Well, the only times you've ever seen Sheridan use them was in covert ways. Against the Black Star and during Into the Fire, he mined asteroids with them as traps, and in Z'Ha'Dum, he had a couple on the White Star and used the ship itself as the delivery device. I would think that any regular delivery system would be pretty easy to intercept, as it's been established that there are direct weapon countermeasures in the B5 universe which could most likely shoot any (relatively) slow-traveling rocket out of the sky.

You know how everybody's been saying that there's one really bad story and one really good story in S5? Well, the Byron stuff is the bad one. The season does improve in ways that I think you'll like.

Along with Intersections in Real Time, this is another big "love it or hate it" episode. I've seen a lot of people who say it's one of their favorite eps, but I'm in the other camp, myself, as I couldn't stand it at all. I thought showing life on B5 from the POV of one of the random station workers was a neat idea, but I absolutely could not stand Mack and Bo as characters. They were way too corny, and just plain irritating.

Well, while the viewers knew it, and Sheridan knew it, it's unknown how many other people knew it. If anything, the knowledge extended as far as the war council.

that scene is easily one of my favorite scenes of the entire show....
....it totally makes Thirdspace worth watching.....

I agreee that this is a love it or hate it episode but I'm in the love it camp. The alternate POV was interesting and I thought Mac & Bo were quirky but I agree the story would have been better served in S4 during a shadow attack.

I actually sort of like that it was a random enemy. It reminded me of the Buffy episode "The Zeppo" where it shows everything from Xander's POV. We know it's yet *another* apocalypse, but not much beyond that. If it were the Shadows, we'd want to know the whys and wherefores.

Mac and Bo had great chemistry. They were written a bit goofy, but I still bought it. Maybe I was just in the right mood for it.

Glad that resonated with someone else.

I actually really enjoy the journey that the Zack character has taken.

5 today...
Day of the Dead

Standalone episode...a bit on the goofy side. I did like the expansion on Lochley's character though.

In the Kingdom of the Blind

G'Kar and Londo can do no wrong. Period. They have just a terrific chemistry, and I can't tell you whether it's the writing or the acting, but Londo can be incredibly funny and charming one minute and incredibly dark the next...and both are completely believable. Just an amazing characterization.

Plotwise, there were no big surprises here. I assume that was a/the Drahk...which I also assume is the "good" arc this season.

Oh, and Fabio has decided to blackmail the alliance. Meh.

A Tragedy of Telepaths

A telepath episode focusing on characters I could care less about.

Thankfully the episode was saved by some brilliant bits with Londo and G'Kar.

Phoenix Rising

Bester rocked in this episode. That is one sadistic motherfucker. I loved the bit about Asimov's laws of robotics too. We've seen it in about 100 movies by now, but it's a great touch.

I actually *almost* though that Garabaldi was going to buy it based on "deconstructing" from last season. If anybody will drive you to drink, it's Bester.

Fabio had a death scene speech that would make Trinity blush, but I'm guessing he'll be back. I assume this is called Phoenix Rising for a reason.

The Ragged Edge

Ivanova is gone, Garabaldi is a wreck, Franklin is leaving...oh, and Sheridan is boring. What has become of the core B5 staff?!?!? Zach is the only one left who's even remotely interesting.

Overall, a pretty good episode on the arc that I'm actually interested in. The Garabaldi stuff was tight. Every scene with Londo and/or G'Kar continues to bring the goods.

General Thouhts

I'm still a bit disappointed so far this season, but I *was* warned, so it's to be expected. The Centauri watcher thing seems to be shaping into something worthwhile, so that's good news.

My biggest complaint right now is that with the exception of G'Kar and Londo and to a lesser degree Garabaldi and Lyta, the writers don't seem to know what to do with *anybody*. Sheridan and Delenn are boring. Lochley is boring. Lennier and Vir are barely around. Franklin is boring *and* is leaving. Zack is interesting but underused.

Seasons 3 & 4 felt focused, like they were moving forward. This season feels like the first 1.5 seasons. We're doing exposition to set something up...and the final season isn't the season for that sort of thing.

All that said, I think I'm going to like where this is going and have no intention of giving up now. Also, it should be noted that a mediocre episode of B5 is still better than 99% of the other stuff out there.

Only 10 episodes and 2 movies to go. Did I read correctly that both movies should be watched just before the finale?

I would agree with that.

HEHEHEHE


Franklin leaving is just part of the winding down process of the show.

Your reaction to the telepath arc is pretty typical. My wife was pretty much the same way. She kept calling him Fabio, too.

The episode with Mack & Bo - I liked the idea, and I liked the fact that it is just "typical" aliens possibly destroying the station. It is a lot like the Xander-centric episode from Buffy - which when I saw it a few months back, I noted the similiarity. I always like the alternate P.O.V. thing, most typical TV wouldn't take the chance.

Just one today...had to watch Cube Zero, which was much better than that turd Hypercube. Recommended.

Anyhoo...

The Corps is Mother...

Not a bad episode, despite the noteable lack of ANY of the major characters. Unless I've forgotten something, Zack was the only one around for Bester's visit. It's odd that they wouldn't have had Garabaldi make an appearance given their recent history. Bester is the saving grace of every episode he's in, as the whole telepath thing is just boring without him.

The split personality angle was a cool red herring. I thought that dude had a watcher for a bit there...which is surely what they were going for.

They are really playing up the superiority complex of the teeps lately and how they disregard the lives of "mundanes".

Have you now stopped thinking of Bester as "Chekov"?

