The honesty and passion in Mira Furlan's performance here was a mirror of real life, seeing her native Croatia tear itself apart in civil war and sectarianism just a few years before. She was an outspoken advocate of women's rights and peace activist, receiving graphic death threats that forced her and her husband to leave their homeland. You can be certain that every line in this scene was delivered with 110% conviction.
I love this scene so much. As beautiful, loving and gentle as Delenn can be in other parts of her life, when she gets angry she is terrifying! Look how her face transforms when she glares down the acolyte at 0:10 - she begins stern, turns incredibly cold and ends with flat-out murderous intensity; her elegant, sensual voice changed to an animal snarl - that poor acolyte would have been shredded if he'd not stepped aside. Neither he nor the Grey Council stood any chance against her colossal power and determination. Brilliant stuff, and I do believe that ONLY Mira could have pulled it off with so much graceful strength.
@@LordTalax That might have very well caused a civil war. Delenn was a powerfull political figure with many allies. Just putting her into a cell would probably have broken the council by itself. Also she was furious, and we have seen how powerfull an angry Mimbari can be and that poor guy probably was already terrified because the situation was way above his paygrade so to speak. So she probably could have gone right through him.
"The problems of others are not our concern. I do not blame you for standing silent in your shame, you who knew what was coming but refuse to take up the burden of this war." Justifiably calling the Warrior caste cowards to their face. Harsh
Babylon 5 was truly epic because the *characters* were epic! While they didn't have the big budget for FX that Star Trek had, they more than made up for it with quality writing and powerful performances. Delenn was such an awe-inspiring female lead.
Daniel Haar Jr Actually, when JMS drew up the outline for B5, it was assumed to run a 5 season arc. It was never expected to be open-ended in any case.
" I am Grey, I stand between the Candle and the Star. We are Grey, We stand between the Darkness and the Light. " - Ambassador & Grey Council Member Delenn. Well Mira, you are Light now and Shine with the Stars in the Sky. Thank you. You will be Missed and Remembered.
I love the tidbit at the end where one od the council gently tries to stop another, good friends perhaps, and they get rejected. It is so small a detail but emphasis the divide and the closeness of those on the council.
@Phelan You're right. My bad, it had been a long time since I watched the commentary and somehow got a couple things he said mashed up. And it’s been even longer now, so I had to break out the DVD listen to it again. He does mention the hoods, but in regard to Mira's acting ability. And, like you said, it was Mira who almost ran into the guy - and actually _did_ in one take, according to JMS. 🤣 I'm not sure how I got that the reaching out part as accidental out of that. I might have seen it in a comment somewhere and it seemed to fit my jumbled memory so I didn't check or it was just a total brain fart. Either way, I was clearly wrong. lol I’m usually fairly obsessive in fact checking my posts and rarely make that kind of mistake. Figures, this time I don’t, I’m _way_ off the mark. 😣
@@alexanderrowe790 That too. But I have to emphasize on female here since it's that much of a rarity growing up. Also, it's tragic hearing the actress died today as of this post. I was literally remarking that she did play one of the best strong leads on any franchise.
Delenn really is such a very great character, she is a Minbari with a great heart, mind, and spirit. Love how she stands up to the Grey Council and shames them for them being cowards, standing by and doing nothing.
The only way that a modern tv writer would know how to make Delenn "strong" would be to put a gun in her hand. They can't understand that quality in her character that made it so believable so many would be willing to fight and die for what she believed in, and ultimately for her.
I actually showed this clip to a mid-20’s coworker who’d never seen B5 before. His immediate reaction: “THIS is how you write a strong female character, who can be formidable without punching guys three times her size.”
@@garereeve117 Well, it's no wrong to sometimes have a female character who goes punshing. But I agree with that it's a problem that it's become almost the only way they know to write a 'strong female character' too often.
I do like the little gesture that one of the warrior caste council members gives to the last person to follow Delenn. He/she reaches out to touch them. It could be taken in a multitude of ways, but I think it's a final gesture of friends to each other who will soon be on opposite sides of a war.
@@saquist That was probably the one Warrior caste who broke rank. See, when they replaced Delenn on the council, they broke tradition and replaced her with a Warrior caste instead of a Religious caste, so there were four Warrior caste on the council. One of the four decided to go with Delenn.
I have always been impressed by the useless arrogance of the bullies that call themselves the Mimbari Warrior Caste, even Klingons aren't this pointlessly cowardly
How many do I have to come here ? I know you are watching.. among others... speaking to the Symbol that is being represented here ... not the actor or tv show itself...
"I was the chosen of Dukat to replace him, I held him when he died, his blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes, his word on my lips, you will step aside in his name and mine, or in Valen's name I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them, move aside"
"Or in Valen's name, I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them!" What a line. I'm totally certain that she's willing and able to do it.
