A-Plot: G’kar is under threat of assassination from an old political rival!
B-Plot: An old flame of Sinclair’s visits the station!
C-Plot: The different alien races on B5 demonstrate their “dominant faith.”
D-Plot: Lennier!
After “Infection” (which was actually the first episode written for B5 after the pilot), this is a breath of fresh, rich air.
A-Plot: Katsulas does wonderfully with G’kar, giving us in turns glimpses of his vain, fearful, determined, and ruthless sides. The plot against him both amusing and gripping (if meta-ly obvious), and the introduction of Na’toth is loads of fun. We also learn that G’kar has been a member of the Narn ruling council (just like Delenn is of the Minbari).
B-Plot: The least successful thread here, hampered by JMS channeling Dashell Hammett in his dialog-writing.
C-Plot: The Centauri festival is an absolute hoot, primarily for how the various characters participate in / react to it (indeed, you get a great character sketch of practically everyone in attendance just in dialog and physical acting). We also learn something about Centauri physiology (though we don’t realize it yet), and Londo gets the best lines of the episode.
JMS’s final scene, giving “Earth’s dominant faith” is a combination of a cop-out and a profound insight into humanity — as well as an argument against the whole SF trope of mono-cultural races.
D-Plot: Lennier’s arrival is almost inserted as an afterthought, though it establishes both his relationship to Delenn and her own hidden position, both of which will bubble to the surface time and again.
Overall, it’s probably the first of the WHAM episodes in terms of laying the groundwork for the future of various characters. Good stuff.
Guide link: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/005.html
Wiki link: http://babylon5.wikia.com/wiki/The_Parliament_of_Dreams
Most dramatic bit: G’kar demonstrasting the gumption to not cry out during torture.
Most comedic bit: Everything Londo says during the Centauri religious ceremony. “But in purple, I’m stunning!”
Most arc-ish bit: Sinclair and Delenn get married. Well, not really. And, as it turns out, not really. But all of the Delenn bits (aside from her hilarious reactions to the Centauri festival) are fraught with portent.
Overall Rating: 4 of 5. Lots of bang, though mostly of a ground-laying fashion.
Next up: “Mind War” — introducing my favorite recurring character. “Be seeing you!”
Guide page: “The Parliament of Dreams”
Sinclair’s old flame, Catherine Sakai, arrives during a weeklong festival when humans and aliens demonstrate their religious beliefs. An old enemy sends an assassin to kill G’Kar. Thomas Kopache as Tu’Pari. Julia Nickson as Catherine Sakai. Originally titled “Carnival!” …