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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

1054.0. "Babylon 5 (new TV SF)??" by NIOMAX::LAING (Soft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*229-7808) Wed Mar 04 1992 13:59

    I heard somewhere that a new SF TV series was in the works,
    called "Babylon 5" or something like that.  It was set on a space
    station.  Is there any truth to this rumor?  Any idea when and where
    (network?  cable?  syndication?) it'll appear?
    
    Jim
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1054.1Not the sameCIVIC::FAHELAmalthea Celebras/Silver UnicornWed Mar 04 1992 14:218
    And before someone starts to say, "No, you mean 'Deep Space 9',"...
    
    Babylon 5 is a completely different show - NOT by the makers of Star
    Trek.
    
    There is info in STAR_TREK notes, FWIW.
    
    K.C.
1054.2Let's discuss here ...NIOMAX::LAINGSoft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*229-7808Wed Mar 04 1992 14:418
    Hmm, I found the info in the Star Trek notesfile.  I believe that since
    Babylon 5 is NOT trek, that this file (SF) would be a good place to
    talk about Babylon  5!
    
    Rumors?  Facts, anyone?  Having several choices for current SF TV would
    be nice (i.e. Star Trek plus another new series, Babylon 5)!
    
    Jim
1054.3Some detailed infoSHARE::WILLISFri Jun 12 1992 21:04256
From: Edward_Lee_Whiteside@cup.portal.com
Subject: Babylon 5 Info 
Message-ID: <59642@cup.portal.com>
Date: Tue, 26 May 92 22:49:26 PDT
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 269
 
The following info on Babylon 5 was provided by J. Michael Straczynski.
I am not involved in the production in any way other than in trying to
spread the word about the show to other fans.   Lee Whiteside.
 
 
                            BABYLON 5
                            ~~~~~~~~~
        WHAT IS BABYLON 5? - History
 
        Babylon 5 is a new science fiction project for television
that has been in top-secret development, first with Chris-Craft
Television, and then in combination with its associate Warner Bros.,
for over three years.  Selected early on as one of several flagship
projects for a new fledgling network, the producers and creator of
Babylon 5 used that time to fully flesh out the universe in which
our stories would be told.
 
     First, a series treatment and bible was written by J. Michael
Straczynski, creator and co-executive producer of Babylon 5.  This
was then followed by a 2-hour screenplay for a TV movie entitled
"The Gathering."  Also developed were storylines for a first full
season of episodes, and artwork was commissioned that illustrated
what, and where, Babylon 5 was.  Finally, a video demo tape was
produced.  By the time this was completed, Warner Bros. was in
place to make an important announcement.
 
        On November 20, 1991, Warner Bros. held a press conference
in Burbank, California, to announce the formation of a fledgling
network, similar to the Fox network when it first went on the air.
First-run programs would be produced, to air one night per week (as
Fox began once per week) on a consortium of over two dozen TV
stations around the country.  At the heart of this was the Chris-
Craft/United Television Network group of television stations.  One
of the projects announced as a Go was Babylon 5.
 
        Not only would Babylon 5 approved as a Go project, it was
announced at a major press conference held February 12th, 1992 in
New York City that B5 would be the first Consortium project to air,
making it the fledgling network's flagship production.  The target
airdate for "The Gathering" is Tuesday, November 17th, 1992. 
[JMS announced in May that Warner Bros. had pushed back the start date
to Feb, 1993 due to the other shows ("Time Trax" and the new "Kung Fu"
series) not being ready to air until Feb).
 
        WHAT IS BABYLON 5 -- The Concept
 
        The year is 2257.  Mankind has gone to the stars, and we
have found that we are not alone.  There are other governments and
empires that are far older than ours, and some that are younger.
Some we met in peace, and began an exchange of technology and
information that substantially increased the pace of Terran space
exploration and colonization.  Some contacts were hostile.
 
        And some led to outright war.  The Earth/Minbari war lasted
for almost a decade, and led to one of the great mysteries of the
time in which our story is set.  On the very edge of victory over
the Earth Alliance, when everything Earth tried had failed and their
destruction seemed imminent...the Minbari surrendered.  It is now
five years later, and the dark secret behind the Minbari surrender
will finally begin slowly to emerge.
 
        And over the course of the series, that secret will have a
direct and substantial impact on Babylon 5.
 
        As for Babylon 5 itself...it is a space station roughly
three miles in length, with docking bays fore and aft.  It is made
up of sections that rotate at varying speeds to create alternate
gravities to accommodate various lifeforms.  Different atmospheres
are also used in different sections.  Babylon 5 is located at a key
jump-point; to get from any one of the five major confederations
(four alien, one human), you almost always have to pass through this
sector of space.  Thus, the area surrounding Babylon 5 has been
designated Neutral Territory.
 
        Babylon 5 itself, therefore, functions as a sort of futuristic
free-port, a space-borne Casablanca open to travelers from anywhere,
going anywhere; people fleeing from something or escaping to something,
on missions of urgency...smugglers, diplomats, scientists, mappers,
traders, soldiers, refugees...sooner or later, they all come to
Babylon 5.
 
        The station boasts substantial facilities, including the
docking bays, customs areas, nightclubs, casinos, meeting rooms,
a Rent-A-Telepath service for use by businessmen, living quarters
and other facilities.  Because the station creates its gravity by
rotation, like an O'Neill sphere, the very center of Babylon 5 is
a null-gravity area.  On the fringes of that round section, where
gravity returns, hydroponic and other forms of gardens and crops
have been planted.  In that respect, Babylon 5 is a self-enclosed
planet turned inside-out.  It is self-sustaning in most regards.
 
        Though run under the nominal jurisdiction of the Earth
Alliance, the station also has an advisory council consisting of
one ambassador from each of the four major alien confederations,
with the station commander forming the fifth, tie-breaking vote.
In that sense, the station serves as a sort of min-U.N., the
first time all five groups have ever gathered together before
under one roof.  As such, Babylon 5 represents the best chance
for peace that's come along in a very long time.
 
        But there are also those who profit by trying to
sabotage that peace.  And they, too, come to Babylon 5.
 
        The station is called Babylon 5 because it is not the
first such attempt.  Babylons 1 through 3 were sabotaged and
destroyed.  Babylon 4 disappeared mysteriously, without a trace,
24 hours after becoming operational.  Which makes life aboard
Babylon 5 tenuous at best.  They are very literally on the fringe,
on their own.  If something should happen, no one could reach
there in time to help.
 
        Babylon 5 is run by Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, a nominal
war hero during the Earth/Minbari war (who is missing 24 hours of
memory from the last day of that war), though he serves more as
diplomat and figurehead most of the time.  In general, the actual
day-to-day operations of Babylon 5 are actually run by Laurel
Takashima, one of the few command crew actually born on Earth, she
is consistently on top of things and is Sinclair's buffer between
his diplomatic responsibilities and the physical running of the
station.
 
        There are, in total, ten regular, recurring characters,
in addition to whatever new characters may enter during any given
episode.  The intent is to create an ensemble show with widely
divergent characters, some good, some bad, but most a mix of the
two.
 
        Where some shows might show a perfect world without
conflict, where everything works as it should, where the regular
characters have no character flaws or inner doubts, the residents
of Babylon 5 are very different.  They have all the flaws to which
humans have always been prey.  The mistake is in the belief that
technology means perfection, somehow eradicating humanity, which
has been shown not to be the case.  In 1792, people worked, got
married, had affairs, had children, grew angry, touched passion
and hoped for a better future.  In 1992, though technology has
given us 200 years of progress, of flying machines and computers,
humans still work, get married, separate, have children, have
affairs, grow angry, touch passion and hope for a better future.
In 2257, our humanity continues, full of all its flaws and latent
nobility.  Those aspects may be enhanced, for good or ill, by the
new technologies, but we are still recognizeably human.
 
        The primary goal behind Babylon 5 is to do a show that is
both good sicence fiction and good televison.  An SF series without
cute robots or kids.  An SF series that is thoughtful, but which
has action.  An SF series for grownups, with the same level of
characterization and storytelling found in such shows as Hill Street
Blues or St. Elsewhere or L.A. Law.
 
        In preparing Babylon 5 for production, a comprensive five
year arc has been created.  Though stories will stand on their own
in each episode, the series overall will gradually tell a story on
a much grander scale, a tapestry of falling and rising empires in
which one or two individuals may mean the difference between a new
dark ages on one side and a future of hope on the other.  In that
respect, Babylon 5 will be treated as a five-year miniseries, with a
definite beginning, middle, and end, with each year equalling one
"chapter" or book in the saga.  In that respect, it has been likened
by some to going for the broad tapestry of a Lensman or Foundation
series of books.
 
        BABYLON 5 - Behind The Scenes
 
        The production team assembled for work on Babylon 5 consists
of the best and the brightest, including EFX experts and others who
have worked on such projects as TERMINATOR 2, HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS,
THE ABYSS, TOTAL RECALL and other films.  Heading up the effects and
production elements are Ron Thornton (computer EFX) and John Iacovelli
(production designer).  Ron, one of the country's foremost experts in
computer-generated graphics, will be working with NewTek -- creators
of the Video Toaster, a company on the cutting edge of computer EFX
technology -- to create images never before seen on television.  John
Iacovelli, from HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS, is bringing a range of
innovative new techniques to give the everyday scenes of Babylon 5
in action a vastly different and futuristic look.
 
        (If you're interested at getting a sneak peek at Babylon 5
itself, there are two ways of doing it: 1) Find a copy of STARLOG
SPECTACULAR #4, March 1992, and turn to page 54.  The photo that
fills the bottom half of the page is an early version of the B5
station.  2) Call NewTek at (800) 765-3406 and request a copy of
their latest demo tape.  This tape contains a moving Babylon 5
station, and a starship that is also used in the first part of
the B5 demo itself, though the two are shown in reverse order.)
 
        Other EFX people working on Babylon 5 have been drawn from
the ranks of Hollywood's finest, ranging from the Henson Creature
Shop to those who've worked in James Cameron's Lightstorm Prods.
 
        Most importantly, every person thus far associated with
Babylon 5 is a fan of the SF genre, and wants to join in the
excitement of creating a brand new universe.  Every effort will
also be made to keep the SF as "real" and rigorous as possible.
 
        In addition to good SF going into the production side,
quality SF will also play a role in the creative vision of the
project.  When Babylon 5 goes into series in 1993, it will draw
upon the talents of leading SF writers for its stories, much in
the tradition of the original Trek series.
 
        The creator of Babylon 5 has a long and healthy
relationship with SF and related genres.  He has previously been
the story editor and primary writer for the syndicated Twilight
Zone series, and his recent adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Showtime earned him both Ace and Writers
Guild Award nominations.  He has story edited such other series
as Captain Power, the animated Real Ghostbusters, and such
mainstream network programs as Jake and the Fatman and, concurrent
with Babylon 5's development, producer on the highly rated Murder,
She Wrote.  He has also written many published short stories, a
published anthology, and two published dark fantasy/horror novels.
 
        BABYLON 5 -- Where To Find It
 
Stations slated to carry Babylon 5:
 
     NEW YORK: WWOR, LOS ANGELES: KCOP, CHICAGO: WPWR, PHILADELPHIA: WPHL, 
SAN FRANCISCO: KBHK, BOSTON: WSBK, WASHINGTON DC: WDCA, DALLAS: KTXA,
DETROIT: WXON, HOUSTON: KTXH, ATLANTA: WATL, CLEVELAND: WUAB, SEATTLE: KSTW,
TAMPA: WTOG, MINNEAPOLIS: KMSP, MIAMI: WDZL, ST. LOUIS: KPLR, SACRAMENTO: 
KRBK, PHOENIX: KUTP, DENVER: KDVR, BALTIMORE: WNUV, HARTFORD: WTXX,
ORLANDO: WOFL, SAN DIEGO: XETV, INDIANAPOLIS: WTTV, PORTLAND OR: KPTV, 
MILWAUKEE: WVTY.
 
     CINCINNATI: WSTR, KANSAS CITY: KSMO, RALEIGH: WLFL, GRN-SPR-ASH: WHNS,
NORFOLK: WGNT, SAN ANTONIO: KABB, OAKLAHOMA CITY: KOOB, HARARISBURG: WPMT,
W. PALM BEACH: WTVX, SYRACUSE: WSYT, ROANOKE: WJPR, DES MOINES: KDSM, 
PORTLAND ME: WPXT, SPOKANE: KAYU, BATON ROUGE: WGMB, WACO: KWKT, 
SANTA BARBARA: KADY, MONTEREY: KCBA, AUGUSTA: WFXG, LAFAYETTE LA: KADN, 
COLUMBUS GA: WXTX, YAKIMA: KCY, ODESSA: KPFJ.
 
For up-to-the-minute info, check out GEnie Science Fiction RoundTable 
Category 18, Topic 22.  GIF format pictures are available on both GEnie and
Compuserve in their respective file areas.
 

And just a side note.
    
 
Yes, there is a spinoff called Deep Space 9 starting in January, but if you
want specifics ask in the rec.arts.startrek groups...
 
The reason I respond is because WSBK is in fact not going to show DS9 (I
believe WCVB has first dibs, since the have TNG), but they are one of the
Warner Comm. Consortium stations which will be carrying the long-worked-on
Sci-Fi series Babylon 5.
 
1054.4Being in Oz, we may see it in 1997...BIGUN::HOLLOWAYSavage Tree Frogs on SpeedThu Jun 18 1992 06:556
    Being as far away from California as possible, and still remain on the
    planet...  Has anybody pulled the .GIF images across onto Easynet, and
    if so could you set up a pointer to them please.
    
    Thanks,
    David
1054.5Babylon V and other new SF TV this fall...SCHOOL::BOBBITTbut that coccoon has to go...Tue Sep 15 1992 21:09224
    
    
    from sevearl newsgroups
Subj:	Upcoming SF TV (long)


REC.ARTS.SF.TV NEW SF TV SERIES INFO

Info file on new science fiction tv shows for 1992/93 tv season.  
Cross-posted to rec.arts.tv and rec.arts.startrek.current.

Shows are listed in order of planned initial air-date.

1. Highlander
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
3. Time Trax
4. Babylon 5

This file is intended to answer (at least partially), the
"What the heck is [Insert series name here]?" questions.
References to other sources of info are include, where known.

1. Highlander : Debuts Oct, 1992

The Highlander syndicated, one hour, TV series will debut the first
week of October, 1992. The series is based on the Higlander movies and
features Christopher Lambert in the first episode, reprising his role from
the movies as Conner MacLeod.  Conner will be the mentor to Duncan MacLeod,
played by Adrian Paul, who will be the main character in the TV series.
Paul appeared in the War of the Worlds TV series second season as Kincaid.

Duncan is a nearly 400 year old immortal who has been seeking refuge from the
eternal battle between good and evil.  Events in the pilot reunites him
with Conner MacLeod, who he hasn't seen in 60-70 years.  Alexandra Vandernoot
plays Duncan's love, Tessa, who has been with him for 12 years.  She knows
he is an immortal, but does not know that he can be killed by another
immortal.  Stan Kirsch plays a teenage cohort, Ritchie, who has discovered the
Highlander's secret by being caught by Duncan breaking into Duncan's
antique shop.  The major villian, an evil immortal who is out to kill all
immortals, both good and evil, is Slan Quince.  Slan is played by Richard
Moll, best known as Bull on Night Court.

(The Highlander info comes from the Electronic Press Kit.  I do not yet
have any info on the sat feed. )


2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine : Debuts early Jan, 1993

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a syndicated spin-off series of Star Trek:
The Next Generation.  It will start the first week of January, 1993, with
a two hour movie, with 18 additional one hour episodes this season.
Filming started on August 18th, and Paramount formally announced the cast
on August 31st.

Background: After over a hundred years, the Cardassian Empire has
finally tired of fighting Bajoran terrorists and guerillas, and has
withdrawn unilaterally from Bajoran space and the Bajoran homeworld.
Before they left, however, the Cardassians stripped the planet of most
of its usable resources, and left only scorched earth behind.  The
planet is only beginning to recover, and rebuilding will be a long
hard journey indeed.

     At about the same time, a stable wormhole has been discovered in
the Bajoran star system.  It's similar in many ways to the wormhole in
the TNG episode "The Price," except that this one really _is_ stable.
The wormhole has given Bajor the chance it needed to rebuild, by
becoming a center of commerce and trade.

     Bajor has hired the Federation to administer the wormhole, and
given the assigned Starfleet unit an old Cardassian space station.
The station is a wreck; the Cardassians stripped it before leaving,
and there's very little left that works.  The Starfleet unit's first
responsibility is to get the station operational, but in fact there's
little chance all the problems will ever be worked out.  (Translation:
Mechanical breakdowns will be a frequent complication in many
stories.)

Deep Space Nine Casting:

AVERY BROOKS (Commander Benjamin Sisko, in charge of DS9): His most memorable
role was as Hawk on the ABC series "Spencer: For Hire" with Robert Urich.

NANA VISITOR (Major Kira Nerys, Bajoran first officer): Played the role of
Bryn Newhouse on the short lived series "Working Girl" (based on the film)

RENE AUBERJONOIS (Odo, he shapeshifting alien and "special character" of
the show): Well known as Clayton Endicott III on the long-running ABC sitcom
"Benson", he was also Colonel West in "Star Trek VI", the role that was put
back into the film for the video version.

TERRY FARRELL (Lieutenant Jadzia Dax, the Trill science officer): Long list of
credits including the films "Hellraiser III" and the Rodney Dangerfield film
 "Back to School"; her major TV credit was as Laurie Caswell on the Lloyd
 Bridges/ABC series "Paper Dolls"

COLM MEANEY (Chief Operations Officer Miles Edward O'Brien): We all know him
from the same role in ST:TNG.

ARMIN SHIMERMAN (Quark, the Ferengi administrator): Long list of TV guest
credits including "Beauty and the Beast," "Quantum Leap," "Murder She Wrote,"
"LA Law" and "ST:TNG" (he played Ferengis in both "Last Outpost" and "Peak
Performance" as well as the uncredited Wedding Box in "Haven") (yes, that was
Armin's face)

SIDDIG EL FADIL (Dr. Julian Bashir, Lieutenant J.G.): A British-born Arab actor
  for which DS9 marks his American acting debut.

CIRROC LOFTON (Jake Sisko): A twelve year old African American actor seen in
  the film "Beethoven"; this marks his TV debut.

Recurring characters:  Rosalind Chao (Keiko) will be a semi-regular on the
show, as she is on TNG.  Betazed Ambassador Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett);
a Bajoran Spiritual Leader; Namm, Quark's son; possibly Guinan (TV Guide
reported that Guinan has a son in DSN's brig).

(Deep Space Nine info: background is as read by Majel Barrett from the
DSN Writer's Guide, casting details from Jim Shaun Lyon.  See the
rec.arts.startrek.current  FAQ list for additional info on ST:DSN).


Warner Bros. Prime Time Network Shows

Starting in January, Warner Bros. will be airing one night of new shows
on a consortium of stations called "the Prime Time Network".  The initial
two series will be "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" and "Time Trax", each
of which will debut with a two hour movie.  Also being developed is a
two-hour movie of "Babylon 5", which should also go to series sometime next
year.  Following is info on "Time Trax" and "Babylon 5":

3. Time Trax : Debuts Jan, 1993

Time Trax, has Harve Bennett as creator/co-executive producer. Harve was
executive producer/writer of four Star Trek movies, leaving when his idea
for a Starfleet Academy movie was scrapped for Star Trek VI.  Time Trax,
will be produced in Australia, with a two-hour premiere movie in January
with 21 additional hour episodes to follow.

