July 6, 2003:
With the new DVD for Season Three of Babylon 5 coming out on August 12, let's talk Season Three. What do
you think was the most significant episode of the season? What was the best episode?
Date: 7/7/2003 12:40:35 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Hi Sandy,
Season 3 of Babylon 5 was a great one, lots of important events and
occurances. A real watershed in the history of B5. Most significant show of the
3rd, there are quite a few of those, but the one I will pick is Severed Dreams,
because Captain Sheridan had to go against his own people, Earthforce, the
organization he has sworn to uphold, and by doing so, it made him stronger in
order to go to Z'ha'dum ( the other episode that could be picked as the most
important episode). Severed Dreams for me was very important because it was the
episode which showed me how much I had grown to love B5. Seeing my station
attacked brought tears to my eyes at the time. It showed me how much I loved it. So,
I have a special feeling about the show. It is interesting that it comes just
halfway in the run of the show as well. The whole trilogy of "Messages from
Earth", "Point of No Return", and "Severed Dreams" was terrific and so
important.
Season 3 moves the story along, as the Shadow War really gets serious,
and B5 goes against the totalitarian Clarke. It is an amazing season.. most of
the shows are just wonderful, Grey 17 is the weakest, I would have loved to
seen more of the ceremony installing Delenn as the leader of the Rangers. But
even that one was saved by the line of poor Marcus laying in the bed, addressing
Neroon, who had put him there, when he said the next time you want to have a
revelation, please don't have it be so uncomfortable. That was a classic.
And of course the 2 parter War Without End, was incredible, so complex
and also important to a different part of the story. It was great to see
Sinclair and Sheridan working together, and the revelation of Sinclair as Valen at
the end was breathtaking. And the revelation by Zathrus, what The One consisted
of, was moving and remarkable...it was amazing! So wonderful. Just writing
about all this really makes me miss the show and all it brought me all the more,,
I hope to get the 3rd season set for all the goodies, and you did ask
what would people like to see in a set like that. Good question, better one would
be what would not be there. I would love to see bios with pictures, of all
the actors, interviews with them about their characters. Several more
commentarys during the shows. Bloopers of course, and also more about the making of the
show. A whole musical video by Christopher Franke with his music and chosen
images. A panel of several commentators talking about B5, what it is about and
all. A bio of JMS. Tons of stuff. That is what I would LOVE to see. If I can
think of anymore, I will write about it.
I will try to think about the other question, my most memorable SF image,
but the images of "2001:a space odyssey" blaze in my mind as absolutely
incredible. It just fascinated me, and spurred me on to read about it and seek to
understand this amazing watershed film in the history of SF. I loved it and it
is still my favorite film.
Thanks for asking and again, I am glad Joe went through what he did for
Babylon 5. It is still, to my mind the best SF show ever made.
Take care all.
Love and peace,
Connie - The Flamekeeper
June 28, 2003:
I know a lot of you have read science fiction material extensively -- and others have watched a LOT of TV and movies. When you look
back, what is your BEST science fiction image? For me, it's Rocky Jones, Space Ranger! I loved that show. It captured my imagination and
brought me into the world of science fiction. There's also Ray Harryhausen's cyclops in SINBAD. That got me interested in movie magic!
How about you? What do you remember best about science fiction?
Date: 07/02/2003 11:33:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: andres_astrove@yahoo.com
Hi Sandy:
Better later than ever...
Very interesting your last question of the D.T.
Let me say you something...the real science, and the
sci-fi, have been implicit in me since long time ago,
since seven year old, I think.
One special scene, I can't to be very specific. There
are no special scene, may be a scene of Star Wars
(1977), but the seed of the science and the sci-fi
already was "planted" into me.
A real scene? Yes. The unfortunate accident of the
Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986. Since that
day, I'm a faithful fan, or whatever you want to call
it, of the space program and the sci-fi, both things
can go together, and for that I believe tha great
deals are reached with some sacrifices, a lot of
times. Our destiny be in the outer space, fictionally
and really. First stop, Mars. Remember it.
Date: 6/30/2003 11:34:42 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Barber, Steven"
Sandra -
Several leap to mind:
Visual:
A flyby of the Starship Enterprise (the original).
The toss of ET's ball to Elliott in a dark and misty back yard.
The gigantic patient in the "operating room" on the Alien spaceship.
The men riding to a "fire" on the firetruck in Fahrenheit 451.
The attack on the underground city in This Island Earth.
The first psychic battle between Lyta Alexander and a Shadow ship from the bridge of the White Star.
Literary or Artwork:
Frank Kelly Freas' Martian in a keyhole.
Harlan Ellison's description of hatred in "I Have No Mouth..."
Chesley Bonestell's planet Saturn on a Starlog cover.
Bradbury's "family" stories consisting of Uncles, Aunts, and assorted Addams-onian familiars
Arthur C. Clarke's The Sentinel.
Cover art from just about any Pulp-era SF title.
But most of all: The landing of the C57D saucer on Altaire from Forbidden Planet and tour of the Great Krell Machine.
That is SciFi imagery at its very best.
Steven Barber
Date: 6/30/2003 1:37:03 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
My first sci-fi images were the old Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers comic
strips. I followed them religiously for years, even tho I couldn't always
get copies of the newspapers that published them. They featured long-running
story lines, often spanning weeks, and always ended each Sunday Supplement
episode with a cliffhanger.The story lines and art work for Flash Gordon
were the better of the two, altho Buck had his own somewhat scruffy charm.
Flash was the epitome of the handsome, dashing blond hero who could defeat
any villain and rescue any damsel in distress -- Buster Crabbe was an
excellent choice to play him in several movie serials, altho the serials
never came up to the quality of the comic strip. Put Flash and Buck on the
Enterprise or Babylon 5 or Deep Space 9 and they would fit right in. These
two strips started me out as a sci-fi fan and have influenced choices of
everything I've watched and read since.
Date: 6/29/2003 7:49:31 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Taylor401306@cs.com
There's so many Sci-Fi images- I would have to include King Kong, Robby the Robot from "Forbidden Planet" & the Ymir from "20 Million
Miles to Earth".
Date: 6/28/2003 2:21:49 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Starlord"
I got my start in watching Sci-Fi when I watched " Space Patrol " on t.v., and
then I saw the old B grade sci-fi shows that came from the 40's and shown on
t.v. as new! (HaHa).
I can remember sci-fi movies that have been lost and will never see the light of
day again. I think I'm one of two people in the USA that enjoyed the show
STARLOST in the 70's.
In This Universe The Night was Falling,The Shadows were lenghtening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the Stars were still young and the light of morning lingered: and
along the path he once had followed, Man would one day go again.
Arthur C. Clarke "The City & The Stars"
Date: 6/28/2003 11:47:48 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:
Hi, Sandy-- excellent as ever--
I suppose I'd say my single favorite image in all of SF is the moment when
John and Delenn are standing aboard the White Star, and all the other White
Stars fly over in the background for the first time, and they kiss. That
just summed it all up for me-- war and peace and love and romance and power
and glory, all combined in one shot and all on a vast, galactic scale.
That's my thing!
A few others come to mind as very close to that, though:
* Imagining the Ringworld based on Larry Niven's descriptions. As an 8th
grader, it expanded--blew!--my mind trying to picture this vast thing in
space as Louis Wu and co. discovered and explored it.
* The Avengers, as depicted by George Perez and written by Jim Shooter, in
all their majesty, battling away against the indestructible Ultron (or the
godlike Korvac or the frightening Thanos) in what is still IMO the greatest
year for Marvel Comics ever-- 1977. A year which also gave us:
* The Star Destroyer coming overhead at the beginning of Star Wars. Seeing
it for the first time in the theater in 1977 as an innocent 9 year old, my
life would never be the same. And then the Rebel troops march down the hall
and the Stormtroopers blast in and... I'd never seen or imagined anything
like that. My jaw was on the floor and, 26 years later, I still haven't
completely recovered.
* Gideon, Galen and Matheson on the bridge of Excalibur. I loved that
show, and that cast, so very very much. They were just perfect.
* Imagining, and then trying over and over to draw, the Tarot cards
depicting Corwin and the rest of the royal family from Roger Zelazny's Amber
books.
* And it's not really science *fiction*, but it certainly helped get me
interested in it: Carl Sagan, in Cosmos, standing there in his sport coat
and turtleneck, explaining anything space-science-related. RIP, Carl. You
are missed.
--Van
Date: 6/29/2003 4:04:21 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Eric P. Dawson"
Sandy
Since you specified images, the ones that struck me in my impressionable
youth were:
Visuals
1. The aliens from the War of Worlds with Gene Barry. Great FX, really
believed those Martians!
2. The "quicksand" sequences and the general terror from the *suspense*
(not the aliens) in "Invaders from Mars"
3. Kevin McCarthy and pods...pods...thousands of pods!!!
4. Watching the human get digested by the local flora (fauna?) of the
"Angry Red Planet"
5. Satan as first officer? What kind of outfit is this anyway? (Only
Starfleet's finest! :-)
6. And the last "youth" *image* I will cite (because I was already 23
at the time, so not really *that* young) was the first time I ever saw
an Imperial battleship fill the movie screen, telling me in no uncertain
terms that a new era in Science Fiction movie making had been born.
In books --
1. "Mike Mars, Astronaut" got me really hooked on the *real* space
program and what are Project Gemini guys were doing.
2. David "Lucky" Starr was a blast for me, thanks to Mr. Paul French
(aka a certain "I, Robot" writer).
3. John Carter of Mars was the 2nd Edgar Rice Burroughs creation that I
was smitten with (and if you don't know who the first was, then you just
aren't a true kid of the *world* of the 1950s and 1960s).
4. "Waldo", "Sanctuary", "Starship Troopers"...RAH, thank you!
5. Would "you" accidentally break a priceless moon "bell"?
Mathematically determine the course of human history across the known
galaxy for generations to come? Take the time to wonder why history
seemed to end every 2000 years while you were screaming your soul out in
the dark? Come up with a way to ensure that the creations you build to
help make life better don't go Frankenstein on you as they mature?
Wendell Urth, robots and all the other short *and* long story characters
of (there he is again)) Isaac Asimov had me thinking faster than a
theoretical physicist at a billiard table!
Thanks for keeping us posted on the world of B5.
Eric & Anna Dawson
June 14, 2003:
#1: Did you enjoy the return of STARGATE SG-1 on Friday night? Was the premiere episode all you had hoped for? Less?
Why?
Date: 6/23/2003 5:02:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Donita Jolly
I am very pleased with the new season of SG-1. Last season was way too
heavy and humorless (on a whole that is, there were a few exceptions).
I was even more impressed with last Friday's episode about Jack being
cloned. Great story and great explanation of alien abductions. I
laughed again and felt a communion with the characters that I felt had
been missing since the show moved to SCI-FI. I truly hope this season
continues this same trend. Its good to have Daniel back too.
Date: 6/21/2003 1:24:58 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
Awesome, simply awesome. It was a great beginning of the series, as last
season's conclusion was also great! It gets me wondering about next season.
What changes will transpire? I feel bad at Abydos was destroyed, because
Abydos was the planet the stargate sg-1 team got its beginning. It was the
first planet Jack visited.
I hear this season is not going to be "seen through the eyes of Colonel
O'Neill," anymore, but the whole crew going to share in the adventure. I
guess the actors are experinced enough to have more freedom on the show,
rather than having to walk on the coat tails of Anderson. I think the new
series will be very creative, and I hear Sam finally falls in love, and it's
not to Jack. That is so sad. I always wanted to see that union.
Good luck SG-1!
#2: For those of you without cable:
What are some of the features you would like to see on upcoming Babylon 5 DVDs? I think JMS has done a terrific job
of commentaries and involving those who want to contribute. What else might be done?
Date: 6/29/2003 12:16:38 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: MagsRey
Hi Sandy!
I agree completely with the wish-list provided by Captain Average, but the one thing I think most B5 fans would like to see officially available are the blooper reels. We've most of us seen, and hugely enjoyed, copies of varying quality at conventions etc. but it would be great to have these as a final "thank you" to the fan base on the Season 5 DVD set. And I know there are probably all sorts of copyright issues, but the music videos would be great too. Don't want much do we?
Cheers :-)
maggie
Date: 6/26/2003 11:33:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: John Francis
The DVD's really left something to be desired. Since they were working
with 4x3 print, I would like to see 4x3 aspect versions of ALL the Dvd's
come out. The biggest dissappointment with the artificial 16x9 framing is
viewed in the 2nd season episode, "A Distant Star." In the 4x3 version
which I still have on my tapes (I will not dump them because of the
butchered content on the DVD's), the Star Fury runs the length of the
Explorer class ship, the Cortez, to become a tiny dot to give you the idea
of the size of the Cortez. The Fury fires its engines in a fly-by and tips
its wings to say hello. In the 16x9 DVD, the shot is so badly framed, the
little Star Fury is lost after 25% of its run in the bottom of the chopped
frame. To me seeing B5 incomplete like this, is seeing the Mona Lisa with
the head removed.
I would also like to see the French language soundtrack included again
which was included on Season 1. As far as I knew, the whole series had
been translated for broadcast in Quebec and France. Thanks for this
interesting topic Sandy!
--
Date: 6/23/2003 3:00:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Rachel Adkinson
This has probably been said already - regarding B5 and what i'd like to see on the DVD.
BLOOPERS!
OUTTAKES!!!
ANYTHING THAT EXPANDS ON THE ACTORS PERSONALITIES...to give the fans something to obsess further over. :-)
Date: 6/23/2003 3:57:46 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Gary L. Tuck and Mike Tuck"
I would love to see a DVD extra of ALL of the awards that B5 won and was nominated for, but didn't win. (Season Two DVD only mentioned
the two Hugo awards, but I know there were many more awards.) Also, I would love to hear some more audio commentary on certain episodes from Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, and Jerry Doyle (together). They had me cracking up with their commentary on a season two episode on the last DVD. It was hilarious! Truly, three old friends who had fun working on the show.
Also, I would like very much if WB would restore the film quality on these episodes for future DVDs. I noticed film impurities on the first two DVD sets. As a fan, I want these episodes in crystal clear condition, not with splotches and tears in the film like they are now! WB should have restored the film to begin with (or done a better job of storing the master film over the years), but if they could do this for the last three seasons DVDs, it wouldn't be a total loss.
-Mike
Date: 6/23/2003 5:02:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Donita Jolly
I would like to see JMS speak more about the deeper themes within the
B5 story line, commenting when he placed these themes into the various
episodes. It was the depth of the story and the elegant way they were
woven within the entire story that made B5 so exceptional and mythic
in scope. And even tho I enjoyed the exchanges of the actors on
Geometry of Shadows, there was so much that I wanted to know about how
they felt about the dialogue and the deeper meaning of the episode
itself. If we could have some commentary at a deeper level from the
actors, that would be great!
Off topic a little, I am surprised at the quality of the DVDs. They
seem grainy and coarse, unlike the DVDs of other shows I have
purchased, such as Stargate and Dark Angel. Is there something
different about the way it was originally recorded or was Warner
Brothers being cheap and did not clean them up?
Date: 6/22/2003 7:08:12 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Dusty Turner"
Sandra,
I’d like to see the bloopers put the season 5 DVD.
Date: 6/22/2003 8:26:20 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Jon Lunn"
hello,
Just read the newsletter and wanted to cast my idea in.
I would like to see on the season three dvd, the title sequence with the
long pan along the b5 station with out the cast credits. its a fantastic
shot along the length of the station, and would like to see it all, you only
really see a small part of it.
can't think of anything else
jon
Date: 06/21/2003 3:33:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: captain_average@shaw.ca
I would like to see a commentary track with Bruce Boxleitner,
Claudia Christian and Jerry Doyle where they actually addressed
the episode being shown, and spent less time ragging on each
other. Their commentary on the Season 2 DVD was fun *once*!
And then only because it showcased their very real chemistry -
it shed virtually no light on the ep.
Other things I'd like to see: in depth looks at command staff
quarters [blueprints, 360-degree views with focused zooms on
various items in each room/suite]; a complete tour of C-in-C with
a good look at each workstation; commentary tracks with Peter
Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas [and why hasn't this happened,
already? It's such a great idea!]; at least two more commentary
tracks by JMS [is it just me, or are two JMS commentaries per
set just not enough? *G*]; a music commentary track with composer
Christopher Franke; an issue of 'Universe Today'; a tour of the
businesses on the Zocalo [like the shop that got closed down by
the Nightwatch; the restaurant where Sheridan took Delenn on
their first date; the Babylon 5 Gift Shop - complete with JS
Teddy Bears and inaccurate Centauri figures; and so on]; a tour of
various ships [Vorlon, Centauri, Minbari, Narn, Earth] - both military
and civilian; series timeline; tv commercials for the Psi Corps, Earth
Force, ISN, Universe Today, various local [station] businesses...
I'm not asking for much, am I? LOL!
Captain Average
The *Ambitious* Superhero...
Date: 6/18/2003 5:54:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Bobcat0823
Hi,
I wish Warner Brothers would work on achieving better quality on the next
batch of Babylon 5 dvds. I just started watching the pilot and season one and
have to admit I am pretty disappointed with the picture quality. My old videos
look much cleaner. One of the reviewers you mentioned had the same complaint
with season two. What a shame.
Sincerely,
Bob Stirrat
June 7, 2003:
With the popularity of the last topic suggestion from Ranger Helen, I thought I'd spin-off the idea into a related area. Instead of
books, what was the first science fiction movie or TV series you remember? How did it affect your choices for watching -- or reading --
in the science fiction genre?
Date: 6/9/2003 3:37:37 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Enid Andrews"
Hello Sandy,
The first sci fi I remember was Dr Who - but being , I suspect, a few years older, from in front of the settee!
I certainly didn't notice any of the rickety scenery - the stories were much too good and left me waiting impatiently
for next week! I still like an arc or really good long film/drama , though I liked quite a lot of TNG even if it often felt as
though there was a really good story waiting to be told.Obviously, B5 fits the bill beautifully.
Enid
Date: 6/9/2003 2:24:22 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
Well, I date back to the days when there was no TV, science fiction or
otherwise, so my early interest in sci-fi started with movies and comic
strips. The old Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers comic strips initiated me into
space travel and made me dream of adventures on other worlds, however, their
TV counterparts never quite came up to the comics, at least for me. Movies I
remember were "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and a corny one about an
expedition to Mars starring a very young Lloyd Bridges. About the earliest
sci-fi TV I watched was "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", which wasn't
actually as bad as a lot of people thought it was. For about 15 years,
through graduate school and several job relocations, I didn't even have a TV
-- just wasn't interested in it. Reruns of the original Star Trek plus the
ST movies and the original three Star Wars movies got me hooked on sci-fi in
the 1980s and 1990s -- coinciding with the run of ST: The Next Generation.
After that came Blake's 7 and Dr. Who and Star Cops, all leading up to my
two favorites, Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5. I don't think I'll ever like any
other show as well as Babylon 5. I miss it, but it'll be in reruns forever
and I have my tapes.
Ranger Roja Grande de los Gatos
Date: 6/8/2003 11:11:08 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "A. E. Hidalgo"
Hi Sandy:
Definitely, Star Wars (movie) and Star Trek in TV and movie, too.
No discussion anynore....until B5.
Andres
Date: 6:50 AM EST June 7, 2003
From: sgbruckner@aol.com
Some of the first memories I have of TV science fiction were of Commander Cody and Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. Back then,
TV shows were good character builders -- full of morals and good triumphing over evil. One of my biggest thrills when I
was about 5 was to actually meet George Reeves (Superman) at Kennywood (an amusement park near Pittsburgh). It was
something that I talked about for months -- and had pictures to prove it!
Take care.
Sandy
Date: 6/7/2003 7:44:06 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Lynne Bailey"
Hello Sandra:
Great discussion topic! When I was ten my parents allowed me to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still. The idea of another
race inviting us to join the universe and behave ourselves was awesome! I was hooked. My next taste of the genre was
Forbidden Planet. Who can forget "The ID"?
Right around that time I discovered Tolkien in the public library. My book collection far exceeds my wardrobe! Star Trek
the original series was being shown late at night, (for a ten year old) once in a while I was allowed to stay up and watch it.
I was very lucky that my parents supported my interest in SCI fi and fantasy even though it didn't map to their interests.
For this I am grateful.
Lynne Bailey
Leominster, MA
Date: 6/7/2003 3:27:34 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Captain Average
We didn't get our first television until I was in grade six [1962].
There wasn't a lot of SF on tv, but I remember seeing 'Rocky
Jones, Space Ranger' and 'Fireball XL-5' at about the same time.
I distinctly recall running home to watch 'Rocky Jones' on Tuesdays,
so I must have quite enjoyed it. I also recall watching 'Fireball XL-5'
on Saturday mornings and having a bit of a giggle at the mono-
expressioned puppets [though their adventures were kinda fun - and the
robot was usually hysterical].
Also, about the same time, the Hanna-Barbera series, 'Ruff & Reddy'
was airing an alien invasion serial featuring the metallic inhabitants of
Munimula - pronounced 'Moony-Moola' ["that's 'aluminum' spelt backwards..."].
While these shows weren't up to the level of the SF and fantasy I'd
already discovered in print, they were colourful [even in black & white]
and fast-paced fun, and paved the way for my discovery of 'Doctor Who'
a couple years later [which sealed my fate insofar as SF-TV was
concerned - I've been a small-screen, and big-screen, SF nut ever since.]
Now, I'm hooked on any excellent-to-semi-decent SF programming I can
find [over the years I've enjoyed shows ranging from 'Quark', 'Star Trek'
and 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons', to 'Babylon 5', 'The Flash' and
'The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.].
Captain Average
The SF Superhero
Date: 6/7/2003 12:45:55 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Hi Sandy,
I would have to say that the first real exposure I had to science fiction
on TV was The One show that influenced them all. Classic Star Trek was the
one that I really cut my eye teeth on as far as science fiction was concerned. I
tried the Twilight Zone a couple of times, but I was very sensitive as a
child and they sort of were too creepy for me. ( Heck, I didn't have the nerve to
watch Frankenstein until I was 27! That was only after I saw Mel Brook's Young
Frankenstein.)
But, yes, Kirk, Spock and McCoy, the Golden Triumvirate. They were the
best, and I fell prey to " Trekkerism" for awhile. But those shows relied on
story, not special effects, from, what I thought was an excellent example of it,
the episode "Devil in the Dark" where the Horta is only protecting her eggs,
and the miners who are being killed in the process, finally understand, thanks
to Mr. Spock's mind-meld, and then they both learn to benefit each other.
And of course, Amok Time, Spocks show, about Vulcan mating rituals,
stands out, and also when we meet his parents, Sarek and Amanda, in Jouney to
Babel,, he was such a, shall I say, 'fascinating' character.
Of course, the principles were wonderful, and they have become pop
culture Icons. Spock may still be the best character in SF ever, ( don't tell G'Kar
and Londo that I said this :-) Leonard Nimoy's portrayal is still wonderful.
The interrelationships were so dynamic and interesting. Say what you will
about Shatner, he made Kirk real, and without him, forget it. And DeForest was the
ultimate Southern Gentleman, and made McCoy a warm and curmudgeonly
character.
But, it was the show that greatly influenced me for many years, with
strong characters, and great stories with some kind of lesson or morals.
Sadly, I found all the other Star Dreks, wanting,, never liked any of
them.
But, Babylon 5 to me outclasses all of them, but one thing they share is
story and character, not the effects. And intelligence.
I once wrote a piece for the old Centurian Sentinal ( that is a memory of
the past, still don't know what happened to Mike Zmuda ) comparing
Roddenberry and Jms, the Great Maker vs the Great Bird of the Galaxy. I should type it
in one day for anyone who might be interested.
But, yes, the real Star Trek was the first yardstick by which I judged
all SF on TV. It is still one of the champs of all time.
Thanks for asking.
All the best to all.
Peace and love,
Connie - The Flamekeeper
Date: 6/7/2003 4:03:46 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Chris White"
Being over in the UK, the main stay of sci fi tv will have been Doctor Who on a Saturday evening with a good sofa to hide
behind when necessary. (Tom Baker era when I was young). I stayed with it until the end as well (ever hopeful it will
return properly.
During the teenage years we would regularly get Star Trek TOS during weekdays, as well as Battlestar Galatica. I think
my favourite of the midweeks though would have been Blake's 7 (soon to be out on DVD if I'm not mistaken!).
I don't know whether it's the British side of me that likes the British shows more.
How has it affected my watching/reading. I think that I prefer the story arc elements of both the shows, which is probably
why I was drawn to B5 and the Star Wars books.
Chris White
Date: 6/7/2003 4:43:02 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Tom-o
ANSWER: I remember Thunderbirds. I didn't know what it was called until I was an adult. I only remember the 'marionette'
show. And Lost in Space. But these two were shows I watched before I was 5 or 6. Immediately after that, the one I say
defined me as a fan, was Star Trek. Born in '67, I caught it on reruns, and it was THE show.
You know, I found a certain intelligence to written sci fi that was surprisingly invigorating for a young boy. I was maybe
10 or 11 when I started specifically seeking out sci fi that wasn't just pointed at kids. I feel it raised me up, instead of
writing down to me. I often get off on a tangent, sorry.
