For all its virtues (and there are many) I found this resolution to B5’s Shadow War arc to be a disappointment. Perhaps it was an inevitable one. Though it’s much better-finessed here, the idea that two races a million years advanced of those of the protagonists’ could be argued out of their plans by a couple of stirring speeches makes about as much sense as Captain Kirk disarming advanced AI with his illogic.
“Those that think all virtue is to be found in their own party principles push matters to extremes; they do not consider that disproportion destroys a state.” [Aristotle - Politics Book 5, Part IX]
This entire cast from Babylon 5 are outstanding and it’s sad so many have passed too soon. However what made this an over the top show was the background music mostly composed by Christopher Franke. His music was every bit as good as John Williams and John Barry. Franke was able to touch a level of emotion the actors got us partly there.
Hmmm..... Flash forward 15 years and here we are again. The two opposing forces demanding that choose !!! Pick a side.... Die when we tell you to die.... Do what we demand that you do... Babylon 5 was Profetic as if staring into "The Looking Glass" and seeing 2023 !!!!!
This show taught me a lot look at our society now they make you choose between Left and right when Delen said it's best to not choose and walk away it's about ideology and only between the choices you give us that is no choice at all
say whatever you want, in my mind, Franklin and EMS from Voyager are the greatest Sci-fi doctors. Franklin especially is actually more realistically human. He's flawed, he has his own demons and yet, he always stick to being a doctor.
When I was a kid watching this show, it was always a toss up between my favorite human, Dr. Franklin because of his insight into the human condition and general intelligence, and Garibaldi because he's just a tough, principled, just guy. Both battling very human personal flaws (Franklin's drug addiction, Garibaldi's alcoholism and hot temper). Looking back on it, most of the characters, even aliens were very human. G'Kar, initially portrayed as a simple political opportunist in the first few episodes, becomes a tormented and self-sacrificing revolutionary, Mallori, ever the opportunist, values the Republic over all and displays immense compassion towards the nice, capable, but naive Vir, I didn't really care about Delenne one way or the other, but that's a writing problem, not an acting problem. The themes that Earth was, by definition, a fascist state but it was not cartoonish. God such a good, and deep show.
Notice he did not judge him. He did not try to correct his beliefs or admonish him for not taking the moral opinion. Everyone has a choice. Some die for those choices, and others open doors for others.
For some perspective read up on her Japanese civilians threw themselves off of Cliff's when the US capturedn Islands in world war II and the remaining ones were astonished that the u.s. soldiers did not rape and murder them
Instead of being self righteous, Franklin sympathizes, explains his position, then let's the other man think on it. THAT is how to have respectful and persuasive dialogue.
Choices,consequences and responsibilities.you will make decisions,you will make mistakes but have you the courage to own your responsibilities? B5 always was more grown up and showed morally ambiguous choices and what happened next.an excellent series ,a universe without heroes and villains just individuals who trued to make the least bad choice often not understanding the choices offered
This show is from the 90s. But who wrote this was very aware of how unhealed traumas tend to repeat themselves throughout our lives. It is 2022 and only now people in my country are starting to wake up to "Sistemic Constelations" and the power they have to bring these traumas up and heal them. This stuff has been appearing in TV over 3 decades and only now people are realizing. Better late than never I guess!!!
The thing is though, order and chaos despite their appearances are exactly the same thing. Eventually chaos always comes into harmony even for a second when nature takes it's course we wouldn't be here if it didn't.
I had this kind of huge conflict about 10 years from ago. I had a mom mainly being my best friend, where I had a friend trying to be my mother. I felt so pulled by each side that they both could not see one way or another but when I made my own choices, I got spite from both of them. It was hard to maintain a relationship with both of them (the friend left for a while and my mother and I nearly renounced each other) afterwards but luckily the three of us, separately were able to find common ground.
Great fantasy requires great storytelling. Unlike most scifi shows; or shows in general, the best stories are created fully and completely before being told. Babylon 5 is unique in that its story has fully realized, unlike most other shows that make up portions oer season as they go. This method of adding to a story in portions/ seasons means a plot to the story/series can shift and change season by season due to many factors. Changes in writing, changes in actors, changes in main writers, interference from studio or executives who think they know better. The danger of inconsistent and incomplete storytelling is much greater when the story isnt fully finished. They say Peter Jackson fully mapped out all three Lord of the Rings films before he began shooting because he understood that it was the only way to link all three films paced to a central theme with lesser themes twinned about that major theme like lesser tropes around a larger one to give it strength. That is what Babalon 5 did so well, and that is why it stands out as both unique and unforgettable. Dont get me wrong it is possible to create a great story piece by piece, but it's rare and requires a creator/storyteller that can keep the story consistent in their head until it is fully realized, but more often than not that method is more likely to give rise to problems and inconsistency. Like Athena bursting forth from the mind of Zeus, Babylon 5 did not spring forth till it was fully realized. And graciously weathers the test of time with amazing characters and story that remain vital and significant to any who have watched the show. A work of love, a work of passion, a work of art that speaks to us still. Thank you, Micheal J Stranzinski...
Strong Races become stronger by helping the Weaker Races. That's the cycle you want to continue. Eventually everyone will be strong and there will be no need for conflict.
