B5 - Episode 1x05 - Parliament of Dreams

[nymeria_dw]

This is a very complex episode, not in terms of story of course, but because it's composed of many different threads that put several characters in the spotlight and help us understand them better.  It happens often, with Babylon5, that a single episode can convey a great deal of information and be entertaining at the same time. This is one of those instances.  After struggling a little for the best way of tackling this, I decided to examine each thread on its own: much easier that way...

The main theme of the episode is the demonstration of religious beliefs from each culture present on the station, and they range from the high-spirited (in every sense of the word) revelry of the Centauri, to the mystical symbolism of the Minbari.   Londo's representation of his people's approach to the divine looks very much like an orgy, and he appears quite comfortable in it – as opposed to Delenn who's both puzzled and horrified, although in a very controlled way.   This scene never fails to bring a smile to my face: a totally drunk Londo walks down the table on hands and knees and finally crashes down, unconscious, as the others exchange some great lines.

VIR: "Ah! He has become one with his inner self!"
GARIBALDI: "He's passed out."
VIR: "That too."

Here Londo is truly himself (in vino veritas...), someone who loves a good time and congenial company, someone whose spirit leans more toward fun than political machinations. And for this reason, despite the humor of the situation, my smile is bittersweet: in Season Five Londo will have to make a terrible personal choice, and at that very moment, it will be this point in his life he will remember with greater regret as a time of carefree happiness.

The Minbari delegation gains another face with the arrival of Lennier, Delenn's new attaché: watching him now, so shy and reserved, makes me understand how much he will grow in the course of time – for good and bad – and how he will learn to become the assertive person he certainly is not when he sets foot on the station.  

New viewers should pay attention to the exchange between Lennier and Delenn, the one where she orders him to look up and not feel overwhelmed by her, and what she represents: further down the line we will learn that these same words represent a form of legacy – I can't say anymore, even though it's not really a spoiler, but once the sentence is spoken, it will take on a delightful new meaning.

G'Kar emerges in a new, completely different light: until now we have met only the embittered, revenge-prone warrior who would do anything to reclaim his people's pride and dignity. Here we see another G'Kar, the first glimpse of a very different person, one who enjoys cooking for himself – and sings while doing it! – and one who also fears for his life. The thread about the assassin paid to kill him is wonderfully played between drama and humor with the addition of the new attaché, Na'Toth, who is G'Kar's perfect counterpart. 

The person who emerges from this segment of the narrative arc is a more rounded, and more sympathetic one. I believe that here we see the first step toward G'Kar's metamorphosis, one that will go on for a long time.

Another important theme concerns the Minbari ceremony, or rather Catherine Sakai's commentary about it: the ritual can work both as a renewal ceremony or a marriage. The "serious exchange of looks" before the sharing of the fruit would seem to point to the second option, and since it occurred between Delenn and Sinclair one might surmise they now share something important.  Yet on Babylon5 things are rarely what they look on the outside...  (((insert crafty grin))).

Last, but not least, another piece of the "Sinclair puzzle": the arrival of Catherine Sakai and the rekindling of a tormented love affair give us new insights on what makes the Commander tick.  More important, Sakai is another example of Mr. Straczynski's view of women: she is both strong and feminine, assertive and independent but never bitchy. Women are rarely portrayed that well in science fiction – B5 being one such bright exception.

By JMS's own admission, the conversation between the two former lovers is lifted straight from his own personal experience: that's why the pain and bitterness of the past feel quite real, despite being subdued. This is one of the (many) pieces of great writing in this show and I think much of its impact comes from the contrast between the depth of feelings and the restraint with which they are expressed.

A little personal detail: here, for the first time in the story arc, is mentioned Sinclair's favorite poem – Tennyson's "Ulysses". Even though I'm not very poetry-inclined, I was curious enough to look it up, and discovered its beautiful, lyrical verses that I re-read many times, to the point that I've memorized the last ones.

That which we are, we are.
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will,
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.

They will be mentioned again farther down the road...

Comments

[diarmi.livejournal.com]

For me it's mostly a wonderful G'Kar episode, with all ceremonies as interesting (as fun - Centauri ceremonies are the best:)))) background. Adding Catherine to the Sinclair plot is good but I've never could invest emotionally in them, not sure why...

Every G'Kar's scene here is awesome. He is fun (his dialogues with Garibaldi are pure gold - "hot pink is definitely your color") and Na'Toth is clever and snarky:

"That hurt."
"Ambassador, it was the only way to disable the pain-givers. I had to hit them as hard as possible, as often as possible and still make it appear as though I were beating you into another incarnation."
"And you didn't enjoy it in the least."
"I didn't say that."

They are a great team, especially with the final scene with the assasin:

"With luck, they may never find you, but if they do, you will know pain.."
"..and you will know fear..."
"..and then you will die. Have a pleasant flight."

Random thoughts:
- Lennier, yay! And yes, how innocent he is... sigh...
- Sinclair has a brother? Hmmm, it would be interesting to see his (and the rest of the family) reaction to "War Without End")

[nymeria-55.livejournal.com]

Adding Catherine to the Sinclair plot is good but I've never could invest emotionally in them, not sure why...

I believe it might depend on Michael O'Hare's performance: it's something I've been noticing in this re-watch - much as I like the character of Sinclair, O'Hare's portrayal is somewhat... wooden, for want of a better word, and he often seems more like a robot.
Hell, there are times when I think that Rygel projects more sincere feelings than him! LOL
While watching the scene in Sinclair's quarters, when Sakai enters to celebrate her pay raise, she's very natural, very convincing, while he seems to be going through the motions.
I don't know, I might be wrong but this is how it looks.

Na'Thot is perfect and I too love that little exchange with G'Kar: it's a pity that after a while the actress had to leave because the Narn makeup was damaging her skin. She had an inner *fire* that was wonderful and she played so well as Katsulas' counterpart....

And LOL on the reactions of Sinclair's brother!