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The story so far... Babylon 5 is the last of the neutral outposts,
a five-mile long space station designed as a meeting place
for diplomats, traders and entrepreneurs, and considered to
be the last best hope for peace. Permanently based here are
the ambassadors of four prominent races: Delenn of the Minbari,
an old race consisting of warrior and religious casts (who
also fought a major war with Earth, before mysteriously surrendering
when they had the upper hand); Londo of the Centauri, an imperial
Romanlike people steeped in blood; G'Kar of the Narn, the
reptilian looking race (actually marsupials) which has long
lived under the pressure of war; and Kosh of the Vorlons,
an ancient race, the identity of which is concealed within
encounter suits.
G'Kar
extends a hand of friendship, but Londo authorises an attack
on a Narn outpost, causing a terrible war. Londo's mysterious
allies in the offensive come via a human called Morden. Delenn
undergoes a metamorphosis which prophecy dictates will bring
the Minbari and human races closer together, and aid in the
struggle against the greater threat. Kosh, after revealing
his true form (appearing differently to each witness) to save
Sheridan from an act of terrorism, becomes even more illusive
and somewhat sinister. The greater threat to all races is
discovered to be the Shadows, oldest of the First Ones, last
seen in local space by other races more than a thousand years
ago...
In season three the stakes are raised, there is plenty of
upheaval, and nothing ever feels comfortable again. Every
event produces major consequences which reverberate through
the storylines so that you never discount the possibility
of a central character being killed or changed in such a significant
way that they effectively become somebody else. Every episode
makes for compelling viewing.
Matters
of Honor kicks us off in fine style. Londo, realising
at last who his dangerous benefactors are, tries to sever
his ties with them, an act which proves practically impossible.
In the same story, we see the arrival of new regular, Marcus
Cole, a representative of the Rangers, a highly-trained unit
created by Sinclair, Babylon 5's original commander (during
season one) from the Mimbari homeworld - their mission to
collect intelligence on the Shadows. Sheridan sets up a regular
secret war council with Delenn; and we see the White Star
for the first time, a beautiful Mimbari warship incorporating
organic Vorlon technology, which can generate its own jump
points between star systems. Sheridan is given command of
the ship by Delenn.
In Voices of Authority, Susan Ivanova tries to enlist
the aid of another race of First Ones in the fight against
the Shadows, but receives only a noncommittal reply. In Messages
From Earth, Sheridan attempts to prevent the re-activation
of a dormant Shadow vessel. Point of No Return sees
Earth's current martial law extended to the Earthforce-run
Babylon 5, but Sheridan finds a way to combat the Night Watch
enforcers. The follow-up, Severed Dreams, has Earthforce
destroyers arriving to demand Sheridan's surrender. But Sheridan
decides to fight. Sheridan forms a romantic as well as strong
political alliance with Delenn, in Sic Transit Vir.
In Interludes and Examinations, Sheridan asks Kosh
for help in securing a morale-boosting small victory against
the Shadows.
So,
plenty going on. Television just doesn't get any better than
Babylon 5. They say that the best special effects are
those which you don't notice. This is never more true than
in Babylon 5. This is not so much science fiction,
as war, mind games and political intrigue within a science
fiction setting.
The
characters, stories and situations are so strong and gripping
that you quickly forget someone is wearing prosthetics and
make-up, and that the wonderfully realised sets are not on
a five-mile long station but a huge series of warehouse spaces.
And talking of the sets, these have escalated from 12 main
sets in the pilot episode, to over 300 by the end of season
three.
The computer generated imagery used for the Babylon 5 exteriors,
assorted spacecraft and battles, and the jumpgates, was pretty
much in its infancy but still looks superb and brilliantly
understated today. Just watch the fighter craft being released
downwards from the launchbays, or witness a Shadow craft materialising
into real space to understand what I mean.
Extras in this case consist of three new documentaries: Behind
the Mask: Creating the aliens of Babylon 5; Building
a better Narn; and Designing Tomorrow: The look of
Babylon 5. There is also The Universe of Babylon 5,
containing video data files, personnel files, and a Shadow
dossier. Commentaries for two episodes come from series creator
J. Michael Straczynski, and a further one from four regular
cast members.
Talk
of synergy and juxtapositions; this is a series where every
component was right, creating a balance you seldom, if ever,
see elsewhere. J. Michael Straczynski was a genius to have
come up with such a concept and five-year story arc, but he
must also be counted fortunate to have assembled such a strong
team, both in front of and behind camera.
Buy
this to see what you've been missing, and wait with baited
breath for the faultless perfection that is season 4. I was
going to hold off my maximum points until that coveted season,
but this is very nearly as good.
Ty
Power
 
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