Rebooting the B5 reboot thread...

[Ubik]

I know this was discussed at length back when JMS was in negotiations with WB to do a reboot of B5. However, I have noticed a massive increase in threads on various B5 facebook groups in relation to a reboot or contination of the B5 universe.

I think, in part, this is because #FreeBabylon5 has got people thinking about B5 again. Ultimately the 'end game' of #FreeBabylon5 is to revitalise interest in the show and (potentially) increase the chances of new content being made.

If there were to be any new B5 (reboot or otherwise), what would you like to see? Or conversely, would you prefer for to be left alone? To stand as a timeless SF classic...

[DaveNarn]

I have three B5 wishes

#1
The further adventures of Capt. Maynard.
I don't know if he and the EAS Cortez had been featured in any of the books.
This series would continue his timeline after being rescued from hyperspace.

His missions would take the crew beyond what we've seen in the series so far.
Maynard would be resourceful, often dancing just on the edge of his Earth Alliance authority.
Building gates and mapping distant sectors, He is an explorer and sometimes ambassador during first contacts.

#2
EAS Agamemnon
This is an action-drama that follows a squadron Marines.
It begins at 'Points of Departure' with Captain Sheridan leaving.
These stories fill the void he left behind.

Like Battle Star Galactica and Space: Above and Beyond.
They are members of the Earth Alliance Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry, 9th Squadron. They are stationed on the EAS Agamemnon and act as both infantry and pilots.

#3
Reboot Crusade.
Keep original characters and storyline.
Another cast would be needed since Daniel Dae Kim may not be available anymore and Gary Cole prolly wouldn't want to, if he ever did.

[Ubik]

I think something new or a hard reboot would be the most viable option.

That said, I'm unsure how I’d feel about a reboot. The current trend of remaking perfectly good films has generally resulted in unimpressive results that pale in comparison to the originals they are based on. I think B5 should probably be left alone. It’s a product of its time, made special by all those involved in producing it. Part of the joy of B5 is how hard everyone worked to simply get it made. The stories behind the making of the show are almost as interesting as the show itself! I like the flaws, they give it charm. I’m unsure if I’d want to see that all smoothed over, or revised in any way.

Would I be tempted if the option was there? Sure I would, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’d be a good thing to do.

Dave, I’m totally with you on something new *set in* the B5 universe. That could work. But, in my opinion, it would need to be done in such a way as to not alienate new viewers who might not have seen B5. Perhaps we could jump forwards in the B5 timeline? Far enough that it wouldn’t get bogged down in the existing B5 continuity. A new era, with new challenges, including some familiar older races, and some new ones too. You could easily drop in some nice winks to existing B5 without it being confusing for the uninitiated. This could be safer as direct continuations of B5 haven’t exactly fared very well.

Crusade could be rebooted, but it’d have to be retooled to fill new viewers in on what they’d missed (B5), and there’s a lot of legacy information from B5 that you’d need to shoehorn in. I’m just not sure it would make sense to a new audience. Again, I think it suffers from a heavy reliance on an existing B5 continuity. This is probably where a hard reboot of the entire B5 universe for a modern audience begins to make sense!

It’s a hard one, cause as much as I LOVE B5, when it comes to JMS and TV I think I’d rather see him move on to entirely new things. Currently I’m keeping all my digits crossed for Sense8. It’s the best chance we have of reviving some of that B5 magic, and the circumstances under which it’s being made bode very well indeed. I can only hope JMS and the Wachowski’s will build a new universe just as rich for us to enjoy.

[sarthaz]

I would prefer it left alone. Babylon 5 is a special slice of television magic, the product of the right people in the right place at the right time. (Thank you, Sebastian). Its story has been told. Yes, there's a Universe out there with other stories to be told, but they won't be as grand, and JMS won't be as hungry and invested (and crazy), and at best, they would just be "fine". I don't really want that. Do "fine" in someone else's playground. That's what Star Trek is for. I nearly wet myself when The Lost Tales were announced, but there's no magic in them. And it's not about the budget -- it's just the reality that so many unique factors must converge for something special to happen. And we were lucky to get it once. And it's sad that it's "over", but we can relive the story whenever we want, and I love that.

