I knew this was going to happen. But I'd forgotten the stumble. The Doctor just...stopping. Just like that. The way the kid only knows her mama's name is "Mama". The absolute a-hole at the end and the reminder that yep, how many of those did and do we have during our pandemic?
Yeah. This very much hits differently during Covid. Oh man. Oh man.
And now, the reactions of everyone, ever, watching this episode for the first time:
Wow, this situation sucks.
Oof, Dr. Lazarenn died - I liked him, but his heroic sacrifice will save the little girl...
Holy shit, they really did it! They killed off the entire race!
*Crying and devastated viewer immediately seeks out the nearest loved one, whether spouse, child, pet, friend for hugs and reassurance, followed by the comfort food of choice. The rest of the viewer's day is ruined*
B5 is a sprawling epic, ahead of its time in terms of plot structuring and general storytelling. It has moments of punch the air triumph, butt-clenching horror, awed wonder, comedy, pain, and sadness, but this episode is the absolute pinnacle of B5 triggering emotional response...
It doesn't get any better on repeat viewings. The shock value of the extinction isn't there - and the looming tragedy to come just makes the entire episode worse.
Simon stated he'd been dreading this episodic. I had, too (there are also unfortunate coincidences in my life which corresponded with prior viewings, which I've told Simon of, but won't list here). This episode utterly fucking wrecks my shit - every time.
Simon chose "John!" as his representative quote - and it's obviously the "John!" from just before Delenn collapsing into Sheridan's arms (dammit I'm crying again just typing this - as I said this episode utterly fucking wrecks my shit and ruins my entire day). I understand why Simon chose it - it's a pivotal moment in the relationship between two major characters - but, as an alternate offer this line from Delenn which sums up the entire theme of this episode.
"I did not realize similarity was required for the exercise of compassion."
I'll be back later to finish my comments. I think I need a little more kitten time, some more chocolate, and maybe a couple of M*A*S*H reruns. This episode has utterly fucking wrecked my shit again.
Yeah, I meant to do this episode last week but weirdly 'forgot'. I don't just 'forget' to send out a newsletter. But I didn't get to watching it, or doing the newsletter, and only realised on Saturday. I think my brain was subconsciously trying to protect me from having to watch it.
In some ways it feels like a follow-up to 'Believers' from season 1, but this episode is so much more accomplished both artistically and technically. In fact, comparing the two is an interesting exercise as it really demonstrates how far the show has come in terms of production and style.
Hah. I read this right after posting Non-Spoiler (2), where I ended on a comparison with "Believers."
Besides the general improvement to the show in terms of everything across the board, I think another reason "Confessions" hits so much harder than "Believers" is the species in "Believers" is one we'd not seen before and haven't seen again, while the Markab have been around since the first episode, and we've grown to know them a bit. A Markab Ambassador was warning us about movement on the rim at the top of the season, and the Markab makeup lends itself to subtle emotion better than a Pak'ma'ra, Drazi, Hyach, or Gaim.
But mostly the familiarity.
Also, Jim Norton, Richard Biggs, Mira Furlan, Bill Mumy and Bruce Boxlightner. Those five in particular bring so much excellent performance work to the episode the little girl's performance being marginal is completely overlooked... And the little Markab girl is the absolute tropiest writing of the episode.
Of course, it's a subverted trope. You NEVER kill off the cute kid - except on B5. She's not the last cute kid that'll be killed off on this show... Although...
SPOILER
...I suppose Simon the mute telepath in Season 5 is more of a teenager than a cutest kid.
Having to write this in sections because 1) I'm known to go beyond the maximum length of a Substack reply, and 2) needing to pull myself together (Scott purring on my lap for a couple of hours helped) means I neglected to talk about Franklin.
Richard Biggs is another fine actor who wrings nuance out of Franklin, but we have a few episodes where Franklin can be self-righteous and arrogant to the point of annoying. Plus whatever the hell the writers start smoking when they have Franklin hook up with someone for an episode (i.e. "The Long Dark," or >Season 3 Spoiler omitted<). This episode is Franklin at his best. Passionately dedicated, truly selfless, infinitely compassionate, truly professional. Sure he's got to chew out some Medlab staff, but, well... They deserve it. This episode also hints at the worst of Franklin - but Simon already mentioned that particular moment, punctuated by a smooth dolly zoom...
