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The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5,alt.tv.babylon-5,aus.sf.babylon5,rec.arts.sf.tv,alt.answers,rec.answers,news.answers
From: Babylon 5 FAQ <no_hormel_products@anywhere.com>
Subject: Babylon 5 FAQ (A): Information about Babylon 5
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Organization: Minbari Grey Council
Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Reply-To: (see signature)
Summary: The final version of the Frequently Asked Questions list
for the television series, _Babylon 5_.
Archive-name: tv/babylon-5/faq
Frequency: weekly
Last-modified: 29 May 1998
+-----------------------------------+
| BABYLON 5 FAQ, part (A): |
| Information about Babylon 5 |
| and answers to Frequently Asked |
| Questions. Includes guidelines |
| for online discussion groups. |
| |
| 29 May 1998 Edition - FINAL ONE |
+-----------------------------------+
I am retiring the Babylon 5 FAQ because it has been made obsolete by the
large number of other resources available on the World Wide Web. There
isn't really a need for a FAQ anymore in today's WWW world.
Time-dependent information has been removed from this final version.
Files like this tend to get archived for a while, so I am publishing a
final version to stay in the various archives so it doesn't appear that
a new version is forthcoming.
For the latest information on Babylon 5, I direct you to:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
for the highly detailed "Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5."
http://www.thestation.com/home.html
for a wide range of merchandise and collectables.
http://tnt.turner.com/babylon5/
for the latest information in U.S. airings.
These sites, or sites pointed to by these sites, should hold the information
you need to keep up on Babylon 5.
-------------------------
Contents of this FAQ List
-------------------------
1. What is Babylon 5?
2. Where can I see Babylon 5?
(a) USA (b) Canada (c) Satellite (d) Elsewhere (e) Video
3. Who is behind Babylon 5? (i.e. Who the heck is JMS?)
4. What other SF projects has JMS been involved with?
5. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
6. Babylon 5 Episodes and Stories
(a) Television Episodes (b) Novels (c) Comics
7. How can I contact the folks behind Babylon 5?
8. One-Liner FAQs
9. Miscellaneous Info
(a) Babylon 5 online (b) Fans' influence (c) Awards
(d) Babylon 5 References in other JMS works
(e) Miscellaneous Production Info (f) Production vs. Airing Order
(g) Production Changes (h) Fan Clubs
10. Where to find online information
(a) Internet (b) GEnie (c) America Online (d) CompuServe (e) Other
11. Credits and Legalese
------------------------------
Subject: 1. What is Babylon 5?
Babylon 5 is a science fiction television series, set in the mid 23rd Century,
which takes place on a five-mile-long space station, centrally located near
Earth and four other alien alliances. The station was built as a kind of
United Nations, to help preserve peace in the galaxy; Each of the alliances
has an official representative on the station.
Unlike most television series, an overall story arc has been planned for
Babylon 5 as if it were a miniseries or written novel. Over the course of its
five-year run, events tell an overall story; hints are dropped along the way
that foreshadow events to come. However, each hour-long episode tells an
individual story and can be viewed alone. (As the show has progressed, many
episodes are less stand-alone than the earlier ones, however.)
The series is in its fifth season in North America, and is also airing
in many other countries, usually behind the US. The show, originally
syndicated to individual stations across the U.S, is now airing on cable/
satellite network TNT, with new fifth-season episodes each week as well as
daily reruns.
A sequel series, to be called _The Babylon Project: Crusade_, has been
confirmed, and will begin production in July 1998 for a January 1999 premiere.
------------------------------
Subject: 2. Where can I see Babylon 5?
Please see the Lurker's Guide for the latest information.
------------------------------
Subject: 3. Who is behind Babylon 5? (i.e. Who the heck is JMS?)
The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is co-executive
producer on the show along with Doug Netter. It has been in development since
1987, and in production since 1992. Doug Netter is an equal partner in
Babylon 5, mainly handling the business side and leaves the creative work to
Straczynski. Harlan Ellison is the Conceptual Consultant for the series; he
has also written a "manifesto" for the show that explains to other writers how
to write science fiction for television and Babylon 5, in particular. Well-
known science fiction writers, including David Gerrold, D.C. Fontana, and
Peter David contributed scripts to some episodes, although JMS writes the bulk
of the scripts. Christopher Franke, formerly of Tangerine Dream, does the
soundtrack.
------------------------------
Subject: 4. What other SF projects has JMS been involved with?
JMS has been involved with genre television for many years, as story editor
and writer for the Twilight Zone TV series (syndicated version), Captain
Power, and the animated The Real Ghostbusters. He has also written for 'Jake
and the Fatman' and 'Murder, She Wrote.' JMS has also had many published short
stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels. Until recently, he was
co-host of Hour 25, a Los Angeles area science fiction radio talk show. He
has also written a well-regarded book on scriptwriting.
