Got my girlfiend hooked on B5
Mike4
"forced" her to watch the first season, and she got hooked somewhere in the 2nd
season. We're in the middle of the 3rd season, and she wanted to watch 3
episodes in one day!
The interesting thing is that I'm seeing it again from a new perspective.
Londo is her favorite character, and I never appreciated how funny he was until
she pointed it out. She also reads much more than I do, and notices many more
one-liners or phrases that I do.
We're coming up on Interludes & Examinations, and I'm trying to keep my mouth
shut! :)
Mike
Kerry Casey
> She never was a fan of science fiction, but she's really getting into it.
I
> "forced" her to watch the first season, and she got hooked somewhere in
the 2nd
> season. We're in the middle of the 3rd season, and she wanted to watch 3
> episodes in one day!
>
My cousin is also not a fan of science fiction, written, movies or TV, but I
managed to sell B5 to her as an excellent drama set in space ( I said that
she watches drama set in law firms, drama set in police stations, drama set
in hospitals, well, this is a drama set in space).
It took until the third season before she was truly hooked, but she ended up
watching the entire fourth season in four days (she kept ringing me each
morning, asking if I could drop of another tape for her)
Kerry
--
Kerry Casey
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
E-mail kca...@bom.gov.au
Mac Breck
I have a few people I'd like you to meet! :-) Everybody I know, who isn't
already a B5 fan, has been resisting (strongly). One only likes
"chick-flicks" and isn't interested in Sci-Fi at all. The rest don't have
the dedication to watch a series (so Trek's non-arc episodic style suits
them), or are apathetic.
This is really frustrating! I've got to put some B5 intro tapes together,
kind of like a "Greatest Hits" album.
Mac
Iain Clark
"Mac Breck" <macb...@access995.com> wrote in message
news:012a01c03c37$93094520$41d2...@cobweb.net...
build up for their impact. A lot of people I know got hooked in Season 2
and later went back to Season 1. It offends the completist in me, but
Season 2 seems to be more accessible to new viewers.
Iain
--
"Signs, portents, dreams...next thing
we'll be reading tea leaves and chicken entrails."
Bill Haverberg
still resists watching the series. Also mention that the show has been
often used within theological classes and hint at Joe's literary
habits...
My list:
1. The two minutes where JMS "commits art" in ItB as Londo narrates
the last half of the Earth-Centauri war
2. Delane confronting the grey council
3. Geribaldi trying to get his sausage from the B5 mail clerk (gotta
throw in some humor scenes to keep it from being too grim...)
4. The retelling of the shadow ship discovery on Mars
5. The scene where G'Kar asks Zack what the "Daffy Duck" poster in
Geribaldi's quarters was.
6. The Sherridan/Lorin scene which ends with "Do you have anything
worth living for?"
7. Kosh "teaching" Sheridan how to fight
8. (comedic moment with Ivanova...can't think of a particular favorite
so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
9. Narns defending against the breach attack, where they are being cut
down to slow music
10. Vir asking Wesser (damn! forgot the character name!) if he could
arrange for his head to be cut off and stuck on a pike so he could
wave at it
On 22 Oct 2000 07:52:21 -0700, "Mac Breck" <macb...@access995.com>
wrote:
>Mac
>
>
>
Norm Green still sucks
Rob Perkins
> 8. (comedic moment with Ivanova...can't think of a particular favorite
> so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
The "sex" scene, in season 2.
Rob
Maagic
one I'm talkin bout)
Bill Haverberg wrote:
>
> Sounds like a topic :) Stick these on a demo tape and see if anyone
> still resists watching the series. Also mention that the show has been
> often used within theological classes and hint at Joe's literary
> habits...
>
> My list:
> 1. The two minutes where JMS "commits art" in ItB as Londo narrates
> the last half of the Earth-Centauri war
> 2. Delane confronting the grey council
> 3. Geribaldi trying to get his sausage from the B5 mail clerk (gotta
> throw in some humor scenes to keep it from being too grim...)
> 4. The retelling of the shadow ship discovery on Mars
> 5. The scene where G'Kar asks Zack what the "Daffy Duck" poster in
> Geribaldi's quarters was.
> 6. The Sherridan/Lorin scene which ends with "Do you have anything
> worth living for?"
> 7. Kosh "teaching" Sheridan how to fight
> 8. (comedic moment with Ivanova...can't think of a particular favorite
> so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
--
-Maagic
aka Bryan Foster
Webmaster of the Rick and Bubba Experience
http://www.rickandbubba.net
Iain Rae
>
> PLEASE don't leave out Delenn's scene in "Severed Dreams" (you know the
> one I'm talkin bout)
>
--
Iain Rae
Computing Officer
Dept. Civil & Offshore Engineering
Heriot-Watt University
Maagic
--
Rob Perkins
news:39F48019...@cybrtyme.com...
> > <thinks>....that would be all of them then.
> LOL yes it would! I was referring to the "be somewhere else" one
I disagree. That scene is really compelling only in terms of the whole
episode. To view it alone would fall flat.
More options for number 8:
"I am an EarthForce officer. I do not take demands, only requests."
"Very well, then. I request [an open channel...]"
