Babylon 5 — its influence on SC?

[n00bonicPlague]

I recently did some looking back on Babylon 5 (which aired when I was only 8ish). I don't remember much about the show, but I read up on the Vorlon race and noticed quite a few similarities between them and the Xel'Naga and Protoss. There also seems to be some similarities between the "Shadows" and the various dark enemies in SC: the Voice, Ulrezaj, and the Zerg. One big thing is that the Vorlon have used genetic altering to modify "lesser species". Another is that the "Shadows" have organic ships. Mostly, each race shares a big general overall feel with their SC counterparts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorlon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadows_%28Babylon_5%29

Your thoughts?

EDIT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_One
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_(Babylon_5)

Though Lorien's initial appearance seems to indicate that he has retained his corporeal form, there are several instances in which we see that he has evolved into another state. It is thus assumed that Lorien's true appearance form is that of a tentacled energy being, much like the true appearance of a Vorlon, though more evolved and larger in size. This energy form is seen on several occasions: first, during Sheridan's dream state on Z'ha'dum, then when Lorien departs the galaxy with the remaining First Ones at the end of the Shadow War, and finally, when he returns to Coriana 6 at the time of Sheridan's death.

[rcp181]

Vorlons have always been what I thought of when they talked about Xel'naga. I'm sure there are a lot of sci-fi fans and plenty of influence from all over the place. I know Browder is a BSG fan.

[PhanttoM]

**Babylon 5 fanboy mode**

The Vorlons were an ancient and highly psionic race, capable of both something very similar to psionic storm, as well as "project" fake images telepathicly.
They are responsible for all the lesser races suddenly having telepaths.
Which reminds me - The concept of Ghost Academy always made me think of Babylon 5's human "Psi Corp"

I'll keep these discriptions simple;
This video shows what n00bonic's quote was refering to - you can skip to about 1:35 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CpGGNQ0Irs

This russian dub video shows a Vorlon, (in his true unprojected form), "extract" another Vorlon from Captain Sheridan's body. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsm2rg5EVF8
(Lorewise, the yellow Vorlon was killed earlier in the show, and what you see is merely the "last remaining piece" of his essence)

[Islandsnake]

I love B5 to death to this day it remains my fav SI-FI series by far, perhaps it did have some impact I wouldn't be surprised but really I think its a combination of alot of stuff. I think SC takes from the Sci fi genre as a whole.

[Kimera757]

Which reminds me - The concept of Ghost Academy always made me think of Babylon 5's human "Psi Corp"

They even share a psionic rating system!

In B5, the psi rating goes from 1 (minimal psi) to 12 (psicop). Theoretically some aliens and mutants can reach a higher rating. Presumably ordinary humans are P0. (In StarCraft, if you have a PI of 2, it appears you're just a normal human, perhaps more likely to have psychic kids.)

Babylon 5 was awesome.

[Shadow Archon]

Babylon 5 was awesome.

Is it on Youtube? Ive always heard this, but never had the chance to watch it.

[Islandsnake]

Is it on Youtube? Ive always heard this, but never had the chance to watch it.

Hulu has the first 2-3 seasons!

http://www.hulu.com/babylon-5

Season 1 is a bit rough, some of the actors are still feeling the characters our I feel! But its completely worth watching and since the series is like a novel you don't want to miss the first few chapters

[PhanttoM]

They even share a psionic rating system!

In B5, the psi rating goes from 1 (minimal psi) to 12 (psicop). Theoretically some aliens and mutants can reach a higher rating. Presumably ordinary humans are P0. (In StarCraft, if you have a PI of 2, it appears you're just a normal human, perhaps more likely to have psychic kids.)

Babylon 5 was awesome.

I tend to think of the SC PI lower index numbers as measureing how empathic a person is. Like we recently found out Aal in Ghost Academy is "good at reading bodylanguage" despite not being telepathic.
So I guess PI 0 means a person is ultra dense, and can't even tell whether his best buddy is sad or happy.

Babylon 5 was awesome indeed, I just wish the same could have been said about any of the spinoffs. :-/