0"05 ... "I told you Delenne, they will not speak to you" .... "then they will listen to me!" ... "I served the council for 16 cycles , I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him , I held him when he dies .. his blood is on my hands, . his spirit in my eyes , his word on my lips , you will step aside in his name and mine, or in Valen's nameI will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I ind them ... moove aside!!! ~ wisely moves aside LOL
Only way to read this is that the Worker and Religious castes were uncomfortable with the Warrior castes' increasingly militant isolationism, but were intimidated into acquiescing until Delenn showed up, handed the warrior caste members their asses on a plate and reminded the other five that they had spines.
I love this scene but 3:03 always gets me where Mira barely misses walking right into the extra standing behind her on her dramatic exit, and she has to make a very quick course adjustment to avoid walking right into him.
I feel like that only adds to it. She is in a rage, having just vented years of frustration out loud to those who caused it. She is still gentle and sincere but she is nevertheless a wrathful storm given form
Delen is one of those characters who is the nicest, most peaceful, kind, and gentile person you could ever meet and be friends with. If you cross her, though, she is your worst nightmare.
@@OpenMawProductions Happy couple who supported each other… Now that explains everything, so THATS why she looks so sad and broken all the time especially in season 5. EVERY woman wants support in form of all so subtle patronization, overbearing being talked over and being taken for granted.
@@saquist That was what I meant. I guess if you see her getting less and less screentime and if she does only for moments that further Sheridans and not her own story or where she does nothing else but admiring him and sighing “Oh John” from time to time as degrading or not really is a thing of interpretation, actually. But for me as someone who loved Delenn as a character in her own right it was very frustrating.
@@Hyzentley Understood. To me...degrading is what they did with female characters in Naruto...make them emotionally useless and irrelevant. Sheridan was a standard Hero's Mo-tiff with all the God worship and great leader shtick. She was the herald, the oracle the cause and Sheridan was the effect. Her role was fulfilled. Could their be more YES...but only if there is a story to tell. What would be that story for Delenn?
The honesty and passion in Mira Furlan's performance here was a mirror of real life, seeing her native Croatia tear itself apart in civil war and sectarianism just a few years before. She was an outspoken advocate of women's rights and peace activist, receiving graphic death threats that forced her and her husband to leave their homeland. You can be certain that every line in this scene was delivered with 110% conviction.
She will be missed
More than once, Mira Furlan asked JMS how long he lived in Croatia.
I love this scene so much. As beautiful, loving and gentle as Delenn can be in other parts of her life, when she gets angry she is terrifying! Look how her face transforms when she glares down the acolyte at 0:10 - she begins stern, turns incredibly cold and ends with flat-out murderous intensity; her elegant, sensual voice changed to an animal snarl - that poor acolyte would have been shredded if he'd not stepped aside. Neither he nor the Grey Council stood any chance against her colossal power and determination. Brilliant stuff, and I do believe that ONLY Mira could have pulled it off with so much graceful strength.
True! Fun fact the original script described said acolyte as “the acolyte wisely moves out of her way”
Eh "terrifying" is hyperbole. She couldn't do that much. They could have locked her in a cell and her anger would have meant nothing.
@@LordTalax may you never learn the scorn of a woman who is determined to undo your molecules.
@@LordTalax That might have very well caused a civil war. Delenn was a powerfull political figure with many allies. Just putting her into a cell would probably have broken the council by itself.
Also she was furious, and we have seen how powerfull an angry Mimbari can be and that poor guy probably was already terrified because the situation was way above his paygrade so to speak. So she probably could have gone right through him.
"The 'pride' was YOURS! The 'presumption' was YOURS!"
Love that line
"The problems of others are not our concern. I do not blame you for standing silent in your shame, you who knew what was coming but refuse to take up the burden of this war." Justifiably calling the Warrior caste cowards to their face. Harsh
The writers outdid themselves. Now this is how you create tension in a pure talking scene.
Babylon 5 was truly epic because the *characters* were epic! While they didn't have the big budget for FX that Star Trek had, they more than made up for it with quality writing and powerful performances. Delenn was such an awe-inspiring female lead.
And look what happened to the show despite all that.
Daniel Haar Jr All shows end, the story had run it course, simple as that
Daniel Haar Jr
Actually, when JMS drew up the outline for B5, it was assumed to run a 5 season arc. It was never expected to be open-ended in any case.
We shall see her in that place, where no shadows fall...
It is late February 2022, and some scenes from this wonderful show have once again proven to be timeless. They hit differently today.
" I am Grey, I stand between the Candle and the Star. We are Grey, We stand between the Darkness and the Light. " - Ambassador & Grey Council Member Delenn. Well Mira, you are Light now and Shine with the Stars in the Sky. Thank you. You will be Missed and Remembered.
