B5 S3 Ep12: Sic Transit Vir

How I love the Gardens. It's like the damn Rainforest Cafe in there if you've ever been to one of those places. A little rain, some thunder, maybe a fish tank, and you're almost home.

I was going to write a quick entry about my experience at Circuit City the other day, but then decided to incorporate it here and just open with a little side story.

So I walk into Circuit City, much against my better judgment to pick up Stargate Atlantis Season Four on DVD. The service is generally terrible and many of the kids working there tend to be less than friendly, less than helpful, in fact I think it may be a prerequisite to have no personality at all when filing an application. Customer satisfaction is no longer the name of the game. But of course they had only one copy of the new DVD Box and it had a big tear/ scratch down the front of the box and a dent across the spine. See ya. No thanks. If I'm buying new I want it to be mint new. I don't want it to look like it's been in the scratch and dent bin for six months at a reduced price. I'm a little anal that way- high standards I guess. However, I did get the X-Files Revelations DVD in preparation for the upcoming film I Want To Believe. Funny thing is it doesn't matter, you know me folks, I'm slow and I probably won't get around to watching it until the movie is well gone from the theatres.

So this tall fellow says "Can I help you?" I said "Yes." The kid was scoring major points with me right off the bat. I proceeded to ask him where the Stargate Atlantis Season Four DVD set was located and he showed me. He actually even made small talk. He said, "Is that series any good? My friend keeps telling me to watch some great science fiction for a change. He always tells me that I watch bad science fiction." You know where this is going. I laughed and I said, "Yeah, it's good. Good effects. Good stories and characters. Yeah, you should definitely check it" [to quote McLovin' from Superbad]. So I have to ask, "Well give me an example of the bad science fiction you like that your friend doesn't." I'm always game to talk about stuff like this and the kid was a real nice kid. He says, "Well I watched Babylon 5 and my friend always makes fun of me." What!? My mouth dropped agape. I said "No WAY! I am watching that right now! I'm on Season Three and your friend is wrong. Pure dead wrong!" Can you imagine? Here I was defending the show I made fun of just months ago. I told him, "You tell your friend that show is not bad and it's arguably better if not just as good and different as Stargate Atlantis. He's so wrong and he probably is basing his decision on watching Season One. Right?" He says, "Exactly, Season One is a bit rough." I said, "Yeah, very rough, you have to push through that one a bit, but it gets better and better." I said, "Man, your friend is so wrong. Good talking to you pal." He was like "Yeah you too." Folks, those Babylon 5 fans are out there. The youngsters just can't get passed those early special effects. They can't see the forest for the trees to get to the meat of the story. Today it's like a bad drug, they need cool special effects first, the story is secondary or they ain't watchin'. That is bad logic people. I almost fell victim to the same. Thanks to people like you and me [now], like the tagline from The X-Files, 'The truth is out there' and we're making sure people hear about it.

Okay, so I digressed a bit there, but that was clearly a musing worth mentioning in relation to our love for Babylon 5. So on we go with the latest installment.

I love the nifty flying saucer in this shot. It’s rare to see your traditional Lost In Space-styled flying saucer in science fiction anymore. I guess they are just far too simple and basic, but I like simple and basic and therefore it was a pleasure to see.

Here we are with Babylon 5, Season Three, Episode 12, Sic Transit Vir. I was torn between calling this entry Sick 'Em Vir! or …

NAKED Ivanova! So I opted for both. Finally! Yes! Yes! Yes! Okay, sorry, got a little carried away with my imagination, because we don’t actually get to see her naked, but we can dream. I was so excited I thought about populating the entire entry with Ivanova pictures, but quickly came to my senses. Ivanova is apparently having dreams in which she is on duty, but naked. Crazy?! I think not. How about you? I have had those kinds of dreams before as well. You walk out the door in only your skivvies and realize you're at school or work or somewhere and for some unknown reason you're completely oblivious to the fact your naked until quite some time later. Oddly enough, sometimes, even the people around me are unaware I'm naked and then when I realize I'm naked I must get clothes on before everyone else realizes it. I mean how could they not notice I'm naked? It's all quite bizarre. What is up with that? Dreams I tell ya.

