While the very first glimpse of Babylon 5 was in the made for TV movie (THE GATHERING), this is the first regular episode. And, since the movie was the series pilot, there were a few changes. The doctor, second in command and station's telepath were both replaced, though Lyta Alexander (the telepath) did return to the series several years later. And, like almost every premier episode of every series ever made, there really isn't an over-abundance of plot--since all the major players in the series are being introduced. Sure, a lot of the show is about the growing tensions between the Narn and Centauri governments, but nothing of any serious consequence is accomplished. This really isn't a complaint--after all, how else COULD you start a TV series other than establishing the characters and setting the stage for future episodes?
4 Reviews
Babylon 5-Midnight on the Firing Line
Scarecrow-8817 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
It's 2258, and a great space station, Babylon 5, has been developed to keep the peace between worlds, Earth the central figurehead in maintaining solidarity as humans and aliens converse and coexist, but with so many different species(..and rough histories always continuing friction)heated confrontations and acts of indifference are bound to surface.
In this opening episode of the series, Babylon 5, we are introduced to the many unique characters that will encompass the show. We learn that Earth and an alien race called the Minbari were at war and that two ambassadors truly despise one another due to their worlds' bloody and ugly war, G'Kar(Andreas Katsulas), of the Narn race, Londo(Peter Jurasik, who reminds me of Napoleon) of the Centauri race.
The episode opens with renegade fighters attacking and destroying a civilian station, Regal 3, operated by the Centauri. It is soon discovered that those occupying the fighter ships are Narn. This opens fresh wounds between Londo and G'Kar, reawakening the cold-blooded massacre caused by the Centauri who invaded the Narn, killing women and children along with men. Incredibly difficult the task will be for Commander Jeffrey Sinclair(Michael O'Hare)to keep bloodshed from occurring on B5, not to mention finding out where those fighters are so he can stop them from spreading across the universe accessing jumpgates(..machines which enable ships to whisk across galaxies at immense speeds) illegally and attacking the Centauri.
As these introductory episodes are, it's a meet-and-greet where we get to know the lead characters and how they interact with each other. There's a political theme as Earth's next president is to be voted in along with the decision of the B5's alien counsel whether to agree to enact military assistance against the Narn.
A sexy telepath, Talia Winters(Andrea Thompson), joins the crew and is concerned by Commander Susan Ivanova's(Claudia Christian)cold shoulder, cautiously avoiding her, later understanding why as it concerns those with psychic abilities and how it involved her mother's suicide. The bad blood between G'Kar and Londo continues as the series moves on, showing how the past leaves a scar never to be forgotten. Jerry Doyle is charming and laid back as Michael Garibaldi, and officer who does a little bit of everything, but mainly a peace keeper, one who maintains order for his superiors. Christian is a bit stuffy, her exterior, we first see, is a cold shell, but inside, as her character evolves, she's very much human..still, Ivanova is a dedicated officer who takes her job seriously. I imagine, though, that one might say she needs to lighten up, but operating a enormous, expansive space station isn't easy and takes those with a level head and controlled emotions. O'Hare is a bit stiff in the lead, an intense authoritarian type whose family heritage consists of fighter pilots defending their land proudly(..in this episode we see him leading a group of ships in an engagement with the Narn fighters who are no match).
When I was a teenager, I remember comparisons between B5 and Star Trek Deep Space Nine(..also dealing with the issues confronting Star Fleet crew trying to maintain order on board a space station, always dealing with alien conflict)and both shows, in my opinion, are of a solid quality. I love the idea of these space stations as beacons where many alien races live, seeing the stories that derive from what happens inside and outside the B5. There's an established shaky relations between the many alien races that exist on B5 and plenty of opportunities for four seasons of developing story-lines.
In this opening episode of the series, Babylon 5, we are introduced to the many unique characters that will encompass the show. We learn that Earth and an alien race called the Minbari were at war and that two ambassadors truly despise one another due to their worlds' bloody and ugly war, G'Kar(Andreas Katsulas), of the Narn race, Londo(Peter Jurasik, who reminds me of Napoleon) of the Centauri race.
The episode opens with renegade fighters attacking and destroying a civilian station, Regal 3, operated by the Centauri. It is soon discovered that those occupying the fighter ships are Narn. This opens fresh wounds between Londo and G'Kar, reawakening the cold-blooded massacre caused by the Centauri who invaded the Narn, killing women and children along with men. Incredibly difficult the task will be for Commander Jeffrey Sinclair(Michael O'Hare)to keep bloodshed from occurring on B5, not to mention finding out where those fighters are so he can stop them from spreading across the universe accessing jumpgates(..machines which enable ships to whisk across galaxies at immense speeds) illegally and attacking the Centauri.
As these introductory episodes are, it's a meet-and-greet where we get to know the lead characters and how they interact with each other. There's a political theme as Earth's next president is to be voted in along with the decision of the B5's alien counsel whether to agree to enact military assistance against the Narn.
