Babylon 5

Syndicated | Other | SYN | Release Date: January 24, 1994

9.1	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 36 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Review this TV Series

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

Kai82Oct 19, 2021

It is my favorite science fiction show. The strengths are a deep story that is set and planned over multiple seasons, a cast of memorable characters, great worldbuilding and lore like barely any other show and development for characters,It is my favorite science fiction show. The strengths are a deep story that is set and planned over multiple seasons, a cast of memorable characters, great worldbuilding and lore like barely any other show and development for characters, society and races. I especially like that they did not hide humanities dark sides. We might have evolved there but our problems from today are still present in the future as they were also in our past. The worldbuilding and setting is well made and has depth. It is a bit like Lord of the Rings but more accessible. Here was a universe with a lot of lore created. There are also legendary people, events, stories, conflicts and developments in the past that have shaped history. Some have still effects in the present. Also the cultures, struggles and conflicts are relatable as are the alien races. Lets give you a set up: Humanity has become a space faring race and is part of the galactic community. In the past they saved the League of Non-Aligned Worlds from an attack by the Dilgar. The Earth Alliance military pushed them back to their home world. Sadly they were not pure evil just desperate as their sun would become a supernova and this ended their race. Humanity however became arrogant and ignorant. Disaster happens when a human fleet meet a Minbari fleet. Both races have not met before and know the others only by stories. The Minbari were probably the most technology advanced of the younger races in the galaxy. A custom of the Minbari warrior cast was to turn on the weapon systems to honor the others (but not the targeting and defense systems). Before you say this is stupid: Ever seen how we welcome VIPs in the political world? With an honor guard that salutes with their weapons. So not much of a difference. The commander of the Earth ship misinterpret this as attack preparation and fired on them first. This caused the death of one of the most respected leaders and the Minbari go to a full holy war. Mankind was completely outclassed by the Minbari but made them pay for each victory. It would have been the end of humanity but when the Minbari reached Earth they ceased fire and surrender unconditionally after destroying the last defense line. This is one of the great mysteries until now. Mankind was defeated and nothing could have turned the tide. There was no super weapon, danger or thread for the Minbari. Approx 10 years later mankind has build the Babylon 5 space station. A place for diplomacy, trade, commerce and understanding to prevent another great misunderstanding. With this the story starts. There are so much good stories. Be it political plots, agendas, personal developments or just slice of life. It is entertaining and the multiple season story made this even better as developments and twist could be set up far before. Then there is the great cast. I start with my and fan favorites. Andreas Katsulas as G’Kar and Peter Jurasik as Londo Molari. Both have incredible developments in the story and are the definition for frenemies. You will often find neither better friends nor worse enemies than these two. Michael O’Hare as Jeffrey Sinclair and Bruce Boxleitner as John Sinclair are great commanders and both are destined to become more. Jerry Doyle as chief of security Michael Garibaldi is the next with a great arc as is Mira Furlan as Deleen who is incredible. Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova is frightening good and the last person I want as enemy. It has no end here as I would name countless other actors and their roles too. Lets say we have an amazing cast that fully delivers. The special effects look different form other shows. They have a unique style and it aged really well. I was amazed and well entertained. I read that they used a network of Amiga 2000 computers and this was far cheaper than any comparable solutions. For the soundtrack they use a lot of care to enhance the atmosphere. Now to the seasons: I will made an individual review for each later. Season 1 is good but like any show they need a bit of time to get used to the roles and the dynamics. I would give an 8/10. Season 2,3 and 4 are the highlights of the show and worth 11/10. This is why we say it is the best science fiction show. Season 5 is a bit weaker and probably the set up for the next arc. I still would round this to an 8/10. Sadly irt ended here. Overall this was amazing and I would like to thank Joseph Michael Straczynski for this. An easy recommendation for anyone who likes science fiction, great characters and epic stories. Remark: I left out a lot as it would not possible to put this into just 5000 words like the older races, telepaths etc.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

TacitusRTSFeb 21, 2020

A decade ahead of its time. They intended to write five seasons and it wraps up nicely without any milking. The characters are legendary with Shakespearian influence. Really cool Scifi concepts are injected into the series. It isn't aA decade ahead of its time. They intended to write five seasons and it wraps up nicely without any milking. The characters are legendary with Shakespearian influence. Really cool Scifi concepts are injected into the series. It isn't a StarTrek knock off, I believe it excells StarTrek. If anything it could be compared to Dune but in a 90s series format.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

martanekMay 1, 2022

This is definitely a must watch! Yes there are **** episodes, like in any other show, but the whole complexity of the things that are happening are really COOL and you will be thrilled to see what happens next + really recommend for sci-fi fans.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

SDWJul 16, 2019

25 years later, every season is just as fun to watch as when it came out. It was a landmark show that introduced the 5 year story arc (now the standard), using CGI instead of models (now the standard), and was before any politically correct25 years later, every season is just as fun to watch as when it came out. It was a landmark show that introduced the 5 year story arc (now the standard), using CGI instead of models (now the standard), and was before any politically correct corruption (now the standard)… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

junoncrossAug 22, 2023

A nostalgic romp through an older setting. A great way to touch base with the series. I highly recommend for any watcher of Babylon 5, whether casual or dedicated. I think it will land mostly with those whove seen the series, and probably notA nostalgic romp through an older setting. A great way to touch base with the series. I highly recommend for any watcher of Babylon 5, whether casual or dedicated. I think it will land mostly with those whove seen the series, and probably not really at all with those who've not. Still, since it was made with fans in mind, I give a 10/10. My only qualm being the voice actors for the deceased actors. No one can overcome death, not even screenwriters. But they could have found someone who hit closer to some of those characters voices.… Expand