I don’t know about that watch order for Bab5. The first season was uneven but I feel like it’s a critical introduction to key characters and themes. I wouldn’t recommend anyone leap right in to the Garibaldi and Delenn situations for example. Back in the day there were lists passed around about key episodes to watch vs what could be skipped — and they were highly contested because mostly even the worst episodes had at least a scene that you’d later be rewarded for watching.
Anyway I think the better order is something like a select 1/3-2/3 of season 1, seasons 2-4, and the last episode of season 5 (which for reasons was originally shot as the ending of season 4).
Season 5 is only for if you loved S2-S4 and need more even if it’s not as good. It isn’t bad, it just feels weird with the main arc of the show resolved.
Yeah, seeing later seasons of B5 and going back to S1 would be jarring! The acting and set up would be weird after seeing all that comes after it and how they up the ante each season.
The sudden shift from Sinclair to Sheridan. Sheridan is walking into all this blind, so it’s a good intro to new viewers.
I feel bad about it, I know the actor had severe mental health issues which required the change, but the jump is a little jarring.
You don’t REALLY appreciate Season 1 until you get through the rest of it, then it kind of all just clicks into place. It’s definitely planting seeds, but those seeds don’t sprout until seasons 2 and 3.
I want to argue. Not because you’re wrong, but because I love talking about B5. But also there is so much great setup. Babylon Squared would be so weird to watch in the this order. The setup and reversal of Londo and G’Kar. Like there is so much tapestry there to enjoy on a deeper level of you’ve seen S1.
I feel like in the suggested order you might watch S1 and think it’s kinda neat but why did I bother. Trying to figure out what’s going on was one of the funnest parts of S1.
I don’t know about that watch order for Bab5. The first season was uneven but I feel like it’s a critical introduction to key characters and themes. I wouldn’t recommend anyone leap right in to the Garibaldi and Delenn situations for example. Back in the day there were lists passed around about key episodes to watch vs what could be skipped — and they were highly contested because mostly even the worst episodes had at least a scene that you’d later be rewarded for watching.
Anyway I think the better order is something like a select 1/3-2/3 of season 1, seasons 2-4, and the last episode of season 5 (which for reasons was originally shot as the ending of season 4).
Season 5 is only for if you loved S2-S4 and need more even if it’s not as good. It isn’t bad, it just feels weird with the main arc of the show resolved.
Yeah, seeing later seasons of B5 and going back to S1 would be jarring! The acting and set up would be weird after seeing all that comes after it and how they up the ante each season.
I think it’s merited for 2 reasons:
I feel bad about it, I know the actor had severe mental health issues which required the change, but the jump is a little jarring.
I want to argue. Not because you’re wrong, but because I love talking about B5. But also there is so much great setup. Babylon Squared would be so weird to watch in the this order. The setup and reversal of Londo and G’Kar. Like there is so much tapestry there to enjoy on a deeper level of you’ve seen S1.
I feel like in the suggested order you might watch S1 and think it’s kinda neat but why did I bother. Trying to figure out what’s going on was one of the funnest parts of S1.
But I can’t say you’re wrong, either.