grab her stomach. She is succumbing to the disease. Lazarenn is dying and Franklin is feverishly running tests to find a link between the Markab and Pak'Mara and is taking stims to keep going. Lazarenn has an idea, but it fades as he nears the end. he dies and Stephen turns over a cart in anger. Then, the computer finds a match between Markab blood cells and Pak'Mara. He is able to understand how the disease work and synthesize an injection to aid healing. They head off to the isolation area to administer it, only to find they are too late. The find only an exhausted delenn and Lenier and a room full of dead Markab. Delenn stumbles to Sheridan and cries out in anguish and grief, in one of the most touching moments of the series, and one of Mira Furlan's best performances (of many great ones).  ISN later reports that the entire population of the Markab home world is dead. Franklin watches at a bar as the bartender makes a tasteless joke and then blames the Vorlons for the plague. Franklin says nothing changes and walks off in disgust. Very powerful episode, about pain and suffering and the feeling of helplessness when science can't change things. Franklin drives himself even harder than before, with the Narn refugees. We see further evidence of a growing dependency on stims. He rails against religious superstition interfering with science and medicine. In the end, he finds a cure, but not in time. He cannot fix everything, certainly not alone. Mira Furlan is transcendent in this episode, as we see the true depths of Delenn. She lives to serve others, even when all she can do is assist and comfort the dying. The scenes with the little girl touch your heart and twist your guts, as you realize the poor little thing is doomed. All delenn can do is comfort her, even just for a moment. The message is powerful and when all is over, all she can do is cry out for the dead. The episode moves you to tears for the Markabs and for Delenn, even though you know it isn't real. it feels real, which is the power of this show and Mira's performance. We also see Delenn and Sheridan grow even closer. the diner continues their casual "dating." What began as a project to increase understanding grew into flirtation and respect. Now, we see them vulnerable and sharing comfort and compassion. Love is blossoming between the pair and it is one of the central elements of the series. A human and a Minbari, once bitter enemies in a war, are finding love together. The images that really signify this episode are these...    |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 23, 2017 0:00:03 GMT -5
ps The talk of an ancient dark angel suggests that the Shadows may have created the plague, or one of their servant races. Later, the Drakh, a servant race, infests the earth with a plague (Call to Arms) which serves as the motivation for the crew of the Excalibur, in Crusade, the sequel to Babylon 5. We also later learn that the Markab homeworld has been looted and Sheridan acts to protect it.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 23, 2017 22:48:35 GMT -5
Episode 19: "Divided Loyalties" Guest stars: Patricia Tallman ("The Gathering", Laura Dern's stunt double in Jurassic Park) as Lyta Alexander Synopsis: Sheridan and Delenn flirt over issues of Universe Today (the intergalactic USA Today) and a dying man passes on a data crystal to a Ranger, on Mars.  Later, Ivanova and Talia are having a meal together (as friends or as a date; you decide...) when Ivanova receives a link and has to go. Talia has to go look for quarters, since hers has a problem with air recyc. Ivanova invites her to stay, at her place (Ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!) and Talia accepts (of course she does). Garibaldi and Franklin are in the docking bay when a woman is offloaded from the ship that was the subject of the alert to Ivanova. The woman is injured and unconscious. garibaldi recognizes her as Lyta Alexander, the station's first commercial telepath (in the pilot, "The Gathering."). She is taken to Medlab and is revived. She freaks out and grabs a hypo to keep everyone away from her.  She demands a meeting with Sheridan, saying there is a traitor, and heads off to hide.  Lyta tells them that she was recalled to Earth and interrogated about what she saw when she connected with Kosh's mind. She fought them and later escaped and linked up with Free Mars, providing her services in exchange for sanctuary. The dying man got the data crystal to a Ranger, who got it to Lyta, to alert B5, about a Psi Corps "sleeper" program. A new personality was grafted onto a sleeper agent, who was placed in a key position. The original personality operated subconsciously, gathering intel. One such agent was placed there. Lyta has the stolen code word that will trip the sleeper personality and reveal the original. All she has to do is send the signal, though she has to have a line of sight. The staff discuss and Ivanova is distressed about the possibility of Lyta in her head. Later, in her quarters, she asks Talia if she knew Lyta and what she thought of her. It turns out that they both interned with the Psi Cops, though neither pursued that path. Later, someone takes a shot at Lyta and she escapes. She later contacts Delenn, who shelters her and escorts her to a new meeting with Sheridan. Just prior, Ivanova admits to Sheridan that she is a latent telepath, though a very weak one. Her mother taught her to hide it. Sheridan assures her that they will protect her. At the meeting, Lyta sends the code word to the staff members, one at a time. Garibaldi reacts but then says, "Just kidding." The stop short at Ivanova and, instead, check other personnel. After going through the main staff, they are back to Ivanova, who argues. Finally, Sheridan gets her to submit, though she reflexively blocks Lyta, at first. After Sheridan calms her, Lyta gets through and clears her. Talia then walks in and a tired Lyta sends the code word to her and she starts freaking out, threatening Lyta, and tries to grab Garibaldi's PPG.  