Time Trax (an acronym for Trans-Time Research and Experimentation) is set
two hundered years in Earth's future (2192) where Dr. Mordecai Sahmbi, a
research scientist (played by Peter Donat,) has developed a time machine
after 10 years of development.  However, it turns out that people can
transport for only one round trip.  Any more and the body will not be able
to withstand the molecular bombardment of the journey.

With these limitations, the government stops funding on the project.
Sahmbi decides to continue, obtaining funds by offering criminal fugitives
the chance to transport 200 years back in time (to present-day Earth)
where they can start over with a new identity.

When the government finds out, they enlist Darien Lambert (played by Dale
Midkiff, star of "Elvis and Me" and "Pet Sematary"), a "fugitive retrieval
specialist" from the U.S. Marshall's Office who's job is to round up
Sahmbi and the hundreds of fugitives Sahmbi has sent back in time.
Lambert's assignment is to catch the fugitives, injecting them with a
chemical that enables him to send them back to the future for prosecution
by the authorities. Lambert will not always send the fugitives back, though.
He will be able to make judgement calls and may let them stay if they have
reformed.

Helping Lambert out in his assignment will be SELMA, an acronym for
Specified Encapsulated Limited Memory Archive, a female hologram that is
projected from a credit card sized computer. Selma is being played by
Australian-born actress Liz Alexander and has the "looks and manners of
Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins," according to Harve Bennett.

(Info on Time Trax mostly from Broadcasting Magazine, July 13, 1992)

4. Babylon 5 : Debuts Feb, 1993

Babylon 5 is set on a Space Station in the mid 23rd Century.
It will premiere in February 1993 with a two hour movie, "The
Gathering".  The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS),
who will be co-executive producer on the show along with Doug Netter.
It has been in development for over four years, having been picked up
by Warner Bros. for their new network.  According to JMS, Warners has
said that Babylon 5 will be given the go-ahead for a series provided
the pilot movie is done on schedule and on budget.  As of early
September, with principal photography finished, it is almost certain.

Babylon 5 is a United Nations-like space station in the year 2257.  It is
nearly five miles long and is run by the Earth Alliance.  It is host to
a wide range of aliens and humanoids, and orbits a planet near a jump
point between Earth and four alien territories.  Jeffrey Sinclair is the
commander of Babylon 5, representing the Earth Alliance.  Also
represented are the Minbari, The Centauri Republic, the Narn Regime,
and the Vorlons.

Casting for Babylon 5 is as follows:

Commander Jeffrey Sinclair -  Michael O'Hare
Vice-Commander Laurel Takashima - Tamlyn Tomita
Carolyn Sykes - Blaire Baron
Narn Regime Ambassador G'Kar - Andreas Katsulas
Minbari Ambassador Delenn -  Mira Furlan
Centauri Republic Ambassador Londo Mollari - Peter Jurasik
Security Chief Michael Garibaldi - Jerry Doyle
Lyta Alexander (the rent-a-telepath) - Patricia Tallman.
Ambassador Kosh - Himself
Dr. Benjamin Kyle - Johnny Sekka

If you would like to get on a mailing list for a Babylon 5 Newsletter
(being produced with the cooperation of J. Michael Straczynski),
send a POSTCARD with your name and address to BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTER,
c/o Moonfire Productions, Box 2325, Oakhurst, CA  93644.  Mid-September
is planned for the first issue.

Much more info on Babylon 5 is contained in the Babylon 5 FAQ, which is
available via ftp at coe.montana.edu in the /pub/TV/Guides/babylon-5
directory.


**************************************************************************

Compiled by Lee Whiteside
            L.WHITESIDE (GEnie), 76044,502 (Compuserve)
            Edward_Lee_Whiteside@cup.portal.com (USENET)
            P14942@email.mot.com
            Sysop of the Magrathea/SEVAC BBS (602)833-9216


----- End Included Message -----



1054.6PATE::MACNEALruck `n' rollTue Oct 06 1992 17:333
    The first episode of Highlander was on Channel 56 last Saturday in the
    Boston area.  I didn't see it in the listings for this coming Saturday. 
    Anyone know when the next episode will be aired?
1054.7TV GuideNIOMAX::LAINGSoft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*232-2635Thu Dec 31 1992 12:525
    Word has it that next week's TV Guide will have some details on this
    show, along with several other SF series that will begin on TV in
    1993 ... is SF catching on in "mainstream TV" or what?!
    
    Jim
1054.8Lots of new stuffAIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodThu Dec 31 1992 14:098
    TV Guide had a good sized article about a number of science fiction
    shows on tv in the next year. THe talk about deep space 9,
    Time trax (time traveling cop simular to "Trancers" the movie),
    Babylon 5 (a movie with no firm plan for a series), a mini series
    on abc (a sort of holodeck/westworld  theme park with Dynasty/Dallas
    family conflicts) and last a series on nbc in the fall I can't remember
    the theme.    
                        Jeff Peters
1054.9The Seaview II?XLSIOR::OTTEThu Dec 31 1992 16:285
    Yeah, I read the articles last night---looks like they're bringing back
    a variant on 'Voyage at the Bottom of the Sea too'--its called
    SeaQuest...get those VCRs primed for the new season...
    
    -randy
1054.62Babylon 5KAOOA::OLSSONThu Jan 28 1993 20:2713
    Greeting,
    
       Has anyone seen the new SCFI television show Babalyon 5 (sp) ????
    
      Since I work evenings I haven had a opportunity to watch this
    
    program..  Comments...
    
    
    Regards,
    
         Richard
    
1054.63Coming to a TV Near youACETEK::TIMPSONFrom little things big things growFri Jan 29 1993 11:2713
>>       Has anyone seen the new SCFI television show Babalyon 5 (sp) ????
  
        Nope.
          
>>      Since I work evenings I haven had a opportunity to watch this
    
>>    program..  Comments...

        
        Thats because it hasn't aired yet.
        
        
        Steve
1054.64When/where?NIOMAX::LAINGSoft-Core Cuddler*Jim Laing*232-2635Fri Jan 29 1993 13:463
    When is it going to air?  I haven't seen an exact date/time/channel
    yet...
    	Jim
1054.10"Babylon 5" - When and Where????EBBCLU::CRIPPENTue Feb 09 1993 11:376
    
    Well, it's February and I have not seen any thing on the tube about
    the 2 hr debut of "Babylon 5".  If anybody knows anything about when
    and where it is to air, please post it here.
    
    Stu 
1054.11Feb 23AIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodTue Feb 09 1993 13:173
    In the tv guide sveral weeks ago it said Feb. 23. I would be suprised
    if you heard anything before the 14.
                             Jeff peters
1054.12It's HereAIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodFri Feb 19 1993 14:136
    Babylon five comes to Boston this coming Tuesday Feb 23 on channel 38.
    The TV Guide said the show was awful and that it would not make it as a
    movies let alone as a series. I hope they are wrong but who knows 
    Space Rangers didn't set any standards for non-Star Trek science
    fiction on television.
                          Jeff Peters
1054.13the standard ;-)SA1794::CHARBONNDno more windFri Feb 19 1993 15:211
    at least it won't be worst than 'Space Rangers' - it couldn't!
1054.14From someone who has seenACETEK::TIMPSONFrom little things big things growFri Feb 19 1993 18:17121
Article 40 of alt.tv.babylon-5:
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From: koreth@spud.Hyperion.COM (Steven Grimm)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.babylon-5,rec.arts.sf.tv
Subject: Initial impressions: "Babylon 5"
Date: 19 Feb 1993 03:43:31 -0800
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Thanks to the wonder of the home satellite dish, I was fortunate enough to
be able to see the opening movie of "Babylon 5" last night.  This review is
based on that single viewing.

Non-spoilers first.  I enjoyed the show quite a bit.  It has its problems
(more on that below) but if it goes to series, "Babylon 5" will make a
worthwhile addition to SF lovers' weekly viewing schedules.  Were I to
give it a numeric rating, it'd probably be something like 7 out of 10.

Now for the spoilers...




Really.




My major problem with the show was the acting.  Tamlyn Tomita, especially,
often seemed to be reciting her lines, rather than speaking as Laurel
Takashima.  Some of this may be the director's fault; I suppose we'll find
out when the series starts.  Michael O'Hare's Commander Sinclair seemed too
glib, like he wasn't taking the whole situation seriously.  I found that
distracting at times.  All the alien ambassadors were well-played, though;
Andreas Katsulas as G'Kar was particularly good.  And it's hard to fault
Kosh's acting.

One of the most widely-touted aspects of B5 is its computer-generated
effects work.  Now, as something of a computer animation buff, I'm probably
not looking at this through the eyes of an ordinary viewer, but many of the
shots were very obviously computer-generated.  All the scenes involving the
"spider" (for lack of a better term) were pretty unrealistic; they had the
shiny, absolutely-smooth-surface look of computer animation.  On the other
hand, I'd say that except for those scenes and a couple others, the effects
were no less realistic than the typical model shots on "Star Trek", which
suffer from messed-up perspective.  The Vorlon mothership looked BIG, an
effect Trek almost never achieves.  In my book, "clearly computer-generated"
is no worse than "clearly a bunch of little models".

But acting and effects are just means to an end; the story is what counts.
Here, too, I have mixed feelings.  I felt the script spent far too much
time filling in background that wasn't relevant to the particular story
being told.  Certainly, some of that is fine; it helps expand the scope of
the setting.  But there was so much information being tossed out for its
own sake that the story felt secondary.  What's worse, a lot of that
information was in the form of character A lecturing to B about things B
would almost certainly know already.  The most glaring example was Lyta
Alexander's "Why is it called Babylon 5?" and the subsequent explanation;
in the first place, I don't buy that she'd never heard of any of the first
four stations, and second, we didn't really need to know that information
now.  Let Sinclair explain it to some new alien later down the road, or
better still, let the viewers figure it out when the characters talk about
the previous stations in a future series episode.

I didn't get much of a feel for most of the characters.  More so than in
TNG's "Encounter At Farpoint", certainly, but I thought the characterization
here suffered in comparison to DS9's first episode.  By the end of that
show, you had a pretty good idea what made Odo, Quark, Bashir, and perhaps
Kira tick.  I only got that feeling about G'Kar here.  Which is a shame; I
would have gladly traded the Delenn-G'Kar scene for a look at how Sinclair
was reacting personally to the murder accusation, for example.

The mystery plot was above average.  I figured out more or less what was
going on pretty early (down to the hologram-generating device, though I
chalk that up to a lucky guess) but it played itself out nicely.  I did
wonder why the killer didn't make himself look like a barrel until
Sinclair's back was turned instead of participating in a shootout at
the end -- or why he didn't turn off the device entirely once the poison
was delivered, and wander around the station as just another Minbari.  But
that's a very minor quibble; the story was fine, and served to involve all
the major characters.

Specific nits and notes:

The bit at the end with the station spinning off axis was confusing.  I'm
expecting to have to explain what's going on as friends come over to watch
the show on tape.  The scene felt like it'd been edited down too far.  Aside
from which, it kind of makes one wonder how tough the station is; if a small
ship goes off-course and slams into the side of Babylon 5, will the whole
place be ripped apart within minutes?

So let me get this straight: Vorlons walk around in suits equipped with
1,000-candlepower interior lighting?  I'm willing to wait and see if there's
a reason for that other than not wanting to show Kosh's face.

For the most part, the aliens looked good.  G'Kar's makeup is especially
impressive.

"It's a hole in your mind" didn't have the impact it should have.  Sinclair's
blackout was barely even mentioned earlier.  I think that line would have
been a lot more powerful if we'd known what it was about, and what it meant
to Sinclair when he heard it.

"Beep beep" indeed.  Best humorous line in the entire two hours.  (Nope, I
won't spoil it here.)

Speaking of humor, some of it didn't really work for me, e.g. Laurel's
"fruit basket" line.  That felt forced.  G'Kar's sprightly little walk after
talking to Laurel was a riot, though.


Anyway, that's about all I feel like writing at 3:30 in the morning.  I'll
say again that the show is entertaining, and well worth watching.  I hope
it gets picked up as a series.  It'll have a place in my tape library.

-Steve


1054.15Satellite location pleaseSPECXN::NAUGHTONPat Naughton-Walsh 523-2363Fri Feb 19 1993 20:087
    RE:-1
    
    Steve, would you mind posting the satellite feed location information 
    for other dish owners.
    
    Much obliged
    Pat
1054.16May not have to worry about feedsACETEK::TIMPSONFrom little things big things growMon Feb 22 1993 11:507
        Well I have  been reading the B5 news group on internet and I get
        the impression that the  movie  which  air  tonight  in  Colorado
        Springs is just that a  movie  and there is no date given for the
        start of the series.  It may be a long wait, I don't know or have
        anymore information.  
        
        Steve
1054.17CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, CincinnatiWed Feb 24 1993 11:277
    Well, I saw the movie/pilot last night, and I liked it a lot.
    
    I think they set the stage for a very interesting series, one that 
    will definitly give ST:DS9 some competition. I've been a ST fan for a
    while, but have to admit I've been a little disappointed in DS9 so far.
    
    Dave
1054.18OASS::MDILLSONGeneric Personal NameWed Feb 24 1993 13:4326
    I also saw Babylon 5 last night, and while the concept has some
    possibilities, there are some definite problems:
    
    1.  The external shots/computer graphics are too simplistic and are
    obviously computer generated.  The transition shots between miniatures
    and graphics are very rough and jerky.
    
    2.  The acting.  I've seen better acting in coffee comercials.  The
    crew is wooden.  The commander has the emotional range of a tomato. 
    The first mate (I assume that's the position of the female oriental
    officer, since it was never explicitely stated) is stiff.  The other
    crew characters (Dr., security chief) have some possibilities, if they
    don't have to play off the other main crew members.  The ambassador
    with the hair problem (his name escapes me) has a great role, but his
    accent keeps slipping.  The only standout in the cast is the ambassador
    from (damn, where is he from?).... You know, the one with the square
    chin.   Oh, I nearly forgot a very forgetably character, the psi.  Kill
    her quick and put her out of our misery.
    
    3.  The pilot story line was very jerky and inconsistent.  I guess that
    is to be expected in a pilot, though, since the mandatory political and
    personal introductions have to be made.  DS9 had it much easier here
    with a pre-defined universe.
    
    
    We'll see what happens.
1054.19Good ShowAIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodWed Feb 24 1993 13:436
    I read previous reviews and was prepared for the worst. What I got was
    one main character the comander that I didn't like but the reat of the
    show I loved. The space ships were fantastic the write funny but need
    developement and a set of characters that have potential (except the
    commander). 
                            Jeff Peters
1054.20CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, CincinnatiWed Feb 24 1993 14:358
    re: .18
    
    I accept most of your criticisms, but I feel they must be tempered with
    this being the pilot. Look at the pilot of ST:TMG or ST:DS9, and you
    will find many of the same character faults, which have been addressed
    as they have more time to develop the characters.
    
    I really think the show has promise.
1054.21POWERS::POWERSWed Feb 24 1993 16:1111
The movie got a lukewarm review from the Associated Press writer
(published in the Boston Globe Monday 2/22), but his indication was
that there was no series, or no plans for a series beyond the hopes
of the creators that the movie would catch on.
The normal mode is to make a pilot, often an extended or movie length
pilot, and have several normal episodes in the can and start the series
with the pilot.
It sounds from the review that there is nothing in the can, so a series 
can't start for, what, 6 months to a year?

- tom]
1054.22[censored]SOFBAS::SHERMANWed Feb 24 1993 18:5355
    **spoilers**
    
    
    First, let me say that I really love SF. That said, Babylon 5 is trash.
    B5, in just the first 30 minutes (all I could stand) was a very
    comprehensive bag of everything that can be done badly and/or wrong in
    SF.
    
    Where to start? I only saw 30 minutes, so I am sure my list is
    incomplete...
    
    1. Complete disregard for even the basics of science. In one scene we
    are told a ship is coming in on "vector 557." Bad news, folks. There is
    no vector 557, as vectors are assigned based upon the universal of 360
    degrees in a complete circle. Apparently the writers of B5 found 557
    degrees in their circle, which makes me wonder what they were smoking
    when they wrote this thing.
    
    2. Light, lights, lights. This show, single-handedly, must have boosted
    the stock of Pacific Electric a dollar a share. I mean, on B5, even the
    _decks_ are covered with confusing, meaningless, distracting sequence
    lights, running, spinning, popping, glowing ... See comment re. smoking
    in (1), above.
    
    3. One-dimensional characters. Calling them two-dimensional is to
    slander two-dimensional characters.
    
    4. Costumes. Taken in sum, the characters on this show look like they
    crawled out of an enormous good will bin in New York or LA. 19th
    century formal clashing with 23rd century bizzare. Even one-dimensional
    characters deserve better.
    
    5. Computer graphics. Not bad, but jarringly disconcerting when spliced
    with model work, and will someone please tell me what possible design
    advantage exists in going to the trouble to make a spaceship with
    extremely complicated, articulating insect legs?
    
    6. The lead. I forget this guy's name, but he is clearly less capable of
    running a large installation than, say, Major Mudd.
    
    7. And let's not forget everyone's favorite technical effect: SPARKS!
    Lots and Lots of Sparks! B5 would have been condemned by even an
    apprentice member of the Electrical Workers' Union. Why are there no 
    circuit-breakers in the future?
    
    8. Hatches. Not only are all the hatches/doorways enormous -- far more
    massive than would be necessary -- they are all _crooked_. What
    happened when they were designing this thing? If doorways reflect the
    shape of the users, the people who designed this thing must have all
    been in a plane crash sometime in the past. Or worse.
    
    I could go on, but 30 minutes was more than enough to show that it is
    only the rare Gene Roddenberry who has the drive and ability to put
    good SF on the tube.
    
1054.23REACH::WRIGHTLife was never meant to be painlessWed Feb 24 1993 22:1632
First a nit on .22 - 

    "Bad news, folks. There is no vector 557, as vectors are assigned based 
     upon the universal of 360 degrees in a complete circle."

Which is true if your dealing with 2 dimensional circle, but spheres (three 
dimesions) are a different matter...how do you describe something thats comming
in from, say above you and to your right, in a two dimensional system?  you
don't. You come up with a different system, which may or may not have the 
same language. And space is a three dimensional problem.

more nits on B5 -

- they blow a small section/storage area out, and the whole, huge station gets
thrown off...pretty delicate balance there...and they have to compensate for it
by hand...pretty lousy control system.

- The vorgons, or whatever they were called, dropped the charges pretty fast...

- It took them a long time to realize that one of their drones was 
  missing/destroyed

- the "alien quarters" looked more like a zoo than anything else...god knows I 
  would want a clear door on my quarters...NOT!

- The command and control team seems to be made up of the dregs of the earth 
  alliance forces, not its best and brightest...(this is from the characters 
  comments about each other and themselves...)

grins,

clark.
1054.24On this Friday, 2-26-93...ROULET::MMURRAYCambot, give me Rocket Number 9!Thu Feb 25 1993 07:3511
    
         Hi all,
    
         Just a note for those of you who haven't seen it or would like to
            again... Just to pick out more nits... :^)
    
         Channel 9 WOR out of New York will be showing this Friday, 2-26-93
            at 8:00pm.
    
