"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

[vjs2259.livejournal.com]

The first time I saw this episode I sympathized and agreed with Franklin, although I could see all their points of view. The second time through I thought Sinclair had the right of it, and Franklin was wrong to do what he did, while the parents were misguided. This time I was pretty much on the parents' side, although I wish they had been able to step out of their culture and let their son live. That was asking a great deal of them however. The (first) dying scene was tremendously affecting, and I found myself wishing he had been able to go like that, loved, in his mother's arms, rather than having to go through that terrible rejection. I hope his last moments were peaceful, but I think he probably knew his parents didn't even feel it was him any longer.
Terrible.

The revealing interviews with each ambassador and their individual reasons for denying the parents' petition were interesting. I wondered if Kosh was referring to the general or the particular situation with his aphorism--was he saying the boy was destined to die, so it was futile to try to stop his destiny? Or was he referring to the coming storm, and that trying to prevent one death among the many to come was a waste of time?

Delenn had the best point; whose beliefs were right and real? But she was still dodging the decision; being passive as the Minbari will be later and at more important junctures. Maybe she learned something here. I would have liked to hear her and Sinclair discuss their respective decisions.

I also thought the comments about playing God from Franklin were right; we do ask doctors to play God all the time. It's hard for them to keep their humility through that. And Sinclair 'playing God' when he becomes practically a deity himself, later--there was some lovely irony. I liked that he admitted that saving Kosh was probably a mistake; they are always owning up to their mistakes. I love that.

[ajora.livejournal.com]

It may just be me, but I always thought Kosh was referring to his own medical treatment in the pilot and, in his own way, trying to advise the parents that their fight was just as futile as the Vorlons' had been when he underwent treatment.