Brent Watches Soul Mates | Babylon 5 2x07 | Reaction

Join Brent as he does his first watch of the Babylon 5 Season 2 episode, "Soul Mates." This is the episode Brent has been waiting for. It is everything he wanted it to be, and predicted it to be. We get Londo, we get G'Kar, we get Londo's wives, we get Talia's ex, we got marital trouble all over the place, and Brent spends nearly the entire episode laughing. SPOILER ALERT - He likes this episode. So join Brent as he dives into his first watch of this episode.
And be sure to catch our main show, Babylon 5: For the First Time, when Brent is joined by Jeff to take a deep dive into the episode, searching for those Star Trek-like messages, and seeing if they should have watched it sooner. New Episodes drop on Mondays.
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[@_volder]

"Did they have CG back then?"... Babylon 5 was the first space-sci-fi series to CG all of its space effects. It was to save money on building & shooting with models.

[@BabylonLurker]

Yep! They were pioneers of CGI on TV.

[@DavidGarcia-kw4sf]

And the effects get better with every season.

[@rick-says-hello-world]

Yep. "Video Toaster" - I believe the first season was on the Amigas, which were the only ones with the technology at the time to pull it off, but were long in the tooth by the time B5 went to air. I want to say by the 2nd season the toaster was ported to more powerful PCs and they were able to render much more detail and content per episode. Yes, it looks dated now, but B5 totally punched above its weight when it came to visual effects - literally half or less the budget of the equivalent Trek series.

[@TKnightcrawler]

@@BabylonLurker There were a few TV shows that had very brief CGI sequences before this, like the intro from Amazing Stories in 1985. But yeah, B5 did it consistently and to tell a narrative.

[@davidblauyoutube]

I'm so happy we've hit this part of season 2. Two Talia episodes in a row, Londo's wives, and just an all-around good time.

[@maryrudis1198]

I predict that some time in the future you are going to want to watch this episode again. 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. For me, some key points of dialogue occurred between Delenn and Ivanova... when Delenn said, "I trust you" something in Ivanova changed and in that moment she chose to take several hours out of her day to raise the level of her relationship (their relationship) from casual professionalism to deep intimacy. (I now have an incredible urge to put my hair up in rollers.)

[@ciprianoms]

Rewatching this with you and Jeff has made me realize how much I love Sheridan. I was always the biggest Sinclair defender but the difference between the two men is day and night. And let's face it, Sheridan is a hottie. Also I think this may be one of my fave episodes of season 2. The wives were all great. And fun fact, yes Peter, the actor who plays Londo has a giant portrait of himself as Londo on his mantel.

[@juriskrumgolds5810]

I was laughing so hard watching your last week podcast on how close was your guess! :D

[@neilbiggs1353]

Just seen on IMDB (because I was curious how many lines from the episode made the quotes section) that Mira Furlan didn't like the joke at the end about the cramps. Just found this bit about the writing on IMDB too According to writer Peter David, he struggled with writing the episode at first, and the first 2 outline drafts were rejected for being "too Star Trek". It wasn't until friend Harlan Ellison suggested him the play The Women (1939) that he got a grip on the episode, and realized what "too Star Trek" meant: "At the end of the story [...] I had restored the status quo so that all the characters were all perfectly reset in the sandbox, just like a typical Star trek episode [...]. But B5 was all about kicking over the sandbox". By that time he had lost the assignment, so against the advice of his agent, Ellison, and friend Bill Mumy, he wrote the script anyway and submitted it to J. Michael Straczynski, who was so pleased with the result that not only bought it but gave David another episode to write. I maybe should have saved that for Monday's drop, but having just looked through the Lurker's Guide, there is a lot of gold there that I can drop, and Jeff can find this comment here if he is interested!

[@Petrosman]

In the Babylon 5 books "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" Londo tells Timov that he knew she saved his life, and that was one of the reasons he kept her. He felt that if she, a person who despises him is willing to keep him alive, then she will never betray him like the other two did.

[@jeanettecarnell8933]

Cool,I will have to find them.

