Watching B5 with C&T - S4

[Looney]

Sorry I missed this one.

Really seems like C likes to anticipate departures via death. LOL

I wish C enjoyed the humor more. I know I love it.

[alpha128]

Sorry I missed this one.

Really seems like C likes to anticipate departures via death. LOL

C has been watching the series long enough to know that characters don't stick around forever. Sinclair, Talia, Na'Toth, Keffer, Kosh, Ulkesh, all have either left or died.

I wish C enjoyed the humor more. I know I love it.

As I've remarked before, the humor seems to be right up T's alley and he consistently enjoys it. As for C, as a certain Centauri Emperor once said, "Humor is such a subjective thing."

[alpha128]

"Moments of Transition"

I introduced this episode by saying it mostly deals with the Minbari Civil War and that they should watch for a character named Mr. Adams who is played by Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip.

At the beginning, as Sheridan was contacting C&C for information about Delenn, C remarked that "Delenn and Sheridan have the most chaste relationship in history." When Lennier relayed the message about the Warrior Caste destroying the capital, C said about Delenn, "She looks worried. She always looks worried. Maybe that's because she's so chaste."

When Neroon was consumed by the Starfire Wheel, T said, "Ah, so it zapped him." C seemed surprised that Lyta went for Bester's deal, asking for confirmation, "So he gets her body?"

Overall they did not seem to be quite as engaged by this one as much as the last few episodes.


"No Surrender, No Retreat"

I had explained as far back as Season 1 that each year of B5 has a title, and that one episode has the same title as its year, to emphasize its significance. I reiterated that fact, and told them this was that episode for Season 4. I then described the episode as "pivotal" and said it had a lot turning points.

As Londo was entering the council chambers C asked me if Londo now had a keeper growing on him, and I said, "No, that's in his future." C then said, "I'm glad G'Kar got a new eye."

When G'Kar poured his drink back in Londo's bottle T said, "I'll take that as a 'No'." Later at the bar T said, "So they're drinking together now?" and I said "Yes."

At the end, C expressed skepticism at Garibaldi's vow never to return to the station. T's closing comment was, "There was a lot of action in that one."

[Morden]

Hm, I would have thought that there would be a more enthusiastic reaction especially to "No Surrender, No Retreat", since it's a very pivotal and intense episode. But glad they are invested in the Londo-G'kar-dynamic.

[Looney]

I just find the Lyta stuff so depressing and brilliant. Very surprised that they didn't react more to MOMENTS OF TRANSITION, but I will say that B5 is a little weak on the Minbari "Civil War". On the one hand I can see why it was done, but I almost wish they hadn't done it because I don't feel they cover it enough. But on the other hand I kind of see why it wasn't given more coverage. I don't know, it is complicated and I just wish EVERYTHING was more detailed.

And yes Delenn and Sheridan have a chaste relationship. Far too chaste for my taste. (Sorry I couldn't resist the rhyme.)

It boggles my mind how little you were able to give us on NO SURRENDER, NO RETREAT, but what can you do when your subjects aren't giving you much to work with. LMAO

And another episode where it seems like Londo and G'Kar might be on the road to resolution just to get people's hopes up.

[alpha128]

Hm, I would have thought that there would be a more enthusiastic reaction especially to "No Surrender, No Retreat", since it's a very pivotal and intense episode.

It boggles my mind how little you were able to give us on NO SURRENDER, NO RETREAT, but what can you do when your subjects aren't giving you much to work with. LMAO

C did say she was tired when we watched "No Surrender, No Retreat". That definitely reduced the amount of commentary coming from her.

[alpha128]

"The Exercise of Vital Powers"

While we were waiting for C to join us, I told T at this point the season resembles a large multi-part episode. And although they don't, the creators could have put "To Be Continued..." at the end of every episode.

Once C sat down, I recapped that Sheridan is continuing his campaign to retake Earth and her colonies, while Garibaldi is on his way to Mars to meet his new employer, who is married to Garibaldi's old flame.

T was amused by Garibaldi touching everything in the guest room after being told not to by Wade. And T said, "Uh oh" when the masked figures rushed in and grabbed Garibaldi.

