#Narn Homeworld

[mari-beau]

One Drawing Per Week: Seventeen

SUBJECT: Narn Travel Poster (Babylon 5)

MEDIA: Rebelle 3 and GIMP on Microsoft Surface Pro.

[emperorcartagia]

the TUDE on this bithc oh my god someone KILL HIM

[thethirdromana]

Ceremonies of Light and Dark!

Sheridan's decision not to wear his uniform is very noble and symbolic, but I'm a bit worried he's going to be cold.

Hanging out with the Minbari sounds a little bit like having a friend who's really into meditation or tantra. You're pleased it works for them but don't necessarily want to participate all the time.

Londo's conversation with Refa is great.

But Delenn's defence of inviting him to the rebirth ceremony is just weird. There's a lot of "let's forgive and forget" stuff that really doesn't make any sense while the Centauri are still occupying the Narn homeworld and slaughtering the Narn.

The Nightwatch's resident sadist feels like another instance of Babylon 5 overegging the pudding on this storyline. At the very least I think it would be stronger if it was more "when you choose fascism, you make alliances with all the worst people" and less "everyone who has vile politics is also personally a twisted sadist".

Marcus is such a dweeb (affectionate).

Someone put in an AI but it turns out it's really annoying - Babylon 5 very much predicting the world of 2024 there.

Minbari must have a lot of secrets for this ceremony to work. I'm genuinely not sure I have any secrets I've never told anyone. I'd be rocking up to the ceremony with something like, "my left foot is a bit itchy right now."

"We may sometimes look like you but we are not you." Oof.

Marcus is surprised that Lennier is in love with Delenn? Because that... umm... that does not seem particularly surprising.

Nice gambit to save the hostages.

Did anyone check with Delenn whether she wanted the entire senior staff trooping past her sickbed with their confessions?

IVANOVA/TALIA CANON????

I was NOT expecting that. I mean I've shipped it from season 1, episode 1, but I never thought anything would come of it in canon. Not in a series from 1996.

Cannot wait to find out what happens next.

[dragontopaz]

B5 rewatch: Revelations

Why don't you eliminate the entire Narn homeworld while you're at it?

One thing at a time, Ambassador.

[gretchensinister]

Babylon 5 rewatch, S1 E13: Signs and Portents

Fancy jammies, Ivanova

The raiders are so much more prevalent than I remember. But they also just seem to be a plot device?

Is that...is that...THAT MOTHERFUCKER. Yeah I bet you found something interesting on the Rim.

That office couch looks above-average in terms of comfort for Space Furniture

Oh yes yes yes the Battle of the Line! Let's find out some things!

THAT GUUUUUUY

This guy in between G'Kar and Londo at the elevator has some story for the day LMAO. I like to see the banter increasing between them even if it is still very hostile.

MORDEN. "What do you want?" Problem generator man. Snarling at him like a rabid dog.

So... how accurate are Centauri prophetesses? Like...should we evacuate?

"Haha she said I would be killed by shadows that's nonsense." eeeeerurgh

Delenn's got Morden's number. And she's already starting to build...something important in her quarters :3

It's time for...Centauri imperial unrest!

Oh wait the raiders are part of...another human supremacy plot to attack Babylon 5? Who is that guy?

VORLON SHIP VORLON SHIP

Mordon does look pretty young to me by now, oh how time passes.

Restoration of empire...oh Lando

So jump gates do require ship ID codes (look if you want to know the plot and not me pondering logistical details, watch the episodes)

And the jump gate technology requires a certain amount of mass to generate...

You know, everyone and their dog has complained about sound effects in space battles, and I get it, but when realism is not the particular point, I really think it helps make it clear what's going on.

Kosh's suit was damaged? Uh-oh, what happened in that hallway?

Oh, no, that guy isn't part of any human supremacy plots, he's just a pirate.

And Kiro was killed by shadows and the artifact that was a representation of the Centauri emperor is (presumed) lost again, except who should have it but...MORDEN.

It's interesting how G'Kar's answer to "what do you want" was still very violent/revenge-focused, but Morden didn't choose him to mess with. And I think it's clearly because he ended his want with just "I want the Narn homeworld to be safe." That's not as aligned with the shadows as the pursuit/restoration of an empire.

