Gentlemen · 6:31am Oct 6th, 2014
I need to play this clip when I start feeling bad. Even despite his character arc, Londo's clownish nature in the first season was always a great picker-upper.
If you don't recognize the show, then go watch Babylon 5 immediately. Five seasons, all very good, and the first show on broadcast TV that actually told a story that unfolded over the run of the show, rather than the episodic nature of every other drama TV show up to that point. You know your new Battlestar Galactica? The TV adaptation of A Game of Thrones? Those wouldn't be possible if B5 hadn't proven to the clueless TV executives that, yes, the public can pay attention over a period of time longer than a single episode. They were the first to adopt CGI as a way to produce stunning visuals at less cost and greater flexibility, and told a story with characters that were flawed and still ones you wanted to pull through, even when they made mistakes. Not to mention genuine villains you loved to hate.
Sadly the original HD CGI files were lost (the show was actually filmed with an eye towards increasing definition in Television in the future; just another example of how far ahead of the curve it was) because of human idiocy, so the only special effects left to the modern tapes are the SD ones, so they look even more dated and bland than they originally did when broadcast. But if you'll accept that, and just get into the show, you'll love it.
I think I've talked about B5 before, but I was just looking through some clips to reference something to someone and it hit me again how much the show really affected me. People can bitch about J. Michael Straczynski all they want, but B5 is one of the reasons I wanted to tell my own stories, and Straczynski's commentary on the DVDs about writing is encouraging and thought-provoking.
Damn good show.
...I think my writing itch is starting up just thinking about it. Might have to start watching my DVD collection of it again.
For those who disagree:
Babylon 5. and its spin off Crusade. WAY beyond its time. did you know that it was rendered using Amiga computers? not modern computers. but something that was from the late 70's and early 80's. THAT my friend is what made the series.
if you add in the storyline, and the above the par acting? this my friend was a series that was destined to be a classic that would stand the test of time. kinda like Star Trek TOS. we all know how well that has stood up. babylon 5 will be no differnt.
2510817
Damn straight. The acting was superb, and Andreas Katsulas, God rest his soul, WAS G'kar. You listen to the DVD commentary and he was immensely fascinated with the character and would not take the makeup off until the day was entirely over.
Classic show.
Ah yes Bab(ylon) 5
Good times...
B5 is still my favorite TV series of all time. Everything from beginning to end was amazing. Well 5th season was a bit weak because of the shenanigans but I don't love it any less. It's so sad that so much of the cast has past away at this point. They've been dying so young
2512080
5th season I never got to see 'til I got the DVDs 'cuz of that whole "take the show off of broadcast TV and put it on cable" bullshit. I didn't even get to see the end of season 4. You know how much that pissed me off?
Still, got the DVDs, so happy now.
I have always been annoyed by the fact that I was never able to watch that show. I missed it when it was originally on the air and have yet to find somewhere I can watch it without dropping a lot of money up front which I am reluctant to do blind.
2512699
I rewatch it every year like clockwork. Sometimes twice a year
2512721
If you lived in Orlando I'd let you borrow the episodes. It really is a good show.
2513637
And here I thought I was the only one who rewatches them regularly.
Might have to do that again soon.
Oh Dear God Yes. Londo and G'Kar, frenemies forever!
2513966
2513873 Yeah, not even close. Oh well, I'll just have to keep looking. I'm sure they'll pop up somewhere eventually.