13
votes
Babylon 5 S01E10: "Believers" - Episode Discussion
Link information
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- Title
- Babylon 5 | Full Episode | Believers: Season 1, Episode 10 | Beyond Infinity
- Authors
- ClipZone: Beyond Infinity
- Duration
- 44:35
- Published
- May 9 2026
I think, especially for its time, this is one of those really good ethical quandary episodes where science fiction lets you explore what right and wrong really mean in a galaxy full of different species and belief systems.
I relate to Franklin very hard here but am not sure if I would have been able to make the same call.
"Believers" episode for non-Americans:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8h1hhp
This episode really shows what these science fiction can do with putting spotlight on non-easy moral dilemmas, especially when it comes to doctors and their ethics. They were also often good premise for great Star Trek episodes.
But in addition to the core dilemma, the episode also shows the whole diplomatic mess on the station as they can't get any of the other races to help them, because they of course have their political agenda and loyalties that supersedes wherever their moral compass lies.
This isn't just a constructed trolley problem scenario, it is a thing that doctors have to deal with - for example with Jehovah Witnesses refusing blood transfusions.
All around great episode that shows the crew as not always in complete alignment, but they can respect each other. And we get to see Ivanova in some great space flight action.
"Just how much justice can you afford?" was my favourite line in this episode. Ambassadors are of course there to serve their own nations, first and foremost, but I have a suspicion Londo would have just pocketed that money himself.
My mind went the same place. Seems a likely inspiration for the episode. Gotta wonder though; what if the egg-worshippers are right? Maybe everyone who has their skin pierced loses their soul and is replaced with a demon. About as likely as any of Earth's religions.
He does seem the type, he'd at least have asked for more than he'd have needed to bribe someone in his own government. Because it all seems to be politics.
The video was reuploaded. This is the new link:
https://youtu.be/VH_R1y9sdas
When we started this, I thought watching a single episode per week would pose no challenge, but now I'm several weeks behind. Life's been busy. Work's been crazy. Oh well. I'll try to catch up.
There are new scenes in the intro; clips from earlier episodes. Do they add those regularly, and I just didn't notice before now? Or maybe they do an intro revamp every mid- and full season. Also; has the CGI improved from the early episodes? As others have said, this show actually had some really impressive CGI for its time, and I feel this particular episode has aged surprisingly little effects-wise.
The raiders in this episode all have the same ship design, implying they're not some motley rag-tag crew from all over, but either a large organisation, or all originating from the same place. Maybe there's a rogue planet or something in the region, refusing to join any council or coalition.
Felt like I was watching an episode of House through much of this episode. Not a bad thing.
They do update the intro occasionally, it's not all the time but you did catch that!
The CGI overall continues to improve (and I'm not sure if any work was done on this particular version, I'm not sure which one it is and haven't done the research) and there are a number of times where JMS says they rendered effects right up until the absolute last minute before it needed to be sent to the networks. Or they'd cut a shot rather to give the computers more time on the others.
I forgot we haven't really seen these raiders, just their ships, leaving their origin very open! I won't spoil, it's a good plotline.
Please join whenever you catch up. It's fun to talk to people about it
I don't comment often, but I have also been following along (a week behind until a couple days ago!) and have been really enjoying it. I started the first season a few years ago when Netflix had it, but they dropped it before I got all the way through the season.
You're always one of the first to comment on the episodes, and I always like reading your thoughts.
Here's hoping there's no more weirdness and we get through the whole series!
I love the series unapologetically ( ╹▽╹ )
This has actually inspired me to watch a few reactors covering it too. It's been fun revisiting it. Hope to see you in future threads if you're able!
If it makes you feel better, I fell behind after Mind War.