Ooh, the Minbari specifically wanted Sinclair there. And the reason why is going to be so interesting to watch unfold.

[woodsfae]

B5 S04E07 Epiphanies previous episode - table of contents

The denizens of B5 have an aerial show to go along with their party over the Vorlon-Shadows proxy war being over. On episode seven! I have only vague theories about anything they might get up to by the end of the season. 

John Sheridan watches the party and has heavy thoughts till he sees Delenn and is immediately turns his mood around. Cute. 

Bester!! Is back! Thrilling. I have my fingers crossed for him to acctually achieve his telepathic society on some secret colony. 

It's awfully obnoxious that he's taking orders to dismantle B5 instead of off stealing all of PsiCorps. The threat of the great powers may be over, but Earth's government is still its own biggest threat. 

Bester wants to know why they don't just do a military takeover. Minister says...we tried and failed. Gotta do this blackops style. 

I now have high expectations for shenanigans, but I hope it's a multi-episode arc rather than wrapping up in this episode. Bester vs B5 could be a great seasonal arc. 

On Centaur they need to pick a new Emperor, but putting off the decision for awhile. By appointing a Regent for the Emperor, which is the guy Londo is telling all this to. 

Huh, Londo's skipping out to B5 now. I did not expect him to dump all the homeworld issues on a patsy and flee, but that very much in character for him. Dealing with problems is not Londo's strong suit. Unlike causing problems. 

G'Kar has phanton itch in his missing eye. Oh how I hate how he can never catch a break. Dr Franklin wants to try to adapt a human prosthetic for G'Kar so he can have partial vision back. And the medical update also serves as exposition for Dr Frankin to remind the audience that G'Kar was offered rule of Narn and turned it down. 

Garibaldi struggles with not remembering, then his sleeper routine activates! badadada! Bester-level shenanigans engage. Huh, and he resigns. 

There's a Disney planet. That tracks. But, interesting gambit. Demoralize the senior staff by having his secretly implanted trigger be disillusionment in the conflict and want a chance of pace that's more peaceful. 

Does this mean Chief of Security Zack Allen? Please no. ugh. If this happens, I will try to be sanguine with it, but whyyyy. 

I mean I don't believe Garibaldi is leaving leaving, but I would prefer more Garibaldi than Zack Allen.  Who is checking Londo back into B5. 

Bester and his jackbooted thugs have arrived. And his banter remains delightful. They're always on point with his script and he's such a good antagonist. It's funny but I almost think of his as fae....he allows himself to be trapped by logic battles and legal snarls, he's very precise with his wording in a way that feels a bit otherworldly, and he's threatening as shit. ergo, fae. Just him though, the rest of PsiCorps doesn't strike me as fae at all, very mundanely human. 

Garibaldi is very happy to see Garibaldi. Garibaldi says he is sorry G'Kar had to go through a lot of shit. G'Kar says no, thanks to Garibaldi for being his friend so much that he risked getting, and got captured. And in his captivity was able to help save his people. Garibaldi says o.O what.

Another mirrored arc with Londo, who curses the narrative and denies anyone's ability to choose. G'Kar thanks the narrative and chooses to see the best of the current circumstances.

Yeah, Zack Allen's Security boss now. The news announced that Earthforce has banned all travel to and from B5. Big moves. 

Zack goes to get Lyta and we see she's starting to replace the belongs that not-Kosh forced her to get rid of.  

Apparently Lyta has been shunned by basically everyone on B5...and it's because no one quite trusts her due to the time she spent in close proximity to the Vorlons. But Zack Allen offers to help her unpack her new stuff. They gotta stop making him be so considerate or I'll stop being irritated by him. 

G'Kar casually threatens Londo. I'd want to disappear Londo so bad in his shoes. 

Bester is difficult because it's in his nature, while also being very helpfully informative. lol. 

Bester wants to go loot Higher Beings tech from Z'ha'dum and see if they can use it to free the Shadows-wired-in telepaths, including Bester's forbidden lady love. And has quite an uncontrolled telepathic spasm of visions! Lyta? Susan? Something he did to himself or PsiCorps did to him?? 

