It’s the distant future, mankind has long since conquered space and set up shop on other planets, reducing the Earth to a distant memory. However, man has not been able to quench his thirst for war and conquest. For centuries, two superpowers, the Free Planets Alliance and the Galactic Empire, have been battling each other for universal domination.

As the war between the two factions grows more and more hostile, two leaders emerge on each side. The first one is Yang Wenli; a former history student who joined the Alliance’s fleet out of economic necessity, since it meant he wouldn’t have to pay for his studying. The other is Reinhard von Lohengramm; the young scion of a minor house who intends to climb to the top of the Empire, by any means necessary. Soon these two tactical geniuses find themselves pitted, not only against each other, but against enemies in their own midst as well.

This is the basic setup for Ginga Eiyu Densetsuu or, as it’s known in English, Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Originally a series of novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka, Legend of the Galactic Heroes (or just Legend for short) was eventually adapted into an OVA (Original Video Animation), that is, a show which is released directly on video instead of airing on TV. Legend of the Galactic Heroes was released continuingly from 1988-97, spanning 110 episodes. Making it probably the longest-running OVA in existence, so far. In addition, there are also three animated movies, so as you can understand, there is quite a lot of material out there to digest.

However, what makes Legend stand out from most animated shows (and many live-action shows for that matter) is not its length, but rather the sheer scope of it. There are over two-hundred named characters in the show, each of them with their own unique personalities. First and foremost are the two main protagonists, Yang and Reinhard. Aside from the fact that they’re both strategic geniuses who are greatly admired by their subordinates, the two men couldn’t be more different from one another. Yang is the reluctant hero who would be much happier if he could just settle down somewhere, but who nonetheless continues to fight for the people he cares about and the political system he believes in, even when it would probably be in his best interest to forsake democracy altogether.

Meanwhile, Reinhard is the complete opposite of Yang; a seemingly cold-hearted go-getter who is willing to do almost anything in order to take over the Galactic Empire. However, Reinhard’s obsession stems not from blind ambition, but rather from a wish to make the Galaxy a better place, mostly for the sake of his older sister, who was sold by their father to become the concubine of the current emperor.

The two main characters are backed up by a strong supporting cast. However, due to the sheer size of said cast, mentioning each and everyone of them would take an entire article of its own. Suffice to say that the cast is filled with complex and well-developed characters including civilians, politicians and soldiers. Even the most despicable of villains manages to be credible in their vileness.

Unfortunately, therein lies also one of the few negative things that one can say about this series. Legend, you see, has the rather annoying habit of introducing way too many characters in the early episodes and then promptly forgetting about them until much later. Yes, the series’ creators have been thoughtful enough to have each character’s name appear on screen whenever he or she is introduced. Unfortunately, that won’t stop new viewers from occasionally scratching their heads, wondering, “Wait, who’s this guy again?”

The various opening themes used for each season are all rather forgettable ballads and there’s not much to say about them (although, I’ll admit to having a certain weakness for season 3′s “Sea of the Stars”). However, the show itself utilizes classical music to great effect, something that helps reinforce the grandiose and operatic feel of the story.

As of this moment, neither the OVA, the movies, nor the original novels have been officially translated into English. Fortunately, unofficial translations, i.e. fansubs of the former are readily available on the Internet.

I hope that this article, brief though it may be, has served to convert some new fans to this series. If you like your science-fiction/space-opera filled with moral ambiguity and Byzantine plots than you owe it yourself to check Legend of the Galactic Heroes out.

Article written by Dr_Mabuse

Thoughts on Jericho – “9:02″

The fifth episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on October 25th, 2006. The town loses power again due to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) while everyone is out watching a barrage of missiles soar through the air. Everything electronic will no longer function. More importantly, a man from Jake’s past returns to town, bringing in his wake a slew of trouble.

Here are our thoughts:

• Jake and Hawkins are two peas in a pod, aren’t they, recognizing right away the hallmarks of an EMP.
• Two weeks later. Kids are using nonfunctioning cell phones for batting practice.
• Dale and his issues are terribly uninteresting but at least they reflect a larger problem in Jericho — and Jake has his own problem with “bullies” at Bailey’s.
• The sexual tension between Stanley and Mimi is very, very evident in this episode. They’ve got something going on…
• Gracie is almost as annoying as Dale. The character seemingly has only one role: to rule her store with an iron fist and frustrate anyone who attempts to reason with her. And she is the replacement parental figure Dale has turned to?
• Jake seems to have quickly decided to trust Hawkins after discovering him with a backyard satellite dish during the previous episode. Perhaps Mitchell being back in town has spooked him more than he is willing to admit.
• Why would anyone want Mimi’s watch? Can she prove the diamonds are real or are they willing to take it on faith? I suppose kids who are bored enough to whack at cell phones with baseball bats will do just about anything.
• The town coming together to help Stanley harvest his corn is sure heartwarming. And all those extras got to learn how to harvest corn.
• Heather (Sprague Grayden) and Emily (Ashley Scott) only appear at the end of this episode as part of the harvesting crowd. Too bad.

