Keywords:
	Epic Arc plotline Political intrigue

STARRING:
Bruce Boxleitner -	John Sheridan
Claudia Christian -	Susan Ivanova
Mira Furlan -	Delenn
Jerry Doyle -	Michael Garibaldi
Andreas Katsulas -	G'Kar
Peter Jurasik -	Londo Mollari
Michael O'Hare -	Jeffrey Sinclair
Jason Carter -	Marcus Cole
Richard Biggs -	Stephen Franklin
Stephen Furst -	Vir Cotto
Bill Mumy -	Lennier
Patricia Tallman -	Lyta Alexander
Andrea Thompson -	Talia Winters
Jeff Conway -	Zack Allan
Ed Wasser -	Mr. Morden
Walter Koenig -	Bester

Season

1 2 3 4 5 Specials

Transmitted:	February 1993 - January 1999	Seasons:	5
Overall Rating:		Last Updated:	31st January 2010

Space opera's just don’t get any better than this. After a ropey start, it has to be said - series one is pretty disposable apart from maybe 5 episodes - this really kicks into gear. The story is a familiar one: Good versus an ancient evil that has started to stir. Brief glimpses of the sinister vessels of The Shadows stir the tension, ably assisted by some truly wonderful CGI effects - check Londo's reflection as he watches the destruction of the Narn homeworld for proof of this. Intricate and intelligent, with oodles of religious quasi-philosophising and more politics than you could fit into a cabinet, this is gripping stuff. Please note, I have only rated the episodes in season 1 that I have seen more than once, as the other episodes are fairly weak. The arc plot hadn't really kicked in at this stage, and so the episodes are rather poor and throw away. Season 5 I have not seen at all. Well, I watched the first two or three, but they were so god damn awful I gave up. Similarly with the specials. Ultimately, the heart of the show is seasons two through four. The rest can be readily ignored.

