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Subject: Babylon 5 FAQ (A): Information about Babylon 5
Supersedes:
Archive-name: tv/babylon-5/faq
Frequency: weekly
Last-modified: 12 May 1997
+-----------------------------------+
| BABYLON 5 FAQ, part (A): |
| Information about Babylon 5 |
| and answers to Frequently Asked |
| Questions. Includes guidelines |
| for online discussion groups. |
| |
| 12 May 1997 Edition |
+-----------------------------------+
This section of the FAQ list is updated _frequently_, so if the date above is
more than a few weeks old, it's probably OBSOLETE -- check for newer editions!
There are SIX parts to the FAQ: (A) Information about B5; (B) News and Sched-
ule; (C), (D), (E), (F) are the settings for seasons 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.
The latest version of all parts of the FAQ can be retrieved via anonymous ftp
at ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/ or via e-mail by sending a note to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with any or all of these lines in the message body:
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/faq
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/news-schedule
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season1
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season2
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season3
send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season4
WORLD WIDE WEB users should see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
for the much more detailed "Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5."
IMPORTANT: DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS to the Babylon 5 groups where the
show's creator/Executive Producer participates. He would have
to withdraw for legal reasons; we don't want that!
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE POSTING SPOILERS on the newsgroups, please leave
the subject spoiler free, indicate "spoilers for {episode},"
and leave around 20 blank lines at the top. Thanks!
ALSO: BEFORE POSTING QUESTIONS to the public or JMS, check this FAQ
or, better yet, read the WWW page for the episode in question.
If you have a question for JMS, *please* post it to a public
forum so all can benefit from his answer.
Contents of this FAQ List
This FAQ list is a "launching point" to the many questions and answers about
Babylon 5. More detailed resources are available in the other parts of this
FAQ, on the WWW site, and in the print media. See section 11 of this list or
follow the cross-references for more in-depth information.
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. How can I help Babylon 5 succeed?
9. One-Liner FAQs
10. 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) Changes (h) Fan Clubs
11. Where to find online information
(a) Internet (b) GEnie (c) America Online (d) CompuServe (e) Other
12. Credits and Legalese
Subject: 1. What is Babylon 5?
## Detailed backstory: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt
## More information: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt
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
planned five-year run (which may be shortened down to four years), 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.
The series is in its fourth season in North America, and is airing the
in many other countries, usually behind the US. The show is syndicated to
individual stations across the U.S. There are plans for a sequel series, to
be called _The Babylon Project: Crusade_, though it is not yet nailed down.
There are also plans for two new B5 TV movies, one of which will be a prequel,
the other which would serve as a transition to the sequel, to be aired on TNT.
(For premise of the show and its characters, see part (C), (D), or (E) of this
FAQ. Since the premise changes from season to season, it makes sense to avoid
reading too far ahead!)
Subject: 2. Where can I see Babylon 5?
======== a. USA
Babylon 5 airs as a syndicated show on stations across the country, usually on
independent stations or members of the fledgling networks. Though it may air
on a UPN, WB, FOX, etc. station, it is not part of any of those networks. In
major markets, it runs on Wednesday or Thursday nights, though it may run as
late as Sunday in some areas, possibly at terrible hours. Check your local
listings, get the document referenced here, or call your local station.
(Puerto Rico: See subsection d.)
A schedule of current North American episodes is available in part (B) of
this FAQ. For information on stations airing the show in your area, see
WWW: http://www.babylon5.com/cmp/support/airtime.htm
(Please e-mail b5online@aol.com if you find out new scheduling information.)
TNT Cable network has bought rights to B5 for airing after series completion.
They plan to air B5 at 6 PM every weeknight.
======== b. Canada
Same weekly schedule as USA, on Wednesday nights same as U.S., though it
varies by station. On City TV in Ontario.
======== c. Satellite (North America)
Babylon 5 is fed on satellite several days before airing dates on Galaxy 4
transp. 7. Audio is 5.8 left, 6.2 right, 6.8 mono. Sunday 0900-1000 ET;
Monday 1430-1530 ET. Promo feeds: Thursdays, 0900 ET and Saturdays, 0030 ET.
B5 can also be seen via DBS on The Dish Network by viewing WSBK's programming,
though viewers are warned that WSBK often treats the show badly.
======== d. Elsewhere (current season number indicated when known)
The Lurker's Guide tends to keep a good schedule of episodes for each country,
as well as pointers to international web pages on Babylon 5.
## Got updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 WORLD"
Australia: Ch. 9, starting Dec 5. (s#3 is finished)
Austria: ORF1, Mon-Fri 15:40, repeated 10:45. (s#2 is finished)
Belgium: VT4, Saturdays at 16:55 (s#2)
Chile: Megavision Ch. 9, Sundays (usually), approx. 16:45 (s#3)
Europe: ASTRA Satellite (in German): see Germany (s#2)
France: Canal Plus (See the lurker's guide for details) (s#2)
Germany Pro7, Sundays at 5:30PM CET and Mondays 00:30 (s#3 is finished)
Greece: STAR Channel, Sundays, noon. (s#3)
Guam: Cable Ch. 7, Saturdays, 3 PM.
