The Babylon 5 Season THREE Discussion Thread
 

With the season three boxed set coming out in less than 24 or so hours, I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

Man, I can't wait to get my hands on this set. Of all 5 seasons, this was THE one where everything came togther for me. It's been years since I've seen any of these episodes, so this is going to be a fun week.

Even better - all you people picking up the sets. I dont know which I'm looking foward too more - the reactions of you guys when you first see Severed Dreams or the screams of anguish when people start getting to the season cliffhanger.

Ah. . . good times ahead.


****EDIT****
One more quick note - for those of you going through the series for the first time, please allow me to again point you towards an invaluable resource: The Lurkers Guide to Babylon 5. Be warned - the episode guide has significant spoilers, so only consult the individual episode entries AFTER you've seen the show in question. But for analysis and plot details that you may have missed, it's pure gold.

And one small word of advice.

While watching "Severed Dreams," "War Without End Parts I and II," and the season three finale (whose name I shall not speak), take your phone off the hook or turn off the ringer.

You will not want any distractions during these episodes.

...and let me be the first to not say (lest I be drawn and quartered):

Heh heh heh.

I did not say it then. I am not saying it now.

:D

i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait i can't wait

Don't answer the door, the phone, the spouse - NOTHING while watching the third season. And if you suck at cliff hangers and such, wait until Season 4 comes out before watching it. :)

I know I'm going to hate the cliffhanger, but I also know that I cannot wait to watch it. It's a conundrum.

No, you don't want to do anything that requires condoms, either, until you're thru watching.

I think I've mentioned this before, but I was the head of the Central Florida B5 Fan Club when season three aired. The last four or five episodes were held back by Warners from airing until fall, because they were morons. As a consequence, the end of season three actually aired in the UK before it aired here. Back then, we didn't have the net as it is today to grab these files, so you had to get them sent over by airmail and then converted to US format.

So I watched the last 2 episodes of season 3, "Shadow Dancing" and "Z'ha'dum" in a whole room full of about 50 huge B5 fans.

I still remember the reaction at the end of the last episode of S3.

Stunned. Complete Silence. Awe. Fear.

The last half of season 3, from "Messages From Earth" through "Z'ha'dum," is quite simply the best sequence of episodes ever produced for American television. (Well, just forget "Grey 17 is Missing." We all do.)

308 Messages from Earth
309 Point of No Return
310 Severed Dreams
311 Ceremonies of Light and Dark
313 Sic Transit Vir
312 A Late Delivery from Avalon
314 Ship of Tears
315 Interludes and Examinations
316 War Without End, Part One
317 War Without End, Part Two
318 Walkabout
319 Grey 17 Is Missing
320 And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place
321 Shadow Dancing
322 Z'ha'dum

Yea, I'd have to agree with that. Once you hit Messages from Earth, you might want to make sure it's a weekend, you've already done the grocery shopping and don't have to leave the house all weekend. You're not going to want to interact with anything but the DVD's at that point.

The best part about Season 3 is that you can't overhype it. No matter how much we talk about it kicking ass, when you watch it, it will be even better than we said it is.

das

My wife and kids are going to be away for the latter half of next week. This means I'll be able to concentrate on B5 exclusively from next Wed through Sun. I'll be one happy couch potato. :D

I just hope that I haven't built up my expectations beyond JMS' ability to deliver, although from what you "heh heh heh"-ers are swaying, he delivers and then some.

Did I mention that I can't wait to watch this?

This thread sorta jumped the gun based on what we discussed, but......

Should I continue the specific episode posts like I had done in the previous thread?

If so, when to start with the first episode?

I would think that next Monday would be a good time to start, but I'll let others chime in to see when they think they'll be able to watch the first 5 episodes.

Who else is waiting for CA shipments? Perhaps next Mon. is a good time to start to allow folks to receive their shipments.

Sounds good to me, Monday seemed like the plan in the Season 2 thread as well.

FWIW, I think that a lot of this party is for Bando’s benefit, so whatever works for him works for me.

You're right, where would we B5 veterans be without "heh-heh-heh"-ing at Bando?

:lol:

On a side note that should go without saying, do not listen to any of the commentaries on the season 3 set if this is your first viewing of the series!*

I don't know about the video extras though, can anybody comment on the level of spoilers there?

*edit to add: save them until after viewing the complete run.

I've avoided all commentaries and special features to date, and will continue to do so until I see the entire series.

You don't the level of self-control it's taken to refrain from watching "In The Beginning". ;)

Since Season 4 just ended last week on Sci-Fi, I watched "In the Beginning" over the weekend.

It was even better the second go-round.

But, I doubt that helps your self-control any. :D

Your expectations aren't too high... and I have the 4th season opener ready to mail to you to keep you from dying later this month.

oh....


heh heh heh

I'm beginning to think we should lobby for a heh-heh-heh smilie. ;):lol:

Already got one:

:banana:

:D

You people are cruel. And not in that good natured, I-like-pain kind of cruel with which I am oh so familiar.

Seeker - on the one hand, I must thank you for your willingness to send me Ep.1 of Season 4, but on the other I must draw and quarter you for "heh heh heh"-ing. Sorry.


Edited to add: I HAVE MY COPY OF SEASON 3!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME AND START WATCHING! I just have to get through dinner, putting the kids to bed, stuff I have to do around the house, etc.

:banana: