lurkers-guide/ftp/CompuServe/cs96-11

JMS CompuServe messages for November 1996.  Collected by John Hardin
<jhardin@wolfenet.com>.

Date: 01 Nov 1996 00:43:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum - Praise

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...it's some of the best work we've ever done.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 01 Nov 1996 20:31:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum - Praise

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, much appreciated.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 01 Nov 1996 20:31:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum - Praise

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...I appreciate it.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 01 Nov 1996 20:31:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: great chess game ?

{original post unavailable}

      Well, starting from the death of Kosh, we've been in the myth
cycle. That now has to play itself out.

      And thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 00:20:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS Hospital rumor FALSE

{original post had no questions}

      Kevin: by reposting this information in any form whatsoever, you
have contributed grief to my life.  The stage was flooded with phone
calls while I was at the editing bays about this.

      There is this crummy logic in internetdom which says, "since
information is power, my status can increase the faster I can get info
out to others."

      This kind of rumor is hurtful.  It causes me grief in running it
down; it tied up the switchboard at work; it harrassed many people at
work.

      Understand this absolutely clearly: if anything ever does
happen, I have people at the stage who will post specific and precise
information.  If ever you see a rumor about this, you know *instantly*
that it's not true, because if it were true, it would come instantly
from those involved, and you wouldn't have to HEAR it from any other
source.

      The original poster was bad enough; reposting gossip, rumors or
other nonsense is just as bad.  You should never have posted it in the
first place; many people cited your message as the reason they were
tying up our switchboard.

      Never, ever do this to me again.

      Am I perfectly, crystal clear?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 00:20:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil J. Nagler <103522.1540@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z

 Neil J. Nagler <103522.1540@compuserve.com> asks:
> What can I say?

"I'm still low, because I still want to go up from here. How Joe will
do it is beyond me."

      What, there can only be one 10 in four years?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 00:20:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z - Sheridan

{original post unavailable}

      Nope.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 02 Nov 1996 13:54:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z Questions, Comment

 Michael N. Rubinste <74012.147@compuserve.com> asks:
> I also love how you added yet another wrinkle to the ambiguity of
> the time-travel paradox: Was Delenn warning Sherridan not to do
> what he *did* do, or not to do what he *didn't* do? If the
> Shadows' goal is to help evolution along by covertly getting the
> various races to fight each other (which they were doing a fine
> job of for a while there), then why did they then start attacking
> directly? Was it because they had now decided who the winners
> were, and were "culling" the losers? Are you saying that Sherridan
> fought not one, but several Shadows with his BARE HANDS and got
> away from them?? Are they so weak physically?
> Have they no amazing mental powers or weapons with which to
> subdue him? How did they kill Kosh then?

      Well, look what happened when the shadows came out and attacked
a couple of places...first they did so without anyone knowing it was
them doing it, as we've shown.  So now everyone's running around like
ants, scurrying for cover and trying to figure out what the hell's
going on, accusing one another...then the Centauri got the credit/blame
for it, causing further conflict...then they came out and sent everyone
scurrying again, some to make alliances they thought would protect
themselves (and thus enable them to make war on their neighbors, as
shown), only to have that fall apart and they turn on themselves/each
other.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 21:36:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 4 Title

 Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now, any chance you could broadcast ALL of season 4 one night
> this week??

      Thanks.  The details are everything, in a show like this, and
it's great when they're appreciated.

      As for season one...we learned last week that when the show is
finally over, TNT will be stripping the show, starting with the pilot
straight through all the seasons.  Stripping means airing every day, 5
days a week.  I think it'll be great.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 21:36:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Fountain <74023.221@compuserve.com>
Subject:  Z'ha'dum

{original post had no questions}

      I thank you, and our lawyers thank you....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 21:36:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum........ wow.

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did Anna have a Keeper?
> Was that the epidermal scarring?
> Was she real, or was she Memorex?
> Was this the end of John and Delenn?
> What did Sheridan ask Garibaldi to do?
> And what was the fourth part of the post you put on Usenet months
> ago, when you finally broke down and gave us a synopsis of the
> episode? Now that their plan to subvert him has failed, we may
> find out more, eh? Then again, we don't really know what a Vorlon
> looks like, do we?

      Thank you.  You're most kind.

      Funny, on the line about "started watching B5 waiting for it to
impress me."  I've heard much the same from many others.  I think we've
all been burned so many times by SF shows that we had a real burden
here to prove what we could do, and how we would do it.  You kinda
don't want to have your heart broken anymore.  I'm glad we were able to
come through.  It's a show I'm very proud of.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 02 Nov 1996 21:36:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com>
Subject: Conf 2nd Nov

 colin heaps <100622.3610@compuserve.com> asks:
> Whilst I have your attention, do you have any plans to release
> the blooper reels though the Fan Club, and maybe the UK fan club
> also??

      No immediate plans for the bloopers...and thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:42:44 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin Butler <75034.2007@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 4 Title

 Kevin Butler <75034.2007@compuserve.com> asks:
> One question though; do you think that the Whitestar will be
> destroyed, or did it survive?

      White Star blowed up REAL good.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:51:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Season 4 Title

{original post unavailable}

      Yes, they'll continue to run it as long as it does well.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:51:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil J. Nagler <103522.1540@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z

 Neil J. Nagler <103522.1540@compuserve.com> asks:
> Otherwise, what's a heaven for?"

      Fine.

      Just fine.

      Break a mother's heart....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:51:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum........ wow.

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, and yeah, it was kind of serendipity about the two shows
with "wife taken over" premises.  Can't help but lead to "compare and
contrast."

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:51:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: ZDH question

 Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> asks:
> My question is one I haven't seen asked yet -- what about Morden?
> Is he now an ex-Morden?
> For that matter, is Justin an 'ex' as well?

      What about Morden?  Oh, wait about 7 days, you'll find out.

      And thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 01:51:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z - praise part 104

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks....

      Adam also directed "Passing Through Gethsemane," and is
unfortunately now off doing network shows, and not available to us.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Stern cheers B5

 (blocked) asks:
> Wasn't Imus ( that other NY D.J ) in the WWE episode on B4 ?

      No, that wasn't him.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Music Scores

 (blocked) asks:
> Joe, who decides what musical scores go into each episode?
> or does it work that way?

      We contract with Christopher Franke for the full season, and he
provides all music cues.  We can't take outside stuff, it all has to be
work for hire.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 awards

 (blocked) asks:
> Does WB know about all these awardsB5 is getting?
> Were they present at the awards ceremonies?
> Do they F@$#ing care?

      WB cares about some of them, others they don't understand.

      My best to your wife, and her grief hasn't started yet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Kuntzler <76702.1236@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Truth Comes Out!

 Al Kuntzler <76702.1236@compuserve.com> asks:
> How could you hold this back, Joe?

      It's a terrible and ugly history.  Dozens of dead bodies left
lying in the ring.  Referees knocked unconscious.  You don't wnat to
know.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Day & Night on B5

 (blocked) asks:
> Have you developed any affinity towards science fiction/space now
> that you have written/produced an epic like B5 ? When B5 is over (
> a very sad day indeed ), and you go onto other projects, will
> they be science fiction/space oriented as well ? Does this mean B5
> has a sense of day and night ? And why was Sheridan so interested
> in the wrong door when he was told, 'no it's not that one, it's
> over here' ? Are you ever going to release the notes/revisions you
> have been taking on B5 since 1986 ?

      Actually, I was an SF fan *long* before I ever did Murder, She
Wrote.

      And yes, there's a day/night cycle on B5, it seems appropriate.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com>
Subject:  Z'ha'dum

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, and I'm hoping somehow the situation there can be worked
out.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum........ wow.

{original post unavailable}

      Actually, no, what happens within WWE can't be really shown in
the current arc, only anticipated and the ground laid in place for all
that to happen.

      And thanks....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Hour of the Wolf

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> This isn't going to be another solo year, is it?

      Thanks.  Yeah, everybody's just cooking on this one, it has a
very filmic, grand look to it.  I love it a lot.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 15:22:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi

 (blocked) asks:
> Garibaldi because he would be the one to replace Sheridan if
> Sheridan was killed ?

      Perhaps.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 03 Nov 1996 17:07:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin Butler <75034.2007@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 4 Title

 Kevin Butler <75034.2007@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will Londo become the emperor when, and if, he takes his new
> position on Centauri Prime?

      Well, eventually, yes.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Music Scores

 (blocked) asks:
> What does work for hire mean?

      It means it's done on assignment, as part of a package, rather
than buying something created independently and acquiring the rights.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Truth Comes Out!

{original post unavailable}

      I have certainly had a varied and colorful career.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Za'ha'dume

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> One innocuous question: In Z'ha'dum, were those Bruce & Melissa's
> actual wedding photos, or were they special ones you had shot for
> the show? One not-so-innocuous question: is it safe to assume that
> Anna, Morden, and Justin were all roasted in the White Star
> blast? so he'll be doing the season 4 opening credits, eh?

      Yes, we used their actual wedding photos.

      And I did see the Dynamic Druggie Duo on Roseanne (the only time
I've ever watched it).  They were in fine form.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum/Doom Itself

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> I can't imagine carrying around ALL of theses richly-drawn
> characters in the fullness of their stories over such an extended
> time -- are there any words to describe what that feels like for
> you?

"I can't imagine carrying around ALL of theses richly-drawn characters
in the fullness of their stories over such an extended time -- are
there any words to describe what that feels like for you?"

It feels like a chicken giving birth to a tyrannosaurus rex.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z editing question

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah, I did want to leave open the question of what happened to
the others, just for a bit.

      Thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 17:27:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Justin's motions

 (blocked) asks:
> Or was that just the actor?

      It was an actor's choice.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 04 Nov 1996 20:15:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: Garibaldi Preview?

 Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
> Garibaldi, does the preview also contain more spoilers than
> usual?

      Dunno, I never see the preview until it airs, same as everybody
else.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 01:59:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z'ha'dum

{original post unavailable}

      That will continue to be funny for just about as long as it
takes for me to find out where you live....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 01:59:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour Packed

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> One question: Do I take it that you're going to hold off a while
> before telling us how Sheridan and Morden survived? When can we
> expect some sort of answer as to how Sheridan managed to survive
> so intact?

      Thanks.  I'll string out the Sheridan info for a while; as for
Morden, as he said, his associates can repair flesh, replace flesh
(though where they got replacements from is something I don't want to
know)....

      It's definitely a packed episode.  I still find myself realizing
that the end of act one feels like two acts.  And the next three are
every bit as intense, if not moreso.  I love it....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 01:59:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Purple Londo

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Didn't want another episode like what happened with Delenn's
> dress, eh?

      I never make the same mistake.

      I just learn how to make new ones.

      (And I'm very pleased with that scene...it's kinda goofy, with
the minister in particular...he's just nuts.  Well, not as much as
Cartagia, obviously....)

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:19:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com>
Subject: !!B5 SIM GROUP MEETING!!

 Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who/what actually owns the copyright to Babylon 5 and any spin
> offs? Sure you as creator own copyright on the ideas and
> characters, along with the stories you write, while WB have
> copyright on the finished product? Or is it about 234 times more
> complicated than that?

      It's 573 times more complicated than that, but bottom
line...Warner Bros. owns the complete compyright to Babylon 5, lock,
stock and barrel, the same as with any show, as ST is a Paramount
property.  It's the nature of the beast.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:19:56 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Music Scores

 (blocked) asks:
> Can someone market themselves to develop material specifically
> for the show under those conditions? Its like saying, hey, Im a
> musician and Id like to do some music scores for your show, do
> you like my style, are you interested?

