The Audio Guide to Babylon 5

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This is a book club without books, an episode-by-episode walkthrough of one of the most influential and important modern SF series. Each podcast begins with a spoiler-free discussion of the episode for new viewers, then we give listeners a jumping-off point and switch to a discussion of how the episode fits into the five-year history of the show.

Chip, Erika and Shannon


    • Aug 26, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 59m AVG DURATION
    • 109 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Audio Guide to Babylon 5

    Episode 112: “Sleeping in Light”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2018 102:07


    It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Steven Schapansky joins us for the Babylon 5 finale. We’ll be back, after a good long hiatus, to cover the spinoff episodes and movies. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. (This episode dedicated to the memory of Kay Sudderth.)

    Episode 111: “The River of Souls”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2018 56:22


    The station may be emptying out, but we’re not quite done yet. Jason Snell reminded us this Babylon 5 “movie” aired before the series finale, so we’re dutifully covering it now–and making Jason join us. He’s our very own Ian McShane. (We still like him, or he’d be our Martin Sheen.)

    Episode 110: “Objects at Rest”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2018 56:49


    Final departures, fateful errors, and a first-and-last message to a child. Not to mention THE SHOT. Which SHOT are we talking about? Find out as we discuss the penultimate-penultimate story of Babylon 5’s fifth season!

    Episode 109: “Objects in Motion”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2018 49:32


    So many feels: a huge chunk of our cast reaches their points of departure and Babylon 5 approaches the fall of night. JMS’s endgame is in sight.

    Episode 108: “Wheel of Fire”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2018 47:24


    So we can all just breathe now that the conflict with Centauri Prime is over, right? You would be wrong, friend! See Lyta go rogue as she’s never gone rogue before. See John and Delenn realize they’re going to have to add a dependent to their tax status once they’re on Minbar.. See Garibaldi reach … Continue reading Episode 108: “Wheel of Fire” →

    Episode 107: “The Fall of Centauri Prime”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2018 66:19


    What more can we say? Lizbeth Myles joins us as all of Londo’s chickens come definitively home to roost.

    Episode 106: “Movements of Fire and Shadow”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2018 46:51


    All year long, Sheridan and Delenn have been trying to pull together a historic political alliance. They’ve been contending with not only the forces of history, but the fundamental forces of people. In “Movements of Fire and Shadow” it all comes to a head. Boom today, and the promise of more booms tomorrow….

    Episode 105: “And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2018 57:02


    Reckoning. War. One of the most powerful episodes of Babylon 5 ever, during the underrated Season 5. So powerful, in fact, that our Control Group, one Steven Schapansky, demanded to be let on the podcast…

    Episode 104: “Darkness Ascending”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2018 45:42


    Things are ramping up: Lennier, the hero. Lyta, the opportunist. Garibaldi, the watched. Londo, the lonely. The threads are all coming together as we approach the end of Babylon 5….

    Episode 103: “Meditations on the Abyss”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2018 58:41


    Almost the full ensemble gets together for what might be the calm before the storm, with lots of character beats in an episode that–spoiler alert–we all pretty much believe is FABOO.

    Episode 102: “The Corps is Mother, the Corps is Father”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2018 48:47


    “I want to see the TV series set in the HR department at Psi Corps.” –James Thomson

    Episode 101: “Day of the Dead”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2018 69:58


    The legendary Neil Gaiman made his American television debut writing the only episode of B5 not authored by Joe Straczynski since late Season 2. Was this mystical character piece too much of a departure from the “house style”? What the heck was Morden doing in Lennier’s quarters? We bring back the Space Mob’s biggest fan, … Continue reading Episode 101: “Day of the Dead” →

    Episode 100: “The Ragged Edge”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 54:34


    This episode has epic ’90s computer matte compositing of a balcony, set to a particularly stirring Christopher Franke score! Oh, and Garibaldi does the secret agent thing, hamstrung by his return to the bottle; G’Kar becomes the Narn Pope; Franklin gets a job offer (name-checking a character not mentioned in 99 episodes), and Londo inadvertently … Continue reading Episode 100: “The Ragged Edge” →

    Episode 99: “Phoenix Rising”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2018 66:05


    It’s the end of the Byron arc, in dramatically tragic fashion–which means it is of course time for our own harbinger of doom, Jason Snell, to return to delight in misfortune.

