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timepiececlockAfter a while, when it all starts to sink in, Delenn really floors me. I'm trying to think of an appropriate analogy for her role/character, and the best I can come up with is lions.
The last scene of this episode is yet one more example of a cumulation of actions that all combine to make John Sheridan what he is. She freaking *made* him. Is making him still. Yeah, he's smart and honorable and true, but that's not enough. Delenn wanted to save the universe and fulfill prophecy, so she found herself a reliable, inspiring knight and turned him into a king. So far Delenn has given, as gifts, through her actions or her fellows, at least the following:
- a ship (White Star)
- an army (Rangers)
- an alliance with the most powerful "young" species in their galaxy (I'm guessing that the Minbari are stronger than the Centauri)
- guard dog ships for Babylon 5 defense
- a planetary machine with ancient secret technology
- a lover to place absolute trust in
- the future promise of a child
- an enemy to fight (Shadows)
- angels to believe in (Vorlons)
- a fleet (this was damn near an engagement gift, if I read the scene correctly)
- a destiny and purpose
...and dinner (three times so far to his one.)
Cripes! She practically handed him the entire galaxy on a silver platter. I said lions before because that's the best thing I can think of, though it's a poor analogy. See the male lion is big, scary, ruthless, and vicious. It defends territory and any other big males come along, it kills the rival. It's very good at doing so. However, it's the lioness that do the hunting and provide for the welfare of the pride. Delenn is Sheridan's lioness. She is his general, his hunter, and the bearer of his emotional burdens.
Sheridan has a destiny to lead the galaxy in war against the Shadows. And he makes a great gun and a better leader of guns. Put him into a situation, point him to the enemy, and he'll do everything and anything to get the job done. And he's inspiring. He inspires his own people, other races, and Delenn herself. What's interesting to me here is that Delenn is not operating from behind closed doors... she is power beside the throne rather than behind it. She is powerful amongst her own people, and by becoming Ranger One, she is a leader of an army in her own right. She gives Sheridan a fleet and tells him that her armies are in his hands. She is his eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to build, and feet to strike. It is an interesting dynamic because although Delenn would seem to be the one with the power, they remain equal because every time she gives Sheridan power (a ship, an army, a purpose) she genuinely gives it. She doesn't hold onto part of it for control... it is equally his and she is his partner. Although she has enough charisma to be that leader herself, she needs someone with a soldier's heart to do it, and she needs a human leader as well. She is a fanatic, but that doesn't mean she's not right. Her belief is strong, and her love is true and real.
Delenn is a very interesting character when it comes to power studies. She takes power, uses it to control and manipulate, but her moral convictions are so strong that she uses her power for that purpose rather than for power itself. But you can see, when she puts on her leader face, that although she is wise and lovely and gentle and warm to everyone, she is also completely aware of how to use the power she has to get what she wants. She's patient, methodical, judgemental, thorough, and accurate. The Minbari war leader was absolutely right to fear what she could become, though he and everyone is lucky that she's so far too "good" to go down that slippery slope.
Hmmm... maybe the lioness thing doesn't work, and I should go for the classic chess analogy instead. Delenn is the queen, the person who maneuvers and arranges and traps, the most dangerous and effective piece on the board. But the king's fate determines the end of the game.
Zathras's prophecy about "the one that was, the one that is, and the one that will be" appears to be very thoroughly played out in the story. Delenn does all this to make way for Sheridan to save them all in the future, like Sinclair/Valen saved them in the past. As a writer/story creator, planning out this whole world must have been a nightmare to revise and sort out... there's so many levels of interconnectedness between characters, places, themes, and symbols.
Now it's late and I have to sleep, but I wanted to get my thoughts out first.
WARNING: For comments, I am rewatching the series, but it has been a long time since I saw the show, though I do remember generally what happens. Please don't talk about the movies since I haven't seen them yet and am unspoiled.
The last scene of this episode is yet one more example of a cumulation of actions that all combine to make John Sheridan what he is. She freaking *made* him. Is making him still. Yeah, he's smart and honorable and true, but that's not enough. Delenn wanted to save the universe and fulfill prophecy, so she found herself a reliable, inspiring knight and turned him into a king. So far Delenn has given, as gifts, through her actions or her fellows, at least the following:
- a ship (White Star)
- an army (Rangers)
- an alliance with the most powerful "young" species in their galaxy (I'm guessing that the Minbari are stronger than the Centauri)
- guard dog ships for Babylon 5 defense
- a planetary machine with ancient secret technology
- a lover to place absolute trust in
- the future promise of a child
- an enemy to fight (Shadows)
- angels to believe in (Vorlons)
- a fleet (this was damn near an engagement gift, if I read the scene correctly)
- a destiny and purpose
...and dinner (three times so far to his one.)
Cripes! She practically handed him the entire galaxy on a silver platter. I said lions before because that's the best thing I can think of, though it's a poor analogy. See the male lion is big, scary, ruthless, and vicious. It defends territory and any other big males come along, it kills the rival. It's very good at doing so. However, it's the lioness that do the hunting and provide for the welfare of the pride. Delenn is Sheridan's lioness. She is his general, his hunter, and the bearer of his emotional burdens.
Sheridan has a destiny to lead the galaxy in war against the Shadows. And he makes a great gun and a better leader of guns. Put him into a situation, point him to the enemy, and he'll do everything and anything to get the job done. And he's inspiring. He inspires his own people, other races, and Delenn herself. What's interesting to me here is that Delenn is not operating from behind closed doors... she is power beside the throne rather than behind it. She is powerful amongst her own people, and by becoming Ranger One, she is a leader of an army in her own right. She gives Sheridan a fleet and tells him that her armies are in his hands. She is his eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to build, and feet to strike. It is an interesting dynamic because although Delenn would seem to be the one with the power, they remain equal because every time she gives Sheridan power (a ship, an army, a purpose) she genuinely gives it. She doesn't hold onto part of it for control... it is equally his and she is his partner. Although she has enough charisma to be that leader herself, she needs someone with a soldier's heart to do it, and she needs a human leader as well. She is a fanatic, but that doesn't mean she's not right. Her belief is strong, and her love is true and real.
