Babylon 5

Author: J. Michael Straczynski

If you liked the political intrigue of Star Trek, but didn't think there was enough of it, then you need to watch Babylon 5. Possibly the most heavily political science fiction television show ever, it has been compared to the Israeli-Palestinian scenario, as well as the Cold War, only full of more intrigue and guile! The story centers around a unified Earth which is recovering from a great war with the Minbari, which ends suddenly with the more powerful Minbari army surrendering within moments of completely crushing the Earth's defenses. The first season, and the entire show really, is all about why that happened, what it meant, and how it would lead to a new and dangerous future. Perhaps it is Jerry Doyle's portrayal of Michael Garibaldi that really turns everything into high gear. He peppers truth in with propaganda, has a darkness that is tempered with wisdom, and he's just so dang good at what he does. It's an impressive role, and while he's not the star of the show, he's the one we walk with the most closely. Why it's on the list: One of the first television series to use top-notch CGI, and one of the most interesting of the 1990s.