"Request denied! Have a nice day!"
--
"No Boom today. Boom tomorrow. [etc...]"
--
The Ivanova/Zathras scene, which always sends me to the floor.
Rob
Iain Rae
>
> "Maagic" <ma...@cybrtyme.com> wrote in message
> news:39F48019...@cybrtyme.com...
>
> > > <thinks>....that would be all of them then.
>
> > LOL yes it would! I was referring to the "be somewhere else" one
>
> I disagree. That scene is really compelling only in terms of the whole
> episode. To view it alone would fall flat.
"What?" since it's all about context, the Delenn scene I'd choose would
be the breaking of the grey council scene, a vanilla[1] friend caught me
watching it and the reaction was more WHAT!!! but I couldn't talk her
into watching more than the episode.
[1] in the sense of someone not into scifi[2]
[2] for my definition of scifi, let's not go there ok
Rob Perkins
news:39F4B805...@civ.hw.ac.uk...
> Rob Perkins wrote:
> >
> > "Maagic" <ma...@cybrtyme.com> wrote in message
> > news:39F48019...@cybrtyme.com...
> >
> > > > <thinks>....that would be all of them then.
> >
> > > LOL yes it would! I was referring to the "be somewhere else" one
> >
> > I disagree. That scene is really compelling only in terms of the whole
> > episode. To view it alone would fall flat.
> well, strictly if you just played that scene people whould probably go
> "What?" since it's all about context
For my money, "Messages from Earth" and "Sleeping in Light" are probably the
best two heavy-arc eps that can stand alone. They both play like
well-written short stories.
Rob
TN...@aol.com
<iainj...@dragonhaven.worldonline.co.uk> wrote:
>You have to choose carefully though, because arc episodes depend greatly
>on build up for their impact. A lot of people I know got hooked in Season
>2 and later went back to Season 1. It offends the completist in me, but
>Season 2 seems to be more accessible to new viewers.
>Iain
Totally agree. I personally couldn't get into season one and only went back
to
it after getting hooked at some later point. And I just had a bad experience
getting a friend (who likes sci-fi) to view B5. She watched for a week or so
and got turned off. Wish I had insisted she wait until season two. I hope I
can get her watching again soon....
TNW
Bill Haverberg
hoping to get others' suggestions for scenes to include in this list.
The mental exercise here is, "What scenes would you put on a 15 or 20
minute tape to persuade someone who doesn't watch science fiction that
Babylon 5 is worth their time?".
On 23 Oct 2000 06:33:54 -0700, have...@visi.com (Bill Haverberg)
wrote:
Norm Green still sucks
Jim Ramsden
foolish enough to read this thread)
There's some great fun stuff throughout, and every episode has at least one
knockout scene in my book, but off the top of my head and in no particular
order... and I'll add that some are favorites because of the whole of the
story, not just 'how does it stand on its own'...
The destruction of the station in Sleeping In Light because the couple of
times I've seen it, I thought I'd die of emotional overload...
Delenn hugging that pillow...
The scene in A View From The Gallery where Franklin is taking inventory of
the dead and behind him in glorious neon is 'Welcome to Babylon 5'.
Kosh's death scene. I remember saying 'What are we gonna do now??!!!' and
then a couple of beats later realizing I was fine and it was not real.
Lochley saying her password in 'Day of the Dead'.
Delenn revealing all to Sheridan and she's talking about the First Ones and
how one of them is still around and Sheridan going 'Who?' and guess who is
standing right there between them...
Marcus and Neroon in Medlab after Marcus stands his ground on Delenn's
behalf... Marcus' line and Neroon's laugh.
"What do you want you moon-faced assasin of joy!"
Both of the 'wave' scenes.
Delenn and Ivanova in the elevator and as the door closes 'I've been having
these cramps'.
Londo and G'kar trapped in the elevator. "help. help"
G'kar busting those shackles.
Londo walking by himself on his inaugeration day.
G'kar explaining to Sakai about what she saw using the ant as the example.
The last scene in 'Deconstuction of Falling Stars'
The last scene in the episode before that. Delenn talking about the Drakh
war, the Telepath War.
The final credits to Sleeping In Light.
Faith Manages.
Oh, I could just go on and on, but that's enough....
--
- jim
http://www.jimramsden.com/
ICQ 249832
"Rob Perkins" <rob_p...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:2U%I5.10894$E85.2...@news1.sttls1.wa.home.com...
"Maagic" <ma...@cybrtyme.com> wrote in message
news:39F48019...@cybrtyme.com...
> > <thinks>....that would be all of them then.
> LOL yes it would! I was referring to the "be somewhere else" one
I disagree. That scene is really compelling only in terms of the whole
episode. To view it alone would fall flat.
More options for number 8:
Vicki Holzhauer
>"Bill Haverberg" <have...@visi.com> wrote in message
>> so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
>
>
>Rob
Her response to Vir's description of Centauri sexual excitement:
"SIX! Phew!"
--
Vicki Holzhauer, ESIG Administrator
National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307 USA / vi...@ucar.edu / 303-497-8118 (T) 8125 (F)
http://www.esig.ucar.edu/HP_vicki.html
Claudia Mastroianni
: Delenn and Ivanova in the elevator and as the door closes 'I've been having
: these cramps'.