Delenn is a very interesting character when it comes to power studies. She takes power, uses it to control and manipulate, but her moral convictions are so strong that she uses her power for that purpose rather than for power itself. But you can see, when she puts on her leader face, that although she is wise and lovely and gentle and warm to everyone, she is also completely aware of how to use the power she has to get what she wants. She's patient, methodical, judgemental, thorough, and accurate. The Minbari war leader was absolutely right to fear what she could become, though he and everyone is lucky that she's so far too "good" to go down that slippery slope.
Hmmm... maybe the lioness thing doesn't work, and I should go for the classic chess analogy instead. Delenn is the queen, the person who maneuvers and arranges and traps, the most dangerous and effective piece on the board. But the king's fate determines the end of the game.
Zathras's prophecy about "the one that was, the one that is, and the one that will be" appears to be very thoroughly played out in the story. Delenn does all this to make way for Sheridan to save them all in the future, like Sinclair/Valen saved them in the past. As a writer/story creator, planning out this whole world must have been a nightmare to revise and sort out... there's so many levels of interconnectedness between characters, places, themes, and symbols.
Now it's late and I have to sleep, but I wanted to get my thoughts out first.
WARNING: For comments, I am rewatching the series, but it has been a long time since I saw the show, though I do remember generally what happens. Please don't talk about the movies since I haven't seen them yet and am unspoiled.
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no subject
Date: 2008-04-12 12:14 pm (UTC)There's quite a few Bab5 fans on my flist who I think would be very interested in reading this.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-12 06:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 10:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 06:15 pm (UTC)I think the thing that convinced me she was genuine was her overall girlishness after being transformed. Before she was cold, stiff, formal. Like a pretty and wise tree, or something. After being transformed she moves loosely, twirls her skirts, flips her hair, bites her lip, and genuinely seems torn between flirtation and shyness. She reacts to John initially as a girl who doesn't know how to deal with attraction, but you can see as she gradually overcomes that and approaches her feelings and his with confidence and faith.
However, it wasn't lost on me that when she was present to the council in her new form that she was almost paraded like a temple virgin. You can't expect aliens to react to that kind of imagery the way a human male would, but I can see how that context would feel almost "designed" to attract romantic and idealized attention from a man like Sheridan. I don't think she was planning to have that kind of effect, but clearly the writers for the show were. :D
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 09:16 pm (UTC)Hello!
Date: 2008-04-13 12:42 pm (UTC)Good description and pretty much all that I (and lots of others) have thought about Delenn and Sheridan over the years.
Yes, she really is a powerful and charismatic person in her own right and she gives a huge amount to Sheridan and the alliance (although I don't entirely agree with her having 'made' him. I understand what you're saying and I love how you've explained it all, it's a small point I don't completely share).
And I do love the balance between them - he gives to her as much she gives him, just in different ways. And yes, either of them could be The Leader, in theory, but they would still need to other to make it work. For me, it isn't just that Delenn willingly gives power, it's also that Sheridan willingly shares it. He could, quite easily, take everything she has to offer and then use it for his own means and glorification - but he doesn't. It never occurs to him to treat her as anything less than an equal and that's a lot of where their strength comes from - they balance each other in everything.
Re: Hello!
Date: 2008-04-13 05:57 pm (UTC)I agree. They both manage to acquire a lot of power... and then share that power with each other and the people around them. That should be hard to believe, but the script and the actors sell it: you believe these two characters are that capable and that good.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 02:11 pm (UTC)One thing I've noticed is there is relatively little protectiveness in John's attitude towards Delenn. There are exceptions, of course, but there are glaring instances where he trusts her to take care of herself...that is really rare, and showcases the equality between them.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 04:59 pm (UTC)You do read accounts where it comes off as John just being her pawn (huh?!) or, conversely, that she stands there nodding saying, 'Yes, dear.' (Again, huh?!?)
It is, as you say, a very rare depiction of a truly equal relationship where each gets as much as they give both privately and professionally.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 06:07 pm (UTC)I've noticed both in the show, but since it happens to both of them you can't exactly feel bad about it. My parents trade off in that role too. But being 5 episodes into season 4 I already think it's changed somewhat... Delenn is more following him and he's no longer being led by her and Kosh. He came back a little different, and their dynamic is slightly different too.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 06:57 pm (UTC)Yes, he did change and once it's settles down from about episode 5, their dynamic shifts subtly again. The question of leadership is an interesting one - I've never felt, personally, that it's a question of 'Now one leads, now the other' - it seems much more fluid to me.
Yes, Delenn has more knowledge of what's going on, but Sheridan does make a lot of choices on his own.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 06:04 pm (UTC)The scene where she declares she's going into the quarantine Zone broke my heart a little bit... I thought that was the first time they actually confronted the gradual thing between them. And John's words interested me, "...I won't be able to let you out again." No declarations that he would go in to rescue her, no demanding that she stay locked up safe. He just couldn't suppress the fact that he was upset by her imminent danger and equally upset that she was going where he couldn't offer her aid. No question, though, of denying her the choice. No wonder it rankled that she denied him the choice to protect him... he has always given her that choice.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-13 06:20 pm (UTC)Oh, what a good point! I hadn't really thought in depth about this issue of protecting each other and now that scene with John and Delenn (after Anna returns) makes a lot more sense to me.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-14 08:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-06 01:05 am (UTC)