      No, you must understand, we commit for full seasons, not per
episode.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Extras

 (blocked) asks:
> Is extra work valuable experience in getting larger parts?
> Is this true?
> Has every extra on B5 completed some sort of "offical acting
> class"?

      I know little of any use about acting.  I don't know if being an
extra helps or not; most extras I know do only that, nothing more, and
if you have no lines, you can't progress.  Acting seminars are
necessary and good, but the high priced exploitive ones are to be
avoided.  Best to have her hook up with a theater and do a lot of that;
most of our actors on the show, guest and regulars, are folks with lots
of theatrical (stage) training and experience.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ronald Legro <75136.2066@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum - Praise

{original post had no questions}

      I'll definitely keep working on it.  Thanks.

      Odd...I thought "uffda" was of Swedish or Norwegian origin.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Z editing question

{original post unavailable}

      You are correct.

      I hope you had money riding on this.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Purple Londo

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you envision the character that way, or did the actor and the
> character merge into something wonderful?

      Innocent and fragile is a good description...and certainly the
dialogue is written that way, and we cast him because he matches that
character.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
Subject: WOLF IS EPIC!!

 S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com> asks:
> Didn't it have some of the first season music incorporated into
> it?

      Thanks.  It's a terrific episode.  The music now echoes season
one because in some thematic areas, we're starting to bend back on
ourselves, and close some circles, as you'll see soon.

      That it affects the emotions is, for me, the goal.  If you can
make an audience *feel* something, in a medium as cold as TV, you've
done your job right.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:20:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>ZHD - Thoughts<<

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> If, however, we are fully human in our "native" state, that is,
> there is no where to go, then the question of "Who are you?" If
> the Shadows are evil and bad, what happens when the "good" start
> acting like the bad and take their eyes off their Ideal, and
> start striving for what they want? The Vorlons manipulate races
> genetic codes to create telepaths, they manipulate Sheridan to
> put him in a place to head the AOL so that he will wipe the
> Shadows away, and they are so sure that they have answered the
> question "Who are they?" Delenn and Kosh hide the truth from
> Sheridan, don't trust him to be who he is, and then excpect him
> to do what they ask? In trying to stop evil, the Vorlons and
> Minbari have fallen into the oldest trap that evil has, they have
> become what they fought, they have become so busy asking everyone
> else "Who are You?" while they were answering "What do you want?"
> By forgiving one another, and by being forgiven, they can begin
> to answer the question of "Who are they?" What do you think?

      That's an extremely good and cogent analysis.  And you hit the
theme right on the head, one we'll explore in year four with the
Vorlon/Shadow situation...and which was presaged in "Infection," right
in the first season, the first episode shot.  Sinclair says, in the
ultimate moment in that conflict, "You forgot the first rule of the
fanatic: When you become obsessed with the enemy, you *become* the
enemy."  That is what is happening here, with these two and other
parties.

      It all comes together....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 05 Nov 1996 21:30:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
Subject: WOLF IS EPIC!!

 S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com> asks:
> It reminded me of the "Zog" creature so perhaps it is something
> that these "old ones" can produce with a Draal type of
> technology?

      Check out "Voices of Authority."  You've seen those eyes before.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 06 Nov 1996 00:02:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ronald Legro <75136.2066@compuserve.com>
Subject: Z'Ha'Dum - Praise

 Ronald Legro <75136.2066@compuserve.com> asks:
> His refuge?

      That sounds about right.  Thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 06 Nov 1996 00:02:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>ZHD - Thoughts<<

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So is it safe to assume that the third age of mankind is wrapped
> up in this somehow? As I write this, I begin to wonder, are we
> seeing to some degree your own thoughts and/or strugles with
> divinity/God/existance, or have you tried to keep those out of
> this?

      I don't know if any of it is so much my thoughts on these areas,
as the questions I think we all have to look at.  My thoughts on their
own wouldn't light up a cheap flashlight.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 06 Nov 1996 18:21:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>ZHD - Thoughts<<

{original post had no questions}

       Thank you.  I can only hope that you are proven right by time,
and that the Nobel committee hears about it....

       As for answers...since I have none to give, I can't shove them
down anyone's throats.  And if I did have them, they'd only be *my*
answers, not anybody else's, so again, there's no point.

       I'm a big believer in the power of critical thinking; don't
just have an opinion, have an *informed* opinion, and challenge it
yourself, be rigorous.  Even if you come back to the same opinion
later, at least you will now be able to defend or explain your view
rationally.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 06 Nov 1996 18:21:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Hour Packed

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 07 Nov 1996 01:21:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 in Newsweek

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe-- You've probably read this already, but do you know if Bruce
> and Jerry will still be going to the launch, now that it's been
> delayed?

      Heard about it...don't know how the current schedule is with
them.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 07 Nov 1996 01:21:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Nick Murray <70003.1112@compuserve.com>
Subject: Marcon in Columbus, Ohio

 Nick Murray <70003.1112@compuserve.com> asks:
> How far in advance did the Marcon folks invite you for this past
> Marcon?

      Have no idea anymore.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 07 Nov 1996 01:21:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>ZHD - Thoughts<<

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So does thatmean you've formed the opinion that you have no
> answers, or is the show part of you trying to find answers?

      It means I have some ideas that work for me, but no Answers that
could work for anyone else.  I have rules and guidelines based on what
seems basic ethical behavior...but I'm constantly working to revise
them, and question if they work as well as they might.

      But it all comes down to what was said in Lost Horizon: "Be kind
to one another."

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 07 Nov 1996 19:34:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com>
Subject: (blocked)

 Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com> asks:
> It appears that trying to contact you via the moderated USENET
> newsgroup on the Internet is too hard to do using COMPUSERVE; but
> I understand from the Lurker's guide that this is still an
> acceptable forum? Did the Shadows, Vorlons and to a lesser extent
> the Minbari hit a technological plateau in those thousand years? 
> So how is Sheridan and company able to "compete" militarily with
> the Shadows (although coming off the short end of a 2-1 kill
> ratio is probably not exactly "competing")?

      Actually, the shadows are *much* older technologically than a
thousand years...that's just what Anna promised Sheridan we could jump
ahead, between 1 and 10,000 years.  They're profoundly older than that.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 07 Nov 1996 19:34:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com>
Subject: WOLF IS EPIC!!

 Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com> asks:
> What would I have to do to bribe you to tell me?
> As for the father voice, are you trying to make us paranoid and
> wonder if they Eyes may be Kosh?

      Yeah, I almost wouldn't worry too much about the background
stuff; this season starts some new threads that should be pretty easy
for a newbie to jump into.

      Enjoy the ride....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 07 Nov 1996 19:34:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: HotW - 2 planets

{original post unavailable}

      Nope.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 08 Nov 1996 00:16:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour of Wolf - No nits

 Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was there a note of humanity in his lines this time?

      Thanks.  RE: the opening...exactly.  The B5 story is told from
everyone's point of view, and they're all a part of it, so the opening
now reflects that.  And it gives me the chance to do an opening that's
sort of a prose poem, which is a nice touch.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 08 Nov 1996 14:40:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour Packed

 O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com> asks:
> By the way, would it be fair to suggest that in some ways, Justin
> was for the Shadows what Sebastian was for the Vorlons?

      Thanks.  And yeah, it's fun and interesting to see Londo now
having to deal with being in a sense on the same side as Sheridan, but
for vastly different reasons.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 08 Nov 1996 22:05:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Hour Packed

 (blocked) asks:
> Are you getting soft on us<g>, or was there a reason to give us
> the information here?

      To not do so would've been vastly unfair.  And it nicely
replaces one mystery, is or isn't he, with "who the heck is THAT?"

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 08 Nov 1996 22:05:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com>
Subject: Londo's Dream

 Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, now that we've seen most (maybe all?) of Londo's dream come
> to pass, how's Peter feel about the trip from there to here? Still
> astonished?

      He's pleased, let's put it that way.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 08 Nov 1996 22:05:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Drazispeak

{original post unavailable}

      Ambassadors have been learning as they've gone along; I took the
notion that the higher ups didn't have that much contact with humans,
so their grasp of english was halting at best, but over 4 years,
they've gotten better.  The grunts/lower echelons, though, are still
marginal at best.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 09 Nov 1996 14:30:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Some general questions

 (blocked) asks:
> what?
> I'd hope for some cinematic releases based in the B5 galaxy?
> Pretty please?
> Once a year or so?
> Do you have a bitmap of a set of closed doors on the station?
> Either to personnel quarters or to a docking bay, something like
> that? Would you know if any such pictures are available anywhere?

      I don't have any bitmaps per se of the doors, though there is a
door like image on the B5 web page, www.thestation.com based on our
doors (as I recall).

      We may do some TV movies to expand upon the arc, show things we
couldn't show in the series for budget reasons, but nothing cinematic
planned.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 14:30:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour Packed

 John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> asks:
> A somewhat annoyed Soul Hunter?

      Nope.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 14:30:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: <HotW> Wonderful

 Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are we shifting from hands to eyes as a theme?
> Does he have a name, or is he so swallowed up in his identity as
> a palace functionary that he doesn't need one? "Who are you?"
> "Who are you?"
> "How did I get here?"
> "Why am I here?
> "Well, that is the question, isn't it?"

      Yes, the last piece there is kind of the key, isn't it?

      I've always kept the minister just that, no name, for the
reasons you cite.  This is someone wh's a survivor, who bends with the
wind, and somehow keeps going by not being noticed, or taken seriously.

      And yes, this season I was noticing that eyes have become a
predominant image, from Lyta to the shadows to Lorien to some stuff
coming in the next few episodes...funny, how this stuff creeps up on
you.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 21:26:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Newsgroups

{original post unavailable}

      rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated

      Trust me on this.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 21:26:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

{original post had no questions}

      Er...there was *zero* CGI in that scene.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 21:38:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Stern cheers B5

 (blocked) asks:
> i have to ask you, what is your opinion of bob dole and all the
> stuff he had to say about hollywood?

      Television is a convenient target, nothing more.  In this
respect, and some others, Dole has his head up his ass.  When you don't
have anything else to offer, attack Hollywood.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 21:38:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com>
Subject: Spill The Beans

 Alan Mulvie <100566.1444@compuserve.com> asks:
> both positive and negative, to be an asset or a burden?
> What is the main arc for the next 18 months?

"Would YOU have continued with Babylon 5, in the way you have done so,
without the feedback from fans?"

      Absolutely.  More than anything else, I'm making the show, and
telling this story, for myself; it's the story I'd want to see.  I'm
doing it because I can't *not* do it.

"Do you feel the critasism. both positive and negative, to be an asset
or a burden?"

      Neither.  It's a sense of the room, which is always good, but in
general what you find is that for everything you do in a given episode,
there will be some who hate it, and some who love it...there is no
single strong concensus. So what you have to do is to just listen to
the inner voice of the story and follow that, regardless.  If you start
trying to second guess everyone's reaction...that way madness lies.

      On a personal side, it can sometimes be a bit stressful, but I
said I'd be accountable one way or another, and that promise stands.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 09 Nov 1996 21:38:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Season Four

 (blocked) asks:
> when will the new cd (soundtrack) come out?
> will corwin get a bigger role, and a spot on the openning
> credits? and, the names of who narrated the openning of season
> four in the order they narrated in?

