Babylon 5

[JoeKryten]

I'm sure it's been mentioned upthread, but it is important to understand WHY s5 is so underwhelming (and also part of why s4 is so good).

Early on in the production of s4 the production team learned that their syndicated network (PTEN) was going away. It did appear quite certain that the show would have to end after 4 seasons. Since the story arc was set to a five year plan, JMS compressed all of the important story stuff into the back half of s4 to wrap up the story should they not get a s5. At the end of the day, negotiations resulted in TNT picking up the show for the final season and for several TV films.

So the final episode of the series was originally shot with s4 and the first shot episode for TNT was put at the end of s4 in it's place. (At the time, PTEN was holding back the last two or three episodes each season until the end of summer, having them lead directly into the next season).

As a result, the last half of s4 is banger after banger of plot heavy episodes and the first 2/3rds of s5 basically treads water...

[MarcelS1]

Originally Posted by JoeKryten

I'm sure it's been mentioned upthread, but it is important to understand WHY s5 is so underwhelming (and also part of why s4 is so good).

Early on in the production of s4 the production team learned that their syndicated network (PTEN) was going away. It did appear quite certain that the show would have to end after 4 seasons. Since the story arc was set to a five year plan, JMS compressed all of the important story stuff into the back half of s4 to wrap up the story should they not get a s5. At the end of the day, negotiations resulted in TNT picking up the show for the final season and for several TV films.

So the final episode of the series was originally shot with s4 and the first shot episode for TNT was put at the end of s4 in it's place. (At the time, PTEN was holding back the last two or three episodes each season until the end of summer, having them lead directly into the next season).

As a result, the last half of s4 is banger after banger of plot heavy episodes and the first 2/3rds of s5 basically treads water...

Especially the first part of season 5 is hard to get through because the Telepath storyline but when they are gone, it does get better towards the end. It had some exciting stories to tell from episode 14-15. And Garibaldi falling off the wagon again after his ordeal with Bester, which was also interesting.