Babylon 5

[BlueStuff]

Call to B5 fans:

As I dive back into the show and prepare to resume where I left off, can anyone provide or link to a recommended viewing order going forward? I understand that it's straightforward for the first 3 seasons, then gets a little murky with movies taking place at different points in the story.

 

[DigificWriter]

Call to B5 fans:

As I dive back into the show and prepare to resume where I left off, can anyone provide or link to a recommended viewing order going forward? I understand that it's straightforward for the first 3 seasons, then gets a little murky with movies taking place at different points in the story.

Here's the best, most comprehensive viewing order I've found:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/eplist.html

It's approved by JMS and is what I'm personally following as I rewatch the series.

 

[Kraig]

Viewing order from b5tv.com.

Viewing order from the Lurker's Guide at midwinter.com
You choose. Although I wouldn't watch "In The Beginning" first because it has lots of spoilers. Since you haven't seen up to season 4 yet, instead watch it after season 4. It was produced between season 4 and season 5 for TNT as a second pilot. That was when the original syndication network for Babylon 5, Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN) went out of business. When TNT picked up season 5 they wanted a pilot to get anyone who hadn't seen seasons 1-4 up to speed. Also the last episode of season 4 "Sleeping In Light" was moved to the end of season 5, and was replaced with "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars" as the series 4 ending for PTEN.

There is also an alternate viewing order for season 1, but since you have already viewed it, that ship has sailed.

I watched season's 1-4 from the direct feed to PTEN stations off a C-band satellite dish.

I had to wait until I had DirecTV to be able to watch B5 season 5 and Crusade. By the time I got DirecTV the show had been cancelled by TNT and was being aired on the then SCIFI channel.

 

[Kraig]

Here's the best, most comprehensive viewing order I've found:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/eplist.html

It's approved by JMS and is what I'm personally following as I rewatch the series.

It's OK for a rewatch, but if you haven't seen the first 4 seasons, you don't want to watch "In The Beginning" because it will be full of spoilers for a new viewer.

 

[DigificWriter]

if you haven't seen the first 4 seasons, you don't want to watch "In The Beginning".

JMS doesn't see it that way, and I agree with his position.

There is one place I'd deviate from that list myself, which is to make The Gathering the first episode of the series.

 

[BlueStuff]

JMS doesn't see it that way, and I agree with his position.

There is one place I'd deviate from that list myself, which is to make The Gathering the first episode of the series.

Yes, The Gathering was the first episode I watched.

 

[BlueStuff]

This is a viewing order I saw on the Amazon.co.uk user review page for the DVD boxset. Agree or disagree?

Recommended viewing order, print it out and put it in the box:

1. Watch the B5 movie "The Gathering"
(The Babylon 5 pilot movie The Gathering was originally broadcast in 1993 a full year ahead of the regular show. )
2. Season 1
3. Season 2
4. Season 3
5. Watch Season 4 up to episode "The illusion of truth"
6. Watch the B5 movie "Thirdspace"
7. Season 4: continue with episodes 9-22
8. Watch Season 5 up to episode "Objects at Rest"
9. Watch the B5 movie "River of Souls"
10. Watch the B5 movie "In the Beginning" This is a prelude set 10 years before Babylon 5. Against the logic of the title, I would strongly recommend seeing it at this stage. Should one see it before Season 1, much of the suspense in the main series would be ruined.
11. Watch the B5 movie "A Call to Arms" This movie lays the groundwork for the spin-off TV series "Crusade".
12. Season 5: watch final episode "Sleeping in Light"
13. Watch Crusade Series
14. Watch 'Legend of the Rangers'
15. Watch 'The Lost Tales'

 

[Booji]

This is a viewing order I saw on the Amazon.co.uk user review page for the DVD boxset. Agree or disagree?

Episodes in seasons 1, 2, and 3 are out of order if you watch it this way. Use the order from the Lurker's Guide for seasons 1-3.

The rest of the list is ok except for Crusade. Those episodes are out of order and even the chronological & JMS order aren't quite right. I started coming up with my own order for that using the chronological order as a starting point:

1. War Zone
2. Ruling from the Tomb
3. Appearances and Other Deceits
4. The Long Road
5. The Well of Forever
6. Patterns of the Soul
7. The Path of Sorrows
8. The Memory of War
9. The Needs of Earth
10. Racing the Night
11. Visitors from Down the Street
12. Each Night I Dream of Home
13. The Rules of the Game

I think there are a couple tweaks I need to make in the episode 6-9 range, but this order is decent.

 

[Reverend]

Call to B5 fans:

As I dive back into the show and prepare to resume where I left off, can anyone provide or link to a recommended viewing order going forward? I understand that it's straightforward for the first 3 seasons, then gets a little murky with movies taking place at different points in the story.

