Date: 01-Feb-96 00:04:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Voices of Authority<<

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> Oh, BTW, did you get a picture of a rat at a computer screen?

     Ah, is that what that was...I remember it, and was both amused
and bemused by it.

     What's fun, for me, about the Minipax lady, is that she *clearly*
knows that this is a game on one level, her comment about just
rewriting the dictionary...she knows the problems aren't *really* gone,
they just defined them away.  But when she's in front of a crowd of
folks predisposed to her message, she goes full-tilt.  Showmanship.....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 13:56:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sharon Foster <76360.301@compuserve.com>
Subject: HE on PI

{original post had no questions}

     Yup...and it's a good point.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 13:56:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Where does the fetus develop, and from where is it born?
> Is Minbari physiology similer to human, or significantly
> different (such as the Centauri)? Is this accurate?

     The padded out area of Centauri males is where their genitalia
(their tentesticles) are located.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 13:56:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jeff Frank <70402.3015@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Voices of Authority<<

 Jeff Frank <70402.3015@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was it just me or were a large number of the Nightwatch members
> looking pretty distressed about the new orders?

     Now the weeding out process starts.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 22:25:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were you _bemused_ by the fact that people actually have pet
> rats?

     "they'll work for sunflower seeds."

     Ah...I see they have the same agent I do.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 22:25:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do they protrude or extend from what would correspond (on humans)
> from the navel area or groin area? Where are the Centauri female
> orifices located and do they have more than one?

     Actually, Centauri have six.  They extend out from the sides of
the body, and "fold" in over the solar plexus when not in, er, use. 
(We actually saw one extended for other purposes in the first season,
"The Quality of Mercy.") Female Centauri have six...er...slotted areas
on either side of the spine, just above the hips, three on either side.

     To go any further would probably bring in the FBI.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 22:25:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA>

 Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you script the look of admiration Marcus gives Ivanova after
> she gets her answer from the Walker? Musante's speech to the
> Nightwatch--were you reading some of Herr Hitler's speeches
> before writing that?

     Yeah, the Loki was a little nod, sort of appropriate to who she
was.

     The crew you see on the White Star doesn't reflect those in other
parts of the ship.  Also, being fairly advanced, it doesn't require a
big crew in command.  You could even fly it single-handedly if it came
to that.

     And yes, the historical parallels are definitely there.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 01-Feb-96 22:32:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: NORMAN H. JOHNSON III <103707.410@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

{original post had no questions}

     On the other hand, Zack *didn't* rat out the code 7-R stuff to
her in any detail.  He's absolutely caught between the two sides, and
not sure which way to jump.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 12:29:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen E. Bahnsen <102735.3557@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  Yeah, everyone involved did a great job on that episode.
It was a lot of fun.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 12:29:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Stephen C. Smith <76150.1170@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Stephen C. Smith <76150.1170@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why didn't Garibaldi just remind him that Garibaldi got shot in
> the back when he uncovered the conspiracy? Or was Zack not around
> then and they've kept it from him because of his Nightwatch
> involvment?

     You have to remember that all Garibaldi's people knew was that a
few guys came through the station that may have been involved in the
assassination. That is NOT the same thing as showing that Clark is
involved.  There was no apparent connection.  We the audience suspect
it, from what happens, but until now there has been no evidence of it. 
So yes, they know that Santiago is dead; that there's some indication
that he may have been assassinated...but that's a long way from
pointing to Clark.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 12:29:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John R. Finnan (Ireland) <100012.3073@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 John R. Finnan (Ireland) <100012.3073@compuserve.com> asks:
> how were the ribs that day?

     The ribs were great.  What can I say...barbeque day here at the
stage is every Friday.  Choosing between ribs and a naked
woman...that's hard after age 40.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 12:29:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com> asks:
> My wife and I nearly died laughing and my kids kept asking "What?
> What?"
> What are Narns like?
> Minbari?
> Drazi?
> Markab?
> BTW, how did you get away with showing that part of Centauri
> anatomy in TQOM? Were the censors asleep?
> Did you bribe them?
> Or were they just clueless?

     Nobody's what they seem around here...

     As for the tentacles...well, there's no rules about showing
tentacles on TV.  I think they didn't even want to deal with it.  There
are some moments when they pretend they didn't see it, and I pretend I
didn't write it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 12:30:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is that Eeep related to the message, or something else entirely?

     It's somebody else's eep, not mine.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 22:57:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why are these officers not *screaming* to *everyone they know*
> that they *KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN*!?!? Is Sheridan/Sinclair's
> report what cause General Hague to become suspicious? Am I simply
> wrong, and this Conspiracy of Light is simply the reaction I am
> asking for?

     With Clark removing all the evidence, and others giving orders to
drop it, and knowing Clark would stop any kind of investigation, what
is there for them to do officially?  They had to begin working covertly
to prove it, which is what they've been doing ever since "Hunter,
Prey."  If you're a military officer, and you're given a direct order
from your commander in chief or the Senate Oversight Committee to drop
something, and you violate those orders, you're up on charges or fired.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 22:57:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA>

 Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> asks:
> I take it that the 'mask' as an 'encounter suit'?

     It's certainly a form of representation, an icon, rather than the
literal entity, yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 02-Feb-96 22:57:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<We need a mind wipe>>

 Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is that supposed to serve some practical purpose for the union
> members?

     Yes.  For instance, you're a star, and you say, "I want my name
to appear before the title."  So the next star says "Well, then I want
mine right after the title."  Editors' credits have to go in a specific
place in relation to the title.  And so on.  It's to help avoid
problems of dumping people's credits where they won't be seen.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 00:19:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Raul A. Martinez <102250.1006@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA> Nightwatch=Disney

 Raul A. Martinez <102250.1006@compuserve.com> asks:
> No other reason is necessary, after all, how could the boss be
> wrong?

     Yep, sounds about right.

     There's a reason most folks who've been involved refer to the
company as Mouschwitz.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 19:42:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, there is no homosexuality among the Centauri then?

     I don't recall saying or implying that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 19:42:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

 Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is the nightwatch going to start "cleansing" the lurkers from B5?
> Is the book of G'Quon going to be the teachers edition with all
> of the answers for the shadow war?

      Nightwatch has bigger goals than dealing with lurkers....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sarah E. Heacock <102412.1400@compuserve.com>
Subject: New to Babylon 5

{original post had no questions}

      Bless your heart...thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com>
Subject: New to Babylon 5

 John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why did he bother with Londo?
> What if Londo had caused a scene and "Varner" got detained by
> security? Did someone else, with another changeling net, try to
> kill Kosh? Was Lyta's mental vision faked by Kosh?
> Will we find out in the very last episode of B5?

      Actually, it was stated in the pilot that the assassin gave
Londo a line of credit (later canceled) which Londo used to continue
gambling, not that he personally stayed there the whole time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

{original post had no questions}

     If you're talking about the conference room scene...Draal wasn't
put into the scene digitally.  You do a split screen, with the camera
locked off.  In one Delenn walks over to a point just short of the
line; in another you get a shot just of the wall; then Draal walks up. 
You then use a dissolve technique to fade him into the room on his side
of the split screen.  But he's not being put *into* the room, he's
already there, so he's neither bigger nor smaller than he is in real
life, since he IS in real life there, not added in.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com> asks:
> So does that mean we have 4 more episodes untill a rerun cycle
> and how many of these will deal directly with the story line?

     Randy, I honestly don't think, after episodes 8-10 have aired,
that you're going to have any problems with how fast the main story is
progressing. And do bear in mind that the "main story" isn't just the
war; if you wanted to do that, you'd just do Space A&B.  It's operating
on a whole lot of other levels.  Nonetheless...this entire season is
much faster overall in developing than the two before.  The first two
seasons we were mainly putting the guns into position.  Now we're
pulling all the triggers.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> asks:
> What more can we do?

      It takes us no longer to make the episodes or the EFX really
than it did before.  But PTEN will not air shows out of sweeps periods,
for the most part. The episodes on hand now were finished weeks, and in
a couple of cases over a month ago.  They sit on the shelf until PTEN
decides to air them.  The only thing we did was swap "VoA" with
"Passing Through Gethsemane" to give that one a little bit more time. 
That's it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 03-Feb-96 21:16:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David DeRubeis <75221.2351@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 David DeRubeis <75221.2351@compuserve.com> asks:
> Or how many *years* was it before Frederic Pohl's Heechee series,
> Roger Zelazny's Amber series, or Poul Anderson's Flandry stories
> played out?

     RE: the arc...the way it's always been structured, given the need
to ease viewers slowly into it, is that season 1 had maybe 4-5 really
strong arc episodes; season 2 had maybe 8; season 3 is almost equally
50/50; season 4 will have an even higher number of arc episodes; and
season 5 is nothing BUT arc stories.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA>

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Ok, Joe, what does "Zog" mean?
> What is this species of First Ones called?
> That scene with Zack and Political Officer Julie at breakfast:
> Did Zack sorta flirt with her because he had the same sort of
> interview with her the previous day that she tried to have with
> Sheridan the night before?

     No, that wasn't the relationship between her and Zack, much as he
might've wished for it.  As for the walkers at sigma 957...the
recognition signal is their name, which is 15,000 letters long (we had
to cut this line for time).  So I can't really repeat it here.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David DeRubeis <75221.2351@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 David DeRubeis <75221.2351@compuserve.com> asks:
> How does that work?
> Do the stations order the show, and then if there are enough
> orders Warner renews the series?

