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Babylon 5 in retrospect

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Emmanuel Goldstein

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Sep 18, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/18/99
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John Schilling <schi...@spock.usc.edu> wrote:


> It's been two weeks since the last episode of _Crusade_, the better part
> of a year since "Sleeping in the Light", and it is now fairly clear that
> _Babylon 5_ is passing into history. Living history, perhaps, with new
> books and old reruns for some time to come. But the books are merely
> competent science fiction at best; it was the television series which
> was unique. And there isn't going to be any miraculous resurrection,
> not on TNT. not on the Sci-Fi channel, and not with the WB.

Just what is this conclusion based upon? Do you have some factual basis
or are you simply feeling pessimistic? I'm just as leery of being
optimistic without cause and if the time comes where SciFi says to
forget it or JMS says it's over, then I'll accept it. There's little
reason to jump to conclusions before the facts are in and while there
are still many reasons to be hopeful. These include the strong fan
reaction to the episodes that were done entirely by JMS, the ratings
which, while not phenomenal, were not awful either and considering the
lack of promotion and non-compatible programming on TNT can be
considered respectable, the fact that the cast has been unanimous in
their praise and enthusiasm for the series and that they continue to
promote it by making public appearances where they encourage fans to
speak up and save the show, and the very real fact that SciFi has *not*
said no. There are a lot of people who want to make this work and who
are hopefully trying to make it happen. If the reaction of the various
people I've shown episodes to is any indication, this is anything
but a fringe movement.

emmanuel


DJ

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Sep 18, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/18/99
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I know that I loved Crusade, the part we were shown anyway, and I would have
loved it to continue. I'm sure there's not a person that reads this
newsgroup that thinks differently (you wouldn't be here otherwise.... unless
your a TNT exec trying to figure out , in a vain attempt of eyebrow
furrowing and brain scratching, the "market"). I make no attempt to sound
that I am speaking for JMS (you would all know better, and it's just not
me), but I must ask - hasn't anyone else seen that he's just had enough?

I read his messages, and they're all filled with contempt for TNT,
bitterness at the people who maliciously took away _his_ Crusade, and lack
of interest for it all. I don't think I blame him for wanting the chance to
move on, forget about it, see what the next project has in store. The
Babylon5 Universe was his child, and he refused to treat it in a harmful
way. He protected it against all odds, against all execs, against
bastardization. After all that has happened to Crusade, I'd want it to rest
too. I wouldn't want it to go from one fruitless effort to another, having
to put changes in so other channels could have their on "spin", or "angle",
on how the show should look. Almost invariably this has happened to TV
shows switching networks. He shouldn't be expected to do this just for us.
Not for what we're asking.

When he's discussed other projects he's now working on, he has nothing but
happiness and enthusiasm in his posts. He's a totally different person. He's
being creative , not beauracratic, again.

If anything, I take out of this a memory from Season 5. G'Kar is returning
to B5 to a mass of Narns, all wanting him to return home, to be a god. He
says no, they don't listen. I think we should now listen to JMS. He's happy
right now, and we should let him be. Let's stay and watch, let further tales
unfold.

Maybe JMS will reply, tell me I'm a fool, and that I've completely misread
him. Maybe that will please just a bit more than thinking I'm right, because
as it stands right now..... the B5 Universe is dormant, its future unknown.
And that's the way it should be.

David F.


Jms at B5

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Sep 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/19/99
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>Maybe JMS will reply, tell me I'm a fool, and that I've completely misread
>him.

Nah...you're a cutie pie.


jms

(jms...@aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com

Emmanuel Goldstein

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Sep 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/19/99
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DJ <ME...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> If anything, I take out of this a memory from Season 5. G'Kar is returning
> to B5 to a mass of Narns, all wanting him to return home, to be a god. He
> says no, they don't listen. I think we should now listen to JMS. He's happy
> right now, and we should let him be. Let's stay and watch, let further tales
> unfold.

JMS, unlike G'Kar, hasn't said no. If he does, I'm sure all of us will
respect that. For now, I think the best respect we can show is towards
Crusade and its potential future.

emmanuel

Corun MacAnndra

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Sep 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/21/99
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Jms at B5 <jms...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>>Maybe JMS will reply, tell me I'm a fool, and that I've completely misread
>>him.
>
>Nah...you're a cutie pie.

And we all know how JMS feels about cute. Jump! Jump now! ;-)

Corun


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