Competing Threads

[Dr Maturin]

I watched "No Surrender, No Retreat" last night. I almost felt like JMS was trying to make a point by showing that a "simple" B plot involving Londo and G'kar could be as important as a huge space battle. Londo's smile at the bar was one of the top five moments in the series.

Can anyone think of other episodes where a B plot was less "sexy" but just as important as the main plot thread?

[Dan Dassow]

I watched "No Surrender, No Retreat" last night. I almost felt like JMS was trying to make a point by showing that a "simple" B plot involving Londo and G'kar could be as important as a huge space battle. Londo's smile at the bar was one of the top five moments in the series.

Can anyone think of other episodes where a B plot was less "sexy" but just as important as the main plot thread?

I believe that the B plot in TKO in which Susan Ivanova comes to terms with her father's death and sits Shiva with Rabi Koslov is significantly more important than the A plot. The B plot is a foreshadowing of Sleeping in Light.

[Ubik]

I believe that the B plot in TKO in which Susan Ivanova comes to terms with her father's death and sits Shiva with Rabi Koslov is significantly more important than the A plot. The B plot is a foreshadowing of Sleeping in Light.

Couldn't agree more Dan! The Ivanova B plot is what makes 'TKO' worthwhile. I enjoy having a good chuckle at the buddy cop / bloodsport in space shenanigans as much as the next man, but Ivanova’s story adds real depth to her character.

I’d offer up ‘Mind War’ - The B Plot concerning Catherine Sakai and her survey work / Signam 957 has plenty of resonance as it offers early hints at the Shadows / First Ones. Perhaps not quite as meaty as TKO, but still important none the less.

‘Deathwalker’ also has some nice moments, and here I'm thinking of the Talia / Kosh / Abbut B-plot. This has some superb Kosh lines, but more importantly it offers us hints about the Vorlon’s future manipulation and use of telepaths (depending on how you interpret ‘Reflection. Surprise. Terror. For the future’.)

[Marsden]

Can anyone think of other episodes where a B plot was less "sexy" but just as important as the main plot thread?

I really like this idea.

I think about 2/3rds of the first season could fall in here. My picks would be The War Prayer and Quality of Mercy.

Ubik, Mind War is a great choice also. Not only because of your point, but it's the first time we get to see the glimpse of the G'kar we like rather than the villian he is in the begining. Don't forget, if you watch that episode, actively forgeting prior knowlege, G'kar could be sending fighters to blow her up so she doesn't return. You can't know until the pilot states he's towing her out. A very good bit, there, IMO.

I think Grey 17 goes without mention, but I did.

I'd also pick Exogenesis, but mainly because it's my least favorite episode.

Actually, I think it's a real testament to the show's strength that very little was wasted and "B" and sometimes "C" plots were very good and important to the story.

[Ubik]

I really like this idea.

I think about 2/3rds of the first season could fall in here.

You're absolutely right. Even the very worst Season 1 episodes have essential bits of intrigue or information that comes to fruition later. Even ‘Infection’, which I’d rank as easily the worst of the season, foreshadows Earth gathering ‘dangerous’ tech for nefarious purposes. I think I’d struggle to find a single B5 episode that doesn’t have some merit. (Not that I’m biased or anything!)

So, the silver lining prevails, and S1 really shines when you go back to it having seen the rest of the show. Sometimes it’s those little touches, or the B-plot that makes it all tick. For these reasons, I totally understand why Jan is so against the oft discussed ‘abridged’ Season 1 for new viewers. I must admit, it’s something I’ve done in the past to hook people, and it generally works a treat. I just skip the real stinkers. Once they’ve got the bug, I advise them to go back to S1 as they’re then much better equipped to appreciate it.