The Sci-Fi Epic Series As Good As Star Trek, And You Don’t Need Netflix To Stream Right Now
The legendary 90s sci-fi series Babylon 5 is available to stream on Tubi. Created by J. Michael Straczynski, the series was designed as a “novel for television” with a meticulously planned story spanning five years. Unlike other shows at the time that told a story over single episodes, Babylon 5 embraced overarching story arcs that unfolded across multiple episodes and even entire seasons.
Babylon 5 And The Earth Alliance
Babylon 5 is set between 2257 and 2262, where a unified government rules Earth and has acquired advanced technology for faster-than-light travel through jump gates. This wormhole technology enables transportation through the alternate dimension of hyperspace. The Solar System and outer colonies collectively form the Earth Alliance.Ten years prior, Earth narrowly escaped destruction at the hands of an alien race called Minbari following a tragic misunderstanding during first contact. But the Minbari, on the verge of victory, suddenly surrendered, and the two species formed an alliance along with other colonies in the Solar System.
The Alien Races
The alien races featured in Babylon 5 include the imperialist Centauri, the recently liberated Narn, and the enigmatic Vorlons, each with their own agendas. The Shadows, an ancient force, lurk in the background, manipulating events to sow chaos and war among the species. Their influence eventually triggers a descent into irredentism for the Centauri and leads Earth towards totalitarianism.
The Space Station
Amid the politics of space is the Babylon 5 space station. Situated at the fifth Lagrangian point of the fictional planet Epsilon III, it serves as a beacon of hope and diplomacy. It is the last of its line, as the previous Babylon stations were destroyed during construction. Babylon 4 mysteriously vanished shortly after becoming operational.
The Babylon 5 space station is a colossal five-mile-long structure with varying atmospheres and gravities. It serves as a melting pot for the diverse species of the galaxy. Human visitors to the alien sectors adapt to different conditions using breathing equipment and other measures, symbolizing the delicate balance of unity within diversity.
Just As Good As Star Trek
As alliances are formed and broken, Babylon 5 becomes a microcosm of the struggles faced by the Earth Alliance and its counterparts. The galaxy’s fate often hangs in the balance in the series, and the station’s inhabitants must deal with their past and present to secure a future free from the looming darkness.Babylon 5 received critical acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and groundbreaking use of CGI. However, its early seasons faced some challenges with ratings and budget constraints. Over time, the series developed a dedicated fan base and received recognition for its ambitious narrative. The show won two Hugo Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
The Cast
The cast of Babylon 5 included notable actors such as Michael O’Hare as Jeffrey Sinclair, Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Mira Furlan as Delenn, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Andreas Katsulas as G’Kar, and Stephen Furst as Vir Cotto. The show also featured other actors in recurring or guest roles.
Stream Babylon 5 On Tubi
Babylon 5 left a lasting legacy in the sci-fi genre. Its use of serialized storytelling and its influence on subsequent series like Battlestar Galactica and Deep Space Nine is widely acknowledged. In 2021, Straczynski revealed plans for a reboot of the series in partnership with Warner Bros. Television.
