Babble On

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:56:29) Grey Council

Industry secrets, "Deep Space" shade, and the return of Peter David—this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dive into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 14, “There All the Honor Lies.”


In this episode, we explore the "Pink Elephant" writing trick and the hilariously pointed dig at a certain other deep space franchise. The crew debates if Sheridan's "Black Star" tactics constitute a war crime , while Londo faces the ultimate indignity: a lack of "attributes" on his official merchandise. We also share a touching look at the history of the actor behind Zach Allen and why he’s becoming the heart of the station.


🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:55:25) Grey Council

Psychology, 90s noir vibes, and a space station manhunt for a "Space Snowden" - this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus discuss Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 13, "Hunter, Prey". It’s a race against EarthForce to find a fugitive doctor, but between Kosh’s singing ship and a "creepy" lesson in Vorlon philosophy, things get weirdly existential.


Ali and Gus dive into a deep-dive theory on Jungian psychology and the "hedonic treadmill" of desire , Jenny shares a legendary (and unrelated) middle school story , and the crew highlights the "inside baseball" of 90s sci-fi props and production quirks. Also: Kosh lore, the return of the "Trash Jim" presidency, and why everyone on the station seems to be a Jeffling.






🔗 Watch the reaction here. 
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:49:57) Grey Council

Delenn gets kicked out of the Grey Council, Londo spirals deeper into war criminal territory, and Ivanova engages in the most uncomfortable diplomatic mission in Babylon 5 history - this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus discuss one of the most tonally whiplash episodes of the series.

The crew dissects the episode's jarring duality: 90% is devastatingly poignant (Delenn reclaiming her authority through violence, the ethics of using civilians as shields, Londo's tragic refusal to make better choices), while 10% is... that  scene. JMS's writing choices get scrutinized, Claudia Christian's commitment to the bit gets praised, and the cast debates whether you can separate a character's likability from their war crimes.

🔗 Watch the reaction here.
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(01:03:22) Grey Council

Prophetic dreams, biblical symbolism, and Warren Kefrer's continued absence – this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dive into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 11, "All Alone in the Night."

The crew breaks down Sheridan's bizarre grey alien abduction, Delenn getting kicked off the Grey Council, and the conspiracy reveal that changes everything. Ali goes full research mode on raven and dove symbolism, Jungian shadow selves, and biblical references to Elijah and the Hand of God. We decode "the man in between," discuss Ivanova's telepath moment, and celebrate the formation of the resistance against President Clark – all while questioning why this episode's structure feels so weird despite its incredible foreshadowing.

🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:40:25) Grey Council

War comes to Babylon 5 this week as Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dive into Season 2, Episode 10, “Gropos.” What starts as a familiar ground-pounder story quickly turns into one of the show’s most devastating episodes.

The crew breaks down how Gropos uses classic war tropes to lull the audience into a false sense of security, why the guest characters work so well so fast, and how JMS makes the cost of war feel painfully real. With three industry pros at the table, we dig into performance choices, structure, and why this episode hits harder than anyone expects.

🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:54:00) Grey Council

The Emperor is dying, the Shadows are moving, and Londo is making choices he can't take back – this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dive into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 9, “The Coming of Shadows.”

The crew breaks down the episode that beat Apollo 13 and Toy Story for a Hugo Award. We discuss the arrival of the "Jefflings" (Rangers) , the tragic timing of the Narn-Centauri conflict , and why this is widely considered the true beginning of the series. With three industry pros at the table, we analyze the "Dream Team" production of JMS and Janet Greek , Londo's heartbreaking dream sequence , and even fit in a legendary defense of fantasy from Terry Pratchett.


🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:52:50) Grey Council

Psi Corps is here, consent is optional, and suddenly everyone is VERY uncomfortable - this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dive into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 8, “A Race Through Dark Places.”

The crew breaks down Bester’s deeply unsettling debut, the moral horror of telepath control, and why this episode quietly reframes everything we thought we knew about EarthGov. With three industry pros at the table, we analyze how JMS uses sci-fi to interrogate power, fascism, and complicity, while Gus and Ali experience the full psychic damage of this storyline for the first time.

🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:46:35) Grey Council

Three wives, a creepy ex-husband, and perhaps the biggest foot-in-mouth moment in our podcast's history - this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dig into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 7, “Soul Mates.”

In this episode, the crew spirals after accidentally roasting writer Peter David before realizing his legendary status (and recent passing). We unpack the "Real Housewives of Centauri Prime" energy , why referring to people as "breeding stock" is an immediate Psi Corps red flag , and the wholesome delight of the Ivanova/Delenn hair salon scene. Jenn and Ali also analyze the difference between "omnipresent" showrunning and true collaboration. 


🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:45:53) Grey Council

Psi Corps, brainwashing, and a conspiracy that absolutely does not feel resolved - this week on Babble On, Jenny, Jenn, Ali, and Gus dig into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 6, “A Spider in the Web.” What starts as a slow-burn spy thriller quietly lays down some deeply unsettling foundations for the rest of the season.

The crew unpacks Bureau 13, personality conditioning, and why this episode feels like it’s setting pins instead of knocking them down. Jenn talks TV structure and why 90s commercial-era storytelling hits differently, Gus spirals into mole-hunting paranoia, and everyone agrees that Talia White’s arc just took a dark turn. Also discussed: rising Season 2 production value, JMS gaining creative freedom, and the Ivanova-Talia subtext that the camera absolutely lingers on. No spoilers beyond this episode.

🔗 Watch the reaction to this episode here.
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod

(00:00:00) Zocalo

(00:43:28) Grey Council

This week on Babble On, Jenny, Gus, and Ali dig into Babylon 5 Season 2, Episode 5, “The Long Dark.” It’s the episode where space gets genuinely creepy, Dwight Schultz delivers an all-timer performance, and Dr. Franklin makes choices that immediately land him on everyone’s watchlist. The trio talks horror vibes, Shadow-adjacent lore, why this episode is weirdly load-bearing for the series, and how one excellent monologue is competing with some deeply uncomfortable 90s television decisions.

Jenn joins Jenny later for the full-spoiler Grey Council discussion. Also: yes, Dr. Franklin is still canceled, and no, there is still no HR in space.

🔗 Watch the reaction here
✨ Support us on Patreon for early access and full-length reactions:
👉 http://www.patreon.com/babbleonpod