    Episode 98: “A Tragedy of Telepaths”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2018 51:48


    The two threads–the telepath colony crisis and the secret Centauri attacks on ISA ships–get pulled tighter together, with an unexpected rescue of Na’Toth (the real one!) and an entirely expected return of Bester. We’d call it the calm before the storm, but it’s not very calm….

    Episode 97: “In the Kingdom of the Blind”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2018 53:36


    No more pastels for the Regent, no. Damian London portrays a very different Regent from the sweet old man we used to know as Londo begins to suspect very dark things are afoot in his supposedly liberated world. It’s an episode full of delightful double acts (Londo/G’Kar), palace intrigue, clumsy politics (hello, Byron) and dark … Continue reading Episode 97: “In the Kingdom of the Blind” →

    Episode 96: “Secrets of the Soul”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2018 45:45


    As Steven discovers a long-buried secret about an Alliance race, Byron discovers an even more deeply buried secret about telepaths in EVERY race–just as life is getting even rougher for his followers in Down Below. How is the telepath story arc faring, now that we’re looking at it 20 years later? And what the heck … Continue reading Episode 96: “Secrets of the Soul” →

    Episode 95: “Strange Relations”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2017 47:36


    We all come together in a better place to find a roomful of singing telepaths, an irritated Bester, an irritated Lochley, an irritated Garibaldi, and (thank heavens) a gleefully mischievious Delenn and G’Kar. How’s that master plan of Sheridan’s working out now, eh?

    Episode 94: “Learning Curve”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2017 45:47


    We use the word “spackle” a few times in this podcast. We like that word. Rolls off the tongue. MEANWHILE, for the second episode in a row the stars of the show aren’t our regulars. What’s up with that? Is it worth it to get the delightful Turhan Bey back? It’s a deep dive into … Continue reading Episode 94: “Learning Curve” →

    Episode 93: “A View from the Gallery”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2017 47:00


    DEPLOY THE GREEK CHORUS! Two never-before-seen minor characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern their way through the space station and their cast. In Spoiler Space for the previous episode, our intrepid podcasters expressed their dread of “A View from the Gallery.” Was it misplaced? Did the memory cheat? Are we on Team Mack and Bo now?

    Episode 92: “The Paragon of Animals”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2017 46:46


    Telepath politics. Gunboat diplomacy. Newlywed apartment living. Doesn’t sound like much. SPOILER ALERT: We absofragginlutely loved this episode.

    Episode 91: “The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2017 53:44


    It’s the second episode of a brand new season with a brand new status quo, so what do you do? Ignore all the new people and new situations, and do a character study about alllll of the bad decisions one man made over four years. It’s Londo’s “Come to Jesus moment” paired with Lennier’s “I’m … Continue reading Episode 91: “The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari” →

    Episode 90: “No Compromises”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2017 58:40


    Somewhat to their surprise, the cast and crew and showrunner got their fifth season. But to quote some guy way back in the first, “Nothing’s the same anymore.” Sheridan’s wearing a suit, not a uniform. Ivanova’s gone. There’s a new face in the command center wearing a regulation Earthforce uniform. And then there’s Byron. Welcome … Continue reading Episode 90: “No Compromises” →

    Episode 89: “Thirdspace”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2017 50:33


    Creepy Cthulhu aliens from beyond Firstspace and Secondspace! This Untold Tale of Babylon 5 was produced after the fourth season when they had no hint there would be a fifth. Is this a better “movie” than “In the Beginning”? Does it actually fit into Season 4’s continuity? Where the deuce has Deuce been all this … Continue reading Episode 89: “Thirdspace” →

    Episode 88: “In the Beginning”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2017 86:06


    Four years into BABYLON 5, JMS took a mulligan with a brand new prequel movie that served as a pilot for the series’s relaunch on the TNT network! Is it a better beginning to B5 than the original pilot, “The Gathering”? Does it strain credibility to have our cast of characters interacting during the Earth-Minbari … Continue reading Episode 88: “In the Beginning” →

    Episode 87: “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2017 64:27


    It’s a season finale, and it’s entirely cuckoo bananapants! We look into the distant future of the B5 universe along with our traditional season-ending appearance by our beloved Control Group, Steven Schapansky. Plot points are seeded for Season 5, soapboxes are climbed upon, and (spoiler alert) one of your four humble correspondents absolutely hated this … Continue reading Episode 87: “The Deconstruction of Falling Stars” →

    Episode 86: “Rising Star”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2017 88:33


    Boy howdy, does this feel like the last episode of the entire series! Where could B5 possibly go from here? (We’ll talk about that in spoiler space, of course.) Jason Snell was actually at the studio when they were editing “Rising Star,” so he joins us for a peek behind the scenes!