Ugh. No, I agree with Mira, this was a juvenile bit.
The rest are an excellent list, though.
Claudia
--
>Don't they make wireless bras?
Yes, but they have a limited range and the batteries don't last worth a damn.
-- Mark Penney and Bill Duetschler
Claudia Mastroianni
: it after getting hooked at some later point. And I just had a bad experience
: getting a friend (who likes sci-fi) to view B5. She watched for a week or so
: and got turned off. Wish I had insisted she wait until season two. I hope I
: can get her watching again soon....
Well, maybe she's right.
I mean, I'm not sure exactly what she watched, but if she saw
Parliament, Mind War, War Prayer as part of the week-or-so and got
actually turned *off* (as opposed to still being non-committal),
or if she saw Survivors, By Any..., Signs, well. I think there's a
high probability that B5 just Aint For Her. That's okay. That's why
there are horse races, right?
Claudia
--
Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Jms at B5
they function within a context...when Delenn breaks the Grey Council staff, we
know what it means, what it costs her, and what it's setting in motion.
Without that background, the scene is meaningless.
It's like recommending random pages out of Gone With the Wind....
jms
(jms...@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2000 by
synthetic worlds, ltd., permission
to reprint specifically denied to
SFX Magazine)
Simn...@aol.com
If you want to use scenes on a 15-minute tape, then I'd avoid heavy spoilers.
The station blowing up, Delenn saving the day in Severed Dreams, Vir getting
to
wave at Morden's head, all of these are right out.
If you want a quickie demonstration tape, here's what you need:
1.) At least one kick-butt space battle. I'd recommend a snippet from
"Severed
Dreams", or perhaps "Into the Fire" or even "Shadow Dancing". The ramming
scene from Severed Dreams is possibly the best in that department, although
the
Shadow attack from "The Long Twilight Struggle" or "The Coming of Shadows"
would do nicely.
2.) At least one great speech. G'Kar's freedom speech from the end of "The
Long
Twilight Struggle" might work. His speech from the end of Z'Ha'Dum might be
too much in the way of spolers. Sinclair's first description of the Battle of
the Line from "The Gathering" is good, too. Or Delenn breaking the Council
from "Severed Dreams". Or a VERY brief snippet of Sheridan on the balcony
from
"The Summoning".
3.) One great comedic moment. Mr. Garibaldi always in the elevator waiting
for
Talia, The Egyptian God of Frustration, The Ivanova Dance, the B5 Mantra, the
Teddy Bear in Space, Ivanova asleep at breakfast, oh, there are so many
possibilities.
4.) One moment of wonder. Perhaps the 2 minutes of art at the end of "In the
Beginning", or perhaps G'Kar's speech at the end of Mind War, or the shadow
ships leaving Mars from "Messages from Earth". Kosh saving Sheridan from "The
Fall of Night" would be great, but is too much of a spoiler.
5.) One Dramatic Confrontation. Sinclair Vs. Nelson from "Infection",
Garibaldi arguing with Lianna Kemmer from "Survivors", Sheridan vs. The
troublemaker from "A Day in the Strife", any of several Londo/G'Kar moments,
Delenn Vs. Anybody, and so on. Heck, Londo Vs. Morden from "Into the Fire"
with the blowing up of the island would be perfect, but would have to be
edited
carefully.
But don't take my advice. Go with what the professionals chose. Take a
gander
at the opening credits for Season 5, find those scenes, and edit together the
full-length scenes.
Martin "The Mess" Hohner <*> Simn...@aol.com
United States of Earth? Schoonmaker for President!
Expansionist Party of the United States Website:
**** http://hometown.aol.com/XPUS/index.html ****
Matt Ion
>Jim Ramsden <ma...@jimramsden.com> wrote:
>: Delenn and Ivanova in the elevator and as the door closes 'I've been having
>: these cramps'.
>
>Ugh. No, I agree with Mira, this was a juvenile bit.
This is a very real bit. It's one of the best things about B5, how they're
not afraid to throw in little pieces of real life (or what one would expect
to be "real life" in those circumstances :)
----------------------------------------------
Your friend and mine,
Matt
"Reality is in alpha test on prototype hardware."
Douglas
> Sounds like a topic :) Stick these on a demo tape and see if anyone
> still resists watching the series. Also mention that the show has been
> habits...
> 8. (comedic moment with Ivanova...can't think of a particular favorite
> so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
Ivanovas Babylon 5 Mantra. Or when she tells a reporter 'You are going to
resist I hope'.
Claudia Mastroianni
: On 24 Oct 2000 09:24:29 -0700, Claudia Mastroianni wrote:
:>Jim Ramsden <ma...@jimramsden.com> wrote:
:>: these cramps'.
:>
:>Ugh. No, I agree with Mira, this was a juvenile bit.
: This is a very real bit. It's one of the best things about B5, how they're
: not afraid to throw in little pieces of real life (or what one would expect
: to be "real life" in those circumstances :)
Not to dwell on this overmuch, but it was a very unrealistic note.
