Expert: Steve John Perkins - 7/9/2004

Question
Hi Steve!
I just spent a bunch of money to get all the episodes and movies of b5 :). But I do have a problem here: Which movies should I watch when? I dont want to spoil the whole experience and I dont want to miss anything important. So I have all the 5 seasons and the movies. In which order would you recommend to watch it? I guess the gathering is where I should start before season 1 but when to add the other movies?
Many thanks for your help!
Markus


Answer
markus,

yes the gatehring certainly should be the first thing you see, though probably the weakest link in the series.

in the beginning is difficult, partly told from the future with londo as an old man, and just before events in WWEII from season 3, and also hints at what you know from season 4. some people would say watch it before season 1, as its mainly about the minbari war, and what lead to b5 being made.. however i feel this takes away from the main points of season 1, and you wont get the most from it at that point, ITB brings together many parts of the very distant past, season 1, season3 and season 4 stuff and also hits at the final destinies and some of events in season 5. When it was first shown was after season 4 had finished and i think thats the best time to watch it, as it rounds up your understanding well and hints at whats to come in season 5. and youll get a lot more from it knowing all references and little things it points out.

Thirdspace: - This story took place after the Shadow War, but before the declaration of war against Earth. That puts it between "Into the Fire" and "Moments of Transition two season 4 episodes, so just after you see shadow war concluded, which is about episode 4 or 5 of season 4, put thirdspace on before continuing with season 4.

River of souls: - JMS says "It takes place six months into 2263." so thats 6 months after end of season 5, yet you want to watch it before you see the last episode of season 5 (sleeping in light)which should be the very last thing you watch as its set 20 years after season 5. so see river of souls after "objects at rest".

A call to arms: - really a transitional movie from b5 to crusade, set 5 years after season 5, just before crusade starts off. so watch this after legend of the rangers and before sleeping in light.

Legend of the rangers: - set 3 years after objects at rest (season 5) - have to say this is an insult to the other movies and the series as a whole, and by far the worst thing to have the b5 name attached to it, as a huge b5 fan this is the only thing i dont much like! so i would actually say dont watch it!

lastly watch sleeping in light, reflect on a great serieis and some great movies and cry that theres no more to watch!

buy the books (the 3 trilogies and the 2 best ones from the series of books) and the graphic novels to fill in other bits of important plot, and sit back and await the cinema movie scheduled to be released soon!

also dont forget to watch crusade after A call to arms, before SIL.

In Valens Name
Steve