The History of the Shadows (Babylon 5)

The Shadows is the name given to an ancient race who were among the oldest of the First Ones. The name "Shadows" was given to them by the younger races as their actual name is unknown, though it is said to be over ten thousand letters long and unpronounceable by any of the younger races.

[scootertart]

The shadows are probably my favourite SCI-FI villains- I still find the way the shadow ships scream when they appear absolutely terrifying

[anthonykeane]

I always enjoyed the shadow/ vorlon difference of opinion on how to guide the younger races . And how they both thought they were doing good when all the while they were both manipulative controlling assholes . B5 was a very underrated show with some great writing . Modern scifi could learn a lot of lessons from it

[RusakovLA]

Both Vorlons and Shadows had philosophy that made sense. The way they both failed was that after a while they didn't really care about younger races and just used them as pawns.
Shadows appear more villainous just because they did their manipulations during time of the show, while the Vorlons did the same for millennia.

[digggerrjones]

Just had to give you that "600" and say thanks for the stills of the Shadows with Morden. This show was so underrated and why nobody has decided to reboot it with current technology is beyond my understanding!

[carolbriscoe]

Kinda disappointed you stopped before the Shadows left the solar system. But a very comprehensive history. Thanks

[justjoshingya]

You forgot that they also had Sheridan's wife she also refused and they put her in a ship

[madebymonkeys]

I love the fact that the shadows are not evil, they just have a different philosophy for what's best for the galaxy.

[madmachanicest]

I love the shadows and vorlon conflict. the idea of a conflict were inter stellar empires
Are just expendable puns and on a scale of time so great that even the recent event's are on mythic. Such a great plot line i love it.

[lewis]

I know why the shadows have those long tenticles!!! They are a range finding device for their supurb gunnery!!! You remember battleships use a simulat ranging tech for their big guns with "Theodites" in the 20 century !!! These theodites measured the angle between optical mirrors at both ends of a long pole, getting the range to the enemy battleship!! The shadows do something simular!
The other fact is that Earth Force could have used the same ancient tech to accurately target Mimbari warships during that previous war because Earth ships radar was jammed by the Mimbari...

[wmyers]

Absolutly love the content. Thanks for the videos

[ethenallen]

You forgot to mention that the Shadows were involved in the assignation of the Earth Alliance President San Diogo and the instillation of President Clark.
Is there a reason you didn't continue to the time when the Shadows and Vorlons agreed it was time for them, and all of the remaining First Ones, to follow the First Ones who had already left the Galaxy?

[JamesSavik]

The Shadows were the real heroes of B5. They didn't play games with the younger races like showing up looking like angels, turning them into telepaths or twisting them with decadent introspective philosophy like the filthy Vorlons with their disgusting fetish for religious fanatics.
The Shadows asked what do you want but, they didn't protect them from the consequences of their lusts for power.
Evolution is driven by conflict. Growth through pain. The Shadows were intellectually honest enough to realize it and courageous enough to embrace it.

[NJTDover]

Species 8472 and the Shadows are the coolest and meanest badasses in SCI-FI world.

[Agnosticpacifist]

Every time I see Morden’s face… I feel like giving a wave 👋 lol

[Lord.Smith.the.first.]

I remember hearing that sound the shadow ship made on mars and it fucking terrified me as a kid, still get chills at 26 😂

[vveet]

It's strange to hear this in chronological order, having found out these bits and pieces in a more scattered way

Also I think the Shadow destroyer is the best designed ship ever!

[JasonJrake]

For me, the “I’m with them” speech explaining who the Shadows are has never been topped in sci-fi, even by anything I heard Morpheus say the first time I saw The Matrix.

[vamperic]

I wonder if Morden actually willingly served or did he refuse like the rest and was just put into a shadow vessel and changed like Sheridans wife and Justin

[silvertemplar]

Z’ha’dum looks a lot like Korriban when you think about it, and they remind me a lot of the Sith philosophy of the strong prevailing over the week. I wonder if the Shadows where inspired by them. Or maybe it’s to show the desolation such an ideology can bring to a people.

[MAZE]

This is an excellent series, the VFX have aged somewhat, but the acting is always great from all of the main characters, dipicted on screen in the opening titles.