Babylon 5 Group Re-Watch!

[tomandtish]

Nope. "War Without End Part 1" (later in Season 3). When Sheridan jumps forward in time Londo specifically blames the destruction on allies of the Shadows left behind, and blames Sheridan for "inaction" that allowed it to happen.

The book just fleshes this out, but it was established in the series (and even before the Shadow War ended).

[Darth Ultron]

Severed Dreams

Sheridan declares B5's independence from the Earth Alliance and must back up that declaration with force.

Look Who it is- Major Ryan is Bruce Mcgill who has been in tons of movies and TV shows, but to me he will all ways be Captain Jack Dalton from Macgyver.


Of course General Hague took a job on Star Trek Deep Space Nine(playing yet another rebellious general too) and could not make this episode. So he was killed off.

This is the first episode that has the atmospheric starfuries.

When ISN goes off the air, it is a very dramatic moment. The loss of the 'news', the only lifeline of information is a big blow.

This episode has a great Delean moment.

Things that don't Make Sense

Again we get a 'standard' hour, but we wonder what standard they use?

Wonder why the assault force has all the starfuries flying along? Earth Force Destroyers are Battlestars, so why don't they carry the starfuries. Or were those extra squadrons?

Um, so why do the Religious and Worker cases control 2/3 of the Minbari military again? You'd think the Warrior case would control all the military, right?

So like one hour Sheridan is like ''see if you can access Dralls Holo graphic system'', like down on the planet. Then like a hour later Ivanova is like ''stand still for scan'', like she has the holo system installed and ready, plus has transmitters all over the station?

Just note Captain Dexter Smith gives his name and does not to the silly ''talking ship'' bit.

Wonder why Ivanova does not get a fancy B5 helmet?

We get lots of good looks in the episode of the missile tubes on all the Earth Force destroyers. wonder why none of the ships use them?

I guess Sheridan is spying on Ivanova, because when she gets hit he is on the comm in like seconds...guess he had nothing better to do.

It's kinda odd that ''Cap'n Drake '' does not give his first name or the name of his ship though...

It's odd that they remember Drall exists, but then are like ''nope we won't ask him for help''. Wonder if Drall could have saved a couple hundred lives had he helped?

For that matter, too bad that Delenn takes the White Star...they sure could have used it to defend the station. Wonder why she just did not take her flyer?

Once the Minbari show up and Delenn makes her threat.....the Earth Force ships give up in like three seconds. Sure, you can understand they don't want to fight the Minbari..maybe. But even if Cap'n Drake decided to withdraw it would take a couple seconds to even just say that. And as soon as the episode cuts to the ships they are turning and jumping away. Way faster then even saying ''all forces stand down, open a jump point, we are withdrawing'', by the time you'd say even that...the ships were all ready gone.

I guess the Earth Attack Force just leaves all it's starfuries behind? We sure don't see a bunch of them jump during the ''fastest withdraw in history''. Guess Sheridan just let them use the jumpgate to leave...

In this episode the White Star is shown to the public, people on the station plus the Earth Force attack group. It's clear the White Star is on the B5/Minbari side. Yet for the next season or two plenty of people will be like ''oh what is that white star ship anyway?"


Final-A This may be my favorite episode of B5. The build-up to B5's secession from the Earth Alliance has been a long time coming. Sheridan's declaration of independence was a last resort, taken only when he and the others couldn't avoid Earth Force finally coming form them. Clark's orders to arrest Sheridan and the others demonstrates how much Clark is out to get all his opponents, because we know that Sheridan has never done anything overtly that is against the law.

[tomandtish]

Look Who it is- Major Ryan is Bruce Mcgill who has been in tons of movies and TV shows, but to me he will all ways be Captain Jack Dalton from Macgyver.

Of course General Hague took a job on Star Trek Deep Space Nine (playing yet another rebellious general too) and could not make this episode. So he was killed off.

From the blooper reel.

Bruce McGill: "General Hague is... (dramatic pause) doing Deep Space Nine. His agent double-booked him. There was nothing we could do about it. You'll just have to deal with me from now on."

Wonder why the assault force has all the starfuries flying along? Earth Force Destroyers are Battlestars, so why don't they carry the starfuries. Or were those extra squadrons?

Makes perfect sense to have them out and ready before jumping into space. Launching them once you get there puts you at a disadvantage if B5 starts firing the second you come through. B5 is AT this disadvantage because they 1) don't know exactly when they are coming and 2) don't want to be the ones to start shooting.

