umtsb5 Frequently Asked Questions and Other Information
Mike Kirk
U.M.T.S.B5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION
===========================================================
Date of Posting: 25th November 1995
Changes: The umtsb5 FAQ returns!!
Contents
========
1. Newsgroup "uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5" posting guidelines
author: Martin Williams
2. Introduction to Babylon 5 and the Babylon 5 Universe
author: Mike Kirk
3. Frequently Asked Questions
author: Mick Foy
4. Episode Guide
author: Richard Challis
5. Contact Addresses
author: Martin Williams
6. UK Conventions
author: Jeremy Morley
7. UK Merchandising
author: Robin Bornoff
8. Internet Resources
author: Gareth Edwards
General editing, pasting together and Buggering about, Mike Kirk
To read the FAQ on the WWW then point your browser to:
http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/~jmorley/B5-FAQ/B5-FAQ-INDEX.html
1. Newsgroup "uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5" posting guidelines
---------------------------------------------------------
Purpose of the newsgroup
The purpose of uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 is to facilitate discussion about
the science fiction television programme Babylon 5 from a UK perspective.
It was created as the American groups contained spoiler information from
episodes yet to be seen in the UK.
Spoilers
The subject of spoilers has aroused some debate in the newsgroup. It
generates such strong feelings that it was felt necessary to include a
section in this FAQ outlining the majority view on the subject.
* Absolutely no spoilers for episodes yet to be broadcast in the UK
should be posted. Any person breaking this is likely to be soundly
flamed. (This includes information gained from attendance at
conferences.)
* Any discussion of an episode broadcast less than 1 week ago must have
"spoiler protection" - see below. This is to protect viewers of S4C in
Wales who get Babylon 5 on Sundays and to give those who video tape
episodes a chance to watch their recordings.
Spoiler protection
Articles that require spoiler protection (see above) should meet the
following criteria.
Have the word "spoiler" at the start of the subject line.
* Contain the episode title or an obvious abbreviation thereof in the
subject line.
* Have a minimum of 25 lines of spoiler space (i.e. a single character
per line). If your software allows, please also add a Ctrl-L character
to this.
General netiquette
Here are some general guidelines on what is and is not generally considered
acceptable practice in uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5. Their intended purpose is
not to hinder discussion but to enhance it.
a) Do not post binaries.
Users of most dial-up connections have to pay for the time they are
on-line receiving news, so will not appreciate a large GIF deposited
in their newsbase via their phone line.
If you do have an image that you feel will enhance the lives of
others, put it on a ftp site, so only those who want it need download
it.
In addition to this, the news administrators at certain sites do not
carry binary groups due to disk space requirements, so lots of people
posting binaries is likely to get the group removed from some news
sites, reducing propagation.
b) Make sure your postings are word wrapped to around 72 columns at most.
Many users read news on 80 column screens (or 80 column fixed-font
windows in graphical interfaces) and so postings that exceed this and
overflow each line are very unreadable and might not be read.
Setting the width to 72 columns allows your article to be quoted and
re-quoted without exceeding 80 columns.
c) Keep your signature to reasonable proportions.
The accepted Usenet limits are a maximum of 4 lines long, less than 80
characters wide. This is for reasons of both bandwidth (cost to
dial-up users) and courtesy to others (a 20 line ASCII art
representation of the view from your living room may be impressive
once, but needless to say 3 or 4 viewings later it can become very
tedious indeed).
d) Do not quote entire articles when following up.
Please only quote enough of the article to give context to your reply.
It is considered very bad practice to quote headers and/or signatures
as there is no need for it - headers in particular are very boring
things indeed.
e) Read your article before posting it.
Make sure you take the time to re-read your words of wisdom before
posting them, to check that it all makes sense and you aren't about to
start a flame war...
f) Please keep postings on-topic to Babylon 5.
Discussions on which brand of petrol Keele University sells in its
capacity as a service station have no place in the news group...
g) Do not post private e-mail without the author's permission.
This is equivalent to broadcasting the contents of a private letter or
phone call on national TV without authorisation from the sender.
h) Do not post advertisements.
Only on-topic adverts *may* be considered acceptable, e.g. conventions
with a Babylon 5 element. Think very carefully before submitting any
sort of advert.
i) Do not post test messages.
There are several groups specifically for test messages. Most will
also generate e-mail responses automatically from across the world to
confirm article propagation. Three I know of are: demon.test, uk.test
and misc.test.
j) Keep fan fiction out of the group
Fan fiction is not welcome in umstb5 for two main reasons. Firstly,
JMS (Babylon 5 creator, see below) has stated that he will sever his
ties with the Internet if he comes in contact with fan fiction based
on the show that is widely distributed, for legal reasons. The second
issue is one of bandwidth. The use of a mailing list is probably the
best solution, or upload it to an ftp site.
If you require further guidance on netiquette, you should take the
newsgroup news.announce.newusers which is low traffic and moderated.
JMS's Postings
In the international newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, the creator of
Babylon 5, J. Michael Straczynski (JMS for short) is a regular contributor.
Bruce Goatly <br...@goatly.demon.co.uk>, has volunteered to re-post JMS's
articles to uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 as a service to UK viewers. It should
be noted that he has JMS's permission to do this.
Please leave the re-posting of JMS's articles to Bruce.
Here is Bruce's policy on what he will post.
1. Things I won't post at all: articles about matters of interest to US
viewers only (such as local channel information); one-liners saying
'thanks' or 'a well-reasoned point'.
2. Things I'll delay posting: potential spoilers about episodes not yet
seen in the UK (I'll hold them back until the week after the episode
has aired, following general policy on spoilers on this group).
I'll post items about conventions, even if they are in the US, because
they can be of interest and relevance to people in the UK.
3. I plan to post most articles simply chronologically; on occasion I may
split them up by subject, especially if there's been a lot on any one
topic.
Thanks are due to Bruce for having to put up with all those US spoilers
(never mind the Americans ;-) to provide us with this service.
2. Introduction to Babylon 5 and the Babylon 5 Universe
-------------------------------------------------------
What is Babylon 5?
The galaxy is at a turning point, 10 years have passed since the
Earth/Minbari war. The Centauri Empire is shrinking fast, the Narn now free
from the Centauri are looking to expand their frontiers. Meanwhile, a fifth
race, the Vorlons, merely watches from the side, too ancient and powerful
to be concerned with the petty affairs of humanoids. The year is 2259, the
name of the place is Babylon 5.
The story of Babylon 5 takes places in the years 2258- 2262, with the Pilot
Episode in the year 2257. Babylon 5 is a huge five-mile long space station
located in neutral space approximately 25 light years from Earth in an as
yet unknown star system. The station was built to try and build a lasting
peace between the five great powers of the galaxy; the Humans, Minbari,
Centauri, Narn and Vorlons.
Babylon stations 1, 2 and 3 were destroyed through sabotage before they
came on-line; Babylon 4 vanished after being pulled through time to be used
as a weapon in some terrible war. Babylon 5 is the last station of its
kind, it is humanitys last hope to avoid destruction. Babylon 5 is home to
many thousands of humans and aliens, around a quarter of a million in all.
It contains living quarters, bars, casinos, hydroponic farms and extensive
docking facilities. It is a self-contained world and is as much a trading
post and port of call for travellers as it is a place for diplomacy and
negotiation.
The station was built by the Earth Alliance and is currently under the
command of Captain John Sheridan, an Earth-Force officer. An ambassador
from each of the five major governments resides on the station, the current
commander of Babylon 5 assumes the role of ambassador for Earth Alliance.
What is unique about Babylon 5 is that unlike other contemporary science
fiction TV shows such as Star Trek, there is an ongoing story arc that
overshadows every single episode. This story arc has already been planned
out by the shows creator J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), he has described it
as a novel for television. The show possesses a much darker, grittier
quality than most others of the genre - it is SF for adults.
What are the main races?
The Humans
Earth Alliance is the Human government, with its capital city, Earth Dome,
located where Geneva, Switzerland once was. Earth Alliance includes the
planets Earth and Mars along with the Jovian Moons and Orion. It is a
democratic system of dubious political values. The Government is currently
experiencing difficulties following the assassination of their president
and also with the Mars Colonies demanding independence. There is evidence
to suggest that the Earth government is beginning to move to a Psi-corps
controlled totalitarian regime.
It would appear that we humans have not made a whole lot of progress by the
mid-23rd century.
