- "It was the Dawn of the Third Age of Mankind, ten years after the Earth-Minbari War. The Babylon Project was a dream given form. Its goal: to prevent another war by creating a place where humans and aliens could work out their differences peacefully. It's a port of call, home away from home for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs and wanderers. Humans and aliens wrapped in two million, five hundred thousand tons of spinning metal .. all alone in the night. It can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for peace. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2258. The name of the place is Babylon 5."
- ―Jeffrey Sinclair
"Midnight on the Firing Line" | |
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Series Babylon 5 Season 1, Episode 1 | |
Air date | January 26th, 1994 |
Writers | J. Michael Straczynski |
Director | Richard Compton |
Producers | Richard Compton; John Copeland; Douglas Netter; J. Michael Straczynski; George Johnson |
Starring | Michael O'Hare; Claudia Christian; Jerry Doyle; Mira Furlan; Richard Biggs; Andrea Thompson; Stephen Furst; Bill Mumy; Caitlin Brown; Andreas Katsulas; Peter Jurasik |
Episode guide | |
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"Midnight on the Firing Line" is the premiere episode of the syndicated science fiction television series Babylon 5. It was directed by Richard Compton and written by series creator J. Michael Straczynski. It first aired on Wednesday, January 26th, 1994. The episode introduces the crew of the space station Babylon 5, commanded by Jeffrey Sinclair, as well as his support staff, Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova and Security Chief Michael Garibaldi. As a waystation for various alien diplomats to resolve their differences, Babylon 5 plays host to many distinct races such as the Minbari, the Centauri, the Narns and the Vorlons - not all of whom have a peaceful history with one another. Tensions heat up when Centauri ambassador Londo Mollari learns about an unprovoked attack on a Centauri agricultural colony by their long-standing rivals, the Narns and Commander Sinclair must find a way to prevent an all-out war between the two nations.
Cast[]
Principal Cast[]
Guest Stars[]
Actor | Role |
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Paul Hampton | The Senator |
Also starring[]
Appearances[]
Characters
Locations |
Items Vehicles Organizations Ranks and titles Races Miscellaneous |
Notes & Trivia[]
- This episode is included on the Babylon 5: The Complete Universe and disc 1 of the Babylon 5: The Complete First Season DVD collections by Warner Home Video.
- Production code number: 103
- Douglas Netter and Derek Zemrak are both uncredited for their respective roles of Earthgov president Luis Santiago and the fighter pilot.
- Actor Richard Biggs is credited in this episode, but his character, Doctor Stephen Franklin, is not introduced until episode two, "Soul Hunter".
- Jeff Austin's character is credited as Centauri #1 in this episode, but he identifies himself as Watch Commander Ayla in the beginning of the episode.
Quotes[]
- Michael Garibaldi: Londo, my brain will be five days dead before I ever trust a Centauri.
....
- G'Kar: Your time has come and gone. It's our turn now. One night, you'll wake to find our teeth at your throat. Sleep well, Mollari. Sleep lightly.
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- Londo Mollari: We made a mistake, I'm sorry. Here, open my wrists.
- Michael Garibaldi: Centauri don't have major arteries in their wrists.
- Londo Mollari: Of course not, what, do you think I am stupid?
....
- Londo Mollari: Mister Garibaldi, just now, would you really have killed me?
- Michael Garibaldi: Yes. Yes, I would've, but I'm just as glad I didn't have to. The paperwork's a pain in the butt.