He stops her before she can fully aim and drags her off. earlier, Garibaldi and Sheridan had discussed pulling Talia into their circle, to investigate Clark and now realize they dodged a bullet. Later, Ivanova confronts Talia, who belittles her, before being kicked off the station. Lyta visits Kosh and speaks to him. She asks to see his true form and he opens his encounter suit. Tremendous episode, which was shocking, at the time (and is if you watch the series with no prior knowledge. The episode came about because Andrea Thompson decided to leave the series, feeling she was spinning her wheels, with little to do. The sleeper plot was always meant to be there; but, it was originally intended for Laurel takashima, the original XO of B5. Her code was used by the Minbari assassin, who tries to kill Kosh and she was to be the one who shoots Garibaldi in the back. She was supposed to be a sleeper agent, programmed by Psi Corps, as a kind of Manchurian Candidate. Ivanova was supposed to be the person who was a subordinate who would be promoted to take her place, after she is revealed. Instead, Tamlyn Tomita decided not to take the series offer and Claudia Christian was cast as Ivanova, who became the new XO. Ivanova's original role was passed to the two CnC techs, most prominently, Lt. Corwin. When Andrea met with JMS about her frustration and desire to leave, he pulled out the sleeper plot to remove her from the game board. Talia had inherited part of Lyta's role, in connection with fighting the Shadows and having a link to the Vorlons. Her leaving allowed Patricia Tallman to resume that role, though only as a guest star, at first. By the 4th season, she was a regular again. Jason Ironheart was the agency to boost Talia's power, while the Vorlons were the agency for Lyta. It was sad to see Talia go; but, they did pull the trigger on her romance with Ivanova, sort of. The scenes are played ambiguously, so they are open to interpretation that they could just be close friends. However, at one point, Talia is sleeping in Ivanova's bed and reaches out, finding it empty. She later sees Ivanova and says she woke up but Susan was gone. Susan said she couldn't sleep and went for a walk, adding to sugegstions that she was the sleeper. Otherwise, most of the scenes look like two friends sharing a room for a couple of nights.   There is one scene, where Talia is talking softly to Ivanova and leans in, like she is about to kiss her; but, it cuts to a shot of Susan, with no actual kiss. JMS has said it wasn't a cop out and not a chnage, the scene was played as scripted, but badly edited together to make it look like something was removed.  This fan video shows the scene, though not the cut to Ivanova. The question remains, would we have seen a romance blossom further if Andrea Thompson had remained? Would they have been willing to do an onscreen kiss? More? We are still talking pre-Ellen coming out. Many fans felt it was too ambiguous, too afraid of going there, even though JMS says society of the B5 timeline were beyond that being taboo. Problem is, 90s tv wasn't there, yet. Later, though, in an episode where Delenn is wounded, near a Minbari celebration, where deepest secrets are shared with a loved one, Ivanova tells her that she believes she was in love with Talia. It does color her later relationship with Marcus, the Ranger who joins the cast. He does try to get through to her, but she is cold to any relationship. It is only after a tragedy that she faces that fact, though it still travels with her, by the time of the series finale, "Sleeping in the Light." Many LGBT fans latched onto this relationship and saw it purely as a same-sex romantic relationship. It was even more poignant, in those terms, as they dance around it, before seeming to come together in this episode, matching the experiences of many, with their first same-sex love. It was one of the things that drew a broader audience to B5, beyond just sci-fi fans. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 24, 2017 10:35:37 GMT -5
Episode 20: "The Long Twilight Struggle." Guest stars: John "Klingon Ambassador" Schuck (MASH, Turnabout) as Draal, Morgan Sheppard (Duelists) as G'Sten. Synopsis: Londo has been summoned to Centauri Prime by Lord Refa. After some cross words about Urza Jaddo, Refa informs him that they are about to set out for the final strike to end the war. Delenn is visited by an image of her old mentor Draal. CnC detects an energy surge from Epsilon 3 and Ivanova alerts Sherida, who already knows as he is also visited by Draal. G'Kar receives his uncle, G'Sten, one of the narn military leaders, who informs him that they are losing the war on all fronts. He tells them that they have incovered a Centauri supply base which they will hit, thereby interrupting all Centauri assaults, giving the Narns time to build their defenses and possibly gain allies. To do this, they will strip away most of their space forces, for one massive strike, leaving the homeworld temporarily unguarded. This distresses G'Kar; but, he is assured that they can hit the base and be back before any threat to Narn could emerge.  