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President John J.

Delenn's future love interest, Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) arrived on Babylon 5 in the first episode of season 2, "Points of Departure." The show marked the handing over of command of B5 to Sheridan from Commander Jeffery Sinclair, actor Michael O'Hare becoming a victim of studio politicians who wanted a bigger star in the leading role. This excellent installment also revealed more about why the Minbari surrendered to Earth at the Battle of the Line when they were on the verge of victory. "Revelations" explains that Sheridan's wife, Anna, died during an archaeological survey of the world Z'ha'dum, the name being just one of many references to Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings (the bridge at Khazad-Dum). "The Geometry of Shadows" introduced the Technomages, characters who featured more significantly in the ill-fated spinoff series Crusade (1999), while "The Coming of Shadows" proved to be Babylon 5's finest hour to date. The story of political intrigue foreshadowing the fate of two of the major characters beat Apollo 13, Toy Story, 12 Monkeys, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "The Visitor" to win the Hugo award for Best Dramatic Presentation at the 1996 World Science Fiction Convention and proved so powerful that J. Michael Straczynski included it in his Complete Book of Scriptwriting.

"And Now for a Word" took the unusual step of presenting a day-in-the-life of B5 seen through the eyes of a TV news crew, just as the Narn declared war on the Centauri. The inclusion of a PSI-Corps commercial paid homage to Paul Verhoeven's satirical ads in Robocop (1987), while his later Starship Troopers (1997) seemed at times like a spoof of B5's earnest space opera. In "In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum," Sheridan learns that Morden was on the ship on which Anna died; the episode sees the captain pushed to his limits by grief and determination to discover why Morden survived. Three exceptional shows conclude the season. The Narn-Centauri war escalates in "The Long, Twilight Struggle," Sheridan faces a most unusual ordeal in "Comes the Inquisitor," and in "The Fall of Night" all hope of peace is shattered as a nerve-racking assassination attempt reveals a startling secret about Ambassador Kosh. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

• WB this material Deserves Better
  I am not among those who seem to be satisfied with the audio and transfer quality of the season 2 set. The sound is on a par with season one, which is to say ok but not earthshaking. the number of scratches and other film artifacts is annoying and I am not willing to write-off the graininess of low-light scenes (of which there are many because of the generally dark tone of the series)to the physical limits of the film.I have seen much better quality from older material (TNG as an example). This is great material, a quality series born from the ground-breaking concept of creating a series designed to tell a story within a five season timespan from start to finish. It deserves better artistic treatment than it is getting from Warner, not suprising considering the short-shrift it got during original production. My two favorite seasons are coming up and I am hoping that Warner will do a better job on them but I'm not holding my breath.
  That said, I would still buy the set again in a heartbeat....more info
• This is where it starts getting good
  Like many scifi series, Babylon 5 was slow to build to it's perfection. Season 1 may be difficult to get through, but it begins to pay off in Season 2. "The Coming of the Shadows" kicks the B5 story arc into high gear. There are conspiricies and dark portents. Babylon 5 is epic in scope, and brilliant in it's execution. J. Michael Stracynski continues to lay the groundwork for later seasons, while building upon the foundation of the first....more info
• The Glory That Was Babylon 5:
  Without question, season 2 of "Babylon 5", "The Coming of Shadows", made it the science fiction television series to watch, highlighting creator J. Michael Straczynski's five year story arc for this vast "novel for television". Bruce Boxleitner's Captain John Sheridan is a major improvement as the commander of Babylon 5 over Season 1's Michael O'Hare (Commander Sinclair); much to his credit Boxleitner portrays Sheridan as the noble, but flawed, character that is implied from his past. During the course of Season 2 we shall witness the epic struggle between the Narn Regime and the Centauri Republic as well as the initial skirmishes in the new war against the mysterious Shadows. Sheridan will be thrusted into a pivotal role as the on site leader of a resistance movement against an increasingly fascist Earth Alliance government. Ambassador Mollari (Peter Jurasik) will unexpectedly find himself as Babylon 5's most hated, most feared individual due to his involvement in the new Centauri war against the Narns. And Ambassador G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas) will emerge by the end of the season as a tragic, heroic figure.

  Some of the best episodes include "The Coming of Shadows", which chronicles an ill fated attempt by the dying Centauri emperor (Turhan Bey) to forge a long-lasting peace with the Narns, "The Shadows of Z'ha'dum", in which Sheridan learns a terrifying secret about Mr. Morden (Eric Wasser), and "Comes the Inquisitor", whereby Sheridan and Delenn (Mira Furlan) are tested by a human agent of the Vorlon Empire (Wayne Alexander, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Lorien in Season 3). But these are not the only fine episodes in this epic-filled season of "Babylon 5".

