"The Excercise of Vital Powers" discussion

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 4X16, "The Excercise of Vital Powers". Spoilers for the whole of the series, including the spin-offs and tie-ins, are allowed here so newbies beware.

Summary:
Garibaldi meets with William Edgars and Franklin asks Lyta's help in communicating with the frozen telepaths.

Extra reading:
The article for "The Excercise of Vital Powers" at The Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

You know, I mentioned this before, but if Lise had actually been portrayed as marrying Edgars for the money, I’d have probably liked her a lot more – at least she’d have shown some initiative at some point in her life. As it is – she’s like a giant void in the plot. There’s meant to be tension between her and Garibaldi, there’s meant to be issues between Garibaldi and Edgars over her, but since she’s got no discernable personality and never does anything, it never quite works the way it’s meant to.

I don’t know, maybe the whole Garibaldi storyline is meant to be a bit emotionally flat to reflect his state of mind – if so, it doesn’t quite work.

Incidentally, what was the point of concealing Edgars’ face up until now? It kind of stretches credibility that such a powerful man would have no public presence whatsoever, and Edgars never really gives the impression of being a Howard Huges-esque recluse.

I do like that Sheridan and Edgars don’t just mirror each other in their willingness to sacrifice telepaths for the ‘greater good’ – they also both like to ramble on about orange juice.

Noticing again just how out of the information loop Lyta is – she was apparently unaware of the cryo-telepaths, or that they were recovered from the Shadows.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

There’s meant to be tension between her and Garibaldi, there’s meant to be issues between Garibaldi and Edgars over her, but since she’s got no discernable personality and never does anything, it never quite works the way it’s meant to.

That's what I meant with the "I think JMS is intending a Gilda homage here, but it so doesn't work" comment. For a Gilda triangle, you need a vibrant female character. Homoerotic tension between the two men doesn't hurt, either, but is optional. :)

Concealing Edgars' face: I wonder whether we were meant to wonder whether he was really either Clark himself or Bester before the reveal?

I do like that Sheridan and Edgars don’t just mirror each other in their willingness to sacrifice telepaths for the ‘greater good’ – they also both like to ramble on about orange juice.

True.:) Soulmates, I tell you.