lurkers-guide/ftp/CompuServe/cs95-07

JMS CompuServe messages collected by The Green Meddler <kilgalen@tde.com>.

Subj:  Bab5 books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  David Fox, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:25 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259272

     I'm involved in the books quite a bit, inclusive of 
reading the manuscripts and approving premises.  Some stuff 
slips past me, mainly in the small details, but the bigger 
picture is generally consistent with the show.

                                                       jms


Subj:  role of Natoth			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  David Fox, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:22 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259271

     The role of Na'Toth has not worked out as well in the 
second season as the first; I may rethink my approach on 
this a bit.

                                                       jms


Subj:  Acts of Sacrifice/Lumati		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Chris Carrier, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259270

     I think one need look no further than the latest 
communiques from Dole and Newt to get some idea on the 
progenitors of the Lumati.

                                                       jms


Subj:  Renewal Cont...			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Randy Pastrone, Monday, July 03, 1995 11:56:17 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259269

     KCOP will carry the third season; B5 has been renewed 
overall.

                                                      jms


Subj:  Bearded folks raise hand		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jerry D Bookter, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:42:29 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259828

     Have recently grown a beard.  The two most consistent 
comments I get:

     1) "Good heavens, it's so GREY!"

     2) "Oh, my (son/husband/brother) just grew a beard...
he's going through a mid-life crisis too."

     My kingdom for a nerf-bat.

                                                     jms


Subj:  B5 Convention			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Brian A. Thomas, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:42:27 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259827

     For personal reasons, I'd urge *against* Atlanta.  
Nothing wrong with the city, there are just personal reasons 
why I won't go there.

                                                     jms


Subj:  role of Natoth			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jason Wong, Tuesday, July 04, 1995 4:33:31 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#259814

     I don't think Mary really *got* the notion of Na'Toth, 
though she did try gamely.  So I'm moving in other directions.

                                                     jms


Subj:  B5 Video Releases in UK		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Gerard Keating (Ireland)Friday, July 07, 1995 1:42:05 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#262062

     That's very weird, because they're delivered in surround, 
and it costs no more to dupe them in that mode.

                                                           jms


Subj:  Bearded folks raise hand		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Brian Kornfeld, Thursday, July 06, 1995 9:24:22 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261894

     I *think* there's a jms gif somewhere in the files; 
if not, it can be uploaded, as a "before" shot.  The "after" 
shot can be found on any Post Office wall....

                                                           jms


Subj:  Garabaldi's Eyes			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Thursday, July 06, 1995 2:51:27 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261186

     It's a screwup committed by the EFX guy, who was 
"doodling" on Garibaldi's face while he was rendering another 
shot, and didn't think he'd saved that one frame.

                                                          jms


Subj:  Acts of Sacrifice/Lumati		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Chris Carrier, Thursday, July 06, 1995 2:51:26 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261185

     Yeah, well, you only need to watch Dole hold a pencil to 
figure out why he came out for the disabilities act; if it's in 
his personal interest, then he's for it; if it serves the rest 
of the commonweal (except the big money boys, which thus also 
constitutes a personal interest), he's a'gin it.

                                                           jms


Subj:  B5 Specs				Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Paul Sulkowski, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:13 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261056

     None of that information has been officially released at 
this time; at some point down the road it may.

                                                           jms


Subj:  B5 Convention			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Rae Augenstein,Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:15 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261057

     "I assume you're not against the idea of this convention?"

     I'm not against many ideas, except maybe tarring,
feathering and dead-catting, but I can't endorse it until it 
gets to a less tenuous state.

                                                          jms


Subj:  B5 Convention			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Brian A. Thomas, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:09 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261055

     I can't technically endorse *anything* until there's a 
business plan and things get real.  Y'unnderstand, I get asked 
CONSTANTLY to endorse one convention or another in the 
nascent stages, "We haven't done this before, but if you'll 
endorse us, we know we can do it," and I'm the one who gets the 
rap if things don't work out.  So I really can't comment in 
any kind of official capacity until this would get real-er.

                                                          jms


Subj:  "Infection" question		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Robert Miller, Wednesday, July 05, 1995 10:07:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261054

     No similarity.  Icarus is a Greek name, chosen for its 
own reasons.

                                                          jms


Subj:  "Infection" question		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Lynn Dimock, Thursday, July 06, 1995 9:24:25 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#261895

     There are some deliberate connotations to be derived from 
choosing Agamemnon, yes. Particularly as re: Cassandra, given 
that G'Kar is our nominal Cassandra figure in the 
story...someone gifted with the power of prophecy (though not 
literally in G'Kar's case) who was cursed in that no one would 
never believe her until it was too late.

                                                         jms


Subj:  Emmy Nom. for B5?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Rae Augenstein, Friday, July 07, 1995 8:20:13 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#262766

     I certainly hope so.  We've done all we can to help the 
process along. We've put many of our actors up for it via the 
application process, which is time-consuming and expensive, 
we made videocassettes up for academy members of two of our 
best episodes ("Coming --" and "Geometry of Shadows"), also 
very expensive...so we can only hope they get the 
recognition they deserve.

