JMS on CompuServe (Apr 06, 1996) *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* 1/2
Brent Barrett
brent.barrett at 24stex.com
Sat Apr 6 22:55:04 EST 1996
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The following posts may contain SPOILERS for
upcoming Babylon 5 episodes.
Continue at your own risk.
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THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE
RESPECTIVE MESSAGE AUTHORS AND CANNOT BE
REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED
PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR.
Note that JMS has expressed his public permission
that all of his messages may be reproduced freely.
I give permission for my summaries to be reposted in
any form, however I reserve all rights to them and
the right to revoke this permission at any time.
#: 482188 S5/Babylon 5: General
05-Apr-96 22:02:57
Sb: #481617-#Dust to Dust Problem
Fm: WILLIAM H. DIPAOLA
>>Both questions have the same answer: logically, G'Kar knows that his father
is dead. He saw him die. So whoever this was, wasn't his father, even though
he was appearing that way. Or was a spirit, and either way, he would've been
sufficiently apprehensive about it not to go blithely around embracing
something he didn't understand. I sure as hell wouldn't.<<
So are you possibly indicating that G'Kar could have been seeing a
spirit as well? If so, that would prove interesting.
Anyway, sorry if I've misunderstood you here.
#: 482257 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Apr-96 00:17:40
Sb: #482188-Dust to Dust Problem
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Well, G'Kar doubtless *thinks* he saw a spirit, possibly the spirit of
his father, possibly something else...revealed later as G'Lan, of course,
taking that image in order to give him a revelation.
jms
[ Summary: Wonders why Sinclair accepted orders from senators earlier in the
series if Sheridan stated that military personnel couldn't get an order
from a senator. ]
#: 482258 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Apr-96 00:17:42
Sb: #481748-Senators Giving Orders
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Real simple. For starters, both Senators are on the Babylon 5 Oversight
Committee, and the CO of B5 is answerable to that committee, as those in the
Pentagon are answerable to the senate for senate-funded activities. Also, the
matters in question, such as the labor strike, were not strictly military
matters, but *civilian* situations.
jms
[ Summary: A lurker pops out and thanks JMS & staff for "Severed Dreams." ]
#: 482261 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Apr-96 00:17:48
Sb: #482105-The Best Yet!
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Thanks, and welcome out of Lurkdom.
jms
#: 482213 S5/Babylon 5: General
05-Apr-96 23:06:21
Sb: #Comic Disappointment
Fm: JAMES R. KAPESIS
Is there anything that you can do to get DC comics to start publishing new B5
comics?
Aren't you concerned that the story you wrote for the first few issues may
never be seen by your fans?
If you're having trouble with DC, why don't you just let another company
publish the comics?
#: 482262 S5/Babylon 5: General
06-Apr-96 00:17:51
Sb: #482213-#Comic Disappointment
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
The comics may finally be getting back on line. There will be a meeting
in May in NY to finalize stuff there.
I will not, however, be writing directly for the comic anymore. DC has a
policy that they will not allow writers final say on their books. Only the
editors. On all books written by other writers, as per their contract with DC,
I via WB, have final approval. However, if I function as a writer, then I must
give up that right and allow myself to be rewritten by the editor. It's a
jurisdictional matter. Suffice to say I was appalled by some of the rewriting
done on what I'd turned in on the four issue arc.
Consequently, I will not be writing that arc, or any other books for the
DC title. I will be happy to provide information to keep the story current
with the series, farm out premises so it stays canon, and work closely with the
writers in my approval status. That way I can make sure the work is to our
standards; if I write for the book, I cannot do so, because the editor insists
on rewriting me to maintain DC's jurisdictional structure.
jms
[ Summary: Wants to know if advertisers also have to keep their audio levels
below a "legal limit." ]
#: 482263 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:17:53
Sb: #482028-<Severed Dreams>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Advertisers generally go right up to the limits of the sound, but can't
go over it. They just use up *all* the frequency range, so it seems louder and
bigger.
jms
#: 482115 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
05-Apr-96 19:39:40
Sb: #479807-#<Severed Dreams>
Fm: JOE SALEMI [ZD NET]
I hate to sound like a "gushing fanboy," but having just seen SD, all I can say
is -- You, sir, are one hell of a storyteller! I'm looking forward to
rewinding the tape, watching SD again, and then watching all three parts in a
row.