------------------------------
Subject: 5. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
All special effects for Babylon 5 are computer generated imagery (CGI).
For the first three seasons, the effects were done by Foundation Imaging,
headed by Ron Thornton, utilizing Lightwave 3D and specialized software to
design and render the visual effects. (Lightwave is now running on PCs;
Amigas were used originally.) Macintoshes and PCs are used occasionally
for 2-D effects and painting packages. Starting in season 4, the effects
are done in-house at Netter Digital, using similar equipment to Foundation's.
------------------------------
Subject: 6. Babylon 5 Episodes and Stories
======== a. Television Episodes
PILOT MOVIE (year 2257)
00. 02-22-93 The Gathering Writer: JMS Director: RC
00. 01-04-98 The Gathering [re-edited and re-scored version]
SEASON ONE (2258) (Season title: "Signs and Portents")
# Week of No. Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
01. 01-26-94 103 Midnight on the Firing Line JMS RC
02. 02-02-94 102 Soul Hunter JMS JJ
03. 02-09-94 104 Born to the Purple LD BSG
04. 02-16-94 101 Infection JMS RC
05. 02-23-94 108 The Parliament of Dreams JMS JJ
06. 03-02-94 110 Mind War JMS BSG
07. 03-09-94 107 The War Prayer DCF RC
08. 03-16-94 106 And the Sky Full of Stars JMS JG
09. 04-20-94 113 Deathwalker LD BSG
10. 04-27-94 105 Believers DG RC
11. 05-04-94 111 Survivors MSZ JJ
12. 05-11-94 114 By Any Means Necessary KD JJ
13. 05-18-94 116 Signs and Portents JMS JG
14. 05-25-94 119 TKO LD JF
15. 07-06-94 109 Grail CM RC
16. 07-13-94 122 Eyes LD JJ
17. 07-20-94 115 Legacies DCF BSG
18. 07-27-94 120 A Voice in the Wilderness I JMS JG
19. 08-03-94 121 A Voice in the Wilderness II JMS JG
20. 08-10-94 118 Babylon Squared JMS JJ
21. 08-17-94 117 The Quality of Mercy JMS LSF
22. 10-26-94 112 Chrysalis JMS JG
SEASON TWO (2259) (Season title: "The Coming of Shadows")
# Week of No. Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
23. 11-02-94 201 Points of Departure JMS JG
24. 11-09-94 202 Revelations JMS JJ
25. 11-16-94 203 The Geometry of Shadows JMS MV
26. 11-23-94 204 A Distant Star DCF JJ
27. 11-30-94 205 The Long Dark SF MD
28. 12-07-94 206 Spider in the Web LD KC
29. 12-14-94 208 Soul Mates PAD JF
30. 01-25-95 207 A Race Through Dark Places JMS JJ
31. 02-01-95 209 The Coming of Shadows JMS JG
32. 02-08-95 210 Gropos LD JJ
33. 02-15-95 211 All Alone in the Night JMS MD
34. 02-22-95 212 Acts of Sacrifice JMS JJ
35. 02-29-95 213 Hunter, Prey JMS MB
36. 04-26-95 215 There All The Honor Lies PAD MV
37. 05-03-95 214 And Now For a Word JMS MD
38. 05-10-95 217 In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum JMS DE
39. 05-17-95 216 Knives LD SP
40. 05-24-95 218 Confessions and Lamentations JMS KC
41. 10-11-95 220 Divided Loyalties JMS JT
42. 10-18-95 219 The Long, Twilight Struggle JMS JF
43. 10-25-95 221 Comes the Inquisitor JMS MV
44. 11-01-95 222 The Fall of Night JMS JG
SEASON THREE (2260) (Season title: "Point of No Return")
# Week of No. Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
45. 11-06-95 301 Matters of Honor JMS KC
46. 11-13-95 302 Convictions JMS MV
47. 11-20-95 303 A Day in the Strife JMS DE
48. 11-27-95 305 Passing Through Gethsemane JMS AN
49. 01-29-96 304 Voices of Authority JMS MB
50. 02-05-96 306 Dust to Dust JMS DE
51. 02-12-96 307 Exogenesis JMS KC
52. 02-19-96 308 Messages from Earth JMS MV
53. 02-26-96 309 Point of No Return JMS JJ
54. 04-01-96 310 Severed Dreams JMS DE
55. 04-08-96 311 Ceremonies of Light and Dark JMS JF
56. 04-15-96 313 Sic Transit Vir JMS JT
57. 04-22-96 312 A Late Delivery from Avalon JMS MV
58. 04-29-96 314 Ship of Tears JMS MV
59. 05-06-96 315 Interludes and Examinations JMS JT
60. 05-13-96 316 War Without End, Part I JMS MV
61. 05-20-96 317 War Without End, Part II JMS MV
62. 09-30-96 318 Walkabout JMS KC
63. 10-07-96 319 Grey 17 is Missing JMS JF
64. 10-14-96 320 And the Rock Cried Out, JMS DE
No Hiding Place
65. 10-21-96 321 Shadow Dancing JMS KF
66. 10-28-96 322 Z'ha'dum JMS AN
SEASON FOUR (2261) (Season title: "No Surrender, No Retreat")
# Week of No. Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
67. 11-04-96 401 The Hour of the Wolf JMS DE
68. 11-11-96 402 What Ever Happened JMS KD
to Mr. Garibaldi?