     I think we'll have a strong shot at some of the technical 
areas, like EFX, costuming, makeup, sound editing, music, that 
sort of thing, IF enough academy members actually *look* at the 
episodes, but the non-tech stuff, acting/writing/directing, are 
always long-shots in the SF genre, sadly.

                                                        jms


Subj:  Visions '95			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Bob McLaughlin, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:34:11 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264496

     If you're going to be speaking with her <Mira Furlan>, 
her name is Mira, not Miri.

     Miri is a Star Trek episode.

                                                      jms


Subj:  WB Official B5 Web page?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Michael Grabois, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:06 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264223

     The only discussions re: a B5 web page involve getting 
the elusive fan club going, which is still in progress.

                                                      jms


Subj:  Babylonians at Starquest		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:13 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264224

     The Rangers will be an increasingly important presence.

                                                      jms

Subj:  <Acts Of Sacrifice>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  SysOp Dupa T. Parrot, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:26:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264492


<The hand-to-hand combat between G'Kar and the other Narn looked 
really good. Did Katsulas do any of the stunts or were they done 
by a StuntNarn?>

     It was a little of both, yes.

                                                       jms

Subj:  Garabaldi's Eyes			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Bob Perse, Sunday, July 09, 1995 11:26:18 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264491

<What !!?? DOODLING on Garabaldi's face........why, the man 
should be fed to the shadows! <g>>

     He was.

                                                        jms



Subj:  "Infection" question		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Sunday, July 09, 1995 5:31:14 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#264225

<>>  What one finds depends on what one looks for, and what 
one sees.

JOE!

Congratulations! That was the ONE HUNDRED THOUSANDTH question
that you answered in a CRYPTIC and INCOMPREHENSIBLE manner.>

     When the cat calls at midnight, your shorts will ignite.

                                                           jms


Subj:  Londo in AOS			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jerry D Bookter, Monday, July 10, 1995 3:41:22 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265074

     Thanks.  He's a fascinating character to explore, and 
the most careful balancing act of the bunch; part of the 
character's appeal is that on a very fundamental level, 
you *like* him, and you don't want to see him on this 
terrible slide downward.  So every so often, you have 
to pull him back, go in a different direction, remind us of 
his basic humanity and potential for heroism.  He is, really, 
any of us caught in a web of events spinning more and more 
out of control every day.

                                                       jms


Subj:  Londo in AOS			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Tuesday, July 11, 1995 3:50:24 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265555

     The environment came first, then the broad sense of what 
the story was going to be, then the characters, then how the 
characters fit with the story, and how the story fit with the 
characters.

                                                       jms

Subj:  Ancient Ones			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Bob Perse, Tuesday, July 11, 1995 3:50:25 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#265556

<The alien on the planet (Epsilon3?) with all the miles of 
machinery - was his race one of the First Ones?>

     No, Varn was not one of the First Ones.

                                                      jms


Subj:  Ancient Ones			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Bob Perse, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 2:41:06 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266446

     Of course, insofar as I recall, it wasn't stated in the 
episode that Varn's people actually *built* the Great Machine; 
after all, if they could build it, why would the others have 
been searching for it so frantically for the last several 
hundred years?

                                                       jms


Subj:  L.Ditillio			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Walter J.  Lee, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 2:54:31 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266449

     Larry's greatest skill is as a world-builder, and a 
script doctor in working with other writers.  The former 
comes from his background as a gamer, the latter from his 
years in TV.

     Problem with B5 is that this world is already built 
pretty completely, from one end to the other.  Also, the job 
of a story editor is mainly to sit and listen to pitches from 
outside writers, and to rewrite their scripts when they come 
in.  But in the case of B5, virtually all the scripts were 
based on presmises I'd assigned to writers; we took maybe two 
pitches in two years.  I wrote 12 scripts in year one, 15 in 
year two, and personally did just nearly all the rewrites on 
freelance scripts in year two.  Bottom line, there wasn't 
much for Larry to *do*, and there was a growing sense of 
frustration, in that he wasn't in a position to do what he's 
good at doing. So finally we parted ways.  Not much more to 
it than that.

                                                         jms


Subj:  Ancient Ones			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Rich Foster, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 4:00:30 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266985

<Was the Great Machine built by a member race of the First 
Ones?>

     Could be.

                                                     jms


Subj:  Morden and his place		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 3:50:14 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266966

<In Signs and Portents (as I remember) Morden was confronted by 
Kosh in a corridor. Kosh said "They are not for you. Leave now."

We know Morden is never alone and that the Shadows with him 
engaged in combat with Kosh (they knocked out the lights and 
damaged his suit). What I want to know is who Kosh was talking 
to when he said what he did? Was it Morden or the Shadows with 
him?>

     His comment would have been addressed to the shadows and 
their current emissary.

                                                      jms


Subj:  Londo in AOS			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 3:50:17 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266967

<When you came up with Londo, had you just had an encounter 
with a REALLY obnoxious relative?>

     I don't have any other kind.

                                                       jms


Subj:  This seasons shows		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Tony Scarpelli, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 4:00:00 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#266986

     Thanks.  We've been working very hard to make each season 
better than the one before.  The "48 Hours" approach did help to 
explicate the show for new viewers.

