hmm, B5 + SG? Guess it depends on how the 'powers that be' control it. Many shows have attempted to have a major story-arc and are forced into making episodes with completely independent stories. B5 is a great example of having a story-arc that spans 4 seasons and is well paced. Voyager, on the other hand, had the looming "one day we'll get home", but beyond that, each episode was more or less independent.
I'm cool with it either way as long as the writing and acting is good.