A Day in the Strife (or, There's Always a Boom Tomorrow, Part II)
My apologies for the late post!
Once again, we have an episode whose A-plot -- the berserker -- is only relevant because of the reactions it brings out, while the B-plot carries the heavier arc- and character-driven themes. And heavy themes they are. Behold the foreshadowing:
Sheridan: Garibaldi tells us that Sheridan is an excellent tactician; his strength is turning an inferior defensive force into a major offensive force capable of taking on a better-equipped enemy. He did it with the Black Star and on Mars; we'll see him do it again with the Shadows and with Earth.
Franklin: This episode introduces us to Franklin's drug addiction. The introduction seems a little wishy-washy -- I thought his yelling at the Earthdome doctor was entirely justified -- but the problem will persist and get much worse before it gets better.
Garibaldi: He doesn't get very much, but after his conversations with Franklin and G'kar, it occurred to me that he's a kind of Jiminy Cricket for the others. What a pity to have that taken away in S4.
Londo: If ever I had questioned whether Londo could be a sympathetic character, this episode tilts me largely toward 'yes.' His attitude toward Na'far seems partly bravado; he cares far more for the survival of his people than for the destruction of the Narns in and of itself. And his conversation with Delenn and dismissal of Vir reflect more of a caring parent than a steel-cold diplomat.
G'kar: I love watching G'kar grow into himself this season. His process is painful -- especially in "Dust to Dust" -- but it rewards us with a beautifully complex character. One thing he and Londo share is love for their people, but G'kar is willing and able to get into the trenches where Londo is not.
Ta'lon, or G'kar-lite: I don't know why JMS wanted to bring him back, but it's great that he did. Ta'lon's journey will end up mirroring G'kar's nicely (someone who is more priest than warrior deferring to one who is more warrior than priest.) And his scene with Sheridan is adorable.
Other points:
From the Lurker's Guide: The US House Science Sub-Committee held a series of hearings into the question of extraterrestrial contact during the 1970s, to determine what we should do in the event of contact. The most likely scenario, the scientists agreed, was a probe coming into our solar system. So what do we do in response to a message asking if anybody's home? Believe it or not, it was the consensus of the Subcommittee that we should not respond...in case it was a berserker, just as shown in the episode. That is our government's official policy on the subject.
Not as much humor in this episode as the last, but I did enjoy Ivanova's apoplectic response to Sheridan's PPG trick as well as her conversation with Garibaldi in Earhart's.
Anything I've forgotten?
Once again, we have an episode whose A-plot -- the berserker -- is only relevant because of the reactions it brings out, while the B-plot carries the heavier arc- and character-driven themes. And heavy themes they are. Behold the foreshadowing:
Sheridan: Garibaldi tells us that Sheridan is an excellent tactician; his strength is turning an inferior defensive force into a major offensive force capable of taking on a better-equipped enemy. He did it with the Black Star and on Mars; we'll see him do it again with the Shadows and with Earth.
Franklin: This episode introduces us to Franklin's drug addiction. The introduction seems a little wishy-washy -- I thought his yelling at the Earthdome doctor was entirely justified -- but the problem will persist and get much worse before it gets better.
Garibaldi: He doesn't get very much, but after his conversations with Franklin and G'kar, it occurred to me that he's a kind of Jiminy Cricket for the others. What a pity to have that taken away in S4.
Londo: If ever I had questioned whether Londo could be a sympathetic character, this episode tilts me largely toward 'yes.' His attitude toward Na'far seems partly bravado; he cares far more for the survival of his people than for the destruction of the Narns in and of itself. And his conversation with Delenn and dismissal of Vir reflect more of a caring parent than a steel-cold diplomat.
G'kar: I love watching G'kar grow into himself this season. His process is painful -- especially in "Dust to Dust" -- but it rewards us with a beautifully complex character. One thing he and Londo share is love for their people, but G'kar is willing and able to get into the trenches where Londo is not.
Ta'lon, or G'kar-lite: I don't know why JMS wanted to bring him back, but it's great that he did. Ta'lon's journey will end up mirroring G'kar's nicely (someone who is more priest than warrior deferring to one who is more warrior than priest.) And his scene with Sheridan is adorable.
Other points:
From the Lurker's Guide: The US House Science Sub-Committee held a series of hearings into the question of extraterrestrial contact during the 1970s, to determine what we should do in the event of contact. The most likely scenario, the scientists agreed, was a probe coming into our solar system. So what do we do in response to a message asking if anybody's home? Believe it or not, it was the consensus of the Subcommittee that we should not respond...in case it was a berserker, just as shown in the episode. That is our government's official policy on the subject.
Not as much humor in this episode as the last, but I did enjoy Ivanova's apoplectic response to Sheridan's PPG trick as well as her conversation with Garibaldi in Earhart's.
Anything I've forgotten?