69. 11-18-96 403 The Summoning JMS JM
70. 11-25-96 404 Falling Toward Apotheosis JMS DE
71. 1-27-97 405 The Long Night JMS JL
72. 2-03-97 406 Into the Fire JMS KD
73. 2-10-97 407 Epiphanies JMS JF
74. 2-17-97 408 The Illusion of Truth JMS SF
75. 2-24-97 409 Atonement JMS TD
76. 4-21-97 410 Racing Mars JMS JT
77. 4-28-97 411 Lines of Communication JMS JF
78. 5-05-97 412 Conflicts of Interests JMS DE
79. 5-12-97 413 Rumors, Bargains and Lies JMS MV
80. 5-19-97 414 Moments of Transition JMS TD
81. 5-26-97 415 No Surrender, No Retreat JMS MV
82. 6-02-97 416 The Exercise of Vital Powers JMS JL
83. 6-09-97 417 The Face of the Enemy JMS MV
84. 6-16-97 418 Intersections in Real Time JMS JL
85. 10-06-97 419 Between the Darkness JMS DE
and the Light
86. 10-13-97 420 End Game JMS JC
87. 10-20-97 421 Rising Star JMS TD
88. 10-27-97 501/ The Deconstruction JMS SF
422* of Falling Stars
* Shot in the fifth season, 501 became the season 4 finale,
replacing 422, the series finale, to air in season 5.
SEASON FIVE (2262) (Season title: "The Wheel of Fire")
# Date No. Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
89. 98/01/21 502 No Compromises JMS JG
90. 98/01/28 503 The Very Long Night of JMS DE
Londo Mollari
91. 98/02/04 504 The Paragon of Animals JMS JG
92. 98/02/11 505 A View from the Gallery JMS+ JG
93. 98/02/18 506 Learning Curve JMS DE
94. 98/02/25 507 Strange Relations JMS JF
95. 98/03/04 508 Secrets of the Soul JMS TD
96. 98/04/01 511 Day of the Dead NG DL
97. 98/03/11 509 In the Kingdom of the Blind JMS DE
99. 98/03/18 510 A Tragedy of Telepaths JMS TD
99. 98/03/25 512 Phoenix Rising JMS DE
100. 98/04/08 513 The Ragged Edge JMS JC
101. 98/04/15 514 The Corps Is Mother, JMS SF
The Corps is Father
102. 98/05/27 515 Meditations on the Abyss JMS
103. 98/06/03 516 Darkness Ascending JMS JG
104. 98/06/10 517 And All My Dreams, JMS GG
Torn Asunder
105. 98/06/17 518 Movements of Fire and Shadow JMS
106. 519 The Fall of Centauri Prime JMS
107. 522 Wheel of Fire JMS
108. 520 Objects in Motion JMS
109. 521 Objects at Rest JMS JC
110. 422/ Sleeping in Light JMS JMS
522a*
* Shot in the fourth season, 422 became the series finale.
TV MOVIES (airing on TNT)
Date Title Writer Director
------------------------------------------------------------
01-04-98 In the Beginning JMS JT
07-19-98 Thirdspace JMS MV
11-08-98 The River of Souls JMS JG
01-03-99 A Call to Arms JMS JG?
* * * * * See the Lurker's Guide for more current information.
A sequel series, titled _The Babylon Project: Crusade_, will begin production
in July 1998, for premiere in January 1999. Further details can be found in
the Lurker's Guide.
WRITERS: PAD = Peter A. David; LD = Larry DiTillio; KD = Kathyrn Drennan;
DCF = D.C. Fontana; SF = Scott Frost; DG = David Gerrold; NG =
Neil Gaiman; CM = Christy Marx; JMS = J. Michael Straczynski; JMS+
= JMS with story by JMS and Harlan Ellison; MSZ = Marc Scott
Zicree.
DIRECTORS: MB = Menachem Binetski; RC = Richard Compton; JC = John Copeland;
KC = Kevin Cremins; MD = Mario DiLeo; KD = Kevin Dobson; TD = Tony
Dow; DE = David Eagle; JF = John Flinn [III]; KF = Kim Friedman;
LSF = Lorraine Senna Ferrara; SF = Stephen Furst; GG = Goran
Gajic; JG = Janet Greek; BSG = Bruce Seth Green; JJ = Jim
Johnston; DL = Doug Lefler; JL = John LaFia; JM = John McPherson;
AN = Adam Nimoy; SP = Stephen Posey; JT = Jesus [Salvador]
Trevino; MV = Michael [Laurence] Vejar.