Spongy Tom
Albumuffin, NM
Date: 6/7/2003 6:57:34 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "TOM herrman"
Sandra,
The first Science fiction movie I saw was War of the Worlds. I enjoyed it so much that I started reading several UFO books.
I think I read everything written by Frank Edwards and several other authors. I even bought the musical by Jeff Wayne.
The TV show, of the same name, was a little disappointing, but this started my appetite for SciFi films and books. The Day
the Earth Stood Still was the second movie and this one did for me what Dances with Wolves did for my interest in Native
Americans. The late fifties and early sixties brought a lot of the classics to the screen. Mysterious Island, First Men In the
Moon, 2000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and others. Watching them on the big screen was fantastic.
I am glad that some of these movies are now available on DVD. When Star Trek aired in 1966, I was primed. In an era
where free thinking and somewhat radical, for the time, ideas flourished, science fiction portrayed a hopeful future. This,
also, helped to motivate me to go to college and get my Information Technology degree and start my data processing
career. Forty some years later, I still read and watch most of the SciFi media available. Without those early movies,
I am not sure what I would be doing now.
Tom.
Date: 6/7/2003 6:00:05 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Starlord"
My first memorys of anything Sci-Fi is from the early 1950's, the show was Space
Patrol, I still have packed away in a sealed box, a singed picture postcard from
Cadit Happy! Then I used to watch the old sci-fi's from the 1940's which played
on t.v. I can still remember some B grade Sci-Fi movies that can no longer be
found anyplace! ( I know, I've looked for them ). I've watched just about every
Sci-Fi show that's ever been on the t.v., had at one time all the sound tracks
of the show "Star Lost". I've watched Japanese Sci-Fi movies and shows too. I've
read a ton of books, still have a box of close to 100 books I'm working my way
threw.
To say that I live, breathe, eat, sleep, Sci-Fi would be saying it lightly. I've
even tied Sci-Fi into my Astronomy workings.
The Year is 2003, The Place is Rosamond, The Name of the Telescope is Babylon 8.
In This Universe The Night was Falling,The Shadows were lenghtening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the Stars were still young and the light of morning lingered: and
along the path he once had followed, Man would one day go again.
Arthur C. Clarke "The City & The Stars"
May 24:
This topic was suggested by Ranger Helen and I think will bring in some interesting comments!
What was the first science fiction you ever read, about how old were you when you read it? How did it affect your choices of reading
matter in the science fiction genre later?
Date: 6/1/2003 8:28:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
My first sci-fi book I ever read was Edgar Rice Borrough's John Carter of Mars. Borroughs wrote sci-fi thrillers like Tarzan the Ape Man, and those kinds of ethno-centric thrillers. (Of course, at 11-years old, I just thought the stories were fun to read !) The John Carter series was no-less ethno-centric, but the bad guys on Mars were giant, green, 4-armed men with swords, and wanted nothing better than to kill John Carter, (I can't remember the names of the green guys), and he was protecting a fair, beautiful, red-skinned woman of another tribe, who is trying to escape the tyrrany of the green men.
John Carter gets into many battles, makes friends with several natives, makes enemies left and right, but always seems to win in the end!
It was Tarzan on Mars!
Matt
Date: 5/27/2003 4:09:26 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Randy Garbiso
Hi Sandy,
It's been a long time snce we've spoken. I would like to reply in regard to
my first sceintific story experience.
In the 6th grade, 1966, my teacher required us to read a story by Ray
Brabury. It was a story called "A Sound of Thunder".
The story spoke of time travel and the consequences of careless acts.
This captured my imagination and began my journey into the world of written
science fiction.
As a voracious reader I have since enjoyed the works of Asimov, Pournelle,
Niven, Bradbury and Ellison.
Science fiction is my favorite genre and I eagerly look forward to reading
new works by my favorite authors.
Until next time.........randy (bzo 3).
Date: 5/27/2003 9:36:14 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "A. E. Hidalgo"
Hi Sandy:
Really, now I remember a book I read in spanish, Star
Wars and The Return of the Jedi. I don`t know how I
could forget it. Even I keep the books! I read some
books of Isaac Asimov, too. But recently, none.
I know there are a lot of books translated to others
languages, but I don`t know why is difficult to get
it, at least stories of high quality. Almost all the
books of Star Trek, by example, only in English I can
to get it.
Be careful,
Andrès.
Date: 5/27/2003 12:51:31 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: NimDok
Terrific question.
There are two competing memories here. The first book I remember was, believe it or not, Star Trek Mission to Horatius by Mack Reynolds. I was at the wonderful age of five when the show first hit the air and cannot remember anything more than cursory reading of SF prior to this point -- though I was already a huge fan of televised SF.
My first memory of non-television SF was several years afterward, when my father picked me up a copy of one of the early-70's SF reprint magazines put out by Galaxy. I still have the heavily thumbed digest-sized magazine buried somewhere in the garage, else I could give you the exact name of the story which started it all for me. Shortly thereafter I discovered Ellison's Dangerous Visions and the SF Book Club, and all Hell broke loose.
Now, some four thousand books later (not all SF), I still love a rainy Saturday afternoon, a cup of hot chocolate, and a few pages from the far off worlds of Dune/The Foundation/Ringworld/Rama -- and other assorted newcomers...
Steve Barber
Date: 5/29/2003 11:09:45 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Dieter Mirbach
1st sci-fi book was
To your scattered Bodies Go - Philip Jose Farmer
Don't think it affected my reading choices sci-fi much, but I perhaps read
most of Farmers books since, something I don't tend to do with other authors
- Raymond Feist excepted - The Magician / Riftwar series is great !!! As is
Feist other books - Faerie Tale.
Date: 5/27/03 4:03am
From: Sandra Bruckner
I have been trying to remember the first thing I read in science fiction. I was more of a
Western kind of kid, but I did love comic books and Superman was among the top of my
list. However, as I got older, the one book that sticks in my mind and remains one of the
best books I ever read is, ALAS BABLYON by Pat Frank. The descriptions of what happens
after a nuclear blast has stayed with me. I haven't re-read it in a while -- guess I'll have to
hunt up my copy and run through it again. Seems to be more relevant now than ever
before.
Sandy
Date: 5/26/2003 4:53:17 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
My first science fiction readings were the wonderful old Flash Gordon and
Buck Rogers comic strips, which I read as a grade school kid whenever I had
a chance. They hooked me on space travel. A highlight of my weekly visit to
my piano teacher was that she always had the Sunday color comic supplement
and I could follow Flash and his friends regularly. Once in a while I was
able to get hold of an issue of Planet Comics, a cheesy but fun collection
of lots of action, brawny heros, scantily-clad brainless heroines, bug-eyed
monsters, and nasty aliens from outer space. Of course, girls in the 1940s
weren't supposed like this kind of stuff so I was always considered a little
weird. Still am.
Later, in high school, I read C.S. Lewis's "Out of the Silent Planet" and it
opened a whole new world of science fiction/fantasy with class. It's still
one of my favorite books and I reread it every few years. I liked it because
it was such a complete departure from the costume/action/monster genre in
that it took an ordinary person, put him on another planet (Mars) and into a
situation where he had to survive by learning to appreciate and get along
with alien species, then figure out why he was there and how to get home.
Reading Lewis led me to Tolkein, and both of them helped me keep sane in
graduate school.
I like series swashbucklers like Darkover and the Dragonriders of Pern.
About a dozen of the early original series Star Trek novels commissioned by
Pocket Books were excellent -- not like the commercial junk the Trek
franchise is putting out now. As I've said before, the two Babylon 5 novels,
"The Shadow Within" and "To Dream in the City of Sorrows" are also favorites
and I'm delighted that they've been re-released. I probably don't read as
much sci-fi/fantasy as many fans because I read in so many areas, but
sci-fi/fantasy is still a part of my favorite reading.
Ranger Roja Grande de los Gatos
Date: 5/24/2003 5:32:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: captain_average@shaw.ca (Captain Average)
I first encountered Fantasy & SF in Grade One
[though I'd been reading comic books since I was
four].
Our school library had books by Harlan Ellison and
Robert E. Howard mixed in with the Enid Blyton
and A.A. Milne. I suspect that those books were
purchased for their flashy covers and not because
anyone had read the cover blurbs... LOL!
I don't remember which I read first, but Conan the
Barbarian and something by Ellison were my first
genre reads.
Needless to say, these books, in combination with the
aforementioned comic books, scarred me for life! I still
read SF/Fantasy & comics - forty-plus years later -
and they are still my favourite reading material.
Captain Average
The Superhero, Wearing Out Many, Many Pairs Of Glasses!
I read my first science fiction at age 15. My Dad had eight volumes of theworks of H.G.Wells and the first one I read was
The War of the Worlds which has been made into movies two or three times. I subsequently read the other seven volumes
including The Shape of Things to Come which was made into a movie with RaymondMassey in a leading role.
I have continued reading science fiction ever since, although I do confessI have also become quite interested in some of
the fantasy writers such as Anne McCaffery's Pern series. I once came across a list of the best 100 science fiction of all
time (up till then) and I found I had read about 80 of the books on the list. I read general fictionas well, and I must add
I have bought season 2 of Babylon 5 on DVD and impatiently await the arrival of season 3. I had already bought most
of season 1 on video tape and did not feel justified to buy the DVDs too.
I came across the final issue of the "old" Zocalo in my files recently, andenjoyed reading it again after all this time.
Thanks for all your hard work.
Margaret
Date: 5/24/2003 11:54:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: andres_astrove@yahoo.com (A. E. Hidalgo)
Hi Sandy:
Due to my limitations in the english language, I read
few things, but I see too much, oh yes.
Since long time ago, 1976 or 1977, I started my
interest in sci-fi. On Tv I saw Star Trek (the
original) and later, Space 1999. Later, Battlestar
Galactica abd others. I arrived to the "top" of the
mountain with B5.
Really, not too much to add to my own comments. I'm
pleased for share this with all of you.
Andrés.
April 23:
Do you enjoy watching TV shows that use story arcs? While Babylon 5 was on the air, this was a major topic. The five-year story arc for Babylon 5 was a first! The notion of a story arc appears to be coming back. ENTERPRISE folks are talking about a long arc to open the next season. Have things come full-circle? Or do you enjoy being able to just catch an episode here and there, not having to worry about keeping up with the story?
Date: 5/21/2003 12:38:43 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
I like having a combination of story arcs and individual episodes. Following
a story arc whets my appetite for more, and makes me more aware of watching
for clues as to how the arc's story line is unfolding. I also enjoy watching
tapes of all of the episodes of an arc at once, back to back -- it's like
watching a movie. But there's a place for single episodes, too. You can
relax and enjoy them between arcs and they often have some interesting facet
like a new side of a character you haven't seen before, or a stand-alone
story. I think both Babylon 5 and Deep Space 9 had excellent combinations of
arcs with stand-alone episodes.
Ranger Roja Grande de los Gatos
Date: 5/22/2003 7:23:48 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Graham Smith
I have long thought that story arcs add something to television shows that is often difficult to describe. But if I had to try and pin it down, it would be that it makes the show seem more real - after all life doesn't happen in 45 min increments. It also lends a feeling of scope and breadth, like the difference between a short story and a novella.
Regarding the now revealed Enterprise arc. While I appreciate their attempt, I just wish they could have been a bit more original. Talk about deja vu, the spherical craft that attacked Earth even looked like the pods the Drakh used to contaminate Earth.
--Graham
Date: 5/20/2003 10:46:25 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Dear Sandy,
Thought I would weigh in briefly about the question, hope you are ok too.
I am totally spoiled by shows with story arcs, and really don't even
watch any episodic shows any longer. Babylon 5 spoiled me forever in many
ways, and that was one of them. The 2 shows that I do watch, and that are
going to end too soon for me, Six Feet Under and Queer as Folk, both have
arcs, continuing stories that build from week to week. And it is so
frustrating to me that Farscape got ripped off, as I just read that David
Kemper, the producer, had some amazing stuff planned for the last shows of
the 5th, which he thought he was going to get. So, it is a real shame,
because it is like life, as everything, all events are interconnected, most
of the time. It gives a greater weight and value to what happens on screen.
Character can be developed, change, grow, all of that. So, yes, I do prefer
arcs over episodic anytime as it increases dramatic tension and really
matters more.
So, all the best, and take care one and all.
Peace,
Faith Manages,
Ranger Connie - The Flamekeeper
Date: 5/19/2003 6:34:22 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Bobcat0823
Hi,
There's no doubt that I prefer story arcs to single story episodes. This
is one of the things that made Babylon 5 so appealing to me. I also enjoyed
Deep Space Nine much more after the show switched from doing single, mostly
unrelated episodes to a long story arc, and was pleased to hear that the
folks at Enterprise were going in this direction. The one disadvantage is
having to wait from week to week to see the story developed to its
conclusion, yet, on the other hand, that's part of the fun.