[@saberstrike000]

The effects were in fact CG (one of the first shows to do it). While they are remastered, the 1st season is a "lipstick on a pig" situation. Tech was jumping by leaps and bounds back then and the biggest jump was after season 1.

[@andrea_d]

This is the original - made in the 90's - CGI you see here. With the remastering, they have not replaced the CGI, it was just digitally upscaled from SD to HD. And Mariel (one of Londo's wifes) is not Adira.

[@ritchardo6459]

Glad you enjoyed! An excellent episode this one - while fun on the first watch, it has a different feel when watching after you know where the story has gone for some of the characters. It’s good writing on the surface, with the context of history and the fate of some of the players involved, it’s sublime and comfortably one of my favourites of the season.

[@hornorsilk2901]

Did you note the author of this one? B5 was one of the first shows to use so much CGI in its broadcast (and also why this episode was originally shown in the order it was, as it needed less effects). And yes. It was a Londo and G'kar episode, and it's why so many of us enjoy it so much. And why we think this fits here in the viewing sequence. But glad you had two weeks where you liked the episode. But the best is yet to come.

[@chrisnielsen9885]

Whenever I post trivia like who the author is on these videos I find on the full video with both of them that Jeff usually picks up on that stuff on his own. I bet he notices that detail too

[@percysowner]

I'm so glad you liked this one. I've always thought it was great fun. Timov is one of my favorite guest star characters. I also really like Daggir's/Lois Nettleton's, speech about how she was shaped by Centuri society and the roles of women in it. Mariel is the least rounded of the wives, simply fitting into the femme fatale (literally in this case) role. I also love the Delenn/Susan bonding. The both could use having more friends on the station. The last line about Delenn having cramps makes me laugh, if only because of Ivanova's reaction of "now I have to explain female reproduction and menstruation". I like, but don't love, the Talia plot. It certainly makes it clear how unsettling Psi Corps really is, with the genetic manipulation they engage in. Stoner is all kinds of creepy and his baiting of Garibaldi about Talia is both disgusting and brilliant. He knows how to get under someone's skin. All in all a good episode, the start of a run of good episodes. From here to the end of the season we get some episodes that I love. I hope you guys like them as well.

[@sststr]

This really was a fun episode. We don't get a lot of these more humorous ones, so that already makes it stand out, but it genuinely does deliver the humor in spades, on multiple fronts, in very relatable ways. It's a home-run.

[@AdamCollings]

I almost had an aneurism when you made your prediction last week. It was so fun seeing you react to how close you were.

[@MrTickleTrunk]

I'm here mostly to watch the progression of Brent's sunburn. (Very happy you guys are getting to the good stuff again after the necessary shoehorned introduction to the new captain).

[@MrDdaland]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@robert_bbiii]

Well now we know which wife Londo was telling Garabaldi about.

[@dalesharp9953]

This is one of my favorite episode of the season. London is great throughout the episode. I am glad that they addressed Delenn's change.

[@J3335]

I believe Peter took the painting of Londo that's in his quarters

[@Davegvg3576]

Foundation imaging got a series of upgrades in season 2 and the shading and model complexity increased. Foundation also created models for trek and the original exists and are interesting to scale against each other.

[@raynscloud8072]

This is absolutely among my favorite character episodes. The witty repartee, the velvet daggers and the crude suggestions are a blast to watch unfold. Jane Carr, who played Timov, is among the best guest stars of the entire run. I think you missed G'Kar's insult of wearing shoes to Londo's party (you were reacting) but it nicely made the point that G'Kar is a deliberate opponent, while also getting rid of the need to create alien feet for Andreas.

[@Muck006]

"G'Kar, if you were married to Londo Mollari we'd all be concerned" ... great line.

[@Sesheyan101]

This was always a great episode, the jokes and the character interactions are great in this one.

[@DarminDeflern]

Just to say that you and your co host has mentioned several times about the Jason Ironhart episode.. He said he would give her a small gift not his former powers. Every indication is that she is still a p5 but she has something more rare than a p12 power rating she has telekinesis which is a power that is the rarest of the rare.