C asked if Garibaldi was telling the truth when he said he didn't remember what happened to him, and I answered in the affirmative. And I made sure they understood that the only thing he did lie about was not still being in love with Lise.

When Franklin hired Lyta for a long-term job and told her their destination T said, "So, they're going to Mars too."

During the scene with Edgars, Wade, and the three terminal patients, C asked, "Why is he killing people?" and I said, "You'll find out."

When we reached the end, I told them that the next episode would pick up right where this one left off.


"The Face of the Enemy"

At the beginning, I said this was an important episode which answers questions that have been lingering all season. I also told them to watch for a cameo from Harlan Ellison, a famous writer who died earlier this year. C asked me how many times I had watched this series that I could remember such trivia. I confessed that I read up on each episode on-line prior to watching it with them.

When Sheridan started to fight back at the bar C said, "I thought he was drugged." I replied, "He was drugged." T then said, "It made him stronger!"

When Lise was shown eavesdropping behind a column, T said, "A spy!" Later, when Garibaldi removed his false tooth and broke it open, I joked, "The old transmitter in the tooth trick!"

I noticed that although C didn't speak much, at a couple of points she moved forward and sat on the edge of her seat - one was when Sheridan was beaten up, the other was when Bester was explaining what happened to Garibaldi. At the end of the latter scene, as Bester got up and started to exit the car, C said, "He's creepy!"

Afterwards, when Garibaldi was searching Edgars' residence looking for Lise, I pointed out that both the disease and the antidote were missing, and T said, "Uh oh". C asked why the Psi Corps would want the disease, since it was lethal to them, and I said, "You'll find out."

After the end of the episode, I recapped, "So Garibaldi didn't have a keeper on him, Bester messed with his mind." And C then reiterated, "He's creepy!"

C then went on to say, "I could write the next episodes, Garibaldi will rescure Sheridan, take him back to the ship, then all will be forgiven and he'll be head of security again." I said, "You'll find out."

[Jan]

You know what the problem is with these forums? No "Like" buttons! That was a great read, thanks!

[Looney]

You know what the problem is with these forums? No "Like" buttons! That was a great read, thanks!

HAHAHAHA so very true.

This seems it might be the most C has ever been engaged. How is C just now discovering Bester is creepy. Can't wait until sees THE CORPS IS MOTHER, THE CORPS IS FATHER.

[alpha128]

You know what the problem is with these forums? No "Like" buttons! That was a great read, thanks!

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading and posting!

This seems it might be the most C has ever been engaged. How is C just now discovering Bester is creepy. Can't wait until sees THE CORPS IS MOTHER, THE CORPS IS FATHER.

I guess this was Bester at maximum creepiness. I think it's his biggest monologue in the entire series.

[Ubik]

I only just got caught up here, that last post was great. Awesome to see them so engaged with the show.

[alpha128]

I only just got caught up here, that last post was great. Awesome to see them so engaged with the show.

Thanks for reading and posting.

[alpha128]

"Intersections in Real Time"

As we waited for C to join us, T asked me if this episode featured any "special guest stars" like Scott Adams or Harlan Ellison and I said no.

I introduced this one by reminding them that Sheridan had been captured by the Clark administration, and told them this episode carried on from the last one. I also said this was very much like a filmed play. C said, "I hope this isn't 45 minutes of Sheridan being tortured." I said nothing in response.

About ten minutes in, C said, "I can't take this, is Sheridan freed by the end of the episode?" I tried to be evasive, but C was having none of it - "Just tell me!" she pleaded. I said, "No he isn't".

T chuckled when Sheridan said, "I'm sure it's lunchtime somewhere".

After Sheridan's interrogator told him, "I'll be back when they've had a chance to clean up the place," C said "Oh God" in response.

A bit later C said, "I would think they would let him go to the bathroom!" I replied, "They don't really address that in the episode."

When the security guards brought in the Drazi "captive", C & T asked me who that was. I answered it was a Drazi, one of the alien species. The phone rang while the Drazi was giving his "confession", and I paused the DVD. C answered the phone, and actually seemed to be in a hurry to end the conservation and get back to the episode. When the guards reappeared and started to strap the Drazi to a gurney C said, "Oh no, they're going to kill him. I don't like this violence."

