Babylon 5
Approval Rate: 81%
Reviews 47
by koshbeec
Mon Dec 17 2007Best sci-fi show ever. Originality and great effects are as good as anything today. Way ahead of its time with an on-going intricate plot and characters that develop magnificently over time. Not the usual 45 minute setup, 10 minutues of impossible crisis suddenly resolved with physics warping solutions or scientific sounding buzz words. You could not predict who was going to survive or play spot the new (dead) guy. Refreshing.
by x_factor_z
Wed Mar 21 2007Really not too bad but could never get into this show like the other space station show Deep Space Nine.
by kzkerk
Tue Jun 22 2004i really like this show. although it falls victim to the humans are speical because of X bullsh*t too often, compared to crap that was on then (and now) it was actually watchable. the actors were a little wooden (except for the alien characters), but the story line was great. i like watching things being built up, falling apart, and put back together again as something that perhaps was bigger than it was before. went downhill during the last season, and most of the movies made for the series sucked, but it was nice to have a show i could actually watch without finding myself wondering if i could pick my nose with both hands at the same time and still stay awake. if only i could find a show like that now....
by rbsjrx
Wed May 26 2004The best dramatic series, regardless of genre, in television history.
by twig926
Wed Apr 21 2004A show that has to be watched complete. If you missed an episode you might not follow the plot much after so I can see why some people didn't like it. But if given a chance you will be rewarded as it has a much deeper story and feel than most Sci-fi shows.
by guava_monkey
Thu Apr 15 2004Boring, pretentious, turgid and humourless tosh with squirmingly embarrassing cod-Shakespearian dialogue that takes itself far too seriously. At least with Star Trek Mk 1 there was an undercurrent of tongue in cheek. Along with 'Farscape' this is the worst programme in the science fiction/fantasy genre ever. Even 'Thunderbirds' was more authentic and action packed.
by cfrancis
Wed Jul 16 2003one of the best top 10 shows ever made. i followed it for 5 years from the first episode even though at times i could scream because they switched time slots and days of the week it was on, every hour it seemed, and weeks or months would go by wondering if it was still on or cancelled.
by kahfess
Sun Jul 13 2003I enjoy sci-fi, but couldn't get into this show at all. I think perhaps had they chosen some different actors for some of the key roles, things might have been different.
by resisobilus
Sat May 24 20034 stars for 4 great seasons. Yes, there were 5 seasons.
by rduff47
Tue Apr 29 2003Very under-rated program. Really took off when Bruce Boxlietner (Capt. Sheridan) took over. I love this show and never really appreciated it until syndication.
by third_eye
Fri Mar 28 2003Second only to Farscape!
by icehouseman
Sat Mar 08 2003The greatest Sci-Fi show ever, and I've only seen season 1 so far. There is nothing I can write that hasn't been said already. I can't wait to see Season 2.
by hawaiian_harvey
Sat Jan 04 2003Babylon 5 has stories and characters infinitely more imaginative and interesting than any crappy Star Trek spin-off could ever create.
by pika2nd
Thu Oct 24 2002Unlike Star Trek the Babylon 5 universe is actually plausable. The characters are well thought out and you can see them develop through out the series. The storyline is extremely well written. I love it.
by robetta_r
Mon May 13 2002Babylon 5 was a truly superior sf show, perhaps the best ever. Of the st, only ds9 came close and only for it's better continuity. My only small slight, was bruce replacing the lead from the first season.
by ninja_squirrel
Tue Apr 16 2002Babylon 5 is completely separate and unique from Star Trek. Babylon 5 gives a more "realistic" view of the future (within a science-fiction context of course) and depicts humans as being more diverse and imperfect--the way we really are. Granted, it had it's share of sucky episodes (something its own creator J. Michael Straczynski will admit too), but when Babylon 5 was good, it was a masterpiece. The method of storytelling by JMS involved foreshadowing, prophecy, visions, history, surprises, deep multiple layers of character development, deaths or departures of major and minor characters, humor, sarcasm, political intrigue, epic mystery, excellent dramatic performances, wordy-yet-interesting-and-philosophical monologues, religious overtones, and diverse emotions. I like Star Trek too, but don't think for a second that B5 is just another Star Trek. It's completely different--and it's better.
by legiondary
Mon Jan 28 2002Quite simply: excellence in television. Fun, absorbing, intricate and terrific sci-fi to boot. All those who would claim this is a DS( rip-off please note: 2 shows about a space station. 1 with a 5 year storyline written before the 1st dollar was put down, set in a completely original universe (from politics & technology to alien races & storyline) vs. a spin-off of Trek that had to create a nemesis from the Gamma Quadrant and get a starship to save it from boredom. Even the actors despised the set-up. Right guys. Bab5 is completely a ripoff from DS9. Uh huh.
