When Talia screams in the hallway, you can see Morden whisper "Wait", its my belief the Shadows were going to kill her right there as she could see them.
@@sdfried4877 Well, truthfully, I like Brent's version a little more. Knowing how JMS works, it seems to fit a little better. Perhaps it's the other way around and the show 48hrs IS the happy coincidence. lol
I have lost count of how many times I've re-watched this show. I won't go in to any detail but there is a lot that pops out on a season rewatch and even more on a series re-watch.
I had started taping the show early on in the first season, so we had the luxury of doing a full rewatch of the show during the months long break between each season.
@@lordpuki1375 They used to repeat the entire season during the break as well so we would get 17 episodes in and they would go back to #1 and then run the last 5 right into the new season. Wacky.
@Babylon 5 For the First Time I can't think of a specific thing, it's more your different lenses and lives and how you both have different cultural upbringing and how that leads you to different thoughts (prime example I can think of is you both talking about leadership and the ombuds).
I think you meant Bill Pullman on your Independence Day reference. Bill Paxton was famous for another line which would be not be a good thing for B5. "Game over man. Game over."
@@simongiles9749 the Marie Celeste and Babylon 4 have a lot in common. Sinclair references the Flying Dutchman but the Marie Celeste works just as well.
In my case during the original run, I didn't get a chance to rewatch (unless you count random reruns). I started at S2 and didn't even see S1 until after S4. So many questions answered as you might guess.
I hope you don't mind me saying but rewatching from season 1 to 5 still surprises me to this day. It still shocks me on a rewatch how early some of the main themes of the show are introduced right in season one. And like those best works of art the more you watch it the more you get out of it. I hope you and Jeff put up the rewatch on RUclips. Thanks for the great shows on reaction shows and part of the dynamic duo with Jeff on Mondays. ....... Well played on that duo review troll.
Yes the extras are just circling around sometimes alone sometimes pairing up sometimes limping some times not or also holding an arm. I is a BTS secret given away on the DVD commentary.
Yes, this is very much Lord of the Rings. The Shadows were defeated, but not destroyed. And now they are coming back to once again put the universe at danger. The name Z'ha'dum actually refers to Khazad-dûm, the Dvarven name of Moria. JMS is a huge Tolkien fan, so he puts in these small references.
JMS is a big Tolkien fan, but he's just a fan of knights and medieval stuff in general, crusades, Arthurian legend, etc. It pops up all the time in all sorts of weird places, like that bar scene where there was some kind of holographic knight fighting game.
This is our "Shadow of the Past" (LOTR, chapter 2), and the rangers are moving through the lands trying to observe and protect those who do not realize the "shadow" beginning to cover everything in darkness.
JMS made tons of LOTR references, like the grey council consist of 9 members like the fellowship. I kinda recall him talking about some of it in the special edition documentary. I don't want to say more not to spoil anything for Jeff and Brent.
Hey Brent, I'm glad that you said something about doing a rewatch, or "Babylon 5 for the Second Time". I figured that discussion would be fair game for any and all episodes that you and Jeff have seen. I would agree that Babylon 5 is better on the rewatch due to all of the hidden gems. If nothing else, JMS is a master at subtle foreshadowing and misdirection and there's still the occasional nugget I find in spite of having seen the series several times. It might be for the best to limit discussion only to those reaction and talking points that you and Jeff point out so as to be respectful of your wishes. As much as I'm looking forward to seeing the remainder of your Season 2 reactions, I think the best part of watching any review and reaction to the First Time is the speculation and predictions that you guys bring forth. It's incredibly enjoyable to watch and I can't wait to see how you guys respond as you get further down the rabbit hole.
Pierce Macabee's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather: "... and thus I believe we can make a safer happier Sydney for everyone. I'd be delighted if you all join me in the Sydney Nightwatch." Convict: "Will there be any free rum at this thing?" Pierce: "There will be a limited quanity of free rum to the tune of 50 pennies a month, yes." Convict: "IN."