Hong Kong: TVB Pearl, Friday mornings at approximately 12:30 (s#2)
Indonesia: SCTV, Sundays at noon, often every two weeks (s#2)
Israel: Cable channel 3 Saturdays 23:30 or 23:45 (s#4)
& Jordan & Cyprus .... also ch. 3 daily sun - thurs at 01:40 AM
.... and Jordan Channel 2, some Mondays at 8:30 (s#1)
Mexico: Channel 4, Thursdays, 8 PM in D.F. Maybe also other cities.
Netherlands: RTL4, Saturdays, around 13:55 (s#2)
Norway: TV2 on Sundays at 16:20, Saturdays at 14:50 (s#3)
New Zealand: TV2, Saturdays, 3 PM (s#3 is finished)
Pakistan: STN, Sundays, 8 PM
Peru: ATV, Saturdays at Noon (s#1)
Puerto Rico: WLII channel 11 on Saturdays at noon (s#1)
Russia: TV-6 Moskva, Tues/Wed/Thurs, 21:15; Wed/Thur/Fri 10:15 (s#3)
Central and South America (including Mexico):
WBTV Thursdays at 20:30 CST and Sundays at 20:00 CST. (s#1/s#2)
Singapore: (It is reported that TCS may have resumed the show in February)
Spain: TVE-1, Saturdays and Sundays, about 7:30 AM (s#2 is finished)
Sweden: Kanal 5, Saturdays at 18:05. On the Tele-X satellite. (s#1&2)
Taiwan: TTV, Tuesdays, 0:10 AM. (s#1)
Thailand: Fridays, 1:30 PM (please send more information if you know it)
UK: s#4 may start around April 1997, likely on ch. 4, Tues, 6:00 PM.
======== e. Video
In Europe, Australia, and Japan, the Babylon 5 pilot movie has been released
on home video (and on laserdisc in Japan, available as an import in the USA).
A videotape of "A Voice in the Wilderness" is also available in these
countries and in Russia. The first season and second seasons are available on
tape in the UK and as an import elsewhere. Some season 1 episodes are now
available in Australia.
In the USA, videotapes of the series will hopefully be appearing someday,
though Warner Brothers seems to be hedging because they don't think there's a
market for the tapes/discs. The fan club may be able to release the videos.
According to co-producer George Johnsen, Babylonian Productions is currently
negotiation with WB on the idea of releasing B5 on the new DVD format, since
B5 would be ideal for that format. Further details are not yet known.
Though it seems they can't be shown the light, you might wish to write a
POLITE letter supporting the release on video to:
Mr. James Cardwell
Executive Vice-President/General Manager
Warner Bros. Home Video
North American Division
3903 W. Olive, Building 154, 3rd Floor
Burbank, CA 91522.
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 are contributing scripts to the show, 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?
## More Info: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/jms.credentials
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.
JMS has agreed to write a feature film adaptation of the Grimjack books by
John Ostrander. However, due to timing difficulties, JMS was not able to
write the screenplay during B5's summer '96 hiatus, so the project is on hold
for a while.
Subject: 5. What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
All special effects for Babylon 5 are computer generated imagery (CGI).
Foundation Imaging, headed by Ron Thornton, is utilizing Lightwave 3D and
specialized software to design and render the visual effects. (Lightwave is
now running on PCs; Amigas were used originally.) Space scenes are clearer
and more realistic than Model shots. Some interior shots such as docking bays
are "virtual sets" combining live action with computer imagery. Macintoshes
and PCs are used occasionally for 2-D effects and painting packages.
Starting in season 4, Foundation is no longer be doing B5's effects. They
are done in-house using similar equipment to Foundation's, headed up by
co-producer George Johnsen.
Subject: 6. Babylon 5 Episodes and Stories
## FULL Schedule and
episode synopses: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5episodes
## Past episodes: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/
======== a. Television Episodes
A more frequently updated list of North American episodes appears in part (B)
of this FAQ. A brief reference to episode premises can be found in parts (C),
(D), (E), and (F) of this FAQ.
PILOT MOVIE (year 2257)
00. 02-22-93 The Gathering Writer: JMS Director: RC
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
82. 6-02-97 416 The Exercise of Vital Powers JMS
83. 6-09-97 417 The Face of the Enemy JMS MV
84. 6-16-97 418 Intersections in Real Time JMS JL
85. 419 Between the Darkness JMS DE
and the Light
86. 420 Endgame JMS JC
87. 421 Rising Star JMS TD
Season Four or Five finale
88 or 110. 422 Sleeping in Light JMS JMS
TV MOVIES (to air on TNT)
Date Title Writer Director
01/04/98 In the Beginning JMS JT
??/??/99? Thirdspace JMS MV
John Copeland will direct episode 420; JMS himself will direct 422.