  The sound and image transfers of Season 2 are a substantial improvement over Season 1, though they fall short of the quality I've expected from films such as "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". The accompanying commentaries offer valuable insight into Straczynski's plans for the entire "Babylon 5" saga as well as the cast's recollections on the filming of Season 2. For those who are not familiar with "Babylon 5", then this DVD collection is a fine place to start. Truly, "Babylon 5" hit its stride during Season 2, and kept its excellence through the very end of Season 5....more info

• I am very happy with this item
  I am very happy with this product not only did it arrive in less time than scheduled but it also arrived in perfect condition....more info
• Excelente, la mejor serie
  Babylon 5 es una de las mejores series de ciencia ficci¨®n. Aca empieza realmente la serie pues se cambia al comandante de la estaci¨®n espacial y empieza la guerra de las sombras....more info
• The Dawn of the Third Age..
  I fell this was the season where there was a few kinks left over from the previous year. This was the season I was hooked on Babylon Five. Babylon Five's Second Season Titled "the Coming of Shadows' was a turning point for the show and pretty much pushed the show in the direction where it headed for the next three seasons. The show really takes a arc look which continues.
  
  The commentaries alone are well worth it. Three commentaries are done by creator Joe Straczynski With the episodes "Points of Departure","In the Shadow of Z'hadum" and "The Fall of Night"
  
  One of the best I feel comes from the actors Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle and Claudia Christian in the episode "The Geometry of Shadows" its nice to know the little tidbits that happened behind the scenes. Besides the writing that goes behind the show it was the actors who give allot more insight to filming day after day. And More importantly they seemed to have lots of fun doing this commentary.
  
  Also in the extras is a documentary covering Babylon Five's wins over the prestigious Hugo Award which lead winning over the Star Trek shows and films such as Apollo 13. ...more info
• Babylon 5 Becomes Epic
  If you were able to sit through Season 1 of Babylon 5, then Season 2 is a real treat. This season is better in every way imaginable and seems like it is the true realization of the creators' vision. If you're new to the Series, I'd recommend starting here.
  
  In Season 2, you get a real sense of the scope of the fictional universe. There are conflicts between races, secret organizations lurking in the background, and large scale battles.
  
  Babylon 5 gets a new charismatic Commander, and all of the actors do a much better job in this season. There is more chemistry between the human and alien characters, as they struggle to maintain peace on a Space Station inhabited by a vast number of alien races during an interplanetary war.
  
  Season 2 expands on the vast universe of Babylon 5 by exposing two of the more powerful ancient races. Tensions between the Narn and Centauri escalate into a full scale war. The Earth and Minbari forces are drawn into the conflict as well. Telepaths, Technomages, Rangers, and an Alien Plague are also featured in this season.
  
  Most of the episodes are very good, and some fall just a bit short. Overall, this is a very good season of Sci-Fi TV and it's easy to recommend it to anyone that can appreciate a complex fictional universe that's held together with strong characters and plotlines.
  
  CG Snobs beware, this Season of TV is 15 years old so the visial effects do their job, but don't hold up to Firefly or BSG. With that said, they're still ok.
  
  If you want an epic adventure set in a vast, complex, tumultuous universe, this is the series for you and Season 2 is where it truly begins....more info
• The Buildup Continues
  Babylon 5 is one of the greatest shows ever created for television. It was the first of its kind, a full five-season story. It's not a monster-of-the-week show like we are used to. This show is intended to make the first season matter to what is happening in season five. And in Season Two, the show continues to build up towards one of the most satisfying climaxes in television history. There are a few episodes in here that feel slow, like many in the first season. But there are plenty to make up for the few slower ones. The Narn world is conquered by the Centari. The Shadows make more appearances. More and more gets built up.

  Buy this. You'll enjoy the resolution this season builds up when you get to Season Three. But Season Three will have no meaning or relevance without the first two seasons....more info

• B5 was eerily prescient about the here and now
  I just watched the 2nd Season of B5 again and I was amazed at how closely JMS' story arc resembled our current political situation here in the U.S. We have a President who took office under suspicious circumstances, a nebulous foe lurks in the shadows and can't be found but they influence a pre-emptive strike to start a devastating war that costs many lives which also destabilized the region, the Department of Peace & Night Watch sounds a lot like the Department of Homeland Security and the NSA, civil liberties are being curtailed in the name of safety and security, alliances have been made with "evil" associates, etc etc etc.
  