Back on Centauri Prime, Vir delivers his Minbar reports to the Emperor. Vir is advised to stick with his own analysis, be true to his reports and leave out the Londo embellishments. He is apparently in good standing with the emperor, preferred favor over Londo anyway. Upon departing Vir is told an ill-humored, race joke by a Centauri official concerning a room full of Narn. After Vir leaves we see him enter a room full of Narn. It’s a pretty clever twist. It’s disorienting at first because we aren’t sure exactly what is happening. In retrospect, looking back, Vir is unafraid as he enters and the door closes behind him as we learn the room is indeed full of Narn very much by his design. I'm uncertain if others have aided in Vir's mission here. Was the joke code?

I know I'm perseverating on this, but Babylon 5 is so like a whale with those Blue Minbari goldfish? It is such a visual feast for the eyes. By the way, where is the White Star going?

Sheridan accurately, no doubt, psychoanalyzes Susan’s dreams as being steeped in a sense of vulnerability and instability. He notes that it is clearly symbolic of their current status on Babylon 5 and the station’s role in the much larger political climate. Paging Dr. Sheridan- damn that’s good John!

Elsewhere, Londo has a bit of a wee beastie bug problem. His room appears to be the recipient of an alien bug infestation. They must have come through with the cargo or the luggage. His absolute dread and unhealthy fear of bugs is a comical touch in this entry. Meanwhile Vir returns to Babylon 5 and arrives at Londo’s quarters.

Remember that School House Rock theme. I can here it playing in Londo's quarters: "The most important person in the world to you is you and you hardly even know you." How fitting.
Londo: “And how are things at the Royal Court?”
Vir: “You know collusion, politicking, scheming, innuendo, gossip, same old thing.”
Londo: “Good. Good.”

Vir is introduced to his beautiful, petite wife to be, Lyndisty, a delightful, seductive yet devilish turn from Armen Thomas.

Lyndisty: “Ambassador Mollari told me everything about you.”
Londo: “Oh, don’t worry Vir. I only told her the good parts. It was a very short conversation.”
*

Ouch! Nice. WOW! With friends like that who needs enemies Vir? Londo loves to belittle everything around him to pump up his own prestige. Speaking of which, is it customary to hang a self-portrait in your own quarters? It has to be the height of vanity to be sure.
*

His vanity knows no bounds. MINE are this BIG! [He does have several large bugs you know.]
I loved his comments about the bugs in his room. “I swear they are evolving right before my eyes. If you see something this big with eight legs coming your way let me know I have to kill it before it develops language skills.”

Sheridan invites Delenn to a candlelight dinner in his quarters. There seems to be a lot of action there lately, albeit not always desired. Sheridan prepares Delenn a flavorless dish of Flarn. It is essentially God awful illustrated by the old ‘look over there at that picture’ trick. As kids we pulled that trick often with the folks and quickly dispensed with food we weren't crazy about to the family dog who was always waiting by our knees happy for the scraps. Tink 'the blink' was well-trained and together we cleaned our plates. It was always quiet and there was never any evidence left behind. So, anyway, Sheridan turns his head away from the table while Delenn applies salt and pepper to aid in the taste.

Sgt. Allan visits Ivanova at Command & Control and notes some inconsistencies concerning the Narn and reports indicating they are deceased. It was at this point I began to realize we had a little Schindler named Vir on board Babylon 5 doing his best to save the Narn anyway he possibly could [a la Schindler’s List].

I believe he may be about to eat her face.
As far as Vir goes, he may be a noble Centauri, a rare Centauri looking to do the right thing, but a ladies’ man he is not. Lyndisky is a charming little package of hotness- searing bald hotness at least. I love his waddle-like walk and his general discomfort around her. He is definitely a virgin, but such a likeable guy. She offers him nights filled with an “anarchy of pleasure.” Yes! Now that is my kind of anarchy. Where are these Centauri women on Earth when you need them? Later, a knife-wielding Narn attacks Vir and Lyndisky. Vir is accused of murder. Why? Sgt. Allan and his PPG subdue the Narn and Vir is perceived a brave protector to his future ladylove. Vir has got it goin' on baby! Vir turns to Ivanova for advice on the opposite sex. It's interesting to note Ivanova’s own discomfort and her acknowledgement that “every woman is different.” That much we are certain. This is good stuff.





