![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
icepixieThe Hour of the Wolf
Oh, Season 4. There are moments where you out-gloom BSG, and that's an achievement.
Let's start with our very, very gloomy Susan. Who I'm pretty sure needs to be taken to an AA meeting, 'cause there are precious few scenes with her that don't also include a bottle of vodka. Susan is having a very, very bad two weeks. But even if the alliance is breaking apart due to lack of Sheridan's charisma, she at least has Delenn's support in the council chamber. (No, check it out, Delenn is totally clinging to her arm at one point all supportive-like. It spawned a plot bunny. More later.)
Delenn, of course, has her own troubles. Though perhaps fasting to the point where she can barely stand up (see next episode) is not necessarily the best way to address them.
The music quickly gets in on the gloom act with what I swear is a riff on the first movement of Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 in the scene where Vir tells Susan what the Shadow associates saw on Z'ha'dum. (Look, I'm complimenting the music! I'm not sure that's ever happened before.)
And G'Kar is sad because everyone's forgotten about Garibaldi. I'm sad that everyone's forgotten about him as well. Oh, Michael. (That's going to be a constant refrain throughout this season, I'm afraid.)
Londo doesn't get to be happy either, oh no. Perhaps he's the most screwed of all of them, since his emperor is crazy, he's still in thrall to Morden, and Shadows are starting to take over his planet. (Haha, I just realized why they had to have that scene with his coat being out to the cleaners--he had to have the purple one in order to match his earlier vision.)
In addition to gloom, we have insanity: Cartagia's in particular. I remain shocked that they actually went there with him talking to his head collection. Oof. I caught his appropriation of G'Kar's revelation this time around: some are always sacrificed for the greater good, in this case his good, or rather godhood. Someone is really Not Getting It.
But! All is not gloom and crazy! We also have the awesome, awesome rescue mission put on by Lyta, Susan, and Delenn. That is some Grade A Girl Power right there. I think Lyta might be the most awesome for even suggesting it, given how she's been treated by these people in the past. Everyone basically hates her in "Divided Loyalties" (though they are grateful), while in "Walkabout," they don't even bother to tell her Kosh is dead, but they want her to go on a suicide mission anyway. I'm kinda surprised she volunteered for this one. Maybe she just wants to be accepted by some other humans. Maybe being part of Psi Corps for most of her life taught her that she was a second class citizen, only useful for her telepathic ability, and she's been desperate for friendship and affection ever since.
Anyway, in other non-gloomy things, Lennier is hilarious ("Initiating 'getting the hell out of here' maneuver"), and Vir is Londo's buddy. Vir possibly needs to choose better friends.
This is more about the next episode, but anyway: I found some of the cinematography very questionable. Do we really need our close ups to be so awkwardly close? And what was with zooming in on Ivanova's stat bar near the end? I assume there was supposed to be a link to Sheridan's in the next shot, but I'm not sure why--did they think we wouldn't immediately jump to the conclusion that the dirty fellow in the robe was Sheridan, and would need the stat bar to remind us? Maybe they were going for the cross-like effect that the bar makes over the uniform robe/jackety thing, and getting a jumpstart on the Christ parallels they're going to be working hard next time.
Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
You know, I'm really becoming enamored of my "Sheridan actually for really real dies at Z'ha'dum" AU if only because then we wouldn't have to put up with Lorien. Good lord, I'd forgotten how annoying he is, all Lorien ex Machina, babbling about thought and language and ticks and tocks and JUST SHUT UP ALREADY, LORIEN.
But he doesn't. No, then he goes and tells Sheridan he has to let go of the flesh and surrender to death so that he can be resurrected byGod Lorien. Because he's Jesus now. Oy.
Anyway, over in G'Kar's much more interesting plot, he is totally going above and beyond the call for Garibaldi. And then of course it bites him in the ass, because no good deed goes unpunished. But it's also an opportunity to free his people--and even get Londo to do it, which must be delicious. Some must always be sacrificed, so it's gonna hurt. Oh, G'Kar.