Behind the scenes, JMS has noted the requirements of the story called for 1) a race which had been around since the beginning, 2) a makeup capable of subtle emotion. The final call came down to the makeup department. Makeup was given the short list of candidate species and told to pick the one they hated most. Well, it seems the Markab were the biggest pains in the ass to paint and apply, so they ended up one the chopping block...
And the Markab were the most numerous League species. There were enough masks and costumes to outfit about 60 of them in a single scene. For a low budget TV show that's a substantial outlay in materiel which got set aside, never to be used again.
Money could have been saved by creating a new species and writing the episode in such a way where we don't have to see every single Markab available lying dead on the ground. JMS didn't do that. He's absolutely correct that killing off a race with history and continuity would hit harder.
Note for the rest of the season in council scenes the Markab seats will be empty. Come season 3 their seats will be filled by Gaim.
The Gaim make their first appearance in this episode, albeit without dialog or being named. That alien walking around in the silver suit with shoulder pads and a gas mask? That's a Gaim.
Right - I think that's the non-Spoilers. On to Spoiler Stuff.
So, a thousand years ago a plague appeared on the Markab homeworld. What was going on back then? The last Shadow War. Markab have been warning of approaching darkness this season, and now they're all dead. Add in the so-called "Drakh Plague" in the sequel series, "Crusade" - a Shadow bio weapon which can be tuned to kill a target species with 100% mortality and 100% contagion and it's pretty inescapable that the Shadows killed off the Markab.
So the bartender at the end of the story giving the rumor that the Vorlons did done do it is a nice attempt at misdirection.
At the time there was online discussion about the "Alien Healing Device," and how that could have been used to at least save Lazarenn. This overlooks 1) whoever donated life energy would have to be in the isolab, and it's not established until after Lazarenn dies the virus won't attack humans, 2) that device is classified as "Top Secret," and Franklin wasn't gonna whip it out in front of his entire staff. Let's note when Marcus steals it in season 4 he has to take out security staff to remove it from a secured area.
Speaking of the Alien Healing Device, Dr. Rosen, in season 1, had lost her medical license over stims addiction. Season 3 Franklin is damn lucky Sheridan covers up the stims problem for him.
And we KNOW that this episode - Franklin blaming himself for not being faster - will directly contribute to his growing addiction.
The Markab DO die of their sins - pride...
Since the Pak'ma'ra are with us into "Crusade," obviously Franklin's treatment is efficacious. Now - can we assume they are able to isolate the pathogen well enough to filter it out of B5's air supply, or does it just taint everyone who passes through?
Delenn's story to the young Markab girl. Something she made up to make the girl feel better, or did it happen. If it happened, did Sinclair/Valen make another time jump, or did he leave a note to arrange for someone to be at the right place and time?
Production wise 1995 was a big year for plague stories. Besides B5, ER did a pandemic story, Star Trek Voyager did a plague story, and the movie "Outbreak" came out. 1994/5 was also notable for mass outbreaks of e-coli and ebola. While "Confessions and Lamentations" hits harder after Covid-19, it's not like there weren't recent outbreaks (and, of course, AIDS) informing the story.
On first airing a friend of mine was so upset by this episode he skipped the next. At the time I asked what he thought of "Divided Loyalties," and he said, "I couldn't bring myself to watch this week. How did you follow up such a bummer?" and I'm afraid I blurted out, "Dude, they killed Talia! She's dead, man, dead!"
So there's that to look forward to....
Some days I think this should be a "Red Dwarf" re-watch blog.
