Rewatch: "War without End", Parts 1 & 2

[ruuger]

For the record, this was the most popular episode of the batch, with almost everyone voting for it.

Bonus reading:

Analysis on Lurker's Guide, Part 1 and Part 2
Discussion at B5_revisited

Comments

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Interesting to know most people voted for it - I didn't partly because it feels like one of the episodes that gets the most discussion in general.

One interesting thing I picked up on Delenn saying that the Minbari didn't have the tech to control that big a time dilation field - which seems to imply that they could control smaller ones (might this be the reason their ships always manage to turn up at exactly the right time ;))

And wondering if this decision of Londo's means he is redeemed as per the prophesy "do not kill the man why is already dead" as it seems like it could equally apply to Sheridan and Mordan...

Minbari tech seems to have changed somewhat in 1000 years, but from the outside of the ships, it looks like not by much. However, the warriors are carrying some sort of projectile weapon, not starves. I wonder if this is part of a change due to Valen's Ban, or whether it is because they are going into an unknown and possibly hostile situation.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I didn't vote for WWE1&2 either; I went contrary and picked episodes that I think deserve more attention.

This time I caught that comment by Delenn about the time dilation fields(!) That's incredibly interesting, isn't it? Although she could mean they're still doing lab work on it. Tiny little time fields...God that calls for a Primeval crossover!

I always took the prophecy to mean Sheridan, in retrospect at least, since at this point we don't know he's dead. Yet. Already. Whatever. But given JMS's penchant for leaving alternate outs for everything, he could have left it vague on purpose.
On the other hand now that I think about it...probably he meant Morden which would mean Londo wasn't saved since he killed Morden, at least until he took on his Keeper which fulfills the last chance of the prophecy..'surrender to your greatest fear, knowing it will destroy you.'
I am TOTALLY certain JMS only does it to annoy because he knows it teases.

Maybe the staves were a retro fashion? Sort of a Darkover thing where it's much more badass to close with your enemy than use the coward's weapon-at-a-distance.

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Maybe the staves were a retro fashion? Sort of a Darkover thing where it's much more badass to close with your enemy than use the coward's weapon-at-a-distance.
Very interesting idea!

[nenya_kanadka]

Ayaggh, I really wanted to do the rewatch but I haven't been able to keep up! This being one of the episodes I definitely voted for. Maybe I'll catch up next week and leave a string of belated comments?

[ruuger]

I'm behind myself and just left a bunch of comments yesterday, so I don't think anyone minds belated comments :)

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I'm missing one then watching two and that will probably continue or get worse. Belated comments and belated replies to comments; why not?

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

If I had to pick one episode that was the only one I'd ever get to watch again, this would be it. And not just because I would argue it's one long episode and so I'd get two-for-one, but because it has all the elements I love.

It has humor. 'I'll be in the car.' Everything Zathras says and does. Delenn's non-plussed reaction to Zathras which makes me giggle insanely. 'Butch and Sundance' which is way too appropriate given the jump Sheridan is about to make.

It has space stuff. I like the way the White Star moves, and the size difference when it grapples onto the station, and the little Shadow poppers, and the groovy time wave effect with B4.

It has character development. Marcus is a hero-worshipper and Susan can run B4 as well as B5. 'Do you trust me?' 'With my life' *swoon*

And Sinclair...'Like an arrow from the bow' and 'The path is clear'.

And Londo, my God. Londo. The prophecy fulfilled.

It has wibbley-wobbley-timey-wimey stuff that works! The intercutting with the old B Squared episode is nicely done. There are some misses--Delenn has lost her Renn Faire shirt sleeve, thank God--but more hits. Although how does a space suit fit both Sheridan and Delenn so well? Self-adjusting?

It has KISSING.

I watched this episode over and over to transcribe Sheridan and Londo's dialogue for a story I wrote hypothesizing where Future John's consciousness went during the time flashes. I watched it again to get the timing right for a trilogy looking at future Londo, G'Kar and Delenn's actions in between their scenes in WWE. I don't think I've watched it since then. Kinda glad I did, thanks to you that voted it in.

DID I MENTION THE KISSING?

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

The most striking thing is that the time stuff works. Time travel is a bitch to do... either is makes no sense or it doesn't work but in this one, it's perfect.

And Zathras! I forgot how perfect he was.

And the two Vorlons. I forgot the damn Vorlons!

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

This is definitely the episode I've rewatched the most. I think it just encapsulates so much of what makes Babylon 5 awesome.

I love all the mytharc stuff and how some answers are finally given.

I loved seeing Jeffrey again and seeing the perfect conclusion to his arc.

I loved Marcus and Susan here too. And Garibaldi has never been my favorite character, but I loved his bits.