"Deathwalker" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X09, "Deathwalker". 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 "Deathwalker" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[shapinglight]

I thought this episode was absolutely excellent, from Jha'dur's alien makeup (a sort of scary big cat), Na'toth's attack on her (one of the more convincing fight scenes in the show), through the moral/ethical dilemmas posed by her discovery to the Vorlons' dismissive execution of her at the end.

I'd thought this episode was a one-off MotW type thing, but during this rewatch have realised that there really is no such animal in B5. We don't just learn more about the characters here, including gaining further evidence of Sinclair's considerable moral rectitude, but also learn more about the alien races (the Minbari involvement with the Dilgar through the Windswords is a very big revelation, as up to now, we've only seen the Minbaris' more enlightened side through the medium of Delenn). We also get another flash of perspective, as we did in the Sigma 957 scene in Parliament of Dreams, about how a more advanced race like the Vorlons views those they consider lesser than themselves. Kosh reveals this both in his treatment of Talia and again at the end, when he declares that the other races are not ready for immortality. This is the first real evidence of the Vorlons' paternalistic attitude, whereas previously they had just been distant and mysterious.

The actress who plays Jha'dur (yet another Brit thesp), is excellent. In fact, it's a great episode, as is Believers, in both of which no attempt is made to dodge or mitigate some very unpleasant realities.

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

I admire JMS for happily jumping into the muddy waters of morality time and time again. He seems to revel in the grey!

[shapinglight]

That's for sure. Doesn't shrink from the consequences or try to find an easy way out, as happens so often in TV.

[devilc.livejournal.com]

Na'toth's attack on her (one of the more convincing fight scenes in the show)

To this day, that scene gives me the shiver up my spine. How she just *shrieks* "Deathwalker!" and picks up that wrench and starts beating her. Such. Atavistic. Rage.

[shapinglight]

God, yes! And it contrasts so much with most of the B5 fight scenes, which are generally a bit stylised and unbelievable.