It's time to leave the capsule, if you dare

[cyrano]

So I did it, I bought the Babylon 5 stuff, including the movie pack. However, what I'm trying to find out is where in the chronology people recommend watching the movies--at what point in the series would ThirdSpace fit, for instance, and when would the spoilers in 'In the Beginning' no longer be as spoilery. I figure somebody out there has advice, because you're an opinionated lot, and I trust you more than the folks on the web who for the most part giv ther opns lik this.

Comments

[drdorothy.livejournal.com]

Here is the order recommended by several B5 geeks. We just purchased the set of all five seasons, the pilot and "In the Beginning" DVD, and the Movies. We plan to watch them in this order. (As you can see, this is a review found in Amazon -- for which several folks have expressed their gratitude.) Enjoy!

Reviewer: andreas888 "andreas888" (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
As a lover of sci-fi series, it's great to see such a saga sold as a set. The reality for the B5 connoisseur is that this isn't the Full Monty. You should also purchase "Babylon 5 - The Movie Collection" and the B5 spin-off "Crusade - The Complete Series". The reasons are indicated below in my recommended viewing order.

1. Watch the B5 movie "The Gathering"
The Babylon 5 pilot movie The Gathering was originally broadcast in 1993 a full year ahead of the regular show.
2. Season 1
3. Season 2
4. Season 3
5. Watch Season 4 up to episode "The illusion of truth"
6. Watch the B5 movie "Thirdspace"
7. Season 4: continue with episodes 9-22
8. Watch Season 5 up to episode "Objects at Rest"
9. Watch the B5 movie "River of Souls"
10. Watch the B5 movie "In the Beginning"
This is a prelude set 10 years before Babylon 5. Against the logic of the title, I would strongly recommend seeing it at this stage. Should one see it before Season 1, much of the suspense in the main series would be ruined.
11. Watch the B5 movie "A Call to Arms"
This movie lays the groundwork for the spin-off TV series "Crusade".
12. Season 5: watch final episode "Sleeping in light"
13. Watch Crusade Series

The question which is debated in several other reviews is: Despite the release dates of the material produced, in what order should it be seen? In particular, if the viewer is a total new comer to the series. The above is an attempt to give some structure to great content so it is more enjoyable as a complete work.

PS - It is astounding that the Warner marketing dept. gives no official recommendation on how these products should be best enjoyed.