======== b. Novels
Date Title Author ISBN (US) ISBN (UK)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/95 Voices John Vornholt 0-440-22057-2 0-7522-0644-3
04/95 Accusations Lois Tilton 0-440-22058-0 0-7522-0649-4
09/95 Blood Oath John Vornholt 0-440-22059-9 0-7522-0654-0
02/96 Clark's Law Jim Mortimore 0-440-22229-X 0-7522-0153-0
03/96 The Touch of Your Shadow, Neil Barrett Jr. 0-440-22230-3 0-7522-0158-1
The Whisper of Your Name
05/96 Betrayals S. M. Stirling 0-440-22234-6
03/97 The Shadow Within Jeane Cavelos 0-440-22348-2
04/97 Personal Agendas Al Sarrantonio 0-440-22351-2
06/97 To Dream Kathryn Drennan 0-440-22354-7
in the City of Sorrows
01/98 In the Beginning 0-345-42452-2
[Novelization of JMS story] Peter David
??/98 Thirdspace
[Novelization of JMS story] Peter David
See the Lurker's Guide for more recent information.
======== c. Comics
Month Issue Title Writers/Artists
--------------------------------------------------------
01/95 1 In Darkness Find Me JMS/Netzer/Leigh
02/95 2 Treason Mark Moretti/Netzer/Leigh
03/95 3 In Harm's Way Moretti/Garzon
04/95 4 The Price of Peace Moretti/Netzer/Leigh
Shadows Past and Present
05/95 5 With Friends Like These Tim DeHaas/John Ridgway
06/95 6 Against the Odds ""
07/95 7 Survival the Hard Way ""
08/95 8 Silent Enemies ""
Laser-Mirror-Starweb
09/95 9 Duet for Human and Narn in C Sharp David Gerrold
10/95 10 Coda for Human and Narn in B Flat ""
11/95 11 The Psi Corps and You DeHaas/Ridgway
01/98 12 In Valen's Name JMS/Mike Collins
02/98 13 In Valen's Name 2 JMS/
03/98 14 In Valen's Name 3 JMS/
See the Lurker's Guide for more recent information.
------------------------------
Subject: 7. How can I contact the folks behind Babylon 5?
You can contact TNT to thank them for picking up B5, at the following
address:
Turner Network Television (TNT)
One CNN Center
P O Box 105366
Atlanta, GA 30348
You can write to the show's creator, as well as the cast and crew, at the
following address. DO NOT SEND SCRIPTS OR STORY IDEAS. Babylon 5 is NOT
accepting outside stories or story ideas.
J. Michael Straczynski (or any cast or crew member)
C/O BABYLON 5 <---- VERY IMPORTANT !!!!
14431 Ventura Blvd, suite 260
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(Babylon 5 is filmed on an independent lot; they are not open for set tours.)
E-mail to JMS: To avoid causing problems & wasting JMS's time, PLEASE:
* Do not send JMS e-mail inquiries & comments about the Babylon 5 story.
If you have questions/comments, do so only in a PUBLIC forum.
(But first, see the Lurker's Guide page for the current episode, or search
the JMS archives to see if your question was already asked and answered!)
* Only send JMS e-mail regarding confidential matters, and then only to his
Genie address. (See the Lurker's Guide archives to find that out.)
* Do not send JMS any attached files. (A Trojan Horse got him recently!)
* Do NOT send story ideas, requests to read scripts/stories, requests for
agent suggestions, requests for items, autographs, scripts, tours, etc.
------------------------------
Subject: 8. One-Liner FAQs
Following are some of the questions asked a lot by newcomers to Babylon 5 and
brief answers to those questions.
Production:
Q: Are the B5 novels and comics part of the official B5 canon?
A: Yes, JMS attempts to make sure the other stories tie into the big story.
Q: How come [insert name] is in the opening credits but not in the show?
A: Characters contracted for 7 or more episodes are in the opening credits.
Q: Which came first, Deep Space 9 or Babylon 5?
A: B5 was pitched to Paramount in 1989, two years before DS9 was created.
Q: What has happened with Harlan Ellison's scripts?
A: They've been delayed due to poor health and a full schedule.
Q: Is the "Be seeing you" salute a reference to "The Prisoner"?
A: Yes, most definitely. It first appeard in season 1's "Mind War."
Q: Why don't we usually see stars revolving outside C&C?
A: CGI is too costly; They're still working on a reasonable solution.
Q: Who does the voice for the main B5 computer?
A: Haley McLane, Script Supervisor on the B5 production staff for seasons 1-3.
General:
Q: Why are they using paper in the 23rd century?
A: Paper is convenient. It's actually a recyclable, synthetic material.
