Customer Reviews

Babylon 5: The Complete Third Season (Repackage)

5 star:		(89)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace. It failed.
In the Year of the Shadow War, it became something greater: our last, best hope... for victory."

This narration is spoken during the opening credit sequence of this season. The credit sequence is much different this season than its predecessors. Gone is the optimistic theme music of the first two seasons, in its place is the much sadder Requiem for the Line. It establishes very well the dark places that this season will take us.

The production values of the show seem to improve quite a bit this season, and we see more great work behind the camera from directors like Mike Vejar. The whole show seems to hang together very organically now, as even the stories that don't directly reference that main story arc (the few that there are) are quite good, especially "Passing Through Gesetheme," which is a true science fiction (opposed to sci-fi fantasy) story that explores the theological issues of telepathy. Even the lesser stories pack an unexpected punch, such as "Dust to Dust" which starts out with a pretty unremarkable story of Garibaldi and Bester hunting down drug dealers, but ends with a beautiful scene that heartbreakingly portrays the spiritual redemption of one of the main characters.

Marcus Cole is a great addition to the season. This character could have gone wrong in so many ways, but good casting and writng made him work wonderfully. The White Star also worked out really well after a rocky start. (The first set design in "Matters of Honor" was admittedly not that great, but they quickly fixed it). These two changes also worked well because they were a natural outgrowth of the direction the story was moving, and not just an attempt to get better ratings (as some shows are known to do).

There is much good drama this season. Here, the show really lived up to its billing as a "novel for TV". This season was a great examination of pain, loss, sacrifice, redemption, and most importantly hope. The final words of the season sum up the overall message better than I ever could:

"There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain."

Things are getting more complicated for the crew on Babylon 5 by the day. Not only must they start to figure out some way to defeat the Shadows when the time comes, but they must also deal with the growing threat back home. President Clark is becoming more paranoid and curtaining freedoms at an alarming rate. The crew finds evidence against him, but will it help? Meanwhile, Londo thinks he's created a monster that has gotten out of hand. G'Kar looks for ways to help in the coming conflict. Franklin is facing a personal problem of his own. And a face from the past returns to the station, with surprising results.

Babylon 5 definitely hit its stride with the third season. Series Creator J. Michael Straczynski wrote the entire season, helping it hang together and tell the story. Bester begins to play more of a role and is fleshed out a little more as a character, and this season also introduces Marcus Cole, the Ranger. While many of the episodes contribute directly to the over all story line, there are still several stand alones, including a personal favorite, "Passing Through Gethsemane" and one I really dislike, "Grey 17 is Missing." The arc episodes are all top notch. Highlights here include "Point of No Return," Hugo winning "Severed Dreams," "Interludes and Examinations," both parts of "War Without End," "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place," and the best season ending cliffhanger of the series, "Z'ha'dum."

If you've been buying these sets, you know what to expect here. There's the season intro, two audio commentaries by JMS and one by cast members Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Richard Biggs, and Ed Wasser. While JMS's are good as always, the cast commentary is better this time around, with Jerry not sidetracking them as often. Either way, it's a great listen. Disc six continues with more data and personnel files as well as documentaries on designing the world and aliens of the series. There's a separate feature showing the make up process for getting a Narn ready for filming. The audio continues to sound great, and the video seems to be improving, although I do still notice the occasional flaw. Certainly not enough to really interfere with enjoying the show, however.

With the story kicking into high gear, the show just keeps getting better and better. I'm thrilled the series is being preserved on DVD since I watch it every couple of years.

B5's third season is clearly the most pivotal of all the seasons. Here is where truths are revealed and new questions are raised. This is where J. Michael Straczynski's brilliance as the shows creator shines brightly in that with each episode he shows us what is to come, but at the same time, doesn't give us the how or why which leaves you, the viewer, hungry for more.

This season also brought an unprecedented event, no television series before this ever had an entire season written by one screenwriter. With the multitude of variables and directions that J. Michael Straczynski needed to take the series for this season, he felt that he was the only one that could take them there. As it turned out, this was a brilliant decision, despite a few of the episodes being a bit lackluster, the overall feel and theme of the season is breathtaking in its scope and detail.

