Reposting this pinned comment from the first reaction video to this series as it seems to be getting overlooked: The watch order which was used for this series is the one which favours maintaining the continuity of storyline. It can be found on the Lurker's Guide. Please do no post alternate watch orders the series is already complete.

This was the first show broadcast; per JMS, TNT (network behind "Crusade" insisted that there be a pilot to their liking)

This episode was made because TNT didn’t think A Call to Arms/Racing the Night was enough to get viewers up to speed on what was happening. I didn’t mind getting a little more character backgrounds. I expect we would have learned some of it in other contexts had the series been allowed to continue.

On the DVDs this is the first episode of the series. I guess it works as one of the last episodes, but it sets up how everyone on the crew met each other really well.

I've noticed that there are strong Arthurian legend motifs in Crusade, the ship is called Excalibur and Galen has a very Merlin-esque role in the good guy team.

There's no better way to start the week than getting to see your enthusiasm for this (sadly overlooked) part of the B5 Universe! 🎉

Whatever watch order JMS favours, I still prefer to start Crusade with this episode.

kkOh, yes. How they all got together. There are several viewing orders, and they all work, more or less. Galen. Very interesting character. You may lean more about the technomages in the book trilogy. I read it, and I like it. Yes, Crusade... So much potential canceled before it was ever filmed.

I never knew this show existed. Definitely want to watch it, after seeing your reactions.

@steveaustin2686

7 ай бұрын

This show was going to explore areas that the Technomage Trilogy by Jeanne Cavelos a few years later explored.

TNT thought the original proposed opening episode was not strong enough so a new opening episode was requested after a number of other episodes had been filmed hence the uniform changes and first meeting of characters twice

This was the first episode I saw when Crusade aired. It's interesting to see it towards the end of the run. Too bad there's only one episode left. I hope you'll look up what Crusade could have been, or will want comments on it. Enjoyed this!

it was the second attempt at a pilot episode, and frankly i didn't find it convincing when i first watched it.

@steveaustin2686

7 ай бұрын

Yes. JMS was planning on the 2 hour TV movie "A Call to Arms", being the explain everything episode and "Racing the Night" where they found the planet that had been hit with the plague and cryo-froze everyone was planned to be the first ep of the first season. That was the episode where the cryo-frozen aliens would wake up one person to dissect alien vistors to try and find the cure. I believe it is the first Crusade ep you watched. After filming 5 episodes, TNT wanted changes and sent a memo about it. JMS worked in some of the changes, the uniform changes being one, and made this episode as an explainer episode that TNT wanted. JMS felt this ep wasn't needed, but he did his best on it. This was the first Crusade episode aired on TV. Other changes that TNT wanted, JMS rejected. The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 "Crusade" page has more details, including JMS commentary on the social media of the time in 1999.

It's a bit puzzling that this episode didn't remain the first episode in this alternative viewing order... Oh well, it's still really good stuff.

@Nergalsama01

7 ай бұрын

Isn't the 'alternate viewing order' the original broadcast order?

@Nergalsama01

7 ай бұрын

@@jaibuilds7566 Ah, alright then. Still seems confusing, but it's probably because I really don't know Crusade very well. It's been ages since I watched these episodes.

@simongiles9749

7 ай бұрын

The network forced this episode onto JMS, so he's not particularly fond of it.

What is an ashame is that as this show was just hitting it stride. It was canceled. Reality TV had become more popular.

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