Aw, darnit, now you got me all revved up an' ready to watch, but I have to wait 'til *after Christmas*...?!? =8oO ...Jus' kiddin', we be cool. [FIST-BUMP] =;o} (Also, why did I suddenly start talking like that? I come from Surrey! =:oo )
I really love how Sinclair presents as the perfect straitlaced diplomatic leader but when push comes to shove he isn't above playing a little dirty himself! I also appreciate Michael O'Hare's performance in this pilot film as it captures the statesmen, soldier, maverick, optimist, and wounded man Sinclair is.
Fun fact about Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman) is in her first full role here, but she is a VERY seasoned stunt person. During B5 she was also the Stunt Coordinator for Star Trek Deep Space 9, on the down low. She has appeared in every Trek series and a couple of movies (Crusher stunt double), jumped off bridges and skyscrapers and was even a Deadite in Army Of Darkness AND in was in Jurrasic Park. I was blown away to learn all that from an interview you can find on YT (search her name and CNF 45). Enjoy the slow burn. - The living area btw is on the inside of a rotating sphere/drum giving artificial gravity. The garden scene was look at the inside of it. You may note they had shoulder harnesses on when in the transport through the center because of low/zero gravity. ps my cat Kosh says hello.
She played people on TNG before this not just stunts and she was in Road House in the opener in a small role. It may be her first regular role but I would consider a few of her priors as full roles. The TNG one that comes to mind is the one they put the ship through a decontamination sweep and the Captain gets stuck aboard and discovers the plot to steal some explosive toxic waste from the engines. This is the role she became best known for though.
welcome to your Babylon 5 journey. don't sweat the names, who you are. just be you. here to support your journey. always enjoy seeing someone start this journey. have fun!
Great 2-part video, Marie-Clare. Based on this, I think you’ll really enjoy the series! 11:38- Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair. 12:15- I think the word you want is ‘blown.’ 14:29- B5 is orbiting a planet in the Epsilon Eridani (which is a real life star) system, 10.5 light years from Earth. 15:20- The Gathering aired 22nd February 1993 and the series proper followed about 11 months later.
Babylon 5 is an O'Neill cylinder, based on real world work by Gerard O'Neill. The habitable part is 5 miles long by 1 mile diameter. The fusion reactor and cooling fins stick out an extra 3 miles.
So a little history for you: J. Michael Straczynski pitched the series to Paramount in '89, and provided them with an outline of the overall series and the pilot script. They said no to it. Fast forward a couple of years, and Warner Brothers pick up the pilot. Two weeks after the trades announced the pilot was being made, Paramount announced that the next Star Trek spin-off would be set on a space station. They then shaped the show (Deep Space 9) via studio notes to the two producers, Rick Berman and Michael Piller - neither of whom knew that the notes they were getting, were based on Paramount execs 'borrowing' from the B5 pitch materials they still had on file. Amongst the many, many things DS9 "borrowed" from the B5 pilot was the use of the term 'changeling' to describe the shapeshifer Odo. JMS sought legal advice and was advised that he had a very good case, but that pursuing it would likely a) cost a great deal of money he didn't have vs Paramount and their fancy lawyers, and b) cause both shows to be taken off the air. Based on that, he let it go.
Other things that were "borrowed" for Deep Space Nine included; The ongoing tension between a formerly subjugated race and their former invaders A female first officer An odd numbered station There were of course several more but they cannot be noted here for spoiler reasons.
I think some of that may be true and some may just be coincidence. You could look at how many cop/detective/police type shows there were on TV, or soap operas, or medical dramas and they generally didn't get accused of copying each other as they were traditional genre shows that had been around for decades. But there weren't many space station shows and here were two that aired their first episodes within weeks of each other in early '93. So it's not likely someone had secretly swapped the pilots between studios ahead of broadcast and someone was ripping someone off that way. But yeah, I could list about 30-odd direct points of similarity, just comparing this to DS9's 1st 2-parter and nothing else.
@@madgeordierob7890 Agreed. We all know what happens in DS9 first episode of season three. It was very defiant of Paramount to do that. Their arrogance was akin to the White Star Line company execs after the Titanic sunk.
Where it is fairly lose? The general implication is of the quarter million design capacity, which is stated later in the show. About a third are human residence. About a third are alien residence, about a third are visitors, and it's usually a little bit below that two hundred and fifty thousand maybe more like two hundred thousand
To answer your question, this show was shot in 1992 and originally aired in March of 1993, and went to series two months later. It was nominated for the 1994 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, but was runner-up to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Finale. NOT A SPOILER: Babylon 5 would be nominated for this Hugo three more times during its run. Whether or not it wins is a discussion for another day :)
The reason I recommend that you should take notes, is that there are very few - if any - episodes in this 5-season/series run that do not have "Easter Eggs" in them, that will not hatch sometimes for 10 or 20 episodes...Also, there are a LOT of characters and situations that do come and go, and most of them have a real impact on the story, and it really helps to be able to refer back to them. Lastly, unlike most other sci-fi TV properties out there, this show has broad story arcs, rather than just one-shot episodes.