I don't think someone first experiencing PMS-type cramps without having
had them before and without having any expectation of experiencing them
would call them "cramps". Delenn did, so that the viewers would get what
was going on and could laugh about it, and it's one of the few times in
the entire series where I can't suspend my disbelief and stay in-universe.
Yes, it also hints that she may be interfertile with humans. But it
does it on, IMO, a sour note.
Claudia
--
"You're thinking about escape again, aren't you? Don't. There's no way off
Z'ha'dum. Might as well give up, reconcile yourself as I did."
"The first obligation of a prisoner is to escape."
"Ah. So .. if one is a prisoner of love, one must escape to solitude?
If one is a prisoner to joy, must one escape to sadness?"
-- Lorien & Sheridan in Babylon 5:"Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?"
TN...@aol.com
>TN...@aol.com wrote:
>: it after getting hooked at some later point. And I just had a bad
experience
>: getting a friend (who likes sci-fi) to view B5. She watched for a week
>or so and got turned off. Wish I had insisted she wait until season two.
>I hope I can get her watching again soon....
>Well, maybe she's right.
>I mean, I'm not sure exactly what she watched, but if she saw
>Parliament, Mind War, War Prayer as part of the week-or-so and got
>actually turned *off* (as opposed to still being non-committal),
>or if she saw Survivors, By Any..., Signs, well. I think there's a
>high probability that B5 just Aint For Her. That's okay. That's why
>there are horse races, right?
>
>Claudia
Yeah, but I also got put off trying to watch season one years ago. By chance
I tuned in again much later and got totally hooked. I know a lot of people
liked season one right away, but even after I was hooked and went back and
watched it, there were a number of episodes (or significant portions of
episodes) that I didn't care for. So I don't think that not liking it means
the person won't ultimately like the show. It'll be interesting to see in
this case.
I'd sort of like to figure out what the sure-fire starting point is -- the
ep. that hooks anyone who has the potential to like the show.
TNW
just~pat
"Matt Ion" <sou...@soundy.org> wrote:
> On 24 Oct 2000 09:24:29 -0700, Claudia Mastroianni wrote:
>
> >Jim Ramsden <ma...@jimramsden.com> wrote:
> >: Delenn and Ivanova in the elevator and as the door closes 'I've
been having
> >: these cramps'.
> >
> >Ugh. No, I agree with Mira, this was a juvenile bit.
>
> This is a very real bit. It's one of the best things about B5, how
they're
> not afraid to throw in little pieces of real life (or what one would
expect
> to be "real life" in those circumstances :)
It's also a nessarily bit - it established that Delenn now has a
*human* reproductive system, which is important later...
-Pat
--
Pat Luther --- http://www.cs.pdx.edu/~pluther
"...and, when all men are hastening to become either tyrants or slaves,
that is when we make Liberalism the prime bogey."
- Screwtape (C.S. Lewis)
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Jim Ramsden
affects me more the more I watch it.
It would be quite cool to do something like that with all five seasons and
use it as a promo. Push the point of five years with a beginning, middle and
end and throw in the 'novel for television'. Two minutes and push it out to
some major outlets for a spell and POW!, some major interest. This would be
major cool stuff for a... DVD release.
Hey, what would you all want in the last 2262 part different than what's
there?
--
- jim
http://www.jimramsden.com/
ICQ 249832
<Simn...@aol.com> wrote in message news:5d.24d87f...@aol.com...
Jim Ramsden
fine on their own and forward the arc at the same time, I also think some
scenes pull the same double punch. There are great scenes that just go over
the top in quality when the arc and deeper context are brought into play.
Case in point. The G'Kar ant scene. That one scene does so much and I
honestly believe that not having seen the First One come through, people
would go 'whoa, when's this show on?' I think the fact that we find out
later what that 'giant' was just adds more dimension to an already great
scene.
As a matter of fact, I have recently started hanging out with someone who is
becoming quite a good friend. I think the next time we hang out at my place,
I'll cue up that scene and see what he thinks.
--
- jim
http://www.jimramsden.com/
ICQ 249832
"Jms at B5" <jms...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20001024184853...@ng-fp1.aol.com...
Paul McElligott
doesn't depend on a lot of foreknowledge is the best introduction.
I think the best from season 1 is either "Mind War" or "Signs and
Portents." From season two, I'd go with "In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum."
In article <20001024184853...@ng-fp1.aol.com>,
jms...@aol.com (Jms at B5) wrote:
> The problem is that individual scenes won't work. Those scenes work
because
> they function within a context...
--
Paul McElligott
http://www.terrafed.com
Note: No toads were strangled in the posting of this message.
Flameholder
"Vicki Holzhauer" <vi...@ale.atd.ucar.edu> wrote in message
news:8t2fbo$con$1...@ncar.ucar.edu...
> In article <hTYI5.10279$E85.2...@news1.sttls1.wa.home.com> "Rob Perkins"
<rob_p...@hotmail.com> writes:
> >> so someone will have to insert their own favorite here)
> >
> >
> >Rob
>
> Her response to Vir's description of Centauri sexual excitement:
>
> "SIX! Phew!"
The scene where she walks into C&C completely nude
Joshua
Pelzo63
>Ugh. No, I agree with Mira, this was a juvenile bit.
i also agree, it was juvenile.
however, that's not a bad thing, imho. <g>
...Chris
yes, i also enjoy monty python.
