Random questions about B5

[Jan]

Don't be scared! We don't bite...hard.

For me the perfect soundtrack for what you describe would be "A Late Delivery from Avalon". Of course, I've made no secret that this is perhaps my favorite episode of all, but music-wise, yes I can picture everything happening as I listen to the soundtrack. I particularly like how easy it is to know when 'Arthur'/David is having his flashbacks due to the pounding music

[LateArrival]

Am too scared to ask a Book Question, so perhaps a Music Question?

Seem to be leaning towards Objects at Rest and Sleeping in Light as personal favorites when it comes to Background Music, but coming in Late may have biased me towards certain episodes. Was wondering what other episodes could be appreciated with the picture off and sound on? Sleeping in Light may not be a good example for Individual Moments since pretty much the whole episode is a tear jerker, but can vividly recall the scene in Objects at Rest where Lochley and Sheridan salute.

[Looney]

I think we tend to forget that back then, TNT wasn't known for drama at all. In fact, it was the fact that their core audience tuned out when B5 came on that doomed Crusade. In those days, TNT was know for T&A and Wrestling and (I think?) Westerns.

Yep, That is why I said "could have gained." B5 got the exposure, but on the wrong network. LOL Sure some people discovered the show on TNT, but like I also said "few and far between". As Jan said, TNT was known for Action - but it was Action of a certain variety, not SciFi Action. They aimed the show at the wrong audience. "That show is weird and has weird looking creatures and too much talking and is stupid." is likely what people who watched TNT in the late 90s would have said.

[Jan]

Honestly, being on TNT should have gained the show a lot of new fans, but I just don't recall hearing many tales of people who discovered it that way. I've heard some people say they discovered the show on TNT, but they are very few and far between. So yeah, "could have gained". I'm mean I know they gained, but not nearly what people hoped for.

I think we tend to forget that back then, TNT wasn't known for drama at all. In fact, it was the fact that their core audience tuned out when B5 came on that doomed Crusade. In those days, TNT was know for T&A and Wrestling and (I think?) Westerns.

[Looney]

When I think about it here is how it compares. When TNT picked up the show most, if not all, of the U.S. had TNT in their basic cable television package. Now you have to either purchase the show or pay for the streaming service the show is on. The show is DEFINITELY more accessible than it has been in twenty years, but nowhere near the market shares it could have gained by being on TNT. But that is "could have gained." The good news is attitudes toward Science Fiction shows like Babylon 5 have changed in many mainstream eyes, so there is definitely a chance for B5 to gain new appreciation - from those paying for HBOMAX. I doubt Amazon, Vudu, and iTunes have seen a huge uptick in B5 digital purchases. At least not an uptick that will be maintained for very long. BUT hopefully positive news will spread from HBOMAX subscribers and more people will learn about the show that was a huge stepping stone to the types of Science Fiction shows they enjoy today.

Honestly, being on TNT should have gained the show a lot of new fans, but I just don't recall hearing many tales of people who discovered it that way. I've heard some people say they discovered the show on TNT, but they are very few and far between. So yeah, "could have gained". I'm mean I know they gained, but not nearly what people hoped for.

[LateArrival]

Not sure if this is the place for it, but was reading a new-to-me 1998 magazine article which stated B5 was "a victim of the pitfalls of syndicated television" but with it's Season 5 pickup by TNT "all that has changed... ...Suddenly people are discovering the series". Guess the whole UK vs US interest is another can of worms as US viewers (?at the time?) weren't used to SF Arcs and Novels For Television, and in some areas there was trouble even finding the series before it moved to cable.

Was wondering how that compares to B5's 2021 remastered on demand release across multiple distribution platforms. Fans in 2021 can discover the series and watch from The Beginning through to the end, similar to fans in 1998 being able to watch the series at a regular time while catching up on rebroadcast previous episodes.

[Rudolph]

It's probably just a case of wardrobe recycling, but I noticed that when one of them has his feet up he's wearing Earthforce uniform shoes. I noticed they had the same curved sole patterns as when Garibaldi had his feet up on his desk a few episodes previously.

[JasonDavis]

Knight Two was originally planned to return in the season one finale. What I've learned of those plans will appear in my book.