Um, so why do the Religious and Worker cases control 2/3 of the Minbari military again? You'd think the Warrior case would control all the military, right?

They normally don't. But after the split of the council the workers have started making ships for the religious caste to fly.

We get lots of good looks in the episode of the missile tubes on all the Earth Force destroyers. wonder why none of the ships use them?

Because their orders are to capture B5. Missiles aren't as accurate as lasers so might do too much damage.

It's odd that they remember Drall exists, but then are like ''nope we won't ask him for help''. Wonder if Drall could have saved a couple hundred lives had he helped?

Probably could, but he's being saved for bigger things. If they can't hold off even this on their own, then there's no point in trying to fight the Shadows.

[factotum]

Because their orders are to capture B5. Missiles aren't as accurate as lasers so might do too much damage.

That doesn't apply to the two destroyers that are on the B5 side, though, does it? I suspect the real reason we don't see the missile tubes being used is because they never bothered to animate that action--B5 had a relatively limited SFX budget compared to, say, Star Trek, which is why it was using Amigas with the Newtek Video Toaster to do a lot of its graphics!

[tomandtish]

Except the B5 side is holding back for most of the fight because they don't want to kill anyone. Remember, we are a large chunk through the fight before the First Officer convinces Ryan to take the gloves off even on the lasers.

[factotum]

Except the B5 side is holding back for most of the fight because they don't want to kill anyone. Remember, we are a large chunk through the fight before the First Officer convinces Ryan to take the gloves off even on the lasers.

I think you're confusing the first battle of the episode (where they're running from the Clarkstown) with the main battle. In the main battle there's not the slightest hint of anybody on the B5 side holding back once the enemy opens fire. The only reason Ryan doesn't fire sooner is because they're not in range--as soon as they *are* in range he barks "Fire!" and they let those cannons loose!

[tomandtish]

I think you're confusing the first battle of the episode (where they're running from the Clarkstown) with the main battle. In the main battle there's not the slightest hint of anybody on the B5 side holding back once the enemy opens fire. The only reason Ryan doesn't fire sooner is because they're not in range--as soon as they *are* in range he barks "Fire!" and they let those cannons loose!

True we are in that first fight, but it sets the tone. Our good guys don't want to kill anyone.

[Rodin]

True we are in that first fight, but it sets the tone. Our good guys don't want to kill anyone.

That goes completely against Sheridan's quote of "Don't start a fight, but if someone else starts one be sure to finish it". Were the plasma guns B5 was firing were set to stun?

Heck, you're arguing that they won't fire missiles because they might cause casualties, but somehow ramming the enemy with your own ship is safer.

They were fighting to take the ships down for keeps. The missiles simply don't show up because CGI is expensive (and as we see in season 4, don't even look that great with the technology they were using). It was an all out, to the death battle.

[tomandtish]

Yeah, in rewatching it does seem more aggressive than I had felt at first. I'll concede the argument.

[Algeh]

This week, we'll be discussing:

• Ceremonies of Light and Dark
• Sic Transit Vir
• A Late Delivery from Avalon

Feel free to discuss anything from the Babylon 5 series without using spoiler tags if you so choose. Please continue to use spoiler tags for things unrelated to Babylon 5 as you would in any other media thread.

[factotum]

Ceremonies of Light and Dark: The ceremonies of the title appear to be Delenn trying to do a Minbari rebirth ceremony (we last saw one of those back in season one, but she has a lot more trouble setting it up this time), plus the Earthforce dead from the great battle are laid to rest--Sheridan wearing his Earthforce uniform one last time in order to do that. I always found the B5 ceremony for the dead to be extremely simple yet moving: "From the stars we came, to the stars we return, from now until the end of time". Note also the nice touch of the Starfuries escorting the coffins doing the "missing man" formation.

Nightwatch are still around, and they're initially trying to kill Sheridan--but they then get instructions to change target to Delenn, on the assumption that the Minbari will withdraw their protection from the station with her gone. Am I the only one who thinks this is an absolutely barking mad idea? The Minbari almost destroyed the human race when one of their leaders was killed accidentally, how does Earthdome think they'll react to a deliberate assassination attempt? Anyway, they kidnap Delenn and demand the Minbari cruisers leave the station within 6 hours or they'll kill her. From a combination of background noise on the ransom message, and Marcus beating up half the people on the station, they track the kidnappers down to Grey 14 and pull a trick on them, making them believe a coolant leak is going to poison everyone on that level and forcing them to move, whereupon they are ambushed by the security staff. Delenn gets a knife in her back but apparently it missed all her vital organs. The command staff all do the rebirth ceremony in medlab, and Delenn gives them clean new uniforms in return.