Bester tells them that Earthforce sent armed patrols to maintain a B5 blockade, and a second force to destroy the first force and frame B5 for the hostilities. That's ice fucking cold. 

I notice Garibaldi may have resigned but he's still in what look like pretty spacious officer's quarters. Zac is hanging out and trying to persuade Garibaldi not to resign. 

omfg. Garibaldi says mistakes are a part of life and in fact, he took on Zack Allen even though he had a terrible record. And says he's the best second Garibaldi ever had. Um.!!! He totally told them out to Earthforce sprang at the first and every opportunity, and only felt a little bad about most of it till he switched sides at the literal last second. They can't make me forget that with a few episodes of him being considerate and intelligent. They gotta put in more effort for him to win me over. 

Sheridan and Delenn being cute again on one of the White Stars, heading to Z'Ha'Dum. Sheridan says he wants a little chill and Delenn says lol, you love nothing more than a problem. And if you had to spend ten seconds relaxing on a beach your head would explode. 

He thinks her deducing that is hot. It is. 

Ivanova gets to go out on a space battle in the little fighters! Good for her, she almost never gets to go flying! She and the B5 fighters save the sacrificial force and establish some cred as nonaggressors. 

Bester admits respect for Lyta, but tries to convince her to share what has given her an increase in telepathic ability. The Corps is mother, the corps is father. Lyta turns him down and he immediately jumps to threatening blackmail. How very Bester. He isn't so much an iron fist in a velvet glove, more like a ceramic-coated frying pan on a long handle. 

Z'Ha'Dum blows up. No high level tech upgrades from that angle. Bester has a regretful heart-to-heart with his beloved's stasis chamber. He really acts the shit out of it. "I'd do it again." shivers! And he blames B5 for not having her back and swears his personal animosity for B5! That's a little bit of a leap, but I suppose the next most logical person to blame is himself and he can't afford to take that onto his cracked shell of a psyche. (affectionate)

Sheridan also comes to visit Lyta, really thoroughly ending her long drought in visitors. Bummer that it isn't positive - he thinks she set off the Shadows' self-destruct of Z'Ha'Dum! Sheridan is interestingly not angry about it. Just acknowledges that she must be very powerful and skilled. And wonders why. Lyta gives several answers as hypotheticals, ranging from buried command triggers to personal grudge. 

Ah, and now Sheridan's mad comes out. If she does anything audacious like that without orders again, he chucks her straight into PsiCorps' custody. pain of death threat, basically! Be good or face being effectively murdered through mindwipes or controls. 

Really, PsiCorps is such an existential threat I find it to be overly harsh. Threat of general exile from B5, sure. But PsiCorps is a really brutal threat for Lyta as a rogue telepath in possession of secrets of power boosts. More ice cold choices made by people in authority! 

Epiphanies this episode is called...but bearing down on cold ruthlessness is rather a depressing epiphany to give the main players in the human political scene.

And the Centauri Regent has a...vision? And/or a growth? It's unclear. 

Much to think on, much to try to start to fit together into plausible theories! This has definitely been a highly expository episode but it was still well done and managed to be engaging while also doing a lot of telling-not-showing.

Onwards!

[kyliafanfiction]

Babylon 5: Born to the purple (finally having time to do this on the day)

*The whole 'G'kar is a horndog' thing gets kind of ignored after Season 1, which does make sense (it sort of comes back in Season 5, for one scene), but it was a thing earlier on, including in this line where G'kar agrees with 'all things in live females are the greatest'

*K'odath's disbelief that G'kar would be there raises questions about Narn society and G'kar's repuation back home *God, this episode hits harder in Hindsight *I love how Arcy B5 got later on, but I also like the opening to Season 1, because it lent itself to the more episodic feel of Season 1