Leave it to Ivanova her timing is always impeccable. There are loads of great sexual undercurrents on Babylon 5. Oh and then there's this almost moment. I was so on the fence regarding 'the moment'. [It's like the damn Love Boat here! Love Babylon if you will!]
I wanted it to happen, but then I didn’t want it to happen. If it happened I would have been disappointed it happened and then sad that I could no longer want it to happen. The fact that it didn’t happen allowed for me to still want it to happen. I wanted that more [sort of]. I think. I'm not sure I'm feelin' it between these two. I think chemistry is there but not loads of it, therefore I'm not all that desirous to see it transpire.

As it turns out Vir is utilizing a ghost name to transfer Narn off Centauri Prime for better health care and attention off world. He is saving them from the brutality of his own people and potentially death. Ivanova meets with Sheridan in Londo’s quarters to confront Vir. All 2,000 Narn are listed as dead who were transferred. Since Vir is a walking target by the Narn it is assumed their deaths are resulting by his actions. Vir exclaims, “They’re not dead!” Vir altered the records so they could not be traced. They were being sent to other places to be helped. Vir is Schindler and his only regret is that he didn’t save more. Londo is disgusted by his actions. Vir turns to Lyndisky only to find she, too, is a racist. His heart is quietly broken. Vir is disturbed and troubled by her hatred for the Narn. She is a package of sweetness and smiles, but underneath it all the product of her rearing on Centauri [she is the whole nurture argument at work]. She views the Narn as nothing more than mice to be exterminated. To prove it, she has a surprise for good-natured Vir.

Lyndisky has bound a Narn in her quarters. He attempted to kill her. She has kept him alive so that Vir could have the honor of killing the Narn as acceptance into her family. Now we know the truth. It was Lyndisky that was truly the target of the Narn as the daughter to a family of Narn herding murderers. Her family has played a key role in the destruction of the Narn. They have attempted to weed out, in particular, aggressive Narn from the gene pool. Gee, that’s funny, if you’re cornered, herded or caged; I’m thinking anything or anyone might get aggressive. The Narn that lies before them is an escapee from a village her family purified. As the new head of the household, Lyndisky hands Vir the knife. She assures him it gets easier and easier. Damn that little cutie is a cold-blooded Narn assassin, but then there's that whole "anarchy of pleasure" thing she's got going.

Later Londo informs Vir he has done his best to cover up the “unfortunate incident,” maybe less on behalf of Vir and more to avoid any personal shame given his associations with him. Londo believes the Minbari influence has been unhealthy and he has relocated Vir back to Babylon 5 permanently. Vir's marriage has been postponed. Londo recommends he go kiss her ass essentially. As he says goodbye to her, like a schoolboy, he is intoxicated by her touch and beauty and remains hopeful he can work it out despite her flaws and maybe work out that "anarchy of pleasure." Hell, it's incentive. Heck if Democrats and Republicans, Tory and Labor, and so on can marry and live in harmony, what’s the death of a few Narn among would be lovers?

Londo: “She’s a good woman, a true Centauri.”
Vir: “That she is.”

Look, I know I'm hard on Londo and some are defensive of his true motives, but he's not exactly deserving of a break at the moment. His disdain for the Narn and his general selfish attitude is unbecoming. That being said I savor his screen time and he's a fascinating character that I do feel has much potential for redemption.
*

Ivanova has aided Vir and the station by utilizing Sheridan’s face to establish a phony Centauri personnel file for one Abrahamo Lincolni. It’s fitting they should use former President Abraham Lincoln’s name as the man behind the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862-63 and the freeing of slaves during the American Civil War. The Narn need some help indeed. Ivanova’s creation of the file has fulfilled her need for an additional mission in her role aboard Babylon 5.

With or without clothes she still looks fabulous [and damn those lips!]
*

Sic Transit Vir: B-

Black Is Black

I promise not to torture you with this for very long, but I didn't have AC/DC's Back In Black. So here you go. It was mildly amusing to me anyway. I know simple things... I like when the lyric gets to Sheridan's face. I was completely thinking Anna Sheridan. Anyway, here's the next in our goofy music video series...

B5 S3 Ep11: Ceremonies Of Light And Dark

Garibaldi against a most terrifying and vicious enemy- the sardonic wit of Babylon 5's original internal computer voice system complete with terrible accent. It must be destroyed! Wouldn't we all like to do that to a computer?

"Back in black/ I hit the sack/ I've been too long I'm glad to be back!" - AC/DC

It's good to be back to Babylon 5 and it's good to see our heroes dressed in black by the latest episode's end. It is slick look indeed.

