Rewatch: "The Long Night"

[ruuger]

Or: The One Where Walter White Is a Ranger

Bonus reading:

Analysis on Lurker's Guide
Discussion at B5_revisited

Comments

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Such a sad episode: Ericsson, Vir - for what he had to do, and the foreshadowing of Ivanova's fate.

One thing from Sheridan's conversation with Ericsson - I wouldn't expect many of the Rangers are married - especially not the human ones. It seems to me like most of the Rangers end up there as they have nowhere else to go....

[jedi_of_urth]

I wouldn't expect many of the Rangers are married - especially not the human ones. It seems to me like most of the Rangers end up there as they have nowhere else to go....

At this stage I suspect that's quite true, especially among the human Rangers. They were recruiting among the outer worlds, and people that made their way there by leaving everything else behind. No doubt a lot of them are like Marcus with little else to dedicate themselves to. And they were asking them to go out and fight gods, it's not a life that is going to appeal to people with a lot to live for.

Now, once we get the the Alliance and the Rangers serving as more standard army, I suspect the make up to change over time.

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

I suppose which direct it goes depends on which bits of further canon you count - as if they are trying to turn it into a suicide cult (as in Legend of the Rangers), I suspect it will remain the same; but if you ignore that...

[jedi_of_urth]

I think the Londo-Vir scene after Cartagia'sd death may be my favorite scene of the entire show. I just find that scene so engaging and emotional and well done by everyone involved.

I've always felt the B5 side of the plot lets this one down a little, but it may just be a consequence of the Centauri plot being in climax while the Shadow War plot is in build up.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

ZOMG that was Bryan Cranston? I never knew. (Sadly, I can't join the rewatch for lack of time and lack of access to my B5 dvds, but good memories, good memories.)

[ruuger]

Yes it was :)

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

I always think of him as Hal, not as Walter. Either way, his character was amazingly brave.

Even if he wasn't married, it is certainly possible that some of the Minbari were. And I do feel like that was glossed over a bit. Their losses matter just as much as human losses.

Poor Vir, awesome Vir. I'm glad it was ultimately him who did what had to be done both for plot reasons and for his character growth.

[ruuger]

Poor Vir, awesome Vir.

I remember when I saw this episode for the first time, I somehow managed to convince myself for a second that Vir had killed himself out of guilt when Londo didn't immediately see him when he came to visit after Cartagia's death. I was so relieved when that wasn't the case.

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

I never thought of that. Glad it didn't happen. I've always loved Vir and his journey.

:needs a Vir icon: