You Gotta Check This Out!
You Gotta Check This Out!Subscribed: 2Played: 58
Subscribe
© 2025
Description
This is “You Gotta Check This Out” With Mike Slater and Dre Alvarez. Each season, we take a deep dive into one of our nerdy obsessions - giving each show, book, band, game, sport, hobby… whatever as much time as we see fit to get each other and you up to speed with something we love.
For our first topic, we’re exploring the epic 90’s Sci-Fi series, Babylon 5. We’ll guide you through all five seasons of the show - featuring key episodes and using them as discussion points across the series. If you're curious about getting into Babylon 5, this is a good place to start.
To follow along with us, you can watch these episodes of Babylon 5, available now for free on Roku Streaming.
https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/79f30173b4a356ac8e25c90c91a3864a
Season One
• Episode 4: "Infection"
• Episode 9: "Deathwalker"
• Episode 13: "Signs & Portents"
• Episode 22: "Chrysalis"
Season Two
• Episode 3: "The Geometry of Shadows"
• Episode 13: "Hunter, Prey"
• Episode 16: "In the Shadow of Za' Ha' Dum"
• Episode 22: "The Fall of Night"
Season Three
• Episode 3 "Dust to Dust"
• Episode 10: "Severed Dreams"
• Episode 16 & 17: "War Without End"
• Episode 19: "Grey 17 is Missing"
• Episode 22: "Za'Ha'Dum"
Season Four
• Episode 1 & 2 "The Hour of the Wolf" & "Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?"
• Episode 5: "The Long Night"
• Episode 6: "Into the Fire"
• Episode 14: "Moments of Transitions"
• Episode 17: "The Face of the Enemy"
• Episode 20 & 21: "Endgame & Rising Star"
Movie: Babylon 5: In the Beginning
Season Five
Episode 17 & 18: "Moments of Fire and Thunder & The Fall of Centauri Prime"
Episode 19: "The Wheel of Fire"
Episode 22: "Sleeping In Light"
New episodes release every other Sunday, with a minisode on the off-weeks. Articles on each episode available at https://mikeslater.com/
Mike & Dre Socials
https://bsky.app/profile/slatron.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/nerdnumbers.com
https://www.instagram.com/slatron11/
https://www.instagram.com/nerdnumbers/
All music written and performed by Mike Slater
Show Website: www.mikeslater.com
For our first topic, we’re exploring the epic 90’s Sci-Fi series, Babylon 5. We’ll guide you through all five seasons of the show - featuring key episodes and using them as discussion points across the series. If you're curious about getting into Babylon 5, this is a good place to start.
To follow along with us, you can watch these episodes of Babylon 5, available now for free on Roku Streaming.
https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/79f30173b4a356ac8e25c90c91a3864a
Season One
• Episode 4: "Infection"
• Episode 9: "Deathwalker"
• Episode 13: "Signs & Portents"
• Episode 22: "Chrysalis"
Season Two
• Episode 3: "The Geometry of Shadows"
• Episode 13: "Hunter, Prey"
• Episode 16: "In the Shadow of Za' Ha' Dum"
• Episode 22: "The Fall of Night"
Season Three
• Episode 3 "Dust to Dust"
• Episode 10: "Severed Dreams"
• Episode 16 & 17: "War Without End"
• Episode 19: "Grey 17 is Missing"
• Episode 22: "Za'Ha'Dum"
Season Four
• Episode 1 & 2 "The Hour of the Wolf" & "Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?"