“There is a hole in your mind…”. And so it begins. B5 is one of the best shows ever, in any genre. Season 1 is uneven, but sets up soooooo much. Enjoy your journey and make sure you have your seatbelt fastened!
I remember an interview with JMS (the show's creator) sometime during it's run. He said he'd wanted to create "a novel for television". (His comments indicated he meant a long story in multiple chapters.) "Very few shows have tried to do that", he said. "Doctor Who did it, and The Hill Street Blues..." My little DW-fan heart grew three sizes. =:o}
this series is a ride to be reconed with. the first season is merely a time to get to know everybody, but then....things will...well. let's call it: develop.
The pilot doesn't have the full title sequence. That's coming in episode one and the monologue answers some of your questions. The view in the background of the garden isn't the planet below, it's the inside of the station. They're essentially farm gallaries on the inside of the rotating section (good for food and oxygen production) with the rotation providing the required gravity. The rail car they're seen travelling in runs through the middle in a low gravity area hence the reason they're having to hold on to restraints.
Correct. All of the Babylon stations were O'Neill cylinders. The "rotating section" is the entire length of the station; the only part that doesn't rotate is the "spine" that houses the motors for driving rotation. Notice that the docking entrance is also positioned directly on the station's axis (like the monorails), and C&C is positioned offset of the docking ring so that the command deck experiences gravity. The docking ring needs zero gravity to make ships entering/exiting easier. Much like the scene in _2001: A Space Odyssey,_ approaching ships line up with the docking ring and then lock on. The ship then goes into a "barrel roll" until it's synchronized with the station's rotation.
I think you’ll love this show Marie-Claire. I saw the show first time around and it was completely different from anything else so took me a while to get used to thinking differently but I guarantee that, like many people on here, I’ll be with you all the way as I live this show….and I’m due a rewatch! Enjoy!
I'm glad you're enjoying Babylon 5 Marie-Clare. I think you're embarking on a really fun journey with this series. I won't mention who but be on the lookout for some great guest stars in the series. Quite a few noteworthy genre regulars! I can't wait to see your next reaction!
You are right in thinking Blake's 7, as it certainly is an influence. So are many other shows (Prisoner). You will recognize Prisoner nods when they happen.
Babylon5 is a five mile long station, where various different species live, trade, work and use it as a stop off point for travelling threw the universe. Also home to different ambassadors.
[NODS] A station built by Earth's government (in case that wasn't clear), in order to promote peace between the various planets/species it was in contact with. It's basically the SF version of the UK's long-standing policy of embracing "multiculturalism". (Although "The Gathering" doesn't do a great job of representing that; One scene in particular makes it seem like certain species can only live adjacent to one specific corridor, with windows into their tiny living spaces almost as if they were zoo exhibits, while the bipedal oxygen breathers get to stroll around wherever they please!)
This is one of the best TV shows in any genre ever, never mind sci-fi. It's a bit rough and stumbles a bit in the pilot and first series, but once it really finds its feet in S2 it soars. S2-S4 is some of the best television in any genre ever - no I'm not joking, it really gets that good. The early stuff is ropey with dodgy acting and wobbly sets even by the standards of the 1990s but then it gets really really awesome :) You have to watch S1 cos it sets so many seeds for what happens later - this was one of the first shows that had a long arc
One thing to keep in mind JMS wanted B5 to be practical. Rotational gravity dictates some of the design. The falling doors will close by gravity alone sealing in air. JMS demanded pockets (something most scifi ignores) because you need places to put stuff. Look at any real medic or military outfit and they have many pockets for the tools they must carry. Also without spoiling plot some designs you see later borrowed from 2010, that also was a science first based story. I subbed as I love the show and still hope someone does DS9 and B5 together noting that Paramount held JMS's story for 10 years and used it to inspire DS9 after JMS refused to convert it to a Trek. Several jabs are in both shows including names and actors crossed over two including the Queen of Trek playing a part on B5 but I won't say more there. Again enjoy the ride.
Don't worry about names, they'll come, same as all shows. The fact you enjoyed it, great stuff! :) So glad you like the set! I thought you'd love the station :) The level of detail put in, as you described, it's amazing. As others have said, the first couple of episodes will answer some of your initial questions. I think you'll really like the setting and structure of the show. The Gathering is from 1993 and was specifically a test pilot. The show obviously got picked up and started in 1994. Looking forward to it!
A lot changes between the pilot and the first episode due it being made 18 months later - some actors were busy/dropped out, but the story goes on to become great
Some people live on B5, others are just passing through. It is a combination with embassies and businesses and military all mixed. An interesting point - this was the first American show to have a long arc rather than being episodic. B5 was created to be a single overarching story that runs 5 seasons, in fact the creator, JMS, had a brief synopsis of the whole 5 years storyline on filing cards before he started filming the pilot movie. Not the specifics, but in general what was happening beginning to end. Nothing like that had ever been done in the US before B5. This gives it a far more real feeling since it allows for character development on a grand scale. I won't say it's flawless, though next to anything that was on TV before it, it is stunning what JMS achieved. I was a long time lover of science fiction when this came out - I had watched every episode of Dr Who from the beginning, and ever SF show that aired in Canada from the 60s on through, and this ended up in the top few shows in my opinion - and even now, it still is up there with just a couple other shows.