*Oh yeah, this is the episode with Ivanova using Gold Channel

*Vir's use of the weird Gameboy like thing is hilarious. We never see that again, probably because he learns to do it back in his quarters. *B5 throws words like 'Sector' and 'Quadrant' around without much of a real sense of place and size. No clarity as to where these places are. *This episode tells us so much about Centauri society, and really drives home where Londo sits at this point. *MOON FACED ASSASSIN OF JOY *I don't think I've ever noticed the narn playing Vir's game before when I've watched this episode. *G'kar being so thrown by Londo's Mood *THIS ASSHOLE. And plot thickens. *God, it's so heartwarming though, how much he cares about her. This is not just some 'I want a pretty woman' thing. He really does love her *Londo's password is so very him at this point in his life. *I just wish Talia had been taken to dinner by Ivanova here. *cries in shipper* *Ivanova being protective of her console feels so in-character you forget... *"Figment of your demented imagination" *I do feel like Mollari's cipher should have requried a specific tone too, but I guess a voiceprint is pretty secure *Don't Give Away The Homeworld :rofl: *"get your feet moist" I love it when Londo and Vir get earth sayings wrong *Just a casual use of a tazer in public *I get that slavery is legal in Centauri space, but how is it legal on B5?

*damn that is a fancy bug. *Trakkis, when a man says "get out" in that tone, you GET OUT

*Vir walks in with such a swagger *Negotiating via subordinates is hardly unheard of G'kar. *"Don't give away the homeworld" *You know, I get it's conservation of Characters, but these Ambassadors really do need bigger diplomatic staff. And more competent ones. Ones you can actually trust to do the job *Then I hurt Him *"My good and dear friend" ah, Londo of this season. Such a decent guy, in a lot of ways. :rofl: *Londo's failure to talk the guy around is hilarious. But sinclair's deceptions *And here it is. The other key backstory element for Ivanova **cries* fuck. *Sinclair's strategem is so risky, I'm surprised there were no downsides. *"Coming from you Ambassador, that's a real compliment" *And the thing is, Talia has a point. The Psicorps rules about these things are there for a good reason. But this is one of those things where you'd think warrants could exist. But apparently there just is no room for that? *Not that they could get a warrant in this context but *I do love the 'don't think of an elephant' trick she pulls on him *G'kar saved Londo's career, and he's gotta hide that fact so much. :rofl: *I do wonder what exactly is in those Purple Files *I love that Garibaldi knows not to press her about it. Just "it won't happen again" *God, Londo... the ending.

[whatmathgodwrought]

I love going on fully loaded rants (affectionate) about older fandoms as if they're still brand new, because to this day those stories still grip me like the first time I experienced them.

For example:

"No weapon forged can stop me... What's that do?" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Man, Londo's face when they started bombing the Narn homeworld gave me chills. (Babylon 5)

I just read the most amazing story. It was epic! (The Odyssey)

[tossacointoyourhotmess]

Finished 4x06 of B5 and as someone who decided that Londo Mollari was my favourite character way the hell back at the beginning of season 1, I gotta say I love the character development I've just seen.

Helping G'Kar, keeping his promise to free the Narn homeworld, turning his back on the Shadows, unhesitatingly offering to sacrifice himself for the greater good, THAT HUG WITH VIR

*chefs kiss*

I'm so fucking proud of that moron

[lord-soth-dk]

"Hello, Refa. If you are seeing this message, it is because in a very few minutes you will be dead. I have made sure that the guards assigned to you are loyal to house Mollari. They will not obey you from this moment forward. You've taken from me, that which I loved, Refa. You also took the life of prime minister Malakai, a good and dear friend. You have inconvenienced me, and threatened my position in the Royal Court, and weakened our defenses by your constant warfare. None of which matters to G'Kar or his associates. But I think they do care about what you have done to them, Refa. Yes, I think they care about that a great deal."

"I have given G'Kar documents which prove that you are the one who orchestrated the bombing of Narn homeworld against my advice. That you personally were involved in the creation of death camps and genetic cleansing programs. That you are personally responsible of the death of five or six million Narns. And I think that they would like to thank you, personally, for your efforts."

"On the off chance that G'Kar might not believe me, I have arranged for two thousand Narns now in custody to be freed. Half in advance, half pending his co-operation. In all a sufficient inducement, I think. You see, it's not enough for me to .. simply kill you, Refa. I could do that at home, or here. But through your death on Narn, I will discredit your house and all opposition in the Royal Court. Goodbye, Refa."

