I downloaded the pilot episode of Babylon 5 last night from the iTunes store. I read a review of the show in the premier issue of SF AGE and it sounded interesting, and I also received some additional recommendations for the show from other folks.
I watched it this afternoon and it was a pretty good show. I liked the pilot episode because it was essentially a mystery disguised as science fiction and that is always fun. The special effects were impressive, considering the pilot aired 14 years ago. All-in-all, I enjoyed it and will eventually get around to watching more episodes.
I have to say, however, that the best line in the show, in my opinion, came at the very end of the episode when the commander is trying to explain what poetry is to one of the alien ambassadors. “Poetry,” he said, “a story told in meter and rhyme.”
A look of realization comes over the ambassador’s face. “Ah,” she said, “‘There once was a man from Nantucket.'”
I nearly fell out of my chair laughing.