S5: Learning Curve
It's the big reveal! Well, not stated as such until the next episode, but we all got the message, didn't we? Oh, and there's some other stuff about the Rangers, too.
Behind the cut lurk answers to these and many other questions...
How do Lochley's braids work anyway? No, wait.
I have always seen this episode as either soap opera or a forties Noir film. Personally I quite love it. I know it's consider yet more OOC Sheridan, but this is the season when we were supposed to see more of their flaws, bring them down to earth, show what happens after 'happily ever after'. Delenn gets her turn in the WTF seat later. Besides I had great fun with the pictures!
A few comments on the big Delenn&Lochley scene. Lochley is way off base here IMHO. The Alliance is the de facto owner of her gig, and what they say goes. Lochley had a little triumph with the swearing-in ceremony; and she thinks she knows what John will think and say. Not so much, at least not always. The balance of power here is lovely to watch tip and sway. And the Rangers are NOT vigilantes, though it's an interesting characterization and in keeping with Lochley's military outlook. There's the Military, and then there's everyone else. Anyone using force is either a criminal, an enemy, or a vigilante. Makes sense from a limited POV.
More on the downstream ramifications of this confrontation later. I really could go on and on and on...but No. Let's move on.
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Trace is generic Down Below bully boy, but I liked the shout-out to N'Grath.
Zack is smart and a good talker? I mean, I love Zack, but really?
Turval is Delenn's old teacher. She had a slew of those, didn't she? He is Religious caste, and Durhan is Warrior caste. I love their relationship. The baby Rangers aren't delineated very well, but the old hands are lovely. For the longest time I thought Durhan was played by William Shatner. Really, look at him kinda sideways and they look alike!
Mor'a'dum..The application of terror...the death of fear. Delenn mentions terror in an earlier episode this season, in relation to Dukhat. Something about its application used judiciously could replace the actual use of force. I like this concept; it explains a bit about the Rangers, and the Minbari.
Lennier is training too hard, trying to prove something. Ouch. So he is.
Quotes of Note:
'My inner voice is smiling.'
No one's inner voice is smiling.'
Now there's the Religious and Warrior caste in a nutshell.
'Loyalty, duty, honor: the only three words soldiers understand.'
Go, Lochley, Go. But Garibaldi isn't a soldier at heart, he's a cop.
'We create the meaning in our lives.'
I hear Marcus in these words.
'At the end, we all stand alone.'
Prophetic Delenn is prophetic. *sob*
'Delenn told the President, the President told the Captain, the Captain told me, and I'm telling you.'
Zack explains the chain of command.
'The Minbari are genetically incapable of walking away from a fight.'
Garibaldi explains the Earth-Minbari war. Also John's family credo 'Never start a fight, but always finish one' seems to echo here.
To sum it all up?
