Season 1, Episode 6: Mind War

Woohoo, Chekov’s in this episode! Strange to hear him without his fake accent.

Interesting to find out more about Talia Winters and Psi-Corps. I hope we get to find out more about her background. And Talia now has the power to move objects with her mind. I wonder what she’s going to do with that? And when the others find out? Also, will it drive her insane? Don’t answer that.

At the last Urban Tapestry practice, Allison and Jodi were pretty amused that I didn’t remember that we had performed a Babylon Five song about Talia Winters before. Allison warned me not to go back and look at the lyrics for “Dark Places” because it was full of spoilers.

And suddenly I’ve become aware that filk circles are going to be much more of a challenge from now on, in terms of spoilers. Up to now, I didn’t really care when a Babylon Five song came up because none of the names, places or events meant anything to me. I enjoyed Tom Smith’s “Five Years” (parody of “One Week” by the Barenaked Ladies) because of the wordplay and his performance, but now I’m realizing that hearing it now would be very different since it’s packed with spoilers about characters I’m gradually getting to know.

I’ve asked Allison or Jodi to nudge me if a Babylon Five song ever comes up in a filk circle; I’ll just plug my ears or leave the room. Realistically, I know I’ll inevitably encounter plot and character spoilers no matter what; I’ve already come across a bunch accidentally. Allison says I should probably even avoid looking at Babylon Five DVD packaging in stores.

It’s my fault I didn’t watch Babylon Five when it came out originally, but I figure I might as well do what I can to avoid them meanwhile.

But back to the episode…

I was intrigued by G’Kar rescuing Catherine Sakai. What’s the deal here? Why does he care? Don’t answer that.

I’m liking Ivanova more and more. Disappointed that we didn’t see Londo at ALL this episode.

G’Kar: Let me pass on to you the one thing I’ve learned about this place, “No one here is exactly what he appears. Not Mollari, not Delenn, not Sinclair … and not me.”

I was intrigued by G’kar’s comment to Catherine Sakai, about no one being exactly what he appears. How would he know? And what secret is he hiding? And I was surprised at his mention of Sinclair — so far, the captain seems pretty predictable (and somewhat boring).

What WAS that thing that Catherine saw above Sigma-957 that sucked out all her computer’s power? Don’t answer that. I love G’Kar’s quote in answer to Catherine’s similar question: “”There are things in the universe billions of years older than either of our races. They are vast, timeless … They are a mystery, and I am both terrified and reassured to know that there are still wonders in the universe - that we have not yet explained everything. Whatever they are, Ms. Sakai, they walk near Sigma-957. They must walk there alone.”

Great writing.

I’ll be curious to see whether we ever see Ironheart again. And I have a feeling I’m going to be finding out a LOT more about Psi-Corps eventually.

Jeff says this episode was his favourite so far.

Next episode: “The War Prayer”