Oh, and Londo asks Refa to stop helping the Shadows: "Only an idiot fights a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots fights one on twelve!". In order to do this he gives Refa half of a poison and says the other half will be introduced into his drink if he fails to follow instructions. Since neither half of the poison is deadly on its own, a regular poison taster won't be able to detect it...so Refa is forced to concede.

B plot: Garibaldi unfortunately activates an AI that was built into the station computers while trying to change all the security codes. (The AI is voiced by Harlan Ellison, fact fans). This bit is entirely played for laughs, probably to act as light relief to the deadly serious main content.

Sic Transit Vir: Vir is using his position as ambassador to Minbar to smuggle Narns through B5 to safety. He's also forging death certificates for all these Narn, so the brother of one he's helped in this way attempts to kill him--he is saved by Sheridan. This forces Londo to terminate Vir's posting to Minbar, but Ivanova takes over the "railroad", forging a picture of Sheridan as a Centauri to make everything look more above board. Oh, and Vir's arranged bride turns up on the station, who turns out to be a horrendous speciesist with a particular dislike of Narn--neither her nor Vir understand each other at all.

A Late Delivery From Avalon: A guy thinking he's King Arthur arrives on the station, wanting to meet Delenn to return Excalibur to her. Turns out this is the actual gunner who opened fire (under orders of his captain) on the Minbari cruiser ten years ago that led to the Earth-Minbari war. I think this is the first time we've heard how that war started in detail? Anyway, meeting Delenn heals his madness and he heads off to Narn to help the resistance. (And is promptly never seen again--you'd think a character this important would show up again, but alas, he does not).

We also see the signing of the Babylon Treaty, whereby the League of Non-Aligned Worlds promise to use their ships to help defend the station in return for it continuing to be a neutral trading port.

Overall: There's some real meat in Ceremonies of Light and Dark, but the other two feel a bit fluffy and inconsequential despite their relatively dark subject matter. I suppose that was inevitable--we're coming down from the high point of Severed Dreams and anything is going to feel a bit inconsequential after that!

[HandofShadows]

What I always thought in Sic Transit Vir is that Lando knew exactly what Vir was doing and not didn't stop him.

[Darth Ultron]

Ceremonies of Light and Dark

While Delenn prepares a Minbari ritual, she is kidnapped by former Nightwatch members.

Marcus gets some really good bits in this episode. I love the whole bar fight.

Lenear also gets a good bit right at the end of the fight.....he breaks his shell for one of the few times ever. Though his ''pure love'' is a little creepy like lamp shade made of skin.....

And Londo too.

And did you notice the Missing Man Formation during the funeral service?

Things that don't Make Sense

Super Hacker Garibaldi?- So Garibaldi of all people deals with the security codes in the computer? Does B5 not have an IT guy? Or were all the It's guys in Nightwatch(man, can't trust It).

Passwords?-Well, guess you can tell there is no IT on B5, the security passwords are horrible. Like way to easy to guess, even more with a hacker program. You know they must not be a real world, have a capital letter, one special symbol, etc.

Nightwatch Thugs-they look like mostly white guys, wonder why there are no evil Nightwatch women or others?

It's beyond odd that the space port terminal is completely deserted...like Sunday night at 11pm in a snow storm on a tiny island in the arctic circle.

And Marcus wanders off to ''find security'' and tell them a Minbari captain is coming over for a visit. But is not this the sort of thing you do like at least several hours in advance?

So the Nightwatch folks ''lock down'' their hiding spot in the B5 security system, and this does not get noticed?

Too bad Security forgot about the loud sound to stun the bag guys from just a couple episodes ago.

So the command stuff get fancy new black uniforms (we'd hope more then one), but all other B5 folks just wear their old uniforms. Wonder why everyone does not get the new threads?

Final B, This episode is definitely a transition episode, giving us a bit of a break from the intensity of the events in the previous few episodes. There are definitely a lot of good points to it. The Nightwatch thugs are not the best villains ever, but they do seem more like just the ones that slipped away, and that fits just fine.

[Thufir]

And Marcus wanders off to ''find security'' and tell them a Minbari captain is coming over for a visit. But is not this the sort of thing you do like at least several hours in advance?

