Honestly I think Richard Briggs death at 44 was the most tragic. His heart literally just came apart on him in 2006. He was dead before he realized it they say.
I love how Stephen Furst played Vir in this scene. All the naivete, all the self-doubt of his youth is gone. There sits a calm, confident man, touched with sadness but also the wisdom that grows from it. I have no doubt Londo would be very proud of him.
@@ElurinSomewhere I’d read that when he became Emperor, thanks to Londo he was made aware of the Keepers and the Drakh and deliberately remained off Centauri Prime until their defeat.
I think they said in the commentary of this episode that they wanted the actor to play it straight not silly, because he's the Emperor and so when he speaks, people must listen.
@@DanielAppleton-lr9eq I don't disagree. I think that I enjoy BSG a bit more, and LOST is in a category by itself. However, I keep going back to B5 because it is a great show. So is DS9.
@@john2001plus & Stargate / Stargate Atlantis. Stargate Atlantis was actually a little better in some ways. They didn't know what to do with Daniel Jackson, & Michael Shanks was frustrated, among other things.
One by one dear old friends are passing beyond the rim. Every time I come back to remember this wonderful show I learn about another misfortune. One day all of them be absent...
I just got this image of all of Vir’s handlers and advisors trying to set up proper protocol for an imperial state dinner, and him gently, but firmly, informing them that he was going to have none of that. He was going to have dinner with friends, as a friend, not the emperor. And them being reminded that under that polite, gentle manner, was the firmest mettle they faced. And thus, the Emperor of the Centauri sat as a peer, not as a royal.
In fairness the handlers would only have power over Vir if they had anything they could offer in return. Once he explained he would just like to give them a little wave they probably stepped back;).
I was thinking they probably did their searches and food-tasting and security stuff before and were out of sight. And if he signaled for a helper, they would come running.
Sleeping in Light is one of my favorite show finales ever. Because it did not end in a big bang (despite Ivanova on the table) but a love letter to its characters instead.
@@danamccarthy5514 well, they never helped her that much did they? And all the telepatic people... It was all the time to use her ... Shadows war, civil war , problems ... Scanning etc. They didnt even helped her when she needed them the most ... So no friends.. Yes sheridan let the telepaths live in bottom of the station ... But what is wit LYta, no much help with her payments... When didnt find a job because she had no license... She had to sell her body to baster remember ... G'kar helped her more than this bunch ...
Even after all the years and bloodshed, Vir still loved and respected Londo. He only got to be the 'good' emperor because Londo cleared the path for him.
@@DailyLifeSolution The post of Ambassador was supposed to be a " joke " position. Londo changed ALL of that. Vir honored Londo's approach. & I cried like a baby when I 1st saw this, unashamed.
To those of us that loved Babylon 5, we travelled the journey with these wonderful characters, we felt the emotion with every episode. This wonderful scene brilliantly played by Stephen Furst concludes the story with all of the emotion that it deserves. I miss B5 and all of the amazing characters the cast played so well. To those that have passed, RIP, to those still with us good health and long life and thank you all for the journey we shared with you.
All I can say to that thank you... Thank you for this elegant words so well-written that convey all of thoughts and sentiments. Rest in peace my friends and thank you for all the wonderful memories ❤️🙏
@OriginalTharios No, I'm perfectly serious, and, since a plurality of people in the world are Christian, and the vast majority have some sort of religious belief involving life after death, I am, by definition, not crazy. I'll offer you a challenge though. Start with some widely, if not universally, acceptable axioms, and argue through a chain of logical steps, to a reasoned conclusion that there is no God. If you can do that, as I can for His existence, then your belief is based on reason. If you can't, then it is pure faith, and actually irrational.
They say that if at least one person remembers, those who are absent are never truly gone. Even when the last cast/crew member finally goes away, we have this show to remember and honor them.
