This ninety minute pilot episode introduces us to the space station Babylon 5, its crew, its inhabitants and most importantly its purpose. The Babylon Project aims to provide a location with various alien races can meet to trade and to talk; there are a wide variety of alien species present but there are five that are most important; the Earth Alliance, the Mimbari Federation, the Centuri Republic, the Narn Regime and finally the Vorlon Empire
the story opens as the station is preparing for its official opening and the arrival of the firth and final ambassador; Ambassador Kosh who represents the mysterious Vorlons. He isn't the only new arrival; on the same day a telepath by the name Lyta Alexander and a suspicious character called Del Varver also come aboard. Within a minute of his arrival Kosh is found unconscious suffering the effects of an unknown poison; if he dies it could mean war and the end of the Babylon Project. In an attempt to find out what happened Dr. Kyle asks Lyta to telepathically scan Kosh; when she does so she sees what happened to him; this gives the doctor a lead as to where to look for the poison; it also exposes the killer
Commander Sinclair: the man in charge of Babylon 5. With this evidence he will have a hard job clearing his name before he can be taken to the Vorlon home world for trial.
This was a fine introduction to most of the key characters in the series; we learn a surprising amount of back story without it distracting from the story at hand; key details include the fact that the Centuri had subjugated the Narn until fairly recently and Earth and the Mimbari had been at war; Earth won but only because the Mimbari surrendered when it seemed their victory was assured both stories that will be relevant in the following series. This episode's story featured a good mystery which when solved raised more questions; the most important being 'Why?' While this is primarily a drama with a good mystery there are some humorous moments; usually provided by security chief Michael Garibaldi and Centuri ambassador Londo Mollari although not exclusively.
Technically the special effects have dated quite a bit which is a pity as I recall being wowed by them when I first watched the series the world of CGI has progressed very quickly though. The acting from the main cast was pretty good and by the time the series proper arrives the weaker members of the cast have been replaced. This doesn't apply to Patricia Tallman who did a fine job as Lyta but doesn't return when Season One begins. I first watched this some time after watching much of the series which was a pity; if you get a chance it is best to watch this first as it explains much of what you need to know to understand who is who.
This was a fine introduction to most of the key characters in the series; we learn a surprising amount of back story without it distracting from the story at hand; key details include the fact that the Centuri had subjugated the Narn until fairly recently and Earth and the Mimbari had been at war; Earth won but only because the Mimbari surrendered when it seemed their victory was assured both stories that will be relevant in the following series. This episode's story featured a good mystery which when solved raised more questions; the most important being 'Why?' While this is primarily a drama with a good mystery there are some humorous moments; usually provided by security chief Michael Garibaldi and Centuri ambassador Londo Mollari although not exclusively.
Technically the special effects have dated quite a bit which is a pity as I recall being wowed by them when I first watched the series the world of CGI has progressed very quickly though. The acting from the main cast was pretty good and by the time the series proper arrives the weaker members of the cast have been replaced. This doesn't apply to Patricia Tallman who did a fine job as Lyta but doesn't return when Season One begins. I first watched this some time after watching much of the series which was a pity; if you get a chance it is best to watch this first as it explains much of what you need to know to understand who is who.