The common man in B5

[Night Marshal]

When I first watched B5 it was really before I started getting on the internet so I didn't know much if anything about what was going on behind the scenes. I just took the show for what I got each week via the TV. So when Sleeping in Light cam along I had No Idea what JMS looked like. But I always thought it was cool that guy that turned off the lights in Babylon 5 wasn't one of cast but rather just one of the maintenance guys that we have seen running around during the course of the show. It just rung true to me and still does even though I know that JMS and that its has larger meaning behind it. All the same looking back on it I think its telling on how well Babylon 5 sold the importance of the people not in the command staff that I had that reaction at all.

There are of course other times in the show like A view from the gallery but I think there are also smaller examples that make the show work too.

[Marsden]

I agree. A lot of the people that are only extras in most shows actually get something more like the bartenders or security personel, like Lou Welch.

[Winged Heron]

I like that as well. What I like about B5 is has never been elitist. Oh yes there where the ambassadors, officers, etc but it always has a quality of democracy about it that separated it from other series in the same genre. They all tried it but for a want of a better word JMS really capture the humanity of the ideal. Apologies to all the other species out there - no other word I could think of than humanity. I think that is why I like the place I find myself now, as Win as least. Real Life can learn a lot from JMS' universe

[Pedrith]

I also really enjoyed By any means necessary which featured the common man in a brutal union strike. Love that epsiode.

David

[NotKosh]

Or the two repair guys in "A View From the Gallery" (I think that was the title).

[glindros]

Or the two repair guys in "A View From the Gallery" (I think that was the title).

I would also include Corwin, and even Keffer as everyman characters.

[OmahaStar]

I would also include Corwin, and even Keffer as everyman characters.

I always include Corwin.

Wait, what were we talking about?

[thegavel]

Don't forget the ISN reporters.
Maggie Egan jumps to mind.
(A Very NICE LADY. We met her in Sydney a few years ago.
I was actually looking forward to her "reports")
and the guy who breaks in to tell about Clark's forces taking over ISN etc.
They were great.
And not forgeting
Mack & Bo
Rebbo & Zooty (Sorry....)
and the most important of all.......
ZATHRAS.

[glindros]

I always include Corwin.

Wait, what were we talking about?

For shame forgetting to pimp Maggie Egan / Jane anywhere and everywhere possible. Please turn in your ISN card !

[OmahaStar]

For shame forgetting to pimp Maggie Egan / Jane anywhere and everywhere possible. Please turn in your ISN card !

Hmm? Oh, I was including Corwin in ... something else.

[Marsden]

I think you could even put Garibaldi in there, he's something of the common guy stuck in uncommon circumstances. Didn't he get the job because Sinclair requested him? Wasn't because of a stellar record or good conections.