X
- 1993
- TV-PG
- Syndicated
- 1993
- TV-PG
- Syndicated
Summary The 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...
Created By: J. Michael Straczynski
- 1993
- TV-PG
- Syndicated
- 1993
- TV-PG
- Syndicated
Babylon 5
5 Seasons
Season 1 Premiere: Feb 22, 1993
55
8.7
Where to Watch
Summary The 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...
Created By: J. Michael Straczynski
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
55
31% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
62% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
55
31% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
62% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Emphasizing action more than character, Babylon 5 is a show that's simply grittier, more exuberantly freewheeling and more fun [than "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"]. [25 Jan 1994, p.9D]
Although Babylon 5 is less than cutting-edge sci-fi, it does display a certain kind of pluck, a sense of humor, some neat special effects and an assemblage of aliens every bit the equals of their human counterparts. [25 Jan 1994]
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 163 User Ratings
8.7
89% Positive
145 Ratings
145 Ratings
9% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
2% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 163 User Ratings
8.7
89% Positive
145 Ratings
145 Ratings
9% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
2% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Specifically for Season 1 - you start liking Sinclair so much that you gonna miss him sorely later, and since started about him: RIP to Michael O'Hare.
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.
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A nostalgic romp through an older setting. A great way to touch base with the series. I highly recommend for any watcher of Babylon 5, whether casual or dedicated. I think it will land mostly with those whove seen the series, and probably not really at all with those who've not. Still, since it was made with fans in mind, I give a 10/10. My only qualm being the voice actors for the deceased actors. No one can overcome death, not even screenwriters. But they could have found someone who hit closer to some of those characters voices.
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To paraphrase poet Robert Frost, there's miles to go before this show will put you to sleep.
It doesn't help the show to have such a wooden presence al the helm. As Commander Sinclair, lead actor Michael O'Hare is like Lorne Greene under hypnosis. In fact, this colorful but cheesy satellite opera aspires to nothing greater than being a '90s Battiestar Galactica.
It's escapist sci- fi hooey that is simultaneously slick and tacky. In other words, a breath of fresh air compared to the average tabloid newsmagzine. [26 Jan 1994, p.6D]
The acting is pretty much non-existent, casting is weak, and the special effects are unimpressive. But there's some terrific makeup work on some of the non-human creatures around, and somebody went to the trouble of deciding that a space station for many different species would have to be equipped with many different environments to accommodate them...Nice touch. [22 Feb 1993, p.5D]
Makes deadly silence look pretty good by comparison.
Just completed a rewatch of the entire show. Wow, B5 is one of the finest pieces of TV ever produced and easily one of my 2 favorite sci-fi shows ever. Of course, the CGI are out of date and the sets look a bit cheap - but this is all more than compensated by storytelling, writing and dialogues. It's hard to find anything that rivals the quality and level of B5 in these aspects. I enjoyed watching all episodes from all 5 seasons, and I have the feeling that his was time well spent, something I cannot say with regard to other current sci-fi shows that have more budget. B5 proves that you do not need the biggest budget, you need good stories and good actors, and B5 has plenty of both. This is still a solid 10 for me.
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It is my favorite science fiction show. The strengths are a deep story that is set and planned over multiple seasons, a cast of memorable characters, great worldbuilding and lore like barely any other show and development for characters, society and races. I especially like that they did not hide humanities dark sides. We might have evolved there but our problems from today are still present in the future as they were also in our past. The worldbuilding and setting is well made and has depth. It is a bit like Lord of the Rings but more accessible. Here was a universe with a lot of lore created. There are also legendary people, events, stories, conflicts and developments in the past that have shaped history. Some have still effects in the present. Also the cultures, struggles and conflicts are relatable as are the alien races. Lets give you a set up: Humanity has become a space faring race and is part of the galactic community. In the past they saved the League of Non-Aligned Worlds from an attack by the Dilgar. The Earth Alliance military pushed them back to their home world. Sadly they were not pure evil just desperate as their sun would become a supernova and this ended their race. Humanity however became arrogant and ignorant. Disaster happens when a human fleet meet a Minbari fleet. Both races have not met before and know the others only by stories. The Minbari were probably the most technology advanced of the younger races in the galaxy. A custom of the Minbari warrior cast was to turn on the weapon systems to honor the others (but not the targeting and defense systems). Before you say this is stupid: Ever seen how we welcome VIPs in the political world? With an honor guard that salutes with their weapons. So not much of a difference. The commander of the Earth ship misinterpret this as attack preparation and fired on them first. This caused the death of one of the most respected leaders and the Minbari go to a full holy war. Mankind was completely outclassed by the Minbari but made them pay for each victory. It would have been the end of humanity but when the Minbari reached Earth they ceased fire and surrender unconditionally after destroying the last defense line. This is one of the great mysteries until now. Mankind was defeated and nothing could have turned the tide. There was no super weapon, danger or thread for the Minbari. Approx 10 years later mankind has build the Babylon 5 space station. A place for diplomacy, trade, commerce and understanding to prevent another great misunderstanding. With this the story starts. There are so much good stories. Be it political plots, agendas, personal developments or just slice of life. It is entertaining and the multiple season story made this even better as developments and twist could be set up far before. Then there is the great cast. I start with my and fan favorites. Andreas Katsulas as G’Kar and Peter Jurasik as Londo Molari. Both have incredible developments in the story and are the definition for frenemies. You will often find neither better friends nor worse enemies than these two. Michael O’Hare as Jeffrey Sinclair and Bruce Boxleitner as John Sinclair are great commanders and both are destined to become more. Jerry Doyle as chief of security Michael Garibaldi is the next with a great arc as is Mira Furlan as Deleen who is incredible. Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova is frightening good and the last person I want as enemy. It has no end here as I would name countless other actors and their roles too. Lets say we have an amazing cast that fully delivers. The special effects look different form other shows. They have a unique style and it aged really well. I was amazed and well entertained. I read that they used a network of Amiga 2000 computers and this was far cheaper than any comparable solutions. For the soundtrack they use a lot of care to enhance the atmosphere. Now to the seasons: I will made an individual review for each later. Season 1 is good but like any show they need a bit of time to get used to the roles and the dynamics. I would give an 8/10. Season 2,3 and 4 are the highlights of the show and worth 11/10. This is why we say it is the best science fiction show. Season 5 is a bit weaker and probably the set up for the next arc. I still would round this to an 8/10. Sadly irt ended here. Overall this was amazing and I would like to thank Joseph Michael Straczynski for this. An easy recommendation for anyone who likes science fiction, great characters and epic stories. Remark: I left out a lot as it would not possible to put this into just 5000 words like the older races, telepaths etc.
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Production Company:
- Warner Home Video
- Babylonian Productions
- Time Warner
- Warner Bros. Entertainment
- Warner Bros. Television
Initial Release Date: Feb 22, 1993
Number of seasons: 5 Seasons
Rating: TV-PG
Awards
Online Film & Television Association
• 11 Nominations
Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, USA
• 7 Wins & 7 Nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 2 Wins & 7 Nominations
