"By Any Means Necessary" discussion [spoilers]

[aris-tgd.livejournal.com]

(Sorry for the delay, folks! Working on a night shift + being in the pacific time zone == delays get stretched out.)

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X12, "By Any Means Necessary". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Extra reading:

The article for "By Any Means Necessary" at the Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

Everyone else is so darned eloquent in their posts that I'm not sure mine is even needed but since I am a faithful member of the rewatch, of course I want to stick in my little tidbit here and there.

I actually found this show timely in an economy where unemployment is so high that unions are often regarded as more trouble than anythig else, especially to the millions who live and work in non-union states. This episode always did remind me too of the breakup of the Air Traffic Controllers Union by Reagan in the 80's, an act which we are still paying for IMHO. I think JMS even mentions this in his notes.

Sinclair does find a clever solution and he pays later but he seemed to be the first one to admit that he'd eventually pay for his actions... it's almost as if he has begun a series of actions that spiral out of control finally and that he does intentionally. It's almost as if he knows... but he doesn't.

G'Kar certainly begins to emerge as something much more than a devious plotting alien in this episode. We see his religious side and how serious and devout he is. Of course, we also see Londo at his most petty and annoying best. He simply doesn't care and he seriously does not understand why his religion is so important to G'Kar. Their relationship is hilarious in this one. As someone else mentioned, especially Londo's little wave, which certainly reminded me of Vir's wave at Morden!

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

This episode always did remind me too of the breakup of the Air Traffic Controllers Union by Reagan in the 80's, an act which we are still paying for IMHO.

Miners' strike in 80's Britain, ditto (more or less)....