     Correct.  There's a certain number of stations you have to have
to make the syndication deal work financially.  You get that number,
you get the pickup; you don't, you don't.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Jeffrey Martino <73477.1506@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA la France>

{original post had no questions}

     You didn't imagine it....

     Part of what appeals to me is the idea that the English/French
animosity you often see (though clearly not in all cases) would
continue not only into the future, but outside Earth.  Realistically,
if you go into Europe, you find people holding grudges 500 years old,
or more.  Seemed appropriate to carry this small one forward as well.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Randy Upshaw <75464.1275@compuserve.com> asks:
> Perhaps you and everyone else are correct and I am so invloved in
> this story that I can't wait (which is the case)? Are we going to
> see these before another rerun cycle? Are B5's ratings in an area
> that are going to support a 5 year run?

     We'll see 8 and 9 in this current cycle, yes.  #10 will be aired
in the next batch, in late April/first of May.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

{original post had no questions}

     Yes, it was.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:30:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Nothing is black and white in your Babylon 5 world, is it?
> Who would have thought that at the end of this episode I would be
> more frightened of Kosh than of Bester? Or maybe not...any news on
> that front?

     We'll approach McGoohan when we have a script good enough for his
skills.

     RE: Bester...thanks.  I'd decided a while ago that the next time
we saw him, he either had to win, or he had to be right.  If he lost
again, it'd cut his credibility out.  This gave me a chance to do some
interesting things with him.  He's a fascinating guy...a creep, and I
wouldn't trust him for a second, but fascinating nonetheless....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:31:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was he digitally added at any point in that episode?

     We shot two plates, first with him in the machine, then him out,
never moving the camera, so it matched exactly.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 14:31:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elizabeth <76202.563@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Elizabeth <76202.563@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there going to be another rerun break after these, or do you
> know yet?

      I think there's a break until late April/first week of May.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 16:41:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices>

 Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why go out of your way to help people if you can't change the
> outcome? Is being a satellite of one superpower really better than
> being a satellite of the other?

      You're right about the shadow war, in many senses.  The story of
B5 is the story of B5 and its people, not the shadow war, which is a
*part* of that story but not the whole of it.  (Remember, it wasn't
even mentioned in the first season.)  If it's just about a war, any
war, then something's wrong. There has to be more to it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 20:35:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you do exactly the same thing in The Long twilight struggle?

     Don't really remember....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 20:35:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Pat Bradshaw <71202.1532@compuserve.com>
Subject: Tolkien Influences

 Pat Bradshaw <71202.1532@compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I close?
> Am I hallucinating?
> Should I get a life and get out more?

     What you have to understand is that virtually all of the items
you list are generic tools used in great mythic sagas.  A lone group
with great responsibilities, a dark force gathering strength, defenders
of light, beings of great power who are inscrutable or difficult...the
names change but the archetypes remain.  Tolkein used those archetypes,
as I'm using them, as other writers have used them.  Consequently, you
see in this show whichever myth-cycle you're most familiar with.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 20:45:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can I infer from that statement that by the time we reach season
> 5 we'll actually know just what that arc is?

     You'll pretty much have a sense of the overall arc's direction by
the end of this season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 20:45:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> WHEN!!???!!!!
> That means that after this group of 5 episodes we're going to
> have NINE more weeks of reruns?? How many episodes are they going
> to save till next year THIS time??? Seven???
> Eight??
> How can WB expect this show to get any decent ratings whatsoever
> if they never show any fraggin new episodes? Can they really
> believe that they can show 8 weeks of reruns at a time and then
> bang, show new episodes only during sweeps periods, and expect
> the ratings to be there as soon as new episodes start?? Why the
> hell can't they show B5 episodes in groups of 7 or 8?? Would it
> help if us, the fans, started a write in campaign to Dick
> Roberton (I think that's his name) and give him a wake up call?

     Dick Robertson isn't to blame for the schedule, apparently; it's
a decision made jointly by the stations.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 04-Feb-96 20:45:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA> Nightwatch=Disney

{original post had no questions}

     It's interesting to note that Eisner raised the ticket prices at
Disneyland immediately upon arrival...and his salary bonus that year
was equal to the amount of that increase for the year.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 01:17:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, does the change in the structure of PTEN affect how their
> control of the show?

     I've no idea...TV business deals not Zathras' strength....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 01:17:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com>
Subject: And the rock...

 Elyse M. Grasso <70302.3304@compuserve.com> asks:
> Where does "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place" come from?

     It's from an old gospel song/spiritual.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 01:23:11
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

 Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, do the Vorlons really worship a god named Boojie, and why
> does he wear a bucket over his head?

      And best of all, the comment was sufficiently subtle that
there's no way really to censor it...it's all implication.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 01:23:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Thomas M. Conlon <73544.321@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<B5 - WWII Parallel>>

 Thomas M. Conlon <73544.321@compuserve.com> asks:
> Has anyone else noticed the similarity between the Shadow Wars
> and WWII? Remember the Secret Police?
> Anyone care to put in their 2 cent's worth?

     While yes, there are some intentional WW II parallels here, do
bear in mind that you don't have to go all the way back to the Gestapo
to find this kind of mentality...Sen. McCarthy would've been quite at
home in Nightwatch.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robert Miller <71501.3042@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA>

 Robert Miller <71501.3042@compuserve.com> asks:
> Would it be fair to say that the FO was not pleased to hear the
> Vorlons mentioned?

     Fair, yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do I take it from the invocation of Kosh Mode, that the issue of
> gay Centauris is off limits?

      Well, not to other Centauri....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<B5 - WWII Parallel>>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Can PsiCorps members belong to Nightwatch?
> Where did they do their recruiting for Nightwatch?
> Are they the SS to HomeGuard's SA?
> Do they have arrest powers, and are these "thoughtcrimes" that
> they investigate *officially* illegal, or do they have to trump
> up a sedition charge? What is President Clark's first name (I have
> heard William on ANFAW, and Morgan elsewhere, including Clark's
> Law)? Where did he get this *extreme* personal *hatred* for Luis
> Santiago?

     It's William Morgan Clark.

     And yes, they have some powers of arrest.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Netter join us for a bit to explain why 9 week dry spells are
> good for the show and such?

     Doug doesn't like it either.  Not our choice.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:29
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Walter F. Hern <74201.2063@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Walter F. Hern <74201.2063@compuserve.com> asks:
> Season 6?
> Was it?

     Some was new, some old.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Belt <72142.1365@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

{original post had no questions}

     Good to know.  Thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 12:01:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  Much appreciated.  I'll get one right for him yet.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 18:25:25
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <B5 - WWII Parallel>

{original post had no questions}

     Nope, not a save at all.  He says his full name in Chrysalis. 
"I, William Morgan Clark..."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 18:25:28
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

{original post had no questions}

      I tend to agree.  I tend to like more S:A&B episodes than not;
there has been some very good work.  I knew almost instantly that the
new character in this weekend's episode was going to end up dogmeat,
but that said, the trip there was interesting.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 05-Feb-96 18:25:32
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: AsstOp Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 AsstOp Pam Jernigan <75540.2554@compuserve.com> asks:
> PJ ^^^^ President, Southern Combine; Having an Out-of-Forum
> Experience FAQ or Fiction?

     Thanks.  At least it's a shorter wait this time than last.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 00:05:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Where do baby narn come

 Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there homosexuality among other races which have male and
> female genders defined? A related question: Are there races in the
> B5 universe which have transcended male / female? And another
> related question: Are there different genders in the Vorlon race?

     Yes, yes, and yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 00:05:24
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, At the risk of asking a silly question, in light of the
> technical explaining going on here, am I correct in assuming that
> Drall is just plain a big man?

     He's a tall, stout fellow.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 00:05:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Book #3: Blood Oath

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> How much of the Narn terminology and the like, not to mention the
> details of the Narn homeworld, are accurate and canon?

     It's accurate in some places, not in others; details slip
sometimes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 00:05:27
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA: Draal>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any comments on this?

     People said this about Londo, too.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 02:08:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Sarah E. Heacock <102412.1400@compuserve.com>
Subject: New to Babylon 5

{original post had no questions}

     Yes, but since time and space are curved, they eventually loop
back the way they came, and thus you will end up in the final analysis
ahead of where you were when you first discovered the program.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 02:11:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: 'Dust' AVI in lib 5

      BTW, for those interested, who have video for windows, I've
uploaded an .avi file (full video and sound) of the teaser for "Dust to
Dust" in library 5.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 13:09:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174@compuserve.com>
Subject: UK Ch4

{original post had no questions}

     Correct.  The widescreen footage used in the titles is exactly
the same as that shot for the show, only we crop the edges off.  You
only have to compare the first sesaon shots from "Parliament" to verify
that they're the same.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 16:25:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alexis Holizki <75027.1277@compuserve.com>
Subject: <B5 - WWII Parallel>

 Alexis Holizki <75027.1277@compuserve.com> asks:
> I take it the author wasn't as well-informed as he should have
> been?

     Missed that in the proofreading....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 16:25:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Nigel Nixon <100666.2174@compuserve.com>
Subject: UK Ch4

 Nigel Nixon <100666.2174@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any news on whether C4 have bought season 3 in WS?

     No word yet, no.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 06-Feb-96 16:43:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Roger Stenning <101521.1646@compuserve.com>
Subject: Q. "Time On Target!"?

 Roger Stenning <101521.1646@compuserve.com> asks:
> Just what does "Time on target" mean?
> Help, anyone?

     You fire your weapons (missiles, other stuff) not necessarily at
the same moment, but so that it all *hits* at the same time.  Time is a
factor for the arrival at the target.  Hence, time on target.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 00:11:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dan Hayes <72303.2134@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Voice In <VOA>

 Dan Hayes <72303.2134@compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I nuts?

     It was definitely Ed Wasser.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 00:18:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Joel Hilke <102354.1702@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Joel Hilke <102354.1702@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is he conning everyone?
> Does he really think that everything he does is for the greater
> good of earth?

      "Dust to Dust" is what I call one of my "pretty box" episodes. 
I set down the pretty box in front of you, and you think you know what
it is. Then something else entirely jumps out of it at your face. 
There's more coming here and there.  I like pretty boxes....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 01:38:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin Kenney <76072.1474@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

     Your friend should learn a few things from history.  Your friend
should learn that virtually everything the Political Officer said was
taken, in one form or another, from actual speeches from people like
Goerring and Goebbels and Hitler and McCarthy and other members of the
House Unamerican Activities Committee, stated right out in public. 
Your friend should learn that some epidodes are meant to be lighter,
some darker, because you can't have despair, sturm und drang every
episode or you're going to lose viewers left, right and center.  Your
friend should learn to speak for himself.  You should stop hiding
behind "your friend's" comments.

     That "your friend" doesn't like something doesn't make it bad,
any more than liking something makes it good.  Your friend should learn
that the universe does not revolve around his opinion.  Your friend
should try writing something, and selling it, before he sets out to
tell a writer the "better ways" that writer should be telling his
stories.  Your friend seems to think that unless it's done *his* way,
the "better way," then it's not good.

     "jms...not having the time to find better solutions to each
scene."  I had plenty of time to find solutions to each scene.  I chose
the solutions that I liked.  And that most folks seem to have liked. 
Again, if your friend would've chosen a different way, then it's your
friend's story, not mine, and it's not "better."  Because I don't
happen to tell my story the way your friend wants to tell a story
doesn't make his "better."

     So I guess all the people who enjoyed VoA, who enjoyed the
dialogue, who laughed out loud at all the right places, who liked
it...they're all fools and idiots because your friend says otherwise,
huh?  Because clearly it's *bad*. No subjective opinions here, your
friend says it's bad, well, then, by golly, it's bad...and the rest of
the viewership is just plain dumb not to perceive it.

     "Your friend" has clearly never been through a writing workshop,
or learned how to present constructive criticism.  It's his way or the
highway.

     When "your friend" has written 145 produced television scripts,
and been nominated for multiple writing awards, written columns and
books on scriptwriting, *then* he can tell me the "BETTER" way to
write.  Meanwhile, if he has logical concerns, questions, flaws to
point out, mistakes that were made, I'm happy to hear them.  But anyone
who sits there and says that he knows the *better* way to do
everything, because his way IS the better way, and if it's not done HIS
way then it's wrong...doesn't have the first idea what the hell he's
talking about.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:57:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Nedrow <70004.1273@compuserve.com>
Subject: 'Dust' AVI in lib 5

 David Nedrow <70004.1273@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any chance you could upload these as Indeo files?
> Or, do you mind if I do the conversion and make them available?

      I'm not set up for that conversion; if you can do it, by all
means....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:57:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: A Voice In <VOA>

{original post had no questions}

      Don't know what else he's doing, actually....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:57:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com>
Subject: live action/CGI

 John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this because they have to use trial and error to get it to
> look right?

     The shot as filmed wasn't locked down (locked camera), and they
had to take the film and carefully insert the material so it wouldn't
look jumpy.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:57:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John Hardin <74076.22@compuserve.com>
Subject: general Psi questions

 John Hardin <74076.22@compuserve.com> asks:
> So what about the telepath in Sinclair's squad during the Battle
> of the Line? Was he a closet "teep"?
> or was EA desparate for any pilot?
> or is this just some propaganda on Psi-Corps part??
> Say, what was that stat about teeps and teeks?
> What do we call Talia's husband?
> eep??
> eek??
> Finally, how high do the P-ratings go?
> P-5 Commercial telepath (Lyta?) P-10 Instructors P-13 Psi-cops
> P-?? will we ever see her at her full potential?) P-??

      As I recall, it was mentioned that he was a closet teep.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:57:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: RICHARD D.SHEPPAR <100111.1053@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 - Uk?

 RICHARD D.SHEPPAR <100111.1053@compuserve.com> asks:
> if you could tell me when Channel 4 are showing B5 in the Uk (I
> heard something about them buying a widescreen verion)? Can you
> shead any light?

      I haven't yet heard the final disposition on this.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:58:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin Kenney <76072.1474@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

      Ivanova wanted to get in the face of the First Ones, to say,
"Look, you can blow me away, but damn it, listen to me."  If she'd said
that "more reverently," as your friend noted, it would've worked
against the logic of the scene and the resolution.

     (Also, the political officer never "stormed into Sheridan's
office." She was waiting there, quite demurely, as he entered.  So
again, when he says that his complaint is "with Sheridan's lack of
response when the political officer stormed into his office," and that
never happened in the first place, you can understand why I might have
a problem with this.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:58:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Esther Schindler [EXEC] <72241.1417@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

 Esther Schindler [EXEC] <72241.1417@compuserve.com> asks:
> How often do you tell someone that you write, only to have them
> tell you that they've always intended to write a novel one day? as
> if their intention is just as valuable as the effort you really
> put into it, as the late nights spent struggling with the nasty
> paragraph that refuses to sound right, as your pride in
> re-reading your text and saying, "yes, that's what I wanted!"?

      Yeah, every so often, I get somebody who says, "Yeah, I could be
a writer too, if I just had the time for it."  Yes, and I could be the
Prima Ballerina of the Bolshoi if I just had the time for it.  They
don't understand that it takes *years* of training, work, isolation,
trial and error...that it's a *craft* that, like any other craft, from
woodworking to brain surgery to playing the violin, takes years to get
right.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 18:58:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Esther Schindler [EXEC] <72241.1417@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

 Esther Schindler [EXEC] <72241.1417@compuserve.com> asks:
> Or is this a guy thing?

      Her feeling was likely that it has always worked with her in the
past. He's widowed, probably hasn't had any in a long time, he's
vulnerable, a perfect target.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 19:09:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ruth Ballam <100412.3457@compuserve.com>
Subject: Othersyde World Tour

{original post had no questions}

      Great, I never get out, but my book travels all over the place. 
And people ask why I think there is no god....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 19:09:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DTD>

 Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> asks:
> I guess I'm so used to sinister motives that I can't tell if Kosh
> is still manipulating, or is he sincere?

      A person can be sincere and still manipulative, in Kosh's case. 
If he believes he's right, perhaps he's willing to manipulate anyone
toward that goal, if it's worth it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Btw, on the subject of the Night Watch, is this the group that
> has taken over the role that was formerly held by Bureau 13?

      No, the Bureau would've been a secret organization, a la the NSA
or a covert military/spy group.  This is a much more public face.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Upcoming B5 Eps>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why is the episode called this?
> How do you intent to fig the title on the screen?

      Why's it called that?  Because it's quite appropos.  How do we
fit it? Not a big deal.  Longest title up to now was one I did for
MURDER, SHE WROTE, a quote from Moby Dick, "To The Last Shall I Grapple
With Thee."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have something against the ambassadorial aides or what
> this year? Perhaps we'll learn more about this in a future
> episode?

      The female Psi Cop here *was* the same as in ARTDP, played by
Judy Levitt, who is also Walter's wife.

      Yeah, everyone turned in great performances in this one, very
intense and layered.  And as a result of G'Kar's attack, the next
several episodes will find him still in prison.  In the B5 universe,
you don't just go in for a long time at the end of an ep and next thing
you're out again.  He has to serve his time, and now we'll see him in a
cell for a while.

      And yes, you'll learn more about what happened to the Narn
telepaths in coming months.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Charles Peacock <70031.3212@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: 'Dust' AVI in lib 5

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  It kinda sneaks up on you, doesn't it?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5: Run Around

{original post had no questions}

      Sounds like a good thing to me....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust> q?

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> However, after the battering and mind-rape, is LONDO still aware
> that G'kar possesses this knowledge, or has it slipped into a
> "must've been a nightmare" state?

      Londo knows G'Kar knows, yes.  He couldn't not know.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 07-Feb-96 22:41:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Voices of Authority>

 Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are we allowed to be having this much fun?

     "Are we allowed to have this much fun?"

     No.  Report to your nearest Night Watch office at once and turn
yourself in.

     You'll feel better for it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 01:28:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

      She didn't say that she was from the "B5 advisory council."  She
said that she had been dispatched by the Senate Oversight Committee,
which as we have established before, has jurisdiction in many ways over
B5.

      This is the difference between TV logic and Real logic.  In TV
logic, yeah, she should've tossed her outta there...but we try to be
rigorously real about the B5 universe.  She was sent by the Senate
Oversight Committee, as is their province, with the backing of several
governmental offices, in an area over which Sheridan doesn't have
jusrisdiction: the political arena back home. In the real world, you
can't just toss somebody out the door because you don't like them...not
if you're a career military officer who answers to a civilian authority
or government.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 01:36:16
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

     "...didn't seem to announce her authority well enough...the
Babylon 5 Advisory Council...."

      Once again, as I noted elsewhere, this is NOT what she said, she
specifically noted that this was from the Earth SENATE.  How much does
one need to explain the senate?  (Jokes aside.)  As it was, that scene
went about 2 full minutes of carefully balanced exposition...more, to
explain the senate, when we've been seeing senators all three years is
silly.  It WAS announced well enough.

