Babylon 5 - Crusade The Complete Series [DVD]

Although these 13 episodes alone make the product a must-have addition to anyone's collection, it is unfortunately spoilt by an act of deceit related directly to the aforementioned tale of politics and idiocy. While the inclusion of an audio commentary from creator/writer JMS on 'Racing the Night' is a positive bonus feature, it is somewhat ruined by the fact that it was underhandedly edited and censored by the studio to cut out his comments regarding the reasons behind the show's abortion -- despite their promise to the contrary. Once again, this sort of thing spoils a good DVD set, just like it did with the woeful Region 2 edition of the TV Movies Collection.

Fortunately, the actual episodes are a reward in themselves, with well-developed, interesting characters, locations ranging from Mars to the Babylon 5 station itself, a guest appearance by the late Richard Biggs, and even an 'X-Files' pastiche. While it may not have the production values of today's sci-fi, and although it was not given a fair chance of resolving its ongoing storyline in order to compare with its parent series, you will not be left on any kind of cliffhanger as the final episode actually ends with a serendipitously fitting last line.

In terms of bonus features, the discs are perhaps as spartan as the TV Movies release, but there is a second audio commentary from Peter Woodward, writer Fiona Avery, and director Janet Greek on the episode 'The Well of Forever', a Making Of documentary, plus a featurette on the design of the Excalibur. Technically, there is a remastered 5.1 soundtrack, and the episodes are all presented in their original aspect ratio of 4:3. In this case, while unusual, it is actually a good thing that it is not in widescreen, since that is not how it was intended and it has not been fiddled with to mess-up the CGI shots the way the 'Babylon 5' season sets were.

Despite the actions of the studio, the show itself is too good to miss out on just to spite oneself. This series will certainly intrigue and entertain as a representative of the more intelligent and evolved end of the genre, and may prove to be a significant lead-in to the forthcoming theatrical movie, 'The Memory of Shadows', which itself promises to be a momentous event -- provided the studio does not make the profound mistake of dropping the original cast in favour of mindless recasting.

Set five years after season 5 ended, Earth has been hit by a plague. While the planet is quarantined, the government sends a crew out on Excalibur, the newly complete ship build with Minbari help. Their mission is to explore other worlds and hopefully find a cure before the virus destroys all of life on Earth. The crew is made up of Earth Force personnel and civilians, including an archeologist working for IPX and an alien thief who is the last of her kind.

Unfortunately, we only ever got thirteen episodes of the show due to creative difference between TNT and JMS. As such, it's really hard to judge. Compared to Babylon 5, it seems weak. But then again, the first thirteen episodes of Babylon 5 are the weakest of that series. Comparing the two sets of thirteen, these come across as stronger. I have faith in JMS to say that what we have here is the foundation episodes. Once we got to know the characters, things would have taken off. Sets and special effects have gotten an improvement as well, even if many of the larger effects come across as cheap by today's standards. The tone is slightly different, with more of a horror feel to many of the stories and a darker feeling overall. The music is a bit odd and doesn't seem to fit, often jarring me out of the episode instead of pulling me in like it did on Babylon 5.

This set gives us the thirteen episodes on four DVD's in their original broadcast order. This isn't the order JMS prefers, and it does cause some continuity issues. Frankly, I'll take them in any order since the beauty of DVD is I can watch them in the correct order easily. I was surprised to find the picture full frame. I don't know if that's all that was available or not, but the picture does seem sharper then the Babylon 5 picture ever was. Sound is a full surround mix. Extras on the set are in line with other Babylon 5 releases. There is a commentary on one episode by members of the cast and crew. JMS also recorded a commentary on what he wanted the pilot episode to be that gives hints about what would have come had the series continued. Because Warner Brothers edited it, it won't be on subsequent pressings, so if you want to hear it, get it today. The final disc has a documentary on the creation of the show (think the intros to seasons on the other sets) and another one on creating the ship itself.

This is a hard show for me to watch. It begins to get traction just as its ending. And I really want to know how the show would have continued beyond these episodes. Still, I'm thrilled to have it to complete my collection.

I really wish this show had gotten the chance to get off the ground properly, there is so much here that begs to be explained. As with Babylon 5 this show obviously has a five year life built in (though regretably it didn't even make it through one of those years). If you go digging around you'll even be able to find out a bit more of what JMS had in mind for the show.

