What I remember so clearly about this episode (and it's been a decade since I last saw it) was thinking "there is NO WAY this should work, it's an absolutely ridiculous conceit and nobody could pull it off, yet - hey, that was actually really compelling. Wow?"
I am especially not a fan of hokey takes on British history getting inserted into non-Brit scifi (usually a source of high cringe - "FORSOOTH I AM BUT A HUMBLE PLAYWRIGHT BY THE NAME OF WILLIAM, BUT I LIKE THE CUT OF YOUR JIB, YOU SPACE-ALIEN RAGAMUFFIN" etc) but again - it worked so well here, with layers upon layers, as you note - including a dawning awareness of the Vorlons as something other than nurturing and charitable (and passive!), which was so thrilling to see.
It works better than JMS's next foray into inserting British history or folklore into B5. Despite Michael York Michael Yorking all over the place, it's still just a crazy dude hiding from his own guilt. Which is a valid story, but "Comes the Inquisitor" just has more going on.
Let us not forget David Warner and the Holy Grail.
Yet, B5 drew Michael York and David Warner, and Wayne Alexander could steal the screen from either one. You pretty much need to be Peter Jurassik or Andreas Katsulas to hold your own against Wayne Alexander.
Oh, I'd stopped counting Mark Hendrickson appearances long ago, but he's a Narn here. Drink. Also, Neil Bradley's Narn apparently escaped Gorash 7 (He's also G'Sten's pilot). For this I blame Neil. If your Narn dies and they make you a different Narn, change up the voice. Heh.
I like to think Hendrickson's Narn is the same one all the way. He'd actually get an implied arc that way...
Vir will, of course, take his little elevator chat with G'Kar to heart. I think, without that moment, Vir would have remained sympathetic, but stayed quiet and passive. Instead, Vir will DO SOMETHING by organizing an underground railroad. Vir shifting from a passive voice (Although one willing to say "I told you so") to covert actor is also the first step leading to his eventual ascension to Emperor.
This episode is really the first time we see Sheridan assign a mission to Rangers, isn't it? Also, while I commented his "[G'kar]...is a known quantity," was cold and businesslike, Sheridan's own empathy, respect, and willingness to act will come to the fore next week.
Speaking of not fucking with Delenn, what's the more badass moment, "Then the council should be broken!" or "If you value your life, be somewhere else!?" Discuss when we get to "Severed Dreams."
I have more to say about Sebastian, but, to avoid a certain amount of repetition, we'll wait for the next episode.
Simon noted the growing Sheridan/Delenn relationship largely went over his head. I guess that's the difference between teens and mid 20s, because, by now, I was at the "JUST KISS ALREADY!" stage. I mean, yes, it's a lovely little build to the relationship, and, now in my 50s, I have more appreciation for near two seasons of buildup before the most confusing first kiss chronology ever (until Steven Moffat gets way to damn clever with River Song, but gets so into his timey-wimey he forgets to build an actual relationship before the Capaldi episode), but, yeah. Sheridan's interest in Delenn started as soon as she wore the little black dress to dinner. That nuzzle Delenn gives Sheridan right after Sebastian says they can go is a highly intimate gesture. There are very few entities who I would allow into my personal space like that who aren't my wife, or former flames when we were together - and most of those allowed are/were cats. They're already madly in love. It's just not the time for them to admit it to themselves, much less each other.
Let's talk about Vir, first, because his little bits are quite important for his arc. First, Vir stands revealed in the Zocalo in that brilliant crane shot (Mike Vejar will make such good use of the crane over the rest of the episode), watching, listening, and Vir's sympathy is writ large. Then, of course, the elevator. This is still a transitional Vir - still passive - but to turn to G'Kar, to look him in the eye and say, "I'm sorry," is the bravest thing we've seen him do - and he's faced down Techno-Mages! Hell, we know how powerful G'Kar is (lifting his stone table over his head), AND, how prone to violence he's been. Staying in close quarters and saying "I'm sorry," might be the bravest thing we've seen ANYONE do on the show thus far (if only Emperor Turhan got to say it first...). Yes, Vir then goes into "they didn't listen," and "I can't do anything," but, damn. And he held his ground when G'Kar pulled that knife. I have more to say about Vir, over in Spoilers.
Mike Vejar makes masterful use of that crane, pushes the early 90's automated lighting as far as it can go, uses beautiful framing and rack focus on shallow DoF closeups, wide angle lenses to disconcerting effect, and, in general, adds a lot of visual interest to a low action episode. The only directorial glitch is a terrible cut when utterly failing to hide the switch to Boxlightner's stunt double, just before Sheridan is blasted back into the wall.
The scene where Garibaldi delivers the data crystal to G'Kar of an alternate location to ship weapons is lovely. Remember Garibaldi is doing this on his own. By the laws of the Earth Alliance he just did something highly illegal. Sure, part of his motivation is keeping his own backyard clean, but the respect and sympathy for G'Kar is obvious (Also, this scene counterpoints the entire interrogation sequence as Garibaldi is optimistic that G'Kar won't let him down while Sebastian expects Delenn and Sheridan to let him down). Finally, to contrast, Sheridan's later, "He's a known quantity..." about G'Kar is a bit cold and businesslike. Again, more in spoilers.
