Random questions about B5

[Marsden]

A Question

What does "beyond the Rim" mean?



I know what we've been using that phrase for lately , but what does it really mean, just leaving the galaxy to drive around in empty space or is there another element to it, as in going to another dimention or trancending to another kind of life?

[Jan]

What does "beyond the Rim" mean?

I know what we've been using that phrase for lately , but what does it really mean, just leaving the galaxy to drive around in empty space or is there another element to it, as in going to another dimention or trancending to another kind of life?

The Rim itself seems to mean that edge of explored space. Remember how Capt. Maynard told Sheridan that B5 would probably bet getting the updated star charts showing the 'new' Rim since his ship had explored a new sector. It might also mean the edge of the galaxy since Lorien talked about the First Ones passing beyond the rim to whatever's between the galaxies.

So I'd say that the rim is the boundary between the known and the unknown. Which seems fitting for the use we've adapted it for when folks have passed away.

Jan

[DaveNarn]

I had never considered the B5 saga occurs only in the Milky Way galaxy.

http://babylon5.wikia.com/wiki/Galactic_Rim

Stargate Atlantas is the only TV sic-fi I can think of that made a point that they were in another Galaxy.
(The Pegasus)

[sarthaz]

Since Babylon 5 is basically Lord of the Rings in space, "The Rim" is equivalent to "The West". Tolkien spells everything out in more detail, with the Undying Lands and the land of Valinor and how mortal men are not allowed to travel there blah-blah-blah, but it's effectively where the immortal elves (First Ones of a sort, but not as "first" as the Valar like Lorien) go when leaving Middle Earth to the Age of Men (the Fourth Age in that story). JMS treats it more vaguely, but it's the same idea. It's where those-who-are-able go when they are done with this realm. The elves were summoned away from Middle Earth and once the One Ring was destroyed, they had to leave to avoid spiritually fading away. Why the First Ones pass beyond The Rim is less clear -- do they need to or do they choose to? Is it a new adventure or are they returning home like the Elves? -- but it's the same basic idea. They're leaving the known realm to mankind (not just the humans) and venturing into the unknown realm (at least to us). The implication in Babylon 5 is that they've achieved some level of enlightenment that allows them to make the journey and that we too will do the same in a million years.

I think it's meant to be an idea of something beyond what is known, but in specific terms, I think they intend it to be the space between galaxies. However, in specific terms, The Undying Lands are just an island across the Great Sea in the West, but that doesn't mean man can build a boat and head over there. The same applies here. Just because mankind can explore more of the galaxy, does not mean they can pass beyond the rim until their time.

Since beyond the rim (into the west) represents the unknown, a place of spiritual immortality, we speak of the dearly departed venturing there in hopes that their spirit endures in a way we cannot comprehend on this earthly plane.

[Marsden]

Thank you, sarthaz!

I thought it might be something like that but I sought confirmation.

[freaky]

remember third space... if that wasnt just a random have fun thing then the firstones are just the milky ways firstones or they were the firstones to get here.
i think its just like another level of the game, they pass to the next level and they go back to being the humans of the next space, least advanced fighting a more powerful enemy, fighting for whatever they "wont"or whoever they think they "are"(third space creatures were basically 8472 "the weak shall perish")
the ultimate goal for all species is to not go extinct.
they had a good show on sci channel awhile back,what happens if we survive billions of years type stuff, leave our dieing star, go to others until the galaxy dies then gotta find a new galaxy till they all die then we go to another dimension or learn to create our own big bang without banging into ourselves or die. probley run into a bunch of others if that happens.alota alliances,confederacies,borg and 8472 types. shadow warx10000000
the real life scale (not sure what its called) for advanced alien speices goes
level 1=controls all power on a planet(static electricity,weather,techtonics,so on)
level 2 =controls a planet and a star(dyson sphere type thing,mirror sytem or something)
level 3= controls all the stars in a galaxy(not sure if that includes the planets too) once you control a few dozen stars they say time manipulation and bending space time type stuff is possible( fold/hiding place in subspace/hyperspace)
michio kaku said were about a level .8 think it was. if we can get the fusion power plants to work if not hed probley down grade us to a .7

[freaky]

i always get the psychich ladys mixed up, so might use wrong name but why do you think lida(maybe in the books/maybe im forgetting some occasions)is a vorlon built shadow weapon. doesnt her eyes always turn black instead of glowing white/blueish when using her advanced abilities.(its late having trouble remembering much...)its like if america built high quality nazi weapons to fight the nazis.(maybe spying?) i know theres tons that just didnt have time for an explanation.
like what kind of drugs brian cranston whiped up off that vorlon engines chemicals before he went on his scuiside mission.

[Babel-17]

Lyta*, and IIRC, yeah, the Vorlons had a hand in the genetics that produce Psi abilities, in order that the younger species could help in a future battle against the Shadows forces.

*My avatar picture answers your other question.

[wrrlykam]

Stargate Atlantas is the only TV sic-fi I can think of that made a point that they were in another Galaxy.
(The Pegasus)

Two come to mind, oddly both Stargate based. Stargate Universe went through two galaxies. The Ori in SG1 were from another galaxy, Vala travelled there in season 9.

[Babel-17]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexx

If I understand it correctly, the show starts in another Universe.

[babylonlurker]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexx
If I understand it correctly, the show starts in another Universe.

If we start talking about alternate universes, there is a ton out there .

Off the top of my head I think of the older "Sliders" and the excellent, newer "Fringe" .

[phazedout]

Every trek series explored the mirror universe (with the excetion of Voyager, whihc only did so in video game format). Best explored in DS9.

[Babel-17]

If we start talking about alternate universes, there is a ton out there .

Off the top of my head I think of the older "Sliders" and the excellent, newer "Fringe" .

Good point, but the nerd in me points out that both of those shows still stayed within the/a Milky Way Galaxy. With Lexx, they had galaxies (I think) but they weren't alternate versions of our own. (I think) I assumed the Universe was different on a more basic level.

[freaky]

Lyta*, and IIRC, yeah, the Vorlons had a hand in the genetics that produce Psi abilities, in order that the younger species could help in a future battle against the Shadows forces.

*My avatar picture answers your other question.

i know that i have seen the show.... i was talking about how her eyes glow white when she deals with vorlons and black when she deals with shadows but that doesnt make sense to me. if shes a vorlon weapon shouldnt her eyes always be white/blueish?
unless it gets kinda cheesy and say her eyes reflect her enemy? but it doesnt relect other species... red eyes for example when dealing with narns...

im sure the answer is its just a show. type thing

[Babel-17]

Lol, you inspired me to google and I found this.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89438742572757544/

I think you might be right about her eyes being white for interacting with Vorlons. I think the black was for dramatic effect, Pat Tallman suggests that in a snip I saw on youtube. Maybe someone who remembers all the times can comment on them going black for Shadows, and/or if they went black on other occasions.