Babylon 5 FAQ

Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.info,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated,rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5,alt.tv.babylon-5,aus.sf.babylon5,rec.arts.sf.tv,alt.answers,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: Babylon 5 FAQ (A): Information about Babylon 5
Supersedes: <tv/babylon-5/faq_869910495@rtfm.mit.edu}
Date: 3 Aug 1997 10:11:51 GMT
Organization: Minbari Grey Council
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Expires: 24 Aug 1997 10:10:46 GMT
Reply-To: danwood@karelia.com
Summary: Frequently Asked Questions about the television series, _Babylon 5_.
X-Last-Updated: 1997/05/12
Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.MIT.EDU

Archive-name: tv/babylon-5/faq
Frequency: weekly
Last-modified: 12 May 1997

+-----------------------------------+
|  BABYLON 5 FAQ, part (A):         |
|  Information about Babylon 5      |
|  and answers to Frequently Asked  |
|  Questions.  Includes guidelines  |
|  for online discussion groups.    |
|                                   |
|  12 May 1997 Edition              |
+-----------------------------------+

This section of the FAQ list is updated _frequently_, so if the date above is
more than a few weeks old, it's probably OBSOLETE -- check for newer editions!

There are SIX parts to the FAQ: (A) Information about B5; (B) News and Sched-
ule; (C), (D), (E), (F) are the settings for seasons 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.

The latest version of all parts of the FAQ can be retrieved via anonymous ftp
at ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/ or via e-mail by sending a note to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with any or all of these lines in the message body:
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/faq
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/news-schedule
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season1
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season2
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season3
    send usenet/news.answers/tv/babylon-5/setting/season4

WORLD WIDE WEB users should see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
for the much more detailed "Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5."

IMPORTANT:  DO NOT POST STORY IDEAS to the Babylon 5 groups where the
            show's creator/Executive Producer participates.  He would have
            to withdraw for legal reasons; we don't want that!

IMPORTANT:  IF YOU ARE POSTING SPOILERS on the newsgroups, please leave
            the subject spoiler free, indicate  "spoilers for {episode},"
            and leave around 20 blank lines at the top.  Thanks!

ALSO:       BEFORE POSTING QUESTIONS to the public or JMS, check this FAQ
            or, better yet, read the WWW page for the episode in question.
            If you have a question for JMS, *please* post it to a public
            forum so all can benefit from his answer.

    -------------------------
    Contents of this FAQ List
    -------------------------

This FAQ list is a "launching point" to the many questions and answers about
Babylon 5.  More detailed resources are available in the other parts of this
FAQ, on the WWW site, and in the print media.  See section 11 of this list or
follow the cross-references for more in-depth information.

    1.  What is Babylon 5?
    2.  Where can I see Babylon 5?
        (a) USA  (b) Canada  (c) Satellite  (d) Elsewhere  (e) Video
    3.  Who is behind Babylon 5? (i.e. Who the heck is JMS?)
    4.  What other SF projects has JMS been involved with?
    5.  What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?
    6.  Babylon 5 Episodes and Stories
        (a) Television Episodes         (b) Novels      (c) Comics
    7.  How can I contact the folks behind Babylon 5?
    8.  How can I help Babylon 5 succeed?
    9.  One-Liner FAQs
    10. Miscellaneous Info
        (a) Babylon 5 online  (b) Fans' influence (c) Awards
        (d) Babylon 5 References in other JMS works
        (e) Miscellaneous Production Info  (f) Production vs. Airing Order
        (g) Changes  (h) Fan Clubs
    11. Where to find online information
        (a) Internet  (b) GEnie  (c) America Online  (d) CompuServe  (e) Other
    12. Credits and Legalese

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

Subject: 1.  What is Babylon 5?

## Detailed backstory: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5log.txt
## More information: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5_jms_answers.txt

Babylon 5 is a science fiction television series, set in the mid 23rd Century,
which takes place on a five-mile-long space station, centrally located near
Earth and four other alien alliances.  The station was built as a kind of
United Nations, to help preserve peace in the galaxy;  Each of the alliances
has an official representative on the station.

Unlike most television series, an overall story arc has been planned for
Babylon 5 as if it were a miniseries or written novel.  Over the course of its
planned five-year run (which may be shortened down to four years), events tell
an overall story;  hints are dropped along the way that foreshadow events to
come.  However, each hour-long episode tells an individual story and can be
viewed alone.

The series is in its fourth season in North America, and is airing the
in many other countries, usually behind the US.  The show is syndicated to
individual stations across the U.S.  There are plans for a sequel series, to
be called _The Babylon Project: Crusade_, though it is not yet nailed down.
There are also plans for two new B5 TV movies, one of which will be a prequel,
the other which would serve as a transition to the sequel, to be aired on TNT.

(For premise of the show and its characters, see part (C), (D), or (E) of this
FAQ.  Since the premise changes from season to season, it makes sense to avoid
reading too far ahead!)