He just wanted an excuse to get out of the conversation because he didn't want to open up to Delenn about his feelings.

So the command stuff get fancy new black uniforms (we'd hope more then one), but all other B5 folks just wear their old uniforms. Wonder why everyone does not get the new threads?

When they end up making one for Zack in season 4 Lennier talks about how all the different threads are special and symbolic and probably sanctified in assorted rituals, so they're not the kind of thing you mass produce.

[huttj509]

When they end up making one for Zack in season 4 Lennier talks about how all the different threads are special and symbolic and probably sanctified in assorted rituals, so they're not the kind of thing you mass produce.

Yeah. Command staff first, as they're the central symbol. Everyone would be nice, but less than easy to pull off.

[factotum]

It's beyond odd that the space port terminal is completely deserted...like Sunday night at 11pm in a snow storm on a tiny island in the arctic circle.

It's not odd at all. The station is effectively closed for business at this point--it's not until the signing of the Babylon Treaty in a couple of episodes' time that they really get the trade flowing again. So, the docks area being deserted is only to be expected.

[tomandtish]

What I always thought in Sic Transit Vir is that Lando knew exactly what Vir was doing and not didn't stop him.

Unfortunately no. He's pretty sincere when he praises Vir for killing them. He hasn't had his crisis yet.

Passwords?-Well, guess you can tell there is no IT on B5, the security passwords are horrible. Like way to easy to guess, even more with a hacker program. You know they must not be a real world, have a capital letter, one special symbol, etc.

Or, since this is a verbal authorization, it's the voice that's important, not the password. Hard to pronounce a , or a (.

As for easy to guess, even today people still tend to be morons with their password security, much less 20 years ago.

[Darth Ultron]

Sic Transit Vir

Vir finds out a marriage has been arranged for him.

Lyndisty is a fascinating character. Her dialog is wonderful, with the way that she can make the most insignificant statement into something flowery and almost poetic. Her instant devotion and admiration of Vir make us want to like her right away. When we learn about her ideas about Narns, it's horrifying. Listening to her use her flowery language to describe massacres and racism is just disturbing. I think she really believes what she's saying completely - her brainwashing has been utterly successful. She is a beautiful woman and a small child all at the same time, talking of mass murder in the same tone of voice she might use to speak of the beauty of a firefly, making her both disarming and terrifying at the same moment.

.....just imagine her being a regular and having lunch with Nightwatch member Julie Musante.

This is the first episode of Babylon 5 in which Garibaldi does not appear. Jerry Doyle, the actor, was hurt for real during the filming of "Severed Dreams."


Things that don't Make Sense

So Vir is on Centari Prime, in the Emperors Palace, and goes to a room full of Narn? Seems a bit odd, or where they all like royal slaves or servants? And if they were, you'd think they would be watched and guarded(maybe even in chains).

Anachronism one-Dime Store Analysis? You'd be hard pressed to find a ''dime store'' in the '90's, and I think they are long, long gone by 2017(though we had Ben Franklin's back in the '80's). And Earth does not have ''dimes'' any more. So it is really odd for someone in 2260 to say ''Dime Store'' Of course the writer who was ''30 ish'' in the '90's and grew up in the 60's and 70's would know dime stores well.

Londo calls maintenance to get rid of a bug? Maintenance? I guess ''maintenance'' is a vague enough term, but still.

''We have an assault in progress in Green Two''- And who exactly is making this call? The Computer? Who even reported the assault? The alert goes out like seconds after the attack. And we have seen lots of fights and no ''it's in progress'' warnings.

Anachronism Two-''First Base'', really? in 2260? It's a bit out of place even in 2017.

So B5 video phones auto connect and show you the room on the other side as soon as the call is made? Does this not seem like a good idea?

So Ivanova just walks into Sheridins office and uses the computer? Seems a bit odd? The computer at least should have a lock or password, right? Sure, guess she does not have to follow Earthforce rules, but still...

Wonder what happens to Narn Assassin Number Two? He does no crime, other then maybe ''planning murder''. So does Security arrest him? Is he sent back to Narn?



Final B, This episode is an interesting mix of humor and serious issues, and the details of the episode are excellent.

[Thufir]

So Vir is on Centari Prime, in the Emperor's Palace, and goes to a room full of Narn? Seems a bit odd, or where they all like royal slaves or servants? And if they were, you'd think they would be watched and guarded(maybe even in chains).