"I'm fidgeting because I'm nervous!" - oh, these reactions are going to be fun! There are episodes where you'll need to decompress after, and I suspect some will move you to tears. Looking forward to the journey. EDIT: 15:00 - B5 is kind of a transition point between episodic monster of the week type plots, and with full serialisation. It's not fully either one, there is one of my favourite and most provocative episodes in season 3 is a one off, almost anthology show type episode mixed in with some very serialised ones. It was incredibly ambitious in that regard as most shows of that format (22eps x 42mins) previously were intended to sell in to syndication where they could be watched in any order
It was about a year between when this TV movie aired and the beginning of Season 1. Obviously, there was lots of money thrown at sets costumes and general production value here. So it looks great! The space shots were all done with CGI, which was still in its relative infancy, so the CG work on the Space station is obvious but still good. There was actually a display of the surviving costumes from this series at the Paley Center TV museum in Beverly Hills about 6 years back or so, and it was really fun to see them up close. The Ambassaador Kosh costume still looks really cool. This was a fun and well-done show and I think you'll like it a lot.
It takes a little while to get into the characterisation but well worth it when you do. It gets stronger as it goes along. It’s good to know the creator of Babylon 5 was influenced by Blake’s 7. Like Blake’s 7 this show is more cynical and pretty dark at times. Great reaction.
I wouldn't say it gives a feel for the show and what it will be about as much as setting the stage for what B5 will be about. Much of Season 1 is that.
@hornorsilk2901 all shows "find themselves", but I am a fan of season 1. Loved it more on 2nd viewing, but the show does reach impressive highs from the springboard that is the first season.
@@ShamrockParticle I'm not saying season 1 is bad - though it is rough to many the first time through, especially in early episodes, as they are setting out the parameters, the characters, the background, which is also why, it still doesn't give the proper "feel" of the show in and of itself.
You're in for a ride, the first season is a bit of a slow burn compared to the later seasons but B5 was a show that proved that there was an audience for long running pre planned story arcs so there's some setting up to do!
What you saw in the background of the garden wasn't the planet they orbit, it was the inside of the station. The majority of Babylon 5 is a huge hollow cylinder and the camera was looking along the inside toward one of the end caps. The station does orbit a mottled brown planet that you can see in the background in some of the outside scenes.
The actual show is very different from this pilot. Babylon 5 is supposed to be the United Nations in space. All I'll say is that nobody is quite what they seem to be. There are characters that will shock you in good ways and bad ways. You're going to love it.
Funny thing, I didn´t see the pilot till years after the show was finished. It leaves a few call backs confusing, but the real fun begins with the actual main show and I feel, probably biased from my own experience, that the first episode is a better introduction to the show than the pilot.
Well done! If you enjoyed the pilot episode you're gonna be exploding with excitement as it slowly progresses. All your questions will be answered - but you may have to wait...
I'm glad enjoyed this entry to what is still my favourite Scifi TV show. This pilot movie was first aired in 1993, Season 1 aired in 1994. Despite having half the budget of Star Trek Deep Space 9, they managed to create some truly amazing makeup effects, and a pretty good feel for the size of the station. It was also the first TV show to rely entirely on CGI for it's visual effects, which does have it's good and bad points. I hope you enjoy the rest of it (Medusa fell in love with the show by the end).
There are two things to say about this series. All the characters change and grow over the course of the series. Today favorite character might become tomorrow's enemy. The second thing is that this series changed American TV shows forever.
Fun fact Babylon 5 won the Asimov Award for best scifi presentation and beat Independence Day, Star Trek Generations and some other block buster scifi movies that year.
Not a spoiler, but this show will evolve a great deal over its five seasons. There will be cast changes, and character arcs. It's some of the finest television of the 90s and greatly influenced the next generation of SF TV shows.
I'm really looking forward to seeing another person experience this outstanding story. If it helps, think of the space station as a small city in space, about 250,000 people at any given time. It is roughly equidistant from the five major governments. Earth is most definitely there, and it's one of the five major players.
I'm really happy to see B5 here. Even in the 90s I thought the CGI was the worst thing about it, but the rest of the show elevated it to one of my favourites. Too good to be ruined by bad effects.
it was ground-breaking CGI for the time, but... It was still very early/crude CGI. Some shots would certainly have been more convincingly achieved with models, but then the look and feel would have been inconsistent between the model-work and the shots that simply could *not* have been achieved any other way than by CGI.
Tamlyn Tomita (Takashima) chose not to proceed to series for professional reasons. Johnny Sekka (Dr. Kyle) also chose not to proceed to series due to health issues.
