Just into the first season, and I'm already surprised by the politics that didn't make an impression on me when the series first came out. Earth being made the center of the universe again...anti-alien sentiment. Really hits home in 2018.

I like to think I'm choosy when it comes to sci- fi. I like star trek, UFO- (The 1970s series by Gerry Anderson) space 1999, Enemy mine and the Martian chronicles amongst my favourites of the genre. Before it came out I thought sci fi had virtually disappeared and really hoped that a real epic that deserved that lable for all the right reasons would one day be made: Micheal J Stracynski and everyone involved with B5 didn't disappoint. The serious thought provoking moral message, ethical and dramatic story telling kind of science fiction that is worth watching re appeared with the series. B5 uses computer generated imagery a lot but it adds to the background beliveability of the settings.And at the time there was a lot of interest in that being done: Could it and would it? As to the series story itself it had fine actors an overarching plot with good self-contained episodes and a message about the way things could be and it could also be looked at for a message about our times. Humour; just plain funny, serious, dark or subtle and clever, it has that along with one of the most serious of plots often action filled often with dramatic periods or reflection too. Without a doubt This is one of the best sci fi series in a very long time and is most certainly one worth watching it stands the test of time even over twenty years later in 2017.

I rarely give a 10 and all I can say the full series, that I recently borrowed from the local library, I watched twice. Unfortunately I followed it with Battleship Gallacia, that I found wanting and had a very convoluted plot. Although it had also great actors, music scores, etc.Considering this was made in the 1990s, it was revolutionary and it was very easy for me to identify with the screen writer's intentions and overall creative narrative, and see the characters evolve. The booklet attached to the various disc series was also helpful.Who could not love the various characters, Londo and Vir, but one little thing puzzled me, what happened to the Drahk, who had the keepers. They seem to have disappeared from their captured planet when Vir became Emperor. Maybe they died out all but the one that given by Londo for David's coming of age. I believe he went off his head after a drinking bout.I really can't say any more in praise of this series. I loved it. It was a masterpiece of concept, continuity, and the writer well you are a master. No other Sci-Fi series comes close, even though I am a Star Trek fan. I hope to get the five movie length discs sometime in the future.

First of all, the story, actors and characters is a 10/10, but I've given it a 9/10 due to the (very) outdated effects/computer graphics.I watched some of the episodes "back in the days" when the series was first aired (in Sweden). Got somewhat hooked (even though I missed much of the first season), but not enough to ride the whole series out (was very hard to find a complete series box back in that time here "up in the mountains of Sweden"). To be honest I might have seen five or six episodes in total from season one and two (none from the others). Forgot about it until about two months ago.One day (about two months ago) I was bored and I googled "sci-fi series". Babylon 5 was one of the "hits". I thought to myself. Why not, I have only seen a few episodes and as far as I can remember they where everything from 'ok' to 'very good'... and hey, it's sci-fi :)I started watching.. and to be honest, the first half of the first episode I was a bit skeptical. This skepticism disappeared however. I totally fell in love with the characters. Especially G'kar and Mollari. So incredibly good actors. I was totally blown away. Usually, sci-fi series actors are "so-so", but the "so-so" actors in Babylon 5 are far and between (most are great). Checked all of them out and I was sad when I saw that Andreas Katsulas had died (2006). He is my favorite of them all.There is a "red thread" (as we say in Sweden) through all the seasons, from the beginning to the end. What happens in season one can and will influence what happens in season five. People (even more or less main characters) die and/or leave in one way or the other. You really feel the personal struggle of Mollari and Lennier.. the pain of G'kar and his struggle for the Narns for example.There are very few "filler" episodes in my humble opinion. If you watch it from the beginning you will (as I did) feel that each episode pushes the story forward or at least adds something new and interesting.Do I recommend it? Oh hell yes. If you can see past the "90's effects" (computers and 3d-effects was still in its infancy) you have many hours of joy before you. I wept during the final episode. What a great way to tie it all together.... I wish I could re-see the whole series without knowing what I know. There is not much, if any, sci-fi that can beat this./M