Random questions about B5

[Jan]

Also, this was word of the day yesterday: http://dictionary.reference.com/word...011/08/11.html

I just thought I'd post it since someone posted maybe a year ago that they didn't use the word billet correctly but this supports the use in the show. I don't actually remember hearing it anywhere else, so this is what I thought of.

Good catch. Yes, JohnFortyTwo posted back in January in the 'Worst Episodes' thread:

The one that really gets my nerves is the one with Franklin's father in it. Being retired Navy myself, I found that episode a joke when Franklin's father is using military jargon (JMS should've consulted someone).

- You can't spit shine a billet because a billet is someone's position within a military organization on paper. You go to the billeting office for quarters/berthing but they aren't spit shined, they're field dayed. Only shoes are spit shined but everyone with military experience knows that isn't true because it's just a figure of speech.

I thought it was wrong at the time, too, because I'd often heard of quarters themselves being referred to as a billet. Have no idea what 'they're field dayed' means at all.

Anyway, it's not as if parts of military jargon might not have drifted in 200 years, too.

Jan

[Marsden]

Thanks for the answers. Just remember I ask these questions not to nitpick but for understanding. Dr. developed a cure for Draffa (sp?) and some other things, I thought maybe he improved the telepath drug. After all, supposedly the drug makers don't care if the telepaths are suffering as they dislike telepaths and wouldn't be motivated to make them better, unlike Dr. Franklin who is not a prejudiced person, at least that I've seen.


Also, this was word of the day yesterday: http://dictionary.reference.com/word...011/08/11.html

I just thought I'd post it since someone posted maybe a year ago that they didn't use the word billet correctly but this supports the use in the show. I don't actually remember hearing it anywhere else, so this is what I thought of.

[OmahaStar]

I would interpret it as being a long term cumulative effect, so not affecting out favourite Psi-Cop.

Which is exactly what Ivanova had said, when describing how her mother slowly went over to the dark side/depression, etc.

[babylonlurker]

Here's a question: Ivanova and some other sources state that the drugs that they give teeps to keep them in line are really strong and can knock you silly. My question is, when Dr Franklin gave Bester the shot he seemed pretty ok. What happened? Dr. Franklin did say he "formulated" a close approximation of what they use, was his better with less side effects? Or was PsiCorp intentionally overdosing people to increase their suffering and make joining more desirable? This may have been answered somewhere, but I haven't seen anything about this.

I would interpret it as being a long term cumulative effect, so not affecting out favourite Psi-Cop.

[Marsden]

Sleepers

Here's a question: Ivanova and some other sources state that the drugs that they give teeps to keep them in line are really strong and can knock you silly. My question is, when Dr Franklin gave Bester the shot he seemed pretty ok. What happened? Dr. Franklin did say he "formulated" a close approximation of what they use, was his better with less side effects? Or was PsiCorp intentionally overdosing people to increase their suffering and make joining more desirable? This may have been answered somewhere, but I haven't seen anything about this.

[lotjx]

The Babylon 5 CCG card for Laurel states she was working for the PSI Corp as well as the Narns and the Windswords to discredit Sinclair. The Minbair is a Windsword.

[Marsden]

Sounds good to me, his voice and facial features just seemed different.

Thanks everyone!

[JoeD80]

I'm sorry, Jan, but you named the two that I got, it was the 2nd or middle image that I was asking about, mostly. So it was Dad hanging on the tree, he turns to the voice behind him, that older Narn, who was he?

I always thought it was his father, both on the tree and behind him.

I figured that was all G'Kar's father as well. Kosh appeared as Sheridan's father in another episode. It's when the Vorlons are seen in real life and they're concentrating that they appear as a being of light.

[Marsden]

The Minbari in question was called Hedronn. He was played by Robin Sachs, who also portrayed Satai Coplann in In the Beginning. Coincidentally, Sachs also played two different Narns: N'Kal in "The Fall of Night" and "Walkabout" and Na'Tok in "Movements of Fire and Shadow" and "The Fall of Centauri Prime."