Draal tells Sheridan he is invited to come down to the planet, with one other, who will soon join him. He is met by Delenn on the way tothe shuttle. It takes him a moment to realize that she is his companion. Refa tells Londo that they are aware of the narn plans. They will leave the supply base vulnerable, while their fleet attacks Narn. He asks for Londo's associates (the Shadows) to intercept the Narns, while they strike. Londo says it can be done, but it is the last time he will call upon them, saying they must achieve their destiny on their own. Refa says they won't need them again. Londo asks how they expect to fight the Narns on the ground, without massive bloodshed. Refa replies that they will bomb from space, using mass drivers (electrical coil accelerators that shoot asteroids at a planet). londo is shocked, as they have been outlawed as weapons of mass destruction. he says they have treaties, which Refa replies "Ink on paper."  G'Kar enters Medlab and sees Narn refugees. Franklin informs him of reports that the Centauri strike but don't consolidate, which is not their usual tactic. Something is up. He tries to warn G'Sten, but it is too late. Draal talks with Sheridan and Delenn, in astral form, as we see his body plugged into the Great Machine. he offers its power to aid in their coming battle with the Shadows. They happily agree. The Narn forces arrive at Gorash 7 and are met by the Shadows.  They are decimated in minutes. Meanwhile, the Centauri have arrived at Narn and begin the bombardment from space. Londo watches, horrified at the events his choices have led to.  News reaches Babylon 5 and Ivanova warns Garibaldi that all hell will break lose when the Narns on the station find out. Sure enough, an ISN report sets off a riot, as Narns attack Centauri. The station goes on lockdown. G'Kar receives a message from the Kha'Ri and learns that the end is near for them. he is given orders. he later appears in Sheridan's office and requests sanctuary, on B5. At a council meeting, Londo announces the Narn surrender and their terms. The Kha'Ri are branded outlaws and that they will be tried for war crimes. Any attack on a Centauri will be answered with the execution of 500 narns, including the attacker's family. He says G'Kar is to be arrested and returned to Narn for trial. Sheridan informs him that G'Kar has been granted sanctuary. Londo retorts that wasn't part of the surrender and Sheridan fires back that Earth didn't sign that agreement and dares him to attack Earth forces. Londo backs down but demands that G'Kar leave, as he is no longer the representative of Nanrn. G'Kar goes, but delivers a stirring speach. Londo watches ISN and sees reports of Centauri celebration, which pleases him. Then he hears of Centauri actions to annex border worlds along the Narn frontier and is disturbed. he sees that the dreams of conquest continue and things are not over for him. Delenn summons Sheridan to the Council chamber, where he sees a group of humans and Minbari, and Kosh. garibaldi is there, too, and he is introduced to the Rangers. Delenn gives him matching command of the Rangers for the coming war with the Shadows. He accepts and delivers a speech, saying they are drawing a line in the sand.  Rousing episode which wraps up the Narn-Centauri War, while turning the focus on the war with the Shadows. Even Londo sees his bargains have come with a high price and he is not sure he wants to pay it anymore. G'Kar now becomes the leader of the Narn resistance and will face many tough choices, if he is to save his people. Sheridan is now leader of the forces arrayed to fight the Shadows, alongside Delenn. This further pulls them together. The Great Machine is now an ace in the hole. It remains to be seen what it can really do. The answer will not be exactly what we suspect. JMS is cooking with gas, with many great dialogue scenes and stirring speeches. G'Kar's speech about freedom is one of JMS' greatest pieces of writing. 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. The Centauri learned this lesson once. We will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free. ![]() |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 25, 2017 1:13:33 GMT -5
Episode 21: "Comes the Inquisitor"
Guest stars: Wayne Alexander (Babylon 5, Otherworld) as Sebastian, Jack Kehler (Big Lebowski, Man in the High Castle) as Mr Chase.
Synopsis: G'Kar is railing at people on the Zocalo, warning them the Centauri will turn their eyes on them next. He leaves and other Narns question the point of his actions. He says they need allies. The other Narns are questioning G'Kar's leadership. Meanwhile, he bargains with Mr Chase, an arms dealer, for weapons to be dropped at low altitude, to the resistance on Narn. It will cost a hefty price. G'Kar presents this to his people, who question him more. They want something decisive to restore their faith and speak of lost contact with families. G'Kar turns to Sheridan for aid and he thinks it is perfect for the Rangers and dispatches one to Narn, to gain messages from families to take back to B5. He succeeds and the messages are shown to the Narns and G'Kar's leadership is restored.
Wile this goes on, Delenn meets with Kosh, who says that he has called for an Inquisitor, to question her, to see if she is the right person for this crusade. The man arrives in a Vorlon ship and is revealed to be a human, dressed in Victorian attire, walking with a walking stick.
As he walks with Sheridan, he remarks that things never change, "Corruption, immorality, chaos." Sheridan questions him and he reveals he lived in Victorian London and was plucked from the planet, by the Vorlons, in 1888. Later, delenn joins him, in a secluded area in Grey 19. He tells her to put on a pair of bracelets and begins asking "Who are you? He doesn't like her responses and delivers a shock. He says she can take them off at anytime; but, that would be admitting that she is wrong about her destiny. It goes on like this, with him probing deeper and deeper into her motivations and who she is inside.