by callmetootie
Mon Apr 09 2001UPN and WB should stop trying to make these shows that take place in outer space, because they are extremly boring and stupid. The makeup is totally goofy, and the setting looks like it came out of something that 100 box tops could get you.
by dancinbob
Thu Mar 22 2001This show is great mainly because it is not a Star Trek clone. It created it's own universe with the most believable characters ever assembled on one series. It was so good that Deep Space 9 even started to copy it’s blueprint of having one story line that continued throughout the series with sub plots appearing and disappearing with each show. DS9 had its enemy in the delta quadrant, which was a direct rip-off from Babylon 5’s Shadows. Babylon 5 must go down as one of the great classics of science fiction because like the classics of the past, it created a believable future that we can relate to and characters that we can cheer for.
by cmc2209
Thu Mar 08 2001I think that the show was before it's time. It integrated certain incidents with others and build a story. The actors were chosen quite well. I only have problem with the final season. Except for the last show, the final season was boring.
by jensheridan
Tue Feb 13 2001Babylon 5 not only created a believable universe, something Star Trek is a bit lacking in, but they created characters that are easy for me to identify with and very easy for me to like...I think it was a mistake, however to limit it to only 5 years
by a_simian
Wed Jan 24 2001possibly one of the best shows of recent years combining plot arc with individual episodes. This has alowed for both characterisation and also a sense that the characters have something to do with the story and do not just happen to be there when things go wrong. There are a few lose threads but this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the shows - in fact as we do not know when or if a certain matter will be resolved there is an air of tension lent to each plot arc which is missing from other shows where you know that everything will turn out nice in the end
by b5head
Wed Jan 24 2001If you never watched the entire series in context, you probably thought it was all eye candy, but for the faithful, it is probably the most diverse and interesting sci-fi series ever made. It is a shame that the distribution company seemed to think it so uninportant that when it was released to video, seasons 1&4. then seasons 2&4 were released, but the most exciting season [3] was NEVER released. Talk about total lack of commitment! this is a STORY,folks! No wonder that new fans were never exposed to this as networks faded it into obscurity. If you get a chance,and you love sci-fi, watch the entire series. You'll be glad you did. B5HEAD
by b54everfan
Tue Jan 16 2001Babylon 5 was, hands down, the best SF series ever aired. It has it all over any of the Star Treks, for heaven's sakes the combination of Londo and G'Kar would blow any of the Trek actors away. (with Kirk and Spock being perhaps tied). The shows depth, bredth, adult nature, and the fact it poses elemental questions such as "Who are you?' and " What do you want?", shows how provocative it is. The writing was the best, bar none, and the acting wonderful. They did more with less then a million than those ponderous,, boring self important shows such as TNG, and DS9. Which I could NEVER stand, or understand the popularity of. B5 is head and shoulders above them all!! Classic Trek was great though, and some of their shows could be very close to B5's quality. But, those shows are more accessable to the general public because they are more esy to understand and simplistic. B5 has it all. And also may have saved my life. I owe JMS a debt I can never repay. B5 is the best, a Tower among the Lili... Read more
by kmguru
Thu Jan 04 2001Most powerful dialog I have ever seen in a sci-fi movie or series. Almost Shakespearean. Forget the Sci-factor, you would love the drama and dialogs. Nothing comes close before or after B5 in Sci-Fi (except 2001: A Space Odyssey). Just because a few Trekkies try to change the rating will not work. It is too obvious. Competition is in disarray...Look at Andromeda!
by vorlon
Wed Dec 13 2000There is no better Sci-fi show in existance. Humans are still mortal, and they aren't the center of the universe. In star trek, humans are the mast technologically advanced race other than the Borg, or a few other enemies. In Babylon 5, the enemies have emotions, motivation, and cause. And what is this about DS9 having a character by the name of Lyta? Disgusting. Also, the characters on Babylon 5 have depth. They have reasons for how they feel, and what they do. Those who criticize the series probably havn't taken the time to see the entire plot line. Also, another plus for B5, they have great music.
by trekky17
Fri Nov 03 2000babylon five is nothing but a star trek spin off that thinks they can be cooler than star trek but it's not.
by marcuscoleiscu_te
Sun Oct 22 2000I absolutely LOVE B5! I have a LOT of trouble finding other people who like it. If you like B5 e-mail me at [email protected] Babylon 5 4ever!