By the way, my feelings on this subject are not limited to television.
Although a finely crafted short story is a pleasure to read, I get much more
satisfaction from novels.
Sincerely,
Robert Stirrat
April 18:
The BBC reported that "I’ll be back," Arnold Schwarzenegger's line from 1984's The Terminator, was voted the best parting shot in movie history in a poll conducted by Odeon Cinemas in the United Kingdom. What do you think the BEST Babylon 5 would be? I know, there are tons of them, but give that a thought and send in your votes. Let's limit the voting to 5 and let's see what happens!
Date: 5/6/2003 1:29:31 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Gary L. Tuck and Mike Tuck"
I can only think of two: Sheridan to Shadows and Vorlons: "...get the hell out of our galaxy....both of you!" and Sinclair to someone: "Get out of my way or I'll push you out the nearest airlock!"
-Mike Tuck
Date: 4/28/2003 12:52:14 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
After the dust settles, Kosh coming in from the shadows of Delenn's quarters
after Sheridan reluctantly lets Mordon out of his cage. The dust was flying
because Sheridan finds out that Mordon was a crew member on the Ikarus, and
almost revealing the presence of the Shadows to the younger races.
Kosh comes out from the dark corner and says, "And so it begins!"
This is the definite watershed of Babylon 5! It is my #1!
Date: 4/26/2003 6:52:40 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Frieda W. Landau"
"If you value your lives, be somewhere else!" Delenn to the EarthForce fleet in Severed Dreams.
Frieda
Date: 4/26/2003 5:45:56 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Bryan Ramona"
I'm very partial to Ivanova, because she often was the voice behind the universe... acerbic and to the point! One that always made me smile was the following:
Ivanova: "No boom*today*. Boom tomorrow. There's *always* a boom tomorrow!"
Of course, she also offered this classic:
"I can only conclude that I'm paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate."
There are days when I think I'm in the same boat...
It's hard to narrow down to a few, since there are so many that make me smile, and I think of the longer ones, the one that always makes me get teary-eyed is this one:
"This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari. Babylon 5 is under our protection. Withdraw, or be destroyed."
"Negative. We have authority here. Do not force us to engage your ship."
"Why not? Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else."
Date: 4/26/2003 10:56:49 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "John J. Buxbaum"
Sandy,
well my vote for best line is a tie... sorry
It's either Ivanova saying "Boom Boom, Boom Boom Boom" to Molari OR
G'Kar saying "No one here is exactly what they appear".
or "And so It begins " said by Kosh...
Gee I am so DECISIVE!
Date: 4/24/2003 9:42:58 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Christina
And so it begins.
April 1, 2003:
Here's a topic suggested by Ranger Helen -- and it's a very good one! Science Fiction conventions have fallen on hard times. A once thriving source of entertainment, has dwindled down to a precious few. What has been your convention experience? Are you still going to conventions? Has their time past or is the excitement still there for meeting personalities from TV/movies? Has it become too commercial a venture? Has the expense tarnished the experience for you?
Date: 05/02/2003 12:18:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Dear Sandy,
I know this is late, but I just couldn't quite get to it until now. I wanted to answer your
question about Conventions.
The Convention experience is still enjoyable to me, but it is a very expensive proposition and
if it weren't for a certain friend of mine, and you know him, the fellow with the Red Truck,
initials JW, without whom a Con would not be complete,,I wouldn't have been able to go to my
most memorable ones. To me, I always remember Cons by who I meet, and I was able to meet all
the principle actors from Babylon 5, and had some really great experiences. When I met Andreas
and Peter, I got hugs from both of them, and Andreas even knew me, from stuff that I sent him.
He actually got me into his act onstage and that was a thrill and a trip. I was next to Mira
Furlan as we got a ride into the city and we shared a tearful moment when we were approaching
the Lincoln Tunnel, and appreciated the skyline of New York City,, we both loved it. I got a
chance to sit with Carrie Dobro and help her out and have a nice exchange with her, and also
Marjorie Monaghan.
I was actually able to meet the Great Maker himself, JMS, and I will attach a photo I had taken
with him. He knew my name from the audience, and he knows who I am, and he actually has
exchanged messages with me on occasion.
I will never forget the absolute craziness that is Jerry Doyle, he had me in stitches, and he
and Bruce were hysterical at this one Con I went to. I even managed to get a tape of it someone
made. I loved meeting almost the whole cast of Crusade at Valley Forge. They were so fun and I
still ache for the demise of it.
And recently, I managed to see the 2 stars of Farscape, Claudia Black, and Anthony Simcoe and
they are great, I love her, she is just incredible. She and Ben Browder ( who is the one fellow
I REALLY hope I meet one day, the No 1) were stranded here on 9/11 and her compassion was so
wonderful. And Anthony is so hysterically funny, you gotta love him, and I got a hug, and when
I was exiting the stage, I fell right on it, and wouldn't you know, he made himself fall too!
Of course, to take the attention off me, what a class guy! You might say we fell for each other
that day! They were great. ( As an aside, Anthony and Wayne Pygram have a rock group they are
in, not a bad sound either).
Viginia Hey is wonderful and gracious and we had a wonderful visit together, she brought me tea
and a snack after I minded her table for her.
I got a chance to meet the most wonderful Eric Pierpoint, who was in a show I did tons for work
to bring back, Alien Nation. He wouldn't accept any of my money. Just a sweetheart. Nicest
celebrity I have met so far.
One thing about meeting so many, you lose the rose colored glasses, and just see them as
people, and that is most useful too.
I had Bill Mumy give me lessons on holding my hands for the Minbari bow, and he was so nice.
Signed tons of things for me. Met Tracy and she signed for free for me too, when she saw my
t-shirt with her included on it.
I have had some great experiences, and have been very lucky.
But, yes, I cannot go to sleepaway cons because of the expense and family factors.
And the expense is really high, some of them are just too high priced. Creation can really
rip you off. Especially with the charges for the autographs, which are going up. Chiller
Theater in NJ is crazy because each star will charge you $20 and that is nuts,, I only buy
one or two when I go to that one. I am lucky because some B5'ers have given me a break from
time to time, so that's good.
I love dealers rooms but after awhile you see the same things at them. But I have gotten lots
of goodies there too, lots of good stuff. It was funny, one time a dealer asked me what town
he was in. I can see it, you just travel and set up your stuff and it is in another hotel or
hall and you can just lose track after awhile.
Nowadays, it is harder for me to do them because of the expense and my lack of ability to get
to most of them. As I said without my friend, I am out of luck most of the time. They are also
very tiring for me, as my health isn't the greatest, one day at them is about enough for me.
But, I have gotten to meet a lot of people and had some great experiences. And hopefully, there
will be some more to come. I don't have any on the horizon right now, but hopefully Ben will
come to NY and I will be able to see him,, that is what I would love to have happen someday.
I hope this hasn't arrived too late for inclusion in that section, there was a lot to write
about.
I am looking forward to getting my Season 2 DVD set and am awaiting delivery of it. I am
nostalgic for those days, and they mean a great deal to me.
So, all the best to you Sandy, and to all B5'ers everywhere. Perhaps I will meet you at a Con
someday.
Love and PEACE,
Ranger Connie - The Flamekeeper
Date: 4/15/2003 10:53:11 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "A. E. Hidalgo"
Hi Sandy:
Really this are hard times for the conventions, either sci-fi or other ones in general. There are problems in
all the world, not only for the war, but economics, politicals and of healths, too. But I hope it be got over,
sooner or later, this situations are temporaries (must be it).
In the personal, I have known just two conventions, but it has been enough for me. I've got so much
friends in this cons, really not much but goods and, in fact, I'm enjoying that friendships till today, and
I hope, for long time more. (for example a well known lady, editor of this newsletter....)
In that conventions, I knew some of my favorite actresses and actors, of course of Babylon 5, and
others too. Really a good experience for me and I hope repeat this experiences in the near future.
This is I can to say now....
Sincerely,
Andres.
Date: 4/13/2003 5:03:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Katalin Petroczy"
Hi Sandy,
Yes, in my opinion, conventions are pricing themselves out of existence.
For example, the upcoming Buffy Vulcon in Tampa is $100 and James Marsters
will appear for only one day.
It used to be that for the price of a 2-day ticket you were able to get two
autographs each from the actors in appearance. Now, you get one autograph
for that price as the organizers have taken to bringing in one one actor
each on Saturday and Sunday. Plus they bring in "paper" guests who charge a
minimum of $20 each. This makes for an extremely expensive weekend (hotel
room, food, mileage, etc.) and any of the dealers can tell you that they
take part of the loss as few people have any money left over for t-shirts,
memorabilia, gadgets and such...
I can no longer afford to travel to the east coast for conventions and will
be going for only one day to the Shatner Vulcon in November in Orlando.
The upcoming convention next month (Tampa Vulcon) is probably the last
convention to which I buy a 2-day ticket. And again, Michael Dorn will
appear only Saturday and Alexander Siddig only Sunday (one autograph each
unless you are able to purchase additional autograph tickets) and Mira
Furlan is a "paper" guest and they have not yet published how much her
autograph will cost. Guests from Stargate are also paper guests.
If the actors were more reasonable (say $10 per autograph) it would result
in fewer grumblings among the attendees... There's just no way an actor is
worth a 5-figure check for one day's appearance (after all, none of these
folks, as much as I love 'em, is anywhere near the calibre of, say Lawrence
Olivier)...
But that's just me...
Best wishes,
Kate
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even
though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who
neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight
that knows not victory nor defeat." T.R.
Date: April 16, 2003
From: Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
This is a question I could not pass by without contributing my 2 cents as well.
I have loved conventions from my very first one -- until the one I did about a year ago. It has been a wonderful way
to meet people, establish friendships and enjoy the company of some folks you had only imagined you'd get to meet in
your dreams!
For me the turning point in the enjoyment of conventions came when it became a business! Fan-run conventions
will continue to have a loyal following. It's a grand excuse to get together once or twice a year with people you do not
normally see on a regular basis. The friends I made during my first convention (Big E-Con in Norfolk, VA in 1995), are
still my best friends. Heidi, Ramona, John are some of the most loyal Babylon 5 fans you'll ever find -- and we have
shared a lot over the years.
Like anything in life, everything costs more. Talent charge tremendous prices to appear at a convention. If that were
all you had to worry about, you'd be OK, but now conventions have signing guests as well, so another chunk of change
goes toward getting autographs from people who don't even go on stage to talk -- they just sit in an area and sign autographs.
I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that. It sort of gives you more -- but you have to be a collector to really enjoy it.
And I guess that's another bone I can pick on -- collecting things. I won't go into the ILLEGAL things that one can find
in a dealer's room at a convention. Can we spell B5 BLOOPER TAPES!
All in all, I guess the convention experience has been a wonderful one for me. I've been able to travel to Australia, Berlin,
around the US and get to know quite a number of Babylon 5 fans and cast members. The experience is something no one
can place a dollar amount on.
Take care,
Sandy
Date: 4/9/2003 10:24:51 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
Sandy -- I had hoped some people would respond to the discussion question,
since I've heard a lot of personal flak about conventions. I feel a little
embarassed answering my own question -- please use your own judgement about
whether or not it's a good idea to publish it. Here it is:
When I first started going to conventions a dozen or so years ago, they were
a lot of fun -- see the stars in person and get autographs, take pictures,
load up on trash and trivia and genuine collectibles in the Dealers' Room.
There were also lots of conventions competing with each other for locations
and dates, so the prices were pretty reasonable and your admission ticket
got you in to all the events. The people running these earlier conventions
were usually very polite and pleasant, and made an effort to accommodate
fans with disabilities and give free or bargain space in the Dealers' Room
to small fan organizations who needed to be visible but couldn't afford the
full price of a table. Quite often the dealers and the convention organizers
solicited volunteer help from the fans and gave free admissions or
merchandise in return. Occasionally, for a small extra fee, you could join a
group to have lunch and an autograph and picture-taking session with one of
the stars.
I hardly ever go to conventions anymore, especially those run by
professional event planners. The main reason is cost -- both convention and
hotel prices are now so inflated that a weekend at a convention practically
destroys the month's grocery budget. In addition, your admission ticket gets
you hardly anything other than in the door. If you want to attend certain
events, you pay extra fees. If you want to be called to the autograph line
by ticket number, you pay an extra fee. And the most irritating factor of
all is that in the autograph line and at the stars' tables you now have to
pay a ridiculously large amount for each autograph. As to the stuff for sale
in the Dealers' Room, most of it is available on the Internet, and at better
prices.
It's not all bad. There are still a few fan-run conventions that are fun and
well organized -- I'm thinking of Far Point and Shore Leave -- although
they too have become far more expensive and their guests charge extra for
autographs.
