# Whoa, Babylon 5 is cool. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742 "2003-06-23T11:59:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/21 "2003-06-24T05:35:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\*I submit to you that _Babylon 5_ is the story of Londo and G’Kar. > > The rest is window-dressing. \*\* I agree. Londo and G’Kar are the soul of the show. Any scene with both of them in it is a good scene. And watching the romance between Sheridan and Delenn was as pleasurable as sticking knitting needles in my eyes. I loved the show, but it really needed a lot less of the boneheaded new age crystal-using hippie chick. ---
**Author:** ![dal\_timgar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@dal\_timgar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dal_timgar)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/22 "2003-06-24T06:14:00Z")
Welcome to planet Sci-Fi. Do you notice an Armagedon/Religious strain in Babylon 5, Deep Space 9 and The Matrix? The One, The Emissary, The One Dal Timgar ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/23 "2003-06-24T10:51:49Z")
Actually, one of the things that I particularly like about _Babylon 5_ is it takes religion seriously. Religion is not obsolete or non-existent like it is in so much science fiction. Instead it’s treated as something which shapes the attitudes and actions of sentient beings, both humans and other species. Characters who are religious turn up (keep an eye out for the monks!), and they are not depicted as being stupid or foolish because they are religious. CJ Who wants to be Ivanova! ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/24 "2003-06-24T11:03:10Z")
Londo and G’Kar are indeed the hearet of the show. The evolution of their relationship lasts through even Season 5, so I wouldn’t call the last season a waste, although I would have loved to have seen JMS’s original vision. Because I don’t want to spoil the OP’s pleasure in watcing the show, I won’t fully describe my favorite scenes between the two, but anyone who knows B5 knows the episode I’m referring to. > [@](#): > > “You are insane!” > “And that is why we’ll win.” > “Go be the ambassador to Babylon 5 they say. Will be an easy assignment. Ah, I hate my life.” > “So do I.” > “Shut up!” ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/25 "2003-06-24T11:57:00Z")
Warning: “In The Beginning” contains spoilers from seasons 1-4. \<\*\> Brian ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/26 "2003-06-24T12:44:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\*I submit to you that _Babylon 5_ is the story of Londo and G’Kar. > > The rest is window-dressing. \*\* Oh man you fell for that propaganda In reality , its all about zathrus, everything else is the window dressing. Declan ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/27 "2003-06-24T13:01:37Z")
I would also recommend checking out the eerie parallels between the plot of B5 and the current politlical situation, for example between Presdent Bush and President Clark, John Ashcroft’s DoJ and the Night Watch, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/28 "2003-06-24T13:02:15Z")
Garabaldi is the heart of the show. When the series lost its focus on him it started going south. That and Bester-- what a villian! ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/29 "2003-06-24T13:10:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elf6c \* > \*\*Garabaldi is the heart of the show. When the series lost its focus on him it started going south. > > _That and Bester-- what a villian!_ \*\* At least the novelization had a fitting end for Mr Bester. very old school 🙂 Declan ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/30 "2003-06-24T15:08:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*I would also recommend checking out the eerie parallels between the plot of B5 and the current politlical situation, for example between Presdent Bush and President Clark, John Ashcroft’s DoJ and the Night Watch, and so on. \*\* :rolleyes: **× ∞** ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/31 "2003-06-24T15:26:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > **I submit to you that _Babylon 5_ is the story of Londo and G’Kar.** Yep. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Siege \* > **Who wants to be Ivanova!** Not me. But rephrase the question as “Who wants to SLEEP WITH Ivanova?” and I’m there. (See her pics in Playboy) ---
**Author:** ![Nangleator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19adc/32.png) [@Nangleator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nangleator)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/32 "2003-06-24T15:39:09Z")
> [@](#): > > (See her pics in Playboy) Dude. Help a guy out. What year? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/33 "2003-06-24T15:56:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nangleator \* > \*\*Dude. Help a guy out. What year? \*\* Don’t recall, but they are available online. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/34 "2003-06-24T16:22:06Z")
Don’t think anybody has mentioned: B5 also had some of the best orchestral music I’ve ever heard written for a tv show. The main music changed each season to reflect the dominant themes of that year in the story. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/35 "2003-06-24T16:34:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Siege \* > **Actually, one of the things that I particularly like about _Babylon 5_ is it takes religion seriously. Religion is not obsolete or non-existent like it is in so much science fiction. Instead it’s treated as something which shapes the attitudes and actions of sentient beings, both humans and other species. Characters who are religious turn up (keep an eye out for the monks!), and they are not depicted as being stupid or foolish because they are religious.** I agree. When B5 was on in its first run I was still a Christian - a “fundie” if you will. I was astounded at how reasonably, even _respectfully_ JMS treated people of faith (JMS is an atheist). Now that I am on the other side so to speak, it makes more sense to me. JMS did an excellent job of showing the good side of religion - e.g., in _Passing Through Gethsemane_, the harmful side - e.g. _Believers_, and even the sillier side - e.g., any episode describing the more humorous Centauri dieties. ---
**Author:** ![Nangleator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19adc/32.png) [@Nangleator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nangleator)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/36 "2003-06-24T16:44:24Z")
> [@](#): > > …B5 also had some of the best orchestral music … Hear, hear. I’ve bought several of Christopher Franke’s CDs. Stunning work. ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/37 "2003-06-24T17:33:27Z")
Gotta say that Late Delivery From Avalon was my favorite episode of B5 EVER! Anyone remember what season it was? I’d really like to see it on DVD. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/38 "2003-06-24T17:55:15Z")
Season three, shot as the 12th episode but aired as the 13th. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/39 "2003-06-24T23:01:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Daniel \* > Also look for In The Beginning/The Gathering on DVD. It’s the first B5 movie, and the first B5 episode, packaged together. ITB is the best B5 movie out there. Absolutely true. **But:** > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by N9IWP \* > Warning: “In The Beginning” contains spoilers from seasons 1-4. Also true. So if you buy the DVD, don’t watch “In The Beginning” right away (and if you like B5 as much as we do, that won’t be easy 🙂 ). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > I would also recommend checking out the eerie parallels between the plot of B5 and the current politlical situation, for example between Presdent Bush and President Clark, John Ashcroft’s DoJ and the Night Watch, and so on. Really big spoiler: Especially note the eerie parallel to Vice-President Bush assassinating the then-President to become President. And President Bush’s declaration of martial law. And Bush militarily occupying all the media and only allowing one government-run broadcaster. And Sheridan taking unilateral action that many allies objected to against an enemy that some of these same allies were secretly dealing with. And so on.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742/40 "2003-06-24T23:07:22Z")
Add another to the list of “B5 is better than sliced bread” Dopers. Season 3 abolutely ruled. “Severed Dreams” was simply amazing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-babylon-5-is-cool/183742.md?page=3)