117 Reasons Why
5 Reasons why you should watch Babylon 5.
I wrote meta, with accompanying pictures, on the 5 reasons I think you should all watch Babylon 5.
Reasons Why
Babylon 5
1. Well-written Characters
Babylon 5 always had the most interesting characters, and they all had interesting arcs. Sinclair started out as an angry human unsure of what his place or destiny was. He ends up finding himself and in the process going to the past and becoming the Minbari Valen who defeats the shadows. Sheridan starts out unsure of his new position on Babylon 5 and grows in confidence over the show. He becomes the man who defeats the Shadows (and the Vorlon) once and for all and who then proceeds to start a civil war with Earth and win that too. He makes some pretty dark decisions at times, the kind a military commander sometimes has to make, but ultimately he’s a good man. Delenn is a Minbari of the religious cast. She’s a capable warrior in her own right as well as the inspiration for many people. She’s an intelligent woman who always seems to have the right thing to say. Ivanova is a strong woman and military officer. She struggles with emotions and how to handle them. She loves two people over the course of the series, both who die. G’Kar and Londo start the series only caring about themselves and their own species, but each take a journey towards finally seeing the bigger picture. And there are so many other characters as well, all of them intriguing.
2. Interesting Relationships
The central relationship on the show is Sheridan and Delenn. At the end of the first series, Delenn transitions to becoming more human in order to learn more about them and complete the connection between their species that was started with Sinclair. At first, Delenn guides Sheridan. She is the one who knows what is coming and who prepares him for the inevitable conflict with the Shadows. They are from two different worlds with completely different cultures. As they begin to learn more about each other and their differing viewpoints, they gradually start to fall in love. They are each other’s strengths. They each know what has to be done and their own part in it, but they are always more together than they are apart.
We also have the relationship between G’Kar and Londo. Their relationship isn’t romantic (unless you talk to the shippers). However, it is fun to watch nonetheless. They each start out as enemies, hating each other. Somewhere around the fourth season, they come to an understanding. By the fifth season, they are actually friends. Their banter is amusing to watch, and it is interesting to see these two people from cultures that have been in conflict for centuries to come to understand each other.
Ivanova has hints of relationships with two people: Talia Winters and Marcus Cole. The relationship with Talia wasn’t blatant, but they shared a room. And after Talia is dead, she tells Sheridan that she thinks that she loved Talia. Marcus is the one who falls head over heals with Ivanova. His feelings for her are so strong that in the end he gives his life for her. Ivanova couldn’t deal with her feelings enough to start something with him, and she doesn’t know how to deal with him, but there are hints that she cared for him too.
3. The Myth-arc
One of the biggest things that sets Babylon 5 apart is the Myth-arc. From the outset, Babylon 5’s creator had a plan for the story. Everything was set in motion from the beginning. Which makes things fun because things are briefly mentioned earlier and then come to fruition later. For example, we here references to the historical Minbari hero Valen, and then later on we find out that this was Sinclair. There are references to the Shadows in season 1, and then we see them in season 2. There are references to the Vorlons not being quite what they appear, and then we find out that they are the counterparts to the Shadows and not really the paragons of good we thought they were.
4. Interesting alien cultures
Babylon 5 created fascinating cultures. We have the Minbari. The Minbari are a race that is made up of three casts: religious, warrior, and worker. They believe that the universe itself directs things where it wants them to go. They have a strong respect for life, particularly their own. A Minbari will not kill another Minbari unless honor is at stake. Then there are the Centauri. The Centauri have a culture very similar to ancient Rome. They are decadent end enjoy the finer things of life. They seem themselves as superior. They used to have a vast empire that they desire to reclaim. They also have a strong respect for art. The Narn are a race that used to be subjugated by the Centauri. They are a proud people. They have a strong sense of honor. Their culture is very hierarchical. They are a very religious people.
The best thing about Babylon 5’s cultures is that they are all treated with respect. Each differing viewpoint is shown as equally valid unless it encroaches on the rights of other races.
5. Dialogue and action
Babylon 5 combines great dialogue with great action scenes. Lines like “Ivanova is God”, "I can only conclude that I'm paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate,” and “…I am Death incarnate, and the last living thing that you are ever going to see”, Ivanova got some of the best lines. But everyone gets in on the action.
And then we have the battles. Babylon 5’s graphics are very good for their time, and perfectly watchable. The battle scenes are pretty epic, whether it is the Shadow War or the Earth Civil War. They all will have you on the edge of your seat.
Basically, Babylon 5 is an awesome science fiction show that has lots to offer for everyone.