And my congrats to Bruce and Mira, too. While everyone was wonderful, Bruce
did a fantastic job showing the pain behind the decisions he had to make, and
the personal cost of those decisions.
And Mira? Well, let's just say that it's great to see the fire we suspected
was inside Delenn all along finally come to the surface. Her delivery of the
speeches to the Gray Council and the EA ships was just *perfect*. And the look
in her eyes? All I can say is I'm glad she's on "our" side. <g>
Delenn made a serious understatement when she told G'Kar, "You've changed a lot
in the 4 years I've known you" (or words to that effect). He's not the only
one that's changed a lot...
#: 482264 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:17:57
Sb: #482115-#<Severed Dreams>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Thanks, and yes, there's definitely fire and steel in Delenn, which she
calls upon when she needs it. And nobody crosses her when that happens.
jms
[ Summary: Loved "Severed Dreams" and the battle sequence and especially
liked the way the results of the ground battle were panned over to
show the cost of the victory. ]
#: 482265 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:17:58
Sb: #481743-<Severed Dreams>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Thanks. Yes, it's designed to get you revved up at the retreat, it's our
natural reaction. The TV Logic thing to do would be to go to black at that
point, and the commercial. But this show is about consequences, choices and
responsibility, and to *not* have that last scene would be a betrayal of that.
Otherwise it's just jingoism.
jms
[ Summary: Loved "Severed Dreams" and wants to know when the effects
actually got done for this one. ]
#: 482266 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:01
Sb: #481763-<Severed Dreams>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
All I'll say here is that there were *so* many EFX here that we mixed the
episode a few days before delivery, and got it down there 2 hours before the
process for uplinking the episode to stations. It was the hardest thing we've
ever done...but it was worth it.
jms
#: 481769 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
05-Apr-96 07:10:10
Sb: #479964-#<Severed Dreams, WOW>
Fm: RANDY UPSHAW
>> The next episode is kind of clean-up time for some loose threads still
lying about, then a couple of smaller stories to give us breathing space before
the next big wave (and it's a doozy).<<
So Is "Ship of tears" the next big arc episode?
Dreams was Great. I watched it 2 1/2 times last night. It has been a long time
coming but due to the monumental decision that it would be to make the split
that they did I quess the timing was good. With all the fighiting going on
every where I quess I can see where the shadows have been at work and there is
not munch else that anyone could have really done.
Since we have no idea how strong the shadows are (how many) and everybody is
now fighting there neighbors and brother is fighting brother it would seem
impossible to put up much of a major fight against a powerfull invader.
Is any body keeping score. Just how many ships and troops are on clarks side,
how many on our side, how many destroyed and what does that leave does that
leave. We saw 3 ships go down last night and several on prior episodes.
Great show JMS.
#: 482267 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:04
Sb: #481769-<Severed Dreams, WOW>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Exactly. If you're going to do something as monumental as what Sheridan
does here re: B5's status and Earth, it can't be done lightly or frivolously or
without sufficient cause. It has to be an absolutely last resort. If we'd
done it any sooner, it would've been less effective, and more of a cheat.
And yes, after two breather stories, "Ship of Tears" starts the arc
moving again, and with very few exceptions doesn't let up for the rest of the
season.
jms
[ Summary: Loved "Severed Dreams." ]
#: 482268 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:05
Sb: #482122-#<Severed Dreams, WOW>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Thanks, I agree, I think it is our best work.
So far.
jms
[ Summary: Loved "Severed Dreams" and would like to know how they can
top it. ]
#: 482269 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:09
Sb: #481726->>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
How can we top SD isn't the question. It's when. We *have* to keep
constantly getting better, improving the show. As Bob Dylan wrote, "Any man
not busy being born is busy dying."
jms
#: 481766 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
05-Apr-96 06:52:57
Sb: #481381-#>>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: DANIEL M. UPTON
>>Each caste populates the ships in their jurisdiction with their own people.
