As a Sci-Fi fan I’ve been a huge fan of shows like Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, Terminator: TSCC, Star Trek, etc. I keep hearing Babylon 5 is awesome.
I was too young at the time to watch the series when it was on. But then as an older teen/ young adult I decided to give it a try. Everything was so cringe it was hard to get through 3 episodes. IMO the whole vibe was “safe…” maybe even a bit corny–not the intense, exciting, politically-tense space opera that I was told it was.
So maybe the beginning episodes are just world-building? What do other people think?
A lot of people will tell you the first season isn't worth watching. I'll admit that the acting is a little cheesier, and there are some episodes that you might think are a little heavy handed… but they set the stage for you to feel what you feel when the things they were exploring in the b plots come back in the main arc of the show. There will absolutely be moments 3 and 4 seasons in where you go 'oh shit, they set this up in the second episode!' Because it was heavy handed enough that you will remember it, even thoughbyou didn't get it at the time.
To an extent, you do have to get over the cheesy acting. I see it more like a play than a show with overly realistic acting. Some of the acting is a tool to get things across. And you know what? I don't know how well Londo and G'kar would play out without that cheesy background. There hasn't ever been better character development than those 2.
First time that happened (season 1 or 2 - it's been a while), I knew I was hooked.
My absolute favorite callback moment requires watching the show twice.
Watch Babylon 5 through all the way. Then start it again. And wait for Delenn to tell Lenier "I cannot have an aide that does not look up. You will be forever running into things." And look at the expression on her face.
The sheer craftsmanship that went into this show.