Delenn turns the tables on him, labeling him a bully and one of those the Vorlons deemed "unfit," suitable only for torturing others. This earns her more pain. Later, Lennier finds her and pleads with her to leave with him. She says she cannot and sends him away before Sebastian returns. He hunts down Sheridan and tells him he thinks the Inquisitor is killing her. Sheridan rushes in and pulls a PPG on Sebastian. He gets blasted by a wall of force, emanating from his cane. Sheridan wakes up to find himself strapped to a frame. He will be tortured along with Delenn. He tells him to go to Hell (always to Hell...). Delenn yells for him to stop. Sebastian asks if she would sacrifice herself for another and she says yes. Even alone, with no one to see, for someone not important and she says yes, no matter what. That is her purpose, life. To preserve life. She says if she falls another will take her place, and another. Sebastian finally stops and says she has passed; she is the right person, in the right place, at the right time.
Later, as Sheridan looks at Earth records and finds startling info. he confronts Sebastian with it. He left precisely when the Whitechapel Murders ended.
During all of the events of this episode, Vir tries to escape from another unctious, demanding Centauri, looking for favors from Londo.
Great episode, which reveals that the Vorlon have visited Earth before, plucking away Sebastian, ending the Whitechapel Murders as mysteriously as they began. He was tested and found lacking, but was given a purpose to test others for the Vorlon. It adds the the sinister side of the Vorlon. Are they here to stop the Shadows or do they have their own agenda? Can a race that condones torture be benevolent?
Wayne Alexander is fantastic as Sebastian, giving a theatrical performance that works perfectly. Alexander became a featured player in the series, playing aliens, as well as the human sebastian. he will have multiple episodes in season 4, as the mysterious Lorien. He also played a Narn, a Drazi and a Drakh. There was a sort of stock company paying the various aliens, with Alexander being the most prominent of them. He previously appeared in sci-fi tv in Otherworld, a late 80s short-lived series about a family who crosses through a gate into a parallel world, ruled by a fascist dictatorship. It was an intriguing series that was cut way short.
Vir and G'Kar's scene is one of the most powerful of the season. Vir sincerely apologizes for the actions of his people and he has honestly tried to persuade Londo to change the course of things. As he says, no one will listen. This event will have repercussions for Vir. Everything in this series is about choices and the consequences of those choices. This meeting with G'Kar will cause Vir to make a choice, which will forever change him. Delenn isn't the only one with a destiny; we will see Vir's destiny, too.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 25, 2017 12:20:34 GMT -5
Episode #22: "The Fall of Night." Season 2 Finale. Guest stars: Roy Dotrice (Amadeus, Beauty & the Beast tv series) as Frederick Lantze, Robin Sachs (Hedron, in previous B5 episodes) as Na'Kal, John Vickery (Neroon, in previous B5 episodes) as Mr Welles. Synopsis: Sheridan is leading Zeta Wing on combat exercises. A pilot is bearing down on an opponent when it suddenly shoots straight up, while its pursuer flies past and then targets the pursuer and scores a kill. Sheridan admonishes Keffler to expect the unexpected, that the Centauri can withstand greater G-forces and will pull such maneuvers if it gives them a better firing position (using autopilot systems). he tells Keffler to keep them working on it while he heads back to the station. There, he meets with the Drahzi and Pak'Mara ambassadors, who plead for help as the centauri have invaded some of their outer colonies, bordering Narn space. Sheridan meets with Londo and chastises him, which gets Londo's crest up. He says they are building a buffer zone. (Where have I heard that before?) Sheridan asks him where it will end; draw him a line on a map. Londo backs off but stand firm on their tactics. Later, Garibaldi and Sheridan discuss it and Garibaldi syas he feels like Londo is riding a wild horse and is afraid to stop it, for fear of getting hurt worse. An envoy arrives from the Ministry of Peace, on Earth: Frederick Lantze and Mr Welles. Lantze is there to assess the Centauri situation, while Welles is there to check up on the Nightwatch representatives. Ivanova is assigned to assist. While they move off, we see Zeta Wing back in their ready room, changing out of pressure suits. One pilot remarks about another seeing a "ghost," near Sector 14. keffler is interested and hunts down the pilot. The pilot thinks he is making fun od him until Keffler describes the ship he saw. Keffler asks for the data from his ship and he promises to give it to him.  Ivanova talks with Lantze, who speaks of home and Christmas. Susan recognizes he is a grandfather when he mentions children and he speaks of them, of building a legacy for them. He then heads off to meet with the various ambassadors.  Mr Welles comes later to chat with Ivanova.  