From elastic!exorcist!lethe!geac!news1.fonorola.net!newsjunkie.ans.net!howland.reston.ans.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!ncar!noao!math.arizona.edu!news.Arizona.EDU!bottke Sat Sep 16 09:00:40 1995 Xref: elastic rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:2051 Path: elastic!exorcist!lethe!geac!news1.fonorola.net!newsjunkie.ans.net!howland.reston.ans.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!ncar!noao!math.arizona.edu!news.Arizona.EDU!bottke From: bottke@organpipe.uug.arizona.edu (Bill Bottke ) Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: JMS compiled messages [9/14/95] (1/1) Date: 14 Sep 1995 16:34:14 GMT Organization: The University of Arizona Lines: 709 Message-ID: <439li6$st4@news.ccit.arizona.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: crow.lpl.arizona.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8] ================================================================= Comments, questions, or additional information should be sent to: Bill Bottke (E-mail: bottke@lpl.arizona.edu) JMS Archives found at: http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html ================================================================= =============== USENET POSTINGS =============== Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:34:27 -0400 Subject: jms - Advertising budget for 3 There is an advertising budget for year three, but I don't yet know what that is in toto. jms Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:34:29 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Season 3 I am thus far *very* happy with season three; we've got three shows in the can (edited, not yet scored or mixed), and shooting number four as I type this. I think we're already a notch above our general episodes from year two, and "Convictions" is extremely intense, with a very different look and feel from anything we've done before. Has kind of an NYPD Blue feel to it. Next week we start filming "Passing Through Gethsemane," directed by Adam Nimoy, guest-starring Brad Dourif. jms Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:34:31 -0400 Subject: JMS: Casting Suggestion: Edwar Woodward, we're told, generally doesn't do syndicated TV. jms Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:58:13 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS Please Keep Writing You learn to write by writing. You learn to write better by never settling or getting too comfortable with your own work. jms Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:58:16 -0400 Subject: Attn JMS - Is con Con-Rad Real We've been contacted about an awards ceremony, but details are still being worked out. jms Date: 7 Sep 1995 20:58:18 -0400 Subject: Re: Shadows and Numerical Prog Never said you're seeing their entire fleet, you're seeing what they can afford to send out at any given moment on relatively low-priority jobs. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 02:59:12 -0400 Subject: ATTN: WB Legal Dept A is fine; B may get dicey since admission is charged...if it ain't direct admission, that's different. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 03:31:58 -0400 Subject: Re: Attn JMS: TLTS battle (spo "Why didn't the fighters do anything?" They did. Look more closely. They engaged the Narn fighters in dogfights all over the place. They're hardly more than specks against the huge ships, but they're definitely there. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 03:32:52 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Interplanetary Exped Interplanetary Expeditions will figure *prominently* in at least one year three episode. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 03:34:07 -0400 Subject: Re: I fondled a Celebrity!!! * Okay, folks, look, I spoke to Claudia, and the story as recounted is fairly accurate. Claudia was in RenFair mode, which to her is another role to be played, and it was just in jest, horsing around. The thing about Claudia is she doesn't back down from any kind of challenge, a trait she shares with Ivanova, and when called upon, responded. jms (*ten credits to the comics fan who recognizes that cry) Date: 9 Sep 1995 03:47:00 -0400 Subject: A Few Questions for JMS We'll see more of the Epsilon 3 complex this coming season, yes. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:01:43 -0400 Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Request younger Excuse me, but I don't believe in ageism on either end of th spectrum. I don't hire old writers, I don't hire young writers: I hire WRITERS WHO CAN WRITE. Period. Some, like Scott Frost, are in their late 20s/early 30s; some like Peter David and Marc Zicree are in their 40s; some like David and Dorothy and Harlan are older. Young writers are not intrinsically better or worse than old writers, and vice-versa. This is, frankly, a dumb discussion; substitute "white" or "black" for young or old, and the stereotyping and illogic of the discussion should be evident. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:06:09 -0400 Subject: Takishima -- SPOILERS for "Div Mike: your assessment is pretty much correct. Laurel was to be the traitor initially; as I noted long, long time ago, and you quoted, she was not, in fact, acting entirely under her own volition. There would indeed have been an implanted personality there, acting without even her knowing about it. And it would've been this implanted personality that would've shot Garibaldi. When I took Laurel off the board, elements of this were transferred to other characters. This is the kind of thing I mean when I say that even with changes here and there, the story continues to go where I want it to go. We don't necessarily remember *which* general put the briefcase with a bomb next to Hitler's chair in the bunker, only that it got done. Some chairs are moveable, some are not, as anyone who's ever written a novel from an outline can tell you...you start moving the chairs around, but you always keep going where you're going. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:18:59 -0400 Subject: Roswell Tape Rx I cannot have any kind of informed opinion about the Roswell films, since I have no more information than anyone else, which is to say, just that which was presented in the Fox special. I can only make one observation: whenever we have had an alien character in the show get wounded, and bleed, it's a hideously difficult process, and you run point-to-point tubes with blood; it spurts from one location, the spot where the tube ends. (Just getting G'Kar's hand to bleed in one of the final four eps was a pain in the ass.) The body upon which they performed the autopsy bled smoothly from the entire surface of each cut and incision. Even with the best prosthetics available to us right now, we couldn't do this. So if it's a fake, it's the most clever one in history, and uses technology nobody else has yet. The person behind it could write his own ticket in the EFX/prosthetics business *bigtime*. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:19:40 -0400 Subject: JMS (or anyone else) -- Sex an "What kind of birth control do the Centauri use?" Conversation. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:33:35 -0400 Subject: jms - What time do you get up Unfortunately, in my case, I'm all over the map, depending on when meetings are held...sometimes very early, sometimes later in the morning. I'm usually up until at least 3 a.m. every night of the week, sometimes as late as 4-4:30 a.m., so how much actual sleep I get is a very flexible notion. As for the crew...crew call is 7 a.m. M-F, as a rule. If an alien is in the first scene, prosthetics crew can sometimes show up as early as 6:00 a.m. Actors and crew actually hit the stage at 9 a.m. (7-9 is spent basically waking up, rigging lights, setting up cameras, other stuff.) We shoot until about 7 p.m., rarely any later. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:35:03 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS, Star requests? If we has the money ST has to offer, we could get major stars, but we don't; most of the guest stars we get are drawn by the quality of the material. jms Date: 9 Sep 1995 04:51:48 -0400 Subject: Attn: JMS B5 franchise I can only reply to one message at a time, so this has to be a public note, Greg. Yes, WB owns the copyright to B5. Could they continue it past the fifth year? Technically, yes, they could, without my participation (though as indicated, there's always been a side-story/alternate series, and that would be the way to go, though I think the odds on that ever going ahead are doubtful.) Which is why I made sure we shoved a bomb down B5's throat in the early stages. It's got a self-destruct mechanism built right into it. See, usually, when you make series deals with actors an sub-contractors (like Foundating Imaging, our prosthetics people, others), you go for 7 year options. TNG, for instance, had 7 year options; as do the other ST shows. This is fairly standard. When we made the deals for B5, we made them...for five years. During those five years, salaries and fees are all set ahead of time. This serves you well, in the sense that Foundation's name is already growing, and somebody coming in now would have to pay more than we are, also in part since we helped them get going. Actors, once freed from the pre-set salaries, on a hit show, come back and renegotiate. The result of all this...is that if WB wanted to do a sixth season of B5, the costs of going back and making deals with all these people and sub-contractors and others would be SO hideous, so terrible, that it couldn't be done for anywhere near the money available. So, as stated...the show is designed to fiscally self-destruct at the end of the fifth year. What other projects may follow will have to be totally separate situations, assuming they're done at all, which is highly doubtful. jms Date: 11 Sep 1995 05:55:26 -0400 Subject: Is the President really dead? President Santiago is dead as a doorknob. jms Date: 11 Sep 1995 23:40:38 -0400 Subject: Attn JMS: M,SW/Night Fear Actually, yes, I do have a pet theory about who the Ripper was, but I'm so embarrassed over the west end/east end typo in one of our episodes that I don't know if I'll ever have enough courage to broach it to anyone. jms Date: 11 Sep 1995 23:43:27 -0400 Subject: Attn jms: An Absence of Rabbit No problem there. In life, we kinda get to know what to expect on a day to day basis...but that doesn't stop crises from coming at us out of nowhere (though if we'd been smart enough we could've seen them coming), and sometimes the worst thing is that we DO see it coming, and are sure we can somehow avoid it...and still get hammered. jms Date: 11 Sep 1995 23:44:49 -0400 Subject: JMS: What would you do if.... Doesn't matter what I'd write; they'd never let me shoot it. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 01:47:30 -0400 Subject: = ATTN. JMS: Proper Vorlons? We will see them. Eventually. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:01:34 -0400 Subject: Just how many people watch B5? I have it on good authority that we're watched by at *least* seven people. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:03:53 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Where did Kosh go? First he returned to his encounter suit, then he went to his ship, and stayed there for quite a while. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:04:50 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Doors and such You'll notice the doors are wedged, with overlapping, key-like sections into which the doors settle. When they close, the sound you hear is the door sealing shut, and pins extruding into place to keep the door shut (in the key-wedges). That's also why they slide down, rather than part in the middle; it's totally airtight in case of pressure falls. So yes, we *did* think of it, and took care of it, by thinking of a new way to do the doors. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:05:55 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS: Pres. Clarke's car No, telepaths are generally excluded from holding high public office. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:26:39 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Season 3 Brad read the script, fell in love with the part, and dived for it. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:35:32 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Titles (was Message No, sorry, the titles kinda have to be where they are.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:35:59 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS Crew Autographs To get autographs, send a self-addressed stamped envelope, and what you'd like signed, to the B5 mail drop. (Note: WB doesn't pay for any photos, the cast pay for those out of pocket, so it's hard for them to oblige on this.) The address is: 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, and make sure you put ATT: (CAST NAME), C/O BABYLON 5 jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:36:20 -0400 Subject: *JMS* ATTN: JMS *JMS* JMS (or The definition of "conversation"....ah, of course, you mean oral intercourse. Ain't the language just one great big lovely pinata of unexpected wonders...? jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:49:58 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS (one question) At this point it's too early for me to even *think* about what I will or can or can't do with the side-story...just getting this puppy out the door is a full-time obsession.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:51:14 -0400 Subject: Shadows and problems... I would not create a race as potentially unstoppable as the shadowsx (shadows) without making sure they had one -- but only one -- Achilles' heel. Though it may take our characters a long time to figure out what that is...almost *too* long.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:51:45 -0400 Subject: Attn: JMS B5 Walking the Talk Correct; while one cannot deny the effects of poverty, and drugs, and crime, and illiteracy, there's something numbing and destructive about the death of myths, of a broader social mythology, and we're working hard to provide that. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:12 -0400 Subject: Is Sheridan an Atheist? Basically, Sheridan believes in a lot of things; he's very eclectic in his views, can incorporate lots of different perspectives, and has a respect for all views. In one of the early season 3 eps, in fact, one character upbraids him for having "no clearly defined pattern of faith," to which Sheridan replies, "I'm eclectic, open-minded." jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:28 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS - How to Keep New Vie Of course, that would require lopping a minute or so of program content to make room for that synopsis...and I don't think I want to do that. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:49 -0400 Subject: JMS: "Messages" Move? Both 7 and 8 would both be seen in the second round of episodes; we did the switch to pair up the right episode with the right director. jms =================== COMPUSERVE MESSAGES =================== JMS CompuServe messages collected by The Green Meddler . Subj: B5 season Three Section: Babylon 5 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot, 70040,104 Wednesday, September 06, 1995 11:52:20 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#324598 No, since Theo is a fictional character and Theo Bikel is a real person, and they're two different things. jms Subj: B5 Comics Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeffrey Martino, 73477,1506 Wednesday, September 06, 1995 2:45:03 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#324077 Yeah, as I understand it, because the book will be published on something other than a monthly basis, subscriptions don't apply, that's exclusively for their regular, monthly titles. jms Subj: Cast & Crew view eps? Section: Babylon 5 To: Z. Michael Milutinovic, 71532,2231Thursday, September 07, 1995 10:19:00 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#325449 Not really, no...sometimes, one or another cast or crew person will ask to screen an episode, but it's very spotty; we don't provide personal copies until after the episode airs, and only to direct cast and crew members. jms Subj: Cast & Crew view eps? Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, 76371,3057 Friday, September 08, 1995 2:29:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#325901 Well, though they haven't seen the eps, they *have* read the scripts, so they do know what happened in those eps. jms Subj: B5 move in SF Section: Babylon 5 To: Thomas McDonough, 73641,474 Thursday, September 07, 1995 10:19:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#325450 Well, I'm not surprised, in that stations generally don't run promos when the show is in reruns; we'll see what they do closer to debut. jms Subj: B5 @ Emmys Section: Babylon 5 To: Rae Augenstein, 72752,1653 Thursday, September 07, 1995 10:19:03 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#325451 No, I won't be there, due to work. The noms we've gotten are in hair, makeup and cinematography. They're up against stiff competition, though, so we'll see. jms Subj: John Shuck Section: Babylon 5 To: Mojo Jones, 71555,271 Friday, September 08, 1995 2:29:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#325902 Same guy. jms Subj: B5 makes "Jeopardy" Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard P. Manny, Friday, September 08, 1995 11:04:03 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#326352 Actually, it's a repeat of an earlier Jeapordy. jms Subj: The Vorlons Section: Babylon 5 To: Daniel M. Upton Friday, September 08, 1995 11:04:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#326353 What, I should begin catering to prurient interests? Broadcasting picture postcards (likely French) of Vorlons in provocative poses, in lingerie? A terrible thing, that a nice young man such as yourself should be asking about. Does your mother know you're out here doing this? Good heavens. And who said they reproduce anymore? jms Subj: The Vorlons Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel Saturday, September 09, 1995 6:33:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327062 <"Wouldn't that Minbari bone be awfully hard on the mother?"> Like elk antlers, they grow after birth. jms Subj: Walter on QVC Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard M. Perry, Friday, September 08, 1995 11:04:05 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#326354 What's this fascination with underoos and sheets and uncut something or others...? Have you started rooming with Daniel or something? Sigh...y'know, I remember when this was a clean place to hang out, kids could play in the streets, mothers could take their babies out in strollers, you could hang out on the front stoop and talk to people...now it's all underoos and nudie cutie Vorlon pictures. What's the world coming to? jms Subj: Fury landings Section: Babylon 5 To: Kenneth Porter Friday, September 08, 1995 11:07:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#326355 We have shown, in other episodes, including "Survivors," that the starfuries come back in via the central docking bay, and are lowered into their proper bays from there, where they are recharged and repaired. jms Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, Saturday, September 09, 1995 6:33:27 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327061 , but what sort of character is this 'Theo'?> Here's a hint: he arrives with about a dozen of his brothers. jms Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: Daniel M. Upton, Saturday, September 09, 1995 10:51:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327315 Nope, not a technomage. jms Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: Bruce D. Sinclair Sunday, September 10, 1995 4:25:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327850 > Nope. jms Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: Lynn Dimock, Sunday, September 10, 1995 11:09:01 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#328201 He's definitely human. jms (Suddenly this has become "What's My Line.") Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: John McAuley Sunday, September 10, 1995 4:26:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327853 Nope. jms Subj: Theo Section: Babylon 5 To: Tom Knudsen, Sunday, September 10, 1995 11:09:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#328202 Nope. jms Subj: The Dodgers Section: Babylon 5 To: Randall A. Schanze, Saturday, September 09, 1995 6:33:29 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327063 Actually, much of what's been reported is misconception or actors who somewhat...misremember things. Bill was never considered a one-shot as Lennier. It was always a recurring role. That's what we put out in the casting breakdowns that went to agents, and that was the understanding when we did auditions, and when we negotiated with Bill, and did the main titles. Pat Tallman's character was *never* intended as a male; at one time, I'd considered making Delenn male to start with, then female after emerging from the chrysalis, but Lyta...never. So there really hasn't been as much divergence as might seem. jms Subj: OTHERSYDE Section: Babylon 5 To: Raggedy Ann Sunday, September 10, 1995 4:25:25 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#327851 Thanks. Characters, for me, are the point of a novel, and any good story. Long after the plot becomes fuzzy in memory, you remember the people...you remember Ahab and Michael Valentine Smith and Charles Dexter Ward.... Re: not having adjective/adverb disease...there's something funny there you wouldn't know about. See, when I was in high school, they had Career Day for the tops in various areas (dance, acting, athletics, whatever). I ended up in the Writing group. It was held at Southwestern College down by San Diego. I was stuck in this little room, and nobody came by, because who wants to see writers when you can see athletes and dancers and mimes? Finally, a short fellow with salt-and-pepper hair wandered in, and went down the line of manuscripts-with-writers, paused at my table. (I was writing stories in the Lovecraft/dark horror vein at the time.) Took one of my stories, walked off, sat in one of the lawn chairs, read it through. Came back, returned the story, took another. Read that one over. Put it back. Looked at me for a long moment. Then he said: "You have a great and substantial talent for your age. Two pieces of advice: one, don't ever let them stop you from telling the stories you want to tell; two, cut every third adjective." Then he walked off, and as soon as he was out the door, the faculty advisor came running at me at warp nine. "What did he say, what did he say, whatdidhesay?" I told her. "Don't you know who that was?" she asked. I said no, though there was something kinda familiar about him, and remember it's always different when you see somebody out of context. "That was Rod Serling," she said, "he's here to speak at the college later today." Had there been a gun within easy reach, I would almost certainly have put a bullet into my brain. By the time I ran out, he was gone. That was one of three weirdnesses in my life involving Rod. The other two...are stories for another day. So when you say I've managed to keep the adjectives down... I'm very pleased. jms From elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!van-bc!unixg.ubc.ca!info.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!in1.uu.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!listproc!straczynski@genie.geis.com Sun Sep 24 22:42:52 1995 Xref: elastic rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:3295 Path: elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!van-bc!unixg.ubc.ca!info.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!in1.uu.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!listproc!straczynski@genie.geis.com From: straczynski@genie.geis.com Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: ATTN: JMS - SCRIPTS Date: 22 Sep 1995 04:03:38 -0400 Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Lines: 51 Sender: root@solaris.cc.vt.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <199509220759.AA209226758@relay1.geis.com> Reply-To: straczynski@genie.geis.com Originator: babylon5@solaris.cc.vt.edu I always leave a fair amount of flexibility in the series/season outlines; to do otherwise seems foolish. We don't generally do a lot of revisions. Once in a great while you'll get something that goes through 4 colors (drafts are color coded), but they're rare. And invariably *all* such drafts after the first are mainly revised to handle set changes or production requirements, not story, dialogue or other creative stuff. This season, in all but one case, I write the first draft, clean it up a bit for the second/final draft, it goes into production, we adjust for sets ("Can we make this the conference room instead of Sheridan's office so we can do it on the same stage and avoid a camera move to stage in the middle of the day?"), and it's filmed as written. There's often a perception -- I saw it again at Wolf 359 -- that lots and lots of people have input into the writing of the script. Not so. I write it alone. Nobody sees nothin' until the first draft is finished. I then show it only to WB (which hasn't given me a single script note since episode 4, year 2), producer John Copeland (who looks at it for any possible production headaches, too many extras or sets, other physical elements), my partner Doug Netter (who doesn't generally give creative notes, as per our tradition), and if necessary, Ron at Foundation, Optic Nerve, and the director. A couple of cast members like to look at first drafts, just out of curiosity to know what's coming next, but don't give notes or suggestions. Once I have in hand any production hiccups, I clean up the draft a bit, adjust the production, EFX or prosthetics elements, make my last minute personal revisions on the script (dialogue, structure, whatever), then it's published as a Final Draft which goes to everyone in the cast and crew. The various departments then begin work on realizing what's in the script. We have meetings to discuss it to make sure everyone's on the same page. I meet with the director to make the same assurances. Last minute production-oriented changes are made ("Do we have a Ranger in among the extras here? Do we need 12 Narns or will 8 do?"). And then the script hits the stage, and we shoot it. As written. If an actor has a problem with a particular word, it can be changed after checking with me to make sure that word isn't there for a very special reason (a clue, foreshadowing, whatever). The scripts are extremely detailed, with inserts, camera angles, slow-mo indications if necessary, lighting notes, you name it. Some scripts I tinker with a lot before issuing that first draft; others blow right out of the printer as though pre-written. Sometimes the most important ones are the ones that need or get the least revision, because I see them the most clearly; and often it's the more trivial episodes that seem to require lots of finessing. jms From elastic!exorcist!lethe!geac!uunet.ca!news.uunet.ca!torn!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!in2.uu.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!listproc!straczynski@genie.geis.com Sat Sep 30 11:04:22 1995 Xref: elastic rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:3958 Path: elastic!exorcist!lethe!geac!uunet.ca!news.uunet.ca!torn!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!in2.uu.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!listproc!straczynski@genie.geis.com From: straczynski@genie.geis.com Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: Attn. JMS Naive query about se Date: 25 Sep 1995 03:37:46 -0400 Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Lines: 56 Sender: root@solaris.cc.vt.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <199509250735.AA083354536@relay1.geis.com> Reply-To: straczynski@genie.geis.com NNTP-Posting-Host: solaris.cc.vt.edu Originator: babylon5@solaris.cc.vt.edu The script never technically leaves my hands. Once the final draft is written, it's given to every department, which breaks it down in terms of set, extra, day-player, EFX, music, sound and other requirements. We have visual effects, art department and other meetings to go over what's in the script and make sure we all understand what's required. Any new designs for prosthetics, costumes, EFX, ships, or other episode-specific elements are drafted, and shown to me for approval. The script department breaks down the script in terms of shooting schedule, timing of scenes, and arranges a production board indicating which scenes will be shot on which days (Based on which sets are being used; you don't shoot in sequence...you do all the C&C scenes done on day 1, then move into the Zocalo for all those scenes, and so on.) The director and I have a tone meeting to go over the script page by page. At this time, the director sometimes suggests changes in locales for production purposes, though this often happens earlier in the process. I make sure we both understand what each scene is about, context and subtext. Then there's a production meeting of all departments, where we all go through one last time and break down each scene of the script by what's required. The director then takes the script to the stage, and shoots what's written. Dailies arrive each day thereafter, and go to post production, where an editor does a preliminary assembly of the episode. If the episode appears to be coming in long, we have the option of trimming a scene here or there in shooting...or expanding if it's coming in short. After 7 days of shooting, the raw film is complete, and the editor gives the director his assembly. The director then comes in and takes about 3-4 days making his or her cut. The director's cut then goes to me, and John Copeland and I go in to make the producer's cut, often re-editing every single frame, though sometimes less, depending on many different factors. This is done on computers, the Avid. This final edit is then used to assemble the actual film (we take the Avid computer disk and turn it over to a supercomputer which assembles the film overnight). Using this online copy, I now sit down with the composer, and sound people, and watch it again, going through it and noting where sound effects and music are required, and what kind I have in mind. "In at 03:13:18 (three minutes, 13 seconds, 18 frames), out at 04:14:22. I'd like something soft, strings mainly, underscoring that doesn't get in the way...with a tone change at 04:05:13, into the action, and since we've got a lot of combat going on there, we need you to clear out the low-end for the battle stuff." Composer and sound EFX people then do their thing, and a couple weeks later, we do the audio mix. (During this time, Ron and company have delivered the last of their CGI.) At the audio mix, all of the final elements are inserted/layered in, including any last-minute looping or dubbing. This done, the episode is delivered to PTEN about 5 days later. Total time to complete an episode (after the last day of filming per se): 52 days. jms From elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!van-bc!ddsw1!news.mcs.net!news.kei.com!newshost.marcam.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!news.sprintlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uchinews!ncar!noao!math.arizona.edu!news.Arizona.EDU!bottke Sat Sep 30 11:12:23 1995 Xref: elastic rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:4302 Path: elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!van-bc!ddsw1!news.mcs.net!news.kei.com!newshost.marcam.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!news.sprintlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uchinews!ncar!noao!math.arizona.edu!news.Arizona.EDU!bottke From: bottke@organpipe.uug.arizona.edu (Bill Bottke ) Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: JMS compiled messages [9/27/95] (1/2) Date: 27 Sep 1995 16:21:21 GMT Organization: The University of Arizona Lines: 572 Message-ID: <44btm1$11p8@news.ccit.arizona.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: crow.lpl.arizona.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8] ================================================================= Comments, questions, or additional information should be sent to: Bill Bottke (E-mail: bottke@lpl.arizona.edu) JMS Archives found at: http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html ================================================================= =============== USENET POSTINGS =============== Date: 12 Sep 1995 01:47:30 -0400 Subject: = ATTN. JMS: Proper Vorlons? We will see them. Eventually. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:01:34 -0400 Subject: Just how many people watch B5? I have it on good authority that we're watched by at *least* seven people. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:03:53 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Where did Kosh go? First he returned to his encounter suit, then he went to his ship, and stayed there for quite a while. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:04:50 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Doors and such You'll notice the doors are wedged, with overlapping, key-like sections into which the doors settle. When they close, the sound you hear is the door sealing shut, and pins extruding into place to keep the door shut (in the key-wedges). That's also why they slide down, rather than part in the middle; it's totally airtight in case of pressure falls. So yes, we *did* think of it, and took care of it, by thinking of a new way to do the doors. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:05:55 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS: Pres. Clarke's car No, telepaths are generally excluded from holding high public office. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:26:39 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Season 3 Brad read the script, fell in love with the part, and dived for it. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:35:32 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: Titles (was Message No, sorry, the titles kinda have to be where they are.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:35:59 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS Crew Autographs To get autographs, send a self-addressed stamped envelope, and what you'd like signed, to the B5 mail drop. (Note: WB doesn't pay for any photos, the cast pay for those out of pocket, so it's hard for them to oblige on this.) The address is: 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, and make sure you put ATT: (CAST NAME), C/O BABYLON 5 jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:36:20 -0400 Subject: *JMS* ATTN: JMS *JMS* JMS (or The definition of "conversation"....ah, of course, you mean oral intercourse. Ain't the language just one great big lovely pinata of unexpected wonders...? jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:49:58 -0400 Subject: ATTN: JMS (one question) At this point it's too early for me to even *think* about what I will or can or can't do with the side-story...just getting this puppy out the door is a full-time obsession.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:51:14 -0400 Subject: Shadows and problems... I would not create a race as potentially unstoppable as the shadowsx (shadows) without making sure they had one -- but only one -- Achilles' heel. Though it may take our characters a long time to figure out what that is...almost *too* long.... jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:51:45 -0400 Subject: Attn: JMS B5 Walking the Talk Correct; while one cannot deny the effects of poverty, and drugs, and crime, and illiteracy, there's something numbing and destructive about the death of myths, of a broader social mythology, and we're working hard to provide that. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:12 -0400 Subject: Is Sheridan an Atheist? Basically, Sheridan believes in a lot of things; he's very eclectic in his views, can incorporate lots of different perspectives, and has a respect for all views. In one of the early season 3 eps, in fact, one character upbraids him for having "no clearly defined pattern of faith," to which Sheridan replies, "I'm eclectic, open-minded." jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:28 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS - How to Keep New Vie Of course, that would require lopping a minute or so of program content to make room for that synopsis...and I don't think I want to do that. jms Date: 12 Sep 1995 02:52:49 -0400 Subject: JMS: "Messages" Move? Both 7 and 8 would both be seen in the second round of episodes; we did the switch to pair up the right episode with the right director. jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:17:00 -0400 Subject: JMS: Closing Speech in "TLTS" Certainly, Sheridan is slowly growing more into a leader who must be able to step to the front in this kind of way, yes. jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:17:24 -0400 Subject: Attn: JMS - Cameo and other st No, I have no plans to ever make a cameo appearance on B5.... jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:18:04 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: British editors on r I'd only heard about the one G'Kar scene being chopped; there were more? Sigh... jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:18:25 -0400 Subject: ATTN JMS: "Time On Target" (mi It's an actual military term for launching a lot of stuff, so that even though it's launched at different times, it all arrives at once. jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:18:46 -0400 Subject: Attn JMS: Londo's believabilit He's as believeable as any person would be under those conditions; we often go off the far end, come back, screw up, make up...it's what we do, we're a mass of contradictions. jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 02:19:20 -0400 Subject: Canadian TV GUIDE 16-22 Sept Would love to get a copy of this article, if at all possible. jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 03:20:20 -0400 Subject: Fweeet! (Was:Re: I fondled a C is what they used in the comics when the silver age Hawkman spoke to his birdie-buddies. (Some of you got this.) jms Date: 19 Sep 1995 03:33:11 -0400 Subject: JMS: Slow motion? Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: JMS on Compuserve: October 6, 1995 Date: 6 Oct 1995 15:57:32 GMT Organization: C.I.U.P.K.C. Software Lines: 164 Message-ID: <453jlc$snb@tde2.tde.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: sl01.tde.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="-------------------------------10654290110531" X-Mailer: Mozilla 1.1N (Windows; I; 16bit) To: jmscs@hyperion.com This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------------------10654290110531 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ Green Meddler kilgalen@tde.com Nathan F. Wallace _/ _/ http://www.webcom.com/~kilgalen/welcome.html _/ _/ http://www.webcom.com/~kilgalen/nerelon.html _/ _/ C.I.U.P.K.C. Software -- Unleashing the Power! _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ ---------------------------------10654290110531 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain Subj: Major B5/ST News Section: Star Trek To: JOE M VANCE, 74203,1254 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:26 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358419 Thanks, and I think they already have picked up a few lessons; which is the point of the exercise...we should challenge one another to constantly improve, or what's the point of being here? jms Subj: KCOP & B5? Section: Babylon 5 To: Stephen C. Smith, 76150,1170 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:17 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358416 Well, y'know...it's gonna be interesting. I was pleased to note that TV Guide gave B5's return next week a listing in the evening's highlights. jms Subj: Shadow Ship Progression Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, 102664,773 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:20 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358417 Yes, the first batch of eps from season 3, up through 9 or so, give a lot more background on the shadow ships, what they are and how they work. And as you say, virtually everything in this show is here for a reason; there's an offhand remark from Garibaldi in "Infection" about his long struggle out of the Martian desert that pays off in both the comic, and in a third-season episode. So some of the year three stuff was being set up as early as episode 2 of year 1, in what was designed to look like just plain old throwaway dialogue. jms Subj: Major B5/ST News Section: Star Trek To: David Scarpa, 73672,2136 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:28 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358420 Yeah, the rerun schedule was a pain in the butt. And because of it, lots of stations began moving us around. It's my hope that that'll change now that we're back with new eps, and showing 9 eps in a row without a single break. jms Subj: Episodes Evaluation Section: Babylon 5 To: John M. Kahane, 102664,773 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:06 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358421 If I had to look back at season 2 and pick favorites, they'd probably be "The Long, Twilight Struggle," "Comes the Inquisitor," and "The Coming of Shadows." "Coming" is probably the one episode I'd say is most perfect, the most purely B5. In year one, I thought there were a couple/three eps that just lay there and begged to be shot and put out of their misery. But I don't think we had even one like that in year two. Some were stronger than others, but not one dropped below a certain median high point over year one. So far, year three is another general step up, with our least episode this season so far being the equal of some of the better year two episodes. What makes for a perfect episode of B5 in my view? It's kinda hard to define. It's an episode where major and irreversible events take place, which were absolutely set up from what went before, and which turn on the individual choices made by our characters; episodes that have about them the feel of a car absolutely out of control, that ANYthing could happen...the kind of episode that makes you start insinctively reaching for the brake pedal, but it doesn't do any good. And, finally, those that have a nice visual sense of style. I've gradually grown more consistently fond of the montage as a dramatic device, though I'm being careful not to over-use it. (I *really* liked the intercutting in the Emperor's fall in "Coming.") I'd rather not say anything at all about "Gethsemane," because a large part of the plot turns on something you need to discover mid-viewing, and anything I might say would only detract from it. It's a lovely, sad, very moving story; it's kind of my Twilight Zone story in the B5 universe, with some very strong emotional twists as we go along. It's not the kind of story I get to do within the B5 structure very often, and I'm extremely pleased with this one (and Adam Nimoy did a *bang-up* job directing it; he thinks it may be his best work ever). We're now shooting episode #7, "Exogenesis." So far, to give my own reactions to the year 3 episodes so far: "Matters of Honor," somewhat of a continuation of the year two season ender, picking up the pieces, with some great action pieces, mainly a fair amount of fun, which is necessary given what precedes it..."Convictions," a moody, atmospheric, driving piece, stylistically very different for us, with some hysterically funny scenes juxtaposed against some deadly serious and gritty drama..."A Day in the Strife," a fair number of threads, a day in the life episode with everything that can go wrong going wrong, some elements of humor but mainly a straight-ahead kind of episode..."Voices of Authority," you'll see some of our characters doing stuff they've never done before, and we get into the whole question of the First Ones, also fairly straightfoward in storytelling and direction..."Passing Through Gethsemane," which again is just an utter knockout episode, which with "Convictions" comes close to being a perfect episode..."Dust to Dust," haven't seen the director's cut yet, but the dailies looked great...and "Exogenesis," which we just started filming this week, is probably our most "ordinary" story of the batch, though it puts a new spin on several traditional story elements. On just about every level, I'd say that the year three episodes are an improvement on the year two episodes, and we've got a lot more this season that should be equal to or better than "Coming" and the other top three mentioned earlier, at least based on how they look pre-shooting..."Messages From Earth," and "Severed Dreams" are massive action/character set pieces on the scale of "The Long, Twilight Struggle"...only bigger, and more personal. It's going to be great. jms Subj: VitW pt2 - Delenn/Londo? Section: Babylon 5 To: Richard M. Perry, 76461,2737 Thursday, October 05, 1995 10:58:07 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358422 The favor he calls in is not on his behalf, but on behalf of an associate. jms Subj: Rick Berman Section: Star Trek To: Michael Ogrinz, 71573,3153 Thursday, October 05, 1995 11:25:16 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358450 "The ratings for B5 never get close to the ratings for the Trek shows." Actually, not true. The Neilsens have often posted the B5 ratings as asometimes equal to or slightly above the ratings for "Voyager." jms Subj: VOYAGER'S BAD TREK Section: Star Trek To: Mary Taylor, 75530,2650 Thursday, October 05, 1995 11:25:18 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358451 Speaking of TPTB, here's an interesting angle on the whole Voyager/DS9 dynamic. Recently, more and more, the ST execs (people like Berman and Pillar) have been commenting publicly about the factionalization of the SF TV marketplace, and how this has diminished the numbers for the ST shows overall. Most interestingly, one of them commented in an LA Times article this past week that a big problem for them is the factionalization *within* ST...that people may only have time to watch one version of ST that week, and they're being forced to choose. And, of course, there are the debates between the two sides on quality. Which dovetails precisely into the rumor running around town that Paramount is considering giving the axe to DS9 after this season, in order to force folks who want their ST to watch Voyager...because they have more money invested right now in Voyager, particularly in start-up, and they have their hopes for the Paramount network pinned to Voyager as their center. They don't like the idea of a syndicated show out there causing problems for the network on which they've spent millions and millions of dollars. And DS9's ratings have been steadily on the decrease since the debut. So the logic goes: take away DS9, and make those who want Trek go to Voyager as the sole provider of that. Given the sources from whom this has come, I give very high credibility to the notion that this *is* being discussed; whether or not it will be implemented, that only time will tell. If Voyager continues to decrease, threatening the foundations of Paramount's bid for a network, I'd think the chances of this happening will continue to rise. jms ---------------------------------10654290110531-- From elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!news.neocom.ca!winternet.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!csnews!news.coop.net!news.tde.com!usenet Mon Oct 9 07:36:52 1995 Xref: elastic rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:5695 Path: elastic!exorcist!lethe!abyss!news.compulink.com!fonorola!news.neocom.ca!winternet.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!csnews!news.coop.net!news.tde.com!usenet From: The Green Meddler Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Subject: JMS on Compuserve: October 7, 1995 Date: 7 Oct 1995 15:26:55 GMT Organization: C.I.U.P.K.C. Software Lines: 144 Message-ID: <45667v$qgb@tde2.tde.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: sl02.tde.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="-------------------------------31320315596888" X-Mailer: Mozilla 1.1N (Windows; I; 16bit) To: jmscs@hyperion.com This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------------------31320315596888 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ Green Meddler kilgalen@tde.com Nathan F. Wallace _/ _/ http://www.webcom.com/~kilgalen/welcome.html _/ _/ http://www.webcom.com/~kilgalen/nerelon.html _/ _/ C.I.U.P.K.C. Software -- Unleashing the Power! _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ ---------------------------------31320315596888 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain Subj: Major B5/ST News Section: Star Trek To: William H. DiPaola, 76521,1751 Friday, October 06, 1995 1:56:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358892 William: you may want to consider scaling back the Trekker hits just a bit; I understand the emotions, but I think we've moved beyond that. jms Subj: KCOP & B5? Section: Babylon 5 To: Anthony Ho, 72440,1650 Saturday, October 07, 1995 12:36:08 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359556 The local ads are the responsibility of the local stations. jms Subj: Episodes Evaluation Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, 76371,3057 Saturday, October 07, 1995 12:36:12 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359557 I'd also put "Grail" in my list of least-favorite eps from year one, along with "Infection" and "War Prayer." We're shooting the two-parter as 15 and 16, but airing them as 13 and 14, in order to accommodate the need to have the same director do both halves. It's a matter of working around the schedule of directors when they're available, and that's when Adam's available. jms Subj: VOYAGER'S BAD TREK Section: Star Trek To: Mary Taylor, 75530,2650 Friday, October 06, 1995 8:19:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359294 Actually, let me correct myself on one point; just to be sure of my quote, I went back and checked the LA Times article, and the most pertinent comment came not from Berman/Piller but from Kerry McCluggage, who is the Chairman of the Paramount Pictures Television Group (i.e., the man who makes all the final decisions on the life and death of the Mountain's syndicated series, and the UPN series). McCluggage, the article states, "pointed out that Next Generation and the original Star Trek series still air in repeats in hundreds of markets. 'If you on some level buy the concept that there's a finite number of Star Trek viewers, who only have so much time to watch their favorite program, it's going to split the pie a little bit." Offered in the interests of accuracy. jms Subj: VOYAGER'S BAD TREK Section: Star Trek To: William H. DiPaola, 76521,1751 Saturday, October 07, 1995 12:36:07 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359555 Oh, there's no question that they need to bring up the ratings on DS9, that's a separate issue, however. They need the ratings up because Paramount sells ads based on figures determined by ratings. They've promised certain levels of ratings, and if the show doesn't pull those numbers, they have to give money *back*. So it's definitely in their interests to keep the ratings up for as long as the show is on the air. And, again, this is more the corporate POV of the situation. The potential revenue for their new network *far* outmatches what any single syndicated show could pull in, and if the latter poses any kind of threat to the former...it ain't a contest. Even Berman, in the same article, wonders if they may have come close to "going to the well too often." So we'll have to see...clearly, many of those involved with the show want it to continue, as do the fans...we'll have to see if the corporate types feel the same way. jms Subj: B5 Wallpaper?? Section: Babylon 5 To: William H. DiPaola, 76521,1751 Friday, October 06, 1995 1:56:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358893 In about 4 weeks there will be an official B5 screen saver from Sound Source, which has 150 images/wallpaper sources, .avi and .wav files. jms Subj: Katsulas/Mahabharata? Section: Babylon 5 To: Elyse M. Grasso, 70302,3304 Friday, October 06, 1995 2:03:22 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358899 Yikes, I haven't got a clue on that one. When I see Andreas next, I'll try to remember to ask him, assuming it doesn't fall out of my head in the meantime, a good probability. jms Subj: B5 Aliens Section: Babylon 5 To: Chad Underkoffler, 102512,1310 Friday, October 06, 1995 2:12:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#358911 Just to clarify...Sinclair was a Catholic, taught by Jesuits; Garibaldi is basically an atheist. jms Subj: B5 Aliens Section: Babylon 5 To: Jeannette Fornadel, 76371,3057 Saturday, October 07, 1995 12:53:13 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359569 "...the only B5 race that I find myself occasionally getting annoyed with is the Earthers." Good. Because anything else is 'way too easy. jms Subj: Re: B5 Comic Section: Babylon 5 To: Asha DeVelder, 76703,4322 Saturday, October 07, 1995 12:53:12 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#359568 As noted elsewhere, there are going to be more B5 comics as one-shots and miniseries...Tim DeHaas is doing one set during the Earth/Minbari War (I'm doing a lot of consulting on that one to provide canon background on who was where, when, doing what), and I've begun a 4-issue mini tentatively entitled "The Book of the War," which chronicles much of our new Ranger character. jms ---------------------------------31320315596888-- From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS AOL postings 11/28/95 - 12/03/95 (SPOILERS!) Date: Mon, 4 Dec 1995 15:14:45 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!europa.chnt.gtegsc. com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!tank.news.pipex.net!pipex!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!ub!galil eo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Lisa Freeman Subject: JMS AOL postings 11/28/95 - 12/03/95 (SPOILERS!) Message-ID: <1995Dec3.225650.3261@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Earth Alliance (By Courtesy) Date: Sun, 3 Dec 95 22:56:50 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 1036 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:22 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:107534 SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS [for "Passing through Gethsemane", "Comes the Inquisitor", "Fall of Night". --mod. ] SPOILERS FOLLOW! Subj: Re: Cthulu in space Date: 95-12-02 03:49:30 EST From: McBri911 well since I havent read any Cthulu books i cant compare but--I agree there is a Tolkien relationship if you want to go that way. Kosh = Gandalf Mimbari = Elves Bab 5 crew = Hobbits Morden = Chief of the Nazgul Sinclair = Aragorn/Strider Ranger = Rangers of course you cant push to far but... Subj: Re: Cthulu in space Date: 95-12-02 05:34:09 EST From: Jms at B5 The characters and comparisons you made are basic archetypal characters that have long been used in all kinds of sagas...the voice of the wise master, the characters of action, the hero on a journey, the smaller wiser folk...they extend far beyond Tolkein. We draw on the same archetypal pool, but there's no intended parallel between them. What invariably gets lost in this is that the LoTR saga was a *quest* story, that is the heart of it...ain't no quest here. The characters are part of the saga-structure that goes straight back to the Illiad and the Odyssey, Gawain and the Green Knight, Jason and the Argonauts and elsewhere. The only common elements come from the fact that we have our roots in the same literary garden of archetypes and literary symbology. I didn't fight for five years to get this show off the ground just to do LoTR with the serial numbers filed off. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Hope for Vir, the Furst Date: 95-11-29 19:19:48 EST From: BigCityBob I have no idea where to post this info but this seems as good a place as any. It may be posted elsewhere so I apologize if this is old news. Having said that. . . I read in next weeks TV Guide that Stephen Furst , aka Vir, is joining the cast of Chicago Hope. He will play a veterinarian joining the hospital staff. As I recall when he was on St. Elsewhere, his character's father was a veterinarian (played by Louie Nye, aka Sonny Drysdale). Mr. Furst's first appearance is scheduled for Dec. 11. I hate to see him leave B5 , if that's the case. Londo needs him! Bob B, who doesn't remember, but wonders if Flounder was pre-med? Subj: Re:Hope for Vir, the Furst Date: 95-11-30 02:46:24 EST From: Jms at B5 The Chicago Hope appearance is only a two-parter, nothing beyond that. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Gethsemane Date: 95-12-03 02:54:09 EST From: Del Kimry Question: If Susan Ivanova isn't real happy about telepaths in general, and if her last words (on the show) to Lyta Alexander were "Go to hell," then someone tell me why they're all chummy in this episode? Professional courtesy? Or has Ivanova changed her mind about telepaths? Subj: Re:Gethsemane Date: 95-12-03 06:07:11 EST From: Jms at B5 Real simple. Lyta has proven that she was telling the proof about the traitor; and she's on the run from the Psi Corps herself, putting her and Ivanova on the same side; and she helped when she was asked to try and find Edward. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: X Glen X Date: 95-11-28 04:30:44 EST From: Blacnight9 I have never asked anyone white to feel guilty for the past, to do that I must assume that there is a conscious at work and I don't find that to be the case. I have lived a long time and the one theng that has remain constant is the fact the when ever you have a chance you will hurt us, and hurt us badly. So you see I have learned from the past and I use it to pretect my future, this country has little respect for anyone that isn't white and no respect for someone that is black preiod. X Glen X, you are living proof that if I turned my back on you that I would die. I have learned my lesson and so has Gramage in Pa. Malcalm, Martain, Medgeres and many others. Oh yes and for the person that didn't know during WW2 Northern Italians joined with Hitler because they didn't conside Southern Italy pure becuase of the MOOR blood that run's through their veins. Subj: Re:X Glen X Date: 95-11-28 22:12:43 EST From: Jms at B5 Tell me, Blacnignt9, how does it feel to be a racist? Because that's what you are. Oh, yes, you can be a non-caucasian and be a racist. And you definitely qualify. "I must assume that there is a conscious at work and I don't find that to be the case." (I assume this is a misspelling of conscience.) If I were to say this about any ethnic group as a class, such as african-americans, you would call me a racist. And you would be right. And it's just as racist as to make sweeping comments about other races such as this. "...you are living proof that if I turned my back on you that I would die." If I said this about a hispanic, it'd be racist. Same here. "I have lived a long time and the one theng that has remain constant is the fact the when ever you have a chance you will hurt us, and hurt us badly." Here you are speaking of caucasions as a race again. This kind of sweeping statement is racist. It is also wrongheaded and offensive. What about the half million white folks who died in the Civil war to end the brutality and monstrous practice of slavery? More were killed in the course of that war than in all of our losses in every war thereafter combined. How about the Swedes, who never even *saw* an person of african descent for most of their country's history? And while we're at it, what about my caucasian friend Lisa, who volunteered as a rape counselor in a predominantly black lower-class neighborhood, and was murdered for her efforts? Yes, sir, I can sure tell that she was out to hurt other people like yourself, wasn't she? The heart of racism is stupidity and intolerance and classifying every member of an ethnic group as being the same, usually in a negative fashion. By that definition, you are a racist, and I suggest before you start correcting others on this area, you do a little housecleaning of your own first. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK Date: 95-11-30 04:20:27 EST From: Blacnight9 You people are really sick, of all the thing you could bring up you bring up Martin And Living Single as example of racial equality. The golden rule says He with the gold makes the rules, that same thing a plies to T.V and the Movies. Racism is in the heart of this show and if not why did they replace the asia woman that was commander before Ivanava. We are to be impressed with the guess stars that are minority and yet there is only one minority on the show. The onlty show this year to have an openly interracial couple was Seaquest and they were cancel. The only show where two of the stars one black and the other white openly spoke about love for one another and you tell me racism don't grew from T.V. My favorite is day time soap opreas where there are more white and latino couples on daytime and that is like normal and yet latino and black or any race and black and there has to be a great big interracial storyline built around it, why. What makes being black any differant from any other race in this world. I think about all the things that the black race has added to this world from music to saving lives and when it comes down to it the color of our skin stops us from being like everyone else in this world. This world has grown strong from my race and yet we are outcast, You tell me all these stories about how things are getting better then I suggest that you walk outside of that bubble that you are living in because the real world is a racial mess and the people with the power away seem to be the people that say one thing and do another. We have people in D.C that are holding hearing on Vilence and sex on T.V and in the movies and yet it okay to be racist. Subj: Re:YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK Date: 95-12-01 03:45:08 EST From: Jms at B5 The reason Laurel Takashima/Tamlyn Tomita is not currently on the show is because the actress didn't feel really comfortable in the role of a military commander, and felt she might do better in other kinds of roles, such as that which came along about the same time in a major motion picture; she is now a highly-sought-after film performer. When she opted out, I went instantly after Julie Nickson, an asian actress to play Catherine Sakai, Sinclair's love interest, a recurring role in the show. And check my message uptopic...there's a racist here, all right, and it's you. jms Subj: Re:Blacnight9 Date: 95-12-03 05:55:38 EST From: Jms at B5 Blacnight: okay, you've been hurt. Three words: deal with it, but frankly, if you use this as a motivation to become just as racist in your descriptions of caucasians then you have totally and utterly sacrificed the high ground in the discussion. Lemme explain something to you: I didn't come into the world with a silver spoon. We were poor. I'm not talking poor lower case letters, I'm talking POOR. We lived in houses without roofs, without heat in the winter, always on the run from creditors. You know where poor folks live, Blacnight? In the poor part of town, which was usually the ethnic part of town. Most of my life I lived in areas that were mainly black, or hispanic, or puerto rican. I lived in Newark just before the riots, as a kid, the only white kid on the whole BLOCK. I've got class photos from schools as a kid, and you look for row after row, and in the lines of brown and black faces, you find one -- ONE -- white face. Mine. It ain't a case of "well, sure, some of my friends were black," ALL of them were. Or Puerto Rican. Or Hispanic. And at those schools, because I was always the new kid, I got the snot beaten out of me on a regular basis. Usually by kids with skin color different from my own. Because that's usually all there was in the neighborhood. So I got hurt, I got beat up, constantly. Now, do I turn around and say that all black/hispanic/puerto ricans are bad people? No. Some were great, some were real jerks. Some helped me. Some hurt me. I deal with it *without* coming up with sweeping generalizations about whole groups. For as long as you continue to make sweeping statements about caucasians -- and you have not responded to one of the responses I made to you before on this -- then you are every bit as racist and prejudiced as those you say you are against. You come on, make one sweeping generalization, go away, then come back with another. You don't listen, you just accuse and take the role of angry victim. Well, fine, like I said, I've lost dear friends to people of other colors than my own...but I don't turn around and blame the whole group for the actions of a few. If you're concerned about the well being of other african americans, let me ask what you're doing positively about it? Working with inner city kids? Neighborhood programs? What? Or are you content to just come on here and complain? African-americans and hispanics have *got* to be brought into the mainstream of american political and economic life; we cannot long sustain a disenfranchised class determined by ethnic background. That way lies madness and destruction for all parties. On my show, I do as much as I can; on the side, I tithe a goodly percentage of my income to charitable causes, AIDS research, People For The American Way (which fights tyranny from the left and the right in censorhship issues), and other causes. Because it ain't enough to complain; you've got to go in and DO something. You talk the talk real good; how're you fixed for walking the walk? jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: B-5 newsgroup Date: 95-11-29 15:07:09 EST From: Angelica71 I just read that you've resigned the usenet group rastB5. Your original message did not come through (the AOL newsreader is not terribly dependable) but I got the gist of your original from the replies. I'll miss your input on that group tremendously, and I *completely* support your decision to leave. I had been wondering lately when you would finally decide that no self-respecting human being should deal with the sludge from those few sources that kept sliming what could have been a lovely experience for everyone involved. Will you stay here, though? Please? Subj: Re:B-5 newsgroup Date: 95-11-30 02:49:24 EST From: Jms at B5 I have no plans for leaving here anytime soon, Angelica. I hope to be here for the long haul. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: B5 Universe Questions Date: 95-11-30 18:34:44 EST From: Skelebot In all of the non-Earth Alliance space stations and starships, there aren't any rotating sections like on the Agamemnon or B5 itself. What does the dreaded mass drivers shoot (since there MASS drivers they shoot projectiles, right)? How come Earthforce does not use lasers ar "slice-em" weapons but as "hit-em" weapons, unlike the Narn, Minbari and the Shadows. Were any Minbari crusiers shot down in the Earth-Minbari War besides the Dark Star and her sister ships? Is Earth considered "low-tech" compared to many other starfaring races? Skelebot the (inquisitive) B5er Subj: Re:B5 Universe Questions Date: 95-12-01 03:53:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Mass drivers use asteroids freely available in space, accelerated and fired into a planetary atmosphere. EA non-rotational ships have zero g. EA tech is generally much lower in weapons tech and other areas than the Minbari and Vorlons, among others. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Licensing & Your Audience Date: 95-11-30 22:03:50 EST From: Zatris Dear JMS, Let me first congratulate you on the quality & ongoing excitment that is B5. I have been an admirer of your work since your days on TZ and am never disappointed by what you present. My continued hopes for your success. But to the matter at hand. I've read a great deal about how you have been extremely cautious in allowing licensing of any B5 merchandise & logos. This I respect and understand. God knows how TREK has been exploited, as well as any solid francise or property. However, my concerns are more along the lines of WHO you are granting these privledges. I attended a Creation Convention in NJ over Thanksgiving weekend, the usual madhouse we all know and look forward to. I was scoping about for B5 merchadise and came across a baseball cap with the logo. Great, I was satisfied. Then I look inside of the cap and find a tag stating CREATION ENTERTAINMENT! Say it ain't so, Joe. Creation may have one of largest convention circuits in the world at present, but this goes along with an equally generous reputation for bad bussiness dealings. They don't honor the people who pay for those alleged "preferred seating" privledges. They have forced out the smaller, more grassroot fans and dealer who MADE their conventions in the first place. And as they has sewed up the TREK francise with Paramount, no one with even legitimate merchandise, can work their shows. This has cast any TREK, QUANTUM LEAP, BEAUTY & THE BEAST in a very poor situation. HELL, THEY EVEN ANNOUNCED THIS AS THEIR 25TH YEAR AND IT'S A FLAT OUT LIE! PHIL SEULING STARTED THESE SHOWS! My point is this, I am not a dealer, I am a fan of your show and those I have mentioned. I am asking you not to throw in with this band of charlatans to gain a quick avenue to your audience. Your better than that. Tim Healy PS My best to Harlan. Subj: Re:Licensing & Your Audience Date: 95-12-01 03:59:02 EST From: Jms at B5 We're aware of the rep that Creation has, and I've been very open in my criticism of them when they've done something dumb, both in my talks with them privately, and on the nets. They know that if they do a Dumb of Bad Thing, I'm going to call them on it. I'll also note when they do things right. And thus far, for the most part, they've done okay by B5. I've worked closely with them on the licensing aspects, and some of it is really quite cool, and the rest is fine. (They have come out with two recent items, a B5 leather jacket (a bit over-priced, I think, but extremely cool nonetheless), and B5 mugs with the logo on one side, and the silhouette on the other in silver against black that's just *killer*.) I don't feel sufficiently comfortable at this time to do a B5 convention with them; but I have made an occasional personal appearance, and found that they are genuinely interested in trying to straighten out their rep. A great deal of the problem stems from the fact that they often work with local folks in the area as hosts who often don't know what they're talking about. So now they're cutting back a little, trying to do fewer, better, than a lot, less efficiently. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: To JMS Date: 95-12-01 14:50:02 EST From: Hogan ds I find B5 to be the best show I have seen in a long time. I am a SCI-FI junkie, and could never find any good shows to watch on the networks. Star Trek is ok, but never really had much story to it. They usually tied everything up at the end of the episode which left me thinking, "that was interesting but what's next. I love how you build up the plot with every episode. I think that B5 would do alot better if someone forced the networks to give it a better time. When I lived in Ohio it was on at 1:00am Monday morning. When I moved to Idaho it was on Wednsday at 8:00pm, but eventually got moved to Saturday at 4:00pm. I think that the worst problem with TV today is those stupid Nielson Ratings. I think it is unfair that a small percentage of the population gets to decide what the rest of us likes and watches. I have heard many rumors that B5 is going to be cancelled do to lack of interest. If this would happen I would be greatly disappointed I love this show, in fact B5 and SAB is the only two shows I watch on TV anymore. When they are not on I set down and watch the copies of B5 that I recorded off TV. I have every episdoe except for the First season and the pilot, which I want very much. I have purchased every B5 item that I know of and hope that sooner or later there will be a web site, where I can purchase more items. Sorry didn't mean to ramble on, I just wanted to tell you how much I liked your show. Hogan DS Subj: Re:To JMS Date: 95-12-01 17:52:49 EST From: Jms at B5 Hogan: thanks. And at this point, we're in no particular jeapordy of being canceled; the ratings keep improving, slowly, but it's there, and the folks at WB have openly discussed the notion of our fourth season long before those words would usually ever come out of their mouths, so we'll probably be okay. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS: Another note of thanks. Date: 95-12-01 17:07:59 EST From: TMorisak JMS- Thanks for a wonderful series! I moved from rastb5 to this site, in full support of what you did, why and when. I just wanted to add my voice to the rest of those loyal to the 'light' side. Thanks again, I look forward to the show every week! Todd Subj: JMS: Another note of thanks Date: 95-12-01 17:53:43 EST From: Jms at B5 No, the thanks are entirely mine.... jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: VIDEOS Date: 95-12-01 23:32:43 EST From: CGuill4457 Sir: I have learned from a relatively reliable source that a strong disagreement exists between you and Time-Warner about the possibility of releasing video tapes of the first two seasons. For those of us that have been unable to continuously partake of the quality show that you have created for one reason or another, please settle your differences to allow the tapes to be made available. Subj: Re:VIDEOS Date: 95-12-02 01:49:28 EST From: Jms at B5 The difference is that we want them to do it, and they don't think that there's a market. You tell me how to resolve that difference, and I'll go for it. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Without Makeup Date: 95-12-02 00:34:31 EST From: BlkSista5 i was just wondering if we'll ever get to see what the actors who portray the ambassadors look like without their makeup? It would be very interesting to see what G'kar, Londo and Deelen look like. Subj: Re:Without Makeup Date: 95-12-02 01:50:31 EST From: Jms at B5 It's been discussed, but the actors, particularly Andreas, are dead against the idea, on the theory that it ruins the illusion. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Schedules and Reruns Date: 95-12-02 02:52:47 EST From: HarleyHG If the Lurker's Guide is to be believed, B5 will be in reruns until the last week in January. This sounds all too familiar, they did this last year too. Is this due to problems getting the episodes completed, or a desire to save new episodes for the "Sweeps" periods? I understand the need for reruns, but as I tape the show I don't watch them, and I find it a bit long to go without a fix. And of course one has to wonder how many season three episodes will be held in stasis until next October. BTW: Keep up the good work, B5 is easily the best thing on the air. Subj: Re:Schedules and Reruns Date: 95-12-02 05:27:09 EST From: Jms at B5 The rerun schedule is to accommodate the PTEN desire to have new eps for sweeps periods, and nothing else. I'm sitting on a bunch of new episodes that're just gonna sit on the shelf until January. (Hey, everybody come on over to my house, we'll have a viewing party....) jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Episode #4 Date: 95-12-02 02:59:06 EST From: MathType JMS- Did you intentionally try to make the scene where Sinclair and Co. were questioning the Centaurii Telepath more disturbing? After watching it a couple of times I found myself questioning whether or not I was rooting for the 'right side.' Kevin Subj: Re:Episode #4 Date: 95-12-02 05:28:20 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, that's definitely the sense I was going for. That scene frankly unsettles and scares me a little, because it does show our characters skirting the line...yes, it's absolutely necessary, every moment is precious if they're going to try to save Edward's life...but it's still a bit creepy. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Who Works For Whom Date: 95-12-03 05:33:02 EST From: Jms at B5 I post this here only because this was forwarded to me in private mail, and if this utter and absolute lie is being circulated, best to quash it right here and now. The email comes originally from a certain individual on usenet who does not merit his name being mentioned, and this is, as stated an absolute and total and complete lie of the worst sort I have seen in a while. It concerns my departure from rastb5, predicated in large part by actions taken by this individual who is running like mad to find some other reason to attribute this to. The relevant quote follows: "And his retreat just happens to correspond to the introduction of the new Babylon 5 area on AOL. And isn't it amazing how his "formal termination" of his presence on this group is 30 November. Bet it corresponds to his new contract on AOL which starts on 1 December, and includes a clause regarding his participation on the Internet." 1) I have no contract whatsoever with AOL concerning my presence here. 2) I am not being paid one thin dime for my participation on AOL. 3) Not only do I not receive anything for being here, I pay for my subscription here just like everybody else on AOL, no freebie account, nothing. There is no contract, and no cause in that contract. I'm happy to bring my AOL bill to the next convention to prove this. (I think it was $80 last month.) It's this kind of lying behavior by a certain few demented individuals that made my departure from rastb5 inevitable. This particular lie is made more disgraceful by the fact that it is stated as cold fact, not speculation, not rumor, but cold fact...and is utterly, 100% untrue. If you folks have to pay to be here, then I'll pay to be here. (Though, granted, I do have freebie accounts on GEnie and in one or two forums on CIS.) Sorry for the interruption; just felt this was necessary to nip in the bud. As you were. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Videos Date: 95-12-02 11:44:09 EST From: IronKobra JMS [aka The Master :)] I know this question has been asked before (by me for one), but *who* do we write to in order to convince the powers-that-be to release Babylon 5 videos? I've never found an answer to that question. *Please* post that info here so I can carry out my diabolical plan of burying those...umm, people under several tons of mid-grade printer paper. Thanks again for bringing us one of the best shows on TV, a medium that barely deserves it. Don Subj: Re:Videos Date: 95-12-03 05:34:14 EST From: Jms at B5 That info has been given out elsewhere, and it hasn't done any good, so we're looking into the possibility of releasing them ourselves. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Rangers Date: 95-12-02 13:49:35 EST From: MarkDuell JMS, This is my first post here, and I just want to get in line and tell you how wonderful B5 is. I am said to see that you left rastb5, but you do what you have to do. My question, How long have the Rangers been an organization? How did they get started? All of the Earthers that come through the station that aren't government of military seem cautious of the Minbari, but there is now this secret force in training. Will there be more Ranger info in future episodes (I realize that we will get to know Marcus better in future episodes). Mark Duell Subj: Re:Rangers Date: 95-12-03 05:35:06 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, there'll be other Rangers in episodes here and there. There was a kind of loose-knit Rangers notion back on Minbar but it didn't come into full bloom until Sinclair arrived and took charge of the operation. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS:Writing Date: 95-12-02 16:52:59 EST From: JMSkelton I've been a fan of the show ever since it came on the air, and the main appeal to me was the writing. In fact, I was happy to find a copy of your book on writing for stage, screen, and TV at our local library. You gave very good advice on how to lay out characters, plots, and settings that I found useful when I started taking a playwriting course here. Oddly enough, when I used your format for play manuscripts, I was told by my instructor (Frank Higgins, a fairly well-known playwright) that it was incorrect. And although I've looked everywhere, I can't find any other book laying out the correct format for play scripts. Anyway, I really wanted to know if it was necessary for you to write x number of shows to keep maybe your SWG card or is it just something you've wanted to do? I've also noted in the two episodes I saw of yours that you used very obvious historical allusions. Of course you had the Jack the Ripper story, and then you had the rise of a new group which so obviously parallels Hitler's rise that you even had a Neville Chamberlain quote,. "There will peace in our time" being used. Sorry, guess I'm too well versed in these things and prefer a little more subtlety. Be that as it may, I much prefer your show, plus DS9, because of the realism. At last there are space shows with aliens that DON'T look even vaguely human! Keep up the great work! JMSkelton Subj: Re:JMS:Writing Date: 95-12-03 05:36:54 EST From: Jms at B5 The play format varies a little here and there; I'm addressing this in a rewrite I'm finishing now of the writing book. Re: the number of episodes I write...basically, it's just the number I feel is right to communicate the sense of the show in that season. One of the main reasons I *created* B5 in the first place was to make a show I'd like to watch, and to write for. So now that it's here, I'm following up. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Q about season schedule Date: 95-12-02 17:07:42 EST From: MrSeeker JMS, you've said on several occasions that the episodes "Messages from Earth", "Point of No Return", and "Severed Dreams" form a kind of trilogy, wrapping up some major plotlines and ending with a significant and permanent change to the show. Given that they are so closely linked, I would hope that we'd get to see them one after the other. But the season schedule (according to the Lurker's Guide) appears to indicate that there will be another batch of reruns between "Point of No Return" and "Severed Dreams". Is this true? I hope not. Thanks for an outstanding show. Subj: Re:Q about season schedule Date: 95-12-03 05:38:09 EST From: Jms at B5 At this point, it looks like there may be a break before #10, though I haven't seen a final schedule on this. It ain't what I would do...but it ain't my call, alas. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Coming Changes: JMS Date: 95-12-02 20:22:06 EST From: StarFuryD4 Joe, I've heard rumors from a coupl'a friends who've been to pasadena cons, that there will be changes made in the EA Uniforms. Is this so?, and if so, what and when? Dave Subj: Re:Coming Changes: JMS Date: 95-12-03 05:38:40 EST From: Jms at B5 Yeah, there might be some changes here and there.... jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Who's Garibaldi's Second?? Date: 95-12-02 22:36:04 EST From: MrWook Morishi or Zack? Please say Morishi, I'd hate to think that Zack would be anything higher than a mid-level grunt. Mr Wook Subj: Re:Who's Garibaldi's Second? Date: 95-12-03 05:39:11 EST From: Jms at B5 Zack. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Episode #4 Date: 95-12-03 01:41:25 EST From: MathType <> A bit? Other question: Lyta got away with the crime because she couldn't be identified. How did Geribaldi or Sheridan get away with it? Perhaps the telepath met with an unfortunate accident latter on? "The road to hell is paved by good intentions" -Kevin Subj: Re:Episode #4 Date: 95-12-03 05:41:23 EST From: Jms at B5 How Sheridan and Garibaldi got away with it? "Telepath? What telepath? Never happened. Can you describe her? No? I see. Well, I don't remember seeing anyone in there, Mr. Garibaldi, do you? We'd check the logs to be absolutely sure, because we'd hate for this sort of thing to happen, but we had a small glitch in the software, and the recorders didn't work...still, we're working on it, and we hope to have it taken care of in the next few months. Would you like some more tea, Ambassador?" jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Star trek still rules Date: 95-12-02 11:59:17 EST From: GTomkovich The thing to remember is that Star Trek has been around aalot longer than B5, BG and all the rest. It was created in the 1960's without the benefit of computer graphics and all the special effects that are available today. Without ST none of these other series would have ever been born. By the way I would take Kirk and his enterprise in a fight with any of the others, including Picard. Subj: Re:Star trek still rules Date: 95-12-03 06:05:13 EST From: Jms at B5 "'Without ST none of these other series would have been born." Sounds good. Only thing wrong with it is that it ain't true. Prior to ST, there were the SF anthology shows such as the Outer Limits and Twilight Zone and One Step Beyond and Men Into Space and many others; just prior to ST there was Lost in Space. (And by the way, most critics at the time panned ST because they said it was just a cheap attempt to cash in on LiS's popularity.) So you could easily say that ST wouldn't be on the air except for LiS, if you're going to follow your logic to its ultimate conclusion. And let's not forget Forbidden Planet, which is almost a template for ST. Finally, I'd note that if ST was responsible for other shows coming along in that same vein, why have there been no others in 25 years until B5 (in terms of series set in our future, with us as a spacefaring civilization, with a fully worked out cosmology/universe)? Do you know why it took 5 years to sell B5? Because we were told, by execs at CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, Showtime, HBO, and elsewhere that -- and this is a direct quote -- "There's no room for any other SF show of this kind other than ST. The market won't sustain it." ST has been used as a rationale NOT to do space SF for *years*. We had to fight like mad to overcome that notion. So you'll understand why, having fought for years to overcome the roadblock that ST was in terms of selling B5, why I can only shake my head when someone tries to attribute the presence of this show to ST. jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Vorlons as Angels Date: 95-11-29 23:16:21 EST From: Rick9719 Even if you could show that some 'Angels' mentioned in antiquity were in fact, extratarestrials, this wouldn't prove that Angels don't exitst. Actually I don't think the Bible describes the physical appearance of Angels. In any case the Angels in Ezikel (sp?) could be Vorlons, while the ones who announced the birth of the lord could have come straight from heaven. For that matter, it doesn't matter a lick where the Angels came from. What matters is the message. Subj: Re:Vorlons as Angels Date: 95-11-30 02:39:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Also, it has not been stated anywhere that the Vorlons created the angel element; they could easily just have come in and tried to exploit it.... jms _________________________________________________________ Subj: Ratings Date: 95-12-01 06:21:11 EST From: JosephH49 B5 was taken off the air here in the San Antonio area. In talking with another area station manager who is interested in picking up B5, his comment was that the problem was NOT that B5 was that low in the ratings, it was the ratio used for local commercials. He said that the 14 minutes per hour were divided up so heavily in favor of the network, that it was literally impossible for a local station to make money on the show. He said that it was clearly a popular show, but if time shifting had to be done in order to make room for another show that earned more money for the station, B5 would be a logical choice. And as we all know, if people don't know when it's on, they can't watch it, and the ratings can't build. Maybe the shows distributors are the ones who need a letter writing campaign. They are killing it with their own greed. Anyone know the address to write to? Subj: Ratings Date: 95-12-02 01:46:18 EST From: Jms at B5 Every so often, this flares up, and I have to kind of get into it. Yes, Bruce would like the ratings to get better, because he feels that this show is at least as good as ST, if not better, and thus deserves the same ratings. This is not a reasonable expectation, I think; ST has almost 30 years of presence in the public consciousness. You can't beat that. What *is* important is that we have continued to get the level of ratings required for renewal. You don't have to be a top-10 show, or even a top-20 show; that's only the very tip...there are about 250 syndicated shows out there, and we are invariably in the top 35-40 out of 250, the ratings are either constant or growing in various markets, and the demographics (the kind of people watching the show) are exactly what the advertisers want. Consequently, the ads sell for very good prices to the sponsors...and WB is making money on the show. There's this recurrent wave of panic about the ratings that's really not merited. The fact is that Space Rangers is off the air, Time Trax is gone, SeaQuest has sunk, Earth 2 has fallen out of orbit, Sliders is gone, VR5 is gone...of all the SF shows introduced the same time or after we were, only B5 and DS9 are still here. They're gone because they didn't get the ratings necessary for renewal. We're here because we do. It's really that simple. I've never intended this show to be a Huge Landslide Success, a *FRANCHISE* a la ST. I want to tell this story, and it's the kind of story that kinda grows on you. If you want to get the really big numbers, you have to dumb up the show, bring in kids, have lots of women in skimpy outfits, and make it into something other than what it is. And once you *become* a franchise, you get Noticed by the studio types...when you get Noticed by the studio types, suddenly they want to protect you...protect the show...and any stories with teeth in them get knocked down, all the corners get filed off...and you've got something soft and inoffensive and essentially meaningless. If I for a *moment* genuinely thought that this show was in any measure of jeapordy, I'd be right here banging the drums and sounding the clarion call and urging everyone to go out there and move and start letter campaigns and make lots of calls. You'll notice I'm not doing that. Because it's not necessary. The show is doing well enough to go on, and that means the story will be told, the way I feel it has to be told. If that should *ever* change...believe me, you'll hear about it. jms *********************************************************** * Lisa E. Freeman * WILL TYPE * * President * FOR * * Advanced Office Services * FOOD!! * *********************************************************** -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on GEnie - 12/04/95 Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 11:01:30 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!noc.near.net!howland. reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!dstrauss From: dstrauss@netcom.com (David Strauss) Subject: JMS on GEnie - 12/04/95 Message-ID: Organization: Psi_Corps_Council_of_Elders Date: Tue, 5 Dec 1995 03:59:23 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (ds) Lines: 67 Sender: dstrauss@netcom5.netcom.com Note that I can't promise I can keep posting these on a regular basis, but I'll do the best I can. ===== SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 728 Sun Dec 03, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:44 EST The starfury vs. starfury shot is not from second season; take it as a portent. I think the Londo bombing Narn scene, and the Londo/G'Kar in the transport tube scene, are just two examples of how a shot came out better than I could've hoped. Glenn: regarding residuals...you would, of course, be quite correct IF B5 was going into regular syndication after it's finished. But it's going to TNT. See, in regular broadcast syndication, your residuals are a percentage of your original payment. In cable, it's a percentage of what the cable network paid for the show. So as an example...if my Murder, She Wrote episodes were playing in broadcast syndication, my first payment would be about $14,000, second about $10,000, then it drops until you get to about $500 then it kinda stays there. Instead, M,SW was sold to USA. You know what my first residual was there? $24. And it goes down from there, to where the WGA doesn't even bother collecting them anymore, 'cause you're looking at a couple of dollars here and there. The problem is that the WGA allowed huge discounts for cable, back when it was just starting...and hasn't corrected this now that cable is HUGE. And who gets screwed? Us. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 744 Mon Dec 04, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:46 EST Sue: funny thing is, after the Serling special aired, I got a whole passel of notes -- some in public over on CIS, also lots of email -- from folks who, as one person said, "looked at Serling, looked at jms, looked at Serling, looked at jms...and suddenly I realized who I've been speaking with all this time." It is, to be sure, high praise; given Serling's position in my pantheon of writers/role models, I'm not sure there' is much higher. Since I've been writing nonstop for the last few days, I didn't get a chance to actually watch the thing until late last night and this morning, on tape. For me, the most resonant parts were the quotes from Serling himself about the work...the terrible deadlines, the fact that it's *you* right there and you're the target because you're in charge of the thing...the pressure, the responsibility, the longing for a little house by a lake and some quiet time...the basic and constant self doubt and wondering if it's ever going to be good enough...I heard a lot of stuff that's come out of my own mouth over the last couple of years. Overall, I thought it was very well done. jms ------------ -- David Strauss <*> Administrator, N.Y. Islanders Mailing List "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on CompuServe (Dec 02-04, 1995) Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 11:04:42 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!gatech!psuvax1!news.m ath.psu.edu!chi-news.cic.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!call isto!not-for-mail From: brent.barrett@24stex.com (Brent Barrett) Subject: JMS on CompuServe (Dec 02-04, 1995) Message-ID: <1995Dec5.174704.28718@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Automedia, Inc. Date: Tue, 5 Dec 95 17:47:04 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 805 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The following posts may contain SPOILERS for upcoming Babylon 5 episodes. [spoilers for "Passing through Gethsemane", "Quality of Mercy", "Fall of Night". -- mod. ] Continue at your own risk. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S P O I L E R P R O T E C T I O N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #: 408908 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 04:21:06 Sb: #408857-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: John McAuley 100260,412 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, Will the screen saver be available in the UK? Is there an Email address? Or will my christmas stocking be bereft of a B5 screen saver :-( -John #: 409386 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 22:52:07 Sb: #408908-B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John McAuley 100260,412 (X) Dunno about the UK availability; someone here has the 800 phone number, which can be used for ordering, though. jms #: 408932 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 07:21:12 Sb: # Fm: JOHN GRAVES 102735,1124 To: JMS 71016,1644 (X) I've browsed a number of comments from viewers, but have noted little concerning the possibility that all of Brother Theo's "fellows" are prisoners who've gone through the brain wipe technique. It seems logical that, given the current Earth political situation, these "undesireables" would be sent to a place like B-5. This also would account for Sheridan's shock at meeting the "new" brother...he realized that ALL of the "brothers" could be "brain-wiped" serial killers. Am I reading this correctly? Next, a question. If Lyta didn't perform the "brain wipe" on our new "brother", who did? Last question. I've heard that B5 syndication rights have been sold to Turner/TNT. Is this true? If yes, when will they start running the series? Did they purchase the pilot movie? Thanks...a lot of us REALLY enjoy this show (and we're all over 40)! #: 409387 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 22:52:08 Sb: #408932-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: JOHN GRAVES 102735,1124 No, the other brothers aren't mind-wiped. You're mis-remembering "The Quality of Mercy." Telepaths do NOT perform mindwipes. A court appointed teep makes a scan before and after for purposes of comparison, but the wipe is done by a device held under lock and key until ordered out by a court. The only reason Talia did it in QoM was because they couldn't get a court teep there in the required time (which was also stated in the episode). So here the court appointed telepath would have come and gone by now. jms #: 409073 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 12:53:35 Sb: #408831-#Submitted for.... Fm: Rae Augenstein 72752,1653 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Any chance those new Twilight Zones are out there anywhere? I remember watching the CBS series, and really liking it. Of course, I *love* the old show a lot. I'd enjoy seeing some of the newer ones again. Rae ^^^^ #: 409388 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 22:52:11 Sb: #409073-Submitted for.... Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rae Augenstein 72752,1653 (X) Don't know if the new TZs are playing anywhere, actually.... jms #: 409082 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 13:13:40 Sb: #Garibaldi's arm Fm: Chas T Freund 75036,160 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) First Ivanova's ankle, now Garibaldi's arm! Boy your a tough man to work for! -ctf #: 409389 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 22:52:14 Sb: #409082-#Garibaldi's arm Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Chas T Freund 75036,160 (X) Weird thing is that Claudia broke her foot in an episode where I mentioned her foot (the same one, btw), and Jerry broke his arm in the same episode where I have someone say to him, "What, you've got a broken arm or something?" Very, very weird...I've been asked *not* to make any further reference to body parts of our various cast members, and I'm *definitely* not having anything bad happen to any guest cast named Dick.... jms #: 409292 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 19:46:25 Sb: #408653-#From jms: info Fm: Ronald J Holder 71561,1642 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) It wasn't on your list, but I thought I'd pass the show's time slot in South Bend, Indiana, on WSBT Fox 28. It has been showing Saturdays at 6 PM up until today; for the next several weeks it will be on Saturdays at 12 noon. I believe it has a second run about 3AM late Sunday night. A quick comment: It is very regrettable what you were subjected to on rec.arts.scifi.tv. I am on a mailing list for your replies to 'net messages, and read the 'wrapup' letters you wrote. I just want to say that I enjoy the show tremendously, and enjoy and appreciate your involvement in this forum very much. I have a deeper involve- ment with this show than anything else I have ever watched OR read, as a result of the discussions that go on here. Good luck tracking the ratings; with all the stations dropping the show, others picking it up, and all the time changes, it must be like trying to count a swarm of bees! #: 409392 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 23:12:55 Sb: #409292-From jms: info Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Ronald J Holder 71561,1642 (X) Thanks, for both the comments and the info. jms #: 409154 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 15:52:49 Sb: #Vorlons and Shadows Fm: gopher 75410,177 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) So, are Vorlons and Shadows the same "race" or beings? Also, do both Vorlons and Shadows have psi ability, just Vorlons, or neither? It seems like Kosh does, but we've never seen the Shadows exhibit psi ability. If that's true, it's interesting that the Narn, who also have no psi ability, were the only planet to actually have the Shadown on them in recent history... hmmm.... /Mark Pietrasanta #: 409393 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 23:12:58 Sb: #409154-#Vorlons and Shadows Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: gopher 75410,177 Nope, not the same race. jms #: 409209 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 17:38:43 Sb: # Fm: Sharon Foster 76360,301 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Well, I had a feeling I'd be sorry I didn't hold back a few superlatives from Comes the Inquisitor so I'd have some in reserve for occasions like this. Little did I expect when I started watching a year and a half ago that I'd also be getting a graduate level theology course thrown in for free. If I had your talents I might be able to describe how I feel right now. I'll just say that I'm glad this story was finally able to be produced. [Oh, and, in response to the question who's creeped out by the thought of what's going on between Lyta and Kosh.] Really enjoyed tonight's conference. Thanks for doing it. --------------------------------- "All I've got is, what I've got." #: 409394 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 23:12:58 Sb: #409209-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Sharon Foster 76360,301 (X) Thanks, glad you liked it. jms #: 409350 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 21:37:39 Sb: # Fm: Larry Rosenblum 72122,1555 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, Thanks for attending the CIS conference. It was good to have you here. I have two questions about "Passing Through Gethsemane," please pardon me if they've been asked before. 1) Why did no medical personnel arrive before Edward died? I can understand that Med Lab must be far away, but wouldn't there be medical people located throughout the station who would respond to an emergency, like an ambulance service? 2) When Sheridan and Theo discovered that Edward was using the computer to research his past, why didn't Sheridan order the computer to stop work on Edward's request. Certainly Edward would have found out, but at least he wouldn't have found out about his past. Larry Rosenblum PS I've nearly completed my set of Trading Cards. I think they're fantastic, much nicer than the other TV-related cards I've seen. I'm not a card collector, but I will treasure my set of B5 cards. And I hope there'll be another down the road. #: 409395 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 23:13:03 Sb: #409350-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Larry Rosenblum 72122,1555 They were in a pretty distant part of DownBelow, and in B5 you don't have trains or cars; there's just the transport tubes, and the central core shuttle. Even if they gave a damn about what happens to lurkers in DownBelow (and they generally don't), it would still take at least 5-10 minutes to get a trauma team down there, and he was dead within about 3. (I was once mugged half a mile from a police station and a mile from a hospital; took 'em 30 minutes to get there.) Sheridan and Theo didn't *discover* that Edward was using the computer; Theo was concerned that he was looking into it in general. And if they had blocked the computer in his quarters, he would have been able to access one somewhere else. They didn't know he'd actually done it until after the fact. jms #: 409287 S5/Babylon 5: General 02-Dec-95 19:44:51 Sb: #408079-#Internet and Babylon 5 Fm: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 To: Henry Estes 75021,1233 (X) Henry, Try these URLs for Babylon 5... Babylon 5 Agamemnon's Sound site ftp://archive.egr.msu.edu/pub/babylon5/b5.htm Babylon 5 Agamemnon's Photo Site ftp://archive.egr.msu.edu/pub/babylon5/photos Babylon 5 Hyperion Mirror ftp://ftp.uml.edu|Pictures, synopsis, etc. Babylon 5 Lurker's Guide Hyperion Web Site http://www.hyperion.com/lurk/lurker.html Babylon 5 Lurker's Guide Sound and Video Clips http://www.hyperion.com/b5/Clips/ Babylon 5 Merchandise and Products http://www.halcyon.com/uncomyn/b5.html Babylon 5 RMES Web http://www.mbhs.edu/~dchase/rmes.html Babylon 5 UK Web Page http://mkn.co.uk/help/extra/people/laurie Babylon 5 Web Page http://akebono.stanford.edu/yahoo/Entertainment/Television/Shows/Science_Fictio / abylon_5/ Babylon 5 Web Page http://www.access.digex.net/~janette Babylon 5 windows scheme http://www.nwlink.com/~dreams Babylon 5 WWW Encyclopedia http://web.uml.edu/Babylon-Enc/enc.html Babylon 5 WWW links http://public.navisoft.com/pub/maf_1c.htm -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] #: 409725 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 14:39:57 Sb: #409287-#Internet and Babylon 5 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 (X) And of course the Warner Bros. web site for B5, at pathfinder.com. jms #: 409305 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 20:05:10 Sb: #409072-# Fm: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] 72631,23 To: Rae Augenstein 72752,1653 >> Do you think Zack would really turn anyone, especially his superior >> officers, in to the Nightwatch? He seemed really reluctant to name names >> before, and I think he respects Sheridan & Co. too much to do that. Yea, he's reluctant, but he's also between a rock and a hard place -- he's got his loyalty to the B5 crew, and pressure from the NW folks to produce more. He may let something slip that he thinks is minor, but causes major headaches for his superiors. >> Now if Sheridan does something to tick him off, OTOH.... ooh. Scary. That was almost the impression I got at the end of PtG -- that Zack was a little steamed. He may just mention Sheridan losing his temper to the NW folks... #: 409726 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 14:39:59 Sb: #409305-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] 72631,23 (X) And bear in mind that it's never just a common sense "oh, these guys are lying to me from Nightwatch, they're the bad guys." It's always couched in such a way that it sounds like it *might* be a real concern. That was how McCarthy and others terrorized this country during the 1950s. There were plenty of people who really *believed* that the Reds had infiltrated every aspect of society, as well as those who might've had doubts, but figured that maybe where there's smoke there IS fire. jms #: 409368 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 22:22:11 Sb: #409072-# Fm: Mara K. Malovany 102750,1414 To: Rae Augenstein 72752,1653 (X) >>Do you think Zack would really turn anyone, especially his superior officers, in to the Nightwatch? He seemed really reluctant to name names before, and I think he respects Sheridan & Co. too much to do that. << PMFJI, but I'm very curious to find out why Zack is still in Nightwatch at all. After the shop-keeper got arrested, he'd have to be pretty stupid to think it was just easy money with no strings attatched. So, is he still involved out of greed, or out of fear that he will become a target of the Nightwatch himself, or maybe because he's acting as B5/Garibaldi's spy? I can't believe he would willingly turn on Sheridan and the others either, but then I suppose we really don't know all that much about Zack after all. Mara #: 409727 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 14:40:01 Sb: #409368-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mara K. Malovany 102750,1414 (X) And, as I noted in a message just now, maybe he thinks that they might be telling the truth, that maybe something *is* going on. jms #: 409410 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 02-Dec-95 23:58:02 Sb: #Analogies Fm: PhilbrtPHD 76726,364 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I also enjoy the plots that parallel history. The mutual non-aggression pact, Neville Chamberlin, etc. As far as I'm concerned this is the first intelligent Sci Fi show to come along since the first Star Trek series. I'd thought intelligent and gripping writing was dead till I found B5. Your a hell of a writer and producer. I'll be holding my breath till the entire 5 year run is over and I'm sure I'll get to see the entire story finished. Turning Blue P.D. #: 409749 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 15:48:18 Sb: #409410-Analogies Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: PhilbrtPHD 76726,364 Thanks, and we appreciate you coming along for the ride.... jms #: 409439 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 01:32:46 Sb: #408175-# Fm: Mark D. Smith 70254,107 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >> "...a cruel use of beauty." What a great way to phrase it. Never heard that before. Thanks.<< I was thinking about the connection of the Vorlons and our own religious and mythological systems. So far, we have been equating the Vorlons with angels and beings of light and good (mainly ). BUT, the Judeo-Christian belief has Satan, the evil one, being also called Lucifer and THE most powerful angel created. He's described as masquerading as an angel of light. How like Kosh. Any connections there?!? mark #: 409750 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 15:48:19 Sb: #409439-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mark D. Smith 70254,107 (X) What, you really expect an answer....? jms #: 409521 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 07:58:22 Sb: #408725-#From jms: info Fm: Les P. George 76162,1250 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) jms, I watched the "Passing Through Gethsemane" episode, (which was great, I understand your references to a twilight zone quality to the episode) at 11:00 pm to midnight, as it has been for a few months now. No idea where Tim got his info, but please trust me on this one. It is a drag to have to stay up til midnight on a Saturday to get my B5 fix. I know I could time displacement with a VCR, but it is nice to see it as soon as it is available in this area. I have talked to the local stationhere in Atlanta which broadcasts the show, with not much results. It can not be all that great for ratings to be in such a strange time slot. While I am* talking* to you, I wanted to say keep up the great work. I have been noticing a trend where more and more of the resources that Sheridan and the "forces of light" have to draw on are completely independent of EA, like Draal & the planet below, the Rangers, the White Star, Theo and his techno-monks, etc, at a time where things are getting stranger and more ominous on the EA front. Couple this with Sheridan's recent comments about the EA uniform he wears not standing for what it used to, makes me think that a radical change is in the works. Any comments? BTW, the coming attractions for the next episode after "Gethsemene" were for the episode from last season where the president's doctor is hiding on B5. Why rerun this ep? All the season 2 eps except for the last 4 have been repeated at least twice. If there need to be reruns, which I fully understand, why not at least start them with the final 4 season 2 episodes which have not been rerun. Les #: 409751 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 15:48:22 Sb: #409521-From jms: info Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Les P. George 76162,1250 One could say that this has to come to a head soon, yes. And in a way, that's the answer to your question of running "Hunter, Prey" next. It places a few things back on the table to remind folks before we pay them off. jms #: 409546 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 09:35:36 Sb: #409395-# Fm: Randall A. Schanze 74724,762 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Just saw Gethsemane and I was blown away. To say any more about the episode itself would probably annoy you, and it would certainly diminish the afterglow for me, but I just wanted you to know that I respect you. I respect you because I've followed your threads here on Religion for the past 2 years, and I know that you, personaly, are an athiest, but I also know that your repsect the beliefs of others, even if you yourself don't buy 'em, and that you take other's beliefs seriously, even if they make no sense to you. I also respect you because you ARE tackling the taboo subject of religion with deapth and insight that does credit to you and to anyone who watches. Finaly, I respect you because, based on what I've read here, you've made informed choices about theology and not simply rejected the whole thing out of hand like so many athiests do. Just thought you should know that even though I am a Christian, I appreciate what you're doing, and I respect you and your beliefs. Thanks a lot for bringing back a little dignity on television to my own beliefs! Thank You! Admiral Randy JMS is the Coolest Athiest I Know Of #: 409752 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 15:48:24 Sb: #409546-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Randall A. Schanze 74724,762 (X) Yes, but will you still respect me in the morning...? (And thanks, seriously.) jms #: 409628 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 11:27:23 Sb: #409387-# Fm: John McAuley 100260,412 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, In TQoM you suggested that Earth was capable of erasing a person's personality and installing a new one. Now you say that this is accomplished using *machinery*, not human teeps. This is machinery that is so common, B5 has some, locked away in a cupboard somewhere. This seems very advanced for *Earth*. How long have the humans had this technology? -John #: 409753 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 15:48:26 Sb: #409628-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John McAuley 100260,412 It's really been most useable in probably the preceding 30-40 years. jms #: 409779 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 16:17:05 Sb: #409393-#Vorlons and Shadows Fm: Gerald Himmelein 100417,3703 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) > Nope, not the same race. Do you accept a follow-up on the question asked in the first place? Are the races of the Vorlons and the Shadows related to each other genetically? - [GHi] "Perhaps there was some small wisdom in letting your people live" #: 409877 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 18:43:59 Sb: #409779-#Vorlons and Shadows Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Gerald Himmelein 100417,3703 (X) Nope. jms #: 409838 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 17:53:39 Sb: #Minbari Religion Fm: Rebecca Eschliman 76072,2345 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Is the Minbari religion as described by Delenn in "Gethsemane" at all inspired by the tenets of Gnosticism? Her description of the universe trying to know itself as told to Brother Edward reminded me vividly of a book I found quite by accident in my college library which analyzed Gnosticism in a conversational, contemporary manner. It's been too long since then for me to remember title or author, but the description of the nature of reality stayed with me long after. #: 409878 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 18:44:00 Sb: #409838-Minbari Religion Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rebecca Eschliman 76072,2345 I don't think there's a direct connection there, no. jms #: 409845 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 18:05:27 Sb: #409725-#Internet and Babylon 5 Fm: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) > And of course the Warner Bros. web site for B5, at pathfinder.com Joe, Is this the complete URL http://www.pathfinder.com/babylon5 ? -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] #: 409879 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 18:44:02 Sb: #409845-Internet and Babylon 5 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 (X) Yes, I believe that's the full address. jms #: 409765 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 16:06:30 Sb: #409605-# Fm: Carol Williams 76360,1726 To: John Bedard 102117,3515 I wondered this too for a few moments (before I started reading all the hash on the boards anyway--then I forgot) I *ALSO* wonder about the time frame on this... Do they have the power/authority on B5 to immediately haul a suspect in, try, convict, sentence and punish so quick? What was the time frame between Bro Ed dying and Malcolm getting 'wiped'? I know that it worked to 'wrap up the story line' but in the bigger picture, such a quick turnaround....well... it just bugs me. (altho I'll admit I may have missed something important in multitudes of previous episodes....the many I've yet to see) Carol Williams #: 409881 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 18:51:40 Sb: #409765- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Carol Williams 76360,1726 Yes, B5 has a court system, authorized by the Earth Alliance Judicial System, to conduct trials of this sort (which we've seen before). And in this case, again, there wasn't a trial per se as Ivanova noted; he pleaded guilty from the start, quite proud of what he'd done. So all that remained was the sentencing. jms #: 409766 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 16:06:32 Sb: #408906-# Fm: Carol Williams 76360,1726 To: John McAuley 100260,412 <> Just an off thought, but it also seems a bit pointless and irrelevant for Christ to have had to repent for sins others committed.... hmmmm....interesting twist of thought CW #: 409882 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 18:51:41 Sb: #409766- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Carol Williams 76360,1726 Carol: *exactly* the right point. In his earlier talk about Gethsemane, Edward mentioned that old JC had to go through all that to atone for the sins of others; when he sees Theo later, through the grate, he uses the same notion of atonement for the acts of another, in this case, *his* other. The logical parallel parses pretty closely. jms #: 409927 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 03-Dec-95 20:19:15 Sb: #409753-# Fm: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) When a person is mind wiped, are there, say, ten or so servile personalities available, each with a slightly different set of skills (hmmm...let's use #10 for this guy...) or it is something constructed by a teep? Secondly, Brother Edward was a bright functional person, who might possibly have decided on day to leave the monistary and become a successful broker (or whatever he was doing). Sure he always would have been a good guy and wanted to serve and help people, but some such folk are still quite successful. Do you get to go out on your own and try to make it after a mindwipe, or does the government keep you purposely ignorant and uneducated "cleaning toilets" for the rest of your life, or are you allowed to achieve? Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS! #: 410059 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 00:10:54 Sb: #409927-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) There are templates used, with some variations. In a government monitored situation (which this wasn't, they thought he was dead), mindwipes are kept in servile positions, not allowed to achieve, as that would be a kind of reward. Those guys you see along the roadsides picking up trash and putting them in bright orange bags? Mindwipes. jms /********************************************* * Brent Barrett brent.barrett@24stex.com * * Senior Software Engineer Automedia, Inc * *********************************************/ -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on CompuServe (Dec04-05, 1995) *SPOILERS* Date: Fri, 8 Dec 1995 14:22:12 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!scifi!news.emi.net!news.sprintlink.net !news.heurikon.com!news.dpc.net!novia!news.inc.net!news.sol.net!daily-planet.execpc.com!homer.alpha .net!news.jersey.net!news.win.bright.net!brutus.bright.net!chi-news.cic.net!uwm.edu!spool.mu.edu!ho wland.reston.ans.net!swrinde!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!newsfe ed.cit.cornell.edu!cornellcs!rochester!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: brent.barrett@24stex.com (Brent Barrett) Subject: JMS on CompuServe (Dec04-05, 1995) *SPOILERS* Message-ID: <1995Dec6.201913.6341@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Wed, 6 Dec 95 20:19:13 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 757 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:32 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:108692 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The following posts may contain SPOILERS for upcoming Babylon 5 episodes. [spoilers to "Passing through Gethsemane","Soul Hunter" --mod.] Continue at your own risk. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S P O I L E R P R O T E C T I O N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #: 410091 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 03:48:44 Sb: #408653-#From jms: info Fm: Steve Ruud 72056,2760 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, B5 airs Friday at 10:00pm not Tuesday at 10:00pm. (FWIW, Tuesday 10:00pm was the slot for seasons 1&2 with a repeat on Friday at 10:00pm the same week). Steve #: 410254 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 11:54:35 Sb: #410091-#From jms: info Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Steve Ruud 72056,2760 This doesn't help me unless I know where it's airing; can you tell me *where* it's airing in this time slot? Thanks. jms #: 410181 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 08:27:17 Sb: #B5 Questions Fm: T.N.Tumbusch 71034,1607 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe- In the first episode of season two, Sheridan indicates that the Tragati is "about two jumps from Babylon 5." Is there a limit to the distance a ship can travel in hyperspace via the Jumpgates? Also...is Talia's current absence from the show just part of the storyline, or is there a behind-the-scenes reason why the actress is not available? -TNT #: 410255 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 11:54:36 Sb: #410181-B5 Questions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: T.N.Tumbusch 71034,1607 (X) No, no limit on jumps, but you tend to ride the beacon from one jump gate to the next to avoid getting lost. jms #: 410206 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 09:48:56 Sb: #AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: Charles Agius 72712,3572 To: ALL B5 Fans To all Babylon 5 members interested in saving the show. In the past months I have urges changes in the way B5 is marketed and run. The poor public relations and long rerun blocks are wrecking the show in the ratings. By January B5 will have aired only 4 new shows. This after we waited for FOUR MONTHS! to get new episodes. The signs of cancellation are in the air. The show has poor ratings and is being jugled and even dropped by many networks. In addition commercials are having a hard time finding an audience during the show. I have made many pleas to JMS to make minor, but needed changes to the show in order to help it survive. His response has been >>I'd rather let the show die, than make the changes you propose!<< This quote was in response to a request to put more commercials on the air for the show and to limit the number of reruns. However, If you the reader will also write to JMS and tell him of the changes you think are needed we might be able to keep the show alive to complete the arc. Sincerely, Grand Admiral Thrawn Leader of those with COMMON SENSE #: 410256 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 12:05:44 Sb: #410206-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles Agius 72712,3572 (X) No, sorry to correct you, but the changes you suggested to me were that I basically dumb down the show, take out the arc, and otherwise make the show something it is not. Because if what you HAD said was to "put on more commericals for the show and to limit the number of reruns," I would have said -- as others here know -- that I have repeatedly asked for more promos for the show, and that I have argued incessantly with PTEN about the reruns, but I HAVE CONTROL OVER NEITHER. I/we don't make or distribute the promos, and it's up to your local station to allocate commercial time to promote the show. They have 'em, if they don't air 'em, that's their call; PTEN provides matching funds for promo airings. And the show broadcast schedule is determined by PTEN, I have no influence over that. So if you're going to quote me, get it right, for starters. Second, the ratings are doing just fine right now. The juggling of the show on a few stations -- and it is just a very few stations -- has to do with changes in the syndication marketplace overall and the shrinking number of slots. Every so often, someone -- often you -- comes in here and tries to throw everyone into a panic. Give it a rest. If I thought there were the slightest threat to B5, believe me, you'd hear it. And if you're going to quote me, don't distort it to your own purposes. My response to you was in answer to *story and character changes* you suggested that would've ruined the very core of the show. Stop screwing around. jms #: 409994 S5/Babylon 5: General 03-Dec-95 22:00:09 Sb: #409046-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: Burhaan Ahmad 75754,3065 To: Ken Mayer 71333,1030 (X) >> However, the number of bitmaps is small compared to the number of .BAF files used for the screen saver. << I see. I give it try, and hope Win95 doesn't protest. -ba- ^^^^ RMES - Abstract artists, concrete analysts, ruthless bookies - #: 410841 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 22:48:42 Sb: #409994-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Burhaan Ahmad 75754,3065 (X) Apparently the program *is* win95 compatible, at least that's what it says, I haven't yet upgraded, waiting a) for the bugs to get worked out, and b) until I have the time required for the learning curve of installation. jms #: 410369 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 15:15:48 Sb: # Fm: David Belt 72142,1365 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, Once again you astound me, sir! My wife and I were deeply moved, both of us to tears. What a wonderful story! I am so glad that things got ironed out so you could share it with us. You know, for an professd atheist, you certainly have a profound understanding of true religion. What a wonderful insight! Thank you, sir. I teach the 12 and 13 year old deacons at church and I would like to show my tape of this episode as part of a lesson. That would probably violate the law (so I can't do it), but it what a lesson it would make! Dave #: 410866 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 23:11:37 Sb: #410369-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David Belt 72142,1365 (X) No, showing a tape to other folks is perfectly legal as long as no admission is charged. So you're welcome to do so, and welcome in general. jms #: 410373 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 15:18:48 Sb: #409753-# Fm: Paul Maskens (OMRI UK) 100012,3274 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >> It's really been most useable in probably the preceding 30-40 years. Hmmm, and how long has man been on Mars? Connection - Mars/Shadows : human mind technology... #: 410867 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:11:37 Sb: #410373- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Paul Maskens (OMRI UK) 100012,3274 (X) Man has been on Mars for just under 100 years. jms #: 410499 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 17:04:16 Sb: #410256-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: Trent K. Johnson 71020,1052 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Re promos: Is there/was there a B5 promo feed available? I seem to remember there being one, but I may be thinking of the short "making-of" special that ran way back when. The local station here that's beginning in January to air B5 (starting with "Divided Loyalties", btw) is planning on putting together a promo campaign prior to airing, and the Promotions supvr was asking if there's anything available. If not, I assume they'll be putting together clips from what they've already been fed... Cheers! Trent/ReAnimators ^^^^ CD-RMES #: 410868 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:11:39 Sb: #410499-AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Trent K. Johnson 71020,1052 I don't know, but I would imagine WB has something.... jms #: 410619 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 19:27:35 Sb: #409752-# Fm: Robert Miller 71501,3042 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I just had to add my praise for the way Theo and Edward were written. Usually a religious character on television is written either as a sanctimonious do-gooder or a crazed fanatic. Theo and Edward are neither. They are simply good men seeking their God and to understand the world around them. They also function in the same setting as everyone else, and have the same concerns about things such as money. Their dialogue rang true throughout. The fact that it was written by someone who is not himself religious made it all the more extraordinary. Theo is fast becoming one of my favorite characters, and I hope we eventually see him interacting with the rest of the cast. #: 410869 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:11:43 Sb: #410619-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Robert Miller 71501,3042 (X) One caveat here overall...it's been complimented and commented upon that I would expose a belief system in my show which I do not personally agree with (presenting the face of religion even though I'm an atheist). That I could be this tolerant is apparently praiseworthy. I would just suggest that at some point, when and if I should offer a point of view from another perspective, which one watching might not personally agree with, the same tolerance is given, since the virtue of tolerating divergent attitudes has been deemed praiseworthy...and is something ever to strive for.... jms #: 410672 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 20:19:05 Sb: #410256-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: Rick Shelton [FL] 72560,3114 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, I try to avoid the doomsayers who talk about "saving" B5 or whatever. For what it's worth *I* think B5 is the best thing on TV right now. It's great fun. BTW, thank goodness I was taping the episode where Londo told Vir: "Women may even come to find you attractive." It took me about a half hour to stop laughing over that one. Great Line! Finally (!) if you or anyone else in the forum is interested in space photos I highly reccommend the astronomy forum. They have Hubble photos of M16, Orion, etc that will blow you away. Rick #: 410870 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:11:46 Sb: #410672-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rick Shelton [FL] 72560,3114 Actually I already downloaded the M16 shots from the Hubble web page, glorious stuff. jms #: 410683 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 20:26:00 Sb: #B5 Screensaver Fm: Jason Wong 73302,776 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Any idea when the product will be in stores? By Christmas hopefully? BTW, what ever happened to the idea of a B5 Wing Commander type game? L8r. #: 410871 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 23:11:46 Sb: #410683-#B5 Screensaver Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jason Wong 73302,776 (X) Actually it's hitting stores now. (And there may be a Mac version after the first of the year.) jms #: 410740 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 20:51:41 Sb: #Bill Mumy's show on Nick Fm: Shelley Marshall 70751,2114 To: 71016,1644 (X) Will Bill Mumy's new show on Nick affect whatever you had planned for Lennier this or next season? #: 410872 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 23:11:49 Sb: #410740-Bill Mumy's show on Nick Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Shelley Marshall 70751,2114 (X) No, there's no conflict at all between our schedule and theirs; he's producing it from here, not acting in it. jms #: 410748 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 21:14:38 Sb: #409389-#Garibaldi's arm Fm: Elyse M. Grasso 70302,3304 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Did you have to do a lot of rewriting to fold the broken arm into the onging story? #: 410873 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 23:11:51 Sb: #410748-Garibaldi's arm Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Elyse M. Grasso 70302,3304 (X) Actually just took a line or two to cover it, given what happened in the previous episode. jms #: 410801 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 22:10:16 Sb: #Minbari Religion Fm: Scott Miller 70562,3656 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) The account of Minbari religious beliefs in 'Gethsemane' seem to me to contridict earlier references. Delenn said they believe the 'soul' is a "non-localized phenomenon". She said, "We believe that the universe... breaks itself apart, investing its own consciousness in EVERY form of life." Lennier says, "The soul is also a projection. It does not exist inside us..." This seems to me to be at odds with events in 'Soul Hunter', where 'souls' were stored in small orbs. It also seems to confuse the facts concerning the end of the Earth/Minbari war. As I understand it, it was ended because Sinclair was discovered to have a 'Minbari soul'. How could the Minbari see a distinction between 'Minbari souls' or 'Human souls' or 'Centauri souls' etc., if there's just one 'universal' soul? Scott #: 410874 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:11:53 Sb: #410801-#Minbari Religion Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Scott Miller 70562,3656 (X) If there were just one pure and unchanged unvirsal soul running through everything, there wouldn't be any point in breaking itself into pieces and investing itself in different species/people...it would just keep running into identical versions of itself. So the soul form in Minbari is different from the soul form in humans; also, in their view, having been civilized longer than us, their soul form is more elevated, more evolved...and thus the pices are more precious, to them, and to the Soul Hunters. jms #: 410906 S5/Babylon 5: General 04-Dec-95 23:52:00 Sb: #410525-Minbari Souls Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Sharon Foster 76360,301 (X) See my other note here about souls, this may clarify a bit. jms #: 410849 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 22:58:52 Sb: #409395-# Fm: Daena Hinkelman 73554,1731 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I cried at the end. The themes of faith and forgiveness were worthy of a theologian. Are you sure there isn't something you'd like to tell us? DLH #: 410907 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 04-Dec-95 23:52:02 Sb: #410849-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Daena Hinkelman 73554,1731 (X) "The themes of faith and forgiveness were worthy of a theologian. Are you sure there isn't something you'd like to tell us?" Never shoot pool at a place called Pop's. Never eat food at a place called Mom's. The difference between horses and humans is that they're too smart to be on what *we'll* do. And I have lost people. Too many people. Lost them to chance, violence, brutality beyond belief; I've seen all the senseless, ignoble acts of "god's noblest creature." And I am incapable of forgiving. My feelings are with G'Kar, hand sliced open, saying of the drops of blood flowing from that open wound, "How do you apologize to them?" "I can't." "Then I cannot forgive." As an atheist, I believe that all life is unspeakably precious, because it's only here for a brief moment, a flare against the dark, and then it's gone forever. No afterlives, no second chances, no backsies. So there can be nothing crueler than the abuse, destruction or wanton taking of a life. It is a crime no less than burning the Mona Lisa, for there is always just one of each. So I cannot forgive. Which makes the notion of writing a character who CAN forgive momentarily attractive...because it allows me to explore in great detail something of which I am utterly incapable. I cannot fly, so I would write of birds and starships and kites; I cannot play an instrument, so I would write of composers and dancers; and I cannot forgive, so I would write of priests and monks and minbari.... jms #: 410930 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 02:22:21 Sb: #B5 interruptions Fm: Raymond Chuang 72441,3652 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) jms, Speaking of your asking about BABYLON 5 broadcast schedules, what do you feel about the situation regarding B5 syndicated showings being interrupted by sporting events? I believe this problem is particularly acute during the winter with college basketball, pro basketball and NHL hockey being on at the same time. Does PTEN tries to work its hardest to ensure that B5 gets shown very quickly by the local station in case such an interruption occurs? Raymond #: 411365 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 17:48:38 Sb: #410930-B5 interruptions Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Raymond Chuang 72441,3652 That stuff is entirely in the hands of the local stations. jms #: 410960 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 04:08:10 Sb: #410874-#Minbari Religion Fm: Robt Martin 75663,2701 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Interesting. The quotes Scott brings up reminds me of some reading I've done on the Kabbalah, and your explanation seems to carry this forward a bit. Any chance you've looked into Chassidic mysticism, Joe? #: 411366 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 17:48:40 Sb: #410960-Minbari Religion Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Robt Martin 75663,2701 I've looked into just about everything, Robert.... jms #: 410977 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 06:37:01 Sb: #410841-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: John Sheridan 70700,345 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >>until I have the time required for the learning curve of installation.<< The learning curve for installing WIN95 is pretty short Joe. It's getting all of your software to run *after* you install WIN95 is where the learning curve can become quite long....... #: 411367 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 17:48:41 Sb: #410977-B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John Sheridan 70700,345 Yeah, that's the part that worries me. jms #: 411242 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 14:54:58 Sb: #B5 Con#1 & Latvia Fm: Mark Koro 70252,3354 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) JMS: I just read the transcript of your conference held in the Compuserve Convention Center this past weekend. The one thing that jumped out at me was the part about Mr. Netter wanting to "conquer Latvia". Being one myself, should I be worried and is there any more to the story? Mark Koro (Koro is short for something REALLY long and unpronouncable, like Straczynski.) #: 411368 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 17:48:43 Sb: #411242-B5 Con#1 & Latvia Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mark Koro 70252,3354 (X) With Doug...always worry. jms #: 411287 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 15:34:26 Sb: #410870-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: Walter F. Hern 74201,2063 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) JMS Your right, he's wrong, keep up the good work. Polite question. In the opening there is a shot of crescent shaped "fighter " sized ships flying tips forward near B5. Whose are they please? Walt #: 411369 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 17:48:46 Sb: #411287-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Walter F. Hern 74201,2063 I think those are the ones attacking a Narn cruiser, so they're Centauri mid-size attack craft. jms #: 411338 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 17:12:55 Sb: #410256-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: Charles Agius 72712,3572 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) United States Naval Cadets NEVER SCREW AROUND!!!! We are the best. We train HARDER AND HARDER EVERY DAY so that you can get the chance to live your life in continued comfort.... I get few hours off. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Babylon 5 is my favorite show! It is an hour of enjoyment once a week that I need to get by. I don't enjoy finding that my show is constanly being tossed around in time slots and I hate to waste my time with reruns when there should not be any at this time. By the way if you think you have a hard time with network execs screwing up! Well guess what if my execs screw up I get killed! If you are incapable of taking suggestions or criticism! Find another line of work! Midshipman Gregory Agius USN AKA Grand Admiral Thrawn #: 411370 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 17:48:48 Sb: #411338-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles Agius 72712,3572 If you had any criticisms or sugggestions that made sense, well, that's one thing. But if you come in here speaking in tongues, spouting nonsense, distorting the content of previous messages, and trying to spread unnecessary panic, you're going to get ignored or rebuffed. Being a US Naval Cadet does not equate with infallibility; if YOU can't take reprimands or corrections you shouldn't be in the Armed Services. jms #: 411382 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 18:12:30 Sb: #411327-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles Agius 72712,3572 "Look if JMS were so against this rerun block he would go out there and bust some heads to get it fixed." Yeah, I can just see that...there is only one person who makes the decision on the rerun schedules. That is the same person who decides our fate, who picks us up each season, the head of the network. So I'm going to go up to the executive suites at Warner Bros. and "bust the heads" of the person in whose hands our fate rests. Have you always been a nut or is this a recent development? jms #: 411383 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 18:12:33 Sb: #411329-#AN END TO RERUNS!!!!!!!! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles Agius 72712,3572 "I'm referring to the fact that they have only made four epsisodes this season. They had that entire summer block off and now we have to wait again. Someones is getting lazy." I take it back. You're not a nut. You just don't have a clue what you're talking about. We have shot 12 episodes so far; we don't just stop and wait around for the reruns to end before we start shooting again. We shoot straight through to April. We have 3 more finished episodes in hand right now. They're holding them until the next sweeps periods. Before you start throwing around accusations, might I suggest you learn a little about what you're talking about? (Has the US Navy dropped its standards lately for cadets?) jms /********************************************* * Brent Barrett brent.barrett@24stex.com * * Senior Software Engineer Automedia, Inc * *********************************************/ -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on CompuServe (Dec 05-06, 1995) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 16:38:49 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: brent.barrett@24stex.com (Brent Barrett) Subject: JMS on CompuServe (Dec 05-06, 1995) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Message-ID: <1995Dec10.171455.6456@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Sun, 10 Dec 95 17:14:55 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 907 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The following posts may contain SPOILERS for upcoming Babylon 5 episodes. [spoilers for "Passing through Gethsemane", "Babylon Squared" --mod.] Continue at your own risk. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S P O I L E R P R O T E C T I O N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #: 411359 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 17:41:18 Sb: #Admiral's Promise Fm: Charles Agius 72712,3572 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I can keep cool under fire. There have been some valid points made here. If you say that things are under control I will accept that. I will hope than we can put this under the bridge. However, I am utterly disgusted with the rash of hard nosed response I recieved. Some of the messges were cruel and lacking informity. I will now apolagize to you directly JMS. In my haste I mis quoted you. In the future I will make sure my statements are more accurate. I truley regret it. However, I don't like it being said that I should be spaced or that I'm screwing around! My time is more valuable than that. There were also other comments made by others that struck a note of disgust. I would expect nothing less than an apology from those parties. And you know who you are. My only interest is to keep B5 on the air. Grand Admiral Thrawn #: 411661 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 00:00:50 Sb: #411359-#Admiral's Promise Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Charles Agius 72712,3572 (X) Apology accepted. We move on. jms #: 411477 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 19:18:48 Sb: #B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: Scott Withrow 71234,1474 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, Is there any possibilty of a Mac version of the screensaver? Thanks, Scott #: 411663 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 00:00:55 Sb: #411477-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Scott Withrow 71234,1474 (X) As I understand it, the company wants to come out with a Mac version in a re-release of the program sometime in the spring. It's just hitting the market and already it's doing quite well. jms #: 411485 S5/Babylon 5: General 05-Dec-95 19:23:19 Sb: #411369-#Centauri Ships Fm: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >> I think those are the ones attacking a Narn cruiser, so they're Centauri mid-size attack craft. About how many Centauri man a: 1) Fighter 2) Mid-Sized Attack Craft 3) Capital Ship and is this about standard. One last thing on numbers I have been meaning to ask. People keep saying "hundreds of thousands" of Narn were killed in the attack on Narn. Isn't this a little low? The Centauri wacked them with the (conservative) equivilent of 20 kiloton bombs, about 20 an hour (rough guess) for *Four Days*, I would have expected casualties in the hundreds of millions. Estimates of world wide losses in a global thermonuclear war on Earth go from 900 million to 2.4 billion. Why were the Narn losses so low (also remembering G'Kar's claim of "unlimited manpower" I would assume there are a few billion Narn). Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS! #: 411664 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 00:00:57 Sb: #411485-#Centauri Ships Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) Actually, yes, there are millions of dead; I think that either Vir or Na'Far gets it right in "Strife," and the other misstates the figure in the same episode. jms #: 411603 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 22:27:32 Sb: #411416-# Fm: Jon Wolf 76103,2541 To: John McAuley 100260,412 (X) << > Edward's mind is not real. It is a construct, useful only for > providing service to the society he has wronged. That's what I don't like about the process. Edward, a sentient human being, has become, only a construct. He is a thing, a useful thing, but not a person. I don't like the idea of a society that does this to people, that has people who are not considered to *be* people.>> No, no, no. *Charlie*, a sentient human being, has become only a construct. The serial killer deserves death, but failing that, future Earth has decided to milk some value from him as a useful thing. Why does the Black Rose Killer deserve to be considered *people*? Jon #: 411666 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 00:11:12 Sb: #411603-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Jon Wolf 76103,2541 (X) Re: mindwipes no longer considered people...this really is not that much different from prison inmates, who are given numbers, have no real civil rights, and are treated like cattle. (And many of them deserve it; a few deserve worse; a few deserve better.) jms #: 411688 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 03:06:18 Sb: #410907-# Fm: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) > I cannot fly, so I would write of birds and starships and kites; I > cannot play an instrument, so I would write of composers and > dancers; and I cannot forgive, so I would write of priests and > monks and minbari.... When are you going to publish a book of poetry? --John #: 411907 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 12:12:04 Sb: #411688-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 (X) Never; my poetry really sucks.... jms #: 411789 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 09:00:03 Sb: #411666-# Fm: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >>..this really is not that much different from prison inmates, who are given numbers, have no real civil rights, and are treated like cattle. (And many of them deserve it; a few deserve worse; a few deserve better.) I am curious, given your recent post on forgiveness and human life as a precious thing, what you *personally* think of capital punishment. Your mindwipe concept has certainly provoked thought, but what *you* think of the punishment it repalced? Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! #: 411908 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 12:12:06 Sb: #411789-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) On one level, I'm in favor of the death penalty. I think that if someone takes your life deliberately, they sacrifice their own in return. Some might say it's not a deterrent in general...but it sure as heck deters that specific person. *On the other hand*...I take that position mainly because nowadays, when someone is sentenced to life, "life" means about 15 years at best. If life imprisonment MEANT life inprisonment, then I'd happily go for that option above the death penalty (and that certainly does leave room for verdict corrections). jms #: 411790 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 09:00:05 Sb: #411664-#Centauri Ships Fm: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I would have caught anybody saying millions dead (because I have been thinking of it) I think... Anybody else heard anyone quote the Narn cassualties being in the Millions? Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! #: 411909 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 12:12:07 Sb: #411790-#Centauri Ships Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) Just went back and checked the script; Ta'Lon refers to millions in his meeting with Sheridan. (Knew I wasn't nuts....) jms #: 411838 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 10:07:11 Sb: #411666-# Fm: Greg Munsill 76370,142 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I'm wondering: Did you intend the on-screen description of the use of the mind wipe -- i.e., as a more "humane" punishment -- to be pure sarcasm? I ask because I'm not sure what the difference is between capital punishment and the mind wipe. In both instances, the *person* is left dead. Mind wiping just leaves a hunk of meat ready to have an artificial personality installed in it, as opposed to capital punishment which just leaves a hunk of meat ready to be turned into fertilizer. Greg #: 411910 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 12:12:09 Sb: #411838- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Greg Munsill 76370,142 (X) I just put the mindwipe issue out there, I didn't make a moral judgment about it...in 2260, that's what's done. I just report the news.... jms #: 411892 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 11:17:02 Sb: #411367-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: John McAuley 100260,412 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, If you use this computer to do your writing on. DON'T switch to win95!!! Its ok once its up and running but you will probably lose a great deal of time, and what little hair you have left, before you get there. You can't afford to lose either :-) -John Be afraid, be very afraid... #: 411911 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 12:12:12 Sb: #411892-B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John McAuley 100260,412 (X) Funny. Very funny. Amerikanski humor. We bomb now. jms #: 411780 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 08:48:12 Sb: #411219-#JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: Robt Martin 75663,2701 To: Ruth Ballam 100412,3457 (X) As a frequent lurker and occasional poster in rastB5, I feel I should offer some small defense of the Usenet group. While there were always active flame threads, the vast majority of users and posters were/are fans, as well-behaved as anyone here. The trouble arose from a total of three individuals, whose egos would be quite gratified by the idea that they were being mentioned, even anonymously, here on CIS. The nature of their posts were, for the most part, not very different from that of the fellow who posted recently that "B-5 needs to be saved," accompanied by ill-informed speculation based on indie stations' somewhat chaotic handling of the show. The difference here is that the little bit of moderation that exists on CIS is sufficient to prevent all of us here from becoming vigilantes who must "straighten out" every fan with a Messiah complex (or at least to keep it to e-mail or private posting when we do). It's the attention that they feed on, so that the flame threads become interminable wars, and then you never know when one of these prolific troublemakers would barge into a peaceful thread to get a shot in -- transforming that thread into another flamefest. #: 411939 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 12:47:13 Sb: #411780-#JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Robt Martin 75663,2701 (X) I'd offer that there is a difference between what happened there and what occasionally happens here. For starters, you have a few individuals who have been attacking me, and this show, for over a year, incessantly, unendingly, every single day...personal attacks of the most vicious sort, accusing me of stuff that existed only in their own minds at best, but in reality were probably just put out to cause me grief. When stories are fabricated from wholecloth -- as the "Joe's being paid by AOL" nonsense -- you pass beyond the realm of simple disagreement into a campaign of deliberate disinformation designed with no other reason than to cause trouble, and get others involved in a flamewar that never ends, and which puts them at the center of the universe. I have never, ever seen anything as loathsome and destructive as what happened there on any other system. I've taken a lot of flak in my time, on a lot of systems, and it rolls off...but after tolerating a year-plus of groundless, vicious personal attacks...enough is finally enough. One can say, "Yes, but it's just a few out of many," but if you're standing in a crowd and three people are beating the crap out of you and slicing you up ever day for a year, the fact that there are lots of other nice people in the crowd doesn't help terribly. I very much wish it could've gone differently, because I enjoy most of the crowd there...but I will no longer tolerate that kind of stalking. jms #: 411987 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 13:17:13 Sb: #411908-# Fm: Doug Quinn 76330,350 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Hiya Joe; If I may, I have a question. You've said previously that human life, because it is transitory, is incalculably precious. Yet, you've also stated that given the current penal system, the death penalty is a viable option. How is the loss of two human lives better than the loss of one? Or the loss of 13 human lives instead of the loss of 12? It would seem to me that there are two ways to justify capital punishment. One would be to hold the opinion that not all human lives are as precious as you've stated, but that in fact some human lives are worth a lot more than other human lives. If this is the case, who gets to make this assessment? The other would be to hold the opinion that since each human life is so precious, we are justified in exacting revenge on those who have destroyed it. This would be retribution, not justice, but perhaps revenge is as great a need as justice. Olla allay! Doug #: 412187 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 18:13:41 Sb: #411987-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Doug Quinn 76330,350 (X) Of course, your argument presumes that everyone is the same in value; who gets to make that determination? It's really made by the person who is under discussion. Someone who has murderd six nuns, raped schoolchildren, robbed the blind and torched orphanages is, in my view, and the view of any sensible person, I think, not the same person as a Mother Teresa or an Albert Einstein. I know it's often perceived as elitism, but the truth is that we're not all equal, some of us are better than others, not for being born a certain color or a certain economic group, but because of what we *do* with our lives, whether it's in a profession, or being a parent, or helping the society or our family or our friends. I will never be as good a dancer as Astair; never paint as well as Picasso; never contribute as much to this society as Lech Walesa or Andrew Jackson; there is more value to what they have done in their lives in those areas than is in mine. I hope that I have contributed *something*, in other areas, maybe that's true, maybe it isn't, but the effort, and the intent is there. A person who engages in a life of violence or crime has diminished his own life long before he ever walks into a courthouse or a prison. Sure, one can make the "well, he's a victim of society, or other social issues" argument, but there comes a point where the culture of victimization becomes excuse-making and rationalizations. It's not my fault, it's society's fault. No. If I pulled the trigger, it's my fault. Period. So there *is* a difference in people. And if, as you say, 2 lives do not balance out the loss of the one...what of the four people the one killer will murder once he's released? Is the life of the one of more value than the three more murdered? My sense is that the penalty for murder isn't exactly a surprise, Doug. It isn't, "Well, you just killed granpa, and now you'll get the chair." "WHAT? Why wasn't I informed?" We are responsible for our own choices, and our own actions. If I tell you, "If you put this bean up your nose you will turn blue and pass out," and you stick the bean up your nose, turn blue and pass out...is this my making a moral judgment, or is it you reaping the consequences of your decision? If I say, "If you murder a person, you sacrifice your own life as well," and the person commits murder, knowing full well the consequences, the action is really on the part of the criminal, not society. But to go back to my original point...I would only favor the death penalty for as long as the life imprisonment penalty means only ten or twenty years. If life in prison meant LIFE behind bars...then I would happily help you throw out the electric chairs. But right now, the system is badly in need of adjustment. jms #: 411998 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 13:28:44 Sb: #408653-#From jms: info Fm: George F. Kraus 71554,3372 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, In Wash D.C. B5 is on WDCA at 8 PM on Wednesday nights. It moved from Thursday nights quite awhile ago, perhaps before summer rerun season. Hope this helps, B5 is easily the best show on current TV. To whom should I direct requests for Season 1 reruns or videos? It's tough to hook new viewers without being able to provide some of the background. I can summarize the main plot but that pales in comaprison to actually watching it develop over the course of 22 episodes. George #: 412188 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 18:13:44 Sb: #411998-From jms: info Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: George F. Kraus 71554,3372 (X) Alas, no tapes are currently available. jms #: 412010 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 14:13:10 Sb: #410907-# Fm: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >> And I have lost people. Too many people. Lost them to chance, violence, brutality beyond belief; I've seen all the senseless, ignoble acts of "god's noblest creature." And I am incapable of forgiving. .... >> As an atheist, I believe that all life is unspeakably precious, because it's only here for a brief moment, a flare against the dark, and then it's gone forever. No afterlives, no second chances, no backsies. So there can be nothing crueler than the abuse, destruction or wanton taking of a life. I hope you'll make an exception and forgive my presumptuous preachifying. The following is 100% opinion, with no warranty express or implied. Everyone's milage may vary. I understand what you've said to be reasons to have little faith in people, or to give little credence to religions that preach sweetness, light, and Crusades. But are they sufficient reasons for being an atheist? Are you implying that there _cannot_ be a God because there is abusive cruelty, loss and injustice? I'm not really trying to persuade you to become a theist, just doubting that these given reasons are sufficient to preclude the possibility of a "Divine Being" or "Divine Plan" of some sort. I would suggest an alternative theory: that God is not a wuss. As you point out, life is precious in part because it _is_ fragile and fleeting. If there is any point in human incarnation, isn't it to transcend our ugly tendencies? To be mortal and subject to the slings and arrows, but to hope and strive nonetheless? I believe that there is a point to all the nastiness we see around and in us; I just don't know very clearly what that point is. (I suppose this must be "faith", even though I'm no fan of taking things on "faith". I'd rather call it my unsupported opinion.) Further opinion: we all have a mission, should we choose to accept it, to protect the weak against the cruel, and to help destructive and abusive people to grow up - or put them in a cage. "An eye for an eye" might be one game plan for helping this growth process along. I suspect that forgiveness is not something "nice" we do "for" vicious people. It is a mental discipline that is usefull to the forgiver, in that it relieves us of non-productive hate and stress. Forgiveness frees us to focus on our own issues and duties. (Just because you might forgive someone is no reason to forgo beating them about the head and shoulders with a weighted baseball bat. Contrariwise, just because you _don't_ forgive someone is not a valid reason _too_ clobber them. The best course is to get one's own emotions under control, let go of lust for revenge, self-righteousness and hatred, forgive if that helps you, and _then_ decide dispassionately which size bat to use.) Just my opinions. Please excuse the presumption of commenting on your personal beliefs. #: 412189 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 18:13:53 Sb: #412010-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 (X) The only problem with your message, as well thought out as it is, is that it proceeds from a false premise. It stems from your assumption that I'm an atheist because there are "reasons to have little faith in people" (and generally, I do have a great deal of faith in people, more than you might think), and primarily that I thus "give little credence to religions that preach sweetness, light and Crusades...that there cannot be a god because there is abusive cruelty, loss and injustice...." That ain't it, Rick. Cruelty, loss and injustice are human practices, visited by humans on humans. I've read the Bible, cover to cover, *twice* (which is more than a lot of believers can say). How many producers can name offhand the Books of Moses, in order, and quote chapter and verse out of much of it? Not many. I've read nearly all the major religious works from most of the world's primary religions or philosophies. And the fact (subjective fact, relative to perception) is that I've never yet encountered in these works a god that was of much higher moral caliber than the average decent person. In most cases, the gods presented to us seem to have even worse morals. They are invariably jealous, petty, arbitrary, schizophrenic and inconsistent, cobbled together from pieces of leftover myth and social taboos as the societal boogeyman...obey the rules, believe our way, do as we tell you, or you'll go to the Unhappy Place. (And yes, I know all about the notion that JC came to free mankind from the laws of the old testament...and then the rest of the new testament proceeds to give us all the NEW laws, about women not speaking in church, about how to behave...the letters from Paul are every bit as restrictive in their way as anything in the old testament.) I look at the story of Adam and Eve, and allowing for the moment the conceit that it happened (which I feel it didn't)...it was a setup. Here you have two innocents, who had no familiarity with the very CONCEPT of untruth, who thus had no reason to doubt the word of the serpent because no one had ever lied to them before, and had no reason to think that a talking serpent wasn't sent by god...we have the tree they were told not to eat from or they would surely die, told to two people who had never SEEN death before, had no idea what the very word meant, they might've well been told "or you wil surely flabblegabble" for all the word meant to them; and finally, to the topic of disobedience, the tree was the KNOWLEDGE of good and evil, meaning if you take the book literally, that before that moment, they didn't HAVE the knowledge of good and evil, didn't know right from wrong, they only had that knowledge after they took the fruit...NOT KNOWING IT WAS WRONG to disobey because that requires that very selfsame knowledge, and for this the entire human race was penalized to the last generation? If a child, not knowing right from wrong, puts his hand on a hot stove, you punish but you don't execute him or his kids for it. If you *really* accept the literal word there, then you must accept that they had no knowledge of good and evil, thus no knowledge they were doing wrong, and thus should not be held accountable; they were children, less than children. Which makes the actions that follow those of a malevolent, half-crazed deity that created a trap they could never hope to avoid, a test they could never hope to pass. Mark Twain described god as a malign thug on far less grounds than that. I even have problems with the notion of the crucifixion, with a deity that got go angry with humanity that the only way to balance out was to have part of itself murdered...in an act which is really no nobler than the average soldier who dies on a battlefield, not for the whole world, but just for his platoon, or his buddy...and who does so not knowing, as JC did, that he will end up on the great white throne for all eternity, who jumps onto the grenade not knowing if his actions will land him in heaven or hell, no guarantees, or who may undergo a whole lifetime of suffering, as opposed to a few hours on the cross. Again and again, I look around and I don't find a single deity that is *worth* the attention and favor of the human race, which in all its parts and pieces, flawed as it might be, seems nobler and braver than anything presented in any of its religious texts. The only one I've found even moderately interesting is Zen Buddhism, mainly because it's the only one around that seems to have a real sense of humor about itself. So you see, my problem isn't with humans, or our own inherent violence, but comes from expecting any god to have at least the virtues we require of our fellow humans...and not finding one. So it seems to me better and more logical that no such critter exists than to accept any of the described beta-test versions of Deity v1.0. This isn't normally the kind of thing I talk about, or tend to discuss in public, because it tends to honk people off. I happen to feel very strongly about this, as you can tell. (And to anyone looking on; please don't send me missives on religion, or scriptural quotes, or your own personal experience with god; the latter is subjective, and the former I've seen a thousand times before. I've come to this position by a hard road, I've heard it before, and I'm not moving.) I have no desire to convince anyone else of the rightness of my views, because I don't have any real views outside this. I don't put it in my show because then it's just propaganda. And I don't usually discuss it because there's nothing to be gained by doing so; you're not going to change your position, and I'm not going to change mine, and I have no desire to seem to disapprove or put down anyone else's attitudes, just as I don't want my own to be degraded. Neither of us needs the other to lecture us on this. If what you believe works for you, that's all that matters. If it makes you a better person, helps you contribute to society, gives you peace of mind, then I couldn't possibly be happier. And I expect only the same in return. jms #: 412054 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 14:44:04 Sb: #ATTN:JMS Fm: Mitchell Schneider 72640,1472 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) First off, I want to tell you how much I enjoy the show. You have really put together one heck of a Story. I have been reading about how at the end of this season the last few episodes will be dealing with the *other side* of "BSquared". BSqurared, unfourtunately, is I think the only Arc show that I have not yet seen. I can't seem to find anyone who has it on tape, and of course, PTEN refuses to re-run any first year ep's. Is there any way you can convince TPTB to re-run "BSquared" in the Block of re-runs prior to the end of the season? Maybe, if you pitch the idea as being part of understanding the season ending episodes, their tiny executive minds might be convinced it is the right thing to do. What the hey? Give it a shot! --Mitch in NYC-- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- mitski@interport.net - mitsc@phantom.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- '95 K75 w/ABS (mais oui!) | Church of the Powder-Hound BMWMOA #68561 | Keep your Faith at Xtreme Angles IBMWR - K Whiner MC #18 | -and- Pray to the Snow-Gods... CoFounder: Team Mean | Harry, Where's the ChoWDa?!? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- #: 412190 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 18:13:54 Sb: #412054-#ATTN:JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Mitchell Schneider 72640,1472 I'm going to try to get PTEN to run B-squared prior to the two parter; I may not succeed, but I'm going to try. jms #: 412087 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 15:11:38 Sb: #To JMS Fm: Michael Milutinovic 75500,3370 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I have been away (from CIS) for awhile, but would like to let you know that the Show has been getting better and better. I'm just amazed at the quality. Thanks for a great show. A quick question (I missed your live conference, was watch B5 at that time). Do the Mimbari Warriors follow the Religion, or do they have an offspring of what the Religous Caste practice? Thanks Z. Michael Milutinovic (Using Work's CIS Account) #: 412191 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 18:13:58 Sb: #412087-To JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Milutinovic 75500,3370 (X) No, there's really just the one Minbari religion, and the warrior caste tends to follow it, but not lead it. jms #: 412157 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 17:02:44 Sb: #412110-# Fm: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 To: Philip Hornsey 74053,2101 (X) Philip, I'm not trying to argue with you, but what you are describing sounds more like "unconcerned agnosticism" than "atheism". An atheist _knows_ that there is no God. An unconcerned agnostic doesn't know with certainty whether there is or isn't, and doesn't particularly worry about it. Of course to hard-core religious types, agnosticism and atheism are the same. --John #: 412200 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 18:23:18 Sb: #412157-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 (X) I disagree on your definitions. (And I think it's best to let those who feel a certain way define themselves; others often do so toward their best advantage in debates.) An agnostic says, "Maybe there is a god, maybe there isn't, who knows?" An atheist says, "No one has yet shown the least real evidence of there being a god, therefore I choose not to believe in one." It's not a matter of *knowing* there is no god; that puts the person in the position of "You must have concrete evidence of the non-existence of god," which is absurd, you can't prove a negative. If you say, "There are green penguins in the north pole," then it is incumbent upon you to prove the point. I'm not a "believer in non-green penguinism" if I don't buy it...I just don't accept it. jms #: 412165 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 17:26:58 Sb: #412157-# Fm: Greg Munsill 76370,142 To: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 (X) John: >>I'm not trying to argue with you, but what you are describing sounds more like "unconcerned agnosticism" than "atheism". An atheist _knows_ that there is no God. An unconcerned agnostic doesn't know with certainty whether there is or isn't, and doesn't particularly worry about it. Of course to hard-core religious types, agnosticism and atheism are the same.<< Interesting, and I think you're right -- the terms are sometimes used imprecisely. I've actually always thought of atheism _as_ a religion. As opposed to a system requiring a faith-based belief in the existence of God, atheism is a system requiring a faith-based belief in the *non*-existence of God. Yes!/No! = religion Don't Know (and maybe Don't Care) = agnosticism Greg #: 412201 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 18:23:19 Sb: #412165- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Greg Munsill 76370,142 (X) "faith-based belief in the non-existence of god" See my prior note about this. jms #: 411226 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 05-Dec-95 14:34:43 Sb: #411137-#$0.04: Fm: Ruth Ballam 100412,3457 To: Thomas E. Hendrick 102560,3556 (X) << All sheridan is a cheap copy of Sinclair. Sheridan is just doing all the things that Sinclair should be doing. I still dont belive to this day what JMS says about bring the new charecter in. >> Much though I miss Sinclair, and I still like him more than Sheridan, you're *way* off base. Sinclair would never have done half the things that Sheridan has done. He's a totally different person. His solutions to problems, his reactions to people and situations would have been different to Sheridan's. I think the change worked out for the best and gave a whole new feel to the show (I repeat I still miss Sinclair). You should try a little harder to give the character of Sheridan a chance. It's not an either / or situation, you can apreciate both. Ruth #: 412207 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 18:28:01 Sb: #411226-#$0.04: Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Ruth Ballam 100412,3457 (X) You're saying Sinclair was the chosen one...first, you don't know what he was chosen FOR. Second, if this is entirely true, why would Zathras look Sinclair dead in the face and say "NOT the one"? As for "why would he change his story"...nothing is set in stone; if you were a writer, you'd know that an outline only gets you into the story and the main points. I've had whole novels that I've written abruptly change direction halfway through because of something I discovered midway that was better than what I'd planned initially. You adjust. No outline ever survives contact with the enemy. If, tomorrow, I decided that the rest of this story would be better if Sheridan were transformed into a giant blue space moose, that's exactly what I'd do. jms /********************************************* * Brent Barrett brent.barrett@24stex.com * * Senior Software Engineer Automedia, Inc * *********************************************/ -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on AOL 12/3/95 - 12/10/95 [SPOILERS] Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 16:38:56 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Lisa Freeman Subject: JMS on AOL 12/3/95 - 12/10/95 [SPOILERS] Message-ID: <1995Dec10.180841.8580@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Sun, 10 Dec 95 18:08:41 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 906 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:44 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:109676 JMS's AOL postings for 12/3/95 (p.m.) through 12/10/95 (a.m.) The following contains spoilers for the 3rd season, including Matters of Honor, Passing Through Gethsemane, and Convictions. [Also "Coming of Shadows" (major spoiler)! -- mod.] Proceed at your own risk! / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Subj: ATTN JMS: Feeelthy Pirates Date: 95-12-06 17:53:02 EST From: Seafox01 Upon attending my local Sci-Fi/comics convention, I happened upon someone who was selling obviously counterfeit merchandise. He had Medical and Security Patches, Links(!), Plastic/plaster-like B5 logos/badges, Earthforce badges of the same material, and laminated badges for Medlab, Psi Corps, and Station boarding passes. I have the person's card, as well as shipping info from their packing boxes. Would this info be of use to you? Subj: Re:ATTN JMS: Feeelthy Pirate Date: 95-12-07 05:31:04 EST From: Jms at B5 All info on feelthy pirates gladly accepted so that we may go and whomp them. Thanks. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Epic Parallels Date: 95-12-04 19:47:55 EST From: MAKagle I noticed something when I last saw CoS (or whatever the one where the Narn/Centauri War started). The episode has a great deal of similarity in structure to La Morte D'artur. In Mallory's work, Arthur and Morden's (oops Mordred's) armies are poised for battle but make one last attempt to talk it out. However, a soldier raises his sword to kill a snake and everyone attacks. Now compare this to... SPOILERS In the CoS episode we see G'Kar planning to kill the emperor (starting a war) but he has a heart attack and for one moment G'Kar considers peace, but the Centauri start the war instead. When I studied this part in Mallory, my teacher said "If you have two armies poised for war, can you really just stop them with a peace talk? Wasn't the war inevitable?" I think this applies to the Narn and Centauri. Anyone else notice this? Subj: Re:Epic Parallels Date: 95-12-07 05:25:59 EST From: Jms at B5 There's another applicable metaphor for the sword story; you'll see it a little later this season. Very good catch, btw. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: The "Core" Date: 95-12-04 23:52:47 EST From: Filops Now, here's something I found interesting. In the *excellent* "Passing Through Gethsemane" episode, did anyone else notice the dialogue between Delenn, Lennier, and Dourif's character (Brother Edward, right?), about their faiths? Delenn says something like, "Tell me about the defining moment of your faith. Not the history, not the doctrines, but the emotional core of your faith." Then Bro. Edward launches into his somewhat off-base version of Gethsemane. And then, when Bro. Edward mentions Valen, what does Lennier say? Does Lennier discuss the "defining moment," the "emotional core" of his faith? Not at all. Lennier says, "He was the greatest Minbari. He came from nowhere 1000 years ago and formed the Great Council, making peace. Some say that he wasn't born a Minbari, but..." -- and around then Delenn cuts him off. So: what is Brother Edward politely *forbidden* to discuss? Doctrines, and history. And what *does* Lennier bring out, at the mere mention of the name of Valen? Doctrines ("the greatest Minbari"), and history. I find this interesting, because it touches on something I have observed in a great many posts, in some of JMS' thoughts, and in a recent post by PigDog. It is the failure to understand that the essence of Christianity in particular is not emotions, biases, experiences, and whimsical notions. Rather, the *essence* of Christianity is a Person: the Triune God, who can be known in Jesus Christ, who is God the Son. And the unchanging *core* of Christianity is a complex of statements of truth (doctrines), and unchangeable, epoch-making events ("history"). Christianity is events like the Creation, the rebellion of man, God taking on humanity through the virgin conception and birth of Jesus (merry Christmas, by the way), as well as His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. So, people sometimes like parts of our faith (love your neighbor, and don't kill -- except unborn babies, in both cases), and they don't like other parts (Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man; certain practices are wrong; God judges sin, etc.). When they don't like those parts, they often tell us we're "intolerant," or other contentless buzz-words. The underlying assumption is that our faith is like a suit of clothes; we can put it on, or take it off, as the mood strikes us. If part of it is unpopular or untrendy, well, we should take it off. If we don't take it off on request, then that must be because we're bad, stupid, fanatical people. No, we're just Christians. And Christianity is based on unchanging epochal events (history), and verbal statements of their significance (doctrines). If we could change it at will, we would not be serving God -- we would be trying to *be* gods. Now, why is that OK for Lennier in his enthusiasm for someone who never existed, but it isn't OK for Christians, who serve someone who did exist, and who does exist? Dan Subj: Re:The "Core" Date: 95-12-07 05:28:11 EST From: Jms at B5 Filops: take it to the religion topic. That's what it's there for. If you wish to write long polemics on religion, that's fine, but do it in the appropriate place. I really don't want bunches of topics to get filled up with rehashings of this stuff. Thanks. jms Subj: Show me to my ghetto? Date: 95-12-07 11:23:50 EST From: Filops JMS, Okay, so "Religion" is the ghetto where I'm to be shuffled off whenever a religious topic comes up? Is that the ghetto for all people of faith, or only for Christians? Is that where we're all to hide, and speak in hushed tones to each other so that we don't bother all those nice secular materialists? And, every time a poster wants to mention his religious faith, is that his ghetto? And so, are the other rooms to be "God-free environments"? Are there plans for creating similar ghettos for people who believe in evolution, vs. people who do not? For people who want more lesbian characters, vs. people who do not? For people who like the Vorlons, vs. people who do not? Wasn't your first post about how you only ask questions, you don't have answers? Were we supposed to interpret that to mean that only people who have no answers are welcome in this folder? What a great solution. Keep all of us people of differing viewpoints nice and isolated from each other, so that we are never challenged. And you single me out as the most suitable target for this objection, while I make a conscious study of keeping my posts civil and content-full. Your creativity astonishes me. Your attitude disappoints me. Isn't "tolerance" great? Dan Subj: Re:Show me to my ghetto? Date: 95-12-09 02:17:58 EST From: Jms at B5 The issue at hand is courtesy. I know that a lot of people here want to discuss other areas than religion; there is a religion topic that is where religion messages should go, just as notes on merchandising go in merchandising, and items on ratings go in ratings...it makes it easier to find the topics that interest you, and keeps the conversation from being monopolized across various folders. As I told you in private mail, very often your messages on religion really have *nothing* whatsoever to do with B5, but rather with the issues that are of importance to you about religion, gays, whathaveyou...and you thus shoehorn them in...you do it here, you've done it over in the B5 folders in the SF-Television areas...and what happens is that the religion wars that erupt, due in some measure to some of the rather inflammatory tone you use, tend to keep other users away who just don't want to see it One More Time. But there are religious elements in the show that can be discussed...hence I made it a point to open such an area. Use it. That's what it's there for. If someone were to put up a long note on ratings, I'd point them to the ratings folder, simple as that. Yes, it is your right to say anything you so choose...and it is the right of myself and others to ask you to show courtesy to your fellow users by doing so in the appropriate forums. Is not courtesy usually considered the christian thing to do? jms Subj: Re:Show me to my ghetto? Date: 95-12-08 19:17:41 EST From: MythoPhile <> Aww, Amber, you take all the fun out of everything... ;) My basic point is that I really don't understand the "get that post out of my sight" mentality. Course, if it were up to me, there'd be just one folder for B5 - five or six at the most. There's very little room for the unexpected. I never even particularly minded clicking over the Ireland debate, the political debate, the lesbian debate, or Songo's profound political insights (which seemed to be a half-step above "NEXT SUX!"). I'm not calling for the removal of any of those or other topics or even that they be relegated to somewhere I can just avoid; I just find it interesting that so many people who sat through that drivel started foaming at the mouth when the topic of religion came up. BTW, JMS, (predicting a possible future here) don't think about writing a real "religion-slammer" episode just for the sake of getting even with a crowd you don't particularly like to read (or click over). If we want to know how close-minded and misguided religious people are, we can watch practically anything else. If it had never entered you mind to do that, good. Subj: Re:Show me to my ghetto? Date: 95-12-09 02:22:17 EST From: Jms at B5 Mythopile: okay, maybe you don't care about keeping topics to their intended use. That's fine. I have received mail from people who stress that they are on limited incomes, and when they come in here, they only go into specific forums because they can't afford to spend a lot of time on AOL. And they like to be able to know that when the click into a topic on Clams In B5 that they won't have to wade through a bunch of messages on other subjects to find what they're looking for. I have never, at any time, "thrown some guy" out of a folder. I have asked, simply, and only in a very few cases, that people try the folders where their comments will reach the widest audience, since someone interested in religion will go there first, and someone interested in ratings will go to tha topic first, as a courtesy to the other users here. Nobody here is going to force you to be courteous. I cannot do anything about it. I can only suggest courtesy. jms Subj: This folder's name again... Date: 95-12-08 14:07:23 EST From: Filops Mytho is exactly right, of course. We are experiencing (being subjected to?) a hyper-categorization. That's one reason why I keep going back to the SF/B5 folder -- it's a catch-all, and thus a money- and time-saver. Yeah, Amber, I've read all your posts there about shuffling us all off to a "religion" ghetto, so that you and your friends can concentrate on the Deep Stuff -- like how cute Jason Carter is, how many MPG you can get on fictional interstellar vehicles, where the Nightwatch goes to get a tan, and that sort of thing. ;^> I'm just not going to be escorted off, that's all. Don't mean to be unpleasant about it -- just "No, thanks." Why? "Real simple," as JMS is fond of saying. This folder is called "Themes in B5." Is "religion" a theme? Undeniably; that fact is one of B5's unique facets. Then there you go: it fits. But if the religion THEME doesn't fit here, then where is the rationale for singling out that THEME alone? Is war a THEME? Genocide? Treachery/loyalty? Love/rapacity? Guilt/redemption? The meaning and value of personal identity? Yep, arguably, all of those are THEMES IN B5 -- and so is religion! So either we need seven different folders, and should *eliminate* this one -- or they all fit here. All! Including religion. Subj: Re:This folder's name again. Date: 95-12-09 02:24:35 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, religion is a theme in B5, Filops...unfortunately, you never *address* it...you only use this as a pretext to get into one of your long diatribes about what you consider acceptable behavior, acceptable social and sexual mores. You use this only as a way to springboard into those discussions. I've seen you do it repeatedly over on the SFTV forums, and it troubles me to see you doing it again here. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS: TNT syndie question Date: 95-12-04 17:46:58 EST From: DementoMan I always thought syndication packages were a great idea until I discovered how badly most shows would be mauled in the transition. This could be fatal to an intricate show such as B5... are any cuts going to be made in the episodes when they're packaged for TNT in 1998? Subj: Re:JMS: TNT syndie question Date: 95-12-05 03:31:37 EST From: Jms at B5 I don't know; my guess is that we're pretty close to the right time as it is, so I can't see what would be accomplished by cuts. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Post to rastb5 (re:Who Works Date: 95-12-05 03:08:01 EST From: RKawakami Damn subject line limitations :) Do you mind if I re-post your original article to rastb5 on Who Works For Whom or do you think it will just give TF another reason to shoot his mouth off? BTW, thanks for being here. I *knew* my AOL account was good for something! Raymond Kawakami Subj: Re:Post to rastb5 (re:Who Wo Date: 95-12-05 03:36:02 EST From: Jms at B5 Yeah, I suppose it can be reposted. May stop some of this. I hear people are saying, "Hey, it's okay if he makes money being on AOL," defending it, when it isn't true to *begin* with. If I were doing so, if AOL thought a B5 presence were important enough to pay for it, heck, I'd be taking out ads in the Times. But as far as AOL is concerned, I'm just one more subscriber, and I pay my way same as everybody else. I just hope somebody's called the little twit on the fact that he went around calling others liars, then went out and posted his message about my alleged "contract with AOL" as though it were an absolute fact, even referred to a clause *within* that contract...and clearly, obviously, flatly lied about the existence of a document that isn't there. It's a *deliberate* lie...it isn't a speculation, wasn't phrased in the form of a question, he deliberately went out and posted an out and out *verifiable lie* to the entire usenet, knowing it was a lie. Never ceases to amaze me.... jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: jms:X-files w/ B5 Date: 95-12-05 09:01:49 EST From: Jimrudd Dear JMS I was a heavy poster on the usenet groups the first year of B5, but became a lurker for the reasons that you left. I know you are a fan of the X-files. Wanted to let you know that someone over there is a fan of yours. In the most recent 2-parter, Fox and Muldar are looking at the japanese prisoner they got and they look down the hall and see their boss, the asst. FBI director coming down the hall. Fox says, "Look, a beacon in the night." Homage to your show, me thinks sir. Glad to know you are still around. Sorry you have to leave the usenet. I stopped reading anything from the trinity of evil over a year ago. Don't understand why people kept going and reading their stuff. By the way, my wife and I loved the elevator scene with Lando and G'kar. When Andreas softly says, "I hear you." we couldn't stop laughing. Increadibly well written. Do you have something with elevators? G'kar's die, die, die speach; Lando and G'kar agrueing and missing the elevator, Lando is caught by Modorn at the elevator, etc. Just wondering James Subj: Re:jms:X-files w/ B5 Date: 95-12-07 05:05:41 EST From: Jms at B5 Don't know if the beacon reference was toward us or not; but it's still a great show, though it's getting a little convoluted even by their standards lately. Still, I'll keep watching.... Re: elevators...at risk of repeating stuff I've said elsewhere...every so often, I'll see a note from somebody saying that this show only gets by because of its effects, that without that part it ain't nothin'...and just to honk 'em off I'll sit down and write a killer scene with just one or two characters in a room, no EFX, sometimes not even any music...and I often go for the smallest room in the station...and that happens to be the transport tube. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Who Works For Whom Date: 95-12-05 13:31:16 EST From: PUMUKL >> There is no contract, and no cause in that contract. I'm happy to bring my AOL bill to the next convention to prove this. (I think it was $80 last month.) << That's all?? (heh. lightweight ;) just kidding, Michael (still not sure which name to call you) Pumukl Subj: Re:Who Works For Whom Date: 95-12-07 05:08:37 EST From: Jms at B5 "(still not sure which name to call you)" It's just Joe. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS:Matters of Honor Date: 95-12-05 20:27:48 EST From: TMorisak JMS, I would like to confirm a minor point. In the third season opener, MoH, in the early scene between Londo and Morden, was there some communication between Morden and the shadows when he rose from the bar, crossed behind Londo and said he needed to confer with his associates. In the sound track of the episode there appeared to be a shadowlike screech that did not seem like background noise. Could you please confirm or deny this? Thanks, Todd Subj: Re:JMS:Matters of Honor Date: 95-12-07 05:09:28 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, that was a little hint of the shadows around Morden for those sharp enough to catch it. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: A very different question Date: 95-12-05 22:40:48 EST From: Darrkman Yep I felt like being different so here it goes.... Jms what type of computer are you using and how fast is your modem? Subj: Re:A very different question Date: 95-12-07 05:12:24 EST From: Jms at B5 I'm working on a Dell Dimension 90mhz Pentium, 2 1-gigabyte drives, 4x CDrom, 32 megs memory, 17" Nanao monitor, Soundblaster sound card, #9GXEpro 64 bit video (identical system in office, I'm at home now, except office system has 128-bit Imagine video card)...and I'm using a US Robotics v.Everything Courier modem at 28.8 speed. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Question about the actors Date: 95-12-05 22:42:35 EST From: Darrkman JMS I was just wondering how do the actors on your show get paid?? Is it one lump sum when the sign the contract or is it a weekly check like the rest of us?? Hey include yourself in the question. Subj: Re:Question about the actors Date: 95-12-07 05:14:43 EST From: Jms at B5 In the case of the regular actors, and the producers, you are paid a certain fee per episode contracted for (22 episodes for regulars, 13 or 8 for recurring cast members, 22 for producers). That amount is then broken up into about 50 weeks (I think maybe 40 or so weeks for actors, John Copeland can probably be more specific on this), and you thus get a weekly check based upon that. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:B5 and DS9 Date: 95-12-05 23:40:07 EST From: Rick9719 By now we all know about the 'connection' between B5 and DS9 in the creation of the two series. My question is this: Have there been recent apparent similarities between the two series which you can definitivly state are entirely coincidental. When I hear people talking about B5 'copying' the White Star from the Defiant, I have to wonder if we aren't getting too parinoid. I doubt the initial storyline for B5 was THAT detailed or that you would intentionally copy anything from ST. Maybe its all the conspiracy theories floating around B5. Subj: Re:B5 and DS9 Date: 95-12-07 05:16:48 EST From: Jms at B5 The White Star was always in the plans for the series; it's an outgrowth of everything that has gone before. We've seen big warships, dreadnoughts, smaller ships, and personal fighters. This fits right in. If you're going to have a war over a long distance, you kinda need something to get in and out with. I actually don't watch DS9 as a rule, so I really can't comment on its current storylines. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: To JMS Date: 95-12-05 23:53:50 EST From: STUDIO GO Love the show, and we all miss ya over on rastvb5. It's nice to know you're hangin' in there here on AOL. But please, please, PLEASE don't a few no-life losers get to you! Several years ago I did a ROBOTECH comics series that stretched the boundaries a little--and the reader reaction was generally good. However, a tiny minority of the "hardcore" ROBOTECH fans really gave me the business for the "sacreliges" I'd committed with their precious ROBOTECH. I got hate mail, phone calls, even a death threat. But the ONLY WAY to deal with the kind of person who freaks out over a TV show or comic book is to TOTALLY IGNORE them. I mean 100%, flat-out ignore them in every way. All they want is attention, and by denying them that you defeat them. In time, such people simply "dry up", then the tumblebugs emerge from the cracks of the Earth and roll them away. I understand why you left Usenet, but should you ever desire to return to the ivy-covered halls of rasftvb5, I hope you'll simply killfile or just refuse to acknowledge people like the Unholy Trio. Honest criticism is fine, but the kind of crap I saw them posting about you is psychotic, plain and simple. Anyway, love the show! Keep up the good work! Bruce Lewis Studio Go! Subj: Re:To JMS Date: 95-12-07 05:20:30 EST From: Jms at B5 Thanks. If it were just me, I could try to ignore some of the nonsense; but the problem was that it soon involved vast numbers of other people, who were being flamed or driven off the system, and every thread was contaminated by it. A number of folks came to hang out at rastb5 because I was there, as many of them have stated since; that wasn't/isn't the only draw, theres' lots of good conversation, but that was a component...so my being there put people in the position of being available to be attacked, derided, flamed, insulted and assaulted, and I can't allow that to happen. And it began to have an impact on my writing, and that I *definitely* can't afford. One way or another, that particular chapter in the experiment will find a way to continue, in the fullness of time. I'm a patient man. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS:- Throwaway Dialogue Date: 95-12-06 09:43:31 EST From: StarFuryD4 Joe, You mentioned awhile back that some very important throwaway dialogue was coming up. Was it Ivanova's "know all, see all" line, or Lennier's "Minbari, but not born..." line? Or did I miss it altogether? If so, Which Ep.? Thanks Dave Subj: Re:JMS:- Throwaway Dialogue Date: 95-12-07 05:21:18 EST From: Jms at B5 Ah, now I can't make it *too* easy, now can I...? jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS, I commend you... Date: 95-12-08 23:20:10 EST From: EarthDome JMS, I have for the better part of the show been lurking on rastb5, and most recently here on AOL. From reading your posts and hearing how you grew up, I find it fascinating that you didn't: 1) go crazy 2) climb to the top of a tower with a rifle 3) start taking pot-shots. I am just glad you found the inner-strength to perservere and create a show with depth and clear understanding of the human struggle. I thank you for a show that should have been here a lot sooner, and I thank you for your originality and imagination. Thank you. EarthDome Subj: Re:JMS, I commend you... Date: 95-12-09 01:09:27 EST From: Jms at B5 Thanks, though I'm not entirely sure I emerged from all this totally sane...if I had, I wouldn't be working in TV.... jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Star trek still rules Date: 95-12-06 08:54:49 EST From: DelennV Also remember, if it weren't for Star Wars back in the mid-70's, Star Trek or any other sci-fi movie, TV show would not enjoy this popularity they all have at this point in their life. Lucas and company helped pioneer the age of technology for the sci-fi genre today. So major kudoes and thanks to SW for setting the ball rolling for great sci-fi TV we haven't seen in years. Karen Subj: Re:Star trek still rules Date: 95-12-07 04:59:35 EST From: Jms at B5 FWIW, I've seen most of the episodes of Space, and I quite like it. The last one was especially good, in that I couldn't figure how they were going to get out of this one, and I like being surprised. Well done; the show has promise. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS Rocks Date: 95-12-07 22:34:31 EST From: GigSims JMS, I'm glad that you have the courage to praise someone else's work and to listen to the ideas of your audience. Be honest, have you incorporated any ideas provided by the Internet or AOL? How about a futuristic concert with a future "rock" star who plays B5? Subj: Re:JMS Rocks Date: 95-12-09 01:07:11 EST From: Jms at B5 In general, I've really had to stay away from anything even resembling a story idea on the nets, so I don't use them, and haven't. As for other shows, my sense as a fan myself is that the more quality SF on the air, the better; we've actually given tours and provided information on how we make this show to other producers so that they can use the "Babylon 5 Model" in helping to bring more SF to television. The more the merrier. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Ratings and Bruce Date: 95-12-06 04:00:30 EST From: Jms at B5 Just a note to mention that due to the lengthy lead times required by national magazines, espeically those with an entertainment bent, that some pieces are considered evergreens, and can be published anytime. You build up material until you're ready to go. The piece in EW with Bruce came via an interview conducted toward the end of the long summer slump caused by reruns. Hence his comments. They improved once the new episodes came back on again. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Ratings Date: 95-12-06 00:12:07 EST From: AcDec << I've never intended this show to be a Huge Landslide Success, a *FRANCHISE* a la ST. I want to tell this story, and it's the kind of story that kinda grows on you. If you want to get the really big numbers, you have to dumb up the show, bring in kids, have lots of women in skimpy outfits, and make it into something other than what it is. And once you *become* a franchise, you get Noticed by the studio types...when you get Noticed by the studio types, suddenly they want to protect you...protect the show...and any stories with teeth in them get knocked down, all the corners get filed off...and you've got something soft and inoffensive and essentially meaningless.>> In the first line he calls ST a franchise (no one can doubt this). In lines 4-5 he says once a show becomes a franchise it gets noticed by studio heads (no doubt on this one either). In the final three lines he says <>. Follow the chain of logic; ST is a franchise, Franchise gets noticed by studio guys, "stories with teeth in them get knocked down......... you've got something soft and inoffensive and essentially meaningless". Sure sounds like he was talking about shows including ST; in my previous post I gave examples to refute his statements. Let me make it clear that I am not attacking B5 (I am actually actively involved trying to get it back on the air in San Antonio), or JMS (who I think made a wonderful show). I am just questoning the statement that he made. THANK YOU --AcDec Subj: Re:Ratings Date: 95-12-06 04:03:34 EST From: Jms at B5 AcDec...all I can say is that you should talk sometime behind closed doors, as I have, with many of the writers and producers who have worked, and still work, on the various ST versions, who WANT to tell stories with teeth, that challenge, but who are prevented from doing so by the suits eager to preserve ST as an inoffensive franchise. Sorry, but the logic still parses. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Why I watch Date: 95-12-07 13:26:17 EST From: Lisala I love the visual appeal of the show, but for the first two years I listened to it more than I watched it, because I was using a very small B and W tv. I think the characters and the narrative are more important, to me, than FX. Now that were in re-runs, try just listening to the show. Notice how all the characters sound different in terms of the words they use and the syntax of their sentences. Listen carefully; there's a lot of implication and innuendo (ask yourself what Kosh and Delenn really mean). Notice the beauty of the soundtrack, and the background noise. I must admit that the real reason I think the show works so well comes down to the traditional story tellers' mysterious art. It's good stuff. I finally feel like my generation has a mythic cycle to point to, to incorporate into popular culture and one that will appeal to a large number of people. I've been jealous of those who reached adolescence in the sixties (it just didn't seem fair to have J.R.R. Tolkein, the Beatles, Trek. Though they did have Vietnam...hmmm); now I feel a bit better. Subj: Re:Why I watch Date: 95-12-09 01:03:00 EST From: Jms at B5 Lisala: Thanks. We try to emphasize the voice of the storyteller as much as possible, that we are creating...well, I don't want to say creating new mythologies, because I don't think they are really created, they stretch back to the foundations of civilization, and show up repeatedly in works of literature...but reinterpreting and reinventing and clarifying the structure of myth for a new generation. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ Subj: B5 *is* shot widescreen Date: 95-12-07 04:55:04 EST From: Jms at B5 Two series, and insofar as I know, *only* two series are currently being shot widescreen: B5 and Lois and Clark. Here's easy verification: fire up the first season tape of "The Parliament of Dreams." Fast-forward to the Minbari ceremony that's also used in the main title sequence. Now compare the two; you see more of the shot in the widescreen opening than in the regular shot. We generally compose for widescreen but protect for regular aspect ratio, which is how the show is broadcast currently in the US. Sometimes it gets a little glitchy; in "Matters of Honor," when Marcus hands off the minbari fighting pike to Delenn, it's very visible in the widescreen shot, but you barely see it on the edge of the regular shot. BTW, Germany and France have signed on to follow us through the post-production process for (trying to remember now) either season 3 or season 4, re-telecineing the negative stock back to the original widescreen aspect ratio for broadcast in letterbox format in those countries. The UK, via Channel 4, is still in negotiations over this. jms ___________________________________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE END! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on CompuServe (Dec 07-08, 1995) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 16:39:03 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: brent.barrett@24stex.com (Brent Barrett) Subject: JMS on CompuServe (Dec 07-08, 1995) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Message-ID: <1995Dec10.185301.11171@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Sun, 10 Dec 95 18:53:01 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 755 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:46 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:109688 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The following posts may contain SPOILERS for upcoming Babylon 5 episodes. [Spoilers for "Passing through Gethsemane", "Divided Loyalties" (major!), "Matters of Honour" --mod.] Continue at your own risk. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S P O I L E R P R O T E C T I O N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #: 412210 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 18:37:59 Sb: #412190-#ATTN:JMS Fm: Stephen C. Smith 76150,1170 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Just a thought, but maybe if you could get Bruce Boxleitner to tape a 15-30 second intro explaining that the episode is a "B5 Classic," this might mollify the powers that be, who fear that we stupid viewers can't figure out that this is a repeat ... Maybe make up the time by dropping the bumpers or something else extraneous. Stephen #: 412455 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 00:35:46 Sb: #412210-ATTN:JMS Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Stephen C. Smith 76150,1170 (X) To which they would reply, "Terrific, great idea, but we're not going to sacrifice 15-30 seconds of commercials so you can do this, so you're going to have to go in and cut 15-30 seconds out of the show." That time has to come from somewhere. jms #: 412267 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 19:47:03 Sb: #411663-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) RE B5 Screen Saver... > It's just hitting the market and already it's doing quite well. Joe, It's time for the Kosh Magic Eight Ball program! BTW, are the \PDESK\IMAGES\DATA*.AVI files supposed to play video? All I get is a bunch of computer beep-beep's but no video. Oh, BTW#2, I noticed that the most actively traded stock on the NASDAQ Tuesday was named "Acclaim." It even out traded the likes of Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, etc.. I wonder if there's any relationship to the sales of the screen saver? -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] #: 412456 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 00:35:49 Sb: #412267-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot 70040,104 (X) Yes, the .avi files play full-motion video and music/sound effects. Check your setup menu to make sure you've selected those files, and that they're in the directory, and that they've been marked to play. jms #: 412285 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 19:52:46 Sb: #412189-# Fm: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, RE: Your beliefs VERY interesting. I suspect that you and I could have a fascinating, if mostly useless, discussion about God or the lack thereof. Mainly because I agree almost word for word with the individual points you raise, and I've come to a VERY different ultimate conclusion. I personally find people's beliefs one of the most interesting subjects around and have heard many reasons for peoples beliefs. I have never heard anyone's as well thought and reasoned out as yours are and I can't find fault with your thinking. The funny part is that I don't agree. Most curious. Tom^^^^ Guardian of the Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger #: 412457 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 00:35:50 Sb: #412285-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 (X) Yeah, well, I've kinda given it a *lot* of thought over a *very* long period.... jms #: 412292 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 20:08:00 Sb: # Fm: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) >> The only problem with your message, as well thought out as it is, is that it proceeds from a false premise. Sorry, I did misunderstand what you said altogether. I slapped together two things you said and assumed you were were saying one was because of another. In fact I agree with your principled rejection of at least 90% of the published fairy tales about gods. Though I knew I had gotten preachy, I didn't realize _how_ orthodox and moralistic I would sound. Going back and re-reading it now makes me think that if I had re-read it before sending I would've deleted it instead. I _am_ sorry. Most strongly, I _didn't_ mean to question your scholarship or the seriousness and validity of your beliefs. >> I have no desire to convince anyone else of the rightness of my views. Neither of us needs the other to lecture us on this. Gentle hint taken. I'll curb the urge. >> I have no desire to seem to disapprove or put down anyone else's attitudes, just as I don't want my own to be degraded. Absolutely the last thing in the world I would wish to do. I see that my tone was otherwise - unintentionally. I apologize again, and I won't try to preach at you again. Thank you for the courtesy and restraint in your reply. #: 412458 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 00:35:52 Sb: #412292-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 (X) Rick: you've nothing to apologize for. You stated your beliefs quite eloquently; they're not mine, but that's fine, and nothing to be sorry about. jms #: 412322 S5/Babylon 5: General 06-Dec-95 20:45:26 Sb: #Max (Richard Moll) Fm: Melanie Moser 71163,1266 To: jms 71016,1644 (X) With the rerun of "Hunter,Prey", I once again enjoyed the great acting of Richard Moll as Max. I think he's a wonderful actor, and diverse, and have enjoyed watching him way back from the days of Night Court, and I've seen him show up in various series such as Dr. Quinn, Hercules and Xena. Was this a one-time role, or is there any chance that we'll see Max again? BTW, mega-kudos on the B5 magazine!! I can tell alot of hard work and attention to content and detail went into it. It really portrayed an understanding and appreciation for science-fiction afficionados all around. And the cast interviews titles were a cute play on words. Hands down, even B5 reruns are the best programs on TV. :-) Melanie #: 412459 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 00:35:56 Sb: #412322-Max (Richard Moll) Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Melanie Moser 71163,1266 (X) Thanks. At this point, Richard's part was a one-shot, but if we come up with the right role, I'd love to see him again. jms #: 412343 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 06-Dec-95 21:13:38 Sb: #412200-# Fm: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) > An atheist says, "No one has yet shown the least real > evidence of there being a god, therefore I choose not to believe > in one." Sounds more like the position of a concerned agnostic to me. Agnostics admit uncertainty, Atheists are no more uncertain than is the Pope. Of course it's your belief and you certainly have the right to assign it whatever label you choose. > It's not a matter of *knowing* there is no god; that puts > the person in the position of "You must have concrete evidence of > the non-existence of god," which is absurd, you can't prove a > negative. I've seen them attempt to do just that. You seem to have made a rational choice with no faith about it except perhaps the faith in reason--from the sound of things if someone did come up with proof then you would accept it without too much heartburn. An atheist has no concrete evidence in the non--existence of a God, but he takes it as being a certainty regardless, and will generally argue that lack of proof of existence is equivalent to proof of nonexistence. I pointed out a while back that if the distant quasars suddently rearranged themselves to read "Believe in Me or suffer creative torments for all eternity--I cure your ailments as proof of My Power", signed it with the Tetragrammaton, and on the day that it happened dead men rose up from gurneys, every case of cancer went into remission, AIDS patients immune systems started conquering the disease, Stephen Hawking jumped up and started dancing, every amputee in the world grew back his missing limbs, no murders occurred, every soldier in every war in the world spontaneously lay down his weapons, and my sinuses cleared, then I would take that to indicate that there was a God or something so close to one that the difference is meaningless from our viewpoint. The atheist I was arguing with dismissed it with "It could be a trick." Ask yourself what you would do in that situation. If such events would have no effect on your belief in the non-existence of a God then you are an atheist. If you would accept under those circumstances there probably but not certainly is something out there that could properly be described as a God then you are an agnostic. > If you say, "There are green penguins in the north pole," > then it is incumbent upon you to prove the point. I'm not a > "believer in non-green penguinism" if I don't buy it...I just > don't accept it. Precisely. The person who accepts on faith that there are green penguins at the north pole would be the equivalent of an atheist. The person who doesn't buy it without proof would be the agnostic. Of course some agnostics go the other way, believing that there are green penguins until proven otherwise, but in either case there is an element of uncertainty. A religions person has no such uncertainty. All in my opinion of course. --John #: 412460 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 00:35:59 Sb: #412343-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John C. Brobston/PRCT 71410,3121 (X) If all the things you describe were suddenly to happen, sure, I'd have to give my position serious thought, while turning down Stephen Hawking's invitations to dance and dodging the newly revived dead. Now, when is this supposed to happen? 