"Babylon 5" Into the Fire (TV Episode 1997) Poster

(TV Series)

(1997)

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10/10
An excellent end to a major arc
cliometrician19 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
What a great episode this was. I certainly disagree with those who think it was a little flat at the end. It is hard to see how it could be improved. What others might see as the ep being a little too preachy, I consider to be excellent sci-fi. This ep had a little of everything: Mr. Morden got his comeuppance, Vir got to do the little waggle of fingers that he hoped for; Lorien gave us an in-depth expository on the Old Ones; Commander Ivanova got to join the fleet in time to see action; Londo writhed in pain when he learned of the treachery of Mr. Morden; and Sheridan and Delenn got to save the day as we knew we would.

It was almost a little sad to see this arc come to an end because we have lived with it for so long. It leads one to wonder if anything that follows can be as interesting. Wonderful job by all the actors involved. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.
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Fantastic
VenVes14 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent and poignant conclusion to the Vorlon and Shadow storylines.

Especially loved the scene where it is highlighted what a gift it is that our lives have been made short (although I wouldn't mind a couple more decades for everyone). Can't wait to see what happens next!
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7/10
A surprisingly limp and "talky" conclusion to the Shadow War
planktonrules24 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Well, for the past several seasons, the show has built up to this final ultimate showdown between the Vorlons, Shadows and the forces organized by Sheridan. This buildup was wonderful and helped make this a great sci-fi series. The problem here, though, is that although this final showdown IS exciting, it's also pretty talky and preachy--at least to me. Instead of the expected shooting and devastation, when all the species converge in one place in space, Lorien, Sheridan and Delenn work out the problem in a mystical way that left me pretty flat. This isn't to say it's bad, but I just expected more than "Okay, we're sick of you--now go away"! But, oddly, the Shadows and Vorlon listen and go!! I just expected more.
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7/10
Could have been better
Mischief81017 September 2014
Here, the conflict with the elder races--the Shadows and the Vorlons-- reaches its climax. This is an interesting sci-fi story line stretching back many episodes. The problem is that the writers spent so much time on subplots in those previous episodes that this climax comes off rather weakly.

It could have been better, and it would have been better if subplots were relegated to a few five minute segments scattered throughout. Subplots with absolutely no bearing on the overarching plot of a multi- episode arc don't need to do much to tell their story. In this arc's case, the fabric of the main plot is weakened by the producers, writers and directors spending too much time on sideline characters and their plot lines.

One of the things I do like about this arc is that it has something of a J.R.R. Tolkien feel to it. The elder races seem to know that the age of the younger races is at hand. Only with B5, the elder races seem unwilling to let go. Lorien as a Gandalf seems to fit here.

It's an enjoyable climax to the arc, but again it could have been even better.
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5/10
Sub-Anticlimax
Vvardenfell_Man27 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
There's anticlimactic and then there's this. There are disappointing finales and then there's this. There's boring and lazy writing that pads itself with effects shots and then there's this.

What is "this?" Good question. "This" is the end of several long arcs on Babylon 5 and the beginning of several new ones, as well as the middle of many others. It's an important episode. It should be sold a little better than it is. There is a point where our glorious protagonist literally says "get the hell out of our galaxy" to a pair of representatives of ancient races that were just about to blow up all sentient life not long ago. Even more baffling than the fact that this was written is the fact that they listen.
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