I don't know what the future holds for conventions. I hate to see them go
down the drain, because in the past they've given so much pleasure to so
many fans. But rising costs and a sluggish economy may cause more and more
of them to disappear.
February 5, 2003
It has been just over a week since we all watched, horrified by the Columbia tragedy. There are many who say that we
should continue the space program, but with unmanned missions. There are others that feel the price is too high and that
we should/could use the money for other endeavors. What do you think? Should we close down the space program and let
other countries carry the burden for a while?
Date: 2/15/2003 12:04:56 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: cable1959@yahoo.com (Bill Curtis)
Hi Sandy,
Like everyone else I watched the recent Columbia
disaster unfold with shock and horror. My first
thoughts were: "My God, this can't be happening again,
can it?" As my reality was ripped back to a January
day in 1986, and recalling the Challenger disaster.
The old saying goes: "If Man were meant to fly, He'd
have wings". I don't believe that for a minute, and
neither did any one of those brave souls on the
Columbia, the Challenger, or the Mercury, Gemini, or
Apollo missions.
I've heard a lot of discussions about how Mankind as a
whole needs to move forward, for exploration, science,
progress, etc. But I haven't heard the most important
reason: so that those who perished deaths were not in
vain. If we stop the space program now, how do we
explain these deaths to our children, grandchildren,
and countless unborn generations? That we made a
mistake? The only mistake would be to stop trying.
Like everyone else reading this board, I am a fan of
B5, and Sci Fi in general. But, we will never get to
those futures we envision without the risk of those
brave few, who climb inside a shuttle, strap
themselves aboard two of the most God-fearing rockets
this planet has ever developed, and, to steal and
paraphrase a quote: "boldly go where few have gone
before."
These precious few, who risk their lives unselfishly
every time they say, "let's go", are the real heroes.
Their names must never be forgotten, nor the
sacrifice, or the rewards will ring hollow.
Bill Curtis
Date: 2/11/2003 11:40:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "A. E. Hidalgo"
I think none price is too high for the human knowledge, and least if it involve the space, either
the space exploration by humans or astronomical studies. We know, it involve risks. In our hand
be that risk be high or not.
I think the space program must go ahead, in all circunstance. The knowledge that we have with it have
no price. The space is our final destiny and we must go there always, and as would say a common friend of
us, the universe be there for us to explore...
Andres
Date: 2/9/2003 8:38:18 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Swick
Hey Sandra,
Just thought I would post my opinion on this topic! Basically, I think we should continue the space mission
because, the rewards could be incredible! Plus, if we don't have the space missions, then what happens to
our national defence? Do we go without satalite's and other defences that are vitile to our country? Keep
the dream alive!!!
Thanks,
Andrew
Date: 2/9/2003 6:13:31 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "TOM herrman"
Sandra,
I am a firm believer in the space program. I, too, was shocked and dismayed at the tragic incident of
last Saturday. But, I believe that the work must go on. Whether it means a more cautious approach to
manned space flight or maybe a more diligent work ethic in regards to these missions, manned spaceflight
should continue. We owe so much to the space program that a stoppage would halt the progress we have
made. As a fans of B5, we need to promote space travel and exploration. The loss of the two dozen or
so is terrifying. But, their loss should not be in vain. Better care, equipment and planning will minimize
future accidents. Pointing a finger at the space program is wrong and will not change the past. We need to
pick up the pieces and learn from our mistakes. I know this sounds like so many platitudes, but we must
move on. I believe the future of our world depends upon it.
Tom.
Date: 2/9/2003 2:22:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Dear Sandy,
Hope you are well. Here are my thoughts about the topic at hand.
Again, it happened. Again, shattered hopes, shattered spacecraft, and
most of all, great, great, loss, too great to bear. 7 faces of brilliance,
haunting, powerful, lost, and so sad. The loss of these wonderful people. And
the loss to their familes and tears of us all,, unreal, yet too real. And so
much pain to so many.
Is the price to pay too high? That is the question we must grapple with.
Well, I have always believed in the space program. I used to get up early and
watch all the launches and watch all the coverage. I even have letters from
Wally Schirra and the late Alan Shepard, in response to letters I had
written. I have always called myself a space cadet.
But, of course, this is serious, and deadly business. Is it worth the
sacrifice? Nothing that people have done has ever come easy..it seems always
a price is there to be paid. Sometimes in blood.. I have to say that I am not
a fan of the shuttle, I have never liked the idea of the tiles, or the fact
it has no power on return. I would like a whole new design, not that we are
likely to get it for a long time,, if ever.
I really like the idea of internationalism and would like to see how an
international effort could be constructed, with all nations contributing to
the effort, maybe set up something akin to the Babylon 5 model. Certainly a
Mars effort should be like this.
I think since there is a space station with 3 men already up there we
will have no choice but to continue with the shuttle at present. We MUST
MAKE IT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. Beyond any shadow of a doubt.
As for human beings actually being in space, I have heard from scientists
I generally respect that robots can do it better and all that, but I don't
believe that. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, with Buzz Aldrin, the
place of landing was too rocky and he had to find a more level plain and they
almost ran out of fuel. But he landed them safely. The human element can
think abstractly, make snap judgements and do things robots just can't do. I
also think that somehow our destiny is in the stars, as JMS has said, we must
go to the stars and leave the cradle,, because billions of years from now we
might have to if anything of our so-called civilization and hopefully it will
be a better one by then, is to survive. But, we must strive as hard as is
possible to perfect the machines we are to use to inhabit that most dangerous
place.
But, it is sure times like these that make one so terribly sad and wonder
about it all, it is only natural. They were all wonderful, great people and
it cuts right to the bone, and bleeds.
Life isn't easy, that is for damn sure. I send love to all of their
families. And us as a human family are more the richer for there being here
and the poorer for their passing.
Peace,
Ranger Connie
Date: 2/9/2003 10:54:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Doug Cross"
I am going to weigh in on the Columbia Tragedy and what's next question.
First, the issue of whether or not it is too dangerous: All attempts to
accomplish things that push the boundaries of the unknown back are
dangerous, precisely because the boundaries are of the unknown. I do not
believe that nay of the people who have given their lives for the space
program would want it to stop, and I for one (one who has always wanted to
be part of it but doesn't have the qualifications) would go on the next
shuttle flight whenever it goes if they would take me.
Second, is it worth doing at all: I am a firm believer that long term
survival of humanity requires that it inhabits more than "just" the earth,
regardless of how marvelous a place the earth is. Failure is a recipe for
extinction.
Third, the cost of the program is substantial: That is a given, but
I will reference a comment I saw recently that the program and NASA is the
best example of what happens when the entire world pulls together to meet a
common goal. I also believe that eventually the cost will be more of a
commercially supportable activity and not be subsidized by governmental
funding, and that the investment will pay many dividends (in addition to the
technology ones we already enjoy). In the short term, if the decisions were
up to me I would complete the current investigation, do everything possible
to insure that whatever happened to Columbia wouldn't happen again, and
resume the schedule using the remaining three Orbiters. I would not build a
replacement Orbiter, but rather invest in accelerating the development of a
replacement vehicle which would in the long run reduce the cost of access to
space.
Doug Cross
January 18, 2003:
How do you think the science fiction of today compares with years ago? Is it better, worse, the same? Is there too much
concentration on special effects in movies? Are stories being lost in the spectacular nature of movie-making?
Date: 1/28/2003 3:13:18 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Gary L. Tuck and Mike Tuck"
Obviously, the special effects, make-up, costuming, and film quality of today is much better than old-school sf. Even the acting and, usually scripts are better now than they were then. But, I think, where sf movies and TV of today fails is in the "fun" department. Most, if not all, of these modern movies and TV shows are just not that fun to watch. Maybe it's because I'm older now and lack enthusiasm, but I think it's also because people behind production companies have grown up and lost that sense of wonder and fun of being a kid. They can't seem to remember what made those old movies and shows fun in their relentless quest to make the technical portions of their productions "high quality".
For example, I had much more fun watching Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers on TV in the late '70s than I have had watching Stargate SG-1 or Enterprise for the last few years. These shows (and many others) just don't have any sense of fun, which to me, is what science fiction is supposed to be about. Even those terrible black and white "giant monster" movies from the '50s are more fun to watch than many sci-fi movies of today. If they could just bring back that sense of fun (without making it hokey) and still have today's production values, science fiction would have an unprecedented popularity now instead of it's current state with Star Wars and Star Trek franchises getting worse with quality (and in ST's case, less popular). Can't we have a universally, extremely popular sf franchise that isn't Star Trek or Star Wars? (Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter don't count here, because I view them as "Fantasy", not "Science Fiction".) My two cents.
Date: January 19, 2003
From: Cripe, Helen L. [CripeHL@itrcorporation.com]
I believe that most science fiction today is much better in every way --
stories, novels, movies, TV shows -- but we must remember that if we hadn't
had those old bug-eyed-monster-menacing-scantily-clad-girl epics, we
wouldn't have had a starting place from which to develop the scope and
variety of science fiction in today's media.
Does anybody remember Planet Comics? Awful! But such fun and so exciting to
read when we didn't have anything better, and tacky though it was, it
whetted our appetites for something better. Many of the early science
fiction stories and novels were written for a less sophisticated adolescent
audience and were not perceived as anything adults would read. I remember
discussing a famous science fiction novel with a friend and admitting I had
been bored by it and never finished it, and why was that so, when it was
considered a "classic" and I considered myself a science fiction fan? My
friend replied, "Well, it was written for 14-year-old boys of 20 years ago
and you're not a 14-year-old boy of 20 years ago."
The years have passed and I have watched science fiction grow up -- from
pulp fiction and comic books and goofy monsters and cardboard sets and
cheesy costumes to major publications and fantastic special effects and
powerful stories. From limited readership to viewers and readers of all ages
and backgrounds. From the old Flash Gordon movie serial to the original Star
Trek to Babylon 5. From Planet Comics to Roddenberry to JMS. Sure, we still
have a lot of junk science fiction just as we have junk in other venues, but
looking at the whole science fiction spectrum, we see a genre that has
developed wonderful new and effective ways to tell great stories and
entertain us, and in the process, stimulate us to think more deeply and
creatively about our own time and place.
Date: 1/18/2003 10:40:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "TOM herrman"
Sandra,
I believe that today's science fiction is bent on action and effects.
At least the movies tend to go that way. Television seems to have better
and more cerebral story lines, but I believe that is due more to budget than
want. Firefly is a good example of budget before commitment. Because of
the number of episodes need to complete a season (20-22), the cost per show
seems to dictate the length a show is given to succeed. Smallville, Buffy,
Angel I would guess, have smaller budgets per show, depending on the cost of
the actors and actresses salaries. But, that only rises with the success of
the show. I like shows and movies that make you think. I favor Star Trek
movies over Star Wars. I think the movies and show of yesteryear needed and
had better scripts and storylines. And a lot depends on the length of time
the show is on the air. It is still a little painful for me to watch the
first season of The Next Generation. I am fortunate to have seen the early
sci fi shows when they were first aired. The original Outer Limits, The
Invaders, Star Trek, Alien Nation, The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery, all
had great stories and a few clunkers. I, also, saw some of the not-so-great
shows like Lost In Space, Land of the Giants and Voyage To the Bottom of the
Sea. I think that we, science fiction fans, need to promote the best of
what we see. When I was in Sioux Falls, we succeeded to get the local
station to put the original Star Trek (reruns, of course) back on the air.
Chris Carter was a master story teller, yet after Mulder left, his audience
dwindled. Most people have trouble dealing with change. I cannot tell you
haw many times I have heard people say, "I have never watched the new Star
Trek series or "I just couldn't get into the new series. This goes back to
the Next Generation and through Enterprise. These are the same people, along
with the majority of the conservative TV viewers that seem to affect the
Nielson ratings. To some up, there are a few writers with the talent to
overcome budgets and effects. We need to encourage and support these
visionaries. Thanks for listening. I will get off my soapbox now.
On a side note, I really enjoy your newsletter and look forward to the
upcoming news that you seem to ferret out of your reliable source. Keep up
the excellent work.
Tom.
January 4, 2003:
New Years Resolutions? What are yours?
From: rachela@lindsayinsurance.com
My new years resolution was that:
I would not make official any relationship with a man if I didn't have the inkling to write him love poetry.
Date: 1/4/2003 11:18:26 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
My new years resolutions are to finally finish my project I've been working
on for the last 2 years, so I can finally sit down in front of the campfire
and read science fiction novels I've been putting off for years and years!
I especially want to read the Foundation series! I have read a lot of
Asimov, but I haven't found the time to indulge myself with Foundation, yet.
When my project is done, Asimov is MINE!
Another resolution I NEED to accomplish is SAVING MONEY! Lately, money has
been slipping through my fingers! When the stock market started to skid, so
did my piggy bank! So now that the holidays are over, I'm going to start
filling my pockets with more than just lint and bubble gum!