Earth Alliance is still recovering from a devastating war with the Minbari
which raged for 4 years. The war started when during a first contact with
the Minbari an Earth ship mistook a friendly gesture for a hostile act and
fired. The Minbari ship, although vastly more powerful, had no defences
active and was destroyed. The Minbari almost brought Earth Alliance to a
crushing defeat; however, at the Battle of the Line where the humans
launched a last suicidal attempt to protect Earth, the Minbari mysteriously
surrendered.
The Minbari
The Minbari are a deeply spiritual people; bar the Vorlons they are
probably the most technologically advanced of all the races. Minbari
society is shrouded in mystery. What is known is that there are three
castes of Minbari, a warrior caste, a religious caste and a worker caste.
The worker caste is the least influential section of Minbari society, they
are often excluded from important discussions and negotiations. The
religious caste wields the most power, though this appears to be changing
in favour of the warrior caste. The warrior caste consists of five clans of
Minbari, The Star Riders, The Wind Swords, The Moon Shields, The Night
Walkers and The Fire Wings.
The Minbari government is led by an organisation known as the Grey Council
on which three Minbari from each caste sit. The leader of the Grey council
is the overall leader of the Minbari council. Only members of the nine are
allowed to enter into the the council chamber.
In recent years there has been friction between the religious caste and the
warrior caste due to the religious caste forcing the surrender during the
Battle of the Line. Only members of the Grey Council know the real reason
for the surrender.
The Minbari strive for perfection in every way; spiritual, mental, physical
and technological. They see the use of technology as a means to achieve
perfection and not a goal in itself.
The Centauri
The Centauri Republic was once a vast empire that ruled great tracts of
their region of space. They are the species closest to humans in appearance
and social structure. They are also the first alien race that made contact
with humans. When first encountering humans, the Centauri claimed that we
were part of a long forgotten corner of their empire that they had returned
to. They gave the humans knowledge of their technology in exchange for art
and culture which they could trade back home. This allowed the humans to
leapfrog a century of technological progress in just one decade.
Centauri society hinges on social standing and family heritage, the family
name is highly important. The government is an imperial system ruled by an
emperor.
The Narn
The Narn Regime has only been free for the last 100 years. Before that they
were held in slavery by the Centauri, but revolted and broke their chains.
This has given them a deep-seated hatred for the Centauri; but, in recent
years this has twisted into something much more sinister, a feeling that
they could overthrow all the other governments. The Narn have invaded and
taken control of many smaller worlds that lie on the rim of their
territory, and are heavily involved in trying to acquire new technologies.
They are the only race not to posses telepaths - they see this as a great
disadvantage.
The Vorlons
Almost nothing is known of the Vorlons, other than that they are vastly
powerful, and are probably a very ancient civilisation. Whenever they
contact other species they do so within heavy encounter suits. They do this
under the guise of needing a highly unusual atmospheric mix, although it is
suspected that they can survive in almost any atmosphere. It is believed
that Vorlon anatomy is radically different to all the other races, which
are largely humanoid.
Only two humans have seen a Vorlon. Dr. Ben Kyle and the telepath Lyta
Alexander helped save Ambassador Kosh's life in the pilot episode. They
were both recalled to Earth shortly after the incident.
When the humans first received audio transmissions from the Vorlons a ship
was despatched to Vorlon space (which is HUGE) to make contact. On entering
it was destroyed. The Vorlons sent a message of apology for the unfortunate
incident and suggested that no other ships be sent in the future.
The Shadows
The Shadows are an ancient race (older than the Vorlons) lurking on a
planet right at the very edge of known space, Z'ha'dum.
They are presently, quietly gathering their forces from all corners of the
galaxy, they are also seeding mistrust and hatred between the other races.
The recent outbreak of Centauri/Narn war was triggered by the Shadows
involvement with the Centauri through their mysterious human agent known
only as Mr. Morden.
At present very few people actually know of their existence, even fewer
know what their ultimate aims are! G'Kar has been warning others of an
ancient enemy. The Minbari, and specifically Delenn know but aren't saying
anything. Sinclair knows, Sheridan knows and Garibaldi is very suspicious.
Kosh and Vorlons obviously know, but it appears that the Shadows are even
more powerful that the Vorlons.
Londo has received several "favours" from the Shadows, through Mr. Morden,
including the destruction of the Narn colony that triggered the war. It is
not apparant what the shadows are going to want in return for their
assistence; though we have seen Londo's prophetic dream with him standing
on a shattered Centauri Prime, looking up at the sky watching Shadow ships
fly overhead...
Who are the main characters?
Captain John Sheridan
Captain Sheridan is the second commanding officer of Babylon 5, he replaced
Commander Jeffrey Sinclair at the beginning of the year 2259.
Captain Sheridan was a hero in the Earth/Minbari war - he scored Earth
Alliance's only significant victory over the Minbari when he destroyed
their flag ship, Black Star. As such, his appointment to Babylon 5
infuriates the Minbari Federation.
Until his posting on Babylon 5, Captain Sheridan was commander of the Earth
Alliance cruiser, Agamemnon, on space patrols out on the rim of explored
space. He was originally unhappy with his assignment to Babylon 5 as he
felt he would merely be an administrator.
Captain Sheridan also assumes the role of Earth Alliance Ambassador to
Babylon 5.
Commander Susan Ivanova
Susan Ivanova was posted to Babylon 5 in 2258 at the rank of
Lieutenant-Commander. Upon Captain Sheridan's arrival in 2259, he promoted
her to the rank of Commander.
Ivanova is of Russian decendence and so shares many of the traits of her
brethren. She has a commanding presence that is prone to rather quirky
behaviour and has pessimistic tendancies. When off duty however she knows
how to let her hair down.
Ivanova's mother, Sophie Ivanova was discovered to be a latent telepath and
was forced to undergo medical treatment when she refused to enter Psi-corp.
The powerful drugs were just too much for her to cope with and she took her
own life. This has given Ivanova a deep seated mistrust of telepaths and a
hatred of Psi-corp and everything it stands for.
Ambassador Delenn
Ambassador Delenn is the representative of the Minbari Federation on
Babylon 5. She is a member of the Grey Council, although only her aide,
Lennier is aware of this fact.
Ambassador Delenn is the subject of a prophecy concerning the dark events
to come. She believes, above all else, that she MUST be on Babylon 5 where
she can fulfil this prophecy. To aid this she has used a strange Minbari
device to become a Minbari/Human hybrid, in order to become a bridge
between the two races.
Ambassador Londo Mollari
Ambassador Mollari is the representative of the Centauri Republic on
Babylon 5. He is a very rich and powerful man with Centauri society; who
enjoys drinking, gambling and women.
Londo has recently become involved with a plot to oust the Centauri Emperor
from his throne and he has also been tempted by the coming darkness.
Ambassador G'Kar
Ambassador G'Kar represents the Narn Regime, his mission is to attempt to
put up a front of working for peace, while the Narn quietly build up their
military strength.
Ambassador G'Kar HATES all Centauri, and hates Londo Mollari in particular.
He would like nothing more than to feel his neck being squeezed between his
hands. G'Kar is very much a patriot and believes that one day his people
will rule the galaxy.
Ambassador Kosh Naranek
Kosh represents the Vorlons on Babylon 5. Being a Vorlon, very little is
known of Ambassador Kosh. He says very little and only attends the Babylon
5 Advisory Council meetings if something of great importance is taking
place.
Security Chief Michael Garibaldi
Garibaldi was appointed to Babylon 5 by Commander Sinclair. He always
places the course of justice above any outside political pressures that may
be exerted upon him.
Garibaldi has had a troubled past. He is a recovering alcoholic and has
been bounced from post to post over the past few years. He is not liked by
Earth Central because of his maverick qualities.
Talia Winters
Talia Winters was Babylon 5's resident commercial telepath for just over
two years. Her telepathic powers are average, she has a rating of P5, the
most powerful telepaths are rated P12.
In a recent episode it has been revealed that Talia is an unwitting member
of a secret Psi-corp sleeper program. Talia was taken by the corps, and had
an alternate personality buried deep within her psyche. This personality
has been gathering information and acting as a Psi-corps spy, when a
password was telepathically introduced into Talia's mind her own
personallity was destroyed and the new one took over, allowing it to
deliver the information to Psi-corps. This effectively means that Talia
Winters is now dead.
Doctor Franklin
Doctor Franklin is Babylon 5's chief medical officer. He is an expert in
the field on xenobiology and the medical treatment of non-human races.
Franklin is an agent for an "underground railroad" that is smuggling
telepaths from Earth to Babylon 5 so they can escape to freedom and avoid
the attentions of Psi-corps.
Commander Jeffrey Sinclair
Commander Sinclair presided over Babylon 5 in the first season of the show.
He was the sole survivor from his squadron at the Battle of the Line. After
seeing all his squadron members die he prepared to ram a Minbari cruiser.
Just as he would have hit the cruiser and either destroyed or severely
damaged it, he blacked out. He re-awoke in his fighter 24 hours later.
Since then he has been trying to explain what happened to him during those
24 hours. At the begginning of 2259, he recently learnt what happened to
him during that time shortly before he was posted to Minbar.
When Babylon 5 was commissioned, the Minbari refused to send an ambassador
to the station unless they could have final say on who commanded it - they
chose Sinclair. However at the beginning of 2259 he was suddenly posted to
the Minbari homeworld (the first human to have been allowed there) and was
replaced by Captain Sheridan.
Mr. Morden
Very little is known of Mr. Morden, he is the human agent of the shadows,
though very few people are aware of this.
What is known is that he was onboard the ship that Captain Sheridan's wife
was on at the time it was destroyed. The ship was lost when is landed on
Z'ha'dum and encountered the shadows. Nobody from that ship has ever been
seen again, except Morden.
Opening Monologues
Below are the monologues read over the opening credits in the Pilot Movie
and Season One and Two episodes.
Pilot Episode, read by Ambassador Londo Mollari:
"I was there at the dawn of The Third Age of Mankind. It began in
the Earth year 2257 with the founding of the last of the Babylon
stations, located deep in neutral space. It was a port of call
for refugees, smugglers, businessmen, diplomats and travellers
from a hundred worlds. It could be a dangerous place, but we
accepted the risks because Babylon 5 was our last, best hope for
peace.
Under the leadership of it's final commander, Babylon 5 was a
dream given form. A dream of a galaxy without war, and species
different worlds could live, side by side in mutual respect. A
dream that was in danger as never before, by the arrival of one
man on a mission of destruction. Babylon 5 was the last of the
Babylon stations, this is it's story."
Season One, read by Commander Jeffrey Sinclair:
"It was The dawn of the Third Age of Mankind: ten years after the
Earth/Minbari war. The Babylon Project was a dream given form;
it's goal, to prevent another war by creating a place where
humans and aliens could work out their differences peacefully.
It's a port of call, home away from home for diplomats, hustlers,
entrepreneurs and wanderers. Humans and aliens wrapped up in two
million five hundred thousand tonnes of spinning metal, all alone
in the night.
It can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for
peace. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The
year is 2258, the name of the place is Babylon 5."
Season Two, read by Captain John Sheridan:
"The Babylon Project was our last, best hope for peace: a self
contained world five miles long located in neutral territory, a
place of commerce and diplomacy for a quarter of a million humans
and aliens. A shining beacon in space, all alone in the night.
It was the dawn of The Third Age of Mankind, the year the great
war came upon us all. This is the story of the last of the
Babylon stations. The year is 2259, the name of the place is
Babylon 5."
3. Frequently Asked Questions
-----------------------------
What is a story arc?
Who are Psi-corps?
Who are Bureau 13?
Why do C4 transmit the show at a silly time?
Are the B5 comics part of the official B5 canon?
Why are some people in the opening credits, but not part of the show?
Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5 are very similar, which came first ?
Why are they using paper in the 23rd century?
Why was Sinclair, who was only a Commander, given the job of running
the station?
Where is Sinclair now?
What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean? What are the 1st and 2nd
ages?
Why is the C&C Dome sometimes empty?
Is the "Be seeing you" salute by various people, a reference to 60's
programme "The Prisoner"?
If B5 spins, why don't we see stars revolving outside C&C?
Why do the Centauri have such strange hair?
What is the strange growth the Minbari have instead of hair?
Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from "Lost In Space"?
How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start?
Who are the Vorlons?
How come everyone speaks English?
What's the size and capacity of the station?
How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work?
How does communication with Earth work?
Where in the galaxy is the station?
How does C&C have gravity?
Who pays for the vast investment in building the Jump-gates?
During the Earth-Minbari War, how did Earth alliance stop the Minbari
using their gates?
What is Spoo?
Q: What is a story arc?
A: J. Michael Straczynski, henceforth referred to as JMS for obvious
reasons, had a five year story plan when he developed Babylon 5. This is
referred to as the arc, apparently it is a term used in comics for an
ongoing theme.
Q: Who are Psi corps?
A: About 125 years previous to Babylon 5, about 2100-2110, evidence that
telepathy really existed began to be incontrovertible. As full-blown
telepaths began to be discovered, the law was throw into turmoil as laws
were drawn up only to fail. In 2150 or so, the government passed a law to
say that all telepaths had to enrol in the Psi-corps, which undertook the
overseeing, locating, licensing and controlling of telepaths for various
uses. Psi Corps has a tarnished history and perhaps future.
Q: Who are Bureau 13?
A: Bureau 13 are a secret organisation working within Earth Government,
much speculation has taken place about it's purpose and agenda. At present
it is believed to be an elite group within Psi-corps (this is based on the
fact that a major operative called 13 is/was with psi corps). They seem to
have their own agenda and are currently working to sabotage any chance of
Mars colony's separation from the Earth. It is believed that the Bureau
gets it's name from the fact that it is composed of level 13 Psi-corps
personnel. There is a mysterious person on Babylon 5 called 'Control'
(believed to be male) and there is much speculations as to the identity of
this individual. Only time will tell just who this person is however...
Q: Why do C4 transmit the show at a silly time?
A: Sci-fi is still regarded as kid's stuff rather that serious fiction by
many of the TV companies. Just look at the BBC and see how they treat Star
Trek, any excuse and it is removed, to be replaced by Tennis or cricket....
It would be nice to see C4 actually broadcast Babylon 5 in wide screen, but
you can't have everything. At least all episodes in the first season have
been shown (with some editing.. Did you notice any-I didn't, so it wasn't
chopped badly) The episode TKO was shown out of order late one evening, it
was thought the subject of bare-knuckle boxing was not suitable for early
evening viewing.
Q: Are the B5 comics part of the official B5 canon?
A: Yes, the material published in the comics has been approved by JMS.
Q: Why are some people in the opening credits, but not part of the show?
A: Characters who make more than 7 appearances are put into the opening
credits.
Q: Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5 are very similar, which came first?
A: B5 wins this race, being proposed to Paramount in 1989. DS9 was created
two years later.
Q: Why are they using paper in the 23rd century?
A: Paper is convenient. It's actually a recyclable, synthetic material.
Q: Why was Sinclair, who was only a Commander, given the job of running the
station?
A: The Minbari rejected all choices, down the line, but accepted Sinclair.
Q: Where is Sinclair now?
A: Sinclair has been appointed Earth Ambassador to Minbar and you can
follow some of his adventures on Delenn's home world by reading the B5
comics.
Q: What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean? What are the 1st and 2nd
ages?
A: JMS is keeping this secret. To reveal the first two, he says, would give
away the 3rd.
Q: Why is the C&C Dome sometimes empty?
A: It goes on "standby" every 36-48 hours for maintenance, backups, etc. In
addition there is a secondary C&C in case of emergencies.
Q: Is the "Be seeing you" salute by various people, a reference to 60's
programme "The Prisoner"?
A: Yes, most definitely. It first appeared in season 1's "Mind War."
Q: If B5 spins, why don't we see stars revolving outside C&C?
A: CGI is too costly; They're still working on a reasonable solution.
Q: Why do the Centauri have such strange Hair?
A: If you think their hair is strange, you should see mine! The reason is
that the length of the hair is a measure of a Centauri's status. The longer
and more elaborate, the higher the status. For this reason the women are
bald.
Q: What is the strange growth the Minbari have instead of hair?
A: It is accurate to call Minbari 'Boneheads', since it is a protruding
bone. It grows with age and it's appearance is governed by many factors,
including social caste and sex.
Q: Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from "Lost In Space"?
A: Yes. Only much older, like the rest of us.
Q: How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start?
A: A misunderstanding on first contact, which resulted in the death of the
leader of the Grey Council called Dukhat.
Q: Who are the Vorlons?
A: A very old race, who keep themselves to themselves. They seem to be very
cryptic, offering 'Chinese cracker' type answers to difficult questions.
No-one knows what a Vorlon looks like, except Delenn, who was shown in the
episode 'Chrysalis', and two humans, the telepath Lyta Alexander and Dr.
Ben Kyle, who helped save Ambassador Kosh's life after an assassination
attempt in the pilot episode. Vorlons' suits are intended to keep them
alive in the hostile air we humans breath.
Q: How come everyone speaks English?
A: As in WWII movies, we assume they are speaking in their native tongue
except when talking to humans. The alien Ambassadors have been chosen for
their skills in English, although Londo sometimes makes mistakes.
Q: What's the size and capacity of the station?
A: 5 miles long, holding as many as 250,000 beings (many in transit).
Q: How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work?
A: A super-heated burt of plasma, burning through the air.
Q: How does communication with Earth work?
A: Tachyons (particles that travel faster than the speed of light), thus
giving instantaneous communications; problematic in jump gates.
Q: Where in the galaxy is the station?
A: Approximately 25 light years from earth, at an as-yet- undiscovered
star.
Q: How does C&C have gravity?
A: They are about 1/3 in to the centre, so they do have light gravity.
Q: Who pays for the vast investment in building the Jump- gates?
A: A fee is charged when a jump-gate is used. Usually the fee for the ship
is debited against their account (if they have one at Babylon 5). If they
do not have an account, the incoming ship is asked to make payment before
being allowed onto the station.
Q: During the Earth-Minbari War, how did Earth alliance stop the Minbari
using their gates?
A: Jump-gates were programmed to open up only when they were given certain
coded frequencies. These codes were changed on a regular basis.
N.B. Larger ships can create their own jump-gates.
** and finally perhaps the most important question **
Q: What is Spoo?
A: The man himself (JMS) can answer this one and good luck if you are any
the wiser.
Spoo is/are (the plural of spoo is spoo) small white, pasty,
mealy critters, rather worm-like, and generally regarded as the
ugliest animals in the known galaxy by just about every sentient
species capable of starflight, with the possible exception of the
pak'ma'ra, who would simply recommend a more rigorous program of
exercise. They are also generally considered the most delicious
food in all of known space, regardless of the individual's
biology, almost regardless of species, except for the pak'ma'ra,
who like the flavour but generally won't say so simply to be
contrary.
Spoo are raised on ranches on worlds with a damp, moist, somewhat
chilly climate so that their skin can acquire just the right
shade of paleness. Spoo travel in herds, if moving a total of six
inches in any given direction in the course of a given year can
actually be considered moving. They stay in herds ostensibly for
mutual protection, but the reality is that if they weren't
propped up against one another, most of them would simply fall
down. They do not howl, bark, moo, purr, yap, squeak or speak.
Mainly, they sigh. Herds ofsighing spoo can reportedly induce
unparalleled bouts of depression, which is why most spoo ranchers
wear earmuffs even when it's only mildly cold, damp, wet and
dreary outside. If there is any life-or-death struggle for
dominance within the spoo herd, it has not yet been detected by
modern science.
Spoo ranching is one of the least regarded professions known.
Little or no skill is required, once you've got a planet with the
right climate. You bring in two hundred spoo, plop them down in
the middle of your ranch, and go back to the nearby house. Soon
you've got more. When it comes time to cull out the ones ready
for market (the softest, mealiest, palest, most forlorn-looking
spoo of the pack), little physical effort is required since
they're incapable of rapid movement without falling over (see
above). They do not resist, fight, or whine; they only sigh more
loudly. When spoo harvest time comes, the air is full of the
sound of whacking and sighing, whacking and sighing. Even an
experienced spoo rancher can only harvest for brief periods of a
time, due to the increased volume of sighing, which even the
sound of whacking cannot altogether erase. (also see above) Some
have simply gone mad.
Spoo are the only creatures of which the Interstellar Animal
Rights Protection League says, simply, "Kill 'em."
Fresh spoo (served at an optimum temperature of 62-degrees) is
served in cubed sections, so that they bear as little resemblance
as possible to the animal from which they have just been sliced.
Spoo is usually served alongside a chablis, or a white zinfandel.
Further information on the care, feeding, eating and whacking of
spoo can be found in the second edition of the Interstellar Guide
to Fine Dining.
4. Episode Guide
----------------
Episode Listing (In order of transmission in the UK)
Episodes after the current date are hopefully correct, but Channel 4
sometimes change the order!
Pilot Episode
09/05/94 "The Gathering"
Season one
16/05/94 "Midnight on the Firing Line"
23/05/94 "The Soul Hunter"
30/05/94 "Born to the Purple"
06/06/94 "Infection"
13/06/94 "The Parliament of Dreams"
20/06/94 "Mind War"
27/06/94 "The War Prayer"
04/07/94 "And the Sky Full of Stars"
11/07/94 "Deathwalker"
18/07/94 "Believers"
25/07/94 "Survivors"
01/08/94 "By Any Means Necessary"
08/08/94 "Signs and Portents"
15/08/94 "Grail"
22/08/94 "Eyes"
29/08/94 "Legacies"
05/09/94 "A Voice in the Wilderness, Part 1"
12/09/94 "A Voice in the Wilderness, Part 2"
19/09/94 "Babylon Squared"
26/09/94 "The Quality of Mercy"
03/10/94 "Chrysalis"
Re-transmission of the Pilot
09/10/94 "The Gathering"
Special showing after the watershed
21/01/95 "TKO"
Season two
07/02/95 201 "Points of Departure"
14/02/95 202 "Revelations"
21/02/95 203 "The Geometry of Shadows"
28/02/95 204 "A Distant Star"
07/03/95 205 "The Long Dark"
14/03/95 206 "Spider in the Web"
21/03/95 208 "Soul Mates"
28/03/95 207 "A Race Through Dark Places"
04/04/95 209 "The Coming of Shadows"
11/04/95 210 "GROPOS"
18/04/95 211 "All Alone in the Night"
25/04/95 212 "Acts of Sacrifice"
02/05/95 213 "Hunter, Prey"
09/05/95 215 "There All The Honor Lies"
16/05/95 214 "And Now For A Word"
23/05/95 217 "In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum"
30/05/95 216 "Knives"
06/06/95 218 "Confessions and Lamentations"
After a break while the final episodes were prepared:
25/07/95 219 "The Long, Twilight Struggle"
01/08/95 220 "Divided Loyalties"
08/08/95 221 "Comes the Inquisitor" (was "Expectations")
15/08/95 222 "The Fall of Night"
With thanks to Mick Foy for sending me the original list.
The Episodes below are for the moment only Season two, (Season one is on
the way!) There are major spoilers below.
These are summarized synopses up to the current transmission date of
Babylon 5 in the United Kingdom. I have not included episodes after that
date, so if you are up to date with the series, then you have no worry
about seeing ahead accidentally. :-)
If you are after more detailed episode synopses of each episode, the best
place to look for ftp access is:
ftp.hyperion.com Pub/Babylon-5/Synopses
(It is also mirrored at: ftp.uml.edu Babylon-5/Synopses)
Beware - there are synopses there that are ahead of the UK transmissions.
Currently my part of the FAQ is not up to date. The already shown season 2
episodes that are not currently below are in preparation..... :-)
Please send any comments about this section to
Season Two ("The Coming Of Shadows")
Points of Departure ....... "Honor and Death"
W: J. Michael Straczynski .... D: Janet Greek
January 8th, 2259
Captain Sheridan of the Earth Alliance ship "Agamemnon" receives a message
that a rogue Minbari warship "Trigati" has been seen near Babylon 5. EA is
waiting for a Minbari ship to arrive to deal with this ship. Sheridan is
told to proceed to B5 for one additional duty. Ivanova is standing in as
commander of B5. Ivanova is contacted to inform here that Commander
Sinclair will not be returning to B5. Captain Sheridan will be the new
Commander.
Delenn is still in a chrysalis. A Minbari, Hedronn visits Delenn's
quarters. He addresses Lennier if the Trigati arrives at B5, Lennier must
go to the humans and tell them...
Sheridan arrives on the station, Ivanova welcomes him and shows him some of
the station. Another Minbari finds out where the ambassadorial quarters are
from the computer. Ivanova asks Sheridan about his appointment, he was the
2nd choice. She says that the Minbari still call him Starkiller since he
took out one of their warships. They discuss some issues about the station.
Hedronn sees another Minbari - Kalain. He runs after Kalain who turns
around and threatens him. They have intercepted a message about Sheridan's
appointment. Kalain is very angry. He warns Hedronn to leave while he can.
Sheridan starts to give a good luck speech to C & C. A message arrives that
a Minbari is demanding to meet Sheridan. Elsewhere Kalain attacks a
security officer after being stopped going into green sector. He continues.
Hedronn meets Sheridan, He tells them about Kalain. He was a 2nd in Command
of the Trigati a warship during the war but he vanished soon afterwards.