Also, I've been concentrating on "Delenn as Manipulator Extraordinaire" this time around, mostly due to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
rivendellrose's influence, and her reaction in these episodes to Sheridan's death is very interesting seen through that lens. I get the impression part of her is not just grieving, but going, "Shit, shit, SHIT! I let myself fall for this guy, even though I only meant him to be a pawn in my plot to unite our species, and now he's gone, and what the hell am I going to do I NEVER WANTED TO FEEL LIKE THIS!!!" Heh.
Finally, can't let an episode go by without the obligatory "Oh, Michael." (I warned you.) It's never a good sign when you're being held by the Psi Corps. :(
Oh, Season 4. There are moments where you out-gloom BSG, and that's an achievement.
Let's start with our very, very gloomy Susan. Who I'm pretty sure needs to be taken to an AA meeting, 'cause there are precious few scenes with her that don't also include a bottle of vodka. Susan is having a very, very bad two weeks. But even if the alliance is breaking apart due to lack of Sheridan's charisma, she at least has Delenn's support in the council chamber. (No, check it out, Delenn is totally clinging to her arm at one point all supportive-like. It spawned a plot bunny. More later.)
Delenn, of course, has her own troubles. Though perhaps fasting to the point where she can barely stand up (see next episode) is not necessarily the best way to address them.
The music quickly gets in on the gloom act with what I swear is a riff on the first movement of Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 in the scene where Vir tells Susan what the Shadow associates saw on Z'ha'dum. (Look, I'm complimenting the music! I'm not sure that's ever happened before.)
And G'Kar is sad because everyone's forgotten about Garibaldi. I'm sad that everyone's forgotten about him as well. Oh, Michael. (That's going to be a constant refrain throughout this season, I'm afraid.)
Londo doesn't get to be happy either, oh no. Perhaps he's the most screwed of all of them, since his emperor is crazy, he's still in thrall to Morden, and Shadows are starting to take over his planet. (Haha, I just realized why they had to have that scene with his coat being out to the cleaners--he had to have the purple one in order to match his earlier vision.)
In addition to gloom, we have insanity: Cartagia's in particular. I remain shocked that they actually went there with him talking to his head collection. Oof. I caught his appropriation of G'Kar's revelation this time around: some are always sacrificed for the greater good, in this case his good, or rather godhood. Someone is really Not Getting It.
But! All is not gloom and crazy! We also have the awesome, awesome rescue mission put on by Lyta, Susan, and Delenn. That is some Grade A Girl Power right there. I think Lyta might be the most awesome for even suggesting it, given how she's been treated by these people in the past. Everyone basically hates her in "Divided Loyalties" (though they are grateful), while in "Walkabout," they don't even bother to tell her Kosh is dead, but they want her to go on a suicide mission anyway. I'm kinda surprised she volunteered for this one. Maybe she just wants to be accepted by some other humans. Maybe being part of Psi Corps for most of her life taught her that she was a second class citizen, only useful for her telepathic ability, and she's been desperate for friendship and affection ever since.
Anyway, in other non-gloomy things, Lennier is hilarious ("Initiating 'getting the hell out of here' maneuver"), and Vir is Londo's buddy. Vir possibly needs to choose better friends.
This is more about the next episode, but anyway: I found some of the cinematography very questionable. Do we really need our close ups to be so awkwardly close? And what was with zooming in on Ivanova's stat bar near the end? I assume there was supposed to be a link to Sheridan's in the next shot, but I'm not sure why--did they think we wouldn't immediately jump to the conclusion that the dirty fellow in the robe was Sheridan, and would need the stat bar to remind us? Maybe they were going for the cross-like effect that the bar makes over the uniform robe/jackety thing, and getting a jumpstart on the Christ parallels they're going to be working hard next time.
Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?
You know, I'm really becoming enamored of my "Sheridan actually for really real dies at Z'ha'dum" AU if only because then we wouldn't have to put up with Lorien. Good lord, I'd forgotten how annoying he is, all Lorien ex Machina, babbling about thought and language and ticks and tocks and JUST SHUT UP ALREADY, LORIEN.
