So the biggest, most noticeable change: Sinclair is one. As well that I didn’t like the man. But I guess that goes to show what happens when you stick unpredictable actors into story arcs that were supposed to five years long. I guess I’ll get used to the new guy’s voiceover - but, at first watching, it’s a good bit weaker than Sinclair.

Around the middle of the season, the overarching plot really takes off. Though we did have a few murmurs here and there, much of the first half was simply episodic - though character building for a number of them. However, The Coming of Shadows, takes off, setting a number of arcs that I hoped to see resolved well. In particular, I much enjoyed G’Kar getting toyed with by the writers.

Passing the middle of the season, we’re treated to even more revelations about the overarching conflict that will surely take place. Though there are a few filler episodes, for the most part we get to see a glimpse of what we will see in later seasons - or so I hope.

I find myself peculiarly fascinated with the character of Londo. I very much enjoy how he can be so evil - deliberately so - and then yet so human (Mollari, whatever). He supports Vir as one would a stalawart companion, almost an equal - depsite the fact that Vir has great reservations about everything that Londo is engaging in. We also see Londo beginning to recognize that power does distance one from friends; it will be the future that will reveal whether he continues on this path or not.

I was a bit dismayed by the removal of Talia Winters. She kinda reminds me of someone, and I thought she was one of the more interesting characters - especially since the “gift” given her in the first season. It is too bad that this never sees a full story.

The end of the Narn-Centarii war took me a bit by surprise. I guess I had expected it to last a bit longer, but it’s quite obvious now that the Great War is an overarching conflict, of which the Narn-Centarii war was but a mere battle. I was surprised to see Londo accept the use of the mass drivers to annihilate the population. Even given his dubious nature, I thought this was a bit much. Of course, he was a bit spiteful to G’Kar - but that wasn’t surprising given his prophetic dreams. And then Sheridan takes control of the Rangers. The plot moves on.

Although the finale isn’t much of a cliffhanger, it does provide a good springboard for the next season. Ultimately a little dissapointing - especially in light of the other dramatic episodes this season - but still a decent way to end the season.

And Londo sees nothing. How interesting.

1. Babylon 5: Season 1
2. Babylon 5: Season 2
3. Babylon 5: Season 3
4. Babylon 5: Season 4