    Episode 85: “Endgame”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2017 54:19


    So. Much. Happens. Y’all. All of Sheridan’s planning comes together and the Earth Civil War is at an end. Did it happen too fast, or was the payoff worth the buildup? Join us!

    Episode 84: “Between the Darkness and the Light”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2017 54:27


    It’s a little known fact that American television regulations were changed following the initial broadcast of this episode because it was determined that so. much. stuff. happening in a single episode was hazardous to viewers’ health. The cards are on the table. The rescue mission is underway. Mars awaits.

    Episode 83: “Intersections in Real Time”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2017 41:03


    Welcome to John Sheridan’s darkest ordeal. Good morning. (Artificial daylight comes on.) Shall we begin?

    Episode 82: “The Face of the Enemy”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2017 61:36


    Steven Schapansky rejoins us because (1) Mike Vejar and (2) Michael Garibaldi–as we find out just exactly WHAT has been going on underneath Steven’s favorite character’s shaved pate. That sadistic so-and-so Bester is back, and your intrepid podcasters question whether we should have sympathized with him or William Edgars before…well, you know…

    Episode 81: “The Exercise of Vital Powers”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2017 52:13


    Two out of three podcasters surveyed loved “(The) Exercise of Vital Powers.” Worldbuilding! One out of three didn’t. Lots of talking! Find out who’s on which side, and where we all stand on the issue of Sudden Telepathy as a Plotline Resurgence.

    Episode 80: “No Surrender, No Retreat”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2017 51:06


    Well, Sheridan promised us last episode that things would get super serious. JMS wastes no time; there’s a reason all of Season 4 shares a title with this episode. Too much, too quickly, too soon? And how did you feel when G’Kar refused Londo’s drink?

    Episode 79: “Moments of Transition”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2017 73:45


    Stuffed to the gills with plot, “Moments of Transition” puts a pin in the Minbari Civil War, puts the screws to Lyta Alexander’s career, puts Michael Garibaldi at odds with both his new employer and his (former?) friends, and puts one Alfred Bester in the catbird seat. Speaking of Bester, that character’s appearance brings independent … Continue reading Episode 79: “Moments of Transition” →

    Episode 78: “Rumors, Bargains and Lies”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2017 59:39


    John “Machiavelli” Sheridan manipulates the alien governments into a fiendish conspiracy against Earth! (Or that’s how ISN might broadcast it these days.) Meanwhile, the Religious Caste is not too thrilled with Delenn making overtures toward Neroon, and bless poor Londo’s heart but now he has to lie about what a good Centauri he’s trying to … Continue reading Episode 78: “Rumors, Bargains and Lies” →

    Episode 77: “Conflicts of Interest”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2017 46:50


    On this episode of Garibaldi, P.I., Michael does NOT don a Hawaiian shirt nor acquire a Ferrari. Instead he picks up a new job opportunity that takes him up against his former security forces. Meanwhile, Ivanova’s new job duties lead to comic relief, or is that “comic” relief, with the character sensation of the 1990s. … Continue reading Episode 77: “Conflicts of Interest” →

    Episode 76: “Lines of Communication”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2017 55:49


    We are sorry to report that our Control Group, one Steven Schapansky (not appearing in this episode) had a conniption fit over the lack of descriptiveness in this episode’s title. Wait until he gets a load of next week’s. Meanwhile, meet the Drakh! Watch Delenn take charge! See Susan roll her eyes at her next … Continue reading Episode 76: “Lines of Communication” →

    Episode 75: “Racing Mars”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2017 53:52


    Somehow we made it through the whole episode without a John Barrowman reference. Chip considers this a personal failing. But, hey, let’s advance the Earth plot line a bit, spend significant time on another planet, and continue the buddy-movie adventures of Marcus and Steven. Plus, the Sheribaldi shippers take another gut punch… (Is “Sheribaldi” a … Continue reading Episode 75: “Racing Mars” →

    Episode 74: “Atonement”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2017 62:49


    OK, did this episode have the best guest casting find ever in B5 history, with Reiner Schone, or did it have the best guest casting find ever? Yeah, the three of us are big fans of Dukhat. Plus, this episode was directed by Wally Cleaver! And Lennier was such a nice guy in this one! … Continue reading Episode 74: “Atonement” →

    atonement b5 wally cleaver
    Episode 73: “The Illusion of Truth”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2017 54:58