     One simply has to pay attention.  Thus far, the "better ways"
have struck out consistently.  Most have been based on totally
incorrect perceptions of what was said or done in the episode; the
others are matters of personal taste that are, frankly, just lateral
moves.  Most, again, are simply from not paying attention.

     There's a great story about the first time Van Gogh met Gaugain,
his role model.  Gaugain looked at Vah Gogh's paintings, which had been
hung on all the walls for his inspection, and after a moment announced,
"You paint too fast."

     To which Van Gogh replied, "No, you LOOK too fast."

     Take the lesson for what it's worth.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 11:41:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Station damage

{original post had no questions}

     It's part of the stabalizing arm used when ships move in to
unload cargo into the zero-g bay.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 13:46:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Rage's Thots: DtD>

 Chad Underkoffler <102512.1310@compuserve.com> asks:
> *"Aren't you late for a bund meeting?"
> My favorite lines, however, are Bester's "So you see me as a
> pinata?" BTW, Joe, how do you write the Drazi speech pattern?
> Drop all the articles?
> Is that all?
> Is this a Wm Goldman/Princess Bride nod?
> Or am I *way* too into looking for stuff like this?
> *Jeez, Kosh is a manipulative little <bleep>, ain't he?
> *Bester's comment to his partner "You couldn't have gotten here 2
> min earlier, could you?"

     Actually, just to clarify the legalese, the judge sentenced him
to *no less* than 60 days; that's the minimum, it could be more.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 13:55:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this what they do?
> ?
> Everytime the Shadows attack they stick other races out front and
> say "we're right behind you buddy!"???

     Exactly.  I mean, in three years, what the heck have the Vorlons
actually *done* to help "our side?"  Let the others do it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 13:55:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

{original post had no questions}

     Yeah...real horrorshow...to quote somebody else....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 17:36:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Station damage

{original post had no questions}

     Basically they're new kinds of alloys, the anchors go deep into
the top of the station; a small shuttle or medium transport comes in,
stops between the tines, once it achieves station holding they anchor
it to make life easier.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 20:22:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did G'Kar see G'Quon or G'Lan (as portrayed by Kosh)?

     The figure he was talking through during the scene appeared to
him as his father; the very last figure, seen departing, was that of
G'Lan.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 22:50:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mr Challeron <76420.1471@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dust To Dust

 Mr Challeron <76420.1471@compuserve.com> asks:
> How do you WRITE stuff like that?
> How long did it take to find actors who could PLAY scenes like
> that?

       Thanks.

       Implying more than one sees is something that you kinda have to
learn over time.  It can be very effective, as here.

       You just have to kinda put yourself out on a limb, as a writer
or as an actor.

       This scene *should* be very affecting.  It goes to Joe's Theory
of Violence on TV.  To wit...that we need more of it, but it has to be
realistic violence.  It has to show consequences.  You glorify or
desensitize violence when you shoot somebody, and they just go down, no
yelling in pain, no sobbing as their guts fall out onto the street. 
It's just gunfire, loud noises, excitement and fun.  If you're going to
show violence, then show it for what it *is*, and show it the way
people would react to it.  Make the audience understand that this is a
*person*, not one in a series of body counts.

       (There's also Joe's Theory of Button-Fly Jeans, btw...which
holds that when you use the men's room, you only actually *have* to
unbutton the first three buttons...the fourth one is just for show.)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 22:50:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

 Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com> asks:
> Anyone got any year two examples?
> Demure?

     Two comments, and two only.

     He's still wrong.  She was waiting, demurely, when Sheridan
entered. The argument didn't start until well afterward.  Tell him to
run the episode again and maybe LOOK at it this time.

     Second comment...I suspect that Hank has a problem with women. 
His concerns repeatedly are with the women characters, that they're too
much in your face, that they're not reverential enough, that they're
"pushy," doesn't like that they can be sexually aggressive.

     In short...the problem may not be the show....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 08-Feb-96 22:50:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Andrew J. Puckett <75143.267@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA> Question

 Andrew J. Puckett <75143.267@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was there any change made to the opening music in "Voices of
> Authority" (as opposed to third season episodes preceding it)?

     Nope, no change in the music at all.  You're probably just more
used to it now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 00:20:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Dust<<

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  And since TV works in a vacuum for the most part, and
it's rare to really get solid feedback...we never hear it enough. 
Thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 12:58:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John MacVeigh <72467.2141@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 John MacVeigh <72467.2141@compuserve.com> asks:
> The question is: do G'Kar (and Morden) still have free will?

      Actually, I tend to agree with that assessment.  They've guided
and instructed and pointed, yes...and manipulated...but they still
haven't had to step up to the plate in other areas.

      And I don't think the Narns have sacrificed nearly enough yet. 
You can always sacrifice more.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 12:58:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VOA> Question

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did they change the closing credit music on Dust to Dust?

      Yes, we did change that.  Because we -- I -- forgot to have
Christopher re-score it when we were re-doing the main title.

                                                               jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 12:58:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Martin Higgins <72223.3441@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 3 title?

 Martin Higgins <72223.3441@compuserve.com> asks:
> I haven't seen it posted anywhere - what's the overall title for
> season 3?

     Point of No Return.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 12:58:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Dust<<

{original post had no questions}

     Your husband has great and refined taste.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 12:58:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gary Weinfurther <71521.2352@compuserve.com>
Subject: Dust To Dust

 Gary Weinfurther <71521.2352@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is it fasten then button, or button then fasten?

      You're right; UNFORGIVEN is just incredible, his best work.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 18:31:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Could be.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 18:31:22
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust To Dust>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> What is it with Unforgiven?

     "He had it coming."

     "Kid...we *all* got it coming."

     Any movie that can produce those two lines is in my pantheon
forever.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 18:38:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 cover story

{original post had no questions}

     You could've sent me a note describing the photos; I could've
told you what they were.

     Also, the statment "a Fox network series" is incorrect; some Fox
stations carry us, but we're a PTEN series, no relation to Fox
whatsoever. So you have double reason to complain about the insert.

     I look forward to the article.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 18:38:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Generally speaking, in television, if you're not going to see
someone, you should at least try to avoid saying his name, because
folks new to the show won't know what you're talking about.  Those who
know, know.  For those who don't, it shouldn't get in the way.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 23:25:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Secret Organizations>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does this mean that the group/organization has been done away
> with because of copyright problems and the like? And if the Bureau
> 13 folks have been dropped, what does this do for the General
> Hague conspiracy?

     No, it's just that names change; no secret group keeps the same
name for very long.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 23:25:36
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Upcoming B5 Eps>

 John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com> asks:
> And how goes things on the set and the filming of episodes at the
> moment?

     At this point, I'd prefer to say as little as possible about the
last batch, to keep things quiet for the time being.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 23:25:37
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     The correct answer is C.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 23:25:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

 Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is this just us, or has there been a conscious effort to "dumb
> down" or "genericize" (new verb!) the story in order to reach new
> viewers? 8) ); the suddenly-samurai Narn ("gotta draw blood before
> I sheathe this baby!"); the idea of baiting an ancient race into
> doing what you want them to do (how did they make it so far while
> being _so_ stupid?); the name of the Vorlon/Minbari ship (the
> White Star?!!? Minus the story arc elements, there've been a
> number of sour faces going, "Was that a Star Trek or B5 ep?" Are
> we just being unrealistic and too picky?

       Phil...I get this at the start of every season.  Let me repeat
what I've said, oh, about two dozen times already before.

       At the start of every season, we have new people sampling the
show. Do you want the show to continue?  If you do, then you have to
continue to add new viewers.  If viewers tune in and they're lost in
the overall arc, they're going to tune out again.  So you give them
some stand-alone episodes in the beginning, shows that are a little
more accessible, but introduce them to the characters, the situations
and the universe so that when the arc begins to move again, they know
enough to get into what's going on.

       Sure, I could've just kept going right with the strong arc
episodes. Which the new viewers, 90% of whom sample shows in the first
few weeks of a new season and not thereafter, wouldn't have been able
to follow well.  And they would've tuned out.  And it would've been a
very big nail in the cancellation coffin.  You can bring in new
viewers, or you can get canceled and never tell the whole story.  Pick
one.

       Second, you cannot -- CANNOT -- sustain the kind of intensity
you have in the final four over the course of a season.  You need to
have some lighter moments as contrast or people are going to start
sticking their heads in ovens all across the country.  So at the start
of a season, I try to do some lighter stuff, to bring people back up a
little, bracing for the next drop in the roller coaster.  You need
peaks and valleys to develop any kind of rhythm, or to appreciate the
other side of it.

       I got the same thing in season one, and season two..."Why these
light episodes?  What's happened to this arc?"  Then by season's end,
the chorus usually turns to "That was a GREAT season!"  So my response
is, Unless you think I've suddenly turned stupid, or I've decided to
betray the series I've now worked 10 years of my life to produce...will
you for chrissakes *trust* me once in a while?  Show a little patience.
When I introduced Vir, everybody on the planet jumped funky all over
me.  "He's just a comic character!  It's Flounder!  He's dumbing down
the show!  Space him!  He stinks!  Joe's losing it!"  And now, of
course, we see what Vir is, and in many surveys he's now one of the
most popular characters.

