Carstairs Considers....: TV Show Review: Babylon 5

Monday, April 8, 2013

TV Show Review: Babylon 5 - Season 2

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Great acting, improved story

Cons: Occasional special effects, Lt. Keffer

The Bottom Line:

The story steps up

And the series will hook you

As all parts improve

Watch Susan Have Sex

The TV show Babylon 5 set out to do something new and different, tell one story over the course of five seasons. Considering this was the early 90's, that was something unheard of at the time. While season one mainly focused on creating the science fiction universe of the show, season two took the few threads that had been placed that first year and built upon them, making this season more exciting, mysterious, and satisfying.

The show is set on space station Babylon 5. It's set deep in neutral territory and designed to help negotiate peace between the various alien races of the galaxy. It is run by humans, but the Minbari race has oversight. The other major races on board include the Centauri and the Narn, who have a centuries old feud heating up, and the Vorlons, who never appear outside encounter suits, so no one knows what they really look like. Most of the smaller races also have a presence on the station. It is also a center for trade, and the various business dealings, legal and illegal, keep a constant flow of people in and out of the station.

Each season of the show represents a year in the Babylon 5 universe. Season two opens one week into 2259, and things couldn't be crazier. Earth commanding officer Commander Sinclair has been recalled to Earth (and actor Michael O'Hare written out of the show). Earth finally announces the replacement when it sends Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) to the station. This is a very unpopular choice with the Minbari since Sheridan scored the only Earth victory in the Earth-Minbari war that happened 10 years ago.

As if unrest with the Minbari weren't enough, the humans on the station are uneasy. President Santiago died on New Year's Eve. Even though most people believe it to be an accident, Security Chief Michael Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) knows better. Unfortunately, he's unconscious in the medical ward after being shot before he could tell anyone the truth.

But wait, it gets worse. Centauri Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) has taken a step with a mysterious ally to reclaim the Centauri's rightful place in the galaxy. Their first target is the Narn, which causes strife with Narn ambassador G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas).

And Minbari ambassador Delenn (Mira Furlan)? She's in a cocoon. And, since this is something that the Minbari don't do, no one knows what she will be like when she immerges.

I mentioned earlier that season two builds upon the foundation laid by the first season and truly starts the story in motion. A few of the remaining questions from season one are answered near the beginning of the season, but they only leave us with more questions. In fact, for most of the season it feels like every answer only leads to two or three more questions. And that's part of what makes the show so fun. I love the unanswered questions and the struggle to find the truth.

But it's not just puzzles and mysteries. The Centauri/Narn conflict really heats up this season, taking over much of the action in the second half. It also provides the basis for "The Coming of Shadows." The title episode for the season, the drama was so powerful and the acting so good, it was the episode that made me a lifelong fan of the show.

Another ongoing storyline this season involves Lieutenant Keffer (Robert Rusler). And if even loyal fans of the show are asking who, that is understandable. He was an underdeveloped character who spent most of his time this season tracking an unknown alien race he spotted in hyperspace. Even series creator J. Michael Straczynski admits that his storyline didn't really turn out the way he envisioned it.

Now all this isn't to say that the series doesn't have it's lighter moments. Amidst the drama and the growing darkness, there are several funny episodes or sub-plots. Londo gets the chance to divorce two of his three horrid wives, and meeting them is a hoot. A Babylon 5 store selling merchandise pleases no one, and gives us several great laughs. But some of the best material goes to newly promoted Commander Susan Ivanova (Claudia Christian). Part of her new duties include diplomatic relations, a struggle for the blunt woman. And that makes a bad situations worse when the Drazi race split into two factions based solely on the colors green and purple and start fighting each other. But my favorite of these is "Acts of Sacrifice," in which an important negotiation almost breaks down when Ivanova finds out that the alien expects to have ritual sex with her to seal the accord. How she gets out of that is the funniest moment in the entire show.

Of course, none of these stories would be great without good acting. Admittedly, that was a weakness of season one. But the worse actor (Michael O'Hare) isn't back. It takes a few episodes for Bruce Boxleitner to truly find his character, but he does quickly, and the acting is better for the switch. The early weak links found their footing by the end of last season, and they haven't missed a beat here. Whether comic or dramatic, everyone brings their A game and brings the scripts to emotional life.

The special effects have improved as well. This show as the first TV show to use computer generated effects for everything. These episodes aired in 1994 and 1995, so they are unfortunately a little dated. However, they are certainly watchable, and most of the time you don't notice any flaws.

This six disc set will certainly please the loyal fans of the show. All 22 episodes are presented here in wide screen and full surround. There is some dust to the episodes, so they don't look as sharp as they could, but they are certainly watchable. There are several extras, most designed for already loyal fans as they spoil events in this season and future seasons. The disc starts with a season two introduction with various members of the cast and creator J. Michael Straczynski. He also provides two very informative audio commentaries on key episodes of the season. The third commentary, done by stars Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, and Jerry Doyle, provides lots of laughs but not too much new information. Disc six contains the remainder of the bonus features. They include two interesting documentaries, a timeline that helped me place various events talked about in the show that happened before the series began, and some personnel and data files. As a loyal fan, I found those rather boring, but if you're new to the series, they might help you understand the various characters and races. And these files wouldn't spoil anything. Finally, hidden among these files is the season two blooper reel, which is well worth finding.

With the story truly getting off the ground, we are finally seeing the series that would draw so many loyal fans. If you love good drama and an interesting story, check out season two of Babylon 5.

Season Two Episodes:

1. Points of Departure

2. Revelations

3. The Geometry of Shadows

4. A Distant Star

5. The Long Dark

6. A Spider in the Web

7. Soul Mates

8. A Race Through Dark Places

9. The Coming of Shadows

10. GROPOS

11. All Alone in the Night