                                                            Bye,
                                                             Mike.
1054.25Nits Nits and more NITSAIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodThu Feb 25 1993 13:4126
    The vector question was already answered. The reason they didn't
    notice the repair droid was gone was it was a fully automated system.
    When the droid left the controller said "set the droid to check in when
    it finds something". The droid went off it never reported in. Many hours
    latter probably at shift change someone noticed the droid was a few
    hours overdue (any thing less would not raise suspicion). They tried to
    contact the droid no luck they tried a few other things to find the
    droid no luck. How long would you work on a problem before reporting it
    to the captain. Since the captain sealed the station they needed his
    permission to launch a repair crew. 
       The sparks were arc welders put the finishing touches to the space
    station. 
       The crew quality is quit reasonable. The commander who had a very
    good reputation was assigned his command. He is somestime give the
    permission to pick his own crew. Usually this is only done for new,
    and or dangerous commands and even then not often. The crew definally 
    looks picked by the commander.
       Insect legs if you notice the lander had trailing insect legs when
    it landed. These legs turned into landing or docking legs. If insect
    legs are landing legs L would be suprised if all ship didn't have them.
    especialy diplomatic and military vessles that may not have a base to
    land at from time to time. 
       Most of the nits have been nits. The show has it's problems every
    new show does but it is light years ahead of slock like Space Rangers
    and Time Trax.
                     Jeff Peters  
1054.26CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, CincinnatiFri Feb 26 1993 14:1826
Subject: alt.tv.babylon-5                                            

dave

i have added the following, feel free to distribute the below...
most of the B-5 traffic is in rec.arts.sf.tv 


              <<< USR1$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GRAPHICS_ARCHIVE.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Graphics Archive Library >-
================================================================================
Note 8.1                        Usenet Archives                           1 of 1
MEDDLE::LIBRARIAN                                    10 lines  25-FEB-1993 22:10
                              -< More Groups... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Three more groups have been added. (yes we take requests ;-) )
    
    		Group			Notes Conference
    	rec.arts.sf.tv			MEDDLE::RASFT
    	rec.arts.tv			MEDDLE::RAT
    	alt.tv.babylon-5		MEDDLE::ATB5
    
    as always we are here to serve...
    
    your humble servant
    
1054.27ACESMK::CHELSEAMostly harmless.Tue Mar 02 1993 20:1226
    Well, I watched it all.  It has potential.
    
    The movie was marred by the "let's explain and show everything"
    syndrome.  I dislike historical voice-overs on principle and, as
    mentioned, the detour through the alien sector was particularly silly. 
    Besides, they explained a few things multiple times, like we needed a
    refresher course.
    
    I also dislike the "Earth" adjective on principle (e.g. Earth hours),
    and I got tired of it _real_ fast here.
    
    The whole reception thing was badly done; these things are much bigger
    productions and much better organized.  The "spider" was a hack, too;
    they should have seen it coming.  And those gun things at the end,
    forget it.  Way too big and clunky.  Surely people have learned a thing 
    or two about basic design in all the years.
    
    I think what the show is missing is a cohesive vision of the time and
    place.  The station kind of rambles all over the place; it's difficult
    to get a sense of "this is _this_ place," a kind of geographical
    grounding.  There are various modes of transportation, but why that
    must be so isn't clear.  Just what are the responsibilities of the
    station commander?  Is this a military or civilian organization? 
    Pseudo-military?
    
    Still, not bad for a first effort.
1054.28Frustrated ? my usual state of being....SHARE::VALERIOThu Mar 04 1993 13:098
     RE: .25
    
    I tried to tune in for the broadcast on Fri 2/26 at 8:00 on WPIX since
    my cable division carries this channel.  Only suceeded in frustrating
    myself with a rerun of the old Barnaby Jones series.  Does anyone know
    if this will be broadcast on WPIX anytime soon?
    
    Thanks,
1054.29it was bomb delayed (Not that I thought it bombed ;-)SMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyThu Mar 04 1993 13:3110
    As I understand it, the 2/26 showing on WPIX was cancelled due to the
    bomb at the World Trade Center in NY, as broadcasts go out from the
    WTC (or something like that).  It was supposedly shown on Sunday
    2/28 possibly after DS9, if that's when DS9 is shown on WPIX (I don't
    get WPIX on our cable).  I suppose they may re-broadcast it due to 
    the unusual nature of the interruption, but I really don't know 
    anything other than the above.
    
    PeterT
    
1054.30Really, they had advertisements all week!ESKIMO::MMURRAYCambot, give me Rocket Number 9!Fri Mar 05 1993 07:5713
    
         Hi all,
    
         Gee, I wonder when someone was going to notice that! :^)
    
         Well, if it will make you feel any better I tuned in to watch it
            as well only to get the aforementioned Barnaby Jones.
    
         I wasn't sure, but I did surmise that WOR didn't broadcast because
            of the loss of the transmitter on the World Trade Center.
    
                                                         Sorry,
                                                          Mike.
1054.31Late entryROULET::RUDMANAlways the Black KnightTue Mar 09 1993 16:0741
1054.32KDX200::ROBRThis world is spinning around meFri Mar 12 1993 13:597
    
    havent seen it, but .22....  HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!  sparks!!!  crooked
    doorways!!!  lights.... too funny....
    
    especially the sparks comment :L')
    - rob
    
1054.33I think it's worth a lookSMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyFri Mar 12 1993 16:4223
    There were no sparks (at least in the sense that we see sparks on
    consoles on Star Trek.  There were sparks from arc welders.)  
    There were lights in strange places, probably designed to look
    futuristic, if nothing else.  I enjoyed this show though, and would
    love to see a series out of it.  There are certainly a lot of 
    things to explain.  Some of the acting did seem a bit wooden,
    but most seem to think the alien ambassadors were well done.
    Spoilers ahead
    
    
    I enjoyed the original encounter with the Minbari ambassador in
    the Japanese rock garden.  Nice touch that.  And though I 
    agree that the explosion towards the end that threw off the 
    station seemed a bit underpowered for it's results, I loved the
    way the Vorlon ships scrambled out of the way when they realized
    this 5 kilometer long station was starting to tumble out of control.
    
    
    This gets my vote.  I wouldn't mind 2 Star Treks and 1 Babylon 5 show
    a week.  As long as they're not all on at the same time!
    
    PeterT
    
1054.34XCUSME::SAPPRacism-A Media Creation! Marge Schott.Thu Mar 25 1993 12:274
    	Horrible show. It is as bad as science fiction gets. 
    Poorly produced, directed, and acted.
    
    Geesh, I'm being to nice.
1054.35Babylon 5 is a goTLE::TOKLAS::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureTue Jun 01 1993 23:3740
Babylon 5 is a go.

Here's the press release and another note (vie Usenet via Genie
via JMS).  The second note shows the Star Trek connection.  My apologies
if any special characters made it through my Motif/eXcursion cut and 
paste, or the formatting got screwed up:

Second SF&F RT Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 462       Fri May 28, 1993
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:39 EDT

The following is excerpted from a press release sent out today from the
Prime Time Entertainment Network via fax and mail.

    "In a move that will expand its programming base by fifty percent, 	
	the Prime Time Entertainment Network has finalized plans to add a 
	new series, BABYLON 5, to its schedule....     

    "The series BABYLON 5, based on the highly-rated telefilm of the same 
	name, has been given an order for 22 episodes set to debut on the 
	PTEN schedule in January, 1994.  The series follows on the success 
	of the original telefilm, which aired on PTEN in March 1993 and 
	achieved a 10.3 GAA national rating, out-rating the strong 
	two-hour premiers of KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (10.2), THE 
	UNTOUCHABLES (10.2), and TIME TRAX (8.4).     

    "BABYLON 5 will fill the Wednesday, 8:00 (PT) time period previously 
	held by TIME TRAX, which will now be scheduled in prime time on a 
	second night."
                                                      jms----------

...
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:13 EDT     

Another promise that is being kept: currently working on scripts for the
Babylon 5 series are Harlan Ellison, Dorothy (D.C.) Fontana and 
David Gerrold.  We'll be adding more leading SF writers to the list as we 
go.
                                                         jms-

1054.36Eh...XCUSME::SAPPIt Takes A Village to raise a Child!Wed Jun 02 1993 21:582
    	Well, folks, looks like we have more trash on television next
    year....
1054.3790 % of everthing...SMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyThu Jun 03 1993 15:4511
>             Well, folks, looks like we have more trash on television next
>       year....
    
    Well, Sturgeons's Law, you know?  I'll watch it, and if you feel like
    calling me a fool for it, well, I've been called one before!
    
    I wonder, in an existential senxe, just what you consider good TV?
    
    
    PeterT
    
1054.38Better than some this yearAIMT::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodThu Jun 03 1993 16:583
    It can't be any worse than "Space Rangers" so it's better than this
    year.
                        Jeff Peters
1054.39TRACTR::SAPPIt Takes A Village to raise a Child!Thu Jun 03 1993 22:498
    	Er... well I shouldn't have said "we" in my statement. If people
    want to see the show fine. I won't be watching.
    	What is good TV? Television shows with strong characters and or
    shows that are informative. Shows that take chances where much attention
    is given to detail in production. I, myself, have a hard time
    understanding how anyone could like this show. Except for the fact that
    they will have continuity on the show there are no other qualities that
    I can think of.
1054.40PEKING::SMITHRWThe Great Pyramid of BlokeFri Jun 04 1993 13:089
    ...that's "revelation".  Sturgeon's Revelation was a remark:
    
    "...Mister Sturgeon, 90% of SF is crud."
    
    "My dear sir, 90% of *everything* is crud."
    
    
    Nitpicker
    
1054.41points taken...SMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyFri Jun 04 1993 15:2231
>     Er... well I shouldn't have said "we" in my statement. If people
>        want to see the show fine. I won't be watching.
    In the context of your statement, 'we' is appropriate, and I don't 
    think you need to apologize.  It's your opinion.  As I was trying 
    to suggest by my mention of Sturgeon's revelation ;-) there is bound to
    be more trash on TV, though your trash may not be my trash.
    
>         What is good TV? Television shows with strong characters and or
>         shows that are informative. Shows that take chances where much
>        attention is given to detail in production.
    
    I can accept that.  Of course, I've always been a notoriously poor 
    judge of acting ability, at least to the level that I've seen others
    pick apart performances.  I can tell really good, and really bad,
    but the intermediate all gets lost in the wash.
    
    Frankly I don't know if Babylon 5 will turn out to be trash or not.
    I'm always willing to give a show a few episodes.  There were problems
    with the pilot, but I didn't mind some things that others seemed to 
    nit on.  So far the general idea intrigues me, and the general arc
    of the story seems to be carefully planned out, rather than a 
    slam bam let's introduce new baddies this week like Space Rangers.
    I think the individual characters need time to develop, though
    its possible that even if they don't gel over time the story 
    will carry me along.
    
    Time will tell.
    
    PeterT
    
    
1054.42TLE::TOKLAS::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureFri Jun 04 1993 22:277
I didn't like the pilot very much; it had lots of obvious flaws.  I do have 
a great deal of faith in the writers and production team.  Hence, I'm 
looking forward to seeing it hit the airwaves.

It takes programs a while to hit their stride.  Let's give them a chance.

   Gary
1054.43Shades of _The Starlost_ ...ILLUSN::SORNSONAre all your pets called 'Eric'?Fri Jul 23 1993 18:509
    re .35
    
>Another promise that is being kept: currently working on scripts for the
>Babylon 5 series are Harlan Ellison, Dorothy (D.C.) Fontana and 
>David Gerrold.  We'll be adding more leading SF writers to the list as we 
>go.
    
    Harlan Ellision is back in the TV biz?   Ho ho ... that story will
    probably beat any Bablyon 5 story that makes it to the air.
1054.44TLE::TOKLAS::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureFri Jul 23 1993 21:425
Ellison has been doing a regular commentary piece on SciFi Buzz (SciFi
channel).  I think he's already announced that he's doing B5 work, during
one of these appearances.

  Gary
1054.45A love/hate relationshipZENDIA::BORSOMMon Jul 26 1993 01:2813
      > I think he's already announced that he's doing B5 work....
    
    No doubt he's gathering material for the _next_ tirade he writes about
    Hollywood and its power to turn good projects into merde.
    
    Despite his past condemnations of the television business, Ellison
    seems  unable to stay away from the money trough. I find it sad
    that he could want to be associated with a show like B5, which was
    so utterly without merit in its pilot. It appears that Ellison,
    himself, is an example of Hollywood's power to transform for the worse.
    
    	-doug
    
1054.46A vote from the UKKERNEL::HOGGANDMon Sep 20 1993 14:1120
    Well, I finally got to see this show here in the UK.
    
    I must say that as a Sci-Fi show on its own , the pilot was pretty
    good. Sure there are some issues that need to be sorted out if it is to
    become a widespread success, but there is only so much that can be
    achieved in 90 minutes. If the director let the story unfold in a
    fashion you didn't like, then it is his fault, not the show's. It may
    be that the series has a set of directors, giving each episode its own
    feel.
    
    Star Trek, both TNG and DS9 are sorely in need of competition;
    personally I would like to see this show given a season or two to
    allow it to develop.
    
    Dave
    
    PS: Have any of you who didn't like the show, written to the producers
    voicing you dislikes? If so, did they reply?
    
    
1054.47yeah, they're on line....QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Sep 20 1993 19:4827
    
>    PS: Have any of you who didn't like the show, written to the producers
>    voicing you dislikes? If so, did they reply?

The executive producer J Michael Stryczinski (sp?) is on line 
in the GENIE network, and also responds to postings in alt.fan.tv.babylon5
(or something along those lines).  Several things about the pilot have
been changed, indeed JMS (I can spell that at least! ;-) says it 
is no longer fair to compare the pilot with what will be seen in 
the series.  Just a few points:  
"      Re: the breather units...changed.  Re: the uniforms...we're keeping the
insignia and the *general* shape, but toughening them up, adding some nifty
stuff to make them look cool.  Re: the alien sector...definite and
comprehensive redesign.  (We blew up the last one to make sure it would never,
ever come back again.)"
Oh, and now I can see that it should be Straczynski!  Obvious.  Certain
characters are gone, though not replaced by another actor in the same
role, as they may return for other episodes.  Harlan Ellison, David Gerrold
and DC Fontana are writing scripts.  Harlan may have a sequel to his
Outer Limits (or was it Twilight Zone?) episode, "The Demon with the Glass
Hand"  (the one that "Terminator" ripped off) where Trent shows
up on B5 (which if it comes up will only be played by Robert Culp!)
It's actually been pretty interesting watching the show shape up on
the net before we get to see what's really going on.

PeterT

1054.48TLE::TOKLAS::FELDMANSDT Software Engineering Process GroupTue Sep 21 1993 17:2329
JMS also participates on CompuServe, as does David Gerrold and others.
It's amazing that they have the time.

The first acts of two of the early episodes were shown at ConFrancisco.
Both were riveting, The Soul Hunter more so than the other (whose name
escapes me).  Sinclair still seemed wooden to me, but otherwise the
acting looked reasonable.  Direction and writing seemed excellent.

Warner is giving them a great deal of room on the writing.  The Soul
Hunter poses an interesting philosophical question, which will actually
require some thinking ability on the part of the audience.  (Remember
that the first Trek pilot was rejected, as too cerebral; The Soul
Hunter makes Trek issues look like kindergarden.)

Episode 4, by David Gerrold, is titled The Believers.  No details on
plot, though I suspect it deals with religion.  What they did say was
when their Warner contact read the script, he said:

	1.  No network exec in his right mind would approve this.
	2.  It doesn't match their demographics for the expected audience.
	3.  I love it -- let's do it.

Ellison appeared with JMS for part of one session.  I think it's
clear that he (and other writers) are participating because of the
room being given the writers, and the trust that they won't be rewritten
unnecessarily.  Also, Ellison is big on certain aspects of reality: real 
people, no swoosh in space, no genius kids.

   Gary
1054.49Frequently Asked Questions (from Usenet)TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureWed Oct 06 1993 21:07811
    From the Usenet:

Article 2853 of alt.tv.babylon-5:
Xref: nntpd.lkg.dec.com alt.tv.babylon-5:2853 rec.arts.sf.tv:15868
Newsgroups: alt.tv.babylon-5,rec.arts.sf.tv
Path: nntpd.lkg.dec.com!nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!olivea!pagesat!indirect.com!indirect.com!leew
From: leew@indirect.com (Lee Whiteside)
Subject: Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List (10/4/93 update!)
Message-ID: <leew.749754231@indirect.com>
Summary: FAQL For the TV series Babylon 5
Keywords: Babylon 5 FAQL 
Organization: Internet Direct Inc. -- (602) 274-0100
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:03:51 GMT+5:00
Lines: 793

[Here it is, a new update!  There's still some things I plan to add
and could use some more info on the new actors but I wanted to get
this out with all the latest info without any more delays].

The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions List

Updated 10/04/93

Compiled by Lee Whiteside

This FAQL is copyright 1993 by Lee Whiteside

1.  What is Babylon 5?
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
Babylon 5 is a new science fiction television series that is part
of a new Warner Bros. Television Consortium, called the Prime Time
Entertainment Network, much like the Fox network when it started.
It is set on a Space Station in the mid 23rd Century.  It premiered
with a two hour movie, "The Gathering", in February, 1993.  A series
of 22 episodes has been ordered by Warner Bros. which will start in
mid January, 1994.

2.  Who is behind Babylon 5?

The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who will be co-
executive producer on the show along with Doug Netter.  It has been in
development since 1987, the last few years with Warner Bros.

J. Michael Straczynski has been involved with genre television for many
years, as story editor and writer for the Twilight Zone TV series
(syndicated version), Captain Power, and the animated The Real
Ghostbusters.  He has also written for Jake and the Fatman and is
currently a producer/writer on Murder She Wrote.  JMS has also had many
published short stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels.
Until recently, he was co-host of Hour 25, a Los Angeles area
science fiction radio talk show.

Doug Netter is an equal partner in Babylon 5 and has been in the business
for a long time, at one time being the head of MGM where his nickname was
Rattlesnake, thus Rattlesnake Productions, his production company.  Doug
mainly handles the business side and leaves the creative work to
Straczynski, which is how they first worked together on Captain Power.

3.  What makes JMS think he can do a good science fiction TV show?

JMS has been on many panels at science fiction conventions dealing
with what's wrong with science fiction on television.  He has also
been active on various computer networks getting feedback from
science fiction fans.  His main criteria for a good science fiction
television series include that it must be good science fiction AND
good television (both are rarely combined together in one show),
it would be geared towards adults, not kids ("No Cute Kids, No Cute
Robots.  Ever!"), doing for science fiction what "Hill Street Blues"
did for police shows.  It would also have to be done on a reasonable
budget and it should look like nothing ever seen on TV.  And to make
it a series, it would not be just individual stories (alien attack/
possession/misunderstanding of the week), the stories would be part
of an overall larger story, but still watchable each week as a
separate chapter.

From all indications, JMS is accomplishing what he set out to do.
The pilot movie pre-production and filming came in UNDER budget and
on schedule.  In information given out so far, there is no sign of
any kids or robots.  Many noted science fiction authors have given
very favorable comments on Babylon 5.  And it has all been done with
no interference from Warner Bros. in the creative area.  Presentations
by JMS at various science fiction conventions have gotten very
positive responses from the fans.

4.  Who else is working on Babylon 5?

Richard Compton, Director: Richard has worked a lot on TV, including
The Equalizer, ST:TNG ("Haven"), and many TV movies.  Compton will be
a co-producer on the series, directing some episodes and coordinating with
other directors to maintain a consistent look to the series.

The production team includes:

Producer (series) : John Copeland

Production Manager (series): Kevin Cremin

Ron Thornton (Computer EFX): Computer Graphics expert.

John Iacovelli (Production designer) Has worked on "Honey I Shrunk
the Kids".

Billy Dickson (Director of Cinematography)

Bob Brown (Production Manager/Line Producer): Producer and/or
production manager on War of the Roses, Indiana Jones & the Temple of
Doom, Return of the Jedi, Iceman and Childs Play (all three).

