Babylon 5?
 

alright, some I'm pretty much just getting started with watching Buffy from the beginning, and see the occasional post on here about the merits of Babylon 5. It <i>appears</i> that SciFi channel is airing these in order, and are about half-way thru the run right now.

Is this a series that is typically run in order on SciFi, so that I'll be able to catch it from the beginning sometime pretty soon?

Is it (generally) a pre-requisite to enjoy SciFi/fantasy movies/shows to enjoy B5? I enjoy Star Wars, "V", LOTR, but have never gotten into Star Trek or any of the variations thereof.

It comes highly recommended from das, which is usually testament enough, but what's the general thought out there on this one?

I'm a recent convert to B5, and my viewing is restricted to the release of the DVD box sets (I don't have cable - don't ask).

After watching the pilot and the first two seasons I'm completely hooked. This is storytelling at its best. I don't believe that any preexisting interest in sci-fi shows is necessary, but I've always been a Star Trek and sci-fi fan.

It's the only show that I taped and archived when TNT ran the shows in order 4 years ago. I still have the tapes, even though I now own the first 2 seasons on DVD.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

My thoughts on this are known, so I won't dwell on them here; but I will note that I don't think it is a pre-requisite that you're overly familiar with SciFi/Fantasy type stuff. Of course, it <I>is</I> a pre-requisite that you're not predisposed to automatically dislike them. So, people who profess to "hate sci-fi" might find a way to dislike it; but if you just haven't really "gotten into" many science fiction shows, then you should be OK. My feeling on this is that good storytelling knows no genre, whether it's in a lawyer's office, a hospital, a police precinct, or on a space station with aliens. If you enjoy quality storytelling, you'll likely enjoy <I>Babylon 5</I>. Based on your list of things you enjoy, I will also mention that <I>Babylon 5</I> finds a lot of inspiration in The Lord of the Rings, mainly in its epic style of storytelling. Fans of one will find common threads of quality in the other.

The Sci Fi (sic) Channel has aired the series in order many many times, so I'd be careful about expecting them to do it yet again. However, each time I think it's the last, they do it one more time, so you never know.

das

At the same time, it's almost worth the risk to wait. My wife tells me that they're just beginning season 4. While you would certainly enjoy the show at this point, it would certainly take away much of the joy of watching from the beginning of season 1.

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth MEJHarrison •<HR SIZE=1>At the same time, it's almost worth the risk to wait. My wife tells me that they're just beginning season 4. While you would certainly enjoy the show at this point, it would certainly take away much of the joy of watching from the beginning of season 1. <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh, God ... I'd never suggest starting in the middle. That's crazy talk!!! :) Just warning that depending on Sci-Fi to run them all again may not be the best idea if another option to acquire the episodes becomes available. With only 2 seasons on DVD so far, I guess there's not much choice, though.

das

Today was the third episode of Season 4 on Sci-Fi. According to their website schedule, you'll have to wait until early to mid September before it starts over (assuming it does start over again).

But, yes, it's highly recommended. Easily in my top three favorite shows of all time.

I've seen the pilot and first two seasons on DVD, and I'm loving it (one month until season three!).

I will say that getting through the first season was really, really hard for me. If it wasn't for the endless effusive praise this series gets everywhere, I probably would have quit midway through the season. While there's a lot of vital information given out there, most of the season just seemed really bland. It wasn't bad, just a lot of mediocre episodes that didn't seem to have much signifigance at the time. There are a couple of bright spots in the early part of the seasons and towards the end when the series' overall arc kicks in, and things get good. The season's final episode is excellent, and once season 2 rolled around I was hooked.

So, I'd say it's definitely well worth watching, but there're a slew of potentially discouraging episodes right up front. Get through those, and you're set.

Exactly, Jlbkwrm. All I can ever say with B5 is -- stick with it. That first season has quite a few awkward moments and quite a few points where you feel the show is going *nowhere*.

But stick with it.

Once you get into season 2, things really start rolling. By the end of the season, you're completely hooked. And after you finish season 5, you'll be tempted to start all over again from the beginning.

And then you'll find that season 1 was A LOT better than you remembered.

The reason season 1 is bland is that these aren't tv episodes in the traditional sense.

This is one 120 hour story. And the first 20 hours is buildup to the "good stuff" - sort of like the beginning of a book.

But we normally expect each tv episode to stand on its own.

Well, since Bando didn't think of it (maybe because he's still a n00b), let me be the first to say:

Heh heh heh

:D

:lol:

[Bando shakes fist at Wizdar and Chew]


I won't get to say "heh-heh-heh" for another year or so, when all of the seasons have been released.

Then I'll "heh-heh-heh" with the best of you!

I pity Bandoman when he finishes year 3 sometime in august, and year 4 isn't available...

oh....


heh heh heh

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

:lol:

I pity US if he ever finds something he can "heh heh heh" about.