Director Kevin Cremin really brings his A-Game to the episode. It looks so good, it's practically a Mike Vejar-directed one. Cremin doesn't QUITE make optimal use of the sets to find the most artful angles, but does use a couple of crane shots to highlight the horror of dozens of dead bodies, both in the docking bay and quarantine zones. Franklin's briefing with the senior staff uses a lot of long takes from the eye level of the seated staff, panning from person to person to catch lines and reactions and place the viewer in the scene. On a similar note, Cremin drops right down to the eye level of the little Markab girl and slaps a super-wide lens on his camera for some effective POV shots as she enters quarantine. Along with DP Fred V. Murphy (subbing for normal DP John Flynn III), there's some effective use of lighting, including the larger "crosses" of downlight in the quarantine zone (breaking up the more typical "grid" pattern from the ceiling), and the God-spot on Lazerenn on his death.
Jim Norton, Lazerenn, has performed on B5 before - he's also Ombudsman Wellington. I've had the pleasure to see him perform on stage, and to meet him. Meaning I've had the opportunity to praise him to his face for this performance. Lazerenn and Franklin have instant chemistry. It's a totally believable that the two are long term friends. As Simon noted, Lazerenn being name checked a few episodes ago helps.
Norton brings so many lovely shades to his portrayal, from cold dignity when having to try and brush off Franklin, to cracks of desperation when recounting the history of the Drafa plague, quiet acceptance when relating his infection and symptoms, to that death scene... Actors doing death scenes have all kinds of tricks and indicators: the last gasp, the fluttering eyes, and the suddenly going limp are only three examples. Norton uses none of them. He just quietly says, "Give my love to..." and simply... Stops. It's very effectiveness, and very chilling.
(There's a bit of a production glitch in this scene my brain grabs in a failed attempt to not be sucked into strong emotion. When Franklin tosses the medical cart it strikes a console, and, for a moment it's quite clear the console is a hollow wooden construct.)
Yeah, the scene where Garibaldi helps up the injured Markab speaks volumes.
Sheridan and Delenn get all kinds of meat to play, from the comedy dinner (if one considers the timeline of events in the episode that dinner takes several hours - so Sheridan can be forgiven for falling asleep during several hours of meditation between small bites of food), to the scene were Sheridan tries to talk her out of entering the quarantine zone with their nonsensical "I can't let you back out" (the episode has already established an airborne disease with stationwide recycled air), which is ALL about Sheridan's unspoken attraction to Delenn, to the utter horror of the ending.
Then there's Lennier... Ah, as always Bill Mumy effortlessly makes Lennier one of the most rounded characters on the show. Quiet calm tinged with desperation and exasperation during the dinner, stoic dignity when entering quarantine, a small moment of pride and satisfaction when finding the Markab mother, and understated shock and horror when quarantine is lifted. Mira Furlan gets the beefy breakdown moment, but Lennier, as well, is deeply scarred by the experience.
Oh. Keffer is in this one. Again, it's obvious the showrunner doesn't care about Keffer. Yeah, his little side story gets development - and the almost certain knowledge Sheridan now knows what Keffer is looking for SHOULD make this a fairly major moment, but, with all the character development for more prominent parts, and the tense movement of the plague plotline will anyone remember Keffer was even in the episode in a week? Nope. It's not even fun to mock Keffer anymore. There's not enough character to mock. I'm more invested in the ISN anchor. The forward motion in Keffer's quest only happens here because of the drifting Markab transport - which provided an organic lead-in to the Keffer bits, but his being grounded would have fit better into "Shadow of Za'Ha'Dum," or even next week's "Divided Loyalties." Still, you fit the plot point in where you can when it's as slight as Keffer's.
Oof, still, this episode takes the central conflict from "Believers" back in s1 and ramps it up to 1111%...
Jim Norton is exceptional in this episode. Might even be my favourite guest performance in the series so far. He does so much in such a tight amount of screentime.
And yes, his death is perfect. It's so unexpected and abrupt, that it takes a beat to even realise that it's happened.
Especially that death scene which has haunted me for 29 years. Again, no death rattle, no gasps, no eyes fluttering or closing, no sudden going limp - "I'm sorry, old friend. I don't think I can stay any longer. Will you give my love to...?" and he's just...gone.
I knew this was going to happen. But I'd forgotten the stumble. The Doctor just...stopping. Just like that. The way the kid only knows her mama's name is "Mama". The absolute a-hole at the end and the reminder that yep, how many of those did and do we have during our pandemic?