Vir Cotto had his share of moments in the arc of _Babylon 5_, but none better or more wonderful than the one shown here. This is a Vir Cotto who isn't comic relief or a sidekick. This is the Emperor of the Centauri Republic, and he owns the gravitas which befits that role. Stephen Furst deserves some proper notice for that performance and the others which graced that show. The only shame is that I don't have any brivari to toast his mentor with. Will 18-year-old MacAllan do?
I also like how when he saw Mr Morden's head on the pike, that he looked around to see that no one was watching before he gave the silly wave. He was more than just as joke. His character grew as the show grew.
Also he is great and non-comic and bravest when Mr. Morden is in with conversation with him, and he is also great in Knives, and lots of other scenes he was not just a comic relief and sidekick.
I remember watching this scene back in the 90s and not fully appreciation the losses one will face in life. I have sat at meals just like this, remembering friends, relative and loved ones that have passed on.
@@TomFynn Amen! I shudder to think what they would create today. Everytime the dig into the past and try to reboot or continue a series or movie it is a nightmare. The old vision for what makes the show great is ignored.
For this series? Yes. I'd love a conclusion to Crusade, though. And there's a whole universe of tales that could be done. The return of the Rangers to the home planet of the Blessed Sheridan; the rebuilding of Narn, Centauri Prime, Minbar; more of the lost tales... And, of course, the fall of Psi Corps, and whatever happened to Mr. Techno-Mage, Mr. and Mrs. telepath...
Even a secondary character like Vir Cotto was so brilliantly written. It is sad to think how many of the Babylon 5 cast has passed "beyond the rim" Michael O'Hare, Richard Biggs, Jeff Conaway, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas, and Jerry Doyle
O'Hare's is possibly the saddest on that list. The biggest role of his career but he had to deal with a severe mental illness at the time. I do wonder if Babylon 5 ended up the way it did when he stayed in the role.
Londo cried because he understood it all - who knew more about grief and loss than him? I'll always believe that the amazing moment when G'Kar forgives him is what gives Londo the strength to take that final walk to the Drakh and accept the long and terrible sacrifice ahead. He did it because he truly loved his world, his people, but G'Kar's forgiveness gave Londo the hope that he could actually endure and be redeemed. Then, as at the end, his oldest enemy was his truest friend and his deliverer. RIP Richard, Stephen, Andreas, Michael, Jerry, Mira, Jeff - thank you for giving us this gift.
The emperor wasn't stupid. He pushed Reefa away, and made his wishes known to Londo. Londo, there was hope, even though he took part in the things the emperor disapproved. Londo listened, despite the fact he lied about what was said. it may have taken along time for what was said to fully sink in though.
Five (Biggs, Conaway, Dolye, Katsulas, and O'Hare) of the lead actors are gone already and the show ended production less than twenty years ago. Very sad.
"To absent friends--in memory still bright." Mira Furlan aka Delenn. September 7, 1955 - January 20, 2021. Stephen Furst aka Vir Cotto. May 8. 1954 - June 16, 2017. Jerry Doyle aka Michael Garibaldi. July 16, 1956 - July 27, 2016. Michael O'Hare aka Jeffrey Sinclair. May 6, 1952 - September 28, 2012. Jeff Conway aka Zack Allan. October 5, 1950 - May 27, 2011. Andreas Katsulas aka G'Kar. May 18, 1946 - February 13, 2006. Richard Biggs aka Stephen Franklin. March 18, 1960 - May 22, 2004.
This scene is WONDERFUL. All of Sheridan's friends breaking bread, celebrating, talking like they don't know or care that Sheridan's time is running out - including Sheridan. This series was MAGIC.
@@kevq761 I'm not the LEAST surprised. I've had fairly good friends who I traded insults with, we borrowed money from each other & took our time settling up, we COULD BE Straight - Up DICKS to each other, & I *STILL* MISS THEM & wonder what happened to them. WE traded insults that would've had other friends smacking the crap out of each other. But we could *still* feel concern & even WORRY if we thought something was wrong.
