Babylon 5 - The Complete First Season (1993)

I have recently completed my two-season binge of Babylon 5 goodness, plus the original Pilot film. Incase you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of this series. Unlike the aimless meanderings of that famous starship, B5 is a long tapestry of related events, characters, and themes. It is not a picture perfect future for humanity...there is war, politics, betrayal, and enough mystery to propel the series over a long period.

[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c330/impavido/b5s4_babylon5.jpg[/img]

Babylon 5 has a long-sweeping story-line with a lot of historical backdrop. Here are some of the important races, factions, and historical events that will help you absord the story:

[b]The Earth-Minbari War:[/b]
Started due to a misunderstanding that resulted in the death of the Minbari religious leader at Human hands. It nearly ended with the extermination of man-kind in a Minbari holy-war. The last line of defense for Earth was called the Battle of the Line. The war was declared a victory because the Minbari surrendured...however many on the front-lines knew there was no way they could have really won agains superior Minbari technology and numbers. The mystery of why the Minbari surrendured so close to total victory permeates Season 1.

[b]The Centauri Occupation of the Narn Homeworld:[/b]
For over 1000 years the Centauri Republic ruled the Narn by military occupation. Their world stripped of resources and people held as slaves, a violent uprising expelled the Centauri after a bloody guerilla war. Now the Narn thirst for revenge.

[b]The Vorlon Empire:[/b]
The most ancient and mysterious of all races. They engage in no contact with other races until they join Babylon 5's diplomatic circle. All expeditions into their territory never returned. They are greatly respected and feared.

[b]The Psi-Corps:[/b]
A government organization for Earth telepaths. Telepaths are required by law to join the Psi-Corps to protect the privacy of other Earth citizens.

[b]The League of Non-Aligned Worlds:[/b]
A loose alliance of smaller alien goverments participating in Babylon 5's diplomatic circle.


Despite serious limitations of costume, makeup, and primitive CGI, the show has earned its place in sci-fi fandom. The makeup non-human creatures is limited but they did not go the lazy route Star Trek does and just put bumps on their faces or heads.

The Characters of B5 are more in depth and interesting for a long-term story than a majority of Star Trek characters. I will give a basic descriptions of important characters: (this photo is from Season 2 & 3)

[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c330/impavido/b5crew.jpg[/img]

[b]Commander Sinclair:[/b] The Earth military commander and representative on the Station. A survivor of the Battle of the Line who vanished for several hours during the battle. Sinclair is the classic sci-fi leader/hero. He is quick on his feet with an equal ability at diplomacy or the threat of force.

[b]Lt. Commander Ivanova:[/b] The short tempered and fiery XO of the station. Ivanova is iron willed and rarely submits to anything she does not agree with. Due to her mother being a telepath, she has a distinct and continuous distain for the Psi-Corps.

[b]Chief Garibaldi:[/b] The law-man of the station. Despite a shakey history and im-perfect career, Garabaldi is reliable and knows all the dark corners of the station. He is a agressive and no-nonsense, however his character has a distinct cynical sense of humor that often lightens the mood.

[b]Doctor Franklin: [/b]The sterotypical doctor of the crew who will make no ammends to his oath as a doctor.

[b]Ambassador Delenn:[/b] The Minbari ambassador to B5. She is elegent and mysterious, particulalry with her history in the Earth-Minbari War and her role in the Minbari Government.

[b]Ambassador G'Kar:[/b] The brave and bull-headed ambassador from Narn. Often seen as an antagonist in the early season. He is somewhat of a warrior-poet. His feud with Amb. Molari is a frequent problem on the station.

[b]Ambassador Molari:[/b] A wealthy and eccentric Centauri aristocrat turned diplomat. Somewhat unhappy with his station as a diplomat. Molari is a colorful and likable character...whos path will take disturbing turns through the story.

[b]Ambassador Kosh:[/b] The mysterious Vorlon ambassador is never seen outside of his encounter suit. The Vorlons are one of the most ancient and enigmatic races. Kosh rarely speaks, and when he does it is equally cryptic. Despite being so enigmatic, Kosh is and extemely important character to the overall story-line.

