Some great scenes with Talia and Ivanova in this episode. Love the seething hostility on Ivanova’s part; more and more, she’s one of my favourite characters. I predict that these two become close friends. Please don’t tell me if I’m right.
Hm. Though if Ivanova is fearful of telepaths because she has something major to hide, then she’s probably not going to let Talia Winters get too close, is she? We’ll see. Don’t tell me.
Only time for a short post today…
Alisa Belden was an interesting character though a tad whiny. I enjoyed seeing her being courted by everyone (Psi-Corps, Narn, Minbari). Interesting that she chose the Minbari; I hope we get to see her again, though hopeless somewhat less whiny.
Also interesting to hear her impression of Na’Toth’s mind: cold and alien. I’m assuming any Narn mind would seem this way to her, and not just Na’Toth’s. Because I love Na’Toth’s character and I don’t want her to be evil!
Loved the testosterone-overload scenes between Sinclair and Neroon. I like Sinclair the best when he’s ticked off. 
Ivanova: There is nothing more annoying than Mr. Garibaldi when he’s right.
I liked the musical accompaniment as Branmer’s casket is carried in the ceremony. And they even showed some of the instruments involved:
Sinclair: Branmer’s life was more significant than his battles. Let the warrior caste praise his courage in the war, and let the rest praise him for what he truly was, a man of peace.
Neroon: You talk like a Minbari, Commander. Perhaps there was some small wisdom in letting your species survive.
Sinclair: We’d like to think so.
I want one of those Drums Of Doom!
I don’t envy Garibaldi having to pump the carrion eaters’ stomachs. Ugh.
VERY interesting to hear that Alisa sensed the word “chrysalis” in Delenn’s mind, and that Delenn “shut down real fast” when she sensed the young telepath’s touch. Interesting because I can’t help but notice that Chrysalis is the name of the last episode in this season!
Hm….
And here’s Delenn playing with that crystal sculpture (as it’s described in TV.com’s episode summary):
Next episode: A Voice In The Wilderness (Part 1)
[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]
7 comments ↓
Heh. Knowing the episode titles in advance is a bit of a spoiler and a luxury I didn’t have when watching it for the first time! But the titles don’t really spoil much and actually add to the mystery!
I would also suggest filing away Neroon’s comment to/about Sinclair for future reference.
Neroon will be back, and his character motivation - and arc - is also quite fascinating.
When it comes to screenwriting, JMS is a great believer that if a gun is used in Act 2 that you should have seen it at some point in Act 1. Right now you’re being given an awful lot of ‘guns’ to see…
Still, look on the bright side - you don’t have to wait a week - or in the US sometimes several weeks - between episodes! (The UK broadcasters tend to delay season start so they can run weekly without interruptions for reruns - this meant for the first 90% of the season, the US saw them first and we had to try and dodge spoilers - except the last few episodes *we* saw first!
)
With JMS you have The Weapon Shops of Isher over the mantlepiece in act 1. And then he brings in more.
And while they don’t have a LOT of 2-part episodes, you’ve already noted that you’re just about to start one. This is one of the things I like about recording shows and seeing them later - not only do I skip commercials, but if there are 2 parters I have the option to see them back-to-back. If there is a cliffhanger I can go right to the next episode, and so on.
If the Writers Strike had lasted a few more months I might have begun to make a dent in my backlog, but as it is I really hardly noticed it. I may have fewer shows to record for a while, but my backlog will still be very large.
“When it comes to screenwriting, JMS is a great believer that if a gun is used in Act 2 that you should have seen it at some point in Act 1.”
But the explanation of both the gun and the use should not be apparent until Act 3.
Debbie, to really experience Babylon 5 properly, you must stop watching episodes for 6 months after you finish season 1.
Go on, I DARE ya!
**Double-dare**, even..
The triangular Minbari musical instrument is fairly easy to find in fannish circles — it’s a bowed psaltry, only the Minbari dispense with the bow and just pluck it.
The luthier whose instruments were used sells them at the MD Renaissance Festival. (For those who know MDRF, it’s not Unicorn Strings on Mary’s Dale Way; this guy sells them for a week or two only at one of the short-term merchant stands near the Boar’s Head Tavern.)