Straczynski is always great about continuity. If someone is in a coma- they’re in a coma. If someone is in a cocoon- they're in a cocoon. Okay, maybe that's different. So Garibaldi begins Babylon 5, Season Three, Episode 11, Ceremonies Of Light And Dark [or Back In Black] in a cast as a result of an arm injury during fighting on Babylon 5 at the end of Severed Dreams. So, like I said, we have a cast. On a side note, how Ivanova walked away from her Starfury excursion is nothing but a minor miracle, but that’s how things works out sometimes thank God and that's a fairly accurate reality as well.

Sheridan is an absolutely resolute and firm Captain. I love him. He is principled in a galaxy that has lost its way. He applies right and wrong with conviction and passion. He gets pissed! I love when he gets pissed. He does it and never completely loses his shit when he does. That’s a great quality! Oh and the ladies love him too so he can never do wrong.

Unbeknownst to Sheridan a sniper has him in a gun sight. That makes sense because if Sheridan did know he was in the sight he would get out of the gun sight. Does my logic never cease to astound? A man with a scar prevents the assassin from taking the shot. The last thing he wants is for Sheridan to become a martyr.

Classic Sheridan in command: “Our case remains a just one,” he announces at a somber ceremony honoring the fallen soldiers as caskets float into the calm, dead of space. It is a stirring image and quite powerfully executed. “From the stars we came, to the stars we return, from now until the end of time."

Londo is absolutely smokin' Refa [wink, wink, nudge, nudge] and giving him the business here!
Lord Refa returns to Babylon 5 [played with a touch of sinister panache by William Forward]. It was a great moment when Londo told him it was time for Refa to come to him on Babylon 5. WOW! Talk about throwing your weight around. Londo analyzes the current Centauri military strategy with Refa. Who knew Londo was a master of military intelligence. He questions Refa’s multi-front engagement referring to it as lunacy. Interesting Londo, you didn’t feel that way when you were applying the crushing might of your mystery associates no longer at your disposal. Suddenly Londo is feeling conservative and cautious concerning the overextension of Centauri forces. How convenient. “Only an idiot fights a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Idiots would fight the war on twelve fronts.” Ouch! Take that Refa! I think he means you Jimmy boy! Refa shrugs, “we can handle it.” Sure, take the “we” [Morden’s associates] out of the equation and maybe you’ll be singing a different tune. Londo questions Refa’s alliance with Morden. Yeah, Londo might be a little familiar with that scenario personally. “Mr. Morden and his associates worry me.” Yeah, that happens Londo when you don’t know a friggin’ thing about them. Londo unfortunately shot first and and is now asking questions later. He fears the Centauri are spreading themselves to thin and leaving Centauri Prime vulnerable to attack should Morden turn on them. WOW! That may be the smartest observation you’ve made in two seasons. The seduction of power has now overcome Refa. Refa is now behaving much as Londo behaved. Overconfident, thirsty for power, hungry for the role of emperor at any cost. Refa is driven by delusions of grandeur as only a true Centauri can be. There is a slight surprise added to the mix when Londo informs Refa he has poisoned him. The cocktail works as part one of a two parter. We learn poison is “always the instrument of choice in the Old Republic.” Londo’s purpose- get to Refa before Refa gets to him. Centauri society, from what I’ve seen, may be a lot like the Roman empire. It is cutthroat and there is no love loss between Centauri. They are more than willing to kill one another or happy to stab one another in the back to get ahead. Nasty bunch of blood suckers [it's fitting they have those vampire-like teeth]! Londo requires Refa’s cooperation and the poison ensures he will do just that. If not, Londo will have one of his boys on Centauri Prime slip part two of the poison cocktail into his drink. It will mix with the previously administered concoction currently in his system and wah-lah, so long Refa! Londo requires Refa disengage with Morden and pull back the Centauri forces. Should Refa fail to comply certain death might be applied. “To your health Lord Refa.” Yes, thank you, so kind of you Londo. Those Centauri, such a sincere lot.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi has entered a series of new passwords into the station computer system. I love how freely they give their passwords to one another. What’s the point of a password if someone else knows it? I love when people I work with need something and they're like, "give me your password," like it's a stick of gum. I know our heroes trust each other implicitly, but it is compromising security a bit. Hey, it's a good thing the Security Chief doesn't know about it. Sheridan: Obsidian. Ivanova: Griffin. Garibaldi: Peek-A-Boo. I wonder what the significance is for each? Anyway, following a system reboot, an obnoxious male voice has replaced the pretty female computer. Artificial intelligence with a ‘wise-guy’ attitude; it doesn’t get much worse. Fortunately Garibaldi is quite annoyed and fortunately for us shoots it with his PPG at the end of the show [one of this installment's highlights].

