First, to recap season 1, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The hate season 1 gets is so overblown. Highlights in every episode, something interesting in every scene. What a fun, detail-oriented, suspenseful, tragicomic show!
And, um, now. . . as I move onto season 2. . . here are my thoughts. . .
201
Y’know, when David Caruso left NYPD Blue in the beginning of season 2, David Milch (writer/creator) wisely gave the audience’s discomfort/disappointment about Caruso’s departure to the character of Sipowicz— Sipowicz’s inability to accept change (being an alcoholic creature of habit), mirrored how the audience was up in arms about the removal of a beloved character. As Jimmy Smits (who blows Caruso out of the water) is introduced to the show, his first interaction with Sipowicz is as follows:
Smits comes over to his new partner (Sipowicz) and says, “Hey, how’s it goin’?”
Sipowicz replies: “Yeah, hi,” and then he immediately goes to his Lieutenant, and tells him, “This isn’t gonna work, what with my new partner.”
“Why not, Andy?” Sipowicz is asked.
“This hey-how’s-it-goin’ crap, it’s not gonna work . . .”
And then, as the season developed, the audience/Sipowicz together grew to love and appreciate Jimmy Smits’ character Bobby. A wonderfully executed transition, and an insightful look at the TV writing process.
Which. . . sigh. . . brings me to Bruce Boxleightner. . .
Alright, so— Sinclair is gone. He’s gone. I had just warmed up to him and he’s gone. Ripped from the show. No Sinclair! Goodbye, so long. One question: . . . who the hell does Bruce Boxleightner think he is? And WHY was he cast? Tron or no Tron. My initial thoughts toward him, unfortunately, are unkind. He’s a ham sandwich! A boy scout! I hope my judements will transform to appreciation as I continue, however at the moment I'm at a complete loss as to why JMS thought THIS guy should be our new commander.
Getting back to my earlier NYPD Blue point, JMS wisely included the audience’s apprehension to accept B.B as their new commander by giving Mike the experience of initial distrust/dislike of Sheridan. “I don’t know you,” says Mike to Sheridan in the med lab in 202. But it just doesn't work as well. . .
What are people’s thoughts on Boxleightner, without any spoilers? What was it like to experience this transition in real time? Is ANYONE with me in feeling that B.B is poorly cast?
202
A noticeable, welcomed visual effects upgrade!
G’kar returns! Piloting ship! So cool.
What the hell is chasing the Narn, their ships are dope!
Awful smooth jazz. . . in space!
I have the feeling there’s going to be a huge oncoming war— either between the Narn and Centauri, or Minbari and everyone. . .
Morden is compelling!
What is likable about this guy, Boxleightner? Who gives a shit about his sister? What are ANY defining characteristics so far that he has? None! His sister is an exposition machine. Their dialogue together is trite.
“What I have become, what I suffer, requires only you” is a great line.
203
Ver doing Londo’s hair was hilarious.
Alien gangs with ridiculous sashes, pointing to the ridiculousness of gang warfare, but a bit on the nose and a bit silly.
There's a trend in film/tv that oranges portend tragedy (see: The Godfather)— Ivanova and Sheridan enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice, perhaps a sign of forthcoming tragedy? Sheridan is later given an orange blossom. . . could this be a sign/portent?
Ver meets a balrog!
Ivanova failing but trying so hard regardless, but then stumbling into a solution with the Drazi.
The Acme reference with Mike and Drazi was fun.
The idea of a holo-demon is so cool!
Delenn comes out of her chrysalis, and. . . she just has long hair. . . well? Is she half-human now?
Overall, I'm struggling, but I will continue to watch and enjoy the show.
I seek not forgiveness, but mercy. . .
Be seeing you!
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Sheridan definitely comes in and feels off. It's on purpose. Trust me, it'll get much better.
Thank you! Y’know, I was afraid I’d be downvoted for this opinion and almost didn’t post, but the consensus around here seems to be that I’m going to warm up to him. More to come. We’ll see!
I thought your comparison to NYPD Blue was interesting because I feel like Garibaldi served much the same function IIRC. It takes him a while to warm up to Sheridan
Not at all. That was the intention. He was supposed to seem ill-suited and kind of a jack booted military personality. Gotta have somewhere to grow from. He'll earn your trust, no doubt.
I never did. There are episodes where he does a good job, but I never stopped hating on Sheridan.
Yeah. I never did warm up to him completely. It’s not the character: it’s the acting. He hits all his lines but something about his acting is just “off” for me. I have the same problem with a lot of George Clooney’s acting. I just feel like I’m watching an actor, not the character
B.B. is acting exactly how JMS has written him, hang in there and the pieces will come together. Trust me you are going to Love Sheridan!
Hopefully, he will. Some do not. Let's not over-hype.
Fair enough! Thanks for chiming in
I’ll hang in there, thanks!
