Babylon 5

Nominated for 6 Emmys and 3 Hugo Awards in it is five-season run, Babylon 5 changed the landscape of the TV science fiction series genre. Following on the heels of hit series such as Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5 is unrivaled by any of it is peers in it is application of particular effects. The brainchild of J. Michael Straczynski (writer for such shows as Murder She Wrote and Walker, Texas Ranger), the hour-long sci-fi drama series breaks new ground by deploying a five-season storyline that follows the outline of a conventional novel. As such, Babylon 5 is more like a mini-series that lasts five years rather of the usual three to five nights. And also different from it is predecessors, the series showcases original innovative technologies, believable alien characters (who speak alien and not English), and boasts of superb costume and makeup. Premiering in mid-season 1994, Babylon 5 conventional a solid audience and proceeds to inspire new generations of fans by way of syndicated reruns on cable…

The Babylon 5 (Season 5) DVD features a number of stimulating sequences including the season premiere “No Compromises” in which Sheridan is substituted when Capt. Elizabeth Lochley takes command of Babylon 5 and Byron petitions for her asylum to the sanctuary of Babylon 5. Meanwhile, a conspiracy evolves to assassin Capt. Sheridan at his presidential inauguration… Other noteworthy sequences from Season 5 include “In the Kingdom of the Blind” in which Byron lobbies to construct a home world for telepaths, and “Sleeping in Light” in which Sheridan invites his nearest friends to gather around him as he bids farewell to his waning life strength (the series finale)…

Below is a list of sequences included on the Babylon 5 (Season 5) DVD:

Episode 89 (No Compromises) Air Date: 01-21-1998

Episode 90 (The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari) Air Date: 01-28-1998

Episode 91 (The Paragon of Animals) Air Date: 02-04-1998

Episode 92 (A View from the Gallery) Air Date: 02-11-1998

Episode 93 (Learning Curve) Air Date: 02-18-1998

Episode 94 (Strange Relations) Air Date: 02-25-1998

Episode 95 (Secrets of the Soul) Air Date: 03-04-1998

Episode 96 (Day of the Dead) Air Date: 03-11-1998

Episode 97 (In the Kingdom of the Blind) Air Date: 03-18-1998

Episode 98 (A Tragedy of Telepaths) Air Date: 03-25-1998

Episode 99 (Phoenix Rising) Air Date: 04-01-1998

Episode 100 (The Ragged Edge) Air Date: 04-08-1998

Episode 101 (The Corps is Mother, the Corps is Father) Air Date: 04-15-1998

Episode 102 (Meditations on the Abyss) Air Date: 05-27-1998

Episode 103 (Darkness Ascending) Air Date: 06-03-1998

Episode 104 (And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder) Air Date: 06-10-1998

Episode 105 (Movements of Fire and Shadow) Air Date: 06-17-1998

Episode 106 (The Fall of Centauri Prime) Air Date: 10-28-1998

Episode 107 (The Wheel of Fire) Air Date: 11-04-1998

Episode 108 (Objects in Motion) Air Date: 11-11-1998

Episode 109 (Objects at Rest) Air Date: 11-18-1998

Episode 110 (Sleeping in Light) Air Date: 11-25-1998

Babylon 5

BABYLON 5:COMPLETE SEASONS 1-5 – DVD Movie

Delenn’s future love interest, Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) arrived on Babylon 5 in the initial episode of season 2, “Points of Departure.” The show marked the handing over of command of B5 to Sheridan from Commander Jeffery Sinclair, actor Michael O’Hare getting a victim of studio politicians who wanted a larger star in the leading role. “Revelations” explains that Sheridan’s wife, Anna, passed away for the duration of an archaeological survey of the world Z’ha’dum, the name being just one of a heap of references to Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (the bridge at Khazad-Dum). “The Coming of Shadows” proved to be Babylon 5‘s finest hour to date, and in “In the Shadow of Z’ha’dum,” Sheridan learns that Morden was on the ship on which Anna died. Three particular shows conclude the season. The Narn-Centauri war escalates in “The Long, Twilight Struggle,” Sheridan faces a most strange ordeal in “Comes the Inquisitor,” and in “The Fall of Night” all hope of peace is shattered as a nerve-racking assassination undertake reveals a startling mystery in regards to Ambassador Kosh.