"when will the new cd (soundtrack) come out?"

      I'm going to be getting the soundtrack in about 10 days from
Chris, so I can listen and approve or give notes.  That's the last
stage; the artwork is done, the liner notes are in, everything's done. 
So it should be fairly quickly thereafter.

"will corwin get a bigger role, and a spot on the openning credits?"

      There are currently no plans for that; the main cast is big
enough as it is.

"and, the names of who narrated the openning of season four in the
order they narrated in?"

      I have to do this from memory, but I think it's Bill, Jeff,
Andreas, Pat, Stephen, Jason, Mira, Peter, Richard, Claudia, Jerry and
Bruce.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 00:20:30 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: Blown Away

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> And, "Can you believe this is on TV?
> It's so much better than anything else?"

      Thanks.  I hope, and sometimes allow myself to think, that
you're right. This show is going to be around for a long, long time,
and I think it's going to be remembered and talked about.  It's a great
experiment, and my only regret is that its like will almost certainly
not come my way again.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 10 Nov 1996 14:50:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season Four

{original post had no questions}

      I think a year five opening would be just a still, unmoving
camera focused on me, collapsed at my desk....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 14:50:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Hour of the Wolf

 Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com> asks:
> What's the fun of writing if you can't confuse and surprise the
> audience?

      Thanks.  I keep adding and trying out different tools...so far
they seem to be working.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 14:50:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: WEH to Mr. Garabaldi

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks.  This one's a favorite of mine as well.  On the
Garibaldi scene, it was shot fairly conventionally, but as we got into
editing, I said, "Let's do something we don't normally do, let's try a
visual approach that's not usually part of SF shows."  So we put that
sequence together.  Again, my feeling is, break your format once in a
while or get stuck in a rut.  Take chances.  The worst that'll happen
is that you'll fail.

      It's a lovely episode.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 14:50:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Wolf>--Morden thoughts

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anne Strauss-Wiede <76614.2621@compuserve.com>
Subject: WOLF IS EPIC!!

 Anne Strauss-Wiede <76614.2621@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any coincidence between how the eyes appeared to Ivonova, et al
> and that when the Vorlonn appeared to Sheriden that he came as
> his father?

      I figured that they would both tend to use a patriarchal
influence, which would tie into so many races having that system.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Wolf>--Morden thoughts

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, and thanks for rediscovering us.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard L. Long <76562.2757@compuserve.com>
Subject: What EHT Mr Garibaldi

 Richard L. Long <76562.2757@compuserve.com> asks:
> would this be to enhance the show or tell more of the story or
> expand the story?

      Primarily, more money would let us enhance certain elements, but
the overall direction is what it is.  The money doesn't affect that one
way or another.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Hour of theWolf

 (blocked) asks:
> Is this the intent?
> Or, are we so much into the characters at this point that you
> just gotta "join in when you join in" and do your best to catch
> up?

      I dunno...I hear frequently from people who've joined the show
at much later points, and after just a couple of eps, are pretty much
up to speed. Certainly the recap is designed to help.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sheridans Mistake

{original post had no questions}

      Maybe he did...maybe he didn't.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 19:27:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: HotW--The Widening Gyre

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...yeah, it's kind of a hodge-podge of things, which I'm
trying to look at in different ways and reinterpret, putting in other
combinations than what may usually be the case.  It's really dancing on
the high wire time.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 10 Nov 1996 22:38:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com>
Subject: Whither Ivanova--Wolf

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah, it's deliberate...take 'em apart, separate 'em, see how
they react, and make everything as dark as possible in anticipation of
some kind of dawn, though getting there will be a struggle.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:38:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JIM BUSKIRK <70571.2357@compuserve.com>
Subject: captain's bar in "wolf"

 JIM BUSKIRK <70571.2357@compuserve.com> asks:
> what more could you ask for?
> "hour of the wolf" will you confirm for the record that the
> captain's bar that fell to the ground fell from Sheridan's chest? 
> or could it have been dropped from the "one moment of perfect
> beauty" 'creature' in "Matters Of Honor"?

      It's not a captain's bar it's a stat bar (gold for command, gold
and silver for command/administrative liaison, red for medical, green
for security), and it's Sheridan's.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:38:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Wolf general comments

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  Yes, by building up Cartagia offscreen, it helped pave
the way for what we do finally see.

      And the only reason to not hold back Sheridan for one more ep
was my feeling that if I held him *and* Garibaldi back, it'd be a bit
much.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:45:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dark Night?

 Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com> asks:
> will the show and/or the characters be going through something
> like that, where the tensions of the shadow war (both inside and
> out) come to a dramatic confrontation, emerging into the
> realization of hope??

      I'd say that's about right.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:45:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

 Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
> So the light beams streaming from Lyta to Kosh 2 as 'he' leaves
> were done with cel animation then?

      No, the streams were done on a flint, and there were not two
takes edited together, there was just the one continuous take.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:45:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

{original post unavailable}

      Yes...the CGI ref was to a fake Lyta head...and there wasn't
one.  The streams aren't technically considered CGI as we use it. 
That's roto work.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:45:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Season Four

{original post unavailable}

      Dunno, I'll find out when I hear it.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 02:45:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: <HotW>: Who's in charge?

 Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> What's the chain of command aboard B5?
> Who's next after her -- who was in command when Ivanova was off
> at Z'ha'dum?

      That would be Major Atumbe, who's been referred to a few times,
but not actually seen much.  And Corwin would also step in if needed.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sheridans Mistake

 (blocked) asks:
> You do this on purpose don't you?

       Hey, those cards are going for $300 a pop now...if you're going
to toss 'em, let others know where....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

 SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was curious to know if you have story approval over these and
> if the are considered B5 *canon* (for want of a better word)?

       In the past, we've tried to keep them canon in the broad
strokes, though in the details things fall out.  The new batch, though,
are being kept much closer to continuity....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dave Vincent <75460.1133@compuserve.com>
Subject: captain's bar in "wolf"

 Dave Vincent <75460.1133@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is Ivanova's stat bar gold and silver or (as I saw it) gold and
> green?

       Gold and silver.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:36 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Hour/Confirm?

{original post unavailable}

       No, and it' snot the same headpiece; the soul hunter had a
single jewel implanted in his head, nothing else.  This is more
crown-like, and has an actual headpiece.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carin Ekeroth <75313.3004@compuserve.com>
Subject: Orientation

{original post had no questions}

       In 2261, nobody much worries about categorizing people as one
thing or another...some can move in and out of various kinds of
relationships and no one thinks of it one way or another.  There is no
political agenda here, or saying "you are this, and if you do that,
you're not this anymore," or conversion, or anything of the sort.

       One can only wish that were more true today.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 11 Nov 1996 18:09:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

{original post unavailable}

       CGI is specifically graphics generated on a computer, usually
2d or 3d animation.  Roto work like the streams from Lyta's eyes are
done by hand, frame by frame.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 12:10:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season Four

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> Which reminds me, are you nearly ready to give us the new "season
> title"?

       When I'm ready....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 12:10:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Emperor's Journey

 (blocked) asks:
> Has Emperor Carpaggia (sp?) made his visit to Narn yet?

       Not yet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 12:10:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com>
Subject: Garibaldi History

 Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this in the correct order?
> Am I leaving out something?
> Was this the base at Syria Planum or is that another installation
> altogether? I seem to remember Garibaldi referring to
> investigating the Syria Planum base....did he make further
> inquiries or was the story just to coverup how he first
> discovered PsiCorps activities? Was Garibaldi's flirtatiousness
> with Talia genuine or a ploy to keep close to her without
> arousing the mole personality's suspicion?

       Sounds about right.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 12:10:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: WHT Mr. Garibaldi?

{original post had no questions}

       That's great, thanks....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 16:07:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: mason <73522.2652@compuserve.com>
Subject: hour of the wolf/etc

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...it's a great start.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 16:07:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Donna L. Schulman <72212.3265@compuserve.com>
Subject: Women's role in SF & B5

{original post had no questions}

       Actually, the ship was what technically saved them...Lennier
also began to fall under the influence of the shadow voice, as we saw. 
There was some forethought on his part, but the ship activated itself
on timer.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:26:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Pilot Question

{original post unavailable}

      It's to protect both.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:26:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Thanks

{original post unavailable}

      The Tony Dow on the show is indeed THAT Tony Dow.  And no one's
guessed Lorien per se.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:26:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

{original post unavailable}

      You're hallucinating....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:26:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: Wolf general comments

{original post had no questions}

"How does he DO that?"  "Do what, dear?" <my most innocent look>  "Get
hooked into your mind like that?"  All I could do was smile."

      Thanks...that's probably the ultimate compliment.

"Stephen's drop in weight did cause a small argument to break out
between me and a friend, who swears that Vir's and Londo's facial
weight was nothing more than appliances, while I was certain it was
their own."

      You're right, they're wrong...there was never any appliance to
add weight to them.

      And thanks again for the great report.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:26:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Whatever Happens

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> What can I say?
> It dawned on me today that Londo has finally answered the
> question of, "Who are you?" Now that he knows who he is, he knows
> that his answer to "What do you want?"

      Thank you...it's a very emotional episode, and one I like quite
a lot. Those are some great scenes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 12 Nov 1996 23:40:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carin Ekeroth <75313.3004@compuserve.com>
Subject: Orientation

 Carin Ekeroth <75313.3004@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why would I choose a marginal position in society?

"My point is that orientation, that who you fall in love with, is not
a matter of choice! Why would I choose a marginal position in society?
I operate very much in the mainstream as a senior executive in a large
multinational corporation and believe me - being openly gay is not the
most career enhancing thing I've ever done by a long shot! It is not
chosen and I don't believe you can switch orientation like changing
socks."

      Ah, but you see, here you are revealing your *own* prejudices. 
The gay community has adopted the "ther is no choice, this is how
you're born" argument for many political and social reasons, some of
them sound and reasonable, some of them less so.

      You say you want to enhance choices, but in that one paragraph
alone you are restricting the choices of others...one can not explore,
one cannot change one way or another, one is locked in for life.  Now,
in many cases, this may be true...but it is not true in all places, at
all times, for all people, and the lack of tolerance for lifestyle
choices you indicate does not speak well for you.

      I have many friends who are gay.  I have many friends who are
bi.  I know women who were involved with men exclusively for most of
their lives, then got involved with women exclusively for a number of
years.  Some are still there, and happy, some have flipped back again.

      The far right uses political agendas to restrict the choice of
other people..."nobody's naturally born gay, it's all teaching, and
it's against god's law," which is nonsense...and I'd hate very much to
see the same politicization going on at the *other* end of the
spectrum, in which there are only gays, and straights, and no room to
maneuver, and anybody else has something wrong with them somewhere.

      You go that way, and you're just exchanging a closet for a
straightjacket.  This, by my lights, is not progress.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 01:32:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: Some jms rules

      Okay, it's time for the usual recitation of email rules.

      1) Please do not send me inquiries about the storyline in
private email. You may think, "Well, it's just me," but at last Neilsen
count there were about 15 million of you out there, and only one of me.
I can't get into lengthy discussions about the plot or storylines in
email.  I end up answering the same questions multiple times, and the
answers go to only one person at a time.  If you have a story question,
ASK IT IN A PUBLIC FORUM, NOT IN EMAIL, so that others can benefit from
the answers.

      2) Please, please, PLEASE do not send me story ideas in email.

      3) Do not send jpgs or anything else that requires downloading;
I was hit by a trojan horse and virus lately, and consequently I have a
very firm no-download policy on anything else coming into me via email.

