lurkers-guide/ftp/CompuServe/cs96-04

Date: 01-Apr-96 14:07:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brad Davis <102416.342@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams> Spoiler

 Brad Davis <102416.342@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will anyone back on earth recognize the White Star defending
> Babylon 5 as the same ship that was accused of destroying the
> base on Ganymeade?

       Probably not.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 14:07:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 (blocked) asks:
> Are the Thunderbolt class Starfuries as durable as the "Thuds"
> proved themselves in 'Nam??

       The new fighters are pretty solid.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 14:07:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Copyright infringement?

{original post had no questions}

       All three of those items are absolutely bogus, pirated
material. Totally illegal.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 14:07:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Talking Kosh

{original post unavailable}

       He wasa certainly feeling the strain, and not used to
interacting physically with people, certainly not for a long, long
time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 16:37:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: spoooooooooooooo!

{original post unavailable}

       Fun, ain't it?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 16:37:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minbari Physiology

 Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com> asks:
> Didn't G'Kar ask Lyta about interspecies mating in the pilot with
> the intention of producing a telepathic Narn?

       Yes, he did ask her about mating, and in the course of that
discussion mentioned the genetic manipulation that would be required.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 16:50:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hiroshi

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is Captain Sandra Hiroshi that we saw in "Severed Dreams" related
> to the security officer Hiroshi we saw in "Convictions"?

       No intentional relation, no.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 16:50:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> asks:
> Paterson has an *upscale* part?

"Paterson has an *upscale* part?"

       Used to.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 16:50:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jack Beckman <73227.3066@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

       "...hit between the eyes."   Yeah, that's the correct reaction,
I'd say.

       Yes, it's easy to fire on the enemy when it's a faceless
entity; not as easy when it's someone you know.  Kinda brings it home,
makes it personal.

       We rode the audio on some sequences right to the legal limit;
don't know if we got clamped at any point along the way, to explain the
surround drop.  Will look into it.

       Thanks again.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 21:17:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Talking Kosh

{original post had no questions}

"That makes me feel *marginally* better about the universe."

      Good.  So you won't mind that I gave him your address....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 21:17:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks; it's a great sequence for Delenn.

      The next episode is kind of clean-up time for some loose threads
still lying about, then a couple of smaller stories to give us
breathing space before the next big wave (and it's a doozy).

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Apr-96 22:03:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gail Marsella <71551.3200@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 - TV Guide Contest

{original post had no questions}

      Y'know...it's a wacky idea, but It Just Might Work....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 02-Apr-96 12:05:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

{original post unavailable}

       A talking na'ka'leen feeder can ask a question like this...?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 17:52:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Time on B5

 (blocked) asks:
> How long is a day on B5?
> Does it take 24 hrs for B5 to rotate?

       No, but it's kept to 24 hours on B5 in order to sync up with
Earth back home.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 17:52:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Barney vs. The Shadows

 (blocked) asks:
> but who the hell knows??
> In getting worried?
> Do you concur with these opinions?

       Actually, I'd say the song is just about right...mostly.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 17:52:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark <70004.1111@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Effects

 Mark <70004.1111@compuserve.com> asks:
> What kind of medium are you dumping the 24 bit data to?
> How much "hard drive" space does say a 10 second efx shot take
> up? You wouldn't happen to have the raw data of a Shadow ship
> hanging around would ya?

       ...urk...math...technospeak.....(thud)

       That's a Ron question.  Rendering not Zathras' skill.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 19:16:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Time on B5

 (blocked) asks:
> Isn't B5 a group effort of many worlds?
> Why should Earth dominate?

       Nope.  B5 is not "a group effort of many worlds."  The Earth
Alliance funded the construction on all the Babylon stations, accepting
a little extra money from the Minbari and the Centauri toward the end
to help finish B5.  The currency is regulated in terms of Earth
credits, the laws in the Ombuds courtroom are Earth laws (except as
they encounter cultural laws between members of the same species), it's
Earth Alliance Station Babylon 5, and so on.  Is it fair?  Probably
not.  But that's how Earth wants it, and Earth runs, finances, oversees
and built B5.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 19:16:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5:New pricey toys

{original post unavailable}

       Well, all Bandai has to do is make WB an offer, and if the
details work, they'll do the models.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 19:16:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Caru Hong <73267.257@compuserve.com>
Subject: 'Severed Dreams'

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...the pleasure is entirely mine.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 19:18:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Steve Augustine <102202.200@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Entertainment CD

 Steve Augustine <102202.200@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong when I try to access the
> personnel files on the CD?

       The scritttttt sound is the same sound made by the identicard
scanners in the show; watch the start of Severed Dreams, you'll hear it
there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 19:18:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel Barer <74033.167@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Entertainment CD

{original post had no questions}

       Not a problem; see my other note on this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 22:05:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Londo the puppet

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this true?
> If so, why did you want Londo to be played by a puppet?

   I've wracked my brain trying to remember if that's true or not, and
I honestly can't remember ever having a discussion about Londo being a
puppet. Prosthetics, yes, but not anything animatronic.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 22:05:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minbari society

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you intending to explore further the possibility that Minbari
> civilization is stagnated and their culture may be in need of a
> revitalization?

   It's a topic I'm open to exploring, yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 22:33:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Continuity

{original post unavailable}

"do you run your scrips by others?  IOW, do you make sure that it will
all make sense to others?"

      You must understand several things.  First, there's no one else
on a writing side to *run* things past here.  There's just me.  I *am*
the writing staff this season (which will probably not be quite the
same next season, if I can find the right people).

      The other thing is that writing is really a solitary business. 
There's the impression that in TV, stories get whomped around and
mushed up by some faceless committee.  While this is true in some
cases, it isn't true in all cases.  David Kelley's scripts are his
scripts.  Steve Bochco's scripts are his scripts.  My scripts are my
scripts.  If I don't know my craft well enough to know whether or not
it'll make sense to others, I should get out of the business
immediately.

      As soon as I finish writing the script, alone, it goes right
into production.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 22:33:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 6, 7 ...

 John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> I know you have said that Babylon 5 will run only 5 seasons, but
> I cannot see how this can be possible? Without a season 6, to what
> will WB tack on the last Eight or so episodes of season 5? Are the
> upcoming 8 episodes all we're due to get until fall?

      I don't know about the "after the eight" matter; it's possible
that we could get 2 more run in July, the rest, I dunno...could be
sooner, could be later.  We won't know this for a while yet.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Apr-96 22:33:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 (blocked) asks:
> Out of curiosity, however, was Ta'Lon killed in the attack on the
> station, or was my nearsightedness just flaring up?

      Thanks, and Ta'Lon is still alive and well.

      It's a good episode, no mistake.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 01:58:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Shadow strength

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who is the strongest according to pure physical strength, a
> Shadow or a human?

      A shadow is *definitely* much stronger physically than a human.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 01:58:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> When will we find out to which castes they belong?
> Was the council leader one of them?
> Is it just my imagination, or was her speech more "human,"
> perhaps due to her time on B5 or her transformation? And I ask
> myself, "Why do people let it come to this - that they must kill
> each other to resolve their differences?" I found myself saying,
> "No, it can't be; JMS wouldn't do that," Then, "Wouldn't he?" Is
> she related to the Senator?

      Toni: thanks.  All of the characters shine in this one, Mira in
particular as Delenn.  It's a nice contrast; her speech to the Grey
Council is an intense piece of work that goes on for a while; her
declaration to the EA ships is short, to the point, and absolutely
deadly.  The right tool for the right job.

      I'm utterly pleased and proud of the job we did here.  Partly
because it's just so nifty on its own terms, and partly because it
gives us a new level to try and beat.  Up until now, I've been looking
to top "Coming of Shadows;" now the goal is to top this one...and I
think it's possible there may be one or two even this season that'll do
that, but tonally I think they're different enough that it might end up
as a tie.

      I definitely wanted the close-in, hand-to-hand fighting to
personalize what's going on.  It's also very logical strategically. 
You send in your forces to disable or overwhelm C&C, distract them,
slip in a cadre of troops to a station that (you hope) didn't know you
were coming...then they race to C&C and seize control from inside,
shooting anyone they have to en route.  If Sheridan et al hadn't known
the ships were coming in, this could've gone very differently.  But
once they were in, they were in close quarters, and you want to get in
closer if you're on the defensive side so that they can't use their 
weapons without cutting down their own people.  After that you have to
hope you can overwhelm the intruders with sheer force of numbers.  It's
an ugly, awful way to win a fight, because it *guarantees*
casualties...but what war doesn't?

      Something to bear in mind when rewatching, btw...it was during
this scene that Jerry fell and broke his right arm and right wrist. 
And they still had one last scene to film.  He stuck it out and they
rolled film, to get the shot of him and Zack at the end of the fight. 
Next time you watch it, keep an eye on the right arm as he releases the
helmet...it bends in directions never intended by evolution.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 03-Apr-96 11:40:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 escape pod

{original post unavailable}

       We're still trying to figure all this out ourselves....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 11:40:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com>
Subject: Homicidal rages

 Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will we ever *see* alcohol's effect on a Minbari system?

       No immediate plans for this, but knowing how my brain works,
we'll probably see this sooner or later.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 11:40:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks.  We have to keep shooting ever higher or we're dead.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 11:40:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Benoit Langevin <74434.3136@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD:Garibaldi>

 Benoit Langevin <74434.3136@compuserve.com> asks:
> And by the way for the last two week, we don't see the next week
> preview, is it in the satelite uplink or is it our station,
> CFCF-12-Montreal, that didn't put it on air?

       No, it's a different scene than the flash-forward in Babylon
Squared.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: General Hague <Spoiler>

{original post unavailable}

       We'd booked the actor long, long in advance.  At the last
minute, he bailed to do a DS9 episode playing, essentially, the same
character, despite our having first dibs.

       So I killed off the character.  Didn't change the story by the
smallest measure.  May actually have helped, since it raised the stakes
in the story right from the start.

       Rule #1: Never honk off the writer.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 'Severed Dreams'

 (blocked) asks:
> As an aside: Are you planning anything special for your
> appearance at Marcon next month?

       Nothing special per se planned for Marcon...I generally play it
by ear on these things.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Did we get cut or did you leave it to our imaginations?

       No, we cut that shot pretty close, to go out on the bang.  Your
local station didn't cut anything there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

       Yes, the Thunderbolt furies were seen both on Mars and
attacking B5.

       A normal Starfury can't function in an atmosphere environment. 
The new Thunderbolt models have airfoils/wings that are folded back
over the body of the ship for non-atmospheric maneuvering, and then
extend out to full sized wings when entering an atmosphere.  (You'll
get to see in detail how this works back and forth in "Ship of Tears.")

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com>
Subject: stuff

 Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, Is there any hope of convincing David Gerrold to write a B5
> novel?

       Thanks.  Marcus is a great character...he can go back and forth
between deadly serious and quite funny without batting an eye, it's all
quite smooth. He adds a lot to the show.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 15:20:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Steve Augustine <102202.200@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Entertainment CD

 Steve Augustine <102202.200@compuserve.com> asks:
> You mean even when a picture of Delenn, Vir, or the others
> display during the screen saver, it's supposed to make that same
> 'scritttt' sound?

       No, if you're talking about the white screens with the black
and white photos and text, no, it's all Identicard stuff.  (Check the
pilot, and you'll see the same display used there for Lyta's entrance.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 20:56:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Puppets sue Babylon 5

{original post had no questions}

      Go to your room....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:11:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dust to Dust question

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who is the second Narn that G'Kar talks to?
> Is it his father again or G'Quon?

      It's the same thing, the image of his father.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:11:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Well, at this kind of range, they could eyeball the targets for
the most part, as far as the big ships are concerned; the smaller ones
would be much more difficult.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:11:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  That's exactly the impression I wanted...you do the
dolly/zoom move, isolating Sheridan visually...you don't cut back to
the others as they speak, just let the camera stay on him, put the
other voices down under the music and off to the side, just *HOLD*
there...works great.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:12:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel Barer <74033.167@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post had no questions}

      I agree, but Jerry was determined to do it, and more time
would've been lost arguing about it than it took to do the takes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:12:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> I presume there was some dialog snipped giving him a new pinpoint
> location for the pod?

      That was because the Narns just kept right on going, even when
he'd said "we'll wait here."  That's Narns for you.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 21:12:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: General Hague <Spoiler>

{original post had no questions}

      The show comes first, absolutely.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 22:56:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: L.A.,April 1, 1981

{original post had no questions}

      I'd forgotten about that part of it...thanks.

                                                                jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Apr-96 22:57:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Soul Hunters

 (blocked) asks:
> I've been wondering about the Soul Hunters for a while JMS Will
> we ever see them again? How advanced was thier tech?
> How many are there?
> Will they play any part in the Shadow War?

      I'd certainly like to see them again....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 00:54:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD - White Star!!>

{original post unavailable}

      Well, President Clark would know it, from the Aggy records, but
the general population wouldn't know it yet, since those records
weren't released. But it does give him a card to play at some point in
the future.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 04-Apr-96 11:54:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: L.A.,April 1, 1981

 (blocked) asks:
> What aniversary did you forget?
> Do we all help Kathryn (sp?) beat on you with dead lemmings?

       April 1st 1981 was the day I moved to LA to become a Big Shot.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 11:54:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was this a member of the Warrior Caste defecting with Delenn?
> Who the hell is running the Mimbari government now?
> Incedently, if the warrior caste was *not* in on it, where did
> they get the warships?

       At this point, with the Council broken, Delenn isn't currently
running Minbar...there's a vacuum of power.  The system can carry on
for a while, the balance between the castes is pretty efficient, but
this is going to have to be resolved, and some in the warrior caste may
suspect Delenn of doing this so she *can* rise to power.

       As part of Valen's covenant, to prevent one caste from taking
over the other, each caste has access to its own warships.  This was
done to create trust a thousand years ago, and since then, since there
hasn't been any conflict between Minbari, the three castes own their
own warships still, but in general are assigned to Warrior caste as a
courtesy, which can be revoked. As Delenn noted, the worker and
religious castes control 2/3rds of their forces.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 12:06:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Press Release

{original post unavailable}

       "...telepathy, telekinesis, prophesy..."

       Basically, I wouldn't consider those technology in any form. 
The technology on which the *show* is based is pretty
rigorous...starfuries designed for zero gravity, a dyson-style sphere,
rotational gravity, and so on.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 13:49:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Press Release

{original post unavailable}

       (sigh...some days I have the brains of a flea).   I typed Dyson
sphere when I meant to type O'Neill sphere or station.  Brain fart.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 13:49:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did some of the Military follow Delenn?
> May we assume that Neroon did not follow Delenn?

       No, 5 left the council with her.  And one can wonder, Did she
turn down the position of leader of the Grey Council, which would be a
balance for that role, in order to eliminate the council and become
primary ruler? (That is what some of the warrior caste are bound to
begin wondering after a while.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 13:49:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

       Each caste populates the ships in their jurisdiction with their
own people.  Which is why those on the Minbari warships that came in,
which we'll see shortly, are religious caste, no warriors among
them...but even the religious caste is well trained in combat, as part
of their education in temple.  We've seen some of this already in
Lennier's abilities in a fight.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com>
Subject: stuff

 Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, What about Gerrold writing a novel?
> Can this be done?

      It can be done, sure, but I think David is generally more
interested in writing his own novels than a farmed-out concept book,
and rightly so.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: L.A.,April 1, 1981

 (blocked) asks:
> What are you doing on line in mid-day?

      I dived on for a bit from my office at the stage.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com>
Subject: Gravity in core shuttle

 Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com> asks:
> What holds people to the seats and floor of the core shuttle?

      There are mag-strips, also hand-holds, seat belts and
foot-straps.  As you enter you hear the voice warning that this is a
reduced gravity area, and to exercise proper precautions.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Narn contribution

 (blocked) asks:
> Did the Narn contribute to the making of B5?

        No, the Narn didn't contribute to the making of B5.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Jinxo

 (blocked) asks:
> Are there plans for seeing Jinxo on the series again?

      No, no plans for Jinxo for now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dust to Dust Problem

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> In "Dust to Dust" why did you have G'Kar refer to his father in
> the third person when he said "I must honor my father's name" to
> his father? Also why wasn't G'Kar happy and embracing his father
> when he appeared to him right after G'Kar watched his father die
> hanging from the tree?

      Both questions have the same answer: logically, G'Kar knows that
his father is dead.  He saw him die.  So whoever this was, wasn't his
father, even though he was appearing that way.  Or was a spirit, and
either way, he would've been sufficiently apprehensive about it not to
go blithely around embracing something he didn't understand.  I sure as
hell wouldn't.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Has Ron and the folks at Foundation picked up some new rendering
> iron (or silicon)?

      No, I just think they're getting better at using what they have.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:25:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD- Special Scene>

{original post had no questions}

      Yup.  We designed that scene very carefully to have that impact.
No cutaways, just *hold* on him.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:38:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Last Shadow War>

{original post had no questions}

      Nope, sorry, that theory couldn't possibly be more incorrect....

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Apr-96 22:38:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD - Narn Sacrifice>

{original post unavailable}

      What you also have to bear in mind sometimes is that *this* is
the only way to get things done.  When the Allies stormed Normandy
Beach, they knew that German bunkers and machine nests and fortified
positions were right there on the beach waiting for them.  But they
stormed out, onto the beach, and the first lines were cut down, one
after another after another, hundreds, literally thousands of soldiers.
But those behind were able to get through, take up position as best
they could.  Some of them clung to the edges of cliffs as Germans above
laughed and threw down grenades into their midst.

      Sometimes there's no other way.  But you do it because those who
command you have the moral authority to say "You probably will not come
back, but the cause is just, and fair, and necessary."

      Thus do we go off to die.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Apr-96 01:35:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams-Classic>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, and thanks especially for the comment about Delenn.  She
really hit home here for a lot of people, and the exchange was a good
one.