  Why do I get the feeling that Mr. Morden works for Dick Cheney? Yes, I know some will say this is just a crazed liberal rant, but the great thing about well-written sci-fi is just how well it models our current culture. JMS' 5-year story arc was sheer brilliance and I hope he was prescient about the good guys defeating the shadows that run our own government at this time. It actually gives me some hope for the future. Fighting for our civil liberties is our last best hope for victory....more info
• Great SF saga
  Babylon 5 is just outstanding: the story, the actors, the lines, I like everything about it. The only disappointment with the second season is the change in the leading role. As much as I like Bruce Boxleitner, Michael O'Hare is so much a better actor and you can realize it from the very beginning, in the opening narration, after the one read by O'Hare this one read by Boxleitner is a bad shock!
  Anyway B5 remains a great saga!...more info
• Amazing season
  This is the season that truly hooked me into the B5 series. The season opens with a change at the helm of the space station: Sheridan is now replacing Captain Sinclair as the commander of B5 and the show benefits greatly from this change. Bruce Boxlightner is a much more engaging and dynamic actor and he succeeds in really driving the story forward. In this season we see him growing into his role as captain during a very challenging time for the station. The shadow wars are starting, Earth politics are changing for the worst, alliances are shattering and Sheridan gets to explore how much the few can do to create positive change within the ensuing collective chaos. As he grapples with his very complicated new reality, he takes a few lessons from the enigmatic Vorlons, with ambassador Kosh taking Sheridan through a sort of initiatory process that lasts most of the season (Personally I think the Vorlons are a strike of genius sci-fi writing, such enigmatic metaphysical beings). Sinclair, although gone from B5, does not disappear completely from the show and is brought back on occasion as the leader of the Rangers and remains a pivotal player in the overall 5 year story.
  
  In this season we also see Delaine complete her metamorphosis and becoming something quite other from whom she was before. we see her forming a bond with Sheridan, fighting with the Grey Council and becoming a leader in her own right , as she works with Sheridan in forming alliances to fight the darkness that is now enveloping the B5 world.
  
  In this season we fully enter into the Shadow Wars and all that they entail, pulling us deeper and deeper in to the core of the five year story. It is a great season with hardly a dull moment: the story gets really interesting and all of the actors have fully found their characters at this point. Any of the tentativeness of the first season is gone: Garibaldi, Ivanova, Dr Franklin, G'Kar, Londo, Vir, the telepaths, the bad guys of the Psycore, etc are all hitting their stride in what is one of most engaging and moving sci-fi stories of all time. This show is a pure treat for the sci-fi lover and has a depth that rarely seen on a TV show. Watching B5 from this point onwards is like reading a masterpiece dramatic novel that has you glued for every word.
  ...more info
• Outstanding
  My only complaint is that I have to wait for the rest......more info
• 5 stars for show quality, 1 star for DVD quality
  While I am very enthusiastic about the story, casting, dialogue, score, graphics & everything else that made up this exceptional series, I was very disappointed with the quality of the DVD itself. The first season quality wasn't bad, but the second season did not at all do the show justice. Many scenes were very dark & difficult to watch even after adjusting the brightness on my TV. My tapes from when the series orginally aired look better....more info
• The Start of a great series.
  This was an excellent sophomore season for a great series....more info
• Great Movie Great Service
  This is the second season of arguably the best Sci-Fi television series made. The character progression and maturation shows you all sides of human nature.
  
  I recieved the set in excellent condition and me and my family enjoyed the set. ...more info
• New like the other sets I got at Costco
  Thank goodness this set is new just like the other sets I got at Costco. it was pricier but now I have the full series. Shipping was prompt, too. Thankee!!...more info
• Action Rising!
  Unimaginably geeky, I asked for this for my birthday, and my (older) brother delivered. This dvd set assembles and packages this most excellent series very well, with easy to navigate menus, and a nice feature -- a one-click ability check out the "next week on Babylon 5" previews for each episode on the menu -- great memory nudge for the episode's content. The special features and actor vignettes were not especially illuminating for me -- it was obvious from some comments that this series was a nice paying job for some of these workman-like actors and professionals. Glad they appreciated the paycheck, but quality of acting wasn't what the show was about -- it was about the creation of a world and the spinning of a story with a length and complexity impossible in any other media or format other than series tv. I think sf fans are suseptible to this multi-season spinning because we've been trained so well by multi-volume sagas that take years to deliver (a la Herbert's Dune, Card's Ender series, or Bujold's Vorkosigan). It's gripping to see in order and in a compressed time the beginning of the story arc, the seeds of so many amazing story threads, the revelations of characters that season 1 merely sketches and establishes. I still balk a little at the sticker price on these sets -- but in cases like this one, it's worth it (especially when it's your brother paying).
  If you didn't discover when the series was on the air, the episode guides, analysis, and commentary on the "Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5" at ... are great, and a nice companion to the dvd's as well....more info
• Good, but.....
  Some of the episodes have not been digitally enhanced, so the film imperfections are apparent. Otherwise, if you are a Babylon 5 fan, this is great....more info
• Warner's should have put more money into the release
  5 for the story, 1 for the video.

