History Series / BabylonFive

On September 27, 2021, TheCW announced that [[https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/babylon-5-reboot-the-cw-j-michael-straczynski-1235075236/ they would produce]] a "from-the-ground-up reboot" of ''Babylon 5'' with JMS as executive producer. No other news has been announced, though given the decades since the show's debut (and the untimely passing of a number of cast members), re-casting seems inevitable. The real question will be how audiences receive the story of ''Babylon 5'' now that it's no longer ahead of its time.

B5's influence on English-language television and wider fiction is [[MainstreamObscurity often-overlooked]], since it only reached niche success in its lifetime. It's one of the first genre shows to feature a Myth Arc (the other stand-out being ''Series/TheXFiles''), one of the first to use CGI renders for all its special effects instead of practical models ([[OurGraphicsWillSuckInTheFuture and it shows]]), and one of the first to have an internet fandom. B5 and its [[DuelingWorks competitor]], ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', were harbingers of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Television_(2000s%E2%80%93present) Second Golden Age of Television]]" ''i.e.'' big-budget serialized dramas (''Series/TheSopranos'' being a product of the age).

The entire series has been released on DVD, and is also available for streaming on various internet platforms. Unfortunately the DVD picture quality suffered from significant transfer errors as part of the special effects conversion to Widescreen format (See the Trivia tab for details). The series received a HD remaster in 2020 which restored the 4:3 aspect ration of the original airing, and is available on [=iTunes=], Amazon Prime, and HBO Max.

B5 took serialization to new heights: more than half of the episodes fit into a series-long MythArc involving the "Shadows" and their [[GalacticConqueror machinations on Earth and other planets.]] JMS plotted out much of the series before filming began, with plenty of {{Rewatch Bonus}}es, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having written every episode of Seasons 3 and 4 single-handedly.) Time and budget constraints relegated some of the story [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised to tie-in novels and comic books]], namely [[BewareTheSuperman a war fought between Telepaths and "Mundanes".]]

* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E00TheGathering The Gathering]]'' -- 1993 PilotMovie, which differs from the series proper.

It is available via Netflix in disc form only. [[http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5 The WB]] have also put up Season 1 and rotating episodes (think Hulu's "view X episodes at a time") of season 2. The first season does not include the tenth episode, "Believers." There is also a DVD boxset including all seasons and movies. As of June 2018, it is available on Amazon Prime Video. In February 2021 an HD remaster of ''Babylon 5'' was made available on HBO Max.

It is available via Netflix in disc form only. [[http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5 The WB]] have also put up Season 1 and rotating episodes (think Hulu's "view X episodes at a time") of season 2. The first season does not include the tenth episode, "Believers." There is also a DVD boxset including all seasons and movies. As of June 2018, it is available on Amazon Prime Video. On February 2021 an HD remaster of ''Babylon 5'' was made available on HBO Max.

It is available via Netflix in disc form only. [[http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5 The WB]] have also put up Season 1 and rotating episodes (think Hulu's "view X episodes at a time") of season 2. The first season does not include the tenth episode, "Believers." There is also a DVD boxset including all seasons and movies. As of June 2018, it is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Has an [[Recap/BabylonFive in-progress Recap page]]. [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/BestEpisode/BabylonFive Vote here for the Best Episode]].

B5 took serialization to new heights: more than half of the episodes fit into a series-long MythArc involving the "Shadows" and their machinations on Earth and other planets. JMS plotted out much of the series before filming began, with plenty of {{Rewatch Bonus}}es, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having written every episode of Seasons 3 and 4 single-handedly.) Time and budget constraints relegated some of the story [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised to tie-in novels and comic books]], namely [[BewareTheSuperman a war fought between Telepaths and "Mundanes".]]

* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm01InTheBeginning In the Beginning]]'' -- 1998, a {{prequel}} to the series, with a FramingDevice (excluding the DistantFinale).

* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm01InTheBeginning In the Beginning]]'' -- 1998, a {{prequel}} to the series, with a FramingDevice (excluding he DistantFinale).

* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E00TheGathering The Gathering]]'' -- 1993 PilotMovie, which differs from the series in presentation.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm01InTheBeginning In the Beginning]]'' -- 1998, a {{prequel}} to the series
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm02Thirdspace Thirdspace]]'' -- 1998, set in-between the fourth season of the series
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm03TheRiverOfSouls The River of Souls]]'' -- 1998, takes place shortly after the end of series (excluding its DistantFinale). Features Creator/MartinSheen.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm04ACallToArms A Call to Arms]]'' -- 1999, takes place about five years after the end of the series (excluding its Distant Finale). Serves as a lead-in to ''Crusade''.

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[MutantDraftBoard rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. Although it leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its [[UrbanSegregation rejection of a post-scarcity future]], it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "[[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve Faith manages.]]" Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--[[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always from a safe distance]]. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

The story takes place on Babylon 5, a giant cylindrical {{space station}} and sort of [[TheFederation United Nations in space]]. It's not all roses, however, as Earth's military is woefully outmatched by those of the other delegates, resulting in what can be generously described as a [[WonTheWarLostThePeace tentative peace]]. It's up to the crew to throw cold water on old rivalries and keep these various factions from devouring one another; a task made difficult by an [[DayOfTheJackboot increasingly-reactionary and despotic]] Earth command.

B5 took serialization to new heights: more than half of the episodes fit into a series-long MythArc involving the "Shadows" and their machinations on Earth and other planets. JMS plotted out much of the series before filming began, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having written every episode of Seasons 3 and 4 single-handedly.) Time and budget constraints relegated some of the story [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised to tie-in novels and comic books]], namely [[BewareTheSuperman a war fought between Telepaths and "Mundanes".]]

The story takes place on Babylon 5, a giant cylindrical {{space station}} and sort of [[TheFederation United Nations in space]]. It's not all roses, however, as Earth's military is woefully outmatched by those of the other delegates, resulting in what can be generously described as a tentative peace. It's up to the crew to throw cold water on old rivalries and keep these various factions from devouring one another; a task made difficult by an [[DayOfTheJackboot increasingly-reactionary and despotic]] Earth command.

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. Although it leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its [[UrbanSegregation rejection of a post-scarcity future]], it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "[[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve Faith manages.]]" Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--[[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always from a safe distance]]. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. Although it leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its [[UrbanSegregation rejection of a post-scarcity future]], it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "[[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve Faith manages.]]" Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--[[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always from a safe distance]]. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

B5 took serialization to new heights: more than half of the episodes figure into a series-long MythArc involving the "Shadows" and their machinations on Earth and other planets. JMS plotted out much of the series before filming began, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having written every episode of Seasons 3 and 4 single-handedly.) Time and budget constraints relegated some of the story [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised to tie-in novels and comic books]], namely [[BewareTheSuperman a war fought between Telepaths and "Mundanes".]]

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. Although it leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its rejection of a post-scarcity future, it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "The pragmatic survive, and the determined thrive, but [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve faith manages.]]" Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--[[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always from a safe distance]]. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. While the show leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its rejection of a post-scarcity future, it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "The pragmatic survive, and the determined thrive, but [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve faith manages.]]" Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--[[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always from a safe distance]]. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

''Babylon 5'' is a [[TheNineties Nineties]] SpaceOpera created by Creator/JMichaelStraczynski, running from 1994-1998. (A two-hour {{pilot movie}}, "The Gathering", first aired in '93). It was syndicated as a part of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network package for its first four seasons, and was hastily picked-up by Creator/{{TNT}} for its fifth.

B5 took serialization to new heights: more than half of the episodes figure into a series-long MythArc involving the "Shadows" and their machinations on Earth and other planets. JMS plotted out much of the series before filming began, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having written every episode of Seasons 3 and 4 single-handedly.) Time and budget constraints relegated some of the story to tie-in novels and comic books, namely [[BewareTheSuperman a war fought between Telepaths and "Mundanes".]]

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with {{telepathy}} live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. While the show leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its rejection of a post-scarcity future, it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "The pragmatic survive, and the determined thrive, but faith manages." Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--always from a safe distance. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

The story takes place on Babylon 5, a giant cylindrical space station and sort of [[TheFederation United Nations in space]]. It's not all roses, however, as Earth's military is woefully outmatched by those of the other delegates, resulting in what can be generously described as a tentative peace. It's up to the crew to throw cold water on old rivalries and keep these various factions from devouring one another; a task made difficult by an [[DayOfTheJackboot increasingly-reactionary and despotic]] Earth command.