      I think we may have done something quite extraordinary here. 
One hopes for that, of course, always...but I've finally allowed myself
to think we may actually have done it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Apr-96 01:35:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

      No, there's an actual limit to the frequency/volume you can pack
into an episode.  Go over the legal limit and you can get into dutch
with the FCC.  We went real near it, but didn't pass it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Apr-96 01:35:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah...the reference was kafuffled.  There was so much going on,
so many EFX shots, so much rearranging of shots to make everything work
(we literally delivered this 2 hours before the process for uplinking
started) that this slipped past.  I'll assume that Sheridan got excited
and said the wrong name. It'd happen to anyone.  Right?  Right?

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dust to Dust Problem

 William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> asks:
> So are you possibly indicating that G'Kar could have been seeing
> a spirit as well?

      Well, G'Kar doubtless *thinks* he saw a spirit, possibly the
spirit of his father, possibly something else...revealed later as
G'Lan, of course, taking that image in order to give him a revelation.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Senators Giving Orders

{original post unavailable}

      Real simple.  For starters, both Senators are on the Babylon 5
Oversight Committee, and the CO of B5 is answerable to that committee,
as those in the Pentagon are answerable to the senate for senate-funded
activities.  Also, the matters in question, such as the labor strike,
were not strictly military matters, but *civilian* situations.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Best Yet!

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, and welcome out of Lurkdom.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Comic Disappointment

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there anything that you can do to get DC comics to start
> publishing new B5 comics? Aren't you concerned that the story you
> wrote for the first few issues may never be seen by your fans? If
> you're having trouble with DC, why don't you just let another
> company publish the comics?

      The comics may finally be getting back on line.  There will be a
meeting in May in NY to finalize stuff there.

      I will not, however, be writing directly for the comic anymore. 
DC has a policy that they will not allow writers final say on their
books.  Only the editors.  On all books written by other writers, as
per their contract with DC, I via WB, have final approval.  However, if
I function as a writer, then I must give up that right and allow myself
to be rewritten by the editor. It's a jurisdictional matter.  Suffice
to say I was appalled by some of the rewriting done on what I'd turned
in on the four issue arc.

      Consequently, I will not be writing that arc, or any other books
for the DC title.  I will be happy to provide information to keep the
story current with the series, farm out premises so it stays canon, and
work closely with the writers in my approval status.  That way I can
make sure the work is to our standards; if I write for the book, I
cannot do so, because the editor insists on rewriting me to maintain
DC's jurisdictional structure.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do advertisers have to stay within those boundaries?

      Advertisers generally go right up to the limits of the sound,
but can't go over it.  They just use up *all* the frequency range, so
it seems louder and bigger.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> asks:
> And Mira?
> And the look in her eyes?

      Thanks, and yes, there's definitely fire and steel in Delenn,
which she calls upon when she needs it.  And nobody crosses her when
that happens.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:17:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  Yes, it's designed to get you revved up at the retreat,
it's our natural reaction.  The TV Logic thing to do would be to go to
black at that point, and the commercial.  But this show is about
consequences, choices and responsibility, and to *not* have that last
scene would be a betrayal of that.  Otherwise it's just jingoism.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Of course, one wonders how he managed to get such a plum
> position, hmmm? When exactly did the effects get finished for this
> episode?

      All I'll say here is that there were *so* many EFX here that we
mixed the episode a few days before delivery, and got it down there 2
hours before the process for uplinking the episode to stations.  It was
the hardest thing we've ever done...but it was worth it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com> asks:
> So Is "Ship of tears" the next big arc episode?

      Exactly.  If you're going to do something as monumental as what
Sheridan does here re: B5's status and Earth, it can't be done lightly
or frivolously or without sufficient cause.  It has to be an absolutely
last resort.  If we'd done it any sooner, it would've been less
effective, and more of a cheat.

      And yes, after two breather stories, "Ship of Tears" starts the
arc moving again, and with very few exceptions doesn't let up for the
rest of the season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William O. Powers <102124.3327@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, I agree, I think it is our best work.

      So far.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> How can you possibly top this one?

      How can we top SD isn't the question.  It's when.  We *have* to
keep constantly getting better, improving the show.  As Bob Dylan
wrote, "Any man not busy being born is busy dying."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

 Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does this mean that there are warrior and worker caste Minbari
> doing religous duties in the temples and warrior and religious
> caste Minbari doing worker caste duties as well?

      No, those aspects are kept absolutely separate and
caste-specific. It's only when you get into the warships that, by
tradition, some warrior caste have been involved with the others,
mainly as a courtesy.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post had no questions}

      Except, of course, you now have an extraordinary situation in
which the Major, through the death of his CO, was now the commanding
officer of the Alexander.  In ordinary circumstances, this would mean
he'd be given a field promotion.

      Second, I don't recall any situation where the Major was "giving
orders to a commander."  The aide on the deck of the Alexander was a
Lieutenant, as I recall.  Also, if Hague indicated that he was to be
given command as he died, that would likely be honored.  Finally, yes,
the Major was involved in the discussions of strategy, but in *every
case* he presented Sheridan and Hiroshi with options, and because it
was Sheridan's neck of the woods, it was left to Sheridan to give
orders.  He coordinated the defense, and was the only one speaking
directly with the Agrippa.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

      Re: Foundation "adding a new flame effect"...sort of.  One
night, we just went out into the parking lot, set up a camera pointing
up behind a plexiglass screen, and set off a bunch of explosions above
it.  Went great until one of the blasts was so big it melted through
the plex *and* the camera lens....

      Looked good though, didn't it?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: General Hague <Spoiler>

{original post unavailable}

      I think Sheridan was kinda up to his ears in matters graver than
the Major's field promotion, though you're right, he had one coming (as
I noted in an earlier message).  Given that they'd just broken away
from Earthforce, and walked away from the rank structure to some
extent, it would seem a rather indulgent exercise, since Earth
certainly wouldn't recognize the field promotion of a renegade officer.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD - Narn Sacrifice>

 Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> asks:
> With the station rotating for the simulation of gravity, and the
> breaching pod attaching to to outside of the station: Should the
> opening the pod mad have been in the floor instead of the wall?

      Yes and no.  They came through the "floor" which would be the
outer hull.  Like any good ship, the station has two hulls for
protection, an inner hull and an outer hull.  Once breaching the outer
hull, they moved into the inner hull, then angled up for a wall they
could blow out.

      I figured this would make more tactical sense because if they
just blew through the floor, they'd have to *crawl* out one or two at a
time, whereas if they angled in safely and then came in through a wall,
they could pour in more quickly, en masse, and be less vulnerable.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD- Special Scene>

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Isn't that type of shot (camera pulling back as the lens zooms
> in) a Hitchcock original (ala "Vertigo")?

      Probably; the shot gets used in many films.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams-Classic>

{original post unavailable}

      Bingo.  You hit it right on the nose.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams-Classic>

 Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com> asks:
> And thus my question about this on EA ships: while we are shown
> that they have rotating compartments, what happens when these
> ships are under acceleration (or deceleration)?

      Narns are strapped in because they don't have artificial
gravity, or rotating sections; if they weren't strapped in they'd be
floating about.

      C&C is a little over one-third of the way from the central hub. 
This gives you about 33-35% of normal gravity, so a person weighing 200
pounds would weigh about 66-70.  (Yes, we did the math on this.)  So
you're not going to see anybody bouncing around the walls.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:18:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams battle>

 (blocked) asks:
> What happened to the fourth one?

      That would've been killed off-camera.  We tried to fit in every
ship getting nailed, but finally realized it would've required another
half an act.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:34:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SD - Thunderbolts

{original post unavailable}

      The Thunderbolts have extension wings on the sides, which extend
to lock for full flight capacity.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 00:34:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams >

{original post had no questions}

      Re: caring for the characters...this is exactly the point I was
going on about a few weeks ago here.  Somebody was wondering why the
personal stories, why not just arc-arc-arc.  You *need* the occasional
personal stories so you learn more about the people, and grow to care
about them *as* people, not just arc-movers, so that when stuff like
the events in SD happen, you care about it and get involved.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 06-Apr-96 14:01:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rob Edin <102623.2165@compuserve.com>
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

 Rob Edin <102623.2165@compuserve.com> asks:
> 5 stations, hmmm?

       Clarifications: B1-B3 were never finished, but sabotaged very
early in construction, so the cost impact wasn't that high.  Only B4
was completed. When it vanished, the project was almost abandoned, but
then the Minbari and Centauri agreed to help finance the project, and
the EA went ahead with a scaled-down version, their last shot at it. 
Hence, B5.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:18:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Larry Rosenblum <72122.1555@compuserve.com>
Subject: San Jose Merc and B5

{original post had no questions}

        Great, thanks for the info.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:18:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sandra G. Bruckner <76642.3664@compuserve.com>
Subject: Comic Disappointment

 Sandra G. Bruckner <76642.3664@compuserve.com> asks:
> When you mentioned the editing problems you were encountering
> with DC in your phone conversation to the DC Gathering a while
> back, did you notice the reaction? Everyone was apalled that some
> comic book editor would have the nerve to want to re-write your
> story? How can someone else write it better than you can?

      Yeah, it's kind of the Red Queen's Race sort of logic.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:19:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: stuff

 Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
> Would I be wrong in assuming that he is out of the renumeration
> range for a B5 novel?

       Probably, yeah.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:19:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> asks:
> What can I say?
> Is this your best to date?
> You and your entire crew (actors, special effects, casting -
> EVERYONE) must be extremely proud of this masterpiece - as well
> as a little aprehensive - how do you top this?? But, who are the
> traitors? But, what of the Grey Council members that broke from
> the council to side with Delenn? Traitors to what had been their
> ruling body? Probably won't be enough, but at least he'd go down
> fighting and it could help distract Clark's troops? I guess their
> (Shadows) time of quiet preparation is over? Definitely not
> comfortable but, who would would be? I could almost see/hear the
> wheels turning in John's head ("this is it, no turning back, time
> for "the" decision, it's in my hands, -my- decision" - replaying
> events up to that point, wrestling with alternatives, "are there
> alternatives?"
>  - just plain numb over the weight of these events?
> ships, situation hopeless - surrender or die?
> "What do I tell his and Hague's wives?"

        Wow, that's a lengthy examination.  Thank you for all that,
and the effort.  Great encouragement.  I appreciate it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:19:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Stephen Burrow <70640.40@compuserve.com>
Subject: "The" John Smith

{original post had no questions}

        No, he's just funny that way....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:19:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Rage'sThots:JS's Dream>

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> "Do you know who I am?"
> He sees himself, this possible being a question to himself along
> the lines of "Am I dreaming?" Perhaps "You are the hand that
> killed her?"

               Not bad....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 16:19:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD - Narn Sacrifice>

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks...

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Abuse in Sactown

{original post had no questions}

      Nuts, you're right, that *is* very unfortunate.  Especially
given how good the episode is.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Fan Club

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> What do we have to do to get the fan club applications?
> Do we have to send a letter, or do we get it if we signed up
> online, on AOL or the web, a few months back? When should we
> expect to receive the applications by?

      I'll post the full information this coming week.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Stern on B5

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since Howard Stern is a big fan of your show, do you plan on
> asking him to guest star on B5 sometime?

      No immediate plans for this, no.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks; you're right, it's the moments that make any good show.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  Any work of fiction must, on some level, make you
*feel* something for the characters, so it isn't just an intellectual
exercise, or the resolution of the plot.  If you can touch the
emotions, then you've got something very special.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 (blocked) asks:
> done, is this do?

      Yes, this one had more CGI than anything we've ever done before.
And thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: 'Severed Dreams'

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  If you've got someone new to the show, who might not
know the backstory very well, then probably the Michael York episode,
"A Late Delivery From Avalon" would be a good one.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Apr-96 22:50:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD - Narn Sacrifice>

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah, the ships kinda turned fast there, but we were just out of
time in the episode, and had to move it along.

      In any event...thanks for the great comments.

                                                                   jms


------------------------------


Date: 07-Apr-96 13:50:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Minbari society>

 (blocked) asks:
> Did that look like A'Shan in the Grey Council ship too you, as
> well?

      That wasn't Ashan, no.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 13:50:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD :-O >

 (blocked) asks:
> Did she mean on the WS, or the Grey Council cruiser, or Minbar?
>  -Was Sandra Hidoshi related to Sinclair's Senator contact in
> season 1?

      Several corrections to your note:

      1) That was not Ta'Lon in the episode.  He didn't appear
anywhere in this episode.

      2) Jerry didn't hide his broken arm in the pocket because it
wasn't broken at that time.  That scene was shot previous to the
earlier scene (we shoot out of sequence, like all shows).

      3) It's Sandra Hiroshi, not Hidoshi, so no relation to the
senator.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS: Severed Dreams?

{original post unavailable}

      Well I wouldn't consider the story with Mr. sebastian to be a
wedding like scene (unless you go to some different sorts of weddings
than I've ever been to), and the fruit scene (with Sinclair, not
Sheridan) was primarily a rebirth ceremony, so again, I think the
"pattern" is perceptual.

      "...can we settle on the fact that the shadows are "bad" or at
least completely and utterly selfish?"

      You're putting human motivations on an *extremely* alien
culture, which may have its own reasons for doing what it's doing. 
(Actually, *everyone* has their reasons for doing what they're doing,
even the Nazis used the argument of Lebensraum, living space, to
justify their actions.)  So I won't say we can settle on this, no.

       Thanks....

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<Severed Dreams>>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.

      Re: Marcus...yes, he was away from the station when all hell
broke loose; we find him returning in the very next episode.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are they new?
> Whose are they?

      Those are the Vree; we saw them in season one, in Deathwalker.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> "Will you give all you can give so that our battle may advance?
> Some will fall and some will live; will you stand up and take the
> chance?"

      Thanks.  Yeah, the older I get, the more I realize there are
things you can do with silence you can't do with words, though I still
love the form of the speech.  There was a lot of counterpoint in this
episode, a tool I'm still playing with as a writer; eventually I'll
figure out how to really use it properly.  (Though there's an
interesting scene up later this season using another kind of ironic
counterpoint which I think works pretty well.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      All of them....

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  I agree, Bruce has definitely made the role his own. 
It's a slow and difficult process for any actor, but he's done very
well at it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:15:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

      I'd have to check my figures, which are at the office, and I'm
at home, but I *think* we've got about 600 crew and support on a
Minbari cruiser.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:16:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies Question>

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> In "Ceremonies of Light and Dark" why did G'Kar not accept
> Delenn's invitation to the Rebirth Ceremony? G'Kar been trying for
> awhile to become part of the army of light, why would he turn
> down a chance to get closer to Delenn?

      Because he saw the actual co-running of security, and their
duties, more important...that is physical, and concrete, and he feels
is his surest way to win a seat in the new council.  Actions, not
ceremonies.  He's very direct that way.  (Which is pretty much what he
said at the time.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:16:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies-Delenn>

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> In "Ceremonies of Light and DarK" Lennier says that Delenn is
> destined for another, is this part of the prophesy?

      It is now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:16:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD: Praise & Questions>

 (blocked) asks:
> a) Will those Minbari warships be staying with Babylon 5?
> b) Was that Minbari that Delenn talked to beofre meeting with the
> Grey Council the same one as in "There All the Honour Lies"?

      No, the Minbari wasn't Ashan, no.  And yes, the Minbari war
cruisers will be staying for a while...but they know they can't rely on
Minbari protectino forever.  They have to take control of the
situation.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:33:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      "JMS is on an anti-typcasting crusade."

      That's actually true, in a lot of ways.  My sense is that here
we have many actors who created enduring works because they were good
at what they did; they're *good actors*.  But because they were so good
at it, they got typecast as only able to play that.  How many people
snickered, wrongly, when they heard Walter was going to be Bester? 
"Chekhov in the Psi Corps," was the usual lament.

      Until they *saw* him.  And saw what he could do.

      To work against the typecasting is simply payment on a debt to
those who created enduring characters.  And I'll continue to do it
wherever and whenever I can.  (Look for Robert England in an upcoming
episode playing a very different sort of character than he's played
elsewhere lately.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 14:33:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD - MAJOR error>

 (blocked) asks:
> How would Delenn know about B5 declaring independence, and know
> that they needed help?

      Real simple.  Lennier was still on-station.  All she had to do
was check in with him en route and find out.  Also, she went to the
council for the purpose of getting military support because she knew
heavy stuff was coming down, in one form or another.  Knowing that "the
humans are fighting one another" as she said to the council, it's
evident that if they didn't come to B5 that day, they'd come shortly
thereafter.

      So no, not a major error at all.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

{original post unavailable}

      We shot the last scene with the cane *before* we shot the scene
in which Jerry broke his arm.  It costs way too much to go back and
reshoot.  At the time we shot the later scene, he hadn't yet broken his
arm.

      And G'Kar isn't all the way in yet; he wants to be, but so far
he's still being held at arm's length a bit...he may make an issue of
this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Novel

{original post unavailable}

      No, the story is not from a novel.  It's all original.  Nothing
from it has ever been published.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Is there a reason she wanted Sheridan's part in the Conspiracy of
> Light kept under wraps, but expected something very different
> from the Grey Council? Wouldn't that have jeopardized the chances
> for success for the Conspiracy of Light? Secondly, I'm curious as
> to whether the three Minbari warships are the sum of the fleet
> the Religious and Worker Castes have at their disposal? Anybody
> ever tell you your stories are addictive? ?

      Thanks.  The Grey Council could've taken a lot more action to be
supportive behind the scenes, getting the warrior caste more involved
with the rangers, giving aid to the non-aligned worlds...there was a
LOT they could have been doing all this time that wouldn't have
required tipping their hand. Instead they sat and did nothing.  And
now, with B5 on the edge of falling, to say it's not their problem was
too much.  Now is the time they have to start coming forward.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

      In a sense, it's going from one emotion or thematic element to a
very different, but equally strong one, either as bookends or through
intercutting. Going from the high of the victory, to the sudden shot of
the dead troops, is thematic counterpoint.

      Here's another...in "Cabaret" you've got a scene where the
performers in the Cabaret are doing the sort of German dance where you
slap your knees and thighs and chest...and they take it a bit further,
slapping one another, it's all for comic effect...but during this,
you're intercutting the owner of the cabaret being beaten to within an
inch of his life by some Brownshirts outside.  You go from comic to
brutal and back, with the result that the happy little dance suddenly
takes on ugly characteristics, and the beating takes on the sense that
the participants are having a sick kind of fun, that it's all just
another kind of dance, a ritual.

