a5c7b9f00b This TV movie is the pilot for the "Babylon 5" TV series. Set on a space station in the late 23rd Century, Babylon 5 is a centre of diplomacy and trade, in neutral space located between many rival space empires. The project's success, already shaky, is put further in doubt when incoming Commander Jeffrey Sinclair is the key suspect in the attempted assassination of Kosh, a mysterious alien ambassador. The opening of a crucial space station is put in jeopardy when the commanding officer is accused of the attempted murder of a diplomat. Babylon 5 the television series has legion of devoted fans but this pilot television movie was rather disappointing and hammy.<br/><br/>We enter the limited world of the space station Babylon 5, a place where various alien races can interact and hopefully live in peace.<br/><br/>Set in the 23rd century and after a war between the Earth Alliance and the Mimbari Federation, a new arrival Ambassador Kosh is found poisoned and his death would lead to instability. A telepath scans the ambassador and the suspect is Commander Sinclair, the person in charge of Babylon 5 and he has to clear his name.<br/><br/>Being a Star Trek:DS9 fan, I found Babylon 5: The Gathering to be a pale imitation, a little bit too hammy. The special effects looks a bit cheap although the subsequent television series did bring in some improvements to the characters. You can buy the first two movies (In the Beginning, The Gathering) separately, but in order to get all five B5 movies (the first two plus Thirdspace, The River of Souls, and A Call to Arms), you have to buy them in a box set. <br/><br/>The first two movies are out of orderthey should be In the Beginning and then The Gathering. These movies are GREAT for background information. They really should be watched before watching the series. <br/><br/>Thirdspace is a detached from the rest of the movies and series. It comes after the end of the Shadow War (season 4, episode 6), but then there is no mention of it again. If you never saw this movie, you wouldn't miss any continuity. The only thing it clears up is why Lyta Alexander and Zack Allen never got together. <br/><br/>The River of Souls occurs in apx. Year 2263 and is less detached because B5 has encountered Soul Hunters before. This just gives more insight to them. It is like an extra episode in Season 5.<br/><br/>A Call to Arms (Year 2267) is a prequel to the Crusade series. If you aren't planning to watch the Crusade series, there is no reason to watch this movie. <br/><br/>Season 5 should go like this: <br/><br/>1. Season 5 Episode 21 "Objects at Rest" (Year 2262) 2. The River of Souls movie (Year 2263) 3. A Call to Arms and the Crusade Series (Year 2267)optional. I suggest these be watched separately from B5 series as they really don't enhance or expand on the B5 series. 4. The Lost TalesVoices in the Dark movie (Year 2271) 5. Season 5 Episode 22 "Sleeping in Light." (Year 2280)<br/><br/>6. The Legend of The Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight (after the Year 2280)optional. Does not add nor detract from the series.
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