Babylon 5 (TV Series) Points of Departure (1994) User Reviews

A radical move in the series and not a lot is accomplished, per se, but it's worth seeing

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 5 January 2007]

When I first watched this episode, I remember feeling very depressed. And, when I saw it again recently on DVD, I also felt pretty lousy because I liked the original commander of B-5, Commander Sinclair. At the time they brought Bruce Boxleitner in as the new leader, this was reportedly being done because the show's producers were looking to increase ratings--Boxleitner was a pretty famous TV personality and so Michael O'Hare("Sinclair") was replaced. Unfortunately, in this first episode for Boxleitner, there really is no transition. In the last episode of season 1, there was no indication that Sinclair was gone and episode 1 of season 2 picks up with Boxleitner as the man in charge of the station! Instead of showing a transition, they say that "Sinclair was called back to Earth and is being replaced by Sheridan"! Not exactly a smooth change, huh?! Fortunately, despite this, the Michael Staczynski did a very good job of patching this together and eventually re-working Sinclair into the overall themes of the show (as you'll find out in season 3). So, despite being initially bummed by the decision, Boxleitner DID do a good job, he was a little less "wooden" and emotionally constrained than O'Hare and the show didn't suffer for the change in the long run. However, because of this big change, most of this episode is spent tying all the loose ends together so this is purely a transitional episode. About the only major addition to the plot at this point was having Sheridan being a man so hated by the Warrior Class of the Minbari--this worked out very well and provided for some excellent episodes related to his back story as the only person responsible for destroying a Minbari Cruiser in action.

Babylon 5--Points of Departure

[Scarecrow-88 · 8/10 · 22 April 2013]

Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) is commanding the Agamemnon when his superiors request he take command of Babylon 5 station. Commander Sinclair is now Ambassador on the Minbari Homeworld, Ambassador Delenn is still in her cocoon, Security Chief Garibaldi is still in a coma, a warrior caste who would not surrender at the Battle of the Line re-emerge just as Sheridan takes command, and a potential war with Minbari could be on the horizon as the Trigati cruiser seems on the verge of attacking Babylon 5 station. So the second season opens and a ton of developments under way. The whole mystery about why the Minbari surrendered at the Battle of Line is communicated to Sheridan and Ivanova by Lennier while Delenn remains cocooned. It is how Minbari and humans are more "closely related" than realized, in regards to "soul displacement". How Sinclair was the "chosen one" mainly because Delenn "made a pick" while within the Grey Council as the remaining human ships were about to be decimated due to "advanced stealth technology" (as Sheridan explains). Okay, so Sheridan has a rather unfavorable history with the Minbari due to how he commanded one of the only victories against them during the war. He's called Starkiller by the Minbari actually. So relations will be uneasy on Babylon station when the Minbari arrive. The leader of the Trigati boards with the intent of re-igniting war between Earth-Force and Minbari by becoming a martyr (as well as, his ship's crew, all forsaken for not surrendering, unable to return to their homeworld due to their stance). Sinclair sees through this and salvages what could have been a far worse mess, sending off a distress signal through the jump gate, with help arriving in a Minbari cruiser intercepting in the nick of time. So, a lively bit of action to start off the second season. Ivanova was under Sheridan's command in the past so he's welcome warmly by her, and it seems he will win over the confidence and support of the Babylon station crew. However, Minbari may not welcome him so fondly.

This is a great episode.

[batmanforever-93249 · 10/10 · 31 March 2020]

This episode is a great one and it is very important because a new captain ,John Sheridan arrives on the station ,replacing Sinclair ,but the story moves forward very nicely .

Great Start, Although Some Will Be Missed. (Minimal Spoilers - Revealed at start of episode.)

[VenVes · 24 July 2018]

As shocked as I was to find Commander Sinclair gone from the series, and as saddened as I was to learn about what caused his leave and later death in 2012, I appreciate that the series continued on. It won't be quite the same without Michael O'Hare in the Command seat, but the new captain is a welcome entry to the series. Great start to what will hopefully amount to continuing excellence from this show.

A great re-start!

[LarGallo · 10/10 · 19 October 2023]

When this episode first aired, my wife and I weren't exactly happy about all of the changes. A new captain? What was that about? Delenn still in a chrysalis? Garibaldi still in critical condition? True, it did give us a LOT of information we didn't know but had craved for a lot of season 1. We learn why the Mimbari surrendered at the Battle of the Line and we get some keen insights into Mimbari military and religious culture. It still leaves a lot of questions. Why did Sinclair have to leave? What is Delenn doing and how are the Vorlons involved? If you have never watched this series before, take it in stride...but at the end of season 4, go back and rewatch it and you will find you appreciate it much more than the first time. It was actually a great restart as the program dives headlong into the incredible journey that the next 3 seasons will take you on. It is a testament to Michael Straczynski's storytelling ability that this didn't kill the series, but in my opinion, launched it!