"Ceremonies of Light and Dark" discussion

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 3X11, "Ceremonies of Light and Dark". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
Nightwatch targets Delenn because of her involvement in Babylon 5's secession. Londo attempts to sever the ties between Centauri and the Shadows.

Extra reading:
The article for "Ceremonies of Light and Dark" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[ufgator1977.livejournal.com]

Hi all, newbie here and very excited to find a place to chat about B5. I just finished my second viewing of the series thanks to my son giving me the ENTIRE B5 universe on DVD for Christmas.

The fact that they were expecting trouble was mentioned in the last episode so the hostage situation wasn't so surprising here. I'm also a fan of "action figure John" so that was fun to watch. (Interesting aside: there sure are a lot of lefties on this show)

I'm a big John/Delenn fan and JMS doesn't always write the best romantic scenes but the one between John and Delenn in the medlab was one of his better ones.

The Londo scene reminded me that he's very smart and quite capable of playing the political game. I couldn't help but think that "what goes around,comes around" during that scene. I was concerned for Londo here. I also don't think he poisoned Refa's drink.

I have to wonder why Delenn didn't do something about Lennier. Surely she had to know he had a crush on her. She certainly had one on Dukhat so she was familiar with the idea. He only kidding himself, here.

And, oh, the Minbari and their rituals! I remember reading that it was originally supposed to be Sinclair involved with Delenn and I can see where he would have fit perfectly with her. I've always seen Sheridan and Sinclair as two sides of the same coin. Sinclair is as inward as Sheridan is outward. Sinclair is a deliberate, thoughtful character whereas Sheridan is a spontaneous, shoot-from-the-hip type. I could just see Sinclair having no trouble integrating himself into the ritualistic part of the Minbari lifestyle.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

Garibaldi's the only one I'm sure was left-handed (he had a special PPG made up for him). Now I have to watch the fight scene again (oh noes!)

Have you ever noticed how many blue-eyed/light-eyed people there are in this show? It's weird.

Oddly, I heard one critique of the show that had Sinclair has the mad impulsive one and Sheridan as more deliberate. Everyone has their own interpretations, and that's what makes it fun.

[ufgator1977.livejournal.com]

I'm almost positive Bruce is a southpaw; at least when he signs his name. I thought some of the others were as well. I'll have to watch to be sure. I really needed another reason to re-re-watch the shows. ;)

I based my desription of the the two men in terms of their military style. The one maneuver I saw Sinclair conduct was very precise whereas Sheridan tends to think on his feet and is one of those wild card types that is unpredictable in the heat of battle. I would have loved to have see the two of them fight a few battles together.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I fall pretty much on your version of the two men. Although Sinclair had that death wish thing going, always rushing off into battle. Sheridan delegated more I think.

They met during the Food Riots on Mars, didn't they? There's a fic that needs written!

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

In retrospect Sinclair did have a lot more reckless action hero type moments than Sheridan. Of course, season one had a lot more 'monster' episodes in general...

It's a common criticism of the character, but I always assumed Sinclair was meant to be unnaturally stiff - someone who doesn't feel they can relax, and doesn't trust their own instincts very well. When he does take action, it's reckless and not well thought out - so he stifles his natural instincts to act and tries to avoid confrontation instead. Sheridan's a lot more relaxed and is better at spur-of-the-moment plans since he's not holding himself in check or giving into the moment entirely.

At least, that's how I always saw it. Sinclair's a lot more relaxed in "War Without End" - I imagine mainly because he feels a lot more in control of his life as a Ranger than he ever did on B5...

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I like that interpretation of Sinclair actually. It's more than just introvert/extrovert, self-doubting/confident. I wonder if their war experience had something to do with their different approaches.

[algeh]

Man, now I'd really like to read a fic where Sheridan and Sinclair play chess against each other, or some sort of tactics training simulator, or something, to explore those style differences.