The woman who was mistress of statecraft, mistress of war, and the last person you ever wanted to cross; but when she turned on the charm she was the warmest, funniest, most charming person you'll ever meet. Mira Furlan's acting range was exceptional.
I love how this show never lost sight of the fact that the alien characters were not entirely used to human culture, but also didn't run it into the ground
I always loved how she looked at him like she adored him but was a bit exasperated with him, all while at the same time, thoughtfully listening to his problem. I thought that was brilliantly done by Mira. RIP💖
Babylon 5 is proof positive that relationships do not become "boring" once the couples finally get together. If anything, watching this relationship grow and change was just as interesting. It's a flaw in culture that indicates the chase is more important than what happens afterward.
B5 was expertly concieved, planned from the start as long story arc with great casting, writing and character map. It was not constrained by 'self-contained episode' dogma prevalent in e.g. ST. Also, audiences of the era were far more patient.
@@piotrd.4850 I think the audience reference bit is unfair. Humans haven't changed. What's changed is the quality of storytelling. Most of the shows on now are very poorly written and usually rely on current social issues or policy to convey a point or drive an idea. It's lazy and uninspired. When a series such as GoT or movie arcs such as what Marvel has done encompass long story lines and do it reasonably well, they've been popular and not just with older folks such as myself. Too many people selling these shows, however, seem to be looking for the quick way to get butts in front of the TV and hence advertisement. Pandering to (insert identity group) in order to garner their support and enhance viewership and thus ad revenue instead of taking a risk to tell an interesting story that may or may not be well received seems to be the driving force (IE. money.) In these scenarios, storytelling becomes secondary to garnering and keeping a built in number of viewers which I'm quite certain they've well researched.
"It's a flaw in _culture_ that indicates the chase is more important…" I get what you're saying, but this isn't a flaw in culture. It's an artifact of narrative structure. The "chase" as you put it, is a part of forward-moving storytelling. In a story, events have to happen which culminate into a conclusion. "How I met your mother" is a story. "Your mother and I made plans for dinner" is not a story. If Babylon 5 was only about this relationship then yes, it'd be terribly boring. But it isn't. Narrative structures should not be conflated with traditional cultural norms. Stable, monogamous, long-lasting relationships are vital to our collective well-being, but they're not interesting stories.
@@sharpe227 Exactly. We tend to lose sight of this basic fact when using our native language, but it hits us again when we try to figure out a foreign language (or even a less-familiar dialect, or a set of technical or theoretical terms, in our own language).
@@JnEricsonx Indeed, that was my romantic choice as well. But seeing as players could and did choose other love interests, I don't think I can put them on the same level as Sheridan and delenn.
@@JnEricsonx I mean, we all lose the loves of our lives sooner or later. At least in Sheridan and Delenn's case they got in some real quality, top tier love time in before the end.
Delenn and Sheridan have such an honest, loving, respectful marriage. They really were a partnership of equals, and showed everyone how interesting that can be. You don't have to drag on the "will they or won't they" bullshit for endless seasons or make one of them be stupid or immature to milk drama. A healthy union of two equals facing the world together is the greatest adventure of all.
@@krzosu yeah but she became an adorable one too. No matter how grouchy Sheridan was. She had a look of love on her face. When the ones she loved were threatened she was the Wolverine. You think about the things we are still discussing now today about sexual equality. B5 was showing the way. In every way Delenn was Sheridan's equal. What would he be without her? What would she be without him? In the case of differing gender relationships B5 was pretty discrete too. But you find them all. There is a definite Bromance between G'kar, Londo and Garibaldi. There was a girlmance between Ivanova and Talia Winters. That descended into heart break and tragedy.
@@paulsnell534 There was no Bromance between them - there was mutual respect build on blood, pain, great loss and patriotism towards their respective states and recognition of their mutual huge role in saving both of their worlds - that created frienship between them but that was it. Both finally started to respect each other but that was not a "Bromance" xD Get that kind of stupidity out of your head. If anything G'kar knew that Londo "evolved" and he knew it was in the best interest of his own people to make sure Londo stayed alive (that is why he voluntiered to be his body guard). That said it was heavily implied that ivanova was bisexual And Talia was manipulated by her inner personality created by the psicorps - so that part of Talia's behaviour is in question since it was a ploy to get closer to Ivanova so the inner persona could exploit that "relationship" by tapping into ivanova's secrets as the inner persona was ruthless and programmed to achieve her goals by any means - and in the end of the episode she even mocked susan for being such an easy mark xD. In essence the inner Talia's persona exploited a vulnerability in the psyche of Ivanova - she realised she was vey much feeling along and she offered to be that sympathetic gentle ear and arm to cry on - very... ruthlesly in fact and the real Talia didnt knew she was being manipulated in that fashion - so it was in fact very disgusting thing to do - exploiting both of them for the benefit of a third party... so no their relationship wasn't "normal" lesbian relationship at all. Susan fell for it completely though.
