JMS CIS Digest: 24-Feb-96 19:20:02 through 25-Feb-96 04:06:59 (48 msgs)
b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu
b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu
Sun Feb 25 22:54:47 EST 1996
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: jhardin at wolfenet.com (John Hardin)
Lines: 1112
RFC 1153 Digest of messages from
J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
24-Feb-96 19:20:02 through 25-Feb-96 04:06:59 (48 messages)
WARNING: This digest may contain information about episodes
you haven't seen yet. Proceed with caution.
Subjects in digest:
Joe's Ear
<Messages From Earrth>
<Messages impact>
General questions
Shakespear and Marcus
<Messages From Earth>
Messages From Earth
Sigh Corps Posted?
B5 jewelry??
SF convention
Talia dead
Licanced B5 stuff
Writing B5
8 NEW B5 EPS!
5 year arc
<Messages from Earth>
<<Messages from Earth>>
<MfE - Agamnennon>
Family Viewing
Administrivia:
Contact me (John Hardin) at <jhardin at wolfenet.com> with comments
and requests. I am willing to do limited retrieval of files from
the B5 archives on CIS and posting of messages to the CIS B5 forum.
I reserve the right to delete story ideas from messages I am asked
to post on the CIS B5 forum.
I am not directly involved with any mailing lists this digest
may appear in. Other people are reposting this digest from rastb5
to the mailing list. If you have questions about the mailing list,
*please* send them to the mailing list owner. Mailing list owners
I am aware of are:
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<judge at america.net> (Dirk A. Loedding, jms-posts)
<kcop-b5-info at babcom.com> (Alan Sheltra, kcop-b5)
Replies to this digest currently go to me.
obSpoiler-space...
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Date: 24-Feb-96 03:08:27
From: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Joe's Ear
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457694 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457605 at compuserve.com>
So that idea was ear today, gone tomorrow.
Nigel and George->` (The Ferocious Attack Pixel)
Dictator of France, Duck of Normandy, Minister of Bad Puns.
Chancellor of the Ex-Keffer. Things change.
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Joe's Ear
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458136 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457694 at compuserve.com>
Besides, what guarantee would I have that somebody won't print
up a copy of the ear, take it into another room, and have unwilling
aural sex with it?
No, no, a thousand times, no.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 06:56:14
From: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earrth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457754 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457601 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
I'm not sure what to think about that alligator idea...
But I, for one, know that I don't know what you're doing with
this story. I don't expect to begin to get a handle on it until
about episode 110 (510) or thereabouts. Maybe. Maybe only after
the third run-through of TBS reruns.
You, thank the Gods, are much more imaginative than I, and a
superb and complex storyteller. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Anne
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earrth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458137 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457754 at compuserve.com>
Thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 08:30:35
From: carrie foreman <76400.1170 at compuserve.com>
To: <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages impact>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457805 at compuserve.com>
Hi, Joe
Now that you've given us one H*LL of a clue of the fate of Anna
Sheridan, I have to congratulate you!!
I was at work the day after first seeing MfE, listening to the B5
CD, and the clues hit me. I really do mean HIT me. I got a sick
feeling in the pit of my stomach! It is masterful writing to
achieve such an emotional impact over the fate of a FICTIONAL
character only seen for moments, over a year ago!
I also noted that during Sheridan's briefing at the end of
Matters of Honor, he says "the loss of my wife ..." NOT 'death'.
He doesn't know that yet (I assume he'll put it together soon),
but you as the 'divine prompter' did.
I deeply appreciate the care and craft you put into this show. It
radiates quality!!
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: carrie foreman <76400.1170 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages impact>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458138 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457805 at compuserve.com>
Thanks. Suffice to say there are interesting things ahead....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 10:29:03
From: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: General questions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457849 at compuserve.com>
{ Posted on behalf of Bob Deschenes <rdesc at dbsoftware.com> }
JMS;
My wife & I have been hooked on the series from the beginning.
Thanks for the breath of fresh air in the otherwise stale and
stagnant odor of network television!
We have two questions though....
Considering what you have laid forth as our (human) history, we
got our butts kicked in the Minbari war (only winning 1 battle!
We only 'won' because the Minbari surrendered), we are no match
for the Vorlon's and their technology (per the series pilot's
premise when the Vorlons were about to destroy the station because
of Sinclair's apparent action upon Kosh) and that we needed the
Centauri's help just to enable us to travel to the stars....