But he doesn't. No, then he goes and tells Sheridan he has to let go of the flesh and surrender to death so that he can be resurrected by
Anyway, over in G'Kar's much more interesting plot, he is totally going above and beyond the call for Garibaldi. And then of course it bites him in the ass, because no good deed goes unpunished. But it's also an opportunity to free his people--and even get Londo to do it, which must be delicious. Some must always be sacrificed, so it's gonna hurt. Oh, G'Kar.
Also, I've been concentrating on "Delenn as Manipulator Extraordinaire" this time around, mostly due to
rivendellrose's influence, and her reaction in these episodes to Sheridan's death is very interesting seen through that lens. I get the impression part of her is not just grieving, but going, "Shit, shit, SHIT! I let myself fall for this guy, even though I only meant him to be a pawn in my plot to unite our species, and now he's gone, and what the hell am I going to do I NEVER WANTED TO FEEL LIKE THIS!!!" Heh.Finally, can't let an episode go by without the obligatory "Oh, Michael." (I warned you.) It's never a good sign when you're being held by the Psi Corps. :(
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 06:11 am (UTC)I loved G'Kar's arc. I cannot recall ever seeing a character that changed more in the course of a series.
And for me, Delenn is never better than when she acts like the leader she's meant to be, no matter her emotional state. (The later episodes that are more about being cute and cuddly newlyweds? Not so much my cup of tea, and I was very happy when she snapped out of that.)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 06:01 pm (UTC)Sheridan's restoration was more than a bit contrived, wasn't it? :)
Arrrrrgh, yes. It doesn't help that I don't really like him in the first place. I mean, he's okay, but I don't love him like I do a lot of the other characters.
And for me, Delenn is never better than when she acts like the leader she's meant to be, no matter her emotional state.
Yes, this! I hate that JMS sometimes forgets exactly how awesome she is in favor of making her The Girlfriend.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 05:31 am (UTC)Hello :)
Sheridan's restoration was more than a bit contrived, wasn't it? :)
Arrrrrgh, yes. It doesn't help that I don't really like him in the first place. I mean, he's okay, but I don't love him like I do a lot of the other characters.
I have been led to believe that I am in a very small minority that vastly preferred Sinclair.
And for me, Delenn is never better than when she acts like the leader she's meant to be, no matter her emotional state.
Yes, this! I hate that JMS sometimes forgets exactly how awesome she is in favor of making her The Girlfriend.
At least he did let her remember who she really was every now and then (unlike her hairdresser, who seems to have forgotten early on, and permanently, that the bone crest still was growing out of her skull and thus was attached to it :p)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 06:45 am (UTC)Oh, that is a small minority, yes. :) I think I actually like the character of Sinclair more than I do Sheridan, but the actor was so, so terrible that it was just a relief to have him off my screen.
Delenn's crest defying the laws of physics bugs me pretty much every time I see her. So glad to hear I'm not alone. :D
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 05:25 am (UTC)Heeeeeeeee, I like this version of her internal monologue. ♥ I always feel faintly guilty with this kind of thing, because it's not that I don't think she loves him, it's just... she's very clever, you know? Very clever, very manipulative, and very, very aware of what she's doing. Christ, it'd be hard for her not to be, you know, with how obviously she's HI THERE FLIRTING WITH HIM! from the first minute they meet. Anyway. I'm glad you're finding the series amusing from that angle. It is my own particular favorite brand of B5 lens. ♥
Also, I'm so glad I'm not the only person who's annoyed by Lorien. He drives me crazy.
And! Regarding your AU in which Sheridan is actually-really dead! If you look far enough into the future with it, this would also have the side-benefit (...for me at least) of making Byron highly unlikely to ever be allowed to settle on B5. Which would be awesome.