Q: Why was Sinclair, only a Commander, given the job of running the station?
A: The Minbari rejected all choices, down the line, until it reached Sinclair.
Q: What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean? What are the 1st and 2nd?
A: This is not revealed until the first part of the fourth season.
Q: Why is the C&C (Command and Control) Dome sometimes empty?
A: It goes on "standby" every 36-48 hours for maintenance, backups, etc.
Q: How is the "sound in space" issue dealt with?
A: Existence of sound in space is debatable; you can think of it as music.
Q: Did Ivanova and Winters have a romantic affair?
A: Yes.
Aliens:
Q: What's with the Centauri Hair?
A: Hair is a measure of status: more elaborate = higher status. Women go bald.
Q: What is that thing on Minbari heads?
A: It's a bone; it grows with age and differs for individuals, sex, and caste.
Q: Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from _Lost In Space_?
A: Yes. Only much older.
Q: How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start?
A: A misunderstanding on first contact.
Q: What is known about Vorlons?
A: Very little. Reclusive, and may be hiding something under those suits.
Q: Why are we always seeing aliens speaking English to each other?
A: As in WWII movies, we assume they are speaking in their native tongue.
Q: What race has the 'flying saucer' ships?
A: The Vree, a race that shows up from time to time; first in "Deathwalker."
Technology:
Q: How do jump gates work?
A: Ships enter one and exit another. Large ships can make their own points.
Q: What's the size and capacity of the station?
A: 5 miles long, holding as many as 250,000 beings (many in transit).
Q: How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work?
A: A super-heated burst of plasma, burning through the air.
Q: How does communication with Earth work?
A: Tachyons, giving instantaneous communications; problematic in jump gates.
Q: Where in the galaxy is the station?
A: Less than 25 light years from earth, at the star Epsilon Eridani.
Q: How does C&C have gravity?
A: They are about 1/3 out from the center, so they do have light gravity.
------------------------------
Subject: 9. Miscellaneous Info
======== a. Babylon 5 online
Because JMS has been on GEnie talking about Babylon 5 since late 1991, GEnie
is a choice place to be for a Babylon 5 fan. On the GEnie Science Fiction
RoundTable, there are two Babylon 5 categories where JMS talks with the fans
about the show, both production and story info.
Other Babylonians can be found online as well -- John Vulich and Mojo have
been spotted on Usenet; Mira Furlan lurks on GEnie; many writers such as David
Gerrold, Peter David, John Vornholt, and Christy Marx are on GEnie or CI$.
JMS is very active on the Usenet (since July 1993), although he stopped
participating when the flamebait quotient became intolerable. He has rejoined
the Usenet fold with the creation of the moderated newsgroup.
JMS is also active on BIX, on CompuServe, and several other systems. (He also
"lurks" on a few systems to get a sense of how Babylon 5 discussions go
without his presence known.)
What JMS gets out of his participation online, is, as he puts it, a "sense of
the room." Being a writer means coming up with questions to strengthen
characters and the world of the story, but nobody could ever come up with
every conceivable question. The nets are helpful because, as JMS puts it, "on
the nets, you get questions you never *dreamed* of."
One topic of discussion that arises frequently is the request that no story
ideas be suggested in the online forums. This request is in place because if
somebody suggests a story, and it happens to be one that JMS is working on
already, that JMS is potentially open to lawsuits if the poster were to
suspect that her story idea were stolen. For instance, JMS had to scrap a
story he was working on because somebody asked 'What if Joe wrote a story in
which a "memory-challenged" person DISCOVERED records of who he or she was?'
(This story was resurrected in the third season after some difficult legal
finageling....)
Often there are suggestions that the poster could include with their ideas a
"disclaimer" or a "release." This has been debated over and over again, but
the issue boils down to the problem that no matter what, the B5 production
would be exposed to lawsuits, which, even if frivolous and unwinnable, would
shut down production of the show while in litigation. Television producers in
general must go to great lengths to keep themselves protected, so JMS's
presence online hangs in a delicate balance. If you do wish to suggest story
ideas, you can use the creative mailing list described in section 10a.
Online lore: On usenet, a running joke is the Sinclair's "duck." This
reference came about because of rude postings about male and female anatomy,
which became censored to words "T*TS" and "D*CK," which became "tots" and
"duck." There are also running gags about Zima and baseball bats. Don't ask.
There's of course the <*> symbol that shows up in many fans' signatures since
the first season; it appears to represent a jumpgate, but its origin is lost
in obscurity.
======== b. Fans' influence on the show
The location of Babylon 5 is at Grid Epsilon 470,18,22 which corresponds to
the original location of the Babylon 5 topic on GEnie (Page 470, CAT 18, Topic
22). The first mention of a planet's coordinates in "Mind War" were Grid
Epsilon 471,18,25 which corresponds to a topic in the Babylon 5 Category on
GEnie.