Haven't you setup a rather impossible scenerio if - as it appears
- We will be saved/led from the Shadows (who appear to be far
superior to most other races) by humans?
And...
In the series pilot, the introduction (by Londo) said something
about everything being turned upside down by one man bent on
destruction (para- phrasing here due to not having the actual
quote 'handy-like')... is/was that a reference to Kosh (who was
the focus of the pilot due to the assasination attempt) or to
Morden (who was not IN the pilot but is/was later introduced in
the first season) or to SOMEONE ELSE?
Thanks and Keep up the good work, we humbly look forward to your
insight and your 5-year vision!
-- The Universe is Insane. Anything else would be redundant.
<Londo Molari from Babylon-5>
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22 at compuserve.com>
Subject: General questions
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458139 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457849 at compuserve.com>
Exactly. The goal would seem to be impossible. So how do we
do it? Is there a vulnerability that's been laid out but not picked up
yet? Is there an advantage we don't necessarily see yet?
We have to be smarter. Humans are at our best when against the
wall. And we have to do it ourselves, in the final analysis, nobody
else can do it for us.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 11:18:26
From: Ellen Fuscellaro <76022.1032 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Shakespear and Marcus
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457859 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.455881 at compuserve.com>
> I like Marcus quoting literature, Shakespeare included.
JMS,
Just thought I'd pop out of lurking mode to second your statement
above. I like it too! Marcus has become quite an interesting
package and I look foward to more byplay between him and Ivanova.
My thanks to you for this show I love. I really enjoyed
EXOGENESIS by the way and look forward eagerly to the rest of the
season...and beyond!
Ellen Fuscellaro :)
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ellen Fuscellaro <76022.1032 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Shakespear and Marcus
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458140 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457859 at compuserve.com>
Thanks, he's a fun character.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 11:50:25
From: Jon Wolf <76103.2541 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457896 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457677 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
In one of your posts, you said a human could not pilot a
Shadow ship. Delenn said that it is possible, if he is properly
prepared. Was she lying, or mistaken?
Jon
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Jon Wolf <76103.2541 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458141 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457896 at compuserve.com>
If I said that exact phrase, it's because the word "pilot" is
not exactly correct.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 11:52:11
From: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457904 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457599 at compuserve.com>
> Given that we're looking at a high-energy weapon capable of
> burning through a four-mile wide Narn orbital base as though it
> were made of butter, it's putting out enough energy, I figured,
> to lead to a reaction with the hydrogen, whether it's a fusion
> reaction of some other.
I always just sort of assumed you were talking about fusion in
the Jovian atmosphere.
Quick question, the Violet Beam of Death (c) Shadows
3,000,000,000 BCE, seems to be a less than efficient way of
nailing a sprawling planetary target. Do they ever use something
more *positive* on cities and the like?
Phil ^^^^ FREE MARS!
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458142 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457904 at compuserve.com>
Yes, sometimes they introduce talk shows as an instrument of
war. Any culture which begins to see talk shows can pretty much rest
assured that shadows are behind it, and that our time is growing short.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 12:15:25
From: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641 at compuserve.com>
To: Joe Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Messages From Earth
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457911 at compuserve.com>
Hi Joe,
Just saw Messages and my daughter took a nap through the
entire thing so I could watch it! Your writing in this episode
was impecable. Sheridan really makes a great Captain although he
may have no choice but to fire on an EA ship. The strategy you
worte during the battle sequence was great. It was well thought
out and so REAL! Thats the biggest thing about B5 , its REAL! If
you know what I mean. No canned phrases, no predictable
outcomes. Maybe Garibaldi can kick the crap out of Zack and
knock some sense into him. For a minute there, I thought the
Shadow ship would run into the Gallileo probe.<G>
Oh yeah....Terri wants to know when the hell Sheridan is gonna
plant one on Delenn since she's her favorite character.
PS.. I was listening to a Numan song called the Secret and the
chorus is:
She is a new fascination, the cold face of love.
He is a puppet that dances and screams with fear.
Kinda reminds me of Ivannova and Marcus.
MIke
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:18
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Messages From Earth
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458143 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457911 at compuserve.com>
Thanks. And you can expect more between Delenn and Sheridan
soon.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 12:41:55
From: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Sigh Corps Posted?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457919 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
The Jawa says she might forget to ask, so I thought I'd help
her out a bit. eg
Have you put any of the CI$ Sigh Corps posts on that bulletin
board at the studio?
