10 TV Shows That Wanted To Be Star Trek
2. Babylon 5
This entry may ruffle some feathers, and for good reason. There has been a long-standing rivalry between the Babylon 5 and Star Trek fandoms. Each side accuses the other of plagiarism, though there is little evidence to support it. However, the similarities between Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cannot be overlooked, though it is not quite that to be discussed here.
In many ways, Babylon 5 is both classic Trek - new aliens every week, an overarching threat of interstellar war, silly hairstyles - and something quite bold and different. The setting of the station, like Deep Space Nine, allowed the series to tell serialized stories, dealing with the consequences of character actions, while still moving the story forward.
Though the beginning of the show was fraught with issues and accusations, the two franchises warmed to each other. Actors were shared between them, serving as olive branches not just to the showrunners, but to the two fandoms who were at times ready to go to war with each other. Any excuse to see Walter Koenig in that interesting hairpiece is a treat, let's be honest.