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What's the consensus here regarding Babylon Five? (startrek.website)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by startrekexplained@startrek.website to c/quarks@startrek.website

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I have the series on DVD but I've never seriously cracked it, only seen a few episodes. Was wondering what people here think, is it as good as the internet often says it is? I know it was an inspiration for one of my favorite franchises (Mass Effect) and The Orville had a cute reference to it by making its main actor the president of the Planetary Union, but that's the extent of my B5 knowledge. So anyway, should I binge the series?

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[–] WhoRoger@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Sorry but that's a horrible idea... The whole point of 'planting seeds' is how the pieces fall together in succession.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.one 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There are problems with Season 1, Season 2 has a better hook and because they replaced the commander and are doing a bunch of catch up work, there's no harm starting there then circling back.

Season 1 is a slow burn and there are a lot of filler episodes that don't go anywhere (looking at you Infection, Deathwalker, Believers, TKO).

That being said, the must watch season 1 episodes:

1-3, 5-8, 11-13, 16-20, 22.

[–] WhoRoger@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's pretty much the case of S01 of any series, especially sci-fi, especially from the 90's.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm in the minority who believes Fox was right to start Firefly with the Train Robbery, so what do I know? :) (I know my wife fell asleep 1/2 way through the original pilot.)

[–] WhoRoger@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Possibly... It's true that people want instant gratification, and also true that pilots tend to kinda suck (see B5 actually).

I think these days the show creators have gotten better at hitting the ground running from the start.

[–] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 3 points 1 year ago

Better to skip the first season than not watch at all.

I am someone who noped out of the show mid season one during its original broadcast run, despite being really psyched by the pilot, and fortunately gave it a second chance for season two when Boxleitner was brought in.

[–] squiddles@startrek.website 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I think watching season 1 later isn't a bad idea at all. It feels like you're in on what's being set up, and knowing what's coming makes the sloggy episodes tolerable. I watched the show in the order 2 3 1 4 5 on the advice of a friend, and I'm really glad I didn't start with season 1. I would have quit before the end of the season and missed out on what's now my favorite show of all time.