Hedronn refuses to give more information other than Kalain took command and
the ship is a renegade. Hedronn says that he will not answer further - he
doesn't recognize Sheridan's power. The Minbari government was not
consulted over his appointment.
Sheridan realizes that since Kalain thinks he was betrayed by the Minbari
people, he could attack their representative. Kalain is caught easily with
a weapon in Delenns quarters, Lennier stops Sheridan from seeing Delenn.
They integrate Kalain. They ask him unsuccessfully about his ship.
Lennier finds Sheridan and Ivanova and tells them why the Minbari stopped
the war again the Humans. The Minbari find out that the humans are
receiving Minbari souls. Minbari don't kill their own, that was the reason
the war was stopped. The human they first scanned was Sinclair.
A Minbari warship comes through the jump gate, it is on attack vector. The
station is put on Red alert. Kalain commits suicide in his detention cell.
The warship identifies as the Trigati and its commander demands the return
of Kalain. This is refused and the Trigati and the Babylon 5 station both
launch their fighters. Sheridan warns the commander that an attack could be
considered an act of war. She tells him that all that remains is "honor and
death."
This statement puzzles Sheridan, but when Kalain is reported to have
committed suicide he realizes that they are framing Babylon 5. This is
confirmed when Sheridan see that they are successfully tracking the Minbari
fighters when their anti-tracking equipment normally stops Earth Alliance
weapons from locking on Minbari ships.
Sheridan tell the Babylon 5 fighter not to attack and hold their position.
He hands Ivanova a message Crystal telling her to transmit it through the
jump gate. She indicates her doubts as no one would be able to get to
Babylon 5 in time.
The Trigati fighters just fly past the surprised Babylon 5 fighters.
Another Minbari warship suddenly comes through the Jumpgate. Sheridan tells
Ivanova that he knew another Minbari ship was waiting, he throught that
they may be waiting in hyperspace. He throught that the Trigati wanted to
be destroyed - that's why the Earth Force ships could track them. The
Minbari would become martyrs.
The other ship orders the Trigati to surrender. The Trigati begins opening
up a jump point. It has its engine section cut off by a beam weapon and is
ordered to surrender. The Trigati responds with only one word "honor" and
self-destructs.
The Minbari commander talks to Sheridan and says that to the humans it was
a tactical problem, but for them it is a great sorrow. Sheridan's name will
be remembered. The warship goes through the Jumpgate.
Sheridan is in his quarters talking to Ivanova, he thinks that his posting
to Babylon 5 could have been irresponsible; his actions in the war. It
inflames the situation. They trusted Sinclair, with Sinclair they might
have not attacked. Ivanova tells Sheridan to give himself the benefit of
the doubt.
Lennier is placing candles around Delenns chrysalis. He tells her chrysalis
that he told the humans as ordered, but he wishes that he could have also
told them about the great enemy that is returning. Both sides sprits must
unite against the darkness. If we are wrong, no one will survive our
mistake. He wishes the chrysalis good night and leaves just before the
chrysalis just beings cracking.
Ivanova, Dr. Franklin and Keffer are having drinks. They briefly discuss
their new captain and wonder where he is. Dr. Franklin says that Sheridan
said he was going to C & C to deliver his good luck speech.
Sheridan is in C & C and gives his speech. The room is completely empty of
personnel, but at least he has delivered his speech before the first day
has finished.
Revelations ....... "The darkness has come again"
W: J. Michael Straczynski .... D: Jim Johnston
Londo complains about the absence of Delenn & G'Kar during a council
meeting. After the meeting he asks Na'toth about G'Kar. She says he is
investigating the attack on Quadrant 37. In outer space G'Kar is fleeing
from some Shadow ships. He escapes but his 2 companion ships are destroyed.
Garibaldi is still very ill. Dr. Franklin tells Sheridan about the alien
machine he obtained ("Quality of Mercy") He says he is going to use his
life energy to save Garibaldi.
Londo has a visit from Morden. He asks for confirmation that the attack on
Quad. 37 can't be traced to him. This is confirmed by Morden who says if
ever Londo requires another demo he will provide it. He also asks if Londo
hear anything about the rim, could he inform Morden.
Sheridan has dinner with his Sister. They haven't met since his wife died 2
years back and Sheridan hasn't come to terms with her death.
Sheridan and Dr. Franklin agree to work in shifts to use the alien machine
to try and bring Garibaldi out from the deep coma. Meanwhile Lennier is
still watching over Delenn's chrysalis.
Na'toth returns to G'kar's quarters. A voice tells her to close the door.
G'kar has returned and is studying a book. He is upset. He tells her that a
very old race is out on the rim is gathering its forces hoping to be
unnoticed. They must warn the others.
Dr. Franklin is in MedLab when Garibaldi wakes up. He asks Sheridan and
Ivanova to come to MedLab, Garibaldi's aide is also listening in and leaves
his office. Garibaldi asks did they save President Santiago's life. He is
told no, and that Sinclair has been reassigned. Garibaldi is asked if he
knew who shot him. His aide Jack is in the background putting his hand on a
gun, Garibaldi doesn't know and Jack leaves.
Lennier enters Delenn's quarters to find the chrysalis open. He finds her
in a dark corner with a cloak over her. She speaks with weak voice and
Lennier calls Dr. Franklin. She gives the doctor her hand. It is dark and
scaly. She says that she now requires his services now. Some of the scales
fall off revealing pink skin. He scans her and then looks at her face which
is covered with the same substance. He has no answer.
Sheridan meets again with his sister. He explains that he is the one that
killed his wife by driving her away with his work. But what really upsets
him is that he never said good-bye to her.
G'kar addresses the council about the threat out on the rim. He is going to
send a ship to check the expected homeworld of the old race - Z'ha'dum. He
says that if there is anything living their, then their races are on the
edge of extinction. Londo meets Morden later and gives him the expected
time of the ship.
Talia Winters in MedLab warns Garibaldi that the scan is not evidence in
court. She scans him and sees the scene when Garibaldi is shot from behind.
She sees in a reflective surface the face of Jack. Jack is taken into
custody and is interviewed by Garibaldi wanting to know why? He tells
Garibaldi that a new order is coming. Jack is told that the sentence for
treason is spacing. President Clark calls Sheridan and tells him to
transfer Jack and all the evidence to a earth shuttle for Earth to carry
out the investigation.
As the Narn Warship exits a jump-point into the Z'ha'dum system, a large
Shadow ship opens fire. Totally destroying it. At the council meeting
Na'toth report the ships distruction, say that the Narn government believes
it to be a accident. G'kar explains about the brief radio silence due to
the jump point opening. He thinks out-loud saying it couldn't have been
destroyed unless they knew when it was going to come and were waiting it.
He stops releasing the implications. Lennier enters, introducing Delenn.
Delenn arrives and has long brown hair and a small head-bone. She explains
that she has become more human to act as a bridge between the Minbari and
the Humans.
Sheridan is given a data crystal by his sister. The message is from his
wife to his sister. She explains that she left Sheridan to go on this short
space mission just for a sort while but she will be back soon after
investigating a dead planet. Sheridan says to the image "I love you"
Garibaldi thanks Talia for her help. After she leaves the room he speaks to
Ivanova and Dr. Franklin and speculates about the salute Jack gave. It was
the same as given by the PsiCop Bester. What does the PsiCorps have to do
with the assassination? Vice President Clark left the ship a day before,
claiming illness. Pretty convenient?
Sheridan arrives in C & C. Ivanova tells him that the ship that collected
Jack and all the evidence had all the right documentation and codes for the
transfer but when she back tracked it later, the ship doesn't exist in
Earth Force. All the evidence has gone.
The Geometry of Shadows ....... "To preserve that knowledge"
W: J. Michael Straczynski .... D: Mike Vejar
To be continued!
5. Contact Addresses
--------------------
Here are some (hopefully useful) contact addresses.
For Channel 4 who broadcast Babylon 5 in the UK:
Channel Four Television
124 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2TX
Tel: 0171-396 4444
E-mail: dutyo...@channel4.co.uk
Contacts at Channel 4:
Director of Programmes - Liz Forgan
Head of Drama - David Aukin
Drama Series and Serials - Peter Ansorge
Film Buyer - Nicky Wood
For J. Michael Straczynski (creator), and the cast and crew:
14431 Ventura Blvd
Suite 260
Sherman Oaks
CA 91423
USA
You can email JMS at: strac...@genie.geis.com
For Warner Brothers who produce the series here are two addresses:
Dick Robertson, President
Domestic Television Distribution
Warner Bros. Television
Triangle Bldg
4th floor
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank
CA 91522
USA
and
Robert Daly, Chairman
Warner Brothers, Inc.
