Plot Synopsis:
Babylon 5 becomes Exposition Central in this, the real first chapter of the second year. Let's update each thread one at a time.
G'Kar's Discovery: Number one, G'Kar finally returns from his expedition on the Rim, and he comes bearing bad news: worlds on the edge of the galaxy that have been dead for a thousand years are now teeming with life. G'Kar believes, based on records left in the Book of G'Quan, that these newcomers are in fact members of a very old race that brought a terrible war to the galaxy a millennium ago. In order to confirm his suspicions, he convinces the Narn ruling body to send a warship out to a world called Z'ha'dum to gather proof that this old race has indeed returned. Unfortunately for the Narn ship dispatched, Londo dutifully relays news of G'Kar's plans to Morden, and the ship is destroyed by the Shadows as soon as it jumps out of hyperspace. G'Kar catches on that someone on the Babylon 5 Council has betrayed him, but he still doesn't know who.
Garibaldi Wakes Up: Number two, Dr. Franklin - with Sheridan's help - heals Garibaldi with the energy transfer device discovered in The Quality of Mercy. Garibaldi then utilizes Talia's services to discover who shot him in the back weeks ago. Once it is discovered that Garibaldi's aide betrayed him, Lou Welch and a team of security officers apprehend said aide. Garibaldi gets out of bed to interrogate the fragger, but the aide is mum about his masters, saying only that a "new order" is arising on Earth. Before Garibaldi leaves the brig, the aide graces him with Bester's salute.
Later, President Clark gives Sheridan a call, ordering him to deliver Garibaldi's aide and all evidence pertaining to the assassination of the late President Santiago to Earth post haste. Sheridan follows his orders -- but later, Garibaldi voices his suspicion that the Psi Corps may have somehow been involved in the assassination, and he points out that President Clark was (illegally) supported by the Corps during the presidential campaign. On a hunch, Ivanova watches the progress of the Earth transport carrying Garibaldi's aide and sees it rendezvous with a ship that apparently has no official affiliation. The evidence regarding the presidential assassination has thus been lost.
Sheridan's Wife: Number three, Sheridan's sister, Lizzy, stops by for a visit, and we learn that Sheridan's wife - Anna - died two years ago on a survey mission to the Rim. Sheridan himself feels responsible for Anna's death; he believes his preoccupation with his military career pushed Anna away. But Lizzy gives him an old message Anna sent before her departure that makes clear that Anna wanted to go on the survey mission out of sheer curiosity; Sheridan's career had nothing to do with it.
Delenn's Emergence: Finally, in this episode, Delenn's cocoon hatches at last, and we learn that she has taken on a partially human physiology in order to bridge the gap between Minbari and human.
Overall: 5.3
Considering how many important things take place in this installment, it's surprising how weak this episode turns out to be.
Writing: 5.0
As implied above, this script delivers one big slab of exposition that just kind of lays there. None of the moments that are clearly intended to have emotional resonance really do have emotional resonance, either because the writer quickly defuses the emotional potential or because there's a lack of appropriate set up. Take, for example, the matter of Sheridan's wife. Straczynski could've prolonged Sheridan's guilt over his last conversation with Anna - could've allowed that moment to haunt the new captain for a while. But instead, oddly, he chooses to resolve the issue right away. In the meantime, we have Garibaldi claiming in another corner that he treated his traitorous aide "like my own brother." But if this is so, why haven't we seen this young man sharing any intimacy with Garibaldi? I know Straczynski knows how to make us love someone only to rip out our hearts later when that someone performs a Face Heel Turn -- so why didn't he do it here?
I think I may have hit upon the reason why I love the aliens on this show - in particular, the Narn and Centauri - so much. I think Straczynski put a little more effort into crafting their arcs.
Acting: 5.0
I am also disappointed with the acting in this episode. Bruce Boxleitner again does a pretty good job considering what he's given, Andreas Katsulas manages to make his purple dialogue sound at least halfway credible, and Peter Jurasik has one excellent reaction take. Unfortunately, Mira Furlan's scenes immediately after her emergence are really quite awful (which is surprising to me), David L. Crowley's Lou Welch is way, way over the top, and the rest of the cast is pretty uninspiring. Alas.
Message: 6.0
There also isn't anything here that really speaks to the series' larger themes. I suppose that will have to wait until we hit this season's features.
Highlights:
MORDEN: I understand you're looking for me, Ambassador. How can I be of service?
LONDO: The destruction of the Narn base in Quadrant 37 is drawing quite a lot of attention.
MORDEN: Yes. That was the intent.
LONDO: And you are absolutely certain that it cannot be traced back to me?
MORDEN: Oh, beyond a shadow of a doubt. The Narns will never be able to prove that it was done at your instigation. And based on your promise to take care of it, your government accepts your responsibility without question or hesitation. Perfect symmetry. I believe that this... little demonstration will bring you some very interesting propositions.
LONDO: Yes, but... what happens if I'm asked for another one of these... little demonstrations?
MORDEN: Then we'll provide it. Simply choose your target. A colony... an outpost...
(Londo erupts into laughter.)
LONDO: (flippant) Why don't you eliminate the entire Narn homeworld while you're at it?
MORDEN: (serious) One thing at a time, Ambassador. One thing at a time. (This is here just for the look on Londo's face.)
No comments:
Post a Comment