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

Subject: 2.  Where can I see Babylon 5?

========    a. USA

Babylon 5 airs as a syndicated show on stations across the country, usually on
independent stations or members of the fledgling networks.  Though it may air
on a UPN, WB, FOX, etc. station, it is not part of any of those networks.  In
major markets, it runs on Wednesday or Thursday nights, though it may run as
late as Sunday in some areas, possibly at terrible hours.  Check your local
listings, get the document referenced here, or call your local station.
(Puerto Rico: See subsection d.)

A schedule of current North American episodes is available in part (B) of
this FAQ.  For information on stations airing the show in your area, see
WWW: http://www.babylon5.com/cmp/support/airtime.htm
(Please e-mail b5online@aol.com if you find out new scheduling information.)

TNT Cable network has bought rights to B5 for airing after series completion.
They plan to air B5 at 6 PM every weeknight.

========    b. Canada

Same weekly schedule as USA, on Wednesday nights same as U.S., though it
varies by station.  On City TV in Ontario.

========    c. Satellite (North America)

Babylon 5 is fed on satellite several days before airing dates on Galaxy 4
transp. 7.  Audio is 5.8 left, 6.2 right, 6.8 mono.  Sunday 0900-1000 ET;
Monday 1430-1530 ET. Promo feeds: Thursdays, 0900 ET and Saturdays, 0030 ET.

B5 can also be seen via DBS on The Dish Network by viewing WSBK's programming,
though viewers are warned that WSBK often treats the show badly.

========    d. Elsewhere (current season number indicated when known)

The Lurker's Guide tends to keep a good schedule of episodes for each country,
as well as pointers to international web pages on Babylon 5.

## Got updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 WORLD"

Australia:   Ch. 9, starting Dec 5. (s#3 is finished)
Austria:     ORF1, Mon-Fri 15:40, repeated 10:45. (s#2 is finished)
Belgium:     VT4, Saturdays at 16:55 (s#2)
Chile:       Megavision Ch. 9, Sundays (usually), approx. 16:45 (s#3)
Europe:      ASTRA Satellite (in German): see Germany (s#2)
France:      Canal Plus (See the lurker's guide for details) (s#2)
Germany      Pro7, Sundays at 5:30PM CET and Mondays 00:30 (s#3 is finished)
Greece:      STAR Channel, Sundays, noon. (s#3)
Guam:        Cable Ch. 7, Saturdays, 3 PM.
Hong Kong:   TVB Pearl, Friday mornings at approximately 12:30 (s#2)
Indonesia:   SCTV, Sundays at noon, often every two weeks (s#2)
Israel:      Cable channel 3 Saturdays 23:30 or 23:45 (s#4)
& Jordan & Cyprus    .... also ch. 3 daily sun - thurs at 01:40 AM
                     .... and Jordan Channel 2,  some Mondays at 8:30 (s#1)
Mexico:      Channel 4, Thursdays, 8 PM in D.F.  Maybe also other cities.
Netherlands: RTL4, Saturdays, around 13:55 (s#2)
Norway:      TV2 on Sundays at 16:20, Saturdays at 14:50 (s#3)
New Zealand: TV2, Saturdays, 3 PM (s#3 is finished)
Pakistan:    STN, Sundays, 8 PM
Peru:        ATV, Saturdays at Noon (s#1)
Puerto Rico: WLII channel 11 on Saturdays at noon (s#1)
Russia:      TV-6 Moskva, Tues/Wed/Thurs, 21:15; Wed/Thur/Fri 10:15 (s#3)
Central and South America (including Mexico):
             WBTV Thursdays at 20:30 CST and Sundays at 20:00 CST. (s#1/s#2)
Singapore:   (It is reported that TCS may have resumed the show in February)
Spain:       TVE-1, Saturdays and Sundays, about 7:30 AM (s#2 is finished)
Sweden:      Kanal 5, Saturdays at 18:05.  On the Tele-X satellite. (s#1&2)
Taiwan:      TTV, Tuesdays, 0:10 AM. (s#1)
Thailand:    Fridays, 1:30 PM (please send more information if you know it)
UK:          s#4 may start around April 1997, likely on ch. 4, Tues, 6:00 PM.

========    e. Video

In Europe, Australia, and Japan, the Babylon 5 pilot movie has been released
on home video (and on laserdisc in Japan, available as an import in the USA).
A videotape of "A Voice in the Wilderness" is also available in these
countries and in Russia.  The first season and second seasons are available on
tape in the UK and as an import elsewhere.  Some season 1 episodes are now
available in Australia.

In the USA, videotapes of the series will hopefully be appearing someday,
though Warner Brothers seems to be hedging because they don't think there's a
market for the tapes/discs.  The fan club may be able to release the videos.

According to co-producer George Johnsen, Babylonian Productions is currently
negotiation with WB on the idea of releasing B5 on the new DVD format, since
B5 would be ideal for that format.  Further details are not yet known.