Joseph Culbert
Flameholder <ni...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>The scene where she walks into C&C completely nude
Perv.
--
--- "brother, you're living in the land of the bland"
---- neckro at yellow 5 dot com
----- (you work it out)
Iain Rae
>
> The problem is that individual scenes won't work. Those scenes work because
> know what it means, what it costs her, and what it's setting in motion.
> Without that background, the scene is meaningless.
>
Hmm....... yes and no, they won't convey much of the storyline but one
scene can highten enough curiosity to make people watch more. I was
flicking through channels one night, came across a scene with a British
Major lying dying on a battlefield, various ruffians kneeling round him
and a wonderful line that went somehting like "I want an Eagle Sharpe
touched by the emperor himself....and when you get it plant it here
<touches breast> good and hard, so I can feel it". seven years on, I've
got the books and my taped off the tv (you didn't hear me say that)
videos are faded and I'm wondering whether it will be Sharpe or B5 which
makes me buy a dvd player.
Also I'd argue that some things span contexts and kind of attach
themselves to your own knowledge (either you fill in the blanks or
you're drawn to find out more) e.g. I'd be willing to bet that the
following chunk of text touches more people than know it's context.
"...as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, we will never, under
any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for
glory, nor riches, nor honours that we fight, but for freedom -- for
that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."
> It's like recommending random pages out of Gone With the Wind....
>
Frankly My dear......
> jms
>
> (jms...@aol.com)
> (all message content (c) 2000 by
> synthetic worlds, ltd., permission
> to reprint specifically denied to
> SFX Magazine)
--
Bill Haverberg
>The problem is that individual scenes won't work. Those scenes work because
>they function within a context...when Delenn breaks the Grey Council staff, we
>know what it means, what it costs her, and what it's setting in motion.
>Without that background, the scene is meaningless.
>
>It's like recommending random pages out of Gone With the Wind....
>
....or a film clip shown on a talk show or a movie review, or trailers
shown before the main feature? Or flipping through a book before
deciding to buy it?
Yes, of course the impact is lessened...but the goal is to sell the
product (in this case B5) and if the technique didn't work, there
wouldn't be trailers and film clips.
Norm Green still sucks
Jon Niehof
> > "SIX! Phew!"
Frankly, I think the best Ivanova would either be the "Babylon 5 Mantra" or
[SPOILER SPACE]
"I am the boot that will kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth."
(the whole speech). Of course, that's a bit of a spoiler....
--Jon, N9RUJ jnie...@calvin.edu www.calvin.edu/~jnieho38
....the Internet now has the full attention of decision makers in
Washington and on Wall Street. Historically, that's never meant
anything good. --Jon Katz
Jon Niehof
> Frankly My dear......
the book (nor was "My dear..." the end of the book).
Iain Rae
>
> > > It's like recommending random pages out of Gone With the Wind....
> > Frankly My dear......
> He said random pages, not random lines from the movie. "Frankly" was not in
> the book (nor was "My dear..." the end of the book).
>
Never read the book, never seen the film, only seen the scene (and the
backlot burning).
Mac Breck
it as a Greatest Hits tape.
I *am* trying to broaden B5's audience here, in hopes of increased ratings,
the renewal of Crusade (with pissing contests edited out of the old
episodes, and new episodes filmed, in other words, the way you wanted it to
be), and continuation of the novels.
Mac
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jms at B5" <jms...@aol.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: B5 favorite scenes (was: Re: Got my girlfiend hooked on B5)
> The problem is that individual scenes won't work. Those scenes work
because
> they function within a context...when Delenn breaks the Grey Council
staff, we
> know what it means, what it costs her, and what it's setting in motion.
> Without that background, the scene is meaningless.
>
> It's like recommending random pages out of Gone With the Wind....
>
Claudia Mastroianni
: So what episodes would YOU recommend to get people hooked on B5? Think of
: it as a Greatest Hits tape.
I know this was directed at JMS, but I can't resist.
How many episodes are we talking? Okay, with commercials trimmed, at
low quality, I can fit 8 on a "2-hour" tape. I'll go with that.
I'm trying to showcase earlier stuff that won't spoil the rest of the
series, so....
Parliament, Mind War, Signs, Babylon Squared (that's deliberate, including
both the visions of disaster to the station), Revelations, Soul Mates,
Coming of Shadows, Acts of Sacrifice. There are better second-season
episodes, but they're full of major stuff that has so much more impact
if you've seen what came before.
If Mind War and Soul Mates together is a bit too much on the Talia's-exes
meter, substitute Passing Through Gethsemane (my absolute favorite
stand-alone episode) for one of them (choose between Bester and Londo!).
Yay Brad Dourif.
Claudia
--
"In the history of mankind [as recapitulated through the
school years], 8th grade is the dark ages."
Claudia Mastroianni
: I'd sort of like to figure out what the sure-fire starting point is -- the
That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
Claudia
--
"Susan, I must say... lately you've been very much like a non-cancerous
ovarian cyst."
