"The Parliament of Dreams" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X05, "The Parliament of Dreams". 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 "The Parliament of Dreams" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[shapinglight]

It'll be very difficult to do this episode justice because it is without doubt one of the best -if not the best - in the season. Just for starters, I love the plot with G'Kar and the assassin, which though it's basically comic relief, does a nice job not only of filling in more details about Narn culture but also of 'humanising' G'Kar. He's not yet past the stage of being the 'villain' but this episode adds layers to him, and Julie Caitlin Brown is splendid as Na'Toth.

I think I saw someone say on a previous post that they didn't see any chemistry between Sinclair and Catherine Sakai, but I have to disagree. I think they have loads. I love Catherine and am very sorry that we never got an end to the Sinclair/Catherine story onscreen. I've read the novel written by JMS's wife, but unfortunately cannot remember the story and don't know how it was resolved, but that line of hers to Sinclair, "Don't touch me unless you mean it," still sends chills down my spine. Over the years, I'd forgotten who said that and it was a revelation to hear to it again. I felt their relationship was very believable.

Which segues in to the Minbari religious ceremony scene, because there's no doubt in my mind that at this point Sinclair and Delenn were meant to end up a couple. They go through a marriage ceremony in this episode. I can't believe that wasn't meant to mean something. I like Sheridan very much, but one thing this rewatch has really brought home to me is how much JMS's original ideas were messed about by the constant coming and going of various actors - in this case, not Michael O'Hare's fault, as I understand it.

The Centauri religious ceremony is completely hilarious. Peter Jurasik is at his absolute best as early season Comedy Londo. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. In fact, the only quibble I have with the episode is that in the long parade of Earth religions at the end, my own is not included.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

how much JMS's original ideas were messed about by the constant coming and going of various actors

I'm sure Sinclair was to marry Delenn, and Catherine was intended to be the Anna character, with her explorations in search of old civilisations and tech which would eventually lead her to the Shadows, just as more was planned for Talia, with her gift of telekinesis.

[shapinglight]

Yes, I agree, and more so since I've just reached Deathwalker in my re-watch, which included a lot of stuff about Talia made irrelevant by the actress leaving.

A pity.

Also, I've just read what JMS had to say about the episode on The Lurkers' Guide and it's obvious he meant to do a lot more with Sinclair and Sakai, and it just didn't happen.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I really must go through the Lurker's Guide again! I started my rewatch a few months ago and have almost finished S1.

[shapinglight]

It's very informative. I didn't even know it existed until this community opened.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I used to visit it after every ep when they showed them here, years after the US. :-)

I really need to make myself a B5 icon.

[voxwoman.livejournal.com]

the only quibble I have with the episode is that in the long parade of Earth religions at the end, my own is not included.

Mine, either (Wicca/NeoPaganism). Which I find quite ironic, given that the Declaration of Principles has been adapted by 3/4 of the local groups into their rituals, and the entire series is required watching for new members in at least one coven that I know.

[wychwood]

To be fair, though, we don't hear the full list of names! I'd expect there to be a Wiccan (or similar) in there somewhere.

[beatrice_otter]

That's so interesting! I did not know that. And, yeah, ironic.

[voxwoman.livejournal.com]

The first time this happened, I was at a Beltane festival, and this large Druid was acting as priest. He had on a Ranger pin, and started reciting the Declaration. It was pretty cool to recognize it, and even cooler that JMS mentioned it in one of the commentary tracks, after I posted about it on usenet...

[shapinglight]

That is ironic. A member of my religion is spotted in the crowd scenes in The Gathering, but not in the parade, and it's a well-known world religion, or I thought it was. Oh well.

[beatrice_otter]

May I ask what your religion is?

[shapinglight]

It's Sikh. Wasn't born one but define myself as after many, many years of marriage.