“Matters of Honor” launched Babylon 5‘s third season with the introduction of the White Star, a spacecraft added to enable more of the action to take place away from the station. Also introduced was Marcus Cole (Jason Carter)–in another nod to The Lord of the Rings, a Ranger not so far got rid of from Tolkien’s Strider. A third of the way through the season “Messages from Earth,” “Point of No Return,” and “Severed Dreams” prove pivotal, altering the nature of the story in a way antecedently unimaginable on network TV. Earth slides into dictatorship, the fascistic Nightwatch takes control of off-world security, and Sheridan take decisive action by state emphatically and authoritatively Babylon 5 independent. “Interludes and Examinations” staged the death of a major supporting character, while the two-part “War Without End” reached apocalyptic dimensions in a complex tale settling the fate of Sinclair and the fate of Babylon 4, resolving a 1,000-year-old paradox and presenting a imaginativeness of a very dark future for Sheridan and Delenn. All this was trumped by the monumental “Z’ha’dum.” In the preceding “Shadow Dancing” Anna Sheridan (Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Boxleitner’s real-life wife) returned from the dead, no longer wholly human. In the mythologically resonant climax Anna invited Sheridan back to the Shadow homeworld with no hope of survival. Just as in The Lord of the Rings Gandalf fell into the abyss at Khazad-Dum, so Sheridan took a comparable leap into the unknown on an alien world.

Season 4 begun on a high point with the Centauri Prime in the grip of the insane Emperor Cartagia (Wortham Krimmer) and a run of six shows leading to the climax of the war versus the Shadows in “Into the Fire.” If this colossal narrative was resolved a little too effortlessly and the uttermost intent of the Shadows turned out to be a tad disappointing, it still proved to be the most powerful slice of space opera to ever grace the little screen. In the aftermath the sheer scale dropped back a little but the pace never slowed as the rest of the season played out in one relentless cycle of conspiracy, betrayal and conflict, Babylon 5 siding with the rebel Mars colony versus the totalitarian Earth. On an unstoppable wave fuelled by roller-coaster plot twists and spectacular action shows from “No Surrender, No Retreat”–when Sheridan avows to overthrow EarthGov–to “Rising Star”–when the intent is realized–Babylon 5 achieved a consistent excellency rare in television.

The final season found Claudia Christian departed and Ivanova substituted by Captain Elizabeth Lochley (Tracy Scoggins), who in a soap-opera twist turned out to be Sheridan’s introductory wife. Sheridan was promoted to President of the Interstellar Alliance and the action moved to a group of telepaths seeking sanctuary from the PSI-Corp on B5. Meanwhile the aftermath of the Shadow War was explored, and as frequent the season picked up toward the end, with a string of fine political episodes. The final episode, “Sleeping in Light,” was directed by J. Michael Straczynski and made an epilogue to the series. Set 20 years later, after all the sound and fury this quiet, elegiac tale is the apotheosis of the love story that proved the remainder to the disaster of the preceding darkness. A personal story resolved versus a background of the epic, at once transcendent, deeply human, and profoundly optimistic, “Sleeping in Light” is as moving as any hour in the history of television drama and a exhaustively satisfying conclusion to one of the biggest series ever made. –Gary S. Dalkin

Babylon 5 Image

Babylon 5 Pic

Babylon 5 Image

Babylon 5 Pic

Most helpful client reviews

751 of 761 persons found the following review helpful.
Great saga! 5-Pack isn’t finish for rectify observing order
By andreas838
As a lover of sci-fi series, it’s outstanding to see such a saga sold as a set. The reality for the B5 connoisseur is that this isn’t the Full Monty. You must also buy “Babylon 5 – The Movie Collection” and the B5 spin-offs “Crusade – The Complete Series” and “The Legend of the Rangers”. The reasons are indicated underneath in my commended watching order.