B5's influence on English-language television and wider fiction is [[MainstreamObscurity often-overlooked]], since it only reached niche success in its lifetime. It's one of the first genre shows to feature a Myth Arc (the other stand-out being ''Series/TheXFiles''), one of the first to use CGI renders for all its special effects instead of practical models ([[OurGraphicsWillSuckInTheFuture and it shows]]), and one of the first to have an internet fandom. B5 and its [[DuelingWorks competitions]], ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', were harbingers of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Television_(2000s%E2%80%93present) Second Golden Age of Television]]" ''i.e.'' big-budget serialized dramas (''Series/TheSopranos'' being a product of the age).

A majority of the non-human cast consist of RubberForeheadAliens with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with PsychicPowers live openly (albeit [[CapeBusters rigorously-policed]]) among the public. Still, by TV standards, it's [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness fairly-hard sci-fi]]. While the show leans toward the {{cyberpunk}} end of the genre, particularly its rejection of a post-scarcity future, it has some shining moments of idealism, as well: the overarching message seems to be, "The pragmatic survive, and the determined thrive, but faith manages." Most of the crew learn a hard lesson about reducing conflict by forming relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you; not only was the Earth-Minbari War started [[PoorCommunicationKills over a misunderstanding]], but it only ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. Conversely, the Shadows are always seen plotting from the...[[EvilIsNotWellLit well, shadows]], manipulating events through bribery, threats, or mind-control--always from a safe distance. Mind-readers, detective work, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

->''"It was the dawn of the third age of mankind – ten years after the Earth-Minbari War.\\
The Babylon Project was a dream, given form. Its goal: to prevent another war, by creating a place where humans and aliens can work out their differences peacefully. It's a port of call – home away from home – for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs, and wanderers. Humans and aliens, wrapped in two million, five hundred thousand tons of spinning metal... all alone in the night. It can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for peace.\\
This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2258. The name of the place is '''Babylon 5'''."''
-->-- '''Season 1 opening narration'''

''Babylon 5'' is a [[TheNineties Nineties]] SpaceOpera created by Creator/JMichaelStraczynski, running from 1994-1998 (a two-hour pilot, "The Gathering", had aired in 1993). It was syndicated as a part of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network package for its first four seasons, and was picked up by Creator/{{TNT}} for its fifth.

The story takes place on Babylon 5, a giant cylindrical space station and sort of [[TheFederation United Nations in space]]. It's not all roses, however, as Earth's military is woefully outmatched by those of the other delegates, resulting in what can be generously described as a tentative peace. It's up to the crew to throw cold water on old rivalries and keep these various factions from devouring one another; a task made difficult by an increasingly-reactionary and despotic Earth command.

''Babylon 5'' took the use of {{Story Arc}}s to new heights, with probably over half of its episodes contributing to one major series-long arc (a MythArc). JMS had plotted out much of the arc before the series began, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or as "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records now for having written ''every episode'' of Seasons 3 and 4 singlehandedly.) Some of the story was also told through the tie-in novels and comic books since there wasn't time within that five-year timeframe to tell the entire story on television.

While the series is often given as an early example of a [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness hard science fiction]] show, it does have HumanoidAliens and RubberForeheadAliens (with human-like {{Fantasy Counterpart Culture}}s) making up the majority of its non-human cast, aliens and machines with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with PsychicPowers. Still, [[HollywoodScience by TV standards]], it's fairly crispy sci-fi. Likewise, while the show is often seen as being more toward the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, at times almost edging into BlackAndGrayMorality, it also has some shining moments of idealism as well. One could say that the overarching {{Aesop}} of the series is "the [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids pragmatic]] survive, and the [[{{Determinator}} determined]] thrive, but [[EarnYourHappyEnding Faith Manages]]." An alternative interpretation of ''Babylon 5'' is that it is one large Aesop in support of reducing conflicts through forming personal relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you. Not only was the Earth-Minbari war started over a misunderstanding, but it was ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. The BigBad was constantly portrayed as one person/group or another hiding in the shadows, using brainwashing, or controlled/controlling from behind the scenes by promises, threats, or a parasite. Mind readers, propaganda, confiscated information, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