Yeah. This very much hits differently during Covid. Oh man. Oh man.
The stumble. So perfectly done, and so awful.
Fucking wrecked your shit, didn't it? Oof.
Non Spoiler (1)
And now, the reactions of everyone, ever, watching this episode for the first time:
Wow, this situation sucks.
Oof, Dr. Lazarenn died - I liked him, but his heroic sacrifice will save the little girl...
Holy shit, they really did it! They killed off the entire race!
*Crying and devastated viewer immediately seeks out the nearest loved one, whether spouse, child, pet, friend for hugs and reassurance, followed by the comfort food of choice. The rest of the viewer's day is ruined*
B5 is a sprawling epic, ahead of its time in terms of plot structuring and general storytelling. It has moments of punch the air triumph, butt-clenching horror, awed wonder, comedy, pain, and sadness, but this episode is the absolute pinnacle of B5 triggering emotional response...
It doesn't get any better on repeat viewings. The shock value of the extinction isn't there - and the looming tragedy to come just makes the entire episode worse.
Simon stated he'd been dreading this episodic. I had, too (there are also unfortunate coincidences in my life which corresponded with prior viewings, which I've told Simon of, but won't list here). This episode utterly fucking wrecks my shit - every time.
Simon chose "John!" as his representative quote - and it's obviously the "John!" from just before Delenn collapsing into Sheridan's arms (dammit I'm crying again just typing this - as I said this episode utterly fucking wrecks my shit and ruins my entire day). I understand why Simon chose it - it's a pivotal moment in the relationship between two major characters - but, as an alternate offer this line from Delenn which sums up the entire theme of this episode.
"I did not realize similarity was required for the exercise of compassion."
I'll be back later to finish my comments. I think I need a little more kitten time, some more chocolate, and maybe a couple of M*A*S*H reruns. This episode has utterly fucking wrecked my shit again.
Yeah, I meant to do this episode last week but weirdly 'forgot'. I don't just 'forget' to send out a newsletter. But I didn't get to watching it, or doing the newsletter, and only realised on Saturday. I think my brain was subconsciously trying to protect me from having to watch it.
In some ways it feels like a follow-up to 'Believers' from season 1, but this episode is so much more accomplished both artistically and technically. In fact, comparing the two is an interesting exercise as it really demonstrates how far the show has come in terms of production and style.
Hah. I read this right after posting Non-Spoiler (2), where I ended on a comparison with "Believers."
Besides the general improvement to the show in terms of everything across the board, I think another reason "Confessions" hits so much harder than "Believers" is the species in "Believers" is one we'd not seen before and haven't seen again, while the Markab have been around since the first episode, and we've grown to know them a bit. A Markab Ambassador was warning us about movement on the rim at the top of the season, and the Markab makeup lends itself to subtle emotion better than a Pak'ma'ra, Drazi, Hyach, or Gaim.
But mostly the familiarity.
Also, Jim Norton, Richard Biggs, Mira Furlan, Bill Mumy and Bruce Boxlightner. Those five in particular bring so much excellent performance work to the episode the little girl's performance being marginal is completely overlooked... And the little Markab girl is the absolute tropiest writing of the episode.
Of course, it's a subverted trope. You NEVER kill off the cute kid - except on B5. She's not the last cute kid that'll be killed off on this show... Although...
SPOILER
...I suppose Simon the mute telepath in Season 5 is more of a teenager than a cutest kid.
Non Spoiler (3)
Having to write this in sections because 1) I'm known to go beyond the maximum length of a Substack reply, and 2) needing to pull myself together (Scott purring on my lap for a couple of hours helped) means I neglected to talk about Franklin.
Richard Biggs is another fine actor who wrings nuance out of Franklin, but we have a few episodes where Franklin can be self-righteous and arrogant to the point of annoying. Plus whatever the hell the writers start smoking when they have Franklin hook up with someone for an episode (i.e. "The Long Dark," or >Season 3 Spoiler omitted<). This episode is Franklin at his best. Passionately dedicated, truly selfless, infinitely compassionate, truly professional. Sure he's got to chew out some Medlab staff, but, well... They deserve it. This episode also hints at the worst of Franklin - but Simon already mentioned that particular moment, punctuated by a smooth dolly zoom...