Mary Jo Slater (Casting Director) Did casting for the revived Dark Shadows,
Intruders mini-series, and Star Trek VI.

Costume Designer (series): Anne Bruice

Visual Consultant: Steve Burg

Christopher Franke (Musical Score - Series) Former member of Tangerine Dream.
Has done Thief, Angel Falls, Universal Soldier, Tommyknockers.

Stewart Copeland (Musical Score - Pilot) formerly of The Police.  He has done
music for The Equalizer TV series as well as the Francis Ford Coppola movie
"Rumblefish".

Harlan Ellison will be Creative Consultant for the series.  He has also
written a "Manifest" for the show that will explain to other writer how to
write science fiction for television and Babylon 5, in particular.

Lawrence DiTillio will be Story Editor.  He has worked on Captain Power, The
Hitchhiker, Real Ghostbusters and other shows.

Writers signed for scripts include D.C. Fontana, David Gerrold, Christy
Marx (new Twilight Zone and others), and Marc Scott Zicree (Friday the 13th
TV series and author of the Twilight Zone Companion).

Directors on the series:

Jim Johnston - Actor turned director

Janet Greek - Northern Exposure, is a science fiction fan.

Bruce Seth Green


5.  Who is the main cast for the show?

a. The Cast for the Pilot

Michael O'Hare (Commander Jeffrey Sinclair):

Movies: By A Thread; Into Thin Air; Pursuit; Short Term Bonds;
The Promise.

TV: Rage of Angels; Adams Chronicles; Equalizer;LA Law;
Case of Deadly Force; Blue Revolution; Kate and Allie.

Broadway: A Few Good Men; Players; Man and Superman; Galileo.


Tamlyn Tomita (Laurel Takashima)

Movies: Come See The Paradise; Orange Curtain; Hawaiian Dream;
The Karate Kid II; Vietnam, Texas; The Joy Luck Club

TV: Quantum Leap ("Temptation Eyes); The Trials of Rosie O'Neil;
Tour of Duty; Santa Barbara (series regular); Raven (pilot)

TV Movies: Hiroshima:Out of the Ashes; To Heal A Nation.


Peter Jurasik (Ambassador Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic):

Movies: Problem Child; Enemy Mine; Tron; Straight Time; Mr. Jones

TV: Columbo; Hill Street Blues; Beverly Hills Buntz; Civil Wars;
Remington Steele; MacGyver.


Andreas Katsulas (Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn Regime):

Movies: Husbands and Wives; Sunset; Someone To Watch Over Me;
Communion; Next of Kin; The Sicilian, True Identity, Hot Shots Part Duex,
The Fugitive.

TV: Star Trek:The Next Generation (Romulan Tomalok in episodes
"The Defector", "The Enemy" and "Future Imperfect"); Alien Nation;
The Equalizer; Max Headroom; The Human Factor; The Guiding Light

TV Movies: The Death of the Incredible Hulk; Murder Times Seven;
Seduction: Three Tales from the 'Inner Sanctum';
    

Blaire Baron (Carolyn Sykes):

Movies: A League of Their Own, Privilege, Skinner

TV: Happy Days, Three's Company, General Hospital, The Guiding Light


Johnny Sekka (Dr. Benjamin Kyle):

Movies:  The Fever; Ashanti; Southern Star; Khartoum;
Woman of Straw; Hanky Panky; A Warm December;

TV: Roots Second Generation; Master of the Game; Kingston
Confidential; Passion in Paradise


Jerry Doyle (Security Chief Michael Garibaldi):

Movies: Kidnapped; Being in Time

TV: Reasonable Doubts; Homefront; Bold and Beautiful;
Moonlighting.


Mira Furlan (Minbari Ambassador Delenn):

Movies: When Father Was Away on Business; Three For Happiness;
Dear Video; Southbound; The Condemned; The Beauty of Sin.


Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander):

Movies: Night of the Living Dead (remake); Army of Darkness;
Sweet Justice; Knightriders; Monsignore; Roadhouse; Kalifornia
Jurassic Park (stunt work, credited as Patrick Tallman).

TV: Generations; Tales from the Darkside; Miracles;
Guiding Light; Star Trek: The Next Generation ("Starship Mine",
"Timescape"; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (stunt work).


Vorlon Ambassador Kosh Naranek: Himself (i.e. animatronics)

b. The Main cast for the series

Cast returning for the series are:

Michael O'Hare
Jerry Doyle
Mira Furlan
Peter Jurasik
Andreas Katsulas

New cast members for the series:

Claudia Christian (Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova):

Movies: Arena; Hexed; The Hidden.

Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin):

Julie Nickson-Soul (Catherine Sakai):

Andrea Thompson (Talia Winters):

TV: Falcon Crest

c. Supporting cast and guest stars:

Stephen Furst - Londo's assistant Virell

Furst is best known for the movie "Animal House" and the TV Series 
"St. Elsewhere".

Bill Mumy - Delenn's assistant Lennier

Best known as Will Robinson from Lost in Space, Bill appeared on many TV
shows in the sixties with several Twilight Zone appearances and movie
appearances such as "Bless the Beasts and the Children".  Recently, he has
appeared in an episode of "The Flash" and "SuperBoy" TV series and the 
"Captain America" movie.  He's part of the Barnes and Barnes group best known 
for the song "Fish Heads" and is currently writing for the "Lost in Space" 
comic series and hosting the "Inside Space" magazine show on the Sci-Fi 
Channel.

Walter Koenig - Walter was due to appear as a character called "Knight
One" in the episode "And the Sky Full of Stars" before his heart attack
in July, 1993.  Plans are for him to appear in a later episode as a
different character.

David McCallum - Best Known from the Man From U.N.C.L.E., also the title
character in the 70's "Invisible Man" series and Steel in the British
series "Sapphire & Steel".  He will guest star in the episode "Infection"(?)

W. Morgan Sheppard - Was Blank Reg in Max Headroom, the Klingon commander
of the prison camp in Star Trek VI,  Ira Graves in the ST:TNG episode
"The Schizoid Man", and the hologram in seaQuest DSV.  He guest stars in
the episode "The Soul Hunter".


Cameos and such:

Doug Netter and Anne Bruice as EA Officials displayed on a computer screen.

Danica Mc Keller (Winnie Cooper in "The Wonder Years) as a young Centauri woman.


6. How much of the series is planned out already?

As part of the development of "Babylon 5", a five year arc has been
planned as if it were a five year miniseries.  Events have been
planned for each season, which will tell a larger story over time.
There is plenty of room for individual stories within each season.
There is also a writers guide as well as much backstory on the
Babylon 5 universe.

7. How has Babylon 5's development progressed?

Spring/Summer 1987: BABYLON 5 treatment created by J. Michael
Straczynski, also writer's bible.

May 1988: artist Peter Ledger hired to design a BABYLON 5 logo,
and to do a series of paintings based on the treatment and bible,
which were then used for various presentations.

Summer/Fall 1988: BABYLON 5 pitched to CBS, HBO, ABC and others.

March 1989: BABYLON 5 pitched to Chris-Craft Television, a
consortium of stations.  CCT pledges support of B5, and attempts are
made throughout 1988 and 1989 to create co-production deals with
foreign investors.

June/July 1989: BABYLON 5 submitted/pitched to Paramount.

December 1989: BABYLON 5 receives additional pledge of support
from Warner Bros., which begins working with CCT to form fifth network
at same time.

November 1991: BABYLON 5 announced as one of three flagship
projects for the Primetime Network (Warners and the TV Consortium).
The trades carry the story extensively.

June,July, 1992 - Casting for the pilot movie.

August 10th, 1992 - Filming on the pilot movie begins.

September 4th, 1992 - Filming ends on the pilot movie.

November  7th, 1992 - First showing of pilot movie to a convention audience
at Wishcon II in Springfield, Mass.

November 28th, 1992 - First announced showing of pilot movie to a convention
audience at Loscon 19 in Los Angeles, Ca.

January 14, 1993 - Final edit of pilot movie completed.

February 19 & 20, 1993 - Satellite feed of pilot movie to local stations

Week of February 22nd, 1993 - TV debut of the pilot movie.  It achieved a
10.3 GAA national rating, which was better than the two hour premiers of
"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (10.2), "The Untouchables" (10.2) and
"Time  Trax" (8.3).

April, 1993 - Series Pre-production starts.

May 28, 1993 - Formal announcement by Warner Bros. of a series order.

Mid-July, 1993 - Filming starts on the series.

Late summer, 1993 - Parts of the first three episodes are previewed at
San Diego Comic Con, WorldCon and CopperCon 13.

Mid-October - First fully completed episode delivered to Warner Bros.

Jan, 1994 - Start of weekly series on PTEN.


8. Where can I see Babylon 5?


Babylon 5 is part of Warner Bros. Prime Time Entertainment Network
(PTEN) which is mainly independent stations and Fox Network
stations.  The Pilot movie will air again in November on these
stations and the series will air on Wednesday nights at 8 pm ET/PT
on most of these stations where "Time Trax" (which is moving to a
second night of PTEN programming in January) currently airs.

A "Making of Babylon 5" special is planned by PTEN to air shortly
before the series starts.

For a detailed list of stations, refer to the Babylon 5 / PTEN station
list available separately.

In the U.K., the Babylon 5 pilot movie has been released on home video.


9. Who can you write to show support for Babylon 5?

For Warner Bros. write to:

Dick Robertson
Vice President Domestic Television Distribution
Warner Bros. Television
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522.

If you would like to write to Babylon 5's creator, send mail to:

J. Michael Straczynski
14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260
Sherman Oaks, CA  91423


10. Now that Babylon 5 is a series, can I submit a script?

JMS has said that for the first season, all scripts will be done
"in-house", utilizing writers that Joe has worked with before and
that he can work closely with in getting the series started.
JMS plans to start accepting scripts for the second season and
will announce submittal specifics at that time.


11. What is Babylon 5 About?

Babylon 5 is set in the year 2257 A.D. on a 5 kilometer long
space station in neutral space.  It was constructed by the
Earth Alliance to help keep the peace between the EA and
four other alien alliances of which Babylon 5 is centrally
located between.  Each of the alliances has an official
representative on the station.

These include the Earth Alliance, represented by Commander
Jeffrey Sinclair, who is in charge of Babylon 5.

The Minbari, represented by Ambassador Delenn.  The Minbari
waged a war with the Earth Alliance 10 years earlier and
mysteriously surrendered on the brink of victory.

The Centauri Republic, represented by Londo Mollari.  The
Centauri Republic was the first to make contact with Earth
and helped advance their technology.  However, they are
really on the decline, much like the decline of the Britsh
Empire.

The Narn Regime, represented by Ambassador G'Kar.  The Narn
were previously under the control of The Centauri Republic
but rebelled and are now independent and growing in influence.

The Vorlons, represented by Ambassador Kosh Naranek.  The
Vorlons have avoided contact with the other alliances and
are a mystery.  They have agreed to participate with Babylon 5
and the arrival of Kosh is central to the opening pilot movie.

Other major characters include:

Lt. Cmdr Susan Ivanova - Of Russian descent, a commanding presence,
and quirky at times, somewhat pessimistic.  First appears in
"Midnight on the Firing Line".

Dr. Stephen Franklin - Middle thirties, dedicated and self-assured.
His background is mainly in experimental medicine so does not have
a good "bedside manner".  First appears in "The Soul Hunter"

Security Chief Michael Garibaldi is in charge of security on
Babylon 5.  He has a troubled past but was picked by Sinclair
for the job.

Catherine Sakai - Sinclair's love interest.  She works for an Earth
company that surveys asteroids and planets for mineral exploitation.
First appears in "The Parliment of Dreams".

Talia Winters - New Babylon 5 telepath.  First appears in "Midnight
on the Firing Line".

Characters in the Pilot, but not in the series:

Vice-Commander Laurel Takashima who is second in command of
Babylon 5 and is in charge of the day-to-day operations of
the station.  She's smart and resourceful and can take care
of herself quite well.  She has been reassigned to a classified
mission.

Dr. Benjamin Kyle is the ship's resident xenobiologist.  He's
an expert on alien medicine and took the Babylon 5 position to
have the aliens come to him, instead of him traveling to the
aliens.  Kyle is now assisting the  EA president on the issue
of alien migration to earth.

Lyta Alexander is a Rent-a-Telepath on the station.  Telepaths
are used regularly in business dealings and are regulated with
strict rules set by the Psi-Corps.  She is transferred off the
station during the time between the pilot and the series.

Carolyn Sykes is Sinclair's romantic interest and is the owner
and pilot of a trading vessel.  She's known Sinclair for quite
a while and is very independent.  She and Sinclair have gone their
separate ways.


Supporting and recurring characters:

Knight One - The code name for a character originally to be played by
Walter Koenig.  He will appear in two episodes starting with "And the
Sky Full of Stars" and an occasional role afterwards.

n'grath - non-humanoid alien

Maya Hernandez - A Doctor under Dr. Franklin. First appears in Believers

Assistants to the Ambassadors:

Virell, a male Centauri assistant to Londo.

Ko'Dath, a female Narn, second in command to G'Kar. Looking for personal
advancement.

Lennier, a monk-like male aide for Delenn, having lived a monastic life,
will be a true innocent on B5.

For additonal (and much more detailed) information on the Babylon 5
universe and characters, refer to  the Babylon 5 Grid Epsilon Log text
file (see FAQL item #11).


12.  Babylon 5 Episodes (This section contains some spoilers)

Pilot - "The Gathering"  (The title of the pilot was not shown on-screen)

Series Episodes In production order (Planned Airing Order):

 1. (3) Infection (JMS) - Guest starring David McCallum.
    The "Rubber Monster" episode.

 2. (2) The Soul Hunter (JMS)  - Features Delenn and deals with the Minbari
    religious system and a conflict between Delenn's people and another group.
    It will introduce some new chracters, including n'grath and we will learn
    more about the Minbari Grey Council.  Guest stars W. Morgan Sheppard.
    Introduces Dr. Franklin.

    Director: Jim Johnston

 3 (1) Midnight on the Firing Line (JMS) - We will learn about what is
    happening on Earth and what is happening between two of the Alien
    governments. It will be a fast moving episode with lots of action plus
    some humor and mystery.  Working title of "Blood and Thunder". Opens
    with Narns attacking a Centauri outpost and Londo going after G'Kar
    when he finds out it was the Narns attacking.  Introduces Ivanova,
    Talia and Virell.

 4. Born to the Purple (Formerly Amaranth -Larry DiTillio) - Offbeat and
    funny story which focuses on Londo.  Guest stars Clive Revell and
    Fabiana Udeno.

 5. Believers (David Gerrold) - Has a child actor (Jonathan Kaplan) in it
    as an alien.

 6. (9) And The Sky Full of Stars (JMS)- Deals with The Line.
    It was one of the first scripts written due to the extensive
    technical and EFX work it will require.  JMS promises this episode is
    unlike anything produced for televsion before.  Has Christopher Neame as
    Knight One and Judson Scott as another Knight character.

    Director: Janet Greek (Northern Exposure)

 7. The War Prayer (D.C. Fontana) -

 8. Survivors (formerly "Knife in the Shadows" - Marc Scott Zicree) -
    Garibaldi's past catches up with him.

 9. [Title Withheld] (JMS) -

10. (7) Parliment of Dreams (formerly Carnival!) - Deals some with the
    questions in regards to how Kosh was poisoned and why several  people
    involved with that incident are no longer on the station.

11. Babylon Squared (JMS) - Deals with the fate of Babylon 4 and answers
    what happened to the station, but not what it means.

12. (22) Chrysalis (JMS) - Season ending episode.  Episode is highly
    classified and will do lots of things you won't expect.

13. Mind War (JMS) - Brings the Psi Cops to Babylon 5.

14. Deathwalker

15. Target: Unknown

16. Raiding Party

17. Backlash

18. Metaphors and Body Counts

19. Legacies (D.C. Fontana)

20. The Grail (Christy Marx) - Has someone coming on the station that is
    searching for the Holy Grail.

21. Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral (Harlan Ellison) -

22.



Story descriptions not linked to a title:

A story that has a female Minbari branded by a hate group on the forehead
with their symbol. (This was written and filmed before Quark had this happen
to him on DS9).  Might be in The Soul Hunter or Believers.


13. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?

All space visual effects for Babylon 5 will be comuter generated.
Ron Thornton is utilizing specialized software in conjunction with
NewTek's Video Toaster to design and render the visual effects.
The only models used on the show will be computer models.
Effects for the series will be improved over the pilot movie
due to technological advances.

14.  Where can I find out more about Babylon 5?

a1) On the GEnie Science Fiction RoundTable, there is a Babylon 5 category
where JMS talks with the fans about the show, both production and story
info. Most of the information in this FAQ came from this category. It is
located at Page 471, Category 18.  Archives of past messages are available
in the GEnie SFRT files areas.  In honor of the fans who are involved with
this group, the specific location of Babylon 5 corresponds to the original
location of the GEnie topic (Grid Epsilon 470,18,22).  A split of the GEnie
SFRT in November, 1992 created the Babylon 5 category, moving the original
topic into the new category.

a2) JMS also frequents Compuserve, BIX, and the USENET alt.tv.babylon-5
topic.

b) Available on GEnie and Compuserve, in their respective science fiction
file areas, are various text files and two GIF files, one of the Babylon 5
space station and another of a Vorlon ship.

c)  The Official Babylon 5 Newsletter

A Babylon 5 newsletter is being produced with the cooperation
of J. Michael Straczynski by Christy Marx.  The first issue was
made available for free and some copies may still be available.
To receive the additional issues, send a $5 check or money order
to Christy Marx, Editor - BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTER, P.O. Box 2325,
Oakhurst, CA  93644.  (In Canada $6 and $9 elsewhere).

New issues have been delayed due to Christy writing a script (or two) for
the series and JMS putting a higher priority on them.

d) Call NewTek at (800) 765-3406 and request a copy of their latest demo
tape.  This tape contains a moving Babylon 5 station, and a starship
that is also used in the first part of the B5 demo itself,
though the two are shown in reverse order.  This is animation from
the early stages of development.

e) Broadcasting Magazine: July 13th issue has an article on Babylon 5
including a nice color photo of the Babylon 5 station.  Check your local
libraries.  A later issue has an article on the special effects being
done for the show.

f) Starlog Magazine Articles:

Starlog Spectacular #4, March 1992, page 54. Article on NewTek's Video
Toaster. The photo that fills the bottom half of the page is an early
version of the Babylon 5 station.

Starlog: September, 1992 Has a feature article on Babylon 5.
NOTE: The pictures with the articles are either outdated or have
little, if anything, to do with Babylon 5.

Starlog Spectacular, Jan 1993 :  Feature article with many pictures from
the computer animation done for the show.

Starlog: February, 1993 has an interview with Andreas Katsulas where he
talks about his involvement with Babylon 5 and other genre appearances.

g) Science Fiction Conventions: J. Michael Straczynski has been attending
science fiction conventions when possible to promote Babylon 5.
Appearances so far have included LosCon 18, Galllifrey One in 3D and
Gallifrey One Goes Forth. WesterColt .45, the San Diego Comic Con,
WishCon II, and LosCon 19, Con-Dor, and BayCon.

Upcoming con appearances planned by J. Michael Straczynski include:

Likely con appearance at LosCon 20, Los Angeles, Nov 25-27, 1993.

Also, Arne Starr, Artist on the DC Comics Star Trek series has been
making Babylon 5 presentations at cons he has appeared at.

h) Cinefantastique Magazine Articles:

December 1992 issue has a two page article on Babylon 5.

January, 1993 issue has a  20 page feature article/cover story.

