Conclusion

=Conclusion =



**Experimental narrative structure:** Babylon 5 is easily the most thoughtfully plotted serialized television show to date. The intricate web of the story is simply masterful, and it's an achievement in television that hasn't been matched by any show since. The unpredictable nature of the television industry makes this kind of storytelling a risk, and Babylon 5's unexpected cancellation and rescue by FX between seasons 4 and 5 produced major hiccups which demonstrate why hyper serialization can be problematic. This show is a unique piece of television history.


 * J Michael Straczynski:** Straczynski wrote 92 of the 110 episodes of Babylon 5 himself—giving him an unprecedented level of control over the content. This creates a show with a clear vision, which is seen through to the end. Recurring themes are apparent, and expressed vividly through the eyes of one writer. It's an interesting anomaly in the collaborative medium of television.


 * Themes (Free Will etc):** It's important to look at Babylon 5 as a complex story, tackling universal themes of love and loss, light vs. dark, and free will. Like many science fiction shows, Babylon 5 is so much more than a space adventure. It tackles deep philosophical questions with intelligence and sensitivity. My paper looks at just one of the carefully considered themes in Babylon 5, a show which I think deserves a lot of attention for its gutsy execution and important topics.