1. Watch the B5 movie “The Gathering”
The Babylon 5 pilot movie The Gathering was in the first place broadcast in 1993 a full year in front of the regular show.
2. Season 1
3. Season 2
4. Season 3
5. Watch Season 4 up to episode “The illusion of truth”
6. Watch the B5 movie “Thirdspace”
7. Season 4: proceed with sequences 9-22
8. Watch Season 5 up to episode “Objects at Rest”
9. Watch the B5 movie “River of Souls”
10. Watch the B5 movie “In the Beginning”
This is a prelude set 10 years before Babylon 5. Against the logic of the title, I would strongly commend seeing it at this stage. Should one see it before Season 1, much of the suspense in the main series would be ruined.
11. Watch the B5 movie “A Call to Arms”
This movie lays the groundwork for the spin-off TV series “Crusade”.
12. Watch the B5 movie “The Lost Tales” [Thanks to Eric Pregosin for his remarks to build on the introductory list]
13. Watch the B5 movie “The Legend of the Rangers” [Thanks to Lisa for her recommendation]
14. Season 5: watch final episode “Sleeping in light”
15. Watch Crusade Series

The question which is debated in various other reviews is: Despite the release dates of the material produced, in what order ought to it be seen? In particular, if the viewer is a total new comer to the series. The above is an try to give a good deal of structure to great content so it is more gratifying as a finish work.

PS – It is amazing that the Warner marketing dept. gives no official recommendation on how these merchandise must be best enjoyed.

106 of 109 persons found the following review helpful.
The BEST S/F Series Ever Aired!
By D. K. Hingle
J. Michael Straczynski (jms) produced the space station Babylon 5 and expended years getting it devised and on the air. It premiered with regards to the same time ST: Deep Space Nine did, and for a while, fans equated the two. It was closely “apples & oranges” time, but it was tried.

As a long-time Trek fan, I was astonished when I firstborn saw the pilot (“The Gathering”) in 1993. I was utterly stunned. Why Babylon 5, not just Babylon Station? Well, #s 1 – 4 were sabotaged & destroyed; # 4 disappeared after going on-line. (Disappeared? It’s 5 MILES LONG, for crying out loud!) Word was that this would be an on-going, progressive five year story arc, the likes of which hadn’t been done before on US television. Risky. Okay, jms had my attention. I couldn’t wait for the series. When it at long last did air, I (being cynical of tv production in general) figured it wasn’t going to stay as good. It didn’t. It regularly got better.

I repeat, I speak as a long time Trek fan (beginning with the introductory series – skip Voyager, I did). B5 is one of the best televison series ever produced. Note I did not say “science fiction series.” (It is THE best s/f series ever put up to the audience.) I introduced assorted non s/f fans to the series, as a dramatic series and they all loved it. (So much for “only for space opera hounds.”) The story arc freed Straczynski (he wrote 90% of the scripts) from having to make everything “come right” in a 45 minute time slot, and off it went.

Crowd scenes were, well, crowded, with humans of all types and aliens as extras wandering through scenes. (The aliens, by the way, are much more than odd skin colours, strange noses and “hair.”) The station wasn’t pristeen, the population wasn’t always picture perfect. We have shysters, homeless, personal problems, espionage, humour, betrayal, relationships, and deaths (being in the opening credits did not guarantee survival, and it didn’t always occur at the end of a season). Opening credits and theme music changed each year. One character’s very aspect even changed dramatically. The plotlines are tight, and the threads are woven into five years of shows. The particular effects are believable. (Yes, you could “hear” space battles, but hey, cut them a good deal of slack – NASA asked for plans of the Starfuries for reference for future space station fix vehicles.) B5 was the firstborn show to rely on CGI effects, born out of budget necessity. More than once, observing the show, I found myself pounding the furniture with excitement – and we won’t go into (here) what I did for the duration of series finale “Sleeping in Light.”