Boy would we be in BIG trouble then!

Yeah, that season three finale/cliffhanger is a real toad strangler, ain't it?

Yeah, it makes me want to go cuckoo... especially when it stops between tick and tock.

And, because I'm a creep, presented are the closing lines to the third season of Babylon 5. It still gives me chills to this day.



(Nothing TOO specific in there. And it's fairly obvious who is speaking it.)

I've just pre-ordered the 3rd season for $54 at dvdsoon.com. Can't wait. I want to see the Centuri get their butts kicked.

I didn't realize B5 is on scifi. I use to watch B5 all the time. Now I can go back to see all those great episodes again.

Babylon Five kicks Star Trek's ass (all of them), and may have saved Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from going down the drain.

Here is some audio files to tease you:
* TNT Promo for the series (excellent)
* Season 5 Opening Theme - Contains audio clips from the first four series, and gives you a general idea of what to expect. Minor spoilers.

I WOULD SUGGEST ANYONE WHO HAS NOT SEEN THROUGH SEASON FOUR NOT LISTEN TO THE SEASON FIVE OPENING THEME.

It does contain some spoilers -- it doesn't come right out and say everything, but it wouldn't be very difficult for someone to extrapolate the outcome of certain key plot points.

There are some bits of dialogue, while vague that definitely could give the outcome of a major event.

Also, when you hear Sheridan say it doesn't leave much room for interpretation. :)

Yeah, I don't know why people even suggest that. Just watch the DVDs, and don't listen to people who try to tell you how cool this scene is or check out this great whatever. Just watch. If you can't figure out how kickass it is on your own, you're beyond help anyway. :)

das

:lol:


Hmmmm, what have I seen that you haven't...?

Babylon Five is TV at it's very best. We written, well produced and some of the best darn storytelling EVER! If only more shows were like this. Heck, if only Star Trek were more/had been more like this. Star Trek could have been so much more.

I would definitely wait for the beginning and for those of you waiting for Season 3, seriously considering waiting to watch it until Season 4 is close to being out. Otherwise, you're really going to feel some pain! :) JMS is a *master* storyteller and he definitely knows his craft.

Also, you might want to jump on the Jeramiah bandwagon early. Have they been rerunning season one yet? Season two is either an August or September start I believe. This is another JMS show. And for those who are interested, he's currently writing comics. He as written Delicate Creatures, a graphic novel, Midnight Nation, a 12 issue mini series (graphic novel is out), is currently writing Amazing Spiderman and Rising Stars (which we're waiting for the last three issues) and will be starting a new title called Supreme Power.

"And so it begins...."

It's been pushed back to September. :(

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=281202

Thanks Chew. BTW - LOVE your signature. :)

anybody know when season 4 comes out? hopefully before xmas so I can let my gf know what to get me :)

If they are moving to a three month schedule then we should see season four in November (hopefully not the 4th like every other title). If they go back to five months then we have to wait until January. I don't know if WB has figured it out just yet.

B5 is certainly one of the best TV shows, period. I love DVD, but haven't really gotten into buying TV shows. The only one I own? B5 - Seasons One and Two, with Three on pre-order.

Fantastic show. The GF hates all the "weird lookin' creatures," but to hell with her, I love it! :)

Hey valkyrie!!!!! Nice to see you lurking about. Particularly in a B5 thread. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that JMS gets another new show soon. Not much to recommend on Network TV these days.

Some recently updated B5 news:

Link

:up::up:

YIPPEE! Yippee yippee yippee yippee yippee yippee yippee yippee!

When asked how he felt about the ever growing fanbase of the show as it reaches a larger audience on DVD and the frustrations associated with waiting for the next season to arrive, jms was heard to reply: heh heh heh.

das

He's such and evil man. Wonderfully, creatively brilliant, but very, very evil. :) God this guy is great!!!!!!

I have a hard time reconciling the obvious evil with the tales of kitten saving. Maybe it's a good disguise?

S4 before Christmas would be wonderful. Not only am I worried about the apparent agony I will experience between seasons 3 and 4, but In the Beginning will finally stop sitting on my shelf and mocking me.

Oh I don't disagree with you there! I loved the fact that he saved the kitten aka Buddy. In my eyes, he's a hero. How many people would do what he did for a non-human, but when you look at what he did to Vir and Ivanova, the evilness shows. :D

The possibility of Crusade on DVD just warms my heart at this early hour of the morning! The other telefilms on DVD as well; cool beans. Wonder if we can get them in a box set so we don't have to deal with those damn snapper cases.

Shortly thereafter for the rest of B5 is nice to hear. Maybe we'll have the complete run of the show out before Christmas? Though somehow I think JMS would enjoy torturing us buy making us wait a little longer for season 5.