Tee-hee
Matt
December 14, 2002:
What is your favorite second season episode:
Date: 12/28/2002 1:59:10 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
This episode was (Confessions and Lamentations) speaks to me personally,
because I went to Ireland for a year to study the Great Famine in Ireland
and the Irish diaspora to the Americas. In the late 1840's, there were
swarms of boatloads of Irish men and women sailing to America and Canada
during the Famine.
It was assumed by the British, that the Irish were cursed because of their
religious beliefs and even the Irish were thinking that a person who was not
pure of mind would be subject of disease and starvation.
Year after year, the potatoes rotted before harvest and year after year,
people were starving. Their imune systems were faultering and the people
were walking around with diseases tat spread from one person to another by
pure contact! Even boat loads of migrants coming to America and Canada died
during the arduous month-long journey over here. Because of the contact
with other Irish travelers with infectious diseases, they oftentimes were
subject to catch whatever their fellow travelers had, and because they all
lived in close quarters on the ship, the air that was circulating was also
diseased. There were many instances that the entire boatload of Irish
travellers died before they reached port in Quebec or New York!
So, when the Markab were fearful of their race dying, I can relate to the
xenophobia that they felt. The ominous pressure that faced Dr. Lazarenne
and the decision he made to confine all the Markab to one corridor of the
ship in order to pray and live as a holy force against their inevitable
deaths! This was an extremely impressive episode.
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2002 06:32:39 -0000
From: "TJ "
Well hmm, I was really bummed when Sinclair was re-assigned, but I
eventually got over it just like everybody else who didn't like that
change, Some of my favorites from S2 are probably The Coming of
Shadows, The Fall of Night, The Long Twilight Struggle, And Now For A
Word....the list goes on as it did with Season 1:)
TJ
December 6, 2002
What is your favorite season one episode -- and why?
Date: 12/7/2002 9:18:35 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Cedara@t-online.de
Hey,
my fave is "And the Sky full of Stars".
Why? Mainly because it centered around Sinclair and Delenn, making me
ask a lot of questions. Like: Why did the war *really* end? What's so
special about Sinclair? What's Delenn doing there? Why was she able
to get Sinclair out of this drug hallucination? It creates a lot of
mystery and fascinated me. The eps made me stay and want to know what
happened next in the series --- and I was a captive audience till the
last eps. :-)
Manuela Kusch (Germany)
From: larry@larryr.com
Sandy,
My favorite, far and away, is SIGNS and PORTENTS. I still remember being
absolutely stunned when I first saw it. As the first WHAM episode, it was
really our first glimpse of what the show was all about.
From: Matthew Sweet [msweet3@stny.rr.com]
My favoourite episode was definitely Mind War, where Iron Heart comes aboard
th station and discovers Talya Winters there. She is an old fling of his
and he asks her to help him avoid Bester and the Psi Cops for as long as she
can keep them away. She tries, until Ironheart becomes so powerful that he
consumes part of the station with his mind. The show gets tense as the two
powerful minds, Ironheart and Bester meet in the cargo-hold. Bester just
trying to uphold the law, and Ironheart just trying to avoid the law, avoid
persecution and live free with his building power without hurting anyone.
Later, Commander Takai has an experience with G'Kar, where G'Kar tells her
of the perils of Sigma 957. Her belligerance makes her feel he is an old
fool and searches that sector, only to experience the greatest cosmic force
she'd ever see. The force drains the batteries of her ship and it begins to
fallinto the atmosphere below. Thankfully, G'Kar sent a rescue team to
Sigma 957 to rescue the precocious child.
This is where G'Kar announced his famoous phrase: 'Nobody here is as we
seem.' Excellent!
The episode is VERY psychological and it makes u think about humanity and
individual freedom and psychological powers and the powers of the ego
compared with the powers of humanity!
Date: December 6, 2002
From: "TJ "
I have many favorite episodes from season 1, I really enjoyed the
character of Sinclair and was deeply saddened when he was re-
assigned. My absolute favorite episode of the first season was
probably Babylon Squared. I liked the future that it was setting up
and all the unanswered questions about Sinclair and his "destiny".
When seeing it again after the series it does not have the same
effect as seeing the series the first time around with the obvious
change of "The One" turning into Three.
Another that stands out in my mind is "And The Sky Full of Stars", I
first watched this series when it started to run on TNT and I saw
this after In The Beginning, so it was nice seeing how Sinclair learn
what happened (even when I already knew), I really wonder what if
would have been like watching the series had I not known what
happened to Sinclair on the line.
December 6, 2002
From: sgbruckner@aol.com
Of all the episodes in season one, I think (I'm still not quite sure) that "Parliament of Dreams" is
my favorite. Why? It gave deeper insights into Commander Sinclair's character. We met
Catherine Sakai for the first time and we begin to see a story arc develop between the two
characters. With the religious ceremony, we begin to see the depths to which this series will
take us. This episode begins to build the foundation for understanding why Babylon 5 was
formed and why it will become a cornerstone in the new Alliance.
Like most episodes, you see something a bit differently each time you watch Babylon 5. I'm not
sure if it has changed -- or I have.
What gift would you like to receive for the holidays?
Date: 11/30/2002 5:20:40 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Captain Average
Since I already have the Season 1 B5 set, there are a few other things I'd like to find under the tree, Christmas morning:
'Ice Age' [DVD], 'Lilo & Stitch' [DVD], gift certificates for M&Ms [a Canadian specialty foods chain], gift certificates for
Famous Players, or Canadian Odeon Cinemas, several jars of homemade antipasto, gift certificates for Chapters/Indigo
Booksellers, gift certificates for Another dimension [my local comics shop], chocolate, macadamia nuts, chocolate-covered
macadamia nuts, gift certificates for Smuggler's [the best prime rib in town], gift certificates for A&B Sound [entertainment
one-stop-shop].
I wouldn't mind news of a set compiling all of the B5 movies [with commentaries and interviews and such].
I'd be happy with any one of the above and good food with family and friends.
Captain Average
The Annoyingly Picky Superhero... *G*
Date: 11/30/2002 11:42:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Lara Beilby"
I'd like to see more B5 action figures, including Natoth, Dodger, Morann and Byron and figures from Crusade
(I wish)...
Purple
Date: 12/1/2002 4:19:43 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "A. E. Hidalgo"
Hi Sandy:
Know you? A material gift always will be good, but,
this year I would like something more spiritual.
What about a greeting card (virtual or of paper) sent
along from all the community of B5, signed by the
entire cast of B5? With a message of peace and hope
for all of world. I think it is very neccessary.
A kiss for you,
Sincerely,
Andres
Date: 11/30/2002 7:52:49 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Sara"
To:
I would love to get a DVD player for Chanukah, because I don't have one. That way I could get the Harry Potter Movie
"Sorcerer's Stone" and when it comes out "Chamber of Secrets", which I cannot believe is three hours long (although it
doesn't feel that long). I could also then get the Lord of the Rings special DVD pack.
I would also love to be able to spend Chanukah with my family because I don't feel like I spend enough time with
them.
And, I think the most important Chanukah present of all would be for me to pass my finals which are coming up this
week and next!!!!
Well, those are my Chanukah wishes for this year.
Happy Chanukah everyone!!!
Sara
November 29, 2002
Let's use our imaginations in another way. What do you think the holidays would be like on Babylon 5? I think G'Kar
would especially appreciate this time of year. The early Londo would find it an opportunity to party. How would others
celebrate?
November 9, 2002
This week the Babylon 5 DVD was released. What do you think about it? I've already received a number of notes -- and a couple of phone
calls about it but it might be nice to share your views with other readers. So send your comments along. I'm sure the WB would be
interested in hearing from you!
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 12:23:07 +0100
From: Jim Melin
I've just bought the European adaptation of "In the Beginning" on DVD and
would like to make you aware of what a lame job the translators have done
with the whole presentation. I hope it will be worthy of some newsspace at
your site.
To begin with the fault lies with the hiring of unprofessional translators
by SDI Media Group who won the offer to do the job from Sandrew/Metronome
who licenses the rights for the film i Scandinavia. SDI Media are under a
blockade because they are trying to cut the translators fee to somewhere
around 75% of their already low pay. This has led to this blockade from all
professional swedish translators. Sandrew/Metronome, despite spoken support
for the blockade seems to have hired SDI Media, who in its turn have
employed unprofessional and really bad translators for the job as they are
unable to employ professionals. I feel very offended as we've been very
loyal fans in Sweden i particular and have had (we thought) good contacts
with responsible parts.
If you want to know the facts in more detail, Brita Planck (translator
herself) is able to answer any questions.
Brita Planck [brita.08.7160365@telia.com]
Myself, I am web and PR responisible for Interstellar Alliance (B5 fan club
in Sweden/Göteborg).
Please give this some attention. The Season 1 "deluxe" paperbox is due in a
few weeks, and I'm afraid it'll be as bad. I don't want to see B5 be
mistreated like this again.
Thank you!
Jim
Date: 11/13/2002 6:30:15 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Robin & Laura"
Hi There,
I am in London, Ontario, Canada and purchased the new box set from Future Shop and just realized that disc 2 is labeled as Disc 2
but it is actually Disc 4!!! Has anyone else had this problem? Maybe it is a Canadian thing, or, hopefully just a one-off...
Thanks
Laura
October 26, 2002:
Here's an oldie but goodie! What have you seen lately that has made you think about Babylon 5? Someone wrote in just last week that as they were
driving around, they saw a car with a B5 license plate. What about you?
Date: 10/28/2002 3:54:01 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Obkrc@aol.com
Sandra
This is not something that I saw, rather heard and hear at least once a week. About 5 years ago I purchased a cd by vangelis called "Voices" and Until the final episode of Babylon 5 "Sleeping in Light" I did not equate the music. Then It came to me that one piece on the disc is the embodiment of that epicsode. Remember, if you will, that shortly after John leaves for his "Sunday Drive" Delene had a bad night and then the next morning arise to sit and watch the sun come up as she would for the rest of her life.
Even now I am listening to the piece within the album called "Come to me" and find it extremely appropiate. If you or any othe stead fast fan of the show should have the oportunity to hear it, I would very much like to find out if they or you are also moved by the music.
I do not write to organizations like yours too much, although I am extremely faithful to you and the fine work you had done to keep the concept alive. I read your work constantly and will continued to do so as long as you put it out.
Sorry to make this so long, but I feel very strongly about this and would like to hear from anyone who still loves the concept of Babylon 5
Thank you
Jim
October 19, 2002:
Do you think it's right for networks to take programs off after just
two episodes? Do you feel they are putting the show out of it's
misery – or do you think they should have a bit more faith and see if
the show will find an audience?
Date: 10/18/2002 6:00:47 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Wes Struebing
While a number of those shows removed from the air after two episodes would better have been removed before two shows
had been foisted on us, there is almost no *real* way a network can get a feel for the success or failure of a show after two
episodes.
Unless it has been heavily advertised (and even then, if it's, say, a WB or TNT show - which only get a small market share
anyway), most people will not even have seen it after two eps. Given that is ia fantastic (like B5) show, even word-of-mouth
would imply that more than two shows are needed - just for people to find it.
But that would be logical, and these are network programmers we're talking about.
Date: 10/18/2002 5:08:28 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: TJGuitar85@aol.com
I of course hate it when networks take shows off the air, especially when I like them, but it makes perfect business sense
for them to do it, if it has bad ratings, then they have to replace it with something they think will get better ratings.
TJ
October 5, 2002:
As a way of celebrating SCIFI showing starting this week, let's talk Crusade. What appealed
the most to you about the series? Was it the overall mission they were undertaking? Was it
the mix of characters on the Excalibur?
Date: 10/8/2002 10:27:31 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "andres_astrove@yahoo.com"
Hi there:
Crusade is, simply, the quest of the cure for the
Drakh virus. (Would be interesting to know how they
find that cure, some time).
The crew of the Excalibur is like the crew of B5 (more
or less) with your particular characteristics. My
favorite character was (and is) Dureena, a girl very
smart (I like this kind of girls).
Be careful,
Andres.
Date: 10/8/2002 11:56:14 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
The characterisation of Crusade wasn't developed enough to pin point ONE
trait about it. The episodes were fun and the character association
sometimes made you laugh, sometimes made you say 'hmmmmm,' and the irony of
the show kept the viewer very unbalanced: like B5, these awkward chasms in
the story-line was cliffhanger-ish and made you want to swing your baseball
bat at the tv! All these cliffhangers, of course, were solved in the next
episode and the questions unsolved is what made you keep watching! JMS was
a master at the cliffhanger!
