You Gotta Check This Out!
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 Tubi. 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" 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
Episodes
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...
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 ...
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 Galactica
- American Animation Sci-fi TV: “Scavengers Reign”
- French Animation Sci-fi TV: “Once Upon a Time…SPACE”
- B...
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.
For 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, ...
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.
Upcoming show in Burbank, CA featuring MVB:
David Lynch "In Dreams" Art Show. Burbank, CA January - March 2026
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 Vin...
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 2026
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".
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…
Battlestar Gallactica (TV Series)
Panda Cat Games - Spirits of Heartwood
Asian H...
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 Babyl...
Mike & Dre discuss Season 2 Episode 17: "In the Shadow of Za'Ha'Dum".
In This Episode… Vir gives the thumb to Morden's question, Morden's smug grin works against him, Sheridan is revealed as the ultimate Wife Guy, and Mike is frightened by a ghost.
You can watch "In the Shadow of 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 2...
Mike & Dre talk with special guest Taylor Anthony about all the stuff that didn't fit into last week's show.
In This Episode… Mr Freeze, future mayo, Sheridan's Dad energy, more smuggler talk, captain swap dictated plot resets, But I'm A Cheerleader, Kosh the drifter hobo, cosplay in space, and a funny puffy coat.
Taylor is promoting at thetrevorproject.org. The Trevor Project is an organization dedicated to provid...
Mike & Dre discuss Season 2 Episode 13: "Hunter, Prey" with special guest Taylor Anthony.
In This Episode… Moll Memories, continuing the muppet connection, Michael and the Gari-deli-s, the dumbest secret message of all-time, undercover cosplay, Mike learns all about hats, And the Inaugural Talia Winters Memory Maze Quiz
Taylor is promoting at thetrevorproject.org. The Trevor Project is an organization dedicated to ...
In this episode... Jaina talks about her time running a Buffy fan site. Mike then explains the Shatner-Picard index and how it pertains to Captain Sheridan.
Jaina Mistry is an email marketing expert. You can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram
You can hear more Jaina on her podcast "No Stupid Questions, Just Marketing Ones"
For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 2 Episode 13 of...
Mike & Dre crack open a new season of Babylon 5. This week, they discuss Season 2 Episode 3: "The Geometry of Shadows" with special guest Jaina Mistry.
In This Episode… A new intro, Mike’s plot to ditch Dre fails, techno Space Gandolf, don’t pay attention to the box, green vs purple, Garibaldi’s pizza buddy, 90’s space mages, tony wonder, an abandoned hot tub factory, and an evil AI Mike is unleashed.
Evynne & Mike have a music and comic discussion that was cut from the main episode. Dre then explains .J Michael Straczynski's "Plot Trap Doors" approach to writing.
In this episode...
Serialized storytelling in comics and TV, practice routines or lack thereof, Whiplash as a sports movie for jazz, collaborative vs solo mediums, 90’s CGI takes, the captain is gone… woah, Michaal O’Hare was the most hardcore method actor,...
Mike & Dre discuss Season 1 Episode 22 of Babylon 5: "Chrysalis with special guest Evynne Stitely.
In This Episode… Stifler gets shot, JMS unmasked, the truth behind magnetiles, serialized TV through the years, a deal with the devil, and an evolution of the B5 sucka punch.
Evynne creates video essays on YouTube. Check out her EvynneXEvynne YouTube channel.
You can watch "Chrysalis" for free on Tubi, or check out Baby...
Mike & Dre describe the alien races of Babylon 5 to special guest Carin Slater.
In This Episode… Holes…in his mind!, …some look like birds and some look like people and some look like lizards and some look like turtles and some look like squids and some look like fish…
Check out “NERD!” with Dre & Jeff and other Jeff May Podcasts
For our next full episode, we will be covering Season 1 Episode 22 of Babylon 5: "Ch...
Mike & Dre discuss Season 1 Episode 13 of Babylon 5: "Signs & Portents" with special guest Carin Slater.
In This Episode… Babsterpiece Theatre with Mike & Carin, lack of command redundancy in sci-fi, elevator hijinx, Roald Dahl's space witches, gyroscope bling, a shadow sucka. punch, and the question of the hour… “What do you Want?”.
Check out Carin Slater's interview from Email Peeps
You can watch "Signs...
Mike & Dre discuss J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), the creator of Babylon 5 and the inspirations behind the series.
In This Episode… spinning off the spinoffs, needing recap podcast to watch shows, 90’s DVD menu oddities, smugglers in small locations, PTEN fight for the fifth network, ST:DSN roots, boys watching She-Ra, Captain Power toys and all things JMS.
Check out “NERD!” with Dre & Jeff May and other Jeff May Po...
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