This was a very difficult episode to watch. 
Loved how Delenn and Marcus encourage Ivanova’s crude attempts to speak Minbari. 
The Emperor is SO good at making you hate him, isn’t he? I found the G’kar humiliation and torture scenes really hard to watch.
The Emperor’s childish behaviour and nonchalance when talking about torturing G’Kar is pretty horrifying. And NOT explicitly showing G’Kar being tortured makes it even more terrible.
Vir: Londo, remember when I said there must be another way? I was wrong. Kill him!
Disturbing to find out that Kosh #2 is forcing Lyta to get rid of most of her furniture because it was a “distraction.”
Weird that the ship that Garibaldi was on got destroyed so easily, after ejecting Garibaldi’s lifepod.
Why was Garibaldi wrapped in plastic? Who owned the ship? The voice in the last episode sounded like Morden’s, but the voice in this episode didn’t. Don’t tell me.
“Contact confirmed,” says the man’s voice. “Initiating program.” And then Garibaldi’s eyes open. What does this mean? Is this really Garibaldi? Why does a program being initiated spur Garibaldi to open his eyes. Is this guy really Garibaldi? Or is he a MACHINE?!??
Don’t tell me.
Whoa, so Lyta was genetically modified by the Vorlons so that she could breathe in their atmosphere? It’s clear she’s regretting it now. Plus wearing heavier eye make-up.
I hatedHATED watching G’Kar gradually get worn down.
“You don’t know what you’re asking,” G’Kar tells Londo when Londo begs him to give the Emperor a scream.
Marcus is a virgin?!?
I adore him even more.
Marcus: Anyone special waiting for you back home?
Ivanova: No, not anymore. You?
Marcus: Someone. She doesn’t know it yet.
Ivanova: That’s a strange way to pursue a relationship.
Marcus: I suppose so. Ah… I want this thing to go right. I want it to be special.
Ivanova: Oh. A romantic! I don’t think I’ve felt that way since the… first time!
Marcus: That’s what I’m talking about.
Ivanova: You mean you don’t… you haven’t…
Marcus: Yes.
Ivanova: You’re a…
Marcus: Exactly.
Ivanova: With anyone?
Marcus: Never met the right person before.
Ivanova: Wow. I thought the First Ones were rare! Well, I hope she appreciates it.
Marcus: So do I.
*swoon*
That torture whip scene was disturbing. I notice G’Kar waited until the very last second before screaming.
Yay, Sheridan’s back! And with The First.
I was delighted for Delenn but couldn’t help but feel for Lennier.
Garibaldi (or pseudo-Garibaldi) seems to have a real problem with The First. Also, Garibaldi seems more antsy / unsettled than usual. What’s up with him? Is he fighting the SATANIC MESSAGE INSIDE HIS BRAIN THAT’S TELLING HIM TO KILL EVERYONE??
Don’t tell me.
And YIKES, the Vorlons are destroying any world touched by the Shadows.
Garibaldi: We could barely stop the Shadows, how do we stop them and the Vorlons?
Lyta: I don’t know. All I know is that unless you do stop them, it won’t matter who wins and who loses, because none of us, not a single world in 70 light years in any direction, will live to see it.
Next episode: Falling Towards Apotheosis
[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]
6 comments ↓
So that makes Marcus a Babylon 5 Virgin.
With the view given of the big humongoid Vorlon ship (I think it is more aptly named in the next episode) it reminded me a bit of The Flying Spagetti Monster.
When I first watched this episode, it was with a growing sense of horror that I had to watch all the whipstrikes…there weren’t going to be any clever edits, or other ways of getting away from watching G’Kar be flayed like that. Thinking about it still makes my heart race. Wortham Kimmer played Cartagia absolutely flawlessly. And I detest, despise, and hate that character soooo much.
“And NOT explicitly showing G’Kar being tortured makes it even more terrible.”
JMS has said that the tears are for the audience, the emotion are for the audience - that essentially what you don’t show but is obviously there, the audience feels more strongly.
He’s right.
But what he’s really right about, is that when you then show it, just the tiniest glimpse at the right moment, it hurts even more.
You count every lash, cry every tear.
This is a very powerful episode because we see the risk and cost from a wide view, the planets being destroyed to the more personal with G’Kar being tortured.
I was forcefully reminded of the flogging scene from Jesus Christ Superstar (the film).
In an episode practically too painful to watch, this line always makes me laugh:
Marcus: I’m picking something up.
Ivanova: A unicorn? .. Sorry.
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