                                                      jms


Subj:  This seasons shows		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Tom Knudsen, Wednesday, July 12, 1995 11:05:13 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267414

<EXPLICATE!!!?????  It's not in MY dictionary.<G>>

     "Explicate, n, to make clear, to explain (a literary work)"

     Oxford American Dictionary

                                                     jms


Subj:  This seasons shows		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  J. Michael Straczynski,Wednesday, July 12, 1995 11:06:12 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267415

     Oops.  Meant to type v for verb, not n for noun there.

									
jms
Subj:  Emmy nominations?		Section: Forum&Technical Hlp
  To:  Rae Augenstein, Thursday, July 13, 1995 2:00:25 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#267508

     No, I believe the Emmy nominations are announced on July 20th.

                                                             jms


Subj:  Gen. Haig/Control		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Robert Pierce, Friday, July 14, 1995 2:34:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269009

     No purpose in the name echo; and Hague of 2259 has no 
bearing on our General Haig.

                                                       jms

Subj:  B5 at Shore Leave		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Cynthia and Richard, Saturday, July 15, 1995 12:56:09 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269454

<Just wanted  to share with you and the rest of the online world 
the wonderful time we had at Shore Leave talking to  MOJO.   [...]

P.S.  Any signs of a B5 Convention, esp. on the east coast?>

     That's good to hear.  Glad it went well.  The only other East Coast
 con I know of for a bit is Magnum Opus Con in Florida shortly.

                                                                   jms


Subj:  Ancient Ones			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Laurence Moroney, Saturday, July 15, 1995 12:56:12 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#269455

     Varn was the custodian of Epsilon 3, the planet below B5, who was 
replaced by Draal, a Minbari.

                                                                   jms


Subj:  B5 at Shore Leave		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Richard P. Manny, Saturday, July 15, 1995 7:29:10 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270001

     As far as I know, Bruce Boxleitner and Patricia Tallman 
will both be at Magnum Opus Con.

                                                        jms


Subj:  B5 and JMS in San Diego		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Michael Grabois, Saturday, July 15, 1995 7:29:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270000

     It'll be pretty much the same, minus the MSTB5 stuff, 
which was done by local fans.  I definitely encourage folks 
to be there for the 11am-1pm presentation I'm doing if you're 
*anywhere* in the San Diego area, because the presentation 
I'm giving won't be given again until after the new season 
begins in November.

     No confirmed cast members at this point, since they 
only gave us the one time slot, except Bill Mumy, who 
generally goes to SDCC every year, same as me.

                                                         jms


Subj:  B5 and JMS in San Diego		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  SysOp J. Shaun Lyon, Sunday, July 16, 1995 3:55:04 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270240

     It's that Saturday, 11-1.  I think I may be on another 
panel or two somewhere, but that's the main event.

                                                        jms



Subj:  Fav. 2nd season moments		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  William H. DiPaola, Sunday, July 16, 1995 5:18:06 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270594

     Actually, 18 were shown thus far, not 19.  Four remaing out 
of 22, that leaves 18.

                                                            jms


Subj:  Big Bang Latest			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  All			Sunday, July 16, 1995 5:18:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270595

     Bad enough that Big Bang stiffed Michael O'Hare for the 
remaining $5,000 on his fee to attend the convention, bad 
enough the check to Mark Hammil to reimburse his travel 
expenses bounced, but I was just told today that the check for the 
remainder of his fee, $10,000, ALSO bounced.  There are vague 
mumblings about how they hope to replace the 
check in, oh, three months or so, but nobody's holding out any hopes.

     And, of course, there was the check to Walter Koenig that bounced 
and had to be replaced (fortunately this happened just *before* the 
convention, so he was able to make it clear he wouldn't attend if 
it wasn't replaced immediately), the many people who still haven't 
gotten refunds....

     There were a few people here offering apologia and explanations 
for the behavior of Big Bang/CMC earlier.  I note we haven't heard much 
from them here of late.

     This behavior is unconscionable and unforgiveable.

                                                                jms


Subj:  The Shadow and Jung		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Sam W, Monday, July 17, 1995 1:00:22 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270870

      There has always been a certain element of Jungian archetypes in the 
show, both in the shadows and elsewhere.  (Comes from having a degree in 
clinical psych, I suppose.)  There's a *lot* of thematic/symbolic stuff 
going on in the show, actually....

                                                                   jms

Subj:  Oxygen Masks			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jerry D Bookter, 75453,2257	Monday, July 17, 1995 1:00:23 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#270871

<A question: I noticed for the first time while watching 'Hunter, Prey' 
tonight that the oxygen mask that Sheridan wore while visiting Kosh in his 
quarters is lit from the inside. I'm wondering, is it to better light the 
actor's facial expressions inside so the camera can get a 
better view or does it serve some other function? Maybe it prevents glare or 
unwanted reflections on the outside of the faceplate? Thanks.>

     Er, it does both.  Yeah, that's it, that's my theory, and I'm 
sticking to it.

     Though mainly it does make the actor's face clearer.

                                                                    jms


Subj:  The Shadow and Jung		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Sam W, Monday, July 17, 1995 9:27:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271580

<Ever read this strange book by Julian Jaynes, "The Origin of 
Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" ?

