sleeping in light

This afternoon, we watched the elegiac final episode of BABYLON 5, "Sleeping in Light," which takes place 20 years later. We have finished BABYLON 5.

The first time we watched Season 5 (about 10 years ago), it was difficult. We were dealing with the loss of Ivanova and with Lennier and Lyta plotlines that we hadn't really seen coming. That's not the fault of B5 creator JMS (J. Michael Straczysnki). It's obvious on second viewing that he laid in the groundworking for these plots in earlier seasons. But the first time around, we were caught up in the more obvious plotlines - Londo's tragic ascension to the Centauri throne and Garibaldi's alcoholic relapse. So we didn't notice the more subtle plots as they were developing. And then they hit us, very painfully, over the head.

I used to think that Season 5 got screwed up by the loss of Ivanova because Straczynski had to re-organize some plot elements. I also thought that having to rush the plot in Season 4 (since he didn't know if he'd get a Season 5 in which to finish the story) had messed things up. I really thought Season 5 was a letdown.

Now I know it's not. It has a very different feel. But it's as brilliant as any of the seasons that came before it.

For any B5 fans out there, here's a wonderful tribute to the final episode, with highlights including Sheridan's passing beyond the rim and the decommissioning of the Babylon 5 station:



Thank you, JMS, for probably the best television show ever.