Ooh. That's an Aussie connection I wasn't aware of. Convicts turned police was not an uncommon thing. I'm descended from a first-fleet convict who became a police constable in Tasmania after serving his time on Norfolk Island.
This is one of the bigger lore episodes of B5. A lot of information thrown at us, and yet as always in B5, the more information we get, the more questions get answered, the more new questions we have. I'm trying to contain myself to not tell you all the stuff you missed, but I do suggest you continue watching this until the end, and then do a rewatch.
It was a good episode to bring together some established threads and remind us where we are at. I rewatched every episode even the first time it was aired. I also rewatched series during season breaks. What else could we do in those long dark breaks. Lol. There wasn't a lot we missed, but I still enjoy the rewatch. I'm not sure talking about previous episodes is much of a spoiler though. The show has been pretty obvious about the threat on the Rim.
I love the comparison of the Narn with Coventry. Sheridan finally connects the dots, but he has to sacrifice the Narn race to save the Galaxy. Simply horrifying and grievously sad.
This is heavily influenced by JRR Tolkien. The First Ones are like the Valar (gods) who overthrew Morgoth (first Dark Lord) and then leave for the Blessed Realm. But Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, survived and takes up the mantle of evil, but fortunately the immortal Elves are still strong and help the Free Peoples in the War of the Last Alliance. But now Sauron has returned in the Third Age and all but a few pockets of Elves remain, leaving the Free Peoples to fight nearly alone. So the Vorlons are like the Valar and the Minbari are like the Elves...sorta.
So, on the rewatch question. Back in the day, you would have had a rewatch during the summer re-runs. So I think it is fine... you will see things that you missed for this season, but as others have said, it is a very different experience doing a re-watch after having seen them all. =) either way is probably fine... but might be better after the full show is pau (done).
I would reccomend to do a re-watch after the first watch. Then at the re-watch, it would be interesting to hear your reactions to the season intros as well 🤩
One thing B5 does well is casting people who are supposed to be those arrogant jerks who are arrogant because they have powerful friends. Morden, Stoner (Talia's husband) and the guy who was Garabaldi's aide.
@@Babylon5FortheFirstTime Kosh's over-meme'd phrase particularly applies here because, from this point on, almost everything you see in this show will advance the story somehow. There will still be world building here and there, but the payoffs start coming more and more rapidly now; even on a first watch in 1995 we knew something had changed at this point.
While the vorlons and shadows might both have organic technology they are two separate races. This episode conforms that there are many of the older races.
As evil as Mr. Morden is, he couldn't have been played by a sweeter man, Ed Wasser. The guy always had time for his fans and a good joke. He has retired from acting and is now in construction, operating "Waterstone Construction & Development".
This episode had me thinking: Savage Vir Mode ENGAGE. :) also a rewatch series would be highly interesting to me to see how (or if) your opinion changes.
B5 has ridiculous amounts of foreshadowing, some in your face, some really subtle and easily missed. Also, some of the foreshadowing doesn't get resolved for several seasons (the joy of a pre-planned story arc). So, I think a rewatch is better after you have completed your first watch through of the show. The only other shows that I think attempted this approach in TV were Firefly and Dollhouse (but these never completed their runs, so don't really know for sure).
Telling you "REMEMBER THIS??" Etc doesn't just spoil the rewatch. It actually spoils the show. You're not supposed to connect absolutely everything on first watch, or else the rest would be easy to get. And I guarantee you, most of us didn't catch that stuff on first watch either. Yet we.loved the shit out of the show.
Good one about the rewatch spoilers. I would say that the best watch of B5 is the second one when you make so many more connections. No details. Wait! This episode we get something not really cryptic from Kosh! Who would've thunk? Then there is Vir. He has grown a lot! I think the rewatch is even better after the whole story. Be seeing you!
My head is still spinning after last week. (Don't worry, I've forgiven you guys, but I haven't fully recovered yet). Your reactions here were perfectly fair. I'm sorry I doubted you.