It is not known whether B5 will be given a fifth season. If not, JMS will
wrap up the story by the end of the fourth season by removing non-arc stories.
It was expected to be known by February 1997 whether the fifth season is a
"go" or not, but the news will probably not hit until May or June 1997.
A sequel series, titled _The Babylon Project: Crusade_ looks like it just
might happen. It would be an arc show, though not as rigid as B5. Further
details can be found at 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; CM =
Christy Marx; JMS = J. Michael Straczynski; MSZ = Marc Scott
Zicree.
DIRECTORS: MB = Menachem Binetski; RC = Richard Compton; KC = Kevin Cremins;
MD = Mario DiLeo; KD = Kevin Dobson; TD = Tony Dow; DE = David
Eagle; JF = John Flinn; KF = Kim Friedman; LSF = Lorraine Senna
Ferrara; SF = Stephen Furst; JG = Janet Greek; BSG = Bruce Seth
Green; JJ = Jim Johnston; JL = John LaFia; JM = John McPherson;
AN = Adam Nimoy; SP = Stephen Posey; JT = Jesus Trevino; MV = Mike
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
06/97 To Dream Kathryn Drennan
in the City of Sorrows
_The Shadow Within_ follows Anna Sheridan and the Icarus to Z'ha'dum. The next
title involves Londo and Vir at Centauri Prime; the following book is about
Sinclair when moved to Minbar to set up the Rangers and is written by Kathryn
Drennan. JMS expects these novels to hold closer story continuity than the
previous ones.
======== 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
There were 11 original comics through DC, who have stopped producing it.
Titan UK is now slated to pick up the comic, with DC distributing it in the
U.S. The JMS 4-parter, originally shelved due to DC's restrictions, should
be part of the upcoming comic issues.
Subject: 7. How can I contact the folks behind Babylon 5?
JMS has requested that if you would like to write in support of the show,
write your LOCAL STATION. See section 8 below for details.
For Warner Bros., please write to either or both of these addresses below.
NOTE: keep in mind that the folks at Warner Brothers are generally BIG
supporters of the show; it's up to the local stations to keep the show on the
air. So don't expect that writing to them will particularly do any good.
Dick Robertson Robert Daly, Chairman
President Warner Brothers, Inc.
Domestic Television Distribution 4000 Warner Boulevard
Warner Bros. Television Burbank, CA 91522
Triangle Bldg, 4th floor
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522
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. How can I help Babylon 5 succeed?
## For more specifics, please see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/
Many stations have changed their plans to drop B5 due to fan lobbying, so if
your station treats B5 badly, there are several things that you can do:
1. Write letters to your local stations
If your local station is dropping the show, you should write them a
*polite* letter asking them to change their minds. Just as important is
to write letters to nearby stations that are likely candidates to pick
up the show. You can find the addresses of stations that are dropping B5,
and their neighboring stations that should be written to, at:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/index.html
and a list of current B5 stations at: http://www.babylon5.com/cmp/support/
2. Organize with others on the Internet to encourage letter-writing
Joining (or creating) a regional mailing list can be very effective to get
people in your area communicating and organizing a campaign to save the show
in your area. It's also helpful for information: last-minute schedule
changes, for example.
You can find out if a mailing list exists for your area (or create one
if it doesn't) by visiting: http://www.babcom.com/b5/lists.shtml
3. Publicize the need to write letters in your local area
It can be *very* effective if you publicize your local campaign off the nets.
One option is to distribute flyers to local SF/comic shops and events; a
template flyer can be found at http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/
and printed 4 to a page, then copied and distributed. Remember, the people
on the Internet is a fraction of the viewers out there; plus, it's not easy
to get the word out even on the net!
Subject: 9. One-Liner FAQs
Following are some of the questions asked a lot by newcomers to Babylon 5 and
brief answers to those questions.
(This section is getting a little old. Any suggestions for new Qs & As would
be appreciated!)
Production:
Q: Will B5 last for the full five seasons?
A: This has not yet been announced. The story will conclude regardless.
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: Will the pilot air again?
A: It will air with the TNT broadcasts; it may be re-edited to improve it.
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: Joe ain't telling. To reveal the 1st and 2nd would give away the 3rd.
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: 10. 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 11a.
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.
======== c. Awards
## Got updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 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 - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"
1997 - American Cinema Foundation's E Pluribus Unim Award
for Television Series, Drama
======== 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.
Three "errors" have been broadcast and then later fixed. The original version
of "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.