Though it achieved only niche success during its lifetime, ''[=B5=]'' is the UrExample for several tropes television takes for granted today. It was the first American TV show to even ''have'' a MythArc (a feature popularized Stateside by ''Series/{{LOST}}'', though Latin-American ''{{telenovela}}'' had been doing this for decades), one of the first to use CGI renders for all its SFX instead of practical models (and [[TechnologyMarchesOn it shows today]]), and one of the first to have a very strong Internet fandom. In many ways, ''[=B5=]'' (and its [[DuelingWorks Dueling Show]] ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', with which it shares many qualities) were the first harbingers of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Television_(2000s%E2%80%93present) Second Golden Age of Television]]," a time of continuity-heavy, angsty dramas like ''Series/BreakingBad'', ''Series/TheWire'', ''Series/MadMen'' and ''Series/GameOfThrones''. As such, although it is not always heavily ''discussed'' -- some critics dispute whether it belongs in the Second Golden Age at all, preferring ''Series/TheSopranos'' as the harbinger of the age -- the show's influence on English-language television and wider video fiction in the [=21st=] century is nearly all-encompassing.

It is available via Netflix, in disc form only. [[http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5 The WB]] has also put up Season 1 and cycling episodes (think Hulu "view X episodes at a time") of season 2 for online watching. The first season does not include the tenth episode, "Believers." There is also a DVD box including all seasons and movies. Recently, the streaming site Go90 has [[https://www.go90.com/shows/babylon5 made all five seasons available]] for streaming. Unfortunately, as of 5/4/2018 it appears no longer to be online at go90, but it is now available on Amazon Prime Video (as of 2018 June 1).

''Series/{{Crusade}}'', which ran for 13 episodes in 1999, told the story of the spaceship ''Excalibur'' and her search for a counteragent to/cure for a slow-acting biological weapon which has been deployed against the Earth by a returning [=B5=] villain. The series had serious trouble: superficial resemblance to the plot of ''Anime/StarBlazers'' was cited, and creators raged against the ridiculous amounts of ExecutiveMeddling that they had to fight against. (These network notes were attacked more than once in the ''Crusade'' scripts themselves.) Opinions on the quality of the episodes were divided: to some, the series showed considerable promise before its [[ScrewedByTheNetwork premature death]]; to others, markedly less.

* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveS01E00TheGathering The Gathering]]'' -- 1993 PilotMovie, with certain differences from the series
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm01InTheBeginning In the Beginning]]'' -- 1998, a prequel to the series
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm02Thirdspace Thirdspace]]'' -- 1998, takes place during the fourth season of the series.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm03TheRiverOfSouls The River of Souls]]'' -- 1998, takes place shortly after the end of series (excluding its DistantFinale). Features Martin Sheen.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm04ACallToArms A Call to Arms]]'' -- 1999, takes place about five years after the end of the series (excluding its DistantFinale). Serves as a lead-in to ''Crusade''.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveFilm05LegendOfTheRangers The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight]]'' -- 2002 MadeForTVMovie telling the story of a Ranger ship. This was actually intended to lead into a third B5 series, but it didn't pan out due to the movie airing at the same time as the [=NFL=] Divisional Championship.
* ''[[Recap/BabylonFiveTheLostTales01 The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark]]'' -- 2007 DirectToVideo {{interquel}} which was intended to be the first of a series of new DTV stories. This one didn't pan out, either, despite some degree of commercial success.

''Babylon 5'' took the use of {{Story Arc}}s to new heights, and introduced the concept of the WhamEpisode, with probably over half of its episodes contributing to one major series-long arc (a MythArc). JMS had plotted out much of the arc before the series began, and occasionally referred to it as a five-year long MiniSeries or as "one story told over five years". (He is in the Guinness Book of World Records now for having written ''every episode'' of Seasons 3 and 4 singlehandedly.) Some of the story was also told through the tie-in novels and comic books since there wasn't time within that five-year timeframe to tell the entire story on television.