[@Janice4th]

The guy who asked ‘what do you want?’ is Mr. Morden.

[@kemperor]

Such a fun episode. Like you said not heavy on the overarching plot but Londo is always great. When you were doing your prediction last week I couldn't believe how close you were.

[@bidders71]

B5 was one of the first shows to use exclusively 3d models and animation for all of it space scenes, the first season their was a lot of figuring out the best way of doing the shots season two really upped the levels in post- production. the remastered versions didn't re-render any of the CGI scenes it up did scaled up the resolution of the non-CGI and clean up the film grain ect. changed some of the formatting on the aspect ratio i think making more shots 9:16 than 3:4 if i remember correctly. Are you going to watch the TV movies that came out?

[@neilbiggs1353]

A lot of the original CGI has been lost, so they can't redo it simply. If you have the information, re-rendering can be a reasonably straightforward process, but alas this is a victim of the neglect that B5 has been treated with over the years.

[@sdfried4877]

@@neilbiggs1353 Tom Smith’s KZbin channel has some amazing re-renders of effects using the original files.

[@sdfried4877]

Unfortunately, the movies will look like crap it they went through the same widescreen process as the series DVDs. I didn’t watch B5 for over a decade because they look so bad on modern TVs.

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

@@sdfried4877 Tom Smith's stuff is very impressive, but oddly enough I think in B5's case the extra high resolution hurts the effects. The slight standard-definition softness the effects have really softens the sharp polygon edges the models have, and it matches the live action better. I find the 4k renders, though impressive on their own, too jarring alongside the original remastered live action stuff.

[@sdfried4877]

@@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures I partly agree. Overall, the sharpness is beautiful to behold but sometimes it is too clean. The upscaling job done by HBO Max is certainty good enough.

[@RichardWelty]

Peter David wrote this one, and he envisioned Londo's wives as Pestilence, Famine and Death. he went so far as to name Timov (famine) as vomit spelled backwards but didn't do that with the other two. so there you have it.

[@meropetied]

Dagger = Daggair... it's certainly deathly; Married hell = Mariel... pestilence?

[@RichardWelty]

@@meropetied Peter David said that the only one .he carried through with was Timov. he's quoted directly on the Lurker's Guide.

[@TKnightcrawler]

He hasn't married Adira; probably not enough time on Centauri Prime to do so. And yeah, I loved this episode. Just a lot of fun! :D And absolutely excellent predictions. LOL

[@exile220ify]

"Who is this actress?" Jane Carr. She's got a long film and television resume. Since you're into Star Trek, I must remind you that she played Malcolm's mother on Enterprise :) Also, definitely NOT Adira :)

[@saberstrike000]

Also, as Brett doesn't notice these things typically, the writer of this episode was Peter David.

[@kevindean0000]

People have only mentioned B5 being a CGI VFX show 1000 times by now. I find it exasperating that it seemingly hasn't sunk in at all.

[@hornorsilk2901]

While many have mentioned it, their focus has been elsewhere. We all have things we focus on, and things we forget, even if someone says something to us many times

[@oenrn]

Yup. Literally the two things B5 is most known for: - the first show to have a 5 season arc fully planned from the start - the first show to use full CGI for exterior scenes

[@tpw84101]

It's not a coincidence that Morden sounds like Mordor.

[@meropetied]

Soul Mates is a delight. I feel like the Stoner subplot could be better, but it's fine. But the Delenn and the Londo plots are magnificent.

[@brentallenlive]

I kinda started liking Stoner by the end though. He's at least more personable than Talia. She's more a stone than he is.

[@MrDdaland]

​@@brentallenlive Yeah, I've never warmed to her character myself

[@hornorsilk2901]

@@brentallenlive The actor is a part of the reason; I knew him from the Equalizer, and well, he has done other things, but he has the presence needed for what Stoner represented.