======== 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 than originally intended; for details, see WWW:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/
======== g. 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.
----> 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"
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
## Got Updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 FAN CLUBS"
An official USA B5 fan club is up and running. The address of it is:
The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club, P.O. Box 856, North Hollywood, CA 91603.
Online form: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/fan-club-info (text file)
Note: UK fans can join via the UK fan club; see the UK FAQ for information.
There are some international and unofficial fan clubs, as well as some fan
clubs for particular actors. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION IN SENDING MONEY TO THESE
CLUBS; I AM NOT ABLE TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION, AND I HAVE
HEARD REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH A FEW OF THE CLUBS.
The Centaurian Sentinal is a printed monthly newsletter.
WWW: http:www.hway.net/dreamin/centauri.htm / E-mail: m.zmuda@genie.geis.com
The Circle of Friends, a fan club sanctioned by Michael O'Hare (Commander
Sinclair/Valen) is a charity organization which raises money to support
his chosen charities. For more information, contact Sandy Bruckner at
sgbruckner@aol.com or 5022 Geronimo Street, College Park, MD 20740.
WWW: http://www.muohio.edu/~thomasrd/fomoh.html
Garibaldi & Company, c/o Linda K. Shapley, 12865 NE 85th St., Suite 267,
Kirkland WA 98033 e-mail: Flashdanze@aol.com.
NOTE: Apparently some people were having problems reaching this FC; I am
reassured that they are still in business.
Bruce Boxleitner's Official Fan Club, P.O. Box 57593, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
International Bruce Boxleitner Fan Club, c/o Darla Vasilias, 230 Deerfield Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22309
Garibaldi's Security Squad, c/o Caroline Griffin, 54 Wimpole Street, London
W1M 7DF England
Julie Caitlin Brown Fan Club, e-mail Dkountz@aol.com for information.
Richard Biggs Fan Club, c/o Shirley Didemoico, 1133 Uptegraf Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
The Mira Furlan Fan Club, PO Box 523093, Springfield, VA 22152-9998.
Ed Wasser Fan Club: Bi-monthly electronic newsletter. Free to all. e-mail
subscribe@wasser.com to join. WWW: http://www.catalog.com/wasser
Australia: There are TWO fan clubs, in competition. The information for both
is provided here. The Babylon 5 Oz Fan Club: WWW: http://www.bab5oz.hl.com.au/
NOTE: I have received several reports of problems with this club; please
exercise caution. Then, there's the Australian Babylon 5 Fan Club;
e-mail bfive@vnet.ibm.com for info.
Germany: Journey to Babylon. Steffen Maier, Friedenstrasse 11, D-66978
Donsieders, GERMANY. E-mail: StefMaier1@aol.com.
Germany: German Babylon 5 Fanclub, Daniela Ricci, Mindenerstr.7, 40227
Dusseldorf, Germany. e-mail: wizart@NetCologne.de
Norway: The B5 Alliance. Inge Carlen, Ole Messelts vei 130 0676 Oslo, Norway
e-mail: ingec@powertech.no
France: Le Cercle de Babylon 5, c/o Dominique Deloze, 1, Clos de Momgambe,
54460 Aingeray, France
Russia: see WWW: http://www.aha.ru/~shs
UK: See the UK Babylon 5 FAQ.
Subject: 11. Where to find online information
## Got Updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 ONLINE"
======== 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://econ-www.newcastle.edu.au/lurk/lurker.html
Germany: http://www.asta.uni-essen.de/lurk/lurker.html
Greece: http://www.ntua.gr/lurk/lurker.html
UK (ep. guide): http://www.csv.warwick.ac.uk/~suaap/lurker/eplist.htm
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
"Agamemnon" sound site is http://rampages.onramp.net/~brummett/b5.htm
An unofficial encyclopedia is http://interweb.uml.edu/B5/Enc/
(Other B5 WWW sites are listed in the Lurker's guide.)
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/
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
B5 Sounds are at Agamemnon, ftp://archive.egr.msu.edu/pub/babylon5
REVIEW The Babylon 5 Reviews Electronic Forum, moderated by Jeff Schultz.
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.
WWW: http://mist.cit.cornell.edu/b5rev/
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 IRC: ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/usenet/news.answers/irc-faq
CHAT Info on the B5 chat: http://www.nwlink.com/~brett/B5irc
also: http://b5chat.home.ml.org
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.
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
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: 12. 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 1996-97 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.
Currently maintained by Dan Wood (danwood@karelia.com)
Comments, suggestions, etc. are always appreciated.
If you have any information to go into the FAQ and/or the Lurker's Guide,
please send them to {b5-submit@midwinter.com>.
This text file was edited on QUED/M text editor running on a Macintosh.
If you maintain an online B5 service, I can send you each FAQ update. I don't
have the resources to send updates to individuals, so please don't ask.