Slainte
Matt Sweet
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 3:09:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: C1Hathaway
I liked the technomages when they first appeared on B5 and found the continuation of their story fascinating in the novels. Crusades foray into a real live continuing character that was a technomage was one of the things I really looked forward to. The part was well cast and well played, and the chemistry between Dureena (sp?) the female theif and the mage simply smoldered.
Cheri
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2002 9:43:48 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Lynne Bailey"
Crusade's characters were interesting. Yes, Earth needed a cure for the Plague but each member of the crew had an interesting background. Even Max's ex-wife showed a side of him you wouldn?t have seen, one could almost forgive Max's condescending and superior attitude. Almost. The mission was noble and just, the characters were unforgettable.
September 13, 2002:
With the new season of TV series just ahead of us, what shows look interesting to you -- and why? Will FIREFLY by Joss Whedon be a
hit? Will the next seasons of ENTERPRISE, BUFFY, ANGEL, ANDROMEDA, STARGATE be better than the previous seasons? What do
YOU think?
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 3:16:44 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Captain Average
Despite the higher number of play-it-safe shows, this year, there are actualy more
shows I want to check out - so the play-it-safe crowd may be in the majority, but
they're not alone.
I enjoyed "Firefly's" debut, "The Train Job", but it wasn't a particularly great debut
(cobbled together in a weekend to give FOX an intro that would have be less cerebral,
and feature more action). I think we got enough of each character to be at least
intrigued by the possibilities, and enough of the principals to be well on our way to
knowing who and what they are. I don't know if the show will be a hit, but it should
survive the season - and if succeeding eps are better, it may well get errific word-of
-mouth. Combined with "John Doe", "Firefly" could help FOX overcome their Friday night
woes.
"Everwood" surprised me. I watched the premiere because Treat Williams is a truly
amazing actor, but found the pilot to be unexpectedly involving. It's everything
that the dismal "7th Heaven" wants to be: smartly written, engagingly performed,
shrewdly directed, brilliantly cast and, for an oddball melding of 7H's family-
friendliness and "Northern Exposure"-type quirkiness, it comes across as more *real*
than almost everything else on The Frog. If the quality cntinues, it will definitely be
a hit for TheWB.
"John Doe" also surprised me. I liked the premise, but had a bad feeling that it would
be underwitten, or over-the-top campy. Instead, I saw a solid mystery pilot that worked
both as a conventional whodunnit as well as a better-than-average amnesiac mystery. With
the why of the whodunnit being a refreshing twist, and the splendid performance of
Dominic Purcell, the plot was more than engaging, it was fascinating. It was also nice
to see Jayne ("Chicago Hope") Brook as the police lieutenant. This could be a hit for FOX,
at least in yterms of being more than competitive on party-night Friday.
"Push, Nevada" impressed me for it's updating of Lynchian "Twin Peaks" eccentricity. The
pilot was smart, funny and scary in all the right places and the cast was excellent. It
got decent ratings against reruns, but I have to wonder if t'll be too hip for the room
and lose ground when it's up against the Big Boys, this week. I'd like it to be a hit,
but it'll be a miracle if it lasts 'til Christmas.
I was disappointed by the pilot for "Life With Bonnie". Except for the cooking sequence on
the morning show, it was pretty lame - *not* what I'm used to from Bonnie Hunt. I won't be
watching any further eps.
ABC's decision to air "Monk" reruns from Sept. 26, to Nov. 28, came as good news to me.
The station/netlet that picked up the show for Canada, doesn't air in Calgary (my hometown),
so I was looking at having to get friends in the US send me tapes. This is the best mystery
series since "Murder, She Wrote" was at its peak. Tony Shaloub finally has a series that
actually uses his talent. Plus, for all the humour in the treatment of his various phobias
and compulsions, overall, the writing treats him with dignity (otherwise the show would be
a waste). I wish this was on ABC as an original. It's better than 90% of the shows they're running
this year (and would have made an interesting companion piece to "Alias"...).
"The Twilight Zone" got off to a 50-50 start. The first part of the pilot was so predictible that I could
have written it when I was in elementary school. The second part, while somewhat of a familiar theme
(movies like "Death Takes a Holiday" spring to mind), took an interesting approach and was well served
by Jason alexander's off-the-cuff performance as the infinitely weary Grim Reaper. If upcoming tales are
told as well, the show could be what passes for a hit on UPN - but I'm not holding my breath waiting...
"Birds of Prey" scares me. I understand they've gone out of their to lighten up the show - going so far as
to make the group's HQ more friendly in appearance - inside and out, and toning down the overall darkness
of the show. I also wasn't happy to hear that Sherilyn Fenn wasn't available to play the expanded role of Dr.
Quinn (though Mia Sara could well pull it off). I get the feeling that the show will be walking the line between
plain elodrama and low camp. I hope not - that could kill it. I don't expect it to be a hit as long as they can't
seem to find a consistent vision for it (like the show's creators did with their "Smallville" series).
"Boomtown" sounds intriguing - a Kurosawa-like take on a police series, with each ep told from multiple
points-of-view. If the writing is good enough, this could be the season's most innovative new series. If the
writing isn't consistently strong, it could wind up being just another wasted gimmick. Personally, I think
it's going to be a hit.
"Haunted" looks interesting. The buzz on it is that it's very well done, but that there's not a lot of comic relief,
while it gets into some pretty scary stuff, very effectively. My first impression is that someone asked: "Why
don't we cross "The Sixth Sense" with Sam Spade. If that's the case, and the series is well-written, it could be
a hit. I know I'm going to give it lots of time to work.
On the returning shows, I have to say that I watch too much TV, so don't mind me...
"Buffy": I was one of thse who really enjoyed last season. I won't go into the whys and wherefores, but I will just
say that I think the shows seventh season will rock. While I really got into the darkness of the individual hells
that the characters went through last season, I think Joss made his points and it's time to bring back the fun. I
also find it very interesting that, with Sarah Michelle Gellar not signed for further seasons, Eliza Dushku will be
appearing as Faith, in the season's final five eps. I'm looking forward to seeing where the show is headed.
"Angel": Coming off it's strongest season, so far, "Angel" looks to be poised to make a breakthrough in season four.
The ony really weak point of last season was the finale, which was appallingly lacklustre. It'll be nice to see things
resolved quickly (the first two or three eps, I believe). The cast has become as good an ensemble as "Buffy's" Scoobies,
and with one or two hiccoughs, the writing matched or bettered "Buffy" for most of last season. The only problem
facing "Angel", is "Alias". I'm glad I have several VCRs.
"Alias": This, for me, was the most entertaining new show last year. It was wildly improbable, but the writing, direction
and performances were so wonderful that I really didn't care. The show was a rush, and I expect it to continue on that
breakneck path. Like I said, I'm glad I own several VCRs...
"24": Last season's most innovative show, "24" is likely to continue to be one of the most fascinating shows on the tube.
Just so they don't get too bogged down in the same old thing, the series writers have moved Jack Bauer out of the CTU
and put Senator Palmer in the White House. There's anew potential love interest for our heroic widower, and if the
trend from late last season continues, maybe Kimberly Bauer won't be dumber than a sack of hammers, this year
(although, when she did the smart thing last season, it still went awry, so maybe she won't have learned anything -
we'll have to wait and see). On a personal note, it was constantly vexing to me that Kim was such a doofus last year,
because Elisha Cuthbert is from my hometown and, for some reason, it got under my skin that she was palying such
a dunce. We can only hope...
"Enterprise": I was reasonably pleased with the resolution of the clffhanger, but not enough to say that the show has shown
signs of improvement (still, it had the best first season of any Trek series since the first one, so it's not a dead loss). Everything
about the premiere, except for the technobabble/bafflegab method of getting Archer home, worked for me, but that's what
happens when the writers don't bother to figure out the ending to the cliffhanger before they shoot the first part. I'm hoping
that season two will be better than season one, but while I enjoyed what I saw in the premiere, I'm not particulalrly sanguine
(at least they didn't use the time travel theme to hit the Big Red Reset Button...). If the show doesn't watch out, it could be the
first Trek since the first one to not make it past three seasons.
"The West Wing": Another excellent season ahead. Outside of the 9/11 ep and the season finale (the death of CJ's bodyguard,
*after* he had completed his assignment), TWW was one of the best shows on TV last year. I don't see any reason for that to
change.
"Andromeda": As a good-old fashioned space opera, this might have succeeded if there hadn't been bickering over the show's
vision. Abandoning a particular vision in mid-season is disconcerting and, while the show didn't completely founder, the producers
(Mr. Sorbo) seem to have chosen to turn the show into yet another Trek clone, thus robbing it of what originality it had. The
third season premiere was possibly the show's worst ep since their hideous "prison planet" ep - the only people who didn't know
what was wrong after the return of Tyr and Beka, were the other crew members. It was kinda sad. On the plus side, Mr. sorbo's
acting skills seem to have grown a bit and Romme finally got tired of the blue hair. Prognosis? If the show continues to slide, it's
a goner.
"Smallville": If the quality continues, this could be the first series based on the "Superman" mythos to last more than three seasons.
The cast is letter perfect in their roles (except for Kristin Kreuk who, though solid as Lana, has yet to really shine). I like the idea
that one of Clark's friends learns his secret (since the producers aren't straying *too* far from the DC canon, I expect it to be Pete
Ross). And the gradual progression towards arch-enemyhood of Lex Luthor, should continue to make for entertaining TV.
"CSI:Crime Scene Investigation": For my money, "CSI" is the most consistently excellent mystery series in the history of television.
Period. (Check back with me after "Monk has been on the air for a couple years...) If the debut of the new "CSI: Miami" doesn't
dilute the writing pool on the original, it should coninue to be one of the most rewarding hours on TV. I also expect "CSI: Miami"
to be pretty good, but I hope they didn't screw up the obvious chemistry by droping Kim Delaney into the female lead and religating
Emily Procter to supporting status - a *huge* mistake, from where I'm stting).
"Scrubs": Probably the best medical sitcom ever, the show has great writing and directing in combination with an excellent cast
of performers and the ability to draw quality guest stars (I hear Brendan Fraser will back - that should be both hilarious and
heart-rending...). In it's new Thursday timeslot, it should kick much ass.
That's how I see it, so far. By christmas, any/all of the above opinions might change and change drastically.
Captain Average
The Superhero, Glued To The Tube...
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 8:53:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Cripe, Helen L."
I've watched "Firefly" but not "John Doe". It's a little soon to tell whether I like it or not, but it has possibilities. The
ensemble cast seems to hang together well. The characters are interesting. The first two stories were pretty good.
It reminds me somewhat of Blake's 7 with a more generous budget. I'm getting a little tired, though, of all these shows
with grim views of the future -- not that I think the future's going to be all Star Trek prissy-perfect, I just don't think
it's going to be as grungy and gloomy as many of the futuristic shows portray it. I'm ready to see some cheer and
optimism, and people who wash their faces and comb their hair.
Ranger Roja Grande
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 5:03:51 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Gary L. Tuck and Mike Tuck"
I'll give all the new sci-fi shows a try, but they really don't look that good to me. I don't think Firefly will "fly"
(pardon the pun) on Friday nights. It looks a little too hokey. I've seen the first episode of Starhunter and was
disappointed. Birds of Prey has been changed too much from the comic book series for my tastes. I've got other
reasons against other shows that I won't get into.
As for all the other shows, IMHO, the only one that ISN'T mediocre is Smallville. Some may debate whether or
not it's "sci-fi", but it falls under the broad "fantasy" heading. I think it's the best show on TV right now. I just
hope the quality doesn't drop in the second season like many series in the past.
-Mike Tuck
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 8:57:19 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Armen Kurdian
I can't speak to how good or bad the next season will be, however I can say
that so far, Andromeda has been a major disappointment. This show could
have been cast much more seriously, but is annoyingly campy. Dialogue is
too contemporary; it tries to be funny, yet fails. About half of the story
lines are good, some are mediocre, and 2 have been downright awful (the
zombies and engine of creation episode).
Stargate is the most well-written science fiction show currently in
production, though its run will end soon. It's unfortunate, but the show
has managed to maintain a high standard in SPFX, storyline, dialogue, and
editing.
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 5:19:11 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
The fall season on TV will not be the same without Farscape. Just like last year, Bonie Hammer has ripped the best science
fiction from public consumption, whic makes me want to throw away my TV! I have no faith in the judgement of Bonnie
Hammer, anymore! Last year, she ripped out B5/LOR from under us, and now she is stealing Farscape! Why is she taking
Farscape away from us? Why did she steal Babylon 5 /Legnd of the angers from us last year? B5LOR would have been a
HUGE hit for the SciFi Network. But Bonnie Hammer prefers to place kiddie shows in the Friday Prime slot, than something
constructive, mature and enjoyable in the same slot!