While the series is often given as an early example of a [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness hard science fiction]] show, it does have HumanoidAliens and RubberForeheadAliens (with human-like {{Fantasy Counterpart Culture}}s) making up the majority of its non-human cast, aliens and machines with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien powers verging on magic]], and humans with PsychicPowers. Still, [[HollywoodScience by TV standards]], it's fairly crispy sci-fi. Likewise, while the show is often seen as being more toward the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, at times almost edging into BlackAndGrayMorality, it also has some shining moments of idealism as well. One could say that the overarching {{Aesop}} of the series is "the [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids pragmatic]] survive, and the [[{{Determinator}} determined]] thrive, but [[EarnYourHappyEnding Faith Manages]]." An alternative interpretation of ''Babylon 5'' is that it is one large Aesop in support of reducing conflicts through forming personal relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you. Not only was the Earth-Minbari war started over a misunderstanding, but it was ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. The BigBad was constantly portrayed as one person/group or another hiding in the shadows, using brainwashing, or controlled/controlling from behind the scenes by promises, threats, or a parasite. Mind readers, propaganda, confiscated information, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

While the series is often given as an early example of a [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness hard science fiction]] show, it does have HumanoidAliens and RubberForeheadAliens (with human-like {{Fantasy Counterpart Culture}}s) making up the majority of its non-human cast, aliens and machines with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAliens powers verging on magic]], and humans with PsychicPowers. Still, [[HollywoodScience by TV standards]], it's fairly crispy sci-fi. Likewise, while the show is often seen as being more toward the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, at times almost edging into BlackAndGrayMorality, it also has some shining moments of idealism as well. One could say that the overarching {{Aesop}} of the series is "the [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids pragmatic]] survive, and the [[{{Determinator}} determined]] thrive, but [[EarnYourHappyEnding Faith Manages]]." An alternative interpretation of ''Babylon 5'' is that it is one large Aesop in support of reducing conflicts through forming personal relationships and exchanging information with those who are different than you. Not only was the Earth-Minbari war started over a misunderstanding, but it was ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. The BigBad was constantly portrayed as one person/group or another hiding in the shadows, using brainwashing, or controlled/controlling from behind the scenes by promises, threats, or a parasite. Mind readers, propaganda, confiscated information, and old-fashioned talking solved many of the show's issues.

While the series is often given as an early example of a [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness hard science fiction]] show, it does have HumanoidAliens and RubberForeheadAliens (with human-like {{Fantasy Counterpart Culture}}s) making up the majority of its non-human cast, aliens and machines with [[SufficientlyAdvancedAliens powers verging on magic]], and humans with PsychicPowers. Still, [[HollywoodScience by TV standards]], it's fairly crispy sci-fi. Likewise, while the show is often seen as being more toward the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, at times almost edging into BlackAndGrayMorality, it also has some shining moments of idealism as well. One could say that the overarching {{Aesop}} of the series is "the [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids pragmatic]] survive, and the [[{{Determinator}} determined]] thrive, but [[EarnYourHappyEnding Faith Manages]]." An alternative interpretation of Babylon 5 is that it is one large aesop in support of reducing conflicts through forming personal relationships and exchanging information with those you are different. Not only was the Earth-Minbari war started over a misunderstanding, but it was ended when the Minbari learned more about humans. The big bad was constantly portrayed as one person/group or another hiding in the shadows, using brainwashing, or controlled/controlling from behind the scenes by promises, threats, or a parasite. Mind readers, propaganda, confiscated information, and old fashioned talking solved many of the shows issues.

Though it achieved only niche success during its lifetime, ''[=B5=]'' is the UrExample for several tropes television takes for granted today. It was the first American TV show to even ''have'' a MythArc (a feature popularized Stateside by ''Series/{{LOST}}'', though Mexican ''telenovela'' had been doing this for decades), one of the first to use CGI renders for all its SFX instead of practical models (and [[TechnologyMarchesOn it shows today]]), and one of the first to have a very strong Internet fandom. In some ways, ''[=B5=]'' (and its [[DuelingWorks Dueling Show]] ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', with which it shares many qualities) is the precursor to so-called "Prestige television," a category of continuity-heavy, angsty dramas that contains some of the luminaries of the medium like ''Breaking Bad'', ''The Sopranos'', ''The Walking Dead'' and ''Game of Thrones''. As such, although it is not always heavily ''discussed'', the show's influence on English-language television and wider video fiction in the [=21st=] century is nearly all-encompassing.

->''It was the dawn of the third age of mankind – ten years after the Earth-Minbari War.\\

This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2258. The name of the place is '''Babylon 5'''.''