After finishing Season One of Babylon 5, I still didn’t feel a great connection to the show. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I didn’t quite love it. When I started Season Two all the way back in September, I could see an improvement. Captain Sheridan was a huge improvement over the bland Commander Sinclair, not to mention much better looking, and nicer hair. Speaking of nicer hair (shouldn’t all reviews remark on character’s hair?) Londo’s hair was vastly improved, with it’s curve in the back, which demonstrated better production values all around for this season over the previous season, even though the flight suits still make me want to gouge my eyes out. But I started in September, and I didn’t finish it until this weekend. It took me such a long time because I was still not taking the time to watch it, or in other words, it wasn’t grabbing me and pulling me in the way I needed it too.
But that all changed with the final six episodes of the season. It. Became. Awesome. So awesome. War was declared, storylines were in full swing, and I could really get a sense of where they were going. Not in a predictable way of course, but in a way that flowed better from episode to episode, and began telling a much richer story. I didn’t want to leave my television. So I didn’t.
While not quite reaching the heights of Star Trek: The Next Generation in terms of character likability and chemistry, they’re really growing on me and I have a few favorites such as Susan Ivanova, mainly for this one scene:
Ambassador Delenn has also evolved (figuratively and literally) into an awesome character. I love the transformation she went through at the beginning of the season, and how it’s playing into her role as a liaison between the Humans and Minbari. I was a little surprised by her budding romance with the Captain, but think it can lead to some very interesting things. I’m also shocked at how much I like the Narn Ambassador G’Kar. He kinda reminds me of Beast from X-Men, scary on the outside, gentle(ish) on the inside. I find myself perking up (get your mind out of the gutter) when he’s on screen. He’s just such an interesting, sympathetic character and a joy to watch, especially in comparison to Londo, who’s quickly turning into the Gaius Baltar of the series.
I’d say the most engaging storyline of the series is the Narn/Centauri conflict, and when war was officially declared, it brought the series into full swing. The Shadows are interesting, but weren’t engaging enough to be a main reason to watch, but it was always fun when their creepy minion Morden (“What do you want?”) showed up. Oh, and then there’s that little connection they have with the Vorlon. Oh, did I mention the Vorlon? Because we finally got to see what Ambassador Kosh looked like underneath his encounter suit and oh my goodness! It was incredible.
So now I’m hooked, and am dying to dive right into Season Three, but I’m still going to switch to a different show because I like to rotate between seasons, that way they don’t all blend together when I’m all done. Up next is Star Trek: The Original Series – Season One Remastered. Though I’ve seen all the movies, I’ve never seen the TV show, and this is the version that was remastered with new special effects and backdrops, which were done subtly and unLucasian, in order to enhance the experience, rather than dominate it.
I remember watching a bit of season 1 and part of season 2 when they originally aired, but I don’t remember a thing about the show. Seriously. It’s crazy. I mean, I should remember *something* about it, right? Well, okay, I remember the crazy ship designs and the computer-generated effects which were fairly cool at the time, but other than that…nothing.
But really, the shocking thing about this post is the absolute horror of discovering you’ve never seen an episode of the original Star Trek series! Damn, you are in for a treat. Okay, it’s not the convoluted storylines and character development of Next Gen, but it was groundbreaking for the sixties where sci-fi consisted of Lost In Space. In fact, one of the primary reasons Star Trek was cancelled was that CBS execs didn’t want to waste primetime with two sci-fi series (neither of which were huge ratings winners at the time), so Trek got the axe and Lost In Space stayed on.
I absolutely can’t wait to hear what you have to say about it!!
Well, never seen it but that was one wacky clip. I do agree with you on the hair thing. Bad hair = bad TV.
As for original Trek, I try to catch it when I can up here on the Space channel. There is a Facebook group trying to get William Shatner to be the next Governor General of Canada. That would be too wild.
What the heck is a Governor General? Since Shatner’s brilliant in pretty much anything he does, I’m sure he’d be a great Governor General thingie. I’ve met Shatner — he’s a great storyteller and would be awesome at doing speeches in front of dignitaries. Well, except for the off-color jokes. And his penchant for the ladies.
Okay, I’m rethinking my endorsement…
Learning time! Perhaps I should save this for tomorrow.