There are many other lesser characters such as diplomatic aides that grow in importance as the seasons progress.

As the series begins you think of Babylon 5 as a remote Diplomatic outpost, as you should...but as the story develops in later seasons, Babylon 5 becomes the center of the universe.

So where do I start? Ah, the beginning might be good...

The Pilot film, [b]The Gathering (6/10)[/b], takes place soon after Babylon 5 becomes operational. After near annihalation during the Earth-Minbari War, Earth has assembled a diplomatic force in neutral territory to work out differences between all races. This introduces several of the main characters who will carry on to Season 1: Captain Sinclair, Security Chief Garabaldi, Amb. Delen (Minbar), Amb. G'Kar (Narn), Amb. Molari (Centauri). The story revolves around the arrival of a final diplomat from an ancient and mysterious race known as the Vorlons. An attempt is made on the life of Vorlon Ambassador Kosh. The mystery threatens to ruin all Babylon 5 was built for.

The primitive CGI and effects are honestly border-line..but considering their budget, it was enough to interest investors to give Season 1 a go.

This Pilot is not required viewing, but I highly recomend it so you have a clearer picture to begin Season 1 with.

And now on to Season 1!!!

Here is a list of the episodes. Episodes that I believe are major or critical to the central story line I will name in [size=4][b][color=red][size=2]BOLD[/size] [/color][size=2][color=red]RED[/color] [/size][/b][/size]text. I will also rate each episode, this has little to do with the importance to the story-line, but rates how entertaining and well made that episode is. I have tried to write my synopsis with as few details or spoilers as possible.

Episode 1: [color=red][b]MIDNIGHT ON THE FIRING LINE [color=orange]8/10[/color][/b][/color]
This is the opening of Season 1 and is pretty important. It deals primarily with the ongoing conflict between old enemies, The Narn and the Centauri. After centuries of occupation and final liberation from Centauri rule, the Narn launch an offensive on their nemesis. Commander Sinclair struggles to bring a peaceful conclusion to the conflict while also dealing with violent pirates in the area.

Episode 2: [b]SOUL HUNTER 7/10[/b]
Spirituality and mysticism frequently pop up in B5. In this episode a Soul Hunter, a mysterious and feared race attracted to death, arrives on B5 causing quite an uproar. Sinclair tries to find out who he is there to "collect".

Episode 3: [b]BORN TO THE PURPLE 4/10[/b]
This is a character driven episode revolving around Ambassador Molari. Molari is selfish and eccentric, quite flawed and likable in early seasons. This episode explores Centauri politics and Molari's own lonliness.

Episode 4: [b]INFECTION 6/10[/b]
A dangerous alien artifact is smuggled aboard the station. The artifact develps a power and mind of it's own, and in pure Star Trek fashion, must be dealt with by the crew.

Episode 5: [b]THE PARLIAMENT OF DREAMS 5/10[/b]
A dual sided episode that explores the spirituality of the Babylon 5 races and a threat of assassination to Ambassador G'Kar.

Episode 6: [color=red][b]MIND WAR[/b][/color][color=orange] [b]6/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]The first episode in which the Psi-Corps make its major appearance. Walter Koenig (AKA Chekov) plays a Psi-Cop sent to B5 to bring in a rogue telepath. Babylon 5's local telepath, Talia Wynter, is dragged into the investigation because the rogue telepath is a former lover.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 7: [b]THE WAR PRAYER[/b] [b]6/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]Enter the Home Guard, an extremist anti-alien faction from Earth. Racial violence and intolerance again shake up the station.[/color]

Episode 8: [b][color=#ff0000]AND THE SKY FULL OF STARS [/color][color=orange]8/10[/color][/b]
[color=orange]The ongoing mystery of what happened to Sinclair at the Battle of the Line againts the Minbari is explored further when government spies hack into Sinclairs mind.[/color]

Episode 9: [b]DEATHWALKER[/b] [b]7/10[/b]
A sadistic war-criminal reappears on Babylon 5. Her record includes horrible medical experiments in sentient beings. Many alien governments are infuriated at her presense...however she claims to have dicovered the key to immortality. Governments secretly try to strike deals to gain this information...or is it a deal with the devil?

