The Last Minbari Monday: Some Reflections on Babylon 5, and Hope

“Pause, and consider.” (a quote from the previous B5…)

 As I quoted last week, and continue to do.  This series has indeed given us much food for thought, and maybe also a ray of hope for our world.  People do, sometimes, nurture the angels of their better natures, and we do sometimes “do the right thing because it is the right thing to do,” as our Naval Leadership instructor taught at USNA.  But doing the right thing sometimes carries with it, as when refusing to follow an unlawful order, 

 

“Negative, Fleet Command. The Vesta will not engage in support of illegal orders.”

or, 

when standing up for a wrongly accused person,     

tremendous, even mortal, risk.

   There is also the importance of community, both of building community, as Delenn shows us, and of knowing when to sacrifice for the good of community, as G’Kar agrees to do, in accepting Londo’s demands to satisfy his torturers,  (and enduring long enough    to help accomplish) the freeing of Narn     by the Centauri under Londo, and later finds that he must do (ok, I think that happens in season 5, which I am not reviewing, but you could see it coming after the death of Emperor Catargia, which G’Kar is credited with near godhood for negotiating), when he leaves the station for everyone’s own good.

 

This series reminds us that even under the worst tyrant, while enduring the worst suffering, hope must still live, and that we are each obligated to use every gift and resource at our disposal to help keep that hope alive, and to help create tools that can contribute to the building of a better world.    

…

This series is about making the difficult decisions to do the right thing, and following through with those decisions, in spite of the cost.    That is what makes it such an important and inspiring series.

   This is what Project Do Better works to help accomplish.

 

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

May we Do Better…

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

3.)  Back to The Beginning of this Letter from Minbar…

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The (almost)Last Minbari Monday (B5:s4e22) “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars”

“Pause, and consider.”

 As I may have mentioned earlier, this series, which I will end on season 4 due to my dislike for season 5, which you can read about in Neatnik’s review, has indeed given us much food for thought.    

“We did what we did because it was right

…

Faith Manages.”

  …    

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

Thank you, Thoughtful Readers, for being with me on this journey into one image of what humanity’s future could look like, and what we can learn from it. 

May we Do Better…

Last week was: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e21) “Rising Star” on Duty, Honor, and Peace “by the ballot” ,

and

next week we will reflect on the series: The Last Minbari Monday: Some Reflections on Babylon 5, and Hope  …

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e21) “Rising Star” on Duty, Honor, and Peace “by the ballot”

First, please remember what W. E. B. Du Bois said about making this a better world for all by voting:  Vote.

and now:

Marcus is gone, but Delenn is right:

“As long as we speak his name, he will always be a part of us.”

From following a mad king through his logic, to following your calling to this logical conclusion, as Delenn again asks:

“He followed the path of his heart.  How many of us can say that?”

And then the ambassador goes on to found an alliance “dedicated to the higher principles of duty, honor, and peace.”  But best of all, as a result of this alliance, the Mars colony is now free!!  

“What is built, endures.  And what is loved, endures.”

Last Monday’s review was s4e20: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e20) “Endgame” and Service vs. Orders ,

and

Next  Monday will be the last Minbari Monday: s4e22: The (almost)Last Minbari Monday (B5:s4e22) “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars” …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e20) “Endgame” and Service vs. Orders

This episode brought tears of both kinds, gladness and sorrow.

It is November 1st, 2261, and Delenn is having difficulty getting Marcus to listen to her, where Ivanova is concerned.  Normally he lives to serve, but today, he wants to ignore reasonable orders.  And with very bad timing.

the battle for Earth has begun, on Mars.  In orbit, a general knows that his actions are morally wrong.  Even the US Code of Conduct prohibits following unlawful orders.  Then there is the question of Captain Sheridan’s use of these telepaths who have not been able to give their consent.

Service and sacrifice with honor.

Last Monday’s review was s4e19: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e19) “Between the Darkness and the Light” and Serving Humanity ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e21: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e21) “Rising Star” on Duty, Honor, and Peace “by the ballot” …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e19) “Between the Darkness and the Light” and Serving Humanity

This is the famous ‘right hand of vengeance’ episode, and Ivanova has finally resolved her wounds from both her father,  and the suicide of her mother, citing them as part of her identity as she goes to her death.

Meanwhile, Delenn receives a tortured but not beaten Captain Sheridan aboard, showing him Ivanova’s heroic state, and telling him of Ivanova’s final wish, which he honors: command the battle to save Earth from his old ship, the Agamemnon.

Epic.

Last Monday’s review was s4e18: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e18): “Intersections in Real Time” and Human Rights ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e20: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e20) “Endgame” and Service vs. Orders …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e18): “Intersections in Real Time” and Human Rights

This episode was made in consultation with Amnesty International (yes, just as the famous Captain Picard episode of Star Trek: TNG).

In this case I can understand how Delenn would be the vision that his mind brings up for strength and comfort through the ordeal.

Neatnik’s review of this episode is excellent.

 

Last Monday’s review was s4e17: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e17) “The Face of The Enemy”: Trust vs. Differences ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e19: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e19) “Between the Darkness and the Light” and Serving Humanity …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e17) “The Face of The Enemy”: Trust vs. Differences

I love the juxtaposition of Garibaldi and Captain Sheridan’s voices in the opening credits, which so makes sense, now:

Garibaldi: “The year is 2261”

Sheridan: “The place: Babylon 5”

And I love these ship names!!

So we are headed into the beginning of the endgame…

Lyta, Dr. Franklin, and the human cargo they have chosen to sacrifice are on their way to Mars, where Garibaldi has betrayed Captn Sheridan’s trust “for everyone’s good,” despite being aware that

“the last guy got 30 pieces of silver for the same job.”

