J. Michael Straczynski Movies

Although the popular science fiction series Babylon 5 had officially run its course, one final two-hour episode was deemed necessary to segue into the spinoff series Crusade. Thus, on January 3, 1999, the TNT Network offered the world premiere of Babylon 5: A Call to Arms. The year is 2266: After several years' development, the first destroyer prototypes based on the White Stars (proposed by B5 crew member Delenn in the fifth-season episode "Movements of Fire and Shadow") have been completed. While inspecting the results, Alliance President Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) experences disturbing visions of a future Apocalypse -- and of a doomsaying stranger named Galen. Sheridan's visions seem poised to become reality when the Drakh, the dreaded allies of the defeated Shadows, mount a counteroffensive against humanity. It is up to a new team of space warriors, manning the twin battlecruisers "Excalibur" and "Victory," to prevent Galen's predictions from coming true. Babylon 5: A Call to Arms was written by J. Michael Straczynski, and later novelized by Robert Sheckley. As for Crusade, that oft-postponed series finally debuted on June 9, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Michael York guest-stars as a bedraggled space traveller who claims to be King Arthur. Meanwhile, Sheridan defends B5 against the forces of Earth. Crucial to the strategy devised by Sheridan and Ivanova is an alliance with the Centauri government ---something that Londo can not and will not tolerate. This is the episode in which G'Kar is willingly cast in the role of "The Red Knight." First shown in America during the week of April 22, 1996, "A Late Delivery from Avalon" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The already strained relationship between the Alliance and Byron's telepaths break down completely, forcing Lochley to seek the aid of Psi Cop Bester. The mysterious attacks on the Alliance ships intensify. And deep within the bowels of the Centauri palace, Londo and G'Kar stumble upon an old friend. The return appearance of first-season regular Julie Caitlin Brown was supposed to be a surprise, but was tipped off by an obscure Screen Actors Guild ruling. Originally titled "Cat and Mouse", "A Tragedy of Telepaths" was written by J. Michael Straczynksi; the episode first aired on March 25, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The first of Babylon 5's multipart episodes (discounting the 2-hour pilot, which was later telecast as a two-parter), "A Voice in the Wilderness" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. The story gets under way when curious seismic activity is detected on Epsilon 3, the planet which B5 orbits. Investigating, the crew discovers the vestiges on an ancient civilization -- only to be attacked by alien forces. Meanwhile, Garibaldi suffers guilt pangs when his former girlfriend is injured during an insurrection on the Mars Colony. Part One of "A Voice in the Wilderness" was originally broadcast on July 27, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The ongoing war between the Narn and Centauri threatens to escalate throughout the universe. G'Kar implores Sheridan to fight on the side of the Narns. Elsewhere, Ivanova must negotiate with the Lumati, a hostile alien species, and Londo begins to allow his newly acquired power to supercede his good judgment. Paul Williams guest-stars as Taq. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Acts of Sacrifice" first aired on February 22, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lennier uncovers irrefutable evidence of a Centauri connection with the mysterious attacks on the Alliance cargo ships. A boycott is levied against the Centauri, resulting in a disastrous reprisal. Originally telecast on June 10, 1998. "And All My Dreams Torn Asunder" was written by series producer J. Michael Straczynski, who regarded it as one of the best Babylon 5 episodes of all. By any standards, it is certainly among the most portentious of the series' fifth-season installments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Londo's political ambition spurs him to attempt the assassination of G'Kar. With characteristic cunning, Londo enlists the unwitting assistance of Vir to set a trap for his old enemy -- but not if Garibaldi has anything to say in the matter. Meanwhile, Capt. Sheridan courts madness when he tries to second-guess the Shadows. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place" was seen in the United Kingdom on September 8, 1996, and in America on October 14 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Delenn returns to her home world of Minbar, hoping to convince the people to accept her relationship with Captain Sheridan. Upon arrival, she is required to undergo The Dreaming, a ritual that literally burrows into her soul. And in another development, Marcus and Franklin are sent to Mars, there to link up with the Resistance forces. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Atonement" was first telecast in the US during the week of February 24, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As in past years, the final four episodes of Babylon 5's 1996-97 season were broadcast in the United Kingdom before making their first American TV appearances. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Between the Darkness and the Light" is a surprisingly low-key episode, despite all that occurs within its 48-minute timeframe. Captured by the Mars Resistance, Garibaldi tries to convince Franklin and Lyta that he was not entirely responsible for his previous actions. As plans are drawn to rescue Captain Sheridan from President Clark's minions, Ivanova, armed with vital information, launches her own counterratack against Clark --- with devastating results. "Between the Darkness and the Light" made its American TV debut during the week of October 6, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Investigating the death of a friend, Garibali is himself nearly killed when overhears an assassination plot against the President of Earth. Amidst the havoc stirred up when the murder takes place, Sinclair finds time to propose to Catherine -- but not before he is entrusted with a secret by Delenn, who is about to enter a chrysalis state. And Londo is given an alternative to war with the Narn: turn over a very valuable "peace offering." Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Chrysalis" was originally slated for an August 1994 telecast, but the Paramount syndication network opted to run the episode on October 26, 1994, as the opener of Babylon 5's second season (which it really wasn't). As a result, the episode made its world debut in the United Kingdom on October 3, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, this Babylon 5 episode addresses several issues pertinent to the real-life AIDS epidemic. A deadly plague threatens to spread throughout Babylon 5. Hampering Dr. Franklin's treatment of the victims and his search for a cure is the obstreperous behavior of the plague carriers, the Markab, who regard the scourge as "God's punishment". "Confessions and Lamentations" first aired on May 24, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A mad bomber is on the loose in the seamy Downbelow section of Babylon 5. As a result of an explosion, Londo and G'Kar are trapped in together in an inoperative transport tube. And when a religious group arrives at the station to study the worship customs of other cultures, Ivanova is drawn into a mystery. Guest stars include Patrick Kilpatrick as Carlson and Louis Turenne as Brother Theo. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Convictions" made its American TV debut the week of November 13, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman, B5's first telepath, pays a return visit to the station. But it isn't a social visit: Now the head of a resistance movement, Lyta is determined to expose a Psi Corps "sleeper" spy, who has the power to recruit other spies without their conscious knowledge. Sheridan gives Lyta a free hand in her investigation, but Ivanova offers unexpected resistance. Another surprising development occurs when Lyta comes face to face with Vorlon ambassador Kosh. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Divided Loyalties" made its TV debut in the United Kingdom on July 2, 1995, but was held back from American release until October 12 of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide