Thank you for episode recs

[altariel]

Wow, thank you everyone for your responses to my post about bringing a new soul to the faith. It is really interesting to see again how for some people the show has a definite internal narrative, and for others it's individual episodes that count. I also think it's amazing that even people for whom the show can have no nostalgia value still fall for it in a big way.

My instincts are with iainjcoleman that I can get away with filling in on detail between episodes, and so I'm tentatively thinking of the following line-up:

1. Space Fall: I tend to agree with executrix that while The Way Back is a much better episode, it's a much better episode for a completely different show. Although TWB really is such a completely fabulous episode... Hmm, shall let the subject decide.
2. Shadow: Because. (Oh, and Largo's slap, which is my DVD-enabled current enthusiasm.)
3. Gambit: Again, because. (If only for Docholli and Chenie trying to manage that coat.)
4. The Harvest of Kairos: Wait, wait, don't kill me! Firstly, I think it's a nice slice of season 3; secondly, you have to learn about Ben Steed someday; thirdly, rubber monster. Or else Death Watch.
5. Orbit: In lieu of showing Blake, because I really think Blake works better after you've seen a whole lot of B7. Or maybe I'll just stick Blake on anyway. Or afterwards. Or go back to Trial.

Note my self-restraint and the absence of Animals.

Comments

[the-wild-iris.livejournal.com]

thirdly, rubber monster.

I'm there.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I knew that'd get you.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

I will get down on my knees and beg you not to use Orbit. You only get the full impact once, and that only if you've become invested in the Avon-Vila relationship. Use anything else. Use Trial. Use Terminal. Use Animals, if you must. For the sake of your victim friend, I beseech you.

::grovels::

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Wow, I knew opinion was divided on 'Orbit'! I love it to bits: I thought it would work as a taster for season 4, as well as being a little bit 'darker' after 'Gambit' and 'Kairos'. I might just put on 'Headhunter'.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

Oh, I adore Orbit, too! But it loses most of its impact out of context, I think. If you like Headhunter, though, that seems like a good choice.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Aha! OK, yes, I can see that it might be worth saving, in much the same way as 'Blake'. I'll have another think.

'Headhunter' is jolly and gothic at the same time, which I think is quite an achievement.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

'Headhunter' is jolly and gothic at the same time,

I'm so glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read this. :)

[fifitrix.livejournal.com]

Alas I was not so fortunate. Diet Coke in the keyboard again...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Oops, sorry!

[fifitrix.livejournal.com]

Don't be. It came out ok and I got to have a bloody good laugh.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

Trapdoor icon! What excellent taste! Are you a fan too?

[fifitrix.livejournal.com]

Thanks! - yes its one of my favourite kids tv programmes of all time. That said I've not seen it for ages but a friend mentioned that its now out on DVD so I need to track it down.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

*innocent face*

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

You could substitute Gold for Orbit, maybe; Gold is one of the best in S4 IMO, and stands on its own better than most.

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

Shadow used to be one of my least favourite eps, but having re-watched it today (with the excellent commentary), I have revised my opinion and now I rather like it.

Orbit? I just find Egrorian too over-the-top. Like most of S4, really...

Harvest of Kairos????

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

'Orbit' is redeemed only by the end, but in spades. Egrorian is a clown, and Avon and Vila are both out of character for most of it.

I watched 'Shadow' this week with Greg and realised all over again how good it is.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I still haven't listened to any of the commentaries yet. Something for essay-marking, I think.

Re: Kairos - think about it.

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

Re: Kairos - think about it.

I know! It's Tarrant's trousers, isn't it?!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Curses, found out!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Put 'City' in place of 'HoK' (sorry, even Brian doesn't make up for Jarvik, and Avon hacking into the lunar lander--did he use Windows?) and you've got a great line-up. I agree with mistraltoes about 'Orbit' after reading her comments though: the impact just wouldn't be there.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

'City' is incredibly tempting. I thought things like Brian, Jarvik, and the lunar landing might show some of B7's other manifold charms...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Um ... OK. [slowly backs away]

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Gotta love it for all its facets.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, if you can get them to swallow both Brian and Jarvik, you've got a fan-in-the-making on your hands all right. (Though if you can get them to swallow both Brian and Jarvik, what you may also have is indigestion...)

[trixieleitz]

All this discussion (sorry for not contributing - I haven't watched any eps for ages) has made me wonder - have you ever thought about re-visiting the B7 Q study?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It is very tempting, now that I have a bit more time on my hands. I wonder how much would change. I could probably do it really easily online now, without all the cutting up bits of paper.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

But the business with paper and scissors lent it a Blue-Peter-ish charm which was thoroughly in keeping with the subject matter.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

;-D Should have included instructions to turn the bits into a papier mache teleport bracelet.

[trixieleitz]

You could probably do it as a poll on LJ (says she who has never made one).

[altariel.livejournal.com]

There are some nice pieces of dedicated Q-software now, that do crafty stuff in java etc.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I didn't comment on the earlier post, since it would have been a 'me too' one, as everyone else had mentioned the episodes I would have thought of.

Spacefall was the first episode of B7 that I ever saw. It was enough to keep me going on it, although I was only 10 at the time.

I'm glad you've got Gambit in there. I like The Keeper too.

And I think Harvest of Kairos is actually rather important in the S3 arc since it shows Tarrant's attempt and utter failure to Be Person In Charge Of Everything. And after that he has to go back to the significant role of Pretty Boy Whose Bottom Looks Nice In Tight Trousers. Besides it's a heist episode where Our Heroes Bugger It Up Yet Again. So it's thoroughly B7 really. Plus, it's great for practising vomiting noises whenever Jarvik and Servalan have a scene together.

And if I ever met a spider the size of Brian, I'd be terrified.

Umm, given I haven't watched this ep for about 8 years, it's quite scary as to how much I remember of it.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Our Heroes Bugger It Up Yet Again. So it's thoroughly B7 really.

LOL, yes it is! Ages since I've watched it too, so I might pop it on and make sure it's not thorough crap before inflicting it on anyone else. I remember really enjoying doing the Wobblevision...

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

Animals needs special care - a long buildup - a running commentary on it's finer points - and at least two bottles of beer to help appreciate its finer qualities.

Word of advice though - keep Ultraworld hidden...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Animals also needs a process of slowly explaining its *ahem* strong points...

[hardrada.livejournal.com]

Why didn't they have the cojones to make Scorpio a wretched old banger? The buggers.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

They intended to, didn't they, and then they lit it all wrong.