the end (for now) of a wild ride

[rivendellrose]

Season 4, that is. Although I kind of feel like I've finished the whole thing. It really is hard to imagine where the rest will go... but I've said that enough times already in this series that I know better than to trust the instinct. ;)

When miss_arel told me that by the end of the series, Londo and G’Kar were “practically married,” I didn’t think she meant it quite so... literally. Making jokes about their respective races’ sexual prowess? Sitting alone together in an empty room discussing Sheridan and Delenn’s wedding night? And G’Kar... oh, I’m glad to see the naughty old G’Kar back, and mightily relieved if a bit of prurient spying is the worst he ever does with that prosthetic eye.

“All love is unrequited,” hmm? Poor Marcus. Poor Susan. And poor Lennier, too - the look on his face when he repeats that line to Delenn... I really thought he was going to say it. And then there she goes - pat him on the cheek, then stick a knife in his gut. For an intelligent, insightful, and intuitive woman, Delenn either has a truly sick sense of how to comfort someone, or is the most blind person in the universe. Of course it’s not true... for the lucky ones.

Edit: Quick addition, here. The Lurker's guide to the episode (don't worry, I'm still not looking at anything but the ep summaries for the episodes I've seen!) points out that Delenn's line to Lennier could also be read as meaning that she knows exactly where he's headed and wants him to know that she loves him, too, in a different way than she loves Sheridan (of course), as well as wanting to spare him the shame of admitting his feelings. I could be convinced to this side. But having watched the scene a few times (me, obsessive? never...), I get the sense that really isn't the case. Delenn is blind, because, as Lennier himself said, she sees the best in people. When she looks at Lennier, I expect she sees a faithful aide, the best example of Minbari devotion and self-abnegation (umm... I'm going to have to check to make sure that's really a word, but... you get the idea). I don't think it would ever occur to Delenn to look for other motives in his actions. When she reacts to what he's said, she looks to me as though she's realizing that he believes what Ivanova said, and reacting to what she percieves as a blow to his innocence and idealism. In one of the earlier episodes, she calls Lennier "a light for [her] footsteps." Typical of both of them that they each see the other as the ultimate light without which they would fail. I have no doubt that she loves him, and that's exactly what makes me think that she doesn't begin to imagine the pain she's causing him, here. I would think that if she knew of his feelings for her, she would have reacted much more delicately to what he said, particularly given that he seemed a fraction of a second away from an admission.

Okay, that was in no way quick, I realize. But can I help that I'm a hopeless romantic completely obsessed with unrequited love? Anyway. Before anyone accuses me of being mean to Delenn, I assure you that I love her dearly. I do, however, empathize very intensely with Lennier's feelings for her, and that scene was very, very painful. I couldn't resist a bit of lashing out, in my immediate reaction.

And, in reference to Marcus, a quote by JMS: "Marcus was a martyr waiting to happen, looking for something worth throwing his life away on because he could find little worth in his own." I'll just be over here, looking sad and smug - not long ago, I remember making more or less the same (though less eloquent) comment regarding him. He was well-nigh desperate to die for somebody or something from the minute he walked onto the show. First Delenn, then G'Kar... and then Ivanova. For his protestation of wanting to live forever (who got Queen stuck in their head at that point? *Raises hand*), this was a man with a significant martyr complex at work. Gods love him, but unless he was given something to live for, he seemed damned determined to find something to die for.

Here is where I’m supposed to applaud Garibaldi for finally getting Lise. Or something. Really couldn’t have cared less, to tell you the truth. It’s necessary, I suppose, to tie everything up neatly in a package... I was unimpressed.

But let’s not end on that, shall we?

I was pretty dubious about the scene-break images (you know... the bits on the scene selection option before you can hit “play”) for “Deconstruction of Falling Stars.” What, I wondered, could he possibly do now, that wouldn’t ruin the perfectly good ending of the previous episode? “Rising Star” was just about everything I’d expected in a season finale for a show that wasn’t certain it would continue to another season. But “Deconstruction” was everything else. As usual with B5, it was bizarre. It was a little overblown. Occasionally agonizing. And downright beautiful. Lovely job tying together the issues of propaganda and governmental meddling, the Orwellian themes that had run through the last few years, and especially beautiful work bringing back the Arthurian themes.

I can understand, now, why miss_arel took a break after seeing this far into the series. It's a good ending point, and I'm a little afraid of what comes after - that it won't measure up, that it will make the characters unhappy... I kind of like leaving them right there, lacking any idea of where else they would go besides the inevitable Bad Things. I'm glad I'll be able to hold everything in my mind at exactly this point, just for a while, before leaping back in to see what else is in store. As it stands, I'm pretty damned happy.

(Lest you think I'm being too easy on them, I will say there was too much emphasis on Earth, and not enough said about everybody else. Also, there was no more Susan, or G'Kar, or Lennier. And you know I'm not happy about that. But I'll take the happy endings I can get.)

