Lets start at the beginning

As a child, I was subject to the whims of a loving mother who believed I was spending too much time sitting in front of the television watching strange shows full of people in heavy makeup, standing on odd sets, and flying spaceships. Babylon 5 was one of those shows, and as a result, I didn't discover it until years later.

Although the original series had a planned five-year story, its future was uncertain before TNT stepped in to keep it alive. As part of that revival, the network produced the made-for-television movie Babylon 5: In the Beginning. For longtime fans, it served as a prequel. For me, it was my introduction to both the series and its universe.

Babylon 5 is a science fiction series centered on the eponymous space station, a diplomatic hub built in the aftermath of a devastating war between humanity and an ancient alien race known as the Minbari. Humanity was nearly wiped out during the conflict, only to be saved when the Minbari unexpectedly surrendered at the moment of their greatest victory. Determined to prevent another catastrophic war, the major powers of known space came together to build Babylon 5 as a place where diplomacy could succeed where violence had failed.

As prequels go, In the Beginning does an excellent job of rewarding longtime fans. Through archival footage, clever editing, makeup, and some wonderfully questionable '90s hairstyles, the filmmakers convincingly present younger versions of beloved characters while sprinkling in numerous Easter eggs.

If you've never watched Babylon 5, one thing you should know is that it features some of the tightest continuity I've ever seen in a television series. That was no small accomplishment in the mid-1990s, when viewers had to rely on local stations to air episodes in order, at the same time every week, and trust that they wouldn't miss one. Looking back, it's impressive to see the care J. Michael Straczynski took in planting story seeds, introducing relationships, and depicting famous first meetings that sometimes wouldn't pay off until seasons later.

Babylon 5 was also famous for its groundbreaking CGI. By today's standards, it won't amaze anyone, but thirty years ago it rivaled the visual effects found in many feature films. More importantly, the visual effects weren't just technically impressive—they were thoughtfully staged. Space battles are easy to follow, ships have distinct silhouettes, and action scenes maintain a strong sense of geography. You always know who is doing what and where they are in relation to everyone else. That's something many productions with far larger budgets still struggle to accomplish.

Not everything has aged quite as gracefully. Some of the alien makeup looks dated, and a few of the sets occasionally reveal the limitations of a television budget. Even so, the ambition behind the production makes those shortcomings easy to forgive.

Now, I consider myself a fan of both J. Michael Straczynski and Babylon 5, but if there is one criticism I have of the franchise, it's that it occasionally takes itself a little too seriously. Lengthy speeches are often accompanied by somber orchestral music, and many of them feel like equal parts cowboy monologue and Shakespearean soliloquy. I can't help but roll my eyes from time to time, but it's the kind of earnest, unapologetic melodrama that has become part of the show's charm.

Among the cast, the late Andreas Katsulas consistently rises above the material. His portrayal of G'Kar is nothing short of exceptional, bringing genuine emotional weight and complexity to dialogue that could easily have become overwrought in less capable hands. The rest of the cast is perfectly serviceable, but Katsulas is the performer who elevates the series whenever he's on screen.

Babylon 5 remains one of the defining science fiction series of the 1990s television renaissance, and In the Beginning is an excellent entry point for newcomers. It enriches the experience for longtime fans while providing enough context for first-time viewers to understand why this universe has remained beloved for decades.