This show had jokes and fun but tempered with scenes like this one. This scene reminds me of real life and real loss and that life is not to be taken for granted. What a great show this was because these scenes mean more now, than they did those 25 or so years ago.
An even more poignant scene, as so many of the 'Babylon 5 family' have journeyed beyond the Rim. R.I.P Jerry Doyle, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas, Jeff Conway, Richard Biggs. 'In memory, still bright'.
Every character was written with a strength, whether obvious in the major players, or hidden in the minor. Here is Vir, who was always in possession of his own inner hidden strength fully expressing himself through that strength and even though a character in a great wonderful presentation, he is so real and true.
Straczinski said that each character was written as a broken person at the beginning of the series. By the end of the series, you see how one is made for the better or worse based on the choices they made.
Babylon 5 shows us what television can aspire to if given time and desire to truly entertain. The growth and depth of every character is something that all should try to emulate. It belittles us all that the majority of television since has failed to live up to the example of B5 in what good TV actually is. All those great actors from this show that we have lost. Rest well in the knowledge that you brought joy and happiness to millions. The world is a darker place for you passing.
Babylon 5 was a phenomenal series, in so many ways - writing, acting, story, directing. This clip is just a small sample of the powerful writing and acting.
Walk with the angels Stephen Furst. You will be remembered and missed--an absent friend in memory so bright. Babylon 5 is television at its finest. So sad to see so many cast members pass on. But the gift they gave us in scenes like this, show how powerful science fiction can be. Don't you miss this show?
Babylon 5 and The Expanse have given us unparalleled science fiction greatness. I think Battlestar Galactica was the only other that aspired to such heights, but it still fell short.
To absent friends. Mira Furlan, (Delenn ) Richard Biggs, (Dr Steven Franklin) Jerry Doyle, (Garabaldi) Steven Furst, ( Vir Coto) Andreas Katsulas, ( G’Kar) Michale O’Hare (Jeffery Sinclair) Jeff Conway (Zack Allen)
Has to be ranked as one of the greatest TV series ever written (and acted).... not just sci-fi, but TV - period! To me, it's better than M*A*S*H, Friends, or Doctor Who - and it's right up there (and in some ways, better) with Star Trek! The only show I think was consistently AS powerful as "Babylon 5," was Game of Thrones.
There is a scene with Londo and Garibaldi, "A moment of joy in a liferime of sorrow." I have a friend on Twitter, whom I dub, #MyGoodFriendMrGaribaldi when I refer to her in the 3rd person. She knows why. And if you've seen that scene, so do you.
I feel happy and privileged that I was alive to watch these great masters at their craft bring forth what can be considered to be the greatest Sci-Fi show of its time.
I consider myself remarkably lucky to have lived when this show was in first run on television. It was profound when it aired, and it has lost absolutely none of that quality; indeed, it is more profound now than it ever was. Please please PLEASE Hollywood, do not sully this wonderful show with a 'reboot'. Some things are better left remembered as they were, rather than 're-imagined' into something else.
Remember when Kosh took Sheridan to lesser known parts of the station, and then to that choir? I like to think that was a choir of Pak'ma'ra. That was a moment of perfect beauty.
Gotta love Vir -- very much an underappreciated individual throughout most of the show. Isn't it just like him to find the good in (almost) everyone -- even the pak'ma'ra?? (Obviously, Vir made an exception for Mr. Morden and the Shadows.) Hell, he even wanted to find a way of removing Cartagia from power which didn't involve killing him...until he realized that there really was no other way.
It speaks to the Centauri spirit that they could, despite all their corruption and intrigue, recognize and honor Vir's humility and incorruptibility in the end.
This was just one of many scenes.that brought a tear to my eyes.first time I watched them.now more than than ever. these same tears are filled with understanding that I lacked in my younger days.
I have been watching this show since I was a kid and only now noticed that Garibaldi (alongside Delenn) stands out by drinking water at the table. Because of course he is.