A brief synopsis of the more intriguing episodes:

Matters of Honor - In this exciting season opener, the Minbari religious cast bestows upon Captain Sheridan the White Star which is a starship built of Vorlon and Minbari technology that no other race has seen until now. Here is where we meet Marcus who escapes a planet where the Rangers are training but have been blockaded by the Centauri. He seeks Sheridan's help in clearing the blockade so the rest of those in training can escape.

A Day in the Strife - This is an interesting episode that brings to the forefront Steven's addictions to stims. Meanwhile, Sheridan and Ivanova must deal with a probe that is prepared to annihilate the station if a whole battery of questions isn't answered properly.

Passing Through Gethsemane - In this intriguing episode, the Narn provisional government has given in to the Centauri and sent a Narn representative to B5 to replace G'Kar and send him home, most likely to his death. Meanwhile, one of the monks who recently came to the station starts suffering through some rather odd delusions.

Dust to Dust - Psi cop Bester makes a return in this brilliant episode in which he comes to the station to track down a shipment of dust which is an illicit substance that when used brings out the Psi ability in anyone, even mundanes. G'Kar hopes to use this as a weapon against the Centauri and tests it himself which brings him to Londo's door where he learns a great many truths about Mollari and his activities.

Messages from Earth - In this pivotal episode, Sheridan learns that Earth and the Psi Corps has been aware of the Shadows and their vessels and that they have discovered one on Mars. Risking detection, Sheridan takes the White Star to Mars to stop Psi Corps from gaining control of this shadow vessel.

Point of No Return - In this extraordinary episode, Earth has reverted to martial law and extends that to Babylon 5 where Sheridan must find a way to deal with the Night Watch officers who attempt to seize control of Babylon 5.

Severed Dreams - This is the episode that B5 has building to for quite some time in which Sheridan is now forced to make the decision to publicly defy Earth Force and the President. President Clark has sent an armada to B5 to seize control but Sheridan has other plans...

A Late Delivery from Avalon - Sheridan proposes a mutual defense treaty with the League and Michael York of "Logan's Run" fame makes a poignant guest appearance as a man who comes off a transport and believes he is King Arthur.

Ship of Tears - Bester makes another appearance and he proposes an alliance with Sheridan and crew. He's searching for a transport vessel that he believes is carrying weapons that he'd be interested in. Here is a where a terrible truth is revealed about the Shadows and their weapons.

Interludes and Examinations - In this incredible episode, Sheridan believes that he must deliver a victory against the Shadows and appeals to Kosh and the Vorlons to get it. They deliver but the victory comes at a terrible price.

War Without End, Parts I & II - With these two episodes, J. Michael Straczynski out does himself as he brings back Sinclair and Babylon 4 and he plays out the story he's been eluding to in the past and tells the tale of where Babylon 4 went and ultimately who Valen is.

And the Rock Cried out, No Hiding Place - In this brilliant episode we see the true colors of Mollari as he works his political machinations to better secure his position in the royal court.

Shadow Dancing - In this superb episode, Sheridan brings together an alliance and a large fleet to take the offensive against the shadows in an unprecedented space battle involving hundreds of ships.

Z'Ha'Dum - In this extraordinary and stunning season closer, Sheridan's wife Anna, played by his real life wife, is sent to B5 as an emissary from the Shadows. She implores him to return to Z'Ha'Dum with her to hear their side of the story. For some time, he's been warned not to go to Z'Ha'Dum, but he trudges on any way, leading to a dramatic conclusion of the season and a long wait until season four comes out. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

Documentaries:
Behind the Mask: Creating the Aliens of Babylon 5
Building A Better Narn
Designing Tomorrow: The Look of Babylon 5

The Universe of Babylon 5:
Data Files: Battle for Babylon, Grey, Mindwipe, Thunderbolt, White Star
Personnel Files: Zack Allen, Alfred Bester, Marcus Cole, David Corwin, Zathras
Shadow Dossier

Episode list:

