u/eldersveld

"Passing Through Gethsemane" (s3e4)

Love this for a few reasons:

• It's one of the only details we get on how CSM and his colleagues manage to have so much power. CSM seems to have some position within the government, but here, he reveals that at least some of his power comes from being "owed favors", which, one imagines, ranges from old-school political you-scratch-my-back to outright blackmail (as Mr. X once said, "They have something on everyone"). I can see why this was cut, though. It doesn't really matter how CSM has his power; what matters is that he has it.

• CSM makes it clear here that the institutional loyalty that Skinner, a former Marine, values so much--and which overlords like CSM would find useful and reliable--is not enough to ensure his own survival. This might have played differently in 1996, but looking at it with thoroughly disillusioned 2026 eyes, it's like, well... yeah. Nice reminder that pledging allegiance to anything within a corrupted system carries its own risks. And I love how, at the end, CSM drops the lofty language and plainly says to Skinner, hey, it's your ass, do what you will.

• Since this scene was never scored by Mark Snow, we get it as-is, with a little inconsistent audio on Skinner vs. CSM. It's interesting to see how the usual X-Files-type cinematography plays without background music and to contrast that with newer shows and techniques. Visuals inform music/audio and vice-versa, and the dramatic camerawork can feel a bit silly without the score to back it up.

All things considered, it does seem like heading to the Minbari might be the best option for a human telepath (notwithstanding Alisa's peek into Delenn's mind immediately after this scene), although the point about money is a valid one since the B5 universe operates on currencies.

"Legacies" (s1e17)

This episode is the most we see of any Soul Hunter in the series proper, and I love W. Morgan Sheppard's performance so much. Granted, he's an atypical representative, but it's a nice window into how solemnly his race approaches what it sees as its duty... and, for just a moment, Delenn sets aside her fury as she processes what all this means to him. (Of course, she shuts right down the moment he names her.)

"Soul Hunter" (s1e2)

"A Room with No View" (s2e20)

Menkoi Sao

They brought back their cold menu a couple of weeks ago and expanded it! It's labeled as for the summer, and I think we'd all agree that it feels like summer's already here regardless of what the calendar says. I got the good ol' cold spicy miso, which always hits the spot on a day like this one. As delightful as ever. I overheard the server explaining the cold dishes to a pair of diners behind me, and was pleased to hear them both order cold miso. This one might be hard to top, admittedly, but: anyone got recs for other cold ramen around here?

Super Taste

Don't sleep on their stewed pork burger. It's under $6 and, for me, makes a filling meal all by itself. It may take a little while for them to prep it--I get the feeling that it's not ordered nearly as much as their soups or dumplings, but it's well worth the wait. Also, I'm not sure how long they've been accepting credit cards or using branded packaging, but that was interesting to see. Reminded me of when Vanessa's Dumplings started doing that as well as branding their condiments.

Best Sicily Bottega

Similar to Visit Sicily in the EV, with arancini of similarly good quality. When there are multiple kinds of arancini on offer, typically it's one "traditional" (where the filling is a ragu with peas), and then a few that combine cheese and bechamel with meat and vegetarian options. The latter tend to be too rich for me in general, and if someone hadn't had arancini before I'd point them to the former. Anyway, it's nice to see another casual Sicilian spot in Lower Manhattan. Wouldn't expect a place like this in FiDi.

East Village Pizza

Hadn't been here in a long time and it seems they've fancied things up a notch. I certainly didn't recall the basil, shaved parm, or branded paper from my last visit. Solid shroom slice, and they have out hot sauce, which I appreciate when I see. They had some sort of stuffed pepperoni slice; heavier than I felt like doing at the time, but I'm keeping it in mind.

Fascati Pizza

Not as much to say about this one. 3.6 roentgen, not great, not terrible. You'd get a better one at the L&B over in Dumbo, but hey, this place is just over from the subway station.

Champion Pizza

We all know Champion. Strictly speaking, one couldn't call it good, but sometimes, it can hit in a way that a better place like Joe's or Bleecker Street wouldn't. And there's something about that weird crispy shitty crust that I find irresistible. The LES one is probably my favorite.

Taste of Poland

These guys are often at the Grand Bazaar, the big Sunday flea market on the UWS. I first tried them a while ago because they were grilling bratwurst, which isn't all that common here. Their kielbasa is bigger, and probably the better value. $13 gets you a giant-ass sausage with grilled onions, sauerkraut, a dill pickle spear, and a sprinkling of celery salt (something I associate with Chicago). If these guys had a cart or something in the Village I'd be going there all the damn time.

Gray's Papaya

Now, ordinarily I'd get the standard mustard+kraut+onions, but a friend showed me mayo+mustard+kraut and I liked it enough to get it again on my own. However, the dude making it went insane with the mayo compared to before. (Still ate it.)

On a related note, I've heard that Papaya King hasn't been the same since they had to move locations, and the few times I've been there since then, I haven't seen a lot of people. Kinda wonder how long they're going to last. Papaya Dog is gone, so if Papaya King bites it, we'll be down to (AFAIK): Gray's, Chelsea Papaya, and Len's Papaya (at the SI Ferry terminal, Manhattan side).

"To Sleep, No More" (s8e19)

"Sic Transit Vir" (s3e12)

"Signs and Portents" (s1e13)

Interestingly, this is the only time we see any Syndicate-connected person as having an actual office (although we don't really know where he was). Love the Dr. Claw thing he has going on with that chair.

Ever since learning that Poland is a ketchup mecca, I've been seeing what brands and varieties I can get locally. The hot Pudliszki is my favorite overall, intensely savory, tastes kind of like a whole McD's hamburger. Kotlin's mild one was too sweet and one-note for my taste, but this one... I've heard that there are pizza-specific ketchups in Poland, and I wouldn't be surprised if this were either one of them or close to it. Perfect dipping sauce with leftover stromboli, and I'm sure it would be great with anything else you'd dip in tomato sauce, or as a boost for cheap pizza.

This one came from a Polish grocery store in Greenpoint (a Polish-heavy neighborhood in Brooklyn). If you're interested, best of luck in locating it. Even the Slavic stores here often have just one or two varieties of Polish ketchup, but this one had a bit more.

"The Geometry of Shadows" (s2e3)