This show is many things.It is a great adventure that takes us along for it's ride All these years later it still has something relatable for us all.Faith Manages.....
I miss Londo during this part, he was really protected Vir and gave Vir somone to look and taught him many things about the dangers of politics and power. Vir and Londo saved the Centauri.
While I'm waiting for the next season of The Expanse, I think I'm dusting off my DVD's and watching this amazing series again. JMS...thank you for for this gem. To those fine actors who have left us for beyond the Rim...I raise this toast. Salut.
@@jonathansoko1085 Well, for his own part JMS happens to think that “The Expanse” is brilliant, and a worthy successor to B5. As do I. So not everyone agrees.
@@michaelhall2709 I dont care waht JMS thinks about the expanse, his opinion couldnt matter less to me here. And if you consider it a successor to B5, well thats embarrassing.
@@jonathansoko1085 That “The Expanse” is a worthy successor to B5 is JMS’ opinion, which I just happen to share. What’s embarrassing is your apparent belief that there’s some kind of objective standard when it comes to matters of personal taste, not to mention that you somehow got past middle school without mastering the rudiments of the apostrophe or basic English grammar. Not every disagreement over the quality of TV shows has to turn into a major online dispute, fella.
Though characters pass away in their world, and their actors pass away in ours, still they live in us, in memory still bright. So they have, in us, a kind of immortality.
God, that absent friends toast always gets to me, makes me thing of all the friends, family, pets, and people I have truly admired who are no longer with us :( :(( big time!
Well done. But I had to have a BIG glass of wine to finish this entire episode.But it was beautifully done. 20 years..... my heart was broken for Delenn and John.Thanks for wonderful story everyone.
Oh, for the godess sake...it is a 3 minute scene with more emotional intensity than the whole discovery series ! Where did we lost the knowledge to write such beatifull things ?
Add Mira Furlan. Was watching the series on DVD just moments ago when I received a text of her passing. Rest well, we'll see you when it is our time to go beyond the Rim.
It was amazing that the story arc of B5 took the time over several episodes to say goodbye to all the wonderful characters that inhabited my existence for five short years.
Sad that Sheridan's words here fit the loss of so many B5 characters and actors. We focus on the main characters missing, but there are side characters that are also no longer with us sadly.
Thanks for uploading this touching scene. What could be a better ending episode for the series that still holds the number one place in my heart to this very day...
It matters not if they walk not among us anymore. They graced us with their presence and art for a time.Let that suffice. To ask for more would be Hubris.
To absent friends, in memory still bright: Stephen Furst (1954-2017) - Vir Cotto Michael O'Hare (1952-2012) - Jeffrey Sinclair Andreas Katsulas (1946-2006) - G'Kar Mira Furlan (1955-2021) - Delenn Jerry Doyle (1956-2016) - Michael Garibaldi Jeff Conaway (1950-2011) - Zack Allan Richard Biggs (1960-2004) - Dr. Stephen Franklin Tim Choate (1954-2004) - Zathras
See, THIS is what makes a great series. When you take the time and let your characters develop and your audience to grow a love for them.and consider them friends, knowing full well they are fuctions. When you get a tear out of us when they come together and remember. To absent friends indeed ❤
This scene strikes me to the very core to this day. And with the passing of all but two as I type, I am reminded of an old phrase from Shakespeare, of how "time" waits for no man...: "Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate, That Time will come and take my love away. This thought is as a death, which cannot choose But weep to have that which it fears to lose."
Those actors will be remembered. Absent friends in my memories. B5 helped me through tough times in my teens. I will never forget them. Or any or the others.
Bruce and Claudia are the last ones left at that table. Too many of them have gone beyond the Rim before their time. To Mira, Stephen, Richard, and Jerry. Until we all meet again, in a place where no shadows fall.
Still my all time favourite show. The 5 year story arc. The amazing character development. The design work. And lastly, the fact that it even got made. In the first place!
