This is either my third or fourth Thursday Thirteen. I am not sure, so I will simply be vague. As most of my habitual readers know (and we know who you are... hello?), I am quite the fan of an increasingly obscure science fiction tv show called Babylon 5. It came out in the mid '90's and still has a strong fan base, but it is now being overwhelmed by newer shows that a) have been on so long that you have to mention them (Stargate and its derivatives... used to be Trek and its derivatives, but no more 'Enterprise') or b) just really good (Battlestar Galactica and the departed Farscape). Still, much of the plot cohesion you might see in these shows (BSG in particular) is a tribute to B5 and its writing, which to me, is still the best written sci fi show out there. And the show has had some great writers from J. Michael Straczynski, the series creator and main writer, to such fine guest writers as Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, DC Fontana, and Peter David. Because of such great writing, naturally, a lot of good quotations are the result... some philosophical, some funny, and other poignant. In any event, here are 13 of my favorite Babylon 5 quotations.
1) 'The avalanche has already begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.' -- Kosh. My all time favorite and one of those enigmatically cryptic ones that lets you know how powerless you can be sometimes to the gears of history.
2) 'We know... The true secrets, the important things. Fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever. Seven words to make them go without pain, or to say goodbye to a friend who is dying. How to be poor, how to be rich, how to rediscover dreams the world has stolen from you.' -- Elric. I mentioned this one a few posts ago regarding the also enigmatic Technomages. I think the quote says it all about what they are.
3) 'We're all born as molecules in the hearts of a billion stars, molecules that do not understand politics, policies and differences. In a billion years we, foolish molecules forget who we are and where we came from. Through desperate acts of ego, we give ourselves names, fight over lines on maps, and pretend our light is better than everyone else's. The flame reminds us of the piece of those stars that live inside us. A spark that tells us: you should know better. The flame also reminds us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When it goes out, it's gone forever. And there will never be another quite like it.' --Delenn. Ok, this is more a monologue. It ties in well with my own philosophy of the universe and reads very well, though the acting was good too.
4) 'May gods stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.' -- Ivanova. This was in reference to an old Egyptian blessing, and actually used in season 2 as well (this reference is from season 3). Though more of a deist these days, I like the way these words feel.
5) 'Only those, whose lives are brief can imagine that love .. is eternal. You should embrace that remarkable illusion. It may be the greatest gift your race has ever received.' -- Lorien. One of my favorite quotes about love, and who knew the wisdom of a sci fi tv show? :)
6) 'How is it all going to end?'
'In fire.' -- Kosh to Centauri Emperor Turhan. Even Kosh could see the writing on the wall, but Vorlons are supposed to know those things.
7) 'All my life, I've had doubts about who I am, where I belonged. Now, I'm like the arrow that springs from the bow. No hesitations, no doubts. The path is clear.' - Sinclair/Entil'Zha. I like to look at this one now and then to remind me to stay on the right path... I can understand completely on this one.
8) 'You do not understand... but you will.' -- Kosh to Sheridan. Again, Kosh at his cryptic best, though rather pointed, like a parent trying to get a kid see the forest for the trees and knows that it will all come in time... he hopes.
9) 'Now get the hell out of our galaxy!' -- Sheridan. Nothing like telling some First Ones that we don't need them anymore.
10) 'G'Quan wrote: 'There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future, or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.'" -- G'Kar (end of season 3 monologue). Ah, G'kar... from thug to diplomat to philosopher, his evolution is one of the great treats of watching the series from beginning to completion, and not the least to watch the acting of the late Andreas Katsulas as the Narn ambassador.
11) 'Why is that we always break up our history by the wars, not the years of peace?' -- Garibaldi. I always found this observation to be astute, and somewhat sad, but as as a student of history, and military history as well, I understand all too well.
12) 'Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? Where are you going?' -- Lorien. The final piece of First One wisdom, this time, by The First One (um, First Ones are technologically superior beings with abilities that lesser beings, like us, would presume to be god-like in less enlightened days.). I've also written a series of essays on these questions... I will have to post them some time.
13) 'If you go to Z'Ha'Dum, you will die.' -- Kosh. No one ever listens to the Vorlon.
Well, that should do it and I hope I haven't confused most of my readers...
C.
Showing posts with label Thursday Thirteen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thursday Thirteen. Show all posts
11 January 2007
21 December 2006
Thursday Thirteen
At one point I had promised to do a comparison a la Thursday Thirteen with Star Trek. Instead of Star Trek's merits versus another series. In the spirit of community accord to list reasons why Star Trek and Star Wars are great(and why) as opposed to the 'why one is better than another'. This way I can reasonably mollify the Star Wars and Star Trek fans without injuring the other's ego... unless you happen to be fans of both. So, without much fanfare I present 13 reasons Star Wars and Star Trek are awesome:
1) The Force: 'May the Force be with you' became a pop culture phrase of good feelings in the late 70's and early 80's but now it is more philosophical as The Force has become more universal (though I disagree with midicholirans... before The Force could be present in any of us. This made Force-users more specialized).
2) Phasers: Such a cool name for a weapon, plus generally far more destructive than the common 'laser' and 'plasma' weapons.
3) Lightsabers: No explanation necessary. If you were a kid in the late 70's and early 80's you wanted a lightsaber... admit it. I still want one, but I am, as I always admit, a super-nerd.
4) 'No, Luke. I... am your father.' The greatest line in movie history, one that even shocked the ones saying it. (In rehearsal, the line had to do with Obi-Wan killing Anakin).
5) Transporters: This is an easy one. Who wouldn't want to be teleported instantly anywhere on the planet, or a planet.
6) Warp Drive/Hyperspace: Again with the technology, but trans-light speed is a necessary component (if it is possible) to colonizing the galaxy.
7) Yoda and his abuse of the English Language: Awesome this is, I tell you.
8) Droids, or Androids if you will: I prefer R2 and C3PO over Data, but pick your poison, I suppose, though Data is more of a Deus Ex Machina than the droids.
9) The Fett-Man: 'nuff said :)
10) The Boys in White (Stormtroopers): Makes any ground battle easier. Of course, their training must have gotten worse later (or the genetic material got worse). One day, killing Jedi with ease. Next day, losing to Ewoks... go figure.
11) Khaaaan!!!: One of the great Shatnerisms ever. A bit over acted, Wrath of Khan is still my favorite Trek film.
12) Borg: An enemy to fear and sometimes respect. Added a sense of woe and terror to an otherwise placid Trek universe :)
13) Massed Starship Battles and Dogfights: Especially as a kid, this was amazingly cool, even if you can't hear the sounds in space.
Well, I could probably add 13 more, but in the interest of civility, I will forgo such a thing :)
C.
1) The Force: 'May the Force be with you' became a pop culture phrase of good feelings in the late 70's and early 80's but now it is more philosophical as The Force has become more universal (though I disagree with midicholirans... before The Force could be present in any of us. This made Force-users more specialized).
2) Phasers: Such a cool name for a weapon, plus generally far more destructive than the common 'laser' and 'plasma' weapons.
3) Lightsabers: No explanation necessary. If you were a kid in the late 70's and early 80's you wanted a lightsaber... admit it. I still want one, but I am, as I always admit, a super-nerd.
4) 'No, Luke. I... am your father.' The greatest line in movie history, one that even shocked the ones saying it. (In rehearsal, the line had to do with Obi-Wan killing Anakin).
5) Transporters: This is an easy one. Who wouldn't want to be teleported instantly anywhere on the planet, or a planet.
6) Warp Drive/Hyperspace: Again with the technology, but trans-light speed is a necessary component (if it is possible) to colonizing the galaxy.
7) Yoda and his abuse of the English Language: Awesome this is, I tell you.
8) Droids, or Androids if you will: I prefer R2 and C3PO over Data, but pick your poison, I suppose, though Data is more of a Deus Ex Machina than the droids.
9) The Fett-Man: 'nuff said :)
10) The Boys in White (Stormtroopers): Makes any ground battle easier. Of course, their training must have gotten worse later (or the genetic material got worse). One day, killing Jedi with ease. Next day, losing to Ewoks... go figure.
11) Khaaaan!!!: One of the great Shatnerisms ever. A bit over acted, Wrath of Khan is still my favorite Trek film.
12) Borg: An enemy to fear and sometimes respect. Added a sense of woe and terror to an otherwise placid Trek universe :)
13) Massed Starship Battles and Dogfights: Especially as a kid, this was amazingly cool, even if you can't hear the sounds in space.
Well, I could probably add 13 more, but in the interest of civility, I will forgo such a thing :)
C.
22 November 2006
Early Thursday Thirteen
Since I have another long entry to do tonight/tomorrow and a lot to do on the holiday, I though I would add my Thanksgiving posts tonight, a couple of hours before it is actually Thanksgiving. I would say it is Thanksgiving somewhere now, but that is not the case as in saying it is Christmas now, or New Year's now when celebrating those days early. Anyway, I promised I would do another sci-fi comparison in my edition this week: Instead of messing with 'Star Trek' or 'Babylon 5', I will lay out reasons why the new version of Battlestar Galactica is better than the old one. Of course, I have one big reason going the other way, but that is a matter for another time.
1) A more coherent plot and a less campy plot (though I could appreciate some of the campiness and oddness of the first series)
2) Better looking... and not just the Cylon women. I refer to production design and overall look of the series. I would comment on special effects, but that is not really fair, though I like the use of ballistic weaponry over energy weapons... gives it a grittier feel.
3) Writing... there is some excellent writing on the show, far superior to the original, and to most shows on TV.
4) Edward James Olmos as Adama. While I loved Lorne Greene as an actor, I think Olmos' Adama has more of an edge than the mostly paternal Greene version.
5) Baltar. This Baltar is more sniveling than John Colicos' original Baltar, but I really love his acting, especially in the first season delusional phase.
6) The Cylon plotlines in general. The Cylons are craftier, meaner, and crueler than before, not just a foil on the way to Earth. And they don't even think they are evil, which is quite cool.
7) Music. Ok, I loved the old Galactica theme, and the music from the movie/pilot, but the music in the new version is dead on with the tone of the series, really almost perfect.
8) Mature themes. The new BSG tackles more mature themes, mostly because TV and sci fi has changed. Originally, BSG was meant to be a TV version of Star Wars, with similar effects and scope. The new BSG is more realistic in scope when it comes to dealing with thematic elements.
9) Richard Hatch being in both versions... now only if they could get the real Starbuck back :)
10) Darkness. The new BSG catalogues the Cylons and the Humans descent into physical and metaphysical darkness so well, better than most shows do, and something the old series would never have attempted.
11) Cinematography. The way the series is shot, also a testament to the times, of course, is fantastic. It puts one right into the action, though I do tire of the flashback episodes (overused by far too many directors)
12) Boomer/Sharon. While I loved the old Boomer, this gender reversal role I really liked... yes, not a fan of the female Starbuck. Bring back Dirk Benedict.
13) Battlestar 1980: I doubt we'll see this again.
As before, this is certainly as tongue in cheek as my previous Thursday Thirteen, for I do enjoy elements of both series as much as I enjoyed 'B5' and the 'Star Trek' series. Ok, debate away and eat a bunch of turkey while doing so :)
C.
1) A more coherent plot and a less campy plot (though I could appreciate some of the campiness and oddness of the first series)
2) Better looking... and not just the Cylon women. I refer to production design and overall look of the series. I would comment on special effects, but that is not really fair, though I like the use of ballistic weaponry over energy weapons... gives it a grittier feel.
3) Writing... there is some excellent writing on the show, far superior to the original, and to most shows on TV.
4) Edward James Olmos as Adama. While I loved Lorne Greene as an actor, I think Olmos' Adama has more of an edge than the mostly paternal Greene version.
5) Baltar. This Baltar is more sniveling than John Colicos' original Baltar, but I really love his acting, especially in the first season delusional phase.
6) The Cylon plotlines in general. The Cylons are craftier, meaner, and crueler than before, not just a foil on the way to Earth. And they don't even think they are evil, which is quite cool.