Wayne Alexander is fantastic as Sebastian. He's creepy, powerful, and the madness lurks behind his eyes. There are reasons they'll bring him back in other roles. Yeah, that's technically a spoiler. Hey, first time viewer, that amazing actor will return, and he'll always be amazing. Something for you to look forward to. Listen for the voice, cuz he'll be in heavy makeup a lot.
Delenn's final speech during the interrogation - "Take me..." Such a strong performance. This season we've seen Delenn take a lot of abuse from her own people, from Earth military and media, from sitting with the Markab... Then, with her relationship with Sheridan, she's developed her flounce, which we'll see a lot. Here we see the adamamtium core of a powerful woman. It's her most badass moment until THAT episode (if you know, you know, if you don't, you'll know it when you see it). It's been a while since we've been reminded you do not fuck with Delenn.
Speaking of not fucking with Delenn, it's beautiful when Sebastian asks, "Have you ever considered you could be wrong?" and she yes "Yes. Sometimes." He was NOT expecting that. He expected the burning irrational faith he had back in the day. That ten minute break isn't a "reward" for Delenn - it's Sebastian needing to pull himself together.
Up until moving to Ireland I had an off-the-air taping of the original US airing. Where Sheridan says "West End" (of London). The ADR is actually quite smooth. Except the mouth movement doesn't match. Picky-picky.
The final "revelation" is one I remember generated some buzz at the time. Now, as soon as Sebastian told Sheridan he was from 1888 at the top of the episode I KNEW who Sebastian was. To me the line, "...but only as Jack," was on-the-nose cheese. Imagine my surprise when half of my friends who watched the show said they had no idea until the name was spoken. Fair enough.
As an American born person now living in Ireland, goddamn, I feel this week like G'Kar standing in the Zocalo screaming warnings. Except G'Kar wasn't screwed over by Narns. Simon told me elsewhere he timed this blog so "Fall of Night" matched the US election... Yeah, good job, Simon, and good job, JMS, because this episode hit hard, and I suspect the next one will as well.
What I remember so clearly about this episode (and it's been a decade since I last saw it) was thinking "there is NO WAY this should work, it's an absolutely ridiculous conceit and nobody could pull it off, yet - hey, that was actually really compelling. Wow?"
I am especially not a fan of hokey takes on British history getting inserted into non-Brit scifi (usually a source of high cringe - "FORSOOTH I AM BUT A HUMBLE PLAYWRIGHT BY THE NAME OF WILLIAM, BUT I LIKE THE CUT OF YOUR JIB, YOU SPACE-ALIEN RAGAMUFFIN" etc) but again - it worked so well here, with layers upon layers, as you note - including a dawning awareness of the Vorlons as something other than nurturing and charitable (and passive!), which was so thrilling to see.
It works better than JMS's next foray into inserting British history or folklore into B5. Despite Michael York Michael Yorking all over the place, it's still just a crazy dude hiding from his own guilt. Which is a valid story, but "Comes the Inquisitor" just has more going on.
Once you include Marcus as well, JMS clearly has a thing for historical, semi-fantasy British heroic figures.
Let us not forget David Warner and the Holy Grail.
Yet, B5 drew Michael York and David Warner, and Wayne Alexander could steal the screen from either one. You pretty much need to be Peter Jurassik or Andreas Katsulas to hold your own against Wayne Alexander.
Oh, I'd stopped counting Mark Hendrickson appearances long ago, but he's a Narn here. Drink. Also, Neil Bradley's Narn apparently escaped Gorash 7 (He's also G'Sten's pilot). For this I blame Neil. If your Narn dies and they make you a different Narn, change up the voice. Heh.
I like to think Hendrickson's Narn is the same one all the way. He'd actually get an implied arc that way...
Oh, yes, I think JMS once stated somewhere Marcus was supposed to be kinda Robin Hood-ish, but with a stick.
SPOILERS
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Vir will, of course, take his little elevator chat with G'Kar to heart. I think, without that moment, Vir would have remained sympathetic, but stayed quiet and passive. Instead, Vir will DO SOMETHING by organizing an underground railroad. Vir shifting from a passive voice (Although one willing to say "I told you so") to covert actor is also the first step leading to his eventual ascension to Emperor.
This episode is really the first time we see Sheridan assign a mission to Rangers, isn't it? Also, while I commented his "[G'kar]...is a known quantity," was cold and businesslike, Sheridan's own empathy, respect, and willingness to act will come to the fore next week.
Speaking of not fucking with Delenn, what's the more badass moment, "Then the council should be broken!" or "If you value your life, be somewhere else!?" Discuss when we get to "Severed Dreams."
I have more to say about Sebastian, but, to avoid a certain amount of repetition, we'll wait for the next episode.