by atenar
Mon Oct 02 2000Response to Soldierblue comments: watch "Believers" or "The Long Twilight Struggle" and tell me ANY sci-fi show does it better. B5 creates a consistent and believable universe where people are still people and not paragons of morality (Star Trek anyone?). The villains are also people, chillingly so, as you can see characteristics of people you know in them, perhaps even see yourself. As for his criticisms, my guess is he watched the pilot episode and nothing else. Watch Star Trek "The Cage" and see what resemblance it has to the first series. As for DS9: with a budget for ONE episode bigger than half a season on B5 you'd think they could hire a writer or two and not steal B5 plots. Watch the last 2 seasons of DS9 and you'll see.
by saraphine
Mon Oct 02 2000its a wannabe star trek, with crappy actors and actresses. i wish they'd erase this show from the face of the planet. thats how bad it is..really. its plot is flatter than a freshly cooked pancake.
by soldierblue
Sun Sep 17 2000A poor man's Star Trek....DS9 does it so much better. The sets are worse than Blake's seven..the acting wooden......the aliens outcasts from George lucas.....the show has little to redeem it.....the worst sci fi series ever....yes that includes battlestar gallactica.
by best9784om
Mon Aug 14 2000Still my favorite show.
by hhpo8730om
Tue Jul 18 2000Best scifi show i've seen. Can't believe it only lasted 5 seasons. Why aren't all 5 movies available on tape, for rental?
by sken8700om
Mon Jul 17 2000Its an epic. There are few shows in which writing style, story, and character interaction are done so well. Bab 5 can only be watched one way, from beginning to end. It is one story that spans 5 years. A story once absorbed will change you forever.
by tojo8712et
Mon Jul 17 2000Hands down, this is (was) the best show on television....and I've seen a lot of TV (I'm 53)...the special effects were fabulous, the story lines were great, the characters were supurb, and it ended much too soon. I missed year 5 because I didn't have access to cable.
by mosw8697et
Mon Jul 17 2000I have never seen a show with such a beautiful story to share. The arc of the story is well planned, and the characters can be identified with. It's a believable future for Earth.
by dinn8710om
Mon Jul 17 2000This show it the greatest. I have taped all the show and I am retaping them for my kids. I hope it never goes off the air. I wish that they could have continued it with Crusade.
by wnit8722om
Mon Jul 17 2000The Best TV series bar none.
by blac8661om
Sun Jul 16 2000Babylon 5 was one of the most decent shows on tv and still is. it didn't have as much violence and it did have a 5 yaer story line to follow. It wasn't as lame as your normal soap opera. You could really get into the characters and feel like part of their lives. So yes I wish they would start the series again with a new story line with the same characters and maybe some new races. Most of all fill in the twenty year gap between the birth of the alliance and Sheridan's death.
by ligh8659om
Sun Jul 16 2000An evolutionary show - for science fiction and television.
by stev8663uk
Sun Jul 16 2000Babylon 5 has everything, an amazing story that kept millions of us hooked for 5 years, characters you got to know and really cared what happened to them and special effects and visuals which give it a really unique feel.
by rhi_at_8660om
Sun Jul 16 2000Babylon 5 was a wonderful SF show, with depth and feeling, brilliant plots, character development, and all those gritty little shades of grey that are so often missed in other SF, say, Star Trek. Bester (*g*), for example, is a bad guy who can be sympathized with, as opposed to some evil energy thing with no character whatsoever... Anyone who disagrees with this opinion will be subject to mindwipe and reprogramming. *:^})
by none7595om
Sat Jul 15 2000It provokes thought; It's exciting; It's messy, almost like real life. It's fun. It's epic. I care for the people(the characters).
by book8648om
Sat Jul 15 2000If you love scifi, but you don't like this show, something is very wrong......IMHO this is one of THE best, well-written scifi shows.
by bail8650om
Sat Jul 15 2000I enjoyed this series immensely throughout its 5 year run, and hated to see it end. I would very much like to see a new series based on the original.
by ange8646om
Sat Jul 15 2000Babylon 5 is a great television series that Sci-Fi channel should revive, because there is an endless amount of fans EVERYWHERE!!! If you disagree, my associates WILL find you >imitates Sinclair's "tracking device"< BeepBeep =)
by amy_8649om
Sat Jul 15 2000Extremely well developed characters, complex conflicts, and surprising resolutions make Babylon 5 one of the richest, most interesting programs to grace the airwaves in years. By placing this story in a futuristic setting, B5 more clearly illuminates mankind's unending struggle to distinguish between what is good and evil. It is an epic unlike any I have seen before or since.