Partially due to fan response from those who saw the pilot movie or clips,
some things in the pilot movie were changed before broadcast. The voice of
Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing and Delenn is female to
begin with. Original plans were to electronically process her voice and have
Delenn change sex during the series. Some additional voice-over was done by
Patricia Tallman to clarify one scene in the show with Kosh in the Medlab.
The branding of a Minbari in "The War Prayer" that had similarities to a DS9
episode was kept after feedback from fans about it. It had been considered
removing the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest
of the episode.
In the first season, when names submitted for a mega corporation and a mineral
were rejected for legal reasons, JMS went to the GEnie B5 Category and asked
for suggestions. The resulting names used are Quantium-40 for the mineral
(submitted by David Strauss) and Universal Terraform for the company (submit-
ted by Arne Starr), and were used in "Parliament of Dreams" and "Mind War."
Perhaps not coincidentally, the waiter in one of the episodes is named David.
The denizens of "Downbelow" are called "lurkers," a term for those on the
newsgroups who read messages but never post.
Based on interest in the legal aspects of the Psi Corps, he indicates how
some of this works in "The Quality of Mercy."
An EA ship in "A Voice in the Wilderness" is named "Hyperion" in
acknowledgment of the original name of the Babylon 5 archive site and home of
the Lurker's Guide, formerly ftp.hyperion.com.
The lightbulb joke in "Convictions" is an homage to the net presence of
B5 and the various jokes that people post. A reference to Sheridan's "true
face" as being mashed by his pillow came out of Usenet discussion.
======== c. Awards
Sept. 1993 - Emmy Award for Special Visual Effects for the Pilot movie
March 1994 - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"
Sept 1994 - Emmy award winner for makeup in "The Parliament of Dreams"
? - Cult TV Award for best new series, UK
? - Jewish Televimage Award
July 1995 - Emmy nominations: Cinematography, Hairstyling, Makeup
May 1996 - "The Coming of Shadows" awarded Compuserve Homer Award for
Dramatic Presentation
July 1996 - "Comes the Inquisitor" nominated for Emmy in Cinematography
Sept. 1996 - "The Coming of Shadows" wins Hugo award
Oct. 1996 - Sci-Fi Universe: Best Series, Best Actor (Boxleitner), Best
Sup. Actor (Jurasik), Best Sup. Actress (Furlan)
Oct. 1996 - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"
Dec. 1996 - American Cinema Foundation's E Pluribus Unim Award
for Television Series, Drama: "Passing Through Gethsemane"
July 1997 - Emmy nomination for best makeup in "The Summoning"
Aug. 1997 - "Severed Dreams" wins Hugo award
See the Lurker's Guide for more recent information.
======== d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works
In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand," Tank mentions that he's from the
Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony.
In the JMS Novel "Othersyde," Babylon 5 is mentioned as one of the characters'
favorite TV series.
In the Captain Power Episode "A Summoning of Thunder Part 2", when Hawk
activates the first power suit, Mentor says "And So It Begins". This has
been confirmed by JMS as a "Koshism" he threw in.
======== e. Miscellaneous Production Info
Babylon 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for broadcast.
Plans are for the episodes to later be available in widescreen on laserdisc
and when HDTV happens. The opening titles are in letterbox format.
Audio is being done in full Surround Sound. Larry DiTillio wrote
background dialogue (known as "walla") in the first two seasons.
Alien makeup and such for the series is being done by Optic Nerve Studios
(Everett Burrell and John Vulich) which is a change from the pilot.
The early episodes had some video and audio degradation due to the manner in
which commercials, closed captioning and such were being added using analog
transfers and used tape. Some was corrected by the broadcast of "The War
Prayer" with more improvements in time.
Several "errors" have been broadcast and then later fixed. The original
"Mind War" had a CGI error (you could see a bright star through a ship in
the first scene) that was corrected for later broadcasts. The original North
America satellite feed of "Chrysalis" was incorrectly assembled; some markets
broadcast this version. An incorrect historical reference to Jack the Ripper
from "Comes the Inquisitor" was replaced. In "Moments of Transition", an EA
Cruiser was mistakenly labelled the Agamemnon, and will be replaced. It is
anticipated that footage of Anna Sheridan featuring Beth Toussant was
replaced with Melissa Gilbert footage to improve continuity. (VERIFICATION?)
======== f. Production Order vs. Airing Order
Several episodes were aired in a different order than they were originally
produced. One reason is to allow extra time for post-production of a
particularly effects-laden episode. In a few cases, episodes were aired in
a slightly different order from their original production order; for details,
see WWW: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/
The fourth season finale was as production number 501, along with the fifth
season episodes. This is because the series finale had already been filmed,
and once B5 was given its fifth season, the episode was held until the end of
the fifth season.
TNT has assured fans that the episodes, when aired on TNT, will be aired in
an official order as determined by JMS.
