Rewatch: "And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder"

[ruuger]

Random fact: This episode was directed by Mira Furlan's husband.

Bonus reading:
Analysis on Lurker's Guide
Discussion at B5_revisited

Comments

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

And...the other shoes drops. (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

This is another episode that's hard to watch out of context. It's wounding to watch Garibaldi flail them into war, having not recovered from the fact of his betrayal of Sheridan, or the mind-reaming he got from Lyta, or the psychic torture from the Shadows/PsiCorps. Good God who thought it was a good idea to put the man in a responsible position at this point? Zach, you really screwed the pooch not reporting him. It kind of mirrors Garibaldi not reporting Franklin, although wasn't there an ultimatum there?

The politics of the infant Alliance are fascinating; so many promises had to be made, so delicate a balance, and so much maneuvering behind the scenes. I admired the hell out of Londo protesting the bland reassurances from home...he knows how much they lie because...it used to be him lying.

The trial in absentia was an interesting way to go instead of having Londo present. Bringing him in for the coup de grace was almost an intervention.

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

It is a long time since I'd watched this episode, and it was so painful to see everything getting messed up. I guess part of the problem is that Zach still hasn't really grown into his role and the hard decisions that he should be making.

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

I understand why they cut Garibaldi so much slack, though. It is Garibaldi. They all love him, and Zack was trained by him. Plus Zack himself made mistakes with Night Watch, so I think it is easy for him to cut Garibaldi some slack and trust him again.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

Zach is easier to understand than everyone else. I mean, what is the status of alcoholism as a disease at this point in history? Wouldn't all that stress and trouble Garibaldi just went through make everyone a little cautious, a little concerned? Zach knows to look for a bottle but doesn't seem to acknowledge the danger. Lochley got it about Garibaldi. (Having just watched River of Souls last night; she really gets it.) Franklin should have. Sheridan I suppose was just too caught up in events and needed people he could trust.

I keep thinking back to when Garibaldi saw the signs of drug addiction in Franklin. He made that comment about sometimes you walk into hell just to see if someone will follow you. He wished he'd followed up with Stephen. No one seems to follow Michael.

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

Good point. I think everyone was just really caught up in things. Franklin definitely should have caught it and tried to help considering he's a doctor and considering he's been through addiction himself.

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

One of the better season 5 episodes. I admit that I'm mostly meh on season 5, particularly the telepath arc.

I feel so much for Garibaldi here. It is easier to drink again and forget what Bester did to him and the betrayal and everything. He screws up so badly, but it is understandable to me.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

The telepath arc was such a waste. I find the whole concept fascinating but it just wasn't done very well.

I think Sinclair might have taken better care, and notice, of Michael after all he'd been through. You know, Michael keeps trying to take himself out of harm's way; quitting as head of Security, striking out on his own. It's like his need to support his friends keeps pulling him back to situations he can't handle. Probably he should have stayed on Mars...