So, a lot of characters take major steps in this episode. And there are consequences aplenty. A lot happened this episode. Here you can pull it all apart and talk about the aftershocks down the line.
From the stars we came, and to the stars we return, from now until the end of time.
Richard Biggs – 2004
Andreas Katsulas – 2006
Jeff Conaway – 2011
Michael O’Hare – 2012
Jerry Doyle – 2016: Statement from J. Michael Straczynski here
We’ve mentioned here and there in our podcasts about some of the actors on “Babylon 5” who died much too young. Now, for the first time since starting the Audio Guide to Babylon 5, we have to deal with the loss of yet another member of the B5 family.
At the time of posting, actor Jerry Doyle – known best by this little podcast circle as Security Chief Michael Garibaldi – has died. That’s about all that is known at the moment, with no details as to how. After “Babylon 5” wrapped, Doyle moved on to try his hand at politics and then became a popular radio host for conservative views, eventually creating the Epic Times website. Doyle would use this platform to support his former castmates, such as promoting Claudia Christian’s efforts in helping people break alcohol addiction. In the statement linked above, J. Michael Straczynski pointed out how he disagreed with Doyle on almost every issue when it came to politics, but valued him both as a friend and as a consummate professional during his acting career.
RIP, Mr. Doyle. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
(Moderators have moved comments from “Ship of Tears” threads to here. Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts about Doyle’s and other B5 actors’ passing in this thread.)
Episode 58: “Ship of Tears”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Since the station’s secession from the Earth Alliance, it was inevitable that Our Intrepid Heroes’ relationship with perennial antagonist Bester would change. Did you see this coming, however? More to the point, did you expect that in the closing seconds of the episode, “This cold war just got hot”?
(We’ll give you bonus points worth absolutely nothing if you recall the source of that quote.)
“Ship of Tears” always makes one of your cohosts think of the Robert Plant song from _Now and Zen_. Or the line from Wang Chung’s “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Fortunately, he does not embarrass himself about this fact on the podcast. And therefore no one will ever know which cohost it was.
Zocalo: Spoiler-free Discussion of “Ship of Tears”
In which Garibaldi thumps a book and Bester sits in the wrong chair.
Earhart’s: “Ship of Tears” Spoiler Space
“We have a weapon!”
Great, but how well is it deployed? Discuss the telepath revelation and other burning questions with all the spoilers here.
Episode 57: “Sic Transit Vir”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
It’s that lovable scamp Vir’s turn for a love story, and it’s also time for an exploration of the banality of evil and the horrors of genocide. Plus Ivanova gives sex advice and Delenn seasons flarn! You might think that “Sic Transit Vir” has the makings of an uneven episode. Several of your co-hosts might agree with you.
Zocalo: Spoiler-free Discussion of “Sic Transit Vir”
With a name like “Abrahamo Lincolni,” it’s got to be good. (TM)
Earhart’s: “Sic Transit Vir” Spoiler Space
It’s time to discuss all of the heavy arc stuff in this episode, such as: “What kind of a name is Lyndisty?”
Episode 56: “A Late Delivery from Avalon”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
We all find different ways to cope with hardship. David Macintyre grabs some chainmail and a prop sword and becomes King Arthur. Cheesy? A weird departure from the story arc? Thematically relevant and touching? What can you say about an episode where the biggest villain is the post office?
Oh, and because B5’s gone Arthurian again, it’s time to bring back Sunspot’s fantabulous 2013 song, “Arthuriana”–the whole track this time! Check them out at sunspotmusic.com.
Zocalo: Spoiler-free Discussion of “A Late Delivery from Avalon”
What do a mailman, chainmail, and a board meeting have in common? This episode.