lurkers-guide/ftp/GEnie/jms94-12-01

This file contains messages posted by J. Michael Straczynski on GEnie from
Dec 1 - Dec 15th, 1994.  Postings are copyright 1994 by J. Michael Straczynski
with compilation copyright by GEnie.


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Topic 1         Mon Oct 26, 1992
SF-MARSHALL [Dave ]          at 18:50 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 - The Series  (Non-Spoiler)

Welcome to the Babylon 5 General category.  This is the main topic for  the
hit SF series.  We discuss all general information on the series in this
topic.  Topic 2 is for SPOILERS!  DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS!

696 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 463       Sun Dec 04, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:29 EST

     Correct, "Soul Mates" is next up.  Then 5 or so reruns (second season
eps), then "Race."

     BTW, logging in from my notebook.  The controller on my old system (not
the nifty Dell at the office) just died, so I may not be on quite as regularly
for the next few days.

                                                       jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 473       Sun Dec 04, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 17:42 EST

     I was kinda hoping that they'd continue the season one reruns as well,
but PTEN thinks it'd be kind of confusing to intersperse episdoes (episodes)
with two different commanding officers at the same time, and thus keep the two
separate, at least until the end of the season.

     (They add that someone seeing B2 mid-season year two might not know it's
a rerun, and not know what the hell's going on.)

                                                             jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 521       Thu Dec 08, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:09 EST

     Emmy presenters are generally those who've *done* something, so that
would pretty much eliminate Jarvis.

     Internet gateway's down again...sigh....

     There's a screwup in next week's TV Guide.  The synopsis is of the
episode "A Race Through Dark Places," but it's actually Peter's "Soul Mates."


                                                             jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 562       Sat Dec 10, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:01 EST

     I just can't imagine a book of my posts here being that interesting, or
able to be followed; it's all like this, quickies for the most part, and out
of context.

                                                                 jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 581       Sat Dec 10, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 20:54 EST

     ....yeeps...I'm being modem-mugged....

                                                               jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 596       Sun Dec 11, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:34 EST

     Okay, okay, okay-okay-okay, we'll put a pin in this and come back to it
(and I still think that selling the thing would be a marginal chance at best).

     Re: Murder, She Wrote...I *believe* that our budget there was generally
in the $1.3 and $1.5 million range per episode.

                                                              jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 629       Mon Dec 12, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:14 EST

     BTW, B5 producer John Copeland will be on CNN's Showbiz Today on
Wednesday the 14th (2:30 and 9:30 p.m. PST, and 1:30 am. Thursday).

                                                         jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 633       Mon Dec 12, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 20:40 EST

     Rathenn said Sinclair did not *entirely* remember their meeting; he then
refreshed this memory.

                                                                 jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 646       Tue Dec 13, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:27 EST

     After TAXI, Jeff had some hard times.  We're all entitled to make
mistakes.  He's doing very good work, and we're pleased to have him, and he
does recur.

                                                          jms
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Category 18,  Topic 1
Message 662       Wed Dec 14, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:33 EST

     BTW, look for Bill Mumy on "Break a Leg," on the America's Talking cable
channel, Tuesday the 13th, 11:00 a.m. PST.

                                                                  jms
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Topic 2         Wed Nov 20, 1991
STARR [Arne]                 at 19:41 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 -- The Series!! >>SPOILERS<<

Babylon 5 is moving into a second season of 22 episodes.  This series can be
seen at 8 Pm on Wednesdays, in most areas.  This topic is for SPOILERS only.
Just remember our NO STORY IDEAS rule and we'll let you live. <g>

430 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 323       Wed Dec 07, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 15:42 EST

     *What* second attack wasn't there?

                                                           jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 353       Fri Dec 09, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 15:24 EST

     An attack on the Shire?  Goodness, another LoTR reference.

     Local in-house joke: Abby's last name...Normal.

                                                                 jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 392       Mon Dec 12, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:15 EST

     If you're a telepath, Psi Corps IS your family.  (And no, that  wasn't
Abby, too young; also not a case of programming/rebuilding...the DECEASED is a
cover to get her out.)

                                                             jms
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Category 18,  Topic 2
Message 401       Tue Dec 13, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:09 EST

     Actually, the age on Abby is fairly straightforward...Talia came to the
Psi Corps as a young child; she was assigned to an adult Psi Corps member to
help her adjust.  So Abby would be anywhere from 15-20 years older than Talia.
Or more.