Carl
K.P.A.
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Carl Bussjaeger <102065.1635 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Sigh Corps Posted?
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458144 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457919 at compuserve.com>
Don't believe so.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 13:17:27
From: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 jewelry??
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457931 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
We just got a catalog with a full page of B5 stuff. Have you
authorized pins of the Psi Corps and Earth Alliance insignia?
They are shown in pretty crummy looking photos, so I can't even
guess at the materials or quality. If these are not kosher, I'll
ship you the catalog.
Oh, the rest of the stuff on the page looks okay. T-shirts,
baseball cap, coffee mug, micro-machines, and Chris Franke's CD.
Also regular and chase trading cards.
Anne
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177 at compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 jewelry??
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458145 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457931 at compuserve.com>
No, any Psi Corps pins or EA insignia are *definitely* illegal.
Can you send me the info soonest? Thanks. The usual address for the
mail drop is 14431 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 260, Sherman Oaks, CA
91423, to my attention. Thanks.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 14:44:26
From: Deon W. Becic <102147.3271 at compuserve.com>
To: JMS <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: SF convention
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457963 at compuserve.com>
Any chance we'll see you at the SF convention in April with
Claudia and Stephen?
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Deon W. Becic <102147.3271 at compuserve.com>
Subject: SF convention
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458146 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457963 at compuserve.com>
Which convention are we speaking of?
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 14:49:36
From: Deon W. Becic <102147.3271 at compuserve.com>
To: JMS <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Talia dead
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457967 at compuserve.com>
In the Zocalo newsletter there was mention that one of the
producer's told a chat room that Talia is indeed dead and
dissected as Bester said. Can we hear it from the Great Maker? Is
it true?
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:20:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Deon W. Becic <102147.3271 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Talia dead
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458147 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457967 at compuserve.com>
It is indeed true, apparently, that John said that.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 06:54:21
From: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122 at compuserve.com>
To: ALL
Subject: Licanced B5 stuff
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.457745 at compuserve.com>
Okay, let me know if this is complete or not. I am trying to
make a list of all the B5 merchandise available (mostly in the
US), and an idea of others that will be comeing available soon.
B5 Videos: Available in Europe only in PAL format. 5 (?)
videos, two epps each. No word on when and even if a US release
will happen. There is hope the official fan club may make videos
available, but no real word yet.
B5 Books:
#1 Voices, John Vornholt, ISBN # 0-440-22057-2
#2 Accusations, Lois Tilton, ISBN # 0-440-22058-0
#3 Bood Oath, John Vornholt, ISBN # 0-440-22059-9
#4 Clark's Law, Jim Mortimore, ISBN # 0-440-22229-X
#5 (I forgot my paper with title, author and ISBN at work should
come in March)
B5 Micro Machines:
Currently 4 sets, with 2 coming this Spring/Summer
#1 Space Station,Vorlon Transport, Green Ship
#2 Vorlon Cruiser, Narn Transport, Raider Ship
#3 Centauri Transport, Minbari Cruiser, Star Fury
#4 Minbari Flyer, Narn Fighter, Babylon 5 Crew Shuttle
#5 ?, ?, ?
#6 ?, ?, ?
B5 Graphic Novels (aka comic books):
From DC, 11 issues. There should be more coming in a changed
format, no word yet on when.
B5 Trading Cards:
118 cards, 2 checklist cards, 24 limited edition insert cards
(in 3 forms of 8 cards each from Space Gallery, Prismatic Foil and
Holograms)
B5 Sound Track:
Available in two forms. Limited Edition, and normal release.
>From Sonic Images. No word yet if there will be a second.
B5 Collector's Magazine:
Sandi Publishing. No word yet on second issue. Still available
at some newstands.
Misc:
From Creation Entertainment (all prices US & may not be current)
T-Shirts (M,L,XL$15, XXL,$17)
B5 Logo Printed
B5 LogoEmbroidered
B5 Cast and Ship
B5 Logo Mug (11oz) $10
B5 Logo Embroidered Hat $12
That is all I have. If anyone has new and updated info please
let me know. Now I got to go and watch the Cleveland performance
of Miss Sigon.