       You know what the #1 comment from the pilot was, on the nets
and elsewhere?  "LOSE the guy with the funny hair!  He's just
ridiculous." Londo. Every time I've done something a little different
in the show, I've usually been jumped on, because they're not willing
to trust that I know what I'm doing...until they've seen it for a
while, then they Get It, and it's "Oh, now I see it."  Great, thanks,
now that you've been beating on my head for six months.  Next time show
a little patience.  (And btw, ALL of the comments related above are
real ones, many of them right here on Compuserve, from people still
around here.)

       Every story can't be an arc story at this point; you've got to
see the characters outside the arc, in the way they live their lives,
in other things that happen to them, or else you won't CARE what
happens to them in the arc. No, the Purple/Green Drazi story didn't
move the arc ahead, but it showed you a lot about Ivanova, didn't it? 
So now if and when something should happen to her in the arc, you care
about her.  It's the difference between just being chess pieces, and
being *people*.

       Okay, here's the breakdown.  Season 3.  You had arc episodes
only a bit in the first batch.  "Honor," "Voices" and now a little in
"Dust." You've got one more stand-alone next week, "Exogenesis." 
That's the last one for a LONG time.  Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15,
16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 are ALL arc stories, most of them heavy, none
less than moderate.

       I said, from the start, that each season would have
stand-alones and arc stories.  About 20% in year one, 35% in year two,
50% in year three, 70% in year four, and 100% in year five.  And the
stand-alones tend to get pushed toward the beginning of a season for
the reasons stated.  Is nobody paying attention when I say these
things?  Because if so, then why do I get gigged each season at the
start by people saying "HEY!  HOW COME THESE AREN'T ARC EPISODES?" 
(And as it looks now, year 3 has closer to 13-14 arc episodes, so we're
ahead a bit.)

       Before people start making sweeping generalizations about the
season, it might behoove you to see the season first.  If anything, my
concern in looking at what's been done for year 3 is that we're too
GRIM for the larger portion of it, and maybe a bit complex...so I'm
working to clarify a few things here and there as I do these last few.

       So that's my response to the generalizations.  To the
specifics....

       The political officer: improbable dialogue?  Most of it was
taken direct from political statements, public ones, made by Goebbels,
Hitler, Joseph McCarthy, Stalin, and other fanatics.  The kind of Big
Lie dialogue people continue to fall for today.  Go to a Pat Buchanan
rally sometime and tell me it's unlikely dialogue.

       The chess maneuver: I mainly get this comment from people who
don't play chess much.  I used to be a decent (not great, but decent)
player, and I fell for a move out of left field sometimes.  (I'm a
sucker for a fool's mate.)  Sheridan isn't a chess master, he's still
rough around the edges, and Theo's been doing this a lot longer.  He
got foxed.  It happens.

       "Marcus, the walking cliche."  Heard this about Vir, Zack,
Morden, Londo, and others.  My prediction: by season's end, Marcus will
be one of our more popular characters.  Because you haven't seen all of
what he is yet.  Any more than you did Vir on his first two
appearances.

       (Y'know, there are days I hate the american culture of
immediate gratification and kneejerk condemnation and stereotyping with
insufficient information.  So far there hasn't been an uninteresting
character in the lot. Do you think suddenly I'm going to introduce a
lox?  Okay, Keffer wasn't all he could've been, but that was because
that character was always doomed, and doomed to go fast, so I think I
put a little distance between myself and him. That doesn't apply here. 
I said Vir was a great character, and some folks snorted and made fun. 
I was proven right.  So trust me, Marcus is a great character.)

       The two small story points...like I said, I went for a lighter
touch in "Voices," because it was the last chance to have some light
moments for a long, long, time.

       The White Star was so named as a balance to the Black Star,
which Sheridan destroyed.  What here is a problem?

       I don't mean to rag on you, Phil...I know your interests are
only the best.  But (expletive) it...y'know?  I was real patient the
first time I went through this at the top of season one, patient again
at the top of season two...and it's just wearing a bit thin.  If I knew
what I was doing then, why should I suddenly not know what I'm doing
now?  How many times over do I have to prove myself, and this series? 
It seems like everything good I did in the season before gets forgotten
because we just take a BREATH before moving on to the next stage.  And
then suddenly it's "The sky is falling!  The show's falling apart!  The
arc is gone!  Ohmygodohmygod!"

       Patience, people.  I've been faithful, and honest, and straight
with all of you.  I haven't let you down yet.  And I don't intend to. 
Season three collectively represents the very best work we have done on
this show to date. Starting with #8, "Messages From Earth," the arc and
the story kicks into high gear, moving faster than ever before.  MAJOR
stuff happens.

       And natch, I'll go through this all over again in year four,
because they'll say it doesn't move as fast as year three did.  You
can't win.  I appreciate the concern, Phil.  Honest I do.  But I've
always had a problem with people judging the season on a sampling. 
Give it a chance.
                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 09-Feb-96 23:25:52
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 3 title?

 Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> asks:
> What were the first two?
> What are the last two?

Signs and Portents.

The Coming of Shadows.

Now: Point of No Return.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:01
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

 Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> asks:
> I wonder, does her arrogance stem solely from her own
> personality, or from her position in Night Watch? So just how
> scared of Night Watch is the average Earther? Or do most people
> believe that Night Watch is there to protect them from treason
> and invasion, nevermind if a few rights get temporarily trampled?

     Some are scared of Nightwatch, others feel it's a good thing, and
darn it, it's about time....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Deonaha M. Conlin <102531.2627@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust To Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  The pleasure is all mine....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

 Rick Sharon <76416.2213@compuserve.com> asks:
> Am I the <not so> silent majority?
> Like major stuff hasn't happened yet??
> So many subtle things we so easily miss, which are significant,
> which are not? Is ANYthing insignificant?
> re: dumbing down of B5?
> Frustrating?
> Do I wish I knew what was coming?
> What the final end would be?
> Where you are taking us?

     Thanks.  I really think this season is just overall such a leap
over the previous season, especially once episodes 8-10 hit.  As it
happens, I showed a bit from 8 to some folks in the office the other
day, one in particular being a fan of the show who sat in on an
interview...to say their jaws were on the floor doesn't *begin* to
describe it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 cover story

 Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> asks:
> My deadlines are Monday morning, can you please take time from
> your weekend to help?"

     If it'd help make the article better or more accurate, I'm always
available, 7 days a week.  I have no life upon which this could
intrude.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John A. Lewis <76740.1520@compuserve.com>
Subject: VoA: Pretty Bad

 John A. Lewis <76740.1520@compuserve.com> asks:
> Could you please help me understand one aspect of VoA that I
> found a bit confusing? Is one or the other behaviour simply an
> *act* that this character assumes in relation to who she is
> dealing with?

     Basically, like many manipulative people, she projects whatever
she thinks will work best with her audience.  Appealing to Zack's
patriotism, trying to find Sheridan's affections by flattering him
mercilessly (on many levels), playing the straight-chinned leader in an
address to security forces...she puts on whatever face she thinks will
work.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> did he see the stuff with G'Lan)?
> Are the Vorlon telepaths primarily "Dreamwalkers"?
> Is that how they influence the other races?

       Yes, it helps if the person's mind is in a different state --
asleep, exhausted, in a heightened state of awareness -- for the
Vorlons to make contact, which is why their presence is often
associated with dream imagery.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 18:32:17
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 John McAuley <100260.412@compuserve.com> asks:
> Have the Shadows always lost?

       "Have the shadows always lost?"

       That is a far more complex question than you could possibly
know....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Sound

{original post had no questions}

     The sources of the problem are two-fold, and we keep trying to
get it straightened out.  When we deliver the episodes to WB, the sound
level is where it should be.  Then we watch the show and the levels are
a lot lower, and there's some phasing going on.  As near as we can
determine, at some point after we've turned over the episode, when
multiple levels of dubs are being made (for closed captioning, another
for national spots to be inserted, and so on), the audio goes from
digital to analog and back again. In addition, some stations tend to
clamp our audio, but run the commercials hot.  We're working to find
out where this is happening and stop it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com>
Subject: Shadows

 Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks:
> Right?
> So I have to wonder, when the Shadow War ends, will the Shadows
> still be involved with those things?

     Never said that the shadow war ends this season.  I simply said
it wouldn't run all the rest of the series.  And even when a war is
over, the afteraffects can be felt for some time.  And there may be
related problems still to clean up.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 22:59:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Damian Reaves <75373.2325@compuserve.com>
Subject: About the First Ones

 Damian Reaves <75373.2325@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were the Ikkarans first ones ?
> a)did they build the battle suits to fight off the shadows ?
> b) will we ever see Ikkaran technology again ?
> The Shadows have been out of commission for a 1000 years so is it
> safe to assume that the Vorlons, the Walkers at Sigma957, and any
> other first ones still out there have caught up with them
> technologically? Were the Takarans first ones, and if not where
> did the great machine come from?

     Neither the Ikarrans nor those on Epsilon 3 were First Ones.  And
the level of tech between Vorlons, Shadows and Walkers is fairly close.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Dust<<

 Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> asks:
> A question for you: Has anyone else ever written *all* the
> scripts for a show in one season?

     No, insofar as I have been able to determine, in the history of
TV no one has ever written every episode of a season of a dramatic
series single handedly.  The closest would be Terry Nation, who wrote
the first season of Blake's 7, but that was only 13 episodes, not 22.

     As for what folks say about me...probably it's all of those you
cite, and then some.  Good and bad.  You can't work at getting a
single, personal vision on film without convincing some people you're
great, and convincing other people you're the Antichrist.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Karen E. Bahnsen <102735.3557@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

 Karen E. Bahnsen <102735.3557@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you see that?!"
> BTW, in DtD, where the camera looks up from G'Kar to see Kosh in
> his encounter suit, does that big sign on the wall behind where
> Kosh was standing say, "WARNING!"?

