The introduction to Babylon 5 tells us that the Babylon
stations were the universe’s last chance for peace. It failed…Before the
Babylon stations were built Earth had just gotten out of a devastating war with
the Minbari, an advanced alien species. The Minbari captured a human commander
to question him and then abruptly surrendered even though they were winning the
war. The first season, follows this commander, Sinclair, as he navigates
keeping the alien species on Babylon 5 from each other’s throats, especially
the Centauri and the Narns who have a long history of animosity.
The second season sees the sudden departure of Sinclair as
he is shipped off to be the human ambassador to Minbari. In his place comes
Sheridan, who brings his own brand, of
justice to the role. Behind the scenes, the actor who played Sinclair, Michael
O’Hare, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was unable to continue working. He does come back as a guest star to tie up
his story line later in the series.
What I love about Babylon 5 is that you come to love all the
characters, even the stinkers. The Centauri are pawns in the war the main
antagonists, The Shadows, are waging on the rest of the universe. (For the
record the Shadows are evil and you do not love them). I do love the Centauri,
and the Narns, and the Minbari. The Shadows antithesis are the Vorlons who have
appeared in many mythologies as angels. The first Vorlon we meet, Kosh, is kind
if a little aloof.
The show did lose momentum in the 5th season. The
problem being that they dragged their feet in renewing the series leading to
many of the main cast to leave for other projects. But the first four seasons
are solid. It ends too. There are no loose threads. There was rumors that a
remake was in the works. My answer, please no!
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