Great reaction video I cannot believe you got a hold of the original pilot I can't even buy that here in the United States you should at some point watch the Special Edition version or whatever they want to call it it was made a few years later where other scenes were added to fill out the plot even more even if you don't react to it on your Channel
The only *specific* thing I remember about the Special Edition is that they replaced the incidental music to be more in keeping with the rest of the series (used the same (excellent) composer as they'd used throughout the series). Alas, certain other discrepancies between the pilot and the series could not be so easily fixed/glossed over... =:o1 (N.B. Not saying anything more specific on that until Marie-Claire is well into the series.)
Welcome to Babylon 5. If you like the pilot film, I think you will live the series proper. This film was shot a year before the series proper started filming. As an old fan of this I am looking forward to seeing your reactions. Seeing the series through the eyes of a first timer is a bit like seeing it with fresh eyes. Be seeing you.
No spoilers. Babylon 5 is 5 miles (8 km) long with an additional 3 miles reactor at one end. It has 250,000 permanent residents. It was placed in neutral territory so it can be a meeting place between the major powers. This makes it into unique a melting pot in this universe. So you will see all kinds of people and problems come up. From high stakes diplomacy to criminals and family trouble. There will be some episodes that have an underlying message not relating to the plot. The message is simple: "This is not Star Trek" If you know Star Trek before you watch Babylon 5 you will try to compare them, but you will learn how different the show is. I wish I could say more, but as they say in Doctor Who "Spoilers". Each season has it's own title and the story will be along that title, but knowing that won't help you anticipating what is coming even if you read the title of the season. What makes Babylon 5 stand out is the re-watchability. On a second and third viewing you will discover how far the planning of the show went how soon some story seeds have been planted before they came to fruition. For most of us long-term fans, the first season is actually a bit of a chore, but through other reaction channels I have been reminded how interesting the first season actually is, even if in retrospect it is the most boring one. Or as another reaction channel has put it: "We have been told that the show picks up speed in the seasons after the first, but it's already so good, where can it go?" Any yet, they were blown away later. Yes, you have to be careful when to watch the TV movies because watched at the wrong time they contain spoilers. 'In the beginning' should only be watched after a certain episode of the 3rd season, while 'Thirdspace fits in somewhere in the 4th season and 'River of Souls' belongs after the 5th season as does the rest. "A call to Arms' is the pilot to the spin-off show 'Crusade'. Also, keep some tissues at hand. it is very likely that there will be tears involved at some point.
You don't like G'Kar? Hold on to that thought on for a season or two. This episode has so many things that don't gel with the lore developed through the series it's almost comical. Not a good beginning for the series. But it gets better, bit by bit. One important thing is that though the series, every time the stakes get higher somebody will say that NOW the story is starting to get serious. And every time people will be right. It's a constant tightening of the screws over your heart. I envy you.
Oooh, new reactor to follow! Huge B5 fan, but take fan hype with a grain of salt. It is a great story, but also has lots of warts and rough spots you would expect from sci fi of the era, especially the first two seasons. Don't be afraid to call a turkey episode a turkey, most fans won't bite!
Not really a spoiler but there is a story arc that unfolds through the first four seasons of the series but the individual episodes are stand alone episodes. Episides here and there holds key information for the overall story arc, sometimes just a line or two of dialogue and sometimes an entire episode is key. The Gathering has a couple of lines that sets up a plot point for that arc.
![Remember Remember The 5th of November! Our First Time Watching V For Vendetta (2005) [REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E4KQIbUYNvs/mqdefault.jpg)
Episode 1 will be on Patreon December 1st and on RUclips in January! Enjoy x
Aw, darnit, now you got me all revved up an' ready to watch, but I have to wait 'til *after Christmas*...?!? =8oO
...Jus' kiddin', we be cool. [FIST-BUMP] =;o}
(Also, why did I suddenly start talking like that? I come from Surrey! =:oo )
IMO this show has some of the best character arcs in TV ever.
Thanks for the uploads - I'll be rewatching with you.
Because of you I have a new addiction, I had never watched Babylon 5 before but now I am halfway through series one.
🥳 😊
That’s awesome! It is some of the best sci-fi ever made.
Season One is a bit of a slog, but you need to see it to understand much stuff that comes later. You are in for one heck of a ride.
@@emsleywyatt3400 Nearly got to the end of season one and totally enjoyed it.
I really love how Sinclair presents as the perfect straitlaced diplomatic leader but when push comes to shove he isn't above playing a little dirty himself! I also appreciate Michael O'Hare's performance in this pilot film as it captures the statesmen, soldier, maverick, optimist, and wounded man Sinclair is.
