Delenn’s plans for a rebirth ceremony are interrupted when she takes a shot meant for Sheridan. Delenn was the one who got physically injured in this episode, but I -so- felt for Lennier!
Now the Grey Council are split in loyalties: some with Delenn, the others refusing to get involved in the conflict.
I found Lennier’s reaction to Delenn’s asking what he thought of what had happened intriguing:
Lennier: Opinion doesn’t enter into this. What is, is. Prophecy said that one day we would unite with the other half of our soul in the war with an ancient enemy. This we have done.
He isn’t his normal mellow self; he seems resigned and weary somehow. He also looks more tired. I guess he’s still recovering from his injuries from the explosion, both physical and (saving Londo) psychological.
What a cliffhanger ending to the first scene before the credits, with a sniper aiming his weapon at Sheridan’s head!
The ceremony for those who had died in the previous skirmish was moving:
Sheridan: From the stars we came, to the stars we return, from now until the end of time. We therefore commit these bodies to the deep.
I loved the music in the background: a subtle Taps, but with the last few notes missing. So appropriate - an acknowledgement to those who have died, but also a foreshadowing and awareness that the conflict is not yet over.
Londo poisons Rifa and tells him to break off contact with Morden and his people.
Londo: I have a feeling that he [Mr. Morden] and his associates are carving a great dark hole in the middle of the universe and when they go down, anyone nearby will go down with them.
I couldn’t help but contrast Rifa and Londo. Both are the same in some ways but also different. Londo may be egotistical and manipulative, but is primarily motivated by his love for his people — he wants what he believes is the best for them. Rifa is also egotistical and manipulative, but is ego-driven and lets his ambition to the throne blind him to the risks involved in working with Morden.
So my question: did Londo REALLY put poison in Rifa’s drink? Or this a big bluff? Don’t tell me.
Londo’s knowledge that he will someday be emperor can’t help but colour all his interactions from now on. It will be interesting to see how Vir handles his prediction as well.
The bad guys were great in this episode. Bad in that they were highly believable. I especially found the sniper bad guy to be particularly creepy, especially when he was singing his bone song.
*shudder*
Yay, Marcus is back! And we get a deeper glimpse into his psyche, past the clever quips and heroic persona.
Marcus: Everything I was, everything I had…all of it died that night. I don’t have anything left to give.
Delenn: And that is exactly what you have to give.
Delenn’s advice to Marcus about forgiving himself for being alive is deeply moving. At least I found it so, having lost loved ones of my own.
The rebooted computer certainly had a personality of its own, didn’t it? 
Also, is it true that the voice was that of Harlan Ellison??!!?? I noticed that under the “Trivia” section of the TV.com episode description.
Londo’s rude rebuff of Delenn’s invitation to the rebirth ceremony was hard to watch, remembering his earlier exchange with Delenn when he wistfully told her that they never seem to talk anymore.
He still smiles, but now his smile is hard-edged and sarcastic.
G’Kar rebuffs them as well, but not so bitterly.
Disturbing to see one of the hostages killed so abruptly as proof that the kidnappers were serious. I’m glad it happened off-screen (yes, I know it’s just a tv show but still).
I adore Marcus. As appealing he is when he’s being witty and charming, I have to say that he’s also mighty appealing when he’s super-mad about bad guys hurting the people he loves.
Marcus: They said I was carrying around a lot of repressed anger.
Lennier: And?
Marcus: I’m not repressed anymore.
Speaking of being protective about people you care about…
Don’t get Lennier mad.
Lennier [to Marcus]: I know that Delenn is fated for another, and I have accepted that, in my heart. But I have vowed to stay at her side through all things for as long as I live.
Oh, Lennier. Even though I half-suspected this already, this still caught me off-guard.
Sheridan better not ever hurt Delenn, even accidentally. Especially if Lennier’s drunk at the time.
As usual, Marcus had some of the best lines…
Marcus: There, you see? You can get more with a kind word and a two-by-four than you can with just a kind word.
And then Delenn gets stabbed as she tries to warn Sheridan!
“No more,” Sheridan yells as he beats Sniper Guy to a pulp, “No more of you. No more Nightwatch, no more hostages, no more lies, not on my station, not on my watch. NO MORE!”
I think Sheridan needed that.
Sheridan: Hello Delenn. Now, I was thinking, you couldn’t come to the ceremony, the ceremony should come to you. I’ve given up something that really mattered to me, the uniform and everything that goes with it. I’ve never told anyone before now. When you were hurt, when you were in my arms, I was ready to kill that guy with my bare hands. I realized I have never told you how much I cared about you, how much you mean to me. I think it’s time you knew that. I can no longer imagine my world … without you in it. I don’t … know exactly when or how it happened, … but I’m glad it did.
I admit I was weepy through most of the impromptu ceremony in the infirmary.
