Worth It?

[TJR357]

I have never seen a single episode of this. I'm just wondering if it's worth the time investment? I've always been interested, but would like to see what other SF fans have to say.
I really like shows like Battlestar Galactica and Lost.

 

[Interference]

Bab 5 is one of TV Sci-Fi's seminal works. Though the dialogue lapses into cliche often, the range of the story ark is, for me, truly inspirational.

I just bought the boxed set. I believe it worth it.

 

[reiver33]

Don't be put off by the pilot episode (as I was ) - this is a series that does repay close attention. I had the whole thing on tape and once when off with flu sat down, wrapped in a duvet, and watched 22 episodes back-to-back - suddenly you go 'Hang on, that's a reference to something 2 (series) years ago!). As Interference says, the story arc is LONG term.

Plus the ships are way cool.

Enjoy!

 

[Interference]

I meant "arc"

 

[Rodders]

To me this was an incredible feat of SF TV that in it's way changed the way that stories are now told on TV. I'm currently in the process of watching it in it's entirety again. Absolutely superb. It's just a shame that JMS wasn't able to tell the story the way he wanted to because of an uncertain studio. Try it, you'll not be disappointed.

 

[Interference]

Not to mention the awkward re-casting emergency, Rodders. Boxleitner didn't quite match Michael O'Hare, in my view. Okay, given that in terms of wooden performances O'Hare was solid mahogany, he owned that role, and Straczynski had given him a fabulous back-story all the way back to the Battle of Britain, no less. What was left to give to Sheridan (Boxleitner)?

But the story overcame these shallow limitations. I mean, let's face it, with minimal studio interference, outside of the usual ratings tremors, he got to tell his story and we, as an audience, were well served.

 

[Shadow Trooper]

Well worth it!

This is one of the best written series' I've ever seen and to be honest the stories are well supported with great acting/characters and good CGI/FX (well 2nd season onwards anyway: I stress this is my view only!).

In fact with my personal view regarding the FX and already commented on 'wooden acting' in season one, I think it's a testament to the series' that even season one must be watched otherwise a huge part of what this excellent Sci-Fi series is, will be lost.

I have watched many Sci-Fi series (you name it, ansd if I was alive, I've seen it), but to date I've only bought 3: Babylon 5, Firefly and Battlestar Galactica.

 

[Rodders]

Borrow or buy series one (you should be able to get it relatively cheaply now. By the end of it you should be at the very least intrigued because most of the story arc start in the first series. There will be a lot on unanswered questions. You'll know if it's not for you. If you like it, go to series 2 (you'll definately be hooked then).

Like it or not, if you don't try it you'll be missing out on one of the most influentual TV SF series ever.

 

[Interference]

This thread has been part-funded by the Bab-Five Appreciation Majority (Sales and Marketing division) in association with The DS9 Missed Tricks Collective, authors of Analysing The Alien: Are Funny Foreheads Enough?

 

[TJR357]

Borrow or buy series one (you should be able to get it relatively cheaply now. By the end of it you should be at the very least intrigued because most of the story arc start in the first series. There will be a lot on unanswered questions. You'll know if it's not for you. If you like it, go to series 2 (you'll definately be hooked then).

Like it or not, if you don't try it you'll be missing out on one of the most influentual TV SF series ever.

I'll give it a shot then. Thanks.

 

[Rodders]

Don't forget to post and let us know how you get on with it.

 

[Brian G Turner]

B5 is IMHO the best TV sci-fi show ever produced.

Certainly until we get to Season 5, when it all kind of falls apart.

 

[j d worthington]

I'll add my support to checking this one out. Certainly the best when it comes to actual attention to continuity and long-range storytelling. Some lesser episodes there, but an awful lot of gems as well.

As for the final season... even there, there are some very, very good things, as well as some which were quite lackluster....

 

[ghost8772]

IMO season 3 was the best one I'd seen. especially the Title monologue and sequences. I'd personally watch "severed dreams" again and again.

 

[reiver33]

I know what you mean about season five, but the final episode had me almost in tears, as it struck such a chord (issues in my personal life). For no other reason B5 wil always have a place in my heart.

 

[Urien]

I have the box set, and I tend to watch seasons 2,3 and 4. One of my favourites is the Babylon 5 movie "In the Beginning", which tells of the Earth-Minbari war.



Bit of a spolier....











The Minbari's ruthless advance and the desperation of the Human defence, along with Londo's narration is moving and makes your blood boil a bit.

I doubt humanity would ever forgive the Minbari for that war. Puts B5 in context, well worth a look.

 

[Interference]

B5 is IMHO the best TV sci-fi show ever produced.

Certainly until we get to Season 5, when it all kind of falls apart.

Haven't watched it again yet, but I didn't feel that about the last season. At the time, it really felt like a rollercoaster when all the strands were brought together and it was my responsibility to keep up with it. Very, very few TV series, let alone SciFi series, have engaged me in the same way or to the same extent at the end of its run.

... struck such a chord (issues in my personal life). For no other reason B5 wil always have a place in my heart.

This is probably one reason I haven't revisited the series before now. I reckon it'll bring back the odd emotional memory which I really ought to be well able to deal with by now.

 

[Rodders]

OK, there's alot wrong with season 5, but there's a lot that was good too. The very long night of Londo Mollari, Day of the Dead and Sleeping in light were all top quality episodes.

I think that when discussing season 5 we should always keep in mind that all the major story arcs had been rushed to finish in season 4 because of an uncertain future. Once the studio had agreed the go ahead for season 5, what was left? No, it's not the best, but it's not that bad either considering what they had left to work with.

 

[j d worthington]

OK, there's alot wrong with season 5, but there's a lot that was good too. The very long night of Londo Mollari, Day of the Dead and Sleeping in light were all top quality episodes.

Those were, in fact, the very episodes I had in mind. Just the very implications of what's going on in "Day of the Dead" (and the way Gaiman handled the subject) would be worth that entire season, even if nothing else had been worth a hang. Fortunately, despite the ups and downs, there were quality episodes there, as well. Not nearly as tight or well-constructed as the earlier seasons, but still well worth watching....

 

[manephelien]

Definitely worth watching all seasons and episodes! Even though I admit that the quality's a bit uneven in seasons 1 and 5. But it's worth watching them anyway.