  I'm not going to discuss the arc of Babylon 5, nor it's rating as an SF (NOT SciFi) series. We all know that the arc was highly compressed in the fourth year, because WB wouldn't give JMS a guarantee of a 5th year early on. As a series, it stands head and shoulders above any of the ST spin-offs, at least for me. And in terms of characterization--well, Claudia Christian stole the show for me, and her absence (for whatever reason) was sadly missed in Season 5.

  But I'm going to talk about quality. Babylon 5 will be around for a long, long time, viewed and re-viewed by its fans, and by fans yet to come. The widescreen version that the SCI-FI channel promoted is right in line with the aspect ratio of newer HDTV sets.

  And that's the problem!

  The CGI was good for the time and for the budget. But it was done at broadcast resolution (about 480 X 640). On the DVD release, where the resolution is higher, EVERY CGI shot stands out and hits you right between the eyeballs.

  A good example of this problem is the episode "And Now A Word." Whenever text is superimposed on the screen the picture quality goes to hell, since this was done on PCs to broadcast TV resolution, then blown up, cropping the top and bottom, to fit the 16:9 aspect resolution of HDTV. It's extremely distracting, and on at least one long tracking shot I prayed (sorry, JMS) for the camera angle to change and return to to a better picture.

  At other times the picture becomes extremely grainy, as though it was shot on high-speed super-16 stock. Perhaps the entire series was, but if so, I wonder why they didn't use 30 fps for better US video transfer.

  But the main issue is the CGI. Good for its time, budget, and broadcasting limitations, but definately sub-par for either DVD or HDTV. I hope that Warner has the original stock, and eventually the will and budget, to present B5 at its best for future HD releases buy redoing the CGI portions.

  Babylon 5 is a treasure that reflects the creator's vision. Perhaps in some alternate universe it was done with a clear "go-ahead" for all 5 seasons, and was done with either theatrical or HDTV resolution. But until we reach that universe, we'll have to make to with what we have.

  Summary - Buy every season of B5 immediately and enjoy the story over the course of a few days, rather than a half year. But be prepared for jarring changes in quality of the picture - the better your display, the more in-your-face they'll become.

  But that's life. Take your glasses off and enjoy the story....more info

• The secound season of one of the best shows ever
  Season two is truly the start of one of the very best seasons of scifi television ever produced even Sheridan haters like me can find a lot to like (sorry he's to much of a goody-two-shoes.)
  
  This is one of the first examples I can remember of interconnected episodes take note of what you see and take careful count because you never know if its going to be important again. Best episodes of the season in my opinion are Knives, GROPS, Soul Mates and Comes the Inquisitor". Season 2 is actually very solid I don't have a least favorite episode its all very good. ...more info
• Unique and enjoyable
  This tv show does a wonderful job of being more like a movie, as the plot continues to progress and no character is "safe" from dying or being sent off for several episodes. The main actor started out slow, but gets better.
  
  The quality of the discs and case is most acceptable....more info
• Babylon 5 - The Complete Second Season
  This is the best SCI-FI series ever,with incredible SFX,a great cast,and a riveting story line. ...more info
• Babylon 5, season 2
  This product was in pristine order and received it quickly. Was an enjoyment to watch!...more info
• B5 Season 2 - The Coming of the Shadows - The plot thickens!
  With the second season we finally see some payoff to some of what the brilliant writers and producers set up in the first season and of course, upon answering some earlier questions, new ones are raised. This is one of the reasons this show is so appealing as J. Michael Straczynski set up the five year plot and this is but the second chapter and there are so many layers that one cannot help but get caught up in this extraordinarily intriguing epic.

  Of the many DVD Boxed sets that I've purchased, the B5 sets seem to stand out above the rest as far as quality goes to include Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and widescreen presentation, episode previews right there with the episode and the overall quality of the transfer.