'Cause it hasn't happened yet, and gives no indication of happening anytime soon. Which is, really, the point. Let me try a different take on this whole agnostic/atheist thing, to see if I can better communicate my position. My agent calls and says, "Listen, the BBC called, and they're interested in signing you up for a two year documentary on the mating habits of clams." To which I respond, "Great, but I'll believe it when it happens." I do not say that the contract may, or may not exist; it either is, or it isn't, and my actions proceed from those two options. Until I get the contract actually in my hand, it doesn't exist. Until someone puts the absolute proof out in front of me of a deity, it doesn't exist. That's the difference; the agnostic says, well, maybe there is, maybe there isn't, who knows? The atheist says, There is currently no proof whatsoever of this assertion, thus I choose not to believe it. There are, really, any number of schools on what atheism is or isn't. Some have taken this to be the notion of anti-religion, which I think is unconstructive. I used to write a humor column for Madeline Murry O'Hare's publication American Atheist back in the 1970s (betcha didn't know that one, did you?). Even did some other writing, articles and the like...until one day I realized that this (American Atheist Organization) wasn't about just providing equal respect and treatment for atheists, it was about knocking down religion and attacking others' belief systems...at which time I resigned the magazine. To get back on track...mine is the kind of atheism you saw most often around the turn of the century, basically accommodational of others, positive in outlook, stressing the basic worth of the individual, and the importance of the individual in building a better society. Because of the more...rigorous atheists out there, atheism has, I think, gotten kind of a bad rap in some circles. And a lot of it is unfair, though I'd be foolish to say that the criticisms were entirely without merit. But when then-President Bush said, as he did in an interview in Chicago during the last election, that he "doesn't really consider atheists patriots, since after all the idea is one nation under god," it brings you up a little short. The founders of this country weren't just believers, they were deists and freethinkers and even the occasional atheist. In any event...I hadn't meant to belabor the point. This is simply what I think. I don't usually get into it, but the question was raised, so I answered it. I don't expect much of anyone else to agree, or to convince anyone to think as I do. And that's fine, and as it should be. jms #: 412646 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 10:08:54 Sb: #412456-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, < Yes, the .avi files play full-motion video and music/sound effects. Check your setup menu to make sure you've selected those files, and that they're in the directory, and that they've been marked to play.> You mean the .avi files that play during the screen saver shots of personnel (like Delenn, Sheridan, et al.) are supposed to have video?? All I get is a buzzing noise like data was being written out on the screen. All the other .avi files play beautifully though. Tom^^^^ Guardian of the Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger #: 412731 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 11:58:06 Sb: #412646-#B5 Screen Saver Arrived! Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 (X) No, the personnel files don't have them, only the battle, ship and geo files. jms #: 412704 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 11:23:05 Sb: #411939-#JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: Robt Martin 75663,2701 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, I always was amazed that you found the time to keep up with the traffic, let alone your patience with the small but vocal minority of abusers and liars. It remains that most Usenet users are not much different from most users of online services; it's just that the little bit of moderation used here frustrates the worst troublemakers before they even start. While I couldn't follow ratb5 as you did, it seemed to me that the trouble was begun by fans with a Messiah complex -- "I'll save B-5!" -- who had to imagine non-existent troubles with the series in order to fulfill their frustrated dreams of creativity. Seems to me it was their frustrated ambitions that helped to fuel the vitriolic trio that ultimately poisoned the group. At any rate, we agree that it's unlikely to happen here, so (except as a study in the human dynamic) it's probably not worth analyzing. If it makes you feel any better, I was driven out of alt.cult.movies by the flames that arose after I mentioned that I used to edit Fangoria (what price fame...or infamy, in that case). #: 412732 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 11:58:07 Sb: #412704-#JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Robt Martin 75663,2701 (X) You used to edit Fangoria? So are you currently appealing the conviction...? jms #: 412558 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 07:23:40 Sb: #412467-#$0.04: Fm: Nigel Nixon 100666,2174 To: Jon Wolf 76103,2541 (X) Jon, >>somebody posted a note claiming that Doug Netter confirmed that the move was initiated by PTEN execs. This was in an interview in the latest issue of Starburst, #206, supposedly.<< "Netter believes their [PTEN] input was largely constructive...'They also felt that perhaps the impact of the commander wasn't as great as perhaps they wanted to see, and therefore asked us to consider another commander who was more well-known and had previous acceptance by a large television audience...This was not a reflection on the acting ability of moh who is a very fine actor but goes back to the economics of the TV world...Having seen the success of the show, Warners was willing to pay more.'" Starburst #206 (latest issue is #208 BTW) Nigel Dictator of France, Duck of Normandy, Minister of Bad Puns, Chancellor of the Ex-Keffer. Ou est la mauvaise Filles? #: 412743 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 12:10:07 Sb: #412558-#$0.04: Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Nigel Nixon 100666,2174 (X) And this is quite correct; WB had always wanted a well known actor in that rols, so when we decided to make the change, WB repeated this, and urged us strongly in this direction. Happily, Bruce was known to us through Doug and John who'd worked with him on other projects, and said he was a swell guy in addition to a terrific actor; we met, talked, and that was that. jms #: 412810 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 14:05:12 Sb: # Fm: Michael Guenther 70003,6025 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, Great episode! I have one question for you that you may have already answered, but since I haven't seen an answer I'll ask you anyway.... How similar is the process used by Psi Corps to destroy the Talia1 personality to the procedure used to mindwipe criminals? As you may have noticed, some individiuals have used the apparent similarity between the two events to predict a possible return of the Talia1 personality. I personally, think that while there are similarities, the process appears to be different enough that this wouldn't be possible, i.e. Talia2 retains all of Talia1's memories -- Brother Edward retained none until the end, and even then they appeared to be sketchy. This would lead me to believe that the Talia2 personality is more like a case of multiple personalities where her newer, evil twin Skippy personality has taken irrevocable control. Am I answering my own question here??? Michael Member: DNRC Representing Urzahil, The Mouth Of Sauron Aide de Camp to Gothmog, Warlord of Barad-dur Foreign Minister to His Majesty, King Edward #: 412950 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 18:37:35 Sb: #412810- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Michael Guenther 70003,6025 (X) I'd say there's some similarity in the process, yes. jms #: 412890 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 16:35:57 Sb: #412189-# Fm: David Cerreta 72630,3433 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe No comment to your long message explaining your reasoning behind your atheism, other than I saved it and was wondering if I could use some of your arguments with some friends of mine. I'll give you due credit. By the by, it always struck me as odd that Jesus was hanging out in Gethsemane agonizing about his future. He KNEW what was going to happen, he KNEW that he would die and go to heaven. He KNEW, not just had faith, he KNEW. Not much of dilemma. When I asked my mother about this (me, at the tender young age of 10), she said it showed us his humanity. Didn't wash then, doesn't now. Best, Dave #: 412951 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 18:37:36 Sb: #412890- Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: David Cerreta 72630,3433 (X) By all means, quote away.... jms #: 412918 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 17:40:27 Sb: #412458-# Fm: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Good, thanks. I thought you might have taken offense. It's been interesting! Thanks for going into all this. I might differ with your evaluation that discussing such things is pointless - _why_ someone holds an opinion, or why a particular person thinks a certain thing, may be as interesting and usefull a kind of knowledge as the original text of the opinion. But I think you're right about the likelihood of either of us making radical changes in our ontology any time soon. #: 412953 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 07-Dec-95 18:37:38 Sb: #412918-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Rick Corey /NY 74653,3323 (X) I guess I'm partly leery of going into my personal views on this stuff too much because I'm very conscious of the position of "celebrity" in our society, even as minor a celebrity as that of producer, of which there cannot possibly be a smaller version of celebrity. It's possible to use one's position as a platform for advancing one's own personal views, or propagating them, and I don't want to do that, or to be perceived as doing that. jms #: 412928 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 17:51:40 Sb: #Jump Points Fm: John Cissna 102320,3535 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) I was wondering about something that seemed to me might have been either a mistake or something. In any case I think I need some clarification. In the first episode of the Season "Matter of Honor" that characters state that the White Star generates its own jump point which other ships her size do not. The White Star by its looks is a mid sized ship about the same size as the Centauri small cruisers. Yet I remember in the show "Coming of Shadows" that these same Centauri craft generated a Jump Point of there own. Are these two ships the same approximate size or what, and hence the fact the White Star can generate a Jump Point is no big deal, or are they not the same size. If not I must say they sure seem the same size. John Cisna #: 412954 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 18:37:40 Sb: #412928-Jump Points Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: John Cissna 102320,3535 (X) No, I'm reasonably sure that the Centauri vessels that came through were considerably larger than the White Star; the problem, of course, is determining size visually in space, where there isn't a reference point. jms #: 412947 S23/Promenade Alpha 07-Dec-95 18:23:44 Sb: #Another B5 Pun Fm: Andrew Diseker 70714,105 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, There is a feeling of unease when you give out these hints of bad things to come. Two-by-forboding. Andrew Diseker (Say, isn't that the Drazi Hockey team *and* the Narn Bat Squad? *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM*) #: 412955 S23/Promenade Alpha 07-Dec-95 18:37:42 Sb: #412947-#Another B5 Pun Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Andrew Diseker 70714,105 (X) The Nuremberg War Crimes Committee would like a word with you, Mr. Diseker.... jms #: 413097 S5/Babylon 5: General 07-Dec-95 23:24:45 Sb: #412732-#JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: Robt Martin 75663,2701 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Uh-oh, am I about to be hounded off of CIS? Yeah, I was the original editor of Fangoria, the magazine dedicated to the appreciation of some of the most godawful films ever made. But it was a fun job, I did get to cover some decent little films that weren't as hyped as the splatter franchises, and the magazine itself had a more interesting "character" to it than the run-of-the-mill SF media magazines. Besides, I'm a high school drop-out -- they weren't gonna put me in the editor's chair at Time. #: 413113 S5/Babylon 5: General 08-Dec-95 00:44:58 Sb: #413097-JMS resigns rastb5 Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Robt Martin 75663,2701 Actually, the best thing about Fangoria are the conventions.... jms #: 413231 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 08-Dec-95 09:58:04 Sb: #412953-# Fm: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 To: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 (X) Joe, < I guess I'm partly leery of going into my personal views on this stuff too much because I'm very conscious of the position of "celebrity" in our society, even as minor a celebrity as that of producer, of which there cannot possibly be a smaller version of celebrity.> Is this the main reason you dislike it so much when someone calls you a celebrity? I think that your "celebrity" status has been diminished quite a bit here mainly through familiarity. Many of us have know you here for a few years now and one of the main things I think I've learned by knowing you is that just because someone is famous, it doesn't mean that they're a better person than anyone else. Not that I don't respect you and your views and your work. I do, but it's not because of any celebrity status, it's from seeing how you conduct yourself on a day to day basis. It's just hard to to have that celebrity worship thing going with people you consider friends, or at least friendly acquaintances. Frankly, until I met you and Peter David and David Gerrold here online I was as big a fanboy as the next guy when it came to people in show business. Now I realize you're just normal people who happen to be doing an extraordinary job, and I have to thank you for that. I still think noted personalities is the best description. Tom^^^^ Guardian of the Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger #: 413425 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 08-Dec-95 18:28:14 Sb: #413231-# Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Tom Knudsen 72347,1626 (X) Yeah, I don't really buy into the celebrity notion; what I do is what I do, no different than a teacher or an architect; both require varying levels of creativity. Main thing wrong with celebrity is that people start viewing you differently...and Kosh help you if your own view of yourself starts to reconcile too much with that new perception. jms #: 413239 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 08-Dec-95 10:24:20 Sb: #Rerun Schedule Worry Fm: Kevin Kenney 76072,1474 To: all Let's see... Last year, reruns didn't start till mid-December, after 7 episodes, vs. this year's 4. Last year the Feb. block started a week earlier and lasted 6 episodes, vs this year's 5 (splitting the 'three-part changeover'). That puts Warners 4 shows behind, and suggests this year will be even worse than last, with the addition of either: 1. New shows for the August sweeps, even though 'no one watches tv in August'. 2. More shows at the end-of-year, to simultaneously start with the Fall '96 tv season. I'd suggest to jms that he should try to get the Feb block extended a week to finish the three parter to start combatting this. I do understand Warner's position on this: We won't tell you what to write; you don't tell us when to schedule. Sigh... #: 413430 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming 08-Dec-95 18:35:19 Sb: #413239-Rerun Schedule Worry Fm: J. Michael Straczynski 71016,1644 To: Kevin Kenney 76072,1474 I don't think I'll be able to change the schedule; my guess is that they'll do a full run of episodes in July, which they did in our first year, but didn't do in our second. jms /********************************************* * Brent Barrett brent.barrett@24stex.com * * Senior Software Engineer Automedia, Inc * *********************************************/ -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:5 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 12/12/95 Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:15 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!news-m01.ny. us.ibm.net!uunet!in2.uu.net!news-feed.mci.newscorp.com!imci2!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com! ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 12/12/95 Message-ID: <1995Dec13.154359.23694@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Wed, 13 Dec 95 15:43:59 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 89 Subj: A couple of Questions Section: Babylon 5: General To: Melanie Moser Sunday, December 10, 1995 11:24:04 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414498 {regarding artificial gravity on Narn ship in the novel _Blood_Oath_} Urk...that must've slipped past me (which reminds me, I'd better get back to finishing proofing the next novel). And yes, we'll see more of the Narn homeworld as we go along. jms Subj: Not B5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: Sharon Foster Sunday, December 10, 1995 11:24:03 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414497 {regarding a show called "Vanishing Son"} Nope, don't know a thing about it, only heard the name here and there. jms Subj: Harlan Signs in LA/SF Section: Babylon 5: General To: All Monday, December 11, 1995 2:09:10 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414554 Harlan Ellison will be signing copies of his new CD-rom game, "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream," based on his award-winning short story of the same name, at Tower Video in two locations in the coming week: In Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 13th, at 8801 Sunset Boulevard from 6-7:30 p.m. and in San Francisco from 6-8 p.m. at 3205 20th Avenue, 2nd floor on Thursday, December 14th. jms Subj: Episodes on Tape Section: Babylon 5: General To: William H. DiPaola Monday, December 11, 1995 2:11:10 From: J. Michael Straczynski #414555 We're still trying to work this out. jms Subj: G'Kar Trading Card Section: Babylon 5: General To: Jason Wong Tuesday, December 12, 1995 3:14:17 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #415066 {regarding G'Kar not being on the card} Is this the one on the actual card, or the promo four- card? I knew it was wrong there, and I'd thought we'd caught it before the finished versions were out. jms Subj: Rage's Thots: Comm ? Section: Babylon 5: General To: Chad Underkoffler Tuesday, December 12, 1995 3:14:18 From: J. Michael Straczynski #415067 Yes, long-distance com systems like StellarCom are tachyon based; communication inside hyperspace to and from normal space is very difficult and problematic due to the differing physics involved; the beacons ships ride in between jumpgates are more or less anchored to the gates at the hyperspace side. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:6 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe [Dec 8-10th] Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:00 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe [Dec 8-10th] Message-ID: <1995Dec11.213805.26342@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Mon, 11 Dec 95 21:38:05 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 217 Subj: Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Tom Knudsen Friday, December 08, 1995 8:28:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #413425 {regarding JMS's celebrity status} Yeah, I don't really buy into the celebrity notion; what I do is what I do, no different than a teacher or an archi- tect; both require varying levels of creativity. Main thing wrong with celebrity is that people start viewing you differ- ently...and Kosh help you if your own view of yourself starts to reconcile too much with that new perception. jms Subj: Rerun Schedule Worry Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Kevin Kenney Friday, December 08, 1995 8:35:19 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #413430 I don't think I'll be able to change the schedule; my guess is that they'll do a full run of episodes in July, which they did in our first year, but didn't do in our second. jms Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: The Jawa/Jawa #2, Saturday, December 09, 1995 11:14:08 From: J. Michael Straczynski #414000 We're making 22 episodes this year; interestingly enough, because the ratings have been doing quite well, there have been some informal talks initiated by some folks at PTEN about us doing an additional 2 hours in the form of a direct- to-video movie, something to hold folks over between seasons. So in that sense we'd be doing 24 this season. It's not finalized, but we're very encouraged that they're considering trying this with us. We won't have any final disposition on this until well after Christmas, however. The problem will be in getting all the pertinent WB divisions to work together on this with us, and working with PTEN in the sense that it won't be aired initially until much later, which may be a stumbling block...but we'll see. Still, it's a great vote of confidence. jms Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: SysOp Lee Whiteside Sunday, December 10, 1995 5:02:23 From: J. Michael Straczynski #414104 {regarding direct-to-video B5 movie} Yeah, it'd have to be kind of like the comics...it would add something to the arc, be complementary to it (like the "shadows past" miniseries was complementary to "Divided Loyalties" and stuff yet to come), but more or less able to stand on its own. Like I said, though, it ain't final yet, still in the talking stages.... jms Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: Philip Hornsey Sunday, December 10, 1995 7:38:07 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414396 {regarding story ideas for direct-to-video movie} I'd advise against suggesting story areas for this, Philip. jms Subj: JMS resigns rastb5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: Neil Blevins Sunday, December 10, 1995 7:38:02 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414394 {regarding making videos of B5 episodes} Won't work. Their logic (such as it is) is that if people have already seen the episode on TV, they won't want to buy it...but a direct-to-video supplemental episode, by virtue of *not* having been aired, IS commercially viable. What can I say...? jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5: General To: Felix Ling Saturday, December 09, 1995 11:14:11 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414001 Thanks. It's a hard thing to walk the line between not being effective and being heavy-handed...I think it worked quite well in that respect. jms Subj: B5: Winter duldrums Section: Babylon 5: General To: The Jawa/Jawa #2 Sunday, December 10, 1995 7:47:18 From: J. Michael Straczynski #414407 {regarding direct-to-video B5 movie} Whoa, whoa, whoa...Jawa, don't mis-state the situation. The deal still hasn't been set, and even if it were, it couldn't possibly be out "sometime after christmas," during the rerun cycle. It might be able to come out *between seasons three and four* is, I believe, what I said. Bear in mind that I'd have to write it, it takes 4-6 weeks to prep such a thing, 15-16 days to shoot it, then another 52 days to finish post. Just to clarify...I don't want this getting picked up and announced as fact yet when it ain't. Still may not even happen. jms SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R [For "Passing Through Gethsemane", "Fall of Night", teaser for future episode. --mod. ] SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R Subj: Section: Babylon 5: General To: Mara K. Malovany Saturday, December 09, 1995 11:14:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski #414002 The sculpture...wasn't exactly what I had in mind, no.... Re: the Centauri...note that Edward wasn't killed where they found him. He was taken and killed elsewhere, in a area they'd more or less secured for that purpose. That was the area he knew about. jms Subj: A couple of Questions Section: Babylon 5: General To: Tim and Laurie Sunday, December 10, 1995 7:38:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #414397 Yes, he had the momentum from his jump, plus that of the core shuttle itself (which is considerable), plus the wind currents toward the center of the station area/garden, which area also considerable. Together that would be enough to keep him moving toward the outer edge of the garden area. No, the Narns do not have artificial gravity, which is why we've always shown them belted into their seats in five- point harnesses. jms Subj: Hague back Section: Babylon 5: General To: Barbara Pfieffer Saturday, December 09, 1995 11:14:05 From: J. Michael Straczynski #413999 You'll be hearing more about General Hague in the next batch of episodes; as for the two-parter, I'm about 13 pages from the end of part one, which I hope to turn in on Monday, and the second part will probably be in after the Christmas break. jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:7 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on GEnie / December 14, 1995 Compilation Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:35 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!dstrauss From: dstrauss@netcom.com (David Strauss) Subject: JMS on GEnie / December 14, 1995 Compilation Message-ID: Organization: Psi_Corps_Council_of_Elders Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 15:15:06 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (ds) Lines: 218 Sender: dstrauss@netcom17.netcom.com *** Some spoilers for "Passing" are included. *** SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 31 Message 76 Thu Dec 07, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:04 EST Yes, from what Ivanova tells Lyta, about two weeks have passed since the apprehension of Edward's killer; and yes, with slight modifications to prevent mindwipes from running into one another, they usually use preset templates in creating a basic history for the person to be wiped. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 870 Fri Dec 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:06 EST Jose: "glad to have you back on rastb5 again"...huh? I'm not on rastb5, in limited fashion or otherwise. Are you perhaps referring to the info group? Re: inspiration...in general this has meant people coming to me and saying that because of the show, they've chosen to get involved in charities, or social causes, or to register voters, or work in shelters; in Dallas at a small convention I was at, a young man stood up in the seminar and said that he was changing his major to social work because of the show...in email I received a note from a fellow who, inspired by the notion that you can choose a better life, relocated with his wife halfway across the country, against the "advice" of everyone else, and created a new and better life doing *exactly* what he wants to do with his life. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 879 Fri Dec 08, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:38 EST Hrmmm...it was my understanding that the reposts/answers would go on the rastb5-info group. I'll have to check this out. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 616 Sun Dec 10, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:48 EST Yes, "CoS" is a deliberate mirror-image of "Midnight," partly to illustrate the notion that "the wheel turns," as G'Kar says...yes, it does, and if you forget that it eventually turns on *you*, you'll be ground beneath it. I enjoyed Wing Commander 3, and will almost certainly buy WC3, but won't play it until I've finished writing for the season, for obvious reasons.... jms (oops, meant to say WC4 above) ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 642 Mon Dec 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:34 EST jms does not do christmas, that's correct. BTW, B5's own conceptual consultant Harlan Ellison will be signing copies of his new CD Rom game, "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream" at Tower Records/Video in two locations this week: from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13th, at 8801 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and in San Francisco on Thursday, December 14th, from 6-8 p.m. at 3205 20th Avenue. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 648 Mon Dec 11, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:32 EST Haven't tried the game yet, or ANY of the games now in my hands, or that I'm intending to buy, 'cause if I get into them (like Mechwarrior 2) I know that it'll take hours and hours from the writing; when the season's over, then I can do that. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 661 Tue Dec 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:18 EST Jeff: yep, that was you I was thinking of...thanks for leaping up and helping indicate I'm not senile (well, yet, anyway). Re: Mechwarrior 2...I don't have any first-hand experience with the game, so don't take my purchase as recommendation; I'd just read some of the reviews, and figured I'd check it out. Re: Sinclair as the One...funny how all this time very few folks have really commented much on how it was that Zathras could look right into Sinclair's face and say, "NOT the One." jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 670 Tue Dec 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 17:47 EST Basically, she doesn't have any one style; it's whatever she feels like that day. The military rule is that the hair has to be kept either off, above, or away from the rank insignia. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 687 Wed Dec 13, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:27 EST Actually, I tend to spend the same amount of time here as anywhere else; more, in fact. I inevitably log onto GEnie minimum of twice a day; I sometimes go a couple/three days without logging onto AOL, for instance, though then I post several messages at a time, so you get a flurry. As for CIS, bear in mind that I've been on that service LONG before GEnie even came along, since 1984/85, and that has the benefit of using an offline reader/posting program, Tapcis...I've tried Aladdin, and can't get it to do the stuff I want...this isn't an invitation to teach me, I don't have time for the learning curve right now...so everything you see from me here on GEnie is written live, on-line. That sometimes mitigates a *bit* against the number of posts, but no more so than at any time before. The video thing didn't come out as an announcement, but rather as an aside to an ongoing discussion that touched into this area. It wasn't a case of, "Aha! I have this to announce, so I'll do it HERE rather than on GEnie." That's just where it occured to me in the natural progression of messages. Just like stuff gets mentioned here that sometimes doesn't get mentioned elsewhere. Which is why there are a number of folks out there collecting my posts on various services and reposting them onto other services, because I don't generally talk about the same stuff in all these different places. If I just did redundent postings, there'd be no need for that. Finally, if there *is* any numerical difference in postings -- and I dispute that premise -- it may come from the fact that in general, on the newer places, I tend to get a lot more specific questions than here; and most of the ones here, or in general, tend to be "is this going to happen," or asking for details on upcoming stuff, which I really can't answer often or in great specificity. I still consider GEnie and CIS my two primary services, having been here the longest...but let's not get proprietary here.... jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 692 Wed Dec 13, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 15:12 EST The actor who plays Pinky, Maurice LeMarche, is a friend, so that may explain the connection. jms (Maurice also did the voice of Egon Spengler in TRGBs) ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 704 Thu Dec 14, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:04 EST I won't be finished writing this season's scripts until...right around the first week in March, give or take. At the end of a season, you generally get an advance script order while you're waiting around for the official word, usually for maybe 2 or 3 scripts tops, which comes around early April. The official writing season starts the day after the formal pickup, which is late May. So while the writing goes on to some extent year round, the really intense period is from June through March. Ten months, or about 42-44 weeks, so you're looking at one script every ten days to two weeks; we usually like to start filming with 4-6 finished scripts in-hand so that we have sufficient lead time to prep. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 2 Message 524 Thu Dec 14, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:07 EST Bear in mind that the Agamemnon now has a captain of its own, and that captain isn't going to just turn over command of his destroyer every time Sheridan wants to take it out on a joy ride. Also, the really important missions Sheridan might use it for are probably things that the EA military division might not be comfortable with, and would never let him just take out a destroyer just like that. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 31 Message 105 Tue Dec 12, 1995 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:14 EST The Centauri did not steal the bag; he had left long before Edward lost it (we see him drop and leave it behind in the hallway). AS Garibaldi said, someone found it and tried to sell it. jms ------------ -- David Strauss <*> Administrator, N.Y. Islanders Mailing List "If looks could kill, they probably will..." -- Peter Gabriel -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:8 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 12/14/95 Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:40 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 12/14/95 Message-ID: <1995Dec15.194653.11823@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Fri, 15 Dec 95 19:46:53 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 137 Subj: Rage's Thots: Comm ? Section: Babylon 5: General To: Philip Hornsey Wednesday, December 13, 1995 7:36:14 From: J. Michael Straczynski #415819 {regarding there being physical protrusions into hyperspace} Not that anyone's discovered yet. (Don't read into that more than there is.) jms Subj: ATTN:JMS Section: Babylon 5: General To: Mitchell Schneider Tuesday, December 12, 1995 7:51:15 From: J. Michael Straczynski #415353 "...yeah, I was shooting the breeze with Jon just a few days ago. Jon's going to try and get B2 re-run on my sugges- tion." Er...it's Joe, actually. That aside, thanks for the kind words, and we'll try to get it rerun. jms Subj: Compuserve Name for JMS Section: Babylon 5: General To: Dan T. Davis Wednesday, December 13, 1995 7:41:02 From: J. Michael Straczynski #415822 {regarding picking your own CompuServe name} Actually, I haven't picked any such name...what's the procedure for doing this? jms Subj: ATTN:JMS Section: Babylon 5: General To: Chris C. Franks Thursday, December 14, 1995 2:16:10 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #415971 {regarding one of the Turner stations running the first season of B5} They'll be playing the entire series, but not until the show has run its full course, so around 1998. jms Subj: I Have No Mouth game Section: Babylon 5: General To: Brian A. Thomas Thursday, December 14, 1995 2:16:11 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #415972 {regarding "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream"} Wouldn't hurt to read the story first. It's a great story. jms Subj: Babylon 4 Section: Babylon 5: General To: Michael "GANDALF" Kalus Thursday, December 14, 1995 From: J. Michael Straczynski #416204 Babylons 1-3 were destroyed during the very early stages of construction, so not that much was done. They poured a LOT of money into B4, which was very big...when that one went south, they decided to try one last time, with a stripped- down version, B5. B4 vanished 4 years prior to the first season of B5. jms SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R [jms hints for future episodes. --mod] UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING Subj: JMS: Best party ep? Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Robert Pierce, Thursday, December 14, 1995 2:16:09 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #415970 {regarding which upcoming episode would be best to have a B5 party for} If you want some fun with your wham, and there's a lot of fun to be had in this one, go for the first one up, "Voices of Authority." If you want serious, serious wham, go for "Messages From Earth." jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:9 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM (SPOILERS) 1 of 2 Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:49 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!europa.chnt.gtegsc. com!news.kreonet.re.kr!news.dacom.co.kr!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochest er.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Lisa Freeman Subject: JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM (SPOILERS) 1 of 2 Message-ID: <1995Dec18.063025.15731@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Mon, 18 Dec 95 06:30:25 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 865 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:57 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:111400 JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR: Babylon Squared Divided Loyalties [major] A Day in the Strife Voices of Authority Exogenesis Dust To Dust Messages from Earth Point of No Return Ceremonies of Light and Dark [also "Passing through Gethsemane". No spoilers for "Voices of Authority" through "Ceremonies" in this part. -- mod.] ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Story Arc Date: 95-12-12 19:16:26 EST From: Jms at B5 I just posted a lengthy reply to this basic thread over in the Season 3 topic (which is where I first encountered it). That says pretty much everything I wanted to say on the issue. This happens every season. Some people like shoot-em'ups and don't want to see any other stories, deriding them as "filler" and let's get to the blow-stuff-up stuff. They seem to think that anything else is "lead" which has to be gotten out. Every season begins with standalone stories, from year one to now. Year two has The Long Dark and A Distant Star and Soul Mates in the first batch up. Then we hit the big arc stories, and everybody forgot about the "lead." In season one, we had six or seven strong arc stories. In season two, there were about 9 really strong arc episodes. In season 3, as of right now, there are 13-14 very strong arc episodes. In year 4, there will be about 17, and in year 5 they're pretty much ALL arc episodes. The series is moving as fast as possible, and as fast as intended. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Harlan Ellison Signs Date: 95-12-11 03:56:20 EST From: Jms at B5 To avoid duplication, check out the message in B5 Merchandising about Harlan signing stuff on the West Coast this coming week. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: The Last, Worst Hope for Bab5 Date: 95-12-12 09:08:12 EST From: Posti After starting the season late (despite having four of last season's episodes held over) Babylon 5 has gone into reruns after showing only four new episodes. Bad enough that this season started with mediocre scripts that ruined the tension and excitement established by the 'lost" four episodes from last season. Now we are expected to wait three months to see shows that should have already been aired. PigDog has chastised critics to be patient with the 'story arch' of Babylon 5's plot line, saying that great things were coming. Well, the 'arch' seems to be more a strip tease than dramatic development: show a little, make 'em beg for more. I for one am tired of waiting - waiting for the show to reach the promised level of action, waiting for 'background' epsiodes to end, and most of all - waiting for new epsiodes. In my case, absense does -not- make the heart grow fonder. It simply kills my interest. When Babylon Five reappears in February, I may or may not bother to watch. >From an avid fan and supporter of the series, I have been forced by bad planning and scheduling to relegate the series to the "Could Have Been Great" list - where it will share memorial space with "Earth 2" and "Seaquest DSV." Subj: Re:The Last, Worst Hope for Date: 95-12-13 01:48:45 EST From: Jms at B5 Yeah, but it's very hard to do a story about preparation in the sense you suggest. "Well, let's go check out the White Star." "Well...sure is a fast ship, all right...so, what're the Rangers doing? Keeping an eye on stuff? Good..good...so, what's for dinner?" Each individual episode must be *about* something, must have a story that can stand on its own, separate from the arc, while adding to it. For what it's worth, "Voices of Authority," which was originally slated to run in the first 4, *is* a preparation kind of story...it gets into how they should be gearing up for what's coming, the accumulation of allies and resources, all that. Had it run as planned as #4, this would be answered. But the sheer volume of CGI required, which was pretty hideous, put it into the #5 slot, which we thought would still be in the first block of episodes. Then we found that #4 was the cutoff point. All I can tell you is that what you're asking for is *there*, plain as can be, right in the very next batch of episodes. (Also, do bear in mind that the "shadow war" referenced in the show operates as more than just discussing the shadows themselves, but what's going on back home as well.) jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:The Last, Worst Hope for Date: 95-12-14 20:58:05 EST From: VoxLumania JMS, I just wanted to say that I feel this past batch of episodes represents your best work yet. There may be things that certain people want to see more of (even myself) but just remember that you can't please everyone all the time. (But thanks for trying!) -vl Subj: Re:The Last, Worst Hope for Date: 95-12-15 02:21:31 EST From: Jms at B5 Thanks. No, you can't please everyone, I learned that lesson a long time ago. What you have to look at are the percentages. No matter *how* wonderful the work, there will always be a certain portion who won't like it because it isn't to their tastes. That simple. (I like bluegrass, classical, Japanese music, celtic music, hard rock, and others...can't abide straight-ahead country music or opera. That's just how I'm hardwired.) So basically, a work of superior quality will get about 40% who love it, 50% who think it's good, and 10% who hate it. A middle of the road work gets 30/30/30. A flop gets the first breakdown but in reverse. There's never been a novel, story, song or painting that everyone on the planet thought was nifty, without dissent. So as long as the percentages favor the notion that we're doing right, I'm okay with it. As far as the assessment of this latter stuff being my best work...god, I hope so. I've been writing and selling since I was 17; in TV for a tick over 10 years, and the absolute honest truth is that I think I'm just now *starting* to get halfway decent as a writer. So many years you spend just pumping out the bad stuff, the cliche characters, the implausible plots, until you finally get to the good stuff. I write 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, 52 weeks a year, except for my birthday, my spousal overunit's birthday, christmas and new year's. I'm in constant battle with the English language, slamming together different combinations of verbs and nouns and adjectives, hoping to provoke an explosion whose flare can illustrate a notion, or incite a moment of reflection. And half the time I feel like it's a losing battle; the language beats you every time. But if script #152 is just 1% better than script #151, well, that's progress. And then I make the mistake of sitting down and watching something by Serling or Chayefsky or Rose or Corwin, and conclude instantly that I should get out of the profession before somebody discovers I'm a fake. THOSE guys could WRITE. Hell, they didn't just write, they thunder'd and lightning'd over the typwritten page, and the echoes have followed us down for decades. So maybe someday, if I work hard, and write to the best of my ability, and am sufficiently honest in what I write, I'll be good enough to carry their pencil cases.... jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:The Last, Worst Hope for Date: 95-12-15 21:19:03 EST From: Kydreamer My dear JMS; Your exposition was interesting, yet I am led to wonder what interest can be sustained when the viewers' local station cancels Babylon 5. this happened in Kentucky at the premiere of this season. Management gives no explaination except that they have no interest in picking the show up again despite a loyal following and good ratings. Sincerely yours; KyDreamer Subj: Re:The Last, Worst Hope for Date: 95-12-16 03:18:33 EST From: Jms at B5 Kydreamer: what you have to remember is that the syndication marketplace is undergoing *huge* changes right now, and has been for the last year. In most markets, you're lucky if you've got even one or two independent stations (non-CBS, NBC or ABC). Between the growth of Fox, and UPN, those stations are now almost all locked down, and are required by contract to give preference to programming made by their affiliated networks. Now you've got 2 hours a day that are available for prime-time programs, 8-10, that's it (most indies usually show news from 10-11). That's a grand total of 14 hours a week, and there are currently about 250 syndicated shows all competing for those 14 available hours. Usually, we rate between 30 and 50 overall, which is very good in that crowd of 250, so in most cases holding onto the station isn't hard. But in some markets, where the squeeze is on, and there's only one station available, if UPN or FOX pushes hard enough...the show goes. This has, however, happened in only about a handful of places out of something like 198 total stations, so we're still pretty solid. The problem comes when 15 people in one area all post messages that their station has dropped B5, and what people tend to see is that there are 15 messages about this, so it must be a big problem. (And in at least two, possibly three of those cases another station, sometimes a *better* station, has leapt in to pick up B5's contract.) We've had a number of preliminary conversations with the folks at WB to determine how best to adjust to this in the fourth season, which at this time is looking very encouraging. Several notions have been suggested by them to help counter or work with the changing syndication marketplace. Some of them are quite interesting, though it's too early to comment much more than that. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-11 18:30:23 EST From: OwlGrandma Since religious themes have been pretty well covered, why not consider some others? Here's my two cents worth: 1. What makes a leader in the B5 universe? What role does power play in different leadership styles, as demonstrated by Sheridan and others? For instance, Sheridan has rank, which gives him a certain power to order things--but rank didn't get him command of the Rangers, and it doesn't play in the way Ivanova, Garibaldi, and Franklin follow him in the "Conspiracy of Light." For Sheridan, his tactical experience and demonstrated abilities seem to come first; people then accord him power and trust. The bottom line seems to be, as Garibaldi puts it, "He's the best chance we have to come out of this alive." I didn't see year one eps, so don't know about Sinclair. What kind of a leader was he? How about G'Kar? Londo? Lord Refa? And what about everybody's favorate bad guy, Mr. Bester? How did he get power? and what does he do with it? 2. What about the mind-body problems shown in B5? In Divided Loyalties I noticed that all three female leads demonstrate some kind of match-up difficulty. Talia has two (at least) personalities in contention for one body. Delenn has one personality making a difficult transition between two very different bodies (did she know how hard it would be?). Ivanova has "too much" and must hide and deny a big part of herself to fit into the life she's chosen; and how long can she do that? And then we have Brother Edward and all the questions he brought up (with no final answers except the one that was only for him). Where in the world is JMS going with this? 3. What else might be going on with the Shadows/Vorlons? Discussions so far have covered the good vs evil aspects, so maybe we would drop down a notch or two: What if the basic relationship is more predator/prey? Spiders are just as much predators as wolves are. Maybe the Shadows are the wolves, humans (and other races) are the sheep, and Vorlons consider themselves the shepherds. If you're a sheep, hanging out with wolves is Not a Good Idea, and the sheepherder (shepherd as biblical connotations I'd like to avoid) offers short-term safety, better pastures, etc. But considering what eventually happens to most sheep, the herder isn't all disinterested benevolence, is he? Just some themes I wouldn't mind discussing further; I'm sure there are many others. And that's only two cents worth. OwlGma Subj: Re:Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-12 18:42:08 EST From: Jms at B5 Basically, any attempt to break down the B5 story into pure good vs. pure evil is going to fall apart sooner or later. The thematic elements point to greyer areas: will you lead, or will you be led by others? What is your responsibility to the world around you, and how far will you go before you do something drastically wrong? The key themes in this show are choice, and responsibility. How different would this story be if Londo had simply chosen *not* to go the easy way and go to Mr. Morden? We are here because he made certain choices, and now he has to live with them. Actions have consequences. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Oedipus Rex and Shadows Date: 95-12-12 22:39:00 EST From: Klancaster JMS: Have you ever read any C.J. Cherry? She deals with a similar themes that you are dealing with in Babylon 5: How individuals are "forced" into hard situations by the choices they make, and through their actions they show who they are. To my argument: I think Londo is going to become an Oedipus Rex figure for the Centauri. He's going to realize the horror of what he has done too late, and it will be his hubris that will bring him down, revealing how he is such a tragic character. But part of the tragic figure comes from a dark side repressed unconsciously. Londo has yet to fully see what he's doing -- he'll have to be "blinded" before he painfully realizes his mistakes. In some way this relates to the Shadows. I think in some ways they represent the unconscious dark side of humanity, and even of the other species. They represent the an evil, or hidden desires, that's been supressed trying to get out of us all. Londo didn't really do anything bad until he gave permission to unleash the powers of the Shadows against the Narns. We'll have to wait and see what the Shadows have planned. By the way, will there ever be scripts from the earlier season for sale, anytime? Subj: Re:Oedipus Rex and Shadows Date: 95-12-13 01:43:47 EST From: Jms at B5 Actually haven't read much if any of CJ's work, though I really should have. The notion of hard choices, and responsibility, of course goes way back through early literature and into myth. Re: scripts...we do hope to make a limited number of them available through the fan club, once that gets going, but that's about it. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-14 13:54:37 EST From: MAKagle Another thing I'd like to point out is that NOBODY thinks they are evil (except some mass murderers in prison). Everybody thinks they have a good reason to do what they do. What I am suggesting is that the Shadows have a good reason (in their eyes) for wanting to take over the galaxy. I won't toss out any hypothetical reasons so as to not step on jms, but I'm sure you can make some up on your own. Point being, good and evil are matters of perspective. They are also a convenient tool for leaders to use to attack opponents without reason: "Let's kill them!" "Why?" "Because... um... What they are doing is EVIL!" If you read "The History of the World and Other Business" by Arthur Miller, he talks about this a great deal. Subj: Re:Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-14 17:11:48 EST From: Jms at B5 Good point. The monster almost never sees a monster in the mirror. There can be all kinds of justifications for what one does.... jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-14 16:46:34 EST From: AmberH Here's one that's been on my mind for the past few weeks that I meant to bring up - fate, destiny and free will. So much of what's been going on in the arc storyline has to do with destiny and prophecy. Delenn transformed because of a prophecy, Londo (and other Centauri) clearly have clairvoyants (ie Lady Ladira) and know the time of their own deaths, etc. Even the Vorlons seem to be going along with a predetermined pattern of history as in Kosh's comment regarding the Narns and the Centauri being dying races. (If anything, that one comment shows just how scummy the Vorlons *really* are because clearly they knew of the coming war and did nothing to prevent it!!) Even the future-Sinclair in B^2 tried to change something in the past (what, we don't know yet but should by the end of this season) and couldn't. So there is this whole concept of fate and being unable to change it. Yet, Ladira told Sinclair that the things she saw in her visions were only things that *might* be but they could be changed. So, how much of what will happen is carved in stone? How much has been changed or will be changed do to the course of actions of our Heroes and Heroines? From what some people have speculated, all of Babylon Square's signs and portents read that Sinclair is "the One" yet now Sheridan is in the hot seat and clearly being favoured by Kosh. So has that part of the (a?) prophecy been changed? Is it for better or not? How much free will is there within the confines of the story? (And I don't mean JMS' part in it?) How much is predetermined and how much can be altered? Should we believe all the signs and portents (whether prophecy, Sheridan's and Londo's dreams, Garibaldi's flashs) as givens or just future possibilities? And what messages/themes do you think jms-the-author are trying to convey? (You have one hour and two blue books to answer...:-D) Subj: Re:Other Theme Possibilities Date: 95-12-14 17:15:29 EST From: Jms at B5 I think that in the larger scope, many things are going to happen regardless...World War One would've almost certainly happened even without the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, but it might have happened later, might have taken on a different form.... But there's a great deal over which we *do* have free will. Things *can* be changed; if they can't, then there's not much point to living. The characters like to think they have no choice to comfort themselves with the decisions they've already made. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Beauty in the eye... Date: 95-12-16 13:43:38 EST From: AmberH of the beholder... Jms himself has stated several actions by the Vorlons (most recently in CtI and PTG) are supposed to cast a little less light on them. They are *not* good. We have been shown that the Shadows are evil, but we haven't heard their side of the story yet, have we? Members of my family were killed/tortured in WWII and I do think the Nazis actions were evil, not to mention Hitler's (amongst others). However, how many of the Germans (and Poles) thought what was going was right and what was happening was a good thing? What is good and what is evil is all a matter of perspective. Even within different cultures, taboos and beliefs vary and what the moral center is varies with it. If/when we ever hear the Shadows side of things, perhaps we will learn a thing or two. Plus I don't think the Vorlons are nice, warm and fuzzy beings. They've been perpetrating a mind *TOS* on many races for the past few millenia - even Sheridan says "we've been manipulated". Is it because we are not "ready" for the real truth? Which reminds me, who invited the Vorlons to be the keepers of morality and information in the galaxy? They're always telling people we're not "ready". Sez who? *Them*? It's like the current goings on re: obscenity on the internet. Certain political types are trying to ban it - but who are they do say what I find obscene, or someone else? Not to mention (again) that different groups have different takes on what is perverse or obscene...who is the judge and who gave them that authority? (and this is *not* to start a debate on obscenity here. I'll start an Obscenity and Babylon 5 board if I wanna get into that one...) The Vorlons may have an ideaology closer to our "heroes" in the story - then again, they may not. For all we know, their agenda could be something worse than we can imagine. Look at the kind of slavish attitude Lyta has around them. Sorry, but it creeps *me* out. Subj: Re:Beauty in the eye... Date: 95-12-17 02:28:42 EST From: Jms at B5 On the other hand, to say the Vorlons are not good may also be to miss the point, which comes closer to the issue of control, and the question of being led vs. leading. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Franklin and Ivanova Date: 95-12-11 17:48:19 EST From: KvonHaam Rats, I thought F & I would be a couple. I don't care about the ethnicities involved, I just want to see a couple develop on the show...maybe Sheridan and Delenn. Although Blacnight is over the top, it is true that having minority guest stars is different having minority main characters. And what people see on television does effect their sense of self, to a small amount--depending on how much they watch TV versus paying attention to real world role models. I am glad to see on STDS9 a black commander, also that he is a single father. As far as minority aliens, my friend commented that while Earth is still diverse in 2258, each of the alien groups have only one religion, one government, one appearance--I don't know but if this is some comment by JMS on our diversity is our difference from the other races, and what makes us human. I wouldn't mind seeing more diversity within alien races. In spite of all this, B5 is the best story on television today. Subj: Re:Franklin and Ivanova Date: 95-12-11 21:16:39 EST From: Jms at B5 "...each of the alien groups have only one religion, one government, one appearance...." Actually, this is quite incorrect. It's been established that the Narns have competing religions (G'Quan vs. G'Lan vs. other systems), the Centauri have a whole pantheon of different deities -- I seem to recall the number was in the 70s -- with each having their own household god, certainly the Minbari have three very distinct castes (with some differences in appearances, the warrior caste having more threateningly-spiked crests, vs. more rounded for religious caste), so there are definitely differences within our various alien races. And, of course, we've go the green drazi vs. purple drazi situation to contend with, and accents vary as well...not every Centauri has the same accent as Londo (which is more of the Old School of the Centauri hierarchy), and not every Minbari speaks with Delenn's accent (which is more from the southern region of the planet). jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:THE REAL WORLD Date: 95-12-12 04:15:57 EST From: Blacnight9 You don't get it, I could care less about Baywatch and in fact the only time that I hear about it is when they talk about the characters and the people on other shows. The point is that this show and shows like it like Melrose are seen around the world and they are consider the best of what America has to offer in the way of beauty. Did you know that in Brazil there is more than 100 differant word that are used to say other than black when people describle themselves when they took the census in Brazil because they see black as ugly. And these shows make what they feel about black some how true that being black is less than and that if they don't show them then American think the same thing too. I mean that like some one saying that they saw Jesus, unless they saw someone with skin like burnt copper and hair of wool then I don't want to hear about. Did you know that racism took its first breathe when the 16th chapel was painted? And the thing about MTV is that they play mostly black music and then just about every body on the network is white. How dose that work you have people that ack like they were forged from the soul of Rap and R&B and they get the jobs because they don't clash. And the comic this is that there are little kids looking at these comic and they should see people working together from every race not just white. They see the hero is alway some white guy that saves the world from evil. Evil come in all color and so should heros come in all colors and all genders. WHY DIDN"T ANYONE TOUCH ON THE CHOOSING OF THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. Couldn't any one come up with a reason that The sexist man alive and the most beautiful people are all picked by one race of people. Also the Sports ILL models are always white or the color concidered white by the all white staff at the magazine. Racism will survive because it can, and will always have a home in the hearts of the people that create show for the people and the beliefs that they grow up with will shine through in everything that they do. Subj: Re:THE REAL WORLD Date: 95-12-12 18:37:18 EST From: Jms at B5 Blacnight...this is really becoming pointless. For one thing, you're not listening to anyone else. You come on here, and point to A...people answer you, and explain or respond to some of your concerns about A, but then you've moved on, you don't even deal with the question of A anymore, you've moved on to B...and people try to respond to B, and now you point over there to C. You plainly have no interest in a conversation or a discussion, you haven't answered any of the objections to your prior messages, you just come in here to state and restate your position. You're all over the place. First you bring up Baywatch, then you say you don't care about Baywatch, you flip all over the place. My bottom line, frankly, is that yes, of course there's racism in society, nobody's debating that. If that's the point you're trying to communicate, then nobody here is going to dispute it. But by speaking of all caucasian people the same way, accusing them of all having the same behavior, you are every bit as racist as those you complain about, and that's another issue you've danced away from. If I came on here and said about african americans the kinds of things you've said about caucasians I'd be branded a racist, and they'd be right. In an early episode of season one (at risk of actually mentioning B5 in this conversation), Sinclair makes the comment that "when you become obsessed with the enemy, you become the enemy." You have become obsessed with the enemy. Anyway, this is the last response you'll get from me. It's painfully apparent by now, having given you every opportunity to show otherwise, that you are not interested in a conversation, only in stating and restating your position. So the exercise becomes pointless. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Well done, Michael Date: 95-12-09 15:34:59 EST From: TS Jessica At Westercon in Phoenix, July 1992, I remember leaving early one of the panels I was on, so I could get to your presentation on Babylon 5. You hadn't sold it yet, but I knew you from GEnie and I remember thinking at the time of the presentation, "If he gets this concept on TV, he'll own broadcast science fiction." See, I was right! Well done. -Jess Subj: Re:Well done, Michael Date: 95-12-10 21:22:00 EST From: Jms at B5 I remember that presentation, and it shares something special with LosCon right before that. At the time of the convention, all I had was my word on the kind of show I wanted to do, my rep, and about 30 seconds of a clip showing a ship docking at a beta version of B5. That's it. And even though producers for TeeVee series are always coming in proclaiming that their new show is the best thing since sliced bread, even though time and time again we (speaking as a fan myself) it ends up being just another awful show with genius kids and cute robots...even with all that, and so little to show for what I had in mind...fans both in Phoenix and at LosCon sidled up to the video clip, considered it, and the few other elements I brought to the table...and said, basically, "Let's give the kid a chance." It speaks volumes of the willingness of SF fans to extend themselves, despite getting repeatedly burned, when most needed. I've always been very moved by that, and whenever I've gone back (though I forgot this last time), I've always asked, "Did I keep the promises I made back then?" The answer has always been yes. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Miscellaney for Joe Date: 95-12-09 16:11:16 EST From: WSudderth (1) Regarding the conversation in "A Day in the Strife" between Ivanova, Garibaldi and Franklin concerning Sheridan's capability as B5's Captain: did you intend that to be a response to the fans who are making noises about wishing Sinclair would return in a more regular fashion? The "we need a soldier, not a diplomat" line stood out. (2) In "Divided Loyalties," was Garibaldi warned by the Rangers to be present when Lyta's ship was brought in? It seemed just a bit too convenient for Garibaldi to be there to confirm her identity; might he have been warned that someone who needed protection was on the ship? Your humble servant, Will Subj: Re:Miscellaney for Joe Date: 95-12-10 21:23:31 EST From: Jms at B5 No, Garibaldi was there because the ship's ID# didn't check out, as he stated, and it could've been in the process of smuggling or who knows what. The "soldier/diplomat" comment came more from shaping where this season is going. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Mira's Past Date: 95-12-09 22:51:50 EST From: StarFuryD4 Joe, I just saw "My Antonia", and Mira was in it. But when I looked for her in the credits, I saw "Mira", but couldn't catch the last name. Has she been married long? Acted under a different stage name? Or just decided to go by Furlan for B5? Three days of dish duty rides on her being in that movie, so any help would be appreciated. : ) Thanks, Dave Subj: Re:Mira's Past Date: 95-12-10 21:24:19 EST From: Jms at B5 No, her credit there reads Furlan; that's her name. Her husband's name is Goran Gajic. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS: Spousal Overunit's name Date: 95-12-10 02:06:20 EST From: Horshutree I remember reading somewhere you posted your SO's name, and that she too is a writer. I can't recall what her name is, and I would like to recognize her work if I ever chance to see something she wrote. Do I remember correctly that she wrote an episode of B5? If so, can you comment on the experience? Would you like to go through it again? You certainly don't have to answer that last one! RRS Subj: Re:JMS: Spousal Overunit's n Date: 95-12-10 21:27:40 EST From: Jms at B5 Her name is Kathryn M. Drennan, and yes, she wrote "By Any Means Necessary" for B5. She has written for other shows, mainly in the animation area, and has worked as a journalist or feature reporter for newspapers and magazines, including Twilight Zone Magazine, Women's World, and others. It was difficult at times with her doing a B5 script because I kept second-guessing myself too much on my reactions, and I ended up making her jump through a lot of hoops that nobody else had to go through because I have a real problem with even the *appearance* of nepotism, so she ended up working twice as hard as was probably necessary. So far this season she hasn't come across a story she'd like to write, so it's a moot point. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: To Jms Date: 95-12-10 12:12:03 EST From: Mutate what is the deal with some of the affiliate stations taking B5 off of their schedules. Will this be forever. Subj: Re:To Jms Date: 95-12-10 21:28:59 EST From: Jms at B5 Only a very few stations have dropped B5, mainly because there isn't room any longer on their schedules due to an influx of UPN and FOX shows to which they have prior commitments. These number less than about 5 or so out of something like 198 stations, and in several cases other stations have jumped in and happily picked up the contract. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: actors Date: 95-12-11 17:49:25 EST From: Leathon Are any of the actors online and reading the B5 messages or just you JMS? I can't keep but wonder what some of their reactions are to the messages placed here. Leathon Subj: Re:actors Date: 95-12-11 21:05:49 EST From: Jms at B5 Generally speaking, very few actors are online; Pat Tallman is over on Compuserve here and there, Stephen Furst and one or two others come online here from time to time...bits and pieces here and there. Mainly, if there's a message of interest, cast members find out by its being posted on the News >From The Nets wall over on stage A. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-11 19:30:49 EST From: CrushaTroi hello JMS... I do hope you'll answer this post... 1- will you be bringing in more women as lead characters? I really appreciated having a decent percentage of women on B5 instead of making it the boys' game that Star Trek and ST:TNG and even DS9 seemed to be hitting on... With the female narn and Talia gone, there are only two main female characters... Even with Lyta, there are only three, and there are also some men who have recurring bit parts, and so sort of weigh out Lyta's presence.. 2- Will you PLEASE answer the question re. Talia? I mean, I know you would like to keep some sort of surprise to it (I s'pose), but so many people have so many questions. I also really hope that Talia and Susan can have their relationship... there are so many things unresolved about Talia and her relationships with the other cast members, especially with Susan... Is Andrea Thompson (or some other actress) going to come back as Talia?! 