I always assumed they were some of the Narns he'd smuggled away from their homeworld and he was hiding them in his room so the other Centauri wouldn't know.

[tomandtish]

Anachronism one-Dime Store Analysis? You'd be hard pressed to find a ''dime store'' in the '90's, and I think they are long, long gone by 2017(though we had Ben Franklin's back in the '80's). And Earth does not have ''dimes'' any more. So it is really odd for someone in 2260 to say ''Dime Store'' Of course the writer who was ''30 ish'' in the '90's and grew up in the 60's and 70's would know dime stores well.


Anachronism Two-''First Base'', really? in 2260? It's a bit out of place even in 2017.

But since those sayings are still in use even today, it may be one of those that just hangs around. After all, we don't generally rake people over the coals anymore either, but that expression is still around as well.

Admittedly, the problem with first base isn't the use of it from a time perspective. It's a ... juvenile way of describing the process. Even in my line of work it generally only comes up in conversation regarding youth.

So B5 video phones auto connect and show you the room on the other side as soon as the call is made? Does this not seem like a good idea?

So Ivanova just walks into Sheridins office and uses the computer? Seems a bit odd? The computer at least should have a lock or password, right? Sure, guess she does not have to follow Earthforce rules, but still...

Both of these are probably setting preferences. My video chat at work CAN be set to auto-connect. Admittedly, I know of nobody who does it (and don't see why you'd want it that way), but it can be done that way.

The computer is even easier. Even today you can lock the computer for YOUR profile and someone else can log in and use it. Fairly common where I work since most people share workstations. But I could walk into my bosses office and start using the computer at his desk. I wouldn't be in his profile though, but my own.

[Darth Ultron]

A Late Delivery from Avalon

The soldier who fire the first shot in the Earth-Minbari war arrives on B5 thinking he's King Arthur.


Things that don't Make Sense

Space Mail- Well, when say you have a revolution and break away from Earth, the price of things like space mail will go up. This is normal and expected. Yet Garibaldi acts like there is something wrong with this?

So the ''sensors'' detect ''Arthur's'' long sword, but what about the part where people coming onto the station scan their indenti-card? Arthur had ''no idea''.

Arthur did no crimes? How about assault and battery? Assault with a deadly weapon?

It is just played for laughs, but this episode does point out the question of : How does life go on as normal on the Rebel, Independent Station? If there is one thing the show has pointed out again, and again and again it is that Babylon 5 is expensive. So who pays all the bills and where does all the money come from?

Final- B, for a ''filler/bottle episode'' this one is not bad. It is nice to see the team of Marcus and Doc Franklin, and they really do work well together. Not an essential episode, perhaps, but well worth the viewer's time.

[tomandtish]

Space Mail- Well, when say you have a revolution and break away from Earth, the price of things like space mail will go up. This is normal and expected. Yet Garibaldi acts like there is something wrong with this?

It is just played for laughs, but this episode does point out the question of : How does life go on as normal on the Rebel, Independent Station? If there is one thing the show has pointed out again, and again and again it is that Babylon 5 is expensive. So who pays all the bills and where does all the money come from?

In fairness, his upset is probably more about the fact that he ordered a package at rate X,and upon receipt is told that it is now rate Y. Generally, when you enter a contract for one rate, yougetthat rate (governmental entities notwithstanding).

It's fine as a humor episode, but don't think about it too hard or I agree it doesn't make sense.

If the Postmaster (PM) is a government employee, then HIS costs don't go up at all. The government is paying for everything in the first place. Your local post office doesn't raise mailing/shipping prices because they live in a high cost-of-living area.

If the PM is a private entity (FedEX, UPS, etc). then why was Earth Gov paying the rent in the first place?

In either case, mail should have stopped through any legitimate channel (which he seems to be regardless whether he is government or private) once they broke away from Earth. You should not be able to put a letter in the box and have it go to B5, ESPECIALLY if it's addressed to someone who is obviously involved in the breakaway.

"Hi, I'd like to mail a package to B5".

"Sure. Just wait here while I discretely call security".

Of course, all this ignores the fact that paying the shipping on delivery is pretty much a vanished art. The US Post Office has the following guidelines.

Spoiler: Spoiled for Length

Show

How is ‘Postage Due’ Domestic Mail handled?

Throughout its journey, mail may be periodically checked to ensure it has proper postage. If a mailpiece does not have proper postage, it may be returned or delivered according to the following scenarios:
• If the item is without postage, or it appears postage fell off; it is endorsed "Returned for Postage Mail" and sent to the return address on the mailpiece.