      That's what you have to look at as a writer...how this scene
works, and how it interacts with the scenes in front, behind and
"beside" it (for things happening simultaneously).  Sometimes, with the
proper counterpoint, you can add whole new levels of meaning to a
scene, or make the scene much stronger than it would've been on its
own.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Why have we not seen any scenes showing the people in the
> opposing forces?

      We haven't seen those scenes because we don't know anyone there
really, and in an hour show you only have so much time, and within our
budget we only can do so much.  Every speaking role you add costs
thousands of dollars. Every set costs thousands of dollars.

      We're doing the absolute best we can with a budget roughly 1/2
of any of the ST episodes.

      If it isn't *absolutely necessary* to the scene, it isn't in. 
Yeah, seeing some folks in EA talking back and forth about well, maybe
this isn't a good idea, maybe it is, well, let's get back to
work...it'd be an interesting aside, but in addition to slowing down
the pace of the episode, and this one had to move like a house afire,
it's just not something I felt we could or should do.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 (blocked) asks:
> Also, was his arm in a cast during that scene at the end?
> Was General Hague played by Robert Foxworth in earlier episodes?

      Because we shot the cane scene *before* the fight scene.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams >

 (blocked) asks:
> Will we see Anna Sheridan before the end of the story?

      You're absolutely right.  I didn't answer that question.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams battle>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks back at you....

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: <JMS-Severed Dreams>

 John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> You ignored the question, "Was what was going on in real Earth
> History about 1000 years ago relevant?" Note, when Delan says the
> last war was 1000 years ago, was that Earth or Minbar years? Was
> this intentional?

      No, that period on Earth was not terribly significant to the
arc.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Technomages, and + ?

{original post unavailable}

      Harlan does pretty much whatever Harlan wants.

      As for the fight, ships on either side would have FOF (Friend Or
Foe) displays tied into the ID of their own squadrons to minimize
friendly fire.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD-Best Episode>

{original post unavailable}

      It's a new bomber...and don't be misled, the next 7 episodes are
all new.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Apr-96 21:49:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Ceremonies<<

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  What you say about relationships is quite true.  The
slow process of getting to know somebody, the courtship, the parries
and feints and false starts are 85% of the fun.  It's the process of
getting into somebody's mind, discovering who they are.  And that's
what these two are doing.  It's an awful lot of fun.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 00:53:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Because of the success of your anti-type casting, has there been
> any kind of surge of actors wanting to be included in the B5
> epic?

      No, not really...mainly because we're still not very visible to
most agents.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 00:53:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah.  Bill kept bugging me to put him in a scene with June, but
I just felt it'd get in the way.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Delenn<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> _Why_ is she doing this?
> And what will Sheridan's reaction be if and when he finds out?
> Also, when you said we'll see Anna soon but not in this batch of
> episodes, did you mean we'll see her at least by the end of this
> season?

       I'm in the awful situation of not being able to answer either
of those questions without giving away something major.  All I can say
is that Delenn has good reasons, or what she thinks are good reasons.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >Severed Dreams/Kurosawa

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  I agree with you about Garibaldi; it has to be treated
properly and with weight.

       Actually, I've never seen Ran, though it's on my list of films
to see when I get enough round tuits.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: 'Severed Dreams'

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks, and may you only continue to keep saying that....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

       I hope nobody takes this the wrong way....but I think some of
the earlier slowness in the first season episodes has something to do
with being ST-programmed.  It's a pacing we've all kind of gotten used
to, lots of standing around and discussing stuff, and for everyone
concerned, particularly the freelancers, it's a *very* hard mindset to
break.  It took a while to work that out of everyone's system so we
could concentrate on telling a story the way only we can.

       Also, bear in mind that the first season or so we had to spend
a lot of time establishing our universe, the politics, history and so
on, so that the events we're seeing now would have some weight.  Now
that we've done all that, laid the foundation, we can just rip along at
top speed.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> How do they protect the station from damage caused by collisions
> with debris, and do they even attempt to gather up the remains of
> the dead floating around out there?

       We've shown clean-up crews before outside, including a hazmat
station that goes out to clear away fuel cores or other toxic material.
They would've been dispatched for this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Then we both wondered whether the plasma weapons tend to
> cauterize and seal the wounds???

       Correct, PPG bursts, being superheated helium, tend to
cauterize the wounds as they go through.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:00:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Who is loyal and who is traitor?

       Actually, yes, I tend to ask for musical counterpoint in the
show from time to time.  For instance, when Sheridan et al were going
to the area where the crowd was waiting, I told Chris to fool us...give
us an ominous sounding sting going into what's going to be a very "up"
scene.  In the battle earlier on, when you'd normally do something fast
and exciting, I asked him to give me something more somber, to pull out
the Requiem theme in a few places. Sometimes, in other shows, I ask for
music that works against a scene to control the emotional core of it;
if it's a bit too silly, perhaps, then I go for a more serious musical
cue to balance it out.  Where a scene would seem to ask for major keys,
I go for minor chords.

       It's all just part of the tapestry.

       (BTW, a little secret...just for fun, I wrote a couple of songs
that you'll be hearing in an upcoming episode.  I used to write songs
here and there, even did a couple for an ABC prime-time special, and
figured I'd try it again.  I wrote the lyrics, discussed the music with
Chris, and he took care of the score, and it's about what I first
conceived.  Came out pretty well, actually.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams >

{original post had no questions}

       True; he would, and does have other photos.  But would you
entrust a prized photo in Mr. Morden's hands...?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon cereal

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just wondering, what is your favorite brand of Cereal?

       Kellogg's Raisin Bran.  (Usually laden with blueberries and
raspberries.)

       What a very odd question.

       (I suspect that if I'd said Cap'n Crunch I'd've lost the
respect of everyone in the group.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Severed Dreams<<

{original post unavailable}

       No, just a member of the warrior caste making sure one he
considered a friend *really* wanted to do this....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com>
Subject: More SD Praise

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks, that's about what we hope we are, and will become.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you ever actually write for "V" other than the script posted
> here?

       No, I had no involvement in V2 (which is simultaneously and
appropriately the term for the series, and the German rocket-bomb that
plagued Britain).  I just knew of Robert's work in general.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post had no questions}

       It would've worked, but the scene would've forever been about
the mini-LIS reunion.  If it isn't important to the story, it shouldn't
be there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:01:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

       Yes, Dukhat was killed at the start of the Minbari war (that
*caused* the Minbari war), and the Council did without a leader for a
long time.  She was taught and sponsored by Dukhat.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:18:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: J. Michael Straczynski

{original post had no questions}

       Actually, the moderated group is now up and running.  It's a
lot of fun.  rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 14:18:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5: The Other Side

{original post unavailable}

       Bear in mind that if we had gone over to the other captains and
what was going on in the other ships, to make room for those scenes we
would've had to cut anywhere from 3-5 minutes of the other stuff.  You
can't just add to the show's time; if that goes in, something else has
to come out.  So you'd probably have to cut the scene between Sheridan
and his father since that was the only stand-alone set piece.

       Any time you write something, you must decide "who is it
about?" This episode was about *our characters*, the ones we've come to
care about, and how they deal with this.  To take away from that and
spend time with people we've never seen before, and won't see again,
would be to cheat our characters of the time on screen needed to pay
off all the things we've set up over the years.

       Would it have been an interesting aside to show the other
captains? Sure.  In a movie, with an open-ended running time, I
probably would have. But there's nothing I would want to cut out of the
episode as it now stands to make room for it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this something we can expect MAY happen by the end of this
> group of 8 episodes?

       Could be....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  I was kind of afraid that after the big Stuff Blowing
Up Episode, anything afterward would be a let down because it couldn't
have the same level of huge action (without killing everyone making the
show).  So the way to deal with that is to go in an entirely different
direction; I was hoping that'd work, and glad that so far it has.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5: The Other Side

 John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any chance of talking WB into some sort of two-hour special at
> some highlight of the arc, or is this just too difficult in
> syndication?

       It's too difficult to sell a one-shot thing like that in
syndication, I've been told.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams battle>

 (blocked) asks:
> Another thing I was wondering about was, how long is an act in
> viewing time? What is considered an act?

       An act is a discrete dramatic unit separated by commercials
front and back.  An act can be anywhere from 6-11 minutes as a rule;
act 4 of SD was about 8:20, as I recall.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> I realize that this is not another household, but my son will now
> start raving to his friends at school, so who knows? Question,
> will we learn more about the fate of Anna Sheridan this season? 
> Will we see more of Sinclair after this season?

       Thanks...and we'll certainly hear more about Anna Sheridan's
fate this season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Comic Disappointment

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks.  As for Sandman...well, Neil's a special case in every
sense of the word.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: J. Michael Straczynski

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> What would be the average message load if I wanted to start
> reading the new group?

       I think the moderated group has had about 1800 messages so far
since it went on-line last week.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

{original post unavailable}

       Actually, though, because he *did* have his hand in his pocket,
it let me handle the break in the next episode without stretching
credulity too far. It was...well...I guess you'd call that part of it a
lucky break.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 18:53:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Supportability Issues

 (blocked) asks:
> Now that they are cut off from Earth, how will they support
> themselves? How will they support these?
> By the way, how do they get back into the station?

       Fighters re-enter via the main docking bay and are recharged
and lowered into the fighter bays.

       No question, spare parts would be a problem, and they'll have
to cannibalize a lot (plus whatever they scrounged up from the fighters
blown apart outside).

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 19:04:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rex Brynen <75040.472@compuserve.com>
Subject: combat ops: StarFuries

 Rex Brynen <75040.472@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) Given the ease of tracking objects in space, the absence of
> factors affecting projectile weapons trajectories, and the
> possible use of beam weapons, wouldn't (capital) shipboard
> countermeasures have a decisive advantage? If they don't, wouldn't
> it be better to "swarm" ship defences with automated missiles of
> some sort? 2) Given their size, could they really deliver much
> firepower? If they could, shouldn't "carriers" (such as the EA
> destroyers in SD) deploy their fighter squandrons at some
> distance from the intended target? And screen themselves from
> enemy counterattack? 3) At StarFury speeds, wouldn't some form of
> guided missile be preferable to line-of-sight projectile or pulse
> weapons for fighter-to-fighter combat?

       Starfuries serve a *lot* of functions which we've shown before
on the series.

       They can take out a ship's defensive screens and
countermeasures, allowing access by the big ships' armaments.  In a
group, they can take out a good sized ship on their own (a la the
Centauri cruiser in "Fall of Night"). They also serve to protect the
station's defense grid from aggressor starfuries.

       Also, a number of small support ships, including a Hyperion
class ship came through as part of the "carrier group" that went after
the station.  It was up to the starfuries to take care of those ships
while B5 and the other destroyers took out the biggest threats.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com>
Subject: SD: The Roanoke

 Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> asks:
> How did the Earth Alliance destroyer, Roanoke come by its name?

      Well, Roanoke is a place rich with history.  Some of it a little
odd, given the colony's disappearance, but rich nonetheless.  (Clark
has edged away from giving Omega class destroyers and others names from
Greek mythology and history, toward more conventional names like the
Clarkstown and the Roanoke.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bendel [MA] <73447.741@compuserve.com>
Subject: Outstanding job

 John Bendel [MA] <73447.741@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were they wearing new uniforms as it appeared?

      Thanks.

      Re: Foxworth...it was really the only thing to do.  I'd created
the character *specifically* to have him available for this episode,
after which he'd basically fade away while others took up his standard.
It was all leading up to this.  Without being in this episode, there
was nothing more to do with Hague, hence I felt quite comfortable with
his fate, it changed nothing.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Ed Wasser

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Morden wearing a crystal was Ed Wasser's idea and not yours, will
> the crystal have any importance to the character in the future?

      Nope.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com>
Subject: Star Furies

 Ruth Spradlin <73477.3155@compuserve.com> asks:
> How does everyone tell enemy Furies from friend Furies?
> Don't they all look the same?

      FOF...Friend Or Foe systems on board the furies.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mechanical evolution?

 (blocked) asks:
> Do you design your ships so that the more advanced they get, the
> more animal-like they become? Kind of like backwards evolution, we
> start out animal-like, then become more mechanical, then the
> mechanics become animal-like?

      Certainly as they get more sophisticated, when just *doing it*
isn't the main goal, a certain level of aesthetics comes into play. 
Compare an early Model T to a modern Corvette, for instance.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

         Basically, the warrior caste doesn't think it's their war;
there's also a certain amount of resentment in it, I think...they *led*
the last war, they *did* their job, and got yanked back and forced to
surrender.  That was a terrible blow to their pride, caused in part by
an alien race, so their attitude now tends to be more or less, "Screw
'em."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anthony J. Bryant <71233.3035@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.

      But really, can *anyone* under 6'2" *really* be a manly man?

                                                      jms (6' 4-1/2")

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:11:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: General Hague <Spoiler>

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is the show in great danger now, or did the story just happen to
> be written at a time of some chaos, which has now passed?

      The article portrayed, and somewhat overstated, the events of
last year. (I take some of the blame for this; I may have spoken
unwisely in a few places.)

      The main problem overall right now, for *every* syndicated show,
is that the available time slots are just totally disappearing, thanks
to committments to WBN, UPN and Fox.  They just yanked Lonsesome Dove
even though the ratings were good, and the show was a good show, simply
because they couldn't find enough berths on independent stations to
make it worth it for the national advertisers.

      It's certainly a dark cloud on the horizon; we'll just have to
see whether it blows past harmlessly or not.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Apr-96 23:25:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Amy Smith <104476.1020@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Cancellation RUMOR

{original post had no questions}

      Okay, Horse's Mouth time.

      We have not, repeat, not been canceled.  Right now, WB has
bought covers of newspaper TV magazines in over 80 cities that'll debut
over the next couple of weeks; they've also invested a huge amount of
money in a series of radio and TV spots that'll be airing on cable and
indie stations over the next 6 weeks.  They're currently running the B5
contest.  Several stations have announced that they're going to go back
to double-running B5 twice a week.

      Do you think they would do this for a show that's been canceled?

      They don't.  They cut their losses and run like hell.

      This is a jumble of information.  Yes, PTEN seems to be going
away; I've been saying this on the nets for the last several months,
and that we're going to move into straight syndication.  Someone has
apparently taken this and blown it all out of proportion.

      Every season, somebody announces that they've heard it on
absolutely firm grounds that we've been canceled.  Hasn't happened yet.
We've had our ups and downs, like any other show, but we're still here.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 02:37:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!


The following information has just been released by Jim Lochett,
coordinator for the OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB.  (Note to
convention organizers: the address given below can now be used
as a central clearing house for invitations to cast and crew.)

                                ***

                  THE OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB

Join today and you will receive the Official Membership Kit,
including:

     A Subscription to The Universe Today: The Official Newsletter of the
     B5FC filled with exclusive interviews, news about Babylon 5, and
     exciting merchandise offers.
     An 8x10 Cast Photo
     Full Color Babylon 5 Mini-Poster (13"x20")
     B5 Fan Club Button & Full Color Sticker
     Membership Certificate (Signed by the show's Executive Producers, J.
     Michael Straczynski and Douglas Netter)
     Membership ID Card granting you discounts on merchandise, conventions,
     etc., as well as access to the Members Only section of TheStation.com,
     the B5 Fan Club Web-site (to be up May 1996).
     Plus as a bonus, the first 100 people to join get:
     A Limited Collection Sticker of the alternate B5 Logo as designed by
     artist Peter Ledger.
 ================

To Give a Membership as a Gift, simply make a copy of the entry form,
fill in the name of the person you wish to make a member, and send it
off. (Don't forget to include your name on the Suggestions line, so
that we can include a gift card.)

Each year the Renewal Kit will offer new and different goodies,
savings, and of course another year's subscription to The Universe
Today.

Remember, this is more than just your run of the mill fan club; the
Babylon 5 fans time and time again have gone that extra step for the
show, and the Babylon 5 Fan Club is our way of giving something back to
those who've been so loyal to us.

 ---------------  CLIP OR COPY AND GIVE TO A FRIEND  -----------------

YES!  I want to join The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club.  Please send my
membership kit to:

Name:    ______________________________________________________________

Age:     __________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City:    _____________________________ State:  _________ ZIP: _________

Country: _____________

e-mail address: _______________________________________________________

Local Station you watch B5 on: ________________________________________

Suggestions: __________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________

 _____ I am already on the mailing list.

 _____ I got this form from a friend.

Enclosed is $12.95 for a U.S. membership; $14.95 for a Canadian
membership; and $19.95 for Foreign memberships.  Orders must be in U.S.
funds. Send check or money order (DO NOT send cash) made payable to:

Babylonian Productions/Fan Club

Mail to:  The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club
          PO Box 856
          North Hollywood, CA 91603

Please allow 5-6 weeks for delivery.  Foreign and Canadian orders are
shipped surface, please allow additional time for shipping.

All returned checks are subject to a $15.00 service charge.

 ----------------  CUT HERE FOR THE END OF THE FORM  -------------------

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 02:43:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post unavailable}

       That was because there were so MANY of them; our PPG bursts
usually take a great deal of work.  If we'd given all of them in this
scene that amount of work, we'd still be doing them.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 02:43:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Previews

 Automedia, Inc. <70530.2521@compuserve.com> asks:
> A quick question: Do you know why WB/PTEN isn't bothering to put
> previews for the next new episode at the end of B5 anymore? What
> gives?

       The space usually taken by the B5 preview is now being used up
by the WB B5 contest.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 02:43:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD, visual images>

{original post unavailable}

       Actually, this is the second time she's appeared before them in
more colorful garb.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 02:43:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
> Ah, is it "the taller, the manlier"?
> Dang, how come my 6'7" son isn't dating?

       Because anything over 6'6" is unnatural.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 09-Apr-96 12:14:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Cancelled Rumor

{original post unavailable}

       Nope.  Not true.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 12:14:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: J. Michael Straczynski

 Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it just that you genuinely enjoy chatting about your show
> enough to take the negative comments along with the praise? BTW,
> how are the wrists doing?

