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The Best Episodes of Babylon 5

Every episode of Babylon 5 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Babylon 5!

Babylon 5 is a five-mile long space station located in neutral space. Built by the Earth Alliance in the 2250s, its goal is to maintain...
Genres:DramaSci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure

Best Episodes Summary

"Severed Dreams" is the best rated episode of "Babylon 5". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1321 votes. Directed by David J. Eagle and written by J. Michael Straczynski, it aired on 4/1/1996. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Z'ha'dum".

  • Severed Dreams
    9.6/101,321 votes
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    #1 - Severed Dreams

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 4/1/1996

    The renegade destroyer "Alexander" arrives at Babylon 5 and Sheridan is forced to announce the station's secession from the Earth Alliance, and prepare for an attack by Clark's forces. Meanwhile, Delenn is forced to go to Minbar when the Grey Council refuses to act upon increased Shadow activity.

    Director: David J. Eagle

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Z'ha'dum
    9.4/101,044 votes
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    #2 - Z'ha'dum

    Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 9/22/1996

    After he has recovered from the shock of seeing her, Anna gives Sheridan an ultimatum - come to Z'ha'dum with her, or never know what happened to her there.

    Director: Adam Nimoy

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • War Without End (2)
    9.3/101,007 votes
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    #3 - War Without End (2)

    Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 5/23/1996

    While Sheridan is unstuck in time, seeing a glimpse of a future Centauri Prime in ruins, the others continue with their plan to take Babylon 4 back in time.

    Director: Michael Vejar

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Long, Twilight Struggle
    9.2/10963 votes
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    #4 - The Long, Twilight Struggle

    Season 2 Episode 20 - Aired 8/1/1995

    Draal reveals himself to Sheridan, while Refa and Londo set a plan in motion that will lead to the final defeat of the Narns.

    Director: John C. Flinn III

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Endgame
    9.2/10862 votes
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    #5 - Endgame

    Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 10/12/1997

    The only obstacle remaining between Sheridan and Earth is a fleet near Mars. With the help of the resistance, Sheridan plans to smuggle Shadow modified telepaths onto the fleet, hopefully disabling it long enough for him to take Earth. Meanwhile, Marcus is determined to find a way to help Ivanova.

    Director: John Copeland

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Sleeping in Light
    9.2/101,040 votes
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    #6 - Sleeping in Light

    Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 11/25/1998

    Twenty years after his death and resurrection at Z'ha'dum, Sheridan feels his life force ebbing away, and invites some old friends for a final gathering.

    Director: J. Michael Straczynski

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Coming of Shadows
    9.1/101,047 votes
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    #7 - The Coming of Shadows

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 2/1/1995

    The aging Centauri emperor travels to Babylon 5 despite his failing health. Refa sees this as an opportunity to have Londo publicly embarrass the emperor, while G'Kar prepares to assassinate him.

    Director: Janet Greek

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Fall of Night
    9.1/10928 votes
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    #8 - The Fall of Night

    Season 2 Episode 22 - Aired 8/15/1995

    Two officials from the Ministry of Peace come to Babylon 5; one to deal with the Centauri's continued expansion, and the other to check on the local Nightwatch. Meanwhile, a Narn heavy cruiser seeks sanctuary while they make repairs, and Keffer continues his search for proof that Shadow ships exist.

    Director: Janet Greek

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Point of No Return
    9.1/10921 votes
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    #9 - Point of No Return

    Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 2/26/1996

    Clark has just declared martial law, and while Nightwatch prepare to take control of the station, Zack has to decide whose side he's on. In an exercise of bad timing, the prophetic widow of emperor Turhan finally comes to the station, granting Londo the visit he's been begging her for, for a long time.

    Director: Jim Johnston

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • War Without End (1)
    9.1/10968 votes
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    #10 - War Without End (1)

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 5/16/1996

    Ivanova gets a distress call from herself pleading for help as the Shadows destroy Babylon 5. It is dated eight days into the future. At the same time, on Minbar, Sinclair is given a nine-hundred-year-old letter from Valen, telling him that a drastic action must be taken to prevent that future.

    Director: Michael Vejar

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Long Night
    9.0/10790 votes
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    #11 - The Long Night

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 1/27/1997

    As reports that the Shadows are destroying planets too start to come in, Sheridan prepares for one final showdown with the Shadows and the Vorlons. Meanwhile on Narn, Londo makes everything ready - G'Kar's chains have been weakened and an undetectable weapon has been acquired. Tonight Cartagia must die.

    Director: John Lafia

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • No Surrender, No Retreat
    9.0/10739 votes
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    #12 - No Surrender, No Retreat

    Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 5/26/1997

    With Clark having killed 10,000 unarmed refugees, Sheridan once again mobilizes for war. The first target is Proxima 3, which is being bombed into submission. At the same time, Londo tries to get G'Kar to partake in a joint Centauri-Narn statement in support of the war against Clark.