Which is why those on the Minbari warships that came in, which we'll see
shortly, are religious caste, no warriors among them...<<
Does this mean that there are warrior and worker caste Minbari doing religous
duties in the temples and warrior and religious caste Minbari doing worker
caste duties as well?
Dan^^^^
#: 482270 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:10
Sb: #481766->>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
No, those aspects are kept absolutely separate and caste-specific. It's
only when you get into the warships that, by tradition, some warrior caste have
been involved with the others, mainly as a courtesy.
jms
#: 481775 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
05-Apr-96 07:21:54
Sb: #481707-#>>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: PHILIP HORNSEY
>>I'll assume that Sheridan got excited and said the wrong name. It'd happen
to anyone. Right? Right?
Yeah, makes sense. There were a one or two other (possible) gaffs, but on
rewatching, they could all be just quick changes in perspective.
One actual problem, and I have to gig you on this because of the standards Dan
Upton, I and several other have been insisting on in the S;A&B forum.
You had a *Major* giving orders to a *Commander* (he was wearing the same
insignia as Ivannova). Add to that, said Major was a key decision maker in a
conflict where his associates were both Captains (though I have no real problem
with this as he was General Hagues aid, I assume). I know of no circumstance in
the military where a Major could *ever* outrank a superior officer. The only
exception (and I ran this down in some detail a few years ago) is in a training
situation where a Sergeant sometimes has authority over officers (teaching them
hand to hand or something) but he still calls them sir.
Phil^^^^
FREE MARS!
#: 482271 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:13
Sb: #481775->>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Except, of course, you now have an extraordinary situation in which the
Major, through the death of his CO, was now the commanding officer of the
Alexander. In ordinary circumstances, this would mean he'd be given a field
promotion.
Second, I don't recall any situation where the Major was "giving orders
to a commander." The aide on the deck of the Alexander was a Lieutenant, as I
recall. Also, if Hague indicated that he was to be given command as he died,
that would likely be honored. Finally, yes, the Major was involved in the
discussions of strategy, but in *every case* he presented Sheridan and Hiroshi
with options, and because it was Sheridan's neck of the woods, it was left to
Sheridan to give orders. He coordinated the defense, and was the only one
speaking directly with the Agrippa.
jms
[ Summary: Thinks Foundation added a new "flame effect" for the battle. ]
#: 482272 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:16
Sb: #482229->>Severed Dreams<<
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Re: Foundation "adding a new flame effect"...sort of. One night, we just
went out into the parking lot, set up a camera pointing up behind a plexiglass
screen, and set off a bunch of explosions above it. Went great until one of
the blasts was so big it melted through the plex *and* the camera lens....
Looked good though, didn't it?
jms
[ Summary: Thinks Sheridan should've given the Major a field promotion. ]
#: 482273 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:19
Sb: #482183-General Hague <Spoiler>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
I think Sheridan was kinda up to his ears in matters graver than the
Major's field promotion, though you're right, he had one coming (as I noted in
an earlier message). Given that they'd just broken away from Earthforce, and
walked away from the rank structure to some extent, it would seem a rather
indulgent exercise, since Earth certainly wouldn't recognize the field
promotion of a renegade officer.
jms
#: 482126 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
05-Apr-96 20:23:55
Sb: #481632-#<SD - Narn Sacrifice>
Fm: AL LIPSCOMB
One little question. With the station rotating for the simulation of gravity,
and the breaching pod attaching to to outside of the station: Should the
opening the pod mad have been in the floor instead of the wall?
#: 482274 S6/Babylon 5: Upcoming
06-Apr-96 00:18:22
Sb: #482126-<SD - Narn Sacrifice>
Fm: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Yes and no. They came through the "floor" which would be the outer hull.
Like any good ship, the station has two hulls for protection, an inner hull and
an outer hull. Once breaching the outer hull, they moved into the inner hull,
then angled up for a wall they could blow out.
I figured this would make more tactical sense because if they just blew
through the floor, they'd have to *crawl* out one or two at a time, whereas if
they angled in safely and then came in through a wall, they could pour in more
quickly, en masse, and be less vulnerable.
jms
[ Continued in next section -- BB ]
/*********************************************
* Brent Barrett brent.barrett at 24stex.com *
* Senior Software Engineer Automedia, Inc *
* http://www.ailink.com *
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