He offers her a chance at faster promotion, via the Nightwatch. She has a sterling record and will easily see command within 5 years; but, he says she can shave a year or two off, in the Nightwatch. She asks in exchange for what? he says she is in the position where she see a great deal of information, hears many things. Ivanova rebuffs him, saying she has heard many things, including the activities of the Nightwatch and they trouble her. She reiterates her loyalties to the Earth Alliance constitution and its ideals, and that she will make command on her own merits and not for betraying a trust or selling out a friend. She cues the door for him to leave. While this goes on, a Narn heavy cruiser jumps into B5 space, on the far side of Epsilon 3. Sheridan makes contact and they say they have escaped the Centauri and need time to repair their jump engines, before moving on. Sheridan promises sanctuary, so they can take their engines offline to make repairs. Sheridan alerts G'Kar about the ship and he is delighted. he also tells him about Lantze and G'kar goes off to find him. He later runs into Ivanova and Lantze and asks for a moment to speak to Lantze, who blows him off and hurries off, while Ivanova shrugs. Mr Welles meets with station members of the Nightwatch... Later, after the meeting, a CnC tech runs into Welles in the elevator and alerts him to the Narn ship. Lantze meets with Sheridan in CnC and tells him he must stop conducting aggressive exercises built around the Centauri. Ivanova questions why and he reveals that he is there to broker a non-aggression treaty with the Centauri, which will "Bring peace in our time."  Ivanova gives Sheridan a Christmas present, which he opens and finds to be a piece of metal. It is a piece of the Black Star, the Minbari ship Sheridan destroyed in the war. Susan reminds him that everyone said it was impossible, yet he achieved the impossible. He thanks her for the gift, then receives a call from Londo, about the narn cruiser. Ivanova bets Welles is behind the discovery and they realize Londo wouldn't be making threats if he hadn't already alerted his government. They race to CnC to warn the Narns when a Centauri battle cruiser jumps out of hyperspace and moves in to block the jumpgate. Sheridan launches Zeta Wing and orders them to surround the Narn ship and respond to any threat to it. He brings the stations defense grid online, targeting the Centauri, who have them targeted. he warns them that any aggression against the Narn ship or the station will be treated with deadly force. Lantze storms in, demanding that Sheridan stand down, as he is jeopardizing the treaty. Sheridan refuses and has lantze escorted out of CnC. Zeta Wing escorts the Narn vessel to the jumpgate. The Centauri open fire...  B5 and the Starfuries return fire. They break off after seeing the ship is crippled and prepare to offer aid, when they see it is too late.  The Centauri ship is destroyed. Later, lantze berates Sheridan, who defends his actions under General Order 47, which states Earthforce commands are to assist distress calls from any ship not in conflict with Earthforce. Welles says the Joint Chiefs support Sheridan's decision; but, his failure to inform the envoys led to destruction that could have been avoided. The Narns could have been removed from their ship and given sanctuary, while the warship was turned over to the centauri. Sheridan retorts that they would have never let the crew go. Lantze says he is wrong and that they have signed the treaty. He tells Sheridan that he must issue a formal apology to the Centauri, in front of the League ambassadors. Sheridan says "Like Hell I will!" Welles replies that it has been ordered by the Joint Chiefs. The apology is left to him to craft. Later, Sheridan practices the apology, which gets more belligerent as he goes on. He heads off for the ceremony, boarding a core shuttle... Keffler is escorting the Narn ship when he spot something. he sends the others on and investigates. it is a Shadow vessel. He sends off gun camera footage in a distress beacon, just before being destroyed by the Shadows.  Later, Delenn checks in on Sheridan, who says every race saw something different, from their own religion and mythology. Delenn reveals that the Vorlons have guided other races, appearing as angelic beings. She fears that his actions have alerted the Shadows. Later, we see other races discussing the revelation and argue over what they saw. A Drahzi asks Londo what he saw and he says "nothing."  We end with scenes of Londo raging to the League assembly, looking rather familiar.  HHe is aggressive, shaking fists and pounding with his arms. Ivanova narrates, remarking that the Centauri continue to move aggressively on border worlds and colonies. Zack witnesses security removing the shopkeeper under suspicion by the Nightwatch, and sees them post a notice.  He is troubled and seems to realize the consequences of just confirming suspicions to Welles. Ivanova is seen lighting the Menorah... setting up what is to come, in season 3. We end with an ISN report, featuring the gun camera footage of the Shadow vessel. And so it begins.... Terrific finale, as we see the threads of the season come together, in the climax of this chapter. Season 2 is title "The Coming of Shadows." We have seen how they helped manipulate the Centauri war on the Narns, as well as make other attacks. We have learned that Morden was part of the expedition to Za'ha'dum, which awoke the Shadows, killing the rest of the crew, including Sheridan's wife Anna, while Morden joined them. We have seen the centauri use weapons of mass destruction on civilians. G'Kar is now an exile. The Centauri emperor dies while trying to bring peace and to apologize to the Narns for the past. The Prime Minister was murdered by Refa's people. Londo's best friend is put at odds and Londo kills him in a duel. Londo witnesses the bombing of narn and its surrender. He is caught in a quagmire, with no way out. G'Kar has become a voice for his people. On Earth, the Ministry of Peace has been formed, yet seems to be devoted to searching for traitors and acts of sedition. Their field troops, the Nightwatch, are introduced on the station and Zack joins, thinking he is getting easy money for doing his job. He then sees the job has a price of its own, as he is pushed to name names. He caves and then sees that his choice has major consequences for someone exercsing free speech. He, too, is in a quagmire. Sheridan has arrived on the station, seeming to be Clark's man, but soon proving that he is a true leader. He is part of a secret investigation intp the death pf Pres Santiago. He learns of the Shadows and Morden, but must let him leave. He helps gather intel for use against Clark. he comes under scrutiny from Kosh, who