"Into the Fire" discussion

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 4X06 "Into the Fire". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
The Army of Light mount their final assault against both the Shadows and the Vorlons.

Extra reading:
The article for "Into the Fire" at The Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I've been busy with family duties, but thought I'd check back in to see what's going on...

Apparently I'm still watching some other version of B5 than the rest of you. Your version is interesting, mind you. The commentary just makes me feel at times like I've gone down the rabbit hole. So just a few points.

Lorien just simply fascinates me. He's the ultimate in detached and dispassionate observation. All the giants/ants/etc. metaphors apply to him in spades. He has his own agenda here. He's there merely to prod Sheridan towards the answer without telling him what it is, to gather up his errant children, and to facilitate communication at the end. The game has gone on too long; the point has been lost, the rules, such as they were, have been broken. Time to pack up and go home. He doesn't take responsibility because he doesn't feel any. Maybe a little, at the end, but not much. And any responsibility he feels is as much towards the Vorlons and Shadows as to the others. The perspective of millions of years lends distance, to say the least. His talk with Susan is one of my favorite bits. 'A remarkable illusion' That's just great.

The First Ones aren't there to fight particularly; they are there to join the exodus. That's Lorien's reason for bringing them along anyway. I've been trying to remember--I'm pretty sure the idea to bring them into the war was Delenn's initially, and so possibly Kosh's. If so, I wonder what the Vorlons envisioned the other First Ones as doing in the war, or whether they just wanted them to choose sides, or ensure their neutrality or what?

If Londo was serious about sacrificing himself why didn't he grab a weapon from a guard and kill himself? He's not ready yet, not really. Still in denial as to his own culpability. And it would have killed Vir to do it, so I'm glad he didn't have to. Not seeing the nobility in our Londo here. His ultimate moment comes later.

As for the Golden Age, they are just starting it now. Childhood, adolescence, adulthood. The younger races are the adults now, and responsible for their own destinies.

The thing I keep coming back to is that JMS was trying for something really big here. He falls short, in a lot of ways. It's unsatisfying and inconsistent in places. But I have to admire the attempt.