Please Note: The USPS®u makes a special effort when the mail piece has the appearance of a greeting card. Rather than being routed to the Mail Recovery Center because of no postage or below minimum size, greeting cards without a return address will generally be delivered with postage due during the month of December. (This is for domestic First-Class Mail® only. Foreign greeting cards without postage go back to the mailer for proper postage.)
• If the item is short paid, it will be delivered postage due and the letter carrier will endorse it to show the amount of the postage due.
• The recipient must pay incash for postage due mail before the mail is delivered
• Depending on location, letter carriers may or may not be able to collect Postage Due directly from a customer or a customer's mailbox; for further information on how to pay for the Postage Due, please contact your Local Post Office facility
• Rural carriers are not required to go to the door with a postage due letter. Policy stipulates that rural carriers go only as far as the mailbox and blow the horn. The recipient must come out to the mailbox to pay and receive the letter.

Note: If the shortpaid item cannot be delivered as addressed (including if the recipient refuses to pay for and accept it), it is endorsed "Returned for Additional Postage" and sent to the return address on the mailpiece.

A returned shortpaid mailpiece can have the necessary additional postage affixed (leaving the "postage due" message intact) to the original piece and does not have to be placed in a new envelope or wrapper.
• If an item is returned because of no postage or insufficient postage and one of the following is the case:
• No return address is shown; or
• The delivery and return addresses are identical; or
• The delivery and return addresses are different, but for the same person or organization; then

the mailpiece is treated as dead mail and goes to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, GA. (For additional information on the Mail Recovery Center, go to the USPS Mail Recovery Center (MRC) FAQ)

But note that this is only on shortpaid items, not no paid items, and it doesn't address an increase once the item has been mailed (which is what this seems to be).

[Algeh]

Please Note: The USPS®u makes a special effort when the mail piece has the appearance of a greeting card. Rather than being routed to the Mail Recovery Center because of no postage or below minimum size, greeting cards without a return address will generally be delivered with postage due during the month of December. (This is for domestic First-Class Mail® only. Foreign greeting cards without postage go back to the mailer for proper postage.)

...huh. Today I learned that I can send postage-due Christmas Cards to relatives that I don't appreciate. I did not know that was a thing.

Closer to on topic, I wonder how long it would take to set up a mail-and-package-smuggling network (as I remember the post office guy implying he was doing in order to continue to get mail) and the logistics of how that would work in a setting like B5. That's not something I've seen addressed much in future settings rather than fantasy/historical ones. (In settings with present-day levels of internet connectivity, I would imagine smuggling of physical mail would not really be a thing because some internet-based solution would be used, but smuggled packages would still need to get around somehow. Many space travel future settings, including B5, don't presume a multi-system equivalent of the real-time internet so might have some form of letter smuggling as well.)

Smuggling is a funny word when you type it repeatedly. Smuggling smuggling smuggling.

(This level of analysis may be why I don't post most weeks...)

[Algeh]

This week, we'll be discussing:

• Ship of Tears
• Interludes and Examinations

Feel free to discuss anything from the Babylon 5 series without using spoiler tags if you so choose. Please continue to use spoiler tags for things unrelated to Babylon 5 as you would in any other media thread.

[Darth Ultron]

Ship of Tears

Bester allies with the station against the Shadows. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Hooray, it is all ways a good show when Bester returns. We see a different side of Bester in this episode, since he feels so strongly about his lover. This humanizes his character somewhat, as he is willing to damn the consequences and do anything to save her. However, it's also somewhat pathetic: he got her better food? She almost sounds like a pet to him. He says he couldn't get her out of the Psi Corps, but that seems hard to swallow.

So the Shadows are harvesting human telepaths? Interesting. It would seem the Shadows are just taking ''blips'', at least for now.


Things that don't Make Sense

Everyone seems very naive that like ''the all mighty news'' of ISN coming back online will be a good thing, as if ''the news'' is some sort of special thing that ''all ways gives the truth'' and stands up to the ''dictators''. Like really no one was thinking ''it will be State Controlled Media Spin''.

Wonder how Bester got his Starfury ''close'' to B5? He did not come through the Jumpate. And he did not fly in normal space. So what is there carrier ship that dropped him off?

Everyone acts like ''oh we have nothing to hide anymore''.....but don't all the B5 command staff know all sorts of important, dangerous and secret information?

