Babylon 5 was our last, best, hope for peace... so started many episodes of this mostly brilliant show first screened in the 1990s, now getting a much deserved repeat on PickTV.
I've only caught bits of occasional episodes on the repeats (I have the whole thing on DVD) but it always reminds me of how great the show was. Here was a show that sought to eschew the story of the week model of science fiction TV; where at the end of each episode a figurative reset button was pressed, and the happenings of the episode were rarely mentioned again.
Babylon 5 had a lofty aim; to tell a single story, over 5 seasons. Beginning. Middle. End. Where the actions in one episode could have serious ramifications down the line. Where the answer to a single question could change the entire face of the universe. Where characters had realistic motivations, and were often deeply flawed. It was a breath of fresh air.
It wasn't perfect, of course, and through its run it had its share of clunkers. And some of the dialogue could be a little clunky. But I'd argue that overall, it was probably about 75% brilliant. And the heights of the brilliance in these 75% of the episodes more than made up for the times it was bad.
Whilst there was a 5-year plan, the realities of television production got in the way; for various reasons main characters were removed, plot lines shifted around or compressed, uncertainty over whether there would even be a 5th season caused a raft of issues that showed in the early episodes of that season (a season that was more than redeemed by the plotlines forming mid-season, leading to one of the finest episodes ever).
To my mind, the aspect of the show I always return to, and always praise the most, is the relationship between two of the opposing ambassadors; Londo, and G'Kar. This relationship develops in entirely unexpected ways over the course of the show, and is never more than entirely compelling. Peter Jurasik and (the late, much missed) Andreas Katsulas light up the screen whenever they are on it. Even if these two appear in a clunker of an episode, they make it worth watching; at least in the scenes they are in.
There is so much I could say about the show... but what I'd like to talk about is what should happen to the show in the future. Part of me would like some sort of a continuation; but the story has been told. I'd always been against remakes, but having seen the JJ Abrams Star Trek films, and Ron Moore's version of Battlestar Galactica, I think this could work for Babylon 5.
What I'd like to see is a remake of Babylon 5 with 5 seasons of 10-13 episodes in each season; each episode lasting 45-60 minutes (depending on what length the episode needs), on Netflix. That way some of the padding can be cut out - and the necessity to do 22 episodes a season necessitated this - so that the story can be pared back a little to the essentials.
This could also mean that the shape of the show could change a little, and some of the changes forced upon the show could be undone. So that it's not a carbon copy of what went before. Also, it could show some things that the original show should have done - like the full story of Londo & G'kar's deaths. I know this was dealt with in books; but that's not the same.
I'd also countenance a complete recasting of the whole thing; I'd maybe include some original cast members in different roles (remember how well Richard Hatch was integrated in to the Battlestar Galactica remake), but all the principal characters would be completely different.
This would be difficult. Especially Londo and G'Kar. But not impossible. I'll admit, I have thought a lot about who should play certain characters, and I can't picture who would be a good fit.
In fact if I were in charge of recasting, the only character I can say with any certainty I'd cast would be Mr Morden. And he would have to be played by Adrian Lester. Can you imagine how wonderful that would be?
As long as the cast was right, and JMS is in charge. I think it could work.
