Introduction page

The story of Babylon 5 is set in the years 2257-2262 AD aboard a five-mile long space station. The station itself is positioned deep in neutral space, 24 light years away from Earth, near the center of our Galaxy.

Nearly one hundred years ago, humanity made it's first contact with an alien race, the Centauri. The Centauri helped the human kind to expand to the stars. They offered "jumpgate" technology that allowed us to explore the universe through hyperspace. Through the years the Earth Alliance expanded fast through the Galaxy.

All this however, ended when contact was made with a new alien race the Minbari. The first contact was, not friendly in nature, and ended with the death of the Minbari religious and political leader Dukat. In the following years, the Minbari declared a holy war against Earth. In the end when the final battle was fought and humanity was on the eve of extinction, the Minbari surrendered without explanation.

The Babylon project begun after the Eart/Minbari war. A station would be built where all alien races could meet in neutral ground and resolve their disputes. Peace in the Galaxy was the main aim of the Babylon project.

The first three stations where destroyed while in the early stages of construction. Babylon 4, the largest station built, vanished without a trace, when it was ready to go online. Babylon 5 was the last of the Babylon stations. Built by the Earth Alliance with the economic support of other races.

The Earth Alliance:
represented by Captain John Sheridan. During the first season Commander Jeffrey Sinclair was the represntative of the Earth Alliance. The representative of the Earth Alliance is also the commanding officer of Babylon 5. The most serious problems faced by the EA have to do with corruption. The Psi-Corps have been for some time medling with politics, and have managed to put their own man in the presidency. President Clark is not a telepath, but is strongly connected with Psi-Corps. Allegations have been made that he was somehow involved in the death of his predecesor Luis Santiago.

The Minbari Federation:
represented by Ambassador Delenn. The Minbari engaged the Earth Alliance in war 10 years earlier, after a misunderstanding during the first contact between the two races. The Minbari surrendered to the EA in the battle of the Line, at the brink of their victory. They were the othe major contributor to the construction of Babylon 5. The balance of power has been shifted in the Minbari ruling body the Grey Council. Once there were three members from its caste in the Council, but now the warrior caste has managed to shift the balance on its favour.

The Narn Regime:
represented by Ambassador G'Kar. The Narn had been under Centauri occupation for over 100 years. They managed however, through a war of attrition, to free their planet. During the first season the Narn appeared to be growing in influence. In the second season, the Narn homeworld fell to the hands of the Centauri again. The Narn Regime, no longer exists and G'Kar now secretly leads the Narn liberation movement on Babylon 5.

The Centauri Republic:
represented by Ambassador Londo Mollari. The Centauri once had a great empire. The star of the Centauri empire had begun to fall, but Londo with the assistance of Morden and his associates managed to set it on the rise again. After the Centauri recaptured the Narn homeworld, they have began moving on other races trying to establish a presence. They have managed to sign a non-aggression pact with the Earth Alliance, but have declared war to several other races.

The Vorlon Empire:
represented by Ambassador Kosh Naranek. The Vorlons are a complete mystery. Their technology is by far, the most advanced of all other races on Babylon 5, yet they appear not to be interested. The Vorlons are the last of the Ancient Ones, a group of races that were the oldest in the Galaxy. Their appearence is a mystery to everyone, even though Kosh was revealed in his attempt to save Sheridan. The rise of the shadows, has made the Vorlons a litle more active. They have fought the Shadows in previous wars, and will help the other races in the one coming.

League of Non-Aligned Worlds:
The rest of the races have formed the League Non-Aligned Worlds. Allthough the remaining races appear to be less important, several races have been recurring during the episodes. The Markab, the Pak'Ma'Ra and the Drazi are a few examples. The Drazi in particular appear to play a greater role, since they had fought in the previous war against the shadows, and were aware of the fact that the ancient enemy was on the move again.

What makes Babylon 5 so unique is the story-line. Unlike most tv-series Babylon 5 is a single story, completely planned out by the creator J.M. Strazynski. Each episode can be viewd on its own, but is a piece of the larger story. Hints are dropped, questions are left unanaswered on purpose at the end of each episode. Characters get transfered, or die, consipracies and assasinations take place. All this happen according to the master plan, and lead through a more or less predetermined path to the final conclusion.