7) Music. Ok, I loved the old Galactica theme, and the music from the movie/pilot, but the music in the new version is dead on with the tone of the series, really almost perfect.
8) Mature themes. The new BSG tackles more mature themes, mostly because TV and sci fi has changed. Originally, BSG was meant to be a TV version of Star Wars, with similar effects and scope. The new BSG is more realistic in scope when it comes to dealing with thematic elements.
9) Richard Hatch being in both versions... now only if they could get the real Starbuck back :)
10) Darkness. The new BSG catalogues the Cylons and the Humans descent into physical and metaphysical darkness so well, better than most shows do, and something the old series would never have attempted.
11) Cinematography. The way the series is shot, also a testament to the times, of course, is fantastic. It puts one right into the action, though I do tire of the flashback episodes (overused by far too many directors)
12) Boomer/Sharon. While I loved the old Boomer, this gender reversal role I really liked... yes, not a fan of the female Starbuck. Bring back Dirk Benedict.
13) Battlestar 1980: I doubt we'll see this again.
As before, this is certainly as tongue in cheek as my previous Thursday Thirteen, for I do enjoy elements of both series as much as I enjoyed 'B5' and the 'Star Trek' series. Ok, debate away and eat a bunch of turkey while doing so :)
C.
15 November 2006
Thursday Thirteen
I realise it is not Thursday yet, but it is in Australia and the Pacific Rim, so I must be channeling blogs from over there (and it is one of my favorite places on earth, sooo..). Anyway, I decided to participate in this exercise and put off posting some depressing war-related poem... I can do that any old time :) So now, I give you 13 reasons Babylon 5 is better than Star Trek. Just a quick note to the Trekkers: I am also a Trek fan, so don't get all twisted by this... just in the name of good fun and logical conclusions.
1. Plot, Babylon 5 had an actual story arc instead of self-contained episodes. (and we won't get into the convenient story arc Deep Space 9 manifested not long after B5 aired)
2. Shadows are far cooler than the Dominion.
3. Vorlons are far cooler and more enigmatic than say, Tholians and less annoying than Q's.
4. Some of the technological leaps are actually possible in 200 years, unlike, say teleportation.
5. Alfred Bester... wait, he was Chekov too.. hmm. But he's much cooler as Bester.
6. Purple vs. Green (if you've seen the episode you understand :)
7. Technomages.
8. Z'ha'Dum... one of the coolest, evil planets ever.
9. Star Trek: Voyager
10. Sleeping In Light... a much better send off than Enterprise.
11. A whole fleet of White Stars (how many Defiants showed up... not near as many :)
12. Vorlon Planet Killers and Shadow Death Clouds.
13. G'kar (may he rest in peace).
I hope I haven't confused too many people for not as many know about the goodness of Babylon 5. And in the interest of fairness, I will reciprocate for the Trekkers next week (assuming Thanksgiving festivities allow it.)
1. Plot, Babylon 5 had an actual story arc instead of self-contained episodes. (and we won't get into the convenient story arc Deep Space 9 manifested not long after B5 aired)
2. Shadows are far cooler than the Dominion.
3. Vorlons are far cooler and more enigmatic than say, Tholians and less annoying than Q's.
4. Some of the technological leaps are actually possible in 200 years, unlike, say teleportation.
5. Alfred Bester... wait, he was Chekov too.. hmm. But he's much cooler as Bester.
6. Purple vs. Green (if you've seen the episode you understand :)
7. Technomages.
8. Z'ha'Dum... one of the coolest, evil planets ever.
9. Star Trek: Voyager
10. Sleeping In Light... a much better send off than Enterprise.
11. A whole fleet of White Stars (how many Defiants showed up... not near as many :)
12. Vorlon Planet Killers and Shadow Death Clouds.
13. G'kar (may he rest in peace).
I hope I haven't confused too many people for not as many know about the goodness of Babylon 5. And in the interest of fairness, I will reciprocate for the Trekkers next week (assuming Thanksgiving festivities allow it.)
C.
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