Foray into Science Fiction Fandom (7)


Babylon 5 was a brilliant show that ran for five years. Unlike most shows (which may get prematurely cancelled), Babylon 5 completed a story arc so well-tied together that it must have been intended substantially from its conception. Although the show has been compared (less than favorably) with Star Trek, it never had the same "a monster a week" logic. It was deeply political, philosophical, romantic, and strategic. Some characters came and went, but all wove well into the larger tapestry.

The name of the show is the name of a space station established by Earth to host other species. The captain and other officers of the crew are human, but they interact significantly with ambassadors from the Mimbari, Centauri, Narn, and Vorlon races, as well as many other less impactful groups.

Soon a great enemy emerges - one of the old races called the "shadows" - and they have the creepiest looking ships I've ever seen in science fiction. The show would be very different if it were simply WWII replayed in space; axis and allies; angels and shadows; race against race. Instead, it is something much more complicated: good versus evil. . . and just when you think you know which is which, it gets just that much more complicated.

Although I write the show as number seven on my list, I hold Babylon 5 in the top three science fiction worlds of my experience.

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