Discuss!

Thoughts on Jericho – “Federal Response”

The fourth episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on October 18th, 2006. Power is suddenly restored to the town and a message from Homeland Security arrives through the telephone, on television and on the Internet telling everyone to stay put.  Unfortunately, a power surge causes fires throughout town.

Here are our thoughts:

• The reverse 911 system is pretty darn neat, if it actually works the way it did in this episode.  Simultaneous calls arrive on all the landlines in town?  Impressive.
• Do we ever learn who was responsible for getting power restored to the town?
• Skylar’s friend has actually memorized an IP address?   Who does that?
• Following a nuclear attack, how many people decide to vacuum first thing when power is restored?  Is it just Gail Green or would others think of cleaning?
• That power spike was nasty.  Imagine if those kids had been playing just a few feet closer to the power line.  Grilled.
• This episode had a wonderful exchange between Heather and one of her students:
  

  “Is she going to wake up?”
  “Yes.”
  “With super powers?”
  “Probably not.”

• First Heather runs into a burning building and then Eric!  This town is full of heroes.
• There is probably a good percentage of people who would worry if Lindsay Lohan — or any celebrity — had survived a nuclear attack. Human nature.
• Given all his secrecy and, well, paranoia, it seemed out of character for Hawkins to simply go out in the backyard with a laptop and a giant satellite dish.  And come on, he just happens to glance in the direction of Jake and spot him with the scope?  Maybe he’s the one with the superpowers, not Emily…
• Aside from the pointless teenage scenes, the weakest aspect of this episode was the Eric-April-Mary storyline.  Will he leave his wife for his bartender or won’t he?  Gosh.
• Jake is a person of interest with a flagged passport? What a shocker.

Discuss!

Thoughts on Jericho – “Walls of Jericho”

The fourth episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on October 11th, 2006. A man named Victor is found in town, sick from radiation poisoning and warning that “they” are coming.  Meanwhile, gasoline for the generators keeping the clinic open and the bar’s satellite TV operating is running low.

Here are our thoughts:

• One thing Jericho always did well was depict ordinary people reacting to extraordinary events.  The deputies refusing to touch the man found in the pharmacy for fear of contamination may seem callous but in reality, how many of us would risk exposure to radiation for a strange man?  And although he eventually caved, Mr. Murphy initially stuck to his guns about letting Jake and Heather get to the gas.  Not to mention other people refusing to donate gas from their cars, despite it being for the clinic.
• Hawkins is seen using his electromagnetically shielded laptop for (perhaps) the first time.  And the incredible back story he concocted for his family is introduced.
• Heather continues to display her knowledge of mechanics by suggesting a way to get to the gas sitting in otherwise inaccessible tanks at the gas station.  And she knew not to use steel to transport gasoline.  Of course, Stanley didn’t listen to her (“That was dumb.”) but everything worked out in the end.
• Although viewers were given evidence of Eric’s affair beginning with the first episode, “Walls of Jericho” was the first time tension between Eric and April is shown.
• As always, the teenage storyline (and its happening party scene) was painful to watch, dull and out of place.
• The debate over whether or not to give Victor a shot of adrenaline to wake him up and April’s disgusted reaction, was intense.  Even more intense was the revelation that Hawkins knows Victor and that the two are in the same secret group/organization.
• The final few minutes of the episode, Johnston’s service for the twenty people who died of radiation poisoning and the town’s sheriff and deputies, having everyone who lost someone or is missing someone (“We stand because we know that every life matters.”) were very powerful.  Johnston touched upon the theme of the episode, survival versus humanity, and drove the point home.  But then Hawkins had to go and ruin the moment by attempting to bond with his son.

That’s it.  Discuss!

Thoughts on Jericho – “Four Horsemen”

The third episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on October 4th, 2006.  Picking up where the second episode left off, it saw the residents of Jericho digging out after the radioactive rain came through town.  They learn more about what has happened to the country.  But more questions raised than answers given.