Fun fact about Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman) is in her first full role here, but she is a VERY seasoned stunt person. During B5 she was also the Stunt Coordinator for Star Trek Deep Space 9, on the down low. She has appeared in every Trek series and a couple of movies (Crusher stunt double), jumped off bridges and skyscrapers and was even a Deadite in Army Of Darkness AND in was in Jurrasic Park. I was blown away to learn all that from an interview you can find on YT (search her name and CNF 45). Enjoy the slow burn. - The living area btw is on the inside of a rotating sphere/drum giving artificial gravity. The garden scene was look at the inside of it. You may note they had shoulder harnesses on when in the transport through the center because of low/zero gravity. ps my cat Kosh says hello.
She played people on TNG before this not just stunts and she was in Road House in the opener in a small role. It may be her first regular role but I would consider a few of her priors as full roles. The TNG one that comes to mind is the one they put the ship through a decontamination sweep and the Captain gets stuck aboard and discovers the plot to steal some explosive toxic waste from the engines. This is the role she became best known for though.
welcome to your Babylon 5 journey. don't sweat the names, who you are. just be you. here to support your journey. always enjoy seeing someone start this journey. have fun!
Great 2-part video, Marie-Clare. Based on this, I think you’ll really enjoy the series!
11:38- Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair.
12:15- I think the word you want is ‘blown.’
14:29- B5 is orbiting a planet in the Epsilon Eridani (which is a real life star) system, 10.5 light years from Earth.
15:20- The Gathering aired 22nd February 1993 and the series proper followed about 11 months later.
Babylon 5 is an O'Neill cylinder, based on real world work by Gerard O'Neill. The habitable part is 5 miles long by 1 mile diameter. The fusion reactor and cooling fins stick out an extra 3 miles.
So a little history for you:
J. Michael Straczynski pitched the series to Paramount in '89, and provided them with an outline of the overall series and the pilot script. They said no to it. Fast forward a couple of years, and Warner Brothers pick up the pilot. Two weeks after the trades announced the pilot was being made, Paramount announced that the next Star Trek spin-off would be set on a space station. They then shaped the show (Deep Space 9) via studio notes to the two producers, Rick Berman and Michael Piller - neither of whom knew that the notes they were getting, were based on Paramount execs 'borrowing' from the B5 pitch materials they still had on file.
Amongst the many, many things DS9 "borrowed" from the B5 pilot was the use of the term 'changeling' to describe the shapeshifer Odo. JMS sought legal advice and was advised that he had a very good case, but that pursuing it would likely a) cost a great deal of money he didn't have vs Paramount and their fancy lawyers, and b) cause both shows to be taken off the air. Based on that, he let it go.
Other things that were "borrowed" for Deep Space Nine included;
The ongoing tension between a formerly subjugated race and their former invaders
A female first officer
An odd numbered station
There were of course several more but they cannot be noted here for spoiler reasons.
@tulinfirenze1990 Thank-you you for not mentioning the spoilery ones
I think some of that may be true and some may just be coincidence. You could look at how many cop/detective/police type shows there were on TV, or soap operas, or medical dramas and they generally didn't get accused of copying each other as they were traditional genre shows that had been around for decades.
But there weren't many space station shows and here were two that aired their first episodes within weeks of each other in early '93. So it's not likely someone had secretly swapped the pilots between studios ahead of broadcast and someone was ripping someone off that way.
But yeah, I could list about 30-odd direct points of similarity, just comparing this to DS9's 1st 2-parter and nothing else.
@@spiderboris79 No, it's 100% true. There's more in DS9 than the first couple of episodes that they borrowed stuff from B5 for.
@@madgeordierob7890 Agreed. We all know what happens in DS9 first episode of season three. It was very defiant of Paramount to do that. Their arrogance was akin to the White Star Line company execs after the Titanic sunk.
Where it is fairly lose? The general implication is of the quarter million design capacity, which is stated later in the show. About a third are human residence. About a third are alien residence, about a third are visitors, and it's usually a little bit below that two hundred and fifty thousand maybe more like two hundred thousand
I love Babylon 5. I'm really hoping you will too Marie-Clare.🤞🤞
This is a truly amazing show and you will love getting immersed in it I promise. Great writing, great characters, great arcs.
To answer your question, this show was shot in 1992 and originally aired in March of 1993, and went to series two months later.
It was nominated for the 1994 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, but was runner-up to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Finale.
NOT A SPOILER: Babylon 5 would be nominated for this Hugo three more times during its run. Whether or not it wins is a discussion for another day :)
A great PROLOGUE to what is to come in Babylon 5.
Loved your reactions, Marie-Clare.
The names will come.
The reason I recommend that you should take notes, is that there are very few - if any - episodes in this 5-season/series run that do not have "Easter Eggs" in them, that will not hatch sometimes for 10 or 20 episodes...Also, there are a LOT of characters and situations that do come and go, and most of them have a real impact on the story, and it really helps to be able to refer back to them. Lastly, unlike most other sci-fi TV properties out there, this show has broad story arcs, rather than just one-shot episodes.
“There is a hole in your mind…”. And so it begins. B5 is one of the best shows ever, in any genre. Season 1 is uneven, but sets up soooooo much. Enjoy your journey and make sure you have your seatbelt fastened!