Behind the scenes, JMS has noted the requirements of the story called for 1) a race which had been around since the beginning, 2) a makeup capable of subtle emotion. The final call came down to the makeup department. Makeup was given the short list of candidate species and told to pick the one they hated most. Well, it seems the Markab were the biggest pains in the ass to paint and apply, so they ended up one the chopping block...
And the Markab were the most numerous League species. There were enough masks and costumes to outfit about 60 of them in a single scene. For a low budget TV show that's a substantial outlay in materiel which got set aside, never to be used again.
Money could have been saved by creating a new species and writing the episode in such a way where we don't have to see every single Markab available lying dead on the ground. JMS didn't do that. He's absolutely correct that killing off a race with history and continuity would hit harder.
Note for the rest of the season in council scenes the Markab seats will be empty. Come season 3 their seats will be filled by Gaim.
The Gaim make their first appearance in this episode, albeit without dialog or being named. That alien walking around in the silver suit with shoulder pads and a gas mask? That's a Gaim.
Right - I think that's the non-Spoilers. On to Spoiler Stuff.
SPOILERS
.
..
...
....
......
......
.....
....
...
..
.
So, a thousand years ago a plague appeared on the Markab homeworld. What was going on back then? The last Shadow War. Markab have been warning of approaching darkness this season, and now they're all dead. Add in the so-called "Drakh Plague" in the sequel series, "Crusade" - a Shadow bio weapon which can be tuned to kill a target species with 100% mortality and 100% contagion and it's pretty inescapable that the Shadows killed off the Markab.
So the bartender at the end of the story giving the rumor that the Vorlons did done do it is a nice attempt at misdirection.
At the time there was online discussion about the "Alien Healing Device," and how that could have been used to at least save Lazarenn. This overlooks 1) whoever donated life energy would have to be in the isolab, and it's not established until after Lazarenn dies the virus won't attack humans, 2) that device is classified as "Top Secret," and Franklin wasn't gonna whip it out in front of his entire staff. Let's note when Marcus steals it in season 4 he has to take out security staff to remove it from a secured area.
Speaking of the Alien Healing Device, Dr. Rosen, in season 1, had lost her medical license over stims addiction. Season 3 Franklin is damn lucky Sheridan covers up the stims problem for him.
And we KNOW that this episode - Franklin blaming himself for not being faster - will directly contribute to his growing addiction.
The Markab DO die of their sins - pride...
Since the Pak'ma'ra are with us into "Crusade," obviously Franklin's treatment is efficacious. Now - can we assume they are able to isolate the pathogen well enough to filter it out of B5's air supply, or does it just taint everyone who passes through?
Delenn's story to the young Markab girl. Something she made up to make the girl feel better, or did it happen. If it happened, did Sinclair/Valen make another time jump, or did he leave a note to arrange for someone to be at the right place and time?
Production wise 1995 was a big year for plague stories. Besides B5, ER did a pandemic story, Star Trek Voyager did a plague story, and the movie "Outbreak" came out. 1994/5 was also notable for mass outbreaks of e-coli and ebola. While "Confessions and Lamentations" hits harder after Covid-19, it's not like there weren't recent outbreaks (and, of course, AIDS) informing the story.
On first airing a friend of mine was so upset by this episode he skipped the next. At the time I asked what he thought of "Divided Loyalties," and he said, "I couldn't bring myself to watch this week. How did you follow up such a bummer?" and I'm afraid I blurted out, "Dude, they killed Talia! She's dead, man, dead!"
So there's that to look forward to....
Some days I think this should be a "Red Dwarf" re-watch blog.
.
