Customer Reviews

Babylon 5 Season 1, Set 3 - Starliner [VHS]

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The third set of six episodes from Season One:

Survivors / By Any Means Necessary / Signs and Portents / TKO / Grail / Eyes

As has been noted, this boxed set contains the episodes SURVIVORS, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, SIGNS & PORTENTS, TKO, GRAIL, and EYES. They should be viewed _after_ the two previous sets THE COLLECTION and MIND PROBERS. In importance, these six episodes are all over the map, ranging from those containing threads that never turn up again (as in the violent TKO) to the crucially pivotal SIGNS & PORTENTS. In all six, we learn progressively more about the fascinating cast of characters that populates the BABYLON 5 universe.

In SURVIVORS, we learn more about Michael Garibaldi's troubled past. But when B5 station security is on the line, he overcomes overwhelming disadvantages and gets the job done. In BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, Commander Sinclair is caught between striking workers and EarthGov regs, under which he has been commanded to resolve the dispute "by any means necessary." He does, and in a very creative way. Good quote: "You should never hand someone a gun unless you're sure where they'll point it" (Sinclair).

SIGNS & PORTENTS is the most important episode here, and arguably, of Season One itself (although BABYLON SQUARED, to come in the next set, also has a claim to importance). In this episode, the mysterious Mr. Morden comes on board, and asks each of four ambassadors an elementary question: "What do you want?" G'Kar basically throws him out. Delenn's reaction should give us pause: "They're here!" Who's here? Do we really want to know? Kosh, the equally mysterious Vorlon ambassador, tells him to "Leave this place! They are not for you!"

Only Londo, in perhaps the pivotal moment of this pivotal episode, tells Morden exactly what he wants to hear, and although he doesn't know it yet (WE might have our suspicions), Londo has just opened a door he will never be able to close again. Possible lesson here: be wary of an obsession with power and lost glory. Or, perhaps, a variant on that old chestnut: be careful what you say you want. You might get it.

The other episodes are the above mentioned TKO, GRAIL, and EYES. TKO's most important thread tells us more about how Ivanova's character has been shaped by a dysfunctional family life. There are heart-wrenching moments near the end of this episode. (I personally could have done without the other main threat: fight scenes of a kind of WWF for aliens which adds next to nothing to the overall story arc.) In GRAIL, a common thief is transformed into a holy seeker while Station personnel have to deal with a rather nasty creature called a Nakaleen Feeder, loose on the station. This episode contains some of the thought-provoking sequences we've come to expect from BABYLON 5, e.g.: "Among my people, a true seeker is treated with the utmost reverence and respect. It doesn't matter that his Grail may or may not exist. What matters is that he strives for the perfection of his soul and the salvation of his race, and that he has never wavered or lost faith" (from Delenn). It also contains moments of comedy: "No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow... Sooner or later: BOOM!" (from Ivanova, expressing her Russian fatalism, at the end).

Finally, in EYES, an Earthforce Commander comes aboard with a telepath (played by the ever-creepy Jeffrey Combs). The former alleges that maybe Commander Sinclair has something to hide about his encounter with the Minbari during the Battle of the Line, and takes over the station when Sinclair refuses to allow his command staff to submit to telepathic scans. But who really has the most to hide?

Overall, the episodes in this set accomplish two things: (1) they develop each of the major characters on the BABYLON 5 stage, although leaving much for the future--as a JMS script would doubtless put it, "when the time is right"--; and (2) SIGNS & PORTENTS (also, significantly, the name of Season One itself) sets the larger stage for what is to come. For Mr. Morden will return, and we will learn that he is never alone.

Again, this is material no devotee of great science fiction can afford to miss, and the best is still to come!

It would be nice if Amazon listed contents somewhere

In 'Survivors' we see the Earth President visiting the station. As the episode unfolds, we witness an attempt on the president's life, while his security chief holds Garibaldi responsible for it. We also learn information on Garibaldi's past, who escapes to Down Below while Sinclair tries to get him off the hook.