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank
CA 91522
USA
There is also an unofficial UK fan club. For details send an SAE to:
The Babylon 5 UK Fan Club
P.O. Box 1147
London
W3 7ZT
6. Conventions
--------------
1. The Landing Party (17 February 1996)
2. Wolf 359/The Encounter (June 1996)
3. CONCORDE 1996 (August 1996)
4. ShadowCon
5. The Movie Palace, London
The Landing Party
One-day Mini-Con
Guests:
Ed Wasser (Morden)
Venue:
The Novotel Hotel,
Hammersmith,
London.
Date:
17 February 1996
Registration & Information:
The Landing Party,
141 Warden Road,
Canvey Island,
Essex,
SS8 9BE
UK.
Cost:
UKP 15
Wolf 359/The Encounter
Guests:
JMS ('nuff said!?)
Bruce Boxleitner (Capt. Sheridan)
Stephen Furst (Vir)
Bill Mumy (Lennier)
Foundation Imaging (B5 SFX)
Rene Auberjonois (Odo from ST:DS9)
Venue:
The Norbreck Castle Hotel,
Blackpool.
Dates:
7-10 June 1996
Registration Form & Information:
Wolf 359 - The Encounter
37 Branksome Road,
Southend-on-Sea,
Essex,
SS2 4HG
UK.
E-mail: 10055...@compuserve.com
Cost:
ADULTS CHILD
(5-14)
Full weekend UKP 40.00 UKP 25.00
Any one day UKP 17.50 UKP 10.00
Cancellation:
BEFORE 31 Dec 1995: 50%
AFTER 31 Dec 1995: **Zero**
Hotel Rates:
Single UKP 35.00 pppn
Twin/Double/Triple/Quad UKP 31.50 pppn
Double Room/1 Person UKP 58.00 pppn
Child under 14 with 2 Adults UKP 9.00
CONCORDE 1996
The 42nd British Star Trek Convention
Guests:
Patricia Tallman (Lyta Alexander) +
"A Full B5 Programme"
Venue:
The Radisson Edwardian Hotel,
Heathrow.
Dates:
23-26 August 1996
Cost:
Registration to 31/12/95 to 30/04/96 after 01/05/96
Full (Fri - Mon) UKP 30.00 UKP 33.00 UKP 35.00
Fri/Sat OR Sun/Mon UKP 15.00 UKP 18.00 UKP 20.00
Sat & Sun UKP 20.00 UKP 23.00 UKP 25.00
Sat OR Sun UKP 10.00 UKP 13.00 UKP 15.00
All registration fees are payable in advance & are non-refundable.
Hotel Rates:
Single UKP 40 pppn
Twin/Double UKP 35 pppn
Triple UKP 29 pppn
Registration Form & Information:
CONCORDE,
138 Crosslands,
Stantonbury,
Milton Keynes
MK14 6DF
UK.
Enclose an SAE!
E-mail: 100425,6...@compuserve.com
Cost:
Unknown!
ShadowCon
There are prospects for a Babylon5-as-science-fiction convention in
September 1996 in the north of England. This was to have involved JMS, but
recent information suggests that he has yet to be signed up.
The Movie Palace, London
The Movie Palace in London is a new venue combining a cinema, coffee bar,
bookshop and sushi bar! It has B5 Specials from time to time - for
instance, it has already hosted an appearance by Michael O'Hare (Sinclair)
earlier in the Summer.
Addresses:
The Movie Palace,
* Office:
4 Whitfield Street,
London,
W1P 5RD.
* Cinema:
11 Howland Street,
London
W1
Got any further information?
If any reader out there has further information about either any of the
above, or about any con. not listed here (but, with strong B5 elements),
we'd like to hear from you. Please e-mail details to the maintainer of this
section at:
UK Merchandising
----------------
Contents
1. Books
2. Comics
3. Toys
4. Music
5. Videos
6. Clothing
7. Software
Books
Four Babylon 5 novels are to be published by Dell publishing. The novels
run concurrently with the TV series and so may contain spoiler information
about unseen episodes. All are priced at UKP 4.99
1. "Voices" by John Vornholt <vorn...@indirect.com>
Released: Out Now
ISBN: 0-440-22057-2
2. "Accusations" by Lois Tilton
Released: Out Now
ISBN: 0-7522-0649-4
3. "Blood Oath" by John Vornholt <vorn...@indirect.com>
Released: Out Now
ISBN: 0-7522-0654-0
4. ???
Dell publishing can be reached at:
Dell Publishing
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
USA
There is also a book, available only in the UK, called "Babylon 5 - Behind
the Scenes" ISBN: 0752208411
Comics
DC Comics are publishing a Babylon 5 comic series. The comic stories
follows issues and covers background information not addressed in the TV
series. The comics are meant to compliment the TV series and so are not
essential for following the TV episodes. Stories are broken down into four
issue long story arcs. The following is a list of comics either released
now or soon:
1. "In Darkness Find Me"
Written by J.M.Straczynski
Released 6 December, 1994.
2. "Treason"
Written by Mark Moretti
Released 3 January, 1995.
3. "In Harm's Way"
Written by Mark Moretti
Released March, 1995.
4. "The Price of Peace"
Written by Mark Moretti
Released April, 1995.
5. "Shadows Past and Present"
Written by Tim DeHaas
Released 4 April, 1995.
6. "Shadows Past and Present part 2"
Written by Tim DeHaas
Release May, 1995.
7. "Shadows Past and Present part 3"
Written by Tim DeHaas
Release 6 June, 1995.
8. "Shadows Past and Present part 4"
Written by Tim DeHaas
Release July, 1995.
When actual release date is not known, month of release is shown. It can
take up to a couple of weeks for issues to enter the shops after the
release date. The cost is approximately UKP 1.30 on average.
JMS will write a four part story due out this summer. The content of which
may be a result of a request from JMS asking on rastb5 what people wanted
to read about.
To subscribe for the Babylon 5 DC comics directly then requests should be
mailed to:
Babylon 5,
DC Comics Subscriptions,
P.O. Box 0528,
Baldwin, NY 11510,
USA.
Foreign subscriptions are $31.40 per annum (US funds only). Subscriptions
usually take 10-12 weeks to start. Outlets in the UK such as Forbidden
Planet and other specialist comic shops do stock a small number but are
often sold quite quickly.
Toys
Galoob is producing some Babylon 5 Micro-Machines. Four sets of 3 ships
will be released.
Set No:
1. Centauri Liner
E.A. Starfury
Minbari Cruiser
2. Minbari Flyer
E.A. Transport/Shuttle
Narn Heavy Fighter
3. Babylon 5
Space Transport
Ambassador Kosh's Ship
4. Narn Transport
Vorlon Cruiser
Raider Fighter
These four sets are available at specialist SF and toy shops. The cost
varies from UKP 4.99 to UKP 6.99 per set.
The next release of B5 micro-machines may include:
Atmospheric Shuttle
Narn Heavy Cruiser
Purple Centauri Liner
President's Earth Force One
Music
A Babylon 5 soundtrack has been released by Christopher Franke. It is
titled "Babylon 5", reference number SI 8502-2 (a shorter limited edition
soundtrack was released first, reference number SI 8502-1, but only 2000
copies were made). It is published and distributed by Sonic Images. There
is a 'European' version which is being sold by all outlets except Sonic
Images. The 'American' version is virtually identical, but the final track
is mixed slightly differently.
Both versions are only available at present on CD and come with a 16 page
booklet with text and pictures.
The European version can be ordered from:
C&D Compact Disc Services
Magnum House
140 Seagate
Dundee
DD1 2HF
Tel.: 01382 776595
Fax: 01382 736702
Price UKP 12.95 plus UKP 1.00 p&p.
It is also available from all good record stores priced around UKP 12.49.
The American version can be ordered direct from Sonic Image at:
Sonic Images
P.O. Box 691626
West Hollywood
CA 90069
USA
Price US$13.99 each + p&p of US$6.00 per CD (ordered from UK)
A very detailed breakdown of the CD can be found at:
http://woodstock.hyperin.com/ftp/pub/Babylon-5/soundtrack-index
For more detailed information contact Elana Beach <el...@netcom.com> or
visit Sonic Images web server at:
http://www.sonicimages.com/b5/b5home.html
Videos
The pilot movie is available for general sell through at approximately
UKP 12.00. As of 15 May the entire first series will start to be released
for purchase. There will be 2 episodes per tape and will cost around
UKP 10.99 each. Episodes 1 to 4 are released first, followed by the next
four on 19 July. It has always been the intention to release Babylon 5
episodes on laser disc in widescreen format although this has yet to
happen.