Thanks,
-Brian A. Thomas ^^^^
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:23:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Licanced B5 stuff
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458299 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457745 at compuserve.com>
Also, T-shirts are currently available from All-U as well, very
good quality stuff. Ruby's is doing some B5 masks which are fairly
decent. And there's the Making of B5 book coming out in about a month
in the UK from Boxtree Books, by David Bassom. (I'm currently
fact-checking his second B5 book, the A-Z of Babylon 5.)
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 16:42:26
From: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653 at compuserve.com>
To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458002 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457887 at compuserve.com>
> (YES, we want to see the end.)
This isn't part of that "Joe's body parts" thread is it? :-\
Rae ^^^^
RMES, Dictator of the Lost State of Franklin
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Rae_
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:23:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458300 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458002 at compuserve.com>
> (YES, we want to see the end.)
"This isn't part of that "Joe's body parts" thread is it? :-\"
Hey! Don't butt in....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 17:26:43
From: Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458031 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.454394 at compuserve.com>
I just want to know what all of us are supposed to do when this 5
year arc is over. . . <G>
Theo
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:23:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Theo Thourson <73214.2131 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458301 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458031 at compuserve.com>
Relax. Smoke a cigarette. Go out for pizza.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 00:22:09
From: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458287 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457602 at compuserve.com>
And since you said nobody's ever written an entire season
before.... have you called Guiness yet?
Face it: On that point, you've surpassed even Rod
Serling!
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458319 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458287 at compuserve.com>
Nope, not calling anybody until I've actually *done* it, and
there's still one more to go. One doesn't mention the term "perfect
game" while the pitcher is still on the mound in the 9th.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 19:44:03
From: FitzGeralds <103571.3245 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: year arc
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458154 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.5 at compuserve.com>
I keep reading about B5 as a five year show. Is that the plan
to only have it on for five years? I hope not. I'm just getting
into it. I just watched "Messages from Earth". Very thought
provoking and frightening! It makes one realize how easily we can
lose our rights. These particular episode has hit home with me
because this week my college son and I have had e-mail
discussions on these very issues. Reminds me of McCarthyism of
the 1950's although I think your scenario is worse since no
martial law was declared then ( in the 1950's).
Nora
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: FitzGeralds <103571.3245 at compuserve.com>
Subject: 5 year arc
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458320 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458154 at compuserve.com>
Yes, the story lasts just five years, then bye-bye.
And thanks....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 20:33:16
From: John M. Hawkins <71742.160 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458201 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.456733 at compuserve.com>
> Exactly. You need a clear and present danger, and with a
> population that nearly got wiped out by the Minbari, who are
> skittish to begin with, you drag out the possibility of someone
> else doing the same thing and it makes it a lot easier to do
> what you want to do.
A whole bunch of confusion helps too. Clark has his goons (there
always seems to be a ready supply of them around, both in the
movies and in real life), and against them are the ones who
recognize, and want to preserve, liberty. And then there's the
majority, people like Zack and Corwin who don't really know what's
going on, or which way they should lean. While they're trying to
figure out which end's up, the goons are stomping around trying
to get ahold of enough power that they can squelch any
late-breaking attempt at saving the democracy.
Let met guess. You've read some history?
-John H.
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: John M. Hawkins <71742.160 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages from Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458321 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458201 at compuserve.com>
Yeah, there are a lot of historical parallels in here, more in
tonality than specifics in some cases like these. When things get
tight, even good people sometimes don't know which way to jump.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 21:53:57
From: Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458221 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457600 at compuserve.com>
Re: Narnish script
As an amateur linguist, I very much appreciated the right to left
writing. Most folks would think only of making cool new
characters. Again, you show excellence in your attention to
detail.
Toni
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458322 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458221 at compuserve.com>
Thanks. We've featured Minbari script going straight up and
down like Japanese, right to left with Narns, and other variations.
Because they would naturally occur.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 22:02:16
From: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earrth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458232 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.457601 at compuserve.com>
> The thread will diminish for a while, then return down the road
> in later seasons, after the story takes its third major turn.
Is the arc we're in now (MFE, PONR, SD) the first or second major
turn? I suspect it's the second, with the resolution of the
Earth/Minbari/Sinclair thing being the first, but I missed the
first season so I'm not sure about this.
> But by the last episode of this season, we find that the game
> we've assumed we've been playing ain't necessarily the game at
> all. The show takes a fairly subversive direction, and of all
> the seasons so far, the one that follows, year four, represents
> the greatest writing challenge to make this actually work.