"How sweet, the things you say." -- Bruno,
"Nothing terribly threatening, but hard as hell to get rid of." 9/16/96
Michael Atreides
> Frankly, I think the best Ivanova would either be the "Babylon 5 Mantra"
or
> [SPOILER SPACE]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "I am the boot that will kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth."
> (the whole speech). Of course, that's a bit of a spoiler....
Yes. That one little speech, which I have set as a sound on my PC, was heard
by a friend who likes Science Fiction, but had never watched Babylon 5. She
immediately demanded to see it, and when I explained to her that the line's
from season 4 and it wouldn't be as good if she watched the show out of
sequence, she just grinned and said "Fine. Tape 1. Now."
Now she's in the middle of season three and in love.
Michael Atreides
The following is a top-of-my-head list of scenes that make me shiver, cry,
or just stare in shock no matter how many times I see them. Sometimes it's
awe at JMS' writing, sometimes it's actually fear and sorrow for what's
happening to those poor people, who aren't so fictional when I'm watching.
Some of them can even make me cry just remembering the scene (yeah, I'm soft
and squishy when it comes to this stuff.)
Since some people won't have seen these yet, I'm putting SPOILER space:
G'kar's speech to Catherine Sakai about the Walkers at Sigma 957 (A system
name I'll never forget now)
Sinclair's famous line: "Nothing's the same anymore." My gods, if we'd only
know then what was coming...
Emperor Turhan's conversation with Sheridan in the Observation Dome from
"The Coming of Shadows", which made me cringe inside, thinking "That poor
man."
Londo's horror as he watches the bombing of Narn.
G'kar's discussion with "G'quon" in Dust to Dust.
The final moments on Z'ha'dum, when Sheridan finally lets go, and gives
himself over to "tock". Wow. What an ending. There was no way in HELL I'd
miss the next episode.
Neroon's sacrifice at the Starwheel. I was one of the few in my viewing
group who had always loved Neroon -- despite his "semi-villain" status, it
was clear he meant only good for his people. And when he "betrayed" Delenn
at the end of "Rumours, Bargains, and Lies", I just shook my head and said
"Nope. That's their plan." But I had NO idea he was going to die in that
episode, and I sat there, mute in horror, as I watched him give up
everything for a woman he'd wanted to kill not too long before.
Londo's coronation, and the beautiful montage of scenes we saw as he thought
back on the path he'd taken to this moment. Incidentally, the first time I
saw that episode, I didn't like how it went from the image of Londo walking
alone through a ruined city to the gathering of the B5 folks in Sheridan's
office. Far too used to pat "American Happy Endings" on television, I
started to frown, only to see the final scene of the episode -- Londo,
sitting in the dark, all alone. My heart broke.
Delenn, curled in pain, all alone, in the bed she's shared with her husband
for nearly 20 years, knowing he'll never ever be there again. The first
time I saw SiL, I was saddened, but no tears. Now, I cry every bloody time I
see that scene, and it doesn't let up until the episode ends. And yet,
despite my tears, I usually have the same reaction JMS hoped for -- "That
was a good story."
Douglas
from mid season two on till mid season three had a 'trailer' for B5.
There was some creepty music with a back screen 'All alone in the night'
scenes of the Narn cruiser 'Ga'tok', 'Against an ancient evil', ...more
scenes....'The last best hope for peace'......then the B5 logo and station.
Then the music gets livelier, themed scenes start up...fist fights, party
scenes, ship battles etc.
It doesn't sound much when you type it, but I think it was a good trailer.
JMS, did you have a hand in this trailer?
Douglas
Mac Breck
From: "Michael Atreides" <star...@jps.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:14 PM
Subject: "Shiver" scenes (Poss. Spoilers for new fans)
>
> The following is a top-of-my-head list of scenes that make me shiver,
How about the scene between Sheridan and Sebastian at the end of the
episode? If that doesn't make you shiver, nothing will.
Mac
Claudia Mastroianni
: ----- Original Message -----
You think? To me that was always an obnoxious too-much Sheridan moment.
Claudia
--
Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an Dich und lass' ihn fliegen -- Nena
Claudia Mastroianni
: Mac Breck <macb...@access995.com> wrote:
: : ----- Original Message -----
: : From: "Michael Atreides" <star...@jps.net>
: : Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
: : Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:14 PM
: : Subject: "Shiver" scenes (Poss. Spoilers for new fans)
: :>
: :> The following is a top-of-my-head list of scenes that make me shiver,
: : How about the scene between Sheridan and Sebastian at the end of the
: : episode? If that doesn't make you shiver, nothing will.
: You think? To me that was always an obnoxious too-much Sheridan moment.
But then, I'd figured out who Sebastian was halfway through the episode.
Which didn't weaken the overall episode for me, but did mean that that
last line didn't have nearly the impact I think it was supposed to.
Claudia
--
"A meteor storm--the sky above us was dancing with lights--
purple, green, brilliant yellow... YES!"
"What?"