Hold up on a season 2 re-watch. Do it after you've gone through the s2-s3-s4 arc you've begun watching for the first time. You won't understand much of what's going on in the background until after you've gone through the Great War(s). Then you can savor the many instances of foreshadowing that JMS laid down right in front of your nose that you had no idea were there.
Nooooo don't do the rewatch yet. Do it after the very final bit of the entire series and movies. Seriously can't wait for it but please don't spoil yourself.
No, not the best of the season. A good, entertaining episode, especially due to Bruce able to play out on Sheridan's emotions, and the way it is treated by others.
@@ogami7661 I try not to say much about future episodes, or episode numbers, so as not to reveal too much and over hype episodes. Yes, 20 is my favorite for the season too, but I know it isn't for everyone. In reality, most of the remaining episodes are among my favorites, but not all, and others, I know, have different reactions to them, some not liking them as much as I do.
Totally different situation. Revelations wasn’t so much Sheridan pining as it was his ignoring Anna’s death. His sister forced it out of him. As a random accident, Sheridan was helpless to do anything about it and chose to ignore it while harboring his guilt deep down. In this case, he suddenly has a mystery and a human target he can blame and point all his previously unfocused anger at. He does this to the detriment of all else and only stops when he is told he is endangering everyone. I think nothing less would have made him stop and nothing less than his actions would have made Delenn and Kosh tell the truth. @@Babylon5FortheFirstTime
Should you go do a Season 2 rewatch? Yes, but not until at least the end of Season 4. Why? Well, I think you'll find that . And that, of course, also explains the peanut butter.
When Talia screams in the hallway, you can see Morden whisper "Wait", its my belief the Shadows were going to kill her right there as she could see them.
Cool pick up
Brent - "Is it JUST Kosh? Or ALL the Vorlons?"
Kosh - "Yes."
"Is Kosh the only Vorlon, or is it the Vorlon as a whole that are left?" Imagined Kosh: "Yes." Enigmatic as ever.
Such a great episode, but ya know... it's the Vir and Morden scene I think I love the most. *Vir wave
Vir showing strength and confidence with both Morden and Sheridan.
Been a fan forever. Actually never made that connection. 36 hours, 36 episodes. Thank you :)
Never did i 😇
You’re welcome
48 hours was a news show at that time with the same concept: go somewhere and see what happens. So the 36 episodes is more of a happy coincidence.
@@sdfried4877 Well, truthfully, I like Brent's version a little more. Knowing how JMS works, it seems to fit a little better. Perhaps it's the other way around and the show 48hrs IS the happy coincidence. lol
The production code is 214. So, it is actually the 36th episode, excluding the pilot.
"There's so much I've missed..."
Oh you sweet summer child. lol
I understood this reference.
@@Babylon5FortheFirstTimelol was that in your best Steve Rogers voice?
I have lost count of how many times I've re-watched this show. I won't go in to any detail but there is a lot that pops out on a season rewatch and even more on a series re-watch.
It’s best to do a rewatch after finishing all 5 seasons. Because of B5’s structure, a rewatch is really rewarding
I had started taping the show early on in the first season, so we had the luxury of doing a full rewatch of the show during the months long break between each season.
They ain't rewatching shit. Seems like they can barely get through the first run.
@@lordpuki1375 They used to repeat the entire season during the break as well so we would get 17 episodes in and they would go back to #1 and then run the last 5 right into the new season. Wacky.
@@kiro6119 You suck at trolling. So better leave it.
@@Nikioko I love that on the internet when you disagree with someone you are a troll. You must be fun to be around in real life.
I'm so glad to finally see your original reaction to this episode 🤩🤩 🤩
Agreed!!! It’s been a long weekend!!!
Hear hear!
Or is it here here?
Hell, I’ll take both. It’s been that kinda weekend
The entire show is something you see in a whole new light and entertaining in a whole new way on a rewatch.
You cut the best part! When Sheridan gets slapped!
What I absolutely love about you and Jeff's reviews and analysis of B5 is you both pick up stuff I had missed even on multiple rewatches.