[seyemvertisepra]

"Why don't we just wipe out the entire Narn homeworld" why don't you kiss a boy Londo

[unabashedllamamusic]

I'm at the point in my B5 rewatch where i have completed "Divided Loyalties", the Narn homeworld's destruction, and "Comes the Inquisitor" in the same sitting. I haven't cried this much in MONTHS. Jesus fucking christ this show is so well written. And the acting in these episodes? Andreas Katsulas and Mia Furlan are so fucking talented. Their performances, especially in "Comes the Inquisitor" are heartwrenching. Ivanova and Talia being gay? Londo learning that Vir was right when he said some favors come with too high a price? G'kar and Vir's elevator conversation? "remembered only as Jack"? Fucking perfection.

Not to mention how heartbreaking and well-done the plot of these episodes is. I know that the gays being buried sucked but the fact they were able to air even this much in the 90s is still incredible, and Christian and Thompson have so much chemistry. Whoever cast those two deserves all of the awards. If we'd gotten to see Ivanova learn to open up a bit more and accept herself as a telepath, and confide that in Talia? I would not have survived the scene. G'kar and Londo going down their incredible plots is also amazing to see, especially knowing where they end up. G'kar's becoming a leader and Londo is becoming a good person. Also, I hate to give credit to straight people for anything, but John and Delenn are cute.

Sebastian is so fucking creepy it's like secondhand embarasment to watch. I will never forget the chills i felt when i watched the reveal of who he is for the first time. God i love this show.

[thethirdromana]

The Ragged Edge!

I keep trying to quote bits of good dialogue but it's just the whole first ten minutes of this episode. G'Kar and Londo's exchange of insults especially.

I swear Garibaldi speaks faster every episode.

OK, this G'Kar storyline is amazing.

Good work Franklin on having the difficult conversation. Even if Garibaldi is lying through his teeth.

Does he not want to speak time with Franklin because Franklin will call him out on having fallen off the wagon?

That's some lovely backdrop painting work on the Drazi homeworld.

Poor Franklin can't even get a takeaway box?

Always remember to frontload the key bits of your desperate last words, folks.

They're really putting Garibaldi through the wringer. Not quite O’Brien levels of suffering (which my phone wanted to autocorrect to 'buggering', incidentally), but not far off.

Personally I think G'Kar should not have to become the new spiritual leader of Narn or whatever, because I think G'Kar deserves a break. Let him go back to having foursomes with hot human women like he did in season one, he's earned it.

"I don't think we can trust him any more," says Delenn of Londo, which makes me wonder when Delenn was ever able to trust Londo.

I'm enjoying G'Kar fighting over the interpretation of his own book. Very Life of Brian.

Franklin is leaving?? Leaving to start a new storyline or leaving to go away? I'm going to miss him!

[jenniferstolzer]

Babylon 5 Rewatch ep 2.20 The Long, Twilight Struggle

Sheridan and Delenn receive an invitation to Epsilon III where Draal pledges the Great Machine to the campaign against the Shadows. Meanwhile Londo commits his Shadow allies to one more attack against the Narn, allowing the Centauri to commit war crimes and end the Narn conflict.

Things I like about The Long Twilight Struggle

1, An energy fluctuation happens on the planet and Corwin turns to his coworkers like “There’s something happening. Contact Commander Ivanova” then the camera drifts to a private quarters. A shower is running. We see the steam as we coast slowly toward the bathroom for a tasteful near nude shot of Claudia Chris—NOPE Bruce Boxleitner. I CACKLED.

2, Draal is great and I love him. It worked out that Sheridan is new here to get a refresher on who Draal is and what’s going on with the Great Machine. Also the Great Machine making him younger is a good way to explain why he’s Herman Munster now. I’m guessing he’ll stay young and vibrant until he disintegrates like the last guy.

