YGCTO Episode 19 - Endgame & Rising Star

How to Stick A Landing Via Early Exit

As we’ve discussed since the start, JMS put himself in an impossible position with B5. He set out to produce a novel as a television series. It’s an idea that makes sense. If movies based on a book cannot include all the material needed to tell a story correctly, a longer medium should work. Right?

Despite all the blocks 90s syndicated television could muster, JMS succeeded in bringing his five season epic to a close. In under four seasons. The short version is that he didn’t think the show would get picked up by another network, so he raced through two seasons of the story by this point.

A Natural End

Maybe that was just the natural end for the show. It’s easy to make judgment calls in retrospect, but the general consensus seems to be that the fourth season feels rushed. It does go through several plots, but with all the setup it feels right to me. Like JMS was always supposed to tell a four season story. From my standpoint, the only plotline that feels rushed in this season is the Ivonava / Marcus relationship.

“Endgame” really sticks the landing for the Clark storyline that has been the main plot since Santiago was assassinated. “Rising Star” is a decent bow on the series to show where it may go. Problem is, there’s still another episode in this season. It was actually a good sci-fi approach to seeing what happens to this world after the main characters leave… just not enough for a regular series episode. And then Season five happened.

And The Rest

We’ll revisit part of season 5 soon, but JMS really got into a “Return of the King” situation. It felt like an entire season of heartfelt goodbyes and checking in on old favorites rather than building a new ongoing story. It really depends on how you feel about Byron and the telepaths.

Most of the next season is by most accounts a letdown after what came before it. After recently getting through Season 5 for the first time, I can agree. It’s an immediate shorter continuation of JMSs life’s work. It was was bound to be seen in prior seasons shadow.

Ideally, it could have been the start of a world of sci-fi stemming from these first four seasons. Instead, it showed that the creator was completely burned out and only inspired a handful of TV movies.

But again… we’ll be revisitng that very soon.

This Week’s Guest

Dan Alvarez is Dre’s brother. He grew up watching Babylon 5 and knows as much about the show as his Podcastin’ Bro.

Mike’s Image Picks

Leftcort is oh so hard at the prospect of killing innocent bystanders.

And no mercy for their pets either

The telepaths are triggered and take down most of the EarthForce fleet.

I was in Superman III, fool!

Clark goes completely insane and tries to take out Earth with him.

Not a realistic way to spend your last moments

Sheridan is also a bit insane and goes full ramming speed in space.

That's one way to go out

Ivonava was saved by Marcus at the cost of his life. So this is how she gets to spend her final episode.

Ramming Speed?

This is all you bought me, Cole!

Life on Earth moves forward as the new acting President works with the new Alliance.

And I promise not to be evil for at least two months into my term

Sheridan kinda takes responsibility for going against Earth. In that he gets to be president of the new Alliance and there are no repercussions whatsoever.

Sheridan Wins

What Did We Learn?

Keep a spare season in the chamber in case you run out early

Next Episode

For the next full episode, we cover the Babylon 5 movie: In The Beginning with Ryan Bond. Coming to you Sunday, April 19th.

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Cheers, all!