Group Watch: The Long, Twilight Struggle

[SmileOfTheShadow]

We get the return of Draal, and the Centauri using...weapons of mass destruction! All in one episode. Londo really spins out of control of his own life in this one, and it's so sad on so many levels. Oh, and Rangers!

Big plot developments here. The last episode was a nice internal conflict struggle, now we get a huge external conflict struggle. Tug of war back and forth in this series, and it never lets up. Just keeps getting bigger (which is hard to believe, since it's pretty big already by this point).

This episode didn't really have the subtle complexities of Confessions and Lamentations by any means. It was a pretty straight forward punch. A really tragic, good episode nonetheless.

[Morden]

A Great episode indeed, with lots of tragic moments, a VERY cool space battle between the Shadows and the poor Narn, the Rangers presented to Sheridan and a most memorable scene with Londo witnessing the bombardment of the Narn Homeworld from the window of the Centauri cruiser.

Great stuff, as you said SmileOfTheShadow, one might think that it couldn't get bigger, but we all now it will...!

[SmileOfTheShadow]

Great stuff, as you said SmileOfTheShadow, one might think that it couldn't get bigger, but we all now it will...!

You just spoiled the ending for me!!!!!!!!

[moreorless]

This back of episodes must go down as one of the most depressing in TV history. As I said in the other thread I don't think its just in terms of the events that take place either but fact that they werent inevitable.

The battle scene with the Narns/Shadows is probabley my favourite in the entire series aswell. G'Kar praying in the crosscut is IMHO an important point in the story aswell as it really plays up the religious aspect of the main arc. Yes the Minbari had mentioned it before but this is one of the first points we see it "in action".

[Hal_10000]

However

This back of episodes must go down as one of the most depressing in TV history.

On the other hand, we always get hope mixed in with despair. Sheridan meeting the rangers, for example.

What I take most from this is one of the most striking and visceral moments in the series -- Londo watching the bombardment from the Centauri cruiser. Truly one of the greatest moments in the show. My brother IM'd me while watching that he'd never expected Narn to fall. He expected a diplomatic solution or something. This was another episode, especially after "Confessions and Lamentations", that showed that all bets were off.

[Babylon5fan07]

Absolutely nothing to add here..everything I wanted to add has already been said. Again Londo's lookover Narn on the ship is still one of the most memorable scenes ever also setup for Season 3 credits. It shows Londo never been more frightened than this episode. A huge huge Refa setup for something coming up really soon... It's amazing how much Refa got Londo to do what he asked.

I forgot there is one thing to add.. The payoff after Londo watching the bombardment is absolutely memorable. Poor Poor Poor G'Kar..When Londo yelled G'Kar to leave the council and seeing everyone's reaction including Kosh made me feel soo sorry for G'Kar..it was like the calm before the storm..not one word was spoken and/or one pin drop. If only silence could kill. That scene to me is by far one of my favorites..that scene was shot perfectly. Oviously the scene after that when Sheridan shakes G'Kar's hand is also part 2 of council scene. "The last time I shook someone's hands we were at war." Brilliantly shot!

Alex--huge huge episode..one of my all time favs!

[Morden]

You just spoiled the ending for me!!!!!!!!

Ooouups...!

I forgot there is one thing to add.. The payoff after Londo watching the bombardment is absolutely memorable. Poor Poor Poor G'Kar..When Londo yelled G'Kar to leave the council and seeing everyone's reaction including Kosh made me feel soo sorry for G'Kar..it was like the calm before the storm..not one word was spoken and/or one pin drop. If only silence could kill. That scene to me is by far one of my favorites..that scene was shot perfectly. Oviously the scene after that when Sheridan shakes G'Kar's hand is also part 2 of council scene. "The last time I shook someone's hands we were at war." Brilliantly shot!

Yeah, those are very excellent scenes as well, I agree!

[SmileOfTheShadow]

On the other hand, we always get hope mixed in with despair.

And you just pinpointed the reason I can watch this show over and over again.

[moreorless]

On the other hand, we always get hope mixed in with despair. Sheridan meeting the rangers, for example.

What I take most from this is one of the most striking and visceral moments in the series -- Londo watching the bombardment from the Centauri cruiser. Truly one of the greatest moments in the show. My brother IM'd me while watching that he'd never expected Narn to fall. He expected a diplomatic solution or something. This was another episode, especially after "Confessions and Lamentations", that showed that all bets were off.

The fact you don't get the sense your on an inevitable journey into darkness IMHO makes the low moments all the more effecting.

[Hal_10000]

I'd forgotten

I'd forgotten one other great moment -- G'Kar speech when he leaves the council "No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever..." It sends chills up my spine every time. I am forcefully reminded of the writing of Thomas Paine or the speech of Patrick Henry.

Finally, it should be noted that Christopher Franke outdoes himself with this episode.

[SmileOfTheShadow]

I'd forgotten one other great moment -- G'Kar speech when he leaves the council "No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever..." It sends chills up my spine every time. I am forcefully reminded of the writing of Thomas Paine or the speech of Patrick Henry.

Finally, it should be noted that Christopher Franke outdoes himself with this episode.

I second both of those comments. This show has *too many* great moments. I was talking with my gf last night and it dawned upon me "you know...this show makes all other tv shows look very bad." And she agreed.