Cinefantastique sister publication Femme Fatales Spring 1993 has
a feature on "The Women of Babylon 5"

Cinefantastique issue to be published early next year will have a
major feature on the Babylon 5 series.

i) E! Televsion has produced a "Making of Babylon 5" special which has
aired on E! Television and occasionally turns up on the channel.
Note that one segment of the special focused on some of the animatronics
used for background characters seen only briefly (if at all).

j) USENET/INTERNET sources:

alt.tv.babylon5 was created the week of Feb 15th.  Check to see if
you have access to it.

rec.arts.sf.tv is also appropriate for posts regarding Babylon 5.
Cross-posting to rec.arts.tv and rec.arts.startrek.misc should only
be done when necessary.

The Babylon 5 mailing list was discontinued after the creation of
alt.tv.babylon5.

FTP sites:
ftp.uu.net has a Babylon 5 files area in /usenet/rec.arts.tv/babylon-5

ftp.hyperion.com (192.65.216.1) has a Babylon 5 files area that
includes Babylon 5 mailing list digests, GIF files, and other
information files in /pub/Babylon-5

k) Other Lists (available at the hyperion FTP site):

The Babylon 5 / Prime Time Entertainment Network Station list.
Posted occasionally to rec.arts.sf.tv and rec.arts.tv.

The Babylon 5 Actors Other Roles list (also included in this FAQL)

The Babylon 5 Grid Epsilon Log - Detailed information, backstory and
character profiles posted by J. Michael Straczynski on GEnie,
compiled by Phil Posner. (B5REVISE.TXT on GEnie)


12. Miscellaneous Info

a. Merchandising:

Licensing Company of America, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. is handling
the licensing of Babylon 5 products.

Creation Conventions has licensed some products already, like t-shirts,
hats, etc.

Electronic Arts has licensed the rights to a computer game based on
Babylon 5.

A novel based on the pilot movie is planned when the show goes to series.
David Gerrold is lined up to write it.

A Comic adaptation should happen, most likely with DC comics.  Nothing
has been announced yet, though.

b. Fans influence on the show:

Partially due to fan response from those who have seen the pilot movie
or clips, some things in the pilot movie were changed:

The voice of Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing
and Delenn is female to begin with.  Original plans were to
electronically process her voice and have Delenn change sex during the
series.

Some additional voice-over was done by Patricia Tallman to clarify one
scene in the show.

The branding of the Minbari that had similarities to a DS9 episode was 
kept after feedback from fans about it.  It had been considered removing
the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest of
the episode.

c. Awards

Emmy Award in 1993 for Special Visual Effects for the Babylon 5 Pilot movie.

d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works.

In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand", Tank mentions that he's from
the Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony.

In the JMS Novel "Othersyde", Babylon 5 is mentioned as one of the characters
favorite TV series.

e. Miscellaneous Production Info

Babylon 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for
broadcast.  Plans are for the episodes to later be availble in widescreen
on laserdisk and when HDTV happens.

Audio is being done in full Surround Sound.  Larry DiTillio is writing
background dialogue.


*****************************************************************

The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List

Some of the information contained in this FAQL is based on posts by
J. Michael Straczynski in the Babylon 5 category in the GEnie Science
Fiction Roundtable (Page 471; Cat 18).

Compiled by Lee Whiteside     L.WHITESIDE (GEnie)
            76044,502 (Compuserve)
            leew@indirect.com (USENET)
            P14942@email.mot.com (INTERNET for e-mail)
            Sysop of the Magrathea BBS (602)833-9216


-- 
Lee Whiteside
leew@indirect.com
P14942@email.mot.geg.com 
SYSOP of the Magrathea BBS  (602) 833-9216


    
1054.50Tonight again, 8PM, Boston 38HYLNDR::SCHUETZSQOIS NAS Integration Project LeadrMon Oct 25 1993 14:482
    The pilot movie is on again TONIGHT, Monday, October 25, 1993,
    at 8:00 PM on Channel 38 in the Boston area.
1054.51"Damn it! Janet!"QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Oct 25 1993 15:089
>    The pilot movie is on again TONIGHT, Monday, October 25, 1993,
>    at 8:00 PM on Channel 38 in the Boston area.

This is in direct conflict with the "world" television premiere of 
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"!  However, Rocky Horror will also be
shown on Saturday Night at 11PM, so you can always catch it then 
too!  

PeterT
1054.52CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOThu Dec 23 1993 07:465
    Well, it appears as though the Usenet feed notesfiles on MEDDLE are
    gone (sysmgr tfso'd?)... Has anyone heard news as to when the series is
    supposed to start? Last time I checked, it was sometime in January...
    
    Dave
1054.53Jan 26, I thinkTLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureThu Dec 23 1993 19:016
I have Jan 26 marked down in my calendar.  To be sure, you
should try to catch Time Trax over the next few weeks,
as the B5 ads are quite likely to appear during Time Trax.
(Similar audience, same distribution network.)

   Gary
1054.54CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOSat Dec 25 1993 19:156
    Speak of the devil...
    
    I saw my first B5 ad after TT; or rather I caught the tail-end of an ad.
    Thanks for the Jan-26 date; I missed it in the ad.
    
    Dave
1054.55Preview of seriesSMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyWed Jan 19 1994 18:1212
    Tonight, Jan. 19, 1994, ch 38 in the Boston area (and to any of 
    those who get it as a 'superstation'!) is showing the
    "Making of Babylon 5" hosted by Walter Koenig (Chekov) at
    8 PM right before the Celtics game.  The tv listing has
    something along the line of Behind Scenes, which doesn't
    tell you much, but if you've been following alt.tv.babylon-5 like
    I have, then you'd know a bit more.
    The series starts next week.
    
    I'll be taping.
    
    PeterT
1054.56BABYLON 5 Reviews Electronic ForumVERGA::KLAESQuo vadimus?Fri Jan 21 1994 15:5777
From:	US1RMC::"mss1@cornell.edu" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 21-JAN-1994 12:42:58.08
To:	Multiple recipients of list NEW-LIST <NEW-LIST@VM1.NoDak.EDU>
CC:	
Subj:	NEW: B5-REVIEW-L - Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum

  B5-REVIEW-L on LISTSERV@cornell.edu - Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum

   The Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum (hereafter called merely
   'the forum') exists as a noise-free outlet for reviews of materials
   pertaining to the _Babylon 5_ television series.  This categroy
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   One way to perceive this list is as a kind of edited electronic
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   This forum is being created in anticipation of a network reaction
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   incarnations - specifically, that many viewers who are connected to
   electronic networks will want to share their opinions, in the form of
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1054.57a personal viewKAOFS::M_BARNEYDance with a Moonlit KnightMon Jan 24 1994 14:1014
    To be honest, the 1st episode does make me believe that there is some
    hope for the series. I was critical of the pilot movie, (using my
    ST honed "Nit-picker" skills), but I think I will grow to like the 
    series.
    The outstanding complaint I STILL HAVE is the dialogue. The plot and 
    direction aren't too bad, but the dialog STILL seems written by a 
    an amateur - lots of smart-alec remarks on the part of the characters
    that don't seem to fit with the personality they are trying to portray.
    I look forward to seeing the episodes by Mr. Ellison, Mr. Gerrold and
    Ms. Fontana. 
    Okay, I'll watch the next one. I'm patient.
    
    Monica
    
1054.58WednesdayHURON::PETERSBe nice or be dog foodMon Jan 24 1994 16:023
    I thought the first episode was Wednesday. I thought last week was just
    previews and the making of.
                      Jeff Peters
1054.59You have confused the true and the realQUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Jan 24 1994 18:297
Depends on what area you are in and whether or not you have a satellite
dish.  The uplinks of the show started on the 20th, and various 
stations around the country and Canada have shown it already.  The most
common time it will be shown is this coming Wednesday, at 8PM.  That's
when my VCR will be starting up ;-)

PeterT
1054.66stop them before they act again!!!RESOLV::KOLBEThe Goddess in ChainsWed Jan 26 1994 18:558
Oh my word. It was awful! I thought they were supposed to improve on the pilot.
Babylon 5 was almost painful to watch last night. I hung in there, I may give it
one more chance, but they were bad. 

The plot wasn't too awful but the actors seemed stiff and their lines were less
than shinning. It was like cardboard cutouts were living in space. The opening
scene had me thinking for a minute I was watching Amadeus Does Andromeda. All
those guys dress like Mozart. liesl
1054.67Still better than SeaQuest.DNEAST::MARDEN_ROBERDEC/FFL 1993 League #2 ChampsThu Jan 27 1994 06:449
    
    Nice Helmets...........NOT!
    
    What's up with the Fishbowls?  I've seen Motorcycle/Snowmobile helmets
    that look more spaceage than the one's the Fighter pilots were wearing!
    
    I'll watch one more show.  If there is no improvement.....oh well.
    
    Rob.
1054.68But then, I watched Space Rangers, too...GAUSS::REITHJim 3D::Reith MLO1-2/c37 223-2021Thu Jan 27 1994 12:5011
It was more watchable than the non-SF stuff on the other channels. I'll 
watch it for as long as it's on. I expect they'll improve as the develop 
the characters/universe. Star Trek - The Next Generation had a rocky 
start (writing-wise) and they had their universe mostly defined by TOS. 
I couldn't help think ing it should have been titled "Bozo becomes a 
space diplomat" due to the hair styles. I did like the various aliens 
and like having species differences be more than a minor makeup tweek 
here or there but that will probably end up being costly on a weekly 
basis.


1054.69What did you think of the effects??QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyThu Jan 27 1994 14:1021
So far I've only watched about the first 15 minutes or so.  Had to tape it
as that's the time I put the kids to bed, and then I had some work "work"
to get done.  I'll watch the whole thing tomorrow probably.

Have any of you been following the behind the scenes stuff on the net?
Maybe it's just enhanced the viewing of what little I saw last night, 
as I was very favorably impressed.  I would imagine the 'fishbowl' 
is to show the actors face, as many motorcycle helmets and the like do
a good job of blocking one from seeing anything.  But yeah, they could
probably be flashier.  At least they acknowledge they are in a dangerous
environment (space) rather than the "it's always shirtsleeves weather here"
that ST portrays.  (Not to start any flames, just a nit.  I enjoy ST too,
but they do leave themselves open to nits).  As for the Centauri hairstyles,
they indicate status, or rank in their society.  As for the acting,
well, I've never been that good a judge, or that critical as others 
are, unless it's really, really, really bad acting.

I'll keep taping and watching.  Heck, I've kept watching DS9, but I admit,
I couldn't quite manage it with DSV.

PeterT
1054.70I liked it OKBICYCL::RYERThis note made from 100% recycled bits.Thu Jan 27 1994 14:3115
I did like it.  They're doing a real good job of filling in the history of
their timeline, I think.  Also the political tension is pretty well done too.
I thought the helmets of the space suits were believable, after all, they're
in fighter craft and need the widest possible range of view.

The Centauris (from what I gleaned from the original movie) are a species in
decline, and I think that the decision of the Centauri "central government"
not to respond to the Narn incursion reflects that.  Maybe the acting isn't
that good, but if you want to see _bad_ acting, watch Walker, Texas Ranger
for about five minutes.  Five minutes was all I could take.

I'll keep watching, if for no other reason than I think the computer
generated special effects are really neat.

-Patrick
1054.71Babble On, FiveNEMAIL::CARROLLJI've been laughing, fast + slowThu Jan 27 1994 15:4425
    Acting  = * out of ****
    
    Effects = ***1/2 out of ****
    
    Plot = ** out of ****
    
    Sets/props = *** out of ****
    
    dialogue = * out of ****
    
    	Basically, the acting defined the word 'wooden', the plot held my
    interest, but was nothing too wonderful, the computer-generated effects
    were terrific, and the sets/props were believable ( with the possible
    exception of the Centauri pistol ).  The dialogue seened awfully . . .
    stiff.  Whether this was caused more by the scripts or acting is a moot
    point, I suppose.  
    
    	I did think they did a passable job considering they have an entire
    universe to set up for the viewers, while trying to tell a story
    pertaining to that universe.  I'll keep watching, but I'm assuming the
    plot will improve once they start to focus more on the storyline(s).
    
    						too sense,
    
    						- Jim
1054.60CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOThu Jan 27 1994 18:128
    Well, I thought the effects were better quality this time around, 
    though they still have to do some work on the script... 
    
    One visible thing I liked is the mix of short and long term themes.
    There were, I'd say, three levels to the show; the immediate episode,
    some medium term interpersonals, and the long-term conflict covered.
    
    DAve
1054.72better than mostMARX::GRIERmjg's holistic computing agencyFri Jan 28 1994 02:3931
       I thought it was good, but I'm a sucker for anything even remotely
    science-fiction related.  (well, I drew the line at seaQuest...)
    
       Its first episode was (IMO) *much* better than the premier episodes
    of either ST:TOS or ST:TNG.  (I'd say it was pretty much on par with
    ST:DS9's premier, on some arbitrary valuation system.)
    
       Let's hope...
    
    	- They're not afraid of continuity (ST:TNG has been reasonably
    		good about it, but they conveniently forget things too
    		often)
    
    	- The alien races can really have well-developed alien psychology.
    		(they're trying to here, with the Centauris saying
    		"great maker!" or something, but then he called the Narn
    		a bastard, which may or may not be a bad thing in their
    		society...)
    
    	- There are bigger plans around what's happening in the universe.
    		One of the failings of ST is that you usually get the
    		impression that nothing interesting is going on anywhere
    		else except where the camera is.  (i.e. what if even only 1 in
    		10 starships had the kinds of experiences that the Enterprise
    		does...)
    
       Hopefully Harlan Ellison's influence will help here.  The guy's a
    jerk, but he's a good writer and could pull this one off if they let
    him.
    
    					-mjg
1054.73DPDMAI::MILLERRLost my TARDIS &amp; now I'm stuck here!Fri Jan 28 1994 12:5010
    Somebody inform me - I saw Bill Mumy's name in the credits, but I
    missed him. Which dude was he? 
    
    Also - liked the show. I think it's a MAJOR accomplishment to show
    spaceships acting within the bounds of known physics (in the battle
    scenes) and still maintain audience interest. 
    
    I'll keep watching. 
    
    -Russ
1054.74laterHYLNDR::SCHUETZSQOIS NAS Integration Project LeadrFri Jan 28 1994 16:175
    Bill Mumy is an ambassador's assistant, but I don't know to whom.
    He doesn't show up until a few episodes in.
    
    I'll try to remember to post the FAQ later.
    
1054.75"Danger,Will Robinson,danger..."DPDMAI::MILLERRLost my TARDIS, now I'm stuck here!Fri Jan 28 1994 18:324
    OK. Weird that they should put him on the credits before he appears
    though. 
    
    - Russ
1054.76TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureFri Jan 28 1994 19:4112
There are a number of semi-regulars whose contracts require credits in
every show regardless of whether they appear.  Mumy was not the only
one in B5 for which this happened -- he just stands out because he's
the only one we'd be likely to recognize -- except for the fact
that I believe he plays an aide to Delenn, so his makeup will likely
hide his red hair. 

This happens on other ensemble shows, as well.  I believe the most obvious
is that Jake Cisco doesn't always appear in DS9, but the actor gets
a credit anyway.

   Gary
1054.77Some general comments on the actingTLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureFri Jan 28 1994 19:5634
A number of people react to the acting by calling it wooden or
stiff, and I have my own theory as to why.

I believe such comments are focused on Sinclair and Ivanova.  Certainly
neither Londo nor Vir (Stephen Furst) were stiff, and I don't believe any of
the other aliens were, either.  Talia (the PsiCorps member) was
arguable, but actually some of the best acting in the show was in her
facial expressions when she was silent.

Both Sinclair and Ivanova have relatively deep voices.  While we're used
to hearing voices varying from below to above average, in their cases,
their voices vary from very, very deep to very deep.  To my ear, at least,
it sounds flat unless I listen very carefully.  I went back to listen
to Sinclair's most emotional moment -- the conversation with the Senator --
and found that if I listened carefully I could detect and appreciate the
variation.  Nevertheless, he still came off as being restrained.

A second point -- and perhaps this is a mistake in the characterization --
is that both roles are rather cool and unemotional.  This is obvious
in Ivanova's case -- her lines are written and she is acting the way I
think Number One should have been written and acted in the original
Star Trek pilot (the Cage, where Spock was emotional and Number One,
Majel Barret, wasn't).  Sinclair seems to be a darker character, and
I'm not sure yet whether it's just his acting or the way the role
is defined.

   Gary

PS By the way, I believe JMS has indicated the Midnight on the Firing 
Line is probably the least impressive of the first half dozen or
so episodes.  Next week's episode, Soul Hunter, probably won't have
the same space action or special effects, but it will be quite 
intellectually challenging.  It raises an interesting, potentially
controversial theological question.
1054.78QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Jan 31 1994 16:2515
Bill Mumy plays Lennier, the Minbari assistant to Delenn.  Though he hasn't
been introduced yet, you can see him in the opening credit sequence during
what looks like a Minbari religious ceremony.  He was seen in the "Making
of Babylon 5" special, so I managed to spot him in the small section
in the title sequence.  As Mumy sees it, Lennier is there to "light
Delenn's candles, keep her supplied with jelly (donuts or beans, can't 
remember which) and to brush the incense ash off the floor"  or something
along those lines.  He'll first show up in "The Parliment of Dreams" which
airs, I believe, 5th, sometime in late Feb.


And JMS has written, that in his own preferences, of the first six shows,
Midnight ranks about 5th.

PeterT
1054.79FAQVERGA::KLAESQuo vadimus?Thu Feb 03 1994 17:511006
Article: 17735
From: techy@iastate.edu (Babylon 5)
Newsgroups: news.answers
Subject: FAQ: Alt.tv.babylon-5
Date: 3 Feb 1994 16:04:03 GMT
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Sender: Babylon 5 Librarian
 
The BABYLON 5 Frequently Asked Questions List
 
Updated 01/06/93
 
Compiled by Lee Whiteside
 
This FAQL is copyright 1993 by Lee Whiteside
 
Contents of this FAQL
 
 1. What is Babylon 5?
 2. Who is behind Babylon 5?
 3. What makes JMS think he can do a good science fiction TV show?
 4. Who else is working on Babylon 5?
 5. Who is the main cast for the show?
    a. The Main Cast for the Series
    b. Pilot Movie Cast Not in Babylon 5 Series
    c. Supporting and Recurring Cast:
    d. Babylon 5 Guest Stars
    e. Babylon 5 Cameos
 6. How much of the series is planned out already?
 7. How has Babylon 5's development progressed?
 8. Where can I see Babylon 5?
 9. Who can you write to show support for Babylon 5?
10. Now that Babylon 5 is a series, can I submit a script?
11. What is Babylon 5 About?
    a. Babylon 5, The Earth Alliance and their representatives
    b. Other Major Characters
    c. Characters in the Pilot, but not in the series
    d. Supporting and recurring characters
12.  Babylon 5 Episodes
13. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
14. Where can I find out more about Babylon 5?
15. Miscellaneous Info
    a. Merchandising:
    b. Fans influence on the show:
    c. Awards
    d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works.
    e. Miscellaneous Production Info
16. Nitpicks and such
 
 
1.  What is Babylon 5?
 
Babylon 5 is a new science fiction television series that is part
of a new Warner Bros. Television Consortium, called the Prime Time
Entertainment Network, much like the Fox network when it started.
It is set on a Space Station in the mid 23rd Century.  It premiered
with a two hour movie, "The Gathering", in February, 1993.  A series
of 22 episodes has been ordered by Warner Bros. which will start the
week of January 24, 1994.
 