Comments

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm impressed by how impressed you are!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I'm impressed by how impressed I am, too. I'm telling you, once you get past the melodrama, this is an amazing show. It's definitely got its stumbling blocks, but I love it dearly.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, Season 4 is the end of the series. Yeah, there are a few good bits in Season 5 here and there. But mostly? It's JMS struggling to pad out a story he's already finished telling.

Marcus. *sniff*

Lennier. *double sniff*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

That sounds fine by me. This was a good end. It covers everything that needs to be covered, brings everything back around to where it ought to end... and the one spoiler that I picked up somewhere about the rest of the series, I'd rather not have to see happen. Although it's going to drive me nuts until I actually see it, of course. Alas.

*Snuggles both of them* Poor boys. Really, I'm surprised we didn't get more bonding between the two of them, given what they had in common. Besides, it would have been unbearably cute.

[jfrog78.livejournal.com]

Even though season four ended so beautifully season five is still there. And I must say that season five ending is even more beautiful and worth watching the whole season five for that one moment. In fact I think I may go watch it now.

By the by I love when other people watch b5 for the first time and then talk about it.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear you say that! I've heard really mixed reviews of season 5, but I'm eager to see where it'll go.

*Laughs* I'm glad to amuse you, then... I've certainly talked about it enough. That's the problem with BAs in English and Anthro - they encourage one in the desire to ramble at great length on almost any subject. ;)

[jfrog78.livejournal.com]

Then ramble on I say! I went back to read some of your other b5 tagged items. I must say I never really picked up on the Lotr connections. Guess I was too wrapped up in the b5 verse to see anything else. Then I watched the episode where they choose the new head of the rangers. When Marcus is fighting he says, "We stand on the bridge and you shall not pass." I kind of thought to myself maybe its time to watch them over again.

BAs in english and anthro eh? I have friends who have the english and the anthro but they never mixed the streams.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I'd forgotten about that line... I've watched everything too fast. It's going to take at least one more full viewing before I start getting a handle on everything. That was a good episode, though.

I did English first, then realized that I loved anthro more, and that I'd be miserable if I didn't give myself a shot at further study in it. Should've gone with that from the beginning, but I learned a lot along the way.

Your user info says you're from Renton - what part? I grew up on the Renton/Issaquah border.

[jfrog78.livejournal.com]

From Renton in the sense that I lived there when I signed up for this LJ. I used to own a house in the Renton highlands. I am originally from Michigan. I currently reside in Kent on the Kent Des-Moines road. Which is cool because its on the foresty side so its almost like not living in a city.

It was great having roommates that were into english though I always had someone to mark up my writing assignments before I turned them in...ha

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Ahh, got it. I love the foresty areas, but it's so much easier for me to live in the city.

Oh yes. I've been there. I used to edit for all my friends who were in non-lit departments.

[miss-arel.livejournal.com]

...Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty much it. ^^

Oooo, I can't wait to watch Season 5 with you! *wiggles*

Told you they were married.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I know you told me, but I didn't really understand how literally you meant it! I thought you meant... you know... "you won't believe how much they end up being grudging friends." Not "you won't believe how much JMS will make sex jokes about them."

I can't either!!! I accidentally got spoiled on a few things a few months back, but I'm doing pretty good at staying away from any more. And the things I got are mostly little. Mostly. At least I think they are. o_O

[oszras.livejournal.com]

Yay! Another B5 fan. I've gotten back into B5 recently and I'm just falling in love all over again. As bad as most of the CGI is and the editing I love it with all my woobie heart. Delenn is my favorite character followed by Susan, G'Kar, and Londo. I'm all protective of Delenn, Susan and G'Kar, weirdly they can all take care of themselves but emotionally they really vulnerable (at least to me).

Anyway I would love to just chat about B5 anytime, I discovered B5 a few years ago and there really isn't many websites out there that keep up the chatter about it.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

...Guess who just now found this comment? Yup. I'm a bright one. :P

I think we've handled the chattering thing pretty well so far. XD

[oszras.livejournal.com]

Heh. How far down was that comment? :D Sadly I don't even remember typing it.

Yes I do think we have. Although, yesterday it just hit me that I might be annoying the holy crap out of you back talking back and forth like this, you've gotta be busy unlike me who is just hanging around. :)

And yeah how sad is it that after, what? two weeks? I just now realized I might be getting on your nerves. I'm telling you I truly have the social skills of Mulder...:D

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

It was on one of my older entries about B5 - I must've missed the notification. :D

Gods no. If you were irritating me, at the very least I'd be slower to reply to comments and keep up the conversation - I'm loving the chance to hash all of this out with somebody who actually knows what I'm talking about and likes going over it all in detail.

[oszras.livejournal.com]

My email account is an AI apparently. It decides what I should get and deletes everything else, I obivously am a lower being compared to it and have no say in anything. I believe it and my LJ account have been consorting with each other at night brainstorming together. :D

Oh, goody! I'm glad I'm not irritating you. I have to check and make sure, sadly enough. And yeah I really enjoy going over all this stuff in detail. :D