Babylon 5: The Lost Tales

Cast: Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, Peter Woodward
Created by: J. Michael Straczynski

Reviewer: Mr SBP

The wait is over. Six years on and we finally have some new Babylon 5 to watch, in the form of this direct to DVD anthology. But was it worth the wait?

Babylon 5: The Lost Tales gives us two short episodes, presented separately but both occurring in 2271, during the run up to the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Interstellar Alliance.

The first, entitled Over Here, takes place on the station itself, as the now Colonel Lochley, still in command of our favourite station, calls in help from a Catholic priest to deal with what appears to be a case of demonic possession. Is it part of God’s plan that this demon should be used as proof of His existence, thus revitalising a dwindling church, or should the demon be exorcised, saving the victim’s soul but allowing the church to slip even further into impending redundancy? All is not as it seems...

In Over There, Sheridan must deal with ISN reporters, a familiar technomage, Centauri politics, and the decision to end – or not – one as yet innocent life to save the future of Earth. His solution proves he was listening when the Vorlons were teaching him about understanding swords.

Long time fans of the series will notice that the visual effects and CGI have been remodelled for the better, not that they were particularly lacking originally, mind. There are touching tributes to both Richard Biggs (Dr. Franklin) and Andreas Katsulas (G’Kar) in the second episode and in the extras on the DVD. Interviews, production diaries and ‘fireside chats’ with Straczynski round out the DVD extras.

This is a worthy addition to any fan’s B5 collection, thought-provoking rather than an action-fest but a good “Sign & Portent” for any more Lost Tales to come.