      4) Private email should be used for things you cannot discuss in
a public forum, or for which confidentiality is needed for other
reasons.  I'm swamped with 500 messages a day...if it doesn't have to
be sent email, please don't do so.

      5) Requests for agent suggestions, or requests to read your
scripts or stories, will be met by stony silence.

      6) We cannot give studio tours, or afford to send out scripts,
or story bibles, or actor photographs.  When the actors do this, bear
in mind that it is a kindness *that comes out of their own pockets*, as
there is no budget from WB to send photos.

      I hate to be as brusque as this, but I'm starting to get
overloaded with email, and an occasional pruning seems necessary.

      Many thanks.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 13 Nov 1996 14:07:17 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com>
Subject: WHT Mr. Garibaldi?

 Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com> asks:
> Which side of the shadow war are you on, by the way?
> But surprises?

       Which side of the shadow war am I on?  The third side.....

       And thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 14:07:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rage's Thots: Teeps

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is Susan Ivanova a "born" or "genetic" teep, or was she
> "infected" with telepathy due to her close mental contact with
> her mother?

       It's genetic, you can't "catch" it from someone.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 14:07:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Hour Of The Wolf

{original post unavailable}

       Yes, but those are rarely worth talking about....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 14:45:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Fantastic Epic

{original post unavailable}

       You really are misusing the term "deus ex machina," Jim.  If
you look up what it actually means, it refers to something that comes
up at the end of the story, out of nowhere, and saves the situation. 
"God in a box" as it's usually called.  It's a cheat because it isn't
referenced or built up earlier.

       Telepathy is not a deus ex machina device in the show -- it's
been there since the pilot -- nor in SF as a genre.  Telepathy has a
long and respected history in the SF genre, with "The Demolished Man"
considered one of the greatest landmarks of the field.

       Nor is telepathy used in the show as the end-all solution,
which *also* negates the deus ex machina notion.  Look at "Shadow
Dancing."  The teeps helped, but it wasn't a case of shooting
motionless ships...it was an all-out bloody fight where our guys lost 3
ships for every 1 they killed. That, to me, ain't deus ex *anything*.

       For what it's worth, the latter half or two-thirds of year 4
takes a much more hard SF approach to things, moving away from the myth
cycle into other territory.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 18:36:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episodes are shorter?

 S J NICHOLSON <76574.1663@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why did this episode only last 5 minutes?
> is this going to keep happening...?

       Hey, could be worse, the next one is only three minutes
long....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 18:36:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 at WindyCon

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> The bid motto was "What Do You Want?"

       That's great....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 18:43:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gayle S. Stever <103202.3163@compuserve.com>
Subject: Women's role in SF & B5

 Gayle S. Stever <103202.3163@compuserve.com> asks:
> So the show should cater to men's fantasies?
> What about women's fantasies?
> What about women who want to see other women explore something
> BESIDES their sexuality and romantic life? What about women who
> fantasize about leadership, respect, making a difference, being
> their own person?

       "What about women's fantasies?"

       I'm busy.

                                 jm(I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry)s

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 20:12:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Glen Guenther <71163.75@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Bootleg question

 Glen Guenther <71163.75@compuserve.com> asks:
> It's an AIDS benefit held by some local comic shops but they're
> going to have some dealer booths which will have who-knows-what? 
> If I see someone there selling bootleg B5 stuff (like they did at
> the last local convention I attended) what, if anything, should I
> do about it.? I know the owner of the main shop sponsoring the
> convention so I can probably get a name and address for any of
> the dealers but is there anything else I can do that would help? 
> Do you know who I could write to at WB to urge them to release B5
> in 1 or more of these formats?

      You must go to the convention operators and explain to them that
by allowing these bootleg tapes to be sold, they are violating
copyright laws and risk being acted against legally by WB.  They have
an obligation to ensure that pirated material is not sold at their
conventions, and if they will not enforce it voluntarily, WB will hold
them responsible, and in some cases, have already done this at
conventions.

      If you see this going on, and it's happening at the time, send
email to ken_parks@warnerbros.com and we'll take it from there.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 20:12:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Glen Guenther <71163.75@compuserve.com>
Subject: Point Of No Return Rerun

 Glen Guenther <71163.75@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will "Point Of No Return" (episode 3.09) be replayed and, if so,
> when?

      I imagine it'll be played eventually but don't have the dates at
hand.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 21:03:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carin Ekeroth <75313.3004@compuserve.com>
Subject: Orientation

{original post had no questions}

      I read what you said.

      Reading and writing is what I *do*.

      Perhaps what you said was not what you meant.

      It's my experience that unless you can say what you mean, you
can never mean what you say.

      What was written was a very intolerant message about bi's, and
based upon that point of view, you gigged the show for not applying a
political agenda.  I don't think something as inherently personal and
intimate as sex should be politicized by either end of the spectrum,
and used to dismiss one class or another because of it.  I'm an
extremist for tolerance.

      If some portion of what I quoted back to you was reprinted
inaccurately, or paraphrased, or otherwise changed, please let me know
and I will correct it.  Otherwise, what you said was what you said.  It
didn't upset me, didn't make me mad, because I'm not at issue here...I
only wanted you to understand what you were saying by sending it back
to you.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 21:03:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com>
Subject: WHT Mr. Garibaldi?

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, as forthcoming episodes will show, that was an
absolutely clear and unambiguous answer....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 21:03:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

 gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> asks:
> So can you at least be honest with us about how you are currently
> writing the episodes for season 4? with the intention of ending it
> in 4 or 5 years?

      I have been honest, and remain so.  I have said, repeatedly,
that at this point WB does not know.  Different departments have said
different things, all of them mutally contradictory.  At one time it
sounded like that might be a possibility, and some of the cast talked
about this at the time; that was before ratings started coming in on
the final 5 and the new eps, which have been extremely strong and
continuing to build.  I can say that WB has, itself, initiated
discussions about a fifth season several times over just the last few
weeks.

      What I'm doing is keeping my options flexible...the way it's
being written now is such that it allows me to flip either way. 
There's a certain built-in drop-dead point in that structure, but that
isn't near yet.

      This is what I've been saying all along.  I have been extremely
forthcoming about this, telling as much as *I* know at this point.  So
I do somewhat resent your suggesting that I do what I am doing, and
have been doing from day one.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 13 Nov 1996 21:37:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: John in the Underworld

{original post unavailable}

      THANK you.  I've mentioned elsewhere that I was going more for
the roots of this.  Though the Dante thread you mention is closest in
many ways (again, you dig into archetypes you end up with similar
structures, that's the nature of the beast), it was Orpheus going into
the underworld for his wife, and losing her, that was in the back of my
head when I was blocking out that part of the story.  (You can also
toss in Christ's temptation by the devil, and descent into the
wilderness, if you want.)

      This will probably get me in trouble, but...on the one hand, I
am always delighted and impressed with the breadth and depth of
analyses and thought of the larger group of SF fans, and the
insightfulness with which they apply those perceptions.

      On the flip side of this discussion...for a certain percentage
of them, that breadth and depth is only or primarily within SF and
mainstream fantasy. The wellspring of material from which to draw when
making comparisons is not often as broad as it should be in classical
literature, mythology, medieval studies, and so on.  They see a drop
into a chasm, they think "Oh, Gandalf." Not understanding that the root
of this goes back way, way, way further...to Orpheus and his kindred
spirits.

      I was copied a note from someone on another newsgroup who
insisted that everything in the show had an elvish/Tolkein base,
including and *especially* the names of everyone, citing the Agamemnon
as meaning something or other in LoTR elvish.  The symbol is RIGHT
THERE, in the name, Agamemnon, and the whole unfortunate history of
that character and his wife, and the Cassandra character (which is at
the center of G'Kar's character)...and yet she says, "No, no, it's all
a clue, it means this thing over here."

      My background is as an SF fan myself, so I offer the above
without stereotype or pejorative intent.  But as well as reading SF, I
spent most of my early adult life reading from classical sources. 
Goethe's FAUST informs Londo in many ways, as well as the history of
early Rome, and Hegelian notions on the role of conflict, and the
divine role of the emperor.  You're talking to someone who read
Plotinus' The Aenneads just for kicks, and whose favorite character was
Zeno and his paradoxes.  You want to talk Plato's perfect forms? The
Socratic method of teaching?  Greek tragic structure as embodied in 
Oedipus?   The overall work of Sophocles?  The Bible?  I've read that
one cover to cover twice...anyone else in the room who's done that,
raise your hands and tell me you didn't fall asleep halfway through
Numbers and Deuteronomy, the two most boring books in the whole darned
thing.

      There was a period in my life -- from around 1976 through 1981
 -- when I devoured everything I could in these areas.  Mythology. 
Existentialism. Zen. 18th century literature.  I took part time jobs in
libraries so I could get access to the widest possible range of books,
especially new ones in areas that interested me.  A lot of the details
have washed away over the years, but the cumulative *sense* of that
remains.  I can still remember how excited I was when a brand new
translation of the Inferno, the Purgatario and the Paradisio came out
(from Penguin, I think), putting it all back into the proper lyric
form, and I devoured them, one day each, then read them all again using
the footnotes and marginalia.

      All that time, I never knew I was preparing myself to write this
show, because it could *only* be done with a generalist background,
knowing a little about a lot of areas...just enough to get into
trouble, ususally, but still the grounding is there.

      Funny thing...about two, three weeks ago, I got an email from a
woman who is a professor of medieval studies at a major university, who
said she'd been nudged into watching the show by her graduate students,
and is now a big fan of the show.  She said that as she watched, she
"clicked" constantly on the sources from medieval and classical
literature, mythology, and other deep well sources, and was pleased to
see them being used in a contermporary or futuristic venue.

      Anyway, it's what I've always said about this show...you see the
paradigm with which you are most familiar.  Sometimes that's great,
and sometimes it's a curse.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 01:48:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Women's role in SF & B5

{original post had no questions}

"...you are a very, very bad man..."

      Okay, how the hell did I get out here in the cornfield...?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 01:48:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rage's Thots: Teeps

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> In your capacity as an executive producer of one of the most
> innovative shows on TV, do you think a miniseries (or set of
> miniseries) is technically possible for Neil Gaiman's SNADMAN, or
> is SANDMAN by virtue of it's construction insanely difficult to
> bring to the screen? What's that?
> You'd like to show me your bat?
> I'll just sit over here, okay, George?

"In your capacity as an executive producer of one of the most
innovative shows on TV, do you think a miniseries (or set of
miniseries) is technically possible for Neil Gaiman's SNADMAN, or is
SANDMAN by virtue of it's construction insanely difficult to bring to
the screen?"

      I think it'd be eminently do-able.  And I'd love to do it if
Neil doesn't.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 01:49:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Knowles <72152.201@compuserve.com>
Subject: Vorlon Consciousness

 Colin Knowles <72152.201@compuserve.com> asks:
> When the Vorlons separate bits of their consciousness, can the
> bits develop individually over time? Do they remained linked to
> the original, or are they essentially separate individuals until
> they merge back with the original? sending only certain elements
> to the host? How am I doing?
> Hot?
> Cold?

      They can't survive for long on their own.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 14 Nov 1996 12:41:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hirst <104106.431@compuserve.com>
Subject: Women's role in SF & B5

{original post had no questions}

       Bill....IT WAS A JOKE.  Which she took that way.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 12:41:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
Subject: Four Year Arc

 Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this a prelude to WB cancelling the show at the end of this
> season, and if so why are they so interested in a Babylon 5
> spin-off if they have concerns over a fifth year of Babylon 5 ?