We see much suffering in this episode, both from the ‘good guys’ and bad. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell which is which. As with life. Almost no issue is ever simply binary.

But Lyta Alexander seems to have the worse of the lot -having to actively sacrifice her own ‘kind’ while working to endure hostile suspicion, and trying to explain what it was like as part of a persecuted minority forced to do horrible things to protect themselves

“because no one else would.”

Everyone suspects the teeps and refuses to even entertain the thought that one might put human loyalty above ‘tribal’ loyalty. As if trustworthiness actually ran in one’s veins. Why can they not see the difference between the blind brutality of the PsyCorp’s ‘bloodhound units’ and the difficult sacrifices being made by Lyta, a teep who hates the PsyCorp just as much if not more than the ‘mundanes?’

Last Monday’s review was s4e16: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e16) “Exercise of Vital Powers” Against The “Other” ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e18: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e18): “Intersections in Real Time” and Human Rights …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e16) “Exercise of Vital Powers” Against The “Other”

So, Garibaldi, how do you decide what your new employer’s agenda is, and whether he is really telling you the whole truth?

Edgars claims that Clark needs to be stopped,

“but not by military action.”

But how else could he be ethically and transparently stopped, rich guy?

We know from previous episodes that Garibaldi is a man of conscience.

C’mon, Garibaldi, where is your conscience now, and your loyalty to someone whom “you have to know that” they are going to hurt him, not get him “the help” that they claim to think “he needs” -what happened with that understanding you had with and about Mars, dude?

Well, no Vorlon was seen in this episode, but their three-edged sword was: Sheridan’s truth vs. Garibaldi/Edgars’ truth, and The Truth???

Speaking of truth, the Voice of the Resistance continues:

Neatnik focuses his review of this episode on the excellent issue of how one reads The Bible.  Back to that 3-edged sword…

Last Monday’s review was s4e15: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e15) “No Surrender, No Retreat” and Another Lesson in Practical Empathy ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e17: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e17) “The Face of The Enemy”: Trust vs. Differences …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa. I come in peace, I am your friend.

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

*****************

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e15) “No Surrender, No Retreat” and Another Lesson in Practical Empathy

Empathy has very practical real life applications, like making it possible to understand the motivations of the captains on the opposing side, and adjust strategy accordingly.

The result? Keep reading!   🙂

On the 2^nd of September, 2261, the drums beat for war, and the time has finally come to rescue Earth from a dictator. While Captain Sheridan plays steal-a-car prep, Londo hopes for forgiveness. Too soon. As G’Kar himself said about acknowledging change and redemption in another, and Brother Theo put in different words:

 “Forgiveness is a hard thing.”

Meanwhile, at Proxima 3, the fate of the war hangs on a man’s decision not to be a hypocrite, when it may well cost him his life:

“What does your conscience tell you?”

The result?

“Negative, Fleet Command. The Vesta will not engage in support of illegal orders.”

And, in tears of joy and wonder, mingled with not a little bit of fear, “here ends the lesson.”

Outstanding!!  

Last Monday’s review was s4e14: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e14) “Moments of Transition” On Following Illegal Orders?  ,

and 

then 

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e16: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e16) “Exercise of Vital Powers” Against The “Other” …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e14) “Moments of Transition” On Following Illegal Orders?

“You don’t.”

That is the short answer to Sheridan’s question to his old Academy professor. This is also, imho, the brightest shining moment of this series: a service member is required to refuse to obey illegal orders. That will never be easy, nor popular, but it remains correct.

This is also the amazing conclusion to the Minbari civil war, as Delenn steps into the Circle of Fire to retain her caste’s right to be part of a governing coalition that she now re-balances as a new Grey Council, still “The 9,” but not 3×3 anymore.

The worker caste:

“They built the temples we pray in, the ships you fight in. … But prayers are fleeting, and wars forgotten. What is built endures. … Religion and war must act in the service of the people, not the other way around.”

So now, the Grey Council is 2, 2, and 5. And at last, understanding is required, rather than blind obedience, no?

 

Excellent.

    Except for poor Lyta, literally. She’s interviewing for jobs, and failing miserably due to the system, which Bester, of course, exploits to full advantage. This part had me in tears for her misery, and how isolated she becomes, through no fault of her own.

And then more bitter tears are shed for the “Ten thousand civilians” murdered in cold blood.

“Any crew that executes an order like that is guilty of war crimes.”

And at last, there will finally be consequences.

Side SciFi note: Delenn’s reform of The Grey Council (this episode could easily have made three separate episodes, if JMS hadn’t been forced to squeeze two seasons into season 4…) and later creation of the InterStellar Alliance in this series is, apart from the end of the dystopian Brazilian series The 3%, the only show that actually presents system change, like what Project Do Better is working toward.

Are there others??

Last Monday’s review was s4e13: Minbari Mondays: (B5:s4e13) “Rumors, Bargains, and Lies” Shows How A Little Knowledge is Very Dangerous ,

and

Next Minbari Monday will review: s4e15: Minbari Mondays (B5:s4e15) “No Surrender, No Retreat” and Another Lesson in Practical Empathy …

  …

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa.

I come in peace, I am your friend.

 

Action Prompts:

1.)  Share your thoughts on how we Human Beings might start to build a more fully inclusive society for all of us, and how this episode of Babylon 5 could help that process.

2.) Write a book, story, post or tweet that uses these thoughts.

***************** 

Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan:Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem, Lupin, or La Casa De Papel/Money Heist Reviews,

Holistic College Algebra & GED/HiSET Night School Lesson Plans,

           or My Nonfiction  & Historical Fiction Serial Writing

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.