The name “Alfred Bester” might not immediately ring a bell for some, but his influence runs deep in science fiction. It’s no surprise that when Walter Koenig’s character, the cunning Psi Cop, was introduced in Babylon 5, his name wasn’t just a random choice—it was a tribute, a nod to a literary giant whose work shaped the genre in unexpected ways.
Bester, the celebrated science fiction author, had penned a short story titled The Demolition Man. This story set the stage for an essential concept in the Babylon 5 universe—the telepathic police force. In The Demolition Man, Bester crafted a world where a group of telepathic officers wielded tremendous power, keeping society in check with their extraordinary abilities. The concept of these psychic enforcers would later influence the creation of PsiCorps, an influential and controversial organization in Babylon 5. The PsiCops, like Bester’s telepathic officers, were tasked with maintaining control over telepaths, using their abilities to manipulate and monitor others. The dark, controlling nature of the PsiCorps echoed the themes Bester explored in his writing.
But Bester’s connection to Babylon 5 didn’t stop there. He was an inspiration for the series telepathic organization and a close friend of another well-known figure in the science fiction world—Harlan Ellison. With his reputation for bold ideas and boundary-pushing storytelling, Ellison worked as a conceptual consultant for Babylon 5, bringing his visionary insights to the series. The collaboration between Ellison’s creative mind and the world that Bester had influenced was a perfect storm of intellectual synergy.
Thus, when it came time to name a PsiCorp officer, Bester was almost fated to be chosen. The name was more than just a tribute—it was a recognition of the man’s legacy in shaping Babylon 5 and the genre. The choice encapsulated the intertwining threads of science fiction history, honoring a writer whose influence went beyond just one story or one idea. In Babylon 5, Bester wasn’t just a character; he was a living homage to the literary worlds that came before and the ones that would follow.
