Babylon 5 on DVD [NO SPOILERS for Season 5, please]

[Plane Sailing]

When the Centauri warcruiser opened up on the station and the Narn crusier all I could do was spudder, "No, no, no, no. Somebody do something." Over and over.

This whole episode was one of the turning points in my addiction to the series. The sense of menace from the threatening Centauri cruiser, the bold play to enable the narn vessel to use the jumpgate, the crewman saying "they are targetting the narn cruiser... our fighters..." Bing Bing Bing "...and US". It ratchets up a notch more, is it going to go OK... then the energy spike and all hell breaks loose. The fact that the B5 weapon systems were seriously upgraded during GROPOS makes itself felt.

Sheriden practicing his apology

The Centauri attempt on his life

- the whole thing just came across perfectly.


The other episode that I found completely striking was "Confessions and Lamentations". How many times in sci-fi has the doctor struggled against the disease and come up with the cure just in time? This was the first time I'd ever seen the doctor find the cure... and it *wasn't* in time. Too late. A race dead. Wow.

Would you believe me if I said that series 3 ratchets things up a notch again, and series 4 yet another notch?

You've got good times coming!

 

[John Crichton]

The other episode that I found completely striking was "Confessions and Lamentations". How many times in sci-fi has the doctor struggled against the disease and come up with the cure just in time? This was the first time I'd ever seen the doctor find the cure... and it *wasn't* in time. Too late. A race dead. Wow.

Yes, that was very cool. I knew the series had some balls at that point.

Would you believe me if I said that series 3 ratchets things up a notch again, and series 4 yet another notch?

Yes. Yes, I would.

You've got good times coming!

Sweet.

 

[John Crichton]

Season 3 DVD update.

I spent the better part of Memorial Day watching B5. Got up to where they solve the mystery of Babylon 4 and we find out who Valen really is. And all I have to say is...

HOT DAMN!

Getting to see Sinclair and Sheridan share the spotlight for a few eps was a real treat. G'Kar's character has totally changed and he has become one of my favorites. The guy just lights up the screen. Considering all that's happened, he has managed to keep a 'glass full' approach to things and has really made a difference. I eagerly await his continued story...

 

[Storm Raven]

Within the span of 25 minutes it all came crashing down. Stupid pilot and his dern curiosity. Not that I blame him.

JMS reportedly hated the character (I believe he says so much in the commentary for one of the Season 2 episodes). The "hotshot pilot" was mandated by the network, and JMS killed him off at his earliest possible opportunity. He made the character's death matter to the plot anyway, which is a mark of how well thought-out the series was.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

JMS reportedly hated the character (I believe he says so much in the commentary for one of the Season 2 episodes). The "hotshot pilot" was mandated by the network, and JMS killed him off at his earliest possible opportunity. He made the character's death matter to the plot anyway, which is a mark of how well thought-out the series was.

Yeah, he does. He says exactly that.

Anyway I just wanted to chime in on how much I loved this show and how glad I am to hear a new fan digging the magic of B5. I just need to find a cheap copy of Season 5 to complete the collection myself. It was my least favorite season, but it had good stuff with Londo. Seasons 1-4 were magic. Yes I included season 1 in there! I thought it was great.

 

[Orius]

Season 3 DVD update.

I spent the better part of Memorial Day watching B5. Got up to where they solve the mystery of Babylon 4 and we find out who Valen really is. And all I have to say is...

HOT DAMN!

Told ya.

Getting to see Sinclair and Sheridan share the spotlight for a few eps was a real treat. G'Kar's character has totally changed and he has become one of my favorites. The guy just lights up the screen. Considering all that's happened, he has managed to keep a 'glass full' approach to things and has really made a difference. I eagerly await his continued story...

Both G'Kar and Londo get some great character development throughout the series; you've seen part of it already.

There's some really good stuff ahead too, keep watching.

 

[Orius]

JMS reportedly hated the character (I believe he says so much in the commentary for one of the Season 2 episodes). The "hotshot pilot" was mandated by the network, and JMS killed him off at his earliest possible opportunity. He made the character's death matter to the plot anyway, which is a mark of how well thought-out the series was.

That would explain why the character showed up in very few episodes, even though he appeared in the opening credits.

 

[John Crichton]

Both G'Kar and Londo get some great character development throughout the series; you've seen part of it already.

I'm seeing it more and more. Just started Season 4 and hit the 2nd ep. They really start to hit the spotlight which is good considering how much has been built up between the two.

There's some really good stuff ahead too, keep watching.

Oh, I am. Time to order Season 5 just in case I get some extra time...

 

[John Crichton]

Update: Title changed.

Time for some thoughts on Season 3.

High points:

- Delenn's breaking of the Grey Counsel.
- Seeing the fleet of the White Star for the first time. Blew my doors off.
- Londo and Vir's fate revealed.
- Delenn showing up at the very last second and talking down the EA cruisers just in time to save the now completely neutral Babylon 5, especially...
- "Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else."
- G'Kar's revelations. All of them. Narns rule.
- Sheridan & Sinclair get their mission on.
- Sinclair's fate.
- Londo & G'Kar taking care of business with Lord Refa intercut with the gospel singing.
- Lenier's cunning in battle.
- The whole story of B4.
- Sheriden's bold attack on the Shadows.
- That bastard Morden.

And probably my favorite part:
- "As of this moment, Babylon Five is seceding from the Earth Alliance."

That whole speech was great. I think I went a little numb in the middle of it.

I'd come up with a few parts that i didn't like but it would be nitpicking. I am really looking forward to watching the commentaries after the series is over so I don't get spoiled.

 

[Staffan]

- "Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else."
- Londo & G'Kar taking care of business with Lord Refa intercut with the gospel singing.

I think these two are my favorite scenes from the entire show.