This episode is a bit of a mixed bag.
Plot Synopsis:
The Lurker's Guide has a summary here.
The Skinny:
First, the good:
- We're finally ramping towards the climax of Garibaldi's plot. Next week, it finally hits the fan, and I will have more to say in re: Garibaldi's betrayal then.
- I like that JMS sets up different anti-Clark factions and pits them against each other. It's easy for us to get behind Sheridan because we have seen him express his intention to give the Earth Alliance back to its citizens. But how must Sheridan's actions appear to those who are not in Sheridan's inner circle? Like a military coup, I'd wager -- and throughout human history, military coups generally haven't ended well. Of course, Edgars' plot to subdue the telepath population by releasing a targeted virus and then carefully controlling the cure is not a better plan by any stretch of the imagination, but still --
- Edgars' mini-speech regarding the rise of dictators is right on point. Many totalitarian leaders do receive popular support initially. That's why "he was elected!" is a dumb argument against deposing a genuine tyrant. The ballot box does not a democracy make.
Now the bad:
- The acting is disappointing. Efrem Zimbalist is not bad, but Jerry Doyle is weirdly flat, especially in his voice-overs. I also wasn't satisfied with the performances we got out of Rick Biggs or Pat Tallman.
- The relationship drama JMS pens for Garibaldi and Lise is really cliched. "I was lonely because you were married to your job!" Yeah -- we've heard that about a billion times before. Think of something else.
Writing: 7.0
Good on the politics, bad on the relationships.
Acting: 6.0
See my complaints above.
Message: 7.0
I'm throwing in a little extra for Edgars' aforementioned commentary on Clark.
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