Though it seems they can't be shown the light, you might wish to write a
POLITE letter supporting the release on video to:

    Mr. James Cardwell
    Executive Vice-President/General Manager
    Warner Bros. Home Video
    North American Division
    3903 W. Olive, Building 154, 3rd Floor
    Burbank, CA 91522.

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

Subject: 3.  Who is behind Babylon 5? (i.e. Who the heck is JMS?)

The show was created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is co-executive
producer on the show along with Doug Netter.  It has been in development since
1987, and in production since 1992.  Doug Netter is an equal partner in
Babylon 5, mainly handling the business side and leaves the creative work to
Straczynski.  Harlan Ellison is the Conceptual Consultant for the series;  he
has also written a "manifesto" for the show that explains to other writers how
to write science fiction for television and Babylon 5, in particular.  Well-
known science fiction writers, including David Gerrold, D.C. Fontana, and
Peter David are contributing scripts to the show, although JMS writes the bulk
of the scripts.  Christopher Franke, formerly of Tangerine Dream, does the
soundtrack.

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

Subject: 4.  What other SF projects has JMS been involved with?

## More Info: ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/jms.credentials

JMS has been involved with genre television for many years, as story editor
and writer for the Twilight Zone TV series (syndicated version), Captain
Power, and the animated The Real Ghostbusters.  He has also written for Jake
and the Fatman and Murder, She Wrote.  JMS has also had many published short
stories, an anthology, and two fantasy/horror novels.  Until recently, he was
co-host of Hour 25, a Los Angeles area science fiction radio talk show.  He
has also written a well-regarded book on scriptwriting.

JMS has agreed to write a feature film adaptation of the Grimjack books by
John Ostrander.  However, due to timing difficulties, JMS was not able to
write the screenplay during B5's summer '96 hiatus, so the project is on hold
for a while.

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

Subject: 5.  What kind of Special Effects does Babylon 5 have?

All special effects for Babylon 5 are computer generated imagery (CGI).
Foundation Imaging, headed by Ron Thornton, is utilizing Lightwave 3D and
specialized software to design and render the visual effects.  (Lightwave is
now running on PCs;  Amigas were used originally.)  Space scenes are clearer
and more realistic than Model shots.  Some interior shots such as docking bays
are "virtual sets" combining live action with computer imagery.  Macintoshes
and PCs are used occasionally for 2-D effects and painting packages.

Starting in season 4, Foundation is no longer be doing B5's effects. They
are done in-house using similar equipment to Foundation's, headed up by
co-producer George Johnsen.

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

Subject: 6.  Babylon 5 Episodes and Stories

## FULL Schedule and
   episode synopses:    ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/b5episodes
## Past episodes:       ftp://ftp.midwinter.com/pub/Babylon-5/Guide/

========    a. Television Episodes

A more frequently updated list of North American episodes appears in part (B)
of this FAQ.  A brief reference to episode premises can be found in parts (C),
(D), (E), and (F) of this FAQ.

PILOT MOVIE (year 2257)

 00. 02-22-93      The Gathering    Writer: JMS  Director: RC

SEASON ONE (2258)        (Season title: "Signs and Portents")

 #   Week of  No.  Title                     Writer  Director
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 01. 01-26-94 103  Midnight on the Firing Line  JMS  RC
 02. 02-02-94 102  Soul Hunter                  JMS  JJ
 03. 02-09-94 104  Born to the Purple           LD   BSG
 04. 02-16-94 101  Infection                    JMS  RC
 05. 02-23-94 108  The Parliament of Dreams     JMS  JJ
 06. 03-02-94 110  Mind War                     JMS  BSG
 07. 03-09-94 107  The War Prayer               DCF  RC
 08. 03-16-94 106  And the Sky Full of Stars    JMS  JG
 09. 04-20-94 113  Deathwalker                  LD   BSG
 10. 04-27-94 105  Believers                    DG   RC
 11. 05-04-94 111  Survivors                    MSZ  JJ
 12. 05-11-94 114  By Any Means Necessary       KD   JJ
 13. 05-18-94 116  Signs and Portents           JMS  JG
 14. 05-25-94 119  TKO                          LD   JF
 15. 07-06-94 109  Grail                        CM   RC
 16. 07-13-94 122  Eyes                         LD   JJ
 17. 07-20-94 115  Legacies                     DCF  BSG
 18. 07-27-94 120  A Voice in the Wilderness I  JMS  JG
 19. 08-03-94 121  A Voice in the Wilderness II JMS  JG
 20. 08-10-94 118  Babylon Squared              JMS  JJ
 21. 08-17-94 117  The Quality of Mercy         JMS  LSF
 22. 10-26-94 112  Chrysalis                    JMS  JG

SEASON TWO (2259)     (Season title: "The Coming of Shadows")