       Yes, the sign does indeed say warning.  Look for another sign
right behind somebody at the end of "Severed Dreams."

       In defense of Phil...who I have spoken with before, and met
once, and who asked his question in good faith and I kinda handed him
his head...don't take my reaction necessarily as venue to jump on him. 
Some days, when I've been working 18 hours straight on the show, I come
across a comment that puts me into Wet Cat mode.  That was one.  Which
is why I made a point of trying to say that I understand the
question(s), and whence they proceed.

       There are a very few flakes and idiots and dangerous loonies
out there in net-land...but Phil isn't one of them.  It's the
consistent idiots you have to watch out for.

       Re: the discussion group...this is one of the things that I've
decided I'm very proud of, regarding B5.  Delenn pointed out that
humans form communities; it's what we do.  And a B5 community has
arisen.  Fans of the show gather in pizza parlors to watch the show,
set out open invitations for picnics and house parties to catch shows
off the satellite, create discussion groups...form communities.  People
have formed lasting friendships, regular pub groups, even gotten
married because of the show.

       Others have gotten involved in social work, contributed or
worked for charities, food kitchens, other causes.  Decided that their
fates are in their own hands, and been inspired to move across the
country to form new lives and pursue what they *want* to do instead of
what they felt they *had* to do.  I hear from them frequently in email,
and in public messages.

       I'm very happy about that.  If Star Trek's shining element was
that it got people involved in the space program, perhaps B5's shining
element is that it gets people involved in the human program.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 10-Feb-96 23:00:10
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DTD>

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks.  Yes, I think we've cast some great actors in the show,
and they only continue to improve.

     Many of us on the show are fans of fighter planes and military
history, especially producer John Copeland.  So we've taken to giving
the Starfuries nose art...in fact, the near-legendary WW II flying
squadron the Flying Tigers actually gave us *permission* to use their
logos on Sheridan's fighter.

                                                                  jms


Date: 11-Feb-96 14:10:26
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Burhaan Ahmad <75754.3065@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why not sooner?
> Perhaps he needed to suffer into truth?

       Because G'Kar needed to hit bottom, real bottom, before he
would be receptive to the message...because time doesn't mean to the
vorlons what it means to us...and because he was finally mentally
receptive due to the dust.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:13
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com>
Subject: >>Dust<<

 The Jawa / Jawa #2 <76371.3057@compuserve.com> asks:
> You wrote every single episode this season, didn't you?

     I look forward to being bored for a while.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:15
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Exogenesis>

 David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have big plans for him later in the season?
> How much do his operatives know?
> Can he get some to honor their commitment to help him when the
> time comes if they don't know what they will be fighting or whom?

     Thanks.  Yeah, Exo is the last non-arc episode for a long time,
and the last chance to catch one's breath before the big fall.

     My personal evaluation of the episode is that it's okay.  The
second half, I think, isn't as strong as the first half.  Halfway
through writing the episode, we had a problem come up in production
that unexpectedly took me away from the script for about a week. 
(Nothing major, but it had to be dealt with and it took time.) 
Usually, I write copious notes on a script before I begin writing it. 
In this case, the story was so crystalline clear in my head that I just
dived in, and was blasting away terrific when the hit came midway 
through.  By the time I got back, I'd lost some of the fingerprints of
the story, and had to kind of re-find them again.  Mainly, I think the
expository sequence at the end could've been done better.

     Needless to say, that's the last time I trusted myself without
notes, no matter how well I "see" the episode in my head.  It'd be a
great script for second or first season, but we have to keep raising
the bar, every aspect has to be better than the last thing we did, so
for my money it's not quite up to that standard.  Happily, it's the
*only* episode this season that I feel that way about...the rest are
all just nifty.

     That said, I think it has some great moments for Marcus, Franklin
and others...and yes, there's a lot more planned with Franklin coming
up this season, particularly toward the latter third of the season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: VOA: Lurkers

{original post had no questions}

    For now, yes.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 15:18:21
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

 Phil Adams <72470.1156@compuserve.com> asks:
> Why am I so sure you won't be surprised to hear that?
> Is it as grim as "1984" and "Brazil"?
> Go to a rally where a guy drives up in a BMW and talks about
> Americans losing their jobs (yeah, I know he and his wife sold
> off their foreign cars after this was pointed out 4 years ago,
> but it was a hoot when it happened)? Go to a rally where the guy
> talks about the concerns of the middle class while making
> 6-figure salaries off his media work?

       For what it's worth, if your concern is with the suits, we
haven't had a single writing note from WB since episode 2 or 3 of
season 2.  Not one. Nada.  No nots at all on our cuts of the episodes. 
Nothing.  They completely trust us, and they leave us to tell our
story.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:40
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com>
Subject: Age of Centauri?

 Gerald Himmelein <100417.3703@compuserve.com> asks:
> How old do Centauri get usually?
> I mean: What's their average life expectancy?
> At what age approximately?
> Is the life expectancy different for male and female Centauri?

     A Centauri can get to be about 150 or so, sometimes older.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> asks:
> .can we have some clues?

     No, you can't have any clues.  What am I, a clues closet?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: Season 3 title?

{original post had no questions}

     No; one thing at a time.  Now finish your broccoli....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DtD praise&nitpicks>

 Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> asks:
> And that piece used during the flash of images from Londo's mind
> was perfect, was it new?

      With some thematic exceptions, most of the music Chris composes
for us each week is unique, and tailored for that episode.  So yes,
it's all mainly new.

      Re: the coat of welcoming...here's a little tidbit...we had to
make up an entire alphabet for most of our major races (and I've been
gradually building up a dictionary here and there for languages).  So
they came and asked if they could embroider something in Minbari on the
shirt Vir's wearing when he comes back.  I said sure.  Did I have
anything in mind?  No, not really.

      So I'm on the set that day, and I see the embroidered shirt, and
I ask what these five letters spell, since I don't offhand read Minbari
yet.  He looked up at me and smiled.  "It spells out ALOHA."

      We have a very demented crew.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: John Vickery

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> From Naroon to Welles: Nice range of acting, eh?
> Has she appeared as an extra in other episodes?

     Don't know offhand...will inquire.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:18:55
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Correct.  They see reality, and time, and space somewhat
differently than we do.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:06
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Timothy C Schell <71174.2414@compuserve.com> asks:
> Would it be valuable to rewatch "Soul Hunter" and "Deathwalker"
> again?

       Soul Hunter probably wouldn't be a bad idea at some point prior
to the middle of the season...or the two-parter....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DTD>

 Al Lipscomb <75204.2225@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did you pattern the Star Fury after a war plane?

       No, didn't actually pattern the starfury after a plane, but
rather tried to see what would work most accurately in zero-atmosphere.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:09
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

{original post had no questions}

       I agree.  We're slowly ratcheting up the tension, and this has
got to take a toll on people.  Franklin probably wouldn't be doing as
many stims as he is otherwise.  Actions have consequences.

       And yes, having seen prior episodes adds more texture.  Still,
one can follow the episode for what it is.  The more you watch, the
more you get out of it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:19:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mark Koro <70252.3354@compuserve.com>
Subject: WDCA 20 to move B5

{original post had no questions}

       That's great to hear, thanks.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 11-Feb-96 21:24:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     "Joe identified the figure Sheridan saw as the angel Gabriel."

     No I didn't.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 12-Feb-96 14:26:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Michael Beemer <71551.1670@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

       Ees okay.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Dennis L. Schwendem <102620.3111@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

{original post had no questions}

     Thanks, we try.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: John Vickery

{original post had no questions}

       No, we can't contract with occasional actors in this fashion,
so we have to book them ahead of time, as soon as a script lands in the
production office.  If they're not available, sometimes we have to do
without and make the character someone else, or juggle episodes so we
can shoot when they are available.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 15:01:51
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Age of Centauri?

{original post had no questions}

       Probably about 120 would be the oldest a human would get; there
hasn't been that much change in that end of it.  The median age,
though, is different, so that right now, the average lifespan is 68
years, I think.  By 2260 you can add another 20 years to that.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 15:06:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com>
Subject: Good Grief - DS9

 Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com> asks:
> Don't you know better than to try and say something good about a
> Trek show in the B5 area?

     "Don't you know better than to try and say something good about a
Trek show in the B5 area?  I'm surprised JMS didn't come flying in here
accusing you of having a sinister agenda and trying to do him personal
harm."

     An interesting comment from you, given that you're addressing
this to Wayne Hall, your brother, so obviously he came in here to leave
the message so you could then respond in this fashion, and thus attack
me.

     Also intresting in light of your comments on AOL, in which you
were the single loudest voice screaming bloody murder whenever B5 was
mentioned in the ST areas, and your repeated request, verging on
demand, that people be prohibited from mentioning B5 at ST conventions,
bitching about the mention of B5 at ST panels, and generally carrying
on cranky whenever the show got any mention at all in a ST folder.

     Whereas, on the other hand, when the B5 page was opened on AOL, I
made it a *point* to make sure that there was a subsidiary section set
aside for the discussion of other TV series, including the variations
of ST, to create a more open environment.