I love the tidbit at the end where one od the council gently tries to stop another, good friends perhaps, and they get rejected. It is so small a detail but emphasis the divide and the closeness of those on the council.
i get chills down my spine everytime i see this. Delenn is bad ass!!!
I like at the end. When the one grey council guy tries to stop the other from leaving. Nice little touch.
@Phelan You're right. My bad, it had been a long time since I watched the commentary and somehow got a couple things he said mashed up. And it’s been even longer now, so I had to break out the DVD listen to it again.
He does mention the hoods, but in regard to Mira's acting ability. And, like you said, it was Mira who almost ran into the guy - and actually _did_ in one take, according to JMS. 🤣
I'm not sure how I got that the reaching out part as accidental out of that. I might have seen it in a comment somewhere and it seemed to fit my jumbled memory so I didn't check or it was just a total brain fart. Either way, I was clearly wrong. lol
I’m usually fairly obsessive in fact checking my posts and rarely make that kind of mistake. Figures, this time I don’t, I’m _way_ off the mark. 😣
@Phelan That what I meant. It was an intentional move him reaching out. Not an accident.
Babylon 5 has lost one of it greatest stars this day, Mira Furlan was truly starstuff
Rest In Peace, Entil'Zha.
for the one we live for the one we die
"if you value your lives, be somewhere else!"
one of my best speeches she has given, and she has a number of great ones
And this is why this episode won a Hugo for Best Dramatic Presentation.
2024 here. Babylon 5 is still one of the best written shows ever, not just Science fiction but any dramatic presentation.😎👍👍
One of the best female character ever to grace film.
-female- character
@@alexanderrowe790 That too. But I have to emphasize on female here since it's that much of a rarity growing up.
Also, it's tragic hearing the actress died today as of this post. I was literally remarking that she did play one of the best strong leads on any franchise.
@@vguyver2 Agree with that, fair enough, just wanted to emphasize that she was a great character, female or not.
She is the One!
RIP Mira. You are missed.
SHE IS NOW GONE FROM US, GONE BEYOND THE RIM. GREAT WOMAN GREATER LOSS TO US ALL.
How now all this we need more strong female roles
Yeah Babylon 5 had a few years ago 🤔
Delenn really is such a very great character, she is a Minbari with a great heart, mind, and spirit. Love how she stands up to the Grey Council and shames them for them being cowards, standing by and doing nothing.
Mira Furlan channeling her country's rage at the powers of Europe into Delenn's rage at the Grey Council.
@@saberiandream316 Yes; Croatian to be exact. This was filmed at the time when ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia was at its height.
Rest In Peace Mira
The only way that a modern tv writer would know how to make Delenn "strong" would be to put a gun in her hand. They can't understand that quality in her character that made it so believable so many would be willing to fight and die for what she believed in, and ultimately for her.
I actually showed this clip to a mid-20’s coworker who’d never seen B5 before. His immediate reaction: “THIS is how you write a strong female character, who can be formidable without punching guys three times her size.”
Amen to that.
@@garereeve117 Well, it's no wrong to sometimes have a female character who goes punshing. But I agree with that it's a problem that it's become almost the only way they know to write a 'strong female character' too often.
Another strong showing is during her 'evaluation' by the Vorlon Inquisitor, especially once Sheridan gets involved.
I do like the little gesture that one of the warrior caste council members gives to the last person to follow Delenn. He/she reaches out to touch them. It could be taken in a multitude of ways, but I think it's a final gesture of friends to each other who will soon be on opposite sides of a war.
The only ones remaining were the warrior caste and my bet is the person he reached out to was a worker caste.
It's these kinds of subtleties that make Babylon 5 truly a great show.
@@saquist That was probably the one Warrior caste who broke rank. See, when they replaced Delenn on the council, they broke tradition and replaced her with a Warrior caste instead of a Religious caste, so there were four Warrior caste on the council. One of the four decided to go with Delenn.
@@stevenliu1377 No, he didn't since only 5 members follow Delenn.
RIP Mira Furlan...In Valen's name
RIP Mira Furlan, sniff.
I have always been impressed by the useless arrogance of the bullies that call themselves the Mimbari Warrior Caste, even Klingons aren't this pointlessly cowardly
They certainly ducked out of the hard fighting during the Shadow war. It was the religious and worker castes that did the heavy lifting.
Rest in Peace, Mira.
This is Delenn at her most powerful. She truly was Dukhat's successor, with power enough to change the direction of her entire society.
So epic, creative and wonderful
That was THE turning point of that season--and I was hooked from there on!
RIP Mira Furlan
RIP Mira
In Valen's Name...
my most favourite speech in the universe. I'd follow her into fire after this- she certainly knows how to motivate people
Delenn's was the dream that was severed.