Working backwards - how the hell did I miss Delenn hanging on Susan's arm? How did this not ping my awesome femslash radar? o_O I must go back and check this sometime soon!
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 05:44 am (UTC)Also, I'm so glad I'm not the only person who's annoyed by Lorien. He drives me crazy.
Does anyone really like Lorien? I guess he was probably intended all along, but sometimes I wonder if/hope he was the result of the smooshing of two seasons into one that happened before they found out they were going to get a fifth season.
Oh, I am ALL ABOUT anything that keeps Byron off the station. Although...I kind of think Ivanova would let him on if she stuck around (and she probably would). She does have a soft spot for Corps runaways. (Though perhaps she would take the Ranger One/VP of the ISA position, and thus would have no jurisdiction? Though she'd probably just badger Delenn into letting them on by fiat, like Sheridan does.)
Working backwards - how the hell did I miss Delenn hanging on Susan's arm? How did this not ping my awesome femslash radar? o_O
It is a thing of beauty. And she keeps...clutching at her, is the best way I can describe it. It's the newest addition to my "favorite B5 moments" collection. :D
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 04:59 am (UTC)That screencap of Delenn and Susan is, like, distilled awesomeness. ♥ It makes me so very happy.
And Lorien and Byron can both go die in a fire (oh wait, Byron already did! ♥).
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 06:27 am (UTC)And Byron dying in the fire is the best part of S5, bar none. Ahhhhhh....
no subject
Date: 2010-09-10 12:07 pm (UTC)Also, I'm glad Sheridan didn't die at Z'ha'dum, but shit if I don't hate Lorien.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-10 02:41 pm (UTC)God, I hope so, because that's more or less where I've ended up, too. I started out disliking their relationship because it's so pat and because Delenn changes so much for him and he's oblivious of that and all that she is, but... honestly, at some point in working all of that out, I came to adore it. They're just so perfect together, warts and all. ♥ (In fact, I think the warts might be my favorite parts... but I'm odd that way.)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-10 05:58 pm (UTC)I sincerely hope so, since I feel basically the same way about another pairing.
Also, I'm glad Sheridan didn't die at Z'ha'dum, but shit if I don't hate Lorien.
Lorien = BANE OF SEASON FOUR. Grrrr.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 06:44 pm (UTC)Hour of the Wolf was just... you know, doom and gloom with sprinkled bits of awesome, and you pretty much covered it.
But on the subject of the second episode, and G'Kar's capture by the Centauri - not on the first time through, but certainly the second, I caught a really powerful moment. G'Kar asks Caragia, "Do you have any idea where Mr. Garibaldi might be?" And if you DON'T watch the two of them, if you watch LONDO in the background, the look on his face is one of surprise and even worry, and it's just GREAT. It really made me think about the person Londo used to be, that he and Garibaldi even spent some time together, had a drink together, etct, and now he's fallen so far that this is presumably the first time Londo heard about Garibaldi's disappearance, so it makes sense and it's fabulous in the scene.
I will admit I love this episode for Sheridan and Lorien (sorry) - but that little moment in the Centauri throne room has become my favorite of the episode.
Also, you're totally right about Delenn. I'm sure she was mourning Sheridan, but she was also going, "Well, fuck. He was supposed to help me save everything. Now he's dead. And Sinclair was a good candidate, but he had to run off and be Valen. Who's going to father my universe-saving baby NOW? Zack?"
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 10:26 pm (UTC)I did notice Londo's expression in the scene you mention, but I admit I was more focused on G'Kar and Cartagia. I should give it another look.
"Well, fuck. He was supposed to help me save everything. Now he's dead. And Sinclair was a good candidate, but he had to run off and be Valen. Who's going to father my universe-saving baby NOW? Zack?"
I can't remember if a baby was even in her plans--doesn't Sheridan say in the episode where they find out she's pregnant that they didn't think they could have a baby? I thought she was more into making a statement through marriage to a human. (And part of my desire to have Sheridan not come back is that I kind of want that human to be Ivanova. :D)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 12:52 am (UTC)