Episode 10: [b]BELIEVERS 6/10[/b]
The old medicine vs faith debate apparently doesn't go away, even centuries in the future.

Episode 11: [b][color=red]SURVIVORS[/color] 7/10[/b]
This character driven episode explores Garabaldi's ghosts as he goes renegade into the criminal underground to escape his being framed. This episode touches on an ongoing conspiracy, so I feel it is relevant to the entire story-line.

[color=orange]Episode 12: [b]BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY 5/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]A labor dispute on the station disrupt commerce and peace. Meanwhile G'Kar and Molari continue their dispute.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 13: [/color][color=red][b]SIGNS AND PORTENTS[/b][/color][color=orange] [b]10/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]Perhaps the most critical episode of the Season. The raiders make an appearance again. Meanwhile Molari begins a political move that will have a profound effect on the entire story of B5. And the very existence of the greatest threat of all, The Shadows, is hinted at.[/color]
[color=#ffa500]A very important sub-character, Mr. Mort, asks each ambassador a very open-ended question "What do you want?." Each persons answer is a hint to their characters destiny and drive. Molari's answer intrigues him.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 14: [b]TKO 3/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]A washed up former champ boxer arrives on B5. And with thge help of his old friend Garabaldi, tries to enter in a dangerous alien blood-sport.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 15: [b]GRAIL 8/10[/b][/color]
[color=#ffa500]Though not integral to the central story, this is one of my favorite episodes. A seeker of the Holy Grail arrives on the station. Stirred by such spirituality, the Minbari Delen and her aide assist him. Meanwhile a dangerous creature is smuggled aboard and begins preying on station inhabitants.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 16: [/color][b][color=orange]EYES 7/10[/color][/b]
[color=orange]Again the mystery of Sinclairs disappearance in the last hours of the Earth-Minbari War surfaces. A high-ranking intelligence officer arrives to interrogate Sinclair and his staff to check their loyalty. The fact that a Psi-Corps telepath is taking part doesn't make things any easier.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 17: [/color][color=red][b]LEGACIES[/b] [/color][b][color=darkorange]6/10[/color][/b]
[color=orange]A dead Minbari warhero's funeral passes through Babylon 5. Old memories of the war are not fading away on either side. Ambassador Delenn takes an important role in this episdoe that explores the mysterious Minbari and their ruling "Grey Council".[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 18: [/color][color=red][b]A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS (PART 1)[color=darkorange] 7/10[/color][/b][/color]
[color=orange]Thought to be dead and uninhabited, a danger from the planet B5 orbits threatens to destory the station.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 19: [color=red][b]A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS (PART 2) [color=darkorange]8/10[/color][/b][/color][/color]
[color=orange]The advanced technologies found on the planet cause a stir amoung the nations trying to claim stake to it. An Earth war-ships arrival to secure it does not help the diplomatic situation. And the old-inhabitants of the planet arrive to also stake claim.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 20: [/color][color=red][b]BABYLON SQUARED [color=darkorange]6/10[/color][/b][/color]
[color=orange]The first three Babylon stations were destroyed by sabotage. The 4th vanished without a trace...or did it? This episode is very crucial to events that take place AFTER Season 2, especially dealing with Commander Sinclair.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 21: [/color][color=orange][b]THE QUALITY OF MERCY 5/10[/b][/color]
[color=orange]The Doctor encounters an alien machine with great healing powers...at great cost.[/color]

[color=#ffa500]Episode 22: [/color][color=red][b]CHRYSALIS [color=darkorange]9/10[/color][/b][/color]
[color=orange]Major events shake the univers around B5. Delenn begins a major change. Molari's dealings with Mr Mort and his "Employers" come to fruition. And the politics of Earth are changed in a shocking way! The end of the 1st season sets forward many themes and problems for the 2nd Season to begin with![/color]


[color=#ffa500]Also included in the Babylon 5 Movie series, is [b]THE BEGINNING (8/10). [/b]This is my favorite Babylon 5 feature length movie. But be warned, this movie encompases a lot of themes and mysteries from several seasons...so if you like sitting on mysteries, save this for later viewing.[/color]