He posits that we, as humans, until recently, were raving 
schitzophrenics.  He claims that the Iliad and the people of 
it were unconscious, schitzo, and only recently the corpus 
callosum fully integrated to form a conscious mind.>

     Yeah, I've read Jaynes' book, and was fascinated by it.  
But then I've always found the whole issue of the function of 
the corpus callosum to be of interest, particularly the 
split-brain experiments of the 1970s. Fascinating stuff.

                                                        jms

Subj:  Odd gadget in "H,P"		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Nathan Wallace, Monday, July 17, 1995 2:46:02 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271232

<there's an odd gadget set on the bulkhead by sheridan's 
contact inH,P before she takes out the "whoop" anti-bug 
shield. it seems pointedat sheridan. later, when he gives her 
the data crystal, sheridan seemsto be holding it. neither 
mentions it, so i don't suppose you'd like to give
us a hint as to what it is......?>

      It's a flashlight, and he's also holding one.  You caught 
a very small glitch.  Originally, he came out, flashed twice with 
his flashlight, giving the code; then she did the same, and 
THEN stepped out of the shadows, putting her flashlight down on 
the ledge beside her.  It took too long, though, interminably, 
so when we edited it, we cut out that sequence...and 
hoped nobody'd notice the flashlight sitting there.

                                                          jms


Subj:  Fan Club - Next action?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Don Chase, Monday, July 17, 1995 9:27:17 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271579

     Don't wait on us; we've been fighting/negotiating for a year 
and a half on this fan club, and it's taken this long to get even 
to this point.

                                                           jms

Subj:  Big Bang Latest			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 1:47:29 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271731

<I have just returned from NASFiC in Atlanta, which I have to say, 
compared to what I heard there of Big Bang, it was the second worst Con 
this month...

	From an Exhibitor who attended BB; John Delancie was left at 
the airport for 3 hours!
	When he finally arrived at the Con, he was told that his 
presentation was cancelled because he was late. He stood up to them, 
reportedly, saying that the presentation would go on because it was 
thru their fault, not his, that he was late.
	When attempting to go on with the presentation, the BB people 
shut off his lights and microphone. DeLancie then told those who were 
interested could meet him outside and he would talk to them.
	The auditorium where the autograph line was had been 
sandblasted the day before. For four hours, while the Big Bang 
Security Geeks let their *friends* ahead of everyone else, the fans 
were breathing concrete dust!
	Everyone was told there would be a limit to 2 autographs - to 
which Mr. DeLancie responded by signing everything he could get his 
hands on! BRAVO!
	My source for this info (as he related to me) knew there was
problems when he got in the taxi and the driver never even heard of the 
place!
	Gee, we at NASFiC had it made in the shade compared to that!>

     Yup...and that's just the beginning of the nightmare....

                                                          jms


Subj:  Fav. 2nd season moments		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Robert Miller, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 1:49:16 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#271732

     How do you get a shot of Morden's head on a pike past 
the censors?

     Easy.

     You frame the shot so the head is draped...in shadows.

     If I were to be planning such a thing, of course....

                                                          jms


Subj:  Big Bang Latest			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  SysOp J. Shaun Lyon Wednesday, July 19, 1995 12:39:29 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272608

<Joe - For your information, and the information of those in this 
Forum, a user came into both SFMEDIA and our companion Forum, SFLIT, 
advertising a "professionally edited" tape of highlights of the 
convention.

Due to the nature of the events of this convention -- something I 
consider to be fraud -- these messages have been pulled from public 
view and said person will NOT be allowed to advertise Big Bang 
materials on this Forum.

Just our small way of helping get rid of this kind of stuff in 
the future.>

     Certainly inquiries should also be made as to whether or not 
the actors gave permission for their performances to be edited and 
sold in a profit- making capacity.  A copy of the contract should be 
provided if so, to help avoid any liability for CIS.

                                                                jms


Subj:  Fan Club - Next action?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, uesday, July 18, 1995 3:08:26 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272138

     It's nothing to do with support; it's the process of making the 
deal with WB, which is like jumping rope with the rope on fire.

                                                                 jms


Subj:  CGI FX for next Season		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  William H. DiPaola, Tuesday, July 18, 1995 3:08:28 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272139

     It's *really* hard to quantify this stuff; the key is to make it 
look more real overall, so in a way you don't *notice* it as much.  
So yes, it will continue to improve; but how to quantify that, I've 
no idea.

                                                                 jms


Subj:  CGI FX for next Season		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Kenneth Porter, Wednesday, July 19, 1995 12:39:00 AM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272609

     You can't move the NASA zero-g trainer; it's where it is, in 
Florida. We're in California.  Also, they don't really have a zero-g 
trainer in the sense you mean; they have a water-tank that simulates 
zero-g using carefully balanced counterweights and lifts.  Again, that 
won't transport to CA.  We can't use the Vomit Comet airplane in a series 
like this, which only lets you shoot for 30 seconds at a time, at hideous 
cost.

     We have, however, vastly improved the interior of the station, which 
you'll see in more detail than ever before in one of the final four 
episodes.  I think it's a *substantial* improvement.