Getting that staff to break @2:30 was a real problem. After a couple of takes, the crew had to weaken it so Mira could snap it in half.
which is a shame as up to that point her entire speech was one take
Which is the reason why you can see that tiny hint of a smirk she couldn't quite manage to suppress when the staff finally snapped. ^^
I would assume they were fully cloaked to save on the make up budget...
What a woman.
ah brings back memories of Satruday aftermoons when my life was so much easier. LOL
That Mimbari was pretty brave to try and get in Delen’s way 😂
I think he blocked her path so he could at least say he tried.
I think he was operating on trained procedure and duty, and not realizing who he was dealing with.
RIP Mira Furlan,Delen!!
Delenn was chaotic good, which is why the Shadows choose to try to persuade her... Versus the Vorlons trying to persuade Sheridan...
How many do I have to come here ? I know you are watching.. among others... speaking to the Symbol that is being represented here ... not the actor or tv show itself...
"I was the chosen of Dukat to replace him, I held him when he died, his blood is on my hands, his spirit in my eyes, his word on my lips, you will step aside in his name and mine, or in Valen's name I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them, move aside"
The pole shift can be stopped and the magnetic field of Terra stabilized. I know better way
"Or in Valen's name, I will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I find them!"
What a line. I'm totally certain that she's willing and able to do it.
Great way to make a strong female character that's not just likeable but loveable.
I guess the warrior caste wasn't much of a caste if the workers and religious were two-thirds of the forces
To be honest, I used to despise the warrior caste. Rewatching this scene justified my despise.
Delenn gave the Grey Council a good kick in the Pants.
And the battle still rages. 1984 has arrived. I so miss B5.
Underrated comment... We are in a bad spot and may Mira RIP
She's just simply amazing!
one of the best scenes in B5
The council of the world is better start putting their act together before it's fucking too late
2:33 dude in the background is all like "dam you see what she did bro?"
Stars move out of the way when Delenn is on the warpath.
Gee, sounds like America
All roads lead to Delenn.
2 /3 walks out. Boo
But it means that at least one of the warrior caste walked out. Since there were 4 from warrior and 2 from religious at that point.
0"05 ... "I told you Delenne, they will not speak to you" .... "then they will listen to me!" ... "I served the council for 16 cycles , I was the chosen of Dukhat to replace him , I held him when he dies .. his blood is on my hands, . his spirit in my eyes , his word on my lips , you will step aside in his name and mine, or in Valen's nameI will tear this ship apart with my bare hands until I ind them ... moove aside!!! ~ wisely moves aside LOL
Absolutely awesome scene! Thanks for the upload.
Only way to read this is that the Worker and Religious castes were uncomfortable with the Warrior castes' increasingly militant isolationism, but were intimidated into acquiescing until Delenn showed up, handed the warrior caste members their asses on a plate and reminded the other five that they had spines.
With all of those hoods and robes its kinda like a space klan meeting...LOL
How could you not love this woman?
SHE's. PISSED.
SHE IS NOT NICE when she like this.
0:30 if delenn tells you to step aside OR !!! .. you better believe it
if only we had such people with us now....
Don't MAKE DELENN angry 😊
I love this scene but 3:03 always gets me where Mira barely misses walking right into the extra standing behind her on her dramatic exit, and she has to make a very quick course adjustment to avoid walking right into him.
I feel like that only adds to it. She is in a rage, having just vented years of frustration out loud to those who caused it. She is still gentle and sincere but she is nevertheless a wrathful storm given form
God I love her❤
Why is it she both scares me and excites me at the same time?😮
Delen is one of those characters who is the nicest, most peaceful, kind, and gentile person you could ever meet and be friends with. If you cross her, though, she is your worst nightmare.
"Our time of isolation is over!"
Hearing this in 1996 spoke to my heart and was so, so true. It still is. It will always be true.
Delenn called for human extermination. There's no coming back from that.
Such a intriguing character. So sad how they degraded her to Sheridans love interest except for very, very few scenes.
Degraded? They were a happy couple that supported each other.
Yeah I see no degradation but I wanted more from her at the end.
@@OpenMawProductions Happy couple who supported each other… Now that explains everything, so THATS why she looks so sad and broken all the time especially in season 5.
EVERY woman wants support in form of all so subtle patronization, overbearing being talked over and being taken for granted.
@@saquist That was what I meant. I guess if you see her getting less and less screentime and if she does only for moments that further Sheridans and not her own story or where she does nothing else but admiring him and sighing “Oh John” from time to time as degrading or not really is a thing of interpretation, actually. But for me as someone who loved Delenn as a character in her own right it was very frustrating.
@@Hyzentley Understood. To me...degrading is what they did with female characters in Naruto...make them emotionally useless and irrelevant. Sheridan was a standard Hero's Mo-tiff with all the God worship and great leader shtick. She was the herald, the oracle the cause and Sheridan was the effect. Her role was fulfilled. Could their be more YES...but only if there is a story to tell. What would be that story for Delenn?