 #   Week of  No.  Title                     Writer  Director
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 23. 11-02-94 201  Points of Departure          JMS  JG
 24. 11-09-94 202  Revelations                  JMS  JJ
 25. 11-16-94 203  The Geometry of Shadows      JMS  MV
 26. 11-23-94 204  A Distant Star               DCF  JJ
 27. 11-30-94 205  The Long Dark                SF   MD
 28. 12-07-94 206  Spider in the Web            LD   KC
 29. 12-14-94 208  Soul Mates                   PAD  JF
 30. 01-25-95 207  A Race Through Dark Places   JMS  JJ
 31. 02-01-95 209  The Coming of Shadows        JMS  JG
 32. 02-08-95 210  Gropos                       LD   JJ
 33. 02-15-95 211  All Alone in the Night       JMS  MD
 34. 02-22-95 212  Acts of Sacrifice            JMS  JJ
 35. 02-29-95 213  Hunter, Prey                 JMS  MB
 36. 04-26-95 215  There All The Honor Lies     PAD  MV
 37. 05-03-95 214  And Now For a Word           JMS  MD
 38. 05-10-95 217  In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum    JMS  DE
 39. 05-17-95 216  Knives                       LD   SP
 40. 05-24-95 218  Confessions and Lamentations JMS  KC
 41. 10-11-95 220  Divided Loyalties            JMS  JT
 42. 10-18-95 219  The Long, Twilight Struggle  JMS  JF
 43. 10-25-95 221  Comes the Inquisitor         JMS  MV
 44. 11-01-95 222  The Fall of Night            JMS  JG

SEASON THREE (2260)      (Season title: "Point of No Return")

 #   Week of  No.  Title                     Writer  Director
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 45. 11-06-95 301  Matters of Honor             JMS  KC
 46. 11-13-95 302  Convictions                  JMS  MV
 47. 11-20-95 303  A Day in the Strife          JMS  DE
 48. 11-27-95 305  Passing Through Gethsemane   JMS  AN
 49. 01-29-96 304  Voices of Authority          JMS  MB
 50. 02-05-96 306  Dust to Dust                 JMS  DE
 51. 02-12-96 307  Exogenesis                   JMS  KC
 52. 02-19-96 308  Messages from Earth          JMS  MV
 53. 02-26-96 309  Point of No Return           JMS  JJ
 54. 04-01-96 310  Severed Dreams               JMS  DE
 55. 04-08-96 311  Ceremonies of Light and Dark JMS  JF
 56. 04-15-96 313  Sic Transit Vir              JMS  JT
 57. 04-22-96 312  A Late Delivery from Avalon  JMS  MV
 58. 04-29-96 314  Ship of Tears                JMS  MV
 59. 05-06-96 315  Interludes and Examinations  JMS  JT
 60. 05-13-96 316  War Without End, Part I      JMS  MV
 61. 05-20-96 317  War Without End, Part II     JMS  MV
 62. 09-30-96 318  Walkabout                    JMS  KC
 63. 10-07-96 319  Grey 17 is Missing           JMS  JF
 64. 10-14-96 320  And the Rock Cried Out,      JMS  DE
                   No Hiding Place
 65. 10-21-96 321  Shadow Dancing               JMS  KF
 66. 10-28-96 322  Z'ha'dum                     JMS  AN

SEASON FOUR (2261)       (Season title: "No Surrender, No Retreat")

 #   Week of  No.  Title                     Writer  Director
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 67. 11-04-96 401  The Hour of the Wolf         JMS  DE
 68. 11-11-96 402  What Ever Happened           JMS  KD
                   to Mr. Garibaldi?
 69. 11-18-96 403  The Summoning                JMS  JM
 70. 11-25-96 404  Falling Toward Apotheosis    JMS  DE
 71. 1-27-97  405  The Long Night               JMS  JL
 72. 2-03-97  406  Into the Fire                JMS  KD
 73. 2-10-97  407  Epiphanies                   JMS  JF
 74. 2-17-97  408  The Illusion of Truth        JMS  SF
 75. 2-24-97  409  Atonement                    JMS  TD
 76. 4-21-97  410  Racing Mars                  JMS  JT
 77. 4-28-97  411  Lines of Communication       JMS  JF
 78. 5-05-97  412  Conflicts of Interests       JMS  DE
 79. 5-12-97  413  Rumors, Bargains and Lies    JMS  MV
 80. 5-19-97  414  Moments of Transition        JMS  TD
 81. 5-26-97  415  No Surrender, No Retreat     JMS
 82. 6-02-97  416  The Exercise of Vital Powers JMS
 83. 6-09-97  417  The Face of the Enemy        JMS  MV
 84. 6-16-97  418  Intersections in Real Time   JMS  JL
 85.          419  Between the Darkness         JMS  DE
                   and the Light
 86.          420  Endgame                      JMS  JC
 87.          421  Rising Star                  JMS  TD

Season Four or Five finale

 88 or 110.   422  Sleeping in Light            JMS JMS

TV MOVIES       (to air on TNT)

Date               Title                     Writer  Director
 ------------------------------------------------------------
01/04/98           In the Beginning             JMS  JT
??/??/99?          Thirdspace                   JMS  MV

John Copeland will direct episode 420; JMS himself will direct 422.