A sexy telepath, Talia Winters(Andrea Thompson), joins the crew and is concerned by Commander Susan Ivanova's(Claudia Christian)cold shoulder, cautiously avoiding her, later understanding why as it concerns those with psychic abilities and how it involved her mother's suicide. The bad blood between G'Kar and Londo continues as the series moves on, showing how the past leaves a scar never to be forgotten. Jerry Doyle is charming and laid back as Michael Garibaldi, and officer who does a little bit of everything, but mainly a peace keeper, one who maintains order for his superiors. Christian is a bit stuffy, her exterior, we first see, is a cold shell, but inside, as her character evolves, she's very much human..still, Ivanova is a dedicated officer who takes her job seriously. I imagine, though, that one might say she needs to lighten up, but operating a enormous, expansive space station isn't easy and takes those with a level head and controlled emotions. O'Hare is a bit stiff in the lead, an intense authoritarian type whose family heritage consists of fighter pilots defending their land proudly(..in this episode we see him leading a group of ships in an engagement with the Narn fighters who are no match).
When I was a teenager, I remember comparisons between B5 and Star Trek Deep Space Nine(..also dealing with the issues confronting Star Fleet crew trying to maintain order on board a space station, always dealing with alien conflict)and both shows, in my opinion, are of a solid quality. I love the idea of these space stations as beacons where many alien races live, seeing the stories that derive from what happens inside and outside the B5. There's an established shaky relations between the many alien races that exist on B5 and plenty of opportunities for four seasons of developing story-lines.
A great introduction to the world of Babylon 5
Tweekums21 May 2018
Although there was a pilot film that goes before this episode this will be many people's introduction to 'Babylon 5'; it was certainly mine.
The episode opens with an attack on a Centauri agricultural colony by Narn warships. The Narn claim that they have every right to take the colony as it was theirs until the Centauri subjugated the Narn over a hundred years previously and wasn't returned when the Narn were freed. On space station Babylon 5, a place where ambassadors of various civilisations can try to talk through their difficulties, the Centauri ambassador, Londo Mollari, is determined that justice must be done... largely because his nephew is on the colony. G'Kar, the Narn ambassador is adamant that his people did no wrong. Station Commander Jeffrey Sinclair must try to maintain the peace. Meanwhile raiders are targeting shipping in the area and telepath Talia Winters is having difficulty getting Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova, the station's second in command, to talk to her.
Twenty four years after this first aired it still feels fresh' admittedly some of the once state-of-the-art computer generated special effects don't look great now but many still do. As an opening episode this must serve a dual purpose; firstly it must introduce most of the key characters and explain who they are and what they are doing on Babylon 5; secondly it must provide an interesting story to get the viewer gripped... I think it succeeds admirably on both counts. The cast does a fine job; notably Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian and Jerry Doyle as Sinclair, Ivanova and Security Chief Michael Garibaldi; key members of the human staff and Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik as ambassadors G'Kar and Mollari. The story provides tense moments, some impressive action as well as a modicum of humour. Overall a fine introduction to the series that left me keen to get to know more about the characters and the various troubles they will inevitably face.
The episode opens with an attack on a Centauri agricultural colony by Narn warships. The Narn claim that they have every right to take the colony as it was theirs until the Centauri subjugated the Narn over a hundred years previously and wasn't returned when the Narn were freed. On space station Babylon 5, a place where ambassadors of various civilisations can try to talk through their difficulties, the Centauri ambassador, Londo Mollari, is determined that justice must be done... largely because his nephew is on the colony. G'Kar, the Narn ambassador is adamant that his people did no wrong. Station Commander Jeffrey Sinclair must try to maintain the peace. Meanwhile raiders are targeting shipping in the area and telepath Talia Winters is having difficulty getting Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova, the station's second in command, to talk to her.
Twenty four years after this first aired it still feels fresh' admittedly some of the once state-of-the-art computer generated special effects don't look great now but many still do. As an opening episode this must serve a dual purpose; firstly it must introduce most of the key characters and explain who they are and what they are doing on Babylon 5; secondly it must provide an interesting story to get the viewer gripped... I think it succeeds admirably on both counts. The cast does a fine job; notably Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian and Jerry Doyle as Sinclair, Ivanova and Security Chief Michael Garibaldi; key members of the human staff and Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik as ambassadors G'Kar and Mollari. The story provides tense moments, some impressive action as well as a modicum of humour. Overall a fine introduction to the series that left me keen to get to know more about the characters and the various troubles they will inevitably face.
Good first episode and showcase for the 2 best actors in the series
amitjusc20 September 2011
Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas are the 2 actors that made this series for me. Without them, and Mira Furlan as well, the plot would still have been amazing, but some of the bite would not be there.
The endless diplomatic dueling between Mollari and G'Kar is always a sight to behold, and the emotional power of theirs and Delenn's speeches draws you deeply into the story. They're just getting started here, but it is a sign of great things to come.
The plot to this episode is a good setup to the long conflict between the Centauri and Narn. Enjoy the fireworks, and don't miss a moment of the two ambassador's dialogue.
The endless diplomatic dueling between Mollari and G'Kar is always a sight to behold, and the emotional power of theirs and Delenn's speeches draws you deeply into the story. They're just getting started here, but it is a sign of great things to come.
The plot to this episode is a good setup to the long conflict between the Centauri and Narn. Enjoy the fireworks, and don't miss a moment of the two ambassador's dialogue.
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