Babylon 4

[Brian G Turner]

Watched Babylon Squared from season 1, then World Without End 1 & 2 from Season 3 the other night - both sets of storylines focused on Babylon 4, which had disappeared before B5 was built.

Really enjoyed the storylines - really quite incredible writing, especially the way that time is dealt with as a subject matter - and especially being reminded of the incredible climaxes shrewn through Babylon 5's Season 3 - not least the incredible revelation at the end of World Without End.

To me this highlights the big different between Bab5 and other SF TV - the intelligent and layered story-writing, that could deal with difficult topics and relate them simply and entertainingly.

Don't think I've ever seen another time travel story arc in any other story arc than can deliver like the Babylon 4 subplots of Babylon 5 did.

 

[Paradox 99]

Exactly Brian. You mirror my thoughts on this exactly.
I've always been in awe of JMS and this story arc. I think he had to change the arc slightly when the actors had a change around (namely the Sinclaire and Sheridan characters), but he took it and ran with it, ultimately coming up with something stunning.

I think it'll be a long time until we see something quite up to that standard of story-telling again.

 

[Whitestar]

Yes, the multi-layered storylines is what make B5 stand out from the typical sci-fi shows we've come to expect. In fact, it was the very first American science fiction show to have a carefully crafted show that was planned out way in advance, consisting of 5 years and as a result, revolutionized sci-fi tv storytelling. Shows like Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda attempted to copy this format but failed miserably. And Firefly was a great show but sadly didn't get a chance to last for several seasons. Still, it at least got a awesome film that more or less completed the story. Here's hoping to a B5 feature film someday!

Whitestar

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

Here's hoping to a B5 feature film someday!

Whitestar

We've had about 5 of them!
In the Beginning (ok, a pilot really)
A Call to Arms
Thirdspace
A River of Souls &
The Gathering

also Legend of the Rangers