Babylon 5 - River of Souls [VHS]

At the core of the Babylon 5 series there ran a genuinely intriguing theme concerning the nature of the soul. Ultimately many viewers came to realise it was both the strength and weakness of the show. During the first three seasons a mystery unfolded linking past with present to hint at a universal destination for the soul beyond death. When this became all-but forgotten, the sensation of having been cheated lasted until the end. There were scattered references, but the biggest allusion back to the spiritual philosophising was this third TV movie. In the second episode of Season 1 ("Soul Hunter"), we were introduced to a race who collected the worthiest of souls for preservation. Five years later, that race gets showcased again in a story involving the theft of something belonging to them. Martin Sheen guest stars as the Hunter trying to retrieve it from Ian (Lovejoy) McShane's archaeological thief. Chronologically, this is after the main timeline of the station's story. There is no Sheridan, Delenn, Londo, or G'Kar to provide dramatic support. Instead there's a risqué sub-plot about an illegal holo-brothel, which is really just an excuse to see Tracy Scoggins as Captain Lochley in lingerie and using a "lovebat"(!) It's not as coherent a movie as either In the Beginning or Thirdspace, and almost seems like an apology for forgetting what made things fascinating to begin with. At the very least The River of Souls may be appreciated for not taking itself too seriously. --Paul Tonks