Anachronism- Well, they sure have fancy flashlights in 2260, eh?

Final-A, As befits any episode that centers itself around this statement as a motto, Ship of Tears is a rather dark chapter in the ongoing Babylon 5 novel. In the course of this hour, Sheridan, Delenn, and company will make a new ally and gain a new weapon... but the alliance will be the very definition of an uneasy one, and the nature of the weapon is inherently disturbing.

[factotum]

Ship of Tears: Have to agree with the above, Bester is always good, and the first exchange between him and Sheridan in this episode is comedy gold:

Sheridan: "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow you out of the sky."
Bester: "Because you're curious. Kill me and you'll never know what brought me all the way out here. I think if you weigh that against the brief satisfaction of blowing me out of the sky, you'll do the right thing." (pause) "Captain?"
Sheridan: "I'm thinking it over."

Basically, the episode comes down to: Bester has discovered the Shadow influence over Clark and his government, and he wants them gone because they interfere with his dream of a human race ruled by telepaths. He's discovered that there is a cargo transport heading to Shadow space and he helps them take the transport. Turns out it's full of human telepaths (a detail Bester strangely omitted when he proposed this mission) who have been wired up so they can interface with technology--apparently the Shadows are trying to use them as pilots for their ships, because they're otherwise vulnerable to telepathic interference. Bester pledges to help in any way he can against the Shadows before leaving the station.

B plot: G'Kar wants in to the War Council, but this means they have to tell him they knew about the Shadows' influence over the Centauri. Delenn explains to him that, if the Shadows realised the Narn knew of their presence, they would have annihilated their homeworld rather than letting the Centauri occupy it--billions would have died rather than millions. G'Kar says that he would have killed her for that if she'd told him while Narn was being bombed, but he accepts that the decision actually saved lives--although it will be a while before he can forgive Delenn for it anyway.

A note on Bester's girlfriend: I honestly didn't like this part. Giving Bester a more human side is really not what the character needs, and I think JMS secretly knew that too, because I don't think his girlfriend is mentioned again until the final episode of the season and doesn't show up at all in season 5. Bester is better when his motives are unclear and trust in him is hard to come by.

Interludes and Examinations: So, the Shadows are openly attacking the other races now, beginning with the Brakiri. To be honest, I'm not clear why they do this--is it because they've discovered that B5 knows of their existence, so there's no longer a need for secrecy? They definitely still want the Centauri on side, because Morden arrives on the station and, after being snubbed by Londo, arranges for Adira Tyree (the beautiful slave we last saw Londo mooning over in "Born to the Purple") to have a deadly poisoning incident on the ship that's bringing her to B5. For some reason Londo immediately jumps to the conclusion this was Refa's doing, and asks for Morden's help in bringing him down.

Elsewhere, the Brakiri need help, and Sheridan asks Kosh to provide it. Kosh initially refuses, leading to a showdown in a corridor where he nearly kills Sheridan before backing down and saying he will help--but this means he won't be there when Sheridan goes to Z'Ha'Dum. Sheridan says fine, if Kosh withdrawing his aid is the price he has to pay, he'll pay it. "You do not understand...but you will understand," says Kosh as he leaves.

As promised, Vorlon ships jump in as the Shadows attack Brakiri space again, and they comfortably win the battle. Back on the station, Morden is not best pleased to hear about this, so he and some of his friends visit Kosh's quarters. While Kosh is fighting them Sheridan is asleep in his quarters, dreaming about his father telling him he was right all along. He wakes up suddenly and cries "Kosh!"--but it's too late, the Vorlon is already dead. At the request of the Vorlon command, they gather everything Kosh owned and load it aboard his ship, which then flies itself into the sun as its last duty to its dead master.

Oh, and Franklin finally comes clean about his stim addiction to Sheridan and resigns as chief of Medlab.

This episode is all kinds of awesome. It has big space battles, Kosh at his best, and Morden being about as slimy as he ever gets. After the slight sag in quality since "Severed Dreams" we're back to top flight B5 here, and we'll stay there for pretty much the rest of the season (apart from "Walkabout" and, of course, "Grey 17 is Missing"--really not looking forward to watching those two).

