It’s been a while since Babylon 5 hit the air. It was a time when streaming could hardly be imagined, ensuring its lifespan. But Babylon 5 was actually pretty innovative for the time. Despite innately being a riff on the variety of available Star Trek shows—which were fellow space-based adventures of diplomacy—it was a part of the decade’s transition towards serialized storytelling, and the marketing was hinged on it. Ultimately, the show had some creative ideas, and after season one, the overarching story arc was pursued well. So, let’s all wear our grunge one more time to review the five best and worst episodes of the '90s classic Babylon 5.

Best: Severed Dreams

This episode actually won the 1997 Hugo Award, which is all about honoring science-fiction. The entire premise of Babylon 5 involves the various political conflicts within neutral territory. So, to have that purpose put in danger by the preceding episode is inherently interesting. This episode was the most impressive of a three-episode story that involved the inevitable confrontation with Earth’s President.

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Whenever this show really hits the pedal to the metal, it consistently proves to distinguish itself from other science-fiction. This show had more than its fair share of filler, so the breakneck pace of this story was even more impressive by contrast. Sheridan’s decision to harbor the Alexander was a very organic way to quickly escalate the conflict.

Worst: TKO

Even IMDb agrees with this episode’s position among the worst of the series. It has that unfortunate characteristic of being almost completely disconnected from the rest of the overarching story. But this filler episode involves the Mutai, which is a lame play on words from Muay Thai; it can actually be a very practical form of martial arts, as opposed to...whatever this is. Sure, the plot with Ivanova was touching, but the rest is an absolute drag. Overall, this episode doesn’t have any of the political intrigue that allowed this show to show some form of identity.

Best: War Without End: Part Two

Babylon 5 Michael O'Hare Jeffrey Sinclair

This episode was filled to the brim with answers and resolution — and it wasn’t even a season finale. The plot is hinged on time travel, so they leave Jeffrey Sinclair in the past. It’s the last time we see him on the show proper.

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Ultimately, because of the premise, this episode can get pretty confusing. But it ties back in to season one, finally letting audiences know what happened with the Babylon 4. Time travel plots are intriguing to us because it questions our purpose. The concept of cause and effect, versus destiny. But when we watch plots like these, it’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. And it’s still a lot of fun seeing how the pieces fit together, even if you know what the image is going to look like.

Worst: Secrets of the Soul

This series condensed a lot of its storytelling into season four, with the anticipation that Fox would cancel them. Unfortunately, while that delivered some great content, it also seemed to have a very negative impact on the ensuing season. The entire storyline regarding the telepaths doesn’t amount to much. There’s a severe lack of conflict, and the writers seem to be very uncertain about what direction they should take. It’s hard to invest in an episode when the show doesn’t even know what its goals are. Nothing could be more frustrating so early on in the final season of any series.

Best: The Long, Twilight Struggle

No, we’re not referring to the daunting task of watching every single Twilight movie. In Babylon 5, the Narn and Centauri were always at odds with each other. As an aside, it feels like the former’s name was a nod to Narnia, which is somewhere between neat and tacky. Anyway, the war between these two races finally hit top gear in this episode, after accumulating smaller conflicts.

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With a premise this grandiose, it’s actually more fitting to the spirit of the show. It is a space opera, after all, and it’s the dialogue that has always driven this show. This episode is proof that Babylon 5 is terrific at manifesting and resolving the largest dilemmas by conversation alone. There are so many moving pieces in this conflict, but the writing is taut enough to be effective and clear.

Worst: The Long Dark

Despite the revelation of the Shadows, this episode falls pretty short. The premise is a blatant riff on Alien, with a derelict ship containing mystery and death. By all accounts, this should’ve worked regardless. Unfortunately, there is only one suspect, and Doctor Franklin literally loses his mind. His pursuit of the woman in question is absolutely ridiculous, and redundant throughout. It’s exactly the kind of storytelling that unfamiliar viewers would assume this show is about. That kind of soapy behavior is totally unwelcome on this show. And worse, it hinders what could have been an effective plot.

Best: Sleeping in Light

This was the sendoff for the entire series, after five long seasons. Nothing could be more critical for a show that was predicated on telling a complete story. Endings can make or break any piece of entertainment because it’s the ultimate compensation for your investment. And you know that once it’s over, there will be no further opportunities to allow a more preferable resolution.

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As usual, this show once more delivers its distinctly talented performances and writing. This really helps with the tone of the inevitable sentimentality that any ending is innately filled with. Even for casual viewers, who may not be quite as invested as longtime fans, the dialogue is very touching work. This is one of a very few shows that got the series finale right.

Worst: Soul Mates

Babylon 5 Michael Garibaldi Jerry Doyle Talia Winters Andrea Thompson

Love isn’t in the air for this episode. It’s soapy, but it’s filthy with mistakes. Sure, Timov can be fun, and the Vorlons are mentioned. But overall, the plot is essentially meaningless. Even the performances come to a fault, here. Even the worst of Babylon 5’s episodes generally have some redeeming qualities. But the comedy here just doesn’t work, and much like The Bachelor itself, it’s conceptually dated. What's worse, this coincides with the appearance of an ex-husband, which is hackneyed and unsatisfying beyond words. This makes it yet another disastrous example of the series resorting soap opera instead of space opera.

Best: Chrysalis

Babylon 5 Jerry Doyle as Michael Garibaldi Drinking

This was the season one finale, and clearly a turning point for the series. It was more of a refreshing vault forward than an ending. From here, the show would begin to shed the habit of including so many filler episodes. Heavy with mystery, thanks to the murder investigation, the episode is also bolstered by its successful subplots.

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A new president shifts critical policy, characters get engaged; it’s a lot to take in. The cliffhanger is just as promising as the abruptly brisk pacing of this finale. It’s easy to imagine how effective this show could be today, with reduced episodes per season.

Worst: Believers

Babylon 5 Believers Season 1 Episode 10

The first season of this show was particularly famous for filler episodes. Unfortunately, this one isn’t just a waste of time... It also features a considerably clichéd storyline, about religion getting in the way of treatment. It’s certainly a plausible enough issue, and it can be a poignant one at that. However, not when you’re watching it for the hundredth time.

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The impasse doesn’t gain any traction, and the writing isn’t sophisticated enough to elaborate in an intriguing way. But what really anchors this episode down is the random subplot about an unhappy officer. It simply doesn’t go anywhere.