In 'By Any Means Necessary' a serious accident is causing a major strike and Sinclair has to work it out without betraying anyone: Earth dome, his crew or himself. Somewhat boring, but the side story is quite fun, as G'Kar and Mollari harass each other by stealing religious items.

Signs and Pertents: This episode of this tape is excellent. Ambassador Mollari recovers a long lost Centauri artifact of power, while a plot is set to overthrow the Emperor. This plot involves the Raiders, while a Centaurian psychic, Lady Ladira foretells the destruction of B5 and sees Shadows that move. And among the turmoil, a dark man appears, moving like a shadow, asking each ambassador the same thing: "What do you want?" A fascinating episode that gives out hints of the return of an Ancient Enemy. TKO: This is one of the weakest episodes of the first season. It involves a human fighter who comes to B5 to fight in an alien tournament, while Ivanova has to deal with her father's death. If you are a fan of Mortal Combat, you may like this episode. I didn't. I did enjoy one thing, though: As the episode starts, we see Ivanova reading a book. Guess who's the author? Harlan Ellison, the series conceptual consultant.

In GRAIL the Arthurian Lore in introduced to the B5 universe. Not a very successful episode, since the same thing is done in "A late delivery from Avalon" in a brilliant way. Anyway, this episode has some good hints, including info on what happened to the previous 4 stations and a mind absorbing evil creature that resides in a Vorlon environmental suit.

In "Eyes" Sinclair faces court martial. Boring

Survivors is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on May 4, 1994. The show starts off with a bomb being exploded in the fighter bays days before Earth Alliance President Luis Santiago is about to arrive. The president security arrives to investigate this matter and Lianna Kemmer takes it upon herself to question a dying man. At his deathbed confession he names Chief of Security Michael Garibaldi. Mr. Garibaldi is put under house arrest. When he is escort back to his quarters, Cutter finds damaged evidence against him. Mr. Garibaldi escapes and is not a fugitive on Babylon 5. Mr. Garibaldi first gets Londo to give him a loan and then heads to G'Kar for some answers. After he leaves G'Kar he winds up in a bar and part of his past comes to life. We find out that the character Michael Garibaldi has a battle of alcoholism and when things really to start to get bad for him he crawls right into the bottle. This pattern would be reflected in later episodes. Mr. Garibaldi is finally caught and is brought back into custody. Lianna Kemmer interrogates Michael, mainly out of revenge. Officer Lou Welch arrives with evidence against Cutter. Michael convinces Lianna to check out the fighter bays herself. Lianna takes Michael to the fighter bays to find Cutter watching guard. Cutter uses a shock stick to render Lianna helpless. While reaching for Lianna's gun, Michael attacks Cutter and a fight takes place. Michael is able to render Cutter unconscious and alerts Ivanova not to open the bays door. Ivanova halts the countdown and later we find out it the doors were set to explode the moment they open. Michael is cleared of all charges. This is the first time we get to glimpse into Michael Garibaldi and we find out he has some problems. Survivors gets an A+ plus from me.

By Any Means Necessary is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on May 11, 1994. By Any Means Necessary have two stories to it, a main story and a sub-story. The main story begins when a Narn cargo ship is blown up in Docking Bay 8. It is found out that Docking Bay 8 had sub-standard parts installed and the blame is passed onto the dock workers. The dock workers feel that they are getting unwanted blame. Their union reprehensive, Neeoma Connally, fights for the dock workers rights. When the talks start to break down, the dock workers begin calling in sick. Meanwhile Earth Senate has sent a Labor negotiator to Babylon 5. When Orin Zento arrives, he meets with Commander Sinclair and Neeoma Connally. The talks go nowhere and Commander Sinclair suggests they get a fresh start tomorrow. They begin the next day and when Orin Zento does not get his way at the talks, he enforces the Rush Act. I riot breaks out in the docking bay and Mr. Garibaldi is literally sent in to rescue Ms. Connally. Commander Sinclair arrives at the docking and offers a deal to the dock workers: 1) 1.3 credits will be transferred from the military budget to the dock workers for new parts and extra crew, 2) all charges to be dropped against the dock workers and, 3) the deal is only good if they return back to work immediately. The dock workers agree to return to work. In a sub-story The Narn ship that blew up in Docking Bay 8 and caused all this mess, was carrying a G'Quan Eth (a flower). G'Kar finds out that the only other person that has a G'Quan Eth flower for his religious ceremony is Ambassador Mollari. Originally Ambassador Mollari was going to sell the G'Quan Eth to G'Kar, but later on changes his mind. When that happens G'Kar orders Na'Toth to steal a sacred statue from Mollari. Commander Sinclair is caught in the middle of this petty dispute and finally orders Mollari to turn over the flower and orders G'Kar to return the idol back to Mollari. G'Kar is sadden, but Sinclair reminds G'Kar that the sunlight from the G'Quan Mountain is ten years old and has taken that long to reached Babylon 5; therefore G'Kar can perform his religious duties. G'Kar thanks Sinclair and the shows end showing G'Kar performing his religious duties. By Any Means Necessary deserves an AAAAA+++++ from me.