• Episode 5: "The Long Night"
• Episode 6: "Into the Fire"
• Episode 14: "Moments of Transitions"
• Episode 17: "The Face of the Enemy"
• Episode 20 & 21: "Endgame & Rising Star"
Movie: Babylon 5: In the Beginning
Season Five
Episode 17 & 18: "Moments of Fire and Thunder & The Fall of Centauri Prime"
Episode 19: "The Wheel of Fire"
Episode 22: "Sleeping In Light"
New episodes release every other Sunday, with a minisode on the off-weeks. Articles on each episode available at https://mikeslater.com/
Mike & Dre Socials
https://bsky.app/profile/slatron.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/nerdnumbers.com
https://www.instagram.com/slatron11/
https://www.instagram.com/nerdnumbers/
All music written and performed by Mike Slater
Show Website: www.mikeslater.com
34 Episodes
Reverse
Babylon 5 - Season 4 Episode 14 Moments of Transition with John ReimannIn this episode… …Bester creeps on Lyta, Mimbari ears are so unpleasant, a leader is chosen through a game of intergalactic chicken, everyone else is also a creep toward Lyta, and John plugs the concept of unpluggingListen to John ReimannWrestlemania Podcast with past and future guest Logan TrentScreamplay Podcast with Tom ReimannYou can watch "Moments of Transition" for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Babylon 5: Season 4 Episode 17 "The Face of the Enemy" with Ait Fetterolf. Coming to you Sunday, March 22nd.Read the show notes hereMike On InstagramDre On InstagramMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyAll music by Mike Slater
In this episode… Logan’s early brush with a rude mystery Babylon 5 actor, space chaste banging, x-men is Babylon 5, The Mummy t-shirt is wrong, Lorien of the rings, this show had stupid hair and it still has stupid hair and you know exactly who I’m talking about, Midnight Nation, and the origin of the JMS Walkabout obsession.Listen to Logan Trent WNBYay Podcast with Adam Tod BrownWrestlemania Podcast with future guest John ReinmanYou can watch Babylon 5 for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: “Moments of Transition" with John Reinman. Coming to you Sunday, March 8th.Read the show notes hereMike On InstagramDre On InstagramMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 4 Episode 6: "Into the Fire" with special guest Logan Trent.In this episode… the CGI levels up... Londo lashes out in pain... Grandpa Shroom Daddy Lorien attempts humor... Vir gives Morden's head the goodbye look... and Mr. Freeze's girlfriend stops by.Listen to Logan Trent WNBYay Podcast with Adam Tod BrownWrestlemania Podcast with future guest John ReinmanYou can watch "Into The Fire" for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: “Moments of Transition" with John Reinman. Coming to you Sunday, March 8th.Read the show notes hereMike On InstagramDre On InstagramMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre have a conversation about strategies for life coaching with professional creative consultant, Hana Michels. And some loose sci-fi talk.In This episode… Rubber Ducking... Balatro... hunting Pokemon in Rochester MI... people watching as an assigned experience building exercise... tricking yourself out with instruments and pills... backpacks are the devil... leaving spoons on the ring... learning how to practice as an adult,...connecting with students... JMS discovering the muse... a DS9 perspective on the shared B5 origins... and how spoiler culture affects pop culture discourse.You can watch "The Long Night" for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: “Into the Fire" with Logan Trent. Coming to you Sunday, February 22nd.Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 4 Episode 5: "The Long Night" with special guest Hana Michels.In This episode… tentacle genitals... space comedy is a refined scale... Dre joins in on the quiz... other obvious villainous dictators... there's a time and a place for panic humor... and Hana's previous online life as Elon Musk's Mom.You can watch "The Long Night" for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: “Into the Fire" with Logan Trent. Coming to you Sunday, February 22nd.Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss the history of Mad Bread with special guests Adam and Nate Flint.On this episode… the semi-complete history of Mad Bread, Dre and Nate compare Mike to various muppets, the music score of B5, Nate gives the edge to prosthetics, 1995 anachronisms in B5, Nate clocks Garibaldi’s love of hats, Adam calls out the WB influences, Mike calls out Centauri uniforms, Adam talks Mucca Pazza, unreleased podcasts we started… and “The Lost Practice Question”.