The Governor General (GG) is the Queen’s rep in Canada. Where most European states have a President (head of state) and a Prime Minister (head of government) we have a GG and PM. She (we have a she now – http://www.siegelproductions.ca/ottawarocks/images/Govgenand%20jean2small.jpg – and no that’s not her grandpa, its her husband) can dissolve parliament and force an election if she thinks its required although its generally a ceremonial job and its going to state funerals, hosting presidents/royalty, garden parties, you know, the fun stuff. Maybe Shatner could do the speech from the throne (big yearly speech from the government) as a piece of performance art. That would be a blast. Our GG’s go Francophone/Anglophone/Francophone, etc. so someone decided that in 2010 when we get an Anglophone it should be Shatner. I could live with that.
Babylon 5 made it onto German cable channels way before my parents had cable, so I never saw it, except for some cheesy stills. I’ve seen many episodes of the original Star Trek when they were on German TV, but have no idea whether i’ve seen them all, from which season they were, or why you call Dr. McCoy ‘Bones’ instead of ‘Pille’ (pill).
Must be a sad day on Puntabulous: — A memorial service was held Sunday at Forest Lawn Hollywood for Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the actress who played Nurse Chapel on the Star Trek television series and wife of the late ‘Trek’ creator Gene Roddenberry.
Hayden: That is sad. She was also Deanna Troi’s mother (who’s name I can’t spell). She was very funny and seemed like a nice lady. She did the computer voice too for Next Generation, Voyager and DS9.
Damn, I didn’t know Majel passed away.
Lwaxana, I think was how they spelled her name. Yeah, I had heard she died, good thing Craiggers is watching this before all the original cast pass on.
I watched the Original series in reruns as a kid in the afternoon. And yeah, it was cool, although it paled in comparison to The Next Gen. Altough City On The Edge Of Forever is an OUTSTANDING story, Scifi or not.
Babylon 5…watched it for a while, then lost interest. I remember the war episodes WERE pretty cool. NOt cool like Torchwood, mind you, but cool nonetheless.
HUGS..
The Torchwood theme song is my new ringtone.
Glad to hear you are enjoying B5 even more! Season 3 is my all time fave, hope you enjoy it too.
Gosh, it’s a slow day at Puntabulous. Let’s step it up people. I mean, c’mon, it’s B5 *and* Star Trek! Does it get any more potentially comment-rich than that?
Well, okay, maybe Star Trek and mud-wrestling porn would be more comment-rich, but, hey, this is a close second…
Or Star Trek mud-wrestling porn. Ooo… Nichelle Nichols… She’s, like, 80 years old and is still dreamy. I can see her doing a little mud-wrestling…
Of course, she might break a hip…
Dave: She’s only 76 but damn, she looks good. I always had a thing for Sulu. Yeah yeah, he’s gay, he wasn’t on the show. Was he? He never had a love interest did he. Hmmmmm.
Oh, yeah, when Nichelle did her stint on Heroes last season, I was in heaven.
She’s easily one of the most beautiful women in the world. Seriously. Even if she breaks her hip doing her mud-wrestling gig and ends up walking with a limp, I’ll still think she’s gorgeous.
And she won’t be able to run as fast, so I’d actually be able to catch her this time…
OMG You could have gotten that footage from my bedroom. that’s exactly how I have sex!
Damn. Work blocks YouTube, so I can’t watch the video.
Which, given jomo’s comment, makes me want to see it even more…
Dave: Its funny, weird but funny. You can probably relate to the guy.
(Oh, that was mean, sorry. Now you’re DYING to know what it is. 
)
Hey, check out Michelle M,’s guest post on Hotel Tuesday. She did a great job. http://hoteltuesday.blogspot.com/2009/01/montezumas-kahns-revenge.html
Tam, in the movie ST Generations it is revealed that Zulu has a daughter (who has the same position on the new Enterprise her dad had, whatever that position is) and Kirk is surprised and wonders when Zulu had time to have a family. Otherwise I don’t remember any love-interests for Zulu or others from the crew, save Capt’n Kirk and Spock. In the later movies Uhura and Scottie are very cozy and German reviewers observed how Kirk’s, Spock’s and Dr McCoy’s relationships get more homoerotic with each passing movie.