       Why?  Why not?

       I was on CIS and GEnie long before B5 got going.  I figured,
why change my habits just because now I was supposedly a vip?  (And I'm
not always comfortable with that designation.)

       Beyond that, my job as a writer is to know as much as I can
about my characters and universe.  In answering all these questions, I
learn more about those areas, which helps me.

       Finally, it's a matter of being accessible and *accountable* to
fans, as I'd wished producers had been when I was primarily a viewer. 
SF fans are generally the most exploited sorts of fans...you're told to
line up, watch the show, buy the merchandise, and shut up.  I didn't
like it then, and I don't like it any better now that I'm on the other
side of the lens.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 12:14:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Steve Ramage <74731.235@compuserve.com>
Subject: SD: Boarding Party

 Steve Ramage <74731.235@compuserve.com> asks:
> What was the decision making process behind the costuming of the
> EarthForce boarding party? How does that go again, and who said
> it?

       Exactly.  These aren't perfect or superior people...they're
just like us, faced with the same problems we're faced with.  What's
inspiring is seeing that people just like us *can* overcome these
things...at great price, yes, with great difficulty, yes, but if we
decide to act, we can succeed.

       And yes, instead of going for a sinister EA look, I wanted the
uniforms to be something we're used to, "our side," as you say.  There
aren't many blacks-and-whites on this show.  It's all greys...and
sometimes olive drab.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 12:14:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: This season so far

 (blocked) asks:
> Is there a spoiler sheet for the episodes that have aired so far
> this season?

       We're not on UPN, by the way, though some UPN stations carry
us.

       Try the Lurker's Guide, http://hyperion.com, which has synopses
of all B5 episodes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 12:42:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post unavailable}

       Let me tell you about a certain kind of sickness.

       The sickness manifests itself in pathetic individuals who, in a
non-electronic forum, would be lighting cats on fire to watch them
howl, or throwing rocks through somebody's window to see them all run
out.

       A few very sad, very pathetic individuals who want to feel
alive come into a forum and leave a message written in insulting terms
because they like to watch everybody get all wired up.  They sit back
and giggle and laugh and wonder gee, whatever was it I said? when they
know exactly what they said.  It was done deliberately, to manipulate
people and get them upset.

       You have no interest in a "survey."  You're a sick, sad and
pathetic individual with nothing more in his life than the need to
tweak people who follow a show that for whatever disturbed reason you
feel should be attacked in the name of Star Trek, even though that
means violating every principle of tolerance ever advanced in ST.

       Some here will probably tell you to get a life.  I would
suggest that you have a life...unfortunately, it consists of the kind
of life where one spends one's time pulling the wings off flies because
you like to see them squirm around on the table.

       And most pathetically, you've probably never even watched the
show, to bolster your opinion.  Maybe a minute or two here and there. 
But getting the facts doesn't matter.  Getting people's opinions
doesn't matter to you, really.  Just causing a flurry of angry messages
and upsetting people is all that really matters to you.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: First Contact

 (blocked) asks:
> Will B5 ever address in its universe why the alien races waited
> so long before making first contact with Earth? Did EA have to
> pass some technology test to get contacted by the Centauri? Or,
> did they just come across us accidently and try to exploit us for
> their own political purposes?

       Yeah, I'll probably try to get to it, but the basic reality is
that nobody really either knew or cared much that we were here...we
were kind of off the beaten track.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post unavailable}

       "I tried to give people a motive to send their vote to me."

       You could have accomplished exactly the same thing by just
asking. And I'm sorry, when someone calls a show a "cheap knockoff,"
and derides those who might actually watch it, it makes your statement
that you "did not intend to offend" rather...unbelievable, at best.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 (blocked) asks:
> Is there any chance that the fan club will start accepting credit
> cards?

       Unfortunately, we're a small operation, and not yet set up for
credit cards.  With luck, we'll eventually be set up that way.  (Once
the web site is up and running, it's our hope to have it credit card
ready, so you could perhaps wait for that if it's a burden for now.  It
should be up within about a month.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 (blocked) asks:
> Is the fan club going to have its own e-mail address?

       Eventually we'll have our own web site, probably within the
coming month, which will provide some rather nifty services....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Biebel <102414.3341@compuserve.com>
Subject: Effects record question

{original post had no questions}

       I don't know...I wouldn't *think* we beat the record...but it's
possible that we did.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Biebel <102414.3341@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Cancellation RUMOR

 Chris Biebel <102414.3341@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does this mean that B5 will now have a standard time and day so
> that I won't have to check the listings every week to make sure
> it hasn't been moved?

       No, scheduling still remains at the whim of the station.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  Yeah, we could've gone for something more expensive,
but our sense for now is to make it as accessible as possible, not to
turn this into a big profit venture.  This will about cover the
expenses, after a certain number of memberships, or a little less.  But
that's okay.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: SD: The Roanoke

 (blocked) asks:
> When is the 'Elvis' going to be leading an attack?

       As soon as I can find a pair of blue suede cruisers.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 17:58:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 at SyndiCon SF

 John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you know your schedule at syndiCon for the coming weekend?

       I haven't heard a final schedule, but I'd imagine one day will
be much like the next.  (Yes, planning to bring the blooper.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Apr-96 18:07:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rex Brynen <75040.472@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post had no questions}

       One also doesn't yell "Fire!" in a movie theater in Los Angeles
because people will shoot at you....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carol Naylor <100645.2613@compuserve.com>
Subject: Universes: ST vs. B5

 Carol Naylor <100645.2613@compuserve.com> asks:
> That was _lucky_ ?

      "...the way your mind works can be *really* scary."

      Why, thank you...that's the nicest thing anyone's said about me
in days.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS question

 (blocked) asks:
> What is your perspective??????
> Do you believe that we are all here due to one big happy (or
> unhappy) accident? From your perspective -- what is the meaning to
> life? Where does it come from then?
> Can I assume that at some point in your life that you did belong
> to a religious faith? What brought you to the conclusion that
> there is no god?

      I declined to answer this privately because I'm really and
honestly leery of spreading, or trying to spread, or being perceived as
trying to spread my own notions about.  What works for me, works for
me; your mileage may (and obviously does) vary.  What I do or don't
believe shouldn't enter into it.  That's why I've deliberately left it
*out* of the show. Otherwise you're not telling a story anymore, you're
engaging in propagandxa.  But if you're going to press the issue....

      As a writer, I don't feel it's my obligation to be fair to every
group on the planet.  That way madness lies.  But I do feel that it is
my absolute obligation to be *honest* in my portrayal of any group, as
well as I am able to perceive it.  If I write about a Minbari, then I
must be as honest I can in addressing who that character is, what he
feels, what he believes, and so on.

      So why should it seem such a leap that, as an atheist, I do the
same when it comes to religion?  I suppose the question itself is the
truly astonishing thing...that it should seem strange or unusual to be
even handed and at least *try* to be honest.  Have we dropped so much
as a culture that the absence of pushing one's own agenda, and giving
an honest hearing of someone else's viewpoint, is considered
extraordinary?

      "The weaving of religion and scifi in your show is so well done.
Where does it come from then?"  It comes from the characters who
believe in whichever religion is under consideration.  If I am fairly
rigorous in presenting the scientific or extrapolative aspects of the
show, what then is odd about this other part?

      As a writer, it's my obligation to put myself in the mind of my
characters, and feel what they feel, and while I'm in their head,
believe what they believe.  If I do my job right, I offer those
opinions and thoughts and feelings with conviction, sincerity and
strength.

      Also, bear in mind that the religious impulse is not that far
removed from the sense of wonder of a scientist on unlocking a
particularly thorny DNA code.  (Note: science and religion are NOT the
same thing, their methodologies are diametrically opposed, and
creationism is NOT science, and evolution is NOT religion, however much
some might wish to make it so by saying it is.) The emotion is the core
truth of it all, what it *feels* like.  We've all experienced the sense
of wonder in one form or another; it's no major task to translate it to
another venue.

      The religious impulse, and the scientific impulse, both spring
from the same source...the desire to answer the questions, Who am I? 
What am I doing here? and Where am I going?  Those had to be the very
first questions we began asking when we became sentient, and we're
still asking them.  The supernatural or religious approach to that
question came first; the scientific approach much later.  The
scientific approach is, "How can I figure out the answer to the
question?"  The religious impulse leads you to, "Who can tell me the 
answer to the question?"

      The one approach is not intrinsically better than the other;
they feed very different needs.  And the whole point of *asking* the
question is to feed that particular emotional need for an answer.  You
find the venue that most matches the wellspring of your desire.  They
serve vastly different functions, are not comparable, but are no less
valid experiences for those involved.  The core feeling of a scientist
on receiving the first images from the surface of Mars are not far
removed from the feelings of the newly converted upon stepping forth at
a revival meeting.  Each gets what he *needs*.  And each is an
honorable pursuit within its own framework.

      "What brought you to the conclusion that there is no god?"  That
I haven't yet seen one in any of our "holy books" that deserved the
name; not one that wasn't afflicted by the same jealousies,
pettinesses, irrationalities and meannesses of the average human.  I've
met many humans who were better and nobler than some so-called deities,
who sacrified their limbs, their fortunes or their lives without the
sure knowledge that they would end up on the great white throne of
heaven for doing so.

      "Do you believe that we are all here due to one happy (or
unhappy) accident?"  My belief doesn't enter into it.  The best
physical evidence indicates that we evolved ourselves up from the
ground, pulling ourselves up by our genetic bootstraps across a million
years of struggle, evolution and blood, surviving because we were
smarter than anything that was stronger than us.  This, to me, is
something to be proud of; we did it ourselves, we weren't just created
whole and complete, all the work pre-assembled at the factory. We
walked on the moon because we *earned* it by growing smart, and
learning -- in however inconsistent and fractured a way -- to live and
work together more often than we fought with each other.

      "From your perspective -- what is the meaning of life?"  As an
atheist, I believe that we get just one ride on the merry-go-round, one
shot at the brass ring before they close the park.  That's it.  As a
result, I view life as being *incredibly* precious, a resource rarer
than any jewel.  A resource that must be protected, nourished, put one
step further along the road to a better road.  What we leave behind,
our only shot at immortality, is the work we leave, the accomplishments
that hold their place in the record books long after we've turned to
dust, so that our names have meaning.  In 50 years, nobody will care
much what religion Jonas Salk subscribed to; they will care only that
he cured a terrible disease, and made the world a better place.

      If we believe we are immortal, then we have wiggle-room to screw
up, because we'll get another chance; to waste our lives on the theory
that as long as we believe a certain way, it doesn't matter if we do
anything of consequence, we're guaranteed an eternity of harp music. 
If we believe the world will be swallowed by armageddon in a few years,
then there's no reason to protect the planet, plan for the future, find
a comfortable balance between nature and industry, so that we can
achieve the stars without destroying the planet.

      I don't have that luxury, and a luxury it is.  So I find my
version of immortality in the words, and in the work, and in the memory
of those I may touch, or help, or instruct, or entertain.

      You may not operate that way.  And that's fine.  It's our
differences that make us human, and our humanity that makes us
endlessly interesting.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there anything special being done for those of us who were
> subscribers to the newsletter that Christy Marx edited?

      Yes, those individuals will receive the newsletter free of
charge even if they don't join the fan club, until such time as the
remaining 2 issues are worked off.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 candy

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Quick question, what is your favorite candy bar?

      Anything, as long as it's solid milk chocolate.

      (Isn't this rather a silly waste of forum space?)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com>
Subject: I hope this is a rumor..

 Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it only rumor-mongering?
> Or sad truth?
> Can you even comment at this time?

      No, it's just a rumor.  These things come up every year.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Cancelled Rumor

 Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604@compuserve.com> asks:
> But who will pick up with the collapse of PTEN?

      In theory, should PTEN truly bottom out, we'd go out via
straight syndication, same as most syndicated shows.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anthony J. Bryant <71233.3035@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Anthony J. Bryant <71233.3035@compuserve.com> asks:
> NOW are you happy?

      Beleve me, with my rate of folliclelessness, I'm not going to
complain about anybody else....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: General Hague <Spoiler>

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
>  -is there any truth to the rumor that TNT has bought the re-run
> rights for '98?

      Yes, TNT has bought reruns starting 1998.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Theresa Kinney <70751.3262@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD- Special Scene>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  Yeah, the lighting is quite nice, and very atmospheric.
We try to give it a film-look wherever we can.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post unavailable}

      It's okay...so are most of the women who work in the editing
bays at B5. The first few days of this season, as his stuff started
coming in, one of them pulled me aside, and with hand firmly on my arm,
to let me know she meant business, said, "Listen very carefully: I want
to see a LOT more of Marcus."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 00:20:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: DVD disks

{original post unavailable}

      Right now we're still working on getting ANY video out....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 01:26:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Cancellation RUMOR

{original post unavailable}

      I'd say it's certainly more than has been the case...

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 10-Apr-96 16:13:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

{original post unavailable}

      If I can, I will....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:13:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Previews

 William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> asks:
> If PTEN really exists no longer, why would such an advertisement
> be inserted when a B5 promo could be shown in its place just as
> easily?

      No, the PTEN change wouldn't really take effect until after year
three, assuming that goes on as it seems to be.  This year is still
under the PTEN aegis, and thus the cross promotion is necessary.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:13:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: This season so far

 (blocked) asks:
> Have you had any word on DSS picking it up any time soon?

      No, DSS doesn't pick up individual syndicated shows.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:13:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com>
Subject: Earth Gov Question

 Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does Earth still have different nations/states with
> presidents/prime ministers and so on, under rules from the Earth
> Alliance gov., with its own Senate and President? Are the EA
> senators and president elected by all earth population?

      Each nation/state elects a leader, and that leader is either one
of the Earthgov senators, in the case of a smaller nation, or appoints
a rep to be on that body.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:13:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 3 of Babylon5

 colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just finished it, by all accounts, the new season is better, err
> like how???

      Thanks.  The show has consistently worked to improve, and even
over such competition of CtI, we continue to get stronger.  Evolve or
die....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Sloan <100407.3462@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dreams [no spoiler]

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks....

                                                                jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Troy Starr <74752.3172@compuserve.com>
Subject: SD - ISN News question

 Troy Starr <74752.3172@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just how much did the reporters at ISN know, and how long have
> they known it? Has President Clark been using the information
> gathered by ISN's reporters (such as what is going on out in
> space and what the people/citizens of Earth think) for his own
> purposes? did he have someone from the political office review
> every news script before they went on the air)?

      I'm sorry, but we cannot answer your question at this time.  We
are experincing temporary transmission problems with ISN, but hope to
have the situation remedied very soon.  Meanwhile, you can direct any
inquiries for information to the Ministry of Peace, and the Ministry
for Public Information, which has been aiding all public information
broadcasts for almost two years now.

      At the tone, please leave your name and identicard number. 
Don't worry about calling back.  We'll find you.

      <beep>

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anne Stallcup <102436.203@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Anne Stallcup <102436.203@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, as I am fairly new here, may I say how great I think it is
> that you make yourself so accessible to your fans?

      Thanks, and the pleasure is entirely mine.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies - well done>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  I'm doing a lot to deepen up Marcus and Lennier, to let
people see parts of them we might not have seen before.  Everyone grows
on the show; even at this point, compare Lennier to the wide-eyed
innocent who first arrived at the station and couldn't even bring
himself to look Delenn in the eyes.

      Actually, no, the computer voice, Sparky, wasn't really a nod of
any kind to Hitchhiker's.  (And 2001's HAL beat them to the punch a
long time before that in any event.)  No, I just figured, if the
computer system had a glitch, what would it sound like? 
Answer...Harlan.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: R. Thomas <71544.3171@compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing WWE

 R. Thomas <71544.3171@compuserve.com> asks:
> station commander/leader figure etc.?

      Actually, it was no problem at all.  The similarity is only if
you choose to define them by their narrow roles.  Their personalities
are vastly different.  Also, Sinclair's been through a lot in the
intervening couple of years, he's grown, he and Marcus would definitely
have something of a relationship since he would've been there while
Marcus was being trained, and so on.  And their roles in the story are
very different.

      It actually came out pretty well.  I'm very happy with it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies>

{original post unavailable}

      No, I didn't see or intend any element of Lennier being racist;
but there are definitely differences in culture and physiology between
Minbari and humans.  Minbari are very careful about personal space, and
they don't like to be talked to a certain way.  Marcus momentarily
forgot himself, and acted inappropriately.  Lennier corrected him.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:14:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Salvador Bravo <103121.2770@compuserve.com>
Subject: Great show

 Salvador Bravo <103121.2770@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm into collecting model starships, and I was wondering if there
> was a chance that the station as well as the rest of starships in
> the B5 universe will be available for purchase any time soon?!

      Thank you.  I'm glad you've stayed with it.  There will probably
be models at some point down the road; right now the only models are
illegal ones.  I want a B5 model myself, frankly.

      Of course, I'd like mine on a 1-1 scale....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Apr-96 16:24:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fan Club

{original post unavailable}

      Unfortunately, we're not set up at the time to take credit
cards; we're a small operation.  Also, we had a number of folks ask for
the regular mail route for overseas vs. airmail because they wanted to
keep the cost factor down.  So we're kinda caught between a rock and a
hard place here.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you guys planning to use the NetSrcape Commerce (or other)
> secure web server?

      No, I absolutely agree, which is why that won't be the only
venue for such information.  Anybody who's not comfortable with that
will have other options.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is that the original logo you put up way back when?

      Yes, it's the keyhole logo.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 at SyndiCon SF

 John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, does mira have any relative in this country, one of my
> friend saw someone today that resemble her quite a bit in San
> Jose?

      No, no other relatives that I know of.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: This season so far

{original post had no questions}

      As a proud ower of a DirecTV/DSS hookup (in my office, since
it's too far off the beaten track for cable), I have to concur on the
quality of the sound and image.  It's just breathtaking.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Green! Purple!

