It is the dawn of the Third Age of mankind, the middle of the twenty-third CENTURY. Humanity is not alone in the universe.

One hundred years earlier, the human race made first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization, or to be more precise: they made first contact with us. Before the arrival of the Centauri, we were locked in our own solar system and forced to use slow sleeper ships to explore the Universe. The Centauri gave us the stars, offered us their "jump gates" - to use and later they taught us to build our own - portals into hyperspace. In exchange for these and other technology, they asked only for trinkets and newfangled bells and whistles, which they could sell at home.

Over the next eighty years humanity tested its new opportunities and expanded at high speed. When some of the weaker races races were invaded by the Dilgar, the earth came to there aid and thus consolidated its role as a vital, albeit very young, impetuous force in the galaxy.

The wave of euphoria collapsed over mankind when they made first contact with a mysterious race called Minbari encountered. The Earth-Minbari war broke out because of a misunderstanding, when an Earth Allience fleet fired on a minbari fleet after mistaking a welcome gesture for that of hostility. By an unfortunate circumstances, the supreme religious and political leader of the Minbari was killed. What followed was a holy war, vengeance for the murder of their spiritual leader for the Minbari. Earthforce were no match for the technologically of the far superior Minbari, and were easily repulsed back to their home planet.

But then, as their ships closed in on Earth and the last defensive lines had been broken through, the Minbari halted their attack and surrendered without further explanation. And only a small, select group knew why

The Babylon project was initiated under the after-effects of the war. Following the example of the United Nations it should be a meeting place on neutral territory are where composed the powerful and could settle their differences peacefully.

The first three Babylon stations were sabotaged during the construction period. While the fourth was completed, but disappeared at precisely the moment when they should start their service, without a trace. At this point, the Earth government wanted to give up, but some governments of the aliens who recognized the value of a neutral meeting place, offered financial assistance with the construction of a fifth station. Of course, there were strings attached.

Babylon 5 is the story of the last of the Babylon stations, the last hope for a galaxy without war. It begins in 2257 with the opening of the station B5.

Unlike most television series, Babylon 5 was planned from the beginning to have an over arching story line throught the different seasons, something very unique for the time. Although each episode can also watched individually; it is also part of a larger whole story.

The plot of the series is influenced by events of each episode - at the end of the status quo is not restored again neatly. Characters die, be reclassified or. Through their own actions and those around them changed forever.