  Stand out episodes:

  Points of Departure - This is a wonderfully well written and played episode that serves well to lead off the new season and bring some closure to the incredible first season's cliffhanger and introducing the new and much stronger commanding officer, Captain John Sheridan. It's easily discernable up front to see the different leadership style that he brings into the role and you can readily see that the writers are now beginning to ramp up the war with the shadows in these early beginnings.

  Revelations - In a continuance from the season opener, we finally see G'Kar after his search for what destroyed the Narn outpost and his run in with the shadows. Delenn makes her dramatic "return" in this well written episode.

  The Geometry of Shadows - In this outstanding Londo Mollari episode we begin to see the furtherance of his unknowing relationship with the shadows, his rising value in the politics of Centauri Prime and his mistaken attempt to meet with the Techno Mages.

  A Distant Star - To provide more evidence of the coming of the shadows, this episode teases the Shadows brilliantly before us as they're making their presence seen but not seen as a whole. This episode also serves well to give us further insight into Sheridan and what makes him tick.

  Soul Mates - Written by Peter David, one of Star Trek's finest authors, this superb episode is replete with his humor and brilliant style. Londo has been granted permission by the emperor to divorce two of his wives and he makes the best of it.

  A Race Through Dark Places - This excellent episode fits well in the "big" picture of B5 as we're brought further into the mystery of Psi Corps and guest star Walter Koenig makes his return as Bester.

  The Coming of Shadows - The flood gates of the "epic" open wide with this outstanding episode in which the Centauri emperor comes to apologize to the Narn, however, Londo and his "associates" turn towards war against the Narn. We're also introduced to the Rangers as Garibaldi receives a message from Sinclair. This is quite easily the best episode of the season!

  All Alone in the Night - This is an extremely interesting and pivotal episode in which Delenn is ordered home to meet her fate with the Gray Council and at the same time, Sheridan is captured by an unknown species.

  Acts of Sacrifice - This is a rather poignant episode in which the war between the Centauri and Narn is heating up and carrying over to B5's population. We begin to see the effect that Londo's new "status" is taking on him.

  There all the Honor Lies - This is another brilliantly funny episode written by Peter David. Sheridan is accused of murdering a Minbari and Earth Force wishes to turn a buck by selling B5 souvenirs.

  And Now for a Word - This is a fantastic episode portrayed entirely from the point of view of the Interstellar News Network and their visit to B5 just as the Centauri/Narn war heats up on B5's doorstep.

  In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum - This is another extremely pivotal episode to the entire five year plot as Sheridan meets Mr. Morden upon discovering he was on the Icarus, the same ship in which Sheridan's wife died. Here is where Sheridan must make the decision between his own personal goals and that of the greater good.

  Divided Loyalties - In this stunning episode, Lyta Alexander makes a visit and she's seeking a traitor in the midst and Ivanova makes a major revelation to Sheridan.

  The Long, Twilight Struggle - In this extremely intriguing and pivotal episode the Centauri/Narn war comes to its inevitable conclusion signaling the coming of the larger war...

  Comes the Inquisitor - This is one of the most intriguing and thought provoking episodes of the season as Kosh summons an "Inquisitor" to test Delenn and G'Kar attempts to gain control and leadership over the remaining Narn on the station.

  The Fall of Night - Earth makes an unexpected move with reference to the Centauri and we finally see some payoff with reference to the Vorlon and the Shadows...

  Special Features

  Disc 1 - Introduction to "The Coming of Shadows."
  "The Geometry of Shadows" Commentary by Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian and Jerry Doyle.
  Text strings on Executive Producer Douglas Netter and J. Michael Straczynski

  Disc 4 - "In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum" Commentary by J. Michael Straczynski

  Disc 6 - "The Fall of Night" Commentary by J. Michael Straczynski
  Building Babylon: Blueprint of an Episode
  Shadows and Dreams: Honors of Babylon
  The Universe of Babylon: Several tech files, personnel files and a timeline up to the end of Season 2 and a great gag reel.

  Episode list:

  Points of Departure
  Revelations
  The Geometry of Shadows
  A Distant Star
  The Long Dark
  A Spider in the Web
  Soul Mates
  A Race Through Dark Places
  The Coming of Shadows
  Gropos
  All Alone in the Night
  Acts of Sacrifice
  Hunter, Prey
  There all the Honor Lies
  And Now for a Word
  In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum
  Knives
  Confessions and Lamentations
  Divided Loyalties
  The Long, Twilight Struggle
  Comes the Inquisitor
  The Fall of Night...more info

• No 2
  as a follow on to series one you could not ask for stars to fill the rolls better. All the stars seem to make their rolls believable...more info