"Midnight on the Firing Line" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X01 "Midnight on the Firing Line". 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 "Midnight on the Firing Line" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

Huh?
No-one in yet?

OK, I'll start:
What struck me most is how impressively/depressingly relevant the rather loud political overtones still are, well over a decade later!
I also remember thinking of B5's San Diego bombing on a certain day in 2001.

Strong start to the series proper IMHO.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I agree. This was the first episode I saw on my 'real' viewing (prior to that it had been an episode here, an episode there, and the expected confusion and apathy). I thought it was terrific. Whenever folks talk about starting people at Season Two, I disagree, strongly. There are some really weak S1 episodes, but MotFL is not one of them.
And I was watching 05-06 and the political implications rung loud and clear to me.

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

I agree about season 1. There are some not so good eps but Season 1 sets the tone for the entire arc and sows the seeds for what is to come.

This episode also is very interesting in that you see the Narn as the real villains until later episodes when you see that the Centauri are never innocent either and that there is no end to the animosity between the two.

And yes, the San Diego terrorist bombing gave me pause, as I'm sure it did everyone.

I have to say that I am really enjoying this rewatching. I still believe this to be the best television series ever produced.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

The ambiguity of good and evil is an ongoing theme I really enjoyed.
I really, really wish we had seen JMS's view of the Alliance. It was going to be the usual mix of good and evil that all political institutions are.

[shapinglight]

What struck me most is how impressively/depressingly relevant the rather loud political overtones still are,

Yes, that struck me too.