Matters of Honor

Convictions
A Day in the Strife
Passing Through Gethsemane
Voices of Authority
Dust to Dust
Exogenesis
Messages from Earth
Point of No Return
Severed Dreams
Ceremonies of Light and Dark
Sic Transit Vir
A Late Delivery from Avalon
Ship of Tears
Interludes and Examinations
War Without End, Parts I & II
Walkabout
Grey 17 is Missing
And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place
Shadow Dancing
Z'Ha'Dum

Everything else was prelude. B5 hit its stride with the powerful third season. This is where some of the most important and best written episodes premiered in the series. Season 3 improved on the strong writing evident during the second season. Season 4 maintained the intelligent, high quality writing and direction. It seemed as if the series (like Next Gen)slipped a bit with the last season as the primary conflict (the Shadow War) had ended. It was difficult to top but it didn't stop them from trying.

Among the outstanding episodes are Matters of Honor and the amazing season cliff hanger Z'ha'dum. For me, though, the linchpin of the series are the two two parters War Without End parts 1 & 2 and Shadow Dancing & Z'ha'dum. Sinclair returnsin the former two episodes and discovers his destiny. We also get resolution as to what happened to Babylon 4 and this episode ties in directly into the episode featuring B4 from the first season. There are some unanswered questions/inconsistencies in the two parter but, on the whole, War Without End encapsulated what was so well developed about the series--the 5 year series plan was flexible but, like the best novels, the series clearly had a planned beginning and end. In the latter two episodes we finally meet Sheridan's wife (played this time around by Bruce Boxleitner's wife Melissa Gilbert)and discover what happened to her when her expedition went to Z'ha'dum. Ultimately, though, most of those answers are provided in the stunning season conclusion. These four episodes are every bit as powerful as any theatrical film and the Borg arc established for Next Generation. They are also equal to the stunning opening and two parter set on Earth for DS9.

The DVDs here appear a bit sharper and with improved picture quality compared to Seasons 1 & 2. Perhaps its the advantage of time (the Trek boxed sets improved as well as did DS9). Perhaps Warner is spending a bit more time on these pricey sets when mastering them for DVD. The digital effects still don't hold up as well on a big screen television as previous sets. Part of the problem has to do with the original digital images but also has to do with the quality of the transfer. Again, the effects work looks worse than the live action on DVD but there is a marginal improvement.

As to the letterboxed format, it was clear with the last set that the show was shot in a standard aspect ratio and then matted after the fact. If I'm not mistaken, season 3 was done in a similar fashion but the matting is slightly improved (in the 3rd box set there was a commerical for the Psi Corp that had much of the lettering cut off at the bottom and the tops of heads cropped off). Perhaps it just wasn't as noticable since with season 3 the series was, if I'm not mistaken, broadcast in a letterboxed format.

The extras are nice. The commentary by J. Michael Straczynski on the two episodes Z'ha'dum and Severed Dreams is quite interesting but be alert to the fact that there are spoilers mentioned. This is, of course, only important if you haven't seen the entire series. The cast commentary on Interludes and Examinations is a lot of fun--it's clear like the one they recorded for the season 2 boxed set, that they have a blast working together. I would have liked to have a commentary on War Without End parts 1 & 2 by Michael O'Hare and Bruce Boxleitner. Particularly since these episodes tie into both the second season and the first.

The sets have gotten more and more generous about the extras as they've gone along. Season 3 is the equal to Season 2 with the following featurettes included; "Behind the Mask: Creating the Aliens of Babylon 5" documentary; "Designing a Better Narn" documentary; "Designing Tomorrow: The Look of Babylon 5" documentary. There's at least 1 Easter Egg extra included on the last disc of the set (like the previous one).

Although B5 didn't initially get the respect of critics like the Trek series Next Gen and DS9, by the third season the series had captured the attention of both a larger, more involved audience and the critical attention the series deserved. While Seasons 1 & 2 were important, 3 is where the series finally developed into a sophisticated, well told story.

