We go back through the classic sci-fi series Babylon 5, and salute some of its very best episodes…
Unlike many science fiction series of its time, it did not get cancelled.
It ran for its planned five-season run, which allowed J Michael Straczynski to tell the completeB5story arc.
Six made-for-TV tie-in movies were also produced.
The last twoBabylon 5stories titledBabylon 5 Taleswere released directly on DVD in 2007.
This feature is not meant to be an exhaustive roadmap of the show.
But here are our top picks from each season, presented in no particular order.
In case youre wondering: yes!
Revised, this scene now becomes a pivotal element of the series overarching narrative.
Many fans hate the first season.
Many call it a mess.
The subject matter was much more mature than most of everything else on genre TV at the time.
Mr. Garibaldi, for the very first time (Babylon 5s equivalent of Beam me up!).
The Council can go to Hell.
The emergency session can go to Hell.
you’ve got the option to go to Hell too!
You cant mention Mollari without mentioning GKar, played by equally gifted character actor Andreas Katsulas.
At any one time, you felt either the most profound disdain or compassion for the two characters.
Their relationship provided some of the best character development moments and outstanding acting performances of the series.
The first episode also introduces Susan Ivanova, one of TVs most badass female characters of all time.
Midnight On The Firing Linealso introduces the subplot of the relationship between Talya Winter and Susan Ivanova.
William Allen Young (District 9) offers up a particularly endearing performance as Jason Ironheart.
This is the first time Garibaldi and Bester would lock horns.
This episode is also very significant to the overarching storyline of the Shadow War.
The encounter would have cost Sakai her life, were it not for Ambassador GKars help.
This is a key episode for many of the main cast.
Best performance nod goes to Peter Jurasik for revealing an unknown and unforeseen side of Mollari.
This episode also foreshadows Mollaris eventual fate and sacrifice for his entire race.
Like GKar, Mollari slowly reveals himself as an interesting nuanced character going through changes.
This is also one of my favourite Delenn and Sinclair episode.
The episode did not patch up the Babylon 4 mystery.
It merely introduced more details and developments that further compounded the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Babylon 5s predecessor.
The Geometry Of Shadows(episode 3, season 2)
One word: Technomages.
Ansara delivers an outstanding performance that nailed, in one brief episode, the complete essence of the Technomages.
Mollaris exchanges with Elric were both entertaining and prophetic.
Mollari does get what he wanted from the Technomage… somewhat.
Elrics prophecy regarding Mollari is also foreshadowing.
Confessions And Lamentations(episode 18, season 2)
Another great science versus religion episode.
This episode sees the total extinction of the Markab due to a plague.
The scene where Delenn comes out of the isolation ward where the Markab had secluded themselves is particularly heart-wrenching.
With hardly any words, Mira Furlans performance conveys the full horror of the final outcome.
Straczynski knows how to drag out a mystery.
He waited 45 episodes (counting the pilot) before finally revealing Koshs appearance.
As if that wasnt enough, Kosh saves Sheridan from a botched assassination attempt by Centauri terrorists.
In so doing, Kosh is forced to come out of his environmental suit for everyone to see.
What comes next is a true testimony to Stracynskis gift as a writer.
Another very good sci-fi episode that pushed the boundaries of the genre on television.
This episode made the roster because of Ivanovas nod toStar Treks famous, where no one has gone before.
I think youre about to go where everyone has gone before.
He choses to fight, and so begins one great episode.
One ofBabylon 5s most important contributions to sci-fi is the quality of its space battles.
As B5 is about to fall, Delenn challenges the attacking Earthforce ships.
Babylon 5 is under our protection.
Withdraw… or be destroyed.
Earthforce Captain Dexter Smith: Negative.
We have authority here.
Do not force us to engage your ship.
Delenn: Why not?
Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet [Sheridan].
He is behind me.
You are in front of me.
If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
OHares comeback was a breath of fresh air not that the series had grown stale, quite the contrary.
Straczynski has a gift for stretching out a mystery.
Sheridans alliance faces both the Vorlon and the Shadows in the showdown of all showdowns.
This episode delivers on everything that the series promised.
The battle takes place both on the physical and mental levels.
This is, after all, more than just space opera.
Did we just win?
Dont jinx it, Ivanova answers.
Mollaris cycle also comes full circle, but there will be a terrible price to pay in the future.
The story isnt over yet.
The Shadows were gone, but President Clark still held the Earth Alliance under Orwellian rule.
The rest of the season would be devoted to Sheridans fight to reclaim Earth.
Daughter of Andrei and Sophie Ivanov.
I am death incarnate.
And the last living thing that you are ever going to see.
She had me at sweetheart.
Endgame brings the series full circle.
The final battle is epic with the fate of the entire Earth population in the balance.
The war with Earthgov was over.
Fan-favourite Marcus was gone.
But Straczynskis plan was for a five-year arc.
You have to respect and admire his dedication in keeping the series alive for its planned duration.
Tracy Scoggins came on board to replace Sheridan at the helm of the station.
Objects At Rest(episode 21, season 5)
This episode left me reeling.
Some characters we would never see again.
It was actually filmed at the end of season four.
Either way, this was a very emotional farewell to Sheridan and to the series.
Sheridan was living on borrowed time after his fatal accident on Zhadum.
Not unlike the legend of the return of King Arthur, some believed Sheridan would come back some day.
