Yes, seasons two through four are definitely superior to even the good-parts version of season one.
Tell you what; skip ahead to season 2 episode 9 (“The Coming of the Shadows”) - if that one doesn’t grab you then the show just doesn’t work for you.
Skip ahead to the episode Tom mentions, then follow it with Episode 3.4 “Passing Through Gethsemane.” If those don’t grab you, stick with something else.
An interesting argument can be made about the ethics in allowing something bad to happen (the extermination of humanity) versus actively helping something bad to happen (handing over his medical research to be used to help kill the Minbari.) I don’t recall if they said they wanted to develop biological weapons or not, but that was always the impression I got. So yeah, it makes for an interesting argument, which was kind of the point of the whole thing.
Also, the aforementioned “Walkabout” episode does have a number of the good Doctor’s flaws discussed. By his biggest critic it turns out.
[spoiler]Franklin (IIRC in the episode with his dad, the general) said it was going to be used for bio-weapons.
But if that’s the case, he’d still be letting something bad happen (bio-warfare) and not doing it himself, and saving humanity from absolute extinction. He’d be saving more lives in the long run. And the thing is? He’s not a pacifist, so his refusal is simple douchebaggery, IMO. If he were a dedicated pacifist, I’d think he was wrong, but not a douche.
I love that the actor was so good that there’s all these complex nuances of the character to debate about.
[/spoiler]
He’s not a pacifist, he’s a doctor, which brings with it some specific rules about doing no harm. He creates the medical research, hands it over to the government to make bio weapons, he has done quite a bit of harm. He creates the medical research, realizes that the government is going to use it for bio-weapons, and destroys it. And notably still continues to take the option to help the government in a not-helping-kill-millions capacity later on in the same conflict and afterwards.
Also:
Decoy spoiler.
Thank you! I just try not to read too much, and I don’t read any of the spoilers. I am still only eight episodes into Season 3. I’ve slowed down a bit since they don’t have it on Instant.
I just watched “Voices of Authoirty,” “Dust to Dust,” “Exogenesis,” “Messages from Earth.” Messages of Earth especially had some plot development, but I like them all now. And I do like Marcus a lot. The characters really needed him - everyone takes everything so seriously, and he’s a lot more light-hearted (though serious when needed).
Oh, and Cal Meacham? Yes, the show gets incredibly good later in its run, and I can say this as someone who felt the same as you. The “recommended” episodes from Season One are most definitely *not *the best the show has to offer.. Not even close. Just take Londo, who starts out as a clown and is now one of the most in-depth and interesting characters in the show. Stick with it! I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me.
Season 1 had some highlights and important plot points, Season 2 it got a lot better, and Season 3 is where the show really hits its stride. And given where you are right now, let me just say that things are a bout to take off like whoa.
Just watches yet another with Bester - Walter Koenig is superb in that role - but why did he not comment on the new whitestar - surely he can see it is a beautiful wesle? He’s sacry, funny, sly and intimidating all the time - great stuff - a charachter i love to hate and enjoy seeing him do his best to make sure i do 
People keep saying that, but TBH, it’s already pretty much taken off for me. I’m sold, don’t worry about it! 
I’m not going to stop watching it any time soon.
I adore Marcus.
Me, too. When he brought in the organizational chart for Ivanova I about fell off my chair. That was exactly the right tack to take with her.
What is up with her, anyway? I know the ground is shaking under her feet and she’s uncertain and scared but she’s taking it out on Marcus a lot. Methinks the lady doth protest too much…
Oh yes, real bacon and eggs!
Well, she’s not had the best like with her lovers in the past, if you’ll recall, so it’s at least a bit of once burned twice shy.
At least she should have boffed him just once
Incidentally, a few of the posters (particularly the OP) have not seen the whole show yet. Anaamika in particular is only maybe midway through the third season.
I *am *the OP.
Oh, and Hogfather65, I won’*t *be reading that spoiler. Thank you for spoilering it!
:smack:stupid:smack:stupid:smack:stupid
Not to spoil anything, but expect a few laughs during a very serious storyline when Ivanova tries to improve her foreign language skills
Ah, hell…
So I watched the next four last night. Since Netflix no longer streams this show, I have been getting the disc, taking the evening to watch all four episodes, and then returning it the next day.
I am now exactly halfway through Season 3. That would be, “Point of No Return”, “Severed Dreams”, “Ceremonies of Light and Dark”, and “Sic Transit Vir”. Just as I expected,
B5 has broken away from Earth. I was waiting for that moment. The Nightwatch thing has come to a denoument - I knew they would be trouble, the fuckers. Zack picked a side, I am happy to see! G’Kar was let out of jail because of the lack of security and has insisted on being part of it - his Narn are now part of the security forces. Vir is getting married! Whoa. And she is a freaky little thing. “Abrahamo Lincolni” made me LOL. And yes, I saw the Star Furies fighting each other, and the fattest Major in the world (although he was a cool guy). And Delenn! Laying it on the Minbari and breaking up the Gray Council!
I have to admit, when Ivanova interrupted the kiss between Delenn and Sheridan I about wanted to throw something at her. To her credit, she looked really embarrassed.
Four good episodes, and the last one was a mercifully light-hearted one.
You know the funny thing about all this? It almost makes me want to go back after this is all over and watch what I missed on Season 1! You guys were right in every way. This show is such a hidden gem, and it’s sad that the first season drives so many people away.