{original post had no questions}

      If *anyone* could be a Drazi, it's Capone....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  I think we'll get the credit for what we've all done
sooner or later....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruce "Firestorm" S. <72571.1722@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Bruce "Firestorm" S. <72571.1722@compuserve.com> asks:
> Jms, do you know what was the reason for the sound limit imposed
> by the FCC?

      I used to know...I think it had something to do with preventing
audio bleedovers, but I'm not 100% sure on that score.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Yup.  Cool shot.  Thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <SD- Special Scene>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  We fixed a light atop a gimble, and pre-determined the
rotation of the starfury, then moved the lighting to match.  Gives it a
much more realistic feel.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <SD- Special Scene>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was there a reason why it was dropped?
> Is it just because we don't see too many shots directly out that
> window anymore or something else entirely?

      Actually, we did it once, in "Messages," but not much therafter.
The main reason is the cost of renting varilights, and the height of
our ceiling, which is somewhat lower than where we shot the pilot.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post unavailable}

      Attractiveness is wildly subjective.  I still don't quite see
what makes everyone fall over about Sharon Stone.  It's all just
personal.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jack Beckman <73227.3066@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

 Jack Beckman <73227.3066@compuserve.com> asks:
> Letdown?
> Would this have been one of his chances to redeem himself(don't
> have the prophosy text handy)?

      I don't think Londo feels he needs to be redeemed; his reasons
as stated were quite sincere.

      And thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:21:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marshall L. Moseley <102264.2343@compuserve.com>
Subject: Straight to video movie

 Marshall L. Moseley <102264.2343@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you tell us the status on the hoped-for straight to video b5
> movie for the summer?

      WB hasn't said much about the direct-to-video movie, though
they're now discussing a true feature.  It's just the usual up and
downs that come from the studios as they try to figure out what to do
with us.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:37:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ron E. Burke <102601.3431@compuserve.com>
Subject: WRITERS WANTED

{original post had no questions}

      Be advised that we are definitely and strongly opposed to the
publication of Babylon 5 fan fiction, and discourage it in the most
vigorous terms possible.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 00:37:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Original Storyline

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> Obviously, JMS has had to make a lot of rather fluid changes to
> the b5 "Grand Arc" to adjust to cast changes and so on, right? 
> Opinions?

      No, the "romance angles" aren't "late additions," but you don't
just leap into a romance right off.  You couldn't have had the
Delenn/Sheridan thing right in the beginning of year two, it had to be
built, and grow gradually.  Things are introduced as it is time for
them to be introduced. The shadows weren't even named until season two,
and didn't make their first appearance until late in season one.  Is
that a late addition?

      To your other points...a commanding officer needs a second, it's
that simple.  So it's not so much recasting the same part as filling
what's required in a military role.  Draal--Drall2 isn't a different
character, it's the same character.  Also, Lou Welch wasn't Garibaldi's
second in command, that was the guy who shot him.  He goes away, now
you need a new second who is a very different character.

      In real life, things change.  What I *like* about B5 is that
people come and go, the credits aren't the same from year to year. 
Otherwise you end up in a situation like folks complained about on TNG
where Riker didn't get a decent promotion in 7 years.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 11-Apr-96 18:18:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: SanFran Query

      Question: if one were to go to dinner in San Francisco, and one
wanted to go somewhere *very* nice, very tony, upscale, with *terrific*
food, maybe a view of the bay or something equally spiffy, no loud
music, something very comfortable, no pushy waiters...what would be the
best place in town?  (It preferably doesn't require reservations weeks
in advance.)

      Follow up: if afterward one wanted to go to a great part of town
for a cup of coffee, with little interesting shops in the area, or in a
pretty part of town...what would one suggest?

      Thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com> asks:
> This is probably a no-brainer, Joe, but if WB has access to the
> numbers for the fan club, a good response would also help
> convince them the interest is there for videos, etc.?

      I don't know what it takes to get through on this issue,
frankly....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Cancelled Rumor

 Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
> Whatcha gonna do?

      We hunt them down and keel them....

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: This season so far

{original post unavailable}

      Maybe.  You must understand I'm speaking fairly close to being a
layman at this stuff.  All I know is that when I look at what I get on
cable, and what I get on the DSS, the difference is *startling*, and I
haven't ever noticed any "artifacting."  My feeling is, if I can't see
it, it doesn't bother me.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ron E. Burke <102601.3431@compuserve.com>
Subject: WRITERS WANTED

{original post had no questions}

      Thank you.  And it's "doubt," not "dought."  Editors should
watch such things.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ron E. Burke <102601.3431@compuserve.com>
Subject: WRITERS WANTED

 Ron E. Burke <102601.3431@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who are you?

      "Who are you?"

      That would be telling.

      "I'm a black and frosted rosebud whom the good god has preserved
since last October.  Take no notice."  -- Christopher Fry

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Delenn

{original post unavailable}

      Thank you.  Now that she's gone through her own personal fire,
she's a much stronger character, and very interesting to write. 
There's steel, and there's humanity and compassion, and she feels no
need to defend or justify any of those traits.  What she is, she is.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: UK and budgets

{original post unavailable}

      No TV shows are sent around on film anymore these days; it's all
sent on digital tape.

      The exact budget isn't something we give out; suffice to say
it's under a million per episode, or about half the budget of an
average ST episode.

      We've come in a little bit under budget each year; not a lot,
but some. A small portion of whatever money isn't spent goes into
interim next season stuff (studio maintenance and improvements, set
storage and repair, that sort of thing).  The rest goes back to WB as
per our contract.

      In the syndicated ratings, B5 generally falls anywhere from the
low 30s to 40s during first run, a bit lower on long reruns.  But this
is out of about 250 or more syndicated shows per week.  So we're in
about the top 20% of all syndicated shows, and always in the top 10 of
dramatic series.

      I haven't actually seen any viewer numbers; I know the UK tends
to give them, but I've never seen the figure given for X-million US B5
viewers.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 EA Shirts

{original post unavailable}

      Yes, those shirts are made by our wardrobe department.  We
hadn't ever considered selling them...maybe we should.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: There All Honor Lies

{original post unavailable}

      Jeez, I don't remember that exact line anymore...but your
paraphrase is pretty close, so maybe it's not too bad.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Questions: (1) Was Dellen partially responsible for Dukhat's
> death? (2) Does she _think_ she is responsible?
> Or is this just an artifact of Minbari/English translation?
> Could Dellen's anger have caused her to exagerate?
> Does she feel that her destiny in the Minbari/Human joining
> somehow caused the incident that killed Dukhat?

      No, she doesn't feel responsible; it's an artifact of the way
they approach certain things.  "His word is on my lips, his spirit is
in my eyes." It's almost a way of saying he's speaking through me, back
off.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jack Beckman <73227.3066@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      No, this wasn't an opportunity for redemption.  It would be
flagged as much more important than this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: J. Clark Fischer <75551.2437@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Cancellation RUMOR

{original post had no questions}

      That's great, thanks for joining the party.  I'm pleased to find
that the show has given a number of parents and kids something they can
watch and discuss together.  There are certainly more than enough
things to pull us apart.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: Effects record question

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Incidentally, when season 3 started here, one of the biggest
> topics of conversation was the shot of the Starfuries firing on
> each other from the opening credits: what could have led to that? 
> Was that scene from "Severed Dreams", from another episode, or
> was it made up especially for the opening credits?

      The opening shot was made specifically for the title sequence,
as (for lack of a better term) a bit of foreshadowing.  We generally
put our cards right out in plain view for people to see.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 18:48:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Thomas Zahler <74041.2514@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sinclair's Brother

 Thomas Zahler <74041.2514@compuserve.com> asks:
> But (and seeing John's father listed in the opening credits made
> me think about this) did you rework this to be Sheridan's wife? Or
> is this a plotline that we will never see happen?

      No, the b-story about Sinclair's brother was never intended to
be the Anna Sheridan thing, since obviously the reference was to his
brother still being alive.

      I never just transfer stories from A to B; each character has to
have his or her own individual arc, specific to who that person is. 
Bits and pieces get moved around, or reassigned, but not generally that
blatantly.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:39:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 blooper reels?

{original post unavailable}

      "I've heard a lot of griping about hwo expensive the club is, so
it's probably not going to be under $10 by a lon gshot.  If it's in the
$30s or $50s, it almost isn't worth it..."

      The fan club costs $12.95.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:39:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard J De Lotto <73353.1314@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 blooper reels?

 Richard J De Lotto <73353.1314@compuserve.com> asks:
> How do we sign up for the fan club?

Here's the info:

The Official Membership Kit includes:

     A Subscription to The Universe Today: The Official Newsletter of
the
     B5FC filled with exclusive interviews, news about Babylon 5, and
     exciting merchandise offers.
     An 8x10 Cast Photo
     Full Color Babylon 5 Mini-Poster (13"x20")
     B5 Fan Club Button & Full Color Sticker
     Membership Certificate (Signed by the show's Executive Producers,
J.
     Michael Straczynski and Douglas Netter)
     Membership ID Card granting you discounts on merchandise,
conventions,
     etc., as well as access to the Members Only section of
TheStation.com,
     the B5 Fan Club Web-site (to be up May 1996).
     Plus as a bonus, the first 100 people to join get:
     A Limited Collection Sticker of the alternate B5 Logo as designed
by
     artist Peter Ledger.
================

To Give a Membership as a Gift, simply make a copy of the entry form,
fill in the name of the person you wish to make a member, and send it
off. (Don't forget to include your name on the Suggestions line, so
that we can include a gift card.)

Each year the Renewal Kit will offer new and different goodies,
savings, and of course another year's subscription to The Universe
Today.

Remember, this is more than just your run of the mill fan club; the
Babylon 5 fans time and time again have gone that extra step for the
show, and the Babylon 5 Fan Club is our way of giving something back to
those who've been so loyal to us.

 ------------------  CLIP OR COPY AND GIVE TO A FRIEND 
 --------------------

YES!  I want to join The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club.  Please send my
membership kit to:

Name:    
________________________________________________________________

Age:      __________

Address: 
________________________________________________________________

City:     _____________________________ State:  ___________ ZIP: 
________

Country:  _____________

e-mail address: 
_________________________________________________________

Local Station you watch B5 on: 
__________________________________________

Suggestions: 
____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
____

_____ I am already on the mailing list.

_____ I got this form from a friend.

Enclosed is $12.95 for a U.S. membership; $14.95 for a Canadian
membership; and $19.95 for Foreign memberships.  Orders must be in U.S.
funds. Send check or money order (DO NOT send cash) made payable to:

Babylonian Productions/Fan Club

Mail to:  The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club
          PO Box 856
          North Hollywood, CA 91603

Please allow 5-6 weeks for delivery.  Foreign and Canadian orders are
shipped surface, please allow additional time for shipping.

All returned checks are subject to a $15.00 service charge.

 ----------------  CUT HERE FOR THE END OF THE FORM 
 -------------------

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:39:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 CD ????

{original post unavailable}

      No, the .avi files work in tandem with another file, to make it
work. You'll note that shpdta08.avi comes alongside shpdta09.dat (or
some other extension), which contains the info.  If you install it from
the disk, it usually works fine.  The scrittching sound on the
personnel data is the identicard scanner sound, which goes with the
identicard readout.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Curryanne Hostetler <71533.17@compuserve.com>
Subject: Finished Writing!

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  As time goes on, we come to know these characters as
friends; it's a nifty experience.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: UK and budgets

{original post unavailable}

      I'm still not sure I understand the question.  The B5 videotapes
for sale in the UK are definitely licensed.  We never sell any episode
on film to anyone for any reason, here or otherwise.  Nothing's been
out on disk yet.

                                                          jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: Whats coming

 Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> asks:
> I am wondering if we are going to see Bester as more of a good
> guy? I am wondering if that is how I will look at B5 when it is
> over and in reruns?

      Exactly, the older shows take on more substance, weight and
interest the more you've seen after them.  All kinds of stuff jumps out
at you after a while.  As for Bester...no matter what, it's fair to say
he's on nobody's side but his own.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah, it's a long way from Captain Power.

      No, no direct involvement with Hypernauts, though they're one of
several shows now on the air or in development that are now using the
Babylon 5 model for producing TV shows.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Celia J. Penham <102454.540@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  It was a nice moment, and needed some leading-up-to,
but I think it came out well.  It's a start.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Original Storyline

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> I think I was assuming something along these lines: Originaly you
> had Sinclair as the lead character for the whole 5 years, right? 
> PS- officialy, whatever happened to Na'toth and Lou Welch?

      We'll be mentioning Na'Toth later this season.

      Actually, the relationship with Sinclair and Delenn wasn't
designed to be romantic; he was involved with Sakai, and would've
stayed that way for the most part.  The relationship you saw is not
quite what you're thinking; there is a closeness, but not based on
romantic feelings.  You'll catch a sense of what's behind this more
later this season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Apr-96 23:57:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 'Severed' pieces

{original post unavailable}

      We've shown work crews before cleaning up after big assaults;
even a HazMat platform for clearing away fuel cores after they blew up
the Centauri cruiser in "Fall of Night."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Apr-96 02:34:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: UK and budgets

{original post unavailable}

      Aha!  Okay...the reason that the tapes haven't been released by
WB Video here in the US...is that they don't think anybody's interested
in buying them.

      Now, in the UK, the videos are usually in the top ten or so on
the sell-through charts.

      Somehow, the video folks seem capable of looking at those two
items and fail to see a contradiction.

      'Tis a wonderment to me....

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Apr-96 02:35:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams, WOW>

 Dimitri M LaBarge <71501.3353@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any others that you can mention offhand?

      Space Cases uses a variation on the 5-year arc, a lot of what
they're doing with their sets and CGI and other areas nods to B5...and
there are two new shows in the works that very definitely rely on the
B5 model, though I'm not at liberty (as a courtesy to them) to discuss
them at this time.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Croughton <100014.3217@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon cereal

 Chris Croughton <100014.3217@compuserve.com> asks:
> OK, so what's the oddest question you've been asked?

      The oddest question I've ever been asked?

      "What do you do if you die before finishing the full B5
storyline?"

      Well...decompose, mainly....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
> Before I send away and import the "Making of B5" from the UK,
> will it be available from the club?

      I don't believe the book will be made available via the fan
club, no.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >Severed Dreams/Kurosawa

 (blocked) asks:
> Are you going to be doing a Sunday afternoon session at Marcon in
> Columbus May 5th?

      I haven't seen a Marcon schedule yet, so I dunno....

      And yes, because anything can happen to anyone around here, it
makes this kind of thing more interesting.

      I was thinking about this the other day, and realized just how
much some aspects of the show remind me of a role playing game; you set
up the parameters, you know where the story has to go, and you bring in
some characters.  Some will live, die, be hindered, succeed, fail, or
go mad, depending on how the players react to the situation.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: UK and budgets

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  Matters of Honor was a good starting point, to get the
story moving again.  The next batch are somewhat stand-alones, just to
get the new folks up to speed with the show...but we pick up speed
again soon enough.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: There All Honor Lies

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...and I'm always hoping for more moments of perfect
beauty.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Postmortem

{original post unavailable}

      Over my dead body.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Theo Thourson <73214.2131@compuserve.com>
Subject: Actor's Knowledge

 Theo Thourson <73214.2131@compuserve.com> asks:
> If one of the characters, let's say Delenn for no good reason,
> has a secret agenda, or is a traitor to the rest of the crew, or
> something equally devious, does Mira know about it? In other
> words, do the actors know everything the characters know?

      Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  Depends on whether I want them to
play the process or the result when leading up to that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS: Hmmm...

{original post unavailable}

      No, Earth's middle ages had really nothing much to do with the
shadow war or the shadows; we simply weren't very important.

      As for a bio of me...I can't *possibly* imagine anything less
inherently interesting.

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard L. Long <76562.2757@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon screen saver

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  It's a great program; I have it on both my home and
office systems.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: Salaries

{original post had no questions}

      We'll establish in coming episodes that they have to become more
self sufficient; the Minbari will help some, others will also have a
reason to help support the station for the advantages it gives them,
the services it provides, and eventually docking fees will have to rise
if they can make a go of it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Talia and Ivanova

 (blocked) asks:
> Is this correct and will Bester try and make use of this in Ship
> of Tears?

      I would think that Talia would deliberately refrain from
dipping; the merging during sex really is a consentual affair.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Episode order?

{original post unavailable}

      Usually the episode airing order is right, with a couple of
exceptions, which I can't remember just now (sigh).

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Arwel Parry <100336.623@compuserve.com>
Subject: UK <Matters of Hono(u)r>

 Arwel Parry <100336.623@compuserve.com> asks:
> I like the new title sequence, the new theme has just the right
> feel of impending doom and foreboding - will Chris Franke be
> putting it on the new CD? or is it just a figure of speech in the
> same way that when Sheridan "takes out" a Centauri cruiser he's
> not taking it to a candlelit dinner or the movies? Marcus Cole
> looks like an interesting character, but from what he said about
> how he and his brother joined the Rangers it seems as if their
> existence is quite generally known, at least in some circles -
> how come EA and the Shadows' agents haven't heard about them? and
> have ISN kept quiet about them? Thanks again for another
> entertaining programme - you keep saying you're getting better
> all the time, but will any of your audience survive the tension
> in season 5?!

      Actually, the B5 third year theme is an expanded version,
somewhat altered, of the "Requiem for the Line" piece, which is already
on the current CD.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Syndication

{original post had no questions}

      I'd imagine that the rules for syndicated commercials and cable
are about the same; it's the jump from network to syndicated that leads
to trouble.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

 (blocked) asks:
> Was Sniper one of them?

      They were both true believers.

      I also went just a little here for a kind of metaphorical
approach; prior to this, Nightwatch folks have always been presented as
starched, scrubbed, visually appealing...the face they wanted others to
see.  Now we see their true face, the scarred, dark, empty eyes, no
longer pretending to hide. So we kinda cast in that direction.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      "Londo is a hell of a leader."

      Perfect fodder for an Emperor, no...?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      Compliments paid in mathematical terms always worry me for some
reason.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies - well done>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Also, given that Ivannova had *finally* found someone to be close
> to, it it just her fate to get screwed by Psi Corps?