When Delenn "appeared" in the cell T asked, "What is she doing there?" I replied, "She's not really there. She's his tower of strength."

As Sheridan was being wheeled down the hall C said, "I don't want to watch this." T said, "You don't have to watch it if you don't want to." I said, "Just watch it." T then said, "We have to learn who's behind the hood. I bet it's a surprise." I said, "Yes it is."

As the episode ended C asked, "Is the next episode so grisly?" I told her no.

After the episode, C wanted me to explain the events at the end. I said that Sheridan got a mock execution that was all for show and demoralizing effect. I also explained that the Drazi was working with the interrogators the whole time. C then asked me what the Drazi's motivation was. I said I didn't know. Maybe he was doing it for money, maybe Earthgov had some of his family members in custody, and that this particular plot point is never explained.

C then asked me about the events going on outside the dome, e.g., what was Garibaldi doing? I reminded her that Bester had telepathically enhanced Garibaldi's distrust and paranoia to use him to uncover the conspiracy against the Psi Corps. The good news is that Garibaldi is now himself again. The bad news is that nobody else knows that Garibaldi was under Bester's influence when he betrayed Sheridan. I said that Sheridan was on Mars and that Garibaldi was still on Mars. I also reminded them that Franklin and Lyta and their cargo of telepaths are also on Mars. C then asked if they were really holding Sheridan's father and I said yes. Finally, C asked me again about the telepath disease and speculated that the Psi Corps destroyed it. I said, "Your logic is impeccable and you'll find out what happened to it before the season is out."


"Between the Darkness and the Light"

Before the start I noted that this episode picked up right where the previous one left off, prompting C to refer to it as "the horrible one." But she was referring to the events of "Intersections in Real Time", not its quality, as she noted, "I don't like seeing people get hurt."

During the opening titles, one of them mentioned that they hadn't seen Zack in a while, and I said, "There haven't been many scenes on the station lately."

As with other episodes that frequently switch locales, there was not a lot of commentary from C & T, as they were focused on keeping up with the plot.

The opening scene caused a lot of confusion, as C & T were having difficulty distinguishing Sheridan's drug-induced hallucinations from reality. I had to pause the playback and explain it to them.

T enjoyed what humor there was, e.g., Lyta's "I'm gonna sue somebody!" remark.

C keeps asking me if Londo has his keeper yet. Apparently she expects the show is going to pull another "Captain Jack" and have Londo get his keeper off-screen.

When Ivanova's White Star was hit, C surprised me by saying, "Oh, is this where she dies?" I said, "What?" C replied, "I know she dies, there was a contract dispute and they killed off her character." I just said, "Watch." So apparently C had done some spoilerific research on the show at some point.

When Sheridan got back to the fleet, they asked me if he was on a ship or the station, and I told them. When Sheridan saw Delenn in the hallway, to prevent any potential confusion, I said, "He's really there and he's really seeing her."

At the end, C asked me why Sheridan went back to the Agamemnon, and I said it was a symbol that he was leading the battle for Earth from an Earth Alliance ship.

After the episode ended, C reiterated her "knowledge" of Ivanova's impending death, adding, "That will teach you to ask for more money!" I'm going to try my best to keep "Sleeping in Light" a surprise!

[Looney]

GOOD GRAVY!!!!! Now that is some episode engagement. I knew C was secretly obsessed and doing behind the scenes research on the show. Glad C hasn't seen too many spoilers.

I can't believe you caved in and told C Sheridan wasn't free by the end.

[alpha128]

GOOD GRAVY!!!!! Now that is some episode engagement. I knew C was secretly obsessed and doing behind the scenes research on the show. Glad C hasn't seen too many spoilers.

I don't know how much research she has done, but it seems to focus on the cast. She mentioned in the past she looked up Peter Jurasik, and more recently alluded to Jeff Conaway's tragic end. Apparently she read something along the lines of "Claudia Christian was replaced by Tracy Scoggins for Season 5", and assumed that Ivanova was killed off. She may know that Jason Carter also leaves at the end of Season 4, as she made a cryptic remark along the lines of "There are more characters to kill off."

I can't believe you caved in and told C Sheridan wasn't free by the end.

1. You had to be there
2. It had the (unintended) consequence of making Sheridan's mock execution even more believable