What did you hear in this one?
@Babylon 5 For the First Time I can't think of a specific thing, it's more your different lenses and lives and how you both have different cultural upbringing and how that leads you to different thoughts (prime example I can think of is you both talking about leadership and the ombuds).
I think you meant Bill Pullman on your Independence Day reference. Bill Paxton was famous for another line which would be not be a good thing for B5. "Game over man. Game over."
That’s the one!!!
I'm happy to hear you are enjoying this show at least enough to be looking forward to watch it through a second time.
Never name a ship 'Icarus'. It never ends well for them.
A Trekkie equivalent would be "Botany Bay" I believe. 😈
At the end of Grail, Jinxo leaves on the "Marie Celeste.".
This is sage wisdom
@@simongiles9749 the Marie Celeste and Babylon 4 have a lot in common. Sinclair references the Flying Dutchman but the Marie Celeste works just as well.
@@loka7783 I think for Khan, the SS Elba would have been more fitting.
In my case during the original run, I didn't get a chance to rewatch (unless you count random reruns). I started at S2 and didn't even see S1 until after S4. So many questions answered as you might guess.
I hope you don't mind me saying but rewatching from season 1 to 5 still surprises me to this day. It still shocks me on a rewatch how early some of the main themes of the show are introduced right in season one. And like those best works of art the more you watch it the more you get out of it. I hope you and Jeff put up the rewatch on RUclips. Thanks for the great shows on reaction shows and part of the dynamic duo with Jeff on Mondays.
....... Well played on that duo review troll.
That's one of the few things I miss about '90s computer tech: the blocky tabs and oddly-angled interface windows.
Yes, a full season rewatch is always a good thing
I feel this is the episode where the roller coaster starts screaming down the track ;) Hang on tight for the ride! :)
Yes the extras are just circling around sometimes alone sometimes pairing up sometimes limping some times not or also holding an arm. I is a BTS secret given away on the DVD commentary.
And then in GROPOS they took the crowd and digitally copied the same people to create the hundreds of troops arriving.
Yes, this is very much Lord of the Rings. The Shadows were defeated, but not destroyed. And now they are coming back to once again put the universe at danger. The name Z'ha'dum actually refers to Khazad-dûm, the Dvarven name of Moria. JMS is a huge Tolkien fan, so he puts in these small references.
And Khazad-Dum was destroyed because the dwarves "dug too greedily and too deep" and awoke "shadow and flame".
JMS is a big Tolkien fan, but he's just a fan of knights and medieval stuff in general, crusades, Arthurian legend, etc. It pops up all the time in all sorts of weird places, like that bar scene where there was some kind of holographic knight fighting game.
This is our "Shadow of the Past" (LOTR, chapter 2), and the rangers are moving through the lands trying to observe and protect those who do not realize the "shadow" beginning to cover everything in darkness.
JMS made tons of LOTR references, like the grey council consist of 9 members like the fellowship. I kinda recall him talking about some of it in the special edition documentary. I don't want to say more not to spoil anything for Jeff and Brent.
Not just Lotr...Technomage Elric comes to mind, sadly he had no Stormbringer
Hey Brent, I'm glad that you said something about doing a rewatch, or "Babylon 5 for the Second Time". I figured that discussion would be fair game for any and all episodes that you and Jeff have seen.
I would agree that Babylon 5 is better on the rewatch due to all of the hidden gems. If nothing else, JMS is a master at subtle foreshadowing and misdirection and there's still the occasional nugget I find in spite of having seen the series several times.
It might be for the best to limit discussion only to those reaction and talking points that you and Jeff point out so as to be respectful of your wishes.
As much as I'm looking forward to seeing the remainder of your Season 2 reactions, I think the best part of watching any review and reaction to the First Time is the speculation and predictions that you guys bring forth.
It's incredibly enjoyable to watch and I can't wait to see how you guys respond as you get further down the rabbit hole.
They've been really inconsistent about what they've said they want or don't want in the comments. Lately it's been more don't say anything at all.
