Babylon 5 through 2x14

[sholio]

I'm starting to see why I remember season one so much better than season two, because it's not that there isn't a lot happening in season two, but it's mostly not that memorable - it's long-arc stuff, or slowly unfolding plot stuff. Aside from some of the early-in-season changeover events (Sheridan's introduction, Delenn's transformation) the only episode where I got glimmerings of familiarity was the "Enemy Mine" style one where Sheridan and the injured Narn are trapped together on the alien spaceship and forced to fight.

But I'm really enjoying it! We only stopped last night because technical issues forced us to quit for a while.

- Sheridan's a spy! I absolutely did NOT see that coming; it works so well in contrast to his wholesome persona. I don't know how cynical to be about the faction within the government that he's working for. A decade or two later, they would definitely be Up To No Good as well, but I'm not sure if that level of grimdark had hit yet in the 90s. But I do not get a super trustworthy feeling off the lady who is his contact. Looking forward to seeing how this develops!

- The episode where G'Kar is trying and failing to muster support for his side in the Narn-Centauri war among the other factions is really nicely done. When you've spent the last couple of years telling everyone that you'd wipe out the Centauri if you had a chance, and now you are actually at war with them and you're losing but no one believes that you wouldn't just commit genocide if you had the upper hand, because THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN GOING AROUND TELLING PEOPLE (and they're probably right). But the other political factions are also fairly constrained because their governments don't want to be drawn into an ongoing conflict either. I like that Sheridan and Delenn are willing to help endangered Narn civilians in an off-the-record kind of way, and G'Kar's mixed reaction to that - it was in no way the military support he was hoping for, but it's not nothing.

- For a complete change of tone, THE BABYLON 5 GIFT SHOP. And Londo reacting to his doll! Especially the main issue being that it has no "attributes."

Ivanova: So you feel like you're being symbolically cast---- [brief hesitation] in a bad light.

- I have really enjoyed the Londo subplots in the past few episodes! Particularly seeking out Garibaldi for companionship (because he wants a person to hang out with who doesn't want anything from him; I love that entire "I got everything I wanted and realized it wasn't what I wanted after all" trope) and his loyalty to Vir. ♥ I also like that Vir himself isn't quite sure what he wants; would he rather stay with Londo, given how that's been going lately, or go home in disgrace? Even he isn't sure! So it's not an unqualified victory, but at least he appreciated the gesture of Londo's faith in him, however Londo-ishly it was expressed. I also think it's interesting (and the contrast to the doll made this really apparent) that Londo's sartorial style is more toned down and serious now, as his part in the plot has become more serious.

- ETA: Oh, and I also really enjoyed the plot point/callback to Lennier lying for Londo back in season one! That was very nicely timed, and I had completely forgotten about it during the entire "Minbari can't lie" part of the episode.