       That's the whole point.  That interview was conducted fresh on
the heels of renewal, and we were getting mixed signals from WB (still
are, actually), and different people were telling people different
things.  It's subsequent to that interview -- remember, there's a LOT
of lead time on these magazines -- that the ratings began to come in,
and WB began initiating talks about a fifth season, and the sequel. 
You don't do a sequel unless the show is doing well.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 12:41:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: SANDMAN & Production

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you ever read (i think it's called) PRODUCIBLE
> INTERPRETATIONS by Rob Hume and [somebody]? Is this the sort of
> thing you do each day as producer? Isn't that how Dark Shadows
> started, or am I confused?

       No, you're right, you couldn't do those characters with CGI,
it'd have to be prosthetics, or cripple the performance aspect.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 12:41:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: female vorlons

 (blocked) asks:
> are there female vorlons?
> are we going to see female vorlons in season four?

       Female is an irrelevant concept to the vorlons.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 12:41:38 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bryan Morton <106454.3602@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Future of Babylon 5

 Bryan Morton <106454.3602@compuserve.com> asks:
> Okay, I realize you're proabably sick to the back teeth of people
> asking you about the fifth season, but I gotta know - is this
> report true? If so, is there any point in even *having* a fifth
> season, given that one of the show's greatest hooks (that famous
> arc) wouldn't be present?

       I just answered this in another thread....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 15:11:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Apotheosis Hanger

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> with another cliffhanger)?

       No, it doesn't exactly end with a cliffhanger.

       It does, however, end on a cliff.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 15:11:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com>
Subject: Old Kosh?

 Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did Kosh (#1) ever go through the same "stuff" that
> Sheridan/Sinclair is going/went trough??

       No.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 23:26:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: Four Year Arc

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, is it possible that Warner Brothers would make a sort of
> trade? Would they give you the sequel, which they CAN show on the
> network, but in turn make you end the original series after 4
> seasons?

      Since your question embodies a complexity of thought I have yet
to see from corporate WB, I very much doubt that will be a problem. 
Further, there are NO plans or intents for the sequel, if it becomes a
reality, to go to the WB network.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 23:26:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jim Casey <71154.3232@compuserve.com>
Subject: John in the Underworld

{original post had no questions}

      I didn't go to Oxford, and I can't read Greek.  I went to 3
junior colleges in small towns, and one college, San Diego State
University.  And I'm doing fairly decent with English when I try, but
except for a smattering of German, forget the rest.

      Where you grew up or went to school is no reason not to go out
and find the great wealth of material waiting for you at your local
library.

      Nor is there anything wrong with LoTR being a bridge to other
works... provided one actually *drives across* that bridge....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 23:27:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr Garibaldi

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah, those two are terrific.  You know you can write *anything*
for them, and they can play it.  Just terrific stuff.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 14 Nov 1996 23:27:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: WEHtMG - wow

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah, those are the moments when it all has to count.

      Thanks.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 15 Nov 1996 11:33:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: John in the Underworld

{original post unavailable}

       Asbury Park...I used to hang out at Asbury Park when I was a
kid, and when it was still a fairly decent park.  How is it these days?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 11:33:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

 gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is my logic faulty?
> Can you clear this up for me?

       I've worked out the details for 1,000 years in either direction
for the B5 storyline in general, and in specific for 100 years in
either direction; there's no chance of anything getting watered down no
matter what happens...there's enough story there for several novels. 
And WB is currently very interested in the side-story/sequel series
that I've mentioned from the beginning is a possibility.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 11:33:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel F. Evan <104377.1433@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

 Daniel F. Evan <104377.1433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Perhaps a no LOTR reference rule is in order?

       No, that wouldn't really be practical.  If someone wants to
*compare* it with LoTR, a compare and contrast thing, that's something
I don't have a problem with...to be even included in the same breath
with LoTR is a great compliment.  It's the notion that something was
*adapted* from that, or some other work, that sometimes drives me
crazy...but I wouldn't wish to set that forth as a rule...the rules are
only as absolutely necessary, not for this sort of thing.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 11:41:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: I need help JMS!

 (blocked) asks:
> ARE REPEATS COMING SOON?
> i think i need a rest.....or something?

       So basically you're just a shadow of your former self....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 11:41:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Vir speculat'n-spoiler

 (blocked) asks:
> How close are we?

       Who can say...?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com>
Subject: Episode Titles

 Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com> asks:
> At what point do you come up with the title - before you write
> the episode, during, or at the end? Yeats poem (the title escapes
> me - too many years since college English literature) that refers
> to "shadows" and "slouches toward Bethlehem"? Also, have you ever
> read the book "Slouching Toward Bethlehem" by Joan Didion, circa
> 1968, which, I believe, contains a fragment of the Yeats poem?

      I always have to have the title before I begin writing, since it
sets the whole tone for the episode.  I can labor for hours just coming
up with the right title...other times it just hits me.

      And I've read the Yeats poem...even had G'Kar quote that passage
in "Revelations."

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mike Robison/ WA & FL <71361.1440@compuserve.com>
Subject: WB merchandise catalog

 Mike Robison/ WA & FL <71361.1440@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just one or two shirts?

      The WB stores/catalog generally don't carry items from many of
the shows produced by WB.  Only a very rare few.  And B5 isn't
technically a WB show, it only distributes the show, so I'd say the
odds are slim and none.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: John in the Underworld

{original post unavailable}

      Though I lived all around the country, I was born in Paterson,
and spent many years in Newark, then Matawan.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks, and welcome to the show.  Say hello to Mr. Steed for me.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm not surprised -- why else would the universe of B5 feel so
> real? But on a tangent, do you find that there are new characters
> that keep cropping up in your imagination beyond the scope of the
> current 5-year arc that nag to have their stories told?

      There's always new stuff cropping up and creeping in; half the
struggle in this show is deciding what to tell, and what not to
tell...it just goes on and on.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Delenn's Alamo

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Garibaldi?"
> that she was speaking in Minbari (ala the WWII movies of which
> you spoke earlier)? Or do the minbari Rangers learn English/Human
> as part of their training?

      She was speaking Minbari.

      That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 15 Nov 1996 22:14:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: ZaHaDum

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks.  Claudia did a great job with that.  And yes, the
details are what make it come alive.  As Michelangelo said, "Trifles
make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Daniel F. Evan <104377.1433@compuserve.com>
Subject: Vir speculat'n-spoiler

 Daniel F. Evan <104377.1433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you ever shot more than one ending to an episode?

      Not yet....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Hachey <76625.2644@compuserve.com>
Subject: Crossing the line

 Paul Hachey <76625.2644@compuserve.com> asks:
> when did Delenn's heart "cross the line"?
> Beings friends first is wonderfully romantic, to quote James
> Stewart in Shenandoah "Yes, I know you love my daughter but do
> you LIKE her?" All rambling aside, when was - to you - the
> galvanizing moment for her?

      I don't think Minbari galvanize in quite the same way...with
them, I think it's more a gradual, growing relationship, and as many
do, there's just one day when the closeness crosses a point without you
almost being aware of it...and there it is.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Hour/Confirm?

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are those entirely Wayne's eyes?
> Is he wearing contacts, or do you just have the greatest makeup
> artist in the world?

      The eyes have metallic gold contact lenses; you can't see them
as well in the red light, but later, you'll see them better.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: WHtMG?

 Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com> asks:
> Rorschach jewelry?

      Thanks...I agree on pretty much all of that.  I'm very proud of
this one.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Best Gas?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can I take it that you chose a man with the same general physique
> as Walter Koenig and had him wear an opaque mask (something we've
> not seen before and that wouldn't be required if you're coming in
> to inspect someone who'd passed-out) for a reason?

      Who would do a thing like that?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Knock, Knock?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Since Ivanova (and Delenn, and the rest, I assume) have resigned
> themselves to Sheridan's death, has anyone bothered to try to
> contact his family and let them know of his fate? Or is this
> something they wouldn't want to get out to the "other side"
> (although I don't see how they can avoid it if all of the
> ambassadors heard the same rumors)?

      That's what Franklin was doing, gathering his possessions with
the intent of getting word to Sheridan's family.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 01:24:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <WHtMG>--house reaction

{original post unavailable}

      I try.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:28:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: MrsPeel <103112.2040@compuserve.com>
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

{original post had no questions}

      He always did have excellent taste.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:28:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr. G? opinion

{original post unavailable}

      Tell your step-dad that it's a real accent.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:28:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Mr G. > - God?

{original post unavailable}

      The first sentient being.  He ain't god in any sense of the
word.  That he's still puzzling out this "word/thought" business shows
that, even after all this time, he's still trying to suss things
out....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:28:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi's Days

 JOHN GRAVES <102735.1124@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you clear this up?

      It's a typo, believe it or not, which no one caught.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:28:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Christopher Harrison <101712.2401@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 4

 Christopher Harrison <101712.2401@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this true?

      Nothing has been firmed up one way or another.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:36:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Lyta on her own

{original post unavailable}

      Yes, she's starting to rebel a little against Kosh2.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:36:35 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 episode length

{original post unavailable}

      I think the main difference there is in the main titles and end
credits.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 21:36:37 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr. G - best congrats

{original post unavailable}

      Actually, the Garibaldi intercuts like that were something that
I came up with in the editing room, and John Copeland and I thereafter
assembled it, with the editor.

      And thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 23:45:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 episode length

{original post unavailable}

      I figured, since this year was much more serial than in the
past, you kinda *had* to put little recaps at the top...also, it gives
it a different, narrative feel, which I kinda like.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 17 Nov 1996 23:45:33 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr. G? opinion

{original post unavailable}

      We're certainly not aware of any difference, and since there's
been nothing about this on America's Most Wanted, I will have to assume
all is well.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 18 Nov 1996 13:59:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com>
Subject: Attn JMS: Bow Letters

 Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> asks:
> What do the "C" on the Churchill and the "M" on the Roanoke stand
> for? Could they perhaps represent destroyer squadrons?

       Probably.  I'll have to go back and check the notes on that.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 13:59:32 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Thirs Age of Mankind

{original post unavailable}

       We'll have to see, won't we...?

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:35:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com>
Subject: Resolution?

 Robin L. Small <76640.2012@compuserve.com> asks:
> will that be explored with Sheridan?
> my question is: Will that part of sheridan's character be
> explored in S5?

       You have to understand that big plot questions like this I
don't answer.  If I were to answer that with "yes," then what's the
point of making the show?  There's no surprises left.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:35:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Miller <70562.3656@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Mr G. > - God?

 Scott Miller <70562.3656@compuserve.com> asks:
> or just the oldest surviving?

       First, as far as he knows.  To quote from a later episode, "So
we left, and found no others like us."

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:35:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Cindy Pegg <102550.42@compuserve.com>
Subject: Lyta on her own

 Cindy Pegg <102550.42@compuserve.com> asks:
> When Lyta carries Kosh2 is she able to keep secrets from him, or
> can he roam her mind at will?

       She can keep secrets a little...but not if he pushes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:35:11 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season Four

{original post had no questions}

       Ah...Amerikanski humor.

       Very good.

       We bomb now.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:35:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com>
Subject: Pasadena Convention

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...I couldn't let folks go without an autograph, and when
I saw they were going to close it down, I had to jump in.