Garibaldi [to Delenn]: No one knows, but … I’m afraid all the time … what I might do if I ever let go.
Ivanova: I think I loved Talia.
I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!
Franklin: I think I have a problem.
I -love- the new uniforms! How appropriate that the senior officers get a new look to helps symbolize the station’s new status, independent from the old Earth alliance.
I loveLOVE this series. And it makes me so happy that I’m only halfway through.
But I’m already thinking…what am I supposed to do when I’m finished all the episodes? When there are NO MORE NEW B5 EPISODES TO LOOK FORWARD TO?!??
Next episode: Sic Transit Vir.
[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/hints about upcoming episodes, or including links to pages with spoilers (unless you warn readers that they contain spoilers). More info about spoilers here. Thanks so much! - Debbie]
13 comments ↓
Yes, that was Harlan’s voice. (I recognized it immediately. Remember that he was a technical consultant on the series, and one thing JMS did was to get ALL of his crew involved, as we’ve seen in other episodes.)
When you’re done with B5, you could always catch us up on Dr. Who, starting from the first Doctor
(Or, more seriously, the new BSG if you haven’t been watching it.)
I have a serious problem with Delenn/Mira Furlan; specifically, her voice. The tone of it is all too often whiny, or sounds weak, when her character most assuredly is not. In this episode, though, she absolutely won me over when she spoke with Marcus and saw to the heart of his issues. She was not evasive, nor vague; she saw what he needed to let go of, and told him so. In current Net parlance, Delenn FTW!
Isn’t this one of like the best episodes ever?
I liked “Oh bugger, now I have to wait for someone to wake up.”
“But I’m already thinking…what am I supposed to do when I’m finished all the episodes? When there are NO MORE NEW B5 EPISODES TO LOOK FORWARD TO?!??”
Yup, enjoy each new episode as you can, ’cause you will always feel that way (says Allison, who recently finished watching Season 5 again and is still restless about not having new episodes to watch).
Minbari don’t drink alcohol–their bodies can’t tolerate it, it’s a poison to them. Don’t know if they have other intoxicants.
When there are no new episodes - watch them again? Watch the movies? Ask for fanfic recommendations?
I watched the series at least four times, myself.
Like Rifa, I tend to believe Londo when he’s got a certain look in his eye.
What to do when there are no new B5 eps to watch? As someone else already suggested, you can watch the movies, I enjoyed those thoroughly. Then my husband started in on how I cannot truly appreciate sci fi without having since any Star Trek. So I am working my way through all the Trek series, starting with Enterprise.
I just finished the last episode and I am wondering how I’ll get through all the rest. I feel about ENT what I feel about B5. Not as good as B5, but pretty darn close, I don’t care what anyone else says.
After the tv series… How about 5 more movies and the Lost Tales DVD? 13 episodes of Crusade. And around
20 pb novels?
Not to mention, the comics, fan-fic, etc.
Actually I think it’s stated in season one that if Minbari drink alcohol they go into a psychotic rage… so yeah, the same thought still holds.
Every time I rewatch the series I’m always so relieved to get to the new uniforms. They’re so much more flattering than the old ones which made everyone look fat.
Yeah, I like how after Marcus gets done wipping the floor with the bad guys, quick moves, strength, all that, then Lennier can come along and snatch Marcus up by surpirse, lift him, and only give him a good talking-to. Don’t get Lennier Mad.
Wish they would have shown similair funeral honours for the fallen Narn, in addition to the fallen Earthers.
You like the uniforms, eh? JMS on the uniforms:
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About the uniforms:
I wanted it to have a crossed look, certain Minbari elements and textures, lines that are reminiscent of the Rangers, but also of Earthforce. Hence, the result.
There’s a certain perverseness in making those on the side of light wear black uniforms. It reverses our expectations.
In general, it’s my understanding that the cast really like the new uniforms. They’re lighter, easier to move around in, cooler under the lights, and they like the styling, the rogue element to it, and the Minbari aspect.
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You like seeing Marcus again? You’re not alone. More from JMS:
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About female fans’ reaction to Marcus:
It’s okay…so are most of the women who work in the editing bays at B5. The first few days of this season, as his stuff started coming in, one of them pulled me aside, and with hand firmly on my arm, to let me know she meant business, said, “Listen very carefully: I want to see a LOT more of Marcus.”
Oh, Deb. There is still *so* much ahead of you.
Yes, the movies, the novels (at least the “canon” ones) and the rest of the series await you, so you have a while yet before you “run out.”
And then, you have to watch it again. As you are proving in this blog, one view is insufficient. I know. I’ve only seen it the once, and I am SO jealous I can’t watch it right now with you.
So you’re nowhere near to done.
Please keep blogging during your second viewing. For one thing, I’ll be able to join you, then . That’s the selfish reason. For another, you are going to see so much more the second time around, and I love to watch how much you enjoy this!
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