rescues him, revealing himself to others. he finds himself in awe of Delenn and they make movements toward each other. he learns of the Rangers and is given command. Talia is revealed as a traitor, planted by Psi Corps, who seem to be in league with Clarke. She and Susan seemed headed for a romance, until this sudden revelation of her true personality. Vir is caught in Londo's schemes and tries to be a voice of reason, but is ineffective. he tries to apologize to G'Kar, who rebuffs him and shows him how deep the wounds are. Vir is horrified and contemplates his actions. Earth signs a treaty with the centauri that guarantees the Centauri will gain Lebensraum, echoing Hitler and the ceding of the Sudetenland and the English treaty with Hitler, as well as the German-Soviet non-aggression treaty. Hitler used this to consolidate gains, while preparing to move on Poland. These actions gave the Nazis time to strengthen their fores for the coming war, when standing against the Nazis could have forced them to back down, as they weren't strong enough yet. The world was plunged into war by that appeasement. Now, we see this play out across a galaxy. The Nightwatch are the SA for a more fascist earth, but we also see, as Welles tries to recruit Ivanova, they are also turning into the SS, offering promotion in exchange for favors. Orwellian organizations devoted to peace spy on the populace, seeking traitors and finding them by labelling opposition as treason. News media start showing a propaganda stance, toeing the party line. It is a dark universe, by the end of the season. We also learn that the Vorlons have visited Earth and other worlds before, appearing as angels. We will soon learn how much they affected the development of our species. Trivia: if you notice in the video of Sheridan in the shuttle, there is an attractive woman sitting between him and the camera, her face turned slightly away from the camera, hair falling to just above her eye. That is Mira Furlan, without the Delenn make-up. This episode features two Minbari actors in human roles, as John Vickery previously played Neroon. Robin Sachs doesn't get a human role, but plays a narn, instead. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to play a human, on the show. JMS has ramped up the WW2 analogy and it will continue, as we see the nightwatch and Clarke consolidate power, in season 3. We will also see more of the lensman Saga and Lord of the Rings, via the Shadow War, which will see its first skirmishes in season 3. We now move to the center of the novel. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 25, 2017 12:25:02 GMT -5
Just for fun, the season 2 Gag Reel
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 26, 2017 10:18:17 GMT -5
Season 3: "Point of No Return"
As we note in the introduction, any chance of Babylon 5 bringing peace to the galaxy is gone. They are now preparing for war against the Shadows, as the Narn-Centauri War was just a prelude, brought about by the manipulation of the Shadows. Sheridan was saved by Kosh and their relationship is now changed. We also met the Rangers and now we have a Ranger in the main cast, Jason Carter as Marcus Cole. Jeff Conway was bumped up from guest star status to regular cast, as Zack Allen, Garibaldi's Number 2. Conway came in to audition for the series, for a role that was beneath his credits; but, drug problems had sidelined his career. JMS has said he was upfront about wanting to rebuild and asked for a chance to prove he could do it and that impressed JMS. He liked what Conway did in the role and gradually increased his story involvement.
Season 3 brings the Shadow War to the forefront; but, the darkness on Earth is not forgotten, as we will see in the opening episode.
The show opening has Ivanova narrating, instead of the station commander. The music has gotten more ominous, harsh. It sets the tone well.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 26, 2017 11:10:51 GMT -5
Episode #1: "Matters of Honor" Guest stars: Tucker Smallwood (Space Above and Beyond, Star Trek Enterprise) as David Endawi Synopsis- A Drazi ship is under attack by mines, as it tries to break a blockade and launch an emissary. The ship carries Marcus Cole, a human Ranger. The Drazi ship is destroyed and Marcus' ship is damaged, but makes the jump to hyperspace. He diverts life support power to the engines to make it to Babylon 5. On the station, Sheridan meets with Kosh and thanks him for saving him. Kosh has been spending time on his ship to rest, after being seen by so many. arcus' ship is detected and brought aboard the station and he is rushed to Medlab, where Dr Franklin goes to work on him. Meanwhile, Earth Security officer David Endawi comes aboard to investigate Lt. Keffer's gun camera footage of a Shadow vessel.  He meets with the command staff and then says he will talk to the ambassadors to find out if anyone knows anything. He meets with Delenn, who lies about knowing what it is. She says she has never seen the ship before, which is true; but, she tells Sheridan she knows it is a Shadow vessel. Franklin is under heavy strain and is taking stims. He finds Marcus' Ranger badge and examines it. He turns away to answer a call and when he turns back, Marcus is gone. Lennier comes to Delenn and tells her that someone wants to meet her and shows the Ranger badge. They head to a bar in Downbelow., where they meet up with Marcus. He tells them they should leave and they are attacked by thugs. Marcus kicks butt with a Minbari Fighting Pike, while Lennier goes Bruce Lee and Delenn gets in a few shots with the pike, saving Lennier. They head off to meet with Sheridan.  