"Grail" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X15, "Grail". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:

Aldous Gajic arrives to B5 in search of the Holy Grail. Meanwhile in Downbelow lurkers are being mindwiped by a mysterious alien in an encountersuit.

Extra reading:

The article for "Grail" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[aris-tgd.livejournal.com]

I've only seen this episode twice--I watched it when I first got my Season 1 DVDs, and now again. The thing that bothered me the most about this episode when I first watched it still bothered me, in that I have a huge embarrassment squick, so the opening thing with Delenn having Sinclair and Garibaldi show up in full dress with an honor guard for Aldus sends me nearly catatonic. But after that happened, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the rest of the episode.

I still have trouble with Deuce, in that I cannot separate him from J.F. Sebastian from Blade Runner. It's the voice.

Jinxo didn't bother me as much the second time around, and I was still charmed at his reaction to David Warner whupping up on the dudes with his staff. David Warner, as always, was fantastic.

One story from the script books: apparently the director for this episode was told, right before filming started, that he was going to be let go. Which led to, um. Not very much directing. Which explains why the blocking in the final climactic battle is so AWFUL.

All in all, still not one of the best episodes, but nowhere near as bad as I remembered it being.