Sinclair, Sheridan, Ivanova, Garibaldi, G’Kar, Londo, Lennier, Vir, Na’Toth, Talia, and Lyta came into our home as persons with problems. The characters grew and changed and made selections and dealt with the aftermaths of those selections for good or bad. G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) put it best: no one on Babylon 5 is incisively what they appear. Keep a score card handy: this week’s ally may be next month’s enemy. There is no clear deliniation of good guys and bad guys – largely it’s all shades of grey. Acting (with the exception of one season five regular) is superb.

Action, yes. Yet one of the most moving sequences is a one-on-one battle of wits and nerve amongst two characters in a single room. Wars – a good deal of with aliens, a great deal of amongst alien races, and a lot of with just us people – begin & end. There are four ambassadors from alien races on board, with a League of Non-Aligned Worlds to finish the roster. Telepaths of all races (except the Narns) add more colour. Intrigue, smuggling, dealing, double-dealing, romance, all leavened with humourous touches allround – what more could you ask!

For the introductory four years, the most unmanageable percentage of being a B5 fan was FINDING it. (Our local station played ping-pong with it is time slot.) To own uncut, widescreen versions on DVD of the whole story arc was a dream we had. Thank heavens, it’s one dream which became reality.

If you have seen B5, welcome back. If you haven’t, welcome aboard. However, Babylon 5 is a whole finish story, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. View it that way. Start with the pilot (“The Gathering,” not included in this set but available) and then move to Season One. Enjoy. This is a distinctive series.

96 of 100 people found the following review helpful.
The Entire Series on DVD
By Mark Baker
Babylon 5 is a five mile long space station. Located deep in neutral territory, it is designed to prevent intergalactic war by providing a place where peace may be worked out among the races. Run by Earth, it was built with aid from the Minbari after our war with them when we were almost wiped out. Since it is also a trade station, it attracts aliens of all kinds on a each day basis.

Unfortunately, it likewise attracts trouble. There are raiders in the area, the Narn and Centauri have at best a fragile peace, and someone is always attempting to smuggle something on board. Even worse, an ancient enemy is reconstructing forces, and the effects of this will reach all the way back to Earth.

Babylon 5 is still distinguishable in television. It set out to tell a single story that had been mapped out beforehand over five years. Now you may own the entire story on DVD, minus a few movies and the spun off series. Season 1 is the most uneven and most difficult to get into, but the beginnings of the story are there, and it lays the background on the races and cultures we will be dealing with over the course of the show. Season 2 brings a new captain and a storyline that is profiting speed, season 3 brings surprises and increasing tension, and season 4 is full steam in front as most of the plot lines are resolved. Season 5 was a last minute reprieve, so it starts slow since it has little former story to without delay resolve like the former years have. By the half way point, however, you are once again hooked. If you stick with season 1, you will get hooked and need to watch all five seasons to find out how the story ends. I surely did, and I proceed to watch. It’s one of my favored TV shows of all time.

Of course, if you are looking at this page, odds are you are already a fan and looking for selective information on the sets. The picture, staged in widescreen, is hit and miss, with a heap of dust popping up occasionally. It is clear and sharp most of the time, however. Sound is staged in full surround and has never sounded better. Each set holds two audio commentaries by series creator J. Michael Straczynski and a season intro by cast and crew. They also have numerous behind the scenes documentaries and encyclopedia entries introducing you to the world of Babylon 5. All the sets but season 1 have one audio commentary each by respective cast members and great blooper reels concealed in the info files area as Easter eggs.

Whether you buy the seasons bundled like this or individually, don’t miss your probability to own this fantastic TV series. Bought here, all you’ll be missing are the firstborn pilot (“The Gathering”), the later made for TV movies, and the spun off series Crusade.

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