As of 24/11/95, the pilot episode (re-released in new packaging) and volumes
1 to 6 have been released, priced at UKP 10.99 each.
Clothing
T-shirts, caps and other items of B5 clothing can be ordered from:
ALL-U Activewear
10 Vatrano Rd
Albany NY 12205
USA
Tel.: 800-424-2558 or 518-488-7291
800-TREKKER
Box 13131
Dept. T-2
Reading
PA 19612-3131
USA
Tel.: 1-800-TREKKER (1-800-6624426)
Fax.: 1-800-FAXTREK (1-800-2196624)
Creation Entertainment USA
Tel.: (818) 409-0960
Warner Bros. themselves will have Babylon5 clothing soon.
Software
B5 screensavers are in the pipeline and due out in Summer/Autumn 1995. A
Babylon5 CD-ROM encyclopaedia is due out this year as well. It will include
an interactive section, taking you from initial concept through to shooting
all the way to final editing of an episode of Babylon5.
8. Internet Resources
---------------------
Contents
1. World Wide Web sites
2. FTP sites
3. Mailing lists
4. Usenet newsgroups
5. IRC channels
6. Multi User Dungeons (MUD)
World Wide Web
If you have WWW access (let's admit it, it looks good if nothing else),
then you might want to cast an eye over some of the following sites.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of Babylon 5 related WWW sites out on
the net, and many of these contain similar, if not the same files as
one-another. To ease your journey, we've tried to boil the list down to
sites with original and interesting information. Because of our shrewdness,
we're sure that you will find that the ubiquitous "J. Blogg's B5 page"
isn't featured within this listing.
Not only are we willing to sift through the thousands of URL for you, but
we'll also give you a brief summary of the site's contents.
If you know of any amazingly interesting B5 sites, please sling an e-mail
in the direction of <babylo...@ultim.demon.co.uk> and let us know.
With that, we'll leave you to browse...
Agamemnon's B5 WWW Sound Site
URL: http://archive.egr.msu.edu/pub/babylon5/b5.htm
This is a huge archive, with huge sound files. You'll be luck to find a
file under 200k here! Maybe it's time to buy that ISDN terminal adapter
you've been promising yourself. :)
Good quality samples.
You know you've been watching Babylon5 too much when...
URL: http://www.ing.puc.cl/~mfarah/ykybw5dtmw.html
This single paged site holds a humourous list of... well, the title
explains it all really. The contents were most likely inspired by many
threads on the rastb5 Usenet group which popped up during void between
season1 and season 2.
The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
URL: http://www.hyperion.com/lurk
The Lurker's Guide is the definitive WWW site for anything B5 related. It
is home to the rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 (rastb5) FAQ, a very good episode
sysnopsis, the Hyperion sound & image archives and a trillion other things.
If I could say "never leave home without it", I would...
Oh hell, "never leave home without it" :)
Babcom
URL: http://www.nueva.pvt.k12.ca.us/~akosut/b5/
If it's fan fiction you're looking for, get your eyeballs around this site.
Alexei Kosut, author of the site, has written many short, B5 related
stories, all of which are available here. There's also an index to many
other B5 fanfic author's work, including some B5 poetry and humour! In
addition to the fiction, there are also a few framegrabs, and quite a
comprehensive archive of sound samples.
Babylon 5 Encyclopedia
URL: http://web.uml.edu/Babylon-Enc/enc.html
This unofficial encyclopaedia covers everything ever mentioned in Babylon5.
Whatever your query, be it Spoo or Spacing, this index is bound to have an
answer.
Babylon 5 Modified Images
URL: http://sunsite.unc.edu/lunar/art/b5miles.html
Only a tiny site this one. Within it's electronic walls are a couple Bab5
related gifs which have been doctored with humourous results...
Just check out Garibaldi's Hairpiece!
The Babylon 5 Quote Database
URL: http://www.reed.edu/cgi-bin/horde/wais-b5.pl
Searchable database of quotations from Babylon 5. Not much of an interface;
just a search dialog box... It would be nice if the database aslo had
indeces by episode and character. Ho-hum. You can't have everything...
A Compilation of Babylon 5 Quotes
URL: http://world.std.com/~ssimpson/b5quotes.html
A much friendlier and more accessable approach to searching for quotes,
although I get the impression it's not as comprehensive as the Quote
Database.
Babylon 5 CD Limited Edition
URL: http://www.scp.caltech.edu/~nathan/b5.cd.html
A collection of gifs scanned from the liner booklet of the limited edition
B5 soundtrack CD. The quality of these images is very good. Check it out.
Babylon 5 - Ultraviolet Gifs
URL: http://gpu.srv.ualberta.ca/~spowell/b5.html
A collection of screen grabs from the show. There are quite a few images
not available from other sites (such as the Lurker's Guide), but the
quality of the images leaves quite a bit to be desired...
Babylon 5 SF References List
URL: http://www-theory.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~aaa/B5.Ref.html
A list of references that JMS has used during the creation of B5.
The Anatomy of a Starfury
URL: http://www.csun.edu/~hbcsc091/star.html
An interesting (unofficial) technical reference manual of the Starfury
fighter, with (poorly) rendered images for visualisation.
Bay 12
URL: http://www.fiu.edu/~jimh/Babylon-5.html
Jim Hardiman's collection of sounds, images and text files. Both images and
sounds are of pretty good quality.
Doc's Babylon 5 Pages
URL: http://www.acm.org/~doc/b5.html
Doc's site is home to a list of unanswered questions concerning the 5-year
story arc, some of his own B5 art (mainly the "5" logo) and speculation as
to where the arc is heading. Due to the site being in the US, be wary of
spoilers.
The Top Boot's Babylon5 Page
URL: http://callisto.girton.cam.ac.uk/babylon5
A new site featuring character info (with a nice little gif by each
character link showing who's who) and plot threads. Still very young, but
showing promise.
Everything I ever needed to know I learned from watching Babylon5
URL: http://onyx.slu.edu/dforms/b5everything.html
A very witty list of things this guy has learned from watching B5. It
contains such gems as:
"Share your second favourite thing in the universe with a friend", "Ivanova
is god" and "Fasten, then zip" :)
Babylon5 - A Fans Page
URL: http://skynet.ul.ie/~dowlingm/babylon5.html
Here you'll find interveiws with some of the cast of B5 and some
interesting material by JMS (including the story of Spoo).
Mark Mecca's BABYLON 5 Home Page
URL: http://www.microserve.net/~meccamw/
A great archive of sounds, images and (AVI) movies, all (with the exception
of the movies - we haven't had the guts to download a 7Mb file) of which
are good quality. This site should be in your top 5 must visits.
FTP Sites
There aren't many ftp sites that hold Babylon5 related info. If you know of
any we've missed, beat us with a rubber mallet and tell us to get our arses
into gear :)
Hyperion is the ftp site for vitually all the info held within the pages of
the Lurker Guide WWW site. If you think the name hyperion sounds familiar,
that's because the EA ship in "Voice In The Wilderness" was named in honour
of this site by JMS.
There is a Scottish mirror of this site at;
European users should try this site before Hyperion, as the connection
should be faster.
Not exacly a Babylon5 ftp site, but it may interest those of you who are
looking for objects, textures and information about Newtek's Lightwave3D.
Lightwave is the rendering/modelling software responsible for the fantastic
space scenes and "virtual sets" seen in B5.
Mailing Lists
If all you have access to is e-mail, then mailing lists are the thing for
you. Unfortunately, we've not had the time to subscribe to the lists, so we
can't offer any decriptions other than the subscription details.
The Babylon5 Reviews Electronic Forum
E-Mail: list...@cornell.edu
To subscribe, send the following info in the body of the message:
SUBSCRIBE B5-REVIEW-L <firstname lastname>
Replace the <firstname lastname> with your, er, first and last name :) No
other text should be included in the message, so leave out that 4 line
signature. The moderator of this list is Michael Shappe.
Story Ideas List
E-Mail: list...@netcom.com
Subscribe by sending the following message commands (minus the
indentation):
SUBSCRIBE BABYLON5-CREATIVE
END
This list is home to the many people who want to post story ideas and fan
fiction which are forbidden on the Usenet newsgroups.