======== g. Production Changes
----> Between pilot and first season:
Due to reworking and recasting after the pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima,
Dr. Benjamin Kyle, and telepath Lyta Alexander were replaced. Kyle and
Alexander were sent back to Earth under "mysterious circumstances"; Takashima
is on a classified mission, and may return someday. Much of the character
stories and back-histories were transferred to their replacements.
Make-up for G'Kar was improved; Delenn's look was substantially modified once
it was established that the character would be female.
----> Between first and second season:
Director Richard Compton, a fixture on B5 at its inception, left the show
after "Grail." The narration and main titles was changed to be shorter, and
to include new graphics introducing the characters. Many improvements in
costumes, makeup, lighting, and FX were added for season 2. Several new sets
were added, including a bazaar and an officer's lounge called "Earhart's,"
after the famed aviator. In order to advance the story, the character of
Commander Sinclair was moved "off the chess board" at the start of season 2.
According to JMS, this was a mutual, amicable decision between producers and
Michael O'Hare. Lt. Cmdr. Ivanova was promoted to Commander; Delenn went
through a physical change. Na'Toth was re-cast, and the character of Warren
Keffer was added.
----> Between second and third season:
The narration changed once again. Additional sets were brought on, including
a rather large one. Keffer and Talia Winters, and Na'Toth are no longer on
the show; Zack Allan was made a regular character, and Marcus Cole was brought
in as a regular.
----> Between third and fourth season:
Foundation Imaging is no longer doing the visual effects; they are now done in
house by Netter Digital. Additionally, many of the behind-the-scenes crew
that had been on the show since the beginning are not returning. Lyta
Alexander joins the main cast of the show.
----> Between fourth and fifth season:
Claudia Christian leaves the cast; Tracy Scoggins joins the cast.
----> A list of episodes that have been mentioned online and later retitled.
"Blood and Thunder" --> "Midnight on the Firing Line"
"Amaranth" --> "Born to the Purple"
"Carnival!" --> "The Parliament of Dreams"
"A Knife in the Shadows" --> "Survivors"
"Backlash" --> "By Any Means Necessary"
"Raiding Party" --> "Signs and Portents"
"The Resurrectionist" --> "The Quality of Mercy"
"Chrysalis, Part II" --> "Points of Departure"
"A Trick of the Mind" --> "A Spider in the Web"
"Pestilence, Famine & Death"> "Soul Mates"
"Cat and Mouse" --> "A Tragedy of Telepaths"
Season 3 was initially called "I am Death, Destroyer of Worlds."
> Scripts not used in Season 1:
"Target Unknown" and "Metaphors and Body Counts" (David Gerrold)
> Harlan Ellison stories mentioned but not written: "Midnight in the Sunken
Cathedral" and "Demon on the Run"
> Season 2 story titles shelved:
All Our Songs Forgotten, a.k.a. "Unnatural Selection" (D.C. Fontana),
The Very Long Night of Susan Ivanova (JMS), "Expectations" (David Gerold)
======== h. Fan Clubs
See the Lurker's Guide for current listings.
------------------------------
Subject: 10. Where to find online information
More detailed information can be found on the WWW at
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/resources/online.html
======== a. INTERNET
WORLD "The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5" is by far the best source for
WIDE B5 updates, information, analyses, images, and so on.
WEB North America (West): http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
Mirrors of the Midwinter site are:
North America (East): http://www.dscga.com/lurk/lurker.html
Australia: http://www.cybersite.com.au/babylon5/
Sweden: http://www.lysator.liu.se/lurk/lurker.html
Greece: http://www.ntua.gr/lurk/lurker.html
The Babylon 5 Fan club:
http://www.thestation.com/home.html
The Official B5 web site is less ambitious, but has a nice set of high
quality official graphics, movies, etc. at http://www.babylon5.com/
However, do not expect to see much new content here now that TNT is
hosting the show.
TNT has a nice site, http://tnt.turner.com/babylon5/. It holds
North-American schedule information and other goodies.
The site for the Official B5 Fan club is http://www.thestation.com/
An unofficial encyclopedia is http://interweb.uml.edu/B5/Enc/
The web holds dozens of web pages devoted to B5; you can find many
of them via links at the Lurker's Guide or the official site.
USENET rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info
A low-volume, moderated list for announcements and information related
to Babylon 5, as well as general compilations of JMS postings.
A must for anybody who can get Usenet. Created November 1995.
This group is archived on the web: http://ivory.ora.com/rastbi/
(IS THIS SITE STILL ACTIVE?)
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
The new moderated discussion group in which JMS participates, as well
as co-producer George Johnsen, along with occasional other B5 staffers
and writers. Created April 1996.
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5
This group was created in Mar 28 1994 and is the main unmoderated
Babylon 5 discussion newsgroup. JMS no longer participates here.
alt.tv.babylon-5
The original Usenet B5 group, created Feb 18 1993, and still online
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 and aus.sf.babylon5 are UK and Oz groups.
rec.video.satellite, rec.arts.tv, and rec.arts.sf.tv may also contain
Babylon 5 discussion and announcements.
