10 Ways Babylon 5 & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Are Basically The Same Show
7. Relevant Themes
While some similarities are more superficial than others, it can't be denied that both series explored themes relevant to modern society.
At the core of much of what happens on these shows is the idea of free will, and the fight to defend it. Both series feature aggressive forces trying to subjugate free peoples, and bend them to their will. In Deep Space Nine, it is the Dominion trying to take over the Alpha Quadrant. On Babylon 5, it's the Shadows who want to rule everything.
Each antagonist sees itself as the good guy, attempting to bring order to a chaotic universe by taking charge of it. Unfortunately, their means of doing this requires the death of billions as well as those left alive to give up their freedom and give in to their oppressors. So much of what happens on both Babylon 5 and Deep Space Nine grows directly from these basic concepts.