Endawi meets with Londo, who feigns no knowledge of the Shadow vessel. Eventually, Endawi meets with G'Kar, who shows him a drawing of it, in the Book of G'Quan. He says they came to narn over a 1000 years before and set up a base on a southern island. They were eventually driven off and he believes they have returned. Endawi finds this hard to fathom and G'Kar says that they have been waiting for their time. Marcus briefs the staff on the blockade. The Drazi colony is one of several outer Ranger training centers, which has come under attack by the Centauri mines. They need to rescue the Rangers there, before the Shadows come for them. It sounds risky; but, Sheridan says when he accepted command of the Rangers, he accepted the responsibility for their welfare. Delenn says she has a surprise for him and they prepare to depart to lead a rescue. Londo meets with Morden and tells him that he is severing their relationship. He feels the Centauri can manage on their own. Morden says fine, but that they need to settle accounts. later they meet and he sets out their terms. He shows a ap and divides the area with a line.  The Centauri can have all they want on one side, Morden's associates the part on the other side. Londo asks for assurances about the associates not moving against their territory and Morden basically says he will have to trust them. He mentions one planet where they have a specific interest and that he has asked Lord Refa to secure it. Londo is shocked and agered by it and Morden says Londo wanted nothing more to do with them, so they contacted Refa to ask a favor and he was happy to comply. Delenn leads Sheridan into Hyperspace and they link up with a fantastic ship.  It is the White Star, a hybrid of Minbari and Vorlon technology, capable of making jumps to hyperspace, while smaller and faster than most capital ships. Sheridan and Ivanova are impressed. They head for the Ranger outpost and launch an attack on the Centauri mines, punching a hole for the Rangers to escape through. A Shadow vessel comes on scene. Instead of using jump engines, they use the jump gate to escape, with the Shadows following. Sheridan has a plan. He is headed for the Markab sector, where he will open a jump point, within a jump gate. The White Star should be fast enough to escape the gravitational forces that will release. The execute the maneuver and do escape, while the Shadow vessel is destroyed. Sheridan had an ulterior motive for choosing this jump gate, as it has been used by looters to rob the dead Markab homeworld, the race having been destryed by the plague seen in season 2. Now, it is not accessible via jump gate. They return to B5 in time to see Endawi off. Endawi meets with an Earth Senator and presents his report. After he leaves, Morden comes in and sits down. They are confident that the presence of the Shadows is still mostly unknown. A Psi Cop also joins them and says they could use this to speed up the program at home and Morden is intrigued.  Great season opener, which picks up where season 2 left off. We now have a regular Ranger presence, via Marcus, to show how they fit into things. We also get an awesome, kick-@$$ spaceship, the White Star. That thing looks like a shark and it is used well in the series. The CGI has really progressed, by this point, and season 3 really gives it a workout, as battles will become more common and they are choreographed in new ways, ones which involve actual science. Londo severs his relationship with the Shadows, but learns that that doesn't remove their involvement with his people, as Morden also has Refa on the hook. he was naive to think the Shadows wouldn't have an ace in the hole or that Refa wouldn't seek the influence of the Shadows to aid his own power, fearful that Mollari might supplant him, one day. The ending reveals that Psi Corps has been working with Clark (as we have suspected) and that they have a definite aim in mind. We also see that the Shadows are also involved, via Morden. That might explain why he has been moving about human space with no problems about his past, with the Icarus. It is telling, though, that the Psi Cops is not Bester, who seemed to be the top dog in the Psi Cops. Where does he fit into this? The Drazi ship (later called a Sun Hawk) is an homage to the Liberator, from Blake's 7.   Blake's 7, a sci-fi serial from the UK, was one of the major influences on Babylon 5, especially in the season arc approach to the storytelling. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 26, 2017 11:44:51 GMT -5
Episode 2: "Convictions." Guest stars: Louis Turenne (Draal in "A Voice from the Wilderness") as Brother Theo, Cary-Hiroyuki Takagawa (The Phantom, Space Rangers) as Morishi, Patrick Kilpatrick (Minority Report, Star Trek DS9) as Robert Carlson Synopsis: Station security has received a bomb threat. Some lurkers are digging around in Downbelow and one of them finds something, detonating the bomb. Garibaldi investigates the explosion, with bomb expert Morishi and they find evidence of the bomb. They begin their investigation. Meanwhile, Ivanova meets with Brother Theo, leader of a delegation of monks, from Earth. They are there to make contact with other races to research their religious beliefs. They intend to set up shop in Downbelow, offering their services to pay their way. The group was picked to cover a wide range of skills, including computers and particle physics. Ivanova worries about their safety and mission, but agrees.  Lennier is in the arrival area o meet with delenn, who is returning to the station, from Minbar. Londo is also there, seeing off someone. An explosion occurs and Lennier shoves Delenn and Londo through a doorway, before the blast door closes, saving them. He takes the brunt of the debris that has been released by the blast. he is rushed to medlab, where he is in critical condition. Londo stays close by, thanking the unconscious Lennier for saving his life. He tells him a joke, before leaving. Londo goes to an elevator and finds G'Kar. He decides to wait for the next one, when another explosion occurs. londo leaps into the open elevator and the doors close, when it is hit by the blast, trapping Londo and G'Kar inside. A fire rages outside and Londo can see they will die if they don't work together. G'Kar laughs and refuses to help, wishing to see Londo die. He will not kill him or the Centauri will retaliate; but, by doing nothing, Londo will die and no Narns will be hurt.  