In many ways this series reminds me somewhat of traditional Star Trek, whereas Babylon 5 is more similar to Deep Space Nine. However, of course both shows are quite different, quite good, and not copies of each other. Okay, with that caveat out of the way I can continue. We have one ship visiting many ports, discovering new races and cultures, and going someplace new--very Star Trekian. Now I don't believe this is bad, or truly derivative--I just mention what I see as similar. One thing that definately jars this is JMS's habit of not including every main character in each episode as Star Trek producers are usually wont to do. Like Babylon 5 (where there was only one episode in the entire run to feature each then listed main character) you can go several episodes without seeing certain characters. I like this (and would have liked it more if the series had run for years and it hadn't severely limited our exposure to some characters) it just takes some getting used to. If you like Star Trek look at this as more good sci-fi--if you don't like Star Trek know this is quite different stuff.

You'll find the serious mixed with the lighthearted. When talking about episodes I must include the JMS recomended viewing order. I defied this at first and watched the episode the case said should be first (War Zone)--and it was indeed an introduction, a very traditional pilot. However, I found out later that it was only produced later when the producers said they didn't like Racing the Night as an introduction. Furthermore, there were certain elements that didn't fit so well--such as a fistfight and crazy airing order that TNT producers insisted on--so don't blame everything wrong on JMS. Really this all reminds me of Firefly (which came later) and the trouble Joss Wheedon had with producers at Fox who disliked his excellent pilot and made him redo the second episode Train Job to serve as a new pilot. However unlike JMS Wheedon was able to make Train Job a new pilot and yet remain as a consistant second episode. Unfortunately for Crusade, the episode War Zone is somewhat of a continuity orphan, especially if you watch in the JMS order, which I would strongly suggest. I also enjoy reading the Lurker's Guide to each episode after viewing it. You'll find this at http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html. Here is the order, the only problems you'll find with it are some out of place uniform changes (that flow in the original airing order) and a couple minor errors (such as Lockley and Gideon meeting for the first time twice ;-)).

Racing the Night
The Needs of Earth
The Memory of War
The Long Road
Visitors from Down the Street
The Well of Forever
Each Night I Dream of Home
Patterns of the Soul
The Path of Sorrows
Ruling from the Tomb
The Rules of the Game
War Zone
Appearances and Other Deceits

Racing the Night is a very good pilot, introducing us to each character in a gradual manner on JMS's terms. Additionally we join the crew in the middle of their quest and only gradually find out exactly what is happening--it isn't all just thrust upon us. We not only get a pilot, but a darn good episode.

Visitors from Down the Street is definately an episode in a lighthearted vein, it being a definate mock/tribute/mimic of the X-Files. However, this time it is aliens believing that humans are interfering in their culture. :-) Try to spot as many X-Files references as you can.

Galen is a remarkable character. First introduced in the Babylon 5 movie A call to Arms he is a technomage. However, unlike the rest of his brethern he has decided not to retreat from Known Space, but to return to help the crew of the Excalibur fight for humanity. JMS has called him the traditional fantasy RPG magician of the group. Really the whole cast is a collection of eccentric, but fun characters. What little we get to see of them is quite revealing.

A note about special effects. Please keep in mind that just as on Babylon 5 effects shots are computer generated, and it is noticable. They aren't horrible, they just aren't as flawless as a big-budget blockbuster. However, if this is a problem then you shouldn't even be looking at Crusade or B-5. The stories are what make the show, the special effects just help them along.

The music and shooting style are by design very different from Babylon 5, so don't go in expecting to just see and hear more of the same.

Now there aren't many special features, only four in fact. You'll get a featurette on the production of the series, and a five minute one on the design of the Excalibur. Additionall JMS has commentary on Racing the Night, and two of the actors, the director, and writer comment on The Well of Forever. The JMS commentary goes into more depth not on just the episode but the series, and what it might have been.

If you enjoyed Babylon 5 then I would definately suggest that you check out this partial series. You'll get some fun episodes and the chance to see what might have been. I always enjoy learning more about my favourite universes, and this is no exception! You get a whole new look at the world of Babylon 5.