Days 6/7/8
Ooops, too much sociliaising in the evening has resulted in no posts for the last two days. Mea culpa. Here they are, alongside today's post as well.
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
This is hard! I love Babylon 5 like burning, and trying to select my favourite episode... well, what's the criteria? The best episode in narrative terms? The one I find most comforting? The one I rewatch the most? The most upsetting one?
I have several favourites. In the first season, I love The Parliament of Dreams because of Na'Toth, because we meet so many new characters so skillfully, and because of that last scene, which makes meso unspeakably happy. It is difficult to find faith portrayed as anything other than quaint or old-fashioned at best, and evil at worst, in sci-fi shows, and so to see such a positive exploration of faith is immensely comforting.
In the second season, I love Soul Mates because of the excellence of Timov and Daggair and Mariel, and Sheridan and Delenn having their first date. SQUEEE. And, of course, because if G'Kar was married to Londo Mollari, we'd all be concerned.
In the third season, I love War Without End. It is just excellent. The end.
In the fourth season, I love No Surrender, No Retreat, because of that scene between Londo and G'Kar.
In the fifth season, I love Day of the Dead, the Neil Gaiman episode, for how it humanises Lochley (a massively underrated character IMO) and for giving Londo that one last moment of happiness.
But a favourite episode overall?
You know what, it's not even listed above. If I had to pick one episode that for me epitomises Babylon 5, that would be Confessions and Lamentations. It is about prejudice and fear, and cooperation and compassion, and it wrenches your heart out and stomps all over it. Here we have an entire species being wiped out. This isn't a species ceated merely for that purpose - they have been a part of B5 throughout its existence, and their loss is real and felt. Delenn's speech to Sheridan as she informs him that she has to go into quarantine with the infected is amazing. In terms of arc, I suppose that this episode is a little light on that. But it is in effect a manifestation of the impact of the arc thus far. War doesn't just affect the nameless, or offer grand and heoric deaths for a few select named characters. It also offers horrible, pointless deaths for those who should never have been on the front line. This isn't the deaths suffered by those on the White Stars sent into battle, or Marcus's self-sacrifice. This is simply a long list of those dead as a result of the conflict, mostly unmourned.
*
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
I suppose at this stage I should pick something like Grey 17 is Missing or Infection or TKO. I will confess to being a bad fan and not having actually watched those three episodes. Um, because they're awful? But of the ones I did watch, it's a toss up between Soul Hunter and Deathwalker. I think I will have to opt for the latter because of the deus ex machina of Kosh blowing up the transport at the end. That was the resolution? Really?
*
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
I like that there's an assumption that you won't just list your favourite show again!
I think everyone should watch...
OK, I was going to pick something worthy and amazing, but you know what, fuck it. Everyone should watch ROME because of how BAMF-y Atia and Servilia are. TWO strong female characters (and not twenty-something, to boot, but mothers) who are still sexual (and not castigated because of their sexuality), who have relationships with their children and their lovers (but are not defined by them) and who would gladly strange each other if given the chance.
Atia & Servilia: they're the new Londo & G'Kar.
Srsly, go watch and be amazed at the gorgeousness of Polly Walker at how AMAZINGLY AWESOME they are.
This entry was originally posted at DreamWidth. There are
comments there. Comments are welcome at either journal.
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
This is hard! I love Babylon 5 like burning, and trying to select my favourite episode... well, what's the criteria? The best episode in narrative terms? The one I find most comforting? The one I rewatch the most? The most upsetting one?
I have several favourites. In the first season, I love The Parliament of Dreams because of Na'Toth, because we meet so many new characters so skillfully, and because of that last scene, which makes meso unspeakably happy. It is difficult to find faith portrayed as anything other than quaint or old-fashioned at best, and evil at worst, in sci-fi shows, and so to see such a positive exploration of faith is immensely comforting.
In the second season, I love Soul Mates because of the excellence of Timov and Daggair and Mariel, and Sheridan and Delenn having their first date. SQUEEE. And, of course, because if G'Kar was married to Londo Mollari, we'd all be concerned.
In the third season, I love War Without End. It is just excellent. The end.
In the fourth season, I love No Surrender, No Retreat, because of that scene between Londo and G'Kar.
In the fifth season, I love Day of the Dead, the Neil Gaiman episode, for how it humanises Lochley (a massively underrated character IMO) and for giving Londo that one last moment of happiness.
But a favourite episode overall?
You know what, it's not even listed above. If I had to pick one episode that for me epitomises Babylon 5, that would be Confessions and Lamentations. It is about prejudice and fear, and cooperation and compassion, and it wrenches your heart out and stomps all over it. Here we have an entire species being wiped out. This isn't a species ceated merely for that purpose - they have been a part of B5 throughout its existence, and their loss is real and felt. Delenn's speech to Sheridan as she informs him that she has to go into quarantine with the infected is amazing. In terms of arc, I suppose that this episode is a little light on that. But it is in effect a manifestation of the impact of the arc thus far. War doesn't just affect the nameless, or offer grand and heoric deaths for a few select named characters. It also offers horrible, pointless deaths for those who should never have been on the front line. This isn't the deaths suffered by those on the White Stars sent into battle, or Marcus's self-sacrifice. This is simply a long list of those dead as a result of the conflict, mostly unmourned.
*
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
I suppose at this stage I should pick something like Grey 17 is Missing or Infection or TKO. I will confess to being a bad fan and not having actually watched those three episodes. Um, because they're awful? But of the ones I did watch, it's a toss up between Soul Hunter and Deathwalker. I think I will have to opt for the latter because of the deus ex machina of Kosh blowing up the transport at the end. That was the resolution? Really?
*
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
I like that there's an assumption that you won't just list your favourite show again!
I think everyone should watch...
OK, I was going to pick something worthy and amazing, but you know what, fuck it. Everyone should watch ROME because of how BAMF-y Atia and Servilia are. TWO strong female characters (and not twenty-something, to boot, but mothers) who are still sexual (and not castigated because of their sexuality), who have relationships with their children and their lovers (but are not defined by them) and who would gladly strange each other if given the chance.
Atia & Servilia: they're the new Londo & G'Kar.
Srsly, go watch and be amazed at the gorgeousness of Polly Walker at how AMAZINGLY AWESOME they are.
This entry was originally posted at DreamWidth. There are
comments there. Comments are welcome at either journal.