                                                                 jms
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Topic 4         Tue Nov 03, 1992
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:12 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 - Cast & Characters      

For discussion of the actors who will be bringing BABYLON 5 to life with their
performances...for information before, and discussion after the airing of "The
Gathering" pilot.
459 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 370       Thu Dec 01, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:44 EST

     Morden is human.

                      
     Morden dat I can't say.

                                                               jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 407       Sat Dec 10, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 20:56 EST

     BTW, new guest stars include Richard Moll and Paul Williams, the latter
of whom is in "Acts of Sacrifice."  A very nice man; got him to autograph my
copies of the "Phantom of the Paradise" CD which I got in London (never
released here).

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 412       Sun Dec 11, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:37 EST

     Richard and Paul are in *different* episodes.

     Bear...not a chance.  I *love* that movie; Paul mentioned that it
continues to have a rabid cult following.  When he signed it, he wrote  "Trust
me.  Swan." in addition to his signature.  (Funny if you know the movie.)

     "We're old souls, in a new life, baby...."

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 422       Sun Dec 11, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 22:15 EST

     Richard Moll: "Hunter, "Prey."  Malachi Throne: "The Coming of Shadows."
Paul Winfield: "GROPOS."

                                                              jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 430       Mon Dec 12, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:16 EST

     No, that ain't what "Hunter, Prey" is about; our titles are generally
more metaphorical than literal.

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 435       Tue Dec 13, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:29 EST

     We're doing a Volkswagon story...?

                                                                  jms
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Category 18,  Topic 4
Message 455       Thu Dec 15, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 04:58 EST

     Also add Bernie Casey.

                                                            jms
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Topic 5         Tue Nov 03, 1992
T.ORTH [Mr. Rico]            (Forwarded)
Sub: Grid Epsilon Irregulars - News & Info.

This topic is for information about Babylon 5 fan groups, newsletters,
fanzines, get-togethers, B-5 at conventions, and other general fun.
390 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 5
Message 384       Wed Dec 14, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 23:02 EST

     Does anyone actually know how many folks are registered here in the B5
cat(s)?

                                                                        jms
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Topic 11        Sat Nov 14, 1992
J.SHEEN1 [Leviathan]         at 18:09 EST
Sub: B5 Adrift!                         

 BABYLON 5 Topic Drift
 If you feel like talking about it, but it doesn't fit anywhere else... If its
only connection to B-5 is that you thought of it in this CAT...
 This is where to come and get it out.
288 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 11
Message 242       Sat Dec 10, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 20:57 EST

     BTW, I understand from some folks who've been involved with them that
because of the general decline of SAT scores, they're now allowing a couple
hundred points per category *just for showing up*.

                                                                   jms
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Category 18,  Topic 11
Message 255       Sun Dec 11, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 22:17 EST

     Don't recall offhand what my SAT score was...but dimly remember that when
I was done, I think I *owed* them points....

                                                                   jms
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Category 18,  Topic 11
Message 262       Tue Dec 13, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:15 EST

     Hey, give me "A Christmas Story" or the George C. Scott version of "A
Christmas Carol" (the only definitive version of the story, as far as I'm
concerned) over IaWL, which has been seen to death.  Scott is the first and
only actor to show Scrooge with a sense of *humor* even in his earlier stage.
Look at it...anyone who could come up with a line like "every person walking
around with Merry Christmas on his lips should be boiled in pudding and buried
with a sprig of holly through his heart" (or words to that effect)...that's
*funny*.  It's very easy to see and portray Scrooge as just a one-dimensional
miser, and thus dehumanize him...Scott's portral makes him a PERSON, and thus
more interesting and involving and, oddly, likeable (until the end where he
goes soft on us, but hey, that's a story problem...).

                                            jm(bah, humbug)s
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Category 18,  Topic 11
Message 272       Wed Dec 14, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:47 EST

     Just as an aside...I learned this morning that there's a good chance that
my Christmas episode of THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS, "Xmas Marks the Spot," will be
replayed on ABC either Christmas day or eve; don't yet know if it'll be in
prime-time or morning.  Still awaiting final confirmation, but they wouldn't
call to notify me unless it was pretty solid.

                                                                jms
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Category 18,  Topic 11
Message 280       Thu Dec 15, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 05:16 EST

     Actually, that 800/200 split ain't far off the truth, as I dimly recall.
Crummy with figures, good with words.

     Funny thing, sorta...see, according to most IQ tests, I come in just over
the edge on the so-called genius ("Come, Join Mensa, Join Us, Join Us...")
level.  Around 160 or so.  Which, frankly, is absolutely meaningless, except
that it helps me skate throuth stuff I have no business doing or no chance of
*really* understanding.  I come in very high on intuitive scores; I can often
figure out *what* is the correct answer, but am damned if I can tell you
*why*.