      No, people get involved with other people for any number of
reasons; it's not necessarily any easier to stay within one's gender
with teeps.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Incidently, are we supposed to buy this "I know her destiny is
> with someone else and I have accepted it" stuff?

      Well, there was certainly that little catch in his voice, that
hesitation, before he added "...in my heart."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Original Storyline

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you still schedualed to go to the Marcon in ohio in May?

      Yes, I'll be at Marcon.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:44:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies> Costume

{original post unavailable}

      No, not really.  I wanted it to have a crossed look, certain
Minbari elements and textures, lines that are reminiscent of the
Rangers, but also of Earthforce.  Hence, the result.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Love in CoL&D

{original post unavailable}

      Certainly various sorts of love was at the core of the episode,
and what we do for one another.

      But no, not all relationships have to end badly (despite my own
general history in that regard).

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<<JMS THANKYOU!!!!>>>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...it's a good start to the season.

      But we have far to go before we can rest.

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> All Earth Force personnel no longer are being paid, are they?
> Who is replenishing supplies?
> Are things being bartered?
> Are the Minbari picking up the slack?
> Is that its function for the time being?

      Thanks.  Dealing with the financial and support situation comes
up next week.

      And agree re: Vir.  He's a much stronger character than anyone
might think.  He's sort of the "God's Fool" character, to get literary
for a second, who somehow manages to make it through it all.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies...>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was she able to use the pain to confirm a sense of her own
> rebirth?

      Yes, I think Mira was able to draw upon her background a lot in
this one.

      I also like the look between Marcus and Delenn as they stand in
the customs area...he looks like he desperately wants to say more, and
she like she desperately wants to hear it...but he turns and walks
away, the moment lost.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Sic Transit Vir<<

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah, I love the Ivanova/Vir scenes; I fall down laughing every
time.

      "the wife is always right."  Hmm...I must convey this to Ivanova
for her reaction the next time she pops out of my subconscious.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Rage's Thots: CoL&D>

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> If you were trying to regain control of Babylon 5, would you
> leave it in the hands of these nimrods? Why didn't Bochs assign
> him a "handler"? Sniper's reaction to Delenn's "pity" speech: "You
> pity me? However, why did he notify Susan before Garibaldi when
> Delenn and Lennan were taken by the NWTs? Does he really dislike
> Michael that much, or was it just to give us another AI scene? 
> What aliens hasn't the guy played? Have we seen him as an Earther?
> A question: Why didn't our heroes attempt to work with the
> nudjing computer? and just WHAT was Delenn reacting to there?
> Does everyone get them, or just command staff?
> Yet, why are they *BLACK*?

      "They're all so GOOD."

      Gotta be.  No other choice.

      (Actually, we had 3 more quickie scenes with the computer voice,
but the ep ran long over time, and we were locked into some
walk-and-talks where we couldn't make other trims.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: "Ceremonies"/too close

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, I'm glad it hit a little too close to home for comfort.
There's a quote, "Be uncomfortable.  Be sand, not oil, in the machinery
of the world." We need sometimes to be a bit uncomfortable so that we
do *exactly* what you describe doing...sitting and thinking about all
of this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 20:45:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <AI>

 (blocked) asks:
> _Sparky_ the computer??
> _*SPARKY*_ the computer?!?!?!
> I'm not repressed any more.") You have fun writing for him, don't
> you?

      I love writing for Marcus.  I can just come at the dialoge from
a completely different angle.  There's a certain edge, a dark kind of
irony that comes through his character that lets me do lines I can't do
for anyone else except sometimes Ivanova.  He's a hoot....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Steve Brightman <73420.3057@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, no, the song in "Ceremonies" was not intended as a
Prisoner riff or homage of any kind.  If the song originated with The
Prisoner, that'd be one thing, but the song goes back a long, LONG ways
before The Prisoner was even thought of.

      What happened, actually, was this...I'm a big fan of the Red
Clay Ramblers, a terrific group that does sort of bluegrass but very
offbeat.  I was writing that episode, and I was playing with the
torture aspect, and had one of their albums on.  At just the moment I
got to that scene, up came their rendition of "Ezekiel in the Valley of
the Dry Bones."  The notion was perfect, so I went back to the original
version of the song, which is public domain (rather than their
variation on it), and used it.  Synchronicity.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Matt Allen <100530.232@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS Fav B5 CD Track?

 Matt Allen <100530.232@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe which is your favorite track on the B5 CD?
> Is this your favorite track as a remix of it is now the third
> season main theme? Do you ever play the CD while writing/relaxing
> or driving etc?

      Yeah, I'd say the extended "Requiem" piece on the CD is probably
my favorite.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:31
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 - MT&R TV Festial?

{original post unavailable}

      I appreciate that, and the offer.  Thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 - tape options

 Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you think if/when any video tapes of the show are sold in the
> US that we will have a choice of format??

      That hasn't been decided as of this time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mary Taylor <75530.2650@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      "I do remember it looking much worse earlier on."

      Your memory is correct.  Just before he did the first episode,
he had to shave his full beard for some commercial audition.  It hadn't
grown all the way back, and we had to darken it down a bit to make it
work.  It's all back now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Remember the final episode of The Prisoner ("Fall Out")?

      It wasn't a Prisoner reference.

      Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...and sometimes a song is
there because it's right for the episode, and that moment.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Apr-96 23:57:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sinclair's Brother

{original post unavailable}

      Geez, I'm having enough hell just telling this story now...ask
me in two years.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 02:08:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon screen saver

 (blocked) asks:
> When's the Mac version coming out?

      Soon.

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 02:08:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Timothy & Lisa Mitchell <71461.303@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

{original post had no questions}

      Problem is I'm *very* eclectic.  I listen to just about
everything, depending on my mood, except for hard-ass country
(bluegrass is an exception to this).  Japanese, Celtic, heavy-metal,
classic rock, classical, big band, Enya, you name it.  They all go into
the player at some point.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 02:08:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toby A. Aulman <74464.241@compuserve.com>
Subject: Keeping me guessing

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  It's been said that a writer must surprise himself if
he's to surprise anyone else...and I'm constantly surprised by what
comes out of the characters.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 02:08:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      The physical dynamics of the scar *would* have worked as seen,
actually, mainly because that wasn't a piece of makeup, that's a real
scar, and it does work that way.

      Other than that...thanks!

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 02:08:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <CoL&D thoughts>

{original post unavailable}

      It wasn't a Prisoner reference, so you didn't miss anything. 
Some folks see what they want to see.  (If you were at a gospel
meeting, and they sang "Ezekiel in the Valley of the Dry Bones," would
*that* be a Prisoner reference?)

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 16-Apr-96 14:46:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <CoL&D thoughts>

 (blocked) asks:
> Do you have any news on Harlan's condition?

       He's doing better, mainly now needs rest and quiet.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:46:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard L. Long <76562.2757@compuserve.com>
Subject: >Sic Transit Vir<

{original post had no questions}

       Yes, I'll be there...see you then.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:46:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com>
Subject: TNT Syndication

 Bob Ingersoll <72204.2405@compuserve.com> asks:
> In what way is B5 moving to TNT?

       They're picking up reruns in 1998.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ceremonies...>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> This makes me wonder which the personnel of Bablyon 5 (or anyone,
> for that matter) will regret most: the lost moments of actions
> wrongly taken or the lost moments of actions not taken at all?

       Thanks.  I just ordered it the second the information you
provided appeared on my screen.  Looking forward to it....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill MacIntosh <70275.1372@compuserve.com>
Subject: Quoting Ta'Lon

{original post had no questions}

       Well, I think we all kinda knew that Honeywell was being run by
Narns....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

 Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
> That was a real scar?
> When was Don Stroud so severely injured?

       Yes, the scar is real.  He had some rough times a few years
ago. (Actually, he also appeared with the scar as it's seen here in
"TKO," as Garibaldi's corner man, though there it was hidden a bit.) 
He's still doing a lot of work though.

       (The funny thing was seeing the occasional comment on the nets
saying how fake they thought the makeup looked, and why couldn't we
manage to do something a bit more realistic looking?)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 on WWCP

{original post unavailable}

       I can't imagine why they're telling folks that, when it's been
made clear to us that WBN wouldn't take the show.  Unless they're
looking for a cover story for why they're considering dropping it, but
that doesn't seem very likely.  I dunno....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: How is Harlan ?

{original post unavailable}

       Harlan's doing much better.  The #1 thing he and Susan need
right now is space and a little quiet time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

{original post unavailable}

       Okay...Things I Listen To While Writing:

       (Well, this week, anyway.)

       Melissa Etheridge.  Enya.  Meatloaf.  Slade.  Red Clay
Ramblers. Alice Cooper.  Benny Goodman.  Artie Shaw.  KODO.  Sarah
MacLachlan.  Billy Joel. Django Rheinhart.  Leon Russell.  The musical
Chess.  And, of course, the B5 soundtrack.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 14:47:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<<JMS THANKYOU!!!!>>>

 Simon Grierson <100407.2075@compuserve.com> asks:
> After re-running that sequence, (Trying to find if it actually
> exploded) I noticed it sort of Flashed - and I thought I saw some
> kind of....skeleton? And then when it was finally ripped apart -
> it Shattered? Are my eyes playing tricks or is this how you
> intended?

       I think that was mainly the energy coursing along it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 19:16:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Delenn

{original post unavailable}

"...note on Lennier: "a pure, higher love"? Pshaw, I've heard that
before and seen the results in my own life. Are Minbari so different?"

      One would certainly hope so.

      And there are such different kinds of feelings even among
humans; yes, you're right, often it doesn't work out that way...and
sometimes it does.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 19:16:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com>
Subject: <ceremonies - scene>

 Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you specify that tableau for the distant shots of their
> exchange or did that sort of evolve on the storyboard?

      It sorta evolved.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 19:16:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<Recasting fever>>>

{original post unavailable}

      Easy.  Takashima would have been the one to be Control.  A Psi
Corps plant.  (Her background on Mars would've been the perfect time
for it to have happened.)  When Laurel went away, I took that one
thread and passed it along to Talia, setting it up as early as the very
first episode, when Talia and Ivanova first meet, and later reluctantly
have a drink.

      At one point, Ivanova says to Talia, referencing Ivanova's
mother, "You're as much of a victim as she was."  To which Talia
replies, "I don't feel like a victim."  And, of course, that's exactly
what she was, though she didn't know it yet.  Ivanova's analysis was
100% correct.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 23:10:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon cereal

{original post had no questions}

      I do get asked that on occasion still....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 23:10:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com>
Subject: SD Withdrawing effect

 John M. Graham <74166.3727@compuserve.com> asks:
> How did you do this effect?
> Is this correct?
> Why the initial zoom out?

      Yes, the way you describe the shot (zoom/move) was correct. 
It's what was indicated in the script, and well executed.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 23:10:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: <CoL&D thoughts>

 Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, Is Harlan okay?

      He's doing much better now.

                                                                jms

------------------------------

Date: 16-Apr-96 23:10:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<Recasting fever>>>

{original post unavailable}

      No, Carolyn wasn't involved with the Kosh situation.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 01:46:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was Star Wars unoriginal because Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon
> preceded it? Was Hill Street Blues unoriginal because about 200
> other police shows preceded it? Is ER unoriginal because it's the
> umpteenth hospital show ever made?

      In considering ST to be totally original, obviously he's never
heard of Forbidden Planet....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 01:46:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Rebirth Ceremony

{original post unavailable}

      It was stated at the time, in the first season, that it was a
rebirth ceremony.  Just to clarify.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 17-Apr-96 14:12:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

 (blocked) asks:
> Does Meatloaf listen better than he watches?
> Were you aware that the studio address and phone numbers are now
> available to lots of fans?

      That information was bound to get out sooner or later.  It's
okay.  We have Narns working security.

      Yeah, Meatloaf definitely "listens better than he watches,"
though in truth he's lost a LOT of weight lately, and looks 100% better
than in past years.  Most of his songs (even though written often with
or by others) tell stories, they have a lot of heart to them, they're
sometimes very funny, and there's a tremendous, enviable energy in
them.  You get the sense that he undrstands the only way to tell a
story sometimes is to put the pedal to the floor and go flat out for
the abyss, hoping to come out alive on the other side.  I commend to
you his two latest albums, Bat Out of Hell II and Welcome to the
Neighborhood.  There's some really nifty stuff there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 14:12:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Hoopingarn <73172.1065@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Morden>

 Jonathan Hoopingarn <73172.1065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since it's been established that some species use crystals as
> part of their technology for data storage as well as other
> things, is this pendant some sort of Shadow technology or does it
> have some other sort of significance in his relationship to the
> Shadows?

      It may have its uses.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 14:12:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <CoL&D thoughts>

 (blocked) asks:
> If we all send cards for Harlan to the B5 mail drop, will someone
> pile them up for when he feels like reading them??

      Sure.  We'll pass them along when he's home and better.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 14:19:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Morden>

{original post unavailable}

      Correct.  But since it's there, at some point I may as well use
it for something.  Waste not, want not.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 14:19:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      Of course the flip side of this is that you'd have to check
every single thing you ate or drank every day, every week, for the rest
of your natural life.  Not the kind of life *I'd* like to live.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sparky the Computer

 Phil Koltko <71604.2145@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there any hidden references in the Sparky the Computer gag
> (in <Ceremonies...>)?

      No, just figured it'd be a great name.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: EA President

 (blocked) asks:
> Is is "Clark" or "Clarke"?

      It's Clark.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dana Wright <72627.531@compuserve.com>
Subject: BRAVO!

 Dana Wright <72627.531@compuserve.com> asks:
> I wonder if you will be convering the economics of what has
> happened to B5? Who is paying those dock workers and in what?
> Perhaps you may yet write thos volumes and include all those
> tidbits left on the cutting room floor or topics like what
> happened when the doctor learned his father had died? What about
> appendixes that discuss the histories of all the known races or
> the previous wars with the dark?

      Thanks, and yes, we do get into the question now of who pays for
what, and how.  It's a natural, logical progression.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: How are you?

{original post unavailable}

      I'm fine.  A little harried, tired and generally staggered these
days, but fine.  Spent the day at the hospital with Harlan today, who's
doing MUCH better, walking around, cracking jokes...a vast improvement.

      I'm still hip-deep in post production, and laying stuff out for
next year in hopes of renewal...but basically fine.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Cermonies of Lt&Drk>

{original post had no questions}

      Yes, Londo is a very sharp, cunning character.  He does what he
does for sheer patriotism, to serve his people.  *Whatever* that may
entail.  And Vir gets whipsawed a lot...he's a great character, with a
wide range of characteristics I can play with, from comic to tragic.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 17-Apr-96 21:51:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: <STV - clarifications?>

 Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) In the teaser, other than as a counterpoint to the "joke" Vir
> was told, what were all the Narn doing there? Was this a bit of
> license you took to tweak us with the teaser? Were these relatives
> of other Narn ready to settle the score for their relatives (who
> they've been told are "dead")? Were these Narn on the way through
> an Underground Railroad (on *Centauri Prime*???)? 2) What happened
> with the captured Narn at the end of the episode? Has all this
> been handled off screen, or will we see further ramifications in
> the future? Or, is that another comet going by?

      I could've *sworn* there was a line there about the Narn
recovering; I'm going to have to check this.  I hope I didn't
accidentally cut it for time while doing something else.  (It was a
LONG editing session.)

      I figured the Narns were there to discuss the fates of their
families back home, but yeah, to a certain degree it was there as a
great end for the teaser.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 18-Apr-96 16:19:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: >Sic Transit Vir<

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> what DID happen to the Narn Lindesty caught?

       Nothing.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18-Apr-96 16:19:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Frazier <103311.567@compuserve.com>
Subject: EA Battle Tactics

 Paul Frazier <103311.567@compuserve.com> asks:
> al., turn off the jump gate prior to the arrival of the EA
> vessels? And a related question: why did the EA ships use the jump
> gate? What am I missing here?

       The answer to both your questions is about the same.  It takes
about a day to power down, or power up a jump gate.  It operates more
like a fusion reactor than a light bulb.  So not only wasn't there
enough time, even if they *had* had enough time, you'd want to leave
the gate up and running in case you needed to evacuate for any reason;
otherwise you'd cut off your main escape route.

       For the incoming fleet, knowing the gate was active was the way
to go, since it would let them launch their fighters prior to coming
in; if you use a jump point, you kinda have to launch while you're
coming out to avoid anyone being stuck behind.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18-Apr-96 19:13:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Kuhn <73532.741@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Interludes SPOILER>

 David Kuhn <73532.741@compuserve.com> asks:
> 2????
> As in TWO????
> Two?
> Who could the other be?
> ?
> The new extra, Marcus?

      You really shouldn't drop a message like that into a thread
without a massive spoiler warning and space, given the nature of the
subject.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 18-Apr-96 19:16:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <<Ambassador Na'fon?>>

 (blocked) asks:
> Is he still around, or is that a small comet that went by?

      When he failed to convince the other Narns to accept him as
their new leader -- which was the whole point to his being sent to B5
in the first place
 -- he had no choice but to go home.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 01:53:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Steve Ramage <74731.235@compuserve.com>
Subject: <STV: a Narn question>

 Steve Ramage <74731.235@compuserve.com> asks:
> You know -- the one lying tied up on the floor, waiting to find
> out if he's going to be done with his own blade? Is this yet
> another thread I'm going to have to keep in my head, or was he,
> his contribution to this episode concluded, returned to
> supernumerary Hell?

      No, nothing happened to him; Vir wouldn't ever do that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 01:53:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Recasting fever>>>

 David Scarpa <73672.2136@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe , in one of the early eps there is a shadowery figure I think
> there was some hidden group called Controll 11 or something what
> ever happened to these individuals and is hat a dropped thread or
> one that will come up again ?

      The Bureau was incorporated into other parts of the government.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 02:05:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post unavailable}

      If I'd wanted Big Money, I'd've stayed on MURDER, SHE WROTE,
where I was paid *twice* what I get on B5, given that it's a top-ten
rated network show. But I left that to do this.

