Mega kudos to Christopher Francke for the music during this episode. Even though it was relatively obvious that Sheridan wasn't going to slam the Aggy into the defence grid and that someone had to save 'em just in the time of nick, the music was sooooo dramatic that I burst into tears anyway, and didn't stop crying for the rest of the episode. And a lovely (as in "ahhh, innit so sad but so sweeeeet?") ending to the Susan/Marcus love story.

I agree with you one hundred percent, Callie. I didn't cry, but if the last scene(with Marcus) had lasted a second longer, I would have been bawling. I suppose I'd rather have Ivonava live, but Marcus is such an awesome character that it hurts to lose him.

Thank goodness for videotape.

Sarah - you didn't cry?!! Have you no soul??!!

Just joking, but I still can't watch it without wailing throughout the last ten minutes or so.

See, Callie, I usually don't cry during a movie or show because I have this instinct not to miss anything and I can't watch TV when I'm sobbing my heart out.

Doesn't mean I didn't want to cry. . . . and if you'll see my post under "Rising Star," I finally did. ;-)

I like Marcus a lot. I'm even writing a fanfic poem that's supposed to be from him to Susan. Maybe I'll get it posted someday.

Honorable, pure, chivalrous, brave, funny charming, serving, self-sacrificing, loving. . . .Oh, I wish he hadn't died!

this episode actually moved me to tears.. i love this episode. my all-time favorite.

"This is captain John Sheridan. We are here on the authority of a multi-planetary force, that can no longer stand by and watch, one of their greatest allies falling into darkness and despair. We are here on behalf of the thousands of civilians, murdered under orders from the current administration, who have no one else to speak for them. And on behalf of the earth force units, that have joined us, to oppose the tyranny that has darkened earth, ever since President Santiago was assasinated three years ago. We are here to place President Clarke under arrest, to disband Nightwatch and return our government to the hands of her people. We know that many in the government have wanted to act, but have been intimidated by threats of retaliation against your families, your friends. You're not alone anymore. We call upon you, to do what's right. We drawn their forces away from earth and disabled them. The time to act is now. This is not the voice of treason. These are your sons, your daughters, whose loyalties have never waivered, whose beliefs in this alliance, has forced us to take extraordinary means. For justice, for peace, for the future, we have come home!"

this episode made me a diehard b5 fan!

It's really refreshing to see that unlike Star Trek-Earth, B5-Earth has a planetary defence system that can actually deal serious damage to would-be invaders.

I just had a thought. Is it possible for there to be a parallel with Hitler here in regards to President Clarks decision to turn the defence sats against Earth. His message of "Scorched Earth" was similiar to an order given by Hitler to Albert Speer during the last days of the war in Europe. Hitler had decided that basically if he could not have Germany no one else would and ordered Speer to lay waste to Germany. Speer disobeyed of course, but it's an interesting parallell.

I'm sure that was intentional. JMS is a big fan of history and often referenced Nazi Germany with the Clark storyline.

Well I believe Hitler even gave the policy the same name, "Scorched Earth".

Was there any significance to the line "The Ascensicion of the Common Man" (or was it ordinay man)

Actually I think Scorched Earth was Stalen's policy when the Nazi's were invading Russia and driving his forces back. The policy was to burn or destroy anything that they couldn't take with them that the Nazi's could possibly use; including crops, factories, dams, power plants.

I tried Googling "ascension of the common man" and got my first ever Google-whack! Woo-hoo!

It didn't help answer Douglas' question, sadly.

Scorched Earth can go back even further, Alexander I 's policy against the Napoleonic Army, burn Moscow to prevent the army having a place to spend the terrible Russian winter and then burn everything in front of them as they are retreating.

Nit
Not to spoil the emotional rush, but I have a hard time believing that Sheridan's destroyer was the only one that could reach the weapons platform in time. It may be that his ship is the only one that could actuall ram it in time, but fire weapons at it, no...

Reminds me of Star Trek Only Ship in the quadrent syndrome. I mean, there were hundreds of ships in orbit...

Rumination; It seems that if Earth falls under attack in any Science fiction show the primary target happens to be North America. In both B5 and Startrek Enterprise it happens to be the East coast that gets whacked or is about to be. (Even war of the Worlds by HG Wells has the initial attack taking place on the East coast).

I guess those people living in Iowa are allowed to look smug when the aliens invade....

Rumination; It seems that if Earth falls under attack in any Science fiction show the primary target happens to be North America

If the show in question happens to be produced in North America.

London gets trashed regularly in Doctor Who, and Cardiff gets it in Torchwood.

>I guess those people living in Iowa are allowed to look smug when the aliens invade....>

Well that about the only time they get to act smug, except when they have their caucus.

And in countless anime shows it's Tokyo that takes it to the chin.

Or in other words....

[LIPS-OUT-OF-SYNC-WITH-WORDS]
Look.... Godzilla!!!
[/LIPS-OUT-OF-SYNC-WITH-WORDS]

Or...

Oh no! There goes Tokyo! Go go Godzilla!!!

I wonder if General Lefcourt was originally supposed to be General Franklyn (Steven's father)? Lefcourt was the commander assigned to command 30 Omega class destroyers in a final stand against Sheridan's forces. He says that he's got no particular love for Clark but believes that a solder should never take up arms against his Commander-in-Chief.

***SPOILER***

Of course when he sees Clark turn the planetary defense grid on Earth he switches sides.


I was reading through some of JMS' old posts about the show and realized something. In the posts one post somebody asks JMS how Gen Richard Franklin feels about Sheridan breaking away. JMS responds that Gen Franklin is a solider who believes that his job is to follow orders not to set government policy. Than I was reading under the old posts for "Severed Dreams" JMS said that he was looking for a way to bring Gen Franklin back.

I wonder if he originally intended for Gen Franklin to be the old hero reluctantly commanding a fleet against Sheridan. It would have added a whole level to the fact that it's Steven and Marcus trying to sabotage their ships so that Sheridan doesn't have to destroy them in combat. Of course we never do see him return and I remember reading that actor Paul Winfield didn't have good things to say about his appearance on B5. He said that they weren't as professional as the Star Trek set and Claudia Christian said that he couldn't remember his lines; so we never do see the character return.

Of course creating the new character of Gen Lefcourt was cool because than JMS got to reuse him in "In The Beginning" and show why he admired Sheridan so much.