I love Babylon 5 computer screens and consoles. They are colorful backdrops, fun to look at and appear user-friendly. It's a nice touch throughout the series even if it i colored plastic with a light bulb behind it.
A secret, semi-disturbed arm of the Nightwatch Unit groups and meets on Babylon 5. Their primary target is not Sheridan after all, but rather Delenn. They believe if Delenn is removed from the equation support for Babylon 5 from the Minbari will evaporate. They also plan to tie the murder to Sheridan. The old two-fer trick!

Delenn announces a customary Minbari rebirth ceremony will be held and encourages all to join she and Lennier for the ocassion. It’s a bit of a variation on the Catholic confessional [sort of]. Marcus isn’t all that keen about it and is fairly evasive about taking part. Londo inquires about the ceremony. He scoffs as it doesn’t exactly fit into the concept/mold of Centauri pride. Lennier informs us, “You must tell someone a secret” and “give away something that is of great value to you.” Yeah, giving up things of value generally runs contradictory to the decadent philosophy of the rich Centauri culture replete with material splendor. Unimpressed Londo passes. I would think Lady Morella might count this decision as one of the three remaining opportunities of five first referenced in Point Of No Return. G’Kar, too, is busy, busy, busy with security and believes he lacks a need for rebirth. Marcus enlightens us with a bit of his backstory. He has nothing to offer for the ceremony in his opinion. We learn the Shadows killed his family and his colony. I’d say that leaves him with a bit of a revenge streak and a personal stake in the war. Delenn urges Marcus to let go of his pain and grief. The memories are imprisoning him. She tells him he has not yet forgiven himself for living. Can we cut Marcus’ hair? I'm sure the ladies wouldn't care to see their swashbuckling hero without those lengthy locks.

Later, Delenn meets with a Minbari delegation, but the Nightwatch assassin unit ambushes them. They are held hostage. Boggs leads the unit and demands Babylon 5 fall back under Earth control and rid itself of all alien influence. Marcus is desperately searching for their location.

A deep space, alien love story. I love foreign films.
I love foreign films and subtitles. How about you?

Unfortunately the psycho overseeing the two Minbari captives understands Minbari and their foreign exchange in Minbari cannot protect them.
Marcus attempts to get information in the Down-Below and he may have to crack heads to get it. Yup, enter this bar room filled with cracked heads.

This was a nice sequence. Marcus tells Delenn's comrade, "that's a dangerous promise Lennier" and he makes a significant point about something that seems to be be taken lightly on its surface.



Talk about sharing secrets. Whew! I’m not surprised he shared that secret with Marcus merely for the fact it is easier to share such information sometimes with those not closest to us. I thought Lennier’s expression of his love for Delenn was right on target. I never once felt it was a romantic connection. He was never jealous of Sheridan. His feelings were protective. His relationship was very much like that of a brother and sister and it never felt remotely sexual. But of course there are those brothers and sisters that… well, you know.

Marcus determines Delenn is being held in Level 14.
*

I've said it before and I'll say it again, with those Minbari Cruisers circling Babylon 5 it's like the ocean deep of space.
By the way, the PPG fights are okay. They are always just okay, but they never wow me into excitement. The sound effects for the guns themselves are weak and fairly underwhelming at best. They are certainly efficient and logical to the needs of the station, just not all that thrilling.

So, one of the crumb bums throws a knife into Delenn’s back as she saves Sheridan! Could this be the end of Delenn? Come on! Get serious! She’s only one of the linchpins to the entire series. Get real! She’ll be fine, just a mere flesh wound.

We are Grey but NOT for long.
Lennier declares the rebirth ceremony cancelled as the window of opportunity has passed according to Minbari custom. With Delenn in medlab, Sheridan brings the ceremony to her. This is a pretty moving segment. I must admit despite genuine feelings that continue to develop between them both I cannot get Anna Sheridan out of my mind since his run in with Morden in In The Shadow Of Z’Ha’Dum. If she is alive this will present a problem. In fact it may well be a real bone of contention. Get it, bone. Seriously, I can’t get Sheridan’s feelings for his wife out of my mind given how strongly he felt as expressed way back in Revelations. They were seriously in love. Those feelings just don’t disappear. They may ease with time but they continue to exist. As sweet as it is I am definitely not a strong advocate for the union of Sheridan and Delenn. In fact, it's all a little bit off for me.