Here are our thoughts:

• There are supposed to be some 5,000 or so people in Jericho, Kansas.  Assuming a few hundred fit in the town hall shelter and thousands were able to hole up in their basements, one would assume that there would still be a few hundred needing a place to stay.  There were a lot of people in the mine — but not a few hundred.
• Was Mr. Rennie the only one to die?  If so, the town was lucky.
• Stanley’s line about spider powers was hilarious, as was the expression on his face when he said it.  The relationship between Stanley and Bonnie and Stanley and Jake has already been fleshed out quite a bit during these first three episodes.
• Whatever the story is behind Johnston’s statement “I can run this town without my pants,” it needs to be told.
• Do we ever learn exactly what Emily meant when she told Jake, “You were supposed to be the one that was dead … not him!”
• Speaking of Emily, what are the odds the flight data recorder (aka black box) picked up the very piece of dialogue needed to suggest her fiance was still alive?
• What happened to the crew of the train?

That’s it.  Discuss.

Thoughts on Jericho – “Fallout”

The second episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on September 27th, 2006.  It dealt with the town of Jericho dealing with the impending arrival of radioactive fallout from the nuclear strike in Denver. Here are our thoughts:

• That radioactive fallout looked like one mean mother of a cloud.  But if there hadn’t just been a nuclear blast, how many of us would have recognized it as a deadly incoming toxic mass? And how many of our towns would be able to organize sheltering some 5,000 people in roughly two hours?
• Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) continues to know just a little too much about everything. At least this time folks seem less impressed and more stunned at the depth of his knowledge. To be fair, Eric Green (Kenneth Mitchell) gives him a run for his money with that lengthy and presumably accurate description of death from radiation poisoning.
• And to show that it isn’t just the men in Jericho who know a thing or two, both Heather Lisinski (Sprague Grayden) and Emily Sullivan (Ashley Scott) prove they’re not to be underestimated. Heather knew more about fixing the generator in the hospital’s fallout shelter than anyone, but she was brushed off. And Emily formulated a wonderful plan on the fly to escape from the fake police officers.
• Why exactly did Hawkins lie about not being able to fix the radio? And who was on the other end broadcasting to him? One of his partners in undercover spydom, perhaps?
• Which teenager was more annoying: Dale Turner (Erik Knudsen) or Skylar Stevens (Candace Bailey)?

And discuss amongst yourselves.

Because “Thoughts On…” will be examining episode of television shows that have already aired to completion in the United States, be forewarned that these posts will contain spoilers.  So, if you haven’t seen Jericho and don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading now.

Thoughts on Jericho – “Pilot”

Jericho, a drama series set in the alternative/speculative history category of science fiction, premiered on CBS on September 20th, 2006.  It was famously canceled after its first season and then renewed after outrage from viewers and fans only to be canceled again following a shortened second season.  And now it is back on the air in the form of repeats shown every Sunday on The CW.

Here are our some of our thoughts upon watching the first episode of Jericho, “Pilot,” for the second (or perhaps third) time:

• Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich) didn’t seem at all concerned that he killed that man on the road after being distracted by the nuclear explosion.  He did bow his head a little when he saw the man’s lifeless body strapped into the driver’s seat but that was it.  Was the man’s death ever brought up again?
• When Gray Anderson (Michael Gaston) was breaking up the fight at the gas station, it seemed painfully obvious that he was trying to spin the goings-on in his favor with regard to the mayoral election.  Only Johnston Greene (Gerald McRaney) seemed to notice.  To be fair, the townspeople were a little agitated.
• Those kids on the bus seemed really, really depressed.  Especially that one kid who was told by Jake to hold the shoulders of the girl having trouble breathing.
• Even while listening to the tape of his mother’s death (was his father also killed or was that his mother’s boyfriend?), Dale Turner (Erik Knudsen) was still annoying.  Maybe if he showed a little emotion…
• Although Jake is depicted from the very start as a superman among men, at least when he was driving the bus back to town he seemed drowsy and pained.  After all, he had sustained a nasty injury in the car crash (see above).  But he still managed to save a girl’s life and make his way back to town while driving a bus (which isn’t something just anyone can drive).
• Having never learned that the United States has been attacked with nuclear weapons, we can’t say how we’d respond to the news.  The scene when Dale explained that his mother had been in Atlanta — and the gasps and noises of shock it elicited — didn’t play nearly as seriously as the show intended. But just how are you supposed to react in a moment like that?
• Heather Lisinski (Sprague Grayden) teaching the kids on the bus how to tell left from right by using their hands (the one that forms an L is your left, remember) was cute.
• Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) seems to know just a little bit too much about everything.  Even knowing what we know about the character now, it is still difficult to believe that he’s such a jack of all trades.

That’s it. Have any thoughts about this episode of Jericho?  Have at it in the comments.