     As a kid, we moved around a lot for (let's just say this for now and let
it go at this) economic reasons.  Literally every year from birth through
about age 17 was a different house, a different city, often a different STATE.
I learned fast that if you were too smart, and showed it...you got beat up a
lot.  So at a very early stage I found I could just shave it close enough to
pass, without raising any red flags or drawing attention.  The one thing I
didn't want was to be noticed, because that usually preceded getting the
stuffings knocked out of me (and being who I am, *that* was usually followed
by my mouthing off to whoever just beat the crap out of me...at which point
they pound me again...at which point this little bump on the playground mouths
off again, at which point, well, you get the idea).

     I'd gotten pretty good at riding the line, but goofed one year in junior
high.  I screwed up my math term (no surprise there), but usually  I knew I
could ace lit classes to make up for it...except I got sick, missed several
tests and papers...and dropped beneath the line I needed to get advanced to
the next level.  So I had to attend summer school to make up the difference.

     This was under the Headstart Program of those days, and the sort of kids
you found in this one in New Jersey...Future Muggers of America founding
members.  Anyway (and this is a hell of a lot longer and more involved than
I'd intended to get), one day they said they were going to give all of us in
summer school a series of tests/evaluations to determine just where we
stood...what grade reading level, comprehension, math, that sort of thing.
Now normally I'd always held back in this stuff, but this wasn't my regular
school, I'd be going to high school after this, so what was lost?  So I just
went for it.

     A few days later the test results came in, and I got suddenly called to
the office of the head of the program.  He sat me down and said, honest to
god, "You'll forgive my langauge for a moment, but what the HELL are you DOING
here?"  Apparently for a 9th grader my language, reading, writing, and general
intelligence figures came in at approximately that of a college graduate.
(Though my math skills were, to be charitable, considerably lower.  Bargain-
basement, to be precise.)  So I told him  what I'd been doing all this time.
He sat there, slack jawed, the whole time, at the premeditation and all the
rest.  (Though I wouldn't have gotten nailed if I'd been better at some of the
other areas.)

     Later, to my chagrin, I discovered that he wrote up a memo about all this
and attached it to my transcripts, so that when I transferred to the high
school, I found myself assigned to several advanced classes in English lit and
other areas, college-prep level classes.  So I instantly went back to my old
habits, and soon enough managed to get out of that one and into a regular
class.

     Tests are fine, advanced classes are fine, but frankly, none of it was
worth getting stomped on a regular basis....

                                                                     jms
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Topic 12        Wed Nov 18, 1992
B.WIST [Brad]                at 18:12 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 Sightings                

Post here when you've spotted Babylon 5, whether it be on Television,
Magazine, or somewhere else.  Let us know where we can find it/see it, too.
515 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 12
Message 499       Sun Dec 04, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 17:45 EST

     On the two different shows/rules idea...this is something I noticed from
way back.  People saw "Earth future, spacefaring races, a major commanding
officer," and assumed that we would be just like Star Trek.   When we weren't,
many assumed we were doing Star Trek BADLY, not understanding that it's a
*different show*.  The biggest crime of this show toa lot of people is that
we're not Trek.  It's only over time that some of these folks (though not all)
have come to understand what we're doing.

                                                              jms
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Topic 16        Fri Jan 15, 1993
T.ORTH [Mr. Rico]            at 01:02 EST
Sub: "No kids or cute robots, ever!"    

This is a topic for discussion of the unofficial slogan of Babylon 5.
225 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 16
Message 225       Fri Dec 09, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 15:25 EST

     David Gerrold will be *very* pleased....

                                                                    jms
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Topic 17        Tue Jan 19, 1993
C.STOBBE [Colin]             at 21:02 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 - Merchandising          

A place to discuss all the neat Babylon 5 merchandising coming out (hopefully)
soon
480 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 17
Message 421       Tue Dec 06, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:26 EST

     Actually, I hear they're nearly OUT of the 2,000 first print run on the
limited edition, and have 500 on backorder; I'd suggest to anyone that youre
best bet is probably to contact Sonic Images directly.  These puppies are
apparently just *flying* out the door.

                                                               jms
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Topic 24        Fri Jun 04, 1993
J.ROY18 [Jonathan]           at 21:11 EDT
Sub: Babylon 5 - Weapons and Warfare!   