*

I thought this sequence really was quite a strongpoint for the episode. I especially like when Ivanova tells Delenn "I think I loved Talia." Yeah, we thought so as well. I thought it was notable how they left their uniforms with Delenn [giving up something of great value to them] and shared their secrets with her. It was certainly cathartic, powerful and a rebirth of sorts indeed.

I thought I was watching Firefly with all the Brown shirts [I know they're supposed to be coats, but close enough]. These guys must shop at the same station store. In fact, you wonder if there are a lot of options for clothes on board Babylon 5. Plaid is definitely 'IN' here or black.

Back in Black and Dressed To Kill!
Love the fancy black uniforms! They are sharp or at least sharper than the previous dull grey. I can see why Jeff Conaway wasn't all that jazzed about grey when he came on board the show and voiced his opinion to Straczynski. Perhaps it’s just seeing something new, I don’t know, but I love the symbolic break with the Earth government by switching to the new sharp dressed attire. Smart. I think I enjoyed the last 5 minutes of this episode most. This was a slight side step from the normally strong entries for me.

Ceremonies Of Light And Dark: C

The Mask Of G'Kar

I'm sure my fellow Babylon 5 friends picked up on this, but just in case, I had read the following while I was away and just thought it was kind of cool.

"Eleven fans of the syndicated SF series Babylon 5 have donated a prosthetic mask used to transform the late actor Andreas Katsulas into the alien G'Kar to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, N.Y. The fans, from the United States and Great Britain, were previously unknown to each other but pooled their resources at the urging of fan Amy Guskin of Pennsylvania to buy the mask when it came up for auction on eBay. The mask was purchased from former Babylon 5 writer Marc Zicree. The G'Kar mask was created by Optic Nerve Studios and is a hand-painted latex-foam prosthetic. A larger image and detailed description are available on the museum's Web site. The Museum of the Moving Image advances the public understanding and appreciation of the art, history, technique and technology of film, television and digital media."

Rochelle Slovin, Director of the Museum, said, “This is a wonderful story of how members of a fan community gathered online from around the world to preserve an artifact that otherwise would have gone into a private collection. The mask itself is a beautiful example of special-effects makeup, used in the creation of a principal character on the show. We are honored that these donors chose the Museum as the home for this mask.”

The eleven donors of the G’Kar mask are Amy Guskin (Pennsylvania), George Brickner (Illinois), Neil Burton (England), Caryn Dunkel (New Jersey), Iva Ferris (Pennsylvania), Blair Leatherwood & Judith Emick-Leatherwood (California), Jan Schroeder (Florida), Janna Silverstein (Washington), Dennis Weldy (Alabama), and Hilary Weston (England).

"In December 2006, Amy Guskin discovered the G’Kar mask up for auction on eBay, and saw it as an opportunity to save a piece of Babylon 5’s legacy. Motivated by the recent death of Katsulas and also by the desire to keep the mask in public view, she spread word online through a longstanding Babylon 5 Usenet newsgroup, asking for donations to purchase the mask. Ten fans responded to her plea with donations of hundreds of dollars each. Their bid was accepted, and they purchased the mask from Marc Zicree, a well-known science-fiction writer in the television industry who wrote the first-season Babylon 5 episode, "Survivors." Zicree had obtained the prosthetic directly from John Vulich of Optic Nerve. One of the donors, Blair Leatherwood, suggested the donation of the mask to Museum of the Moving Image, after visiting the Museum during a trip to New York."

Ms. Guskin said, “To say that I am humbled by my fellow Babylon 5 fans’ ability to trust, and willingness to donate money for something like this, would be correct; however, it’s not all that surprising, considering how much Babylon 5 means to so many serious science-fiction fans all around the world. It’s a deep, meaningful, incredible show that engenders deep, meaningful, incredible feelings in those who watch it. By donating the mask to Museum of the Moving Image, we wanted to carry on the show’s legacy. The Museum was the obvious choice for this, since it has a wonderful exhibition with a section devoted to special effects makeup. We could be sure that all fans of the show, as well as the wider public, would be able to appreciate the craft that went into creating Babylon 5.”
*
Anyway, pretty cool news and a very honorable gesture from some very loyal fans. Amy Guskin really nails it in that last passage. I, too, feel as though I am joining a part of something much bigger as one member of this rather ravenous and large, but wonderful group of Babylon 5 lovers. I get those "deep, meaningful, incredible feelings" everytime I watch it as well.