I've found as a general rule of thumb when getting into things that seem to have weird viewing orders, it's typically best to just stick with release order, at least the first time around. Chronological orders and thematic order and the like are best saved for second viewings.

I've forgotten where you got to, so I'm just going to play it safe and assume everything is a spoiler.

'In the Beginning': As the title suggests is a prologue movie, basically telling the story of the Earth-Minbari War. It kinda spoils a mystery/twist that plays out over the latter half of the first season and heavily features a character not introduced until the second. So watch it at your leisure literally anytime after season 1.

'Thirdspace': Technically takes place kinda smack in the middle of the two main arcs of season 4, but really it's just meant to be a little standalone side-story with no real connection to the larger plot beyond what the status quo on the station happened to be at the time. It adds nothing much to a season 4 watch and figuring out exactly which two episodes it slots between is possible, but not exactly rewarding from a narrative standpoint. You're fine to just wait until after season 4 or later.

'River of Souls': Like 'Thirdspace' is a stand-alone with no real relation to the plot beyond the backdrop; though this one takes place *after* the bulk of season 5. As such, wait until the show is over to check it out.

'Legend of the Rangers': Kind of a weird one as while it's been released as a movie, really speaking it's a pilot for a second spin-off (years after Crusade was cancelled) that never got picked up. As such it's not really a complete story and only functions to introduce characters. It's flawed and uneven with a few flashes of brilliance and the final performance of Andreas as G'Kar before his passing...so worth watching for that alone. Chronologically speaking, it takes place in the years between the end of B5's 5th season and ACtA/Crusade. Not that it matters all that much.

'A Call to Arms': This is a straight-up bridging/passing of the baton movie/pilot for the 'Crusade' spin-off and is a must watch prior to that show as it sets up the premise, the setting and several of the new main characters.

My advice: just wait until you're done with all 5 season of B5 proper and watch the movies in whatever order you feel like before diving into 'Crusade'. Less fuss, less confusion.

 

[DigificWriter]

Fans are the only ones who care about 'spoilers' coming from using the Lurkers' Guide's JMS-approved Master List or any other type of list that reorders the episodes from how they appear on the DVD sets.

The audience knowing things before the characters themselves do is almost never a concern in a novel, and that is ultimately what Babylon 5 is: a visual novel.

 

[Rhodan]

and that is ultimately what Babylon 5 is: a visual novel.

And we are in a dire need of those. It is effective storytelling that is absolutely befitting television sci-fi and fantasy.

 

[David cgc]

Fans are the only ones who care about 'spoilers' coming from using the Lurkers' Guide's JMS-approved Master List or any other type of list that reorders the episodes from how they appear on the DVD sets.

The audience knowing things before the characters themselves do is almost never a concern in a novel, and that is ultimately what Babylon 5 is: a visual novel.

I'd say the bigger issue with watching ITB first is simply how much it jumps around with the human side and doesn't have a coherent cast of characters through the whole thing the way the Minbari plot does. In that respect, it might be most enjoyable to watch it between season one and two, as a bit of a symbolic hand-off from Sinclair to Sheridan, and with you knowing who most of the people who just drop in for one scene like Franklin, G'Kar, and Ivanova are.

 

[BlueStuff]

"By Any Means Necessary"

And we're back. What better way to welcome me back into this world after a year and a half absence than with a labour dispute deriving from a docking bay disaster? I tell you, I knew I was back in it for the long haul from the smile on my face as soon as Londo came gleefully sauntering into the shot.

This didn't feel like a tremendously important episode in the grand scheme of things (not that I, a first-time viewer, would know what the grand scheme of things is) but it was enjoyable nonetheless. After being put-off in various degrees by hokey soul-stealers and lightning-shooting monsters early on, the big villain here is a penny-pinching senate on Earth who'd rather have increased military powers on Babylon 5 even if the station is practically falling apart from the inside. A recession, my foot.

The story seemed to bring out the best in Sinclair, who outside of a few occasions hadn't struck me as particularly memorable in the first eleven episodes. I liked how he was obviously wearily, reluctantly serving the interests of the more powerful even as he identified more with the struggling workers - it was great to see him subvert the ruling in order to find a peaceful solution and avoid the almost inevitable rioting. Connally - had we seen her before? I can't recall but she fit well into the dynamic.

For a guy as highly esteemed as a negotiator, I was expecting Zento to be a little more persuasive. He seemed to try and reason for about a minute then just threw his hands up in the air. "This is hopeless! We'll have to invoke the Rush Act!" And now we have his "powerful friends" to worry about? That's what happens when you're dealing with bargain-bin Andy Garcia.

The subplot was amusing (how can anything involving Londo and G'Kar not be?) but didn't seem to connect with the main story particularly eloquently. Still, having to deal with disputes like this is all in a day's work for the visibly exhausted Sinclair, eh?