The "Nightwatch" was the name of the first police force in Sydney, Australia. It was made up of trusted convicts in the penal colony.
And also the enormous painting aka "The Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq" by Rembrandt.
@@simongiles9749 Thank you, I thought there was a painting but did not know the details.
Pierce Macabee's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather: "... and thus I believe we can make a safer happier Sydney for everyone. I'd be delighted if you all join me in the Sydney Nightwatch."
Convict: "Will there be any free rum at this thing?"
Pierce: "There will be a limited quanity of free rum to the tune of 50 pennies a month, yes."
Convict: "IN."
Ooh. That's an Aussie connection I wasn't aware of. Convicts turned police was not an uncommon thing. I'm descended from a first-fleet convict who became a police constable in Tasmania after serving his time on Norfolk Island.
This is one of the bigger lore episodes of B5. A lot of information thrown at us, and yet as always in B5, the more information we get, the more questions get answered, the more new questions we have. I'm trying to contain myself to not tell you all the stuff you missed, but I do suggest you continue watching this until the end, and then do a rewatch.
Did anyone else notice when Morden handed over the data crystal he was giving Vir the finger?
Every time 😂
It was a good episode to bring together some established threads and remind us where we are at. I rewatched every episode even the first time it was aired. I also rewatched series during season breaks. What else could we do in those long dark breaks. Lol. There wasn't a lot we missed, but I still enjoy the rewatch. I'm not sure talking about previous episodes is much of a spoiler though. The show has been pretty obvious about the threat on the Rim.
This was the episode that got me to watch the show.
I love the comparison of the Narn with Coventry. Sheridan finally connects the dots, but he has to sacrifice the Narn race to save the Galaxy. Simply horrifying and grievously sad.
This is heavily influenced by JRR Tolkien. The First Ones are like the Valar (gods) who overthrew Morgoth (first Dark Lord) and then leave for the Blessed Realm. But Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, survived and takes up the mantle of evil, but fortunately the immortal Elves are still strong and help the Free Peoples in the War of the Last Alliance. But now Sauron has returned in the Third Age and all but a few pockets of Elves remain, leaving the Free Peoples to fight nearly alone. So the Vorlons are like the Valar and the Minbari are like the Elves...sorta.
So, on the rewatch question. Back in the day, you would have had a rewatch during the summer re-runs. So I think it is fine... you will see things that you missed for this season, but as others have said, it is a very different experience doing a re-watch after having seen them all. =) either way is probably fine... but might be better after the full show is pau (done).
If you do a season 2 rewatch without finishing all of B5, you're going to want to do ANOTHER season 2 rewatch when you do finish.
I'd wait until season 3 then go back and do a rewatch before season 4
I would reccomend to do a re-watch after the first watch. Then at the re-watch, it would be interesting to hear your reactions to the season intros as well 🤩
Sounds good
One thing B5 does well is casting people who are supposed to be those arrogant jerks who are arrogant because they have powerful friends.
Morden, Stoner (Talia's husband) and the guy who was Garabaldi's aide.
And... It has began. Now things start moving.
And so, it begins.
Again.
@@Babylon5FortheFirstTime Kosh's over-meme'd phrase particularly applies here because, from this point on, almost everything you see in this show will advance the story somehow. There will still be world building here and there, but the payoffs start coming more and more rapidly now; even on a first watch in 1995 we knew something had changed at this point.
Vir is MVP this episode.
Vir da real MVP!!!
While the vorlons and shadows might both have organic technology they are two separate races. This episode conforms that there are many of the older races.
Thank you for your reaction.
Rewatch after finishing season 4.
As evil as Mr. Morden is, he couldn't have been played by a sweeter man, Ed Wasser. The guy always had time for his fans and a good joke. He has retired from acting and is now in construction, operating "Waterstone Construction & Development".
His company nsme being reference to his german family name
This episode had me thinking: Savage Vir Mode ENGAGE. :) also a rewatch series would be highly interesting to me to see how (or if) your opinion changes.
