Episode 128 – The Paragon of Animals
The Interstellar Alliance is tested. Join us as we attempt to rescue episode 5×03 – “The Paragon of Animals”.
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Tags: a babylon 5 introcast, downbelow, episode 5x03, the paragon of animals
July 15th, 2016 at 2:02 am
Every episode of Downbelow should end with “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
July 28th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
On a sadder note, you’ll probably already have heard this, but in case you haven’t: Jerry Doyle, who played Michael Garibaldi, has passed away.
July 29th, 2016 at 5:35 am
[Spoilers for Learning Curve]
When I first watched B5 S5, I didn’t like the new theme music. Not that I found it bad in and of itself, but I didn’t like that – after 4 years of different versions of the same music – we were breaking with that just as the story was finally approaching its conclusion.
I still basically think that, but there’s a compensating factor. I find that quite a lot of S5 works better if I think of it, not as the end of one show, but the first season of a new show. New music suits that.
Learning Curve is a case in point. It’s a lot like a Season One episode. Previously unknown characters arrive on the station. We explore Minbari culture. The main plot focuses on one and only one of our regulars (Delenn). We get hints about a secret in the past of one (or in this case two) of the regulars. There’s a crime boss causing trouble in Downbelow.
If you view this as part of the end of Babylon 5, this is annoying filler at a time when one wants the story to progress. But if you view it as JMS exploring the possibilities of new stories in the same universe, it’s not too bad.
August 1st, 2016 at 3:18 pm
(In response to Voord99’s comments on Learning Curve)
I think it probably has to do with the compression of the story in Season 4 more than anything. They had to find some filler to help stretch Season 5 out until we get to the second half, where things really start to pick up again. That said though, I remember liking this episode just fine on its own. I like the Rangers and enjoyed seeing a bit more about how they work. Sadly, however, further exploration of the Rangers would lead to “Legend of the Rangers.” And the less said about that, the better.
But I also felt the music for Season 5’s intro fit the season well. Seasons 1 and 2 are variations of more or less the same theme. Season 3 is dark and dour, fitting with the seemingly desperate situation they are being thrown into. Season 4 brings back the original theme, but scaled up and more heroic. Season 5 however almost feels like a victory march, which is appropriate as they have essentially won their battles and the season is now about dealing with the repercussions.
August 4th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
(In response to Akrovah)
Actually, I think Legend of the Rangers is underrated. But that can wait until the command staff and the ambassadors get that far…
May 24th, 2018 at 11:09 pm
How could you play Total Eclipse of the Heart and not link to the greatest Babylon 5 music video of all time?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzfN3fCHAdM
June 13th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Can’t say that I had ever seen this before. Thanks for sharing!