     The problem, as usual with you, Randy, is entirely yours.  You
continue to project onto others your own problems.  You're truly a
pathetic individual.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 12-Feb-96 19:27:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: JAMES A. O'BRIEN <70661.2342@compuserve.com>
Subject: Beyond five years

 JAMES A. O'BRIEN <70661.2342@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there any word as to what will happen to B5 after the 5 year
> arc has run its course? I know ratings will play a major role in
> any decision, but has JMS ever said anything about what might
> happen beyond the 5 years?

       From the start, I've indicated that there's a side-story that
could go off in the B5 universe after the 5 year story is up, but it
wouldn't be B5. Frankly, however, given the current state of the
syndication market, I'd suggest that the odds of that happening are
slim and none.

       So barring anything truly exceptional -- like someone handing
me an anthology series -- my plan at the moment is to retire from TV at
the end of the five years and go back to writing novels and plays.  At
that point, I think I'll have said just about everything I want to say
for TV.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 19:34:12
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com>
Subject: Grey Council Question

 Toni Muller <75223.1575@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are there other female council members or is it a mostly male
> group?

       No, there are and have been other female grey council members.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 19:34:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, is the crux of the conflict between the Shadows and the
> Vorlons something that we must change OUR paradigm of the above
> to fully understand?

       No, I wouldn't say that the shadows and vorlons see space, time
and reality in the same ways.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 23:30:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Warning Bogus B5 Stuff

       It has come to my attention that someone at Capricon this past
weekend was trying to get fans to buy allegedly "real" B5 costume
elements for as much as $3500, attesting that he has a letter from me
verifying its origins.

       We have never released ANY costumes for sale for any reason,
and I have certainly never written any letter affirming this, or
allowing this. If this letter exists it is certainly a forgery, and
this matter should be turned over to the local police department for
investigation by their fraud and bunko divisions.  If you have had any
contact with these individuals, beware.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DtD praise&nitpicks>

 Mara K. Malovany <102750.1414@compuserve.com> asks:
> Where did G'Kar take Londo?
> Was it meant to be inarticulate, or am I missing something?

       Thanks.  Emotion, for me, is the key to all drama.  If it
doesn't make you feel something, what's the point?  The writer's job is
to touch passion, not be burned by it, and come back to tell what it
was like.

       And what G'Kar said was, "Dear G'Quon, no more...."

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:04
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Ray Pelzer <70475.1263@compuserve.com> asks:
> A clues closet?

       Soon to be a basket case.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:07
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA> Space A&B

{original post had no questions}

       Heck, they're *all* on edge.  Wouldn't you be?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 12-Feb-96 23:42:08
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 Advisory Council

 Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> asks:
> My question, then, is what happened to the Narn vote?
> Did the Centauri get it, or did it just disappear?
> Either way, wouldn't the balance be disrupted?

       The council has been more or less abandoned as infighting has
broken out.  It gets worse.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:34
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com>
Subject: John Vickery

 Anne L. Warner <71513.1177@compuserve.com> asks:
> Were the Drazi spokesperson in Dust to Dust, the Green Drazi
> Leader in Geometry of Shadows, and the Markab ambassador in
> Confessions and Lamentations, all the same actor? Who is he?
> So I'm curious as to whether I'm right that these are all the
> same actor, and if so, who???

       I'm pretty sure he was both Drazis, but I'm not certain offhand
about the Markab.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Randy Hall <74617.420@compuserve.com>
Subject: Good Grief - DS9

{original post had no questions}

       Well, yes, Randy, I'm sure I responded exactly as you thought I
would. When one exhibits poor behavior in public, one will usually be
corrected.  You came in here and, totally unprovoked, without any
message from me, without even a word from me in the thread, took a
cheap and untrue shot at me, and my behavior.

       When one pokes the bear without *any* justification, except to
do it, well, I suppose it is only natural to expect some kind of
reaction.  If I were to pour a pint of chocolate milk on someone's
floor, I could anticipate their reaction.  But the problem would not be
in the reaction; the problem would be in the ill-mannered, senseless,
stupid and uwnarranted provocation.

       Still, I take this as a sign of growth on your part that you
can now predict the kind of response your generally poor behavior
elicits.  And, as usual, you just dive out of the way instead of
confronting the facts of your past behavior.

       Which is exactly what *I* expected of *you*.

       Symmetry is a wonderful thing, is it not?

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:39
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: <DtD praise&nitpicks>

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> So, how come it looks like *the're right*?
> Am I off base here?
> Would Earthdome and Psi Corps interpret that incident
> differently?

       Some might, others might not.  Simple fact is, the rules of the
Psi Corps would forbid them from engaging ANY human telepath for this
purpose. So the only other recourse is non-humans.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Vorlon Theology

 Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com> asks:
> Who *is* the Ancient Vorlon God Boojie?

       Marcus was making that part up.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Cerreta <72630.3433@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Exogenesis>

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks...on every level.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:47
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Fred Miller <76042.3474@compuserve.com>
Subject: <D2D: Bester>

 Fred Miller <76042.3474@compuserve.com> asks:
> Where would SF TV be these days if it were not for the quality
> writing of B5? If so, are there, or can there be, blind telepaths?

       Thanks.  And yes, they do need to visually acquire the target,
in most cases.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:48
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com>
Subject: A few questions

 Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com> asks:
> Are you still working on "And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding
> Place"? Do you have any idea what the titles of the final two
> scripts of the season will be? Will we *see* General Hague again
> this season or is he still busy subverting Star Fleet from the
> inside?

       Just turned in the script for "Rock," so that leaves just two
left to write.  I haven't decided on a title for 21 yet, out of several
options, and the title of 22 is classified for now.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com>
Subject: <<Dust to Dust>>

 William H. DiPaola <76521.1751@compuserve.com> asks:
> Joe, Question: Is Molari aware that G'Kar got inside his head and
> now knows of his involvement in the Centauri aggression on the
> Narn home world?

       Yes, he's aware.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 19:04:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: NEW B5 EPS!

       Good news.  We've finally convinced Warner Bros./PTEN to go
with eight new episodes in a row, starting the first week of April. 
The new schedule, which just went out via fax to the stations today, is
as follows:

       So here now is the revised schedule:

       NEW EPISODES:
       2/12    EXOGENESIS
       2/19    MESSAGES FROM EARTH
       2/26    POINT OF NO RETURN              (w/Majel Barrett)

       RERUNS:
       3/4     FALL OF NIGHT
       3/11    THERE ALL THE HONOR LIES
       3/18    AND NOW FOR A WORD
       3/25    IN THE SHADOW OF Z'HA'DUM

       NEW EPISODES:
       4/1     SEVERED DREAMS
       4/8     CEREMONIES OF LIGHT AND DARK
       4/15    SIC TRANSIT VIR
       4/22    A LATE DELIVERY FROM AVALON     (w/Michael York)
       4/29    SHIP OF TEARS                   (w/Walter Koenig)
       5/6     INTERLUDES AND EXAMINATIONS
       5/13    WAR WITHOUT END: PART ONE       (w/Michael O'Hare)
       5/20    WAR WITHOUT END: PART TWO

       We're now in the process of working to get 2 new episodes in
July, so there are only 3 left for October.  Even so, we're very
excited to get a chance to show eight episodes in a row, building up to
the end of the May sweeps with our big two-parter.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

 Tom LeCompte <76711.572@compuserve.com> asks:
> BTW, re: "Sic Transit Vir" - was that intended to be a pun in
> Latin? Or was it accidental?

       It's accurate as far as it goes, and a pun on another level.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:45
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

 Neil Blevins <102226.3566@compuserve.com> asks:
> So after the 8 episode run, there will be more repeats, a few in
> the summer, and then we won't see the end of the season until
> october? I'm really happy about the 8 show solid chunk with no
> repeats, but why on earth are they posponing the season finale to
> october again?

       Because PTEN wants to hold episodes for sweeps periods. 
Nothing more.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 13-Feb-96 21:01:46
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Barbara Pfieffer <72302.2453@compuserve.com>
Subject: YKYBWTMB5W..

{original post had no questions}

       I'm glad we've given people a reason to live.

       Granted, it's a silly one...but what the heck...you can never
have too many reasons to live.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 01:20:14
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Hawkins <71742.160@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minipax through history

 John M. Hawkins <71742.160@compuserve.com> asks:
> Even so, I wonder how many of us could recognize modernized
> versions of the events leading up to the Thrity Years War, or the
> rise of Cromwell, both in the 17th Century, about as far removed
> from our time as we are from B5's?

       Yes, we have seen it before...and we're seeing it now...and
we're going to see it again in future.

       Someone once remarked, "Of course everything has already been
said. But since no one was paying attention, we must begin again."

                                                                  jms


------------------------------


Date: 14-Feb-96 14:37:30
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Chris Carrier <72157.3334@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Chris Carrier <72157.3334@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any ideas when Season Two, especially the episodes Drazi Do
> Worldcon "Geometry of Shadows" and Ivanova Meets The Libertarian
> Party of 2259 "Acts of Sacrifice" will be on videotape?

       We're still working on the tapes.  We'll have info when it's
available.

       And yeah, I love the Drazi.  They're just nuts.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:33
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Alan Hedge <72017.3232@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

 Alan Hedge <72017.3232@compuserve.com> asks:
> You couldn't convince them to run B^2 or even AVitW?

       What, it's not enough I walked on the water here...?

       No, I wish I could say otherwise, but thus far I haven't been
able to convince them to run those eps.  Ah, well....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:35
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Minipax through history

{original post had no questions}

       Actually, they did use that kind of technique on some of their
own population.  The medical population, for instance.  Recently
uncovered (and shown on A&E, which I sometimes think is the All Nazi
Network, All Nazis, All the Time) were a series of "informational
films" produced during the war and shown to doctors charged with the
notion of eliminating the insane, the genetically flawed, and others
not classified as jews or gypsies or poles or other non-desirable
races.