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 5 of Babylon 5: “The Long Night” with Hama Michels. Coming to you Sunday, February 8th.Read the show notes hereListen to Mad BreadBandCampSoundcloudYouTubeIf you enjoy our music, please consider purchasing an album from BandCamp.Mike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2: "Hour of the Wolf" and "Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?" with special guests Adam and Nate Flint.In This episode… Mike has a reunion with two members of his band that moved away. The chemistry is palpable between three guys who spent over a decade in the Chicago music scene trenches... and Dre.You can watch "Hour of the Wolf" and "Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?" for free on Roku, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episode 5 of Babylon 5: “The Long Night” with Hama Michels. Coming to you Sunday, February 8th.Read the show notes hereListen to Mad BreadBandCampSoundcloudYouTubeIf you enjoy our music, please consider purchasing an album from BandCamp.Mike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre continue their discussion of Season 3 Episode 22: "Za'Ha'Dum"On this episode… Dre defends Grey 17, a new “Franklin plays dumb” trope is born, Do we believe Anna or not?, Does it matter if Balki asks you to leave the B5 Cantina?, How did Corwin find an Abercrombie dealer on B5?, and is “Juxtapose” the word of the podcast?For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2 of Babylon 5: "Hour of the Wolf" and "Whatevver Happened to Mr. Garibaldi.Read the show notes hereMike's Altered CardsMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 3 Episode 22: "Za'Ha'Dum".In This episode… Dre explains 90s TV releases, Mike explains Sheridan’s emotional turn, Dre explains Lando’s Monkey Paw, Dre explains Garibaldi’s departure, Mike explains season 3 pacing, and we do the recommendations this time.You can watch "Za'Ha'Dum" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2 of Babylon 5: “The Hour of the Wolf” & “Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?” with Adam & Nate Flint from Mad Bread. Coming to you Sunday, January 25th.Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre continue their discussion of Season 3 Episode 18: "Grey 17 is Missing" with special guest David Christopher Bell.In this episode… Gamefully Unemployed Movie Nights, FROGS!, DS9 comparisons, twilight zone in space, prequel similarities, there is no fixing this episode, say no to T.K.O., Dave’s DS9 counter-recommendations, and Mike cuts the shit.David Christopher Bell is the head writer for "Some More News". You can hear him on the “Gamefully Unemployed” podcast network. Search for “Gamefully Unemployed” wherever you get your podcasts or check out their Patreon.Watch "Some More News" on YouTube.You can watch "Grey 17 is Missing" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 22 of Babylon 5: "Za'Ha'Dum".Read the show notes hereMike put up images of his MTG alters up on his website. The hope is that he'll return to altering cards and post some videos this year. Hey future Mike, see if that all worked out, Okay?Mike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 3 Episode 18: "Grey 17 is Missing" with special guest David Christopher Bell.David Christopher Bell is the head writer for "Some More News". You can hear him on the “Gamefully Unemployed” podcast network. Search for “Gamefully Unemployed” wherever you get your podcasts or check out their Patreon.Watch "Some More News" on YouTube.In This episode… The Bonehead Code, Robert Englund is a cult leader, Garibaldi’s badass grandma, Chekov’s gun goes missing, and a home defense puppet almost saves the episode.You can watch "Grey 17 is Missing" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 22 of Babylon 5: "Za'Ha'Dum".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music by Mike Slater
In this episode… JMSs hallways of many doors, Dre’s kayfaybe about Mike misusing the term kayfabe, JMSs later-day commentaries, The Last Starfighter graphics, 80’s Dark Fantasy, Peter McNichol, vivid Za’Ha’Dum premiere night memories, always be cliffhangin’, the Epsilon III distraction target, unraveling time travel, Babylon 1-4, something fishy in Grey Sector, Karl’s Narn scene that may have been copied into the B5 role-playing book, and where to find remastered Babylon 5 clips.For the next full episode, we cover Babylon 5: Season 3 Episode 19 "Grey 17 is Missing" with special guest David Bell. Coming to you on Sunday, December 28th.Read the show notes here. Fair warning, this is released on my 48th birthday and I got a bit lazy on the article.Mike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 3 Episodes 16 & 17: "War Without End" with special guest Karl Wolf.Karl is a singer and Babylon 5 expert from Detroit, Michigan.Karl has a ton of recommendations for you to check out:Live action Sci-fi TV: “The Expanse” - honorable successor to Babylon 5 and Battlestar GalacticaAmerican Animation Sci-fi TV: “Scavengers Reign”French Animation Sci-fi TV: “Once Upon a Time…SPACE”Book: “The Silmarillion” by J.R.R. Tolkien & Christopher TolkienAnime: “Neon Genesis Evangelion”Game: “Outer Wilds”Music, Classical: “Voces8” - Grammy award winning chorus.Some of these recommendations made it onto next week's minisode, so you may have to come back to hear it from Karl.In this episode… flippin’ the premise on ourselves, the five pounds of meal club, Mike’s college B5 nickname, a “Drall Thrall”, Milton-bari, Sinclair returns, how to live unstuck in time while keeping cool, and JMS landing the sweatiest retcon ever.You can watch "War Without End" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 19 of Babylon 5: "Grey 17 is Missing".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