Like Don Davis, I still have a hard time with the fact Andreas Katsulas is no longer out there among us.

Don S. Davis Remembered 1942-2008

I'm geekin' out to share my cards with you. These are my two autograph cards from the Stargate SG-1 Card series. A2 [following on from Richard Dean Anderson's A1 card by the way] & A44. I really was a fan. He was absolutely the man!

I wanted to take time out to pay tribute to Don S. Davis. He died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack while I was away on June 29th. It's not new news. I just wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to the man's work as someone who just enjoyed his approach. Davis played the part of regular Cheyenne Mountain base commander for the SGC, Major General George Hammond, on Stargate SG-1. He was a big reason why I enjoyed Stargate SG-1 so much alongside Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping. He was a key cog to the inner workings of a show that had a real special quality and magic to it especially for those first seven seasons he contributed. He helped make SG-1 a huge success and was essential in lifting the quality and standards of the series culminating in Ten terrific seasons and generating enough popularity to spawn a spinoff franchise in Stargate Atlantis and two Direct-to-DVD films [the second of which, Continuum, he will appear in posthumously].

He even worked with the hotties!
I certainly can't speak to his entire career, but he's been a major asset to serial television to be sure for a long time. I will excuse him for those ocassional missteps, ie Beyond Loch Ness, the man has a family to feed, but that was dreadful. It's not his fault and when he was apart of such dreck his talent made even the garbage at least passable, but by and large there wasn't much of it from the man.

His career included roles in Twin Peaks, Highlander, MacGyver [where he met Richard Dean Anderson], The X-Files [father of Dana Scully], Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis. More importantly, he served in the United States Army and for that he was indeed an honorable man. It's fitting, unintentional, but well-suited that I should be writing about him on the 4th of July.

So as a fan of his work, especially in science fiction and in our favorite Stargate SG-1, I quickly reflected back to moments that stood out for me in his career on board that show and I grabbed whatever it was that quickly came to mind. One of my favorite performances can be seen here in Season Four, Episode 15, Chain Reaction. He has such an understated dignity and command quality. Here are two sequences from that entry that quickly jumped out from memory. There have been a number of other moments including his verbal sparring with Robert Picardo later in the show or when he piloted the Prometheus. If you've never checked out Stargate SG-1 it's worth your time.

I love his work with this fine cast especially when he worked opposite Richard Anderson. There were some special moments.





So it's going to be bittersweet, as it will be to see Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, to see Don S. Davis one more time when Continuum is released on July 29 in which he will appear. He's another one of the good ones you hate to see go. I look forward to that new DVD if only to see him in action just one more time. Davis had such a natural way about him. His steady personality really shined through each character he portrayed that it never seemed like he was acting. His principles guided his work and it showed. He was comfortable with these people he brought to life. Don S. Davis was indeed the man and for many he will always be commander of the SGC.

We Survived The Everglades!

Everglades catfish. They were big, but not as big as the Alligators that came up to eat them.

Well, I'm back friends and thought I'd share a bit of the Florida experience with you. Funny, I picked up Time Magazine on my return and Page 9 even has a shot of the Everglades and a story on how the state of Florida has done its damnedest to preserve what is left. I'm here to tell you, it deserves saving. It is a treasure indeed. You won't find Mickey Mouse or Pluto, but you'll find the beauty of nature like you ain't never seen it before.

After arriving in Bradenton on the West Coast we were fortunate enough to have a wonderful Aunt and Uncle who invited us to stay with them for a few days. We were greeted by their own personal greeters: Coco and Pepe. I'll let you figure out which one's which. Every time we got out of the pool Pepe would bite Coco's ear, hang on him, nip at his body and then hump his leg. Good Lord. Poor baby. We had some terrific barbecue and some great laughs. We had a plan to make it happen and we did. I'm thankful for them. Oh and we had the good fortune to see my other Aunt who was visiting as well as my cousins. I'm grateful for all of them. I happened to catch a little Arrested Development in my down time and man that show is whacked but funny.