The first part of S2 sort of has to do more groundwork because he had to switch Sinclair with Sheridan (the actor couldn't continue with the role, which if you look into all the details, was a horrible situation which JMS engaged wth much honor, helping Michael as best he could). Sheridan is not Sinclair, and that is a good thing (not cookie cutter replacement), and yes, you hit what some new viewers hit early on with him. Things are being set up, and will be for awhile; in the middle of them you will see good episodes, and also, things which in a second viewing knowing what happens, will make you appreciate them much much more, but hopefully you will get to a point when you get what others do with an a-ha and it all connects.
Thank you, I did read up on what happened to Michael O’Hare, what a tragedy, it does seem JMS dealt with it most compassionately.
Aside from being a huge fan of B5, and a lot of the other stuff JMS has done, he absolutely handled that situation with class and grace.
He seems a good man, indeed. What else has he done that you’d recommend?
He’s written a lot of stuff over the years, from the animated Ghostbusters to the first Thor, and Sense8 is great. B5 really is his masterpiece though.
The biggest problem with season 1 was that it had a lot of world building to do. And it's like sitting through the part of the superhero movie where the hero is still a regular person. The good news is that you're going to start seeing why the world building was needed. Not only do we know the universe better, we know the characters better. So now you are invested. And it's going to start paying off this season. I predict that by the end of the season you are going to be glad you stuck with it.
Yes, Sinclair is gone. I fully understand how you feel. we all do. All I will say is that you will warm up to Sheridan. And like season one, there's some world building going on with Sheridan. So it's going to take a bit for him to really come into his own. (I forget when I really started to like him, but it was in season 2). He's going to eventually win you over.
I appreciate this post and please keep making them. It's still always nice to see how people react to the show for the first time 30 years later. I watched it when it came out so I do envy you your journey through this series.
Thanks a lot! Glad to hear I’m not alone. You’ve made great points. I appreciate your feedback! With your encouragement I’ll keep you guys posted!
"Why JMS thought this guy should be the new commander."
A lot of people are thinking that, particularly with his history with the Minbari. Just remember what G'kar said - "No one here is exactly what he appears."
One thing that may be throwing you off is Boxleitner's opening narration. Apparently, the first version only had Bruce reading dialogue, but around episode 2x04 he does a second version where he could see the visuals, and it much improves his rendition. Gives real weight to the various clauses.
Also, not sure if you've ever seen that deep space franchise Star Trek: The Next Generation, but if you have - have you ever watched season 1 and wondered what they were thinking with that unpleasant jerk Captain Jean-Luc Picard?
Thank you! I’ll keep G’kars line in mind. Sinclair certainly had more than met the eye.
Interesting to know about the narration, makes sense.
And yes! I’ve actually just finished my first run through of TGN S1 (having been formerly familiar with only Voyager and DS9) and of course I agree that Picard is stilted in a way he isn’t in what I’ve seen from later seasons
I’ve always been surprised that JMS was never in the military, because there are some things he just gets right, sci-fi future or not. One of those things is Sheridan. He’s the epitome of the new CO coming into an existing environment, and not quite fitting. The Boy Scout thing fits for a military academy graduate too.
Don’t worry, it’ll all make sense before long.
I think that must have been serious research on JMS' part, trying deliberately to be (to a certain extent) the anti-Trek.
Characters think about their career advancement, transfer, there's mention made of wanting to keep flight pay...he must have had some key conversations about what military life is like.
Interesting note r.e militaristic accuracy! I’m starting to understand B.B’s performance more. Thank you!
Keep those updates coming! I’ve really been enjoying them.
Thank you! And thanks for the encouragement :)
I think the series does a good job of gradually showing you that Sheridan (originally wrote Sinclair by mistake, oops) isn't what he first appears to be. (As G'kar said back in season 1, no one is exactly what they initially appear to be.) That said, I found him more likable at the outset than you seem to, so maybe he'll never quite gel for you. Or maybe he will! Only one way to tell, really.
I'll agree with you that there may have been a more elegant way to introduce us to Sheridan's family and such, but I think it's worth it to get some exposition about Sheridan out of the way quickly so the show can back to the plot and not have to waste too much narrative real estate on handing off the baton.
Never seen NYPD Blue, so I can't speak to how good the comparison is. I don't think it's spoiling too much to say there will be some episodes where Sheridan has friction with his staff.
The bumpy transition is an unfortunate side effect of the IRL departure of Michael O'Hare, who played Sinclair. It was kept private at the time, but he had some pretty severe mental health problems that worsened over the course of filming season 1. He ultimately left of his own volition because he didn't want to risk the show as a whole (what with him being the lead and all).
Hey thanks a ton for the response! It did become clear that there was more to Sinclair, I can only hope his minbari-spirit storyline gets some closure.
I’d recommend NYPD Blue if you’re ever in the mood for a police procedural with some great over arching plots. Terrific dialogue, most of all.
And yes, I did end up reading what happened to Michael, very sad. It would seem JMS handled the situation honorably
There will be closure on Sinclair's storyline, fear not.
