I love to hate Sleeping in Light

[flobo]

I've been rewatching the show while reading the scripts books over the last few months and i'm done, i've reached the end.

Everytime i have watched that episode again before, it has been the same story. I dread watching it, because of its finality, the way the story is forever over, not only for us but for the characters.

When Sheridan leaves in the morning and touches Delenn's shoulder, i lose it, the closeup on Delenn's eyes, Sheridan leaving and not turning back with her grasping the air.
And the music during that scene and those afterward, just perfect.

It's hard to stop the tears until the end and B5 blows up.

And even when it's done, i usually still feel bad about the whole thing for a a little while.
And that's good, it's because those characters feels real to me more than any other tv characters, because the show managed to make me feel for them.

But still, it hurts everytime.

[Ubik]

I've been rewatching the show while reading the scripts books over the last few months and i'm done, i've reached the end.

Everytime i have watched that episode again before, it has been the same story. I dread watching it, because of its finality, the way the story is forever over, not only for us but for the characters.

When Sheridan leaves in the morning and touches Delenn's shoulder, i lose it, the closeup on Delenn's eyes, Sheridan leaving and not turning back with her grasping the air.
And the music during that scene and those afterward, just perfect.

It's hard to stop the tears until the end and B5 blows up.

And even when it's done, i usually still feel bad about the whole thing for a a little while.
And that's good, it's because those characters feels real to me more than any other tv characters, because the show managed to make me feel for them.

But still, it hurts everytime.

Oh yeah, for sure. Gets me every time too! It's a beautiful restrained piece of closure for the entire show.

[Looney]

Wow! I just reached the end again as well. I've been watching the show with my mom when she comes to visit from Texas or I go there. After two plus years we finally reached the end just this last Thursday night. It is her first time through and she hated every minute of Sleeping in The Light because it is so brilliant. She said it was gut-wrenching and the only way to make it better was to start the series over again - she loves Sinclair and has been complaining since the end of Season One that he's been gone. We didn't start over because she was leaving the next day, but we will be spending time together around Christmas so we'll see what happens then. (Of course I've started again, but don't tell her that.)

[Ubik]

Wow! I just reached the end again as well. I've been watching the show with my mom when she comes to visit from Texas or I go there. After two plus years we finally reached the end just this last Thursday night. It is her first time through and she hated every minute of Sleeping in The Light because it is so brilliant. She said it was gut-wrenching and the only way to make it better was to start the series over again - she loves Sinclair and has been complaining since the end of Season One that he's been gone. We didn't start over because she was leaving the next day, but we will be spending time together around Christmas so we'll see what happens then. (Of course I've started again, but don't tell her that.)

Been a while since my last concerted re-watch. I do occasionally pick a random episode when I have time! Life is too hectic at the moment for a re-watch, but i'll get to it at some point. I still need to read the script books in parallel like Florian has just done.

[Jan]

Sleeping in Light's effected so many people in so many different ways. I've talked to lots of fans who've never seen it after the first time - they just couldn't deal with the emotions again.

I love it because of those emotions, though. Of course I cry. The shoulder touch. Delenn's eyes so intense as she sees Sheridan that last time. Delenn reaching out in yearning. And of course, the death of the station.

But it's a good cry. It's farewell but I also know I can revisit it any time I want. And it's the back cover of a really good book. Every story has to end and this one does it well.

And I really, really want to see JMS direct again!!

Jan

[Ubik]

And I really, really want to see JMS direct again!!

Jan

Yes, he downplays it quite a lot, but he did an excellent job with this episode.

[babylonlurker]

Yes, he downplays it quite a lot, but he did an excellent job with this episode.

Indeed !

But he also knew *exactly* what he wanted.

[LaserEyes]

I always found myself wondering... Lorien 'caught' sheriden at the moment of his death and then...? Supposedly took him on a journey beyond the rim but in what form?

[Jan]

But he also knew *exactly* what he wanted.

Yeah, for that one episode he could get *exactly* what he'd envisioned.

I always found myself wondering... Lorien 'caught' sheriden at the moment of his death and then...? Supposedly took him on a journey beyond the rim but in what form?

Good question, isn't it? And apparently (from JMS' commentary), Sinclair disappeared, too. All we know is that they're probably enjoying that Taco Bell!

[LaserEyes]

I actually asked JMS on twitter why the younger races couldnt go beyond the rim. His reply? "Too young to drive, obviously."

[Jan]

I actually asked JMS on twitter why the younger races couldnt go beyond the rim. His reply? "Too young to drive, obviously."

LOL! Good answer.

[Satai with Punsch]

We do the same thing. At the end of a re-watch we always leave Sleeping in Light for a long time. Some times even months before we watch it. You got to be in the right place to even start watching that episode. And it gets harder with every passing of so many of the actors.

Even the soundtrack gets to me. Some years ago I clicked on a youtube clip on some B5 Facebook page and it had the Sleeping in Light music. I had to throw my self on the stop button. It should have had a NSFW label! It is very embarrassing being caught bawling your eyes out at work.

But what's with the love to hate thing? I don't hate it, I love it.

[sarthaz]

I've watched more television than anyone I've ever met. It was a hobby for a while, then a career, then a hobby again. And "Sleeping in Light" is, for me, among a tiny handful of truly perfect episodes in television history.

[B5Erik]

I just watched Sleeping In Light a couple days ago, and it still crushes me.

I do get emotional when watching it, and I really don't want to - but I can't help it.

What really gives the episode that extra impact is how the last 4 episodes of Season 5 before SIL set it up. It's all wrapping things up and saying goodbye, and then Sleeping in Light comes up and makes it all so damned final. It is one of the most heartfelt, poignant episodes in TV history. JMS wrote a beautiful script, and the cast rises to the occasion.

I hate to love it because I can't help but get (as Fonzie would say) misty when I watch it. My daughter hates the episode because it is so sad - not in a tragic way, but in a real world, things end and we have to say goodbye when we don't want to kind of way.

Damn you, JMS!!! You knew we would have this reaction to it all along!!

[Ubik]

I think the great thing about SiL is that it's a proper 'farewell' episode, no rush to tie up loose ends, no big explosions or climax for the sheer sake of it. Just a stately goodbye to a cast and universe that you've grown to love.

Breaking Bad did a similar thing, the end was considered and stately. Fringe did it too, a perfect conclusion. Best example of how not to do it... BSG, what a mess of a final episode that was.