Harder than year three? Wow!
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Joe Salemi [ZD Net] <72631.23 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earrth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458323 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458232 at compuserve.com>
Yes, the current mini-arc (8-10) is the second major turn in
the storyline. The third starts with the last episode of this season,
going into the fourth year. Then you've got one more big turn about
the last quarter or one-third of year four, and then a bit of a flip at
the end.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 23:04:32
From: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458272 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458141 at compuserve.com>
Joe,
Not that I expect an answer, but it just occurred to me:
Could one of the "Side of Light" (Sheridan, Sinclair, Marcus,
Ivanova, Delenn) be prepared to "pilot" a Battlecrab - and turning
it to a powerful ship for the Good Guys?
Or is a Battlecrab alive and intrinsically "evil" enough to
prevent this, just like the One Ring could not be used for Good in
Lord of the Rings, no matter how good and powerful the user was?
Thanks to you I'm not even so sure about who is Good and Evil
anymore, in the first place. *sigh* ;>
Mike
-Mike Hoffmann
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:41:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Mike Hoffmann <100321.2604 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <Messages From Earth>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458324 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458272 at compuserve.com>
It's certainly a *very* good question.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 00:22:02
From: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Messages from Earth>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458285 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.456441 at compuserve.com>
> If you think this is bad, wait until after next week's episode,
> when you'll have to wait until April 3rd for the conclusion of
> the three-episode mini-arc.
But, thanks to YOUR efforts, we ONLY have to wait until April
3rd, rather than May!
And also, since WXON kept B5 in a Tuesday slot, *I* only
have to wait till April 2nd! :)
Which reminds me: what was the outcome of your "study" into
how the station-by-station numbers were being reported (falsified
airdates, etc.)???
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 01:42:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Messages from Earth>>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458326 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458285 at compuserve.com>
We found that the research division wasn't being updated on air
schedules; the new reports now feature accurate ratings for accurate
times, which gives us a *much* better understanding of what's going on.
jms
------------------------------
Date: 24-Feb-96 22:31:01
From: Joel Hilke <102354.1702 at compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: <MfE - Agamnennon>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458250 at compuserve.com>
OK - I'll admit it. I wasn't as fond of Messages from Earth as I
wanted to be (or as I should have been>. Nothing came as a major
surprise to me from the discovery of the Shadows on Mars (ran
across a thread a while back discussing the comics) to the
declaration of martial law. The CGI effects were amazing but the
fight was ... abreviated (a necesity given the time it took to
put them in the spot - all/most of which was important). I wasn't
too fond of how the Shadow was killed. Yea - I know - it was
explained that it was disoriented and completely mad - but it,
along with the death of the first Shadow vessel, makes them seem
less fiersome. I have no idea how it could be done better - except
the actual fights taking longer and exacting more damage.
Which gets me to the Subject of the message. Sheridan's old ship
the Agamnennon. Sheridan didn't want to fire on her - fine. I
understand. But would he have fired on another earth ship? I feel
that Sheridan SHOULD have fired on her or the jumpgate opened
should have delivered a certain amount of damage to her.
Basically, Sheridan needed to take a hit to the gut for his
assault into earth space. It wasn't an easy decision for him to
make in the first place and the only result was the declaration of
Martial Law. Yes - very serious but it was something that was
going to come anyhow. I think he needed to take a personal hit -
and being forced to fight his way out of the tight spot (but not
to the point of killing the Agamnennon) was important to send the
message home that there are serious, deeply personal,
repurcussions to his "rebellion".
Of course, and I hope this is so, this stuff is coming soon.
BTW: I would rate the episode fairly high - but not as high as I
wanted it to rate. The best parts of the episode were the more
personal ones between Sheridan and Delenn, Ivanova and Marcus,
G'kar and Garibaldi (wonderful stuff), and Zack.
- Joel
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 04:05:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Joel Hilke <102354.1702 at compuserve.com>
Subject: <MfE - Agamnennon>
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458351 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458250 at compuserve.com>
If I can, let me address one aspect of this, for your
consideration.
Back when I was working on MURDER, SHE WROTE, we'd sometimes
get letters saying, "This wasn't a good episode because I figured out
the ending. It wasn't a surprise." (Which is, to some extent, your
point here.)
The problem we had with that particular letter was this: of
COURSE you figured it out. Because you were paying attention to all
the clues we had put out there in the episode.
