6. The Last, Best Hope For Peace
Babylon 5 was something new in sci-fi. It didn't present a Utopian future for humanity like
Star Trek. It presented aliens with depth and personality that were as good, if not better than the leading human stars. And it brought to our televisions a staggeringly epic story line that had not quite been managed before. Of course in these days, a five year story arc is not unheard of. But back in the early 1990's J. Michael Straczynski had the vision to bring a breathtaking sci-fi show that had immense drama, action and heart. There is an immense complexity to the story threads. A re-watch of season one shows that even in the weakest of episode there is a line or moment that has huge significance down the line. The anti-alien movement Home Guard on Earth. A drunkard, broken Londo dreaming of the greatest of the Centauri Empire. His forbidden love for the dancer Adira. The Narn hatred over their occupation decades earlier. Catherine Sakai's discovery of an 'old one' on a remote planet. The mystery of Sinclair's missing 24 hours at the battle of the line and why the Minbari wanted him on the station. The first appearance of Morden. The discovery of the Great Machine. The return of Babylon 4. All these moments happen in the first series. The show continued to weave a rich tapestry of events. As season 2 progressed we watched the development of the relationship between new commander Sheridan and Delenn. The growing distrust of Earth. The tragic Centauri - Narn conflict and the 'coming of Shadows' themselves. And in the third season (the best of them all), these plot lines exploded with the separation from Earth and the start of the Shadow War, culminating in an explosive season 4 that brought everything to a head. And while season 5 struggled early in it's run due to the main plots being tied up, it built to a magnificent crescendo with fall of Centauri Prime and then brought us one of the most bittersweet series finales ever committed to screen. It was a show that had fantastic villains, Morden and the terrifying Shadows (with possibly the most original ships ever committed to Sci-fi), the deranged Emperor Cartagia, the ruthless Bester (portrayed brilliantly by
Star Trek's Walter Koeing) and the rest of the telepathic Nazis, the Psi Cops. And in between the darkness and the light, the god-like, arrogant Vorlons. All helping to add to the grandeur of the show. Of course big stories would be nothing without the heroes to live them. Captain Sheridan, Security Chief Garibaldi and Commander Ivanova were great human protagonists, but as I mentioned above, it was the aliens who stole the show. From minor comic characters like Zathras to the hard put-upon aides Lennier and Vir. These were aliens with so much character they were easily as accessible as their human counterparts. But it was Londo and G'Kar who stole the show every time. Thanks to phenomenal performances by Peter Jurasik and the late, great Andreas Katsulas and a rich progression for these characters - Londo from a drunk and gambler to an aggressive commander, to revolutionary to tragic leader, G'Kar from scheming aggressor to fallen leader and ally to religious icon - these two were some of the finest characters ever committed to the television screen. There are too many moments to pick between these two to mention them all, so I'll pick the highlights. Their drink for peace and G'Kar's bitter discovery of Londo's portrayal in 'The Coming Of Shadows', Londo expelling G'Kar from the council chamber in 'The Long Twilight Struggle', G'Kar's torture on Centauri Prime while London (and Vir look on) and their final bittersweet farewell in 'The Fall of Centauri Prime'. I could go on about this show forever. But acknowledging that this article is about more than just one show, I'll finish off with one final aspect - the title sequences. The show cleverly changes the title sequence every year, telling us the nest stage of the story in a way that set the tone of the year to come. Season one established the mission statement of the station - a place for peace and diplomacy. Season 2 continued this with the mission, mixed with the coming of something darker, the Shadows. Season 3 reestablished Babylon 5 as the last best hope for victory as the building conflicts exploded, while season 4's title sequence was as staggering epic as the show itself. And season 5 brought renewed peace and triumph in the wake of the Earth and Shadow wars. In my opinion, it is the greatest sci-fi show ever made (sorry
Star Trek). But you'll know that if you've watched the show. And if you haven't, you're in for a treat.