"A Voice in the Wilderness" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episodes 1X18 and 1x19, "A Voice in the Wilderness", Part 1 and Part 2. Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:

Delenn has a visit from an old friend, Garibaldi is troubled by the news from Mars, and there is mysterious seismic activity on Epsilon 3.

Extra reading:

The article for "A Voice in the Wilderness". Part 1 and Part 2 at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I liked this two-part show. Up to now it was easy to take the planet B5 was orbiting for granted until it became 'active'. If B5 needed to be evacuated, it could have got messy...

I did like the character of Draal, and his quest for something meaningful at the end of his life.

I appreciate how Londo tried to cheer Garibaldi up.

A recurring theme starts from this episode methinks - people plugged into machines, although there are benefits in this case (knowledge, enhanced life, etc).

Lots of drama going on at Mars.

Some great lines: (I think I've remembered them properly)

Garibaldi (to Londo) - "If you kiss my head, I'll break your arm."

Garibaldi - "The planet we're parked beside is about to go up like a Roman candle - what am I supposed to do, arrest it?"

Ivanova (about EA captain) "Worst case of testosterone poisoning I've ever seen."

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

Hmm - now that you mention it, the Great Machine caretaker does seem like a more symbiotic version of the Shadow ship's setup. And the planet does seem to use the same sort of big-ass slicing laser to take out the renegade ship that Shadow ships use... Coincidence, or did the original builders of the Machine get their tech from the Shadows, either directly or through reverse engineering?

I'd rather like it if it was based off Shadow designs, just because it bugged me that later episodes would treat Shadow tech as *inherently* corrupting, while Vorlon technology is treated as being totally safe to incorporate into new ISA designs...

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I noticed this time that the 'big-ass slicing laser' reminded me of how Shadow ships blew up things. Funny how you spot things on repeat viewings you never really took in the first time. :-p

Hmm... perhaps the original builders observed the Shadows and managed to reverse engineer their tech. That could explain why the Great Machine is *five miles down*. Paranoia, or having a good reason to remain as hidden as possible...

Now, how could you doubt Vorlon tech as not being safe... Vorlons are angelic, you know. :-p