I remember an interview with JMS (the show's creator) sometime during it's run. He said he'd wanted to create "a novel for television". (His comments indicated he meant a long story in multiple chapters.) "Very few shows have tried to do that", he said. "Doctor Who did it, and The Hill Street Blues..."
My little DW-fan heart grew three sizes. =:o}
Going to enjoy seeing how you react to B5 which is still one of my favourite scifi shows off all time!
this series is a ride to be reconed with. the first season is merely a time to get to know everybody, but then....things will...well. let's call it: develop.
The pilot doesn't have the full title sequence. That's coming in episode one and the monologue answers some of your questions. The view in the background of the garden isn't the planet below, it's the inside of the station. They're essentially farm gallaries on the inside of the rotating section (good for food and oxygen production) with the rotation providing the required gravity. The rail car they're seen travelling in runs through the middle in a low gravity area hence the reason they're having to hold on to restraints.
Correct. All of the Babylon stations were O'Neill cylinders. The "rotating section" is the entire length of the station; the only part that doesn't rotate is the "spine" that houses the motors for driving rotation. Notice that the docking entrance is also positioned directly on the station's axis (like the monorails), and C&C is positioned offset of the docking ring so that the command deck experiences gravity. The docking ring needs zero gravity to make ships entering/exiting easier. Much like the scene in _2001: A Space Odyssey,_ approaching ships line up with the docking ring and then lock on. The ship then goes into a "barrel roll" until it's synchronized with the station's rotation.
I think you’ll love this show Marie-Claire. I saw the show first time around and it was completely different from anything else so took me a while to get used to thinking differently but I guarantee that, like many people on here, I’ll be with you all the way as I live this show….and I’m due a rewatch! Enjoy!
I'm glad you're enjoying Babylon 5 Marie-Clare. I think you're embarking on a really fun journey with this series. I won't mention who but be on the lookout for some great guest stars in the series. Quite a few noteworthy genre regulars! I can't wait to see your next reaction!
…and at least a couple of surprising British/Irish actors!
You are right in thinking Blake's 7, as it certainly is an influence. So are many other shows (Prisoner). You will recognize Prisoner nods when they happen.
You might even recognise a couple of Doctor Who ones. =:o}
Babylon5 is a five mile long station, where various different species live, trade, work and use it as a stop off point for travelling threw the universe. Also home to different ambassadors.
[NODS] A station built by Earth's government (in case that wasn't clear), in order to promote peace between the various planets/species it was in contact with.
It's basically the SF version of the UK's long-standing policy of embracing "multiculturalism". (Although "The Gathering" doesn't do a great job of representing that; One scene in particular makes it seem like certain species can only live adjacent to one specific corridor, with windows into their tiny living spaces almost as if they were zoo exhibits, while the bipedal oxygen breathers get to stroll around wherever they please!)
This is one of the best TV shows in any genre ever, never mind sci-fi. It's a bit rough and stumbles a bit in the pilot and first series, but once it really finds its feet in S2 it soars. S2-S4 is some of the best television in any genre ever - no I'm not joking, it really gets that good. The early stuff is ropey with dodgy acting and wobbly sets even by the standards of the 1990s but then it gets really really awesome :) You have to watch S1 cos it sets so many seeds for what happens later - this was one of the first shows that had a long arc
"Dodgy acting"? I don't think so - not in this show.
@@tjtenser7828 A few guest actors here and there. But then there are others that more than make up for it.
One thing to keep in mind JMS wanted B5 to be practical. Rotational gravity dictates some of the design. The falling doors will close by gravity alone sealing in air. JMS demanded pockets (something most scifi ignores) because you need places to put stuff. Look at any real medic or military outfit and they have many pockets for the tools they must carry. Also without spoiling plot some designs you see later borrowed from 2010, that also was a science first based story. I subbed as I love the show and still hope someone does DS9 and B5 together noting that Paramount held JMS's story for 10 years and used it to inspire DS9 after JMS refused to convert it to a Trek. Several jabs are in both shows including names and actors crossed over two including the Queen of Trek playing a part on B5 but I won't say more there. Again enjoy the ride.
Welcome to the journey ahead .
Don't worry about names, they'll come, same as all shows. The fact you enjoyed it, great stuff! :)
So glad you like the set! I thought you'd love the station :) The level of detail put in, as you described, it's amazing.
As others have said, the first couple of episodes will answer some of your initial questions. I think you'll really like the setting and structure of the show.
The Gathering is from 1993 and was specifically a test pilot. The show obviously got picked up and started in 1994.
Looking forward to it!
A lot changes between the pilot and the first episode due it being made 18 months later - some actors were busy/dropped out, but the story goes on to become great
Some people live on B5, others are just passing through. It is a combination with embassies and businesses and military all mixed. An interesting point - this was the first American show to have a long arc rather than being episodic. B5 was created to be a single overarching story that runs 5 seasons, in fact the creator, JMS, had a brief synopsis of the whole 5 years storyline on filing cards before he started filming the pilot movie. Not the specifics, but in general what was happening beginning to end. Nothing like that had ever been done in the US before B5. This gives it a far more real feeling since it allows for character development on a grand scale. I won't say it's flawless, though next to anything that was on TV before it, it is stunning what JMS achieved.