3, I appreciate seeing Londo’s true colors in his conversation with Refa. He’s tired, both from the trip to Centauri Prime and of all the war and darkness he’s involved himself in. He’s also still mourning Ursa Jaddo from Knives which was a nice callback considering he had a significant moment of doubt and regret in that episode, and it’s good to be reminded that he’s not totally sold on what’s going on right now. It’s also nice that he’s against the mass drivers at the outset but is convinced to go with Refa’s plan because he considers the glorification of his people more important than himself or anything else. He talks himself into doing something truly horrendous, but it’s wrong and his face knows its wrong. And then Refa makes him watch, when he fully intended to hide from what he’s done. Gguhh the pain is wonderful.

4, Watching this in a rewatch hurts so bad. Like Franklin gives G’Kar a warning about the Centauri’s interest in homeworld. There’s the possibility he can stop it.

5, Delenn and Sheridan go down to Epsilon III she is acting super cocky and in control because she wants to impress her crush, even using clever colorful English phrases. Everyone remembers Abasfrigginlutely Damnit. Oh Delenn��.

6, Sheridan looks at the inside of the Great Machine and is like  “Lord, I may not go home” and I laughed b/c it looks like Tron in there.

7. The jump-kicking Centauri.

8, The mass drivers really are the most disgusting move. To devastate a civilian population from space is the ultimate ranged weapon. What could they possibly do? Watching Londo watch it happen is peak drama because as disgusted as he is watching, you know he’s as disgusted with himself in facilitating it. The drama is there but also horror on a level few shows can communicate, that of self-horror. The moment earlier where it was established and Londo still had a concept of right and wrong even as he was dealing with the Shadows is pulling full weight here. At the beginning of this season he was a buffoon struggling to stay afloat, in the middle of the season he finds the power and respect he wanted but loses the trust and friendship of the station in the process, and here at the culmination of his choices he sees what he was really willing to sell his soul for. He could have remained powerless and kept his sense of self, but instead he chose advancement and learned to hate what he’s become. It’s just staggering.

9, G’Kar is also pulling full weight in this episode. He’s prepared to go back to Narn, be with his family, and die among his people but he is the only member of the Kha’Ri not on homeworld and being so, he is an in credibly valuable asset for the race now that surrender is unavoidable. The tears in his eyes when asking for sanctuary are soul crushing, and the horror and shame he’s feeling is an inversion of Londo’s… powerlessness and being suppressed despite knowing he could do more verses being powerful and regretting it.

10, The Centauri terms of surrender are so cruel. It’s the turn of a knife that’s already been plunged to the hilt and Sheridan coming in to yank the dagger back an inch like a badass is extremely galvanizing and give Delenn grounds to commit the Rangers to him later in the episode. Also something I want to note about this scene that I think is even more important than Sheridan being a hero, it’s G’Kar sitting in his normal spot in complete despair, enduring Londo’s terms. Londo is dressed in every decoration and medal he’s ever owned, screaming at the top of his lungs like being the loudest makes him the rightest, yet G’Kar is silent. Londo demands G’Kar be removed from the council chambers like an invader. Sheridan replies by recounting the request for sanctuary, resulting on the two fighting over G’Kar’s head, but no one calls the bailiff to come get him. No one except Londo tells him he needs to go. They give G’Kar the chance to move. Even Kosh waits to see what he’s going to do. Will he attack? Will he scream and cry? No. He stands and with every ounce of self control he contains, delivers one of the greatest axefalls in television history.

“No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand. The Centauri learned this lesson once, we will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.”

11, AND THATS NOT EVEN THE END OF THE EPISODE! I can’t believe this wasn’t a two-parter with everything that’s happened in this one half an hour of screentime. Sheridan essentially tells G’Kar he’s on his side in this war. He offers G’Kar his hand as an ally, and G’Kar considers it saying; “The last time I offered someone my hand, we were at war 24 hrs later” He pauses to make you wonder if he’s lost the ability to trust, then shakes with Sheridan and the look on his face tells something completely different. He still believes he’ll be at war very shortly, but he’s hoping for it. He’s counting on it.

