SummaryThe Emmy-winning Babylon 5 brought many exciting innovations to science fiction television. Computer-generated effects, five-year story arcs, and elaborate mythology made this series stand apart from what came before and point the next generation of sci-fi/fantasy series in bold new directions. This show realized creator J. Michael Str...
SummaryThe Emmy-winning Babylon 5 brought many exciting innovations to science fiction television. Computer-generated effects, five-year story arcs, and elaborate mythology made this series stand apart from what came before and point the next generation of sci-fi/fantasy series in bold new directions. This show realized creator J. Michael Str...
and again, as for 1,2 and 3 seasons, can only add that 4th - basically top of the main story arc:
one of the series you feel sad when its finished cause you fell into the story like into rabbit hole and the characters became part of you... one of the best series in the genre of all **** to all amazing actors and actresses who are not with us anymore.
Season 4 is named „No Surrender, No Retreat“. Again a fitting description as in this season the arcs for the conflicts get a conclusion. There will be great twists, revelations, character developments and of cause new struggles. The multiple season story arcs and developments will pay of. Also it has some of the best conclusions of a science fiction show together with TNG even when there is a fifth season. I think they did not know if a season 5 will be greenlighted so they made a satisfying ending. The last season ended with an intense cliffhanger so we were hyped to know how the story unfolds. Set up: Sheridan has aligned an alliance of various races against the Shadows. They managed to defeat them in a large battle but at height losses. This lead to the Shadows recognising him as mayor thread and he is invited to Z’ha’dum. Both sides have a hidden plan and it ends with him jumping down a cliff while his White Star shipped armed with large nuclear weapons is on a collusion curse with the planet. Meanwhile the Centauri emperor has his own plans and Londo is struggling what to do as he was a main force in putting him on the throne. There is still the Earth Alliance civil war ongoing and Babylon 5 has become independent and with this a huge target for the Regime. This is the set up and you will know why the last season was named “Point of no Return”. The story again is excellent and surprises in a possessive way. Even a twist that can be seen as harmful totally makes sense as you have seen behind the facade and it is fully understandable. Again I must praise Joseph Michael Straczynski for this. He can be called the Tolkien of science fiction and with more works he would have created something that has the same worldbuilding and legacy. Again I will praise the whole cast. Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, of cause Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasic, Bill Mumy, Claudia Christiansen, Jason Carter as Marcus Cole and Patricia Tallman. New is Wayne Alexander as Lorien who is a fascinating character, Wortham Krimmer as Cartagia who is equally excellent and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. who deserved more screen time. My favorite episodes which will be a lot are: “The Hour of the Wolf” for setting up the season and giving more question for the given answers (As it should be in a show with depth). “Whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi?” for the story for Sheridan, Londo and G’Kar and of cause Garibaldi. “The Summoning” has a gamechanging event that will surprise you but you shut have seen small hints here and there. From now on the menace is getting worse. Twice the problems twice the fun to be sarcastic. “Falling Towards Apotheosis” brings a lot of developments and set up events. “The Long Night” has the resolve for the Cantauri and Narn conflict. Excellent episode and Vir will be praised for this and the next episode. “Into the Fire” is a fitting title and gives the climax for two conflicts. I first praise Londo here and his performance is scary. No horror film monster came close to frighten me than his calm performance with Morden. Also Vir gets what he wanted seasons ago ;-). Finally there is the confrontation that will change the fate of all races. “Captain Jack” for the titular character, the start of the Mars arc and Garibaldi. “Rumors, Bargains and Lies” and “Moments of Transition” will deal with the Minbari civil war. It is emotional, intense and has a mindful conclusion that I must praise. I must praise Neroon too. I hated the character when he was introduced but he won me over, He is noble, non corruptible and has grown to someone I deeply respect. “No Surrender, No Retreat” starts the fight against the Earth Regime. It has a good battle and focus on moral dilemmas. “Intersections in Real Time” is scary, intense and works well. I normally do not like stuff like this so this is even more impressive. “Between the Darkness and the Light” has the most intense Ivanova moment and she is frightening. Also a great space battle and Sheridan and Garibaldi's arc is concluded. “Endgame” the title is a spoiler itself. You will get the epic conclusion. “Rising Star” gives the political conclusion and the start of something new. “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars” is an epilogue that sows the development 1 year, 100 years, 500 years, 1000 years and a million years later. A satisfying and great conclusion. It deepens the world building a lot. Overall this was an amazing season with satisfying conclusions for all arcs. A masterpiece and another easy 10/10. It could have ended here and everyone would be satisfied. However there is another season.
The Hour Of The Wolf B+.
Whatever Happened To Mr. Garibaldi? B+. The Summoning B+.
Falling Toward Apotheosis B+. The Long Night A.
Into The Fire A. Epiphanies B. The Illusion Of Truth B-.
Atonement B. Racing Mars C+. Lines Of Communication B-.
Conflicts Of Interest C+. Rumors Bargains And Lies B.
Moments Of Transition B+. No Surrender No Retreat A.
Exercise Of Vital Powers B-. The Face Of The Enemy A-.
Intersections In Real Time A-.
Between The Darkness And The Light A. Endgame A.
Rising Star A-. The Deconstruction Of Falling Stars B.
The main story arc actually gets wrapped up this season because JMS didn't think he would be renewed for a 5th and final season. So he jammed a bunch of stuff in to this season that he'd planned for the 5th. It sort of shows but it's a very good run as well.