      This isn't a random casting about for an idea that makes money. 
For one thing, "ideas" don't make shows, characters do.  Second, if
what you posit were true, I wouldn't have built the show so that it
self-destructs after 5 years.  Finally, every season of this show for
three years plus the pilot for four has pushed the envelope completely;
we only have two years left.  Not much time to settle into complacency,
wouldn't you say?

      Maybe you should bea little less cynical and insulting about a
field about which you do not seem terribly well informed.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 19-Apr-96 21:55:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

{original post unavailable}

      I'm familiar with BOC, but haven't really gone out of my way to
get hold of any of their stuff.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 21:55:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Was that the Jupiter 2?

{original post unavailable}

      No, it's a Vree ship, which we've seen before.

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 22:16:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ceremonies of L & D>

{original post had no questions}

      Ah....once again the topic of folliclelessness returns to the
board...

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 19-Apr-96 22:16:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com>
Subject: <A Note re: Spoilers>

 Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why??

      Yes, the intros are spoken in the past tense.

      But when is it in the story that they are spoken....hmmmm....?

      In theory, one could speak of 2258 in 2259 and it's the past
tense.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 00:27:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: EA President

{original post unavailable}

      Now you should have both a Clark Bar and a Mars Bar, and reenact
"Severed Dreams."  Or, of course, you could ally yourself with the
Shadows and go for the Milky Way....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 20-Apr-96 14:48:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Book in UK ?'s

{original post unavailable}

      Wow...what're the other ascii codes for alternate
numbers/letters that one can use online?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 15:16:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post unavailable}

      No, we're still waiting on renewal, same as every show.

      To take off my producer cap for a moment and put on my fan
cap...yes, I understand your position.  Lots of people in this town
obsess about money, and everybody wants to tell you what to do.  I know
the problems Bellisario had with "Leap," and some of them were of his
own making, but the majority were from the Suits at Universal.  A large
measure of what eventually comes out of your show depends on who you
luck into as far as a studio liaison is concerned.  We got very lucky
in having someone who understands what we're trying to do, and hasn't
given a single script note since episode 2 of year 2. DB didn't have
that luxury; I don't think anyone at Universal really understood what
he was trying to do, which was unfortunate.

      My response was mainly from the other side of the statement,
implicit or stated outright, that implies everyone working in TeeVee
does so only for the bucks, that money talks and nothing else matters. 
There are some of us who are dedicated storytellers, first, foremost
and forever.  Tarring everyone with the same brush is just another form
of prejudice, and when it appears, it needs to be corrected.

      A lot of what happens out here in *The Industry* horrifies me. 
The quest for more, bigger, money-money-money.  Yes, on one level,
writers are vastly underpaid for what we do *in terms of* the amount of
money that the final product actually makes.

      But we are also vastly OVERPAID in terms of what people doing
the really important jobs are being paid: teachers, nursing staff, the
many layers of people who keep the nation going and prepare it for the
future.  So from where I sit, NOBODY out here has ANY reason to beef
about their money. We're hideously lucky to be working in a field where
we can entertain, and tell stories, and be well compensated for it. 
And I think too many people out here forget that.  Having grown up
fairly poor for most of my life, I *can't* forget it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 15:16:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Arwel Parry <100336.623@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hugo Nomination congrats

 Arwel Parry <100336.623@compuserve.com> asks:
> I assume you withdrew TFON to avoid splitting the vote?

      Thanks.  Yes, since the last time we were in Hugo contention,
the splitting of votes cost us the award (combined votes would've been
enough going in to win), the folks gave us the option of withdrawing
one of the two, and since "The Coming of Shadows" seems the overall
favorite, that one was the one kept.

      One other good thing about the withdrawl of one episode was that
it allowed Terry Gilliam's "12 Monkeys" onto the ballot, which
otherwise would've been frozen out, and it deserves the recognition of
the nomination.

      We're all *very* pleased and excited by the nomination.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 15:16:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <STV-a few ?>

 (blocked) asks:
> Is Vir married?
> What is that patch on the right shoulder of the new uniforms?

      At this point, with the rethinking going on back home, he's
bethrothed and promised, the marriage arranged, but not yet fully,
*formally* married. There's still ritual to go through.  The other
family could still choose to withdraw the arrangement.

      One of the patches is a Ranger patch; the other is the new B5
sword and shield logo.

      (BTW, on your web site, could you possibly withhold the synopses
 -- which are provided to the stations, and not intended for general
release -- until a little closer to the episode's airdate?  A couple of
those you've released have caused a fair amount of consternation, and
destroyed some of the impact I'd wanted with those episodes.  There's
nothing I can do to stop you from posting the information -- though
starting with "War" 2 I'm now personally editing the synopses to delete
some stuff -- but if you could just hold back even a little, it would
help me a lot.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 15:29:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New B5 Card Set in 8/96!

{original post unavailable}

      Just a quick public statement of support for the cards.  The
last batch were very good -- even ending up on some magazines' lists of
Top Ten Cards for the year -- and all indications are that this one
will be even better. Of all the things I'm asked to sign at
conventions, probably the #1 items are cards from the Fleer set (ditto
for many of the cast).  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing them.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 19:58:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 v Star Trek

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  I haven't done quite as much with alternate beliefs as
I'd like, however, and that's something I want to get into a bit more
in year four.  It feels a little too mainstream to me right now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 19:58:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Book in UK ?'s

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> cents c alt+0162 pounds L alt+0163 yen Y alt+0165 copyright C
> alt+0169 registered R alt+0174 plus or minus ? alt+0177 squared 2
> alt+0178 paragraph P alt+0182 1/4 ? alt+0188 1/2 ?
> alt+0189 3/4 ?
> alt+0190 spanish ?
> ?

      Cool...thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 19:58:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robert M. Schlesinger <103347.2317@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 Robert M. Schlesinger <103347.2317@compuserve.com> asks:
> But really, can *anyone* under 6'2" *really* be a manly man?

"I've always heard that it's not how much you've got, but how you use
it..."

      Sure, easy for you to say.  I'm still trying to remember where I
left it....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 19:58:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com> asks:
> By the way, was the door that opens on the room full of Narns
> real, or CGI enhanced?

      Thanks, and yes, the door was quite real.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 20-Apr-96 23:30:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 So FL schedule

{original post unavailable}

      Good news, thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:33:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Hoopingarn <73172.1065@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of SF-TV

 Jonathan Hoopingarn <73172.1065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you heard of any other producers/writers/directors currently
> developing projects that should give us hope for the genre in the
> future?

      I dunno...it's hard to say.  After the first ST series, the ball
was dropped and *nobody* picked it up again really for almost 25 years.
After we're gone, it's hard to say if anybody'll do so.  We've gone out
of our way to bring in other producers and folks, show them how we do
the show, in the hope that they'll then be able to do the same and
create more in the future. Whether or not that happens is hard to say.

      Because it's not just the techniques involved.  B5 is only on
the air because I and a couple of others stood there and fought tooth
and nail for five years to get it on the air.  There has to be a
certain tenacity involved.

      On the other hand, Hypernauts is already using the B5 production
model for their show, and Space Cases has adopted the five-year arc
notion, so maybe the future is already here.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Critique or Propaganda

 (blocked) asks:
> Do you see this as likely?

      Yes, I think it's very likely that's one reason we're more or
less frozen out of a lot of areas.  I've seen it happen.  I used to be
a reviewer (not a critic, I'm not that smart), and hung out with
others; the theaters or producers with whom they had a relationship,
they covered; those with whom they didn't, didn't get covered.

      But then, as was pointed out to me a while back, critics are
paid to be unfair, so you can't let it bother you.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <TCoS: Londo's Dream>

{original post unavailable}

      All I can say for now, without massive spoilers, is that we'll
be getting into this issue very heavily by the end of this season. 
You'll see more of this thread.  But for now, this is simply one of
those questions I'm going to have to refrain from answering for now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 (blocked) asks:
> Tell me, is Peter's accent real?
> Were you involved with the hiring of the actors?
> Did you know their previous work or did they audition fpr their
> parts?

      No, Peter's accent isn't real, though he does a good job with
it.  And yes, I hire (with Doug Netter and John Copeland) all the
actors on the show.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com> asks:
> What happened to Vir's pre-nuptial gift that his fiance so
> lovingly offered to him to dispose of at his leisure?

      No, Vir would never kill a Narn, so he's fine.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: <STV - clarifications?>

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who was supposed to have said it?

      It was in the observation dome scene with Ivanova; I realized
that we'd cut a small piece for time that was expendable, but in the
back and forth went one line too far without realizing it.  Sigh....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Sic Tr Vir-my opinions>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks; I heard about the Vir promo situation...sigh...some days
we just can't catch a break.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <A Late Delivery...>

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who wouldn't believe he was Arthur?
> Then why was he there?

      Thanks.  I *really* like this episode a lot.  The performance,
the music, everything works; I tried to get a little artsy, try out
some different kinds of stuff, stretch some muscles I haven't used
enough, and it came out very nicely.  It's just nifty.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 15:34:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Transit...>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> As to those problematic press releases, for whom and what purpose
> are they originally intended?

      Yeah, there's a smidge of Alizon in Lyndisty, mainly in grammar
and word choice.  As for the releases...they're not press releases,
they're synopses sent to the stations for only their use.  They were
never meant for general distribution.  Happily, one source of the
synopses has offered to stop putting them out, so that'll be a major
help to us.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 18:15:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Bab5 Hugo Nomination

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks (and thanks for the vote).  They gave me the option of
having the two nominations or withdrawing one of the two, and we
decided to go ahead and withdraw "Fall," to avoid splitting the vote,
and to allow another entry into the field, which was apparently "12
Monkeys," which definitely deserves the recognition of the nomination.

                                                                 jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 21:38:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minbari Stealth Tech

 Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1 how much more advanced are the Centauri than EA ?
> the Blockade Mines seemed to pick up the extremely advanced White
> Star quite quickly and yet the older larger Minbari cruisers were
> not detectable by the EA during the Minbari War, even Sinclair in
> Season 1believed that they still should not have been able to
> pick up Minbari fighters ?

      No, it's slightly audible to others, but is the sort of thing
generally lost in the crowd; we ignore stuff a lot.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 21:38:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> And I thought that finally I could just feel happy about an
> episode, but then you had to end it with the whole thing about
> Kosh being Merlin...and who is Morgana LaFaye?

      Thanks, and yes, Marcus and Franklin make a good team, it's a
nice balance.  And Marcus did fit in well with the whole Arthur
storyline (it's kind of an obvious but well-fitting match).

      As for Marcus' line...sometimes offhand remarks are only offhand
remarks...and sometimes they aint....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 21-Apr-96 21:58:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <A Late Delivery...>

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, I like this one a lot.  Not really an arc episode,
except in going into some backstory elements, but just nicely done. 
I'm quite proud of this one.
                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 00:09:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hugo Nomination congrats

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this a standard practice, or is it unprecedented?
> Or am I putting a wrong spin on it?

      No, apparently this option is often given.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 00:09:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: maria kusznir <103636.2771@compuserve.com>
Subject: help: EA ships names

 maria kusznir <103636.2771@compuserve.com> asks:
> It can't be some sort of in joke is it?
> Anyone know?

      President Clark got away from the tradition of using Greek
names.  And the Roanoke was a Virginia colony that disappeared in the
1600s.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 00:09:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Speaking of Londo's accent, I'm assuming that different Centauri
> accents represent people from different areas of the planet? 
> Anything significant in all this, or just a bit of
> differentiation?

      No, we've just always assumed that not everyone on any given
planet is going to speak with the same accent as everybody else from
that planet. Seems more realistic.

      Certainly, among Centauri, a certain accent is more associated
with the "old school" of court nobility and the like.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 00:09:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Jerry Doyle

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks for the report.  Yeah, Jerry and all the cast are great
when it comes to performing for audiences and off-the-cuff comments. 
They're very funny when they want to be.  We're an iconoclastic bunch.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 22-Apr-96 16:07:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Tr Vir-my opinions>

 Anita Karve <73653.3253@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any idea why they are doing this?
> Could it simply be human error?

       Yeah, I heard about this on the nets and from a reporter; they
say they're aware of the problem and it won't happen again.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 16:07:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Spencer Collyer [UK] <100137.230@compuserve.com>
Subject: <TCoS: Londo's Dream>

 Spencer Collyer [UK] <100137.230@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, loved the reference to "Netter's Syndrome" in _Convictions_
> - how did Doug take it when he first heard the name?

       Doug's reaction to Netter's Syndrome was...amused, chagrined,
and the promise of swift and terrible revenge.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 18:59:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  Do you have the membership info?  (If not, I should
probably upload it to the library.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 18:59:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> asks:
> The Centauri who was speaking to Vir at the beginning of the last
> episode --did he know about what Vir was doing in funneling
> through the Narns to safety?

      No, he didn't know, and would've been horrified if he had.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 18:59:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Severed Dreams>

 (blocked) asks:
> Also this is the Episode Jerry Doylebroke his arm in a scene?
> Was the scence used?

      The previews often have clips that don't appear in the episode.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 21:30:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

 SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks:
> DO you know where they got it?

      Yes, it's a real sword...I'm trying to remember where we got it,
it may have been a vendor in these things, one of many that frequent
catalogs and Ren faires.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 22-Apr-96 21:34:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: A look Back...

{original post had no questions}

      Can I just put the lie to this once and for all?

      It was never, NEVER my intention, and I never stated, that the
Minbari were hermaphroditic, or that Delenn was then hermaphroditic. 
It was NEVER stated that they all went through a male-female change, so
it had NOTHING to do with the Left Hand of Darkness.

      The idea initially was to use a female playing a male character
because it added an offbeat, somewhat androgynous look to the
character, which I thought might be good for the character.  It was
only upon entering the chrysalis, and emerging, that Delenn would a) be
more human, and b) be female. When I discovered that the voice change
wasn't working as well as I'd hoped it would, electronically altering
it, I finally scrapped that aspect of it, but kept the human/minbari
change aspect.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 00:21:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Ejecting from a Fury

{original post unavailable}

      You can see explosive bolts going off, and a series of small
thrusters behind the cockpit area which allow for navigation.  This
gets the pilot away from the main body which has either been crippled,
or is about to explode, the same way a modern fighter has an ejection
system.  (Check the main credit sequence for a better shot of an
ejection.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 00:21:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, what is the translation to the title?

      thus passes Vir (it's a signal of transition)

                                                              jms


------------------------------


Date: 23-Apr-96 15:16:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan P. Biddle <73260.1450@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

 Alan P. Biddle <73260.1450@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this normal, or is the local station cutting them off?

       No, the time required for the promo has been taken up by the
contest commercial; now that the contest is over, the promos will
return.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 15:16:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Sic Transit Vir>

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> Could you tell us what the line would have been about the
> bound-up Narn?

       No, the only line was that "the Narn is recovering in Medlab,"
something to that effect.  Sigh....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 15:16:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

 Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you any information on how many people have joined the fan
> club so far?? Also what % is US and what % is outside the US?
> Are the numbers what you expected higher/lower??

       Right now, without any advertising of note, mainly word of
mouth, we've got over 2,000 members so far.  We're adding about 150 per
day.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 15:16:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <STV-a few ?>

{original post unavailable}

       Yeah, I wasn't happy with that aspect of the promo either
(which was the national spot, not cut by the stations).  It's kinda
like doing a promo for Citizen Kane, "...it all began with a child's
sled named Rosebud...."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 15:20:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Marcon Dinner for CISers

 (blocked) asks:
> OK, who's going to Marcon in Columbus?
> Who's interested in a CIS get-together for dinner on Saturday
> evening? Who else?

       That should be confirmed attendence at the *con*, not
necessarily at dinner; they've got me booked pretty solid....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 15:20:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mihai Farcas <103346.2717@compuserve.com>
Subject: Renewal or not?

 Mihai Farcas <103346.2717@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can we all chill out and await a reliable reply - like from JMS?

       I've said it a dozen times...*no one will know anything until
the early part of May at the SOONEST*.  The people who make the
decision aren't scheduled to have their meeting to START discussing it
until then.

       So ANYthing you hear, either way, on this from anyone prior to
that time is simply unsubstantiated rumor and can be dismissed.

       We remain cautiously optimistic.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 20:05:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Melissa G. on B5?

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, Melissa appears in two episodes this season, toward
the latter part of the season, in an role that...it's just...well,
words fail me. Otherwise I'd tell you.

      (running like hell....)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 20:05:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TV Guide Ad...

{original post unavailable}

      The ad was placed by WB, and you can leave a note for them via
www.babylon5.com.  It's a great ad, and as you say, about time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 23-Apr-96 20:05:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Question

{original post unavailable}

      It's not a fractal pattern, though you're right, it does kinda
resemble that.  And the massing along the border was to delineate the
line between the two halves, as cut up by Morden and Londo.  That may
change, however....

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!

{original post unavailable}

      Shouldn't be long; we're still turning out some of the stuff for
the club, like the posters; give us a bit.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: A look Back...

{original post had no questions}

      Nothing to apologize for; wasn't annoyed.  It's just that I've
seen this misperception a lot lately, and finally just decided, "Okay,
let's straighten this out once and for all."  Any vehemence was
intended for the subject, not the poster.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Melissa G. on B5?

 (blocked) asks:
> Two eps, eh?
> ...uh...do we gotta wait til fall to see them?

      It'll be toward the latter end of the season; haven't gotten a
final schedule yet from WB.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Will Gearhart <102147.2670@compuserve.com>
Subject: Query

 Will Gearhart <102147.2670@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who are you?
> And, what do you want?

      I don't know

      and

      To finish this story.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: stoney truett <71623.2377@compuserve.com>
Subject: PATRICK MAGOOHAN

 stoney truett <71623.2377@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you know what MacGoohan is up to these days?
> Could you clarify this?

      I don't know what he's doing these days, though happily
Braveheart seems to have brought him out of retirement.  He's simply
one of the best actors I've ever seen.

      We'd approached him in year one with a part, and things seemed
to be going well, until we were told he would be out of the country,
which nixed it. We'll get him yet.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bruno Melancon <102647.3222@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  Yeah, because we've played back and forth with this
stuff before, a la the Inquisitor, it *could've* been him, which made
it all the more interesting.  Certainly Marcus *wanted* it to be
him....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: Renewal or not?

 Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> asks:
> You wouldn't do that to us, right?
> RIGHT??
> That's even cuter than teddy bears (ugh!!) Uh, Joe, you wouldn't,
> Right?!??? the baseball bat?

      Wow, thanks for all of that, and for the letter(s).  They'll be
eminently helpful.  The hard work is much appreciated.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 24-Apr-96 22:18:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: Melissa Gilbert on B5

{original post had no questions}

      Wait and see...

                                                              jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 01:05:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David E. Francis <72047.2070@compuserve.com>
Subject: TV Guide Ad...

{original post had no questions}

      There's a certain perverseness in making those on the side of
light wear black uniforms.  It reverses our expectations.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 01:05:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Book Tours Status

{original post unavailable}

      ...sigh...I just wish they were better books....

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 01:07:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of SF-TV

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...from your mouth to Hugo's ears....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 01:16:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 copied ST

{original post unavailable}

      The only problem with your theory is that there was never, ever,
at any time, any notion of copying Star Trek, and that perception tends
to exist only in those who don't generally know the full, rich
background of SF.  This show owes more conceptually to historical
themes, and the kinds of sagas that come down to us in the Lensman
books, Childhood's End, the Foundation books, Dune and others than any
TV show, including and especially Star Trek.

      The only similarity between ST and B5 is that they are both in
the future, and both set in space.  That's it.  Are you also willing to
state that every SF novel set in the future, in space, is *also*
copying Star Trek? Including those published before there ever WAS a
Star Trek?  And of course let's not even get INTO the Forbidden Planet
question.

      While I appreciate the *sentiment* of your note, I would commend
to you your local library, and the works of Heinlein, Clark, Asimov,
Sturgeon, Bradbury, Lovecraft, Dunsany, Russell, Smith and others. 
Your points of reference may need some measure of enlargement.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 13:42:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Franklin's Dad

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks.  I'm looking to find a way to bring Franklin's father
back into the storyline now, to help resolve this.  (Note: no
suggestions, please.)  I think he would tend to fall on the other side,
and it'd be good to show that some people may think that yes, there's a
problem, but you solve that problem from within, not by breaking away. 
Could make for some nice drama....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 13:42:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  Yes, the Delenn/Arthur moment played out very well; no
lines, not a word, just the images, and the emotions under the surface.

       And thanks on the titles.  I often labor a long time on these
things, to try and give them many layers, or turn the title in on
itself, or do a play on words.  I can't start work on a script until I
have a title, because the title sets the mood.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 13:42:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episode Order

{original post had no questions}

       Yes, that would've been the ideal order *in that* it would've
let the first batch of eps here in the US end on an arc episode, and
wouldn't have let that thread sit for quite so long.  But we needed the
extra time to make the EFX right.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 13:42:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Book Tours Status

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  I guess I'm just kinda hard on my own stuff.  DN was
the first novel I'd ever written, and it was a learning experience.  I
came out of it better able to do the next one, and there are any number
of ways I'd go back and improve the first book.  Ah, well...as someone
once noted, "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 16:45:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Book Tours Status

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks.  Actually, there's far more bio in OtherSyde than
probably should've been there....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 16:45:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: stoney truett <71623.2377@compuserve.com>
Subject: PATRICK MAGOOHAN

 stoney truett <71623.2377@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since it did not work out, was the part played by someone else or
> was it dropped?

       No, the part went to someone else.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 16:45:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Melissa Gilbert on B5

{original post unavailable}

       Yes, you'll be seeing Theo again later this season in "And the
Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 25-Apr-96 22:17:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Late Delivery>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> (Btw, is there any chance that we can get a date, as in month and
> day, for this event?) Is it safe to say that the actual E-M war
> started within the same year, or did it start a year later? 
> Anything you can add to this would be of tremendous help.) Are we
> actually likely to learn more about the circumstances surrounding
> the Prometheus's attack on the Minbari ship and all?

      The contact was made late in the year, and while that was the
first blow, it takes a while for any war to really get going; you
aren't at war instantly.  The Minbari had to pull their forces
together, make the open declaration of war, establish supply lines and
all the other elements needed for warfare.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26-Apr-96 00:14:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Newspaper Article

 (blocked) asks:
> Who is rightous and who is just egotistical?"
> I wonder if this critic has watched and enjoyed B5?

      Could you possibly send me a copy of that review?  I'd
appreciate it. You can send it along to me at the following address:

      14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

      Thanks!

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 26-Apr-96 21:07:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: stoney truett <71623.2377@compuserve.com>
Subject: PATRICK MAGOOHAN

{original post had no questions}

      It would've been Knight Two in "Sky."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26-Apr-96 21:07:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5 copied ST

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, and I agree with all your points.  And yes, it's a
lesson or a point of view worth examining, these days in particular.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 26-Apr-96 21:07:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com>
Subject: Demon with a Glass Hand

 Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, I know how busy both you and Harlan are, and I know that
> Harlan's main job right now is to get well, but do you think that
> Trent will ever set foot on B5?

      Dunno...we'll see.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27-Apr-96 01:55:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <A Late Delivery...>

{original post unavailable}

      Ended up at A. Sabella's over by the Embarcadero...great place.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 27-Apr-96 15:16:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Franklin's Dad

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> What is B5's status vis-a-vis people coming and going there from
> Earth? If I wanted to go from Earth to B5 what would I have to do?
> Vise-versa, if I wanted to go home to Earth (after the
> deportations were over) could I get a direct fliight and how
> would I be received?

      It's very difficult now; you have to go through secondary
routes, and travel papers take forever to get processed.

      We'll actually mention this aspect later in the season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27-Apr-96 22:37:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com>
Subject: Epic Bab5

 Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm assuming that this was intentional?

      No, so far, I'd say your analysis was quite good.  To some
extent, you also have to go outside strict Greek storytelling structure
in terms of saga and also go into classic Greek theater, especially the
tragedies.

      In that particular form, a character may have a destiny, or
there's a prophecy, and the character does all he can to avoid that
destiny, but everything he does only brings him closer to it. 
Certainly there's a lot of that in Londo, for instance.

      There's also the thematic issues of hubris, of the descent into
the underworld, the oracle, and other elements of Greek and general
mythic storytelling.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27-Apr-96 22:37:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Minbari Souls>

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> If this is so, how can Minbari souls be flitting over to humans?
> How does that sound, or do I have it all messed up?

      That's close....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 27-Apr-96 22:37:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Actor's reaction?>

 Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now that the actors have finished filming season 3, and are 9
> episodes ahead of us, can you tell us what their reaction is to
> the changes you've wrought?

      Well, most of the actors have split now that filming's over for
the season, scattering to the four winds...but I'd say overall that
they're all very pleased at how their characters have been changed,
what's happened, and seeing how it's been *massively* cranked up for
next season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 00:27:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah, there's a small clue about the third age in the discussion
between Marcus and Franklin about the ranger pin.  I mean, it's really
pretty blatant.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 00:30:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Actor's reaction?>

{original post had no questions}

      They're *always* surprised, it seems....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Martin Shaw <101642.505@compuserve.com>
Subject: Communicators

 Martin Shaw <101642.505@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was curious as to what is used to keep the communicators on the
> back of the B5 staffs hands? Presumably what you use IRL is
> different from what is used in the B5 universe ? Sorry to drag
> this up again, but when can we expect B5 to appear on laserdisc ? 
> will it be sometime after the tv series has been completed (in
> two years time)?

      My thought is that it's a molecular compound that naturally
adheres to the epidermis.

      No word on disks yet; when there's something to announce, you
won't have to ask about it, I'll be blasting it all over the place.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks on both counts....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

{original post unavailable}

      Not the work per se in terms of being influenced, but the
attitude that goes into the work, yes.  I've stood at Stonehenge at
dawn, the place more or less empty, walked along the circular stones at
Avebury, and stood in the deep cavernous center of a pre-bronze age
burial mound in Ireland...when you do these things, you begin to
understand what *time* is, and how we in this country don't really know
what that is yet.  It can affect how you perceive a lot of things, and
in the end, that always feeds back into the writing.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Death of Ducat>

 JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com> asks:
> How was she able to have his "blood on my hands" if the ship was
> destroyed?

      Franklin's line in Avalon indicates that a couple of ships were
destroyed *and* Dukhat was killed.  You basically had one big convoy
meeting another; the ship on which Dukhat was present was badly damaged
but not destroyed.  Dukhat and a number of others on board were killed.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now it begins, eh?
> Just how big are the Medlabs?
> Is it like a modern hospital with 250 beds and so on?
> So when we see Medlabs, are we seeing the equivalent of a
> critical care unit? Immediately, she asks, "What have you heard
> about Babylon 5? Is it renewed?

      Thanks.  That's great to hear.  (Yours is the first reaction
I've seen to the ep.)

      There are a number of medlabs, which are broken into various
areas; each has a larger wing attached to it, which we've seen on
occasion, such as when the young girl in "Legacies" is in the infirmary
in bed, same with Shon in "Believers."  They each have a pretty fair
capacity for patients.

      Beyond that...thanks again.  This is a particularly good
episode, I think, a real turning point in the show.  (And I'm pleased
that this is one ep where I've more or less managed to keep advance
info down to a minimum.) Everyone did a great job.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 15:43:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <...Avalon>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> I wonder how long it will be before "I take great comfort in the
> general hostility and unfairness of the universe" starts showing
> up in sigs?

      Thanks.  I'd say more, but you kinda covered it all, and quite
nicely.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 18:40:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 !!@***!!@*%^**

{original post unavailable}

      "BUT THEN AGAIN I WILL NEVER EVER WATCH IT"

      Ah...an open mind is a wonderful thing to behold.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 18:44:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> What might this special video-cam see in your current environs?

      "What might this special video-cam see in your current
environs?"

      A monitor, a keyboard, and an obsessive-compulsive.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 22:12:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Matthew Zubillaga <75211.2455@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour 25

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks; maybe it's something that could be done after the
two-parter. We'll see....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 22:12:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

 Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who built it?
> The Rangers or technicians on the B5 payroll?
> Also, how much have the former Earth Force personel stationed on
> B5 been told about the Shadows and the coming war?

      Thanks.  Yes, everybody's agendas remain the same...but for the
moment, they are on the same alignment.  As soon as it's over, as
Ivanova says, he'll turn on them, no mistake.  Enlightened
self-interest, nothing more.

      The new command center was cobbled from what's on the station,
with some additional Minbari funding.  And yes, by now, pretty much the
whole crew knows what's at stake with the shadows.  And now that
they're not hiding anymore, the whole *thing* is out in the open.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 22:12:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Ship of Tears-spoilers

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was the alien that committed suicide and put acid all on his body
> the same species as we saw in the dream sequence operating on the
> woman?

      Yep.  Same species.

                                                                jms

------------------------------

Date: 28-Apr-96 22:12:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Ship of Tears, Telepaths

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> If all the Narn telepaths are dead, what happened to the Narn
> telepaths that helped G'Quon defeat the Shadows?

      Those were the last remaining ones, the older telepaths, their
children all killed, too old now to produce any further children, and
the technology of cloning or genetics was still way beyond them.

      The story of the last crusade of G'Quan is actually quite
interesting; I hope to get it into the show at some point.  Right now
it's mainly background, even though I've worked it out fully.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 29-Apr-96 12:57:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Vicki Mitchell <76234.1317@compuserve.com>
Subject: Forgiveness & "Avalon"

 Vicki Mitchell <76234.1317@compuserve.com> asks:
> Delenn has absolved the humans of their guilt in the
> Earth/Minbari war by forgiving "Arthur"/David McIntyre -- but has
> she forgiven herself for her role in the war? And if not, is there
> anyone among the humans from whom she could accept absolution?

       You're right, that's a good question.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 12:57:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Lynne Caulfield <101647.2616@compuserve.com>
Subject: Babylon 5 !!@***!!@*%^**

{original post had no questions}

       "Persuade me!"

       I made the show.  The show speaks for itself.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 12:57:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks...it's a good one, no mistake.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 12:57:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Ship of Tears, Telepaths

 (blocked) asks:
> Would you consider writing it up as a novel, to ease your
> transition (the one you say you want) away from TV?

       One crisis at a time....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 15:14:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Fan Club Idea

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> Whattaya think?

       The shadows will love it....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 15:14:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James kemp <101765.1507@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

 James kemp <101765.1507@compuserve.com> asks:
> What about the bath robe and the baseball bat?
> His anti RMES litchness.What does this button do ?
> ?

       "What about the bathrobe and the baseball bat?"

       That's not a baseball bat.

       But thank you for saying so.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 15:14:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

 Daniel M. Upton <75442.1331@compuserve.com> asks:
> And by the way, any word on renewal?

       We won't hear on that until mid-May or so.  If there were word,
you wouldn't have to inquire.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 16:44:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

 (blocked) asks:
> Enjoying your hiatus, are you?

       Can't help it...I've got stark, staring mad....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 18:05:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark <70004.1111@compuserve.com>
Subject: Shadow defeat, 1st time?

 Mark <70004.1111@compuserve.com> asks:
> How were the shadows defeated the first time around?
> telepaths involved also?

       Who can say...?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:41:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: Franklin's Dad

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> In that outline you have in your computer or wherever (the one
> that's triple encrypted), how much detail do you have the series
> mapped out? Obviously the major points -- who does what to whom,
> and where it happens -- are there, but what about the little
> stuff? Is Season 5 mapped out in great detail or just rough
> outline?

      It varies; some aspects are extensively mapped out, some are
left a little open to allow for spontaneity.  A lot is in a
triple-encrypted computer file, which I consult as needed; the rest I
carry in my head.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:52:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour 25

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> What day/time is Hour 25 broadcast in LA?

      H25 is usually broadcast 10 p.m. to Midnight Friday nights.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:52:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: Story of G'Quon

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since you already have the story of how G'Quon defeated the
> shadows figured out, would you consider simply posting the story
> on the internet?

      I think I'd rather hold it for now, on the chance that I can use
it somewhere, or in time turn it into something larger.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:52:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Avalon and 3d age>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Speaking of the Ranger pin, can you please give me the spelling
> for the Minbari word that Marcus used for the pin's surface or
> gem?

      The name of the Ranger pin is spelled Isil'zha.  I'll have to
look up the other word.

      The Minbari term for Ranger One, btw, is Entil'zha.

      Z'ha'dum is where the shadows live.  Odd, that reversal....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:52:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

 SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks:
> Whereabouts on the sound stages did you fit it in?

      Since we're not using the casino much this season -- not a lot
of room for frivolity -- we yanked it out and put up the war room on
stage C.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 29-Apr-96 21:52:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears-Bester>

 James R. Kapesis <104154.27@compuserve.com> asks:
> Franklin able to help Bester's girlfriend or is she still on the
> station?

      It'll be a long time before Bester's ladyfriend comes anywhere
near being whole again.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 00:25:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: >>Late Delivery<<

{original post unavailable}

      It wasn't that they didn't know about the gun ports, they did,
it's just that since the start of the war, they hadn't run into any
Minbari warships that did this, there was no reason for it...until they
learned what was going on.  For all they knew, it could've been
trouble.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 00:32:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Death of Ducat>

{original post unavailable}

      That's correct, yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 00:32:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Ship of Tears<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> I assume we will be learning more about the aliens in Carolyn's
> visions? Was the fact that there are no telepaths left on Narn
> part of the reason the Shadows were so eager to help the Centauri
> destroy them? Easy prey without "weapons" - a nice first battle?
> Will we learn what became of the other telepaths aboard the
> transport?

      Certainly, that there were no teeps on Narn made them easy
targets, as were their ships.  They would also have a vested interest
in subduing them because of the knowledge they have, revealed here.  If
you'll remember, in "Matters of Honor," they mention to Morden that
they've only been able to track down some Narn legends.  Morden's
reply: "Well, we've taken care of that problem."  Had G'Kar not been
out and about, they might have succeeded.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 30-Apr-96 19:58:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Babylon 5 !!@***!!@*%^**

 (blocked) asks:
> Did you notice Henry Briscoe's comment to me, yesterday?

      No, I agree, that a serious inquiry can merit good responses
that lead to the person checking out the show.  It's just when somebody
comes in and demands or tells you to "defend" the show, I've never yet
seen a situation where the person had any interest in the answer...they
just like to see people have to defend themselves on that which does
not require defense.

      I've been on the nets 15 years...I know all the routines by
heart.

                                                                   jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 19:58:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5Sword Logo

 Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com> asks:
> If there's no potential conflict and any one is interested, may I
> upload it?

      I suppose it could be uploaded (if included with proper link
info to the B5 web page)...but yeah, just run it past me first so's I
can check it out.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 19:59:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Ship of Tears>

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, the teaser you saw isn't from the two-parter, it's
from "Interludes and Examinations," which airs just before "War."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 19:59:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Ship of Tears- Narns?>

{original post unavailable}

      No, apparently the rights negotations between the production
company and the apparent rights owner (First) ran into unresolved
rights questions from Ostrander, who says *he* has the rights...and now
it'll have to go into arbitration.  Since it'll take 90 days to
conclude that arbitration, that'll eat up my window of opportunity to
do the script before B5 would get going for year four...so it'll have
to wait at least a year now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 23:55:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS: gun port=respect?

{original post unavailable}

      It goes back a long time...if you look at certain members of the
animal kingdom, they will often flash their teeth or growl to establish
their identity, to show equality with someone else.  You have to step
outside a human perspective and ask how an alien would show respect,
which may not be how we would logically do so.  (Heck, in many cultures
here on earth, a perfectly normal habit -- crossing your legs and the
bottom of your foot showing -- is taken as a grave insult in some
cultures.  Certain customs are deeply rooted in cultural backgrounds or
incidents that are often incomprehensible to us.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 30-Apr-96 23:59:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Story of G'Quon

{original post unavailable}

      The book was made by Mark Walters of our prop department; and
when all is said and done...it'll likely end up in my office....

      Creation hath its perks.

                                                                  jms