Vir goes from passive aggressive to actively aggressive. He’s too tired to be afraid anymore.
FYI, the roots of Morden is "mort", Latin for death, and of course Mordor the land of shadows. It's thus technically correct to call him Mr. Death.
Ah... Sheridan speeches....
Ahahaha.
Keep watching.
It gets better.
B5 has ridiculous amounts of foreshadowing, some in your face, some really subtle and easily missed.
Also, some of the foreshadowing doesn't get resolved for several seasons (the joy of a pre-planned story arc).
So, I think a rewatch is better after you have completed your first watch through of the show.
The only other shows that I think attempted this approach in TV were Firefly and Dollhouse (but these never completed their runs, so don't really know for sure).
Yes!!! :)
After each season, you should re-watch/deng watch it before watching the next season
Here we are with the real reaction...
Telling you "REMEMBER THIS??" Etc doesn't just spoil the rewatch. It actually spoils the show. You're not supposed to connect absolutely everything on first watch, or else the rest would be easy to get. And I guarantee you, most of us didn't catch that stuff on first watch either. Yet we.loved the shit out of the show.
That’s better.
Vir waving.
Good one about the rewatch spoilers. I would say that the best watch of B5 is the second one when you make so many more connections. No details.
Wait! This episode we get something not really cryptic from Kosh! Who would've thunk?
Then there is Vir. He has grown a lot!
I think the rewatch is even better after the whole story.
Be seeing you!
Exactly what we’re saying. Really looking forward to the rewatch. That’ll be a whole different experience with a whole new conversation.
@@Babylon5FortheFirstTime
Indeed! (Teal'C voice)
My head is still spinning after last week. (Don't worry, I've forgiven you guys, but I haven't fully recovered yet). Your reactions here were perfectly fair. I'm sorry I doubted you.
Watch whole show and then do a re-watch on camera. If you do it now you are still gonna miss a ton of stuff.
Sometime you make a comment and i think no way he’s not cheating.
Hold up on a season 2 re-watch. Do it after you've gone through the s2-s3-s4 arc you've begun watching for the first time. You won't understand much of what's going on in the background until after you've gone through the Great War(s). Then you can savor the many instances of foreshadowing that JMS laid down right in front of your nose that you had no idea were there.
season 2 rewatch is probably premature. this story unpeels like an onion.
I wouldn't do a Season 2 rewatch yet. :-)
Pronounced:
Zah...
Hah...
Doom..
Also rhymes with Khazad-dûm (Moria) another Tolkien reference.
Nooooo don't do the rewatch yet. Do it after the very final bit of the entire series and movies. Seriously can't wait for it but please don't spoil yourself.
No, not the best of the season. A good, entertaining episode, especially due to Bruce able to play out on Sheridan's emotions, and the way it is treated by others.
@@ogami7661 I try not to say much about future episodes, or episode numbers, so as not to reveal too much and over hype episodes. Yes, 20 is my favorite for the season too, but I know it isn't for everyone. In reality, most of the remaining episodes are among my favorites, but not all, and others, I know, have different reactions to them, some not liking them as much as I do.
This was a much better Sheridan pining for his wife episide than Revelations was
Totally different situation. Revelations wasn’t so much Sheridan pining as it was his ignoring Anna’s death. His sister forced it out of him. As a random accident, Sheridan was helpless to do anything about it and chose to ignore it while harboring his guilt deep down. In this case, he suddenly has a mystery and a human target he can blame and point all his previously unfocused anger at. He does this to the detriment of all else and only stops when he is told he is endangering everyone. I think nothing less would have made him stop and nothing less than his actions would have made Delenn and Kosh tell the truth. @@Babylon5FortheFirstTime
Should you go do a Season 2 rewatch? Yes, but not until at least the end of Season 4. Why? Well, I think you'll find that . And that, of course, also explains the peanut butter.
Federal employee, are ya?
to your question no dont rewatch season 2 continue onwards
I liked the other reaction video more...
Understood. :-)