"Believers" discussion [spoilers]

[ruuger]

This is the discussion post for the episode 1X10, "Believers". 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 "Believers" at Lurker's Guide.

Comments

[madrona.livejournal.com]

This episode is the beginning of my issues with Dr. Franklin as a sympathetic character.

That is all.

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

I agree. He had some points, but what a jerk. (and congratulations!)

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

So what are your issues with him as a sympathetic character? I'm curious.

[madrona.livejournal.com]

He totally robbed that kid of a dignified death due to his own arrogance...that same arrogance that trips him up again and yet again.

And he's not even funny like House.

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

LOL! I spent six weeks in the hospital last year and House creeps me out totally. He's how young doctors think they should act these days.

On to Franklin. Yes, he is arrogant but he too took an oath to save lives. I can understand him too. To him, not to cure the child was as bad to him as curing the child with surgery was to the parents. Franklin makes many wrong decisions but many he makes with the right intentions and he grows all during the next years of the show. I don't think it was ever so much arrogance as it was that he felt like he could make a real difference at B5. It was almost a kind of innocence.

He made a wrong call... maybe. Maybe he didn't. There is no real dignity in death. Dead is dead.

JMS says everyone was wrong and maybe everyone was right too. He certainly didn't shy away from the controversial or the headlines in B5 and I suppose that is what makes it a good show.

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

House aside, I think that is preceisely what makes him a sympathetic character. He's flawed, he means well - and he gets it wrong anyway.

In the end, I think it is his tears that count, more than his arrogance earlier on.

[glenniebun.livejournal.com]

I had pretty much the opposite reaction--the episode made me feel more sympathetic toward Franklin, as someone absolutely committed to curing his patients despite whatever traditional bunk gets in the way. What's "dignified" about your religion demanding that you die?