I was a long time lover of science fiction when this came out - I had watched every episode of Dr Who from the beginning, and ever SF show that aired in Canada from the 60s on through, and this ended up in the top few shows in my opinion - and even now, it still is up there with just a couple other shows.
"I'm fidgeting because I'm nervous!" - oh, these reactions are going to be fun! There are episodes where you'll need to decompress after, and I suspect some will move you to tears. Looking forward to the journey.
EDIT: 15:00 - B5 is kind of a transition point between episodic monster of the week type plots, and with full serialisation. It's not fully either one, there is one of my favourite and most provocative episodes in season 3 is a one off, almost anthology show type episode mixed in with some very serialised ones. It was incredibly ambitious in that regard as most shows of that format (22eps x 42mins) previously were intended to sell in to syndication where they could be watched in any order
It was about a year between when this TV movie aired and the beginning of Season 1. Obviously, there was lots of money thrown at sets costumes and general production value here. So it looks great! The space shots were all done with CGI, which was still in its relative infancy, so the CG work on the Space station is obvious but still good. There was actually a display of the surviving costumes from this series at the Paley Center TV museum in Beverly Hills about 6 years back or so, and it was really fun to see them up close. The Ambassaador Kosh costume still looks really cool. This was a fun and well-done show and I think you'll like it a lot.
It takes a little while to get into the characterisation but well worth it when you do. It gets stronger as it goes along. It’s good to know the creator of Babylon 5 was influenced by Blake’s 7. Like Blake’s 7 this show is more cynical and pretty dark at times. Great reaction.
I wouldn't say it gives a feel for the show and what it will be about as much as setting the stage for what B5 will be about. Much of Season 1 is that.
This is a very confusing statement... And I actually know (I think...?) what you're talking about!) =:o}
@@therealpbristow I just don't want to say too much; but the feel of the show changes, in a very good way, of course
@hornorsilk2901 all shows "find themselves", but I am a fan of season 1. Loved it more on 2nd viewing, but the show does reach impressive highs from the springboard that is the first season.
@@ShamrockParticle I'm not saying season 1 is bad - though it is rough to many the first time through, especially in early episodes, as they are setting out the parameters, the characters, the background, which is also why, it still doesn't give the proper "feel" of the show in and of itself.
You're in for a ride, the first season is a bit of a slow burn compared to the later seasons but B5 was a show that proved that there was an audience for long running pre planned story arcs so there's some setting up to do!
❤ Lyta Alexandra (Patricia Tallman)
What you saw in the background of the garden wasn't the planet they orbit, it was the inside of the station. The majority of Babylon 5 is a huge hollow cylinder and the camera was looking along the inside toward one of the end caps. The station does orbit a mottled brown planet that you can see in the background in some of the outside scenes.
❤❤❤
The actual show is very different from this pilot.
Babylon 5 is supposed to be the United Nations in space.
All I'll say is that nobody is quite what they seem to be. There are characters that will shock you in good ways and bad ways.
You're going to love it.
Funny thing, I didn´t see the pilot till years after the show was finished. It leaves a few call backs confusing, but the real fun begins with the actual main show and I feel, probably biased from my own experience, that the first episode is a better introduction to the show than the pilot.
The station is in neutral area of space
Some 12 light years from Earth, orbiting a lifeless planet.
"There's a lot to unpack there"
Well done! If you enjoyed the pilot episode you're gonna be exploding with excitement as it slowly progresses. All your questions will be answered - but you may have to wait...
I look forward to you settling-in to the series proper.
I'm glad enjoyed this entry to what is still my favourite Scifi TV show.
This pilot movie was first aired in 1993, Season 1 aired in 1994.
Despite having half the budget of Star Trek Deep Space 9, they managed to create some truly amazing makeup effects, and a pretty good feel for the size of the station.
It was also the first TV show to rely entirely on CGI for it's visual effects, which does have it's good and bad points.
I hope you enjoy the rest of it (Medusa fell in love with the show by the end).
There are two things to say about this series. All the characters change and grow over the course of the series. Today favorite character might become tomorrow's enemy. The second thing is that this series changed American TV shows forever.
Fun fact Babylon 5 won the Asimov Award for best scifi presentation and beat Independence Day, Star Trek Generations and some other block buster scifi movies that year.
Not a spoiler, but this show will evolve a great deal over its five seasons. There will be cast changes, and character arcs. It's some of the finest television of the 90s and greatly influenced the next generation of SF TV shows.
Welcome to a world where no one is entirely what they seem.
Asking a good question there about aliens and yes, you will find out.
Not a Spoiler: This came out 1 year before the TV Series so there were some re-castings.
Only half-true. Everything is solved in the story, no new face with an old name.