For discussion about the weapons, counter weapons, armor, shielding, tactics,
logistics, and so forth, of small combat and large scale war in the Babylon 5
universe.
507 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 24
Message 501       Sun Dec 11, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 03:40 EST

     It's of the same class (Omega class) as the Agamemnon, yes.  And it's the
EAS Agamemnon, yes.

                                                                  jms
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Topic 25        Fri Mar 12, 1993
S.SHELLENBAR [>> SHANE <<]   at 08:47 EST
Sub: J. Michael Straczynski Speaks in Public

This is the place to find out where and when JMS will be appearing next.  JMS
has honed his skills as a public speaker and is taking his act on the road.
412 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 25
Message 385       Thu Dec 01, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:45 EST

     No current plans for ICON this year.

                                                              jms
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Topic 37        Sat Nov 12, 1994
DUNEWALKER                   at 00:25 EST
Sub: Questions, answers and/or speculations

General questions, and answers or speculations concerning plots and sub-plots
of Babylon 5.
16 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 37
Message 15        Tue Dec 13, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:18 EST

     "There's no such thing as America, or Russia, or China...there's only
ITT, and ATT, and Dow Chemical...."       -- Paddy Chayefsky, NETWORK

                                                                  jms
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Topic 38        Mon Dec 05, 1994
K.BURNFIELD [KB]             at 18:05 EST
Sub: Babylon 5 - The Comic Book         

Starting in Dec. 1994, DC comics will present its comic book based in the
universe of J. Michael Straczynski's television series.
14 message(s) total.
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Category 18,  Topic 38
Message 5         Thu Dec 08, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 01:08 EST

     In some cases, as with the next 8 issues, I suggested the basic
storyline, and work as necessary with the writers, telling them what they need
to know on a need to know basis.

                                                   jms
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Topic 31        Mon Aug 29, 1994
STARR [Arne]                 at 23:35 EDT
Sub: #205 - "The Long Dark"             

by Scott Frost.   Director: TBA
94 message(s) total.
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Category 19,  Topic 31
Message 26        Thu Dec 01, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 00:41 EST

     Tom: the quibble you raise is one of the points I'm trying to make.
 You say someone from 1890 would go crazy.  I vehemently don't agree.  Go back
and read letters from the 1890s.  Heck, go read letters from 1776; the
language, the emotions, they're all very much the same.  The chrome of
technology has changed, some social styles and attitudes have changed, but
people still go through school (usually), get married, raise kids, hold jobs,
and look to a better future one day.

     Mariah was also a scientist, sent forth expecting and prepared to see new
things; this isn't the same thing as an average person just plucked out of
time.

     I think people -- Americans in particular -- over-emphasize how much
things change with time, in large measure because in a country that's only
200+ years old, we *really* don't understand what time IS here.  The Romans
who left grafitti all over parts of England are only one step removed from the
South Central taggers of today....

                                                                   jms
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Category 19,  Topic 31
Message 70        Sun Dec 04, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 23:30 EST

     Re: Ivanova and Sheridan going into the Cortez upon it being pulled into
B5...this was an Earth vessel, remember, stating it's on a mission of peace,
with a cryogenic suspension chamber in use.  There was zero perceived danger.
Also, if I were the captain of a naval vessel today, and I came across an
intact sailing vessel that went missing in the 1890s, you'd have to hold a gun
at my head to KEEP me out of that ship.   People are, by nature, curious...and
this would be a fascinating puzzle to solve.

                                                          jms
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Topic 32        Mon Aug 29, 1994
STARR [Arne]                 at 23:36 EDT
Sub: #206 - "A Spider in the Web"       

by Lawrence G. DiTillio.  Director : Kevin Cremins
99 message(s) total.
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Category 19,  Topic 32
Message 7         Fri Dec 02, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 15:12 EST

      Well, that's weird....

                                                                 jms
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Topic 34        Thu Oct 20, 1994
STARR [Arne]                 (Forwarded)
Sub: #207 - "Soul Mates"                

Londo's wives in a tale by Peter David.
72 message(s) total.
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Category 19,  Topic 34
Message 56        Thu Dec 15, 1994
STRACZYNSKI [Joe]            at 19:04 EST

     How weird...I hadn't ever seen any messages here, and I couldn't figure
why...just checked and for some reason it was IGNored.  Odd....

     Anyway...the production numbers (207, 208) are not for the order in which
they're aired, but the order they're PRODUCED in.  So the numbers don't
change.  We just air 208, then 207.  This is very common in TV.

                                                        jms
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