"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

[shapinglight]

This remains one of the toughest episodes to watch in the whole show. I really had to psych myself up to it, after considering missing it out altogether.

Again, part of its impact has to be seen in the context of the time. The only sci fi show then worth mentioning would have been something out of the Star Trek universe, and if this had been a Trek episode, some way would have been found to save the child. This being B5, it wasn't. Instead, the parents' religious beliefs are carried to their heartbreaking and all too inevitable conclusion and Dr Franklin learns a horrible, horrible lesson to do with hubris and the fact that some things are not universal to all races.

I think this was a worthy attempt to try and show the diversity of the different species and their beliefs in the B5 universe, which the parents' attempts to gain the support of the various ambassadors highlights, as it also shows the ambassadors' ambitions and desires. It's also trying to make a point about religious fundamentalism in general and is at times heavy-handed, but I think on the whole it succeeds in setting out what it means to do, which has the result of deeply unsettling the audience.

It's not an episode I would ever choose to rewatch if I didn't feel obliged to.