Babylon 5

[Nombrecomun]

Knowing who Sinclair is is largely immaterial for a good chunk of S2 and S3....

But then that guts the impact of understanding:
1. Where did Sinclair go(and then understand behind the scenes about the medical issues the actor was facing).
2. Who Sinclair becomes.

If someone watching for the first time skips S1 then they would probably wonder why so much attention is being paid to this 'new' character.

I know when I saw who he became I was floored. Didn't see that coming at all. Then combine that with the fate of B4. I agree that S1 is rocky(as many S1's of other series were back then) but these episodes and getting to know Sinclair do have a huge pay off.

 

[DonIago]

^That's rather the point I've been making this whole time though, isn't it? I wondered why Sinclair was such a big deal beyond being the former commander of B5, so I went back and watched S1.

 

[Nombrecomun]

^That's rather the point I've been making this whole time though, isn't it? I wondered why Sinclair was such a big deal beyond being the former commander of B5, so I went back and watched S1.

I get that...but had you watched it in order then instead of a quizzical reaction like, "Who is this guy and why does anyone care?" then it's more of a shock and amazement as to his transformation as well as a satisfying resolution for the character and actor given what he was going through.

The story flows better.

But yeah...S1 is rough. A lot of skippable eps(and there are plenty of guides as to what is essential viewing) but skipping S1 altogether....I can't see that.

 

[Dee1891]

I agree that S1 is rocky(as many S1's of other series were back then) but these episodes and getting to know Sinclair do have a huge pay off.

I never had a problem with Season One. It wasn't perfect. Then again, neither were the other seasons. Each had its own collection of questionable episodes. And since Season One sets up the Narn-Centuri conflict that will last for the rest of the series, the Earth Civil War, the mystery behind Babylon 4 and the Shadow War, along with its consequences with the Drahk, I never saw any reason to skip it.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

When I first saw B5, there wasn't a great deal of SF TV on the four main broadcast channels in the UK. B5 was on Channel 4 and it was going against against TNG, Voyager and DS9 on BBC2. TNG was obviously in decline, Voyager was Marmite - you either love or hate it, and DS9 had a rocky first season like B5. Thankfully, both B5 and DS9 improved greatly over their runs. There are some episodes of both shows I will gladly avoid ever rewatching, but I watched them all when they were first shown.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

I watched In The Beginning on New Year’s. It was really good. I was originally shown the first ten minutes years ago but refused because I felt like I should watch the series first, even if the movie is a prequel. I’m glad I watched it after because I enjoyed all the continuity from the series.

 

[Booji]

I watched In The Beginning on New Year’s. It was really good. I was originally shown the first ten minutes years ago but refused because I felt like I should watch the series first, even if the movie is a prequel. I’m glad I watched it after because I enjoyed all the continuity from the series.

You made the right decision. There are way too many spoilers in In the Beginning to watch that first. And like you said, the little continuity things that pop up are more enjoyable when this ep is watched last or near the end.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

I'm on the fence about whether The Gathering should be skipped for first-time viewers of B5. There are so many differences from the main series that I suspect newcomers might find it confusing. The JMS edition (with the Chris Franke score) also contains a spoiler, although it's not particularly noticeable.

 

[DonIago]

Man, every time I watch In the Beginning I find myself wishing the rest of the films had been as good as that one.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

I think The Gathering should be watched simply because it’s the very first thing in the franchise.

However I couldn’t get through Thirdspace and I don’t really feel like watching the other movies.

 

[Dee1891]

I think The Gathering should be watched simply because it’s the very first thing in the franchise.

However I couldn’t get through Thirdspace and I don’t really feel like watching the other movies.

I think it should be watched because it sets up Sinclair's arc with the Minbari and his fate. And it was referenced in a later episode.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Call to Arms is pretty decent and acts as a introduction to Crusade. Thirdspace and River of Souls are poor to mediocre.

I think it should be watched because it sets up Sinclair's arc with the Minbari and his fate. And it was referenced in a later episode.

Original cut or JMS's later cut?

 

[DigificWriter]

Call to Arms is pretty decent and acts as a introduction to Crusade. Thirdspace and River of Souls are poor to mediocre.


Original cut or JMS's later cut?

Either.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I think The Gathering should be watched simply because it’s the very first thing in the franchise.

However I couldn’t get through Thirdspace and I don’t really feel like watching the other movies.

Lost tales.

Two short stories rather than a full length clunker.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Lost tales.

Two short stories rather than a full length clunker.

Equals two short clunkers - one marginally better than the other, but neither is essential.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Equals two short clunkers - one marginally better than the other, but neither is essential.

She doesn't remember what a Techno Mage is.

I'm trying to trick her into watching Crusade.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Perhaps advise her to skip War Zone (which is bad) and watch the TV movie A Call to Arms instead. Also watch the episodes in some recommended order other than their broadcast order.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Perhaps advise her to skip War Zone (which is bad) and watch the TV movie A Call to Arms instead. Also watch the episodes in some recommended order other than their broadcast order.

1. War Zone is cute if you know the Woodwards are father and son IRL.
2. The viewing order was sorted out years ago.
3. I doubt she'll ever go there. Crusade is sorta like a tumor on Babylon 5's ass, that we only appreciate because Babylon 5 is dead.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

1. War Zone is cute if you know the Woodwards are father and son IRL.

That episode was The Long Road.

2. The viewing order was sorted out years ago.

Was it though? Even JMS's suggested order has continuity problems, I believe, that unmade episodes would have resolved.

3. I doubt she'll ever go there. Crusade is sorta like a tumor on Babylon 5's ass, that we only appreciate because Babylon 5 is dead.

More like a benign cyst.

 

[Dee1891]

I'm not that fond of the B5 television movies, aside from "In the Beginning". I just feel that some of the two-part episodes from within the series were better.