There seems to be this notion that nobody should be able to
jump ahead, or else something's wrong or bad about the episode.
Absolutely not true. If you're going to play fair with the audience,
whether it's B5 or M,SW, you've got to put enough bits of information
out on the table so that the person who's really following it can
figure it out...so that at the end, those who *didn't* figure it out
can back up the tape, watch for the clues or leads, and see where it
all came from. That's playing fair.
If NObody gets it, you haven't done your job right.
If EVERYbody gets it, you haven't done your job right.
The best case scenario is a bell-shaped curve. Some don't have
a clue what's coming, some manage to figure it out, and the majority
have a kind of vague sense where it's going, but there are still
surprises along the way. If the bell-curve shifts one direction or the
other, then you're in trouble.
So far, B5 seems to be hewing right to the bell-curve. For
every person who says "okay, this was expected," there's been another
saying, "I had no *idea* this was going to happen here, or so fast."
(Many of these have been right on this forum, in fact.)
Finally, do bear in mind that you have an advantage here that
99% of all the viewers don't: the discussion here on CIS, and direct
comments from me. For instance, I just noted elsewhere that we've got
major turns at the end of this season, and one 2/3rds into year 4.
Now, if at those points, somebody says, "Well, I knew this was coming,
that's bad," I intend to whap them, because the reason they likely knew
it was coming was because I *said so* right here.
But that same 99% doesn't have this advantage.
This is the main difference I've noted in the mail that's come
in: the net-folks are constantly trying to figure out what's coming up
next, treating it like a mystery story (which, really, it's not, any
more than ANY novel is a mystery in that you don't necessarily know its
turns and twists as you're reading it), whereas the non-netted folks
tend to just take it as it comes.
See, that's the other part of this. People on the nets tend to
treat it as though it's a mystery novel, and when it doesn't hit that
aspect, say it's flawed as a result...when it was never INTENDED to
function as a mystery novel. It's a novel period. A mystery novel
depends absolutely on the riddle at the center of it. This is a saga,
which uses a different structure. It isn't a mystery any more than
Lord of the Rings is a mystery, even though when I first read it I was
wondering what was going to happen next.
Also, a mystery novel is done when the mystery is finally
unraveled. Not so the B5 story. By the end of this season, most of the
mysteries will be unraveled, and the pieces laid on the table for all
to see. It then becomes a matter of what the characters *do* about it
thereafter.
If I'm doing my job right, and setting up things to come
properly, and giving all the clues to it, then by definition a certain
number of people HAVE to figure out what's coming. As long as it's the
smaller portion, that's as it *should* be. So you'll understand why I
tend to get in here for a moment when that's held up as something bad
or poorly done. (And, again, even you note that the only reason you
knew about the shadows on Mars was via reading it here, or others read
it via the comics. Again, that's a very small portion of the audience;
most I've heard from had NO idea about that aspect of it. If you
hadn't read it here, you likely would have been surprised by it.)
Anyway, just something to consider in all of this....
jms
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 02:30:47
From: Alan Auerbach <75176.3726 at compuserve.com>
To: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Family Viewing
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458328 at compuserve.com>
Hello Joe,
I thought you might get a kick out of hearing how we
became a family of Babylon 5 viewers.
I started watching mid-second season, after being
badgered by one of my lunch buddies. We would complain about the
recent DS9 episodes, and he'd say "you really ought to watch
Babylon 5, it's quite good".
Then, my wife, who fell in love with Bruce Boxleitner
during "Scarecrow and Mrs. King", noticed Bruce while I was
watching one day, and became an instant fan. (Yes, she enjoys the
story too.)
The third member of my family is my 22 month old
daughter, who will, when she sees an impressive space scene, point
to the TV and exclaim, "Cool!". Hmm, I wonder where she picked
that up?
Thanks for creating such a great show!
Alan, Lisa & Lauren
------------------------------
Date: 25-Feb-96 04:06:59
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644 at compuserve.com>
To: Alan Auerbach <75176.3726 at compuserve.com>
Subject: Family Viewing
Message-ID: <forum.sfmediaone.458352 at compuserve.com>
References: <forum.sfmediaone.458328 at compuserve.com>
That's great. I appreciate hearing that, thanks, and my regards
to all three of you.
jms
------------------------------
End of JMS CIS Digest 24-Feb-96 19:20:02 through 25-Feb-96 04:06:59
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