It is not known whether B5 will be given a fifth season.  If not, JMS will
wrap up the story by the end of the fourth season by removing non-arc stories.
It was expected to be known by February 1997 whether the fifth season is a
"go" or not, but the news will probably not hit until May or June 1997.

A sequel series, titled _The Babylon Project: Crusade_ looks like it just
might happen.  It would be an arc show, though not as rigid as B5.  Further
details can be found at the Lurker's Guide.

WRITERS:    PAD = Peter A. David; LD = Larry DiTillio; KD = Kathyrn Drennan;
            DCF = D.C. Fontana; SF = Scott Frost; DG = David Gerrold; CM =
            Christy Marx; JMS = J. Michael Straczynski; MSZ = Marc Scott
            Zicree.

DIRECTORS:  MB = Menachem Binetski; RC = Richard Compton; KC = Kevin Cremins;
            MD = Mario DiLeo; KD = Kevin Dobson; TD = Tony Dow; DE = David
            Eagle; JF = John Flinn; KF = Kim  Friedman; LSF = Lorraine Senna
            Ferrara; SF = Stephen Furst; JG = Janet Greek; BSG = Bruce Seth
            Green; JJ = Jim Johnston; JL = John LaFia; JM = John McPherson;
            AN = Adam Nimoy; SP = Stephen Posey; JT = Jesus Trevino; MV = Mike
            Vejar.

========    b. Novels

Date   Title                     Author           ISBN (US)     ISBN (UK)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 02/95 Voices                    John Vornholt    0-440-22057-2 0-7522-0644-3
 04/95 Accusations               Lois Tilton      0-440-22058-0 0-7522-0649-4
 09/95 Blood Oath                John Vornholt    0-440-22059-9 0-7522-0654-0
 02/96 Clark's Law               Jim Mortimore    0-440-22229-X 0-7522-0153-0
 03/96 The Touch of Your Shadow, Neil Barrett Jr. 0-440-22230-3 0-7522-0158-1
        The Whisper of Your Name
 05/96 Betrayals                 S. M. Stirling   0-440-22234-6
 03/97 The Shadow Within         Jeane Cavelos    0-440-22348-2
 04/97 Personal Agendas          Al Sarrantonio
 06/97 To Dream                  Kathryn Drennan
        in the City of Sorrows

_The Shadow Within_ follows Anna Sheridan and the Icarus to Z'ha'dum. The next
title involves Londo and Vir at Centauri Prime; the following book is about
Sinclair when moved to Minbar to set up the Rangers and is written by Kathryn
Drennan.  JMS expects these novels to hold closer story continuity than the
previous ones.

========    c. Comics

 Month Issue    Title               Writers/Artists
 --------------------------------------------------------
 01/95  1   In Darkness Find Me     JMS/Netzer/Leigh
 02/95  2   Treason                 Mark Moretti/Netzer/Leigh
 03/95  3   In Harm's Way           Moretti/Garzon
 04/95  4   The Price of Peace      Moretti/Netzer/Leigh

Shadows Past and Present
 05/95  5   With Friends Like These Tim DeHaas/John Ridgway
 06/95  6   Against the Odds        ""
 07/95  7   Survival the Hard Way   ""
 08/95  8   Silent Enemies          ""

Laser-Mirror-Starweb
 09/95  9   Duet for Human and Narn in C Sharp  David Gerrold
 10/95  10  Coda for Human and Narn in B Flat   ""

 11/95  11  The Psi Corps and You               DeHaas/Ridgway

There were 11 original comics through DC, who have stopped producing it.
Titan UK is now slated to pick up the comic, with DC distributing it in the
U.S.  The JMS 4-parter, originally shelved due to DC's restrictions, should
be part of the upcoming comic issues.

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

Subject: 7.  How can I contact the folks behind Babylon 5?

JMS has requested that if you would like to write in support of the show,
write your LOCAL STATION.  See section 8 below for details.

For Warner Bros., please write to either or both of these addresses below.

NOTE: keep in mind that the folks at Warner Brothers are generally BIG
supporters of the show; it's up to the local stations to keep the show on the
air.  So don't expect that writing to them will particularly do any good.

Dick Robertson                      Robert Daly, Chairman
President                           Warner Brothers, Inc.
Domestic Television Distribution    4000 Warner Boulevard
Warner Bros. Television             Burbank, CA  91522
Triangle Bldg, 4th floor
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522

You can write to the show's creator, as well as the cast and crew, at the
following address.  DO NOT SEND SCRIPTS OR STORY IDEAS.  Babylon 5 is NOT
accepting outside stories or story ideas.