       They went through, each film gradually stating their theory
more clearly, and explained that these poor souls weren't *really*
alive, weren't *really* aware.  It systematically showed how it was
better, really, in the lokng run, to put them out of their own, and
society's, misery.

       If it ever comes around again, watch it; it'll chill your soul.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:38
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Philip Hornsey <74053.2101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Vorlon Theology

{original post had no questions}

       Weren't me.  It was Marcus.  Blame him.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:41
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 cover story

{original post had no questions}

       Next time you're in a bind, btw, you may want to point out to
someone out there that the *head* of the British Sci-Fi Channel, in an
interview, stated that he felt that B5 was the best SF show currently
around.  So if they want to move toward serving the UK population,
where B5 is #6 on the sell-through video charts, they definitely should
do more B5 coverage.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 15:26:49
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com>
Subject: Beyond five years

 Robt Martin <75663.2701@compuserve.com> asks:
> Does Warner retain any authority to use B5 characters or premises
> in other endeavors (films, novels, action figures, teddy bears)
> without your prior approval after the five-year span? What factors
> would you say put you in a strong position for negotiating such a
> deal?

       Warners owns the copyright to B5, just as Paramount owns the
copyright to ST.  By contract, if there should be a spin off or sequel
of any kind, I would have to be involved in it.  The contract doesn't
say that there cannot be any of these; you're correct, that can't be
negotiated.

       But there are a number of common-sense things at work here, as
much as anything involving a studio can be described as common sense. 
Given that all our actors/service contracts are deliberately for 5
years not the more traditional 7, continuing B5 per se past year 5
becomes impossible, due to the hideous level of re-negotiation of
contracts that would have to take place. The cost would skyrocket.

       I've always said, from the start, that there's a side story
that could go off after B5 is finished, but I just don't think it's
likely for the time being.  The numbers have been good enough to
continue the show, but it's not a blockbuster, not a
franchise...primarily due to the fact that we don't have a national,
regular timeslot.  (Where we *do* have that, in the overseas markets,
the show is extremely successful.)  There've been some small talks here
and there touching on various feature film possibilities, from 
direct-to-video to something theatrical -- but, again, due to the
corporate structure at the studio, which is straight out of the pre-
Cambrian period, I doubt anything much will happen on that front for
the time begin.  It's nice that they've broached the subject, but to
become a reality takes a bit more.

       If I were to engage in predicting the future, here's what I
think is most probable.  The show will continue to go on, doing well
enough in the ratings to continue for two more seasons.  A comfortable
level.  In 1998, after we've finished our first run, we are
contractually already sold to the TNT cable network, which is
*extremely* excited about the show, plans to promote it, and sees it as
a way of breaking into the SF genre.  There, for the first time, we
will have a regular, *daily* timeslot on a national network.

       Then, I think, suddenly we're going to be "discovered," much
the same way ST was discovered in syndication after it left the
network.  Give it about a year or two for WB to notice this (see
pre-Cambrian comment above), then suddenly they're going to start
running around seeing what they can do to capitalize on this.

       At that point, I'm not sure which way the runes point. 
Certainly they'll start cranking out more merchandise stuff, which by
contract I have to approve, to make sure it's quality stuff.  If they
want to do a feature, I'll have to be involved, and they'll have to
negotiate with all the cast members, who by then will have moved on to
other projects and may or may not be available.  Ditto for any
spinoffs.

       So by the time they get their brains wrapped around the
question, it'll already be the year 2000.  By then, much of TV as we
know it now will have changed considerably, as it has already changed
considerably in just the last 10 years.  A spinoff or sequel may no
longer be financially viable in the new marketplace.  Ditto for any
features.  Certainly nothing much could be done until 2002 or 2003 in
terms of development, pre-production, production and post production.

       So as you can see, one doesn't need a contract saying you can't
do something...in TV, entropy tends to take care of the problem very
nicely.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 17:11:03
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Sheridan/Sinclair JPG

I've just uploaded to library 5 the first JPG of Sheridan and Sinclair
together from the 2-parter "War Without End."  The file name is
twob5.jpg, and will be available as soon as it's cleared.  It's a
little dark, so it may take some work to get a real strong image.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:19
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Paul Owen <100331.2357@compuserve.com>
Subject: White Star

{original post had no questions}

Don't remember.  It's possible.  There was a White Star line in
reality, once upon a time.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:20
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

 Tom Knudsen <72347.1626@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you have any idea when the "Final Three" will be shown in
> England??

       See my note here on the UK.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 17:16:23
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: John M. Kahane <102664.773@compuserve.com>
Subject: Writing B5

{original post had no questions}

       Thanks.  And from where I sit -- which is mainly behind my
keyboard these days -- the idea of being bored is VERY appealing.

                                                                  jms


------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 17:20:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: BRIAN COONEY <100551.1656@compuserve.com>
Subject: YES !! UK C4 B5 DATES

{14th April Sunday at 6pm.}

       Yes, that's correct.  The Sunday 6 p.m. timeslot will be the
one for all of the third season, so folks won't have to run home after
work or risk missing it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:50
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: Last Shadow War

 Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com> asks:
> Was Earth involved?
> Were there Shadow bases on Earth, like on the Narn homeworld, or
> was it something else? When was the last was?
> We know it was 1000 years ago, is that approximate, or the exact
> date? Will you answer all of these questions straight and to the
> point?

       You'll get some of the answers here in next week's episode. 
The rest will be handled by the end of the season.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:57
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Kevin P. Kenney <104102.352@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

{Can WB be convinced to show season one episodes during reruns?}

       Tried it.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:58:58
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com>
Subject: <VoA:The First Ones>

 Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is there any chance we'll see what Catherine Sakai was doing at
> Sigma 957 a season or so ago?

       Sakai was doing just what she said she was doing, checking out
the area for mining and other exploitation.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:00
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Don Fort <72204.1356@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust To Dust>

{Hitchcock is a fine inspiration, but please don't do a shower scene!}

       We would never do that.

                                                       Yrs, Norman B.

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com>
Subject: A few questions

 SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks:
> Has there been any more discussions about the two hour
> direct-to-video project?

       Nothing new.  Which is what I figured.  I think they want to
get a sense of the coming renewal situation before talks go any
further.  Which will take another month or so.  Basically, the stations
get pitched all new show pickups at NATPE, then they go home, confer
with their general managers and owners, and then decide finally which
shows they will and won't pick up. We won't hear anything definitive on
that until probably late April, possibly even early May, depending on
circumstances.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 20:59:05
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Morris L. Gavant, M.D. <74027.264@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5SciFi Univ cover story

{An article compared B5 and DS9}
 Morris L. Gavant, M.D. <74027.264@compuserve.com> asks:
> Did he do that with the DS9 cover story?
> Is there sour grapes underneath the essay regarding the need for
> new blood?

       This is something I probably shouldn't comment upon.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:42
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com>
Subject: Sheridan/Sinclair JPG

 Rae Augenstein <72752.1653@compuserve.com> asks:
> Do you know why the image is so dark?

       I have no idea, as we didn't provide the graphic; I can only
assume they either got it from WB, or digitized it themselves off the
raw footage.

                                                                  jms

       (PS, I did upload a cleaner, slightly lighter version an hour
or two later.)

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:43
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Rowan Kaiser <74160.473@compuserve.com>
Subject: 8 NEW B5 EPS!

{Now we can get older episodes.}

       You can't, not until they go on sale at some point.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 22:40:44
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: David Shine <75213.2600@compuserve.com>
Subject: LA Channel

 David Shine <75213.2600@compuserve.com> asks:
> Which LA station broadcasts Babylon 5 and, when?

       Thursdays 9 p.m., channel 13.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 22:44:54
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Cameron c. Wood <103305.515@compuserve.com>
Subject: Tolkien Influences

 Cameron c. Wood <103305.515@compuserve.com> asks:
> Ya ever sneak a peek at the Dead Sea Scrolls, or even the old
> gnostic stuff?   {Narratives similar to Tolkien, and to B5}

       Not bad....

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 14-Feb-96 23:54:53
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: All
Subject: Harlan Ellison: Cartoon

       No, no, it doesn't mean what it says.  But how else can one
announce that B5's own Conceptual Consultant, Harlan Ellison, will be
appearing at the Cartoon Art Museum at 814 Mission Street in San
Francisco on Friday, March 1st, from 6-8 p.m.?  This Evening with
Ellison goes for only $15 per person, and is a benefit to raise funds
for museum.  For more info, call 1-415-CARTOON.

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Feb-96 03:43:02
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com>
Subject: Beyond five years

 Marte Brengle <76703.4242@compuserve.com> asks:
> Gee, then it'll be what, ten years before the WB stores start
> selling B5 merchandise?

       Yes, I know the store...I've spent far too much money there,
mostly on Superman stuff.  (You know you've spent too much money at the
WB store when the clerks actually *call you* to tell you that something
just came in that you're gonna NEED to buy.  I sometimes think I have
the word STOOGE tattooed upon my forehead....)

                                                                  jms

------------------------------

Date: 15-Feb-96 14:17:56
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
To: Bill Hayes <75140.2265@compuserve.com>
Subject: <Dust to Dust>

 Bill Hayes <75140.2265@compuserve.com> asks:
> Will we see the [Drazi] ambassador again this season?

       Yeah, we'll see him again at some point.