"These shoes! They fit perfectly!" <dashes through the grass>
-- The eighth Doctor
Kerry Casey
>....... . I was
> flicking through channels one night, came across a scene with a British
> Major lying dying on a battlefield, various ruffians kneeling round him
> and a wonderful line that went somehting like "I want an Eagle Sharpe
> touched by the emperor himself....and when you get it plant it here
> <touches breast> good and hard, so I can feel it". seven years on, I've
> got the books and my taped off the tv (you didn't hear me say that)
> videos are faded and I'm wondering whether it will be Sharpe or B5 which
> makes me buy a dvd player.
Sharpe's out on DVD. R2 has only one (Sharpe's Rifles) but R1 has more. See,
for eg. amazon.com for a list.
I bought the R2 one, and found out about the R1 ones later (I'm saving up to
buy them, with the current exchange rate, they're expensive)
As far as I know, Sharpe has never been shown in Australia (not on free to
air, anyway)- I caught an episode when in the UK in 1997.
Kerry
--
Kerry Casey
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
E-mail kca...@bom.gov.au
Flameholder
"Joseph Culbert" <nec...@visi.com> wrote in message
news:OYMJ5.3892$FU3.8...@ptah.visi.com...
> In article <DBLJ5.24909$rD3.1...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
> Flameholder <ni...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
I am not and I resent that accusation
Joshua
By the way, does anyone have a copy of this episode; mine seems to have worn
out.
Another good argument for releasing the DVD's.
Pål Are Nordal
>
> Anyone here buy the UK Warner Bros B5 tap3es. I noticed some of the tapes
> from mid season two on till mid season three had a 'trailer' for B5.
> It doesn't sound much when you type it, but I think it was a good trailer.
IMHO that trailer is crap. Sure the start and the finsih are good, but
in between them WB has crammed just about every clip containing sex and
violence in the entire show, accompanied by really loud generic techno music.
I've got the whole thing captured in the DivX format, and planned to put
it up for people to laugh at as soon as I found some reliable place to
upload it.
--
Donate free food with a simple click: http://www.thehungersite.com/
Pål Are Nordal
a_b...@bigfoot.com
Mac Breck
From: "Claudia Mastroianni" <cma...@fas.harvard.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 7:37 PM
Subject: Re: "Shiver" scenes (Poss. Spoilers for new fans)
> I <cma...@fas.harvard.edu> wrote:
> : Mac Breck <macb...@access995.com> wrote:
> : : ----- Original Message -----
> : : From: "Michael Atreides" <star...@jps.net>
> : : Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
> : : Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:14 PM
> : : Subject: "Shiver" scenes (Poss. Spoilers for new fans)
>
> : :>
> : :> The following is a top-of-my-head list of scenes that make me shiver,
>
> : : How about the scene between Sheridan and Sebastian at the end of the
> : : episode? If that doesn't make you shiver, nothing will.
>
> : You think? To me that was always an obnoxious too-much Sheridan moment.
>
> But then, I'd figured out who Sebastian was halfway through the episode.
> Which didn't weaken the overall episode for me, but did mean that that
> last line didn't have nearly the impact I think it was supposed to.
No, that was an all-Sebastian moment, and he delivered his speech perfectly
(Good luck in your cause..... remembered only as Jack). I also suspected
who he was, early on, but suspecting it, and hearing him admit it the way he
did (punctuated by the hits of the cane) are two completely different
things.
It *still* gives me goose bumps. :-)
Mac
Bill Haverberg
<cma...@fas.harvard.edu> wrote:
>TN...@aol.com wrote:
>: I'd sort of like to figure out what the sure-fire starting point is -- the
>: ep. that hooks anyone who has the potential to like the show.
>
>That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
>
I was just watching Messages from Earth and I'm pretty sure that's the
one I'd use to introduce friends to the series, even if it is arc and
spoils things a bit...it won't spoil everything and if its the only
episode they ever see at least it'll change what they think about
science fiction. It has a good mix of everything that's great about
the show...you get the action (taking out the shadow ship on
Ganymede), some good one on one scenes (Geribaldi with Kosh in the
cell "They think we're torturing you", later on "All answers are
replies, but not all replies are answers."), a dynamite tender moment
("I will watch, and catch you if you fall...my Dad, he stood outside
with a garden hose and made it rain"), suspense (nightwatch), and
humor (Ivanova and Marcus "bacon and eggs/we'll just sit here...and
watch/I'll kill him...AFTER breakfast", "Space dragon...badgers in
pants", "did I make you smile?").
Norm Green still sucks
Timo Savola
>had them before and without having any expectation of experiencing them
>would call them "cramps".
Makes one wonder how many "cramps" Peter David has had before writing the
episode.
Anyway, the scene is based on humour and should be viewed as such. If it
isn't serious, nothing good will come from regarding it seriously. Speaking
with no first-hand experience on the field, I saw it as nothing but a good
piece of, indeed juvenile, humour. But then again that's what humour is --
juvenile. There's nothing wrong with juvenile. Ask Jesus.
Don't worry, be happy.
Timo
Seti Alpha
I can't remember the eps titles, but......
Sinclair [my personal favorite B5 commander] speaking to Bester: "Mister, I
don't care if you got a message direct from God complete with stone
tablets -- you *lied* to me!"
Sheridan to Ivanova: "You can't kill the truth -- " (waffles a little;
concedes) " -- Actually, you *can* kill the truth. But it always comes
back to haunt ya!"