Signs and Portents is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on May 18, 1994. We start off with raiders attacking a fighter guarding a cargo ship and the fighter being destroyed. In the next scene we see a lone man walking in the cargo bay and going through Babylon 5 customs. We would later find out in future episodes it is the infamous Mr. Morden. Mr. Morden has come to Babylon 5 to ask each of the ambassadors a question; "What do you want?" In later episodes we would understand why he asked that question. We now switch over to Ambassador Mollari closing some business with some gentlemen. These gentlemen have found The Eye of Centauri. I most prized treasure back on Centauri Prime. Ambassador Mollari is to hand over The Eye to Lord Kiro and Lady Ladira. They are to go back to Centauri and hand it over to the Centauri Emperor. Unknown to Mollari, Lord Kiro has made a deal with the raiders to capture him and take him back to Centauri as the new Emperor. Commander Sinclair let Raider #1 and Lord Kiro go. Unknown to the both of them he has set up a trap outside to capture the raider. Outside in space a jump gate opens and giant spaceship is scene. Big enough to make it own jump gate. Raider ships are launch from the ship and a battle ensues. The Raiders are defeated, but the mother ship escapes. The huge spacecraft is destroyed by a Shadow vessel and The Eye is retrieved and is bought back to Londo. Before the show ends Lady Ladira shares a vision with Commander Sinclair. She shows him Babylon 5 being destroyed and says this is only a possible future. In Signs and Portents we are introduce to Mr. Morden for the first as an agent of the Shadows. Also Lieutenant David Corwin is seen for the first time, though his name and rank are not mention. I am giving Signs and Portents an AAA+++.

TKO is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on May 25, 1994. Mainly this episode deals with two unrelated stories. The first deals with Walker Smith coming to Babylon 5 to fight in Mutai. The Mutai is boxing match without rules and almost a fight to the death. Walker wants to fight because he was unfairly framed and kicked out of the fighting federation because he would not take a fall. Walker Smith is an old friend of Michael Garibaldi. Michael tries to talk Walker out of it, but his mind is made up. The next day they head to find the Muta-do (leader of the Mutai fights). The Muta-do will not let Walker fight in the Mutai and when Walker persists; the Muta-do knocks him on the ground. Later that day, Caliban comes to Walker tells him how he can fight in the Mutai and that it must be done with honor. Michael and Walker are attending the final match of the Mutai. When Deor wins the last event, Muta-do declares him the winner and asks is there anybody in the ring brave enough to fight Deor. Walker responds that he is. Deor accepts the challenge and three cycles later the event takes place. Deor and Walker fight ends in a tie. Deor empress with Walker fighting abilities let Walker be the champ. In the finding scene Muta-do tells Walker that humans are now allowed to fight in the Mutai. In another story not related to this one, a friend of Susan's family Rabbi Koslov has come to visit her. He is here so Susan Ivanova can seek shiva. At first Susan refuses shiva because her father was unable to give her any love. Later when Rabbi Koslov is about to leave for Earth, Susan sees a flashback of her father asking for forgiveness. Susan in tears, ask Rabbi Koslov to stay. Rabbi Koslov makes the preparations for shiva. A mourning prayer is read in English so her good friend, Jeffrey Sinclair can share in this moment. In the end Susan is in tears over her father lost. Since this episode deals with two unrelated stories and they share no common link I find TKO to be somewhat of a disappointment. TKO only gets a B+ from me.

