[Episode Written
By: JMS] (8/12/99)
While visiting a dead, haunted city, with the
extreme disapproval of Galen, crew members start dropping faster than red-shirted
cadets. Galen discovers a mage secret and almost looses one of his
own.
Take a good look at that half star. All the way through this episode I was hell-bent on four stars. I said to myself, "Is this a four star episode...hell yes." But then something happened. When I thought the drama was over and the story had played out a certain little box said five little words. And in a millisecond all the feelings of mystery and unpredictableness that made the B5 universe such a great place to explore came rushing back.
"Do not trust him" Who? "Galen."
The only thing that could have made that moment better would have been
if those words were said by Kosh. In earlier commentary I stated
that I believed Galen was this series replacement for a Vorlon, but it
appears we have two now. Something very weird is going on inside
that little box and its freaking me out. I can't say how terrific
it is to say that. The magic is back. And thus this episode
instantly turned into a 4.5, with honors. No, it wasn't perfect,
but it was pure B5.
It is clear to me, looking at the past two episodes, that after TNT messed
around with the show, the drive totally went out of everyone in production.
We are seeing a clarity now, in the early filmed episodes, that amazes
me. Every CGI routine is crisp, every scene is full, every moment
a keeper. I cannot understand how anyone looking at these two episodes
could go and say "We need to create a new pilot episode." or "We need to
cancel this series." I'm sorry, but whoever in TNT is responsible
for this opinion does not know the first thing about television.
And if he was standing in front of me right now I would have to contain
myself, because he/she took a perfect start and crashed it into the ground.
This is good science fiction. This is good television, radiating
from a genius producer, writer, short-order cook that is totally under
appreciated in his time. So here's to the all the genius' out there
who have to deal with the blind, the ignorant and more specifically, the
stupid. This superb series deserves much better. I'm going
to miss it dearly and I know there are many out there that are in literal
pain over the situation.
Trivia Time: Max mentions that the planet
is like a "Flying Dutchman." This has been used once before in famous
B5 JMS writing to describe this elusive structure and Shadow nemesis:
(Answer: RUOF NOLYBAB)
MUSIC: (4 STARS)
When episodes are very dark, Chen is in is element.
ACTING / CHARACTERS: (3.5 STARS)
A few uncomfortable moments when lines were tripped over, but overall a great job for any sci-fi show. I must say the supporting IPX staff were severe over actors, but I've seen much worse in this series.
Doctor Chambers actually shined in this episode, even though she had
very short scenes. We are finally getting to know her: calm but prone
to speaking up, young and extremely beautiful.
Is Galen more of a father or a child? The swing in emotion is amazing.
He is so powerful but yet so vulnerable. His staff is like a security
blanket and may be one of the few things holding him together.
On a side note, can someone please find something for Matheson to do.
He's little more than a footstool for Gideon thus far, through the entire
season.
PLOT: (4 STARS)
A well crafted horror story. And I wish we'd see a few more episodes
like this in the B5 universe, because the genre is most effective when
the viewer is afraid of what's going to happen next.
The scene in which Dureena found the data crystal bothered me a lot.
The odds of her being in that place by accident are staggering. There
really should have been more of a support scene to establish why she was
in that spot. Some hint of evidence that led her there. Her
chase across the beam instantly reminded me of a game of Tomb Raider :)...cool.
But it turned out, plot wise, that the data crystal held virtually no significance.
It gave something for Max to do and gave the crew a warning, but the horrors
would have happened the same either way. It was the dissection of
the dead bodies that was significant, not the crystal. So seeing
the crystal scenes could be completely discarded, the random nature of
finding them can be forgiven. Consider it very good filler.
It bothered me instantly, two minutes in, that here was another dead world.
I said to myself "how many dead world episodes can they do." But
then, thirty seconds later, right when I was about to say "boo", Galen
comes out with an explanation of why so many dead worlds exist. It
is because people do stupid things. Perfect. Thank you and
bring on as many dead worlds as you darn well can think of. I won't
ever get tired of them again.
Notice the Rangers are mentioned once again in this episode. So far,
in TNT influenced episodes they were mentioned zero out of 8 times.
In non influenced episodes they are 2 for 2. Think about it...hmmmm
CGI: (4.5 STARS)
The shots of the Excalibur and the shuttles were bar none the best I've
ever scene. The ride down, with fire bouncing off of the cockpits
was terrific. In contrast, look at other episodes where shuttle rides
look like they were done in the back on an SUV. What a difference.
Dureena's energy beam walk screamed blue screen, but there was no other
way to do this with today's television technology. A lot of care
was obviously taken in its creation. That could have looked really,
really bad if done in the hands of anything but an expert. If you
can suspend disbelief and enjoy the scene, then the crude nature of the
approach is acceptable.
The mage machine and its destruction was a thing to behold. Look
at the detail and look at the time they spent on it. It would have
been very easy to spend a second on the machine, see a few sparks and then
return to Galen's face. But they didn't do that. They showed
every stage of its destruction and every detail. It was beautiful.