Both pairs--Hedronn and Coplann and N'Kal and Na'Tok--were very similar characters. Given that the same actor was cast, it's a shame that same names weren't used to give a sense of continuity. I like the idea of N'Kal--the only Narn starship captain to survive the war with the Centauri-- being the general who commanded the bombardment of Centauri Prime a few years later.

I thought both of those pairs were the same people, in both cases. I especially thought it was cool that the Narn captain was in command of their forces after they rebuilt. D'oh!

[JasonDavis]

On a similar note, I was trying to find out some Minbari names of certain ones that appeared from time to time. Especially the one in "Points of Departure" that warns Sheridan about the captain of the Trigati. I'm guessing that's Rathenn, but it only lists him as Minbari.

The Minbari in question was called Hedronn. He was played by Robin Sachs, who also portrayed Satai Coplann in In the Beginning. Coincidentally, Sachs also played two different Narns: N'Kal in "The Fall of Night" and "Walkabout" and Na'Tok in "Movements of Fire and Shadow" and "The Fall of Centauri Prime."

Both pairs--Hedronn and Coplann and N'Kal and Na'Tok--were very similar characters. Given that the same actor was cast, it's a shame that same names weren't used to give a sense of continuity. I like the idea of N'Kal--the only Narn starship captain to survive the war with the Centauri-- being the general who commanded the bombardment of Centauri Prime a few years later.

[Marsden]

The Vorlons never appeared as the primary religious figure that we know of so I don't think that it would have been G'Quan. That's just my feeling, though. Jan

Thank you, I've heard that specifically about Vorlons not being the primary figure. Until this last time, I think I assumed it was his father, but he just seemed different to me this time, like a different Narn. Also, because we know from G'kar's story to the reporter in "Now for a Word" this is a memory, maybe Kosh was causing him to remember and then switched to the Image of G'quon, or kept it his father. I guess I'm thinking too much into it, but it's a very good episode all around and this part really delves into 2 of the best characters ever. And like many have said, I notice things on repeat veiwings.

But thank you both for your answers. I even noticed in the opening credits that the actor was listed as Narn Image, but if JMS had to have a credit that said G'quan I think that would have set tounges wagging.


On a similar note, I was trying to find out some Minbari names of certain ones that appeared from time to time. Especially the one in "Points of Departure" that warns Sheridan about the captain of the Trigati. I'm guessing that's Rathenn, but it only lists him as Minbari.

[Jonas]

I always thought it was his father, both on the tree and behind him.

[Jan]

I'm sorry, Jan, but you named the two that I got, it was the 2nd or middle image that I was asking about, mostly. So it was Dad hanging on the tree, he turns to the voice behind him, that older Narn, who was he?

It's never spelled out and one morphs into another then another. We know that G'kar's father died tied to a tree and the script designates G'lan but until we hear the wings, the speaker is only designated as 'Narn Image' so it's open to interpretation.

I'd have to see it again but it always seemed to me that the second image that G'Kar had to turn to see was also his father and the script only says:

And the Narn now stands behind him.
G'Kar senses it, turns.

...without describing a different look. The Vorlons never appeared as the primary religious figure that we know of so I don't think that it would have been G'Quan. That's just my feeling, though.

Jan

[Marsden]

I'm sorry, Jan, but you named the two that I got, it was the 2nd or middle image that I was asking about, mostly. So it was Dad hanging on the tree, he turns to the voice behind him, that older Narn, who was he?

Kosh knew Valen when he saw him as Sinclair, he might have also known G'quan.


I'd just like to say, I wished there was/will be more about that time period with Valen especially.

[Jonas]

I love the scripts and the script books because it gives a lot of insight into the amazing attention to detail that went into making the show and I can appreciate that without it spoiling the story for me. I definitely understand where you're coming from about not wanting them, though, because I've always wondered (not that I'd ever get the chance, mind) if I'd ever really want to visit the set of a TV show I liked because it might spoil the suspension of disbelief for me.

Jan

You know, G'Kar might still be right about being closer to the source. Maybe Kosh meddled in Narn history...