FTP ftp.midwinter.com (206.148.146.193) is the main site from which you
can retrieve Babylon-5-related files via anonymous FTP.
NORTH AMERICAN MIRROR: ftp.uml.edu
AUSTRALIAN MIRROR: econ-www.newcastle.edu.au
EUROPEAN MIRROR: ftp.ctrl-c.liu.se
REVIEW The Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum, moderated by Jefrey Anbinder.
LIST To subscribe, e-mail the automated list server, listproc@cornell.edu.
Put a single line into the body of the message, reading:
SUBSCRIBE B5-REVIEW-L Firstname Lastname
This is processed by machine, so do not include a signature.
STORY An outlet for creative "fan fiction" has been set up as a mailing list
IDEAS in order to keep JMS from being exposed to any story ideas. There's
LIST also a speculation mailing list. Send e-mail to these addresses:
b5-creative-request@lists.best.com for creative stories, or to
b5-speculation-request@lists.best.com for speculation. Place the word
SUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
INTERNET A continuous chat exists on EFnet on channel "#Babylon5".
RELAY Info on the B5 chat: http://www.nwlink.com/~brett/B5irc/
CHAT
MUD/ There's a B5 MUD (info: rmeikle@cs.strath.ac.uk ) reachable by:
MUSH telnet underworld.demon.co.uk 2010 / visit babylonfive
A B5 Mush can be found at gateway.targonia.com 4201.
LOCAL MANY areas now have local area mailing lists, thanks to the babcom
AREA list server. WWW: http://www.babcom.com/b5/lists.shtml
LISTS Or, over e-mail, send 'help' to majordomo@babcom.com for a complete
list of commands. 'lists' gets you the list of lists served.
JMS To get mailings of JMS's answers from Usenet (and their preceeding
RELAY questions) as well as digest of CI$ JMS postings, send e-mail to
LIST majordomo@majordomo.cs.columbia.edu containing "subscribe b5jms"
Another similar service is available by sending e-mail to
majordomo@ulc199.residence.gatech.edu with "subscribe jms-posts"
in the body of the message.
WWW: http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~ezk/b5jms/
WARNER A new mailing list from Warner Bros. for fans has been started; it has
BROS. occasional "newsletter" mailings. Mail listserv@taz.warnerbros.com
LIST with body text: subscribe babylon5 firstname lastname
[This list may no longer be active. Let me know if you know!]
ELEC- "The Zocalo" is a 4100+ member B5 club/newsletter via e-mail.
TRONIC Send your first name, where you found this info, your city, state,
NEWS- and country of residence to katana@highfiber.com.
LETTERS WWW: http://www.highfiber.com/~katana/
======== b. GEnie
The two Babylon 5 topics are located at Page 471, Category 18 (general
series-related) and 19 (episode-specific). Archives of past messages are
available in the GEnie SFRT files areas, along with graphics files and the
interactive demos are also available in the file area.
======== c. America Online (AOL)
AOL now features a Babylon 5 Section (Keyword: Babylon5). There are official
promotional images, movies, and sounds and an (uncredited!) adaptation of this
FAQ list. Interactive interviews with the cast and crew occur frequently. JMS
now participates in the message areas.
======== d. CompuServe
JMS is a regular daily participant in the SF & Fantasy Media One Forum
(SFMEDONE), where there are three active Babylon 5 sections (for general
discussion and spoiler discussions, and the UK audience), two weekly B5
conferences, and quarterly JMS conferences. There is also another B5
conference, in the eDRIVE grouping of forums, under ETV, Section 7, SF/Sci-Fi;
JMS pops in there from time to time.
======== e. Other
JMS also frequents BIX, and lurks on other networks; there are active B5
sections on many other networks and BBSs around the world. Babylon 5
graphic files, information files, and forwarded JMS postings are available
on many of these systems. If you have a local BBS or network, feel free to
add some of the resources from the FTP site over to that system!
------------------------------
Subject: 11. Credits and Legalese
This text file may be distributed online, in complete or excerpted form, as
long as acknowledgement is made to the authors, and the URL of the current
version of this file is indicated. (see top of document.)
The Babylon 5 Frequently Asked Questions List part (A) is Copyright 1996-98 by
Dan Wood. Acknowledgement is made to J. Michael Straczynski, previous FAQ
maintainer Lee Whiteside and to excerpted contributions from the Babylon 5
online libraries, especially The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 and The Zocalo.
Maintained by Dan Wood. This is the final edition.
------------------------- "If one company dominates everything, it's
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EMAIL:danwood@ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ that isn't good for the consumer or the country."
SPAM:abuse@hormel.com :) -- Samuel Miller, U.S. Justice Department
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