What's Worth Watching On TV?

Babylon 5,

on Fox, as carrier for the mysterious PTENtity.

I've a hunch this one will live long in syndicated reruns on the Sci-Fi Channel. And what better program to receive a long and prosperous life, than this hard-hitting, historically-aware, technologically superior, award-winning series.

Time and time again this show leaves me awestruck. It affects on many levels.

I attribute this to the very high standards of the entire production, especially evident in the areas of special effects. One of the first things I noticed was the handling of scale. It literally makes my stomach turn flips! They aren't shy about using this technique, either. We see an excellent example, with Ivanova and Sheridan gazing out the viewport. The 'camera' zooms out to encompass the entire, colossal scene....and all in just the opening sequence.

J. Michael Strazcynski's storyline never disappoints. This season, it was the sudden destruction of Ambassador Kosh that caught me flat-footed. And the planet-killing attack of the Vorlons caused me to gape in slack-jawed wonder. It turns out that Mega-Powers the Shadows and the Vorlons were locked in a classic struggle: law against chaos, with the other races serving as audience and substrate for their horrific combats. Very zen! Of course, what else would you expect with so much talent at the helm? Noted sci-fi author Harlan Ellison has been ensconced as creative consultant since the outset, helping to polish this modern gem.

The series has always had a sense of the historical about it, with the background, culture and technology of the sentient races mapped out in great detail. This allows for exceptional internal consistency.

Babylon 5 evidences awareness of Science-Fiction History. It's been noted around this household how much the word 'Vorlons' resembles the fictitious 'Vogons' of Douglas Adams' Life, The Universe, and Everything fame. (Indeed, I feel that the old Kosh had an aura of humor about him that was missing from the new ambassador) We've also wondered if the Narn and Drazi races weren't somehow inspired by the lizard-like Gorn battled by Captain Kirk on the old Star Trek. But these are minor points compared to other factors, for example, certain aspects of the Centauri. Their monarchic, autocratic system of government reminds me of Frank Herbert's first Dune book, and the opulent space empire ruled by the likes of the Atriedes and Harkonnen. The Centauri sets evoke the mood of the movie for me. The backstabbing and intrigue would fit snugly into the courtly life of Herbert's Arrakis. Would this make Garibaldi Sheridan's 'Duncan Idaho?'

BAB5 also displays awareness of plain ol', garden-variety human history. You'd have to be asleep to have missed the Centauri emperor Cartagia's resemblence to notable mad tyrants such as Hitler or Mussolini. Arguments against Sheridan's plan of resistance against the Shadows bear an uncanny resemblance to Neville Chamberlain's futile attempts to stave off World War II by negotiating with Hitler. G'kar's march through Emperor Cartagia's throneroom, burdened and shackled, was nothing short of Biblical.

The presence of Susan Ivanova can be viewed as reflecting the political climate of our own times, of compromise/fusion between old enemies Russia and the United States. The same can be said for the Mimbari-Human alliance that gave rise to the great confederacy of formerly 'non-aligned worlds,' although realistically speaking, I see this as more of an Allies vs. Axis kind of situation. But even Security Chief Michael Garibaldi's surname is taken from an Italian revolutionary hero. And there are other noteworthy items, such as Jack the Ripper....see how many historical inferences you can find in a single episode of BAB5!

There's only one area where I've seen a need for more work, and this is in the delivery of the dialogue. This was much worse earlier on in the series. Sometimes it still seems a little strained, but I've noticed a marked improvement, especially over the past year. The cast has settled into a real rhythm with each other, and all seem to've taken a firm grip on their characters. And folks, we have to admit, there's some dialogue that even Richard Harris couldn't make believable. The cast does a terrific job maintaining the magic.

Whatever minor flaws plague Babylon 5, they are insufficient to detract from my continuing enjoyment of the show. I've even become captivated by the romance between Delenn and Sheridan. Furlan and Boxleitner have an awesome chemistry. I see their love as the nourishment that sustains them in their difficult jobs (that's an understatement), and as such, an important plot point. Some commentators, who shall remain unnamed, thought it was stupid and dorky when the thought of Delenn brought the Captain back from the 'in-between,' after the sneak attack on the Shadow Homeworld.

Not me.

3/97

Babylon 5 Web Sites

Babylon 5 -- Docking Procedures (The Official Site)
The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5

A Passel o' BAB5 Newsgroups

rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info
alt.tv.babylon-5
alt.babylon5.uk

Last changes: Thursday, February 18, 1999