I'm really looking forward to seeing another person experience this outstanding story. If it helps, think of the space station as a small city in space, about 250,000 people at any given time. It is roughly equidistant from the five major governments. Earth is most definitely there, and it's one of the five major players.
1/4 of a million live there, many visit.
I'm really happy to see B5 here.
Even in the 90s I thought the CGI was the worst thing about it, but the rest of the show elevated it to one of my favourites. Too good to be ruined by bad effects.
it was ground-breaking CGI for the time, but... It was still very early/crude CGI. Some shots would certainly have been more convincingly achieved with models, but then the look and feel would have been inconsistent between the model-work and the shots that simply could *not* have been achieved any other way than by CGI.
Tamlyn Tomita (Takashima) chose not to proceed to series for professional reasons. Johnny Sekka (Dr. Kyle) also chose not to proceed to series due to health issues.
The score gets much better after this (personal opinion).
I don't consider this a spoiler. 😇
Which tier do you have to be in on Patreon for the Babylon 5 reactions?
@@wackyvorlon Eccleston 🥰
@@MarieClaresWorld subscribed! And allow me to welcome you to the League of Non-Aligned Babylon 5 Reactors☺️
I think you’ll love it.
@@wackyvorlon Thank you so much for the support! x
Great reaction video I cannot believe you got a hold of the original pilot I can't even buy that here in the United States you should at some point watch the Special Edition version or whatever they want to call it it was made a few years later where other scenes were added to fill out the plot even more even if you don't react to it on your Channel
I would advise avoiding the Special Edition of the Gathering until at least after Season 3, Marie-Claire.
The only *specific* thing I remember about the Special Edition is that they replaced the incidental music to be more in keeping with the rest of the series (used the same (excellent) composer as they'd used throughout the series).
Alas, certain other discrepancies between the pilot and the series could not be so easily fixed/glossed over... =:o1
(N.B. Not saying anything more specific on that until Marie-Claire is well into the series.)
The special edition has better editing a more character development scenes that were deleted from the original version
Welcome to Babylon 5.
If you like the pilot film, I think you will live the series proper.
This film was shot a year before the series proper started filming.
As an old fan of this I am looking forward to seeing your reactions. Seeing the series through the eyes of a first timer is a bit like seeing it with fresh eyes.
Be seeing you.
Babylon 5 was I believe the first television series to use CGI extensively.
You are correct.😊
No spoilers.
Babylon 5 is 5 miles (8 km) long with an additional 3 miles reactor at one end. It has 250,000 permanent residents. It was placed in neutral territory so it can be a meeting place between the major powers. This makes it into unique a melting pot in this universe. So you will see all kinds of people and problems come up. From high stakes diplomacy to criminals and family trouble.
There will be some episodes that have an underlying message not relating to the plot. The message is simple: "This is not Star Trek"
If you know Star Trek before you watch Babylon 5 you will try to compare them, but you will learn how different the show is. I wish I could say more, but as they say in Doctor Who "Spoilers".
Each season has it's own title and the story will be along that title, but knowing that won't help you anticipating what is coming even if you read the title of the season.
What makes Babylon 5 stand out is the re-watchability. On a second and third viewing you will discover how far the planning of the show went how soon some story seeds have been planted before they came to fruition. For most of us long-term fans, the first season is actually a bit of a chore, but through other reaction channels I have been reminded how interesting the first season actually is, even if in retrospect it is the most boring one.
Or as another reaction channel has put it: "We have been told that the show picks up speed in the seasons after the first, but it's already so good, where can it go?" Any yet, they were blown away later.
Yes, you have to be careful when to watch the TV movies because watched at the wrong time they contain spoilers. 'In the beginning' should only be watched after a certain episode of the 3rd season, while 'Thirdspace fits in somewhere in the 4th season and 'River of Souls' belongs after the 5th season as does the rest. "A call to Arms' is the pilot to the spin-off show 'Crusade'.
Also, keep some tissues at hand. it is very likely that there will be tears involved at some point.
You don't like G'Kar? Hold on to that thought on for a season or two.
This episode has so many things that don't gel with the lore developed through the series it's almost comical. Not a good beginning for the series.
But it gets better, bit by bit. One important thing is that though the series, every time the stakes get higher somebody will say that NOW the story is starting to get serious. And every time people will be right. It's a constant tightening of the screws over your heart.
I envy you.
Oooh, new reactor to follow! Huge B5 fan, but take fan hype with a grain of salt. It is a great story, but also has lots of warts and rough spots you would expect from sci fi of the era, especially the first two seasons. Don't be afraid to call a turkey episode a turkey, most fans won't bite!
There is a hole in your mind..
Not really a spoiler but there is a story arc that unfolds through the first four seasons of the series but the individual episodes are stand alone episodes. Episides here and there holds key information for the overall story arc, sometimes just a line or two of dialogue and sometimes an entire episode is key. The Gathering has a couple of lines that sets up a plot point for that arc.
No beep beep so sad