Not entirely. It's tough to get past, and I'm hardly a Trekkie. I still think that casting him (not to mention Roddenberry's wife) was a bit on the gimmicky side.

But his character has grown on me in a major way...and he's brilliantly acted. I love his sick sense of humor and his matter of fact attitude about how everyone on B5 despises him. If the telepath arc this season had gone in a different direction, with his redeeming himself as the focus, it would have been much better than that Fabio cult nonsense.

Bester is probably among my 5 favorite characters on this show, which for a guest star is saying something.

Koenig really did a remarkable job with that role. Within about 3 episodes of him as Bester, I stopped thinking of him as Chekov. In fact, whenever I watch any ST:TOS season 2 or 3 episodes I start thinking of him as a young Bester. I keep waiting for him to make a snide, superior remark to Kirk.

"Top 5" might have been a stretch now that I've given it some thought.

Londo
G'Kar

big gap

Sheridan (before being neutered and goateed)
Delenn
Lennier
Vir
Garabaldi
Bester
Sinclair/Valen
Ivanova (would have been higher but the way she left left a bad taste)
Kosh
Zack
Morden
Lyta/Talia
Marcus
25 random minor characters
the weird looking alien on the left

big gap

Franklin
everybody else
Byron

You really don't like Franklin and Byron, do you?

I liked Franklin the first time around, but as I'm watching this for the second time I find myself wanting to fast forward most scenes with him. He's just so...superfluous.

good word.

You watching them in order? If so, where are you?

I'm in the middle of season 3 - just finished "Ceremonies of Light and Dark."

I miss season 3. Amazing stuff...and season 4 was EVEN BETTER!

Right now, I feel like I'm watching the pillowfight in Return of the King.

Personally I would watch the finale and then the 2 movies. Chronologically they should go before but for me it just disrupts the natural story flow too much. There are pros and cons to both options.

I think Richard Biggs agreed; I remember reading that JMS wrote that stim addiction storyline in season three so he'd have something to do!

It was a good night with all that telepath crap behind me.

Meditations on the Abyss

Garabaldi is blowing it. Good to see Lennier again. G'Kar and Londo continue to be the heart of the show in my book...even when they are not the center of attention.

Darkness Ascending

Garabaldi is a wreck...and he's blowing it with Lise to boot. Tough to say where they are going with this one. It's sort of forgotten in the next few episodes, and they only have five left to resolve it somehow. I'm not sure what to make of his dream either.

Lyta makes a deal with G'Kar. She's looking really slutty lately. I dig it.

Lennier has proof that the Centauri are behind the attacks and things are about to get ugly. This was a good episode.

And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder

This was a very good episode. We're back at war, which is when this show is at its best in my book.

Londo getting jailed with G'Kar was awesome!

Movements of Fire and Shadow

An even better episode! I think we're hitting our stride again and this is a STRONG arc.

I hope they do more with Lyta as she seems to be a badass now. Surely THIS wasn't the culmination of that whole Fabio thing. Anybody could have gotten the info from the Drazi in any number of ways.

The Fall of Centauri Prime

Awesome episode. It's cool to see the pieces falling into place.

Londo is officially the single most tragic character I've ever seen in a TV show. We're talking Greek/Shakespearean tragic. Sheesh, the guy just can't catch a break.

There were so many great things about these past few episodes that I want to expand on, but I'll have to leave you with a simple:

My girlfriend just came in wearing something "more comfortable" and made me an offer I don't think I can refuse.

Night fellas.

Lucky bastard!!!


Oh by the way Chess, this the first time I have chimed in on this thread...But I have been following it since you started the Grand Babylon 5 adventure. It is great to relive the first time I saw this show vicarously through others!!

Are you planning to pick up the Crusade set? You might as well!! Once you see the last B5 movie you will want to "continue the story"! Although Crusade is just more or less a big cock tease for things that we will never get a chance to see now.

I look forward to the rest of your posts now that you are in the "home stretch"!!

Take care man!!

I'm on the fence about Crusade having read the reviews. Maybe if I can get it cheap at some point.

About the girlfriend...I think she's hooked too. I am NEVER allowed to start an episode without her.

General Thoughts

After a very shaky start, S5 has gotten really focused and really epic. I like that everybody seems to be saying their goodbyes as part of a winding down process rather than some big cheezy happy ending. The scene with Delenn and G'Kar saying goodbye on B5 was genuinely touching (though they see each other again).

I've always had a soft spot for Lennier. I'm glad to see him back in action, and he continues to not dissapoint. Guys like him and Vir and to a lesser extent Zack always made up a great support structure for the major players. And maybe he'll get some Delenn action in 20 years or so...lord knows he deserves it.

Londo's inaguration scene with the bells and the flashbacks was AWESOME. And the chemistry between him and G'Kar continues to be the best part of the show.

The morning scene before Sheridan presents the Centauri evidence was downright cinematic. The "other shoe dropping" in slow motion was some heavy handed symbolism, but damned if it didn't work.

Nice to finally see the Drahk.

When I watch B5 in the future, I'm guessing that I'll just skip right to this part of the season. I think a person could put together a 30ish episode run of the best arc episodes and it would make for a great weekend marathon. I think that I'll make a list when I'm done.

I've also decided to just watch the season and then watch the other two movies.

Be sure to post your list.

I must of missed something: I thought you had only watched "In the Beginning"? What was the other one you watched? (Thirdspace?, River of Souls?, A Call to Arms?---hopefully not the last one!)

Edit: never mind, I did miss a post on Page 13!