The third season of "Babylon 5", along with its fourth, are regarded by many as the show's finest seasons, emphasizing the conflict with the Shadows and the struggle to free the Earth Alliance from President Clark's Psi Corps-dominated, dictatorial regime. Most of my favorite episodes are from this season, with three compelling story arcs chronicling first the struggle against Clark's government led by Captain Sheridan ("Messages From Earth", "Point Of No Return" and "Severed Dreams") and then, the war against the Shadows ("War Without End Part I", "War Without End Part II", "Shadow Dancing", "Z'Ha'Dum"). Many of the story threads and arcs found in the previous two seasons are neatly resolved in this season, but there are equally tantalizing glimpses of what is in store for the series' final two seasons. We will witness the death of one major Babylon 5 character ("Interludes and Examinations") and the downfall and redemption of yet another ("And The Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place").

In the first of these compelling story arcs, Sheridan learns of Psi Corps' role in acquiring Shadow technology and assisting in President Clark's assassination of his predecssor Santiago ("Messages from Earth"). Soon Clark dissolves the Earth Alliance Senate, declares martial law, and attacks a rebellious Mars colony unwilling to follow his martial law decree. Finally in "Severed Dreams" (which won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation the year after "The Coming of Shadows" received its Hugo), Clark sends an EarthForce fleet to seize control of Babylon 5, but fails after Delenn leads a Minbari fleet to secure Babylon 5's independence from Earth.

In "War Without End" Ambassador Sinclair (Michael O'Hare) arrives to pull Babylon 4 through time, setting in motion a chain of events lasting one thousand years. Once more we meet the enigmatic alien Zathras (Tim Choate), and Major Krantz (Kent Broadhurst), the EarthForce officer supervising the station's construction (Famous rock and roll radio disk jockey Bruce "Cousin Brucie" Morrow makes a notable appearance as Krantz's second-in-command.).

Last, but not least, we will learn who - or what - the Shadows really are in the compelling season-ending episodes "Shadow Dancing" and "Z'Ha'Dum". Sheridan will be forced to make one last, desparate decision as momentuous as the wizard Gandalf's at the bridge of Khazad'dum in "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy. Indeed, one will see many resonant echoes of Tolkien's epic throughout this entire season, starting with the introduction of the ranger Marcus Cole in "Matters of Honor", the first episode of this season.

The image quality is better than those for Seasons One and Two. And once more there are several compelling voiceovers by J. Michael Straczynski as he analyzes several key episodes of this season, especially "Z'Ha'Dum" (There's also another with members of the cast too, both series regulars and recurring guest stars.). Fans of Babylon 5 and those unfamiliar with this splendid television series will enjoy this great CD collection. I just can't wait for Season Four!

Babylon 5 pioneered changes in the sci-fi television world that have yet to be equaled and fill in gaps where series like Star Trek have failed to do so, including:

- It was the first major series that created a consistent, compelling story line from beginning to end. Events in one episode affect the events in those that follow. Most series, such as most Star Trek episodes (DS9 being the notable exception) simply rewind at the end of the episode, having little or no effect on future characters or events. Why did they bother?
- They created stunning special effects for television using inexpensive computer graphics. They look good, convincing, even by today's standards.
- They were the only series that ever got spaceship flight correct, instead of making them fly like airplanes in space. They put it to good use, and created some stunning battle scenes.
- Most importantly, they created a gripping, far-reaching story and characters that even science fiction neophytes and decriers can appreciate.

It had its problems. The acting and directing in the first season were almost universally awful (very notable exceptions: Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik). It had its share of regrettable episodes. The sets looked somewhat reminiscent of Dr. Who (though more densely populated). But the series gained serious momentum, directing and acting skill in season two, and made it one of the best sci-fi experiences to hit the home screen, probably ever. Series three is probably the best. Even Star Trek haters and sci-fi nay-sayers will find something good here, because quality fiction revolving around solid conflict and characters you care about never goes out of style.