J. Michael Straczynski (or any cast or crew member)
C/O BABYLON 5                                      {---- VERY IMPORTANT !!!!
14431 Ventura Blvd, suite 260
Sherman Oaks, CA  91423

(Babylon 5 is filmed on an independent lot; they are not open for set tours.)

E-mail to JMS:  To avoid causing problems & wasting JMS's time, PLEASE:

 * Do not send JMS e-mail inquiries & comments about the Babylon 5 story.
   If you have questions/comments, do so only in a PUBLIC forum.
   (But first, see the Lurker's Guide page for the current episode, or search
   the JMS archives to see if your question was already asked and answered!)

 * Only send JMS e-mail regarding confidential matters, and then only to his
   Genie address.  (See the Lurker's Guide archives to find that out.)

 * Do not send JMS any attached files.  (A Trojan Horse got him recently!)

 * Do NOT send story ideas, requests to read scripts/stories, requests for
   agent suggestions, requests for items, autographs, scripts, tours, etc.

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

Subject: 8.  How can I help Babylon 5 succeed?

## For more specifics, please see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/

Many stations have changed their plans to drop B5 due to fan lobbying, so if
your station treats B5 badly, there are several things that you can do:

1. Write letters to your local stations

 If your local station is dropping the show, you should write them a
 *polite* letter asking them to change their minds.  Just as important is
 to write letters to nearby stations that are likely candidates to pick
 up the show.  You can find the addresses of stations that are dropping B5,
 and their neighboring stations that should be written to, at:
 http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/index.html
 and a list of current B5 stations at: http://www.babylon5.com/cmp/support/

2. Organize with others on the Internet to encourage letter-writing

 Joining (or creating) a regional mailing list can be very effective to get
 people in your area communicating and organizing a campaign to save the show
 in your area.  It's also helpful for information: last-minute schedule
 changes, for example.

 You can find out if a mailing list exists for your area (or create one
 if it doesn't) by visiting: http://www.babcom.com/b5/lists.shtml

3. Publicize the need to write letters in your local area

 It can be *very* effective if you publicize your local campaign off the nets.
 One option is to distribute flyers to local SF/comic shops and events; a
 template flyer can be found at http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/support/
 and printed 4 to a page, then copied and distributed.  Remember, the people
 on the Internet is a fraction of the viewers out there; plus, it's not easy
 to get the word out even on the net!

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

Subject: 9.  One-Liner FAQs

Following are some of the questions asked a lot by newcomers to Babylon 5 and
brief answers to those questions.

(This section is getting a little old.  Any suggestions for new Qs & As would
be appreciated!)

Production:

Q: Will B5 last for the full five seasons?
A: This has not yet been announced.  The story will conclude regardless.

Q: Are the B5 novels and comics part of the official B5 canon?
A: Yes, JMS attempts to make sure the other stories tie into the big story.

Q: How come [insert name] is in the opening credits but not in the show?
A: Characters contracted for 7 or more episodes are in the opening credits.

Q: Which came first, Deep Space 9 or Babylon 5?
A: B5 was pitched to Paramount in 1989, two years before DS9 was created.

Q: What has happened with Harlan Ellison's scripts?
A: They've been delayed due to poor health and a full schedule.

Q: Will the pilot air again?
A: It will air with the TNT broadcasts; it may be re-edited to improve it.

Q: Is the "Be seeing you" salute a reference to "The Prisoner"?
A: Yes, most definitely.  It first appeard in season 1's "Mind War."

Q: Why don't we usually see stars revolving outside C&C?
A: CGI is too costly; They're still working on a reasonable solution.

Q: Who does the voice for the main B5 computer?
A: Haley McLane, Script Supervisor on the B5 production staff for seasons 1-3.

General:

Q: Why are they using paper in the 23rd century?
A: Paper is convenient.  It's actually a recyclable, synthetic material.

Q: Why was Sinclair, only a Commander, given the job of running the station?
A: The Minbari rejected all choices, down the line, until it reached Sinclair.

Q: What does the "Third Age" of mankind mean?  What are the 1st and 2nd?
A: Joe ain't telling.  To reveal the 1st and 2nd would give away the 3rd.

Q: Why is the C&C (Command and Control) Dome sometimes empty?
A: It goes on "standby" every 36-48 hours for maintenance, backups, etc.

Q: How is the "sound in space" issue dealt with?
A: Existence of sound in space is debatable; you can think of it as music.

Q: Did Ivanova and Winters have a romantic affair?
A: Yes.

Aliens:

Q: What's with the Centauri Hair?
A: Hair is a measure of status: more elaborate = higher status. Women go bald.

Q: What is that thing on Minbari heads?
A: It's a bone; it grows with age and differs for individuals, sex, and caste.

Q: Is Bill Mumy (Lennier) the same guy from _Lost In Space_?
A: Yes.  Only much older.

Q: How did the war between Earth and the Minbari start?
A: A misunderstanding on first contact.

Q: What is known about Vorlons?
A: Very little. Reclusive, and may be hiding something under those suits.