As a Christian, I use that line a lot when witnessing. Thanks, JMS!
Matt Ion
>> Her response to Vir's description of Centauri sexual excitement:
>>
>> "SIX! Phew!"
>
>
>The scene where she walks into C&C completely nude
And I'm screaming at the TV, "CAMERA, TILT *DOWN*!! ZOOM OUT!!!"
----------------------------------------------
Your friend and mine,
Matt
"Reality is in alpha test on prototype hardware."
Matt Ion
>Anyway, the scene is based on humour and should be viewed as such. If it
>isn't serious, nothing good will come from regarding it seriously. Speaking
>with no first-hand experience on the field, I saw it as nothing but a good
>piece of, indeed juvenile, humour. But then again that's what humour is --
>juvenile. There's nothing wrong with juvenile. Ask Jesus.
Actually, I thought someone else's point was quite pertinent: this little
snippet of humor sets up the fact that Delenn now has an (at least partially)
human reproductive system... a fact that is quite pertinent later.
Iain Clark
"Bill Haverberg" <have...@visi.com> wrote in message
news:39f88de4...@news.visi.com...
seen in context might not have nearly the same impact on someone who didn't
know the build-up or the characters. You can do it, but in moderation. I'm
invariably disappointed when I try to hook people on things because I always
seem to pick the serious stuff that you have to be a fan to appreciate,
rather than the more accessible bits which mean less overall, but are more
attractive to new viewers.
There are clips that hook you on a film, and others that leave you bemused
and uninterested. It's down to the selection of the moments.
Remember as well that a lot of trailers construct their own context around
the clips (sometimes totally misleading, and sometimes recounting each twist
and turn of the plot so literally that they spoil the film).
Iain
--
"Signs, portents, dreams...next thing
we'll be reading tea leaves and chicken entrails."
Iain Clark
"Pål Are Nordal" <a_b...@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:39F97C0B...@bigfoot.com...
> Douglas wrote:
> >
> > Anyone here buy the UK Warner Bros B5 tap3es. I noticed some of the
> > tapes
> > from mid season two on till mid season three had a 'trailer' for B5.
> > [...]
> > It doesn't sound much when you type it, but I think it was a good
trailer.
>
> IMHO that trailer is crap. Sure the start and the finsih are good, but
> in between them WB has crammed just about every clip containing sex and
> violence in the entire show, accompanied by really loud generic techno
music.
>
> I've got the whole thing captured in the DivX format, and planned to put
> it up for people to laugh at as soon as I found some reliable place to
> upload it.
Yes, but the start and finish are *really* good. I only wish the rest had
been in the same vein.
Mike4
wrote:
>TN...@aol.com wrote:
>: I'd sort of like to figure out what the sure-fire starting point is -- the
>: ep. that hooks anyone who has the potential to like the show.
>
>That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
Trilogy? What means thou?
This is fascinating. I just asked my girlfriend which episode she thought
would be a good one to get someone hooked, and she thought Grail. Reasoning
that other episodes would need more character development, like Severed Dreams,
or any "important" episode.
Mike4
>On 26 Oct 2000 12:11:12 -0700, Claudia Mastroianni
><cma...@fas.harvard.edu> wrote:
>
>>TN...@aol.com wrote:
>>: I'd sort of like to figure out what the sure-fire starting point is -- the
>>: ep. that hooks anyone who has the potential to like the show.
>>
>>That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
>>
>I was just watching Messages from Earth and I'm pretty sure that's the
>one I'd use to introduce friends to the series, even if it is arc and
>spoils things a bit...it won't spoil everything and if its the only
>episode they ever see at least it'll change what they think about
>science fiction. It has a good mix of everything that's great about
>the show...you get the action (taking out the shadow ship on
>Ganymede), some good one on one scenes (Geribaldi with Kosh in the
With G'kar, that is.
Joseph Culbert
Mike4 <mh...@home.com> wrote:
>>That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
>
>Trilogy? What means thou?
Messages From Earth / Point of No Return / Severed Dreams.
--
--- "brother, you're living in the land of the bland"
---- neckro at yellow 5 dot com
----- (you work it out)
Pål Are Nordal
>
> On 26 Oct 2000 12:11:12 -0700, Claudia Mastroianni <cma...@fas.harvard.edu>
> wrote:
> >
> >That would be the Severed Dreams trilogy.
>
> Trilogy? What means thou?
"Messages from Earth", "Point of no Return" and "Severed Dreams" are
sort of linked together, forming a trilogy (though I believe there's a
small continuity problem with G'Kar's jail time that does stretch this a bit).
Pål Are Nordal
[ The WB Home Video UK B5 trailer ]
Pål Are Nordal wrote:
>
> I've got the whole thing captured in the DivX format, and planned to put
> it up for people to laugh at as soon as I found some reliable place to
> upload it.
Well, Mr. Matt Ion graciously offered to host the file. It can be
downloaded by following this link ftp://ftp.soundy.org/pub/Data/Videos/B5/B5promo.AVI
For Windows, you'll need Media Player 6.4 or newer, with the DivX codec
installed (http://www.divx-digest.net/software/encode/divx_311alpha.exe)
to play it.