Babylon 5 (TV Series) Severed Dreams (1996) User Reviews

This, and the previous episode, make for a powerful combination

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 11 January 2007]

In so many ways, this is a terrific episode and a wonderful follow-up to the last one. In the previous episode, despite Night Watch being ordered to take control of B-5, Sheridan defied this and arrested the members of this paramilitary organization. Now, in response, Earth Gov has sent an armada to both take control of the station AND arrest Sheridan! This isn't at all unexpected, but means the death of the idea of Babylon 5 as a place for peace. However, Sheridan refuses to allow himself or the station to be taken! Talk about a major conflict!! For those who love the series, this episode and ones like it are the reason that you have patiently watched for so long--the plot threads running through so many episodes are finally coming together and it's exciting to see how this so brilliantly unfolds. A not to be missed episode.

Breathtaking

[ffiisshh · 10/10 · 6 February 2019]

I haven't seen this in over 20 year, and it still thrills! Hats off to one of the most intense episodes of TV scfi ever. On the edge of my seat the whole time. a great script and superbly acted by the whole crew, this is what it's all about. I wish JMS would come back and thrill us again!

Best episode of a fantastic series

[LarGallo · 10/10 · 7 January 2007]

It has been several years since B5 was shown on Sci-Fi and I miss it a lot. Not only was it the best Sci-Fi series ever produced, but this episode, "Severed Dreams" was the absolute best episode of the series 5 year run. At this point, you knew that a major conflict with Earth's President was on the way, but it was not exactly clear how it was to be resolved. Severed Dreams kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. From the assault by Earth forces, to the very end, you never quite knew what was coming next. The underrated cast was excellent, the writing was fantastic....it was just like no other series out there and if you are a Science Fiction fan at all, and missed it.....find it somewhere and watch from beginning to end (the sequence was VERY important, especially in the 3rd and 4th seasons. Hey Sci-Fi....bring back B5!!!

An absolute can't miss three-episode arc

[Mischief810 · 12 September 2014]

This three episode arc is your reward for enduring the filler episodes that make up most of the first half of Season 3.

B5 is now hitting on (almost) all the right cylinders. A civil war is upon Babylon 5; Sheridan and his crew must choose sides. Bold, dangerous, risky decisions are made. Heroic actions are undertaken.

There aren't many significant subplots here and the ones that are explored are done so without derailing the main story line.

The arc moves swiftly and, if possible, it's best to watch all three one after the other.

The conclusion of Severed Dreams will have you on the edge of your seat. It is breathtakingly well done. Don't miss these three episodes.

Severed Dreams is a great hit of an B5 episode!

[jeffsswearingen · 8/10 · 12 October 2019]

Severed dreams was on of greatest B5 episodes ever made. About halfway into it's 5 year run it's a real treat for the audience. There was great acting, great story telling and great action especially through great special effects. The episode tells about President Clark and his power spinning out of control within the Earth Alliance. The EA is crushed under civil war and a few human colonies like Proximi 3 and the planet Mars because of an martial law ordered by Clark and these few colonies decide to break away from the EA and Clark orders innocent civilians targeted for bombing by those planets that have broken away. ISN learns about this and is cut off from the air as Clark has troops attack the news network. Upon learning about the bombing of innocent people the B5 crew decides to either fight or surrender to Clark's superior attacking forces that are due to arrive in a few hours. It's a cool scene where the 4 in the command staff each say fight after weighing their options of either surrendering and being court martialed or fighting especially since they promised Deleen that they need to still save the galaxy from the Shadows. Meanwhile Deleen approaches her leaders in the Grey council and breaks the council apart and helps convince some to follow her. Sheridan uses an hologram system to let the people within B5 about the arrival of Clark's ships and tells a shocked audience that they are breaking away from the Earth Alliance until Clark is removed from his EA office of power. Clark's forces arrive at the station and attack it. B5 barely survives the assault from Clark's forces when a second round of Clark's forces suddenly appears leaving the audience in shock as how to station can take any more damage when Lt. Corbin tells Sheridan that 4 more ships have arrived and the audience sees that they are the White Star and 3 Minibar cruisers. Clark's forces challenge Deleen and she simple tells them that only one captain has survived an assault with Minibari forces meaning Captain Sheridan and his bombing of the Black star during the Earth Minbari war and if Clark's forces value their lives they had better leave while they still can. Wisely they head back into Hyperspace with which Sheridan recalls all fighters back to base. A fact that you may not know is that this episode won a Sci-fi award called a Hugo award and in fact was the second award given to Babylon 5. The first award was for the midway in the second season episode named "The Coming of shadows"

One of the best episodes of TV that you will ever see

[jrzodda · 10/10 · 6 November 2020]

B5 was already very good but it was Season 3 that raised the bar and this episode that sent the show into the stratosphere.

Well written, well acted, pacing excellent. Effects superb (for the mid 90s TV)

Can you imagine what this episode would look like if the effects got a re-make with modern CGI? I shudder at the thought.

At the end when the people of the station started to applaud Sheridan you will want to stand up and clap right along with them. Its that good!

Fantastic

[VenVes · 26 August 2018]

Gaining momentum once again. Let's hope it lasts for a few more episodes. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Loved it

[wilvis-93963 · 20 September 2017]

This was epic and as the title said a start of a new era for Babylon 5.Only thought the answer to the majors suggestion to take Hiroshi's living crew members as part of Babylon 5's crew was again too overdramatic.He is not honored he needs the bloody people to keep up defenses.And he did not know Hiroshi no why should he so a simple yes to that question by the major could have been a simple yes i will.Less Shakespeare more 23rd century