This is my favourite episode so far. Lots of great laugh-aloud moments, and some excellent character scenes. LOVED Londo’s drunken scene. That previously irritating weird-haired guy is growing me, I must admit.
Also loved G’Kar’s cooking scene! What WAS that thing he was about to eat? Also loved the little song that he sings. TV.com’s episode summary had the lyrics:
“I’m thinking of thinking of calling her right after my afternoon nap.
I’m thinking of thinking of sending her flowers, right after Bonnie gets back.
So many fishies left in the sea, so many fishies, but no-one for me…
I’m thinking of thinking of hooking a love, soon after supper is done.”
Heh.
I really like G’Kar’s new aide, Na’Toth; she’s got a lot of spunk and I hope to see more of her.
Was intrigued by the whole Minbari religious ceremony. Cool musial instrumentation; I’d love to know the background behind that, and what instruments were used. I thought I heard a harpsichord and a harp (or similar instruments) in addition to the bells.
Vir [about Londo]: Ah, he has become one with his inner self.
Garibaldi: He’s passed out.
Vir: That too.
From Catherine’s comments to Sinclair at the end of the episode, I take it that SINCLAIR AND DELENN ARE MARRIED NOW?!? And Sinclair has no idea! I’ll be very interested in finding out what comes of that.
Speaking of Catherine, that subplot was the only one that didn’t really interest me; Catherine struck me as a little too pretty and two-dimensional, though I’ll be curious to see if she keeps her word about coming back “in a few days.” Especially now that she’s apparently rich.
SO many interesting things happening in this episode. I found the writing and plot much tighter than the previous episode.
Oh, and I was also intrigued by the arrival of Delenn’s new assistant, Lennier, because I recognize him from the top of TV.com’s Babylon 5 episode page (the one Keris pointed me to). I assume this means he becomes a much more important character later on? Don’t answer that.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this episode. And already I’m sensing all kind of plot threads being woven throughout.
I want more Londo, though.
Next episode: “Mind War.”
[For those who comment below: As the title of my blog indicates, I'm watching B5 for the very first time so PLEASE refrain from posting plot/character spoilers about upcoming episodes, or including links to pages with spoilers (unless you warn readers that they contain spoilers). Thanks so much! - Debbie]
12 comments ↓
JMS liked leaving some things ambiguous for a while. There was quite a bit of buzz about that Mimbari ceremony the first time around, too.
There were also a few things that you have to look closely to catch. During that same ceremony, you can see a hand in the background discretely exchanging that person’s fruit with someone else’s.
This is one of the episodes you go back to after watching far into the series and say “oh yeah, that was mentioned/hinted/shown way back when.”
This is one of my favourite episodes, I’d forgotten that Lennier wasn’t there from the start (I really need to go back and watch the series again). It’s best to assume that in JMS’s view everyone’s important, even the ‘throwaway’ characters (what in ST would have been redshirts).
Speaking of “redshirts,” there’s a great joke hidden in Garibaldi’s name.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761570083/Garibaldi.html
“Garibaldi was deeply involved in the complicated military and political struggles that took place in the following years. Garibald’’s goal was to create a united Italy. In 1859 he led a successful expedition against the Austrian forces in the Alps; in 1860 he led a force of 1,000 men from Genoa to Sicily, then ruled by the king of Naples. Distinctively clad in bright red shirts, Garibaldi’s men became known as the Red Shirts and as The Thousand. ”
Since Garibaldi is head of security, his men are in fact “red shirts” in the Star Trek sense.
Hvideo: I didn’t notice that hand!!! I’ll definitely have to re-watch that scene again.
Gary: Hey, thanks for that info!
You may remember Lennier ( Bill Mumy) from a few other places.
In the 80’s, he was in a band that released “Roly-Poly Fish Heads” of all things.
Also, he is the same actor who played Will Robinson (of “Danger, Will Robinson!!!!” fame on Lost in Space).
So he has some history with S/F, which is awesome.
See if you notice anybody from… Taxi.. or… Animal House.
Dan
Re dan_k_nj #6: One of the things I used to speculate on while watching the show was what it would be like if the cast all played their parts as their previously most recognizable part (and whether the cast actually did that, for a lark, at any point). It would have been awesome, in my opinion. And without spoiling anything, it’s safe to say that game only gets better as the series moves along.
Now the commander and the ambasadors have seconds. From a story telling point of view, I think you will see the value in having another of their kind around. Also note the varied way the ambasadors treat their aids. For Londo, it seems that Vir can only flounder.
“You will know pain. And you will know fear. And then you will die. Have a nice flight.”
JMS often puts in little details like the fruit being switched. Because so few people will catch them the first time around, they are not things that are important to understanding and enjoying the show – but if you DO catch them, they just give it that little something extra.
I have to admit that I did not catch it the first time either. When it was mentioned on the net I went back to the tape, saw it, realized who was doing it and why, and it all made sense.
Oh gods, now *I’m* going to have to go back and watch it again. I missed that completely.
Oh, the pain…the pain…
Hi I just found this blog, I used to read “Waiting for Frodo”. Being a big B5 geek I love hearing new reactions to the show.
I just wanted to point out that the hand switching the fruit in the background of the Minbari ceremony is actually G’Kar’s gloved hand. He’s switching his fruit for the one belonging to the person next to him (Ivanova maybe?) because he suspects his is poisoned. Earlier in the scene you can see him sniffing his fruit suspiciously.
PS. I would recommend watching “The Gathering”, while it’s rather rough, it’s still part of the canon and there are several important parts that are referred to throughout the show. So it’s a good idea to watch it just so you can follow those plot points when they come up.