Last year, B5LoR had great ratings in the Mountain and West Regions! In the East and Central regions, the show was
conflicting with the FIRST monday night football game since 9/11! America was hurting and it needed football to release
that tension. I found myself switching to te game during the show, that day, too! Farscape was one of the Scifi channel's
best programs over the past foour years. Now that it's coming into the 5th season, Bonnie Hammer pulls the plug!
Whats with Bonnie Hammer? The show is just as popular in Australia and Europe, and THEY are not cancelling it. It
is only Bonnie putting the hammer to the show! It's NOT FAIR to the viewers!
Bonnie Hammer is like Khan Noonion Synge stealing the best shows in SciFi's history and making the viewers pay for it.
I think everybody reading this meassage should send a box or two of crackers (saltines) to the sci fi network as a show of
unity that Americans love their Farscape and do not want to see anymore bad programming decisions by Bonnie Hammer.
There was an episode of Farscape called, 'Crackers Don't Matter.'
Lets all send Bonnie boxes and boxes of crackers to show her that Crackers DO matter!!! Farscap Matters! B5LoR Matters
and Bad decision making by Ms. Hammer will not be tolerated by SciFi fans!
Regards,
Matt Sweet
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 9:20:20 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "Steve Bartlett"
I just don't get excited about what's offered in the scifi genre anymore,
especially programs that are shown on the SciFi Channel in particular. Why?
Because just when you get to like something, they decide to cancel it or
yank it off the air. There hasn't been any show that has ever held my
imagination like B5, Crusade, and Legend Of The Rangers did; and the people
behind airing these programs just don't leave a whole lot of hope of ever
resurrecting the "franchise".
JMS has said he'd be willing to produce a series again in the B5 universe he
created. But with SciFi giving the show short shrift at a crappy viewing
time; and no serious efforts have been made to produce any new series based
upon B5; my hopes for good scifi ended with the announcement that Farscape
was being cancelled... SciFi's most popular original program was/is being
left out to dry. It then dawned on me that if they were willing to do that
to their own show they gave birth to, that the chances of them being willing
to resurrect some B5 related show was virtually nil.
Everytime I see an actor or actress who was part of the cast of Crusade or
Legend Of The Rangers showing up in other TV shows as a permanent or
recurring character, the more my hopes dwindle that I'll ever see these
series (Crusade/LotR) revived, or that any future original B5 related series
will ever be produced. The busier that JMS gets with current & new projects,
the more distant he becomes from ever working with that universe again (at
least on TV anyway). And the folks at the SciFi Channel certainly are the
most responsible for that - they ensured LotR's demise with poorer than
expected ratings because they aired the pilot episode/movie at a time that
ran head-to-head against a playoff game; which cost them much of their
desired male demographic. To say that particular programming decision was
short-sighted would be an understatement. The same could also be said about
their recent decision to can Farscape.
In short, I just cannot trust SciFi's sincerity in their explanations of why
they cancel the programs they do, nor can I raise my hopes to ever view the
good scifi programming I would want to see (or expect to see) survive for
long on their network. They have proven time and again that viewers
shouldn't invest alot of their emotional energies into any particular
program they air, because when it comes to scifi, they just don't give a
crap. They'd rather be "the next TNT", than to concern themselves with what
their viewers would like.
PO'd Steve
From: TJGuitar85
To: Thezocalo
I stopped watching Andromeda mid second season. Once they fired RHW it went downhill IMO.
August 19, 2002:
This week's discussion topic:
Now that Babylon 5 has been gone from the regular airwaves for longer than we care to admit, what are you watching? Why?
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 4:08:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: CCB5Flamekeeper
Hi Sandy,
Hope you are ok. I am glad you are still keeping the Zocalo up, it is
very important. Anyway, here is my 2 credits toward the question.
What have been watching since B5 has not had New episodes any longer?
Well, I tried Andromeda for awhile, till Robert Hewitt Wolfe was fired, and
then it became Hercules in Space.I am not one of those crazy about Sorbo to
watch because of him. Also, they ended the character of Rev Bem, who,
although ugly as all get out, was the best, most interesting character on the
show. I was disappointed with the fate of the show, I liked its first season
and there were some good shows. But, it isn't B5, no way Jose.
Then I started to watch Farscape and saw it from the beginning, so I
could somehow start to follow this rather strange show. I found some things
of value, namely Ben Browder, who must currently be the hardest working man
in SF these days, and the wondrous Claudia Black, who is just terrific.Their
chemistry is wonderful to watch, and the rest of the cast do a fine job as
well.I thought they ended the 3rd season very grippingly. There was a lot
going on there and it was great. So far, though, the 4th is a real letdown,
and I don't think they know where they are going. But, I have come to have a
great appreciation for Ben and Claudia, and was able to meet Virginia Hey (
Zhann) at a couple of Cons, just a lovely woman, was so impressed. Farscape
is a show they could do much more with then they do, and it is a shame.
But,,,,,,,it isn't and never could be Babylon 5.
I watched some of Jms's Jeremiah and that was pretty good, from what I
saw, and I hope it gets renewed. They ended with a Bang and it really changed
everything.
I have found the shows I really got into recently are non SF shows,
namely Six Feet Under and Queer as Folk. Those really got my attention, big
time, and I couldn't wait to see new episodes of those shows.
I am not into Enterprise, ( oh please, I am fed up with Berman Trek
already). It leaves me cold. I am fed up with the whole Star Trek cult,
already, the only one I ever loved was the original, with Kirk, Spock and Mc
Coy. I think for the most part the whole thing is a calcified monolith,, and
it sure ain't Babylon 5.
I watch specials, David Letterman, other things, whatever appeals to me.
And I want people to know that our own John Copeland, and his " When
Dinosaurs Roamed America" has been nominated for a couple of Emmy Awards, in
its natural categories. I sent him congratulations, he is a sweetheart.
I know this wouldn't qualify, but I just had to mention the one series
(of books) that has just enchanted me, and that I love. It is Harry Potter. I
am just a huge fan of the books, and saw the movie 7 times, loved it.Own it
on video and DVD. Rowling has created quite a world and is a wizard of a
writer, and I only wish I had 20 books by her instead of the 4. That is
really my greatest enthusiasm. Not Lord of the Rings, but young Mr. Potter
for me.
But, even that, is not Babylon 5, and really, nothing else so far comes
close. High or low, up and down left to right, there is nothing of the
power,strength, and depth of B5 for me, not in a million microts, years or
parsecs, so far, B5 is still the winner and champ in my heart. I shall never
forget it and it still burns in my heart. Thanks Joe, you, as Casey Stengel,
the old Mets and Yankees manager would say, done splendid. I love B5 and
always will.
With love,
Faith manages,
Connie --- The Flamekeeper
August 9, 2002
This week's topic:
What do you think of science fiction (TV, movies, books) today? Is it better, worse, too much on effects -- not enough
on plot? What shows/movies/books are YOUR favorites? Why?
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 11:08:40 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
Hi Sandy!
Unfortunately, I don't read as much sci fi as I used to. I'm older now and
read more trade journals and history books - not because I want to, but
because my job requires my constant inquiry into History.
But, whenever I can, I like to rest my eyes and turn on the boob tube and
watch as many science fiction shows as I can. Science fiction has become a
much broader a topic than it used to be. I think this is true because of
special effects. I think that special effects has somewhat destroyed
science fiction in the present: When you read books like Jules Verne or
Isaac Asimov, their words form images in your mind and you understand where
the story is going on the explaination the author is conveying to you.
In older science fiction programs, such as Roddenberry's Star Trek, the
budgets for the show were tight, so the special effects were at a minimum.
It was the words of the characters that carried the intellectual focus of
the show. i.e., the watcher didn't SEE "Vol" attack the ship, but the
characters spoke through their communicators and they made you believe that
the machine-god was pulling the Enterprise into the atmosphere, unless
Scotty used his phasers to drain Vol's resources to kill the machine. The
Star Trek of today would show you in detail with blatant special effects
what the crew would do in such an emergency. The newer generation today
like that kind of effect, because they like to have the answers and
solutions spoon-fed into their minds until their minds are filled with mush,
and they can't think anymore!
Many of the special effects aid the watcher along and tell the story more
completely. But, the more they use blatant special effects to explain the
stories, the more we have to rely on them to explain the stories. Albeit,
the technology is such, that we can rely more and more on special effects to
tell stories, but the intellectual argument becomes dulled with their
constant use.
The "dulling of consciousness" in science fiction occurred most frequently
in Andromeda, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek DS9, Xena, Hercules, Beast
Master, The Lost World, the series...
These shows are also bad because they are simply "Republic Westerns" in the
Jungle or in Space. The stories have rediculous plots, no diction, they
solve a problem, ride to the next problem, boom bang pow, that problem is
solved... ride along to the next problem... boom bang pow... that problem is
solved -- And it remains on that BASE level throughout the entire series.
Rediculous! Don't ask me... The stupidity sells.
Shows like B5, Enterprise, CRUSADE (Bring back Crusade), The Twilight Zone,
Stargate-SG1, 'Sometimes' Farscape. Excellent characters, the plots and
diction are well thought up, they tell a story without going overboard, and
the bang boom pow is only used after careful thought is employed in the
thesis of the story.
Crusade forever!
Matthew
August 3, 2002
This week's discussion topic:
OK, TV Guide just did their selection of the best cartoons in history. Some we can agree with -- some well, guess it is an
aquired taste! How about comic book characters? Do you have a favorite? Why?
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 12:26:52 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Joanne Watson
Hi Sandy,
My favourite comic character is Conan. My brother always left his comics lying around and being as nosey as I am I'd
read them. I liked the ruggedness, muscle bound, not whoosie, fighting man. I drool over him. He had intelligence as
well but I think it was his inner strength that attracted me most. Conan's battle to fight the enemy in whatever form.
His adventure but also his pain kept me interested.
Joanne
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 7:25:13 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Matthew Sweet
Hey Sandy!
Unfortunately, I have never been a Comic Book Geek. (I became every other type of Geek there was,
but not Comic Books). WAIT! Strike that. I used to like 'Archie' when I was a little boy because he
was really wacky and his best friend Moose, I found later, emulated 90 percent of the students I
went to college with!
I'm so glad the discussion page is back up! =D
Keep up the good work.
Your Buddy in B5!
Matthew
July 20, 2002
This week's discussion topic:
How important are special effects to movies? Do you enjoy seeing exploding buildings, space battles, flying dragons? Is that
what brings you to the theater to see a movie?
Speaking of movies (or just leisure) -- what is your favorite snack? Is it popcorn? Peanuts? Jordan Almonds?
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 12:39:11 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Andrès Hidalgo (Personal)
Hi Sandy:
Though I enjoy, a lot, the special effects of the movies. I enjoy, equal or
more, the perfomances of the actors-actress, if they are well known, better
(example: Attack of the Clones, terrific!).
I don't eat a lot of things in the cinemas (keep the shape!).
Andres.
July 4, 2002
This Week's Discussion topic:
What are you reading, now that summer is upon us and there may be a tad more free time to sit and enjoy some of the new
novels hitting the bookshelves? Has anything come out that you particulary enjoyed?
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 9:49:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "remme"
Odessey 5.
Wow.
This show took me by surprise. Back to back with Jeremiah, Friday's are now Sci-Fi heaven!
In o5 we finally we have a show worthy of airtime. It is filled with quips and one-liners that give it the humor we all
loved in B5, as well as serious character development, a range of actors to suit all appetites, and the serious bent that
keeps it "on the edge."
I am pleased.
Best Regards,
Hj Remme
remme@jps.net
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 11:22:41 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Captain Average
Unfortunately, none of the Canadian networks, or cable channels, has picked up either
"The Dead Zone", or "Odyssey 5", so I can't comment on them - though I have a friend,
Stateside, who is enjoying both - at least so far.
For my summer reading schedule, I've picked up the first three novels in the "Anita
Blake - Vampire Hunter" series, by Laurell K. Hamilton, and have quite enjoyed the
first two ("Guilty Pleasures" and "The Laughing Corpse"). I am also just into the
Harry Turtledove series "Colonization" (sequel series to his earlier tetralogy, "Worldwar").
The first book, "Second Contact", is shaping up to be as good as the four books in the first
series, and so I'm looking forward to "Down To Earth" and "Aftershocks".
I've also picked up a few of Bruce Coville's "I Was a Sixth Grade Alien" books and three
of the "Eerie Indiana" books, as well as a Cadfael mystery.
Of course, if I can finish all of these, I have way too many more to read, and a fair number
on my re-read list.
Plus, tapes of "Witchblade", Season Two, will arrive at some unspecified point in the future.
But I still wish SciFi had picked up "Legend of the Rangers" - I'm sure I could have shoehorned
it into my social calendar... LOL!
Captain Average
The Superhero With The Reading Problem (So Many Books, So Little Time!)
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