The best episodes of Babylon 5
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Faced with the threat of an imminent attack from Earthforce ships loyal to President Clark, Sheridan makes the fateful decision to declare Babylon 5's secession from the Earth Alliance. Meanwhile, Delenn is forced to return to Minbar when the Grey Council refuses to act upon increased Shadow activity.
- 02
Twenty years after his death and resurrection at Z'ha'dum, and the end of the Shadow War, Sheridan feels his life force ebbing away and invites some old friends to gather for a final time.
- 03
As Sheridan finally authorizes the White Star fleet to participate in the war, Delenn travels to Minbar to start a Minbari-Earth joint project to build a prototype White Star destroyer class ship. Elsewhere, Vir hires Franklin and Lyta to investigate why the Drazi don't return the bodies from destroyed Centauri ships.
- 04
The Emperor of the Centauri Republic comes to Babylon 5, but his failing health results in his peaceful mission being transformed into an opportunity to ignite all out war between the Centauri Republic and the Narn Regime. Meanwhile, Garibaldi confronts a mysterious man who has been following him around the station.
- 05
When President Clark declares martial law throughout the Earth Alliance, Nightwatch prepares to take control of Babylon 5 by any means necessary, forcing Zack to decide whose side he's on. In an exercise of bad timing, the prophetic widow of Emperor Turhan visits the station, granting Londo the audience he's been requesting since Turhan died.
- 06
When Ivanova receives a distress call from herself pleading for help as the Shadows destroy Babylon 5, the crew are stunned to discover it is dated eight days into the future. At the same time, on Minbar, Sinclair receives a nine-hundred-year-old letter from Valen, prompting Delenn to reveal a long kept secret.
- 07
While Sheridan is unstuck in time, experiencing a future where Centauri Prime is in ruins, the others continue with their plan to take Babylon 4 back in time.
- 08
Tessa Holloran, former Number One of the Mars resistance, arrives with a warning for Lise and Michael - an assassin has been hired to kill them. Meanwhile, G'Kar prepares to leave Babylon 5 with Lyta, though not everybody is happy about it.
- 09
Two officials from the Ministry of Peace come to Babylon 5; one to deal with the Centauri's continued expansion, and the other to check on the local Nightwatch. Meanwhile, a Narn heavy cruiser seeks sanctuary while they make repairs, and Keffer continues his search for proof that Shadow ships exist.
- 10
An Earthforce Special Intelligence investigator comes to B5 with Lt. Keffer's last recording, asking the ambassadors if they recognize the ship in it. Meanwhile, Londo takes steps to remove himself from the Shadows, and Sheridan is presented with a new weapon with which to fight the growing Shadow threat.
- 11
Sheridan's wife, Anna, who supposedly died four years ago, arrives on the station and tries to convince Sheridan to come to Z'ha'dum to meet his opposite number. Elsewhere, Londo receives important news about his political future, and the Shadows move against Babylon 5 directly.
- 12
As reports that the Shadows are also destroying entire planets begin to emerge, Sheridan continues putting the pieces in place for a final strike against the Shadows and the Vorlons. Meanwhile on Narn, Londo and Vir make preparations to assassinate Emperor Cartagia.
- 13
In the final hours before the Shadows and the Vorlons meet Sheridan's alliance at Coriana VI, Ivanova and Lorien await the last of the First Ones in a remote sector of space. Meanwhile, in his new role as Centauri Prime Minister, Londo seeks to remove all Shadow influences from Centauri Prime before the Vorlon planet killer arrives.
- 14
Following the destruction of two refugee transports, and the killing of 10,000 unarmed refugees by President Clark's forces, Sheridan assumes the offensive in the Earth Alliance Civil War, starting with the liberation of Proxima III. Meanwhile, Londo tries to convince G'Kar to sign a joint Centauri-Narn statement in support of the war against Clark.
- 15
Between the Darkness and the Light
Garibaldi desperately tries to convince Lyta and Franklin that his recent behavior was caused by Bester as they organize a rescue for Sheridan. Meanwhile, Ivanova gets word that a trap has been set at the fleets' next rendezvous point by a group of completely new advanced-technology destroyers.
- 16
Sheridan commands the final assault on President Clark's forces with the help of Garibaldi, Franklin, Lyta, and the Mars Resistance. Meanwhile, Marcus is determined to find a way to help Ivanova, whatever the cost.
- 17
Sheridan is shocked to learn that one of the crew of the Icarus, the ill-fated science ship that exploded with his wife aboard, is alive - namely Mr. Morden. Meanwhile, a representative from the newly established Ministry of Peace visits the station to recruit personnel to the Nightwatch.
- 18
Draal reveals himself to Sheridan, now ready to offer the services of the Great Machine on Epsilon III for the struggles ahead. Meanwhile, Lord Refa and Londo set a plan in motion that will determine the final outcome of the Narn-Centauri conflict.
- 19
A startling revelation from an archaeologist on the run from President Clark leads Sheridan and Delenn on a dangerous mission into Earth Alliance space. Meanwhile, Nightwatch increases their surveillance operations on Babylon 5, putting Zack Allen in an uncomfortable position.
- 20
Bester returns to Babylon 5, this time seeking an alliance against a common enemy - the Shadows. Meanwhile, G'Kar demands to be included in the Conspiracy of Light.
- 21
With the Shadows next target known, a massive counterattack is prepared by the various alien races on Babylon 5. At the same time, Franklin finally has to face his problems as he lies fatally wounded in Downbelow.
- 22
In the aftermath of the explosion on Z'ha'dum, Sheridan is presumed dead and Garibaldi is missing. Delenn struggles to keep the alliance against the Shadows together, and Londo takes up his new position on Centauri Prime as security advisor to the Emperor.
- 23
Ivanova and Marcus take a White Star out to search for more First Ones to aid in the war against the Shadows, while Londo tries to convince G'Kar to swallow his pride. Meanwhile, Zack gets a lead on rescuing Garibaldi from his unknown captors, and a mysterious spacecraft makes its way towards Babylon 5.
- 24
With the Vorlons now destroying whole worlds, Babylon 5 is struggling to cope with the incoming refugees, and with the Vorlon ambassador still aboard the station, they cannot make a move without him knowing about it. On Centauri Prime, G'Kar faces continued torture at the hands of Cartagia.
- 25
In Minbar's capital city, the Warrior Caste demands the surrender of Delenn and the Religious Caste. On Babylon 5, Bester makes a disturbing offer to an increasingly desperate Lyta, and Sheridan is compelled to act after receiving horrible news from Ivanova.
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