I am glad I didn't skip this episode, as I was initially tempted to do. The summaries I'd read screamed "FILLER!" to me, but knowing that this was written by sci-fi legend Harlan Ellison and featured two of the best character actors in the business convinced me to give it a look.
What a fortuitous decision that turned out to be, because despite the fact that this is a stand-alone, outside-the-arc installment, it turns out to be one of the best episodes of the entire series.
The plot has a hostile alien race invading the Babylon 5 sector, with the station's defenses tested to their limits. Meanwhile, two blue- collar techs interact with each of the main characters of the series while sharing their insights with one another about the major players and their own roles on the station.
The space battle provides some of the best special effects a television sci-fi series has to offer, and Ellison delivers a masterful script.
This might well be considered a filler episode, but it's well worth watching.
What a fortuitous decision that turned out to be, because despite the fact that this is a stand-alone, outside-the-arc installment, it turns out to be one of the best episodes of the entire series.
The plot has a hostile alien race invading the Babylon 5 sector, with the station's defenses tested to their limits. Meanwhile, two blue- collar techs interact with each of the main characters of the series while sharing their insights with one another about the major players and their own roles on the station.
The space battle provides some of the best special effects a television sci-fi series has to offer, and Ellison delivers a masterful script.
This might well be considered a filler episode, but it's well worth watching.