The Shadow War
The clash of two ancient ideologies, fought through the younger races.
The Shadow War is the conflict between the Vorlons and the Shadows, two unimaginably powerful older races, presented as a battle of competing ideologies in which each tries to turn humanity and the other younger races to its beliefs. Sinclair travels a thousand years into the past to help the Minbari in the previous Shadow War, becoming the legendary Minbari religious leader Valen.
Lore & Background
By season three the opening narration says the hope for peace has failed and the station has become the "last, best hope for victory". Despite Kosh's warnings Sheridan confronts the Shadows on their homeworld Z'ha'dum and is rescued by Lorien. Ending the war before the series' conclusion let the show explore its aftermath, the "war at home" that fills most of the last two seasons.
More in Seasons & Major Arcs
Elsewhere in Babylon 5
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