2.  Who is behind Babylon 5?
 
The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is
co-executive producer on the show along with Doug Netter.  It has been
in development since 1987, the last few years with Warner Bros.
 
J. Michael Straczynski has been involved with genre television for many
years, as story editor and writer for the Twilight Zone TV series
(syndicated version), Captain Power, and the animated The Real
Ghostbusters.  He has also written for Jake and the Fatman and is
currently a producer/writer on Murder She Wrote.  JMS has also had many
published short stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels.
Until recently, he was co-host of Hour 25, a Los Angeles area
science fiction radio talk show.
 
Doug Netter is an equal partner in Babylon 5 and has been in the business
for a long time, at one time being the head of MGM where his nickname was
Rattlesnake, thus Rattlesnake Productions, his production company.  Doug
mainly handles the business side and leaves the creative work to
Straczynski, which is how they first worked together on Captain Power.
 
3.  What makes JMS think he can do a good science fiction TV show?
 
JMS has been on many panels at science fiction conventions dealing
with what's wrong with science fiction on television.  He has also
been active on various computer networks getting feedback from
science fiction fans.  His main criteria for a good science fiction
television series include that it must be good science fiction AND
good television (both are rarely combined together in one show),
it would be geared towards adults, not kids ("No Cute Kids, No Cute
Robots.  Ever!"), doing for science fiction what "Hill Street Blues"
did for police shows.  It would also have to be done on a reasonable
budget and it should look like nothing ever seen on TV.  And to make
it a series, it would not be just individual stories (alien attack/
possession/misunderstanding of the week), the stories would be part
of an overall larger story, but still watchable each week as a
separate chapter.
 
From all indications, JMS is accomplishing what he set out to do.
The pilot movie pre-production and filming came in UNDER budget and
on schedule.  In information given out so far, there is no sign of
any kids or robots.  Many noted science fiction authors have given
very favorable comments on Babylon 5.  And it has all been done with
no interference from Warner Bros. in the creative area.  Presentations
by JMS at various science fiction conventions have gotten very
positive responses from the fans.
 
4.  Who else is working on Babylon 5?
 
Richard Compton, Director: Richard has worked a lot on TV, including
The Equalizer, ST:TNG ("Haven"), and many TV movies.  Compton will be
a co-producer on the series, directing some episodes and coordinating with
other directors to maintain a consistent look to the series.
 
The production team includes:
 
Producer (series) : John Copeland
 
Production Manager (series): Kevin Cremin
 
Ron Thornton (Computer EFX): Computer Graphics expert.
 
John Iacovelli (Production designer) Has worked on "Honey I Shrunk the Kids".
 
Billy Dickson (Director of Cinematography)
 
Bob Brown (Production Manager/Line Producer): Producer and/or
production manager on War of the Roses, Indiana Jones & the Temple of
Doom, Return of the Jedi, Iceman and Childs Play (all three).
 
Mary Jo Slater (Casting Director) Did casting for the revived Dark Shadows,
Intruders mini-series, and Star Trek VI.
 
Costume Designer (series): Anne Bruice
 
Visual Consultant: Steve Burg
 
Christopher Franke (Musical Score - Series) Former member of Tangerine Dream.
Has done Thief, Angel Falls, Universal Soldier, Tommyknockers.
 
Stewart Copeland (Musical Score - Pilot) formerly of The Police.  He has done
music for The Equalizer TV series as well as the Francis Ford Coppola movie
"Rumblefish".
 
Harlan Ellison is the Creative Consultant for the series.  He has also
written a "Manifest" for the show that will explain to other writers how to
write science fiction for television and Babylon 5, in particular.
 
Lawrence DiTillio is Story Editor.  He has worked on Captain Power, The
Hitchhiker, Real Ghostbusters and other shows.
 
Writers signed for scripts include D.C. Fontana, David Gerrold, Christy
Marx (new Twilight Zone and others), and Marc Scott Zicree (Friday the 13th
TV series and author of the Twilight Zone Companion).
 
Directors on the series:
 
Jim Johnston - Actor turned director
 
Janet Greek - Northern Exposure, is a science fiction fan.
 
Bruce Seth Green
 
 
5.  Who is the main cast for the show?
 
a. The Main Cast for the Series
 
Michael O'Hare (Commander Jeffrey Sinclair):
 
Movies: By A Thread; Into Thin Air; Pursuit of D.B. Cooper;
Short Term Bonds; The Promise; Last Exit to Brooklyn
 
TV: Rage of Angels; Adams Chronicles; Equalizer;LA Law;
Case of Deadly Force; Blue Revolution; Kate and Allie; Keefer
 
Broadway: A Few Good Men; Players; Man and Superman; Galileo.
 
 
Peter Jurasik (Ambassador Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic):
 
Movies: Problem Child; Enemy Mine; Tron; Straight Time; Mr. Jones
Night Club
 
TV: Columbo; Hill Street Blues; Beverly Hills Buntz; Civil Wars;
Remington Steele; MacGyver, Peter Gunn, Matlock
 
TV Movies: Acceptable Risks;
Calendar Girl, Cop, Killer: The Bambi Bembenek  Story
Crash: The Mystery of Flight 1501
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal
A House of Secrets and Lies
Love, Honor, and Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage
Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter
Without a Kiss Goodbye
 
Andreas Katsulas (Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn Regime):
 
Movies: Husbands and Wives; Sunset; Someone To Watch Over Me;
Communion; Next of Kin; The Sicilian; True Identity; Hot Shots Part Duex,
The Fugitive; Blame it on the Bellboy; Ragtime
 
TV: Star Trek:The Next Generation (Romulan Tomalok in episodes
"The Defector", "The Enemy" and "Future Imperfect"); Alien Nation;
The Equalizer; Max Headroom; The Human Factor; The Guiding Light
 
TV Movies: The Death of the Incredible Hulk; Murder Times Seven;
Seduction: Three Tales from the 'Inner Sanctum';King of America
 
 
Jerry Doyle (Security Chief Michael Garibaldi):
 
Movies: Kidnapped; Being in Time
 
TV: Reasonable Doubts; Homefront; Bold and Beautiful; Moonlighting.
 
 
Mira Furlan (Minbari Ambassador Delenn):
 
Movies: When Father Was Away on Business; Three For Happiness;
Dear Video; Southbound; The Condemned; The Beauty of Sin.
 
 
Claudia Christian (Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova):
 
Movies: Arena; Hexed; The Hidden.
 
 
Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin):
 
TV: Days of Our Lives
 
 
Andrea Thompson (Telepath Talia Winters):
 
TV: Falcon Crest
 
Movies: Delirious, Doin' Time on Planet Earth, Wall Street
 
 
Vorlon Ambassador Kosh Naranek: Himself (i.e. animatronics)
 
b. Pilot Movie Cast Not in the Babylon 5 Series
 
 
Tamlyn Tomita (Laurel Takashima)
 
Movies: Come See The Paradise; Orange Curtain; Hawaiian Dream;
The Karate Kid II; Vietnam, Texas; The Joy Luck Club
 
TV: Quantum Leap ("Temptation Eyes); The Trials of Rosie O'Neil;
Tour of Duty; Santa Barbara (series regular); Raven (pilot)
 
TV Movies: Hiroshima:Out of the Ashes; To Heal A Nation.
 
 
Blaire Baron (Carolyn Sykes):
 
Movies: A League of Their Own, Privilege, Skinner
 
TV: Happy Days, Three's Company, General Hospital, The Guiding Light
 
 
Johnny Sekka (Dr. Benjamin Kyle):
 
Movies:  The Fever; Ashanti; Southern Star; Khartoum;
Woman of Straw; Hanky Panky; A Warm December;
East of the Sudan; Flame in the Streets;Uptown Saturday Night;
The Wild and the Willing (aka Young and Willing)
Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen
 
TV: Roots Second Generation; Master of the Game; Kingston
Confidential; Passion in Paradise
 
Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander):
 
Movies: Night of the Living Dead (remake); Army of Darkness;
Sweet Justice; Knightriders; Monsignore; Roadhouse; Kalifornia
Jurassic Park (stunt work, credited as Patrick Tallman).
 
TV: Generations; Tales from the Darkside; Miracles;
Guiding Light; Star Trek: The Next Generation ("Starship Mine",
"Timescape"; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (stunt work).
 
Johh Fleck (Del Varner):
 
TV: ST:TNG - "The Mind's Eye"
 
c. Supporting and Recurring Cast:
 
Stephen Furst - Londo's assistant Vir Cotto
 
Furst is best known for the movie "Animal House" and the TV Series
"St. Elsewhere".
 
TV: Delta House; St. Elsewhere; Have Faith; The Bastard (mini-series)
Off Sides; If it's Tuesday, it Still Must be Belgium
 
Movies: National Lampoon's Animal House; National Lampoon's Class Reunion;
The Dream Team; Getting Wasted; Midnight Madness; Silent Rage;
Swim Team; Take Down; The Unseen; Up the Creek;
 
Bill Mumy - Delenn's assistant Lennier
 
Best known as Will Robinson from Lost in Space,  He's part of the Barnes
and Barnes music group best known  for the song "Fish Heads" and is
currently writing for the "Lost in Space" comic series and hosting
the "Inside Space" magazine show on the Sci-Fi Channel.
 
TV: Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Twilight Zone; The Rockford Files;
Sunshine; Lost in Space;  The Flash; Superboy, Matlock
 
Movies: Dear Brigette; Captain America; Double Trouble; Hard to Hold;
Rascal; Twilight Zone: The Movie; Bless the Beasts and the Children
 
Caitlin Brown (G'Kar's attache Na' Toth)
 
(Susan Kellerman was slated to appear as Na 'Toth but they switched to
Caitlin Brown before filming.  Mary Woronov appears as G'Kar's assistant
Ko'Dath in  "Born to the Purple" but had difficulty adjusting to the
prosthetics and did not continue with the series).
 
Julia Nickson [formerly Julia Nickson-Soul] (Catherine Sakai):
 
TV: Noble House; Around the World in 80 Days; Harry's Hong Kong
The Girl Who Came Between Them; Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders
 
Movies: China Cry: A True Story; Glitch!; K2: Sidekicks
Rambo: First Blood Part II
 
Silvana Gallardo (Maya Hernandez)
 
First appears in "Believers"
 
d. Babylon 5 Guest Stars
 
Walter Koenig - Walter was due to appear as a character called "Knight
One" in the episode "And the Sky Full of Stars" before his heart attack
in July, 1993.  He appears in "Mind War" as a psi-cop.
 
David McCallum - Best Known from the Man From U.N.C.L.E., also the title
character in the 70's "Invisible Man" series and Steel in the British
series "Sapphire & Steel".  He will guest star in the episode "Infection"(?)
 
W. Morgan Sheppard - Was Blank Reg in Max Headroom, the Klingon commander
of the prison camp in Star Trek VI,  Ira Graves in the ST:TNG episode
"The Schizoid Man", and the hologram in seaQuest DSV.  He guest stars in
the episode "The Soul Hunter".
 
David Warner (many movies including Star Trek V & VI) appears in "Grail"
 
Danica Mc Keller (Winnie Cooper in "The Wonder Years) as a young Centauri 
woman in "The War Prayer".
 
Judson Scott (Star Trek III) as Knight One in "And the Sky Full of Stars"
 
Christopher Neame (Ghostbusters II) as Knight Two in "And the Sky Full of 
Stars"
 
Robin Curtis (Saavik in Star Trek III & IV) in "Deathwalker".
 
 
e. Babylon 5 Cameos
 
Doug Netter and Anne Bruice as EA Officials displayed on a computer screen.
 
 
6. How much of the series is planned out already?
 
As part of the development of "Babylon 5", a five year arc has been
planned as if it were a five year miniseries.  Events have been
planned for each season, which will tell a larger story over time.
There is plenty of room for individual stories within each season and
each episode can stand alone.  There is also a writers guide as well 
as much backstory on the Babylon 5 universe.
 
7. How has Babylon 5's development progressed?
 
Spring/Summer 1987: BABYLON 5 treatment created by J. Michael
Straczynski, also writer's bible.
 
May 1988: artist Peter Ledger hired to design a BABYLON 5 logo,
and to do a series of paintings based on the treatment and bible,
which were then used for various presentations.
 
Summer/Fall 1988: BABYLON 5 pitched to CBS, HBO, ABC and others.
 
March 1989: BABYLON 5 pitched to Chris-Craft Television, a
consortium of stations.  CCT pledges support of B5, and attempts are
made throughout 1988 and 1989 to create co-production deals with
foreign investors.
 
June/July 1989: BABYLON 5 submitted/pitched to Paramount.
 
December 1989: BABYLON 5 receives additional pledge of support
from Warner Bros., which begins working with CCT to form fifth network
at same time.
 
November 1991: BABYLON 5 announced as one of three flagship
projects for the Primetime Network (Warners and the TV Consortium).
The trades carry the story extensively.
 
June,July, 1992 - Casting for the pilot movie.
 
August 10th, 1992 - Filming on the pilot movie begins.
 
September 4th, 1992 - Filming ends on the pilot movie.
 
November  7th, 1992 - First showing of pilot movie to a convention audience
at Wishcon II in Springfield, Mass.
 
November 28th, 1992 - First announced showing of pilot movie to a convention
audience at Loscon 19 in Los Angeles, Ca.
 
January 14, 1993 - Final edit of pilot movie completed.
 
February 19 & 20, 1993 - Satellite feed of pilot movie to local stations
 
Week of February 22nd, 1993 - TV debut of the pilot movie.  It achieved a
10.3 GAA national rating, which was better than the two hour premiers of
"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (10.2), "The Untouchables" (10.2) and
"Time  Trax" (8.3).
 
April, 1993 - Series Pre-production starts.
 
May 28, 1993 - Formal announcement by Warner Bros. of a series order.
 
Mid-July, 1993 - Filming starts on the series.
 
Late summer, 1993 - Parts of the first three episodes are previewed at
San Diego Comic Con, WorldCon and CopperCon 13.
 
Mid-Sept, 1993 - Foundation Imaging awarded Visual Effects emmy for the
Babylon 5 pilot movie at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
 
Mid-October - First fully completed episode delivered to Warner Bros.
 
Late October/early November - PTEN rebroadcast of Babylon 5 pilot movie.
 
November 26 - "Midnight on the Firing Line" screened at LosCon 20.
 
January 20th, 1994 - Satellite feed of first episode.
 
Week of Jan 24, 1994 - Start of weekly series on PTEN.
 
 
8. Where can I see Babylon 5?
 
Babylon 5 is part of Warner Bros. Prime Time Entertainment Network
(PTEN) which is mainly independent stations and Fox Network
stations.  The series will air on Wednesday nights at 8 pm ET/PT
on most of these stations where "Time Trax" (which is moving to a
second night of PTEN programming in January) currently airs.
Stations with other affiliations will air the show at other times.
 
A "Making of Babylon 5" special hosted by Walter Koenig will air 
shortly before the series starts.
 
For a detailed list of stations, refer to the Babylon 5 / PTEN station
list available separately.
 
In the U.K., Babylon 5 will air on Channel 4, possibly starting in March.
 
Video releases:
 
In the U.K., Australia, and Japan, the Babylon 5 pilot movie has been
released on home video (reportedly on laserdisc in Japan).
There are no immediate plans for a U.S. home video release.
 
9. Who can you write to show support for Babylon 5?
 
For Warner Bros. write to:
 
Dick Robertson
Vice President Domestic Television Distribution
Warner Bros. Television
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522.
 
If you would like to write to Babylon 5's creator, send mail to:
 
J. Michael Straczynski
14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260
Sherman Oaks, CA  91423
 
This address can also be used to send mail to the Babylon 5 cast and
behind the scenes crew.
 
10. Now that Babylon 5 is a series, can I submit a script?
 
JMS has said that for the first season, all scripts will be done
"in-house", utilizing writers that Joe has worked with before and
that he can work closely with in getting the series started.
JMS plans to start accepting scripts for the second season and
will announce submittal specifics at that time.
 
All free-lance scripts will have the original writer as the sole credit.
Any rewrites or additions (such as a "B" plot or additional scenes) by
Babylon 5 staff will not add to the writing credit.  This will allow the
free-lancer to get full royalties for the episode.
 
11. What is Babylon 5 About?
 
a. Babylon 5, The Earth Alliance and their representatives
 
Babylon 5 is set in the year 2257 A.D. on a 5 kilometer long
space station in neutral space.  It was constructed by the
Earth Alliance to help keep the peace between the EA and
four other alien alliances of which Babylon 5 is centrally
located between.  Each of the alliances has an official
representative on the station.
 
These include the Earth Alliance, represented by Commander
Jeffrey Sinclair, who is in charge of Babylon 5.
 
The Minbari, represented by Ambassador Delenn.  The Minbari
waged a war with the Earth Alliance 10 years earlier and
mysteriously surrendered on the brink of victory.
 
The Centauri Republic, represented by Londo Mollari.  The
Centauri Republic was the first to make contact with Earth
and helped advance their technology.  However, they are really 
on the decline, much like the decline of the Britsh Empire.
 
The Narn Regime, represented by Ambassador G'Kar.  The Narn
were previously under the control of The Centauri Republic
but rebelled and are now independent and growing in influence.
 
The Vorlons, represented by Ambassador Kosh Naranek.  The
Vorlons have avoided contact with the other alliances and
are a mystery.  They have agreed to participate with Babylon 5
and the arrival of Kosh is central to the opening pilot movie.
 
b. Other Major Characters:
 
Lt. Cmdr Susan Ivanova - Of Russian descent, a commanding presence,
and quirky at times, somewhat pessimistic.  Second in command and in
charge of day-to-day operations on Babylon 5.  First appears in
"Midnight on the Firing Line".
 
Dr. Stephen Franklin - Middle thirties, dedicated and self-assured.
His background is mainly in experimental medicine so does not have
a good "bedside manner".  First appears in "The Soul Hunter"
 
Security Chief Michael Garibaldi is in charge of security on
Babylon 5.  He has a troubled past but was picked by Sinclair
for the job.
 
Catherine Sakai - She works for an Earth company that surveys asteroids
and planets for mineral exploitation.  Runs the survey ship Skydancer.
She is a former flame of Sinclair's and first appears in "The Parliment of
Dreams".
 
Talia Winters - New Babylon 5 telepath.  First appears in "Midnight
on the Firing Line".
 
c. Characters in the Pilot, but not in the series:
 
Vice-Commander Laurel Takashima has been reassigned to a classified mission.
 
Dr. Benjamin Kyle is now assisting the EA president on the issue
of alien migration to Earth.
 
Telepath Lyta Alexander has been transferred off the
station during the time between the pilot and the series.
 
Carolyn Sykes  and Sinclair have gone their separate ways.
                                            
d. Supporting and recurring characters:
 
Assistants to the Ambassadors:
 
Vir Cotto, a male Centauri assistant to Londo.
 
Na' Toth, a female Narn, second in command to G'Kar.  She replaced Ko'Dath,
who has an accident with an airlock.
 
Lennier, a monk-like male aide for Delenn, having lived a monastic life,
will be a true innocent on B5.
 
Other Characters :
 
n'grath - non-humanoid alien
 
Maya Hernandez - A Doctor under Dr. Franklin. First appears in "Believers"
 
 
For additonal (and much more detailed) information on the Babylon 5
universe and characters, refer to  the Babylon 5 Grid Epsilon Log text
file (see FAQL item #14).
 