Simon noted the growing Sheridan/Delenn relationship largely went over his head. I guess that's the difference between teens and mid 20s, because, by now, I was at the "JUST KISS ALREADY!" stage. I mean, yes, it's a lovely little build to the relationship, and, now in my 50s, I have more appreciation for near two seasons of buildup before the most confusing first kiss chronology ever (until Steven Moffat gets way to damn clever with River Song, but gets so into his timey-wimey he forgets to build an actual relationship before the Capaldi episode), but, yeah. Sheridan's interest in Delenn started as soon as she wore the little black dress to dinner. That nuzzle Delenn gives Sheridan right after Sebastian says they can go is a highly intimate gesture. There are very few entities who I would allow into my personal space like that who aren't my wife, or former flames when we were together - and most of those allowed are/were cats. They're already madly in love. It's just not the time for them to admit it to themselves, much less each other.
Non Spoiler:
Hi, catching up!
Let's talk about Vir, first, because his little bits are quite important for his arc. First, Vir stands revealed in the Zocalo in that brilliant crane shot (Mike Vejar will make such good use of the crane over the rest of the episode), watching, listening, and Vir's sympathy is writ large. Then, of course, the elevator. This is still a transitional Vir - still passive - but to turn to G'Kar, to look him in the eye and say, "I'm sorry," is the bravest thing we've seen him do - and he's faced down Techno-Mages! Hell, we know how powerful G'Kar is (lifting his stone table over his head), AND, how prone to violence he's been. Staying in close quarters and saying "I'm sorry," might be the bravest thing we've seen ANYONE do on the show thus far (if only Emperor Turhan got to say it first...). Yes, Vir then goes into "they didn't listen," and "I can't do anything," but, damn. And he held his ground when G'Kar pulled that knife. I have more to say about Vir, over in Spoilers.
Mike Vejar makes masterful use of that crane, pushes the early 90's automated lighting as far as it can go, uses beautiful framing and rack focus on shallow DoF closeups, wide angle lenses to disconcerting effect, and, in general, adds a lot of visual interest to a low action episode. The only directorial glitch is a terrible cut when utterly failing to hide the switch to Boxlightner's stunt double, just before Sheridan is blasted back into the wall.
The scene where Garibaldi delivers the data crystal to G'Kar of an alternate location to ship weapons is lovely. Remember Garibaldi is doing this on his own. By the laws of the Earth Alliance he just did something highly illegal. Sure, part of his motivation is keeping his own backyard clean, but the respect and sympathy for G'Kar is obvious (Also, this scene counterpoints the entire interrogation sequence as Garibaldi is optimistic that G'Kar won't let him down while Sebastian expects Delenn and Sheridan to let him down). Finally, to contrast, Sheridan's later, "He's a known quantity..." about G'Kar is a bit cold and businesslike. Again, more in spoilers.
Wayne Alexander is fantastic as Sebastian. He's creepy, powerful, and the madness lurks behind his eyes. There are reasons they'll bring him back in other roles. Yeah, that's technically a spoiler. Hey, first time viewer, that amazing actor will return, and he'll always be amazing. Something for you to look forward to. Listen for the voice, cuz he'll be in heavy makeup a lot.
Delenn's final speech during the interrogation - "Take me..." Such a strong performance. This season we've seen Delenn take a lot of abuse from her own people, from Earth military and media, from sitting with the Markab... Then, with her relationship with Sheridan, she's developed her flounce, which we'll see a lot. Here we see the adamamtium core of a powerful woman. It's her most badass moment until THAT episode (if you know, you know, if you don't, you'll know it when you see it). It's been a while since we've been reminded you do not fuck with Delenn.
Speaking of not fucking with Delenn, it's beautiful when Sebastian asks, "Have you ever considered you could be wrong?" and she yes "Yes. Sometimes." He was NOT expecting that. He expected the burning irrational faith he had back in the day. That ten minute break isn't a "reward" for Delenn - it's Sebastian needing to pull himself together.
Up until moving to Ireland I had an off-the-air taping of the original US airing. Where Sheridan says "West End" (of London). The ADR is actually quite smooth. Except the mouth movement doesn't match. Picky-picky.
The final "revelation" is one I remember generated some buzz at the time. Now, as soon as Sebastian told Sheridan he was from 1888 at the top of the episode I KNEW who Sebastian was. To me the line, "...but only as Jack," was on-the-nose cheese. Imagine my surprise when half of my friends who watched the show said they had no idea until the name was spoken. Fair enough.
Hmmmm. Yup, off to the Spoilers post.
Hadn't considered the contrast of Garibaldi's gut faith with G'Kar with Sebastien's assumption that Delenn will be a disappointment. Nice.
Thinkin' I heard that one from sum'un else, myself.
Non Spoiler Political Addendum:
As an American born person now living in Ireland, goddamn, I feel this week like G'Kar standing in the Zocalo screaming warnings. Except G'Kar wasn't screwed over by Narns. Simon told me elsewhere he timed this blog so "Fall of Night" matched the US election... Yeah, good job, Simon, and good job, JMS, because this episode hit hard, and I suspect the next one will as well.