[JoeD80]

Seems like they were definitely employed by Psi Corps? Garibaldi aide (Jack) was helping the Knights and he is the one who was definitely working with Bester (Mind War, Revelations). They probably thought Sinclair had extra special blocks put in so needed the machine.

[Jan]

I've always wondered who the Knights were affiliated with myself. Could have been anybody, I think, except Psi Corps or they wouldn't have needed that machine and drugs.

[Rudolph]

It doesn't really need to be explained, but I always wondered who the two agents in And the Sky Full of Stars were working for. There's a fair few candidates - Bureau 13, Psi Corps, Homeguard and, I think, Earthforce itself.

I wondered if they were perhaps working on the clandestine authority of Earthgov - possibly directly under Vice-President Clark - as part of his attempts to find out if Sinclair had been compromised as a Minbari agent after he disappeared during the Battle of the Line. Clark wanted to make sure that whoever was in command of a position as important as Babylon 5 could be trusted to do the right thing if it came down to Earth against everyone else. That his agents failed could have factored in to his decision to replace Sinclair with Sheridan, who on paper was an ideal propaganda figurehead: the biggest hero of the Minbari War and a career soldier. Sinclair was in his eyes too close to the Minbari.

[Kraig]

Wow, wild how this thread hasn't been active in two (going on three) years.

My inquiry relates to the ship tech specifications and such.

I've always wondered who operates all the laser gun and blaster turrets. Sometimes it might be automatic or voice activated by Sinclair/Sheridan/Ivanova while other times it's someone like Lt. Coxx and company manning it.

Anyone have any other key information on it that can better outline it compared to what JMS stated in the forums or is visible in the tech manuals?

Thanks in advance once more and keep the legend alive and well.

Specifics are not mentioned, but the defense systems were upgraded in Season 2 Episode 10 Gropos:

General Franklin: Long enough for us to get our gifts in place.

Sheridan: Gifts?

General Franklin: New weapons systems for your defense grid. The very latest from Earthforce R and D. When they're online, Babylon 5 will have enough firepower to take on a warship.

Sheridan: Are you sure this is wise? Babylon 5 is supposed to be devoted to peace. If we begin arming heavily...

General Franklin: The galaxy's changing, captain, and Babylon 5 must change with it. With the Narn and the Centauri at war, the other alien worlds are bound to become more aggressive, and Earth must keep pace. And if all doesn't go well at Matok, my people may need a fallback position. My techs will begin installing the new grid as soon as possible. Cmdr. Ivanova will handle your end.

Later in the same episode:

Sheridan:How's the new defense grid coming?

Ivanova:It should be fully installed by tonight. It's impressive. Pulse cannons. Interceptors. Mine launchers. And a tracking system three times faster than our old one. The general wasn't kidding when he said we could take on a warship.

Sheridan: Let's just hope we don't have to test that.

My guess is that whoever is manning the defense grid on watch on the bridge is in control of all the weapons systems.

When I was in the US Navy, I qualified many different watch stations. I would stand watch when on duty in a certain rotation, in several stations at different times based on the watch schedule. If general quarters (GQ) was sounded and I was on watch at a particular station, I would be relieved by someone who was assigned that station during GQ and would go to my assigned GQ station, until GQ was ended (secured). I would then return to that watch station unless it was past the end of my watch, then whoever was assigned during that time would relieve the GQ watch stander.

[Movieguy570]

Reply to a reply

Happy you joined us, Movieguy!

I checked the Security Manual and there's really nothing along the lines you're asking for. Hoping somebody else might be able to help?

Again, welcome!

Jan

Thank you ever so much for trying though. Yeah, I'll ask a few more fans on the various Facebook groups.

[Jan]

Happy you joined us, Movieguy!

I checked the Security Manual and there's really nothing along the lines you're asking for. Hoping somebody else might be able to help?

Again, welcome!

Jan

[Movieguy570]

2018 Questions

Wow, wild how this thread hasn't been active in two (going on three) years.

My inquiry relates to the ship tech specifications and such.

I've always wondered who operates all the laser gun and blaster turrets. Sometimes it might be automatic or voice activated by Sinclair/Sheridan/Ivanova while other times it's someone like Lt. Coxx and company manning it.

Anyone have any other key information on it that can better outline it compared to what JMS stated in the forums or is visible in the tech manuals?

Thanks in advance once more and keep the legend alive and well.