The Dizzy Peacock Deli, Bradenton, Florida.

My uncle and cousin are roofers in town there and often stop by this local sandwich shop for a little yum yum. I just love the name of this little gas and sip. It kills me!

This is the menu from the Beach House Restaurant at Bradenton Beach. Absolutely delicious fish. We tried a little flounder and some super grouper.

Bradenton Beach, Bradenton, Florida.







A storm came sweeping in while we relaxed outside. This is the calm before the storm and the skies begin to darken here. Lightning bolts follow. People were still swimming right up until the winds arrived.

They say the car is the safest place to be in a during lightning. It was really coming down and the wind was whipping. This was the biggest one we saw on the East Coast. Though, Naples had a mighty big one too, but we hit the hotel and laid low through that one. I tried to reach out and get my Aunt a Jelly donut but I was afraid for my life. In the end I get really wet and they were all out of jelly donuts. We love our Aunts.







Michelbob's Ribs. Naples, Florida.

This is hands down the best rib joint on the planet. They are the tastiest things ya ever had and they've won all kinds of recognition in Florida for having the best ribs and sauce. Outstanding. Looks like they also serve those catfish you saw from the Everglades. I wish I had a chance to try it.

Everglades City City Hall, Everglades City, Everglades, Florida.

Ummm, note the traffic. Yeah, there isn't any. This is about as close to a ghost town as cities get. Terrific looking City Hall though. In fact for such a small population it's one of the nicest I've ever seen. The One To Be Pitied begged me not to turn this into a road trip. At this point, I turned and said, "feelin' like a road trip! Yee Haw!"

The dizzy pelican [that would be a good name too]. These pelicans loved to travel on the swamp rats. We actually saw quite a few of them when we went out on the Naples Pier in Naples. They are just one of God's many beautiful creatures. Unfortunately I never did get a shot of that pier, but it's really cool and at sunset you can see the dolphins swimming.

This is a great shot of one of the waterways completely surrounded by Mangroves. We shot down inside of it and it felt like we were going 50 mph through the root system. If you look carefully you can see one of the swamp rats way in the distance.

These are gorgeous Mangroves. You could see their seed pods float all around the glades. They eventually anchor and take root. This plant life is essential to preserving Florida and protects it during hurricanes like Wilma.

More mangroves. I like mangroves. I like saying mangroves. It's cool.

This is one of the many alligators that pulled up out of the murky depths right next to the boat. You could touch them. We opted not to do so. The One To Be Pitied really didn't want to go on this journey and she was fairly terrified. The One To Be Pitied Jr. was in tears. At the end of it all, they actually loved it. You see there really is more to life in Florida than Disney World. They gave the whole adventure an A+ [well a B- from The One To Be Pitied only because she was frightened a little].

This is one of the local fisherman traps out in the Everglades set to catch those tasty Blue Crabs. The Captain swore by garlic butter and beer with them.

This is a closeup of the Blue Crabs and the big difference between them is the female claws have a reddish/orangish color while the males have blue. Close to where we picked these traps up we spotted remnants of an old railroad that once began development in the Everglades believe it or not.

We didn't actually see any Manatees, a.k.a. the Sea Cow. The population is thin. They have no natural enemies except for man. Sharks and Alligators don't bother them. Too big, but the blades from motorboats really do a number on these sweet creatures of the deep.

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Scary Yellow Spider eating something, West Palm Beach, Florida.

You gotta love Florida wildlife. It can be big and it can be scary. This was outside the house and it was also interesting to note that the geckos seemed bigger than those found on the West Coast. There was an iguana on the sidewalk to boot.

This isn't my house. I wish it was, but it sure was nice to hang here for a few days. My apologies for not being completely steady with the camera. If you aren't already aware, Florida is the lightning capitol of the world. No joke. Lightning hit Florida wherever we were every single day. It is really a site to see and this was the water/wind storm that quickly ensued those mighty, dark clouds each afternoon. I loved it.

We had a great visit with my mom. She's the best and was super kind and generous as she always is. We love her.

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All in all it was a great journey and to quote Spock, at times, "fascinating." The Everglades is one of those last bastions of untapped hope in maintaining mother nature's beauty. Remember, you can always click on the photos to really get up close on the details for each photo.

Okay folks, back to the science fiction...