3- Also, even if Talia doesn't come back, are you going to have a gay characters around as simply part of the tapestry of B5? I thought that was going to happen... ,',',',',',',',',',',',',',', ', lefreeman@sunbelt.net ,' ',',',',',',',',',',',',',' -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR >>> inbox:10 From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM (SPOILERS) 2 of 2 Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 15:57:53 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Lisa Freeman Subject: JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM (SPOILERS) 2 of 2 Message-ID: <1995Dec18.063146.15795@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Mon, 18 Dec 95 06:31:46 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 858 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:58 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:111402 (continued) JMS on AOL: 12/10/95 PM thru 12/17/95 AM CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR: Babylon Squared Divided Loyalties A Day in the Strife Voices of Authority Exogenesis Dust To Dust Messages from Earth Point of No Return Ceremonies of Light and Dark [No spoilers for "Babylon Squared" or "Day in the Strife" in this half. -- mod.] Subj: Re:To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-11 21:11:04 EST From: Jms at B5 I do see Lyta's role growing in the show, in the hopes of her becoming a recurring character (main title) in time, and there are a couple of other female characters I'm thinking about, but I don't generally think in terms of quotas, 4 to 2 or 5 to 3 or whatever...you have to decide what works best for the show and the story. As for Talia/Ivanova...there's some closure to that right around mid-season, which definitely clarifies their relationship. Suffice to say I think you'll be pleased. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: ATTN: JMS Morden? Date: 95-12-12 17:07:29 EST From: ShadowAtB5 ~~~~~~When are we going to see that handsome Morden fellow again? Such a snazzy dresser... You don't see anyone on the so-called "side of light" dressed so well. I mean, really, an encounter suit? Tres gauche! Uniforms? Yesterday's fashion. Though I must admit, that Delenn does have possibilities. Must come from us having a third of her race in our pocket. Er, I mean, as good friends and worthy allies... ::sinister chuckle:: So tell us, Joe, since that was Ed Wasser in "The Gathering," was he playing Morden even then? I must admit that though we know much, we do not know everything. Close, but not quite. Also, I'm sure that those here of the younger, more ignorant races (such as humans) would like to know. For those of you who *are* of the younger races, remember... Every Light needs must cast a Shadow, and the brighter the Light, the darker the Shadow... We are agents of change, of counterbalance, and aye, even chaos. But if there is no chaos, there is no release of energy occuring, and without release of energy there can be no light. So you see, it is, indeed, a very vicious circle:our Shadow, our chaos, allows their release of Light, and their Light casts our Shadow, on and on, until the end of time. We shall always be here. The agents of Light, too, will always be here (though theyu tend to be a bit more stultified and boring). However, the sources of Light are many and varying, changing through the ages. You who are here today will, in time be forgotten. The Shadows, however... We are unchanging. Light is the only sourse of Shadow. Thus, the Shadows are always the same. We shall always be here. Our chaos allows us to change, to adapt, and thus to remain. Remember our faces. Your races, your *final* descendants, shall see us again, as youthful and eternal as always, when they lie on their deathbeds, wasting away, suffocating in their old age. Remember us. We *ARE*. ~~~~~~ ~S Subj: Re:ATTN: JMS Morden? Date: 95-12-12 18:30:25 EST From: Jms at B5 Well, to the question of where the shadows are, I think that just got answered...they're right here.... jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS - thanks Date: 95-12-12 19:31:42 EST From: XFILEadict When Babylon 5 started two years ago, I was living in the boonies and didn't have cable tv. Being a sci-fi fan, I had heard about the show and really wanted to check it out. I didn't get my chance until this spring when a job transfer took me to another state. Not knowing anybody (and having cable for the first time in 3 years), I became completely entranced by the B5 universe. I've been lucky enough to see most of the second season episodes (and of course, all this seasons episodes). But I feel like I'm really missing out by not having seen the first season. I've read all the episode logs, and visited the lurker's guide....but it's not the same. But I digress. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your show. It's made a difficult time in my life a little easier (boy, does that sound cheesy...but it's true). I also wanted to add that Ivanova is my favorite character. I've been a fan of Claudia's for awhile....she really shines on B5. Now my question - Which episode will explain Talia and Susan's relationship? (I know, I know ... curiosity is a bad thing) Thanks, Stacey Subj: Re:JMS - thanks Date: 95-12-13 01:41:44 EST From: Jms at B5 Stacey: thanks, and look for something very significant to that relationship in "Ceremonies of Light and Dark." (Not as if it'll take much attention...it kinda jumps out at you....) jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS: Questions on Pilot Arc Date: 95-12-14 12:34:48 EST From: JimMcM I was re-reading the Lurker's Guide, and in "The Gathering" you had been saying that the Laurel thread had parts of it moved to different characters, and that she may have had a different agenda for different reasons. It's fairly obvious that at least this aspect has been transferred to Talia. But, in the guide, it is also said that the person standing outside of the door in one scene would have also been important if that thread had been carried out. Would you please give us the story of that character and what would have happened to him? Thanks! Jim ps If you have any success releasing the videos yourselves, would that also include the widescreen laserdiscs? Subj: Re:JMS: Questions on Pilot A Date: 95-12-14 17:10:29 EST From: Jms at B5 I'm not entirely sure what this refers to; the only possibility that comes to mind is that when the assassin finds Del Varner, he gets access via a panel outside the door, and we either hear or see "Laurel Takashima, Cleared To Enter." jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Jms RE: Ivanova Date: 95-12-13 16:01:40 EST From: Stormy1776 You have in your midst a great actor that is not being used fully. Why? Claudia Christian is a great actor and has gotten the least amount of time on the show. Her character is still lacking the depth of the other characters and seems to be just a cardboard cutout. Instead of focusing so much attention on less significant alien species such as the Drazi conflict maybe you could spend more time developing one of the only women on board of B5. It is nice to see that women will have a place in the future, but not so nice to see that we will be less important than an alien race's power struggle that had very little to do with the overall struggle. So please give some thought to this and realize that this is a matter that needs some attention. Stormy Subj: Re:Jms RE: Ivanova Date: 95-12-13 21:26:13 EST From: Jms at B5 You're absolutely correct, which is why in the very first episode up in the next batch, we send Ivanova off in the White Star as its commander, and we involve her and her charactder more strongly in subsequent episodes as well. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: JMS: Kudos and a Question Date: 95-12-13 20:49:13 EST From: Javeri JMS, My highest compliments to you and your colleagues. I've been hooked on B5 since I first saw a copy of a plot outline from the Internet about a year before "The Gathering" aired. The story has turned out to be even more captivating than I anticipated. I am a big fan of the "arc", and I love trying to guess where it will go next. I'm never right, mind you, but it's that much more impressive that you keep surprising me. Keep up the excellent work. My question may sound strange, but it comes from my interest in the storytelling process, especially from the beginning. I know you set out to do a "novel for television", but my question is, where did the story start? What is the earliest story element that you came up with that made it into the final product? Was it an event ("Hey, what about a war where the winning side surrenders on the verge of victory!"), or a character ("Hey, what about a recovering alcoholic who is in charge of security somewhere!"), or an image ("Hey, what about spidery spaceships with the texture of dog noses!"), or a moral ("Hey, what about a person who gets what he wants, and lives to regret it!"), or something else ("Hey, 'Delenn' is a cool sounding word, what about a story about something called Delenn!")? I don't mean to mock the creative process, I'm just curious how it works. The more people who understand this, the more might be able to make their own creations in the future. (I'm not one of them, I'm just looking for something to watch come fall 1998.) Share and enjoy, John Averi PS: For your demographics people, I'm a 34 YO computer programmer from North Carolina. Just about dead center for the PTEN people. Subj: Re:JMS: Kudos and a Question Date: 95-12-13 21:35:52 EST From: Jms at B5 One of the hardest questions for any writer to answer is where did the story come from. It's often a synthesis of lots of elements that sometimes bursts through all at one shot, other times trickles out a bit here and there. With B5, I started from wanting to do a saga, wanting to produce an SF show in a fiscally responsible manner (thus encouraging more of it), and to do real SF. The usual strategy used by other shows is the man or show on the run...going in search of new worlds, or escaping from something, or trying to get somewhere. The Immortal, Battlestar Galactica, the various Treks, The Hulk...all these and others used that approach, 'cause it's the easiest kind of story to construct, and needs the least amount of work. The downside, though, is that you end up creating a venue in which you are constantly distracting your story from your main characters by having to introduce the Alien Of The Week, or the Planet Of The Week, establish them, their culture, the problem they bring in...which leaves you very little room for real character development. And I wanted also to get into some of what's happening on Earth, do a little extrapolative writing in politics, law, criminal justice, sociology, religion, and other areas. This led me to the notion -- used in shows like LA Law or St. Elsewhere -- of creating a place where the stories came to you, rather than vice versa. This led me to the notion of a space station, a freeport in space. Onto this, I began to stitch the notion of a saga, a war, certain mythic and archetypal constructs...anyway I was playing with all this, when one day the whole story just sorta exploded in my head. I saw the whole B5 sage, start to finish, in one big flash. I then spent the next year, as I gathered my notes, and wrote the pilot screenplay, trying to write down and clarify what I saw in that one moment of absolute clarity. It's those notes, written in 1986/87, which formed the basis for the arc, and which I'm still using with some modifications today. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ [ WARNING: Spoilers for upcoming episodes... ] [ Voices of Authority, ] [ Exogenesis, ] [ Dust To Dust ] [ Messages from Earth, ] [ Point of No Return ] [a little extra space] Subj: Previews Date: 95-12-14 03:52:18 EST From: Jms at B5 Since the question of what's coming up in the next batch of episodes has arisen, I thought I'd go through and, while avoiding spoilers as much as possible, give some glimpses into what's yet to come. This list is for the new episodes beginning in late January through the end of February, in order. "Voices of Authority" - Earth begins tightening the screws on the folks at B5 to try and exert more control there. Steps are taken to help prepare for the shadow conflict. (Here, again, the "shadow war" means both the obvious, and the more subtle conflict brewing at home; it's description and metaphor.) The White Star voyages to some territory not seen since the first episode, Ivanova helms the ship, a major dramatic turning point is reached, and there is the single funniest scene in probably the series to date. A strong arc story. "Exogenesis" - The last non-arc episode for some time. Puts Dr. Franklin and Marcus together investigating some odd happenings in DownBelow that may indicate some kind of alien influence. Does, however, introduce a thread that will play out over time. "Dust To Dust" - Looks like a non-arc episode initially, but by the end it has a strong effect on the overall storyline, and makes some permanent changes in one of our characters. Combines Bester, the telepathic-assault drug Dust, weapons dealers, and brings to a head a major part of the G'Kar/Londo thread. "Messages From Earth" - This begins the three-episode min-arc within the larger arc that, by its conclusion, totally changes the structure of the B5 universe. A mega-wham episode. Because so much comes to a head so quickly, little can be said about it without spoiling stuff. Our characters begin making the final and irrevocable steps that will put them on a collision course with everything they have believed in until now. There are four or five episodes this season that push the limits of our effects and CGI to the absolute wall; this is one of the biggest. "Point of No Return" - The same, but moreso. Internal strife threatens to tear apart the command structure of B5. The Nightwatch thread comes to a crisis point. And Majel Barrett Roddenberry guest-stars in a B-story involving Londo's destiny. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-14 18:21:33 EST From: CrushaTroi Thank you, JMS. I must say, you are ever more approachable than the Trek folks. Not to flame anyone, I mean, I imagine it must get difficult keeping one's own creative path with a bunch of fans asking for this and that, but when I brought up the gay/ lesbian issue at a Trek con in NYC almost 2 years ago, I was basically snuffed off (ST:TNG is going off the air-- it's too late, and the ever-popular, there ARE gay characters (somewhere...) and of course, Majel Barrett saying in response to my question as to whether there would be gay characters on Trek, that it was not that kind of show, then sort of added something to the effect of Trek not being a "relationship" show (which is exactly what it IS, I think, relationships come in all stripes...). At any rate, thank you for answering my question and being civil. Now on to the next question-- Where are the gay/bisexual characters on B5? I don't mean having the B5 "Rejoined" (ST:DS9) episodal equivalent-- I mean where's the Ivanova/Winters style, there as part of the character portrayal queer folk? We're out here; we'd like to be in there... Thanks. Subj: Re:To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-15 02:00:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Y'know, it kinda seems to me that if two women have a relationship, and one leaves, the other still remains, so that answers at least one of your questions.... jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Q: Parliament of Dreams Date: 95-12-15 03:56:06 EST From: MrSeeker JMS, you've said several times that the episode "Parliament of Dreams" should be included in any list of significant "arc" episodes of the first season. The significance of this episode is still not clear to me. Will its significance be made clearer this season? Thankee kindly! :) Subj: Re:Q: Parliament of Dreams Date: 95-12-15 18:50:07 EST From: Jms at B5 Well, certainly, the rebirth ceremony is a direct antecedent to Delenn's rebirth in "Chrysalis," and we'll hear about the ceremony again. Mainly, I think of it as a slight arc story in terms of the Delenn stuff. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Pets Date: 95-12-15 11:57:48 EST From: MAKagle I've never seen any pets on B5 (and my bird is very upset about it). Would they be too difficult to get through quarantine? Subj: Re:Pets Date: 95-12-15 18:51:29 EST From: Jms at B5 Where would you put pets there? Noplace would really be safe. It's really more like a very large airport than a city...most people are just passing through. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: World Series Date: 95-12-15 11:59:21 EST From: TinyDrTim Who won the sixth game of the "59 series? ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:World Series Date: 95-12-15 18:53:43 EST From: Jms at B5 Mars won the sixth game, but it was a squeaker, 5-4. That tied it up going into the seventh game, which Earth won on an RBI that Mars is still challenging on the belief that the guy was really out at home, but that the umpire was catering to pressure. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-15 14:26:24 EST From: CrushaTroi Y'know, it kinda seems to me that if two women have a relationship, and one leaves, the other still remains, so that answers at least one of your questions.... jms\\\ Very good point-- touche and all... I guess though, I heard SI was supposed to get involved with Marcus-- and it seemed sort of like, well, she and Talia were starting something, but now she's with a guy, so it's "okay"... I think that it's not as problematic as it would be on Star Trek, because ST spends more time on relationships. I can really only think of the budding Delenn/ Sheridan thing, but I don't know. I guess I was hoping (as are others), that there will be gays visible, as in a date, a relationship, a comment in conversation, etc. Maybe I'm getting pickier with each post... I hate to say it, but at the moment it is unfortunately true that a bisexual woman who is with a man will be perceived as straight by a great many, if not most, people, thereby eliminating the gay visibility attained when said woman was with another woman... Sad, but true (I actually know a number of bisexuals who get annoyed by this, but at least some of them do say that it becomes easier when they're with guys...) Subj: Re:To JMS re.the women Date: 95-12-15 18:56:02 EST From: Jms at B5 Which, of course, is exactly *why* one cannot write to the current political agendas on any side of the issue, because they're transitory, they'll change in two weeks. If you start saying, "Well, this kind of person is *now* perceived THIS way this week, so I should change the story," you'll end up chasing your tail (also chasing your tale) and soon you lose all sense of direction. So you do what's right for the story, and let the chips fall where they may. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:B5 Universe Questions Date: 95-12-15 17:38:13 EST From: HFMoon <> Yes, and the medium is the expanding gases of the bomb. Explosives, and explosions are usually simply rapidly expanding gases, probably very hot. The shock waves that would hit you are the gases from the explosion. The debris would be following right behind. Subj: Re:B5 Universe Questions Date: 95-12-15 18:57:45 EST From: Jms at B5 Okay, then 'splain me this: when the Pioneer space probe moved past the speed of sound while it was in space, the monitoring station at JPL recorded a *sonic boom* as the shock wave rolled over the probe as it broke the sound barrier. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Garibaldi Left Handed!?! Date: 95-12-16 01:30:55 EST From: Skelebot In the episode where Dr. Jacobs (I never remember episode names) was trapped on B5 Garabaldi pocked 2 PPGs (or whatever) one in the left jacket pocket and the other in a shoulder holster but only when using the left hand you can remove the PPG. Is Jerry Doyle Left Handed? Did you create Garibaldi to be left handed? Subj: Re:Garibaldi Left Handed!?! Date: 95-12-16 03:08:18 EST From: Jms at B5 I believe Jerry is left-handed, yes; doesn't really matter to me if Garibaldi is a southpaw or not, it wasn't a stipulation ahead of time. (Actually a number of our cast members are lefties; funny how that happens.) jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Quest/suggest Date: 95-12-16 15:07:01 EST From: MJadot First I don't want answers to all the question,but somme would be nice, I just want to suggest questions that need to be said for me, if that makes any sense what so ever. 1) Are the shadows in encounter suits like kosh? 2)Is koshes encounter suit an actual living life for like his ship, because some of the skin looks the same? 3)Can their be planets in hyperspace? 4)Does B5 get destroyed, is that why the take B4 from the past? (Don't Answer) 5)Have vorlons toyed with other cultures? Kosh gets mad when Sheriden asks him if we are just toys to him, and demands not to ask that again, and the discussion with Delenn after kosh saved him. 6)Is Captian Sheriden going to have to destroy the Agamemnon, like in the myth when Agamemnons wife kills him for sacrificing his daughter? (Don't Answer) 7)Are we going to see more privateers, private traders, ect. and see a private lives other than military? 8)Why do the cargo vessels, highly ressemble earth cruisers from the starcontrol seires? 9) Are we going to see an Earth Carrier? I would like too. 10)Lastly I would like to see the Agamemnon vs the Dark(Black) Star? 11) And why is Trent from the Outerlimits going to be on Babylon 5, just a cool idea or what? If you read this thanks for taking your time, and please respond at least so I know I did something.-Thanks Subj: Re:Quest/suggest Date: 95-12-17 02:21:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Unfortunately, the answer to virtually all of your questions is no, with a few being "I can't tell you at this time." jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Experiencing Deja Vu... Date: 95-12-16 20:30:35 EST From: Prismatica How long will the current parade of reruns last? Subj: Re:Experiencing Deja Vu... Date: 95-12-17 02:22:27 EST From: Jms at B5 The next batch of new eps begins airing around January 22nd. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Harlan Ellison Date: 95-12-16 20:45:36 EST From: Starbase4 My wife and I are huge fans of Harlan Ellison. We are very happy that his involvement with B5 has continued. We were not sure at first if he would be with the show so long what with his history with the new Twilight Zone, Disney Corp., The Starlost. I guess that his high standards have not conflicted with your vision. Would you know if he is still continuing to produce his Dream Corridor comics. Also, I wonder if his short story, Waiting for Kadak, had any influence over Susan Ivanova, celebrating Chanukah onboard the station. B5 is the best. What seems to be missing for me now when I watch one of the Trek incarnations is the idea of the story arc in that each episode appears to be more meaningful. Thanks for your vision. Starbase4 @AOL.COM Subj: Re:Harlan Ellison Date: 95-12-17 02:23:54 EST From: Jms at B5 Last I heard, the Dream Corridor books will be coming out in a different form, in larger trade editions, with new stuff. No, "Kadak" had nothing to do with Ivanova celebrating Chanakuh on B5; the ceremony far predates Harlan's story.... jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:B5 vs Star Trek Date: 95-12-16 03:07:15 EST From: Jms at B5 We've finally received the paperwork on the fan club, and one of the things we plan to do is sell replica communication Links manufactured by the same sub-contractor company that produces the actual props, so they're 100% authentic; same with the EA pins and patches and some other stuff. So hang tight, you may get your wish. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Harlan Ellison in SF/LA Date: 95-12-11 03:51:44 EST From: Jms at B5 B5's own Conceptual Consultant will be signing copies of his new CDrom game, "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream," based on his award winning short story of the same name, at Tower Records/VIdeo this coming week: on Wednesday, December 13, in Los Angeles from 6-7:30 p.m. at 8801 Sunset Boulevard, and in San Francisco at 3205 20th Avenue on Thursday, December 14th, from 6-8 p.m. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Re:different=same? Date: 95-12-10 10:30:02 EST From: StarFuryD4 Balance7 wrote: <> << Each religion on Earth could simply be seeing a different part of God's ultimate reality (which may be too great for any single religion to encompass). All are different and all may be right.>> 1) If one looks at God(and Truth) as if He(it) were unfathomable, that He(it) is beyond our understanding or ability to fully grasp His(its) existence, Then you are only partially correct. God is beyond our ability to comprehend, simply because He is *Infinite*. Who can really "grasp" infinity? However, You would be overlooking an important fact; God has given us a way to understand as much as we could ever hope to understand of Him. It's called the Bible. It is chock-full of understanding, wisdom, and common sense. It was originally written in the common tongue of its day in order to *be* easily understood, and it is available today in easily understood english. It is not *an* allegory, but it contains some. It is not a "metaphor", but it has some of that too. It is not for "just the initiated", but can be read and understood by anyone, just like any book or newsrag or magazine. It was and is, intended to be read just the way it is written. 2) Truth is either: Objective and Knowable; Or, Relative and useless. Not both. 3) As to right, wrong, and religion:- If all are right(partly), and are to be esteemed the same, then if they were really congruent, there would be no contradictions. However: Hinduism(among others) says that all is relative, that kindness and cruelty to others is of no consequence because it is the desire of the other to be treated one way or the other, so you are not held karmically responsible for the actions. The Bible says, "Treat others as you yourself wish to be treated". Islam(among others) says that all the good works you do will be weighed against the bad works you have done, and Allah will judge you good or evil. The Bible says, "He who believes in [Jesus], is not condemned, but he who does not believe is *already* condemned, *because* he does not believe in the uniquely begotten Son of God." (emphasis mine) That's just two of many examples. If you would be interested in discussing others, E- me. Dave Subj: Re:different=same? Date: 95-12-10 22:49:56 EST From: HFMoon <<2) Truth is either: Objective and Knowable; Or, Relative and useless. Not both.>> Nope sorry, I must disagree. "We all have truths, are mine the same as yours?" (and if you can name the origin of that quote, you get a million points and a virtual quppi doll!) Subj: Re:different=same? Date: 95-12-11 03:49:20 EST From: Jms at B5 "But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law? We both have truths. Are mine the same as yours?" Pontius Pilot to JC in "Jesus Christ, Superstar," third act. For whatever reason, I know just about every line of that rock opera. jms ____________________________________________________________________________ Subj: Goodbye Babylon 5 Date: 95-12-12 09:07:09 EST From: Posti After starting the season late (despite having four of last season's episodes held over) Babylon 5 has gone into reruns after showing only four new episodes. Bad enough that this season started with mediocre scripts that ruined the tension and excitement established by the 'lost" four episodes from last season. Now we are expected to wait three months to see shows that should have already been aired. PigDog has chastised critics to be patient with the 'story arch' of Babylon 5's plot line, saying that great things were coming. Well, the 'arch' seems to be more a strip tease than dramatic development: show a little, make 'em beg for more. I for one am tired of waiting - waiting for the show to reach the promised level of action, waiting for 'background' epsiodes to end, and most of all - waiting for new epsiodes. In my case, absense does -not- make the heart grow fonder. It simply kills my interest. When Babylon Five reappears in February, I may or may not bother to watch. >From an avid fan and supporter of the series, I have been forced by bad planning and scheduling to relegate the series to the "Could Have Been Great" list - where it will share memorial space with "Earth 2" and "Seaquest DSV." Subj: Re:Goodbye Babylon 5 Date: 95-12-13 01:38:40 EST From: Jms at B5 Thank you, Posti. You have now posted your departing message in at least three different folders, probably more. We kind of get the point. And it's story *arc*, not story *arch*. Jms ,',',',',',',',',',',',',',', ', lefreeman@sunbelt.net ,' ',',',',',',',',',',',',',' -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: (fwd) GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 01-05-96 Date: Mon, 8 Jan 1996 09:25:57 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Organization: Centre for Advanced Studies, IBM SWS Toronto Lab Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!scifi!news.emi.net!news.sprintlink.net !hookup!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!paperboy.osf.org!bone.think.com!sdd.hp.com!frankensun.altair.com!nntp. coast.net!howland.reston.ans.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!gatech!udel!rochester!galileo. cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 01-05-96 Message-ID: <1996Jan6.162719.9392@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Sat, 6 Jan 96 16:27:19 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 396 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:78 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:114779 Subj: From jms: info Section: Babylon 5: General To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] January 03, 1996 4:22:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425082 Walter is also in "Ship of Tears." jms Subj: From jms: info Section: Babylon 5: General To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] January 04, 1996 2:47:08 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425352 {regarding B5 being one of the top rated shows on WDCA} That's good to know; WDCA has been very supportive of B5 from the very beginning, hence the show is, as you quote, "one of (their) highest rated programs." Those that treat the show well, find it *does* well. jms Subj: The One Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Mark Koro Tuesday, January 02, 1996 8:31:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #424747 Careful...you're straying into concrete story ideas here.... jms Subj: Dr. Seuss version of B5. Section: Babylon 5: General To: JMS, Tuesday, January 02, 1996 8:28:15 PM From: C Clark #424744 This Message, by Kevin Freels, was posted to the RASTB5 newsgroup a few days ago and I repost it here with permis- sion. If Dr. Suess had written for Babylon 5.... (...Intro music starts up when we see the network of P-TEN...) We live here on Bab'lon 5 to keep our last great hope alive. So far, it seems, since Season One, The war of Shadows has begun. So victory now is what we need if Bab'lon Five is to succeed! This Minbari, she's Delenn. She speaks in riddles now & then. She has a bone upon her head. She'd rather have some hair instead. Delenn: "Hi there! Ho there! My old friend! It's nice to see you once again. Come, let's talk of Councils Gray, And Crystal candles as we pray. I live here on Bab'lon Five To keep our last great hope alive." This is Delenn's friend, Lennier. You may ask, "Why is he here? He looks familiar! I know his face! He used to be on 'Lost in Space'!". Just like her, he's real verbose, And smells like fish-heads when you're up close. Londo: "I am Londo, tall and proud! (though some might say that I'm too loud!) I'm Centauri, so you see. My hair defies all gravity. We Centauri will someday rule. (Actually, we're just a tool. The Shadows really run the game. Alas! Such is the price of fame!) I like women, game, and drink. I drink and drink 'till I can't think! I live here on Bab'lon Five To keep my ego hopes alive. This is my assistant, Vir." Vir: "I would like--" Londo: "Get out of here!" This green lizard is G'Kar. He has come from very far. G'Kar: "I'm not a lizard! I'm a Narn! Time is crucial! I must warn! We're all in danger! Londo's nuts! His henchmen shadows kicked our butts! They've driven us down to our knees! Send lawyers, guns and money, please! Ion cannons! Ruby lasers! Even dusty Star Trek phasers!" This is Kosh. He gives me creeps! He barely speaks, just whirrrs & beeps. Kosh: *clakkity* *clakkity*!! *whirrr* *buzz* Beep! "You've always been here!" *ka-chunk* *gleep*! He always says that in fog-like scenes. I still don't know just what it means! He wears that suit to hide from us. Does he wear it on the bus? Garibaldi: "They're all guilty! Every one! I'll bust 'em up to have some fun! I'll bring in those bad beserkers, All those liars, thieves and lurkers." He's my Chief Security. Testosterone flows in him free. He's pretty edgy. I know why. Since Mars was home, well, he's been dry. He's really hyper, so I think. But imagine if he had a drink! This is Susan-- Ivanova: "As you were! I'm Ivanova! And call me 'Sir'! I'm delicate, on one small side, But touch me and I'll tan your hide! And though to you I might appeal, I once faked sex to clinch a deal. So stand your post and keep your ground, Or, I promise, you I'll pound." Meet the Doctor. He stays up late, And works for forty hours straight! Dr. Franklin: "I heal aliens, those are my jobs. Humans and Martians, Reptiles and Blobs! Wozzles and Snangles and Bug-eyed Kertunkers! Yellow-faced insects with Red-winged Dondunkers! Centauri! Membari! Vorlons and Narn! I'd even help creatures made out of yarn! So I will stay living on Bab'lon Five To keep all these strange little creatures alive!" Talia's a telepath. She once followed in our path. But a time-bomb in her mind Has made her evil and unkind. It's doubtful she can be our friend. Our trust in her is at an end. The Psi-corp has a man named Bester. He could be labled "Mind Molester". He's evil, mean, and nasty, too! He can read the thoughts of you. We must give him credit, tho. He drove a starship years ago. Bester: "I've known your kind and what to do. So I'll be back. Be seeing you." This man Morden, standing here. He is one that you should fear. He has shadows for his brothers. He doesn't play so well with others. --- So that's my story. It's lonely here. We're so far out, there is no beer. I'm stuck out here on Bab'lon Five To keep our last great hope alive. I'm stuck out here, it's just not fair! It's all the fault of that Sinclair! He bailed out, I took the fall, And now he won't return my call! But... It could be worse, it's just five years. Or I could have Ferengi ears. And when all is said and done, I'm not Harlan Ellison! -- ....kevin Subj: Dr. Seuss version of B5. Section: Babylon 5: General To: C Clark Wednesday, January 03, 1996 12:26:02 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #424821 Too, too, too weird....funny, though.... jms Subj: ARRRRRRRRGGGHHH! Section: Babylon 5: General To: Lynn Dimock Wednesday, January 03, 1996 2:49:15 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #424857 : >I'm sorry, I know this is thread drift, but my team is >getting its butt whopped at the Fiesta Bowl and I am >ready to scream. It's not so much the score as the way >three Florida guys have had to be hauled off the field >so far (how many football players do you hear of with >dislocated *hips* for crying out loud), and the general >attitude of the Nebraska players. And yes, if my guys >were acting like that I'd still be upset (though, to >be honest, not as much). You are not ready for victory. jms Subj: Bester PsiCorp Shadows ? Section: Babylon 5: General To: J. Michael Straczynski January 03, 1996 8:56:22 PM From: John Van Aken #425236 <> This is probably one of those Questions Which Will Not Be Answered, but... ...any reason why? Subj: Bester PsiCorp Shadows ? Section: Babylon 5: General To: John Van Aken Thursday, January 04, 1996 2:47:06 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425351 Yes. jms Subj: Bester PsiCorp Shadows ? Section: Babylon 5: General To: Tom LeCompte Thursday, January 04, 1996 2:56:20 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425354 "To define is to kill; to suggest is to create." Mallarme. jms Subj: THANKS FOREVER BOOK Section: Star Trek: General To: paul wood Thursday, January 04, 1996 2:47:10 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425353 Actually, the reruns aren't skipping the season 3 opener, only (for some reason) the season 2 closer; the first one of year three just aired here in LA tonight, in fact. And thanks.... jms Subj: ITS OVER Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: James A. Du Bois Thursday, January 04, 1996 2:56:21 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425355 : >Just to pick a nit that drives me up the fraggen wall: >The millennia doesn't end on December 31, 1999, but on >December 31, 2000. There was no year 0 so the end of >the first thousand years occurred on December 31, 1000. Funny thing is, some mathematicians disagree with this assessment; no, there was no year 0, but there was a year 10 and 20 and 30 and so on (though all, as you note, assigned in retrospect). So some of them have taken the position that the first century was simply short one year, rather than rolling every other century back one year. jms Subj: Legacies Question Section: Babylon 5: General To: Michael Guenther Friday, January 05, 1996 1:52:28 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425833 : >I just saw Legacies last night and I have a question >for you concerning the young Telepath introduced in >the story. Now that Alison and Sinclair are on the >Minbari homeworld has Sinclair met her since then? >Will we see more of her? I'm sure a P10 would come in >handy for the coming struggle... There are no current plans for that character, no. jms Subj: B5 Aliens Streib Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Bert Johnson Friday, January 05, 1996 1:52:29 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425834 : >I have been going throught the AVI files in my new B5 >screen saver and came upon the Streib. Are they named >in recogntion of Whitley Streiber's aliens in his >books? They look the same. It's a nod, yes; and the comics were/are meant to be complementary, within the B5 universe but not required to follow the show. jms Subj: B5 Aliens Streib Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 Friday, January 05, 1996 3:46:10 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426115 {regarding a new B5 novel} Yes, there's another novel due out fairly soon, within the next month or so. jms Subj: Official Fanclub Section: Babylon 5: General To: Susan Law Friday, January 05, 1996 1:52:31 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425835 : >Saw your post on rastb5 a couple of days ago - enjoyed >it. Anyhow regarding B5 merchandise that you're >considering - how about the Ranger pins - any chance >of those being available? I'd sure spring for one. Not a bad idea; those would be expensive to make, though, so I'm not sure if it'd work. We'll see.... jms Subj: B5: Promoting B5 Section: Babylon 5: General To: peter stathis Friday, January 05, 1996 2:10:31 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #425841 : >Just curious, but I was wondering why none of the cast >members have done the talk show circuit? It couldn't >hurt. I also heard that when Harlan was on Tom >Snyder's show he made no mention of B5 at all. Once again you make broad statements: "none of the cast members have done the talk show circuit." Not correct. Bruce has done the Stephanie Miller show, showed up on the Tonight Show, the Mike and Maddie show (same there for Jerry Doyle, who's done other talk shows including several network morning shows, such as the the FX cable network show), they've all done various national radio shows, and other talk shows. So for starters you're not correct; they're doing some, and we're working on doing more. The problem is that most talk shows want major, recognized stars from hit network shows, and syndication doesn't get a lot of attention there. jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu -- Frank Ch. Eigler | eigler@vnet.ibm.com | fche@elastic.org IBM Software Solutions, Toronto Lab | (416) 448-2687 Centre for Advanced Studies | 21/894/844/TOR From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 01-08-96 Date: Wed, 10 Jan 1996 12:56:24 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!howland.reston.ans. net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 01-08-96 Message-ID: <1996Jan8.182344.24261@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Mon, 8 Jan 96 18:23:44 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 185 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:82 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:115002 Subj: Official Fanclub Section: Babylon 5: General To: Asha DeVelder Saturday, January 06, 1996 12:20:21 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426399 We literally just signed the contracts; we now have to get a space for the fanclub operations, set up the www page (which we hope will be up during the next batch of episodes), hire the people we've selected to run it, and then we can put the word out. As with everything else, we always make sure we're prepared before going forward with anything. jms Subj: Minbari Military Section: Babylon 5: General To: Paul Owen Saturday, January 06, 1996 12:20:18 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426396 : >As we are waiting for Season 3 here in the UK I was >just wondering why are the Rangers here at all?? where >is the Minbari military in all of this , ? Is this >another twist in an already superbly convoluted >plot???. Is this going to become clearer in S3 This is one of the things that's better gone into in the show. jms Subj: "Survivors" question... Section: Babylon 5: General To: Neville White Saturday, January 06, 1996 12:20:19 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426397 : >I hope you don't mind me asking, but I was wondering >the other day whether there was any come-back on the >woman from Garibaldi's past that we saw in "Survivors" >back in series one... security for president Santiago, >yet he got assassinated at the end of series one... No, we haven't established what happened to her, but we will in time. jms Subj: "Survivors" question...Section: Babylon 5: General To: Gerald Himmelein Saturday, January 06, 1996 6:13:18 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426857 : >{Well, we'll be waiting for her reappearance (or will >she only appear in a "throwaway line" like the >resolution of the situation on Ragesh 3 in Season 1?).} No, if we go into what happened, and where she is, it kinda behooves us to show her. jms Subj: Midnight in the ... Section: Babylon 5: General To: Sharon Foster Saturday, January 06, 1996 12:20:20 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426398 : >Forgive me if this has been asked a dozen times by now, >but a friend of mine wants to know if Harlan's story >in next month's Fantasy & Science Fiction, called >"Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral", is a Babylon 5 >story and if so, is it canonical. He says it was the >working title of an episode that never got made. No, it's not a B5 story; he liked the title, and used it there instead. jms Subj: Grand Admiral Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: Charles Agius Saturday, January 06, 1996 12:20:25 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426400 Knowing Bruce, *every* charity is his favorite charity. Any one you pick will likely be fine. jms Subj: Famous "Who Are you?" Section: Babylon 5: General To: Phillip A. Cochran January 06, 1996 6:13:13 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #426855 {regarding the question "who are you?"} Yeah, that's one of the primal questions, isn't it? And one that we are too often distracted from considering. jms Subj: Stuff Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: John M. Kahane Sunday, January 07, 1996 7:21:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #427668 : >is there more that you can say about this episode and >the Bester role? Could, yeah, but I'd rather let that episode reveal itself...there's not much I can say about it that wouldn't spoil it for people. jms Subj: Tonight's repeat episode Section: Babylon 5: General To: Rebecca Eschliman Sunday, January 07, 1996 7:21:15 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #427669 : >Whether Centauri, Narn, Minbari, Drazi, Vorlon, If one >stops to think about the fact that these civilizations >have not developed against a background of human >interactions it is a lot more difficult to assign a >morality to their actions. Therefore one has to >examine one's own ethical beliefs is contrast to >whatever reactions we have to your other civilazations >and one hopes, to think about why we believe what we >do. I think it's not enough just to *have* non-Earth civilizations. First you have to explore them, and set them up as real, individual forces. Second, it becomes easy to say, "Well, I don't have to think about this particular issue, it's just an alien thing. Isn't it interesting that they should feel this way?" It's more effective in some way to make the *really* challenging issues ones that directly involve humans...it doesn't leave us as much wriggle room to avoid considering the issue. jms Subj: KIDIST REMARK IN "TKO" Section: Babylon 5: General To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 Sunday, January 07, 1996 7:32:24 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #427671 : >This is a catastrophe of immense proportions!! >IVANOVA MADE A KIDIST REMARK IN "TKO"! >The scene: father's memorial. >The remark: "...pouting in that way that only 13 > can..." >I don't know what to do. >Ivanova seemed so *decent!* >Joe, Joe, how could you let that slip PAST?? >What should we do? Point One: the script was written by Larry DiTillio, not me. Point Two: the comment is essentially correct; ain't nobody can pout like a 13 year old. jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 1-10-96 Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 13:00:22 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews2!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!howland.reston.ans .net!gatech!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.kei.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!cornellcs!rochester!gal ileo.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: dmille12@ix.netcom.com (DeAnna Miller ) Subject: GREEN MEDDLER'S JMS on CompuServe 1-10-96 Message-ID: <1996Jan15.171039.9109@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Netcom Date: Mon, 15 Jan 96 17:10:39 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 185 Xref: tornews2 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:85 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:116016 [For some reason, this failed to get properly posted the first time I submitted it. So, here you are again. --mod.] Howdy, Folks! Just a note to let you know that Green Meddler is going to start posting these messages again, instead of me. Thanks to all of you for the valuable input. Subj: A question about Morden Section: Babylon 5: General To: Michael Milutinovic Monday, January 08, 1996 1:41:22 From: J. Michael Straczynski #428074 : >Are the Sheridan, Garibaldi and the others keeping an >eye on Morden? They do when he's there, or at least they try to, but he's not there a lot, and when he is...well, see for your- self.... jms Subj: Another oldie query... Section: Babylon 5: General To: Neville White Monday, January 08, 1996 11:56:07 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #428578 : > >Lennier revealed to Sheridan et. al. at the start of >series 2 the issue of discovering Minbari souls in >(some?) humans as the reason for surrendering at the >climax of the war. > >My question is:- does Sinclair know this too? Do the >Minbari know how much he knows, and if so do they mind >now? If this all gets sorted out in the much antici- >pated series 3, you can just say "it's in series 3" if >you like! Sinclair knows now. And the triluminary mark is an implant, which reacts that way in the presence of shadows or their direct "employees." jms Subj: "And Now a Word..." Section: Babylon 5: General To: William H. DiPaola January 08, 1996 11:56:08 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #428579 : >I seem to recall in the episode from last season >titled, "And Now A Word..." that G'Kar's name was >misspelled with in "H" in place of the "K" when he was >being interviewed(G'Har). No, I'm pretty sure it was spelled right; it may just be the typeface used that makes a K look a bit like an H. jms Subj: B5 Novels Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: John M. Kahane Monday, January 08, 1996 11:56:14 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #428581 There are two more novels coming out after "Clark's Law," one by Neal Barrett Jr. and the other by S. M. Stirling. jms Subj: Our Official Name Section: Babylon 5: General To: Rowan Kaiser, Tuesday, January 09, 1996 2:57:22 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #428643 : >What's our official name? Star Trek buffs are >"trekkies", X-files fans are "X-philes", MST3K fans >are MiSTies, so what are we? PITAS. Persons of Infinite Taste And Sensibilities. jms Subj: Section: Babylon 5: General To: SysOp Dupa T. Parrot January 10, 1996 3:59:17 AM From: J. Michael Straczynski #429310 : >In "The Fall Of Night", in the fighter jock's locker >room we see Keffer wearing a blue scarf with white >stars. Meanwhile, "Mitch" is wearing what looks like a >white scarf with red stars. Is the scarf a squadron >thing or something else? I do believe they relate to squadrons, yes. jms SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING SSSSS PPPPP OOOOO IIIII L EEEEE RRRRR S P P O O I L E R R SSSSS PPPPP O O I L EEE RRRRR S P O O I L E R R SSSSS P OOOOO IIIII LLLLL EEEEE R R UPCOMING SECTION UPCOMING Subj: Stuff Section: Babylon 5: Upcoming To: John M. Kahane Sunday, January 07, 1996 7:21:12 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #427668 : >Isn't this the one that has Shadow ship and stuff in >it? I don't know all that much about it, but is there >more that you can say about this episode and the Bester >role? Could, yeah, but I'd rather let that episode reveal itself...there's not much I can say about it that wouldn't spoil it for people. jms Subj: "Survivors" question... Section: Babylon 5: General To: John M. Kahane Monday, January 08, 1996 11:56:16 PM From: J. Michael Straczynski #428582 : >I have always thought that Lianna Kemmer was an >important person in the life of Michael Garibaldi, and >"Survivors" left a few threads hanging. It'll be good >to see or at least find out what happened to Lianna in >the aftermath of Santiago's death. If nothing else, I >don't think she was on board Earthforce One when it >blew, since she'd be doing the work on Io station >proper, right? That's correct; as with her arrival at B5, she would've been handling the advance work on Io prior to Santiago's arrival. jms -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS on GEnie / February 7, 1996 Compilation [spoilers] Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 15:39:11 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5,alt.tv.babylon-5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!uunet!in1.uu .net!gatech!nntp.netrex.net!news.consultix.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!c allisto!not-for-mail From: dstrauss@netcom.com (David Strauss) Subject: JMS on GEnie / February 7, 1996 Compilation [spoilers] Message-ID: <1996Feb7.194437.21771@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Psi_Corps_Council_of_Elders Date: Wed, 7 Feb 96 19:44:37 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 747 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:159 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:121152 alt.tv.babylon-5:2113 7 Many spoilers for upcoming episodes included below... SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 416 Wed Jan 17, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:51 EST RE: B5 costs...generally, under $900,000 per episode. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 26 Message 336 Wed Jan 17, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:57 EST At this point, I think I'd opt not to get into discussing ways to get the film/TV companies involved more in SF fandom and the like, because sooner or later that'd lead me back to the Dramatic Nebula discussion, and if we even get *near* that one you would see a flamefest that would make the firebombing of Dresden look like a tea party by comparison. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 443 Thu Jan 18, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:29 EST Actually, as I recall, it's "Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms, and the moon is full and bright." Maria Ospenskaya. Part of the problem with American culture is that we're a throwaway culture...yesterday's fashions get tossed out instantly. To say that TNG or DS9 are *better* shows than TOS because TOS was "of its time," or "good for its time" is at heart a foolish statement. Something is good, or it is not good. Nobody writes like Shakespeare anymore; was Shakespeare good "for its time?" Is it not good today because it is too much "of its time?" Chaucer? Marlowe? Hemingway? Dickens? Serling? We denigrate our past to falsely ennoble our present. "Well, that was okay for *then*, but it's not very good *now*." We all labor under the rules and predelications of the moment. Yes, TOS operated under rules of that time, just as TNG operates under the rules of syndication, and the secondary and tertiary rules that come along with the fear of not botching the franchise by doing anything too controversial. One could make a good argument that, by calcification and commercialization, there are MORE creative strictures on the ST "form" than there were in the days of TOS; certainly most of the writers who've worked on the contemporary versions will tell you this. Nonetheless, we should recognize that people aren't just stupid en masse one year, then suddenly smarter today. If TOS was good, then it was good; *we* may have changed, but the quality of the show as perceived then, is still there. End of sermon. Tentative title for #319: "Grey 17 Is Missing." jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 481 Fri Jan 19, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:06 EST Yeah, I know Alan. We're more casual acquaintances than friends. "All television has improved...." I'm sorry, I can't believe anyone actually wrote that sentence with a straight face. Overall, like the rest of society, television has become *less* literate, *less* sophisticated than it was in the early years. Sure, we can now make genitalia jokes on Married With Children...but it that more sophisticated? Where I come from, sophistication means smart, witty, urbane, worldly. That doesn't describe the majority of contemporary TV. The majority of current television programs produced currently are sitcoms, the majority of which are, to me, unwatchable...I see very little of the genuine humor of, say, the Dick Van Dyke show, or the sophistication of MASH. A few -- Cybil, the Simpsons, a handful of others (and AbFab if you get cable) -- are quite funny, but frankly, were it not for laugh tracks, I think about 70% of sitcom writers would be out of business. When it comes to drama...point out to me who out there is doing work on a par with Reginald Rose or Rod Serling or Paddy Chayefsky...where on TV can you find hour or 90 minute plays like "Requiem For a Heavyweight" or "Marnie" or "Patterns?" Is there good stuff being done today? Yes, of course there is...there's just *less* of it around in drama mainly because the networks do all they can do dumb down a show to make it more accessible. (A network suit actually *said* thsi to me: "Our operating philosophy these days is that the people with upper or middle-class incomes, and an education, are watching cable, or laser disks, or videotapes. So what we have to do is to program for the rest of the audience, who may be under educated, but don't have any other options." Scared the hell outta me.) When I was working on JAKE AND THE FATMAN (no defense offered), I had a script I'd written about a cop who's been trying to nail a certain bad guy for the last 10 years. I had a line in that when they meet: the bad guy says, "I suppose I should be flattered. Not every man has his own, personal Ahab." A pretty spiffy line. The network calls. "We think there's a typo; there's a character referenced named Ahab, but we don't see him anywhere else in the script." My exec tries to explain to the network suit...see, it's Ahab...Captain Ahab...you know, MOBY DICK...a nut chasing a big fish...?" The network guy says, "Look, I have an MBA [I think we already see part of the problem here - jms] and if I don't know who Ahab is, nobody else is going to, so cut it out of the script." And so it went, over my strongly stated objections. Has some TV gotten better? Yes. Has some TV gotten worse? Most definitely. But to say that "ALL television has improved" is, frankly, one of the most astonishingly inaccurate statements I've seen in years. That means there are no gaggles of talk shows parading our eccentricities in phosphor-dot parades day and night; no infomercials; no "America's Goofiest Videos".... There's more material out there, but as is the rule with just about everything, 90% of everything is crap, to quote Sturgeon. If you have a pile of 100 things, then 10 of them are great; if you have a pile of 1,000 things, you can say there are now 100 great things where there were once only 10...but one can also turn around and say that there are now 900 crappy things were there were once only 90. To the question uptopic about golden-age SF...I would be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't strongly influenced by the look and feel of golden age SF, and that this has filtered into the show to one extent or another. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 534 Sat Jan 20, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:33 EST Re: the notion that there are 7 basic stories...this isthe sort of thing academics come up with because they feel this compulsive need to categorize creativity and break it down into digestible pieces. It is, of course, sheerest nonsense, and the usual descriptions they try to apply (man vs. man, man vs. environment, man vs. god, man vs. self) are so broad as to be essentially meaningless. There ARE no set numbers of stories or story types. Stories, at their best, are based around characters, and what that specific character wants, how far he is prepared to go to get it, and how far someone else will go to stop him. Thus, there as many types of stories as there are types of people...endless and varied. There's a post-script to the Moby Dick story...subsequent to the events described, I send the suit in question a copy of Moby Dick...in comic book form (Classics Illustrated). Something he could handle. To those who inquired, other TZ episodes I wrote: THE WALL, DREAM ME A LIFE, ACTS OF TERROR, THE MIND OF SIMON FOSTER, THE CALL, SPECIAL SERVICE, RENDEZVOUS IN A DARK PLACE, and co-written...THE CURIOUS CASE OF EDGAR WITHERSPOON (w/Barkin), THE TRANCE (w/Stuart) and OUR SELENA IS DYING, story by Serling, script by jms. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 546 Sun Jan 21, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 07:03 EST I know Mark Halperin's work, though I haven't read that much of it. I enjoy reading fiction, but due to the nature of the job, I don't have much time for it just now. (Simply producing the show would be an 18 hour a day job; just writing all the eps so far would be a 16 hour a day job...somewhere in here I have a serious math problem.) These days, I find myself more reading nonfiction...biographices, collections of essays, historical works, (that should read biographies above), that sort of thing, when I have time, which is rarely. Tried, with minor success, to plow through Hunter Thompson's latest...I've got Vach's Batman novel on my pile to read, some other stuff...but there just isn't time for most of it. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 601 Mon Jan 22, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:43 EST Everyone knows the *proper* way to ascii a raspberry is pfthpft.... jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 606 Mon Jan 22, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:23 EST Today was a very interesting day; today Michael O'Hare returned to the Babylon 5 stages in preparation for shooting the two-parter, which begins tomorrow. Today he came by for his wardrobe fitting and to get his hair trimmed, say hi to folks, and hang out...lunch was me, John Copeland, Michael and Bruce Boxleitner eating together at one of the tables in the lunch area behind the stage, lots of laughing and kidding, and the two get on great. (Turns out they'd worked on other projects before, including the short-lived A Rumor of War series by Sterling Siliphant.) Anyway, it's a great atmosphere, and everybody's psyched for the two- parter. It's like he never went away. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 26 Message 359 Sat Jan 20, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:36 EST Of course, it ain't just the media and comic cons that comp pros who participate on panels...EVERY fan-run convention in the country that I know of comps participating pros...Westercon, Loscon, Icon, Baycon, you name it. Some of them are big cons, some of them are small or medium cons; they all do the same. It's only WorldCon that breaks the pattern, thus one must ask for justification. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 26 Message 362 Sun Jan 21, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 07:14 EST I'd also point out that Westercon is also a convention held in different places each year, sometimes in Seattle, or Portland, or Los Angeles, or Anaheim, or elsewhere. Had an interesting phone call from a *very* highly regarded SF pro this evening, prompted by this discussion. I pass along one of the statements the pro made without comment, because I don't know the area this far behind the scenes well enough *to* comment...it's this person's experience with decades in fandom and working as a pro. What the pro said was basically this: "What they *don't* want anybody to know is that the WorldCons bring in huge amounts of money...which the con wastes on mismanagement, poor planning, and endless beer parties for staffers, buddies, and others. They run it like amateurs and fans, who are so lost in their politics and insular worldview that they don't run it like the big event it really is, a *business*...with the result that it's the fan and pro communities that end up picking up the tab. The SMOFs who run these things get so bogged down in their politics that they'd rather do things the dumb, expensive way than the smart way because somebody else wants to do it that way." (I'm assuming SMOFs means Secret Masters of Fandom, but didn't ask for clarification.) "A number of us in and out of SFFWA have been fighting this for over 25 years. But when you say this to them, when you say that the problem is mismanagement at the top, they *crucify* you. So nothing gets done." Once again, I have no way of knowing how valid this opinion might be; so don't kill the messenger. I pass it on for discussion and reaction. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 26 Message 376 Sun Jan 21, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:04 EST Sharon, don't you see what it is you're saying? If one brings up ComicCon, you say, "Well, they're bigger than we are, we can't do things the same way they do;" if one brings up Westercon, you say, "Well, they're smaller than we are, we can't do things the same way they do." I know this isn't your intent, but it comes off as backing and filling, that nothing can ever be done, no criticism can be made validly. And the discussion keeps being pushed to extremes to bolster a failing point; if one says, they should be better organized, you come back with the notion that they can't and shouldn't be run like Creation Cons. Nowhere was that said. Must a con be run as a CC to be run well? Of course not. So that makes the response seem very transparent, as others have noted. There IS a middle ground. I just keep sensing a real lack of interest in many (but not all) associated with WorldCons to *find* that middle ground. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 26 Message 384 Mon Jan 22, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:23 EST If I'm running a business, and it goes belly-up, or fails to show a profit, if I then turn to the people who put up the money for it and said, "Well, sorry, but after all, we're just amateurs," they'd nail my feet to the floor and beat the crap outta me. And they'd be right in doing so. So far a number of people have come forth to say, frankly, that the WorldCons *do* suffer from frequent mismanagement, waste, the lack of continuity, and the fact that as "amateurs" they can't be expected to run things well. This is a defense...? In what alternate universe? Wouldn't it be smart, for instance, if the WorldCon committee hired an outside business consultant, someone who *wasn't* an amateur, who could work with each individual committee to provide continuity between cons, advise on areas where mistakes had been made before, and suggest ways in which the cons might be made to run more efficiently, and profitably, and sensibly? The cost of such an advisor would be *minimal* compared to the funds recouped by a leaner, more efficient, and more profitable operation. You'd make back that fee a hundred fold. If there's general agreement that there *are* problems, why not address them and fix them, instead of making the fan and pro communities pay for the continuance of the problem? (And yes, I have heard that LACon *will* be comping memberships for participating pros, which by itself takes care of the assertion that it cannot be done. Obviously it *can* be done. I know that some involved have gotten a lot of email because of the discussion here, echoed on other nets, and I don't know if it's had an impact, but either way, it's a Good Thing.) Fans of the SF genre tend to describe those outside the genre as "mundanes," and pride themselves on being smarter than the general population (which is, to varying extents, probably true)...doesn't it seem strange that a fan community which prides itself on being technologically and scientifically smarter, on being on the leading edge of computer tech and genetics and other areas, would choose to remain uninformed or less than capable about financial areas? If the same attention were put on this area, as is on the others, all parties concerned would be better served. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 395 Sat Jan 27, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 01:33 EST I'd also point out that the film as it shows up on the stations is quite a bit different from what I get in my master SVHS copies, and off the D1 masters. Once we deliver the episode, it goes through several dubbing processes by WB, one to insert commercials (where sometimes we get clipped, and we sometimes get weird audio and video burbles, we get crunched, sometimes there's analog/digital conversion going on), and then AGAIN when the episode is copied again for closed-captioning purposes. Then a new "master" is struck for uplink. During this process, I've seen a distinct increase in graininess, it's a bit less sharp, and you get some odd stuff with audio being out of phase. It's nothing we can control, it's the facilities used by PTEN for translation of the episode for broadcast. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 409 Sat Jan 27, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:54 EST Yes, I also like the more shadowy shots, which add a great deal of texture to the show. When we go to do the videotapes for the fan club, we're tentatively planning to go to the same company that did the dupes from masters for the tape we did for the Television Academy, back when nominating time came around. They were very good quality, on a par with the standard VHS copies I get personally. (I certainly couldn't tell any difference.) jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 418 Sun Jan 28, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:43 EST Right now, the plan, tentatively, is this: we would announce that say, the first 8 episodes will be made available in a limited edition. We would take orders for that first batch for a specific period, say 30 days. We would then produce the tapes in the number ordered, and that would be it for a while, while we moved onto the next series of episodes (9 through whatever). After working our way through the total available number of episodes, we'd eventually work our way back to #1 again, though it might take as much as a year, and subsequent editions would be noted as such. This is still open to change, but that's what we're considering. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 427 Sun Jan 28, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 18:03 EST We hope to have a web site set up for the fan club soon, so that will be a point of registration. Re: widescreen...I've noted this before...we would have to go back and re- telecine the film stock back to its original format for every frame of film, which would cost upwards of $250,000 up-front, and we don't have that capacity. That could only be done when a major player comes in to distribute disks. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 455 Tue Jan 30, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:53 EST We do not expose incorrectly, or inadequately. If anything the show is lighter than it was in the first season. The element you point to, the slow- motion drop of the detonator, took on a grainy look because it was slowed down artificially, it wasn't shot at that speed, it was done in post. (Most of our slow-mo is done in-camera; some isn't.) CGI, direct to video or D1, is always going to look "cleaner" than film. (Initially, on Space, they output their CG to film rather than video...eventually they changed this because of the costs involved, which are considerable) It's not that the film is grainier than it would be under other circumstances; it's that the CG is cleaner than the norm. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 479 Thu Feb 01, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:50 EST Don't forget he also had the inherent momentum he carried with him from the fast-moving shuttle. BTW, though I announced this elsewhere, I've finally finished the revisions to my writing book, The Complete Book of Scriptwriting, which was initially published in 1981, revised a bit, and has now been TOTALLY rewritten, stem to stern, is almost double the original length, and has many new chapters on technology and writing, the WGA, animation, traps, and other areas, in addition to the chapters on film, TV, stage, radio and the like. It's absolutely current now, and contains samples of various script forms, agent forms, contracts, lists of all sorts, and tentatively I'm planning to include a B5 script in the book, probably "The Coming of Shadows." It'll be published with much ballyhoo in the Fall as THE (EVEN MORE!) COMPLETE BOOK OF SCRIPTWRITING. BTW, tentative title for episode #20, "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place." jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 482 Thu Feb 01, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 05:08 EST I'm mentioning it here because it hasn't been mentioned elsewhere here that I've seen, and because it's something pivotal to me, and my upbringing, and the formation of my personality. And because you ought to know about it if you don't already. The other day, Jerry Siegel -- half of the team of Siegel and Shuster, creators of the most widely known character ever to come out of comics, one of the five most recognizeable characters on the planet (this by a survey not long ago) -- passed away, following his partner Joe a few years earlier. Jerry and Joe created Superman. I didn't have the honor or pleasure of ever getting to meet them, but everything I have ever heard has shown them to be decent, kind, generous people who got screwed out of their fair share in the character who became a billion dollar industry. Bill Mumy, who is as much a comics fan as I am, maybe moreso, had Jerry over to dinner once, with Bob Kane and Jack Kirby; it was the night of his life. Jack is also gone, but this is about Jerry. And it's about Superman. I collect only a few things. Watches. I like watches. I don't have a lot, but more than 3 is a collection, I'm told. Comics, sure, I got about 10,000 comics, most in storage, a lot in my office at home. But I've always considered myself a comics reader, not a comics collector. I *collected* Superman stuff. And I have one of the best collections on the Western Seaboard: bronze rings from the 1940s, pinbacks, patches, mugs, pins, figurines, Supermen of America membership badges, a cape made from the original bolt, to the original patterns, as that made for George Reeves...you name it, I got it. Because when I was a kid, Superman was It. Because of that singular character -- invulnerable, unstoppable, whose single goal was to find the right thing and do it -- I decided that I could do anything I set my mind to doing. Truth, justice, and the American way. Yeah, it's corny as hell, and maybe it doesn't parse too well in a "stick it to 'em" society, but as a kid, it *meant* something to me. Okay, I grudgingly accepted that I couldn't fly...but otherwise, if I decided I wanted to do it, then by god I *could* do it. If that meant teaching myself to read at an early age, or dealing with the great personal angst of a family life that was dysfunctional on the best of days, for which invulnerability was a quality much to be desired...or deciding that someday I was gonna be a Writer, then that was what was going to happen. And to this day, my only agenda is to try and find the right thing, as best as I am able to perceive the right, and do it. Because when you're a kid you're young and foolish enough to believe there IS a Right Thing; you just have to dig long enough and think hard enough and survive the kryptonite long enough to figure it out. And you don't lie, you don't sell out your friends, you put yourself on the line, and anybody who wants to hurt your friends has to go through you first. These are the lessons learned by a kid; they are tempered with time, but they still shape the adult. When you start as a nearsighted kid, who doesn't fit in with the new school (and there was always a new school every 6-12 months), who believes he just might have a little nascent talent waiting to come out, tall and gawky, with stars in your eyes and a home life that would make the Borgias seem like a tea party...how much of a leap is it really to see Clark Kent in the mirror, and anticipate Superman...? Maybe it's maudlin, maybe it's indulgent. Maybe it's over-wrought, and maybe it's silly. But the concept and the character of Superman meant something to me as a kid. Still does. And now the man who created Superman is gone, and somebody ought to say something, however silly or indulgent or maudlin it might be seen by others. Because it's the right thing to do. Thanks, Jerry. Bye. Give my regards to Joe. And Kandor. And Krypton. And Jor-El. And Lara. What you created, endures. Rest easy. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 2 Message 452 Wed Jan 31, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 19:32 EST No, that's not the intent; but this is the time when stations make their decisions about what shows they're going to pick up, and each year you get a LOT of new shows out with a lot of hype and heat, and it's possible for a show that's been around for a bit, middle of the road, to just sorta get forgotten about in the crush. So it never hurts for fans to remind the station owners what they want. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 12 Message 465 Thu Feb 01, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:51 EST Richard Biggs is pictorialized in the new issue of Playgirl hitting the stands now. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 30 Message 32 Fri Feb 02, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 05:56 EST Brett: it's nothing to do with the editor. We deliver nice, clean fades to black. When the show is delivered, we often get clipped by the local stations (sometimes, we suspect, when the national spots are slugged in), because if you clip a couple seconds here and there, you get enough time to slip in another blipvert/promo. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 557 Sun Feb 04, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:13 EST Other than GEnie...hrmmm...probably Compuserve. As of this time, it's the one area I tend to post about equal to GEnie; it has a decent offline reader (Tapcis) that'll help save you lotsa dough...the science fiction media area (sfmedtwo) has 2 areas set aside for B5 in messages and library...it's a friendly place, absent the occasional troll, which is generally dealt with fairly well. Once the moderated rec arts b5 area is created, I'll be there as well quite a bit. In the interim, with GEnie long the unofficial home of B5 online fans, the first place that "noticed" us...I'll be here until they turn off the lights. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 30 Message 73 Mon Feb 05, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 02:35 EST My sense was that basically Ivanova jumped onto the wrong path as she fled...the shadows were in proximity, and she ended up briefly on their path, which took her to the interception of the transmission. The one comment that I find most interesting, repeated here a few times, is that they didn't buy the Nightwitch (as some have dubbed her) because in her address to the Nightwatch, she was not exactly what you might call subtle, and thus nobody'd believe her, and see her for what she was. I find it interesting because we always think we're smarter than that, when history proves *exactly* the opposite. The Big Lie, spoken not just openly, but loudly, firmly and with conviction, has been one of the most successful tactics in history. When Hitler and Goebbels stood before a crowd and blamed jews for destroying society, circulated pamphlets with ugly cariacatures, indicated that they weren't *really* human (this in actual newsreels provided to the medical profession members charged with eliminating "mental defectives and jews")...when Joseph McCarthy stood up in front of the nation waving a list of names of commies in the state department, the military, congress, showbiz, and the sciences...the public didn't suddenly wake up, hear the voice of the fanatic, and say, "Hey, this guy's nuts!" They bought it. Because they were primed to believe it. Because they wanted to believe it. Because they were afraid *not* to believe it. No, she wasn't subtle. Because there's a time for subtlety, and there's a time to perform grandly for your hand-picked audience and go for the Big Lie. If she were addressing a larger audience, she might softpedal her message. To the Nightwatch, she's got to hammer them, just as the Hitler Youth were hammered, as the Anti-Communist Youth meetings were hammered about the Red Peril, as Croatian or Serbian soldiers were hammered about the need to rape women of the other "race" to make the resultant babies more ethnically pure...which happened. Most of her dialogue was paraphrased from actual speeches given over the decades, or longer, by fanatical leaders to their followers. There's bits of Hitler, of Goerring, of Goebbels...bits of McCarthy, bits of Stalin, bits of Pat Buchanan and Rep. Dornan. Because people fell for it. It did work It does work. And it will *continue* to work...for as long as people think that THEY would NEVER fall for such a thing.... jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 1 Message 601 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 20:03 EST We're negotiating to try and maybe get some episodes on in March or early April. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 2 Message 468 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:19 EST We like to vary the music on the bumper. Just for the hell of it. And sometimes (often, actually) to match the music in the bumper to the tone of the episode. We have, I think 4 or 5 variations. Congrats, you're the first to notice this. You'll see Walter again this season after "Dust," and I'm trying to work in one more before the end of the season, but it's tough, given what's been going on in the latter half of 2260. jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 18, Topic 2 Message 474 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 21:49 EST Why didn't we do the music change in the end credits at the very start of the season, you ask? Why, what a silly question, it was all planned, all intentional, it means...er...it means.... It means we *forgot*. More correctly, *I* forgot. We were all so busy getting the new main titles done, we just kinda forgot about it until the first mix...and then we sorta looked around and said, "....oops." jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 30 Message 91 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 00:43 EST Well, Mike, then you're bound to be disppointed because one of those things is going to be dealt with for sure. Some things can get by without resolution; some things can't. Otherwise people get frustrated because nothing means anything, it's just random threads, and you get Twin Peaks. (And then they turn around and, because you didn't resolve something, say it's a "plot hole" and gig you for bad writing). jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 30 Message 93 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 03:16 EST Where was it said Sheridan didn't recognize the voice...? jms ------------ SFRT II RoundTable Category 19, Topic 30 Message 95 Tue Feb 06, 1996 STRACZYNSKI [Joe] at 04:40 EST Never said they're all convinced of it. Just as all Germans weren't convined of the views advanced by Hitler. You don't need all of them. You just need *enough* of them. Preferably, enough of them with guns. Remember, too, that we just came out of the Earth/Minbari War about ten years ago, when we stood at the edge of extinction. The threat of a new alien race makes a good device. jms ------------ -- David Strauss <*> Administrator, N.Y. Islanders Mailing List "When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere." -- Robert Heinlein -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 09-Feb-96 23:14:49 through 10-Feb-96 23:00:10 (26 msgs) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 10:53:40 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!c hi-news.cic.net!uwm.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu! callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 09-Feb-96 23:14:49 through 10-Feb-96 23:00:10 (26 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb12.023008.7833@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Mon, 12 Feb 96 02:30:08 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 771 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:169 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122118 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 09-Feb-96 23:14:49 through 10-Feb-96 23:00:10 (26 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: VOA: Lurkers Space A&B B5 cover story VoA: Pretty Bad B5 Sound Shadows About the First Ones >>Dust<< Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 09-Feb-96 23:14:49 From: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #447084-#VOA: Lurkers Message-ID: References: > Her feeling was likely that it has always worked with her in > the past. He's widowed, probably hasn't had any in a long time, > he's vulnerable, a perfect target. Rhetorical question following, no need to answer, Joe. I wonder, does her arrogance stem solely from her own personality, or from her position in Night Watch? I mean, we know that Night Watch has a lot of power and influence right now, and it would follow that people are getting a bit frightened by it. Is she so used to everyone kissing up to her that it didn't even occur to her that Sheridan might refuse. After all, she got him to cancel his mysterious appointment and to allowing her on the station. So just how scared of Night Watch is the average Earther? Or do most people believe that Night Watch is there to protect them from treason and invasion, nevermind if a few rights get temporarily trampled? Mara ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:01 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> Subject: VOA: Lurkers Message-ID: References: Some are scared of Nightwatch, others feel it's a good thing, and darn it, it's about time.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 08:51:21 From: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448024-# Message-ID: References: Joe, Thanks again. See my post to Mr. Challeron -- DTD was incredible. I was nowhere near prepared for something as intense as that was. Wow. And again, Walter Koenig as a real nasty --- that is jarring enough, then you drop him into a script like this, with that little twist at the end......Very satisfying SF. Thanks. Di Conlin Minister of Paranoid Development & Personality Reconstruction, RMES ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:03 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. The pleasure is all mine.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 11:18:10 From: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448712-# Space A&B Message-ID: References: Joe, re: Patience, people. I've been faithful, and honest, and straight with all of you. I haven't let you down yet. And I don't intend to. You have been straight with us, you haven't let us down, I don't expect you to. I do trust that you know what you are doing and I, for one, am thoroughly enjoying the roller coaster ride. I am patient with you, please continue to be patient with all of us. (well, ok, it's real hard to be patient waiting for each next week's episode and even more so during rerun season). Am I the > not so silent majority? I suspect so. re: kicking into high gear...MAJOR stuff happens. Ohmygod, brace ourselves. Like major stuff hasn't happened yet?? Yeah I know, first and foremost my experience with B5: - Yeah, episode X was awsome, the most intense every done, nothing could ever beat it, TV's never seen anything even close to that, but ... "we ain't seen nuthin yet" ... brace ourselves, the best is yet to come! I've told you this before, I need to say it again: Thank you for continually "raising the bar". I hope you and we survive the ride. I know we will ... er, I think we will ... um, I hope we will ... ah what the heck it'll be worth it. Weeeeeeeeeee! After the end of season 5 I strongly recommend you/we have a nationwide blow-out "it's over" party. Not to celebrate B5's death but to celebrate what we shared - more of a "whew" we survived the ride. By then, you and we will likely be drained & need to celebrate the wonderous journey you've taken us on. Perhaps a fan convention / party. I continuously marvel at the intricacy of this masterpiece you are crafting. I'm thankful for the technology of VCR and the ability to rewatch older episodes to find the subtle hints of things to come, to revel in their newfound significance, and to fuel the wonder of "what are we missing now?". My kudos to everyone on the B5 team - you, the directors, the actors, the special effects people, and everyone else that helps create the B5 masterpiece. The subtlety of writing, of the directing, of the acting, the attention to detail. Especially the attention to detail. So many subtle things we so easily miss, which are significant, which are not? Is ANYthing insignificant? No way to tell other than re-watching previous episodes. I can't find the right words ... wow. Thanks. re: dumbing down of B5? I don't see it. Like initial impressions of Vir, Londo, Marcus, time and time again you teach us we can't trust our initial impressions (can't even trust 2nd, 3rd, 4th, ... impressions). I'm enjoying the speculation that fuels. Frustrating? Yes, but that's part of the appeal, the wonderment. Do I wish I knew what was coming? What the final end would be? Where you are taking us? I tell myself yes, but honestly, NO. "we're not ready". That would spoil the suprise, the anticipation, the speculation, that makes B5 so different than anything else on TV. I enjoy unwrapping each weekly present from you. The fact that we don't fully know what's coming but do know "somethings" are coming makes B5 so special (and so frustrating but it's a good frustration - the anticipation). It's the journey that's so much fun. And, again, oh what a ride!!! re: Give it a chance I do every week and you have not let me down yet. I also enthusiastically talk about it with others, hopefully they too will give it a chance. Sorry to babble on for so long (no pun intended). I wanted you to have a different perspective. -- Rick Sharon ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:04 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> Subject: Space A&B Message-ID: References: Thanks. I really think this season is just overall such a leap over the previous season, especially once episodes 8-10 hit. As it happens, I showed a bit from 8 to some folks in the office the other day, one in particular being a fan of the show who sat in on an interview...to say their jaws were on the floor doesn't *begin* to describe it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 13:16:22 From: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448539-#B5 cover story Message-ID: References: Thanks, Joe. But I felt ridiculous writing, "Dear Joe, I've got a picture here of Sheridan standing behind a bearded Monk, both are leaning over a battered-lookin' guy, and I have no idea what episode it's from. My deadlines are Monday morning, can you please take time from your weekend to help?" Yeah, I know it's PTEN, I was just seeing too much red to realize it. Now I see even more red. This sort of interference from the publishers isn't new, and it's why I do not put my name on the masthead as editor. "Robert Martin" only appears as managing editor. Unfortunately, this gives the impression that I have a staff (hah!). ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:08 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 cover story Message-ID: References: If it'd help make the article better or more accurate, I'm always available, 7 days a week. I have no life upon which this could intrude. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 14:26:41 From: John A. Lewis <76740.1520@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #446531-#VoA: Pretty Bad Message-ID: References: Could you please help me understand one aspect of VoA that I found a bit confusing? The Political Officer seems to be something of a split personality; in some scenes she comes across as a bit ditzy--in others (on the NightWatch lectern, for example) she acts hard as nails and exactly the opposite of her portrayal in prior scenes. Very cool, calm, and in total control of the situation. Is one or the other behaviour simply an *act* that this character assumes in relation to who she is dealing with? ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:10 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John A. Lewis <76740.1520@compuserve.com> Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad Message-ID: References: Basically, like many manipulative people, she projects whatever she thinks will work best with her audience. Appealing to Zack's patriotism, trying to find Sheridan's affections by flattering him mercilessly (on many levels), playing the straight-chinned leader in an address to security forces...she puts on whatever face she thinks will work. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 17:44:00 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448530-# Message-ID: References: Joe, > After finally getting to see this one in it's entirety, I have a question. Did Londo get to see everything G'Kar did (ie. did he see the stuff with G'Lan)? I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not Londo will be changed by this event as much as G'Kar. Great job by all concerned on this one. Bester is just plain creepy. One minute you start to think he might not be all that bad, the next he's the physical incarnation of evil. I have some ideas about where his character is going, but I'm betting you'll surprise me in the end with him. I just had another thought. We've only really seen Kosh exert his telepathic powers twice now (OK three times including his self-projection in Fall of Night). In both those cases, he's only been able to contact people who were dreaming in one way or another. Are the Vorlon telepaths primarily "Dreamwalkers"? Is that how they influence the other races? Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Yes, it helps if the person's mind is in a different state -- asleep, exhausted, in a heightened state of awareness -- for the Vorlons to make contact, which is why their presence is often associated with dream imagery. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:03:52 From: John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448711-# Message-ID: References: Joe, Apparently there have been many major battles between the first ones and the Shadows. Have the Shadows always lost? -John ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:17 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: "Have the shadows always lost?" That is a far more complex question than you could possibly know.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 19:14:54 From: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> To: J. Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #B5 Sound Message-ID: Hi, I have been noticing, more this season than any other, problems with the sound levels on the show. I dont know if this is just a network broadcast issue or a recording issue in the studio. I have noticed that the sound levels are somewhat low and it is sometimes difficult to hear exactly whats going on. Its not like the volume is fading in and out. These low levels are noticable, for example, when the cast is seated in a meeting and just normally talking to one another. I strain sometimes to hear it. This kind of leads me to believe that it is a recording issue. It also leads me to believe that I maybe talking out the wrong end. In addition, Mira Furlan is getting more difficult to understand. This issue has been raised before, however, Im not having a problem with her accent, which is quite charming. Since the tension is rising on B5 and her character is under more and more stress, her speech ( when under stress) is very strained. It almost sounds like shes running out of breath and choking while she speaks. One example is in Matters of Honor when she and Sheridan are aboard the White Star and Delenn is trying to explain how futile it is to fight the Shadows. I dunno. This issue has been concerning me for a while. I wanted to wait to see if it re-occured again before I bugged you about it. I dont know if anyone else have voiced similar concerns. ........or maybe I should just unplug my vacuum cleaner during the next few episodes. Thanks, Mike ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 Sound Message-ID: References: The sources of the problem are two-fold, and we keep trying to get it straightened out. When we deliver the episodes to WB, the sound level is where it should be. Then we watch the show and the levels are a lot lower, and there's some phasing going on. As near as we can determine, at some point after we've turned over the episode, when multiple levels of dubs are being made (for closed captioning, another for national spots to be inserted, and so on), the audio goes from digital to analog and back again. In addition, some stations tend to clamp our audio, but run the commercials hot. We're working to find out where this is happening and stop it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 19:42:37 From: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Shadows Message-ID: Correct me if I am wrong, but you have said that the Shadow war will end this season. Right? Okay, keeping that in mind I move to the real question. We know the Shaows are involved with Psi Corps. We also know that they are involved with the EA since the one lady was talking to Mordan about the fact nobody recognised the Shadow Ship, to which the Psi Corps guy wanted to use the situation to thier advantage... Anyhow, it would also seem the Shadows may be involved with Presedent Clark...at least Mordan is. So I have to wonder, when the Shadow War ends, will the Shadows still be involved with those things? See ya, -Brian A. Thomas ^^^^ http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Brian_A_Thomas A BLACK page. ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:55 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> Subject: Shadows Message-ID: References: Never said that the shadow war ends this season. I simply said it wouldn't run all the rest of the series. And even when a war is over, the afteraffects can be felt for some time. And there may be related problems still to clean up. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 19:58:59 From: Damian Reaves <75373.2325@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #About the First Ones Message-ID: To JMS and anyone else that can answer these questions. 1. Were the Ikkarans first ones ? and if so. a)did they build the battle suits to fight off the shadows ? b) will we ever see Ikkaran technology again ? 2. The Shadows have been out of commission for a 1000 years so is it safe to assume that the Vorlons, the Walkers at Sigma957, and any other first ones still out there have caught up with them technologically? 3. Were the Takarans first ones, and if not where did the great machine come from? Thanks for any info you can give me. DAMIANMANIA RULES!!!!! WHATCHA GONNA DO DAMIANMANIA, THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE ON THE INTERNET RUNS WILD ON YOOOUUUU!!!!!! ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:58 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Damian Reaves <75373.2325@compuserve.com> Subject: About the First Ones Message-ID: References: Neither the Ikarrans nor those on Epsilon 3 were First Ones. And the level of tech between Vorlons, Shadows and Walkers is fairly close. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 20:16:57 From: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448060-#>>Dust<< Message-ID: References: Yes, Joe, great ep! I totally wasn't expecting *anything* like what actually happened. "Pretty box" indeed! A question for you: Has anyone else ever written *all* the scripts for a show in one season? I would think that would be unprecedented. If so, do you hear any feedback or comments from anyone else in Hollywood such as, "That Joe Straczynski -- he's crazy torturing himself with all that writing!" or, "We bow to the greatness of a man so great and talented as JMS," or, "Surely this man deserves an Emmy for sheer perseverance and determination if nothing else," or (this from the studio), "We love Joe Straczynski. He saves us from having to pay 15 different staff writers." Rae ^^^^ Clark Kent & Lois Lane get *married* this Sunday night!!! ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:02 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Dust<< Message-ID: References: No, insofar as I have been able to determine, in the history of TV no one has ever written every episode of a season of a dramatic series single handedly. The closest would be Terry Nation, who wrote the first season of Blake's 7, but that was only 13 episodes, not 22. As for what folks say about me...probably it's all of those you cite, and then some. Good and bad. You can't work at getting a single, personal vision on film without convincing some people you're great, and convincing other people you're the Antichrist. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 22:13:54 From: Karen E. Bahnsen <102735.3557@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448712-# Space A&B Message-ID: References: Re: season 3 complaints. My family and I think that B5 just gets better. We are *thrilled* with season 3 so far! The last two episodes have been *really* exciting! All through "Dust to Dust" we just kept saying "Wow! Wow! Did you see that?!" It surely doesn't seem *slow* to us! And *now* you tell us to have *patience* because "Starting with #8, "Messages From Earth," the arc and the story kicks into high gear, moving faster than ever before. MAJOR stuff happens." All I can say is, it's a real good thing I don't have heart trouble. The only *patience* I need is waiting for the next episode. I'm also in a B5 email discussion group. (yes, yet another group of strangers from all over whose only reason for being a group is to discuss this show) We, about 22 of us, all love what you're doing. We are astonished by your imagination and the skill with which you are telling this tale. We count the days till the next new one. No kidding. During reruns we were panting for new eps...new eps...new eps. And the two new ones we've seen have surpassed all expectations! What great ones to come back to. OK, so I made some wise cracks about Marcus. That had nothing to do with his character. (I trust you, I trust you) But, eishh, the way some of the gals around here were drooling over his looks, I couldn't help waxing sarcastic. It must be tough being an actor. All the pot shots we wise-acres take. Seriously, the characters you create are one of the primary reasons I love this show. I have no doubt I'll like this one, the same as all the others. I've honestly never seen anything in televison, in any catagory, that equals B5. I think I'm like most people, though. I feel funny *gushing* on and on about how much I like it... what a great job you're doing...fawning...begging for attention. So I keep most of my raves to myself. Then, along comes some outspoken idiot, who doesn't mind attracting a lot of attention, spewing unjust criticism. I guess that's what it takes to get me to speak up. I love what you're doing and how you're doing it. I'll have to make a point of saying so more often. BTW, in DtD, where the camera looks up from G'Kar to see Kosh in his encounter suit, does that big sign on the wall behind where Kosh was standing say, "WARNING!"? Karen (Only five more days 'til I see Exogenesis) ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:06 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Karen E. Bahnsen <102735.3557@compuserve.com> Subject: Space A&B Message-ID: References: Yes, the sign does indeed say warning. Look for another sign right behind somebody at the end of "Severed Dreams." In defense of Phil...who I have spoken with before, and met once, and who asked his question in good faith and I kinda handed him his head...don't take my reaction necessarily as venue to jump on him. Some days, when I've been working 18 hours straight on the show, I come across a comment that puts me into Wet Cat mode. That was one. Which is why I made a point of trying to say that I understand the question(s), and whence they proceed. There are a very few flakes and idiots and dangerous loonies out there in net-land...but Phil isn't one of them. It's the consistent idiots you have to watch out for. Re: the discussion group...this is one of the things that I've decided I'm very proud of, regarding B5. Delenn pointed out that humans form communities; it's what we do. And a B5 community has arisen. Fans of the show gather in pizza parlors to watch the show, set out open invitations for picnics and house parties to catch shows off the satellite, create discussion groups...form communities. People have formed lasting friendships, regular pub groups, even gotten married because of the show. Others have gotten involved in social work, contributed or worked for charities, food kitchens, other causes. Decided that their fates are in their own hands, and been inspired to move across the country to form new lives and pursue what they *want* to do instead of what they felt they *had* to do. I hear from them frequently in email, and in public messages. I'm very happy about that. If Star Trek's shining element was that it got people involved in the space program, perhaps B5's shining element is that it gets people involved in the human program. jms ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 22:22:56 From: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #447089-# Message-ID: References: If that was a Ranger Medallion I saw swinging from the neck of a faceless passer by when Bester was giving his speach on how the PSI Corps are out there protecting the human race behind the scenes, then you deserve an award for the all time greatest subtle humor. I also liked the personalization of the Star Fury. You must like WWII history quite a bit. I guess it was the last time we fought a war in which the bad guys kind of stood out. Very few shades of Grey. Loved the acting. I hope some credit goes to you for the casting :) I love the attention to detail that I see in the CGI work. (I hope you forward some of these compliments to the guys doing the work for you!) Your plot line is working well. The arc is doing well. I do hope, and I think you have indicated, that the arc moves well past the great Shadow war. I would hope that you will do some more work in this universe as you have established a good "known space" to work with. Character development is good, Vir is becoming a key player. I do hope Kosh turns out to be what I think he is going to be (a good guy, but define good?) ------------------------------ Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:10 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Yes, I think we've cast some great actors in the show, and they only continue to improve. Many of us on the show are fans of fighter planes and military history, especially producer John Copeland. So we've taken to giving the Starfuries nose art...in fact, the near-legendary WW II flying squadron the Flying Tigers actually gave us *permission* to use their logos on Sheridan's fighter. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 09-Feb-96 23:14:49 through 10-Feb-96 23:00:10 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 10-Feb-96 21:43:38 through 11-Feb-96 21:24:46 (32 msgs) Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 12:51:02 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!geraldo.cc.u texas.edu!arlut.utexas.edu!news.io.com!imci4!newsfeed.internetmci.com!uwm.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!m agnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 10-Feb-96 21:43:38 through 11-Feb-96 21:24:46 (32 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb12.182210.11137@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Mon, 12 Feb 96 18:22:10 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 901 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:171 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122366 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 10-Feb-96 21:43:38 through 11-Feb-96 21:24:46 (32 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: >>Dust<< VOA: Lurkers Space A&B Age of Centauri? Season 3 title? John Vickery WDCA 20 to move B5 Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 10-Feb-96 21:43:38 From: Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com> To: Joel Hilke <102354.1702@compuserve.com> Subject: #447065-# Message-ID: References: > I think he really understand now. Thanks to the one guy who could pound it into his head :-) << Yes, but I still want an answer to G'Kar's question. Why not sooner? Kosh could have revealed himself to G'Kar at any time during the desperate Narn-Centauri war. I'm curious to know why G'Kar was allowed to descend to such a depth of despair, anger and even madness before Kosh reached out to him. Perhaps he needed to suffer into truth? -ba- ^^^^ FEAR RMES - "Join us, or make like a thread and DRIFT!" ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 14:10:26 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Because G'Kar needed to hit bottom, real bottom, before he would be receptive to the message...because time doesn't mean to the vorlons what it means to us...and because he was finally mentally receptive due to the dust. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 09:02:27 From: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449355-#>>Dust<< Message-ID: References: > No, insofar as I have been able to determine, in the > history of TV no one has ever written every episode of a season > of a dramatic series single handedly. I thought so. You wrote every single episode this season, didn't you? When B5 goes off the air...man, you're gonna be so *bored* . The Jawa Kidism Patrol 12:42 PM, Sunday, February 11, 1996 Survivor of the First Semester ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:13 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Dust<< Message-ID: References: I look forward to being bored for a while. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 09:22:57 From: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: # Message-ID: Joe, I've heard you describe B5 as being a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes you need a breather to help you get ready for the next big plunge. Exogenesis is that breather. Again, I thought it was a excellent episode, especially in that it helped us get to know Marcus Cole better. You've said that he is an important part of what happens this season and he definitely needed more air time for us to FEEL more about him. It's nice to see that his sense of humor is ever-present. I liked him from the start, at the beginning of season three, but I think that says more about how much an actor can give to a role and a character than how much screen time he has had. It also says that if a writer can distill the most important words for his characters to say, they don't need to say much. Kosh is another good example of this. It was nice to see Dr. Franklin again. I sometimes wonder if he won't get lost in the shuffle when all is said and done with the series. Do you have big plans for him later in the season? It'd be nice if you did. Unlike the turn-it-on-its-ear episode of Dust to Dust, the storytelling was fairly straightforward. I thought the idea of this species acting as a recorder for ALL experiences, knowledge, etc. in the last half million years was excellent. The fact that it was in anticipation of some forseen Dark Age gave their future role great significance. But, I must say that after watching you work your skills these 2+ years, I can rarely take anything at face value. Nobody ends up totally altruistic. Hidden reasons and motives lurk behind everything new you introduce. Thanks for encouraging my already boundless paranoid tendencies, Joe!! And in the only arc-related portion of the episode--the upgrading of the Lt. J.G. to full Lt.-- I thought that it was handled well and points out one of the biggest problems with a conspiracy. It's very hard to keep one a secret. The way the gift synthetic roses dovetailed nicely with the prospects of romance between Ivanova and Marcus was well done. Anyway, now they have someone at C&C that is a roadblock. My wife said immediately afterword that he's a straight arrow that maybe could be bent, but I have my doubts. Again, you wouldn't put him there if his role didn't become important eventually. The thought of keeping the "conspiracy" a secret came up again as I watched Marcus gather his information (and thanks for the Sandman cameo again!). How much do his operatives know? In some regards, the Lurkers in Down Below remind me of neighborhood people who know who all the drug dealers and bullies and gang bangers are and guys from EarthForce could get lots of information if they only asked (tortured, more likely) them. I guess what worries me is that in setting up his system of informants, much like Garibaldi, Marcus has to give each a piece of the puzzle, but not all of it. Can he get some to honor their commitment to help him when the time comes if they don't know what they will be fighting or whom? Fun Stuff: Loved the bit about shaking Marcus' collapsing fighting staff. Saw that coming a mile a way and STILL loved it. Some times the predictable can be just as fun as the unexpected. Same thing with the tennis ball. I couldn't wait to hear that THWACK as the staff smacked the curious guard. Overall, the humor was lighter, less broad, in some regards. That suits me just as well as the LOL stuff. Good work! A wonderful hour full of lots of different things. As I said in the beginning, a definite breather but by no means a slow episode. And of course the preview for next week should get all the arc junkies excited. Best, Dave ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:15 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Yeah, Exo is the last non-arc episode for a long time, and the last chance to catch one's breath before the big fall. My personal evaluation of the episode is that it's okay. The second half, I think, isn't as strong as the first half. Halfway through writing the episode, we had a problem come up in production that unexpectedly took me away from the script for about a week. (Nothing major, but it had to be dealt with and it took time.) Usually, I write copious notes on a script before I begin writing it. In this case, the story was so crystalline clear in my head that I just dived in, and was blasting away terrific when the hit came midway through. By the time I got back, I'd lost some of the fingerprints of the story, and had to kind of re-find them again. Mainly, I think the expository sequence at the end could've been done better. Needless to say, that's the last time I trusted myself without notes, no matter how well I "see" the episode in my head. It'd be a great script for second or first season, but we have to keep raising the bar, every aspect has to be better than the last thing we did, so for my money it's not quite up to that standard. Happily, it's the *only* episode this season that I feel that way about...the rest are all just nifty. That said, I think it has some great moments for Marcus, Franklin and others...and yes, there's a lot more planned with Franklin coming up this season, particularly toward the latter third of the season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 10:06:42 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449128-#VOA: Lurkers Message-ID: References: > Some are scared of Nightwatch, others feel it's a good thing, > and darn it, it's about time.... They must be a little less abusive of civil liberties *in public*... Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:19 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: VOA: Lurkers Message-ID: References: For now, yes. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 10:10:01 From: Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448712-# Space A&B Message-ID: References: > I get this at the start of every season. Oh. Okay. Sorry. My past stint here in the forum was during the middle of Season Two. FWIW, I enjoyed the heck out of a couple of the first five eps from Season One and Two. > Second, you cannot -- CANNOT -- sustain the kind of intensity > you have in the final four over the course of a season. Agreed. I guess I (and some of the others in our viewing group) just disagree over the level or type of lightness. Can't please everyone. > So my response is, Unless you think I've suddenly turned > stupid, or I've decided to betray the series I've now worked 10 > years of my life to produce... To be honest, our concern wasn't so much over your intellect, but over what sort of pressure the studio sorts might be bringing to bear on the show. > Show a little patience. Along with diplomacy, this isn't one of my strong suits. Why am I so sure you won't be surprised to hear that? 8) > You know what the #1 comment from the pilot was, on the nets > and elsewhere? "LOSE the guy with the funny hair! He's just > ridiculous." Wow. Most of the people in our viewing group came out of the pilot loving Londo and finding Sinclair interesting. And every one of us fell hook, line, and sinker for G'kar as the villain. Londo's little "shark" comment while looking at his reflection in the wine goblet was one of those bits we all wondered about at the time. Little did we know.... > Next time show a little patience. As I said, patience isn't my strong suit. And I'm not a sci-fi person or a TV-oriented person, so to get my attention B5 has to be both good and different (I've been with it from the start, after all). Most of the other members of the viewing group are straight up sci-fi types (big-time sci-fi readers, watch other sci-fi shows, etc.). > Before people start making sweeping generalizations about the > season, it might behoove you to see the season first. Suggestion noted. > If anything, my concern in looking at what's been done for year > 3 is that we're too GRIM for the larger portion of it, and maybe > a bit complex... Is it as grim as "1984" and "Brazil"? If not, then I know I can handle it. 8) > So that's my response to the generalizations. And many thanks for them! > The political officer: improbable dialogue? Ah. Well, then, that puts it back into the realm of delivery, then. The character didn't work for any of us. > Go to a Pat Buchanan rally sometime and tell me it's unlikely > dialogue. Go to a rally where a guy drives up in a BMW and talks about Americans losing their jobs (yeah, I know he and his wife sold off their foreign cars after this was pointed out 4 years ago, but it was a hoot when it happened)? Go to a rally where the guy talks about the concerns of the middle class while making 6-figure salaries off his media work? No, thank you. Shoot me instead. I can read his poison in the Op-Ed sections. 8) > Sheridan isn't a chess master... Okay. We inferred incorrectly, then. > My prediction: by season's end, Marcus will be one of our more > popular characters. That wouldn't surprise me in the least, although I have to admit I feel it's inapplicable. Most of the characters you list _were_ popular with the group almost from the beginning. Heck, we still have one person who swears Londo's just misunderstood. 8) I don't necessarily share "popular" viewpoints. > (Y'know, there are days I hate the american culture of immediate > gratification and kneejerk condemnation and stereotyping with > insufficient information. Yup. It's almost as bad as that darned tendency to shoot the messenger or unleash pent-up anger on a convenient target. Then again, I completely understand where you're coming from, so I'm not squirting blood or anything. 8) > The White Star was so named as a balance to the Black Star, > which Sheridan destroyed. What here is a problem? That it came across as corny, maybe even silly, to all of us. Just like taunting an ancient race into joining an alliance (even if, as some of us believe, the taunt wasn't what did it... it was a test of resiliency and determination, it still came across poorly to our viewing group). > I don't mean to rag on you, Phil I knew the risks of this assignment when I accepted it. 8) > If I knew what I was doing then, why should I suddenly not know > what I'm doing now? As I said, we weren't sure if this was you or the brilliant suits. > But I've always had a problem with people judging the season on > a sampling. Give it a chance. Okay. No problem. Like I said, I'll pass this message on to the others. What alarmed us is that this was the first time we'd all gone five eps straight coming out of them looking like we'd bitten into a lemon. I almost didn't send the last message because I felt it was way too harsh, but I got back e-mails from the other people saying it was just right or didn't drive home the points with enough oomph. I hope there wasn't permanent damage done. (FWIW) Tina and I watched and very much enjoyed Episode 6 last night. I'll find out from the rest of the group what they thought Monday. Thanks again for the time and patience on this. Phil ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:21 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com> Subject: Space A&B Message-ID: References: For what it's worth, if your concern is with the suits, we haven't had a single writing note from WB since episode 2 or 3 of season 2. Not one. Nada. No nots at all on our cuts of the episodes. Nothing. They completely trust us, and they leave us to tell our story. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 14:47:03 From: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Age of Centauri? Message-ID: Hello, For some reason, I've been wondering: How old do Centauri get usually? I mean: What's their average life expectancy? >From what we've seen, I assume they do pass through puberty. At what age approximately? Is the life expectancy different for male and female Centauri? We really need a B5 Omnipedia... - Kind regards, Gerald Himmelein [who is tired of this Fever thing] ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:40 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com> Subject: Age of Centauri? Message-ID: References: A Centauri can get to be about 150 or so, sometimes older. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:44:48 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #447306-# Message-ID: References: > And yes, you'll learn more about what happened to the Narn > telepaths in coming months. And Catherine Sakai. And Zathras. And Talia. And . . .can we have some clues? Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler "If I had a baseball bat, I could tie you to the ceiling play pinata." ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:46 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: No, you can't have any clues. What am I, a clues closet? jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 15:45:34 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448713-#Season 3 title? Message-ID: References: So you aren't going to give me the next two season names :-( Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler Coramoor, Lord of Morning, He Who Comes With the Dawn, Car'a'carn The Dragon Reborn ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:48 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: Season 3 title? Message-ID: References: No; one thing at a time. Now finish your broccoli.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 16:30:10 From: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: # Message-ID: Hi, Joe. I've watched Dust to Dust a few times since it aired here yesterday, and caught up on the spoilered threads, so I'll try not to be redundant. First of all--WOW! Amazing episode! Pretty box indeed. Christopher Franke did a great job on the music in this one. It was never intrusive, always right in synch with the scene. And that piece used during the flash of images from Londo's mind was perfect, was it new? And, speaking of the flash of images, after watching it a few times for the music, I watched it in freeze-frame to try to figure out just what he saw. Interesting stuff. (I hadn't realized it until then, but the vision of Londo being crowned as Emperor looks to be the same age he is now. Urk...) Bester was great. I loved the bit about the uniform giving the benefit of intimidation. I mean, Garibaldi has always used threats and intimidation in his interrogations, I found myself glad that Bester had been able to take him down a peg. In fact, I'm starting to like Bester a whole lot. It was wonderful to see Vir again. I loved the contrast between Lennier's solemn pronouncement about Londo's fate, and Vir's optimistic "He'll surprise you." And I liked the "robe of welcoming." I was half expecting him to come back bald. (I wonder if Sinclair has gone native at all?) Peter and Andreas have, yet again, done a fantastic job. It's already been mentioned how stunning it was to see Londo crying, but I'll say it again. "Thud!" (the sound of me falling over, stunned.) Also, it's interesting that when G'Kar started crying, he was looking at his hand. On two previous occasions, we've seen G'Kar take solace in clenching his fist (defiantly?) during times of defeat. This time, it was as if he started to make a fist, and then realized that that option was no longer open to him, that his fight had changed, and it was at that moment that he broke down. Kosh is looking pretty damn grey now. (Which is a polite way of saying he's a manipulative bastard, grr...) On the negative side, I don't think Ivanova's soliloquoy worked terribly well. Not the writing or the acting, just the mechanics of it, of her talking to herself (which I don't find works very well in television in general), and the sort of deus ex-Sheridan. And, while it may be my fault, I didn't realize that the person Kosh was imitating was G'Kar's father. After several viewings, I could match the voices, but it was confusing. I think if G'Kar had called him father a second time, or said "I must honor _your_ name" instead of "I must honor _my father's_ name", I would have followed it more easily. But, those are just nits I'm picking off an otherwise spectacular episode. Thanks, Joe, and I can't wait til next week. Mara ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:50 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: With some thematic exceptions, most of the music Chris composes for us each week is unique, and tailored for that episode. So yes, it's all mainly new. Re: the coat of welcoming...here's a little tidbit...we had to make up an entire alphabet for most of our major races (and I've been gradually building up a dictionary here and there for languages). So they came and asked if they could embroider something in Minbari on the shirt Vir's wearing when he comes back. I said sure. Did I have anything in mind? No, not really. So I'm on the set that day, and I see the embroidered shirt, and I ask what these five letters spell, since I don't offhand read Minbari yet. He looked up at me and smiled. "It spells out ALOHA." We have a very demented crew. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 16:33:22 From: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #John Vickery Message-ID: Well, Joe, it took me long enough, but I finally recognized John Vickery in "The Fall Of Night" (I thought he looked and sounded familiar). From Naroon to Welles: Nice range of acting, eh? BTW, in "Dust To Dust", the actress playing the Minbari Teep standing next to Ivanova looked familiar. Has she appeared as an extra in other episodes? -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:53 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> Subject: John Vickery Message-ID: References: Don't know offhand...will inquire. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 17:26:11 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449133-# Message-ID: References: Joe, Hmmmmmm.......why do I get the feeling that the Vorlons see what we would define as physical reality just a bit differently than humans do. The "I have always been here" comment is starting to make a little more sense. Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:55 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Correct. They see reality, and time, and space somewhat differently than we do. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 18:51:27 From: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449135-# Message-ID: References: Joe, So lemme see.....no one gets back (so far) from Z'ha'dum except Morden and no one has ever returned from Vorlon space (yet) except for Lyta. Would it be valuable to rewatch "Soul Hunter" and "Deathwalker" again? Tim ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:06 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Soul Hunter probably wouldn't be a bad idea at some point prior to the middle of the season...or the two-parter.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 19:40:58 From: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449357-# Message-ID: References: Did you pattern the Star Fury after a war plane? I cannot think of a model called a Fury, The Wildcat comes to mind (or the later Hellcat). I would love to see other models of fighters from Earth Force. Living where I do in Florida I have had the honor of meeting several WWII pilots. The B17 being my childhood favorite. ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:08 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: No, didn't actually pattern the starfury after a plane, but rather tried to see what would work most accurately in zero-atmosphere. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 19:49:53 From: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448712-# Space A&B Message-ID: References: > - And natch, I'll go through this all over again in year > four, because they'll say it doesn't move as fast as year three > did. You can't win. I appreciate the concern, Phil. Honest I > do. But I've always had a problem with people judging the > season on a sampling. Give it a chance. - Having just seen DtD, I suddenly realized that B5 is for me like being placed inside a 3-dimensional (or maybe 4!) kaleidoscope. Each new episode, arc or non-arc (and there always seem to be arc elements in non-arc episodes) turns a ratchet that reveals new connections and new patterns. It is probably, in that way, the most involving series I have ever seen. One of the patterns in DtD seemed to be to be strain, various people already under stress from the continuing covert war preparations and other situations, coming close to the breaking point due to the added strain of Bester's presence. As much as I may anticipate the upcoming episodes, to have missed any of the previous season 3's would have lost subpatterns. - rje - ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:09 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> Subject: Space A&B Message-ID: References: I agree. We're slowly ratcheting up the tension, and this has got to take a toll on people. Franklin probably wouldn't be doing as many stims as he is otherwise. Actions have consequences. And yes, having seen prior episodes adds more texture. Still, one can follow the episode for what it is. The more you watch, the more you get out of it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 20:28:43 From: Mark Koro <70252.3354@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #WDCA 20 to move B5 Message-ID: Hello: For what its worth, I wrote a letter to the program manager at WDCA 20 in Wash D.C. to add my voice as a supporter of B5. The station sent me a nice letter back saying that Babylon 5 "is one of our highest rated programs based on the Nielsen ratings. It will be moving to Fridays at 8pm beginning in March, with its repeat continuing to air on Sundays at 7pm." The part about the Nielsen ratings was nice to hear. Keep up the great shows - the Columbia, MD volleyball-B5 group (12 strong) continues to watch with great interest. Mark Koro ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Mark Koro <70252.3354@compuserve.com> Subject: WDCA 20 to move B5 Message-ID: References: That's great to hear, thanks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 20:37:06 From: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> Subject: #449439-# Message-ID: References: Neil, > Then who did he appear to sheridan as? Joe identified the figure Sheridan saw as the angel Gabriel. Mpb. ..from GCP 2.1 [11-Feb-96 23:24] ------------------------------ Date: 11-Feb-96 21:24:46 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: "Joe identified the figure Sheridan saw as the angel Gabriel." No I didn't. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 10-Feb-96 21:43:38 through 11-Feb-96 21:24:46 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 07-Feb-96 09:01:32 through 12-Feb-96 15:06:49 (10 msgs) Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 12:31:57 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!c hi-news.cic.net!nntp.coast.net!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu !csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 07-Feb-96 09:01:32 through 12-Feb-96 15:06:49 (10 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb13.175712.24711@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Tue, 13 Feb 96 17:57:12 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 248 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:177 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122464 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 07-Feb-96 09:01:32 through 12-Feb-96 15:06:49 (10 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: John Vickery Age of Centauri? Good Grief - DS9 Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 12-Feb-96 03:22:14 From: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450109-# Message-ID: References: Joe, > "Joe identified the figure Sheridan saw as the angel Gabriel." > > No I didn't. Whoops! Well, I could'a swore... Ah, well. Won't be the first time I was wrong. Sorry for the misquote. Mpb. ..from GCP 2.1 [12-Feb-96 05:55] ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 14:26:58 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Ees okay. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 09:28:55 From: Dennis L. Schwendem <102620.3111@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449739-# Message-ID: References: Bravo on this one! I'll admit that I was getting just a bit relaxed and complacent in following this episode, then it hit me "up side of the head" with the G'Kar sequence! Nearly scared the fur off the cat with my reaction! And even the Bester story had a wonderful twist. Bravo to the entire ensemble on this one! -dls ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:48 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Dennis L. Schwendem <102620.3111@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks, we try. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 10:30:43 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450092-#John Vickery Message-ID: References: Just out of curiosity, do you contract with some of the folks that do your recurring characters to do so many eps a year. I was wondering because you used John Vickery both for Neroon (one of my favorite Minbari xenophobes) and Wells with Nightwatch (where he was also quite good). I was wondering if you did this because he is a fine actor and you can get away with it because of the makup, or you had contracted something with him, or both. Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:50 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: John Vickery Message-ID: References: No, we can't contract with occasional actors in this fashion, so we have to book them ahead of time, as soon as a script lands in the production office. If they're not available, sometimes we have to do without and make the character someone else, or juggle episodes so we can shoot when they are available. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 10:30:58 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450087-#Age of Centauri? Message-ID: References: How old do humans get (I'm looking for two things, max age ever recorded and average age). Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:51 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Age of Centauri? Message-ID: References: Probably about 120 would be the oldest a human would get; there hasn't been that much change in that end of it. The median age, though, is different, so that right now, the average lifespan is 68 years, I think. By 2260 you can add another 20 years to that. jms ------------------------------ Date: 07-Feb-96 09:01:32 From: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com> To: Wayne A. Hall <74617.217@compuserve.com> Subject: #Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: Don't you know better than to try and say something good about a Trek show in the B5 area? I'm surprised JMS didn't come flying in here accusing you of having a sinister agenda and trying to do him personal harm. Randy ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 15:06:49 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: "Don't you know better than to try and say something good about a Trek show in the B5 area? I'm surprised JMS didn't come flying in here accusing you of having a sinister agenda and trying to do him personal harm." An interesting comment from you, given that you're addressing this to Wayne Hall, your brother, so obviously he came in here to leave the message so you could then respond in this fashion, and thus attack me. Also intresting in light of your comments on AOL, in which you were the single loudest voice screaming bloody murder whenever B5 was mentioned in the ST areas, and your repeated request, verging on demand, that people be prohibited from mentioning B5 at ST conventions, bitching about the mention of B5 at ST panels, and generally carrying on cranky whenever the show got any mention at all in a ST folder. Whereas, on the other hand, when the B5 page was opened on AOL, I made it a *point* to make sure that there was a subsidiary section set aside for the discussion of other TV series, including the variations of ST, to create a more open environment. The problem, as usual with you, Randy, is entirely yours. You continue to project onto others your own problems. You're truly a pathetic individual. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 07-Feb-96 09:01:32 through 12-Feb-96 15:06:49 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/12/96 to 02/13/96 Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 12:32:03 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!h owland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!ca llisto!not-for-mail From: Kevin P Mooney Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/12/96 to 02/13/96 Message-ID: <1996Feb13.211346.2357@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Tue, 13 Feb 96 21:13:46 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 187 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:178 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122478 The following is a compilation of the posts of JMS on AOL. If you have comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at WARNING: Possible spoilers may lurk below. ObSpoiler space: : : : : : : ; ; : : : : : : : : : : : Subj: Re:M.B.Roddenberry Apperance Date: 96-02-12 03:49:36 EST From: Jms at B5 She appears in the last episode airing this month, before the rerun break, "Point of No Return." jms Subj: Re:Number of Episodes Date: 96-02-12 03:51:07 EST From: Jms at B5 Every season of B5 has had 22 episodes, including this one. jms Subj: Re:Cthulu in B5 Date: 96-02-12 03:53:37 EST From: Jms at B5 There's a whole tapestry of related fiction of this sort...Lovecraft was one practitioner, so was Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, August Derleth...it's a grand tradition of SF. jms Subj: Re:JMS: Who was the VofA? Date: 96-02-13 05:50:00 EST From: Jms at B5 I figured that some elements of the First Ones should be consistent with one another; others should have specific differences. Using Ardwight subliminally reinforced some of the consistencies. jms Subj: Re:Can you rerun B-2? Date: 96-02-13 05:50:26 EST From: Jms at B5 We're working on convincing WB to do this. jms Subj: Re:Susan Ivanova Date: 96-02-13 05:51:11 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, she does, including a variation on her father's name as her middle name. jms Subj: Re:VOA: The "Goods" on Clark Date: 96-02-13 05:52:02 EST From: Jms at B5 As it happens, the info about Clark's doctor was also released a bit later, which we'll hear about by the end of this month. jms Subj: Re:Writing for TV Date: 96-02-13 05:53:52 EST From: Jms at B5 I think it came out of the fact that Garibaldi doesn't trust ANYthing about Bester, and that it's not out of the realm of possibility for Bester to find some way to defeat the drug. If not, then his line was basically another way of stating "What the ___ are you pulling and why are you doing it and why the hell didn't you TELL me you were going to do this before pulling it?" jms Subj: Re:Help! Date: 96-02-13 05:54:32 EST From: Jms at B5 It's my understanding that the station will show the last part of the show it clipped right before the next new episode. So tune in early. jms Subj: Re:Instant Gratification Date: 96-02-13 05:55:54 EST From: Jms at B5 What's being lost here, though, is that this show operates on the level of metaphor as much as it operates out in the open. The shadow war is also the war within ourselves as much as it is Out There. So Nightwatch, the political situation back home, are shadow wars of their own. That said, however, there's shooting aplenty in the course of this season. jms Subj: Re:G' kar as a telepath ? Date: 96-02-13 05:56:35 EST From: Jms at B5 What, you don't think G'Kar would look good in a bikini...? jms Subj: Re:Psi Corps ethics Date: 96-02-13 05:58:10 EST From: Jms at B5 Because it takes a certain amount of power, effort and skill to get detailed information about someone. A P5-P7 can get strong emotions, some details, in brief bursts, but they're not always as good on the big picture. A P10 is needed for strong scans, particularly if the person is resisting. That means a psi cop, and they're all registered. jms Subj: Re:Londo's retribution? Date: 96-02-13 05:58:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Correction: the terms of the surrender stated that for every Centauri *KILLED* 500 Narns would be executed. Londo wasn't killed. jms ---- To receive a copy of this compilation via e-mail, send mail to with "jms archive" included in the subject line. -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 12-Feb-96 12:56:57 through 12-Feb-96 23:42:08 (15 msgs) Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 12:32:14 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!scifi!news.emi.net!news.sprintlink.net !malgudi.oar.net!imci4!newsfeed.internetmci.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.a cs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 12-Feb-96 12:56:57 through 12-Feb-96 23:42:08 (15 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb13.185323.26978@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Tue, 13 Feb 96 18:53:23 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 342 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:179 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122595 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 12-Feb-96 12:56:57 through 12-Feb-96 23:42:08 (15 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Beyond five years Grey Council Question Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Space A&B B5 Advisory Council Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 12-Feb-96 12:56:57 From: JAMES A. O'BRIEN <70661.2342@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: #Beyond five years Message-ID: Is there any word as to what will happen to B5 after the 5 year arc has run its course? I know ratings will play a major role in any decision, but has JMS ever said anything about what might happen beyond the 5 years? J.P. ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 19:27:46 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: JAMES A. O'BRIEN <70661.2342@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: From the start, I've indicated that there's a side-story that could go off in the B5 universe after the 5 year story is up, but it wouldn't be B5. Frankly, however, given the current state of the syndication market, I'd suggest that the odds of that happening are slim and none. So barring anything truly exceptional -- like someone handing me an anthology series -- my plan at the moment is to retire from TV at the end of the five years and go back to writing novels and plays. At that point, I think I'll have said just about everything I want to say for TV. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 14:31:59 From: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Grey Council Question Message-ID: It occured to me that as far as I can remember, Delenn is the only female Grey Council member we've seen. Are there other female council members or is it a mostly male group? Toni ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 19:34:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> Subject: Grey Council Question Message-ID: References: No, there are and have been other female grey council members. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 17:44:02 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450093-# Message-ID: References: Joe, < Correct. They see reality, and time, and space somewhat differently than we do.> OK. Let's see how far we can push this. I would assume (yes, that's a risky thing to do) that the Shadows see reality, space, and time in a similar manner to the Vorlons, or at least they can understand the Vorlons' point of view. So, is the crux of the conflict between the Shadows and the Vorlons something that we must change OUR paradigm of the above to fully understand? Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 19:34:14 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: No, I wouldn't say that the shadows and vorlons see space, time and reality in the same ways. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 23:30:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Message-ID: It has come to my attention that someone at Capricon this past weekend was trying to get fans to buy allegedly "real" B5 costume elements for as much as $3500, attesting that he has a letter from me verifying its origins. We have never released ANY costumes for sale for any reason, and I have certainly never written any letter affirming this, or allowing this. If this letter exists it is certainly a forgery, and this matter should be turned over to the local police department for investigation by their fraud and bunko divisions. If you have had any contact with these individuals, beware. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 21:16:24 From: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450091-# Message-ID: References: > "It spells out ALOHA." LOL! Ok, just a few more things I forgot to mention. Where did G'Kar take Londo? (I'm just wondering how he was able to kidnap him. Did he have to take out a few security guards along the way?) Also, G'Kar yelled something which I couldn't catch during the flash of images from Londo's mind. Was it meant to be inarticulate, or am I missing something? I haven't been able to get some of the scenes out of my head. I can't recall seeing so much naked emotion contained in a glance (like that little exchange between Londo and Vir in medlab) or gesture or vocal inflection (so many great ones in the confrontation between G'Kar and Londo that I find it difficult to single anything out). I recently saw "Born to the Purple" for the first time, and that episode also had a single line which seemed to resonate--when Adira took the password from Londo. The combination of the betrayal inherent in the scene, and the tone of his voice when he said the password just kind of grabbed me by the throat. Heartbreaking stuff, Joe. Mara ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:03 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Emotion, for me, is the key to all drama. If it doesn't make you feel something, what's the point? The writer's job is to touch passion, not be burned by it, and come back to tell what it was like. And what G'Kar said was, "Dear G'Quon, no more...." jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 21:39:46 From: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450089-# Message-ID: References: A clues closet? Perhaps not. Maybe more of a clues basket. ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:04 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Soon to be a basket case. jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 22:46:44 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450098-# Space A&B Message-ID: References: > I agree. We're slowly ratcheting up the tension, and this has > got to take a toll on people. Franklin probably wouldn't be > doing as many stims as he is otherwise. Actions have > consequences. I've noticed that several characters have been increasingly nervous, done strange things, etc. Franklin seems to be next in line for a major . . . breakdown, for lack of a better word, after Talia and G'Kar just had theirs. Ivanova, in the last two eps, has seemed to be losing it as well. Or I'm just seeing things where there is nothing. (Waitaminute! That's a Shadow! I recognize that clicking!) Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler "If I had a baseball bat, I could tie you to the ceiling and play pinata." ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:07 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: Space A&B Message-ID: References: Heck, they're *all* on edge. Wouldn't you be? jms ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 22:46:49 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #B5 Advisory Council Message-ID: Hullo, Joe I was wondering about the B5 Advisory Council. I don't think we've seen them since TFoN, and they didn't do any voting then. My question, then, is what happened to the Narn vote? Did the Centauri get it, or did it just disappear? Either way, wouldn't the balance be disrupted? Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler "If I had a baseball bat, I could tie you to the ceiling and play pinata." ------------------------------ Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:08 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 Advisory Council Message-ID: References: The council has been more or less abandoned as infighting has broken out. It gets worse. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 12-Feb-96 12:56:57 through 12-Feb-96 23:42:08 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 13-Feb-96 06:21:41 through 14-Feb-96 01:20:14 (25 msgs) Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 15:41:35 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!geraldo.cc.u texas.edu!arlut.utexas.edu!news.io.com!news.fc.net!news.cais.net!primus.ac.net!imci4!newsfeed.inter netmci.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!freenet.columbus.o h.us!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 13-Feb-96 06:21:41 through 14-Feb-96 01:20:14 (25 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb14.223851.1149@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Wed, 14 Feb 96 22:38:51 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 612 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:182 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:122938 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 13-Feb-96 06:21:41 through 14-Feb-96 01:20:14 (25 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: John Vickery Good Grief - DS9 Vorlon Theology A few questions <> NEW B5 EPS! 8 NEW B5 EPS! YKYBWTMB5W.. Minipax through history Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 13-Feb-96 06:21:41 From: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450493-#John Vickery Message-ID: References: Joe, Another casting question... Were the Drazi spokesperson in Dust to Dust, the Green Drazi Leader in Geometry of Shadows, and the Markab ambassador in Confessions and Lamentations, all the same actor? Who is he? I think I have also spotted him in Voyager as one of the Vedeans in their first appearance, and in Kung Phooey: TLC, as Kwai Chaing, in last week's episode. So I'm curious as to whether I'm right that these are all the same actor, and if so, who??? (Oh, I do know you can't tell me about the non-B5 roles. I just ran off at the explanation... Anne Anne ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:34 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com> Subject: John Vickery Message-ID: References: I'm pretty sure he was both Drazis, but I'm not certain offhand about the Markab. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 08:21:02 From: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450497-#Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: Thank you for responding exactly as I said you would. Some folks on CIS now owe me money. Randy ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:35 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: Well, yes, Randy, I'm sure I responded exactly as you thought I would. When one exhibits poor behavior in public, one will usually be corrected. You came in here and, totally unprovoked, without any message from me, without even a word from me in the thread, took a cheap and untrue shot at me, and my behavior. When one pokes the bear without *any* justification, except to do it, well, I suppose it is only natural to expect some kind of reaction. If I were to pour a pint of chocolate milk on someone's floor, I could anticipate their reaction. But the problem would not be in the reaction; the problem would be in the ill-mannered, senseless, stupid and uwnarranted provocation. Still, I take this as a sign of growth on your part that you can now predict the kind of response your generally poor behavior elicits. And, as usual, you just dive out of the way instead of confronting the facts of your past behavior. Which is exactly what *I* expected of *you*. Symmetry is a wonderful thing, is it not? jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 08:37:11 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450968-# Message-ID: References: DtD was *so* loaded I forgot to ask one. When Bester showed up our gang had a bunch of *Minbari* telepaths there to put the screws to him. Now, if he is involved in the conspiracy that bumped off Santiago, Bester is smart enough to know that all the "alien influence" charges are probably nonesense, and the witch hunts are about *power*. So, how come it looks like *the're right*? From his perspective (and that of everyone else on Earth) it looks like the Minbari *are* pulling the strings on B5. Am I off base here? Would Earthdome and Psi Corps interpret that incident differently? Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:39 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Some might, others might not. Simple fact is, the rules of the Psi Corps would forbid them from engaging ANY human telepath for this purpose. So the only other recourse is non-humans. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 09:54:28 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Vorlon Theology Message-ID: Joe, We have all be so obsessed with the trivia that has been contained in the last couple of eps, that no one has asked the *really* important question... Who *is* the Ancient Vorlon God Boojie? Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:42 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: Marcus was making that part up. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 10:12:07 From: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #449786-# Message-ID: References: Good to see that Franklin will be seen more later in the season. I like Richard Biggs and we don't get to see him strut his acting skills as much as I would like. The expository sequence at the end was fine. I'm not sure what you would have liked to have seen or heard. In any case, it was a good breather episode (arc junkies aside) and it should help keep any of those that are new to B5 in third season. Saw your rebuttal to Phil Adams in the Space:A&B thread and thought you were right on target. Exo fit to the T what you try to do a the beginning of each season. I don't know if you remember, but I commented on the first episode of season three saying that it did a great job of summarizing and yet moved the story forward. Just wanted to let you know that not ALL of us forget the promises you've made. Most viewers (including myself) don't know the exingencies of making a television show. I'd think twice before telling you how to run things. You've said for months now that the bottom drops out after Exogenesis. I have waited patiently and enjoyed all the shows that have lead to this point. AND--I have yet to see you fail to fulfill your promises to the audience. Also, I've been meaning to tell you that you should give kudos to all the actors on B5. They've done a great job and their performances continue to subtley and a nice layering to their characters. Best, Dave ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:44 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks...on every level. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 13:45:49 From: Fred Miller <76042.3474@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: # Message-ID: JMS: Where would SF TV be these days if it were not for the quality writing of B5? Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of Dust to Dust, in my view, was the interaction of Bester and Garibaldi thoughout the entire episode. It seems they are two sides of the same coin. I especially liked the scene where they are interrogating Moshi(?) to get a lead on the dust pusher. It had to be quite a reality check for Garabaldi to realize he uses his badge and uniform the same as Bester in order to get the job done, and to have Bester be the one to point it out. Once again you keep your characters believable by showing they have weaknesses. You have managed to "lighten" Bester (like you "greyed" the Vorlons) enough so I am not sure he is the total embodiment of evil. Also, whether Garabaldi likes it or not, they do work well as a team. And now for something completely different, a question. Various telepaths on the show have stated that to do certain things (such as deep scans, activating implanted programs, etc.) they need "line of sight". Is this a figurative comment meaning they require close proximity, or do they actually need to visually acquire the subject in order to perform telepathic activities. If so, are there, or can there be, blind telepaths? Thanks for the info and the continued uncertainty you put in our lives. Fred^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:47 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Fred Miller <76042.3474@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. And yes, they do need to visually acquire the target, in most cases. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 14:23:08 From: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #A few questions Message-ID: Just a few questions: Are you still working on "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place"? AtRCO,NHP is waaay to long an abbreviation for an episode . Do you have any idea what the titles of the final two scripts of the season will be? Will we *see* General Hague again this season or is he still busy subverting Star Fleet from the inside? Keep up the good work! Barbara http://www.mcs.net/~bjpbekin ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:48 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> Subject: A few questions Message-ID: References: Just turned in the script for "Rock," so that leaves just two left to write. I haven't decided on a title for 21 yet, out of several options, and the title of 22 is classified for now. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 14:56:40 From: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #<> Message-ID: Joe, Question: Is Molari aware that G'Kar got inside his head and now knows of his involvement in the Centauri aggression on the Narn home world? ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:50 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> Subject: <> Message-ID: References: Yes, he's aware. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Good news. We've finally convinced Warner Bros./PTEN to go with eight new episodes in a row, starting the first week of April. The new schedule, which just went out via fax to the stations today, is as follows: So here now is the revised schedule: NEW EPISODES: 2/12 EXOGENESIS 2/19 MESSAGES FROM EARTH 2/26 POINT OF NO RETURN (w/Majel Barrett) RERUNS: 3/4 FALL OF NIGHT 3/11 THERE ALL THE HONOR LIES 3/18 AND NOW FOR A WORD 3/25 IN THE SHADOW OF Z'HA'DUM NEW EPISODES: 4/1 SEVERED DREAMS 4/8 CEREMONIES OF LIGHT AND DARK 4/15 SIC TRANSIT VIR 4/22 A LATE DELIVERY FROM AVALON (w/Michael York) 4/29 SHIP OF TEARS (w/Walter Koenig) 5/6 INTERLUDES AND EXAMINATIONS 5/13 WAR WITHOUT END: PART ONE (w/Michael O'Hare) 5/20 WAR WITHOUT END: PART TWO We're now in the process of working to get 2 new episodes in July, so there are only 3 left for October. Even so, we're very excited to get a chance to show eight episodes in a row, building up to the end of the May sweeps with our big two-parter. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:29:50 From: Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451484-#8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Great news! BTW, re: "Sic Transit Vir" - was that intended to be a pun in Latin? Or was it accidental? ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:44 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: It's accurate as far as it goes, and a pun on another level. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 19:57:23 From: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451484-#8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: This is great news indeed, but one question... > We're now in the process of working to get 2 new episodes in > July, so there are only 3 left for October. Even so, we're very > excited to get a chance to show eight episodes in a row, > building up to the end of the May sweeps with our big two-parter. So after the 8 episode run, there will be more repeats, a few in the summer, and then we won't see the end of the season until october? I'm really happy about the 8 show solid chunk with no repeats, but why on earth are they posponing the season finale to october again? Is it a production thing, or because PTEN is just playing with our minds. - Neil ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:45 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Because PTEN wants to hold episodes for sweeps periods. Nothing more. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 20:17:30 From: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #YKYBWTMB5W.. Message-ID: Joe: I know you're not on Usenet anymore, but I thought you'd get a laugh out of this one: > Sunday I was clambering around in my attic. My foot > slipped off a beam, and I crashed through the ceiling, > just barely catching myself before hitting the floor > below. And all I could think of, dangling there in the hallway, was, of course... You idiot, you can't die yet! There's still two seasons left! Dave Moore == djmoore@uh.edu == I speak for me. Oh, a few scrapes, some sore muscles, thanks for asking. I've even fixed the hole already. Scared the sheet (rock) right out of me, though. --djm<< Barbara ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:46 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> Subject: YKYBWTMB5W.. Message-ID: References: I'm glad we've given people a reason to live. Granted, it's a silly one...but what the heck...you can never have too many reasons to live. jms ------------------------------ Date: 13-Feb-96 21:10:03 From: John M. Hawkins <71742.160@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Minipax through history Message-ID: > The political officer: improbable dialogue? Most of it was > taken direct from political statements, public ones, made by > Goebbels, Hitler, Joseph McCarthy, Stalin, and other fanatics. > The kind of Big Lie dialogue people continue to fall for today. > Go to a Pat Buchanan rally sometime and tell me it's unlikely > dialogue. I suppose the problem with the Buchanan comparison is, those of use smart enough to watch your show (don't worry, that's low-fat butter I'm using) are smart enough to see this sort of political demagoggery for what it is, and assume that it's so obvious, everybody else sees it too. Too bad it's not true. My only problem with Minipax is that it seems like a bad novel. Yeah, it's based on history, but still. Perhaps the best way to put it is, I feel like I've seen this story before. Unfortunately, I'll probably live to see it play out in real life. Zhirinofski comes to mind. Maybe the saying ought to be changed. "Those who fail to forget history are doomed to foresee the consequences of those who do...and not be able to do a damned thing about it." At least you gave us one character (the shop owner at the beginning of Dust to Dust) who's read his 20th Century History. Even so, I wonder how many of us could recognize modernized versions of the events leading up to the Thrity Years War, or the rise of Cromwell, both in the 17th Century, about as far removed from our time as we are from B5's? -John H Patiently waiting for the new folks to get on board, so we can get back to riding the arc... ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 01:20:14 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John M. Hawkins <71742.160@compuserve.com> Subject: Minipax through history Message-ID: References: Yes, we have seen it before...and we're seeing it now...and we're going to see it again in future. Someone once remarked, "Of course everything has already been said. But since no one was paying attention, we must begin again." jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 13-Feb-96 06:21:41 through 14-Feb-96 01:20:14 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 14-Feb-96 17:20:05 through 15-Feb-96 14:18:11 (41 msgs) Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 13:02:40 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!h owland.reston.ans.net!gatech!nntp.netrex.net!news.consultix.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!ub!hood.c c.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 14-Feb-96 17:20:05 through 15-Feb-96 14:18:11 (41 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb16.144929.10852@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 14:49:29 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 804 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:186 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123128 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 14-Feb-96 17:20:05 through 15-Feb-96 14:18:11 (41 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Last Shadow War 8 NEW B5 EPS! A few questions B5SciFi Univ cover story Sheridan/Sinclair JPG LA Channel Tolkien Influences Harlan Ellison: Cartoon Beyond five years JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Vorlon Theology Shadows Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 14-Feb-96 16:37:14 From: BRIAN COONEY <100551.1656@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: I just got the scheduled date for Babylon 5 on C4. 14th April Sunday at 6pm. Then balance of S1 & all of S2 will be repeated late in the summer. This information is correct at this time but who knows will C4. Brian The Universe may be as vast as the mind of God, But the deeds of one person in the right place can tip the balance. Registered Wolf 359 No. 0. ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:20:05 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: BRIAN COONEY <100551.1656@compuserve.com> Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: References: Yes, that's correct. The Sunday 6 p.m. timeslot will be the one for all of the third season, so folks won't have to run home after work or risk missing it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 18:00:56 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Last Shadow War Message-ID: OK, a few questions regarding the last biggee. 1. Was Earth involved? Were there Shadow bases on Earth, like on the Narn homeworld, or was it something else? 2. When was the last was? We know it was 1000 years ago, is that approximate, or the exact date? 3. Will you answer all of these questions straight and to the point? gdrvvvvvvvvvvf Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler "If I had a baseball bat, I could tie you to the ceiling and play pinata." ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:50 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: Last Shadow War Message-ID: References: You'll get some of the answers here in next week's episode. The rest will be handled by the end of the season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 19:13:32 From: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Here's something to try... Maybe the powers that be would let you run a block of primarily 1st season eps in the July-Oct gap. Your choice of arc eps., the best eps, the pilot (split), etc. Overlay a tile card on the B5 teaser/title to say 'Classics', 'Special' or 'Retro(something)', and/or 'Two years ago' with a (semi-arbitrary) date. Advertise them in the preview spots 'for new fans and old: a special treat'. Advertised as 'specials', you could convince the suits it could lock in the newer viewers, by giving them a chance to catch up. And us old-timers could use it to freshen up our tapes. Since there'd be a block of season one eps., the problem with Sinclair showing up only once goes away - and this is directly after the two-parter where he shows up again... Just a thought... KpK ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:57 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Tried it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 19:18:37 From: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: Is there any chance we'll see what Catherine Sakai was doing at Sigma 957 a season or so ago? Conspirators using surrogates and intrigues within intrigues keep Babylon 5 interesting. Strategically, I smell a few other things that seem poised, like Chekov's shotgun over the mantle, to happen in things which have been foretold in visions... speculations about B5's destruction being a self destruct with C&C going first fuel some. ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:58 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Sakai was doing just what she said she was doing, checking out the area for mining and other exploitation. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 19:18:51 From: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: jms> Implying more than one sees is something that you kinda have jms> to learn over time. It can be very effective, as here. You do credit to Hitchcock's style if his work inspired your use of our imaginations... OTOH, if you slip in a Bate's Motel shower scene, I'm going to start to throw things. ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:00 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: We would never do that. Yrs, Norman B. ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:10:07 From: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: A few questions Message-ID: References: Joe, Has there been any more discussions about the two hour direct-to-video project? -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:02 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> Subject: A few questions Message-ID: References: Nothing new. Which is what I figured. I think they want to get a sense of the coming renewal situation before talks go any further. Which will take another month or so. Basically, the stations get pitched all new show pickups at NATPE, then they go home, confer with their general managers and owners, and then decide finally which shows they will and won't pick up. We won't hear anything definitive on that until probably late April, possibly even early May, depending on circumstances. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:36:16 From: Morris L. Gavant, M.D. <74027.264@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: B5SciFi Univ cover story Message-ID: JMS, I just picked up Sci Fi Univ. The opening editorial was quite interesting since he felt compelled to compare B5 to DS9. Did he do that with the DS9 cover story? I get the feeling that he (or maybe Larry Flynt) really wants to be a screen writer and is upset that you're hogging all the scripts for the best sci fi on TV. Is there sour grapes underneath the essay regarding the need for new blood? A driven (manic?) writer will turn out his best work when he has a story to tell. You just have a long story to tell. Although like Moses, I guess folks are recommending judges of a thousand, judges of a hundred, judges of ten for you so you don't burn out before the story is all told. Dr. G Give MEmphis Tennessee Oilers shmoilers! Bring on Louisville!! ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:05 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Morris L. Gavant, M.D. <74027.264@compuserve.com> Subject: B5SciFi Univ cover story Message-ID: References: This is something I probably shouldn't comment upon. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 21:22:16 From: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Sheridan/Sinclair JPG Message-ID: References: Joe, Do you know why the image is so dark? I saw that same one today at the CNN web site in their Hollywood Minute report, and could hardly make out anything. Rae ^^^^ RMES, Dictator of the Lost State of Franklin "Mother, not all aliens are bad." ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:42 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> Subject: Sheridan/Sinclair JPG Message-ID: References: I have no idea, as we didn't provide the graphic; I can only assume they either got it from WB, or digitized it themselves off the raw footage. jms (PS, I did upload a cleaner, slightly lighter version an hour or two later.) ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 21:42:08 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Now I can get a tape of TFoN and ItSoZHD. What other eps would be ones to go in the "keep for future reference pile"? I've heard you say Messages From Earth would be a good one, is it as big as the those 2? Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler "If I had a baseball bat, I could tie you to the ceiling and play pinata." ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:43 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: You can't, not until they go on sale at some point. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 21:44:38 From: David Shine <75213.2600@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: LA Channel Message-ID: Please let me know what L.A. station broadcasts Babylon 5 and, when? I live in San Diego, but used to tape the shows from the L.A. station. Now, I can't see any listing for the show in our local TV guide. Thanks, Dave ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:44 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: David Shine <75213.2600@compuserve.com> Subject: LA Channel Message-ID: References: Thursdays 9 p.m., channel 13. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 21:17:13 From: Cameron c. Wood <103305.515@compuserve.com> To: Pat Bradshaw <71202.1532@compuserve.com> Subject: Tolkien Influences Message-ID: References: > I think one of the things that keeps me following B5 > religiously is that I know that it IS a tale (like the Lord Of > The Rings) with a beginning, middle and end. Having read > Tolkien's masterpiece (several times), I know how rewarding it > can be to reach the end of the story. I like Tolkien myself, but if you want to get to the bottom of B5, you need to go back to the ancient apocolyptic texts, what religion *used* to teach as being very real, and not merely allegorical, before Hellenism took over completely in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. In fact, B5 may be the most (ignorantly or deceptively) religious show on prime time today. Ya ever sneak a peek at the Dead Sea Scrolls, or even the old gnostic stuff? Interesting points of similarity between the ancient paradigm and B5's over-riding "War of the Shadows" plotline. Someone should do a study...I'm too lazy. Just one dude's opinion. Cameron Wood ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 22:44:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Cameron c. Wood <103305.515@compuserve.com> Subject: Tolkien Influences Message-ID: References: Not bad.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 23:54:53 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: Harlan Ellison: Cartoon Message-ID: No, no, it doesn't mean what it says. But how else can one announce that B5's own Conceptual Consultant, Harlan Ellison, will be appearing at the Cartoon Art Museum at 814 Mission Street in San Francisco on Friday, March 1st, from 6-8 p.m.? This Evening with Ellison goes for only $15 per person, and is a benefit to raise funds for museum. For more info, call 1-415-CARTOON. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 02:39:19 From: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Gee, then it'll be what, ten years before the WB stores start selling B5 merchandise? You shoulda heard the airhead clerk at the WB store in the Glendale Galleria tonight... sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... --M-- ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 03:43:02 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Yes, I know the store...I've spent far too much money there, mostly on Superman stuff. (You know you've spent too much money at the WB store when the clerks actually *call you* to tell you that something just came in that you're gonna NEED to buy. I sometimes think I have the word STOOGE tattooed upon my forehead....) jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 08:54:15 From: Bill Hayes <75140.2265@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: The Drazi are a hit at our house. My 11-year old daughter still remembers the "Green Drazi" with a big smile. Glad to see Kim Strauss back as the Drazi Ambassador (I think) in Dust to Dust. Will we see the ambassador again this season? Bill... ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:17:56 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Bill Hayes <75140.2265@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Yeah, we'll see him again at some point. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 09:27:52 From: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: Okay: 1) You said that the Takashima/Invonova change from season 0/1 showed how cast changes and "local" plot changes don't singificantly effect the full arc. 2) Takashima was the original "Control" 3) Ivonova was originally supposed to take over for Takashima after she was "discovered". 4) Ivonova was weird during the Talia/"Control" episode ("Divided Loyalties"), ostensibly due to her distrust for Psi's and he own psi abilities. Looked like self-preservation. 5) Ivonova acted REALLY weird when Bester was coming on board ("Dust to Dust"). Extremely out of character, almost in a self-preservation way. 6) Marcus said that Ivonova had a "key in her head that hasn't been turned yet". This was referring to his interest in her, but sounded like one of those "jms line drops" that means more that it says. 7) B13 would probably not be stupid enough to place only one "spy" on board, and then go and discover her without a backup plan. So... I think Ivonova is B13's backup. It makes sense that they would stack the deck with Takashima and Ivonova to make sure they had access to the top command. And Ivonova's actions have been very much in character with the descriptions of how the repressed personality acts in self-preservation when challenged. And it would be very much like you to do something as nasty as that to us. Just wondering... /Mark. ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:17:57 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: References: Nope. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 10:25:12 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Joe, You would think that SOMEONE in that store would recognize your name and what you do and then try to make SURE they had merchandise from your show for you to see the next time you show up. What ever happened to customer service? Tom^^^^ Guardian of the Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:17:59 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: WB stores don't carry B5 stuff, or stuff from most of the WB shows. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 10:28:09 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: > What, it's not enough I walked on the water here...? Are you implying that it requires divine intervention to make studio execs see reason? Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:18:01 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: And sometimes even divine intervention isn't enough. By comparison, parting the Red Sea is easy.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 10:28:27 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: > Weren't me. It was Marcus. Blame him. okay okay... Just saw Exogenesis. I think Marcus is going to work out... Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:18:06 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: "I think Marcus is going to work out." Yup. As I'd said. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 11:27:14 From: Antony Jackson <100025.2004@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: References: As you know the timeslot details, I take it you would know if they will be showing it w/s?? Also, any news on if they will be showing it in the "hi-def" (!) PAL Plus? Antony - not mentioning action figures this time ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:18:07 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Antony Jackson <100025.2004@compuserve.com> Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: References: I haven't heard anything more on this, so my *suspicion* is that the answer is no. At this stage there probably isn't time to do it, either. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 11:28:03 From: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Shadows Message-ID: You may have answered this before. The invisible alien that was in the Earth sleeper ship, was that a Shadow? ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:18:09 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> Subject: Shadows Message-ID: References: Shadow servent. Soldier of darkness. Not a shadow, but a good, close friend of same. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 13:51:39 From: Paul Voisine <72117.1270@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Unbelievably great news! I'm psyched about the repeats too. I only started watching B5 at the end of season 2 and missed TFoN which, from discussions here, looks to have been a very key show. Never saw the other ones either. I'm besides myself. PJV ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:18:11 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Paul Voisine <72117.1270@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: "I'm beside myself." How then do you walk through doorways? This seems highly dubious and very impractical. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 14-Feb-96 17:20:05 through 15-Feb-96 14:18:11 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 14-Feb-96 00:01:21 through 14-Feb-96 17:16:23 (19 msgs) Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 13:02:35 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!scifi!news.emi.net!news.sprintlink.net !newsfeed.internetmci.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!fre enet.columbus.oh.us!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 14-Feb-96 00:01:21 through 14-Feb-96 17:16:23 (19 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb15.145856.28016@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Thu, 15 Feb 96 14:58:56 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 539 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:185 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123046 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 14-Feb-96 00:01:21 through 14-Feb-96 17:16:23 (19 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Minipax through history Vorlon Theology B5 cover story Beyond five years Sheridan/Sinclair JPG White Star Writing B5 Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 14-Feb-96 00:01:21 From: Chris Carrier <72157.3334@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: # Message-ID: I loved Dust to Dust! Favorite parts was the line about the Bund meeting, and seeing the Drazi again. I love the Drazi. Speaking with the experience of a 4 Hogu Award winner, the Drazi remind me of feudy fans at a con, especially a Worldcon. Any ideas when Season Two, especially the episodes Drazi Do Worldcon "Geometry of Shadows" and Ivanova Meets The Libertarian Party of 2259 "Acts of Sacrifice" will be on videotape? Chris Carrier Anti-Lumati League Winner of 4 Hogu Awards ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 14:37:30 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Chris Carrier <72157.3334@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: We're still working on the tapes. We'll have info when it's available. And yeah, I love the Drazi. They're just nuts. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 07:31:12 From: Alan Hedge <72017.3232@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451484-#8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Joe, Great news on the new schedule, but a question. You couldn't convince them to run B^2 or even AVitW? Those would have been great lead-ins. Especially since I only saw them once. I think it was "View" that really got me interested in the show and I am now completely hooked. Again, great news. Al. (Yes, I know they think people will be confused with the change of Commanders, but sheesh!) ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:33 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alan Hedge <72017.3232@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: What, it's not enough I walked on the water here...? No, I wish I could say otherwise, but thus far I haven't been able to convince them to run those eps. Ah, well.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 09:36:57 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451694-#Minipax through history Message-ID: References: > Someone once remarked, "Of course everything has already been > said. But since no one was paying attention, we must begin again." There are *some* differences between Nightwatch propaganda and the examples you give (except *possibly* McCarthy). For the most part the Nazi's and Communists didn't have to justify the abridgment of right *to their own populations*. Sure they paid lip service to placate western sensibilities, but at home, they didn't talk about temporary infringements on some of the traditional freedoms. Incidently, I just love the way the Nightwatch uses the word "traditional" when something is a tradition you can suspend it when it become inconvienient. Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:35 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Minipax through history Message-ID: References: Actually, they did use that kind of technique on some of their own population. The medical population, for instance. Recently uncovered (and shown on A&E, which I sometimes think is the All Nazi Network, All Nazis, All the Time) were a series of "informational films" produced during the war and shown to doctors charged with the notion of eliminating the insane, the genetically flawed, and others not classified as jews or gypsies or poles or other non-desirable races. They went through, each film gradually stating their theory more clearly, and explained that these poor souls weren't *really* alive, weren't *really* aware. It systematically showed how it was better, really, in the lokng run, to put them out of their own, and society's, misery. If it ever comes around again, watch it; it'll chill your soul. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 09:49:46 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451479-#Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: > Marcus was making that part up. That's cheating. I WANT AN ANCIENT VORLON GOD BOOJIE!!! YOU PROMISED!!! > pout Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:38 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: Weren't me. It was Marcus. Blame him. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 10:16:18 From: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #448539-#B5 cover story Message-ID: References: Found out a few things, and I'm posting as a reply to you, Joe, so it gets the widest possible distribution. The reasons for the error have come to light, and it turns out to be almost reasonable, in that beaureacratic kind of way. It came up late in our last cycle that our distribution in the UK was raised to 20,000 copies -- very good news, actually. The Sci-Fi Channel sent a memo to my employers that they would appreciate an effort to "internationalize" the magazine, particularly in regard to broadcast information. All of this happened late in our cycle, as we were about to ship to the printer; a number of corrections were made prior to shipment of the magazine in an effort to please the Channel. A well-meaning staffer at the home office in Virginia made the change. I've told the Channel folk that I will henceforth research UK broadcast and distribution of the shows and films we cover and include that info. I'm also making efforts to see that the Channel bring their requests to me as well as to my employers. The Channel has been great in regard to non-interference with my work, considering the sort of demands they *could* make, so -- while I realize how grievous this error is -- I have to regard it as trivial compared to what could be. I have to say, it's nice to hear that I'm editing an international magazine, however belated the news is. ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:41 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 cover story Message-ID: References: Next time you're in a bind, btw, you may want to point out to someone out there that the *head* of the British Sci-Fi Channel, in an interview, stated that he felt that B5 was the best SF show currently around. So if they want to move toward serving the UK population, where B5 is #6 on the sell-through video charts, they definitely should do more B5 coverage. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 13:09:22 From: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #450786-#Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Joe, my mind still boggles that WB didn't insist on the right to make that determination unilaterally when all this started up. Does Warner retain any authority to use B5 characters or premises in other endeavors (films, novels, action figures, teddy bears) without your prior approval after the five-year span? You may have made this all very clear before, I seem to recall that you did, but I'm sure you can understand my difficulty in grasping this. You know how proprietary these studio people are about such rights, we both know that WB must have at least for a moment thought "franchise." And someone trying to get a series off the ground usually isn't in a very strong position to say the word "no." What factors would you say put you in a strong position for negotiating such a deal? ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:49 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Warners owns the copyright to B5, just as Paramount owns the copyright to ST. By contract, if there should be a spin off or sequel of any kind, I would have to be involved in it. The contract doesn't say that there cannot be any of these; you're correct, that can't be negotiated. But there are a number of common-sense things at work here, as much as anything involving a studio can be described as common sense. Given that all our actors/service contracts are deliberately for 5 years not the more traditional 7, continuing B5 per se past year 5 becomes impossible, due to the hideous level of re-negotiation of contracts that would have to take place. The cost would skyrocket. I've always said, from the start, that there's a side story that could go off after B5 is finished, but I just don't think it's likely for the time being. The numbers have been good enough to continue the show, but it's not a blockbuster, not a franchise...primarily due to the fact that we don't have a national, regular timeslot. (Where we *do* have that, in the overseas markets, the show is extremely successful.) There've been some small talks here and there touching on various feature film possibilities, from direct-to-video to something theatrical -- but, again, due to the corporate structure at the studio, which is straight out of the pre- Cambrian period, I doubt anything much will happen on that front for the time begin. It's nice that they've broached the subject, but to become a reality takes a bit more. If I were to engage in predicting the future, here's what I think is most probable. The show will continue to go on, doing well enough in the ratings to continue for two more seasons. A comfortable level. In 1998, after we've finished our first run, we are contractually already sold to the TNT cable network, which is *extremely* excited about the show, plans to promote it, and sees it as a way of breaking into the SF genre. There, for the first time, we will have a regular, *daily* timeslot on a national network. Then, I think, suddenly we're going to be "discovered," much the same way ST was discovered in syndication after it left the network. Give it about a year or two for WB to notice this (see pre-Cambrian comment above), then suddenly they're going to start running around seeing what they can do to capitalize on this. At that point, I'm not sure which way the runes point. Certainly they'll start cranking out more merchandise stuff, which by contract I have to approve, to make sure it's quality stuff. If they want to do a feature, I'll have to be involved, and they'll have to negotiate with all the cast members, who by then will have moved on to other projects and may or may not be available. Ditto for any spinoffs. So by the time they get their brains wrapped around the question, it'll already be the year 2000. By then, much of TV as we know it now will have changed considerably, as it has already changed considerably in just the last 10 years. A spinoff or sequel may no longer be financially viable in the new marketplace. Ditto for any features. Certainly nothing much could be done until 2002 or 2003 in terms of development, pre-production, production and post production. So as you can see, one doesn't need a contract saying you can't do something...in TV, entropy tends to take care of the problem very nicely. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:11:03 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: Sheridan/Sinclair JPG Message-ID: I've just uploaded to library 5 the first JPG of Sheridan and Sinclair together from the 2-parter "War Without End." The file name is twob5.jpg, and will be available as soon as it's cleared. It's a little dark, so it may take some work to get a real strong image. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 15:52:14 From: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com> To: JMS <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #White Star Message-ID: Joe ! Am I wrong or is there an Earth passenger liner called White Star in S1. I think its on the tannoy system in the background in TKO. Paul ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:19 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com> Subject: White Star Message-ID: References: Don't remember. It's possible. There was a White Star line in reality, once upon a time. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 16:24:12 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #451484-#8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Joe, Great!!!!!! Good job convincing WB. At least we'll see the whole two parter before the break. I hope you CAN get them to show two in July. Do you have any idea when the "Final Three" will be shown in England?? Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:20 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: See my note here on the UK. jms ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:03:46 From: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: #Writing B5 Message-ID: Hullo, Joe, > No, insofar as I have been able to determine, in the history of > TV no one has ever written every episode of a season of a > dramatic series single handedly. The closest would be Terry > Nation, who wrote the first season of Blake's 7, but that was > only 13 episodes, not 22. I was very fond of the first season of BLAKE'S 7, and remember being impressed at the fact that Terry Nation was writing so many stories for that series. (I don't know whether I'll ever forgive Nation for nearly scaring me with his Daleks when I was nine or so, but that's another matter...) The only other series that I have seen to that extent as being the work of one writer was the Brit series STAR COPS (which I adored), but that wasn't totally written by one author. In that sense, I've been amazed at the fact that you've written all of the stories for Season Three of B5. I can't say that I've enjoyed every single moment of the third season to this point (saw "Exogenesis" last night, and still deciding what I thought of it), but you've done a terrific job on the third season stories to this point. > As for what folks say about me...probably it's all of those you > cite, and then some. Good and bad. You can't work at getting a > single, personal vision on film without convincing some people > you're great, and convincing other people you're the Antichrist. That's for sure. I remember some of the comments and words said by people during the first season of the series, and I remember thinking that they might be feeling differently when the fourth season comes around. We're only in the third season, of course, but the folks are definitely talking about what you're doing in the series right now. Personally, I think you're doing a fantastically difficult job, you're keeping ahead of it at all times (or at least it seems that way to me), and you're turning out stories that have these many levels and facets to them. B5 is like a series of gems, each season being multi-faceted and having different appeals to different people. To me, that's the greatest accomplishment of them all - and the fact that you've brought it all together in the third season the way it seems to be coming together is very commendable, imo. I just gotta wonder what you're going to do with yourself when the series is finished. You're going to be mighty bored! Keep up the good work, Joe. :) jmk ------------------------------ Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:23 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: Thanks. And from where I sit -- which is mainly behind my keyboard these days -- the idea of being bored is VERY appealing. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 14-Feb-96 00:01:21 through 14-Feb-96 17:16:23 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/15/96 to 02/16/95 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 16:22:07 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!h owland.reston.ans.net!gatech!nntp.netrex.net!news.consultix.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!ub!hood.c c.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Kevin P Mooney Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/15/96 to 02/16/95 Message-ID: <1996Feb17.190638.7887@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Sat, 17 Feb 96 19:06:38 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 150 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:189 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123324 The following is a compilation of the posts of JMS on AOL. If you have comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at WARNING: Possible spoilers may lurk below. ObSpoiler space: : : : : : : ; ; : : : : : : : : : : : Subj: Re:possible plot to come? Date: 96-02-15 01:19:55 EST From: Jms at B5 Please refrain from posing possible plots to come or story ideas; doing that here jeapordizes my ability to stay here, for legal reasons. jms Subj: Re:posting of common questio Date: 96-02-15 01:08:32 EST From: Jms at B5 There's a faq (frequently asked questions) file in the library, I think. jms Subj: Re:Londo's Dream Date: 96-02-15 01:09:01 EST From: Jms at B5 You will learn more about the outcome of that dream, yes. jms Subj: Re:Halfway Point Date: 96-02-15 01:11:52 EST From: Jms at B5 The episode is in the halfway mark, and that IS its significance, because it signals a major change. When we were midway through that episode, the halfway mark of the whole series, John, Doug and I were given these spiffy leather script books with silver inlaid initials by the crew, to commemmorate the event. It was really nifty. jms Subj: Re:B5 Problems??? Date: 96-02-15 01:14:05 EST From: Jms at B5 I frankly have *no* idea what this refers to. Every season we've come in slightly under budget, the show is making money for WB, so I don't have a clue, unless they're looking for some reason to play it cautious just now in their announcements. I'm baffled. jms Subj: Re:Better and Better Date: 96-02-15 01:16:04 EST From: Jms at B5 Thanks, Sharon. Funny how some themes never seem to go out of fashion in the real world. jms Subj: Re:attn JMS: Ivanova Date: 96-02-15 01:16:34 EST From: Jms at B5 We'll here more about that relationship in due time. jms Subj: Re:Psi Corp, Shadows, Nightw Date: 96-02-15 01:17:11 EST From: Jms at B5 {Are Shadows, psi-corp, and Nightwatch working together?} You'll know more about this within the next 10 episodes. jms Subj: Re:JMS-Uploaded Previews Date: 96-02-16 04:17:17 EST From: Jms at B5 Kung Fu generally has a long promo for B5, whereas B5 gets a shorter preview for itself. I think the one here is the longer version shown during KF. jms Subj: Re:Letterbox format Date: 96-02-16 04:18:16 EST From: Jms at B5 Can't be done for now, since the majority of the population still uses smaller TV sets, you'd lose viewers rapidly. jms ---- To receive copies of future compilations via e-mail, send mail to with "jms archive" included in the subject line. -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 15-Feb-96 20:58:16 through 15-Feb-96 20:58:33 (14 msgs) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 16:22:02 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!h owland.reston.ans.net!gatech!nntp.netrex.net!news.consultix.com!newsstand.cit.cornell.edu!ub!hood.c c.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 15-Feb-96 20:58:16 through 15-Feb-96 20:58:33 (14 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb17.190244.7706@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Sat, 17 Feb 96 19:02:44 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 310 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:188 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123323 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 15-Feb-96 20:58:16 through 15-Feb-96 20:58:33 (14 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Makeup/Prosthetics Q: B5 cover story 8 NEW B5 EPS! JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Exogenesis Vorlon Theology Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15-Feb-96 14:23:35 From: Thomas Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Makeup/Prosthetics Q: Message-ID: I have a question. Our community theatre is interested in learning if the techniques used to make the facial prosthetics for the non-human characters can be used on a much smaller scale here. (For example, adding a little bit to a person's jowls to age him from his actual 40 years to around 70.) Could you refer me to someone on the B5 staff, or some other source, who could advise me on materials used for the face molds and the prosthetics, and tips on how the process is done? (Just recently re-watched "The Making of Babylon 5", and that's what gave me the idea to check with your staff for tips.) Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me. By the way, really LOVE the show, can't wait for each new episode. If you decide after you retire from TV after B5 to go in the restaurant business, we have one here in Panama City, Florida all ready for you: a closed one named "J. Michael's." (The sign is still out front too. If I knew a site where I could upload it, I'd send you a photo of it.) Thomas Rackers, 72047,1207 Panama City, Florida ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:16 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Thomas Rackers <72047.1207@compuserve.com> Subject: Makeup/Prosthetics Q: Message-ID: References: Alas, I would feel inappropriate in referring you to any of our staff for consultation, as a) they get such requests frequently, and b) they're very busy on other stuff. Probably any good makeup technician in the area could do the same in any event; we're not doing anything that hasn't been well established in the field. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 14:49:21 From: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 cover story Message-ID: References: Nice to know that the head of SFC UK, at least, knows a thing or two about SF. There are many people at SFC here in the US who are genuine fans, some with a modicum of power, but there's also a number of "suits." ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:18 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 cover story Message-ID: References: Do you think any of the foot dragging over at the Sci-Fi Channel Magazine is due in part to the fact that the SFC is co-owned by Paramount? jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 15:03:46 From: Rick Shelton [FL] <72560.3114@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Great news on the new episodes! B5's the best thing on TV besides TV Nation, which I suppose isn't with us anymore. Re:Exogenesis--It's nice to see someone from the 'B' Ark on the station. Did he take a bath? Also, is Lou coming back at all? I liked him. Thanks, Rick ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:21 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rick Shelton [FL] <72560.3114@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: The actor playing Lou Welch wanted to do other things. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 18:00:00 From: Joe Smith <103020.3110@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: References: Wanted to drop a line to say that I enjoyed Exogenesis. I especially liked the sidebar with Ivonova and Corwin. I might be wrong, but to me it shows how clumsy Ivonova is with the cloak and dagger stuff--she's as subtle as a Sherman tank in these circumstances. Hopefully the actor playing Corwin will remain after the fireworks about to ensue--I am getting hooked on how the minor characters are reacting to all that's happening. Looking forward to seeing you at Necronomicon in Tampa, and while you're down here, if you like sea food and the best key-lime pie this side of Key-West, go to Skippers Smokehouse. Thanks to you and all of the actors and production staff--Keep it up!---Joe ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:22 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Joe Smith <103020.3110@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: References: We'll continue to see Corwin (played by Joshua Cox) for the balance of the season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 18:10:02 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Joe, I have a couple of questions that you might be able to answer about Psi Corps and Bester. a. Is the Psi Corps based on Mars, or do they only have an outpost there? b. Is Bester a Mars or an Earth native? He seems to be stationed on Mars at the very least. Thanks in advance for any answers you can provide. Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:25 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: There's a training facility on Mars, and a somewhat classified base. Bester was born on Earth. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 19:12:09 From: mitoch <103576.3032@compuserve.com> To: J.Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Exogenesis Message-ID: Hi, I just have to ask ( and I don't think a spoiler is necessary), but is the voice of the pilot on the shuttle Dyson actually Sean Connery or is it a celebrity impersonator? ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:32 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: mitoch <103576.3032@compuserve.com> Subject: Exogenesis Message-ID: References: It was a voice in the walla group that basically came out sounding that way. jms ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 19:20:54 From: Asha DeVelder <76703.4322@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: Joe, > Weren't me. It was Marcus. Blame him. So, you're saying you didn't write that line? That the actor just ad-libbed it and you left it in? (giggle) Asha @}-`---,--- ------------------------------ Date: 15-Feb-96 20:58:33 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Asha DeVelder <76703.4322@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: Actor? What actor? I'm talking about Marcus here. I just write down what he says. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 15-Feb-96 20:58:16 through 15-Feb-96 20:58:33 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 16-Feb-96 16:18:57 through 16-Feb-96 16:24:56 (14 msgs) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 16:22:14 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci. com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!hood.cc.rochester.e du!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 16-Feb-96 16:18:57 through 16-Feb-96 16:24:56 (14 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb17.191434.8253@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Sat, 17 Feb 96 19:14:34 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 343 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:192 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123443 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 16-Feb-96 16:18:57 through 16-Feb-96 16:24:56 (14 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Vorlon Theology Sheridan & Delenn Shadows TLTS:Shadows Beyond five years Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 16-Feb-96 03:42:25 From: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: > Actor? What actor? I'm talking about Marcus here. I just > write down what he says. You're starting to sound like the Jawa. When can we expect _your_ characters to take over and start posting directly, on their own? Carl K.P.A. ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:18:57 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635@compuserve.com> Subject: Vorlon Theology Message-ID: References: Most unlikely. kosh ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 08:03:12 From: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> To: JMS <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: I was happy that the fourth book finally had more to do with the Arc than the last three. Which brings my question: In the book Morden takes D'Arc at the end. Will this finally be a case where a book has direct connection to what will be coming up in the series? Will we see D'Arc on the show? ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:19:02 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Probably not, but one never knows. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 11:05:47 From: Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521@compuserve.com> To: <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Sheridan & Delenn Message-ID: This is my first public post to you, so excuse my required (and well deserved) initial compliments, but I love the show and can't wait for each week's episode. Anyway, on to the question/comment. Being a guy, this may sound odd coming from me, but I *really* enjoy the building romantic tension between Sheridan and Delenn. But I've been having cold-sweats lately fearing that you may never bring their relationship beyond that flirtation/compassion level. I know you can't tell me what they will become (if anything), but can you let me sleep nights by letting me know you won't just forget about their relationship? I'd love to see them get together romantically. -- Brent Barrett (posting from work's account :-) ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:19:05 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521@compuserve.com> Subject: Sheridan & Delenn Message-ID: References: I would say it's fair to say I do plan to do more with that relationship as we get deeper into the story. And thanks. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 15:01:05 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: Joe, Just wanted to extend a compliment of the left handed sort. I was disappointed by Exogenesis (I was kind of expecting to be, based on your comments), it just seemed to...well...kinda trail off toward the end. That said, you are deserving of praise for the B story line, short though it was, with Corwin, and the fact that even though the A story line was weak, it was enjoyable to watch *because I like the characters so much*. You have built yourself a real safety net, in that there has been such good character development, or rather, development of *questions* that we want answered about the characters, that even when the plot hangs a little, it's still a hell of a lot of fun to listen to them talk. On the subject of Corwin and Marcus, while we have seen very little of the characters, I really felt like the *actors* (and you) have put a *lot* of though into them, even though they were not on screen. Usually I expect there to be an ep or two where a new character will be a little cardboard before the actor *gets it*, but in the case of Marcus (who has had a *little* time on screen of course) I was *very* impressed by the performance. Corwin is even more remarkable. We have seen this guy in the background *forever* but he just *JUMPED* out of the screen totally 3 dimentional in the *first scene* he ever had more than 3 lines in. It was *wonderful*. Even when you have an off day, your background, dialogue, take up *lots of slack*, and excellent support (actors, production people, etc) and their usual first class effort, really help pull things up. As I said, I was a bit disappointed, but I *still* watched it more than twice *just for the character development*. Regards, Phil^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:19:06 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks (I think). Yeah, I've said from the git-go that in my view the second half of Exo isn't up to the first half. It is, in my view, the weakest of this season's 22. On the flip side, that means the other 21 are pretty nifty. Agree with you on Marcus. I'm finding I have the same problem with him I have with Londo...getting him to shut up once I wire him up and let him go. He's a lot of fun to write, in that he can do the physical action stuff very well, he can do comedy, more dramatic emotional stuff...the whole range. I can take him places and do things with him that I can't in some ways for the other characters, in that he has only one responsibility, whereas the others have larger responsibilities to more people. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 15:17:48 From: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Shadows Message-ID: References: > Shadow servent. Soldier of darkness. Not a shadow, but a > good, close friend of same. Like... Rangers, Sheridan, Sinclair, Lyta, and now G'Kar are good, close friends of the Vorlons? Or more like just Lyta? /Mark. ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:19:09 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> Subject: Shadows Message-ID: References: More like a foot soldier. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 15:36:59 From: Draco <101603.2062@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: TLTS:Shadows Message-ID: re:The Long Twilight Struggle : I'm new here, so apologies if this is old ground for everyone - a) In the Narn/Shadows battle, a Shadow ship is damaged by a combined Narn attack - The Shadow ship seems to be totally immobilised, was it really this badly hurt that the loss of one part of one of it's 20 'limbs' (yes I've counted them!) causes this ? - how tough are they ? b) Is it possible that the bit of 'limb' is still floating in orbit ? - for someone to collect and analyze? - or can the Vorlons just tell us everything about Shadow tech ? Be seeing you, Draco (Who's in the UK - ain't seen S3 yet...) ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:19:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Draco <101603.2062@compuserve.com> Subject: TLTS:Shadows Message-ID: References: It was in shock, but it would've recovered in a bit more time. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:18:23 From: Robert Miller <71501.3042@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: > Then, I think, suddenly we're going to be "discovered," much > the same way ST was discovered in syndication after it left the > network. I'll make another prediction. When that happens some of your most vicious critics will be telling people about how they watched and supported the show from the beginning. ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 16:24:56 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Robert Miller <71501.3042@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: Absolutely. And I'm looking forward to it. I haven't summoned down thunder and lightning in a long time; it'll be good to get in the practice. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 16-Feb-96 16:18:57 through 16-Feb-96 16:24:56 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 through 17-Feb-96 15:45:31 (20 msgs) Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 17:49:38 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!geraldo.cc.u texas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub !hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 through 17-Feb-96 15:45:31 (20 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb18.213134.410@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Sun, 18 Feb 96 21:31:34 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 400 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:197 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123718 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 through 17-Feb-96 15:45:31 (20 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Unused scripts Beyond five years TLTS:Shadows Nightwatch / ISN YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Garibaldi Payback Enjoying Babylon 5 Exogenesis Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 16-Feb-96 19:29:17 From: Christopher R. Turn <71470.1536@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Unused scripts Message-ID: Great Maker, Is there any chance (pretty please!) that the unused scripts from seasons one and two (such as *The Long Night of Susan Ivanova*) might be released? Perhaps they could be uploaded to the library here, or to the B5 web site, or made available through the fan club. It would help get us through the rerun periods! Chris -Chris Turner ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Christopher R. Turn <71470.1536@compuserve.com> Subject: Unused scripts Message-ID: References: There *are* no unused scripts. This is a misnomer. I've had a few titles, or premises, that haven't gone as far as a script, but no abandoned scripts. So I can't upload them, since they don't exist. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 20:16:53 From: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: > I haven't summoned down thunder and lightning in a long > time; it'll be good to get in the practice. Y'know, Joe, some people just flame, write complaint letters or engage in some healthy activity to get it out of their systems. You're the only omniscient, omnipresent producer I know of who sees daily aggravations as target practice... The Jawa Kidism Patrol 11:45 PM, Friday, February 16, 1996 Winter pounds Philly!...again. ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com> Subject: Beyond five years Message-ID: References: I consider it research; I work up some great lines for Ivanova this way as *she* deals with pinheads. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 22:41:01 From: William O. Powers <102124.3327@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: TLTS:Shadows Message-ID: References: > It was in shock, but it would've recovered in a bit more time. I've suspected that the Shadow ships are sentient, the same with the Vorlon ships. Can I take this as confirmation? Bill Powers "I know this is a hard time for you ma'am. We would have come earlier, but your husband wasn't dead then." ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 00:07:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: William O. Powers <102124.3327@compuserve.com> Subject: TLTS:Shadows Message-ID: References: They're organic, in a fashion, and there's a cognitive aspect, but not what you may think. More in 7 days. jms ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 23:53:33 From: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: > Yrs, Norman B. I think your mother is calling you... ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 00:07:54 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Oh, good, I'll go get her for you. You'll just *love* meeting mother. Norman B. ------------------------------ Date: 16-Feb-96 22:54:05 From: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: Nightwatch / ISN Message-ID: Where is the ISN during all this Nightwatch stuff? Why aren't they investigating the Nightwatch? Is the press being supressed by the MiniPax? Will this become a factor in an upcoming episode? Will Universe Today become a propaganda arm of Earth Dome? Rae ^^^^ RMES, Dictator of the Lost State of Franklin "Mother, not all aliens are bad." ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:06:58 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> Subject: Nightwatch / ISN Message-ID: References: You'll find more on this in the next three episodes. jms ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 05:54:37 From: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: References: > The Sunday 6 p.m. timeslot will be the one for all of the third > season, so folks won't have to run home after work or risk > missing it. Not fair, not fair, not fair. That's the one night of the week I -can't- watch it. I'm in London with no access to the TV. Its just not the same picking it up on video later in the week. This may well call for a major sulk. Having said that, great news that its back soon! Josey. ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:45:22 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Vivien Loveday <100705.2440@compuserve.com> Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES Message-ID: References: In every great war, there are always some civilian casualties.... (Is there anyone who can tape it for you, to watch later?) jms ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 07:17:40 From: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> To: J. Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Garibaldi Payback Message-ID: Hi Joe, This is a lighter side question but one that has me a bit miffed. We've seen Garibaldi, beat up, shot in the back, stabbed, and generally run ragged. When are we going to see him finally kick the living crap out of someone? These are the kind of things I think about when driving to work. Mike ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:45:23 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> Subject: Garibaldi Payback Message-ID: References: That can probably be arranged. jms ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 09:55:55 From: mike lovitt <75021.1731@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: Mr. Straczynski: Just want to let you know that I've really enoyed the last few epidodes and that you and your peole should keep up the great work. Mike ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:45:25 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: mike lovitt <75021.1731@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: Thanks...and the best is yet to come. This coming week's episode, "Messages From Earth," is probably the best thing we've done on the series to this point. jms ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 10:48:01 From: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com> To: JMS <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Exogenesis Message-ID: I'm one of those know-it-all types who delight in playing Name-That-Plot. Last night I was watching Exogenesis. Of course, I immediately knew the plot ... just another evil-aliens-take-over-everyone-in-sight show. Yawn. Then it turns out that the aliens were essentially benevolent, even winning cooperation from our heros. You did it to me again. (One would think after 2+ seasons I'd know better than to attempt to double-guess you, but old habits die hard.) B5 is the *only* commercial TV show I watch. Well, B5 and Cybill. Say, wouldn't it be a hoot to watch Cybill and Maryann cut a swath through the station! Let's see, Cybill is helping Maryann push Dr. Dick into a time machine and they trip. Wait--I might be treading on storyline territory here. Oh jeez, look at the time. Gotta go. PS: You're doing a great job. Thanks for the entertainment. ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:45:29 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com> Subject: Exogenesis Message-ID: References: Thanks. Sometimes I do like to take stories that have always been done one way, and turn them on their heads to see what new possibilites tumble out. It's fun.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 13:44:29 From: Sharon Foster <76360.301@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: Well, you've done it again. Led us down one path and then pulled the rug out from under us. I won't tell you the awful thoughts I was thinking when I first saw that critter sink into the first guy's back. But once again I had tears in my eyes by the end of the episode. And I am glad to see that the relationship between Marcus and Ivanova is moving along quite nicely. ------------------------------ Date: 17-Feb-96 15:45:31 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Sharon Foster <76360.301@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Yes, Marcus and Ivanova should get along well...assuming one doesn't kill the other first.... jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 16-Feb-96 22:17:41 through 17-Feb-96 15:45:31 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 18-Feb-96 14:57:41 through 18-Feb-96 15:53:20 (9 msgs) Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 14:26:39 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!geraldo.cc.u texas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!nntp.netrex.net!news.consultix.com!newsstand. cit.cornell.edu!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 18-Feb-96 14:57:41 through 18-Feb-96 15:53:20 (9 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb19.002514.7199@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Mon, 19 Feb 96 00:25:14 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 319 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:198 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123757 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 18-Feb-96 14:57:41 through 18-Feb-96 15:53:20 (9 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Enjoying Babylon 5 Thought from jms Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 18-Feb-96 07:38:36 From: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: And the dominoes began to fall, one after another. Well, I think you'll be silencing those critics that thought things were moving too slowly this season, Joe. Without a doubt, a WHAM episode, arc-heavy and incredibly exciting. Marcus must be a fun character to write, knowing you have an actor that can do all the things you want the character to do. All that wonderful action and fighting in the opening tease and then all that humor in the second half. "Would you prefer 50 ferrets instead," indeed!!ROFL!! Again, some were unhappy with him as a character. You said be patient. Another promise not broken. Compliments to Bruce Boxleitner on his performance in this episode. He gave Sheridan that world-weary look, sitting in that command chair of the White Star. You got the sense that he wishes that the burden could be taken from his shoulders, that he had really hoped that it would never come to confronting EarthForce directly. Very Gethsemane like. But, although buoyed by their small victory, by the end of this episode he knew that they probably wouldn't be able to hide his actions forever. Someone will find out. And as the B plot supports, someone IS finding out. Zack's dilemma is becoming more dire with each passing day. It's nice to see that he's questioning Nightwatch, but he's clearly torn because he's worried that there ARE traitors in his midst. The hammer is about to fall on that one. Jeff Conway is doing a great job as Zack. And amid all the excitement, we get to see more development between Susan and Marcus, and between Sheridan and Delenn. Sometimes I swear that time slows down when I watch B5. Seriously, the show seems to last much longer than the hour and I mean that in every possible good way. You pack so much into that single hour and you do it without making it feel cramped. Wonderful work! Onto some odds and sods: The music in this episode was fabulous. Christopher Franke went all out. I liked the snare drum emphasis adding that classic "Thus begins the military campaign" sort of a feel. I even noticed it was used in the bumper music. The long pans at the beginning and at the conference table were used to great effect. Michael Vijar's direction was excellent. The fight scene was staged well and seemed realistic. Between the music and the direction you got the feeling that living on Babylon 5 wasn't as much fun as it might have been only a few short months ago. Special Effects: The shots on Mars were unbelievable. Loved the reflected image in the doctor's face plate. The Jupiter shots, the Shadow ship shots as it fired on the facility on Ganymede, the destruction of the ship in the atmosphere, the jump within the atmosphere, I could go on and on. These are incredible effects. You're show has come such a long way in so short a time, in re: the quality of the effects. I thought they were great in season 1. Season 3 is a quantum level higher. The best for last: The Writing. The scene with G'Kar in jail was poignant. It looks like he and Garibaldi are establishing an interesting relationship. I've already mentioned the other "pairings" in this episode. The recollection of Sheridan on the White Star where he recalls his father spraying the water on the roof to help his son sleep. Nice touch. Even though it might be an event created out of total fiction (I never can tell with you, Joe), it felt REAL. It showed us how tired the Captain was, how in times of stress you often think of the oddest things, including the people you miss. Finally, it was neat to see the tie-in to the comic book series last year. Hope we get to see the comics again soon. I also wanted to say congratulations on getting the an original 8 episodes run in a row starting in April. Not only will it be exciting to the fans, but I think the ratings will show that it's the right move. To build until a ratings period is a wise idea. Best, Dave ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 14:57:41 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Bruce did an excellet job in this episode, I agree. As did everyone else. This is, in my opinion, about as flawless an episode as we have ever made. It's one of those cases where the sum is even greater than the sum of its parts...and the sum of its parts ain't bad. From here on through the next batch, the intensity level continues to crank up. We definitely pushed the envelope in terms of EFX this time out; mixing and matching, and in sheer amounts of shots, and their complexity. But the result, I think, is eminently worth the effort. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 08:49:22 From: Kevin Hill <74170.1015@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Great news!!! Miracles do happen every now and then. Slightly off subject, I just saw an episode of UPN's "Technoman" animated series(Forget me Not) that was written by "Ardwright Chamberlin" . Since there aren't too many Ardwrights around, can I assume that this is the same person in B5? Does he write on the side to suppliment his meager income from B5? ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 14:57:43 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Kevin Hill <74170.1015@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Yes, I believe he does write as well, including some Robotech stuff. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 11:08:39 From: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: Yes, and it looks like I'm going to miss it. B5 is shown on my local Fox station on Saturdays at midnight. A boxing match is scheduled for the 24th and will preempt B5. I've called the station and written the programming director. The letter was mailed three weeks ago; no reply so far. I'm calling the station tomorrow to express my views and to get the name of the station manager. I feel another letter coming on. Do you have any advice on effective strategies for dealing with station management? My goal is to see B5 placed into a better time slot. You'd think they could give ST:TNG a rest ONE night a week. Bernie ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 14:57:46 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: The best techniques are always persistence, and organization; if you can get others involved as well, in a concerted effort, that always has an effect. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 12:39:25 From: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: > Good news. We've finally convinced Warner Bros./PTEN to go > with eight new episodes in a row, starting the first week of > April. Thanks Joe. I'm greedy for more episodes. My favorites (I missed a lot of the early episodes) are "Dust to Dust" and "Comes the Inquisitor". Thanks for working to make the early episodes available on video; I await them as the Acceptor would in "Startide Rising". I would particularly like to see Babylon Squared. B5 is the best science fiction series I have ever seen. For me, the best B5 episodes top the best STTNG episodes. To a greater extent than any other series, the characters are driven by consistent and believable motives in a consistent universe. The suspense of the arc is delicious and makes me ravenous for more. The exploration of current events and beliefs in the B5 universe (e.g., the episode about the plague that wipes out an alien race) make me think more than I do for other TV series. Thanks for your total commitment to the quality of your work and the continual improvement in the show. I don't know where you find the energy and creativity to do what you do; thanks for sharing it with us. Regards, John ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 14:57:47 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Thank you. Working on the show, and creating this universe, is a task that has, in sum, taken ten years of my life thus far, and it means a great deal. I appreciate the kind words. We do try. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 15:53:20 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: All Subject: Thought from jms Message-ID: Here's something that occured to me today. Any time you have someone you're trying to convince about the quality of a show, and you say, "Here, just watch it next week," that's always the one that comes a-cropper. "Messages From Earth" airing this coming week is possibly the best thing we've done to that point. It's guaranteed to grab anybody who watches it. So this would be a good one to use. Pick ten friends who you know haven't yet tried B5, or are diffident about it, and give them a call. Tell them to give THIS one a look. Then all you have to do is sit back, and wait for the jaws to drop. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 18-Feb-96 14:57:41 through 18-Feb-96 15:53:20 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 (22 msgs) Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 14:26:44 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!h owland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!freenet.columbus.oh.us!magnus. acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!news-1.csn.net!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 (22 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb20.162200.22741@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Tue, 20 Feb 96 16:22:00 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 573 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:200 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123852 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 (22 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Enjoying Babylon 5 Thought from jms JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Good Grief - DS9 Writing B5 8 NEW B5 EPS! >>Messages from Earth<< Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) I am in the process of adding size limits to the digest script. I am open to suggestions. At the moment I am thinking 10 JMS posts (up to 20 total messages) or about 500 message lines (giving ~550 total lines including the junk at the top). I have changed the dates in the digest subject and header to reflect only JMS' posts, to reduce confusion should he reply to a post that is older than a previous digest. Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 18-Feb-96 15:34:01 From: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: Persistence I have in abundance. I also have a knack for keeping things organized. It's the "getting others involved" part that I'm having trouble with. Perhaps it's time to litter the bulletin boards at my old alma mater. A plan is beginning to form. . . By the way, "Exogenesis" was a great episode. I really enjoyed seeing more of David Corwyn and Marcus Cole. The running gag with the bouquet of roses was hilarious! Congratulations on a fine job. Bernie ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: Some viewers have set up petitions at local SF-oriented bookstores, which can also be a good place to start. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 16:43:08 From: David E. Francis <72047.2070@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Thought from jms Message-ID: References: JMS, Thanks for letting us know that you consider the MFE episode one of the best this season so far. I remember what you posted about CtI---and you were most assuredly correct. That episode was fantastic!!! I can't wait to see MFE (guessing that is what you will abbreviate the episode title for posting). While I am here, let me say that I think ALL the episode this season have been great. I have enjoyed them immensely. Thanks again, David E. Francis ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 18:07:44 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: David E. Francis <72047.2070@compuserve.com> Subject: Thought from jms Message-ID: References: Thanks...on all counts, really. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 16:50:56 From: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: > Thanks...and the best is yet to come. This coming week's > episode, "Messages From Earth," is probably the best thing we've > done on the series to this point. I'm getting the feeling that this one is one that should be taped, hmmm? Rowan Kaiser Mistie, Montie, PITAS and Kidism Patroler Darling Facist Bullyboy, give me some more money, you bastard. May the seed of your loins be fruitful in the belly of your woman. ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 18:07:45 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> Subject: Enjoying Babylon 5 Message-ID: References: Taped? Bronzed. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 18:00:06 From: FitzGeralds <103571.3245@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: References: I'm sort of new to Babylon5. I came on board when Bruce Boxleitner started but didn't always watch until this season. I thought in this past episode (2/17-18) Ivonova came on a little too strong with the new lieutenant (like a sledge hammer!!). Maybe she doesn't know how to be subtle (or was it done that way deliberately by the writers?). Did she really think she could evaluate him in such a short time? What else should he have said? He had no idea where she was coming from. Could he trust her? I know I'd be very leery if I were in his shoes. As you can see I'm getting very involved with the characters. One thing I really like about the show is the continuity of relationships (not necessarily romantic ones). As much as I am a big fan of STNG, I found that the lack of relationship continuity to be a strong failing in STNG episodes. When people work together for a long period of time, a relationship is built and in B5 it's an ongoing process. That's really great! Nora ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 18:10:26 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: FitzGeralds <103571.3245@compuserve.com> Subject: JMS: Ivonova/Bureau 13 Message-ID: References: Thanks. Yes, I tend to find *process*...the going from one state to another, to be interesting. Growth not only provides drama, it can often produce irony, tragedy, and comedy, and ah *loves* all of those. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 18:00:46 From: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> To: Wayne A. Hall <74617.217@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: Wayne, I'd like you to provide an example of this. In all my time online with Joe (about 3 years both here and on Genie) I've rarely seen him say anything derogatory about Trek. Yes, he's bashed a few particular episodes (and believe me, those episodes DESERVED it), but in general Joe either says good things about the show and the people working on it (with the notable exception of Pillar and Berman, who IMO are ruining Trek), or he ignores it completely. Also, don't always equate criticism with bashing. I criticize Trek a LOT. Most of that comes out of my disappointment with a show I loved at one time which I feel has fallen down a black hole of mediocrity (I'm mainly talking about Voyager here, DS9 has been mostly enjoyable this season). Then I look at B5 and see characters and a story that I care about more than I EVER did about ST. I can't help making a comparison. If Joe agrees with this criticism, he's free to agree. He usually won't bother, so again, I'd like to see examples of Joe Trek bashing before I buy your story. Tom^^^^ Guardian of The Republic General Pain in the Butt Ranger ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:12:59 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: If you're looking for rationality here, save your time; these are the same two, he and his brother, who *insisted* over on AOL that I had sent official B5 reps to conventions to bash ST...and when challenged, backpedaled fast...until finally admitting that they saw a couple of guys on a panel who'd said bad things about ST, but were in NO way associated with B5 in ANY official capacity whatsoever. They basically just made it up. He just posted a HUGE and *provable* fabrication about DS9's ratings over on the ST section, and then has the audacity to come here and say that *I* speak with a forked tongue. They seem to think that somehow I should prevent B5 fans from ever saying anything derogatory about ST. I don't have that kind of control. They said it here again, that I "allow" this behavior. This is irrational thinking at its finest, that somehow I control or allow viewers of this or any show to do or say ANYthing. Their attitude is like a cranky child, "Make 'em stop talking bad about our show!" Basically, accuracy and the Halls dine at separate tables. You're making the same mistake I did at first with the Halls...assuming that you were dealing with sensible individuals interested in the facts. You're not, and they're not. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 19:18:39 From: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: Hullo, Joe, > Thanks. And from where I sit -- which is mainly behind my > keyboard these days -- the idea of being bored is VERY appealing. I'm not surprised at this. :) The working on BABYLON 5 day in and day out (or at least it seems so to this fan, with the occasional break, of course) must have been very taxing Speaking of writing and the like, how is the carpal tunnel doing right now in your case? It must have been very hectic this past season, what with doing all the writing of the episodes of the series and so forth. (Yes, I know there are still two episodes to come.) jmk ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:25:10 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: Frankly, the carpal tunnel is not good right now. Yesterday it shot up from my left elbow to wrist...it's hard to describe unless you take a shishkabob skewer and drive it from your elbow to your wrist real fast a few times. Mainly it's a dull but constant weight/discomfort in the wrists, fingers and forearms; the ring finger of my right hand is now constantly turned inward...I have to sleep on it flat under my pillow at nights to straighten it out by morning. (The left hand just started doing the same thing a few days ago.) This is the worst part of the year for this, at this point in the writing. Last year at this time, I had to write 20 minutes, then ice my arms down for 20 minutes, then write 20, then ice 20. And so on. The discomfort is pretty chronic now, but not always as acute, because I'm doing the exercises, and wearing the wrist restraints, and doing all the things I should be doing. But the bottom line...to write this season means writing over 1,000 pages of scripts in less than 10 months. Not counting interim drafts and the like. That's the equivilent of a novel every 5 months. That's going to take a toll on you no matter what you do. (Dictating or voice recog doesn't work for me; I write through my fingers.) When these last two scripts are finished, though, I'll have a fair amount of time to recuperate before doing it all over again. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:00:30 From: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Joe, > Yes, I believe he does write as well, including some Robotech > stuff. Er, beg pardon, but what Robotech stuff is there left to write? As far as I know, the only new Robotech stuff is licenced comics. Then again, given my propensity for misquoting authors, whada I know? g Mpb. ..from GCP 2.1 [18-Feb-96 21:32] ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:25:14 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: He's written some of the translated scripts for the animated series. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:18:33 From: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: I just want to add my voice to the chorus of praise for this episode. Everything was just about as perfect as it could be. I have to wonder how you are going to keep raising the bar. Now for a question. Does a Shadow ship have only one crewman and can the "person" leave the ship once he has bonded with it? One little nit, however. If it is only a two day jump from Earth to B5 why can't they get eggs to the station before they spoil? Also eggs freeze nicely when removed from the shell. Dan^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:30:29 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Basically, it's the cost involved in transporting something as basically trivial as eggs. Yes, it can be done, but the cost per egg would be quite substantial, given limited space in ships. Space flight is still very expensive. And yes, a shadow vessel has one "core" sentient, and once in, it's very difficult for that person to ever get out again. jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 20:45:21 From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: > But the bottom line...to write this season means writing over > 1,000 pages of scripts in less than 10 months. Not counting > interim drafts and the like. That's the equivilent of a novel > every 5 months. That's going to take a toll on you no matter > what you do. (Dictating or voice recog doesn't work for me; > I write through my fingers.) Have you ever considered speaking as you type. I would think that you might be able to train yourself to dictate if you did this for a couple of scripts. Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS! ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:21 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: I'd just distract myself.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 21:03:35 From: Alan Katz <74260.3612@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Thought from jms Message-ID: References: Actually, this has been the most consistent season to date. Although some episodes have been more intense than others, all have been terrific. You are to be congratulated. When one considers how rare such consistency is in ANY medium, let alone episodic TV, that is a truly remarkable accomplishment. They just damn well better renew B5 for two more years!! Alan ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:21 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alan Katz <74260.3612@compuserve.com> Subject: Thought from jms Message-ID: References: Thanks, we try.... jms ------------------------------ Date: 18-Feb-96 22:43:03 From: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Messages from Earth<< Message-ID: Masterful episode! My poor husband had to keep listening to me go, "O, M'gosh, O, M'gosh. This is totally awesome," at every commercial break. The first thing that came to mind when Sheridan removed his EA pin was the scene in down below arranged by Kosh in which Sheridan gave his pin to the monk for "a moment of perfect beauty." Was this planned or just one of those things? The symbolism was great, at any rate. The CGI shots of the shadow ships were incredible. I got goose bumps when the camera panned over the Mars landscape to reveal the half-buried shadow ship. I'm sure the tie-in to the comics will be appreciated by fans. The scenes with Zack were well done. I found myself really rooting for him, saying out loud, "Come on, Zack, choose the right way." I thought at the end he might remove the NW band, but knew that was probably too good to be true - at least for now. Andreas was superb (as always) in his scene with Garibaldi. Will we learn what he has written during his tenure in prison? And the way he faded into the shadows during his last line - great shot. I also like the way you are developing the relationship between Sheridan and Delenn. It's very realistic and appropriate for the characters' personalities as well as for the gravity of the situation in which they find themselves. And I was struck again by just how perfect Sheridan (and Boxleitner) are as chief of B5 at this point in history. Sinclair is not the warrior Sheridan is; Sheridan is perhaps at his best fighting, in action. There is much more I could say, but I'm sure others will and I have to get some sleep. I am totally looking forward to next week's episode. Get some sleep yourself! Toni ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Messages from Earth<< Message-ID: References: Thanks. Yes, the way Sheridan removes his EA pin here is an echo, or a shadow, so to speak, of his moment in "Honor." The latter is meant to sort of indicate what might be ahead for him, what he may have to do at some point along the line. He has to give up things that mean something to him. (We'll get more of this philosophy in a few more eps, I don't want to get too specific here.) Visual foreshadowing. From here on in, things get very interesting.... jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 18-Feb-96 16:29:42 through 19-Feb-96 00:29:04 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/17/96 to 02/19/96 Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 09:36:06 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!scifi!news.emi.net!news.sprintlink.net !matlock.mindspring.com!news.mindspring.com!gatech!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.e du!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!news-1.csn.net!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: Kevin P Mooney Subject: JMS on AOL: 02/17/96 to 02/19/96 Message-ID: <1996Feb20.162326.22881@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: ISN Freelance Correspondent Date: Tue, 20 Feb 96 16:23:26 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 416 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:204 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:123963 (continue) (continue) The following is a compilation of the posts of JMS on AOL. If you have comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at WARNING: Possible spoilers may lurk below. ObSpoiler space: : : : : : : ; ; : : : : : : : : : : : Subj: Re:Money Matters Date: 96-02-17 05:20:36 EST From: Jms at B5 Basically, it's a weekly bonus added onto their weekly salary; 50 creds is a pretty enticing bump, equal to about 50 pounds British. jms Subj: Re:The Icarus Date: 96-02-17 05:21:42 EST From: Jms at B5 {Here is a question I've been thinking about for a while. If the Icarus was sent to Z'Ha'Dum about 3 years ago, and the Vorlons and Minbari have known about the Shadows return now for over 4 years, and it was also suggested somewhere else that Earth Gov may be involved as far back as 5 years ago, is it possible that Interplanetary Expeditions knew what would be found when they sent the Icarus to that planet?} The crew of the Icarus may not have known as much as they could've about their mission. jms Subj: Re:MacBeth Date: 96-02-17 05:25:23 EST From: Jms at B5 {Just curious, but what was with all the MacBeth references in "Exogenesis?"} Just figured I'd use that description of it rather than Macbeth, to make it a bit more obscure, but also some actors do have a problem saying the name Macbeth or being around it when it's said (note: Jason isn't one of them). so it was also a courtesy. (Later on, while shooting "A Late Delivery From Avalon," one of the hair dressers made the error of referring to Macbeth out loud in front of Michael York, and had to go through the whole undo-the-curse routine, walking around the stages three times, etc.) jms Subj: Re:The Capt's facial express Date: 96-02-17 05:26:07 EST From: Jms at B5 {Is it possible to tour the B5 set?} Unfortunately, the B5 stages are off the WB lot, and we're not set up for tours. jms Subj: Re:David Corwin Date: 96-02-17 05:26:53 EST From: Jms at B5 Yes, David Corwin was named for Norman Corwin, whose work you should investigate if you do not know it. jms Subj: Re:Other TV Shows Date: 96-02-17 05:28:48 EST From: Jms at B5 Thanks. We have heard that more shows are starting to adopt both our production methods, and doing more arc stuff, so that's a good thing. Personally, I thought "Exogenesis" was okay, but not one of our best, mainly for writing reasons (i.e., my fault). But from here on out, they're spiffy. You're in for a real treat in a few more days when "Messages" airs. jms Subj: Re:Exogenesis: Corwin's name Date: 96-02-18 19:17:13 EST From: Jms at B5 "Corwin is the main character in Zelazny's Amber series.) Not that David Corwin is very Corwin of Amber-like. That Corwin would more likely be a ranger." David Corwin was named after my friend and highly-regarded radio drama writer Norman Corwin. jms Subj: Re:Eating Crow... Date: 96-02-19 03:51:19 EST From: Jms at B5 {A few weeks ago I posted a message stating that it would be nice to have a few skirmishes before the final showdown with the Shadows. At the time I feared you were saving too much for the end of the season. I just watched MESSAGE FROM EARTH.} Like we said, we know what we're doing. You just gotta trust us. Sometimes we get cranky because someone says "nothing's happening this season with the shadows," and we're looking at an episode like "Messages" or others forthcoming, and we know what IS coming. A little patience is a good thing. But you need not eat crow over it; just nibbling at the feathers will suffice. jms Subj: Re:Exogenesis: Corwin's name Date: 96-02-19 03:53:29 EST From: Jms at B5 Norman Corwin's work is nothing short of superb. I commend it to anyone willing to trudge down to the local library and dig it up. It was by hoping one day to grow up and become a writer like Norman that Ray Bradbury got started as a writer. Norman's what you call a Writer's Writer. jms Subj: Re:Exogenesis: Corwin's name Date: 96-02-19 03:53:29 EST From: Jms at B5 Norman Corwin's work is nothing short of superb. I commend it to anyone willing to trudge down to the local library and dig it up. It was by hoping one day to grow up and become a writer like Norman that Ray Bradbury got started as a writer. Norman's what you call a Writer's Writer. jms Subj: Re:B5 vs ST Date: 96-02-18 19:15:53 EST From: Jms at B5 Just one thing to bear in mind in all this, referring to ST bashing...you don't have a situation here of B5 fans "bashing" ST. What you tend to have are ST fans who've *always* had some concerns with the shows expressing their concerns here, because they also watch B5, and because to express some of this in other forums gets them yelled at. While there are many ST fans who have not seen B5, there are no B5 fans who have not seen ST. What you have here is an internal ST situation, not a case of B5 fans hitting a show they don't know about or watch. I'd venture to suggest that most of the concerns voiced here are ones they had long, long before there WAS a B5. That said, I've noted from the beginning that there was no reason to hold the shows up side by side; they're different series, and that just puts ST at the center of the fictional universe. Let this show be its own creature. jms Subj: Re:B5 vs ST Date: 96-02-19 03:48:10 EST From: Jms at B5 Actually, Voyager is not IN the top 50. They're generally in the basement of the network ratings. jms Subj: Re:Babylon 5 The MOTION PIC Date: 96-02-18 00:49:27 EST From: Jms at B5 {Why noy free ourselves from syndicators and go for the big screen?} At the moment, that's not my choice, you need a big studio backing you for a big movie. Also, B5 was primarily *designed* for TV, this is the venue I'd prefer to work in for this. You'd have to do 55 movies to tell the whole story, and you couldn't do much arc stuff in it, because it would have to be fairly self-contained. The good wishes are appreciated, though. jms Subj: B5 Ratings Info Date: 96-02-18 01:00:52 EST From: Jms at B5 The figures have come in for our first non-rerun episode, "Voices of Authority." The numbers of any show always drop in reruns; something that some folks tend to avoid mentioning when they just post figures without noting these things. But moving on.... While KUNG FU, in its new episode, went from #50 to #61 for the week in syndicated shows (this is out of 257 syndicated shows total, btw), B5 surged from #54 to #41, with a 3.5 rating, well above that which is guaranteed to advertisers. (DS9 continues to wobble; #16 last week, and #15 this week; they haven't been in the top ten for a while now. This in reply to some who asked for a relative positioning.) At #41 out of 257 shows, B5 is in the top 1/6th of all syndicated shows overall, about the top 16% or thereabouts. In terms of drama shows, B5 is in the top 10 of all drama shows for that period, at #8. So far, so good. jms Subj: Re:Trek Date: 96-02-18 19:10:32 EST From: Jms at B5 "...without Star Trek there probably wouldn't be a Babylon 5...." This is one of the biggest misperceptions we've had to try and correct over time; if anything, ST has been an obstacle to getting B5 on the air. The #1 reason we were given, time and again, during the 5 years it took to sell B5 for not going ahead with it, was that "There isn't room in the marketplace for another space show other than ST. There's not an SF marketplace; there's a ST marketplace, but that's all. ST doesn't create more SF, ST creates more ST." Right up until the day we aired the pilot, some folks at WB were saying, "This isn't gonna work, there's not enough room in the market for another SF space show other than Star Trek." And suffice to say that Paramount didn't make things any easier for us in their inimitable fashion. If the premise as advanced in the first line were true, then why in the 30 years since ST:TOS has there not another space-SF series that's lasted more than three seasons? Why have there been so very few shows even TRYING this venue? In those 30 years, with the exception of Quantum Leap, which was more an anthology show really, no hardcore SF series has gone beyond 3 years; that alone mitigates against SF being a viable market. Trust me on this; for the five years it took us to sell B5, ST was one more obstacle to overcome. It's not their fault, it's the fault of the marketplace that doesn't understand SF. It's unfortunate that, when a cop show fails, industry folks just say, "Well, that show didn't work," but when an SF series fails, they say, "There's no market for SF." jms Subj: Re:Psi Corps and the Shadows Date: 96-02-18 00:43:56 EST From: Jms at B5 Wait and see...but you're close to some stuff. jms Subj: Re:Costuming Date: 96-02-18 00:44:35 EST From: Jms at B5 We have used them a bit, just haven't had to use them much until now. That's about to change. jms Subj: Re:sending artwork Date: 96-02-18 00:47:43 EST From: Jms at B5 Thank you. In general, the best contact for now on B5 is the mail drop, which is located at 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Send it along to my attention. If it's show-related, I'll try to find a nice home for it at the stage. jms Subj: Re:Was Exo censored? Date: 96-02-18 19:19:32 EST From: Jms at B5 No, the only graphic scene is in the beginning, at the end of the teaser. Nothing was cut that I know of. jms Subj: Re:Addition to Pilot Date: 96-02-18 19:20:29 EST From: Jms at B5 All the narratives are from a future point in time, but no one lives forever. How far into the future that person is telling the story will vary. jms Subj: Re:JMS, Night Watch, etc. Date: 96-02-18 19:24:01 EST From: Jms at B5 DLyulkin...exactly. You don't just take something and transplant it wholecloth...you change and modify it. Nightwatch was never meant to be on a one-to-one corrolation to the SS, or Stasi, or McCarthy...the whole POINT is that this kind of mentality crops up in new forms from time to time, in different names, different approaches, but at its heartmeat core the same thing. By saying it's "That over there," we can relax, since that specific incident can't recur...making us vulnerable to the next version. jms Subj: Re:JMS:Ivanova's left earrin Date: 96-02-18 19:24:40 EST From: Jms at B5 It's a tribute to her dead brother, both as a character, and in real life. jms Subj: Re: JMS Date: 96-02-19 03:43:37 EST From: Jms at B5 {Ivanova is supposed to be Jewish, right? ( Tells you I haven't been watching all of your episodes-grin ). Then how come her last name is Ivanova as opposed to Greenberg or something?} She was born in the Russian Consortium, to Russian parents, with Russian surnames. No big mystery there. jms Subj: Re: preview Date: 96-02-19 03:44:16 EST From: Jms at B5 Many things are inserted into previews by WB that aren't actually in the shows. We have no control over what they put into the previews. jms ---- To receive copies of future compilations via e-mail, send mail to with "jms archive" included in the subject line. -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 20-Feb-96 11:49:55 through 21-Feb-96 00:40:13 (14 msgs) Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 12:42:55 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!bocanews.bocaraton.ibm.com!ausnews.austin.ibm.com!news-m01.ny. us.ibm.net!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.a cs.ohio-state.edu!csn!news-1.csn.net!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 20-Feb-96 11:49:55 through 21-Feb-96 00:40:13 (14 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb22.152534.19836@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 15:25:34 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 323 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:210 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:124261 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 20-Feb-96 11:49:55 through 21-Feb-96 00:40:13 (14 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: B5 & TNT 8 NEW B5 EPS! Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Shakespear and Marcus >>Messages from Earth<< Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 20-Feb-96 07:16:37 From: Frank J. Furfaro <74031.1005@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 & TNT Message-ID: Joe, I was wondering about the B5 /TNT agreement. Since TNT has purchased the rights to B5 for 5 years, doesn't that pretty much assure that PTEN would continue B5 for 5 years? Or is this agreement flexable depending on B5's year-to-year renewal and TNT would just get whatever is produced? thanks, Frank ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 11:49:55 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Frank J. Furfaro <74031.1005@compuserve.com> Subject: B5 & TNT Message-ID: References: The agreement is flexible; WB has the option of doing just 3 years, but I'm reasonably sure that TNT would like a lot more jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 14:36:07 From: Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: I just want to say I love Babylon 5. It's great to be able to immerse myself in such a complete universe. Unlike Star Trek, I care about the characters and their problems. Are the episodes ever coming out on video? (And no, I wasn't just buttering you up, but are you hiring any new writers?) J. May ("Celia") ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 17:44:13 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: Thanks. We hope to release the videos through the fan club once it's seriously up on its feet. We're booked on scripts for this season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 16:03:55 From: Alexis Holizki <75027.1277@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Message-ID: References: **Warning: the following has not been spellchecked. Proceed at your own risk** On sorta the same topic, how many B5 shirts have been authorized? I have one by a company called ALL U, but I've never seen a listing of official merchandise that mentioned it. Alexis "We'll go to Zanzibar, to see the Zanzibarbarians!" ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 17:44:14 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Alexis Holizki <75027.1277@compuserve.com> Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Message-ID: References: The All-U shirts are definitely legit. And nicely done. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 18:41:19 From: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> To: Joe Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Shakespear and Marcus Message-ID: Hi Joe, Were the Shakespearian lines in Exogenesis your doing or Jason Carter's? Or did you write them specifically with him in mind? By the way, I think Cerwin will come through for everyone. Mike ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 22:08:04 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> Subject: Shakespear and Marcus Message-ID: References: I like Marcus quoting literature, Shakespeare included. So it's something I've peppered through his character, though trying to avoid too much of it. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 19:03:13 From: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: > - Thank you. Working on the show, and creating this > universe, is a task that has, in sum, taken ten years of my life > thus far, and it means a great deal. I appreciate the kind > words. We do try. - Now, ten years prep time, you write the whole show (this year), you produce the show, you discuss the show on several services... Are there moments when some portion of your brain fires off the message, "Whoa, I've spent too much time on the Zocalo!" and you try fo find an alterate thing to concentrate on for at least a few minutes of refreshment. If so, what is it that clues you in that you need a small break? - rje - ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 22:08:05 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS! Message-ID: References: No, usually it's not a problem, except when I get physically tired at the end of a long day. It's a full-immersion process only from July through April; from April to June it's a bit slower, so I can recuperate then (we don't shoot April to June). I actually have very little trouble living in the B5 universe with half my brain, and hanging out here and the other nets with the other half of my brain. Granted, I don't have any brain left over for a personal life during this period, but my personal life has always been pretty brainless, so there you are. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 20:12:12 From: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Message-ID: References: There were a goodly number of B5 fans wandering about Boskone (a literary SF con). The only B5-ish panel was titled "Deep SPace - 9, Babylon - 5... but who's winning?" A few minutes into the panel, we all agreed that DS9 was good, B5 was good and that we would all trash Voyager . It was the most civilized B5 Vs Trek discussion I have ever seen. Bruce Ritter of Uncomyn Gifts was there selling the usual licensed stuff. It was rather amusing how WizOp WIlma and I met him: we were having breakfast on Friday and Bruce was seated near us. It wasn't very busy at the time (something about a blizzard), so we were chatting and the subject drifted to B5. Bruce asked us if we were interested in some B5 merchandise. I got suspicious and asked him if it was all licensed merchandise, because if it wasn't, we'd turn him over to you. He said it was . -Dupa T. Parrot [Tech Supp SysOp] ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 22:08:06 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff Message-ID: References: That's good news, though I wish folks would drop the vs. part of the panel topic and just talk about the shows on their own terms. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 22:24:17 From: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Messages from Earth<< Message-ID: References: Joe, This was _almost_ perfect episode, especially in plotting, characterization and acting, but your usually careful scientific accuracy showed a few rare slips: 1) Using "gravities" for pressure is like Han Solo timing trips in parsecs--not worthy of you. Minbari probably don't use metric system so the "standard temperature units" was fine and "standard atmosphere units" would have also been fine. 2) Ganymede base destruction EFX looked great, but even granting venting O2 from the destroyed dome, there were an awful lot of flames for an airless moon. 3) When talking about H2 exploding I hope you were referring to fusion since chemically the stuff is nice and stable in that reducing Jovian atmosphere. O2 would make a nice boom there though. Inducing H2 fusion with Shadow weapons and/or jumpgate formation would be more plausible. ------------------------------ Date: 21-Feb-96 00:40:13 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com> Subject: >>Messages from Earth<< Message-ID: References: Okay, then if gravities is inappropriate, 'splain to how shuttle and jet pilots refer to gravities in similar situations, e.g., pulling 2 g's when at a certain accelleration and turn pattern. Also, when the Galilleo probe was inserted into the Jovian atmosphere, and a number of scientists on CSPAN were talking about Jupiter, they commented that the interior of Jupiter would be twice (or whatever number) the gravity of Earth. You're dealing with a much greater *mass* than with Earth, and thus greater gravity. I don't see where in here is the flaw. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 20-Feb-96 11:49:55 through 21-Feb-96 00:40:13 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu From: (Frank Ch. Eigler) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 19-Feb-96 19:23:12 through 20-Feb-96 02:09:24 (18 msgs) Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 12:42:46 -0500 To: fche@elastic.org -------- Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Path: tornews!watnews.watson.ibm.com!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!newsjunkie.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!n ews-w.ans.net!newsfeeds.ans.net!news.icix.net!uunet!in2.uu.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!uwm.edu!mat h.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!freenet.columbus.oh.us!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ne ws-1.csn.net!ub!hood.cc.rochester.edu!callisto!not-for-mail From: jhardin@wolfenet.com (John Hardin) Subject: JMS CIS Digest: 19-Feb-96 19:23:12 through 20-Feb-96 02:09:24 (18 msgs) Message-ID: <1996Feb21.151939.6068@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 Originator: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu X-Disclaimer: The moderators do not check accuracy of information posted, nor do they endorse any v iews expressed or products described. Sender: colin@callisto.pas.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: callisto.pas.rochester.edu Organization: Organization? We don't need no steenking Organization! Date: Wed, 21 Feb 96 15:19:39 GMT Approved: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu (cr) Lines: 504 Xref: tornews rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info:205 rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5:124081 RFC 1153 Digest of messages from J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> 19-Feb-96 19:23:12 through 20-Feb-96 02:09:24 (18 messages) WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution. Subjects in digest: Unused scripts Marianne Robertson Writing B5 Good Grief - DS9 Dust to Dust, comments Administrivia: Contact me (John Hardin) at with comments and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum. I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked to post on the CIS B5 forum. I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5 to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list, *please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners I am aware of are: (Erez Zadok, b5jms) (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts) Replies to this digest currently go to me. obSpoiler-space... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 19-Feb-96 07:23:23 From: Gerard Keating (Ireland) <71154.3423@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Unused scripts Message-ID: References: Joe, Cound the unused "premises" be used as a basis for novels or comics ??? Thanks Gerard Keating (Ireland) 19-Feb-96 @ 15:13:02 GMT ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:23:12 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Gerard Keating (Ireland) <71154.3423@compuserve.com> Subject: Unused scripts Message-ID: References: One of them was; David Gerrold's premise was used for the two-part comic he wrote. But beyond that, separated rights means that the author holds onto ancillary uses, so I can't go around assigning their outlines or premises for books and the like, only my own. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 11:54:14 From: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: > And yes, a shadow vessel has one "core" sentient, and once in, > it's very difficult for that person to ever get out again. Does a member of the Shadow race do this or is the job given to one of their minions. Also, I assume that there is programming hard wired into the Shadow vessel to keep the "core sentient" loyal. Dan^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:23:15 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: I'd rather let that be answered later in this season. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 13:30:55 From: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: re Bacon & Eggs - even with the "only two day trip", I looked at the issue as "weight vs. value". i.e. canned goods take up only their size. Bacon (or fresh meat) requires refrigeration equipment in addition to it's weight. Same for eggs - AND eggs are fragile. Thus, not only is it "basically trivial", it's also a VERY HIGH weight item due to refrigeration. (And hanging them outside the ship where it's cold doesn't work very well either....) re the episode: Good show! The special effects were so good, I had to watch it a second time to see just how many special effects there WERE! Also, I enjoyed seeing "The Book of G'Kar" - maybe a new testament? (I hope that's not considered a story idea!) Similarly, the switch between action and reflection was nice - Sheridan and Delenn in bed together :) followed by the Jupiter scene - great shifting of emphasis! And the cinematography and pacing was different - took some getting used to at first, but on REviewing, it seemed right. Now I've got to go back and re-read the Babylon 5 comic. Is this the first episode that fairly directly ties in to either the comic or the books? (the only other one I can think of is the Talia foreshadowing in the same set of comics that this episode ties to.) Dan ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:23:17 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Yes, what he's writing will, in time, become the Book of G'Kar. And correct, I went for a different feel in this episode, on the theory that a little change is a good thing, if used to a purpose. It's built like a series of waves, with quite moments in between. This is the second so far to strongly tie into the comic, yes. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 02:27:53 From: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174@compuserve.com> To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> Subject: Marianne Robertson Message-ID: References: John, > Perhaps we should start a "Bring Back Marianne" petition with > JMS? g I'm game! I wonder why she left? > why not bring Marianne back in another, recurring (or possibly > permanent ) role as well? It would be nice, though again it depends on why she left, has anyone had any Marianne sightings on other shows? > But you are right, the series could use a few more recurring > female roles... Yup, that's starting to bug me a bit, only two regular female characters against eight male ones. Joe must have his reasons but still... > Mind you, I can see Shari Shattuck on the station for a bit, > what about you? :) I haven't seen her on the station _yet_, but her picture looks nice. > And we do have Lyta Alexander, you know. But for how many episodes this season? Nigel and George->` (The Ferocious Attack Pixel) Dictator of France, Duck of Normandy, Minister of Bad Puns. Chancellor of the Ex-Keffer. Things change. ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:33:24 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174@compuserve.com> Subject: Marianne Robertson Message-ID: References: Marianne departed the show on her own, deciding that she wanted to travel and do other things. I don't think she's acted much anywhere since. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 12:04:08 From: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635@compuserve.com> To: Stephen C. Smith <76150.1170@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: Stephen, > Good point. I wouldn't want to get some cheap knockoff of > Joe's ear. Accept only genuine Warner Bros. licensed materials > ... And as a long-range investment, we know that at best there > will be only two of them in circulation. But if they sell well, WB could market other pieces.. "Hey, B5-er's! Collect the whole set. Be the first on your block to assemble your own (nearly) complete JMS." > Aside: So, Joe... Are you going to give me a piece of your > mind? eg Carl K.P.A. ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:33:26 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635@compuserve.com> Subject: Writing B5 Message-ID: References: ...selling my ears....? ~~~~ WHERE THE HELL DID *THIS* THREAD COME FROM? jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 19:55:59 From: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: B5 is just not Trek....and that is good. I have been a fan of ST since I was a wee lad and the first season was on the tube. It has had good and bad points but it has a _style_. The problem is that, at times, ST ignores all of science! Not just the magic stuff but simple issues of biology and common sense. For example ST evolves a human to a super being (as if his DNA contained the codes that would be selected over the next million years) then devolves two people into lizards. The next thing the doc has them all patched up (ignoring that the loss of brain capacity removed all knowledge as a lizard). Magic is great. I love the Vorlon and Shadows. Your clasic plot lines (it helps up poor slobs to be able to follow the plot) your wonderful devices (great foreshadows :) and a great arc. You have also done a great job at taking a classic SF device and spinning on its head. It is when a writter tries to take magic and twist science that they end up looking stupid. Thanks for keeping it sane and fun. ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 21:04:42 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> Subject: Good Grief - DS9 Message-ID: References: Thanks...the pleasure is entirely mine. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 20:08:01 From: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: > I'd rather let that be answered later in this season. Fair enough. One more and I'll quit bothering you (until the next episode). Was the spine that the White Star shot off the Shadow vessel recovered? Dan^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 21:04:43 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Nope. jms ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 20:44:11 From: Harold Eckstein <72253.3332@compuserve.com> To: <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Dust to Dust, comments Message-ID: Concerning Dust to Dust: I thought that was an excellent episode. It was nearly unique among all the episodes in that all the sub-plots were arc-related. That's less of a feat when the episode brings to a head long-ongoing preparation, such as did The Long Twilight Struggle or when there is basically one arc-related matter, such as in In the Shadow of Z'Ha'Dum. The weaving together of the subplots into an entirely arc-related whole, which produced no closure at all was a masterful piece of narrative. On top of all that, included were these two exceptional sequences: Bester, taking the high road, saying, "...I'm here to save your butts..Next time, show a little gratitude." was hilarious and, with her foresightful expression, Delenn, turning to face Lennier (and the camera's point of view) when Vir says he almost didn't want to return from Minbar. That was the most pregnant moment of this and (possibly) all other episodes. It's certainly not the only time you've said much with just an expression or a gesture, but this was a marvelous moment of acting in a context of great moment. Mira Furlan definitely resonates with her role and with the spirit of the show. As did Walter Koenig. His face was way more expressive than it has been, at least, to my memory. He played much more a human than a simple, scheming, powerful, evil martinet. Perhaps this greater fullness was not permitted his character in previous scripts. The episode was so engaging that I watched it many times. It hung together so well, and I wondered why other episodes have not impressed me or affected me so. I'd like to suggest that the pace of developments in the episode made the difference. For all the action and visual fabric, the story progresses very slowly. Sometimes, it has felt to me like the show was schlepping on to cover the required number of episodes. Even if this was the case, that the stories were being prolonged, it may have been due to the constraints of the medium. A book proceeds for the reader at the speed of his imagination, which is a lot faster than the lives of people progress, what with having to walk from place to place, speak to one another and otherwise act out will and mind in procedural, chronological and formal ways. When a narrator can tell a story by leaving out as well as keeping in, he can get a lot done in no time at all. TV hampers that. That's why I so much liked Ms. Furlan's and Mr. Koenig's acting and the stories they were telling. These are some questions I have about the logic or correctness of some of the situations: 1) Should Sheridan have shown such little anger when he catches Ivanova about to kill Bester? That probably would have resulted in the destruction of their whole cabal, as well as their individual careers! I would have clobbered her! 2) Was that right that Sheridan's staff speak before he gives them permission and before he finishes? (He was laying down the law to Bester near the start of the episode.) 3) Garibaldi can bring Ashi in so easily, grab his hair, intimidate him a little and he caves? This is the guy who has his hands in major crimes on the station? 5) Why should G'Kar be so voluble with Lindstrom, revealing the Narn (or his own) plans for the dust? That's a bit naive to speak about such things with a criminal human. 4) Sheridan's objection to the justice in defense of G'Kar debases the responsibilities of a individual and is itself irresponsible: A competent person is responsible for his actions. G'Kar took the drug with intent and what he did as a result is as much his responsibility as his ingestion of the drug. That's what the justice should have said. Is a drunk driver not to be held accountable for injury he causes after he drinks, because he can't control himself when he is drunk? ------------------------------ Date: 19-Feb-96 21:04:49 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Harold Eckstein <72253.3332@compuserve.com> Subject: Dust to Dust, comments Message-ID: References: Thanks. The stories ebb and flow at different paces, some slower, some faster, depending on the nature of the story. I try to give each one a separate flavor. Where it may become a hassle is that some folks, myself included sometimes, tend to flip pages in a novel to get to the exciting stuff...but the interim parts, though slower, are where you get to know the characters and care for them, so that what happens later has consequence. jms ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 01:59:17 From: Michael E. MacDonal <102371.1166@compuserve.com> To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: Thanks. Bruce did an excellet job in this episode, I agree. As did everyone else. This is, in my opinion, about as flawless an episode as we have ever made. It's one of those cases where the sum is even greater than the sum of its parts...and the sum of its parts ain't bad. From here on through the next batch, the intensity level continues to crank up. We definitely pushed the envelope in terms of EFX this time out; mixing and matching, and in sheer amounts of shots, and their complexity. But the result, I think, is eminently worth the effort. jms I Loved it ...I thought Also that it was a Great job and Answered a lot of questions that have been floating around ..as well as opened new one's ... One Bad point I found was How could the Hiperion Track the White Star ...As Far as you have let on so far Earth force ship's are unable to lock on to Mimbari Ship's as Far as tracking or fire control goes ? Also With out you giving away too much Will we Find out More Soon on the Buildup of Forces to fight the shadows ..Ie: new war ship's or Vorlon Technology ...ect ...and if so will it be soon ? Thanks Sorry for More then one Question in one Message Michael E. MacDonald ... ------------------------------ Date: 20-Feb-96 02:09:24 From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com> To: Michael E. MacDonal <102371.1166@compuserve.com> Subject: Message-ID: References: The forces will continue to build over the course of this season. The White Star would be detected because it was inside the atmosphere, where it could be picked up by its emissions, the disruption caused in the air by the engines, and frankly by plain sight. jms ------------------------------ End of JMS CIS Digest 19-Feb-96 19:23:12 through 20-Feb-96 02:09:24 ******************************************************************* -- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info | a service of ISN mars bureau submissions to: b5-info@callisto.pas.rochester.edu contact to: b5-info-request@callisto.pas.rochester.edu