Heh, that first sentence in my comment should've been Sheridan. I blame JMS for giving both of his protagonist characters his own initials. :-P
Not sure if you read Tolkein, but a line in "Geometry of Shadows", given by the Technomage Elirc, is a direct quote from LOTR... the books, not the movie:
"Do not test the patience of wizards, for they are subtle, and quick to anger."
Also, when Ivanova broke her leg in that episode, it was a case of real-life influencing the plot. Claudia had injured herself in real life, so they fit it into the plot, and that even had a small effect in a later episode too.
Claudia didn't just get injured in real life, she was injured while filming that scene. Her scream of pain is 100% real, much like Viggo Mortensen's helmet kick in LotR.
Fascinating, thank you!
A non-spoiler spoiler: the character is overdoing it.
As the very next episode shows you pretty explicitly, and a couple more after, Boxleitner is playing Sheridan deliberately trying to act comfortable, and coming on too strong precisely because he is also deeply uncomfortable with this situation.
He's been thrown into a new job, one he didn't ask for, with people he doesn't know, and he is freaking the hell out.
Be patient. I think you'll like where it goes.
Yes I’m starting to understand more clearly BB’s position, thank you!
Oh my god you have no idea, you're gonna love Sheridan so fucking much
Hoping so! Thanks for the reply! Rip Michael indeed
Yes. Those geen drazi are silly! Purple is best.
(I think the episode is nice for something from the 90s. Aliens gonna be alien. And its not some convoluted morality play like in Star Trek.)
Maybe it's even foreshadowing something. Then again, it just shows human nature
...... green....
PURPLE!
For what it's worth, if you want to sit along with folks who are also doing their first watch, search YouTube or podcasts for "Babylon 5 for the first time." I don't always agree with them, but I appreciate their thoughts and enjoy reliving the first timers experience.
Hello! Yes I’ve checked out the B5 for the first time pod, it’s been good! So much goes on in this show so it’s been helpful to keep track of everything. The hosts welcomed B.B with open arms which I was quite surprised by!
Eh, different folks react differently. There's nothing wrong with how you feel, and I suspect he'll grow on you.
Just keep with the show. Second season has some questionable episodes, but it's also where things start to really matter!
I’ll keep going! Interactions on this sub have really enhanced my enjoyment, thanks
I love them both equally. ❤️ Everyone was casted for a reason. JMS is amazing. RIP Michael O'Hare. 💜
How did you manage to misspell Boxleitner so many times - when the correct spelling is rather blatantly obvious in the credits of the show you just watched? Hint: There's NO "gh" in his name.
I believe Vir's name is also in the credits...
But other than that it's a good post. I had much the same initial reaction to Sheridan. He definitely comes off as an overeager boy scout in the beginning.
I came to the conclusion that B.B. was partially cast for his work on Westerns in the 70's. No spoilers but you might pick up what I mean after watching a few more episodes.
That said, I enjoy his acting immensely, his character is not impulsive and always thinks things through. A lot of time he hesitates to do what needs to be done and I like how Bruce portrays it on-screen.
Also, between him and Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar), I think they have most wonderful and heartwarming smiles. Their happy faces make me happy, lol.
Hey thanks! I’m looking forward to getting to know BB more
I am a newb too, and only on episode 5 of season 3 (I won't spoil anything since I am about 20 or so episodes ahead of you). I will say this though, Sinclair was the weakest part of season 1. I realize that the actor had other things going on at the time (RIP), but he just was not good. My first impressions when season 2 began were: A) The visual effects budget must have been doubled, because they feel 10 years more recent. BIG improvement. And B) BB looks, sounds, and feels so much more authentic as the station commander that it is even more of an improvement than the FX budget. And 3) Did the actress playing Delenn just get sick of putting the bald headpiece on, and they accomodated her with this cocoon metamorphosis plot? It looks ridiculous.
I know we disagree on BB, but thanks for starting this thread. I hesitated to post anything here because so many people have known this story for so long, and I didn't know anything. Nice to not be alone.
You’re never alone! Your feelings are valid. As for Delenn, yes her transformation was underwhelming…
Unpopular opinion, I liked Jeffrey O'Hare better than Bruce Boxleitner. He grew on me, but I like Sinclair better. His presence was just way better and so was his voice.
Agreed
Sheridan has never been my favorite character and I always thought Sinclair (and Season 1!) was underrated, but BB did grow on me. And while Revelations has some bits that I really enjoy, the ones about Sheridan don't really work.
Also, full agreement on the Drazi storyline being on the nose. Not a fan of using minor races as comic caricatures.
Season 2 has its rough spots. In some ways, I think its low points are even less enjoyable than in the first season. But since you dug Season 1, I'm quite confident that you'll be quite pleased by the show's quality in a short while.
Looking forward to it! Thanks!
Damn, I would take Sheridan over Sinclair literally every day.
Edit: I actually got downvoted for this? Really? X'D
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