[@neilbiggs1353]

@@brentallenlive Stoner always had me hating him, there was just something smug and manipulative in his manner. Good character to watch, but pretty vile on a personal level. As for Talia, she is hard to like (and I'd say intentionally written like that). She has all kinds of walls up, so what you get is this superficially polite, super competent person, but it's very rare for any warmth to show through. The harder part is that as a minor character, they haven't had the chance to really step behind those walls because she doesn't have the sort of relationships that Ivanova does who is very similar (apart from the politeness front - she doesn't suffer fools... or even people who may show themselves to be fools at a later point come to think of it...). With Susan, we saw moments of her with Jeff, Michael, and maybe a few bits so far with John (and now with Delenn) where she people get past that hard edge, but you have to pity some of the people who work with her!

[@sdfried4877]

@@hornorsilk2901 Loved him as Mickey Kostmeyer.

[@christophelombardi7810]

Yes, Brent, this show did use CGI right from the get go, but it was obviously quite early CGI. This being said, I think B5 was one of the first shows, if not the first, to use CGI on TV. On another note, you didn't seem to notice (or at least didn't react) to the episode writer being Peter David who, if I'm not mistaken, has links to Star Trek. I do in fact remember reading some Trek novels written by him. Now about Londo's third wife, Mariel (played by Blair Valk). It's not Adira (who was played by Fabiana Udenio). I know she looks a bit like her but it's not her. Overall, I really enjoy this episode. It's a really fun one. The casting of Jane Carr as Timov was inspired. She stole the show in that episode. But you're correct, the side story with Matt Stoner and the implications regarding what the Psi Corps is up to is probably the core element here when it comes to the main story arc. In any case, it was great to see you react to this episode. And congratulations on your very close prediction. You kind of nailed it.

[@kalzar26]

While I felt the Stoner plot could have been handled a bit better writing wise, I have always loved this episode. I've seen a few comments call this episode fluff, and it largely is. But on re-watch there are a couple of little things that hint at stuff later in the series. I will be curious if recall this episode when they come up. Can't wait for the full review of the episode. Can already be pretty sure it's gonna be a great one. Was really great to see Brent having such a fun time watching this episode. I figured it would be enjoyed.

[@TheKangeiko]

This is one of my favourites! As you said, the humour is top notch. Just to clarify - Mariel is (was) one of Londo’s wives, Adira was the dancing girl he met in Born to the Purple. Interestingly, we see a (supposed) image of the three in S1’s The War Prayer (but they’re different actresses) and I believe they’re referred to as Famine, Pestilence and Death. Timov is Famine, her name is literally Vomit spelled backwards. Also, Trek connection of the day - the writer of this episode, Peter David, also wrote numerous Trek novels including the TNG novel Imzadi which fleshed out a lot of the Riker/Troi backstory. The other Trek connection - or contrast, perhaps - is that in the B5 universe, empaths are something new and unexplored, and something sought after; contrast that with Trek where they’re the poor man’s telepath. (The actress who played Timov was in the RSC and has worked with Patrick Stewart, so that’s another connection as well… and actually she was in a production of As You Like it with Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister) so really, all SFF bases are covered.) We are in a stretch of episodes that I really really like so I am super excited to see the reactions every week!

[@Macilmoyle]

The actress playing Timov was Jane Carr, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company who has worked with some actor called Patrick Stewart. 😉 According to Peter David she was quite pleased to also have played a bald SF icon.

[@phil90125]

Of course Timov is "vomit" backwards..

[@algi1]

AFAIK this episode is a big fan favorite. JMS can write very good comedy. And they got "bitch" through the censores somehow.

[@MrDdaland]

BTW, this wasn't written by JMS, done by Peter David

[@missyprime8198]

They used Amiga computers to do the CGI, I've always been under the impression that the CGI team spent the time between season 1 and 2 to really up the quality of the CGI. Mira apparently hated the line about the cramps. If I ever need cheering up then this is the episode I pick, I'm so glad you made it here. The start of season 2 is like that long slow climb at the start of a roller coaster, you know the ride gets better once that starting slope is out of the way but dammit that climb feels like it takes forever.

[@nathancline4000]

Don't know if you caught it at the beginning, this episode was written by Peter David.

[@tpw84101]

Stop being so spot on with your guesses.

