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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!

Binge this in 3d 10h•Peaking at 9.6/10

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 peace among the various alien races by providing a sanctuary

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 10 - Severed Dreams
    9.6/10(1450 votes)

    #1 - Severed Dreams

    S3:E10

    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

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  2. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 17 - War Without End (2)
    9.4/10(1110 votes)

    #2 - War Without End (2)

    S3:E17

    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

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  3. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 22 - Z'ha'dum
    9.4/10(1138 votes)

    #3 - Z'ha'dum

    S3:E22

    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

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  4. Babylon 5 Season 2 Episode 20 - The Long, Twilight Struggle
    9.2/10(1056 votes)

    #4 - The Long, Twilight Struggle

    S2:E20

    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

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  5. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 20 - Endgame
    9.2/10(938 votes)

    #5 - Endgame

    S4:E20

    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

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  6. Babylon 5 Season 5 Episode 22 - Sleeping in Light
    9.2/10(1120 votes)

    #6 - Sleeping in Light

    S5:E22

    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

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Babylon 5

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  7. Babylon 5 Season 2 Episode 9 - The Coming of Shadows
    9.1/10(1143 votes)

    #7 - The Coming of Shadows

    S2:E9

    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

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  8. Babylon 5 Season 2 Episode 22 - The Fall of Night
    9.1/10(1017 votes)

    #8 - The Fall of Night

    S2:E22

    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

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  9. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 9 - Point of No Return
    9.1/10(1015 votes)

    #9 - Point of No Return

    S3:E9

    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

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  10. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 16 - War Without End (1)
    9.1/10(1068 votes)

    #10 - War Without End (1)

    S3:E16

    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

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  11. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 5 - The Long Night
    9.0/10(867 votes)

    #11 - The Long Night

    S4:E5

    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

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  12. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 15 - No Surrender, No Retreat
    9.0/10(811 votes)

    #12 - No Surrender, No Retreat

    S4:E15

    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

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  13. Babylon 5 Season 2 Episode 16 - In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum
    8.9/10(993 votes)

    #13 - In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum

    S2:E16

    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

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  14. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 6 - Into the Fire
    8.9/10(865 votes)

    #14 - Into the Fire

    S4:E6

    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

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  15. Babylon 5 Season 5 Episode 18 - The Fall of Centauri Prime (2)
    8.9/10(684 votes)

    #15 - The Fall of Centauri Prime (2)

    S5:E18

    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

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  16. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 19 - Between the Darkness and the Light
    8.8/10(774 votes)

    #16 - Between the Darkness and the Light

    S4:E19

    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

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  17. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 15 - Interludes and Examinations
    8.7/10(870 votes)

    #17 - Interludes and Examinations

    S3:E15

    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

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  18. Babylon 5 Season 1 Episode 22 - Chrysalis
    8.6/10(1026 votes)

    #18 - Chrysalis

    S1:E22

    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

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  19. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 8 - Messages from Earth
    8.6/10(904 votes)

    #19 - Messages from Earth

    S3:E8

    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

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  20. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 17 - The Face of the Enemy
    8.6/10(772 votes)

    #20 - The Face of the Enemy

    S4:E17

    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

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  21. Babylon 5 Season 5 Episode 17 - Movements of Fire and Shadow (1)
    8.6/10(639 votes)

    #21 - Movements of Fire and Shadow (1)

    S5:E17

    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

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  22. Babylon 5 Season 1 Episode 20 - Babylon Squared
    8.5/10(1034 votes)

    #22 - Babylon Squared

    S1:E20

    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

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  23. Babylon 5 Season 3 Episode 21 - Shadow Dancing
    8.5/10(816 votes)

    #23 - Shadow Dancing

    S3:E21

    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

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  24. Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 21 - Rising Star
    8.5/10(763 votes)

    #24 - Rising Star

    S4:E21

    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

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  25. Babylon 5 Season 5 Episode 16 - And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder
    8.5/10(624 votes)

    #25 - And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder

    S5:E16

    The evidence collected against the Centauri is presented to the council of the Interstellar Alliance, and a boycott against the Centauri is issued. In reaction, the Centauri withdraw from the Alliance and make it clear that they will circumvent the blockade by force if necessary.

    Director:Goran Gajić
    Writer:J. Michael Straczynski

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Best Episodes Summary

"Severed Dreams" is the best rated episode of "Babylon 5". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1450 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, "War Without End (2)".