Small blessings
Today was a very good day. I made it to my 8am class on time, I got my shiny new salad spinner in the mail, I learned interesting things in my database class, solved two paperwork problems, made an appointment to finish up my shots, and ate delicious seasonal produce.
Also, I watched some Babylon 5.
Man, every time I go back to that show, I remember how much I love it. As a matter of fact, I think I am going to have to declare it my favorite TV show ever.
Yes, others have competed, but none have managed to beat it. I first watched B5 as a child, and loved it without understanding. I watched it again in high school, on reruns, and found out all the subtleties I missed. I watched it again, my junior year, and finally understood all the literary allusions. Now I am watching it yet again, just because it makes me happy, and yet I am still getting something new out of the story.
Granted, the show has its problems. It gets off to a slow start, the graphics are horrifically outdated (state of the art in 1993, man), sometimes the soundtrack strains credulity, and the less said about the horrible fight choreography, the better. But I would forgive it far more flaws for one thing: the storytelling.
You have to understand, I have a serious suspension of disbelief problem. Scary movies don't frighten me. I find myself yelling "Physics!" at least 3 times per scifi episode. I didn't cry during Ghost, Steel Magnolias, or even The Lion King. I didn't cry when Wash or Ianto died. Yet there are at least 5 episodes of B5 guaranteed to make me sob; the story is that compelling. Others I watch because I know they will make me laugh. Sometimes they are the same episodes.
Every single character, even the relatively minor ones, experiences genuine, believable character development. Everyone gets at least one certified Bad Ass moment. Even that annoying actor who played Chekhov on the original Star Trek* gets turned into an awesome, twisted, complex villain. There is romance and morality and darkness and secrets and spirituality and hope, all wrapped into one.
Oh, and there are cool space battles too.
The point here is, it's a great show. Watch it some time. The first two seasons are on Hulu. I have the rest and am a proud enabler.
So all in all, a great day.
*You have no idea how confused an upset I was the first time I saw him on ToS. He is such a better actor than that!
Also, I watched some Babylon 5.
Man, every time I go back to that show, I remember how much I love it. As a matter of fact, I think I am going to have to declare it my favorite TV show ever.
Yes, others have competed, but none have managed to beat it. I first watched B5 as a child, and loved it without understanding. I watched it again in high school, on reruns, and found out all the subtleties I missed. I watched it again, my junior year, and finally understood all the literary allusions. Now I am watching it yet again, just because it makes me happy, and yet I am still getting something new out of the story.
Granted, the show has its problems. It gets off to a slow start, the graphics are horrifically outdated (state of the art in 1993, man), sometimes the soundtrack strains credulity, and the less said about the horrible fight choreography, the better. But I would forgive it far more flaws for one thing: the storytelling.
You have to understand, I have a serious suspension of disbelief problem. Scary movies don't frighten me. I find myself yelling "Physics!" at least 3 times per scifi episode. I didn't cry during Ghost, Steel Magnolias, or even The Lion King. I didn't cry when Wash or Ianto died. Yet there are at least 5 episodes of B5 guaranteed to make me sob; the story is that compelling. Others I watch because I know they will make me laugh. Sometimes they are the same episodes.
Every single character, even the relatively minor ones, experiences genuine, believable character development. Everyone gets at least one certified Bad Ass moment. Even that annoying actor who played Chekhov on the original Star Trek* gets turned into an awesome, twisted, complex villain. There is romance and morality and darkness and secrets and spirituality and hope, all wrapped into one.
Oh, and there are cool space battles too.
The point here is, it's a great show. Watch it some time. The first two seasons are on Hulu. I have the rest and am a proud enabler.
So all in all, a great day.
*You have no idea how confused an upset I was the first time I saw him on ToS. He is such a better actor than that!