Babylon 5 On-Line
E-Mail: kat...@indirect.com
Subscribe by sending your real name, e-mail address (if it differs from the
address you are sending from) and the country you live in.
For aren't sure whether you want to subscribe, send a message to Sandy (the
publisher) and in return he'll send you the latest issue as a preview.
His e-address is: bruc...@usia.gov
The Babylonian Times
E-Mail: m...@le.ac.uk
To subscribe, send the following info in the body of the message:
SUBSCRIBE B5 NEWSLETTER
Alternatively, the Babylonian Times is available from a WWW archive server
at this site, at the URL http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/jmorley/bab_times
The Babylonian Times contains news, information & discussion concerning
Babylon5, especially with reference to the UK.
Usenet Newsgroups
Here are a few newsgroups that are home to fans of B5. It's best to stick
to your home country's newsgroup, that way you avoid an spoilers.
alt.tv.babylon-5
This was the original B5 group, which has since been superseded by the
rastb5 group. Although there are still some postings here, it should be
considered deceased.
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5
This group is, without a doubt, the busiest B5 group on the net. Why? Well,
the US folk have set up camp here as they currently have no home hierarchy
of their own. Although it is meant to be an international group, it tends
to be inundated with unprotected spoilers about future episodes. The big
plus for this group has to be the fact that JMS reads and posts here.
Although some consider his cryptic, and sometimes misleading postings as
spoilers, if you want info from the horses mouth, you'll have to brave the
spoilers and check out this group.
Again, this was the original home to the UK B5 newsgroup. While some still
refuse to stop posting, the group was (partially) removed from the alt.*
hierarchy and will subsequently suffer terrible propagation around the net.
After it's partial removal, it was decided that an official UK group should
be created. This lead to...
uk.media.sf.tv.babylon5
The place to discuss B5 if you're a viewer of Babylon5 in the UK. Whether
you watch it on Channel4 or SC4(Wales), you're unlikely to be spoiled by
folks who've seen future episodes. The standard spoiler policy prevents
viewers of SC4 being spoiled by C4 viewers, as explained elswhere in this
FAQ. It's even possible to read JMS's postings to rastb, thanks to Bruce
Goatly. Bruce puts himself in the line of spoiler- fire to bring readers of
this group a digest of spoiler protected JMS postings.
IRC Channels
#babylon5
This is the official IRC channel for the rastb5 newsgroup. Every Staurday
at 23:00 (GMT), there's an on-line chat about the weeks episode. Please
note that the episode in dicussion will be that seen by in the US, so
protection from spoiler information should be taken.
#b5-uk
All rejoice and say "Yay!".
It's now possible for UK viewers of B5 to join this newly agreed IRC
channel for a weekly chat about the recent happenings in the B5 universe.
So, if you're not engaged in other activities at 16:00 (GMT) every Sunday,
you have no excuse. Please join us if you can.
Remember, if you can't find an IRC client for your machine, it's always
possible via telnet.
Check a net FAQ near you for details on telnet IRCing.
MUDs
If you want to join the Babylon5 MUD, crank up your telnet client and head
for:
telnet underworld.demon.co.uk 2010
visit babylonfive
WANTED: dead or alive
If you've spotted any other on-line facilities that we've missed on our
travels, please drop us a line at:
9. Acknowledgements, Credits and Copyright
------------------------------------------
This document takes it's inspiration (and borrows some of it's information)
from the US Babylon 5 FAQ (see InterNet Resources pages for details of
where to get it).
The creators and maintainers of the FAQ are, in alphabetical order:
Robin Bornoff <Robin....@brunel.ac.uk>
Richard Challis <ric...@challrj.demon.co.uk>
Gareth Edwards <con...@ultim.demon.co.uk>
Michael Foy <g0...@mikefoy.demon.co.uk>
Mike Kirk <mike...@argyle.demon.co.uk>
Jeremy Morley <jmo...@ps.ucl.ac.uk>
Martin Williams
Thanks to Jackie Egerton for proof reading the original version.
Suggestions and comments on this FAQ can be emailed to any of the
maintainers above or to the FAQ maintainer's mailing list (which will reach
all of the current authors) at:
Thank you for taking the trouble to read this document - it is copyright
1995 the UK FAQ maintainers (who are listed above). Unconditional
permission is granted to distribute it electronically for non-commercial
purposes. All other rights are reserved.
Angus Manwaring
: U.M.T.S.B5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION
: ===========================================================
KaaaaSnippp!!
Mike, to avoid confusion, might it be worthwhile requesting the American
groups don't post their FAQ here?
--
Cheers,
Angus.
unless you're alive you can't play,
an...@angusm.demon.co.uk and if you can't play.......
Robbie Irvine
:Yes, so long as everyone else agrees and that the umtsb5 FAQ is posted
:regularly, I promise to do the second bit from now on so if the first bit
:is ok...
Yes thants great ;-)
Do people want me to mail it to all the new posters as well a la rec...b5
Nobody - and I mean nobody - talks to Willy the Blade that way.
I'm going to cut you, kid, cut you bad. I'm going to cut my initial
into your face. A "V" for Willy
'A "W", I said "Willy is spelled with a "W".'
- Slippery Jim diGriz
Gareth Edwards
> Angus Manwaring <an...@angusm.demon.co.uk> writes:
> > Mike, to avoid confusion, might it be worthwhile requesting the American
> > groups don't post their FAQ here?
>
> regularly, I promise to do the second bit from now on so if the first bit
> is ok...
As was bandied around the FAQ maintenance mailing list some time ago (way
back when the FAQ was WIP) it was proposed that we ask Dan to only post
a pointer for the rastb5 FAQ. I think this is probably the best policy.
Yes?
BTW, are you FAQers still alive. All say 'Yay!'
Jeremy are you back from your hols?
If so, did you have a nice break and have you added my new spangly image map
for the Gold Channel page? :)
Love & Life,
G.
--
_ Gareth Edwards <con...@ultim.demon.co.uk> _
_/_\_ _/_\_
< ___> Member of the UK Babylon 5 FAQ maintenance crew < ___>
/\ __/\ /\ __/\
`-\_/-' http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/~jmorley/B5-FAQ/B5-FAQ-INDEX.html `-\_/-'
Angus Manwaring
: In article <951128101...@ultim.demon.co.uk>
: con...@ultim.demon.co.uk "Gareth Edwards" writes:
: >
: > As was bandied around the FAQ maintenance mailing list some time ago (way
: > back when the FAQ was WIP) it was proposed that we ask Dan to only post
: > a pointer for the rastb5 FAQ. I think this is probably the best policy.
: >
: > Yes?
: definately.....
Sounds like the best plan.
--
Regards,
Angus.
Screw 'em. We have a quarter million people here to defend, if they won't
stop this, we will. All fighters, open fire, fire at will.
Capt. J.Sheridan. B5
Mike Kirk
<con...@ultim.demon.co.uk> writes:
> As was bandied around the FAQ maintenance mailing list some time ago (way
> back when the FAQ was WIP) it was proposed that we ask Dan to only post
> a pointer for the rastb5 FAQ. I think this is probably the best policy.
>
> Yes?
Yes
> BTW, are you FAQers still alive. All say 'Yay!'
Waaahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy!
Oh, yes.
--
************************************************************************
* //\\ //\\ * *
* / /\|/\ \ * When all else fails, lose your temper... *
* / \ * *
* Mike|Kirk * email: mike...@argyle.demon.co.uk *
* @ | @ * CI$: 100734,2616 *
* | * MSN: Michael_Kirk *
* \___/ * WWW: http://metro.turnpike.net/M/mikekirk/index.html *
************************************************************************
Mike Kirk
(Jeremy Morley) writes:
> Barely...
>
> (Make of that what you will!)
I think we need some encouragement.
Jeremy Morley
> In article: <951128101...@ultim.demon.co.uk> Gareth Edwards
> <con...@ultim.demon.co.uk> writes:
>
> > As was bandied around the FAQ maintenance mailing list some time ago (way
> > back when the FAQ was WIP) it was proposed that we ask Dan to only post
> > a pointer for the rastb5 FAQ. I think this is probably the best policy.
> >
> > Yes?
>
> Yes
>
>
> > BTW, are you FAQers still alive. All say 'Yay!'
>
>
> Waaahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy!
>
> Oh, yes.
>
Barely...
(Make of that what you will!)
---
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/~jmorley jmo...@ps.ucl.ac.uk
http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/~jmorley/gold_channel.html Jeremy
http://www.ps.ucl.ac.uk/~jmorley/B5-FAQ/B5-FAQ-INDEX.html ;-)