Season 1	Season Rating:
The Gathering	When Vorlon Ambassador Kosh arrives on board Babylon 5, his life is threatened by an attempted murder and, following investigations, the culprit appears to be station Commander Sinclair.
Midnight on the Firing Line	The Narn attack a seemingly defenceless Centauri colony, causing friction amongst the Ambassadors on board the space station.
Soul Hunter	No synopsis available	Not rated
Born to the Purple	Centauri Ambassador Londo's libido lands him in trouble when a woman steals vital electronic information from his computer system.
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Infection	No synopsis available	Not rated
The Parliament of Dreams	No synopsis available	Not rated
Mind War	No synopsis available	Not rated
The War Prayer	No synopsis available	Not rated
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And the Sky Full of Stars	No synopsis available	Not rated
Deathwalker	Na'Toth believes the Deathwalker of Narn legend has boarded the station. Awful.
Believers	No synopsis available	Not rated
Survivors	No synopsis available	Not rated
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By Any Means Necessary	After a serious accident, the dock workers on the station threaten industrial action. It's actually better than it sounds.
Signs and Portents	The first glimpse of things to come. A mysterious stranger known only as Mr. Morden speaks to each of the Ambassadors in turn, asking them a simple question: "What do you want?" A stunningly good episode.
TKO	Ultimate Fighting Champion, B5 style. Dreadful.
Grail	No synopsis available	Not rated
Eyes	No synopsis available	Not rated
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Legacies	No synopsis available	Not rated
A Voice in the Wilderness, Part 1 & 2	Epsilon 3, the planet over which Babylon 5 orbits, begins to emit mysterious signals. Could there be life on the lifeless world?
Babylon Squared	Having vanished four years previously, Babylon 4 suddenly reappears, though the area of space it exists is in not exactly stable. As with Signs & Portents of a few episodes prior, this is a tantalising hint of future events.
The Quality of Mercy	No synopsis available	Not rated
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Chrysalis	A Narn outpost in Quadrant 37 is the cause of much Centauri distress so Mr. Morden suggests that he can take care of the problem. Soon after, the outpost is destroyed. Delenn begins to go through a physical transformation.
Season 2	Season Rating:
Points of Departure	A new season and a new Captain, John Sheridan (a huge improvement over the wooden predecessor) and his fist task in command is to deal with a Minbari Warship wandering hyperspace, with designs on the destruction of Babylon 5.
Revelations	At last, Delenn emerges from the chrysalis, transformed into something new: half human, half Minbari. G'Kar returns to the station, with predictions of dark days ahead. Mr. Morden is back, firmly entrenching himself in future events.
The Geometry of Shadows	Londo is happy to make use of Mr. Morden to improve his status. A race known as The Technomages are on board, though not for long as they are heading far away to escape the conflict to come.
A Distant Star	The Minbari call Delenn's loyalties into question as a result of her transformation. Sheridan rescues an Earth ship, adrift in hyperspace.
The Long Dark	A vessel approaches Babylon 5 which at first appears deserted, but which is in fact a cryogenic store for a lethal entity.
Spider in the Web	Talia focused episode, which sees an old friend murdered, suspected to be the work of Mars resistance fighters.
Soul Mates	Knockabout comedy episode in which Londo has to contend with all three of his wives aboard the station at the same time.
A Race Through Dark Places	Introducing Psi Cop Bester, played with real menace by Star Trek's Walter Koenig. Bester is on board searching for rogue telepaths, and he suspects they may be receiving aide from command staff.
The Coming of Shadows	One of the best episodes of sci-fi ever made. An ailing Centauri ambassador comes aboard, wishing to see Vorlon ambassador Kosh. Meantime, Mr. Morden arranges for a Narn colony in Quadrant 14 to be destroyed. Centauri warships are sent first, but soon mysterious, spider-like craft appear and destroy all Narn vessels before turning their weapons on the colony itself, obliterating all to dust.
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GROPOS	A dreadful anti-climax after the superlative previous episode. A squadron, 25,000 strong of GROPOS, Ground-Pounders, is on board the station. Dull as a bout of vomiting.
All Alone in the Night	Sheridan is taken captive by an unknown alien race. Delenn is summoned by the Grey Council to hear their verdict on her future role.
Acts of Sacrifice	G'Kar makes a desperate plea to the command staff to convince Earth Alliance to help them in their war with the Centauri, a war they are losing badly.
Hunter, Prey	A missing doctor holds the key to unlocking the mystery behind President Santiago's assassination.
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There All the Honor Lies	When Sheridan kills a Minbari in self-defence, his position as commander of the station is threatened.
And Now for a Word	ISN news reports on the activities on board the station over a period of 36 hours. Inevitably, the reports do not seem to mirror the reality.
In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum	When Sheridan discovers a link between his dead wife and Mr. Morden, he orders his detention, risking alienating those closest to him. A superlative episode. One of my favourites.
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Knives	Sheridan is possessed. Londo must have a knife fight. Rubbish.
Confessions and Lamentations	Dr. Franklin must race against the clock when a deadly sickness sweeps through the Markab.
Divided Loyalties	Lyta Alexander returns to the station with troubling news: one of the command staff may, without their knowledge, be a sleeper agent for the Psi Corp., just waiting to be activated.
The Long, Twilight Struggle	The Narn are powerless to resist The Centauri onslaught, their force strengthened by the presence of The Shadows.
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Comes the Inquisitor	Delenn and Sheridan must demonstrate to The Vorlons that they are capable of leading the Army of Light, so an Inquisitor is duly dispatched to test their mettle.
The Fall of Night	Sheridan angers EarthForce by allowing a Narn warship to claim sanctuary at the station, dueling hostilities between Earth and The Centauri, whose bloodlust seems to be spiralling out of control.
Season 3	Season Rating:
Matters of Honor	The Minbari reveal a new ship, faster, more powerful, more maneuverable than anything EarthForce has to offer for use by Babylon 5: The White Star. Londo tries to sever his ties with The Shadows via Mr. Morden but is told in no uncertain terms that they had a deal.
Convictions	A series of terrorist bombings threatens the station, and a group of monks come aboard.
A Day in the Strife	An alien probe threatens to destroy the station unless a puzzle can be solved.
Passing Through Gethsemane	One of the monks has flashbacks to a time when he lived an altogether different, more violent type of life.