                                                                jms

Subj:  <<B5 Comic #8!!!>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Z. Michael Milutinovic, July 18, 1995 3:26:04 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#272154

<After reading Issue #8, and looking back at previous eps, I think the 
encounter Talia had with Kosh and the ViCaR in season one make it appear 
more interesting.  (In "Deathwalker")>

     You may very well see an echo of that scene, and learn why it was 
there in the first place, in that episode.


                                                               jms

Subj:  Oxygen Masks			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Will Gearhart, Wednesday, July 19, 1995 1:52:24 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#273040

<But don't the lights in the masks also make it hard for the people 
to see?>

     Actually, our actors never seem to have a hard time getting 
around in them, so I'd guess no.

                                                              jms


Subj:  Emmy Rip-Off			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Thursday, July 20, 1995 3:25:01 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274030

     Not to pick nits...X-FILES got nominated for Best Series, only 
the second time this has happened (I think the first was TNG, which 
I believe got a nomination in its final year).  So that's very 
encouraging.

     And we've gotten 3 nominations so far, and as for EFX, the 
ballots are still being counted in this and several other areas in 
which we think we have a good shot.

     Three nominations ain't bad...Kung Fu got zero, Baywatch zero, 
DS9 got only two, Pointman got zero, Hercules got zero....

                                                               jms


Subj:  Emmy Rip-Off			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  C. Bussjaeger, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274410

     Actually, I only included Hercules because it's genre.

     In going over the list, you realize how kinda special this is; out 
of all the shows on television, network and syndicated, only 62 series, 
movies, comedies or specials were nominated; out of that, only ELEVEN are 
dramatic series.  And that eleven includes DS9, ST:V, X-Files and B5.  
So four out of those eleven dramatic series are genre series, about 
45%.  That ain't bad.

     And this time at bat, B5 got as many nominations as The John 
Larroquette Show, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Liz Taylor story, 
Murder She Wrote, Murphy Brown, the Simpsons and the Tonight Show.  And 
*more* nominations than Lois and Clark, Love & War, Politically Incorrect 
and DS9, among others.

     So apart from the actors situation, I don't feel in the least 
slighted.

                                                                jms


Subj:  Emmy Rip-Off			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Marte Brengle, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:21 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274411

     Breast augmentation is also a science.

                                                                jms


Subj:  B5 Emmy Nominations		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Barbara Pfieffer, Thursday, July 20, 1995 3:45:18 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274038

      As an aside...there are other areas in which we hope to receive 
recognition, among them directing, special effects, music and sound 
editing. Those ballots are still being counted, however, and won't be 
announced for another week or two.

     That aside, it's *very* hard to get actors recognized for their 
work in SF.  Ditto writing.  But we continue to improve.  The pilot B5 
movie got one nomination; the first season got two; the second season has 
gotten three so far, and possibly one or two more yet to come.

     If we keep going at this rate, it's going to be impossible for them 
to ignore us for long.  As is the case with X-Files.  They've begun 
receiving nominations in areas normally reserved for mainstream shows (and 
I'm absolutely thrilled spitless that they got the nom for Best Series; that's 
just terrific), so that bodes well for gradual change in the industry, and 
for B5 to start getting recognition in those same areas.

                                                               jms


Subj:  3rd season scripts		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Barbara Pfieffer, Thursday, July 20, 1995 9:57:16 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274409

     Scripts to date are five: Matters of Honor, Convictions, A Day in the 
Strife, Voices of Authority, Passing Through Gethsemane, and due sometime 
next week, Dust to Dust.

                                                              jms


Subj:  New season			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  michael, Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274963

     Thanks.  And yes, nothing new comes out until the first 
week of October, then straight through to about December 14th.  
So unless there are any last-minute changes, you'll have 
something like 11 new eps in a row.

                                                        jms


Subj:  3rd season scripts		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:11 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274964

     No idea yet on how many I'll finally write; I usually 
don't know until it's over.

                                                        jms


Subj:  Emmy Rip-Off			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  SysOp Lee Whiteside,Friday, July 21, 1995 2:15:12 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#274965

     Actually, I think the rules on the EFX award *have* 
changed, it's no longer a juried award.

                                                        jms


Subj:  New season			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Joe Salemi Saturday, July 22, 1995 10:54:09 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276375

     Hmmm...if your info is correct (not saying it isn't, only 
that I haven't heard this new bit), the "new season" that begins 
for Voyager in August probably consists of the last 4 episodes 
they held back from their first season.  Assuming they play through, 
then the next month would have new season two episodes.  They 
only started filming their season recently, so they're really going 
to have to rush post-production to get material out there in time to 
meet airdates.

     Doesn't affect us at all (except perhaps the Mountain is hoping 
to get a leg up a bit), but I hope it doesn't cause compromises in 
quality to do it that fast.

     (The Mountain is LAspeak for Paramount; Warner Bros. is the 
Shield.)

                                                              jms


Subj:  San Diego Comic Con		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Sheree Harrell, Saturday, July 22, 1995 10:54:11 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276376

     I'll be doing my primary B5 presentation at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
on Saturday.  CAn't give details, but I suggest you be there.

