It’s the beginning of the end, as we see Garibaldi, Alexander, and G’Kar taking the next steps in their lives, steps that will take them off B5 all together. The Babylon 5 Rewatch rides “The Wheel of Fire.”

An excerpt:

It’s appropriate that this is the episode whose title was used for the whole season, because it’s the whole season in a nutshell: important stuff happens, yes, but almost every scene takes almost twice as long as it needs to. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just one scene, but Sheridan’s talk with Garibaldi, Franklin’s talk with G’Kar, Lochley’s talk with Garbaldi, and Garibaldi’s talks with Alexander all are seriously stretched out. Plus, before Sheridan and Garibaldi’s talk, there’s a lengthy, unheard conversation between Sheridan and Delenn, which is obvious filler, and completely unnecessary.

It’s the conclusion of the Centauri Republic arc, which has been one of the true high points of the series’ five-year run, and this is the best episode of the generally dreary final season. The Babylon 5 Rewatch observes “The Fall of Centauri Prime.”

An excerpt:

The real tragedy of Londo Mollari here is that in the end he does what he’s always done: what he thinks is best for the Centauri people. This makes him rare among the aristocracy on his world—most of the people we see in that sphere are opportunists who are interested mainly in improving their personal positions. There are exceptions besides Mollari—Emperor Turhan, Urza Jaddo, Lord Jano—but they are few and far between, and, more to the point, they’re all dead.

The fecal matter hits the cooling appliance as the war between the Centauri Republic and the rest of the Interstellar Alliance heats up rather significantly. The Babylon 5 Rewatch observes some “Movements of Fire and Shadow.”

An excerpt:

The stuff on Centauri Prime continues to be the show’s best material, due in part to the usual brilliance of Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik, but mainly this time around because of how Damian London absolutely kills it. London’s Virini has had to be many things on this show, generally being whatever flavor of obdurate bureaucrat and/or aristocratic toady is required of him. But his talk with Mollari at the end of the episode is devastating. It’s the same high-pitched squeal that London has been using for the character all along, but it’s slower, more intense, more monotone, and scary as hell. London perfectly shows the character’s helplessness and awareness of how pathetic and broken he is.

Mollari is unable to properly do his job, Garibaldi is incapable of doing his job, and G’Kar gives himself an old job. The Babylon 5 Rewatch looks at the Centauri’s withdrawal from the Interstellar Alliance with the pretentiously titled “And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder.”

An excerpt:

How is it even possible that the only method by which the Rangers had set up to get White Star assistance to the blockades was through Garibaldi? What if he’s in the bathroom when they call? Or if he’s doing one of the other eight billion things he might need to be doing as the head of intelligence for a massive interplanetary alliance? Or, and here’s a biggie, what if the crisis happened when he was legitimately asleep? Why don’t the White Stars have backup contacts? Like Lennier, who’s on B5 already. Or, and here’s a crazy idea, what about Delenn who’s supposed to be Ranger One, for crying out loud. Deploying the Rangers is kind of her job. So why is it suddenly entirely Garibaldi’s responsibility?