    Director: Michael Vejar

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum
    8.9/10896 votes
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    #13 - In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 5/10/1995

    Sheridan is shocked to learn that one of the crew of the Icarus, a science ship that exploded with his wife aboard, is alive - namely Mr. Morden. A representative of the Ministry of Peace comes to the station to recruit personnel to the Nightwatch.

    Director: David J. Eagle

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Into the Fire
    8.9/10793 votes
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    #14 - Into the Fire

    Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 2/3/1997

    In the hours before the Shadows and the Vorlons meet Sheridan's alliance at Corriana 6, Ivanova and Lorien search the last of the First Ones, and Londo races back to Centauri Prime in hope of removing all Shadow influence before the Vorlon planetkiller arrives.

    Director: Kevin Dobson

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Fall of Centauri Prime (2)
    8.9/10623 votes
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    #15 - The Fall of Centauri Prime (2)

    Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 10/28/1998

    As Centauri Prime is being bombarded, the Drakh, the real masters behind the war, reveal themselves to Londo. They force him to go along with their plan to alienate the Centauri from the Alliance, and use what's left as their new home.

    Director: Douglas E. Wise

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Between the Darkness and the Light
    8.8/10709 votes
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    #16 - Between the Darkness and the Light

    Season 4 Episode 19 - Aired 10/6/1997

    Garibaldi is barely able to convince Lyta and Franklin that his recent behavior was caused by Bester, and they organize a rescue for Sheridan. Meanwhile, Ivanova gets word that a trap has been set at the fleet's next rendezvous point by a group of completely new advanced-technology destroyers.

    Director: David J. Eagle

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Interludes and Examinations
    8.7/10796 votes
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    #17 - Interludes and Examinations

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 5/6/1996

    Morden returns to secure Londo's cooperation again, Garibaldi confronts Franklin about the stims, and Kosh gives Sheridan a victory against the Shadows - but at a price.

    Director: Jesús Salvador Treviño

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Chrysalis
    8.6/10936 votes
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    #18 - Chrysalis

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 10/3/1994

    The Centauri are about to withdraw from a quadrant of space because the Narn are harassing them, when Londo gets an offer to take care of the problem. Meanwhile, Garibaldi tries to find out what his informant stumbled upon that got him killed.

    Director: Janet Greek

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Messages from Earth
    8.6/10824 votes
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    #19 - Messages from Earth

    Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 2/22/1996

    An archaeologist arrives at Babylon 5 with a grave massage: a dormant Shadow ship has been found on Ganymede. It must be destroyed before it falls into the hands of President Clark.

    Director: Michael Vejar

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • The Face of the Enemy
    8.6/10702 votes
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    #20 - The Face of the Enemy

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 6/9/1997

    After arranging for the arrest of Sheridan's father, Garibaldi gives his former commander the news, and urges him to come to Mars to arrange a rescue operation. But Garibaldi drugs Sheridan as soon as he gets there, and hands him over to Clark's forces. Finally, Edgars reveals his plans to Garibaldi.

    Director: Michael Vejar

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Movements of Fire and Shadow (1)
    8.6/10584 votes
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    #21 - Movements of Fire and Shadow (1)

    Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 6/17/1998

    Sheridan finally authorizes the White Star fleet to participate in the war. Delenn travels to Minbar to start a Minbari-Earth joint project to build a prototype White Star destroyer class ship. Vir hires Franklin and Lyta to investigate why the Drazi don't return the bodies from destroyed Centauri ships.

    Director: John C. Flinn III

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Babylon Squared
    8.5/10941 votes
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    #22 - Babylon Squared

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 8/10/1994

    Babylon 4 reappears at the same place it disappeared four years before, and Sinclair and Garibaldi lead an expedition to evacuate its crew. Meanwhile, Delenn is summoned by the Grey council. They inform her that they have selected a new leader - her.

    Director: Jim Johnston

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Shadow Dancing
    8.5/10744 votes
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    #23 - Shadow Dancing

    Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 9/15/1996

    With the Shadows next target known, a massive counterattack is prepared. Ivanova and Marcus scout ahead in the White Star, while the fleet stands by in hyperspace. At the same time, Franklin finally has to face his problems as he lies fatally wounded in Downbelow.

    Director: Kim Friedman

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Falling Toward Apotheosis
    8.5/10718 votes
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    #24 - Falling Toward Apotheosis

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 11/28/1996

    With the Vorlons destroying whole worlds, Babylon 5 is struggling to cope with the refugees. And with one Vorlon aboard, they cannot make a move without them knowing about it, so Sheridan decides to kill him. On Centauri Prime, Cartagia explains to Londo how he will become a god when the Vorlons destroy the planet.

    Director: David J. Eagle

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

  • Rising Star
    8.5/10693 votes
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    #25 - Rising Star

    Season 4 Episode 21 - Aired 10/20/1997

    Clark is dead and the civil war over, but several issues are unresolved. Ivanova is grief-struck at Marcus death and Lise is missing, and Sheridan must now face the consequences of his actions. He did the right thing - but in the inconvenient way.

    Director: Tony Dow

    Writer: J. Michael Straczynski