       And that was a *very* nasty gag from Andreas...and I intend to
pay him back bigtime.

       Wait until he sees the script where G'Kar is transformed into a
chicken for one episode.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 18 Nov 1996 18:43:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Justin Withers <101650.3373@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Summoning

 Justin Withers <101650.3373@compuserve.com> asks:
> But I have to ask: are they really (as seen in the preview) going
> to try to kill the big, mean, nasty Vorlon Ambassador???

       You'll have to wait 7 days to find out.  But suffice to say
things take quite a turn....

       And thanks.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:09:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi's Days

{original post had no questions}

       I'm considering revoicing it...we just didn't catch it until it
was gone.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:09:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com>
Subject: Attn JMS: Bow Letters

 Bernard F. Dowdy, J <76550.347@compuserve.com> asks:
> Alexander J Jupiter?
> Agrippa S Saturn?
> Olympic R Rim?
> Nimrod G Ganymede?
> Churchill C Colonial Fleet?
> Roanoke M Mars?

       Not bad....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:09:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Londo/Language

{original post had no questions}

       Which is why Cartagia likes Londo...he stands up to Cartagia,
but does so in such a way that Cartagia can't touch him...doesn't give
him any excuse or way in.  He's got nowhere to go...and in a way, he
admires and respects that.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:09:55 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Cissna <102320.3535@compuserve.com>
Subject: Nature of Vorlons

 John Cissna <102320.3535@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have we seen an actual Vorlon?

       Not yet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:09:57 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark D. Smith <70254.107@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Summoning

{original post had no questions}

       Exactly.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:10:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Applauding

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  They're four very good eps, and the next two after
that may be the best we've done overall.  I'm very pleased.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:10:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Londo's Bug

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> If Londo's quarters were being bugged regularly, why on Centauri
> Prime didn't they bug the cells as well? And when did you notice
> the spit? Before or after you edited the episode together?

       I figured Londo would've bribed the guards to shut down the
bugs. Also, there's reason to bug a political figure's quarters...but a
cell in which there is just one person, who in theory has no allies
with whom to conspire...that would likely have a low priority.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:10:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: Directing B5 <Summoning>

 T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW did you get those CTS gloves and do they help?

       The director implements the script, as written.  They work with
the actors to bring out subtext and the full understanding of the
scene, but the script is written as it's written, and they know that. 
There's no room here for messing around on set.

       Where our directors tend to shine is in their visual sense.  We
try to bring a certain amount of style to our episodes, and to
encourage our directors to take chances, try things they might not
otherwise get a chance to do.  The more complex the shot, the longer it
takes to set it up, and most TV shows just concentrate on bagging the
shot and moving on.  Others, like X-Files and a growning number of
other shows, including B5, encourage a more filmic look.

       What we want in a director is someone who understands what the
vision is, and is oriented toward executing the text.

       And yes, got the CTS gloves...they're a little soft, and don't
provide the requisite support as well as they might, but I'm giving
them a little more time before I decide that completely.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:10:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Pasadena Convention

{original post unavailable}

       Yeah, but it was Andreas' idea.  So he will receive the full
benefit of my undivided attention.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 12:10:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rob Carr <73200.2754@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Getting Better?

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  It really is what I said it was going to be:
holographic storytelling.  You can look at them alone, but when looked
at through the translucent glass of all the episodes preceding it, the
patterns become clearer and the weight of each scene increases.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 17:38:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com>
Subject: Shadow Tech

 Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com> asks:
> Even if that Iowa class ship could be telepathically "jammed:,
> what could those Trieme's actually accomplish with spears and
> arrows? If the Shadows are thousands of years advanced of all the
> races except the Vorlons, how are Sheridan's "Trieme"s" able to
> hurt the Shadows at all? So militarily speaking, why haven't the
> Shadows just run ruff shod over Sheridan's brave forces????

       Because up until now, they haven't been out to destroy
everyone, that's not the point...you can't sow chaos if there's no one
around in which to sow that chaos.  And they may have some ideas on how
B5 could be turned to their advantage....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 17:38:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Sheridans Mistake

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks, I try.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 17:38:41 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Don Berg <74147.1753@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Applauding

 Don Berg <74147.1753@compuserve.com> asks:
> In the upcoming episode that Steven Furst is directing, does Vir
> not appear? And is the upcoming director "Tony Dow" - the same
> actor who played Leave it to Beaver's Wally Cleaver?

       It seemed a bit much for Stephen to both act and direct in the
same episode, and yes, it's *that* Tony Dow.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 19 Nov 1996 21:58:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com>
Subject: Pasadena Convention

 John L. Creigh <75270.423@compuserve.com> asks:
> You wouldn't put his eye out or anything like that now would you?

      Too easy.  And over with too fast.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 20 Nov 1996 18:24:40 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com>
Subject: Summoning:a criticism

 Debra dwnSo <104412.1664@compuserve.com> asks:
> And can someone slap Ivanova silly for me?
> Hello?
> Lenier is not gone and surely to goodness he counts for
> something? Hey, new computer game: mount the baddies heads?

       You're right...someone should get outraged...and will.  It's
simply a matter of picking the right time and place to *do* something
with it.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 20 Nov 1996 18:49:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 (blocked) asks:
> Is B5 going to become a franchise, and in what way did they talk
> to you about this? A 5th season of B5 with mostly stand-alone
> episodes? Please, could you enlighten this matter a little for us?

       Once again...nothing is known.  Some folks at WB when we got
renewed said there'd be five, some said four; come of the cast heard
four, and repeated four...the interviews you're seeing now were
actually done a long time ago, given lead times.

       If you're confused, it's because there IS no answer at this
time.  As I said last year at this time, and the year before at this
time, and the year before that...nothing is ever known at this point
until around February or a bit later.  They've initiated some
discussions about the fifth year, as the ratings have continued to
improve, but nothing is set either way.

       If I knew, for certain, I would tell you.  But I can't tell you
until WB makes its final decision.  That hasn't happened yet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 20 Nov 1996 18:49:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com>
Subject: Shadow Tech

 Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com> asks:
> The crux of my question is how Sheridan's ships, seemingly
> thousands of years behind the Shadows technologically, are even
> able to "dent" the Shadow ships??

       Bear in mind that the White Stars are partially based on Vorlon
technology, which is similar in strength to the Shadows.  That helps a
lot. Also, other ships can have an influence in sufficient numbers. 
Even a lion can be brought down by a sufficient number of hyenas.  The
idea that higher technology always equals victory didn't help Custer.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 20 Nov 1996 18:49:48 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Hachey <76625.2644@compuserve.com>
Subject: Change to intro?

 Paul Hachey <76625.2644@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did I hear correctly?

       There was no change.  The line is the same as it always was.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 20 Nov 1996 18:49:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Mr. Garibaldi's Days

{original post had no questions}

       Yeah, that's the intent, and you can explain it like that, but
I'd rather just eliminate the *need* for explanation.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Summoning

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...it ain't bad....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>The Summoning<<

{original post had no questions}

       Oh dear, did I say ratcatcher?  I meant to say catcatcher. 
Tell them it was nothing personal.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Shadow Tech

{original post unavailable}

       There's one more thing you haven't seen, yes....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 4 or 5? Be HONEST, jms

{original post unavailable}

       Yes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Summoning

{original post unavailable}

       Thanks...though, of course, the book on which JC superstar is
based ptedates it just a tad...anyway, it's a great scene.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 21 Nov 1996 12:41:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: Foundation Question

 Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
> Wasn't Foundation part of this setup?
> Or did they loophole it due to duress around the time of the
> layoffs? And if the Turner movies happen (Stephen said they would
> at the Pasadena con) are they outside or inside these deals?

       The Turner deals are currently in discussion; and there are
options exercised at the discretion of the producers, not contracts per
se.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 00:53:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: <Mr G. > - God?

{original post unavailable}

      He'll discuss his origins at considerable length in about 3 or 4
more episodes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 00:53:47 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ed Passarella, Ziff-Davi <72241.505@compuserve.com>
Subject: Literary references

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...yeah, there's quite a bit going on in there....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 00:53:50 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rage'sThots: Garibaldi

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> How off-base is this?
> My question is this: did the scene we saw of MG in WHtMG happen
> in "reality" or is it the deranged babling's of Michael's mind
> trapped within a Control overlay?

      No, that scene happened in reality.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 00:53:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: Rage'sThots:Technomagi

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do the Technomages (or Technomagi, natch) have access to higher
> than Earth Alliance technology? Or is it that their tech is aimed
> at "looking" magical?

      They definitely have access to higher tech, through TMs on other
worlds.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:35:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Yuen <72466.1621@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Summoning

{original post had no questions}

       It ain't Morden's voice.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:44:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jose Cabanillas <71020.3316@compuserve.com>
Subject: Fleet combat

{original post had no questions}

       Your point is a good one, and something we've discussed here on
many occasions.  There are some interesting 3D tactical things we'd
like to try, and are only waiting a chance and the right story with
which to do them.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:45:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Nature of Vorlons

{original post unavailable}

       Joe is fine....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:45:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com>
Subject: Spinoff Series-Sinclair

 Catherine Becic <73414.2603@compuserve.com> asks:
> Would this be a new series for Michael O'Hare to lead?

       Everything is currently very fluid.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:45:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>The Summoning<<

{original post had no questions}

       Cool....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:45:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Part of It

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> I was wondering: Is Sheridan's piece of Kosh still with him after
> 402, or did that "part of the problem" go away when John chose
> "tock"?

       You'll find out in about 8 days.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 22 Nov 1996 13:45:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> If WB makes their decision in February or March, will you be able
> to adjust the story appropriately? Is this correct?

       I'm covered either way.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:19:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: Audio Note from jms

      Just a little thought in your general direction....

      After spending all Monday doing the audio mix mix on 404,
"Falling Toward Apotheosis," which is normal, we did all but 7 minutes
of that episode.

      George Johnsen, John Copeland and I spent from about 7 p.m.
Wednesday night until 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning doing the audio mix on
those little seven minutes.

      So for that episode, you may want to make friends with somebody
with a really good surround sound system.

      Just a thought.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:19:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: jms co on station.com

      Just a quick advisory..I'll be doing an online conference this
coming Monday at the official B5 fanclub site,
http://www.thestation.com ...this is our very first online major
conference, and you're welcome to attend.  The site is open to all,
providing chat features, messages and a station tour, with some areas
set aside just for FC members, and more features coming on line soon.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Hartman <76216.1771@compuserve.com>
Subject: Oblique References

{original post had no questions}

      As I've never seen that episode -- didn't watch much Night Court
in any event -- the answer would be no.  I am, on occasion, capable of
thinking up a line or two on my own, if I strain real hard....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 back early in Detroit

{original post unavailable}

      That's great news, thanks for the update!

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: JMS: Book of Dreams?

{original post unavailable}

      Wasn't asked.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:15 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com>
Subject: 2nd B5 Soundtrack

 Darran Williams <101656.2143@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there any further news on the second Babylon 5 soundtrack?

      Chris fell behind due to the press of work...however, the
artwork and liner notes are all finished, and he said this past
Thursday that he'd have the first pass at the new soundtrack in my
hands this coming week for approval and discussion.  So it's getting
there...he just wants it to be done right, and as always, I'd always
prefer it be done *right* than fast.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kirk R. Darling <73063.3115@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Summoning

{original post had no questions}

      I live to serve....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:19 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: WHtoMG

{original post unavailable}

      Thanks...it's a good ep.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: Going Native

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are we simply adding to the "holography" of the B5 experience by
> adding our own layers, or was this parallel actually
> predetermined in the "magic plan?"

