The Buffy Connection?

[jcbatz]

My in-laws have gotten me into Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I've watched the first 5 seasons). I never got into the show when it was on, mainly because I saw the movie in the theater. A T.V. version of the movie was NOT something I was interested in.

Well, I was wrong. Love Buffy. As I've been watching the first 5 seasons, I'm noticing a number of B5 crossover actors.

Robin Sachs, general Minbari/Narn o' the Day, played Ethan Raine on a few Buffy eps.

William Forward, the beloved Refa, played a doctor in Buffy (in an episode called "Shadow" no less).

Robin Atkin Downes, the glam teep Byron, had a part in a second season Buffy ep.

Daniel Dae Kim, Matheson on Crusade, was in a few eps of Angel (B5 spin-off on a Buffy spin-off).

Add to this a few B5 references in Buffy (Xander is moving out of his parents' basement and tells Anje that she is not worthy to carry his box of B5 collector plates).

So, am I nuts? Do I spend too much time on IMDB? Anyone else notice these things? Any explanations?

[Radhil]

Just that actors that are in sci-fi circles tend to get around in those circles. Most guest actors or recurring actors can probably land a few gigs among different shows - whether this is simply because it's their style of acting, or the community of producers I wouldn't know. You tend to see it in other TV genres too.

Hell, you want an example, look at Armin Shimerman, the principal from Buffy. Besides being Quark (which I actually only figured out recently - wasn't a big DS9 fan), he's popped up in half a dozen sci-fi shows besides. IMDB has him as various aliens in TNG, Alien Nation, Stargate, Sliders, I-Man, and even *shudder* Tremors.

Although by that same list, Armin has a career of popping up in every show, so maybe that's not the best example.

Hey, wait, he did voice acting..... (is sucked in by IMDB tractor beams)

[Sigma]

found this quote from JMS:

Optic Nerve, the ones who do B5 prosthetics, also do them for
Buffy, so there some understandable similarities from time to time
(like when they used a good chunk of n'grath for one shot).

"PPS - is it true that the BtVS crew whipped the B5 crew at
paintball?"

Nope. We beat them.

jms

[LytaaaarGh]

The one reference that stuck out to me IMMENSLEY (i have just started watching buffy via a friend - im S3 - no spoilers pls :P) was the note left by Ethain to giles saying the good ole phrase:

BE SEEING YOU

ok - i'm fully aware that this is originally a Prisoner Quote - so i left it at that (though i dared to hope it was a B5 reference)

The fact that Joss Whedon obviously has alot of respect for B5 (alla Xanders comment which again i hadn't heard) and knows it well, suggests to me more now that this was a tip of the hat to B5 rather than Prisoner. \o/

And for that, I love it more

(also - i'm sure thers an ep where Ethan actually makes the touching head sign (like Bester) and says BE SEEING YOU to giles)

[fgalkin]

Originally posted by LytaaaarGh


(also - i'm sure thers an ep where Ethan actually makes the touching head sign (like Bester) and says BE SEEING YOU to giles)

That too would be a Prisoner reference.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[jcbatz]

Sorry to resurrect this waste-of-a-thread, but I'm at it again.

We've finally gotten around to watching Angel. Sure enough, another major B5 connection is present in the third season. Keith Szarabajka, our beloved Matt Stoner from "Soul Mates" is a major villain from Angel's past.

I really liked the Stoner/Garibaldi friction in "Soul Mates" (one of my favorite 2nd season eps). Watching Keith Szarabajka work the same mojo, in a MUCH darker setting, and for many more episodes, is a real treat to watch.

Anyhow, there it is. Just couldn't resist.

[I love Lyta]

Not to forget the appearance of Galen in Charmed... *ducks*

[AmyG]

Don't forget that Jason Carter appeared in latex in an episode of "Angel" - it's the one where we learn about Gunn and the whole deal with him 'wishing' for the new truck. Jason's a demon who runs a casino.

[vacantlook]

If it wasn't for Jason's name in the openning guest credits, with the crazy level of prostetics he wears to play the demon in that episode, I don't think I would have ever realized it was him, despite hearing his voice and accent. The episode in question, should anyone be curious, is called "Double Or Nothing" and is in the third season. My memory tells me that the demon Jason plays works for another demon who runs the casino as a sort of collections agent employed against those who do not make good on their bets.

[AaronB]

Don't forget that Jason Carter appeared in latex in an episode of "Angel" - it's the one where we learn about Gunn and the whole deal with him 'wishing' for the new truck. Jason's a demon who runs a casino.

It's funny. I was just thinking about Jason and wondering what he is up to acting wise. The last time that I remember seeing him was in a car commercial several years ago.

[Joe Nazzaro]

And don't forget the big-ass preying mantis. I can't remember if the Buffy writers wrote their episode after discovering Optic Nerve had one in the shop, but I seem to remember their was some connection there.

[AmyG]

It's funny. I was just thinking about Jason and wondering what he is up to acting wise.

Well, thebaron, Jason taught an acting class on Long Island in September, which I had the pleasure of attending. He's returning there to teach it again in June. The new dates aren't up yet, but you can find out about the theater company sponsoring the class here:

Synergy Theater presents Jason Carter's Freeplay acting class

[vacantlook]

And don't forget the big-ass preying mantis. I can't remember if the Buffy writers wrote their episode after discovering Optic Nerve had one in the shop, but I seem to remember their was some connection there.

Ah, n'grath vs Natalie French (or the she-mantis, since the name she took was actually that of an old retired former substitute teacher).

The first episode n'grath was in was first broadcast in early 1994. The episode that Miss French was in was broadcast in spring 1997.

[jcbatz]

We just watched Double Or Nothing last night. I NEVER would have seen Jason Carter if you hadn't said something. Thanks!

[iammeiam]

The one B5 crossover in Buffy/Angel I caught right away is Lyta.

Lyta never actually appeared on the show, but a picture of her did as a named character. In season 3 of Angel (according to IMDB, episode 10--"Dad"), we see a flyer with a photo of Justine's sister on it--Justine's sister just happens to be Patricia Tallman.

This thread seems as good a place as any to ask--is there any She Spies connection to B5? It seems like every other week they had a B5 Guest Star.