                                                               jms



Subj:  New season			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Anne L. Warner, Sunday, July 23, 1995 5:53:23 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276992

<By the way, you have completely destroyed my calm, unruffled 
lifestyle.  After 23 years of happy TV-free existence, B5 caught 
us in less than 6 weeks after a loaner Tube landed in 
our living room.  This morning we wired up our new Surround sound 
system.  It's ALL YOUR FAULT.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  
(And an extra thanks to Mira Furlan.  Delenn is the one who hooked 
me!)>

     I'm simply here to serve the commonweal.

     And the Dolby Surround Sound corporation.

     Thankyew.

                                                         jms


Subj:  San Diego Comic Con		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Don Berg, Sunday, July 23, 1995 5:53:27 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#276995

     It's held at the SD Convention Center down by the Harbor.  
It's HUGE, the usual attendance is over 25,000 people.

                                                                       
                                                         jms


Subj:  More third season stuff		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Barbara Pfieffer, Monday, July 24, 1995 2:39:13 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#277836

<I read on Usenet that you're introducing a new character 
named Marcus.  Can you tell us anything about him, the actor 
portraying him, etc?

I was also wondering if you could upload a new gif or two of 
the station.>

      I think that uploading can be done.

      As for Marcus...he's a Ranger, who'll be seen a lot 
in the coming season.

                                                        jms


Subj:  More third season stuff		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Barbara Pfieffer, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:35:04 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278476

     I'll give more info on Marcus after we've closed the 
deal with the actor.

                                                       jms


Subj:  New season			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Anne L. Warner, Monday, July 24, 1995 2:39:15 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#277837

     Thanks, yeah, I think we're just on the cusp of finally 
breaking through in a big way; my sense is that we're right 
around where X-Files was just before it broke.

                                                       jms

Subj:  Deep Space Franchise		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Robert Miller, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:43:09 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278478

<About the line in "There All the Honor Lies">

     Correct; the Deep Space Franchise line is *all* Peter's.

                                                      jms


Subj:  Deep Space Franchise		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  J. Michael Straczynski, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 7:14:23 AM
From:  Peter David,		#278753

And as I wrote it I sat there thinking, "And as Peter kisses 
his Trek novel career good-bye...."

PAD

Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Monday, July 24, 1995 10:43:11 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#278479

     Re: advice on getting your foot in the door.

     Have a persistent foot.

     Write constantly.  For anyone and everyone.

     Patience, determination, direction and strength.

     And never follow somebody else's path; it doesn't work 
the same way twice for anyone...the path follows you and rolls 
up behind you as you walk, forcing the next person to find their 
own way.

                                                       jms


Subj:  More third season stuff		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Burhaan  Ahmad, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:01 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279129

 <The same Ranger who sought out Garibaldi?>

     Different ranger.

                                                      jms


Subj:  More third season stuff		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  SysOp Dupa T. Parrot, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:05 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279852

     I believe he will be in the opening credits next season, yes.

                                                      jms


Subj:  More third season stuff		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  John Lester, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:20 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280570

     I would not be surprised to see Sinclair in a two-parter
this coming season, on the B5 station.

                                                      jms


Subj:  UK airing / video taped?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:02 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279130

     Warners is legitimately concerned about people offering to 
make mass numbers of copies of episodes and send them out to 
others, whether for profit or not.  Particularly when 
they haven't been seen in this country, such that it violates a 
lot of laws both domestic and international.  If someone is 
engaging in mass copying, be assured that Warners will have 
men with badges knocking on their doors in very short order.

                                                       jms


Subj:  UK airing / video taped?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Michael Beemer, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:06:26 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281108

     Irony is generally lost on studios.

                                                       jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 1:57:06 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279131

     Everyone always tells you it won't happen, you're wasting 
your time, it's pointless...because that's how they want to think, 
because someone achieving something makes someone who may not have 
done so feel self- conscoius, because they KNOW you and as it says 
in the New Testament "A prophet is without honor only in his own 
land and among his own people," and because overall the system is 
designed to keep you IN.  A writer by nature removes him- or herself 
from the system of 9-5 office type work.  Over time you make your 
own hours, your own schedule, you select who you work for... you're 
outside the normal space/time continuum, and between you and that 
goal is one hell of a lot of surface tension.

     Every writer has been told, at some point, "You'll never make 
it, why waste your time?"  Ninety percent of the time, they're right.  
Ten percent of the time they're not.  But you won't know which camp 
you fall in until you try.

                                                       jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:14 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279382

     I started writing at 14; started selling at 17.

     One warning re: 300+ page books at this point...if nothing 
happens, and it may or may not, it can be a big stumbling block to
get over.  Don't let the smaller stories get away from 
you either.  It's good to do a variety of things.

                                                       jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279853

     The differences between screenwriting and a novel...would take 
a book to communicate.  Suffice for now to say just that the strengths 
of a novel are all internal (internal monologue, POV, narrative 
descriptions), and the strength of a screenplay is all external 
(dialogue and visuals).

     Which is why the best novels often make the worst movies.

                                                       jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:21 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280571

     I could probably adapt the B5 storyline very well to a novel, 
since it would provide the chance to expand on a lot of stuff.  
Whether or not that ever happens is anyone's guess.

