Star Trek: 11 Huge Comparisons Between Deep Space 9 And Babylon 5

Conflict is the heart of good drama. However, during production of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gene Roddenberry banned conflict between Starfleet characters. Deep Space Nine's writers fomented conflict by including non-Starfleet characters such as the Changeling Odo; the Ferengi Quark, Rom, and Nog; and the Bajorans Kira Nerys and Winn Adami.

Emissary depicted Kira Nerys's early distrust of Starfleet while episodes such as The Collaborator established Winn Adami's displeasure with Sisko being the Emissary. The episode The Search depicted Starfleet's distrust of Odo while episodes such as The Assignment highlighted Rom and Quark's disagreement over Starfleet and the Federation.

Straczynski didn't have to deal with Roddenberry's dictate and could develop interpersonal conflict as he saw fit.

Survivors, Deathwalker, and Interludes and Examinations depicted Earthforce personnel clashing over policy, matters of principle, and addiction.

Mind War, Spider in the Web, and Dust to Dust established the animosity between Babylon 5's crew and Psi Corps operative Alfred Bester.

Gropos, Believers, and The Quality of Mercy depicted Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Franklin's conflicts with his father, religious beliefs, and other medical practitioners.

By Any Means Necessary, Voices of Authority, and And Now For A Word, depicted conflicts between Sinclair and both the labour leaders and his own government, Sheridan and the increasingly fascist government, and Babylon 5 and the media.