    It’s the B5 directorial debut of one Vir Cotto (not appearing on your screen this time) and the flip side to Season 2’s “And Now for a Word.” Call them Alternative Facts, call it Fake News, call it what you like: Sheridan and Delenn discover the limits of truth-telling before Interstellar Network News in a 1997 … Continue reading Episode 73: “The Illusion of Truth” →

    Episode 72: “Epiphanies”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2017 51:58


    It feels like the first time, only different! Londo’s happily haggling on the Zocalo. Sheridan’s matching wits with Bester. But Garibaldi’s quit his job, and the certainty of the Shadow War’s endgame has vanished. Welcome to Babylon 5 as it was earlier in the series: unpredictable.

    Episode 71: “Into the Fire”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2017 80:16


    There’s a really obvious Hamilton reference that Chip could drop into this podcast, particularly the last half of a certain King George song, but Erika would kill him. Besides, this podcast is chock full of content, so there’s no time for song inserts that would antagonize a co-host. Did we mention that the Shadow War is … Continue reading Episode 71: “Into the Fire” →

    Episode 70: “The Long Night”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2017 64:43


    It’s special guest star Bryan Cranston! OH EM GEE! But maybe in the ’90s that wouldn’t be what held your attention. Maybe it was the sight of a very determined Narn breaking his unweakened chains, or a formerly cherubic second banana diplomat killing his emperor. Is that breaking bad or what? Stuff happens. We talk … Continue reading Episode 70: “The Long Night” →

    Episode 69: “Falling Toward Apotheosis”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2016 60:06


    How different is Season Four, and how different is John Sheridan now? He sits at the war room table and puts a hit out on a Vorlon. Yeah, things are getting serious in Grid Epsilon. Pull up a chair and listen as we go through all the plots.

    Episode 68: “The Summoning”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2016 58:45


    Sheridan summons, Garibaldi shrink-wraps, Marcus confesses, Ivanova discovers, Delenn reunites, G’Kar screams, Vir threatens, Cartagia washes, Zack retrieves, Lyta confronts, Kosh abuses, Londo waits. Bit of a day.

    Episode 67: “Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2016 58:21


    OK, so a lot of stuff happens in this not-very-eponymous episode! We find out a bit more about whatever happened to Sheridan, Delenn prepares to go to war, G’Kar trips up, Londo offers a deal, and we learn very little about whatever happened to Mr. Garibaldi. We delve into why Season 4 feels different this time and … Continue reading Episode 67: “Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?” →

    Episode 66: “The Hour of the Wolf”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2016 70:57


    You only just missed a song parody from Chip on this one, but hey, time was short and the songs from Rio aren’t exactly Creative Commons. You will, however, get some excitement over the new titles, a rescue attempt from our Big Damn (Lady) Heroes, a madman on the throne with really small ha– hair, and, of … Continue reading Episode 66: “The Hour of the Wolf” →

    Episode 65: “Z’ha’dum”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2016 70:19


    Season three ends. John Sheridan ends. Anna Sheridan ends…again. The Shadow War…pauses. Michael Garibaldi…vanishes. And Delenn despairs. Welcome to one of the most devastating episodes of Babylon 5, to yet another turning point, and to our Control Group–with us once again–one Steven Schapansky!

    Episode 64: “Shadow Dancing”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2016 53:42


    We present a podcast within a podcast, a new addition to The Incomparable Network: Steven Schapansky’s “Vejar or Not”. (The preceding sentence is a complete lie.) We celebrate the outstanding work of Foundation Imaging in the mother of all space battles, of Richard Biggs in the mother of all split-screen performances, and of Laura Ingalls … Continue reading Episode 64: “Shadow Dancing” →

    Episode 63: “And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2016 52:38


    In this episode: we talk about one of the most delicious/creepy comeuppances in science fiction television history, Erika makes a hip-hop reference that is one letter away from being brilliant, and pause to remember all the poor crew on the White Star shifting uncomfortably just off-screen.

    Episode 62: “Grey 17 is Missing”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2016 68:51


    One or more of your co-hosts buck the Received Fan Wisdom about Grey 17, the Zarg, and Freddy Kreuger. One or more of your co-hosts vow to do a Phantom Edit of the episode. Find out who! (There is also an unsurprising amount of Neroon admiration within this podcast.)

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