Season 3 of Babylon 5 is the year where all of the story arc threads come together. For those of you not familiar with the show, Babylon 5 is a space station created by Earth Alliance as a meting place for humans and alien species, sort of like a United Nations in space. By the start of the third year, Babylon 5's mission of keeping peace has failed, and war has broken out between to of the major alien races. At the same, an even greater threat to all species is slowing moving, and gathering its forces, for an conflict of epic proportions. Highlights of this season include the 3 episode arc "Messages from Earth", "Point of No Return", and "Severed Dreams" and the last 2 episodes of the season, "Shadow Dancing" and "Z'ha'dum". This year, Jason Carter joins the cast as Marcus Cole, a ranger assigned to feed information to the Babylon 5 staff. Year 3, 2260, is widely regarded as the best year of the show, and is a must for any Sci-Fi fan.

J. Michael Straczynski and Robert B. Parker (of Spenser fame) have both achieved the same thing with very different subject matters and in very different media: they have made the moral choices of their characters the primary, indeed, almost the SOLE focus of the action. Straczynski's task is probably that much the harder because, unlike the novel, he can only graphically illustrate his characters' inner worlds. The result is triumph; presenting something so rare on TV: real people.

Yes, as in the Parker novels, there is plenty of violence. Also there is no downplaying certain characters' relish of the test of battle and their love of soldiering. Straczynski has a real respect for the military and does not let his correct skepticism of government (even if does repeat the McCarthy myth on a commentary track) spill over into disrespect for those who put their bodies where "the metal hit the meat." His use spectacular special effects only enhances.

The ground breaking CG had one real drawback: B-5 explosions simply don't look real. I guess they just didn't have the processor power to simulate them on their budget. Even now fire is said to be impossible to model and thus its creation is more the work of artist than artisan-something the insane schedule of network drama simply doesn't allow.

Both series place characters--whatever the literary allusion--in situation where they have choose between expedience and principle. Straczynski does a superb job of dropping his characters--ones obviously very beloved to him--into horrible situation in which they die or undergo the most dreadful pain and loss. Then there are those, like Mr. Morden, Mr. Bester nice "Demolish Man" joke), and "President" Clark who clearly took the road of expedience. Straczynski shows, graphically, the very real consequences of their actions not only for themselves but for billions of other humans and aliens.

The main theme was taken from an old Poul Anderson novel whose name eludes me. He pictured a war between vastly powerful species whose mere existence was outside human comprehension but who used humans and others as proxies in their never ending struggle. Redux the Shadows and Vorlons--who turn out to be as amoral as the Shadows when crossed.

As with the Spenser novels, Babylon 5 rises far above genre to achieve what is so utterly rare in any historical era: art. They both show us the recesses of the heart, the secret places we hide from everyone else. We are also shown the devastating consequences of moral failure or necessity. In a hundred years B-5 will still resonate in a way my beloved Star Trek never can. Star Trek, you see, is fantasy, the way the world ought to be. Babylon 5, unfortunately, is the way the future WILL be.

Well, definition of repackage: re¡€pack¡€age (rš„ pak¡äij)- transitive verb repackaged -¡€aged, repackaging -¡€ag¡€ing - to package again, esp. in or as in a better or more attractive package.
This is not the case, I have the previous package and it looks exactly the same, paid 1/2 of the price they're charging now for this "new" packaging.
But the bottom line is that the series is fantastic, it has been remastered (looks very nice) and in the 3rd season called "Point of No Return" you'll find the war against the Shadows and some of the best episodes in the saga.
Can't give less than a 5 star for this show...

Pros: Great stories, amazing visuals. The season where it all comes together.
Cons: Some of the "extras" are only very good; not great

This is the pivotal season in this amazing five year series. Many of the threads planted over the previous 24 episodes finally come together -- and a host of new ones are created. The special effects in this season hit a new high with some of the most amazing battle scenes ever shown on TV -- they stand up today. But it's the stories that makes this season soar. The character development is handled expertly. The stories build on one another with nary a "gimmick" to move the tale along. The extra features are very good, although not all of them live up to the standards of the episodes themselves. The commentaries by J. Michael Straczynski are expecially insightful.

To fully enjoy this DVD set it obviously helps to have seen the first two seasons. But they're excellent in their own rights and well worth the time. This is perhaps the best science fiction series ever to air. If you're at all a fan of the genre -- or just like good stories -- this series is for you.