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Voices of Authority	Draal assists Marcus and Ivanova in their search for The First Ones.
Dust to Dust	Bester is back on board the station, on the hunt for a Dust Dealer who has crossed the Psi Corps.
Exogenesis	Fairly silly alien parasite tale. Nothing to do with the plot arc and utterly disposable.
Messages from Earth, Part 1	A Shadow vessel, similar to one located on Mars many years ago, has been located on Ganymede, and EarthForce intend to utilise its technology. The grip of the Nightwatch is tightening around the station.
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Point of No Return, Part 2	Londo is issued a stark and grave prophecy. The command crew work to prevent The Nightwatch from seizing control of the station.
Severed Dreams, Part 3	President Clark issues orders that Babylon 5 is to be taken by force. Delenn convinces the Grey Council to assist in the defence of Babylon 5 against EarthForce. "Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else."
Ceremonies of Light and Dark	The last survivors of The Nightwatch try to move against Delenn. Franklin admits his stim addiction.
Sic Transit Vir	Vir's rendering of assistance to the Narn's is revealed. Londo, predictably, is appalled.
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A Late Delivery from Avalon	Dreadful episode in which a character appears on board who claims to be from Arthurian legend. Avoid.
Ship of Tears	Bester proposes an alliance of sorts with B5: help with fighting the President in return for information about The Shadows. It is here we first discover The Shadow vessels are powered by telepaths. Stunning.
Interludes and Examinations	The war with The Shadows becomes full scale. Kosh is killed, as he knew he must be, when he assists Babylon 5 against The Shadows. Simply wonderful. A real tear-jerker.
War Without End, Part 1 & 2	Commander Sinclair returns to the station with a mission: travel to the area of space where Babylon 4 disappeared.
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Walkabout	Franklin can't cope with his addictions any longer and goes for a long walk. Yawn.
Grey 17 Is Missing	Something strange is happening on Grey 17, a previously unknown area of the station.
And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place	Londo decides to rid himself of Lord Refa once and for all.
Shadow Dancing	The Shadow war continues to rage.
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Z'ha'dum	Sheridan must travel to Z'ha'dum to discover the truth about his wife even though he knows that, should he do so, he will certainly die.
Season 4	Season Rating:
The Hour of the Wolf	The Emperor of Centauri, Cartagia, is clearly insane. The command staff head off to Z'ha'dum to locate Sheridan, whilst G'Kar goes in search of Garibaldi.
What Ever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?	Sheridan gets all metaphysical with the mysterious being, Lorien.
The Summoning	Delenn finds that the non-aligned worlds are not too keen on reforging the alliance known as the Army of Light. Zack closes in on Garibaldi, who is being held captive by persons unknown.
Falling Towards Apotheosis	Emperor Cartagia declares that G'Kar must be tortured, and must lose an eye. Sheridan banishes the new Vorlon Ambassador from the station.
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The Long Night	Londo and Vir make ready their plans to strike against the insane Emperor.
Into the Fire	Sheridan engineers a do or die showdown between The Shadows and The Vorlons.
Epiphanies	Bester informs the command staff that Earth Alliance plans to turn its back on Babylon 5 once and for all.
The Illusion of Truth	ISN are back on board, this time claiming they want to run a news item revealing 'the truth.'
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Atonement	We discover that it was Delenn herself who ordered the Earth Minbari war. Marcus and Franklin are sent on a mission to mars.
Racing Mars	Garibaldi and Sheridan's relationship reaches breaking point. Franklin and Marcus begin assisting the Mars resistance in their struggle against Earth Alliance.
Lines of Communication	Delenn discovers that the Drakh are a remnant of The Shadows and is fearful that, as long as they exist, the threat of The Shadows' return will never be lost.
Conflicts of Interest	To protest President Clark's propaganda machine, 'The Voice of the Resistance' begins to transmit. Garibaldi finds new employment, though the agenda of his employer remains a mystery.
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Rumors, Bargains and Lies	Minbar breaks out in civil war. Sheridan manages to forge a new alliance with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds.
Moments of Transition	The Warrior Caste seems to have the upper hand in the Minbari civil war, and demand Delenn surrenders.
No Surrender, No Retreat	Sheridan uses the White Star to strike against President Clark's forces.
Exercise of Vital Powers	Garibaldi's new employer shows his hand: Garibaldi must turn Sheridan over to President Clark.
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The Face of the Enemy	Garibaldi agonises over the potential betrayal of a once close friend and ally.
Intersections in Real Time	Sheridan endures intensive interrogation at the hands of Earth Alliance.
Between the Darkness and the Light	President's Clarks vessels have been retro-fitted with Shadow technology, resulting in Ivanova being severely wounded in a dogfight. Garibaldi changes sides once more, assisting in the rescue of Sheridan.
Endgame	President Clark turns Earth's defences against Earth itself, planning to impose a scorched earth policy.
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Rising Star	To save Ivanova's life, Marcus sacrifices his own.
The Deconstruction of Falling Stars	We see the repercussions of the events of The Shadow War over the next 1,000,000 years.
Season 5	Season Rating: Not seen
No Compromises	Not seen	Not seen
The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari	Not seen	Not seen
The Paragon of Animals	Not seen	Not seen
A View from the Gallery	Not seen	Not seen
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Learning Curve	Not seen	Not seen
Strange Relations	Not seen	Not seen
Secrets of the Soul	Not seen	Not seen
Day of the Dead	Not seen	Not seen
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In the Kingdom of the Blind	Not seen	Not seen
A Tragedy of Telepaths	Not seen	Not seen
Phoenix Rising	Not seen	Not seen
The Ragged Edge	Not seen	Not seen
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The Corps is Mother, the Corps is Father	Not seen	Not seen
Meditations on the Abyss	Not seen	Not seen
Darkness Ascending	Not seen	Not seen
And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder	Not seen	Not seen
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Movements of Fire and Shadow, Part 1	Not seen	Not seen
The Fall of Centauri Prime, Part 2	Not seen	Not seen
The Wheel of Fire	Not seen	Not seen
Objects in Motion	Not seen	Not seen
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Objects at Rest	Not seen	Not seen
Sleeping in Light	Not seen	Not seen
Specials	Season Rating: N/A
In The Beginning	Not seen	Not seen
Thirdspace	Not seen	Not seen
River of Souls	Not seen	Not seen
A Call to Arms	Not seen	Not seen
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