 
12.  Babylon 5 Episodes (This section contains some spoilers)
 
Pilot - "The Gathering"  (The title of the pilot was not shown on-screen)
 
Series Episodes In known production order
(descriptions in quotes are from the PTEN press releases and are likely
 an over-simplification of the episode)
 
(Planned Airing Order) Title (Scriptwriter):
 
 1. (4) Infection (JMS)
    Strong action show with lots of things getting blown up.  
    Focuses on Sinclair and Dr. Franklin.   "An archeologist (guest star 
    David McCallum) smuggles an ancient weapon aboard Babylon-5 that 
    transforms his assistant into a half-alien, half-human machine
    who sets out to destroy everyone in his path."
 
Guest Starring :  David McCallum as Vance Hendricks
                    Marshall Teague as Nelson Drake
                    Patricia Healy as Mary Ann Cramer
 
 2. (2) The Soul Hunter (JMS)  - Features Delenn and deals with the Minbari
    religious system and a conflict between Delenn's people and another group.
    It will introduce some new chracters, including n'grath and we will learn
    more about the Minbari Grey Council.  Introduces Dr. Franklin.
 
Guest Stars:  Morgan Shepard   Soul Hunter
              John Snyder      2nd Soul Hunter
 
Director:     Jim Johnston
 
 3 (1) Midnight on the Firing Line (JMS) - We will learn about what is
    happening on Earth and what is happening between two of the Alien
    governments. It will be a fast moving episode with lots of action plus
    some humor and mystery.  Initial title of "Blood and Thunder". Opens
    with Narns attacking a Centauri outpost and Londo going after G'Kar
    when he finds out it was the Narns attacking.  Also has some raiders
    attacking commercial ships with Garibaldi investigating.
    Introduces Ivanova, Talia and Vir.  "A race stages an unprovoked attack 
    on a Centauri colony threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the 
    alliance, and leaving Londo and G'Kar literally at each others throats.
    The presence of new Psi Corps telepath Talia Winters (Andrea Thompson) 
    has a strange effect on Ivanova (Claudia Christian)."
 
  Guest Starring: Stephen Furst as Vir
                  Peter Trencher as Carn
                  Paul Hampton as Senator
 
 4. (3) Born to the Purple (Formerly Amaranth - Larry DiTillio) - Offbeat and
    funny story which focuses on Londo.  "Londo is seduced by a beautiful 
   Centauri slave who has been planted by the Narn to steal incriminating 
   information that could destroy his career as an intergalactic ambassador."
 
Guest Starring:  Stephen Furst as Vir
                   Mary Woronov as Ko D'Ath
                   Fabiana Udenio as Adira Tyree
                   Clive Revill as ?
 
 5.  Believers (David Gerrold) - Has a child actor (Jonathan Kaplan) in it
    as an alien.  It is strong on drama and emotional content.  Has David
    Gerrold walking around saying "Hugo, Hugo".  "B" story in this episode
    added by JMS.  "Dr.Franklin (Richard Biggs) asks Sinclair to intermediate 
    with an alien family who, because of their religious beliefs, refuses to 
    allow surgery that would save their dying child."
 
   Guest starring:  Jonathan Charles Kaplan as Shon
                    Tricia O'Neil as M'Ola
                    Stephen Lee as Tharg
 
 6. (9) And The Sky Full of Stars (JMS)- Deals with The Line.
    It was one of the first scripts written due to the extensive
    technical and EFX work it required.  JMS promises this episode is
    unlike anything produced for televsion before.  Has Christopher Neame
    (Ghostbusters II, License to Kill) as  Knight Two  and Judson Scott (Star
    Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) as Knight One.   "Sinclair is kidnapped and 
    interrogated by members of a "pro-earth" group, determined to find out 
    what transpired when the commander was briefly missing in action during 
    the final battle of the Earth/Minbari war -- something Sinclair has never
    been able to remember".
 
   Guest starring:  Judson Scott as Knight One
                    Christopher Neame as Knight Two
                    Jim Youngs as Frank Benson
 
    Director: Janet Greek (Northern Exposure)
 
 7. The War Prayer (D.C. Fontana) - Guest Stars Danica Mc Keller (Wonder 
    Years) as a Centauri woman visiting the station.  Vir has been telling 
    her that he is the Ambassador for the Centauri.  Also Deals some with 
    the questions in regards to how Kosh was poisoned and why several people
    involved with that incident are no longer on the station. (The Kosh 
    segment was filmed for "Parliment of Dreams" and was moved to this 
    episode when PoD ran long and this one ran short). "A violent attack on 
    a Minbari dignitary (guest star Nancy Lee Grahn) rocks Babylon 5 and 
    leaves Sinclair scrambling to flush out a vicious "pro-earth group".  
    Two star-crossed young Centauri lovers (guest stars Danica McKeller and
    Rodney Eastman) seek Londo's protection.    Ivanova is shaken when a man 
    from her past (guest star Tristan Rogers) suddenly arrives at the outpost."
 
   Guest starring: Stephen Furst as Vir
                  Tristan Rogers as Biggs
                  Nancy Lee Grahn as Mayan
                  Danica McKeller as Aria
                  Rodney Eastman as Kiron
                  Michael Paul Chan as Roberts
 
 8. (5) Parliment of Dreams (formerly Carnival!) - Has three different,
    interconnected stories.  Lots of group scenes and all the ambassadors
    and attaches.  Deals with various alien belief systems and features a
    Centauri religious festival with a large crowd scene with over 150 extras.
    Introduces Catherine Sakai and Lennier.   "Sinclair is shaken by the 
    arrival of his old lover Catheine Sakai (guest star Julia Nickson) and 
    G'Kar is terrified by a threat from an old enemy, during a week-long 
    festival when humans and aliens alike demonstrate their religious beliefs".
 
  Guest starring:  Stephen Furst as Vir
                   Caitlin Brown as Na'Toth
                   Julia Nickson as Catherine Sakai
                   Bill Mumy as Lennier
 
 9. Grail (Christy Marx) - Has someone coming on the station that is
    searching for the Holy Grail.  Guest Starring David Warner (Tron,
    Star Treks V & VI and much, much more), WIlliam Sanderson, and
    Tom (Thom?) Booker (LifeForce).  Has a funny courtroom scene with a
    Mr. Flinn added by JMS. Features lots of non-humanoid aliens and a
    computer generated character.  (Filming completed Nov 1)
 
10. (6) Mind War (JMS) - Brings the Psi Cops to Babylon 5.  Guest Stars
    Walter Koenig as a Psi-Cop,  William Allan Young, and Felecity Waterman.
 
11. Survivors (formerly "Knife in the Shadows" - Marc Scott Zicree) -
    Garibaldi's past catches up with him.  (Filming completed Nov 19)
 
12. (22) Chrysalis (JMS) - Season ending episode.  Episode is highly
    classified and will do lots of things you won't expect.  It is being
    filmed early due to effects work that will be needed.
 
13. Deathwalker (Larry DiTillio) - Sarah Douglas and Robin Curtis guest star.
 
14. By Any Means Necessary (formerly "Backlash" - Kathryn M. Drennan)
 
15. Legacies (D.C. Fontana ) -  Only script developed outside of the B5 
     offices.  Deals more with the  Psi-Cops.
 
16. Raiding Party (JMS)
 
Episodes not yet produced or scheduled:
 
17. Babylon Squared (JMS) - Deals with the fate of Babylon 4 and answers
     what happened to the station, but not what it means.
 
18. The Ressurectionist (JMS)
 
19. Midnight in the Sunken Cathedral (formerly "The World Below" -
    Harlan Ellison) -
 
20. Untitled  Two Parter
 
Other titles mentioned:
 
     Target Unknown
 
     Metaphors and Body Counts
 
     Demon on the Run  - Harlan Ellison story linking the Outer Limits episode 
     "Demon With a Glass Hand" to Babylon 5 with Robert Culp appearing. 
     Probably not a first season episode and will only be done if both 
     JMS and Harlan feel they are able to mix universes properly.
 
 
13. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
 
All space visual effects for Babylon 5 are computer generated. Ron
Thornton is utilizing specialized software in conjunction with
NewTek's Video Toaster to design and render the visual effects. The
only models used on the show will be computer models. Effects for the
series are improved over the pilot movie due to technological advances. 
 
14.  Where can I find out more about Babylon 5?
 
a) Computer Networks with J. Michael Straczynski
 
a1) On the GEnie Science Fiction RoundTable, there is a Babylon 5 category
where JMS talks with the fans about the show, both production and story
info. Most of the information in this FAQ came from this category. It is
located at Page 471, Category 18.  Archives of past messages are available
in the GEnie SFRT files areas.  In honor of the fans who are involved with
this group, the specific location of Babylon 5 corresponds to the original
location of the GEnie topic (Grid Epsilon 470,18,22).  A split of the GEnie
SFRT in November, 1992 created the Babylon 5 category, moving the original
topic into the new category.
 
a2) JMS also frequents Compuserve, BIX, and the USENET alt.tv.babylon-5 topic.
 
b) Available on GEnie and Compuserve, in their respective science fiction
file areas, are various text files and two GIF files, one of the Babylon 5
space station and another of a Vorlon ship.
 
c)  The Official Babylon 5 Newsletter
 
A Babylon 5 newsletter is being produced with the cooperation
of J. Michael Straczynski by Christy Marx.  The first issue was
made available for free and some copies may still be available.
To receive the additional issues, send a $5 check or money order
to Christy Marx, Editor - BABYLON 5 NEWSLETTER, P.O. Box 2325,
Oakhurst, CA  93644.  (In Canada $6 and $9 elsewhere).
 
New issues have been delayed due to Christy writing a script (or two) 
for the series and JMS putting a higher priority on them.
 
d) Call NewTek at (800) 765-3406 and request a copy of their latest demo
tape.  This tape contains a moving Babylon 5 station, and a starship
that is also used in the first part of the B5 demo itself,
though the two are shown in reverse order.  This is animation from
the early stages of development.
 
e) Broadcasting Magazine: July 13th issue has an article on Babylon 5
including a nice color photo of the Babylon 5 station.  Check your local
libraries.  A later issue has an article on the special effects being
done for the show.
 
f) Starlog Magazine Articles:
 
Starlog Spectacular #4, March 1992, page 54. Article on NewTek's Video
Toaster. The photo that fills the bottom half of the page is an early
version of the Babylon 5 station.
 
Starlog: September, 1992 Has a feature article on Babylon 5.
NOTE: The pictures with the articles are either outdated or have
little, if anything, to do with Babylon 5.
 
Starlog Spectacular, Jan 1993 :  Feature article with many pictures from
the computer animation done for the show.
 
Starlog: February, 1993 has an interview with Andreas Katsulas where he
talks about his involvement with Babylon 5 and other genre appearances.
 
g) Science Fiction Conventions: J. Michael Straczynski has been attending
science fiction conventions when possible to promote Babylon 5.
Appearances so far have included LosCon 18, Galllifrey One in 3D and
Gallifrey One Goes Forth. WesterColt .45, the San Diego Comic Con,
WishCon II, and LosCon 19, Con-Dor, and BayCon.
 
Upcoming con appearances planned by J. Michael Straczynski include:
 
I-Con in New York (maybe)
 
Also, Arne Starr, Artist on the DC Comics Star Trek series has been
making Babylon 5 presentations at cons he has appeared at.
 
h) Cinefantastique Magazine Articles:
 
December 1992 issue has a two page article on Babylon 5.
 
January, 1993 issue has a  20 page feature article/cover story.
 
Cinefantastique sister publication Femme Fatales Spring 1993 has
a feature on "The Women of Babylon 5"
 
February 1994 issue (with major features on Batman) has a two page article.
 
March 1994 issue will have a major Babylon 5 feature.
 
i) E! Televsion has produced a "Making of Babylon 5" special which has
aired on E! Television and occasionally turns up on the channel.
Note that one segment of the special focused on some of the animatronics
used for background characters seen only briefly (if at all).
 
j) USENET/INTERNET sources:
 
alt.tv.babylon-5 was created the week of Feb 15th.  Check to see if
you have access to it.
 
rec.arts.sf.tv is also appropriate for posts regarding Babylon 5.
Cross-posting to rec.arts.tv and rec.arts.startrek.misc should only
be done when necessary.
 
The Babylon 5 mailing list was discontinued after the creation of
alt.tv.babylon-5.
 
FTP sites:
ftp.uu.net has a Babylon 5 files area in /usenet/rec.arts.tv/babylon-5
 
ftp.hyperion.com (192.65.216.1) has a Babylon 5 files area that
includes Babylon 5 mailing list digests, GIF files, and other
information files in /pub/Babylon-5
 
k) Other Lists (available at the hyperion FTP site):
 
The Babylon 5 / Prime Time Entertainment Network Station list.
Posted occasionally to rec.arts.sf.tv and rec.arts.tv.
 
The Babylon 5 Actors Other Roles list (short version included in this FAQL)
 
The Babylon 5 Grid Epsilon Log - Detailed information, backstory and
character profiles posted by J. Michael Straczynski on GEnie,
compiled by Phil Posner. (B5REVISE.TXT on GEnie)
 
The Babylon 5 List of Lists by Mark Holtz 
 
Babylon 5 Episodes - compiled by David Strauss
 
 
15. Miscellaneous Info
 
a. Merchandising:
 
Licensing Company of America, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. is handling
the licensing of Babylon 5 products.
 
Creation Conventions has licensed some products already, like t-shirts,
hats, etc.
 
Electronic Arts has licensed the rights to a computer game based on Babylon 5.
 
A novel based on the pilot movie is planned when the show goes to series.
David Gerrold is lined up to write it.
 
A Comic adaptation should happen, most likely with DC comics.  Nothing
has been announced yet, though.
 
b. Fans influence on the show:
 
Partially due to fan response from those who have seen the pilot movie
or clips, some things in the pilot movie were changed:
 
The voice of Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing
and Delenn is female to begin with.  Original plans were to electronically 
process her voice and have Delenn change sex during the series.
 
Some additional voice-over was done by Patricia Tallman to clarify one
scene in the show.
 
The branding of the Minbari that had similarities to a DS9 episode was
kept after feedback from fans about it.  It had been considered removing
the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest of
the episode. (This possibly occurs in "The War Prayer").
 
When names submitted for a mega corporation and a mineral were rejected for
legal reasons, JMS went to the GEnie B5 Category and asked for suggestions.
The resulting names used are Quantium-40 for the mineral and Universal
Terraform for the company.
 
c. Awards
 
Emmy Award in 1993 for Special Visual Effects for the Babylon 5 Pilot movie.
 
d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works.
 
In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand", Tank mentions that he's from
the Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony.
 
In the JMS Novel "Othersyde", Babylon 5 is mentioned as one of the characters
favorite TV series.
 
e. Miscellaneous Production Info
 
Babylon 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for
broadcast.  Plans are for the episodes to later be availble in widescreen
on laserdisc and when HDTV happens.  The opening titles will be in
letterbox format.
 
Audio is being done in full Surround Sound.  Larry DiTillio is writing
background dialogue (known as "walla").
 
f. Production Order Vs Airing Order
 
The production of episodes started far enough in advance that the airing order
of the episodes could be arranged as the producers and network decided.  
Thus the season finale was filmed 12th but will air last.
 
16. Nitpicks and Such
 
Some nitpicks and questions brought up about Babylon 5 and explanations
given (or resulting changes made to the show).
 
Acting in the pilot movie - One of the major complaints about the movie.
This likely led to some of the cast changes.
 
The alien sector - Comments are that it looked more like a zoo.
Explanations offered are that this may be how some of the aliens like
their quarters and what we saw were analogous to a front porch where they
watch the passers-by.  JMS admits he didn't like how it looked, and that
set was blown up and a new one built for the series.
 
The breathing masks - Comments that they should cover the full face led to
the ones used on the series covering the full face.
 
The "Cone of Silence" - The original intention was for a solid wall of light
to "hide" the users of the privacy screen.  A production decision was made
to use lights instead, which did not come across well.
 
Lyta's scan of Kosh - During the sequence when Lyta "see's" Kosh's poisoning,
she sees her own hand because she is seeing things from her perspective.
 
*****************************************************************
 
The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List
 
Some of the information contained in this FAQL is based on posts by
J. Michael Straczynski in the Babylon 5 category in the GEnie Science
Fiction Roundtable (Page 471; Cat 18).
 
Compiled by Lee Whiteside     L.WHITESIDE (GEnie)
            76044,502 (Compuserve)
            leew@indirect.com (USENET)
            P14942@email.mot.com (INTERNET for e-mail)
            Sysop of the Magrathea BBS (602)833-9216
 
-- 
	-Troy Rutter,  Project Vincent,  Iowa State University
                      PSI-Corps Council of Elders  
                         Babylon 5 Librarian
 
1054.80"The Soul Hunter"BICYCL::RYERThis note made from 100% recycled bits.Fri Feb 04 1994 13:237
I really enjoyed this episode.  It had a great premise, and I thought the
actor that played the hunter did a good job.  It's great to see someone
who really loves his work!  The Ivanova character was dreadful, however.
Looked like she was trying to spoof Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet. "I'm Russian,
I carry a badge", "Dum-da-dum-dum"

-Patrick
1054.81RESOLV::KOLBEThe Goddess in ChainsFri Feb 04 1994 15:466
This was a much better episode. What a relief, I'd thought this show was going
to end up a real stinker and now there's hope!. 

The Soul Hunter commented on the ambassador's future plans in a very interesting
way. Looks like there are going to be plots within plots on this station. I like
that. liesl
1054.82promising, but rough edges need to be covered...REGENT::POWERSMon Feb 07 1994 12:1421
There is some promise here.
The Soul Hunter episode was far better than the pilot movie or  the first
series episode.  The FAQ indicates some serious planning involving history
and evolution of the universe, but the dramatic execution needs some work.
The writing falls into cliche a bit too often:

 - "Nobody is going to die on MY station!" says the commander.
 - "I need a drink!" says the Centauri ambassador (sounds more like Rob 
    Petrie than an alien).

And the station commander zipping out in a grapple ship to drag 
in the disabled Soul Hunter ship?  I think not...  (Recall that one 
of the earliest episodes of ST:TNG established that the Captain does NOT
lead away teams, and the first officer's job to to keep him straight on 
this matter.)

The Centauri and the N'arn (did I get that right?) are a little too 
over the top (overacted and cliched) as yet.  Perhaps things will
mellow out when personalities are better established.

- tom]
1054.83ST rules do not applyQUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Feb 07 1994 13:3121
> And the station commander zipping out in a grapple ship to drag 
> in the disabled Soul Hunter ship?  I think not...  (Recall that one 
> of the earliest episodes of ST:TNG established that the Captain does NOT
> lead away teams, and the first officer's job to to keep him straight on 
> this matter.)


Recall please, though, that this is NOT Star Trek!  Behind the scenes
we have been told that there is a reason Commander Sinclair will jump
into a fighter any chance he can.  Supposedly we will gain some insight
into this in one of the upcoming episodes, named "Infection".  This was
also a first contact (at least for the Earth Alliance) and Sinclair is 
one of the best pilots, so, in this situation, he was almost the logical
choice.  Supposedly we will not see Sinclair TOO often this season, I think
the number mentioned was between 3 and 6, and in most situations it will
be Garibaldi or Ivonova who will be in the Starfuries (the name of the 
fighters).  Of course, in the first two episodes, we've seen Sinclair
out in a Starfury each time, so it's easy to get the impression that
he's always going out.

PeterT
1054.84Air-Dates?GLDOA::PENFROYJust Do It or Just Say No?Mon Feb 07 1994 14:015
    Any chance of getting an episode/air-date listing?

    Paul
    
1054.85REGENT::POWERSTue Feb 08 1994 12:4714
< we have been told that there is a reason Commander Sinclair will jump
< into a fighter any chance he can.  Supposedly we will gain some insight
< into this in one of the upcoming episodes, named "Infection".  This was
< also a first contact (at least for the Earth Alliance) and Sinclair is 
< one of the best pilots, so, in this situation, he was almost the logical
< choice.  

