The week-long national syndication window opens for the 88th episode of J. Michael Straczynski’s science fiction series Babylon 5. This is actually the first episode produced for the fifth season, swapped out for the episode already filmed and intended to be the series finale, and features the message “Faith manages” at the end, signaling the end of Warner Bros.’ failed PTEN network venture and the end of the series’ syndicated run. The fifth season will be carried by cable network TNT in 1998. 
In the distant future, an observer has a very limited amount of time to gather all available records of the beginnings and the founders of the Interstellar Alliance, and the records reveal more than a few surprises.
written by J. Michael Straczynski
directed by Stephen Furst
music by Christopher FrankeCast: Bruce Boxleitner (John Sheridan), Jerry Doyle (Garibaldi), Mira Furlan (Delenn), Richard Biggs (Franklin), Andreas Katsulas (G’Kar), Peter Jurasik (Londo), Doug Hale (Derek Mitchell), Ken Taylor (Jim Bitterbane), Rob Elk (Henry Ellis), Bennet Guillory (Leif Tanner), Kathleen Lloyd (Elizabeth Metarie), Alastair Duncan (Latimere), Nick Toth (Exeter), Joanna Takahashi (Dr. Tashaki), Eric Pierpoint (Daniel), Roy Brocksmith (Brother Alwyn Macomber), Neil Roberts (Brother Michael)
Notes: Rushed into production as the first episode shot under a new contract with cable channel TNT, Deconstruction was designed to segue into the fifth and final season which would be airing on cable, though it was aired as the final episode of Babylon 5’s syndicated run under Warner Bros.’ collapsing PTEN network. If TNT hadn’t rescued the show, the already-produced Sleeping In Light would have aired here instead, wrapping up the series; as it was, that episode remained in the can until the end of Babylon 5’s TNT run. Only part of the regular cast appears in this episode, which was shot after the departure of Claudia Christian over contractual disagreements with the producers.
LogBook entry by Earl Green