"Ship of Tears" discussion

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 3X14, "Ship of Tears". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
Bester returns to Babylon 5, this time asking for help to rescue a group of frozen telepaths.

Extra reading:
The article for "Ship of Tears" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

I also agree that Koenig and the script do sell me into believing that Bester does love her.

I also agree - I suppose that is implicit in my earlier post.
the monologue that selenak mentions is the best indication, but also in this episode, the abruptness with which he reacts to discovering whose bracelet he is holding.

We are now showwn that, despite earlier appearances, Bester does care about many things, and is quite honest about these, even if they are things that most people would agree are morally wrong.

His belief that telepaths are better than "mundanes" is genuine, and the way in which he regards them as precious is also form of love. He works as character (among other things) because he cares about his causes, and shows the negative and destructive potential of what is normally thought of as a positive emotion: he cares enough to kill.

This way, he is also uncomfortably close to the darker side of each of us, unlike the completely selfish villain of many cheap films, from whom the viewer can distance himself emotionally.