In this minisode… MVB’s podcast art, JMS and the big wad of cash, the creative mountain, the Nerd! podcast origins, into the spider-weeds, the Babylon 5 sitcom intro, alien makeup rankings, data cumming everywhere, and the ISN takeover scene that MVB actually enjoyed.MVBs WebsiteFor the next full episode, we cover Babylon 5: Season 3 Episodes 16 and 17 "War Without End" with special guest Karl Wolf. Coming to you Sunday, December 14th.In this month's show notes, Mike covers the best hair in (almost) every season 3 episode.Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 3 Episode 10: "Severed Dreams" with special guest Michael Vincent Bramley - AKA MVB.In this episode…Dre goes to space on a deep trek through the 9 stars, Mimbari jizz biscuits, breakaway prop mishaps, and the podcast's finest heel turn.MVB's WebsiteUpcoming show in Burbank, CA featuring MVB:David Lynch "In Dreams" Art Show. Burbank, CA January - March 2026You can watch "Severed Dreams" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episodes 16 & 17 of Babylon 5: "War Without End".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
In this minisode… Alice’s adventures breaking into comic art, Revolutionary Girl Utena’s awesome theme, self-expression through chess, more “One More Day“ takes, couples’ spider-man costumes, Kosh the nimble giant, and grading best Babylon 5 hair (its always Marcus).Alice's website: alicemeichi.li/For our next episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 10 of Babylon 5: "Severed Dreams" with Alice's partner, Michael Vincent Bramley.Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre discuss Season 3 Episode 6: "Dust to Dust" with special guest Alice Meichii Li.In this episode…Alice gets punk'd, a new opening, G'Kar goes on a trip, Garibaldi cosplays as a police interrogator... again, Bester's toupe wins best hair, and Vir appropriates the Mimbari.Alice's website: alicemeichi.li/Alice wants you to check out…David Lynch "In Dreams" Art Show. Burbank, CA January - March 2026Alien 40 Years, 40 Artists (Featuring Alice and Future Guest MVB)Upcoming Kickstarter for The Crow Artbook.You can watch "Dust to Dust" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 10 of Babylon 5: "Severed Dreams".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramAll music written and performed by Mike Slater
Mike & Dre talk with Najmah Salam about her many skills.In This Episode… game design, the ukulele, what its like being a villain, what it's like being a secondary villain, and the design of specific ships on Babylon 5.You can watch Babylon 5 for free on Tubi, or check out the DVDs from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: "Dust to Dust".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On Instagram
Mike & Dre discuss Season 2 Episode 22: "The Fall of Night" with special guest Najmah Salam.In this episode…Londo is the Grinch, Kosh is the angel, Sheridan is a balloon, Ivaonava is god, G’Kar is a plant, Toe-pick is a fascist, Lt. Eyebrows is a human bomb, and Kyle McSkeevy skeeves across Babylon 5.Naj wants you to check out…FoundationBattlestar Gallactica (TV Series)Panda Cat Games - Spirits of HeartwoodAsian Horror (in general)Najmah on the webNajme Tender - Naj plays Ukelele https://www.najmahsalam.com/LinkedInYou can watch "The Fall of Night" for free on Tubi, or check out Babylon 5 on DVD from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 3 Episode 6 of Babylon 5: "Dust to Dust".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On Instagram
Mike & Dre talk with special guest Megan about all the stuff that didn't fit into last week's show.In This Episode… Jewish representation on Babylon 5, circumstances when a child can interrupt working parents, and an original song about that by Bad Mead.You can watch Babylon 5 for free on Tubi, or check out the DVDs from your local library.For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 2 Episode 22 of Babylon 5: "The Fall of Night".Read the show notes hereMike On BlueskyDre On BlueskyMike On InstagramDre On InstagramBad Mead is Mike Slater. All music written and performed by Mike Slater.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States