Top 10 Babylon 5 episodes

Probably. I kept a short list of contenders for a couple of seasons before escalating quality and serialisation made that seem a pointless task, but in the sentimental afterglow of the finale, collating hazy reminisces felt like the least I could do. The best part of most episodes is still the opening narration.

The Last, Best Hope for Key:

Shadow War

Earth Civil War

Flashforward

Psi Corps

10. The Deconstruction of Falling Stars (4x22)

There are probably plenty of decent one-offs and forgotten arc instalments that are more worthy of inclusion than this slightly bizarre premature postscript, but I couldn't help but admire its experimental impudence. It was also satisfying to see Garibaldi redeem himself in a very roundabout way after a year of being shat on even more than usual.

9. Chrysalis (1x22)

In that great SF TV tradition, B5 suddenly cashed in on its potential towards the end of its first year. The emphasis is still on the individual actions that set events inexorably in motion, so it doesn't overreach and fall short like some of the clumsy finales that would follow.

8. Divided Loyalties (2x19)

The Psi Corps stories made for some of the better standalones early on. Necessitated by a cast departure, this was the abrupt culmination of that before telepaths got absorbed into the bigger picture. It also gets points for sneaking a classy same sex coupling onto puritanical '90s US network TV. Good old sci-fi.

7. Interludes and Examinations (3x15)

This one almost got lost in the serialised fog, but Sheridan laying into Kosh and its conventionally dire consequences were some of the series' stand-out moments. A fulcrum that tips the teasingly percolating Shadow War into something more intense but less satisfying for the remainder.

6. The Long, Twilight Struggle (2x20)

The drama of the Shadow War didn't lie in CGI explosions and 4D psychobabble, it was in the facial expressions of Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas. I was determined never to be swayed into forgiving or pitying Londo after this. I lasted almost a season.

5. Between the Darkness and the Light / Endgame (4x19-20)

The Shadow War ended in a metaphysical washout, but the more figuratively and literally down to Earth conflict was always more compelling and a more satisfying victory as the series seeks to reclaim its tagline before the end. I knew at least one character wouldn't make it to the revival season, so I got to enjoy the rare trauma of not knowing how things would turn out.

4. Babylon Squared (1x20)

The first stunning episode, arrogantly teasing us with mysteries we can't possibly understand yet isn't anything novel in itself, but the sense of confidence that answers will come when we're patient and ready made this a firm favourite even before I got there.

3. Sleeping in Light (5x22)

A satisfying finale is no small achievement in itself, and being prerecorded and entirely separate from the flabby final year means you're not obligated to sit through any of that to get there on mandatory rewatches. See you in 20 years.

2. Severed Dreams (3x10)

Are we the baddies? A rousing call to stand your ground for what's right, there were probably lots of other reasons why the series' centrepiece instantly became my all-time favourite episode for all of a couple of days.

1. War Without End, Parts One and Two (3x16-17)

All this time I was waiting for closure on season one's time travel story, little knowing this would also close off one of the series' longest-running arcs and spoil us with further premonitions and revelations, not least some major character deaths. If you've got your five-year space epic all plotted out in advance like a swot, time travel is the perfect excuse to show off. I'm surprised he was so sparing with it.