Episode 5: “Infection”

We’ll come right out and say it: “Infection” ain’t exactly high art. There’s some stuff that works, some stuff that REALLY doesn’t, and more than a few allusions to the future of the series. That makes it worth watching, considering and enjoying (in places) with your co-hosts, who debate organic technology and soliloquies. And one of them keeps wailing “IKARRRAAAA!” to the heavens.

5 thoughts on “Episode 5: “Infection””

  1. Hi guys Luke here from Lincoln, UK. A HUGE Babylon 5 fan, I am so glad I stumbled upon this little diamond of a website. Loving the podcasts, you guys are great. Just catching up with them and watching each episode. Loved your last podcast for Born to the Purple, the debate about the psyche of Londo was fascinating. I always love watching each episode and discovering new angles, new character quirks, remembering the, for the most part, exquisite writing and all the subtle clues and world building for what is to come.
    Saying that, infection is not one of my favourites…but I will watch it as it does have lots of foundation for future events. Looking forward to your views!

  2. Plus any episode with more of the brilliant Richard Biggs as Franklin in is always a bonus! Love his banter with Garabaldi at the beginning “yeeees and what medical school did you go to?” Haha!

  3. Definitely not the worst episode for me. I thought Sinclair was much better this week, especially with the show calling out his #notgoodatdelegation and giving us a plausible explanation. And at least Garibaldi and his security team did SOME running around and shooting. Enjoyed seeing “NCIS’s” Dr Mallard as a younger man in a different role. I liked the philosophical questions (are archaeologists basically grave robbers and is that okay? how do scientists get their job done without some sort of sponsorship, and how does that change them? do you use a friend if he’s in the nearest galaxy and has really cool tech? should you skip protocol for your really awesome teacher?) and didn’t think it was preachy. Fanaticism IS bad! I also thought the special effects were cool and icky. But WHY isn’t Ivanova in charge of security? She’d be great.

  4. hi! i started watching b5 for the first time recently and am enjoying the podcast (although i think you’re a little unnecessarily harsh about star trek, which is just a very different kind of show, haha).

    i was super surprised to hear that this was such a maligned episode! it’s probably one of my favorites so far — it definitely has the line that has stuck in my head the most: when you become obsessed with the enemy, you become the enemy. i was wondering whether, with everything that’s happened in the eight years since you recorded this, your feelings on it might differ now. coming to it in 2022, it feels incredibly
    appropriate, and clearly we still need overt, preachy messages about the dangers of fascism and extremism. (admittedly as a star trek fan, i don’t mind unsubtle messages that speak to dangers we currently face on a societal level )

  5. The speech is from Carl Sagan. It has nothing to do with aliens. The question is, why should EARTH invest in things like B5 and go to the stars. And there’s nothing wrong with the delivery.

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