Secruity is searching for the bomber , but need more help to look at surveillance footage. ivanova enlists the help of Brother Theo and his monks. They eventually turn up a suspect, Robert Carlson. They track him down and Sheridan goes in to talk, when he reveals he has a dead-man's switch, with a bomb set on the fusion reactor. Sheridan goes in with his link hidden, so garibaldi can hear. Sheridan gets the man talking and his remark about the sunshine gets Garibaldi to thinking the bomb is on the exterior of the hull. Maintenance bots locate it and remove it, while Sheridan keeps the bomber ranting. Eventually, he releases the trigger, after struggling with Sheridan; but, the bomb is far enough away and Sheridan knocks the man out. Lennier awakens in medlab, as Franklin is telling Delenn Londo's joke and Lennier finishes the punchline. Delenn is happy. Later, a rescue party finds Londo and G'Kar alive. Londo tells him that the universe would not let him perish and G'kar replies that it is an imperfect universe. Decent episode, from a character standpoint; but a bit old hat. The monks add an interesting presence to the station, though not exactly along the lines I originally thought. I figured they would have some role in the Shadow war; but, their main function ends up relating to Earth and the resistance to Clark. They are used sparingly across the season and disappear by season 4. Louis Turenne was brought back because they enjoyed his performance as Draal, but, his health had prevented him from playing the role again, leading to John Schuck filling the role, in season 2. His health was improved and Brother Theo was a good way to bring him back. Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa generally played villains, though he did get to play a heroic character on Space Rangers, the short lived CBS sci-fi series, from Pen Densham. There, he was part of a group of intergalactic frontier law enforcement, as an alien who excelled in combat. Like B5, it tried to take a more "lived in" approach to sci-fi, in contrast to the cleaner look of Star Trek. Unfortunately, it only lasted 6 episodes. The series also featured Oscar-winning actress Linda Hunt, from Year of Living Dangerously, Kindergarten Cop and Dune. The series came and went before the launch of babylon 5. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 26, 2017 16:15:53 GMT -5
Episode 3: "A Day in the Strife" Guest stars: Stephen "Gabriel's dad" Macht (Raid on Entebbe, Knots Landing) as Na'Far, Marshall Teague ("All Alone in the Night") as Ta'Lon Synopsis: Ivanova and Sheridan are trying to conduct a meeting with dock workers and shippers about issues over regulations about weapons cargoes coming through B5. One audience member makes threats to Sheridan, that he wouldn't be so tough if he didn't have armed guards and a PPG. Sheridan gets up, hands the guy a PPG and takes his tool, saying he has the gun and Sheridan has what he has. The Man backs down and Sheridan calls a recess. Ivanova is about to have kittens when Sheridan pops the energy cap into the PPG arming it; he had pocketed it. Then, a pair of Narns come forward and introduce themselves. The leader is Na'Far, the new representative of the Narn Provisional Government.  Na'Far presents himself to G'Kar and they argue over direct resistance vs waiting for the right moment, taking food, vs not allowing the Centauri to buy loyalty with scraps. Na'Far wants to work for change within the imposed system, G'Kar wants them to take back their world, on their terms. Meanwhile, an alien probe arrives and begins transmitting. After language codes are receive, they get messages promising advanced technology, if they can prove they are worthy and can answer a series of questions. if not, a thermonuclear device will detonate. The station works to get the answers, from archives and from Earth. Stephen has dinner with Garibaldi, who says he has a problem, which Stephen denies.  He fights using stims; but, the stress over the demands for medical answers from earth, for the probe, prove too much and he uses again. Ta'Lon and Sheridan catch up and he tells them of the devastation and his job to protect Na' Far, though he feels it is more from his own people. Na'Far tells G'Kar that the families of those on the station will be harassed if G'Kar does not surrender to the Centauri. he finally gives in and packs to leave. A group of Narns confronts Na'Far and plead with G'Kar to stay. One tells Na'Far that he would rather his family die fighting for freedom than live as slaves. Ta'Lon speaks to G'Kar and draws his blade, which G'Kar thinks is a threat, but, Ta'lon says G'Kar fights with his brain and his words, which gives him a two to one advantage. G'Kar smiles and stays and Ta'Lon cuts his own hand, since his blade must taste blood (shades of Paul the Samurai).  The answers are ready to broadcast to the probe, but Sheridan smells a rat. he questions why a race would question someone is worthy and then give them a leg up if they were, but destroy them if they weren't. he wonders if its real intent is to see if they are advanced enough to be a threat and eliminate them before they can cause problems. He halts transmission and they wait. The probe backs off and leaves. They are saved; but, Sheridan is back to dealing with the docking situation. The G'Kar and Na'Far stuff is good, showing the different viewpoints to dealing with an oppressor, give in a little to save lives or resist completely, dying free, rather than living as slaves. both make excellent points. Ta'Lon proves to be more than just a hired sword and he will be a semi-regular, acting as G'Kar's friend and conscience. The probe was textbook Trek. The moments with Stephen show how dependent on stims he has become and the edge he is walking. |
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