[tomandtish]

Interludes and Examinations: So, the Shadows are openly attacking the other races now, beginning with the Brakiri. To be honest, I'm not clear why they do this--is it because they've discovered that B5 knows of their existence, so there's no longer a need for secrecy? They definitely still want the Centauri on side, because Morden arrives on the station and, after being snubbed by Londo, arranges for Adira Tyree (the beautiful slave we last saw Londo mooning over in "Born to the Purple") to have a deadly poisoning incident on the ship that's bringing her to B5. For some reason Londo immediately jumps to the conclusion this was Refa's doing, and asks for Morden's help in bringing him down.

He blames Refa because he's distraught and Morden hits the right buttons to seal his belief in what is a reasonable assumption anyway: That Refa poisoned her in retaliation for Londo poisoning him.

[factotum]

He blames Refa because he's distraught and Morden hits the right buttons to seal his belief in what is a reasonable assumption anyway: That Refa poisoned her in retaliation for Londo poisoning him.

I think what puzzled me is that Londo never, for the merest fraction of a second, thinks Morden might have anything to do with the poisoning. I mean, it's not like they're friends, and he already thinks the guy and his "associates" are untrustworthy, so why does he immediately trust him like that, no matter what buttons were pressed?

[tomandtish]

I think what puzzled me is that Londo never, for the merest fraction of a second, thinks Morden might have anything to do with the poisoning. I mean, it's not like they're friends, and he already thinks the guy and his "associates" are untrustworthy, so why does he immediately trust him like that, no matter what buttons were pressed?

Because Morden has never (to his knowledge) done anything to betray him. As Londo said himself, poison is an old tradition in the empire. He has (that he knows of) no real reason to suspect Morden and every reason to suspect Refa.

It's important to note that at this point he's also not thinking rationally. He's grieving, angry, and looking for a target. Refa is the most obvious one and Londo is too upset to look for ulterior motives.


As Londo himself points out in season 4 "He played me!"

[Darth Ultron]

Interludes and Examinations

Sheridan gets a victory for the forces of Light, but at a steep cost, while Londo falls back into the Shadows' influence. This one's a big episode, which brings many plot threads to a head while spinning a few new threads along the way.

Morden and the Shadows- It's nice to see a bit of interaction between the two. It would seem the Shadows allow Morden a bit of ''freedom'' to be their servant. Like the Shadows know and understand that they don't ''get'' the other races, so they are willing to let Morden take the lead so they get what they want.

It is also interesting how much the Shadows seem to ''like'' the Centari, in some strange way.

Things that don't Make Sense

Security lapses- So Ivonova is all like ''with out back ground checks by Earth'' there will be lapses in security. Yet Mr. Morden, as well as every thief, scoundrel and bad guy in the galaxy has gotten on the station for years, even with the ''great'' Earth background checks.

And why is Morden even ''sneaking'' onto the station in the first place? He all ways walked right in the ''front door'' every other time.

And, er, why does Morden kill corrupt Security Red Shirt guy anyway?

Anachronism- ''Lab Tapes''. Well sure I guess that two hundred some years in the future people will still use the word ''tape'' as in recording things on a tape. And sure in the '90's they still used tapes, but by even just 2017 a lot of ''tape'' is long, long, long gone. Few folks in 2017 would say ''I need to check the 'tape' on my iphone'', for example.

Crazy Doc Franklin- Well, guess B5 has no HR or something like that? Someone who can watch over the people on the station?

Blood Sample Access? So Doc Franklin is the ''only'' one who can see his blood test? That makes no sense? You'd need a check for this, like a doctor that watches Doc Franklin. The same way a doctor can't ''write a prescription for themselves''.

Garibaldi will go through ''what'' official channels on the renegade independent station? And when he goes and is all official...he just walks over to the computer and asks it? Where were the other people and Doc Franklin loosing his job?

Anachronism Two- Paper. Sure they make the ''paperless society'' joke in this episode, but B5 does seem to have a lot of paper. Everyone has sheets of paper in this episode.

So on the Galaxy Screen of the big fight between the Vorlons and the Shadows....it's kinda odd that the little computer icon of a Vorlon ship kinda looks like a spider...or a Shadow battlecrab.

Really what is with Kosh's ''I am your father'' obsession?

So Kosh is killed in the episode, and as we know Vorlons are ''ascended beings of thought and light'', there is no body to be found. But also there is no light show, explosion or anything else (like we will see when Not the Kosh is killed). Here Kosh just seems to wink out and die like a blown out candle.

Kosh's ship is alive in a ''curious way''? What happened to it just being ''alive''? Or was Deleen just being overly poetic?

Final- A, Past, present, and future converge for several characters on the show. All good stuff.