Q: Why are we always seeing aliens speaking English to each other?
A: As in WWII movies, we assume they are speaking in their native tongue.

Q: What race has the 'flying saucer' ships?
A: The vree, a race that shows up from time to time; first in "Deathwalker."

Technology:

Q: How do jump gates work?
A: Ships enter one and exit another. Large ships can make their own points.

Q: What's the size and capacity of the station?
A: 5 miles long, holding as many as 250,000 beings (many in transit).

Q: How do PPGs (Phased Plasma Guns) work?
A: A super-heated burst of plasma, burning through the air.

Q: How does communication with Earth work?
A: Tachyons, giving instantaneous communications; problematic in jump gates.

Q: Where in the galaxy is the station?
A: Less than 25 light years from earth, at the star Epsilon Eridani.

Q: How does C&C have gravity?
A: They are about 1/3 out from the center, so they do have light gravity.

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

Subject: 10. Miscellaneous Info

========    a. Babylon 5 online

Because JMS has been on GEnie talking about Babylon 5 since late 1991, GEnie
is a choice place to be for a Babylon 5 fan.  On the GEnie Science Fiction
RoundTable, there are two Babylon 5 categories where JMS talks with the fans
about the show, both production and story info.

Other Babylonians can be found online as well -- John Vulich and Mojo have
been spotted on Usenet; Mira Furlan lurks on GEnie; many writers such as David
Gerrold, Peter David, John Vornholt, and Christy Marx are on GEnie or CI$.

JMS is very active on the Usenet (since July 1993), although he stopped
participating when the flamebait quotient became intolerable.  He has rejoined
the Usenet fold with the creation of the moderated newsgroup.

JMS is also active on BIX, on CompuServe, and several other systems. (He also
"lurks" on a few systems to get a sense of how Babylon 5 discussions go
without his presence known.)

What JMS gets out of his participation online, is, as he puts it, a "sense of
the room."  Being a writer means coming up with questions to strengthen
characters and the world of the story, but nobody could ever come up with
every conceivable question. The nets are helpful because, as JMS puts it, "on
the nets, you get questions you never *dreamed* of."

One topic of discussion that arises frequently is the request that no story
ideas be suggested in the online forums.  This request is in place because if
somebody suggests a story, and it happens to be one that JMS is working on
already, that JMS is potentially open to lawsuits if the poster were to
suspect that her story idea were stolen.  For instance, JMS had to scrap a
story he was working on because somebody asked 'What if Joe wrote a story in
which a "memory-challenged" person DISCOVERED records of who he or she was?'
(This story was resurrected in the third season after some difficult legal
finageling....)

Often there are suggestions that the poster could include with their ideas a
"disclaimer" or a "release."  This has been debated over and over again, but
the issue boils down to the problem that no matter what, the B5 production
would be exposed to lawsuits, which, even if frivolous and unwinnable, would
shut down production of the show while in litigation.  Television producers in
general must go to great lengths to keep themselves protected, so JMS's
presence online hangs in a delicate balance.  If you do wish to suggest story
ideas, you can use the creative mailing list described in section 11a.

Online lore:  On usenet, a running joke is the Sinclair's "duck."  This
reference came about because of rude postings about male and female anatomy,
which became censored to words "T*TS" and "D*CK," which became "tots" and
"duck." There are also running gags about Zima and baseball bats.  Don't ask.
There's of course the {*} symbol that shows up in many fans' signatures since
the first season; it appears to represent a jumpgate, but its origin is lost
in obscurity.

========    b. Fans' influence on the show

The location of Babylon 5 is at Grid Epsilon 470,18,22 which corresponds to
the original location of the Babylon 5 topic on GEnie (Page 470, CAT 18, Topic
22).  The first mention of a planet's coordinates in "Mind War" were Grid
Epsilon 471,18,25 which corresponds to a topic in the Babylon 5 Category on
GEnie.

Partially due to fan response from those who saw the pilot movie or clips,
some things in the pilot movie were changed before broadcast.  The voice of
Delenn is Mira Furlan's voice without any processing and Delenn is female to
begin with.  Original plans were to electronically process her voice and have
Delenn change sex during the series. Some additional voice-over was done by
Patricia Tallman to clarify one scene in the show with Kosh in the Medlab.

The branding of a Minbari in "The War Prayer" that had similarities to a DS9
episode was kept after feedback from fans about it.  It had been considered
removing the branding scene and electronically wiping the brand from the rest
of the episode.

In the first season, when names submitted for a mega corporation and a mineral
were rejected for legal reasons, JMS went to the GEnie B5 Category and asked
for suggestions. The resulting names used are Quantium-40 for the mineral
(submitted by David Strauss) and Universal Terraform for the company (submit-
ted by Arne Starr), and were used in "Parliament of Dreams" and "Mind War."
Perhaps not coincidentally, the waiter in one of the episodes is named David.

The denizens of "Downbelow" are called "lurkers," a term for those on the
newsgroups who read messages but never post.

