No B5 thread is complete without a link to Ivanova’s awesome sex scene.
Nah, it’s aged quite well. I mean, if someone can understand that the effects and sets are definitely mid-90’s, the show has aged very well.
I think seasons 2-4 still hold up as some of the top seasons of television.
Also remember that they didn’t have a choice about using CGI. They had $1 million per episode budget, compared to, say, DS9’s average of $2 million. And they came in on time and on budget for every single episode, which has to be a bit of a record at least.
JMS has said that Michael O’Hare had a very difficult job, because setting up the B5 universe required a fair bit of exposition in the first season, and, as commander, Sinclair got saddled with it. He’s also explained the Claudia problem in the script books, etc., that have been released over the last few years from Cafe Press. Apparently they’ve since made up, but (IIRC, no guarantees) it took Richard Biggs’ funeral to bring them together again. 
“Babylon Squared” and “War Without End” spoileriffic content
But, “The One” does not refer to three people. It refers to ONE person. At different times, different people are the One. I’m going from memory of the original broadcast, so I’m open to correction, but I believe the concept had to do with one person who will have great positive influence on events, and that person is worth everything, even your life, to protect and serve. “We live for the One. We die for the One.” Hence, the One that was, the One that is, and the One that will be. They were addressed in that manner because they were all together, and explanations/exposition was necessary. Given that the Rangers existed since Valen’s time, I believe that many have been the One, and the Rangers work to further that person’s goals.
In the Beginning was terrible; I watch it after I watched the first season, and I couldn’t get pass the stiff acting.
I didn’t find the first season that bad, it just that it wasn’t that serious to begin with. Every week was a “spotlight on alien of the week” - Londo (“Born to be Purple”), Delenn ("Soul Hunter’), G’Kar (the episodes about him being target of an assassination and him trying to find a plant for a ceremony).
It got more serious to towards end, and season 2 and season 3 are way better. The resolution to a big plot arc in season 4 leaves much to be desired, and season 5 is just too disjointed.
About CG, I was watching the Lost Tales and really marvel at how old the CG was back at the times. If only they can update the CG, like what they do for Star Trek.
I think you mean The Gathering which was the Pilot…In the Beginning was a movie they did during the fourth season and is probably the best single thing related to Babylon 5.
To be fair to the guy, after the Night Watch thing there was basically nothing for him to do for two seasons. Lyta expressed her lonliness and sadness through anger. Zach just ate. 
I think it aged badly more than it has aged well, but I can see how people can disagree on that.
Agreed. I always thought it was very well done, and of the “movies” probably the only one that surpassed “okay”.
-Joe
But really, it kinda had to be. Viewers had to be brought up to speed on all the races and the background very quickly in order for the slow plot elements to be inserted.
On a completely unrelated note, I’ve found that “Passing Through Gethsemane” is an excellent way to introduce someone new to the series. From there you can cherry-pick Seaon 1 episodes, then burn almost straight through to the end of Season 4, skipping only such dreck as “Grey 17 Is Missing,” which even JMS apologized for.
Just to let everyone know, I am not clicking on any spoilers, so if you’ve got something to tell me behind one of those cuts, I ain’t reading. And please don’t spoil me otherwise! I’d like to watch the show as a surprise.
I thought that Ivanova leaving at that point made plenty of sense, internally (though ideally she’d have gotten to make that decision on screen instead of in narration). And in theory, bringing in someone from the other side of the civil war should have added a nice and realistic bit of dramatic tension. But I didn’t like the new Captain, and especially didn’t like that she was Sheridan’s ex.
Here’s a spoiler for you - every major B5 actress has done nudity. So, that’s something that beats the hell out of Star Trek and Star Wars.
-Joe, shallow
Just so you know, there isn’t anything spoilered so far that was meant to be read by a first-time viewer. People are being pretty good about hiding the “conversations about the good parts.”
I’d ask about the actors but truthfully I am not that interested in seeing most of them naked. Although…the Commander’s not that bad, and honestly, he might be more interesting if he were naked.
Thanks, silenus. Good to know.
Sorry, can’t comment. I just don’t pay attention to the dudes. Most women seem to swoon over Marcus, who would probably be considered pretty handsome except for the British Teeth Syndrome. He looks like Robin Colcorde as a roguish type.
-Joe
That’s not the only reason they swoon.
Every woman I’ve heard discuss Marcus always mentions something along the line of “I’d like to show him what good lovin’ is!” Him being a virgin and all.
I don’t pay too much attention to the ladies and I have often been heard wistfully wishing for more eye candy for the girls. Come on, we like to look at pretty boys just as much as you all like to look at pretty girls.
Remind me, please, which one is Marcus? And I read silenus’ spoiler, and that is not very appealing to me, sorry.
I believe you have not yet met Marcus in the series, Anaamika. He shows up later.
Which spoiler? There’s a bunch and not a lot relating to Marcus. Assuming you’re still toward the beginning he hasn’t shown up yet.
-Joe
The last one. Marcus shows up during Season 3, I believe.
Totally missed that post. I was scrolling to your spoileriffic post and couldn’t figure out WTF she was talking about.
-Joe