Rating: ***

- No sign of Kosh, Dr Franklin, or the telepath this time.
- I hope that Garibaldi will henceforth be known as Mr Security Man.
- I find myself increasingly drawn to the Narn. Is that kind of an unusual fan allegiance? Those spots are appealing. And what about the way Katsulas trembles with barely-restrained rage when Londo taunts him? Good that we got a glimpse into Narn religion (from the sounds of things, one of several) that we were robbed of earlier in the season.
- "You're really busting my cojones today."
- "Why does the universe hate me?"

"So we'll march day and night by the big cooling tower, they have the plant but we have the power..."

 

[Farscape One]

Zento... keep in mind he is highly esteemed by those in a higher authority, most likely because he got results, not because of being a genuinely good negotiator. I've always been very leery of those who are lauded by those who sit behind a desk... they are inherently untrustworthy to begin with. Anyone they view as a golden child typically is not good news for the lower ranks.

 

[Kraig]

"By Any Means Necessary"


For a guy as highly esteemed as a negotiator, I was expecting Zento to be a little more persuasive. He seemed to try and reason for about a minute then just threw his hands up in the air. "This is hopeless! We'll have to invoke the Rush Act!" And now we have his "powerful friends" to worry about? That's what happens when you're dealing with bargain-bin Andy Garcia."

From the Lurker's Guide, The Rush Act was named after conservative American television and radio commentator Rush Limbaugh.

A UK poster inquires about Rush Limbaugh, for whom the Rush Act in this episode was named
Re: who is Rush Limbaugh....

JMS: "Leading American proctologist.

Trust me."

 

[DonIago]

Did not know!

 

[BlueStuff]

"Signs and Portents"

"What do you want?"

At this point, I wanted the "main story" of this unfurling tale to kick into gear. And I get the feeling that it did with this episode. Look, it's called Signs and Portents, which happens to be the subtitle of the season as a whole, so it's not too hard for me to guess that this is meant to be a significant episode, and likely foreshadows a lot of what's to eventually come. Much of it was intriguing. That said, I couldn't help but feel that I was somehow expecting more.

The hole in Sinclair's Battle of the Line recollection continues to be filled, and the revelation that the Minbari wanted him and only him to take command of the station is compelling. He's going to turn out to be some kind of sleeper agent, right? (don't answer that)

We also know what's at stake - the ominous vision of "what could be" must not be allowed to pass.

The biggest space battle seen so far was a fun watch; even the effects are endearing to me (see notes below). There was also some typically effective humour with Londo and G'Kar. There's rarely a dull moment when either of those two are on screen.

On the negative side, some of the writing seemed a little clunky and staged to me - not least the propensity for characters to launch into charged monologues after repeatedly being asked "what do you want?" by the creepy Morden. It was almost worth it just for Kosh's response, however.

Did I ultimately enjoy it as a standalone hour? Yes. Was I perhaps expecting something a little MORE significant? Probably. Do I think I'll likely enjoy it more on a rewatch with the knowledge of the full story? Absolutely. For now though, I'll deem it good, but not great.

And what do I want? I want the first truly GREAT episode to reveal itself. Maybe it'll be the next one!

Rating: ***

- It didn't escape my attention that Kosh reported his environmental suit as "damaged" right after warning Morden to disperse. Did Morden attack him? The balls on that guy if so.
- "On my first birthday she said I would be killed by the shadows" - why did I get the feeling that I should immediately consider this Kiro guy a goner?
- I'm liking the effects more and more for their industrial feel - the Starfuries mechanically detaching before launching into space was so satisfying.
- The music was great in this one. Blaring the theme tune so often really felt as though the episode was declaring THIS is Babylon 5.

"And I say England's greatest prime minister was Lord Palmerston!" "Pitt the Elder!"
"Lord Palmerston!" "PITT THE ELDER!"

 

[DonIago]

This is one of the few S1 episodes that I deeply wish I'd caught in order rather than catching it after I'd seen later episodes.

Also, the actor who played Lord Kiro also played Quinn in VGR's "Death Wish", FWIW.

 

[BlueStuff]

This is one of the few S1 episodes that I deeply wish I'd caught in order rather than catching it after I'd seen later episodes.

Also, the actor who played Lord Kiro also played Quinn in VGR's "Death Wish", FWIW.

I thought that guy looked familiar...

 

[Kraig]

There is an inside joke on the blue display screen for the station events over the Lady Ladira's left shoulder. Third from the bottom is "Rolling Stones Farewell Concert 14:00 - Presley Arena." If you hurry, tickets might still be available. Presley Arena as in Elvis Presley, all mentioned in the episode commentary by JMS.