"Babylon 5" (1994) TV series 1994-1998

Creator:

J. Michael Straczynski

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

26 January 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A space station in neutral territory is the focus of a unique five year saga.

Plot Keywords:

Space | Space Station | Saga | Alien | Space Opera

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 16 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Mira Furlan	...	Delenn / ... (110 episodes, 1994-1998)
Richard Biggs	...	Dr. Stephen Franklin / ... (110 episodes, 1994-1998)
Stephen Furst	...	Vir Cotto / ... (110 episodes, 1994-1998)
Peter Jurasik	...	Londo Mollari / ... (110 episodes, 1994-1998)
Bill Mumy	...	Lennier (109 episodes, 1994-1998)
Andreas Katsulas	...	G'Kar / ... (109 episodes, 1994-1998)
Jerry Doyle	...	Michael Garibaldi (108 episodes, 1994-1998)
Bruce Boxleitner	...	Capt. John Sheridan / ... (88 episodes, 1994-1998)
Claudia Christian	...	Cmdr. Susan Ivanova / ... (88 episodes, 1994-1998)
Jeff Conaway	...	Zack Allan / ... (72 episodes, 1994-1998)
Patricia Tallman	...	Lyta Alexander (47 episodes, 1995-1998)
Jason Carter	...	Marcus Cole / ... (45 episodes, 1995-1998)

Also Known As:

B5 (USA) (promotional abbreviation)

Runtime:

45 min (110 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 (season 5) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Sun Valley, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Babylonian Productions

Trivia:

When B5 entered production, there were claims that the creators of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993) had stolen the basic Babylon 5 premise. It was never proven, though both shows share striking similarities. This controversy led to friction between Babylon 5 and Star Trek fans over the course of both series.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the episode Shadow Dancing, when Franklin slams against a bulkhead, the entire wall moves.

Quotes:

Lennier: [Lennier and Vir do not make eye contact during this conversation] Sometimes I get so close and yet it feels like I'm shut out of the important things.
Ambassador Vir Cotto: It's a useless feeling. The Ambassador is definitely going through some changes. He even looks different.
Lennier: Indeed. And now with the military starting to stampede over everyone and everything...
Ambassador Vir Cotto: People coming and going and secret meetings...
Lennier: You never know what it's all about until later when it's too late.
Ambassador Vir Cotto: And they never listen to us.
Ambassador Vir Cotto, Lennier: Makes me nervous.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Pastewka: Der Werbetrailer - Teil 2 (#2.5)" (2006)

Great Maker!

Babylon 5 is the greatest science fiction show in the history of television.

A bold statement I know, especially when one considers the original series of Star Trek which is certainly the genre's most celebrated. It's true to say that Star Trek has had a much greater cultural impact and has lasted longer than any other SF show, but when watching it again, it has dated. I'm not questioning the brilliance of some early episodes - they're still well written and thought provoking - season 1 of the old series is still fantastic. However, Babylon 5 is the Star Trek for today in that it deals with issues in a modern context. Whereas ST was a bunch of cleverly disguised morality plays about 1960's issues like communism, nuclear war and racial prejudice, B5 deals with social control, economics, war, governmental corruption, social psychology and spirituality. Although the issues discussed in Star Trek haven't gone away, they're not foremost in the psyche of mr average anymore.

Alongside the fact that B5 discusses issues at the forefront, it has many other virtues. The main one is that the story continues from episode to episode - even now when I re-watch season one (just released on DVD) I can see events taking shape that will lead to major plotlines in future years. I'm not just talking about Data gradually becoming more human or Worf tussling with the dying Kilingon Empire every 7 or 8 episodes ... I'm talking about characters and plots that can be seen to be evolving each week without an obvious good guys vs bad guys scenario.

I can't remember how many times I've watched a B5 episode and had a flashback to an earlier one - the sudden realisation of the importance of an event that seemed insignificant is very satisfying. Even in the 5th series, you'll be thinking back to an episode in series 1 and feeling smug that you got it.

'Ahhhh! That's what it meant!' You'll be saying that a lot.

The characters are wonderfully fleshed out by some great actors. They're complex beings who have to deal with temptations and failings as well as triumphs and successes. Sometimes things go deeply wrong and (get this Trek Fans) IT'S NOT SORTED OUT BY THE END OF THE EPISODE!! That's right - people change realistically - everything's not reset each week! Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge Trek fan myself, but it's always irked me that everything is just so hunky dory (don't people have arguments on the enterprise?)

It's very satisfying to see a character that you've come to know and love wrestle with their morals and sometimes make the wrong choices (just like we all do.) In the end, we all knew the various crewmembers of the Enterprise would do the right thing. You can't say the same for the characters on B5 - they're fallible and thus much more interesting.

There's many other great things about the show, but for me, the story and the characters are the most important. Sure, I know it doesn't look as expensive as Star Trek and yes I know it's hard to get into because it's not a whole load of 'one shot' episodes! If you like Star Trek and consider yourself intelligent - step up to the next level and watch B5!

I guarantee that if you stick with it for a while, you'll be glad you did because the payoffs are enormous. If My girlfriend can like it - anyone can....