Non Spoiler (2)
Director Kevin Cremin really brings his A-Game to the episode. It looks so good, it's practically a Mike Vejar-directed one. Cremin doesn't QUITE make optimal use of the sets to find the most artful angles, but does use a couple of crane shots to highlight the horror of dozens of dead bodies, both in the docking bay and quarantine zones. Franklin's briefing with the senior staff uses a lot of long takes from the eye level of the seated staff, panning from person to person to catch lines and reactions and place the viewer in the scene. On a similar note, Cremin drops right down to the eye level of the little Markab girl and slaps a super-wide lens on his camera for some effective POV shots as she enters quarantine. Along with DP Fred V. Murphy (subbing for normal DP John Flynn III), there's some effective use of lighting, including the larger "crosses" of downlight in the quarantine zone (breaking up the more typical "grid" pattern from the ceiling), and the God-spot on Lazerenn on his death.
Jim Norton, Lazerenn, has performed on B5 before - he's also Ombudsman Wellington. I've had the pleasure to see him perform on stage, and to meet him. Meaning I've had the opportunity to praise him to his face for this performance. Lazerenn and Franklin have instant chemistry. It's a totally believable that the two are long term friends. As Simon noted, Lazerenn being name checked a few episodes ago helps.
Norton brings so many lovely shades to his portrayal, from cold dignity when having to try and brush off Franklin, to cracks of desperation when recounting the history of the Drafa plague, quiet acceptance when relating his infection and symptoms, to that death scene... Actors doing death scenes have all kinds of tricks and indicators: the last gasp, the fluttering eyes, and the suddenly going limp are only three examples. Norton uses none of them. He just quietly says, "Give my love to..." and simply... Stops. It's very effectiveness, and very chilling.
(There's a bit of a production glitch in this scene my brain grabs in a failed attempt to not be sucked into strong emotion. When Franklin tosses the medical cart it strikes a console, and, for a moment it's quite clear the console is a hollow wooden construct.)
Yeah, the scene where Garibaldi helps up the injured Markab speaks volumes.
Sheridan and Delenn get all kinds of meat to play, from the comedy dinner (if one considers the timeline of events in the episode that dinner takes several hours - so Sheridan can be forgiven for falling asleep during several hours of meditation between small bites of food), to the scene were Sheridan tries to talk her out of entering the quarantine zone with their nonsensical "I can't let you back out" (the episode has already established an airborne disease with stationwide recycled air), which is ALL about Sheridan's unspoken attraction to Delenn, to the utter horror of the ending.
Then there's Lennier... Ah, as always Bill Mumy effortlessly makes Lennier one of the most rounded characters on the show. Quiet calm tinged with desperation and exasperation during the dinner, stoic dignity when entering quarantine, a small moment of pride and satisfaction when finding the Markab mother, and understated shock and horror when quarantine is lifted. Mira Furlan gets the beefy breakdown moment, but Lennier, as well, is deeply scarred by the experience.
Oh. Keffer is in this one. Again, it's obvious the showrunner doesn't care about Keffer. Yeah, his little side story gets development - and the almost certain knowledge Sheridan now knows what Keffer is looking for SHOULD make this a fairly major moment, but, with all the character development for more prominent parts, and the tense movement of the plague plotline will anyone remember Keffer was even in the episode in a week? Nope. It's not even fun to mock Keffer anymore. There's not enough character to mock. I'm more invested in the ISN anchor. The forward motion in Keffer's quest only happens here because of the drifting Markab transport - which provided an organic lead-in to the Keffer bits, but his being grounded would have fit better into "Shadow of Za'Ha'Dum," or even next week's "Divided Loyalties." Still, you fit the plot point in where you can when it's as slight as Keffer's.
Oof, still, this episode takes the central conflict from "Believers" back in s1 and ramps it up to 1111%...
Jim Norton is exceptional in this episode. Might even be my favourite guest performance in the series so far. He does so much in such a tight amount of screentime.
And yes, his death is perfect. It's so unexpected and abrupt, that it takes a beat to even realise that it's happened.
Yes, yes, and yes.
Especially that death scene which has haunted me for 29 years. Again, no death rattle, no gasps, no eyes fluttering or closing, no sudden going limp - "I'm sorry, old friend. I don't think I can stay any longer. Will you give my love to...?" and he's just...gone.
If I were Franklin that alone would haunt me for the rest of my days. Who? Who was he going to say? We'll never know. Oh *man*. I had forgotten that.
I *really* hope that they knew each other well enough that Franklin would know who he was talking about.
Heartbreaking.