                                                         jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeannette Fornadel, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:15 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281112

     It took 5 years to sell B5.

                                                         jms


Subj:  B5 & JMS books			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Philip Hornsey, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:27:24 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280572

     Some comics adapt well, some don't; Watchmen would be great.

                                                         jms


Subj:  Competition 4 B5...		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  David Chandler-Gick, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 2:13:00 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279163

     I don't consider Space competition in that sense, except 
that it will be something more motivating us to work harder 
(like we lacked that).  From where I sit, the more, the merrier, 
and welcome to them.

                                                         jms



Subj:  <<Divided Loyalties>>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Simon Grierson, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:10 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279380

     Boy, a whole lotta questions, and not *one* I can answer at this 
time without spoiling stuff for down the road.

     Well, actually, there *is* one I can answer.

     No, the B5 facilities were never flooded.

     And thanks for the reaction....

                                                              jms


Subj:  <<Divided Loyalties>>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Simon Grierson,Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:02 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279851

     Some of it's the sound of the name, some has actual roots in 
other places (minbar is the term for the pulpit in a mosque; delen 
is middle english for divided).

                                                               jms


Subj:  B5 Syndication?			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Glenn Storey/Wa., Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279383

     The show is already in syndication, just not stripped daily. 
You usually only trim network shows, which are longer than syndicated 
shows; since we're already at that shorter length, it should be okay.

                                                                jms


Subj:  B5 Syndication?			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Glenn Storey/Wa., Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:14 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281111

     It wouldn't likely go daily until the 5 years are up.

                                                                jms


Subj:  <<DL real spoilers !>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Richard McLaren, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:23:05 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279407

     C4 is showing the eps in the right order; don't worry.

                                                                jms

Subj:  <<DL real spoilers !>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Martin Colloby, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:06:27 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281109

<The Long, Twilight Struggle Divided Loyalties Comes The 
Inquisitor The Fall Of Night>

     No, they're not correct.  That's the production schedule, 
not the preferred airdate schedule.

                                                                jms


Subj:  <<Divided Loyalties>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Colin Radford, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:23:06 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279408

     Remember, Kosh was the one who sent those images into Sheridan's 
brain, not anybody else; he was communicating useful information that 
may come up down the road, but in rather symbological form.

                                                                 jms


Subj:  Star Fury Models			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  C. Bussjaeger, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 10:39:01 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279850

<BTW, you do cons- ever heard the Frank Hayes song 'Little
Fuzzy Animals?'>

     No, never heard that song.

                                                              jms

Subj:  <<DL questions>>			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Tom Knudsen, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 10:07:17 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#281113

<Would a letter to WB about how not showing these episodes in the 
US, but allowing them to be shown in England, has spoiled the 
surprises you had planned for many of the biggest and most 
supportive (but weak willed and looking for a B5 fix) fans of the 
show do more harm than good?>

     It wouldn't do a bit of good.

                                                               jms


Subj:  Bless B5 and Thank You		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Deon W. Becic, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:04 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284792

<Thanks for creating B5.  We've had our first X Files 
convention in Sacto, how about B5 stopping by?>

     Thanks.  We're definitely growing, it seems.  And the prospect of a true 
B5 convention is indeed a possibilitiy, though down the line a bit.

                                                               jms


Subj:  Speculation V Story Line		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Mark Sloan, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:05 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284793

     Introducing new story elements vs. speculating on what events already 
shown may mean.  That's the dividing line.

                                                                jms

Subj:  Unlicensed Bumpersticker		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jeff Frank, Sunday, July 30, 1995 9:00:08 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284800

<Joe:

I inadvertantly purchased an unlicensed bumpersticker from Starbase Columbus 
thru the mail.  The sticker says "Beyond the Final Frontier lies Babylon 5" 
with the B5 logo (trademark not acknowledged).  The sticker was produced by 
Pegasus Publishing and shows their copywrite.<sic>  It also has a lousy 
production quality -- that will teach me to order thru the mail.

Would you like this sticker and the address & phone for Starbase Columbus?>

     Yeah, I'd appreciate the info on that.  And if you've got one, all the 
better.

     Bad enough it's pirate, but to have crummy artwork...sheesh....

                                                               jms


[[[ EDITOR'S NOTE: MESSAGES WITH SPOILERS FOR THE LAST FOUR EPISODES CAN
    BE FOUND IN THE FILE "spoilers" IN THIS DIRECTORY.  THEY'LL BE MERGED
    BACK INTO THIS FILE AFTER THE US/CANADIAN AIRINGS OF THE EPISODES. ]]]
Subj:  Bless B5 and Thank You		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Jean  Teneglio, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:01 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285752

     Some parts of the world are in first season, some are in second.  
It varies by area.

                                                                 jms



Subj:  Party Suggestions?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Randy j Zimmerman, Monday, July 31, 1995 12:45:19 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285238

     The only thing I'd suggest is adding either And the Sky Full of 
Stars and/or The Parliament of Dreams.

     Photos or other residue can always be sent along to us, at the 
address: 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.  Be sure to 
include C/O Babylon 5 in the address.