Based on interest in the legal aspects of the Psi Corps, he indicates how
some of this works in "The Quality of Mercy."

An EA ship in "A Voice in the Wilderness" is named "Hyperion" in
acknowledgment of the original name of the Babylon 5 archive site and home of
the Lurker's Guide, formerly ftp.hyperion.com.

The lightbulb joke in "Convictions" is an homage to the net presence of
B5 and the various jokes that people post.

========    c. Awards

## Got updates? E-mail {b5-submit@midwinter.com} with subject "B5 AWARDS"

Sept, 1993  - Emmy Award for Special Visual Effects for the Pilot movie
March,1994  - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"
Sept, 1994  - Emmy award winner for makeup in "The Parliament of Dreams"
?           - Cult TV Award for best new series, UK
?           - Jewish Televimage Award
July, 1995  - Emmy nominations: Cinematography, Hairstyling, Makeup
May, 1996   - "The Coming of Shadows" awarded Compuserve Homer Award for
              Dramatic Presentation
July, 1996  - "Comes the Inquisitor" nominated for Emmy in Cinematography
Sept?,1996  - "The Coming of Shadows" wins Hugo award
Oct., 1996  - Space Frontier Foundation award for "Best Vision of the Future"
1997        - American Cinema Foundation's E Pluribus Unim Award
              for Television Series, Drama

========    d. Babylon 5 References in other JMS works

In the Captain Power episode "Final Stand," Tank mentions that he's from the
Babylon 5 Genetic Engineering Colony.

In the JMS Novel "Othersyde," Babylon 5 is mentioned as one of the characters'
favorite TV series.

In the Captain Power Episode "A Summoning of Thunder Part 2", when Hawk
activates the first power suit, Mentor says "And So It Begins".  This has
been confirmed by JMS as a "Koshism" he threw in.

========    e. Miscellaneous Production Info

Babylon 5 is being filmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio, trimming it for broadcast.
Plans are for the episodes to later be available in widescreen on laserdisc
and when HDTV happens.  The opening titles are in letterbox format.

Audio is being done in full Surround Sound.  Larry DiTillio wrote
background dialogue (known as "walla") in the first two seasons.

Alien makeup and such for the series is being done by Optic Nerve Studios
(Everett Burrell and John Vulich) which is a change from the pilot.

The early episodes had some video and audio degradation due to the manner in
which commercials, closed captioning and such were being added using analog
transfers and used tape.  Some was corrected by the broadcast of "The War
Prayer" with more improvements in time.

Three "errors" have been broadcast and then later fixed.  The original version
of "Mind War" had a CGI error (you could see a bright star through a ship in
the first scene) that was corrected for later broadcasts.  The original North
America satellite feed of "Chrysalis" was incorrectly assembled; some markets
broadcast this version.  An incorrect historical reference to Jack the Ripper
from "Comes the Inquisitor" was replaced.

========    f. Production Order vs. Airing Order

Several episodes were aired in a different order than they were originally
produced.  One reason is to allow extra time for post-production of a
particularly effects-laden episode.  In a few cases, episodes were aired in
a slightly different order than originally intended; for details, see WWW:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/master/

========    g. Changes

----> Between pilot and first season:

Due to reworking and recasting after the pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Laurel Takashima,
Dr. Benjamin Kyle, and telepath Lyta Alexander were replaced.  Kyle and
Alexander were sent back to Earth under "mysterious circumstances"; Takashima
is on a classified mission, and may return someday.  Much of the character
stories and back-histories were transferred to their replacements.

Make-up for G'Kar was improved; Delenn's look was substantially modified once
it was established that the character would be female.

----> Between first and second season:

Director Richard Compton, a fixture on B5 at its inception, left the show
after "Grail."  The narration and main titles was changed to be shorter, and
to include new graphics introducing the characters.  Many improvements in
costumes, makeup, lighting, and FX were added for season 2. Several new sets
were added, including a bazaar and an officer's lounge called "Earhart's,"
after the famed aviator. In order to advance the story, the character of
Commander Sinclair was moved "off the chess board" at the start of season 2.
According to JMS, this was a mutual, amicable decision between producers and
Michael O'Hare.  Lt. Cmdr. Ivanova was promoted to Commander; Delenn went
through a physical change.  Na'Toth was re-cast, and the character of Warren
Keffer was added.

----> Between second and third season:

The narration changed once again.  Additional sets were brought on, including
a rather large one.  Keffer and Talia Winters, and Na'Toth are no longer on
the show; Zack Allan was made a regular character, and Marcus Cole was brought
in as a regular.

----> Between third and fourth season:

Foundation Imaging is no longer doing the visual effects; they are now done in
house by Netter Digital.  Additionally, many of the behind-the-scenes crew
that had been on the show since the beginning are not returning.  Lyta
Alexander joins the main cast of the show.

----> A list of episodes that have been mentioned online and later retitled.

  "Blood and Th