      Certainly he came to care about us more than the vorlons
intended.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: More Kudos for Joe

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> What is his purpose?
> Is he good or evil?
> Have you ever read Bambi?

      Wow...I hardly know what to say.  You work this hard on a show,
and you hope that what you're doing gets noticed for what it is.  You
hope people will understand.  Thanks for, in one message, making the
journey worth the effort.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com>
Subject: Questioning...

 gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> asks:
> 1) Are the Shadows motives really (at least) what we've learned
> so far (chaos, evolution, what do you want)? 2) Are the Vorlons
> motives really (at least) what we've learned so far (order,
> evolution, who are you)? 3) Did the Vorlons actually destroy the
> planet mentioned in Summoning? 4) Do the Vorlons really want to
> wipe out all the worlds touched by the Shadows, and ultimately
> eliminate the Shadows all together? 5) Is Lorien really a
> different "thing" than Shadows or Vorlons/Koshs? 6) Is there more
> to the Minbari working caste than we've learned so far?

     Yes to all of them.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 18:43:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Time to Change?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Exactly how much time passed between these two scenes?
> Was something written and/or shot that wasn't fit into the final
> cut?

      No, that's the funny thing...I've seen a number of posts about
how his uniform was changed, but it *wasn't*.  It was exactly the same
outfit right out of the wardrobe closet...not sewn, not cleaned, just
dusted off a bit, by hand, the way he might've upon coming in.  You can
clearly see that the sleeve is still torn as he's up there.

      All I can figure is that the red Z'ha'dum lighting made it look
a lot worse than it was.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 21:07:52 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms co on station.com

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> What time?

      Sorry...6:00 p.m. Monday.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 21:07:53 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Time to Change?

{original post had no questions}

      Oh...yeah, there was definitely time to grab a fast shower and
change of clothes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 23:31:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms co on station.com

 Arline Williams <102551.2346@compuserve.com> asks:
> Eastern time?

      Pacific time.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 23 Nov 1996 23:31:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: jms co on station.com

{original post had no questions}

   Earth Standard Time.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 24 Nov 1996 01:09:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin E. Koster <104761.3176@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 Kevin E. Koster <104761.3176@compuserve.com> asks:
> Another question: Are you currently intending to pen all of the
> episodes this season?

      Not sure yet....

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 24 Nov 1996 15:52:24 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: Audio Note from jms

 SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks:
> Which seven minutes?

      From Lyta's entrance to Kosh's place, to Lorien's hand.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 24 Nov 1996 15:52:26 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: Falling...

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> And everybody finally gets their wish, don't they?
> What is going to happen in the next two weeks?
> How can amassing the largest fleet in history stop the Vorlons
> with their planet killer? How is B5 maintaining operations since
> we have to assume that most trade is interrupted during the war? 
> And, most importantly, who made the salad?

      Thanks...it was an exhausting and difficult episode...but well
worth the work, I think.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 24 Nov 1996 15:52:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Falling Toward Life

{original post had no questions}

      Well, I'm relieved...though someone will have to point out to
them, at some point...that what goes up, must come down....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 24 Nov 1996 18:19:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ken Grumer <76676.1501@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms co on station.com

{original post had no questions}

      Nothing's wrong with the site...but it takes Netscape 2.0
minimum to get it.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 24 Nov 1996 22:16:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Summoning

 (blocked) asks:
> I thought HoTW was incredible, WHtMG?
> Huh?
> Explain, please?

      Remember that often people will express an opinion as though it
were the fact.  What we like, and what resonates with us, is
subjective.  What you like, you like, and there's no need to defend it
or feel pressured about it.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:54:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com>
Subject: Traffic to B5 from Earth

 Randall A. Schanze <74724.762@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is trafic between Earth and B5 still open?
> (Well, at least the wife did.) How is it that people like that
> are still coming through the station in the middle of a civil
> war?

       It's difficult and limited, but yes, there's still some travel,
just as one may travel to countries that the US does not recognize
officially or have diplomatic relations with.  How long they continue
to allow this...we'll see.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:54:13 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 Scott Baker <76072.1744@compuserve.com> asks:
> So how many continuous episodes have you penned?

       Just the 22 was a record.  At this point, it's 39 consecutive
scripts.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:54:14 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Summoning

 (blocked) asks:
> Just had to say something, you know?
> Not to mention the fact that I was getting it right back -- "You
> mean you actually *liked* that move? Couldn't you see all the
> stuff that was wrong with it?"

       Oh, no...no, no...you didn't offend anybody, I was only
supporting your argument, and your right to feel any way you choose
about an episode.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:58:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sanjiv S. Purba <102735.1770@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sheridans Mistake

 Sanjiv S. Purba <102735.1770@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have any published works before B5?

       Yes...about 500 published articles, many short stories, 2
novels, 1 anthology, 12 produced plays, 12 produced radio dramas, and
other stuff.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:58:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Attn JMS: B5 T-shirt

{original post unavailable}

       That's a great story, thanks...and I've heard elsewhere enough
that makes me think we have a very wide audience, from every level.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 16:58:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Douglas Piligian <70760.2440@compuserve.com>
Subject: Comments

{original post had no questions}

       Thank you...and believe me, the pleasure is entirely mine.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 25 Nov 1996 21:41:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: Apologies on CO

      Very quickly...my apologies for the fiasco on thestation.com
tonight. Our server is directnet, and...okay, you accept that at
conventions, they always underestimate us.  They give us too small a
room.  Then our people show up...and it's madness.  Well, same thing
happened here.

      Their conferences run maybe 100 people tops most days, and
that's what they figured here *without asking us*.

      Their memory and system allocations were therefore in that area.

      Just one teensy, weensy little problem: something in excess of
2,000 people showed up.

      And I and others got frozen out of the system, the thing was
delayed 30 minutes, it was chaos, angry phone calls were made from B5
to directnet that fried phone lines....

      Anyway...my apologies to those who showed up and may have been
disappointed.  We've registered our extreme displeasure with
directnet, and are strongly considering changing servers because of
this.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms co on station.com

{original post had no questions}

      Yeah, I know...I went through the same thing.  Much
apologizings.  The server, DirectNet, was blown out by 2,000 or so hits
at the same time, and they (stupidly) hadn't been prepared to face that
many when they approached us and told us we could do this.  I'm
*extremely* annoyed at this, and we're going to take some serious steps
to correct this and make sure it never, ever, EVER happens again.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:20 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: thestation demographics?

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have you gotten any kind of report yet as to what percentage of
> people logging on to thestation.com are opting for Earthforce,
> Minbari, etc.? If so, did the percentages surprise you in any way?

      Haven't seen that figure yet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Summoning> thoughts

{original post had no questions}

      Assuming that annhilation was the goal...which wasn't exactly
stated.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:25 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Grabois <74737.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: Paradigm shift

{original post had no questions}

      I think you're right.  Interestingly, David Gerrold first pegged
this one way back in the first season, saying that with B5, a paradigm
shift had taken place, only most people hadn't twigged to it yet.  I
guess he called it right.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Falling> question

 T.P. Chai <104674.3064@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, did the part of Kosh that remained inside Sheridan still had
> its own will? was it consulted by John and Lorien regarding what
> there were going to do, or did J & L use what's remained of Kosh?

      I'd say it was aware of this, yes...and you can hear just a
trace of its voice just before it emerges.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 01:14:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 404: Falling

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> And what exactly did Lorien mean by "the last of Kosh, and some
> of him and some of me"? Was the energy/being that ripped out of
> Sheridan's chest not *just* Kosh? Was it part of all three of
> them? Did Lorien also have to use some of his energy to keep the
> piece of Kosh alive long enough to battle the Vorlon Ambassador? 
> May I ask if we'll see any rebel EA ships in that fleet? But what?
> And who in their right mind thinks she'll ever give up that ring
> for a "better" one someday? How will he react to that ring on her
> finger and her explanation of what it means? Andreas has to wear a
> patch for the rest of the run and you *still* wanna punish him?

      Thanks, and I agree with all your picks on the scenes.  It came
out very nicely...a good one to end this batch on.  Thanks again.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sandra G. Bruckner <76642.3664@compuserve.com>
Subject: Apologies on CO

{original post had no questions}

       Actually, turns out 6,000 total showed up...enough to crash any
server on the planet short of Skynet.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Happy families

{original post unavailable}

       I believe C4 is *currently* showing the previous seasons,
starting with one.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:28 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com>
Subject: Zha'ha'dum

 Bob Koslosky <102365.2062@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can you elaborate on this seeming anamoly?

       It's an efficient way of lighting an underground city several
miles across; you can open or close it to allow the big vessels in for
construction purposes, and so on.  If you build something that big, you
need some way of getting stuff IN there, then lighting it without
consuming vast amounts of energy.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:29 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Define Apotheosis, pls !

{original post unavailable}

       Interpretation is everything...I prefer to leave it that way.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:31 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: HotW - quick question

 (blocked) asks:
> Is this a literal statement, or is it figurative?

       Well, they don't grow underground, no.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:12:34 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Missing Joshua?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is something up with Joshua Cox?
> Other obligations?

       Just haven't had enough for him to do to merit bringing him in.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 26 Nov 1996 18:18:27 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: TS - Overlooked stuff

 (blocked) asks:
> Continuity gaff?
> Was he waiting for Sheridan?

       Actually, Lyta never said she was a P5 in Walkabout; it was
Delenn who said that.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com>
Subject: Summoning

 Richard M. Perry <76461.2737@compuserve.com> asks:
> When Kosh said that there were still few, did he mean few who
> understand? You've brought up the first rule of the fanatic a
> couple of times, did Sinclair teach this to Kosh in the hope that
> he would be able to bring the other Vorlons around to that
> understanding? Maybe in the hope that the war wouldn't escalate to
> blowing up planets as well? Did Kosh (and his cohorts) give the
> Vorlon technology so that our heroes could register something if
> the other Vorlons were to escalate the war to the point they did? 
> Another thing that caught my attention, especially with Lorien
> coming back with Sheridan, was one of the questions he asked
> Sheridan; "Do you mind if I share your fire", exactly which fire
> did he mean? Was Lorien refering to the fire on the ground, or the
> fire inside of John, or both? Why do I get the feeling that
> Garibaldi had a return visit to a certain place on Mars? Or
> somewhere with the equipment like that used there? "Do you know
> who I am"; who are you, why are you, what do you want?

       Suffice to say that Kosh was utterly correct about the sword,
and we'll be hearing this again soon.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Apologies on CO

{original post had no questions}

               Hmm...most interesting...thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: The Summoning

{original post had no questions}

       I thunk that up, as far as I know.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:04 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms co on station.com

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> ("How big do you think the _____ will get?"
> Will there be any kind of transcript of what went on between
> those who successfully navigated the shoals made available? If so,
> where and how?

       I don't know if it'd be worth transcribing...too much chaos.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Delenn - Lennier?

{original post unavailable}

       Lennier had gone out for pizza....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:07 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: summoning

{original post unavailable}

       No, it was just relief, letting her guard down, allowing
herself to feel, which she hadn't done much before this.  There's no
romantic interest there.  You can have situations where men and women
work together, and can care about one another, without it turning into
more than that.