[@danielmannandersen2332]

see you do know this prediction game by now, sorta

[@OMAROMAR79]

@brentallen9738 Sometimes he's so go good, sometimes I think he's peaking ahead...but I know better, he's just been around sci-fi so long. And sci-fi writing.

[@teransolo]

No Lady Adira in this episode, the youngest wife just looks similar to her.

[@gbreadstudios]

Rewatching this episode I have to point out that during the gift giving scene Londo pronounced Ivanova, IVA NOVA, just like you would read it off your notes in the first few episodes of your podcast... and someone had the nerve to call you Jomprey DeChucklenugget because nobody pronounces it that way in the entire show. Even though I didn't think of it as a spoiler I didn't want to mention it until it happened. Now it has, so I wanted to point it out. There's one other episode where someone else pronounces it that way although they do it multiple times to Londo's once. You can give the Chucklenugget name back to whoever gave it to you now (Even though you haven't used it this season)

[@BabylonLurker]

A very enjoyable episode. Not among the greatest, but good, solid, and fun. Oh, yes Londo's three wives. Pestilence, Famine and Death. Does that make Londo War? Have you tried to spell Timov backwards? I forgot that this episode had Delenn's bad hair. Such a fun scene. Brent: "These aren't the droids you're looking for" Precisely! Yes, not a JMS episode, this one is written by Peter David, probably a well known name to you. Till Monday, be seeing you!

[@Nikioko]

Well, Londo has another toxic relationship which could be described as "War".

[@pitmatix1457]

If I remember correctly the actress also played Malcolm Reed's mother in Star Trek Enterprise (which might be where you recognise her from).

[@Duke00x]

The corps is mother, the corps is father.

[@percysowner]

And like medieval parents, it arranges the marriages of its "children" to best serve the needs of the corps.

[@hornorsilk2901]

As I didn't see it mentioned, Jane Carr played Mary Reed, in "Silent Enemy." She, of course, has done a lot more.

[@garycallan7384]

Effects have not been updated

[@Iejir_Isk]

I actually found the romance in Londo and his choice kinda sweet. Also, forgot how much respect I had for Timov

[@mooncalf_4534]

God this episode's funny.

[@stephenhillier3522]

Though there are certainly many far better serious episodes, it's difficult to beat this one for comic relief. Make the most of it while you can, things can only get more serious.

[@BackstageAtTheSmith]

I love all of this episode but Delenn and Ivanova are the best :)

[@TexasAnlaShok]

This is such a fun episode. Great lines that are wielded like swords (because there are no real swords handy). By the way, remember when Londo dubbed his wives Pestilence, Famine and Death? Can you tell which is which?

[@Nikioko]

And who is War?

[@lettucemonster]

@@Nikioko Maybe if his wives are the other three, Londo is War?

[@OMAROMAR79]

@@Nikioko Mr. Morden, after a fashion.

[@Nikioko]

@@OMAROMAR79 And Londo's relationship to Mr. Morden is the most toxic of all of them.

[@Psi105]

yep, this is a good episode, not a great episode, but definitely a fun one.

[@Nikioko]

6:05: Yes, but Carel Struycken doesn't play one of Londo's wifes. 🤣 And he played Mr. Homn in Star Trek TNG.

[@sdfried4877]

And Lurch and the Giant in Twin Peaks.

[@shellock2592]

FYI what does Timov spell backwards?

[@chrisnielsen9885]

So G’kar has a history with Mariel?? Wow. Does Londo know I wonder?

[@brentallenlive]

I know, right? There's definitely a connection there.

[@MrDdaland]

After her interaction w Sheridan and their discussion, Probably wouldn't be surprised

[@chrisnielsen9885]

@@brentallenlive there’s fanfiction just waiting to be written about those two I reckon

[@sdfried4877]

Ah, Mariel. Making new friends… again. Londo’s definitely caught her stepping out before. G’Kar would be quite the scandal, though. Who knows? Maybe some of Londo’s hostility toward the Narn isn’t just racism, but something more personal. As for G’Kar, he never lets politics get between him and sex.