I wrote meta, with accompanying pictures, on the 5 reasons I think you should all watch Babylon 5.
Reasons Why
Babylon 5
1. Well-written Characters
Babylon 5 always had the most interesting characters, and they all had interesting arcs. Sinclair started out as an angry human unsure of what his place or destiny was. He ends up finding himself and in the process going to the past and becoming the Minbari Valen who defeats the shadows. Sheridan starts out unsure of his new position on Babylon 5 and grows in confidence over the show. He becomes the man who defeats the Shadows (and the Vorlon) once and for all and who then proceeds to start a civil war with Earth and win that too. He makes some pretty dark decisions at times, the kind a military commander sometimes has to make, but ultimately he’s a good man. Delenn is a Minbari of the religious cast. She’s a capable warrior in her own right as well as the inspiration for many people. She’s an intelligent woman who always seems to have the right thing to say. Ivanova is a strong woman and military officer. She struggles with emotions and how to handle them. She loves two people over the course of the series, both who die. G’Kar and Londo start the series only caring about themselves and their own species, but each take a journey towards finally seeing the bigger picture. And there are so many other characters as well, all of them intriguing.
2. Interesting Relationships
The central relationship on the show is Sheridan and Delenn. At the end of the first series, Delenn transitions to becoming more human in order to learn more about them and complete the connection between their species that was started with Sinclair. At first, Delenn guides Sheridan. She is the one who knows what is coming and who prepares him for the inevitable conflict with the Shadows. They are from two different worlds with completely different cultures. As they begin to learn more about each other and their differing viewpoints, they gradually start to fall in love. They are each other’s strengths. They each know what has to be done and their own part in it, but they are always more together than they are apart.
We also have the relationship between G’Kar and Londo. Their relationship isn’t romantic (unless you talk to the shippers). However, it is fun to watch nonetheless. They each start out as enemies, hating each other. Somewhere around the fourth season, they come to an understanding. By the fifth season, they are actually friends. Their banter is amusing to watch, and it is interesting to see these two people from cultures that have been in conflict for centuries to come to understand each other.
Ivanova has hints of relationships with two people: Talia Winters and Marcus Cole. The relationship with Talia wasn’t blatant, but they shared a room. And after Talia is dead, she tells Sheridan that she thinks that she loved Talia. Marcus is the one who falls head over heals with Ivanova. His feelings for her are so strong that in the end he gives his life for her. Ivanova couldn’t deal with her feelings enough to start something with him, and she doesn’t know how to deal with him, but there are hints that she cared for him too.
3. The Myth-arc
One of the biggest things that sets Babylon 5 apart is the Myth-arc. From the outset, Babylon 5’s creator had a plan for the story. Everything was set in motion from the beginning. Which makes things fun because things are briefly mentioned earlier and then come to fruition later. For example, we here references to the historical Minbari hero Valen, and then later on we find out that this was Sinclair. There are references to the Shadows in season 1, and then we see them in season 2. There are references to the Vorlons not being quite what they appear, and then we find out that they are the counterparts to the Shadows and not really the paragons of good we thought they were.
4. Interesting alien cultures
Babylon 5 created fascinating cultures. We have the Minbari. The Minbari are a race that is made up of three casts: religious, warrior, and worker. They believe that the universe itself directs things where it wants them to go. They have a strong respect for life, particularly their own. A Minbari will not kill another Minbari unless honor is at stake. Then there are the Centauri. The Centauri have a culture very similar to ancient Rome. They are decadent end enjoy the finer things of life. They seem themselves as superior. They used to have a vast empire that they desire to reclaim. They also have a strong respect for art. The Narn are a race that used to be subjugated by the Centauri. They are a proud people. They have a strong sense of honor. Their culture is very hierarchical. They are a very religious people.
The best thing about Babylon 5’s cultures is that they are all treated with respect. Each differing viewpoint is shown as equally valid unless it encroaches on the rights of other races.
5. Dialogue and action
Babylon 5 combines great dialogue with great action scenes. Lines like “Ivanova is God”, "I can only conclude that I'm paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate,” and “…I am Death incarnate, and the last living thing that you are ever going to see”, Ivanova got some of the best lines. But everyone gets in on the action.
And then we have the battles. Babylon 5’s graphics are very good for their time, and perfectly watchable. The battle scenes are pretty epic, whether it is the Shadow War or the Earth Civil War. They all will have you on the edge of your seat.
Basically, Babylon 5 is an awesome science fiction show that has lots to offer for everyone.