Bernd: Well, we all knew that Spock and Kirk had it going on. Bones too likely. Although Kirk seemed happy to nail anything that walked, not matter how many eyes or legs it had. I remember when Chekov had a hippy girlfriend, well, she was his old girlfriend who went hippy and they were all singing on the Enterprise, groovy. Doesn’t take long to make a baby though, a 15 min. coffee break can do the trick. (or less)
I have to say that for me Londo is one of the best characters. They gave him a good amount of dynamic I think. And I agree completely that the Centauri/Narn conflict was more interesting than the Shadow War, I would have liked to see it fleshed out more.
Tristan: I’m really excited about Season 3. I really want to start it now, but I definitely think it’ll be more rewarding if I take a break in between seasons.
Derek: Londo is certainly interesting. I think I like his aide Vir more though.
Everyone else: Sorry it’s just a Babylon 5 review today, but watch the video when you can! It’s great!
Craig: There’s no such thing as “just” a Puntabulous post.
Ya know, the funniest thing about the video is that, wasn’t Ivanova a lesbian? Didn’t she and that blonde woman who read minds and had a huge stick up her butt, didn’t they have an affair or something? Or am I confusing this with something else?
(Star Trek, babylon 5, Nichelle Nichols mud wrestling and now lesbians…this all oughtta just EXPLODE the comments)
HUGS>..
Okay, so Londo reminds me of Lando, which brings to mind Lobot, which reminds me that there’ was this guy at the gym today that wore these big earphones that wrapped around the back of his head and he totally looked like Lobot.
Seriously. It was uncanny.
Okay, now back to Babylon 5…
…and lesbians…
Polt: There was a bit of sexual tension between those two, but the blonde is off the show now, so nothing was ever confirmed. I have a feeling Ivanova is a lesbian, which explains why she is getting the sex all wrong. But then again, if that’s how Joemo does it, maybe it isn’t so wrong?
YAY! Season 2 was good, but it is just the start of the ride. Susan is a great character and she gets better. It was implied that she and Talia Winters had a relationship, but it never went much beyond showing that the spent the night together.
Craig: I loved how they dealt with Talia’s departure. Initially, it bothered me, but her replacement is awesome! Your affection for G’Kar is well placed and you will grow to like him more. The same goes for Londo and Vir. I’m totally holding back all my urges to spoil you!
Polt is totally correct, City On The Edge Of Forever is an OUTSTANDING story, Scifi or not.
Dave S.: Nichelle is one of the hottest septegenerians going. Oh, and totally watch the video when you get home.
D’oh! I swear, I’m going to race at 100 mph to get home to watch this damn video!
Well, Maybe Ivanova was just going the gay sex thing, since that’s the way jomoe does it. Could explain a lot….although it makes me wonder what the hell I’ve been doing all these years….
HUGS…
John: Talia’s twist was SHOCKING! I had no idea they were gonna go in that direction, but they did it superbly.
Oh, my gosh! I finally watched the video and that’s *exactly* how it always goes. I just stand there, they do whatever and I leave befuddled.
Except my cronies don’t watch. Well, not usually anyway.
I just wish *I’d* get pizza at the end…
Craig: *squealing like a fan girl* I know! She played it so well too. I was a little disappointed with the end of her story line (what with her gifts from Ironheart, but Lyta’s story line is really good too.)
Finally watched the video, too. This beats Meg Ryan’s orgasm from ‘When Harry met Sally’ and I don’t want what she’s having.
Fan girl! ::snap snap:: Stop squealing and fan me now. I am warm as I am lounging and I shall like to be cool.
Oh, wait — I already *am* cool.
Nevermind.
Go see if Polt needs some cool. Quickly, now, before he begins speaking of Torchwood again.
Dave S.: I’m not sure you really want me fanning you. Polt might, but I might be a little old for his taste.
john: Maybe you’re right. I wonder if there are any Canadians that might have a fan…
Dave S.: Not sure about fans, but I bet the Canadians could throw some snow your way. Eh?
Chris: Don’t get me started on another anti-snow rant.
I seriously hope there isn’t snow by the time he gets to Toronto, although if its like last year he better pack his boots.
Dave S.: According to the calendar posts, I know an Ohian (or would that be a Columbian?) who has quite a few fans.
Tam: We got some of your snow down here. We’ve had quite a bit lately, but then it rains, so it hasn’t hung around much.
I’m sure I’ve said it before, but Season 3 will blow your mind. I’m jealous you’re watching it for the first time: it’s awesome. Have fun!