[@oenrn]

Pretty sure it's been confirmed that G'kar's type is simply female, species doesn't matter.

[@guardian1326]

The story writing gets better from here

[@nolimit7959]

You should loudly declare-As they say in checkers- “KING ME “, while you are coranating yourself with a Telepathic Crown 🤴…. Me thinks you’ve been reading JMS’ Mail!!!

[@KevynJacobs]

Congrats on being the King of Episode Title Predictions! This was mostly a character-building episode, a stand alone breather before things start ramping up in the two big interconnected war story arcs at the heart of the show. The rest of the season just gets more and more intense as things build.

[@kalzar26]

Spoilers dude.

[@terryhopkins1466]

Good guessing. Was it guessing? Maybe you knew! Maybe you are Psy Core...Hmmm

[@Nikioko]

Great fluff episode. From here, it should get better and better.

[@hornorsilk2901]

Oh there are still episodes here and there which are average to meh, and there are disagreements as to which are which, but yes, sometimes a nice fluff episode is actually what is needed.

[@percysowner]

@@hornorsilk2901 Agreed. There are also a few where the placement makes them feel weaker because I was left thinking "NO! get back to..." There are some "breather episodes" that suffer because although JMS thought we needed a breather, I was ready to charge ahead. Also, they tend to fall into the fine category. There are some stand alone episodes that I find breathtaking and thought provoking as well. Writing and acting make a HUGE difference here.

[@craiglortie8483]

jms is one of the better writers in the business. when you get done with this, you should watch sense 8. a very solid scifi series that only has 2 seasons.

[@seanferguson6774]

You are correct, but it's rated M for good reason.

[@Karajorma]

I do think this episode should have come after the next one you'll watch. You'll see why next week.

[@hornorsilk2901]

The original viewing order had Soul Mates first. The original intended order had the next, first. But I think this fits better for viewing because it gives what many fans want at this point, a Londo story. Also the reasons why the other sometimes is said to be first doesn't require it to be so.

[@Karajorma]

@@hornorsilk2901 All in all it's not a big deal. There are other reasons to have it after this one too.

[@simongiles9749]

There are a couple of elements where it makes sense if this and the next one are reversed (which, obviously, we can't address more fully until next week), but over time I've come to think that Spul Mates works better as the first of the two, and I'll explain more next week.

[@hornorsilk2901]

@@simongiles9749 right, I think we can have a good discussion next week on this

[@kell4055]

If you haven't recorded the podcast yet you should run out to Burger King and get yourself a crown for the KZbin audience.

[@zvulunprime]

Timov is the queen!

[@samsonau8205]

Timov backwards is...?

[@philippschmidt80]

I hate Doctor Franklin, he's such an unlikable character, he clearly doesn't like how Londo treats Timov but Timov isn't any better and the one nice thing she did she explicitly hid from Londo and Franklin knows it, so his attitude makes no sense, Franklin is a judgmental asshole.

[@percysowner]

I disagree here. Don't get me wrong, Franklin IS judgemental, but in this case his judgement makes a kind of sense. He just saw Timov save Londo, without wanting credit, even though she may well lose everything if he lives. Yes, he doesn't tell Londo, BUT on some level he has to disagree that the wives are all interchangeably bad, when he knows that Timov is honest. For better or worse, Franklin is on the side of curing his patients and he will feel kindly toward anyone who helps that along. I also disagree that Timov is no better than Londo. We really don't know, although we do know that she is a woman of principle. Can you imagine her response to "What do you want?". Morden would NOT have gotten a reply he found useful.

[@philippschmidt80]

@@percysowner But Frankin also knows that Londo doesn't know what Timov did and he must know Timov treats Londo with open contempt just like Londo treats her. And when I said Timov is no better I meant as a spouse, as a person she might be better than Londo but as spouses they are equally awful. But honestly, the scene of her saving his life should've been cut, it was unnecessary, her being honest as a reason to keep her as a wife while divorcing the others was good enough and in story it's still the only reason, the blood donation scene was done just for the audience to make us feel better like "aww, Timov isn't that bad", I would have preferred if Londo had survived by chance.