It's either that - or he was just doing his job - When the door opened he prob had to check if someone unauthorised wasnt trying to sneak or take a peak into the war room. Open door is a security risk after all. I wouldnt be also surprised if that was the cover to check Delen out :P
By this point in the show, I think the guards are used to Delenn sassing the Captain. And Ivanova sassing the Captain. And Garibaldi sassing the Captain. Basically, anyone can sass Captain Sheridan at this point and the guards just expect it...
@@krzosu that’s one thing that always bugged me, that their security was all inside the room. I mean when they were hiding their actions it might have made sense, and even after having some security inside still makes sense, but there should be guards outside the door controlling access to the room
"and nightmares that'll make your hair stand on end " . Delenn "well that explains the centauri" from a species that is honorable as the minbari, that is definitely a dis. And any true fan of b5 know how honorable the minbari are and how they were during the a war with Earth
That is not setting a very high bar. What I love is that they wrote all seasons before filming the first episode. Things the elude to in the beginning isn’t explained until near the end. Masterful storytelling.
And the way she turns back, looking over her shoulder at Sheridan... John is a lucky man, and at the end of this scene, his small smile tells us that he realises it.
Amb.Delenn child of Valen/ Amb.Sinclair or the One, who herself is also the One marries Capt.Sheridan who becomes again The One. I got confused there until Zathras explains it all, good old Zathras. hahahaha
I bought them on Amazon Prime. Unlike a lot of these scifi series even the season 1 stuff witn Sinclair was pretty tight. The labor dispute one was gold.
"Suddenly I think I understand Sheridan a lot better. Dead or alive, I'd claw my way outta hell and straight through ten miles of solid rock to see that smile again." S5E4: A View From the Gallery
She's the wife you want. The one that gets you to do what you know you should do, but you're too stubborn to do, but does it in a cute not-so-mean way. :P
I one time debating giving myself a challenge: Look up the definition of a word in the dictionary, then look up the definition of all the words used in that definition. It'd end when I didn't have any new words in one of the definition. I never went through it it, cause I figured I'd lose my damn mind.
Gootothesecond :Sadly, many women don't know how to use their femininity to their advantage. Be so soft and tender that she can melt any man's heart. That's the kind of power women are blessed with; not irrationally emotional.
Anh Trieu Exactly. I've always thought that Feminism is more sexist towards women than men ever were. It's like if you're not doing something that men traditionally do, you're not worth anything. Historically, men have always valued women above even ourselves. Who do they think began the notion of "women and children first?" They get to be saved even before the children. There's an inherent value to both men and women and we're supposed to compliment each other not compete with one another. That's why competing never really works out when it happens.
Gootothesecond True competition is an opportunity for us to improve ourselves. Yet, too many people rather look at it as an opportunity for material gain and fame. They then make compromises and lose themselves in the process of pursuing unrealistic goals. I think that is why, in this male dominated world, so many women trade their femininity to become more masculine in hope of winning in the competition of life. How wrong are they. After all, it's difficult to win over one's own ego.
B5 is the best Sci-Fi show ever. Too good they never did a movie production, there had been rumors of a big screen version. So good it left room for spin offs but they really did not take. I what made B5 so good was the depth of it's character's, even the ones that were only in a single episode.
The Triluminari wasn't kidding when it I.D.'d human's as Minbari kin, at least one evidence shows in the commonality of the women of the two worlds in the skillful handling of crotchety grumpy males.
Whilst constantly riding to her boyfriends rescue, over throwing her government, fufilling prophecy, helping to fight a war against a superior foe, replacing her government, and finally helping to create a new galactic government. Beauty, brains, determination, and strength; all in one package.
Well, I have to say I didn't know "crotchety" was a real word until I saw this episode and I had too look it up in a dictionary, very confusing explanation I tell you.
Shadow logic IS to create an illogical universe and see who strives to make it order. Centauri tried Interstellar alliance succeeded but not in the way they expected
I watched this episode this morning before going to work. I'm going to start throwing all my spare cash at Elon Musk. So we can develop FTL drives. journey to the stars, and I can find myself a nice Mimbari woman like Delenn.
By far the best written character on B5, and Mira Furlan brought that character to life with great charm, warmth and depth. You found yourself cheering for Delenn, even when she was on the opposite side of conflict with the humans. She was believable as a woman, human and alien.