12, Finally we get the introduction of the Rangers and the only thing that can kind of fit on my “Liked less” list. I like this just fine, but there’s something about Delenn who is in charge of a secret sect of warrior monks pledged to side with the Vorlons against the Shadows, turning the control of those monks over to Sheridan without fully introducing him to their existence. To be fair, she gives him partial control and doesn’t hand it over to him, removing herself from the field and I know having watched the rest of the show that she still is the sole figure in charge of the Rangers and is more accurately pledging herself and those in her service to Sheridan’s cause… but the way they read in this episode it looks like she’s giving Sheridan the reins. The next episode is KIND OF dealing with this with the inquisitor, but in general I think we could have avoided a lot of nonsense if she just phrased her pledge more accurately.

13, And this leads me to a theory… that Babylon5 was labeled their best hope for piece, but really it was built specifically as a neutral ground for the staging of the Shadow war. It really is Babylon 5, as in a replacement for Babylon 4 which was used as a warbase. This is why the Minbari co-founded the station, this is why it ends in fire at the end of everything. It’s existence is specifically tied to the the return of the shadows and the drama and diplomacy of the Narns, Centauri, Telepaths, Earthdome, etc etc are events of the universe that happen to occur there. Wihtout the Shadow War, there’d be no Babylon 5, and without Babylon 5 the universe would not continue.

14.

Finally.

The ARMY OF LIGHT

I got teary-eyed

Things I liked Less about The Long Twilight Struggle

The Delenn thing. But we’ll get back to that next episode. And that’s it.

This episode is truly one of the greatest and most emotionally wrenching pieces of television ever created. It’s a silly scifi show with rubber masks that dares to delve deeper beneath the skin than anything else I’ve seen. We see the horror and depravity of war, but we also see the people turned inside out by it and what colors they are within. Ten out of ten. Thanks for breaking my heart. This is why I had to take pause on my rewatch to prepare.

oh by the way @gin-007 and I are resuming our rewatch from 2019.

and I’m putting all these eps up on @b5picanep as well if you want to go back to see previous episodes. 

[woodsfae]

B5 s02e22 The Fall of Night table of contents • previous episode

Wow, the season finale of another season! That's 44 episodes and the Gathering in eleven months! Or a year? With the little break I took shortly into season one, and the big break I took in season two, I'm actually surprised that averages out to one every week and a bit. It's been a riot, but I'm beginning to suspect that they aren't going to fight the great war by the end of season two….a few episodes ago Lord Refa told Londo it had been six months since the war with the Narns began, and Sheridan says in the credits it's the year the great war began. So there's another six months to fill before the all-out war begins?

I cannot believe that last episode, Jack the Ripper from 1888 London tortured Delenn half to death. that. That was wild. But it only makes me more stoked to see what they do next, for the season finale! No, really, how are they going to top the whole season so far?

I'm just picturing Bruce Boxleitner sitting in a little set and his plastic helmet acting earnestly into the studio lights for some reason.

Huh, Lennier and Vir have a lot in common. And they meet every to gripe about their ambassadors. So cute. Lennier plus anyone is a winning strategy.

The Centauri arm of colonialism is spreading again, and it's been less than an episode since they took the Narn homeworld! They're doing 90% of the shadows' job for them.

B5, over and over again: "Imperialism is - hey, look at me. Imperialism is bad. Say it with me: "Imperialism is bad." It's not a good thing, only bad."

Hm, Garibaldi's take on Londo that he's holding on for dear life as the situation spins wildly out of control, since he has no fall-back plan or safe harbor that he knows of, gives him more credit than I had been.

There's more sightings of the shadows now, passed off as scary stories pilots tell each other half joking, half warning.

EarthCorps is here to meddle and get direct reports from their fashy spies.

There's pilot elitism!

"A spider big as death and twice as ugly. When it flies past, it's like you hear a scream in your mind. I saw it too."

They really must exude a visceral wrongness. Natural, or cultivated? Lt Keffer (?) is a little batshit to want to find one again. But all pilots are a little nuts (I say as someone about halfway to a pilot's license)

Hm, Ivanova sort of gets along with this EarthForce guy. Or she's charming him on purpose? She's usually blunt or bluntly professional.

A Narn war cruiser survived! Help them, Sheridan! It'll flare tensions like crazy, bring war to Babylon 5 almost certainly. But it's also the right thing to do.

