After a slightly tentative first season, the second season of Babylon 5 really hits its stride. A tweaked cast, actors with a firm grasp on their roles, and the accelerating pace of the over-arching storyline sees Babylon 5 rise above the usual run of science-fiction shows. Envisaged as a novel for television by series creator J. Michael Straczynski, with each episode representing a chapter, Babylon 5 would set a high standard during its five-year run and pave the way for a number of arc-based shows.
Characters of Babylon 5 Season 2 DVD
As Captain John Sheridan, Bruce Boxlightner replaces Michael O'Hare as commander of the Babylon 5 space station. He is ably assisted by Claudia Christian as the promoted Commander Susan Ivanova, Jerry Doyle as Security Chief Michael Garibaldi and Richard Biggs as Dr Stephen Franklin.
The alien ambassadors stationed on Babylon 5 are scene-stealers, particularly mortal enemies G'Kar (Andreas Katsoulas) of the Narn and Londo (Peter Jurasik) of the Centauri, who are more alike than they would care to admit, and the dignified and transformed Delenn (Mira Furlan) of the Minbari, who knows far more than she is telling.
Recurring characters such as ambassadorial aides Lennier (Bill Mumy), Vir (Stephen Furst) and Na'Toth (Mary Kay Adams), telepath Talia Winters (Andrea Thompson) and sinister emissary of the Shadows Mr Morden (Ed Wasser), also get their chance to show what they can do.
Babylon 5 Gathers Pace
The second season of Babylon 5 is full of confidence, as the many obscure story threads planted in Season One start to bloom. There is a greater assuredness about the season, and a greater wit, which would continue into Season Three. There is also a greater sense of impending doom, as the danger presented by the mysterious ancient enemy the Shadows gets closer. Babylon 5's main strength is that it deals with grand dramatic themes – conspiracies and treason, oppression and rebellion – while staying focused on the characters.
Key Episodes in Babylon 5 Season Two
"The Coming of Shadows": This Hugo Award winning episode deals with the visit of the Centauri emperor to Babylon 5, and the resultant fallout.
"The Fall of Night": The climax of the season sees the characters of Babylon 5 make some fateful decisions. The episode guest stars Roy Dotrice as a Neville Chamberlain-like character, aiming for “peace in our time”. Yet peace, as Ivanova notes at the end, is sometimes just another word for surrender.
Babylon 5 Season Two DVD Extras
There are commentaries on selected episodes - “The Geometry of Shadows”, “The Shadow of Z'ha'dum” and “The Fall of Night” - and documentaries on the making of Babylon 5.
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