Sheridan really likes to punch people, an unlikely savior is made, and a true heart to heart conversation happens in an elevator. Welcome my friends. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2260. The name of the place is Babylon 5.
Spoilers ahead.
1. The Asteroid
After last episode’s more quiet, long-term plot focused events, “Convictions” shifts gears entirely, bringing us an action heavy, very localized story. The A-plot in “Convictions” revolves around a bomber blowing sections of Babylon 5 up and the crew trying to figure out who and why. Turns out it’s chaos and fear the bomber wants because he is disgruntled with his lot in life. It’s a tense plot but not a particularly engaging one. The more interesting bits of the episode are the B and C plots, of how the A plot affects the rest of the station; the bomber is simply the inciting incident.
That isn’t to say the show is treating the situation frivolously. The episode still has something to say with regards to entitlement in white men and the violence and fear they believe is the only outlet for their issues. However, it’s not a particularly novel approach to the subject matter and it’s hard to take the actor seriously once he captures Sheridan — not a single piece of the scenery remains unchewed. I was never bored, per se, but the parts of B5 that engage me weren’t on display in the A-plot. Though, it’s still better than many of the weaker season 1 episodes.
2. Pain & Pain
One of those aforementioned consequences is what spins out of Lennier saving Londo from the second explosion of the episode. Lennier is in a coma and Londo is beside himself. I love this and I love the way his actions are directly birthed from his characterization. He wields his power and entitlement, yelling for them to save Lennier, and pushing his way into the medbay later. He isn’t so self-centered or detached that he takes being saved as a given, and is genuinely worried about Lennier. It’s not necessarily that Londo cares about Lennier — he even comments he probably would have prioritized himself over Lennier should their situations have been reversed — but he recognizes the sacrifice and because he wouldn’t have done it, it rattles him all the more.
Partially because he feels indebted but partially because, I would argue, he feels that his life is not worth it.
I say this because he never acts confused by Lennier saving him, only indignant. Londo has lost his friends, his acquaintances, and what ethics he had left, all in the pursuit of power and a romanticized version of the Republic that papers over its atrocities. He knows this. . .and some part of him is horrified by this, which makes Lennier saving him a shock to Londo. He knows that Lennier is a good person but the fact that Lennier is so good, he would put himself in harm’s way to save Londo, that moves Londo’s cold heart. “He went back for ME. Save him!”
Beneath his statement, is this: He doesn’t deserve to die for me. He is better.
3. Bad Ambassadors II
While Londo interacting with a comatose Lennier was a pitch perfect scene of the dramatic variety — seriously, everything from the long pan out, to the speech, to the music or lack thereof, was moving and exactly why this show is so well regarded — his storming through the ship after Sheridan accusing the Narn and then getting trapped in an elevator with G’Kar is mined for every comedic chunk and it is glorious. G’Kar gets far better lines throughout, no question about that, but it is the two of them together that produces the best comedy. When you think about it in the macro, it feels weird to be laughing but that’s why these scenes live in the micro.
Sure, G’Kar and Londo are representative of their respective peoples,but what’s funny is the way the two characters interact, the way their personalities clash and how not every moment is a serious one. It’s not a light subject matter: G’Kar laughing about Londo dying in the elevator without having to do anything while Londo freaks out about or the two of them accusing the other’s people of being behind the attacks with more and more ludicrous reasons or explanations to dismiss the evidence. However, it is funny to see Londo get dunked on or to recognize the ludicracy of G’Kar saying the attack on Londo was a plot by Londo. It reminds us that there can be levity in times of strife.
Continued belowIt also reminds us why watching these two bicker is such a joy.
4. Missionaries: The Last Shhh
In terms of long-term plot machinations, the fallout from Kosh going all handsome Squidward on the ship continues with the appearance of a set of Drazi pilgrims and then a group of traditional Earth Monks. What I appreciate most about these monks is that, while I personally don’t believe in proselytization as a form of further religion, these monks are 1) super fucking smart, 2) not regressive, and 3) actually practicing what they preach. They’re helping by offering their strengths to whoever, taking whatever lodging they can get, and being situated to help the ones who need it the most the quickest.
Down below is generally ignored by the B5 staff but is an integral part of making the station feel grounded in this reality, with all its messy bits, rather than a more utopian presentation of Star Trek. Because of this, seeing the show continue to wrestle with its perceptions and treatment of that section and the people who are stuck there is a nice use of the setting to tell meaningful and expansive stories. It also provides us with another set of possible recurring characters with these monks. And they already show their power by sifting through hours of footage looking for the same person at each scene.
What a fantastic way to extrapolate the way religious scholars do close readings and turn it into a more generalized skill.
5. Plant Toucher
I got away from the Drazi for a bit only because I wanted to spotlight the scene between them and Zack Allan. Zack’s in a tough position still and while it seems like the Nightwatch plot is going to remain dormant for a bit, that doesn’t mean we can’t get a fun scene with him in it. It’s a bit mean spirited but him telling the Drazi that the plant was in the greenhouse when Kosh appeared starts the episode off with a bit of levity because, while it seems ridiculous to us, it makes no difference to the Drazi pilgrims whether they can touch the plant or Zack. It is imbued with holy energy.
The mundanity and the acting just makes it light.
That about does it for now. Join me again in a week for trade negotiations, a 600-question IQ test, and Dr. Franklin reaching a crisis point on the station that, in the year of the Shadow War, became something greater.
This is Elias. Signing out.
Best Line of the Night:
G’Kar: “As the humans say: Up yours. Die.”