Hm, the other Earthforce guy is also making an effort to get along with Ivanova. Deal with the devil shit. Join our political faction and add your rising star of influence to our cause. And oh, also spy for us and send us information on everything and everyone on B5.

Ivanova gives an excellent, very civil smack-down. Booo fascist faction in the already fascist government.

Lovely. A meeting of everyone who signed up to be spies, and they all get grilled and criticized in front of each other about the quality and quantity of the information they reported. And there are informants who inform on the informants. This isn't concerning at all.

Wasn't Lt Keffer banned from going out and doing sweeps looking for the shadows in hyperspace? This man cannot be stopped by mere orders.

Going by EarthForce Guy's mien, Earth isn't interested in supporting the Narn. Lame. And an Earth-Centauri Alliance! Terrible! Typical!

"A non-aggressive treaty with the Centauri? That's like trying to make nice with a piranha."

A great simile, Sheridan. And awww, he's having baby's first shame over one's totalitarian and morally bankrupt government.

Sheridan and Ivanova's relationship warms me heart. She got him a piece of the Black Star, the Minbari warcruiser which he defeated, to remind him that the impossible is within reach.

Way too many fucking spies on this station. Earth Force does not need to find things out this quickly, and it's disastrous that the Centauri have.

Yeah, go Sheridan! EarchForce is going to be PISSED, but he's defending B5 space. It can't be a neutral station if they bow to whomever shows up with a big warship. Plus, he's the Captain, and he hasn't gotten any direct orders from his superiors, so it is his decision!

There is tension! I feel tense! Wow! What a space battle! They do well at those. Love that Zeta Squadron went and escorted the Narn ship into hyperspace. Good relations being established there!

Sheridan: "[The Centauri ship] fired first, Mr Lantz. I have an obligation to protect this stations." Mr Lantz: "You had no business helping a Narn cruiser." Sheridan: "Are you telling me to disobey regulations?" Mr Lantz: "What regulations?" Sheridan: "General Order 47. EarthForce personnel are required to answer distress calls and assist any vessels not currently involved in hostilities against Earth. Now, it may not have been politically convenient, but legally and morally it was the right decision."

That it was. No matter the amount of Centauri blustering. It is 100% bullshit of these people to be catering to the Centauri so much. Sheridan is ordered, on pain of losing his position, to apologize to the Centauri, which is super lame.

Lt Keffer's computer's voice is fantastic. Good job, human voice actor playing a computer voice!

Sheridan's practicing his apology in the mirror is excellent.

Londo being a sad outcast in the middle of parties because no one wants to associate with his shitty ass is also excellent.

Awwww, Lt Keffer. Excellent work tracking down a shadow ship, brave and quick thinking saving the information, but bad death.

Whoa!!!! Sheridan just jumped out of the shuttle! But Kosh pulls a Dues Ex Machina! And everyone recognizes him with a local name or designation. Has this actor been in the encounter suit all along?

Huh, the inside of the shell of B5, an interesting view.

Sheridan really keeps it together. His calm acknowledgement in just saying "Kosh."

Hmmmmm. Good Vorlon lore.

A Narn in speaking with another being agrees that seeing the being of light was a good omen. Londo claims he saw nothing. I wonder how much truth there is to that.

Ivanova voice-over! We started the season with her voiceover, and I'm glad to end it the same way.

"…[Babylon 5] became our last, best hope for victory. Because sometimes peace is another word for surrender, and because secrets have a way of getting out."

At least there's a publicly released footage of the Shadows now!

This episode did a really good job of making me want to immediately watch another! Season one was great. Season two was better, and with this finale, I'm completely invested in where Season three will take me!

this just in! my top five from s02 and final thoughts before starting s03!

[zuko-always-lies]

Random Babylon 5 thought of the day: Londo’s actions ultimately result in tremendous destruction to both the Narn and the Centauri, but it’s ironic that when he tried to change course, he ultimately almost incidentally and accidently managed to save the Narn far more than he saved the Centauri. Londo successfully ended the Centauri occupation of the Narn homeworld due to his pack with G’Kar, but his attempt to save Centauri Prime from the Vorlons and Shadows proved pointless and he couldn’t save it from the Drakh.