                                                                 jms



Subj:  Party Suggestions?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Anthony Ho, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:25 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285749

     Pretty much the order they were shown in is okay, though again 
Knives should precede Z'ha'dum; the rest is okay, as far as I can 
remember.

                                                                jms


Subj:  Women on B5			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Eric Baker, Monday, July 31, 1995 12:45:22 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285239

     There is no pre-determined male/female ratio on the show; it's 
pretty much the luck of the draw or the script.  One thing that might 
help, though, is that we've changed casting directors.  We kinda kept 
nudging the one before for a greater diversity in guest roles (looking 
for different ethnic groups, looking for men and women equally in parts 
that can go either way), and our new one is definitely more inclined 
in that direction, so this will doubtless improve.

                                                               jms




Subj:  Renderings on B5			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  John Lester,Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:04 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285753

     All I know is that it's indeed now a PC/Dos environment, using an 
exported brand of Lightwave.  You may want to leave a public message here 
for Paul Beigle-Bryant, co-CGI maven at Foundation Imaging, who is known 
to hang out here from time to time.

                                                               jms


Subj:  Ferengi rules rumor?		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Burhaan  Ahmad, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:40:12 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285758

     I doubt very much anyone from B5 ever started that rumor because, 
frankly, I don't even know what the heck he's *talking* about.

                                                                jms


Subj:  Season 3 Starts Shooting		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Brett Sherris, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:40:14 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285759

     We did indeed shoot our first day on year three today, and it went 
very well.  We wrapped about a half hour early, about seven-ish, the cast
is happy to be back, everyone's fallen right into step...it's a wonder 
to behold.

                                                                jms





*******************************************************
* SPOILERS FOR FINAL FOUR SEASON-TWO EPISODES FOLLOW. *
*******************************************************





Subj:  <<Divided Loyalties>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Derek Paterson, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 2:13:01 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279164

     Re: things you don't expect to happen...that's kind of one 
aspect I was after here.  By way of comparison....

     There's one great thing about The Shining, despite some other 
flaws in the film: they set up Scatman Cruthers (sp?) as the one guy 
who understands what's going on...he gets the Shining, he's a potentially 
heroic character, and when all hell breaks loose, he's the one to 
get into the snow plow, cross terrible weather, we're all sure he's going 
to get there and fight the menace...he overcomes weather and nonsense 
to get there...he blows through the front door, ready for action....
and gets an axe in the middle of his chest and dies.

     I *loved* that, and always kinda wanted to something of that nature, 
where you set someone up to be that kind of character, the future, 
whatever, then you yank it back and let the audience say, Oh, hell, 
NOW what?

                                                            jms


Subj:  << Divided Loyalties >>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Brian Deane, Tuesday, July 25, 1995 5:12:11 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#279381

     I'd say the next 3 are equal or more on a wow scale, 
in some ways.

     One other thought on Talia...one of the motifes we've played 
with from the start was always showing Talia in mirrors...in Race, 
in Z'ha'dum and others...always showing the reflection, her opposite, 
just to set stuff up on an emotional/symbological level.

                                                               jms



Subj:  <<DL questions>>			Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Ruth Ballam, Wednesday, July 26, 1995 2:35:22 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#280585

     In the B5 universe, as a general rule of thumb, people don't just 
come back after something like this.  "Talia" has been destroyed 
permanently; that's what it said in the episode, and that's the way 
it'll stay.

                                                             jms



Subj:  <<DL foreshadowing?>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Robert Miller, Sunday, July 30, 1995 8:42:09 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#284794

     One thing you have to remember is that while Talia is in the opening 
credits, to Psi Corps she's just one more of many programmed individuals in
various places.  The character in "Spider" was a highly valued infiltration
unit, with very expensive "parts."  Of the two, Talia would've been far more
expendable.  And I don't recall that Control actually issued any death order;
it was the Psi Corps/B13 in any event.

                                                                 jms

Subj:  <<DL foreshadowing?>>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  John McAuley, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:29 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285751

     The problem in trying to keep something mysterious and 
vague is thatsometimes you can outsmart yourself, and get 
confusing.  The *theory* isthat there was the Bureau as Control 
overall back on Earth; and a minor Control figure on B5.  And 
Controls are always referred to as "he"regardless of the facts 
to avoid giving any means of identification to anoutsider based 
on gender.

     So it would be

                            BUREAU CONTROL
            ----------------------|---------------------
            |                     |                    |
      Earthdome Control      B5 Control         Minipax Control


     (That's a breakdown using artificial and not necessarily
correctelements, just for illustration.)

     It is, however, a confusing bit of terminology, so it's been 
amended subsequently.

                                                           jms

Subj:  <Divided Loyalties>		Section: Babylon 5
  To:  Malcolm Pemberton, Monday, July 31, 1995 11:29:26 PM
From:  J. Michael Straczynski, 71016,1644#285750

<I wonder if you would settle an argument that has been raging about 
the shooting at Lyta in Divided Loyalties.
Is the hand with the gun  Left or Right?>

     I don't remember offhand; I'll have to check the tape.  (I have a 
vague memory that it was a right hand originally, flopped to shoot in the 
other direction.)

                                                            jms