It may seem a small point, but it makes it hard for me to suspend 
my disbelief that the station commander is in a position to jump into 
a fighter and execute routine maneuvers.
Yeah, it makes good drama, and you don't dilute the cast by having to focus
on a non-star during drama-crucial scenes, but it is not real world behavior.

- tom]
1054.86TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureTue Feb 08 1994 21:0452
re: .85

I understand your point.  JMS has indicated that many things will start
to make more sense as we learn more about the characters and events.  I'm
reasonably sure that this is one of those points.  JMS also asks patience
in hanging in for the first six episodes.  I believe his words were
"If you don't like it after the first six, you never will," or something to
that effect.

Nevertheless, he has from time to time given out additional information
that helps things hang together.  In this case, I don't believe the info
really hurts your appreciation of the story, but I'll put it after some
blaank lines for the benefit of people who hate all spoilers.

You've been warned -- spoiler below:


























By all rights, Babylon 5 ought to be governed by an Admiral, or at least
a Captain.  It should probably also have a separate ambassador, though that
can create conflicting leadership problems -- so it doesn't.  Yet B5 is
commanded by a lowly commander whose background is nothing more than
hotshot fighter pilot, and who probably never had a chance of being promoted
beyond that rank - until he survived the Battle of the Line.  (i. e., for the 
sake of comparison, someone at Riker's rank, with no aptitude for going beyond 
that, or for being an executive officer).  Why?  Because one of the other races 
insisted that Sinclair be the commander of the station, and eventually the Earth
Alliance gave in.  So Sinclair really perceives himself as the person who 
ought to be running fighter missions, and not running a space station. 
1054.87mostly harmless...QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyWed Feb 09 1994 13:4941
spoiler on last spoiler ;-)





























I think that's enough!

What you say is basically correct, but the way I heard/read it was that
the Minbari were the first to sign on with the Earth Alliance when Babylon
5 was being built.  In so doing, they got the right to agree who the 
station commander would be.  They rejected everyone, right down the line,
until they got to Sinclair.  So, just a little different.  They didn't
suggest Sinclair themselves, but obviously they weren't about to take
anyone else.

PeterT
1054.88No spoiler neededTLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureWed Feb 09 1994 15:4815
re: .87

You're info is correct; I was just trying to be stingy with info.

One thing that I learned recently: I originally expected much
of the mystery to be spread out over the five years.  But that's
not the way it will happen.  JMS's coarse analysis is that 90%
of the questions raised so far will be answered by the end
of the first season, but the last few episodes will raise new
questions.  And so on for each successive year.  So I fully expect
the spoiler info in the previous two notes to be revealed this
season, probably pretty early.  (Actually, Soul Hunter already
contains a weak hint.)

   Gary
1054.89BEM-watchingCUPMK::WAJENBERGMon Feb 14 1994 18:159
    I saw Babylon 5 for the first time this week.  Can someone tell me how
    to sort out aliens?  Specifically, there was a short scene of a man in a
    gas mask making a shady deal with a puppet of a giant insect.  What was
    the insect?  Also, what are the humanoids with khaki skin and bald heads
    and (in one case) red eyes?  Narns?  Mimbari?  Is there a stated, fixed
    number of intelligent species, or are we dealing with an indefinite
    menagerie, as on "Star Trek"?
    
    Earl Wajenberg
1054.90TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureMon Feb 14 1994 18:5229
The insect is N'grath, sort of a czar of the local underworld.  One of 
the premises of the station is that it is so large, with security staff
underfunded, that an underground of criminals and homeless exists and
can't be eliminated.  However, they've been getting mixed reviews
on N'grath, so it's possible that he'll be eliminated or changed.

The ones with the totally bald heads, spots, and sometimes red eyes
are the Narns.  G'Kar is the Ambassador of the Narn Regime.  They are
the youngest of the Big Five powers (measured by length of time
they've been a power).

The ones with the bald heads, crown-like bony structures, and ears down
near their necks are the Minrabi.  Delenn is the Ambassador of the Minrabi
Federation.

The ones with the hair are the Centauri.  Londo is the Ambassador of the
Centauri Republic.

The one in the encounter suit, with the high black shoulders and
mechanical-looking head is the Vorlon Ambassador, Kosh.  There's no
reason to believe that his body is shaped like his suit.  They are
the most mysterious of the Big Five.  With the exception of the doctor
in the pilot episode, no Earthling has ever seen a Vorlon directly.

There will be quite a variety of aliens, including the League of 
Non-Alligned Worlds.  Not all will be humanoid, not all will be
oxygen-breathers.  

   Gary
1054.91Schedule WarningTLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureMon Feb 14 1994 18:535
For those of you who watch on Channel 38 out of Boston, the Sunday
Globe TV section indicates that this week's episode ("Infection") has
been rescheduled to Thursday at 8pm, due to a Wed. hockey game.

   Gary
1054.92CUPMK::WAJENBERGMon Feb 14 1994 19:141
    Re .90:  Thank you.  ESW
1054.93Was it a red fruit??SMURF::PETERTrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyWed Mar 02 1994 18:2211
    I imagine some people are still watching this, though in comparison
    to the traffic Star Trek generates, you wouldn't know it.  Tonight's
    episode is "Mind War" where Walter Koenig plays a psi-cop.  No
    more "Aye keptin" from him ;-)  I was very impressed by last
    week's "Parliment of Dreams" where various religious ceremonies
    were displayed. And some very interesting twists are going on.
    
    Hmmmm....
    
    PeterT
    
1054.94BICYCL::RYERThis note made from 100% recycled bits.Thu Mar 03 1994 13:1911
Yes, I'm watching every week, and I really like the show.  Mind War had some
very interesting stuff in it.  For instance, G'kar's discourse at the end.  I
though was very profound.  Last week's episode (Parliament of Dreams) had
some good things in it too.  I liked the reuse of the line "You will know
fear, you will know pain, and you will die."  (paraphrased, of course)

I really liked Sinclair's ending to Parliament of Dreams in principle,
although it seemed a bit contrived.

-Patrick

1054.95TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureFri Mar 04 1994 22:567
Give it time for the following to grow.  They've only shown 6 episodes (plus
last year's pilot).  I bet people wouldn't have had a huge amount to say
after only six episodes of the original Trek.

By the way, alt.tv.babylon-5 has quite a bit of traffic.

   Gary
1054.96CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOSun Mar 06 1994 10:339
    Yes I've been making it a point to watch it as well. 
    
    I find the background secondary/tertiary plotlines intrigueing. The
    latest episode, with the reinforcment of the 'noone here is what they
    seem' line, is one example teaser. The individual episodes have ranged
    from 'yawn' to 'interesting', but it's watching the longer term stories
    unfold that has got me hooked...
    
    	Dave
1054.97OKFINE::KENAHOne centimeter equals 17 kronerMon Mar 07 1994 12:507
    I didn't see the "Mind War" episode, but I caught the last few minutes.
    The Koenig character was about to leave the ship.
    
    Did I hear correctly?  Was the character's name "Mister Bester?"
    If so, it was a subtle tribute to the creator of another PSI-cop,
    Alfred Bester, who wrote "The Demolished Man." (Hugo Award, Best
    Novel, 1953)
1054.98at least in this ant's perspective ;-)QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Mar 07 1994 13:257
Yep, Bester.  Already noted in alt.tv.babylon-5 that this is likely a 
nod to Alfred Bester, though I don't know that it's been confirmed
yet.  Only the last few minutes, eh?  You'll want to go back and see
this from the beginning.  There are a few interesting things you probably 
missed!

PeterT
1054.99TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureMon Mar 07 1994 15:484
The last scene with Bester (Koenig) also had a reference
to The Prisoner series.

  Gary
1054.100And the Sky Full of Stars : a 5 Star Episode (on a 1-5 scale)TLE::FELDMANOpportunities are our FutureMon Mar 21 1994 19:4611
Last week's episode, "And the Sky Full of Stars", is the one
that finally sets B5 apart from traditional episodic SF TV.
The self-contained plot is ok, but not extraordinary; what
is extraordinary is the melding of the five year story line
with the sixty minute story line.  I watched this knowing full
well that I was seeing little itty bitty pieces that contribute
to the overall novel, and even knowing most of the answers;
nevertheless, I was still spellbound.  It wasn't at all contrived,
slow moving soap-opera.

  Gary
1054.101Couldn't figure out which Knight was which, though...QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyTue Mar 22 1994 14:0064
I fully admit to being blown away by this one.  I likened it to fishing
in another news group.  The first few episodes is where we're nibbling
around the bait.  This is the one where the hook gets firmly set.
I thought I had some handle on what the characters were like, but
now I'm throwing all those ideas into the fire.  Well, sort of...


Spoilers ahead...

























That should be enough.  I've seen this one about 2 or 3 times so far (bit's
and pieces worth) and I kept noticing new things.  And mentions of details
in alt.tv.babylon-5 will make me watch it another few times.  It wasn't
till the last go round that I noticed the helmet drifting by during the
battle sequence.  We knew that Delenn was a member of the Grey Council, 
but now, her ending orders, coupled with the Soul Hunter's remarks
from the episode of the same name "You would plan such a thing?  You would
do such a thing? Incredible."  and to Sinclair, "They're using you!"
make me reaccess my view of her.  But in a way, I want to hold onto the
notion that, though she has some sinister motives, some of those are
external and she herself, seems to care for Sinclair and his future.
And our future.  But I'm not really sure.
   One thing I enjoy about this show is that it is possible, almost necessary
in fact, to pull these little clues from previous shows to build upon
your understanding of what's really going on.  And then something comes
along to totally change those notions.  The season end is a show named
"Chrysallis", and I can only wonder who's chrysallis it is.  Will it
be Sinclair's as he learns more about what really happened on the 
Line?  Or maybe a series of characters will undergo their own changes.
All I can say is I hope this thing runs the full 5 years, or it's going
to drive me crazy!!  Trek episodes I can usually tape haphazardly, fitting
them onto other tapes when I need the room.  B5 will be captured in a 
linear chronological fashion, with all the tapes being nothing but B5, and
all nicely labeled.  I'm definitely thinking of upgrading my VCR and stereo
system JUST to capture this series.  (Of course they'll be useful for other
things, but B5 is the impetus).  
   I'm kind of glad that there's going ot be a few weeks of reruns.  I need
some time to digest and get back to real life for a while!

Be Seeing You....
PeterT
1054.102ACESMK::CHELSEAMostly harmless.Tue Mar 22 1994 14:365
    Interesting.  I caught this episode because it had Judson Scott and
    thought, "Well, the show has some interesting ideas, but they need to
    work on execution."  Most of the human regulars are pretty stiff, and
    so is the occasional line of dialogue.  (If it sounds written, it ain't
    good dialogue.)
1054.103SOLVIT::SOULEPursuing Synergy...Wed Mar 23 1994 13:4633
     YES, I'm also "hooked" on this series...

     Not being able to view it Wednesday evenings has forced me to tape it
     which is good for it's just chock-full of commercials and I can easily
     fast-forward thru them.

     I like the idea of knowing there is a 5-year story outline being followed
     with each episode acting as a piece to the puzzle.  The question is, what
     facts in each episode are germane to the solution?  Is it necessary to
     hide our speculations behind form-feeds?
     
     Possible spoilers ahead...












.101> PeterT

.101> But in a way, I want to hold onto the notion that, though she has some
.101> sinister motives, some of those are external and she herself, seems to
.101> care for Sinclair and his future.  And our future.

      Didn't she (Delenn) "marry" Sinclair in one of the episodes?  I have a
      feeling this could be a significant fact even though Sinclair may not
      _know_ of the situation...
1054.104yeah, spoilers probably a good idea...QUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyWed Mar 23 1994 19:1069
spoilers:




























 >     Didn't she (Delenn) "marry" Sinclair in one of the episodes?  I have a
 >     feeling this could be a significant fact even though Sinclair may not
 >     _know_ of the situation...


Yeah, in Parliment of Dreams, the rebirth ceremony is mentioned by Catherine
at the end as also being a marriage ceremony.  Some speculation on the net
is that maybe part of the missing 24 hours was a interspecies mating between
Sinclair and Delenn, and this explains the marriage ceremony.  Kind of 
a cute idea, but I'm willing to bet this did not happen.  However, I too
believe that Delenn has married herself to Sinclair in some fashion, and
that the words of the ceremony itself, "Will you follow me, through fire?
through storm? through death?..." are significant too.   Did you happen to 
notice what is going on at the dinner table behind Delenn's head when she
is speaking these words? (fruits been distributed, but not eaten yet)  
I didn't notice it at first, but after it was pointed out on the net I went
back and viewed it again.  Cracked me up.

There are lots of little things being dropped here and there, and I'm just
glad I have a VCR to go back over them.  Of course, now I want a 2nd VCR so
I can get this in stereo, and I don't have to stop my kids from watching
a video when I want to tape something!  Strangely enough, I was able to 
live with this situation UNTIL Babylon 5 came along!

Couple of weeks of re-runs, before things start up again.  Gives me time
to rest an review those episodes again.  Apparently there will be a slight
change in one of these episodes, but I can't find the reference to which
one it is. Sigh...

PeterT










1054.105So Far So SoYUPPY::SECURITYSecurity @LDOWed Mar 23 1994 22:5914
    
    
    I've seen only the pilot that was released on video cassette, since I'm 
    currently residing in the U.K.  On the whole I found it pretty good as far 
    as TV Sci-Fi goes.  My nits have all been previously voiced in this topic. 
    If I read the recent opinions expressed here correctly, viewers in
    general are warming to the series and seeing some improvements in content 
    which will probably guarantee my viewership for the first series (whenever 
    I get to see it!).  Am I to understand that Takashima has been
    'reassigned' from the series?  *Damn* shame.  When she opened her mouth
    right at the start on Babylon 5's bridge/disco, I thought I had
    accidentally hired 'Something Is Out There...'
    
     
1054.106Open for businessQUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyThu Mar 24 1994 13:5717
Yeah, Takashima (Tamlyn Tomita, I believe) is gone.  She has been replaced
by Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivonova (sp?)  played by Claudia Christian who I believe
was in the movie, Hexed, as well as some others.  Some people like her,
some people don't, though I think she's done a fine job.

By the way, did you twig to the fact that Takashima was implicated in
the assasination attempt?  Small clues are dropped, like the fact that
when the assassin meets (and kills off) Del Varner, he first uses a
palm scanner to get in the room.  Very briefly, the scanner flashes 
something about "Takashima approved" before the assassin moves in
front of it.  JMS has said that though she, and other actors left
for various reasons (chemistry wasn't right with Tomita, Patrica Tallman,
Lyta the telepath, wanted to go on to other things, etc) he wants to 
leave open the possibility that they could return for a guest appearance
if things warrant it.

PeterT
1054.107I'm hookedCSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOMon Mar 28 1994 19:214
    I agree, they've been setting the stage and baiting us to this point.
    That episode sank the hook for many folk, I'll bet.
    
    Dave
1054.108TOHOPE::WSA038::SATTERFIELDClose enough for jazz.Thu Mar 31 1994 17:336

If you're interested there's now a Babylon 5 notesfile at closus::babylon5.


Randy
1054.109CSOA1::LENNIGDave (N8JCX), MIG, @CYOWed Apr 20 1994 21:197
    
    
    And there is now a notesfile repository for the rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5
    newsgroup on MEDDLE::REC-ARTS-SF-TV-BABYLON5
    
    Hit kp7 etc...
    	Dave
1054.110SCAS02::MILLERRA Tractor on the info farm rdThu Aug 11 1994 16:555
Does anyone know what is wrong with node CLOSUS? I haven't been able to access
the B5 notesfile for several days. I'd like to, what with the end of the season
coming up and all....

- Russ
1054.111WHAM! indeedQUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyThu Aug 11 1994 19:0915
Yeah, what he said.  The end of the season is not right around the corner
though.  We have two more episodes to see, "The Quality of Mercy" which
will be on next week, and the season ending "Chrysalis", which JMS would
LIKE to show the week afterward, but which the station heads want to 
hold back until the end of October, one week before the new season 
starts.  So essentially, there will not be no weeks/months long reflections
about what has gone on before we are hit with some continuation.  I'd
rather see it in two weeks myself, just to see how much more they can surprise
me after "Babylon Squared".   Was anyone else as surprised as I was??
I've seen a few postings in rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 that said, oh yeah,
I saw that coming, but I was totally blind-sided.  I think maybe I like
this show a bit too much.  Oh well, we all have our problems ;-)

PeterT

1054.112SCAS02::MILLERRA Tractor on the info farm rdThu Aug 11 1994 21:116
Agreed, ::Petert. That was the biggest WHAM yet. I had read of the discussion of
when to show Chrysalis, but I thought it was decided to show it now, not
October. Oh well, we'll see. I continue to be impressed by the quality of
writing of this show. It's getting better every episode.

-russ
1054.113HUMOR::EPPESI'm not making this up, you knowThu Aug 11 1994 22:357
> Does anyone know what is wrong with node CLOSUS? 

Try CXDOCS (the cluster alias).  Used to be that a specific node name (e.g.,
CLOSUS) was more reliable than using the cluster alias, but that doesn't seem
to be true anymore...

	-- Nina
1054.114In the fogTROOA::TEMPLETONThu Jan 26 1995 01:3411
    To carry on with the Babylon 5 file, I would like to know what happened
    over the last season, the channel that was showing it here kept moving
    it all over the time zone, you never knew when it was going to show up.
                                 
    What happened to the original captain? where did he go and why?
    
    I saw it tonight for the first time in many months and I am completly
    lost as to  what is going on.
    
    
    Joan
1054.115UNXA::BEUTEWe apologize for the inconvenience.Thu Jan 26 1995 12:2117

	Joan,

	There's a notes conference dedicated to B5 at TIMMII::BABYLON5
	where you could find most of your answers. Briefly, there was
	an amicable parting of the ways between Michael O'Hare and B5,
	his character has been reassigned to the Minbari homeworld as
	an Earth ambassador, and Bruce Boxleitner was added to the cast
	to run the station. The new sequence of shows started up in
	late November.

	Again, check the other notes conference for more info.

	Regards,

	Chris
1054.116In the darkTROOA::TEMPLETONSat Jan 28 1995 01:095
    Thanks Chris,
    
    I'll check the other conference.
    
    Joan
1054.117Still around Boston?EVMS::SCHUETZVMS Clusters Memory Channel 381-1663Mon Sep 25 1995 15:443
    Did B5 get dropped by stations in the Boston area?
    When is it on this fall, and did they start the new season yet?
    
1054.118Still around, still repeats, but the final 4 and season 3 start soonQUARRY::petertrigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertaintyMon Sep 25 1995 18:1714
Babylon 5 is currently carried by ch 38 WSBK on Sundays at 8PM, and repeats
at Friday at midnight.  Times may be moved due to overrun of sports games.
I've heard of schedule changes to Friday at 8PM and Sunday night/Monday 
morning at 1:30AM, and I'm not sure which would be the repeat, and which the
first showing.  This would likely be in conjunction with the beginning of
Season 3, and/or end of season 2 (which leads right into the beginning of
season 3) which should start somewhere after October 11th.  
Babylon 5 is also carried on channel 50 out of New Hampshire (if you're in
northern MA, near NH) at 5PM on Sundays, and ch 64 (Providence/Rehobeth)
nearer the RI border, at 3PM on Saturdays.  There was a recent switch of times
on ch 50, so it will probably stay there for a while.  Don't know of any time
changes for 64 in the near future.

PeterT