Grail is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on July 6, 1994. Basically it is the story of two stories in one. The story begins with Jinxo witnessing a mind wipe by a nakaline-feeder disguise as a Vorlon. Next Ambassador Delenn and Lennier inform Commander Sinclair that an "Honored Seeker" is arriving and he would have just enough time to change and greet him. The seeker is Aldous Gajic in search on the Holy Grail. Sinclair dismisses him as some kind as a false prophet. Jinxo and Aldous Gajic cross paths when Jinxo tries to steal his credits. At Jinxo's trial, Aldous convinces Ombuds Wellington to allow him to take Jinxo under his supervision. Jinxo and Aldous meet Ambassadors Delenn and Londo to secure information about the Holy Grail. Finally they reach Ambassador Kosh and Jinxo flees in fear of his life. Aldous finally catches up to Jinxo and Jinxo explains why he ran. Deuce's men capture Aldous and Jinxo runs and find Commander Sinclair and tells him Aldous has been capture. Commander Sinclair, Jinxo, and Mr. Garibaldi (along with security) find Deuce's hide out and a firefight breaks out. During the middle of the firefight Jinxo runs to rescue Ombuds Wellington. During the middle of the rescue Deuce is about the fire at Jinxo, but Aldous Gajic jumps in and is serious injured. During his final testament, Aldous Gajic passes his legacy to Thomas (Jinxo). The nakaline-feeder is killed and Deuce's gang is captured. In the final scene Commander Sinclair, Mr. Garibaldi, and Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova watch Thomas's ship leave and wondering if the Babylon curse will happen. The Babylon curse refers to Jinxo. He is the only known person to work on all five Babylon stations. The first three blew up and the fourth one mysterious disappeared. Jinxo believe if he was to ever leave Babylon 5 that would blow up. Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova claims that someone needs to have some perspective around. No boom now but boom later. How true that would happen in about twenty years when Babylon 5 is decommissioned. I am giving Grail an AAA+++.

Eyes is forty-three minutes and thirty seconds long and originally aired on July 13, 1994. The story starts off with two people impersonating legitimate arms dealers on Babylon 5. It is later discover they are military personnel investigating Commander Sinclair. The two people are Colonel Ari Ben Zayn and Harriman Gray, a telepath. Colonel Ari Ben Zayn is investigating every command decision Commander Sinclair has made at Babylon 5 over the last year. Colonel Ari Ben Zayn tells the commander that he is investigating the entire command staff. Lieutenant Commander Ivanova tells Commander Sinclair that she will not let a member of Psi Corps go poking around in her head. Colonel Ari Ben Zayn removes Commander Jeffrey Sinclair from active duty. Mr. Garibaldi finds some information on Colonel Ari Ben Zayn and Harriman Gray. It is discovered that Colonel Ari Ben Zayn and Bester are friends and Bester had warn Commander Sinclair that he would be around. During the interrogation, Commander Sinclair uses this information against Colonel Ari Ben Zayn and the fact the Commander Sinclair the Babylon 5 job over him. Colonel Ari Ben Zayn goes into rage and pulls a gun Commander Sinclair, Mr. Garibaldi, and Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova say they are mutinying against him. Harriman Gray uses his telepathic abilities on Colonel Ari Ben Zayn and Commander Sinclair knocks him unconscious. It is later found out that Colonel Ari Ben Zayn was mentally unstable. As Commander Sinclair and Lieutenant Commander Ivanova about to board a turbo lift, Lieutenant Commander Ivanova says everything is back to normal. Just then we see Mr. Garibaldi and Lennier ridging a motorcycle. This episode covers a touchy subject of the government abusing its power. I am giving Eyes an AAAAA+++++.

Overall Babylon 5 Season 1, Set 3 - Starliner gets an AAA+++.