       Men seem to understand this less often than women.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com>
Subject: FTA

 John Bovenmyer <73567.1341@compuserve.com> asks:
> Could you release suitable wide screen format JPG publicity
> stills to the Lurker's Guide so we can fit the whole Vorlon in
> one image?

       Thanks.  We can't release anything widescreen until we can go
back and re-telecine everything back to the original format, then
recomposite the effects.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:35:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: Selfless or Selfish?

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there anything you can say to help us settle this
> disagreement?

       I think both camps are probably right to one degree or another.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 16:42:54 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Falling...

 (blocked) asks:
> I wonder if maybe we'll be seeing it again someday?

       Remember, though, that the alien healing device isn't a
cure-all; to save one person's life, it takes the equal life force of
another.  It was used as a capital punishment device.  So somebody'd
have to die for that to happen...and even then, it doesn't cure
everything.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 27 Nov 1996 20:10:39 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All 
Subject: jms & co at LosCon (LA)

      Just an advisory: this Thanksgiving Sunday, there will be a 2
hour B5 presentation at LosCon, the annual fan-run convention put on by
LASFS (usual attendence about 1000).  The presentation/panel is slated
for 2:30-4:30 in the biggest room they have.  I'll do the first hour,
then the second hour will have our conceptual consultant Harlan
Ellison, producer John Copeland, and co-producer George Johnsen joining
in.  (There's a possibility Peter Jurasik may show up, but that's
unconfirmed at this point.)

      We'll have the very first showing of the rough cut of season 4
bloopers, scenes from several unaired episodes, a music video or two,
and of course the usual dog-and-pony show that has become the biggest
draw at each year's LosCon.

      Because this tends to be a big event, you may want to be sure to
show up a bit early, to get a seat...they vanish REAL fast.

      The convention is taking place at the Burbank Airport Hilton,
just abaft from the Burbank Airport, natch.

      LosCon, as a fan convention, is a lot of fun, and there's
generally a lot of good stuff going on all 3 days as well.  If you
haven't been to a con before, this is a good one on which to cut your
teeth.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 27 Nov 1996 20:10:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SUSAN F. KIRN <76262.2013@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Summoning

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...we try.  And I'm happy Philly is back on board.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 28 Nov 1996 02:27:42 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: First Contact vs. B5

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks, I appreciate hearing that.  We do try to put a lot into
these things.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 28 Nov 1996 02:27:43 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: WHT Mr. Garibaldi?

{original post unavailable}

         I think Lorien is beyond concepts of male and female as they
pertain to the Vorlons...that's our perception of them, not his.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 28 Nov 1996 02:27:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com>
Subject: Zha'ha'dum

 Art W. Sullivan <104630.1315@compuserve.com> asks:
> When Kosh told Sheridan, that if he went to Zha'ha'dum he would
> die, was that just a comment on the odds of going there and
> comming our alive, or do the Vorlons have precognition, like
> Londo's dreams about his own death? Does that cost a station any
> more money or can they show it as often as they want?

      It was a statement of fact, one way or another.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 28 Nov 1996 22:28:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms & co at LosCon (LA)

{original post had no questions}

      Last I heard, last week, they were still negotiating.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 01:56:16 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Falling> question

 Dan T. Davis <71121.1254@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, am I somewhat correct here, or am I totally off base?

      Yep, that's about right.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 01:56:18 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: Falling...

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, is Bruce getting a little grey hair or is that just merely
> for the role?

      If you had a vorlon inside you, you'd get a little grey too....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 02:03:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com>
Subject: 404: Falling

{original post had no questions}

      For my money, the truly frightening thing about Cartagia is that
he is motivated entirely by whim, by caprice...he can give you
something wonderful one moment, then turn around and have you killed
the next.  You *never* know which way he'll flip from moment to moment.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 02:03:51 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com>
Subject: FTA - Questions

 Colin Glassey <104224.2227@compuserve.com> asks:
> Three questions, 1) Do the Vorlons have "wings"?
> 2) What did the original doctor see in the pilot?
> The true form of a Vorlon or the angelic form?
> 3) Why does Morden's request make sense?
> The Shadows are fighting the Vorlons, they know how little
> appreciation the Vorlons are showing for "civilian" deaths, why
> make this request?

      Morden is living in denial...he's afraid, and hoping he's right.
Centauri Prime has more civilians than any other planet or colony hit
so far: three billion people.  The shadows are hoping a figure that
high will daunt even the Vorlons.

      The wings are just how we perceived them, to some extent, though
we did see a hint of wings as the last of Kosh emerged from Sheridan. 
(We also heard the wing flap sound, and the sound of Kosh's voice for
the last time right after Lorien's "Now.")

      Dr. Kyle saw the angelic form...even in its reduced state, it
held itself together enough to maintain that form.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 02:09:00 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com>
Subject: BACK TO RERUNS BUT WOW

 Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com> asks:
> When does the rest of this season continue?

"I have complained in the past about what I thought was a slow moving
story but I now feel like we are at warp 9. No wasted eps in the last
batch."

      Told you.

      Now next time maybe you'll believe me.

      And finish your broccoli.  And sit up straight at the table. 
And stop playing with your silverware, it's always funny until someone
gets hurt....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 02:09:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: O. C. Alexander <72623.3472@compuserve.com>
Subject: Define Apotheosis, pls !

{original post had no questions}

      "To define is to kill, to suggest is to create."

                     -- Franz Kafka

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 29 Nov 1996 15:29:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com>
Subject: BACK TO RERUNS BUT WOW

{original post had no questions}

      They'll be in February...and I was just having some fun, don't
take it too seriously.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 15:29:23 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Falling>> Thoughts

 Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com> asks:
> If the Vorlons are now hell-bent to destroy the Shadows, why
> nibble around the periphery and not blow-up Zhadum first? If the
> Vorlon "parenta" approach has been used for so many eons, why
> start destroying everything in their path now? Morden must know
> that that the Centauri are no match for the Vorlons; so why ask
> them to send up their ships as a defense shield? I wonder if there
> is a "Peace party" among the Shadows? Is Earth a Vorlon target?
> Is B5 a Vorlon target?
> How can the AoL stand up to both the Vorlons and the Shadows?

      Excellent questions to which I, alas, can only reply, "wait and
see."

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 17:36:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com>
Subject: 404: Falling

 Brent Barrett <75063.3305@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will we ever see Kosh again?
> What will John do?

      Yep, all trace of Kosh is gone.  He/it will never be seen again,
in any form, exempting flashbacks, of which none are currently planned.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 17:36:22 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 404: Falling

{original post unavailable}

      Yeah...would've been nice if Londo had at least tried to do
something about the eye that did not see Cartagia's splendor....

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 17:40:09 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 Alan L. Ravitch <73627.3126@compuserve.com> asks:
> What's up?

      Nothing has yet been decided; different arms of WB are telling
different people different things...this has been the situation from
the first season to today.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 29 Nov 1996 19:01:49 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Falling>> Thoughts

 Michael R. Brehmer <75303.2242@compuserve.com> asks:
> In writing your scripts, do you have a conversation with each
> character and he/she tells you what's happening; or do you see
> the action the character is in from their point of view; or do
> you see the action much as the camera sees it from a third person
> point of view, but focusing on that character?

      I see the episode in my mind the same way it's seen by viewers. 
I watch it from the camera's point of view.  It's just once in a while,
as I'm watching it, that one of the characters will lean into camera,
bang on the side of it, and say "Listen, shmuck, you're not doing this
right."

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 29 Nov 1996 21:56:21 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New FX - no problems!

{original post unavailable}

      What kinda bugged me was that, after having made the change,
there were a number of people -- presumably associated with Foundation
 -- who were running around the nets and saying that the efx were going
to be terrible, or there wouldn't BE any efx...trying to poison the
well.  But as always, we never do anything unless we think it'll be an
improvement, and the new season shows that.

                                                                  jms


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



Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:33:58 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dennis G. Berdanis <72072.550@compuserve.com>
Subject: JMS: season 4 = arc end?

 Dennis G. Berdanis <72072.550@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there an email address for WB where we can send our support
> for the show or should we just keep after the local stations??

      Local support is always best, thanks.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:33:59 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: jms & co at LosCon (LA)

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, will you be making an appearance at I-CON this year?

      At this point...yes, I've confirmed that I'll be at Icon this
year.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:01 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 ruins it all . . .

{original post unavailable}

      I have the Twister laserdisk -- it's the only way I was able to
see it
 -- and that transfer looks pretty cool.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: B5 Laser Disc

{original post unavailable}

      Nope.  Because a) WB doesn't think there's a market for B5 on
tape or disk, b) won't let us do it because they have the right to do
it, even though they won't (like the proverbial monkey with its fist
around a nut in a jar, it can't take it out and won't let go), and c)
WB video almost never handles piddly TV stuff, only big-budget,
sure-return movies.

      We'll keep working at it.  Sooner or later, we'll win.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:06 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: 404: Falling

{original post had no questions}

      Except, of course, this trip with G'Kar was in his best
interest, and Cartagia is always responsive to what's best for
Cartagia.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:08 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Wayne Alexander

{original post had no questions}

         Will do.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Images

{original post had no questions}

      Thanks...those kinds of images are what we live for.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:34:12 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New FX - no problems!

{original post unavailable}

      Actually, the first few used about the same amount of stock as
most of our shows ever did.  And there was a LOT of new stuff...the
Z'ha'dum confrontation with the White Star, the new establishers of
Centuari Prime from space, plus the new ones of the city, and the big
garden areas in "The Summoning" (all those outside sets are virtual),
the shadow overflys in 401, Lorien's "true image" holding up Sheridan,
the underground Z'ha'dum composites, the new B5 establishers, the White
Star fleet coming to B5...there was a LOT of stuff there, it's just
very subtle.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:39:45 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: Chicago ComiCon '97

{original post had no questions}

      At this point, I'll likely be in Chicago.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 18:39:46 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: New FX - no problems!

 (blocked) asks:
> Are the effects the same or different in some respects?

      Basically, if you're told to look for a difference, you'll see
one.  I got a couple of emails saying that a couple of specific
Centauri Prime shots weren't as good as the old ones...then pointed out
that the ones they singled out WERE the old ones.

      As for the Planet Killer, we bring it a little closer each time.

      Virtually all the designs are right out of the computer files,
so they're identical to what's been done before, using the same system
(or slightly better) and most of the same people.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 23:47:10 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Falling...

 Meryl Yourish <103470.2703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Calamari, anyone?
> Are the Vorlons the greater foe?

      Who is the greater foe?

      It is always the one closest to where you live.

                                                                  jms

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Date: 30 Nov 1996 23:55:02 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Falling...

{original post had no questions}

      Actually, she said, "I think, it's possible, someone else does."
But she didn't specify Sheridan, and likely wouldn't have until she
knew absolutely for certain...and until she knew a little more about
the vorlon she was dealing with.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 23:55:03 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: (blocked)
Subject: FTA prophecy&future

{original post had no questions}

      Nope, it's the corret eye.  We don't make those kinds of
mistakes.

                                                                  jms

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

Date: 30 Nov 1996 23:55:05 -0700
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com>
Subject: Apotheosis

 Carl Cantarella <105030.3700@compuserve.com> asks:
> In "Falling Toward Apotheosis" there is an outright assassination
> of another of their Ambassadors, so wouldn't it stand to reason
> that NOW the Vorlons would *absolutely* destroy the B5 Station
> because of this latest act by the humans??

      Of course, at the moment, the vorlons are a little busy...but
given time, yes, they would do exactly that.

                                                                  jms