lathany

Last week I finished season 3.

So how was season 3 (Point Of No Return)?
To me, season 3 is the high point of Babylon 5, fast-paced and brilliant. The Shadow War finally erupts, Earth reveals its own agenda and the Vorlons begin to look rather darker. All the characters have excellent moments (despite Vir being absent for nearly half a season) and there are many, many great scenes.

Characterwise, Keffer, Talia and N'Toth are gone (although all three get mentioned); however Lyta is back, Marcus has joined, Zack gets a larger role and Corwin gets a bit of episode as well. Lyta is wonderful to see again, I always enjoy Zack and it was nice to see a bit more Corwin. As for Marcus, watching him cheerfully bounce off the scenery and chew up his lines could be irritating but his sheer exuberance makes him one of my favourite characters. On the occasional characters - Bester (of course), Neroon and the monks are all great.

Season 3 has many fine battles and many fine scenes. The battles include the White Star taking out Shadow ships on its lonesome and the battle for Babylon 5 in Severed Dreams. The scenes include Kosh's death, Anna's arrival, the exchange between Marcus and Ivanova in Voices of Authority ("Don't you have anything better to do?" Pause. "No."), the return of Sinclair, Ivanova calmly commenting that she knew about the Rangers in the first episode, Marcus taking out three guards at once, Londo's Keeper and Delenn breaking up the Grey Council.

There are no worthless episodes in season 3, but it's got one in the "bad" category (and it only just misses being worthless) - A Late Delivery from Avalon (aka. please leave King Arthur alone). On the less good episodes, A Day in the Strife has some good Ivanova lines but neither the probe or G'Kar losing his authority are that gripping, Sic Transit Vir has what would be lovely Vir plot if not for his wife-to-be being completely nuts, Z'ha'dum for being generally disappointing when it came to the Shadows side of the story and Grey 17 is Missing is a lovely title for an episode with a really naff main plot.

The really good ones include: Messages from Earth - for the Shadow ships on Mars plot and resulting mission; Severed Dreams - the official break from Earth and resulting battle; War Without End - mainly for the idea (pity it doesn't tie-up properly with Babylon Squared); Shadow Dancing - For being an excellent end to the season (sadly it wasn't quite as Z'ha'dum followed it) and, finally, Matters of Honor for being an excellent start - new chracters, new stuff (eg. White Star), an actual battle whilst also reminding the audience of the end of season 2 through Keffer's film and going on to use it to hint at Earth's link to the Shadows.