To me, this question is like asking how we should reboot The Beatles. You can't do it. There will be no new Beatles music. You can't get Paul McCartney to write new songs for a handsome new cast. You can't hire the musical equivalent of Brannon Braga to "re-imagine" them as no-talent aliens with big hooters. It's just over. But the songs endure. And Babylon 5 endures.

[Ubik]

I nearly wet myself when The Lost Tales were announced, but there's no magic in them. And it's not about the budget -- it's just the reality that so many unique factors must converge for something special to happen. And we were lucky to get it once. And it's sad that it's "over", but we can relive the story whenever we want, and I love that.

I agree. The opening sequence for TLT, with G'Kar's voice over gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. The actual episodes, I could take or leave. They were okay. I’m of the general opinion that it’s been deminishing returns with each spin off, or any attempt at something new. I’m pleased JMS chose to draw a line in the sand unless he was given a real budget. I’m happy with what we got, and with all the great supplementay material B5 Books has put out, there’s a LOT to ponder over and disect.

Until I started posting here, I didn’t consider myself the type of fan who’d buy script books or other associated items. However, I had a whole load of fun hunting down a complete series of script books over the course of a year. It didn’t even set me back as much as you’d expect, as I got a few bargains on eBay, and Jan was an absolutely gem in helping me find those ‘harder to locate’ volumes!

I think nostalgia can be a really powerful thing… and for me *some* of the appeal of B5 is rooted in nostalgia. I guess it’s only natural for us fans to want something more in the Universe. To have new stories to discuss and pour over. But ultimately, I think you are right. The story has been told. B5 had it’s day… well, it had it’s 5 years… and what a bloody brilliant 5 years they were!

[DaveNarn]

I've always liked the B5 universe partly for it's newtonian physics.
I'd watch any space show that based their special effects on them, regardless of the time period or who made it.

The 2013 movie 'Europa Report' got good reviews for doing the same.

I believe there is a general sense of frustration and loss now that the manned Space Program has ended here in the States.
A more true-to-life space drama might help sate our appetite until the Chinese build their moon base.

That's why I'd vote for an early prequel.
All new cast - same uniforms - no Minbari.

[Jonas]

I think The Lost Tales was the *only* spin-off that captured the beauty and philosophy of B5, despite the tiny budget. I still think Babylon 5 as a story is done, but Voices in the Dark was a worthy addition, and I do wish there'd been more such stories.

On the other hand... I was rewatching Stargate Universe with my wife a while ago. (Massively underrated show; I also misunderstood and hated it at first, now I think it's quite possibly the second best sci-fi I've seen on TV, after B5, and one of my overall favourite shows.) SGU is absolutely, shockingly gorgeous - the sets, the CGI, the locations, it's breathtaking. If I think of B5 being remade at that level of visual quality, Christ... I can see why JMS wanted to try a reboot.

[Ubik]

On the other hand... I was rewatching Stargate Universe with my wife a while ago. (Massively underrated show; I also misunderstood and hated it at first, now I think it's quite possibly the second best sci-fi I've seen on TV, after B5, and one of my overall favourite shows.) SGU is absolutely, shockingly gorgeous - the sets, the CGI, the locations, it's breathtaking. If I think of B5 being remade at that level of visual quality, Christ... I can see why JMS wanted to try a reboot.

I only saw a bit of SGU, perhaps three or four episodes, and it seemed to be trying too hard to do BSG style gritty realism. Did it improve as it went? Would it be worth me re-investigating it?

[Jonas]

I only saw a bit of SGU, perhaps three or four episodes, and it seemed to be trying too hard to do BSG style gritty realism. Did it improve as it went? Would it be worth me re-investigating it?

That's what I thought, too, and I hated it for it. Turns out it wasn't really doing that at all! I mean, the characters are quite realistic, but they're also profoundly human, and they learn to see past their differences and work together in a way they never really did on BSG. And the performances - my god, what a cast!

The first time I saw SGU, it took me until the end of the second season to realize the show was actually really good. I thought it must have gotten a lot better since the beginning. Then I rewatched it and realized no, it had been brilliant all along, but I hadn't been open to its brilliance because I disliked both SGA and BSG (to varying degrees) and thought I was seeing patterns that weren't actually there.

[Ubik]

That's what I thought, too, and I hated it for it. Turns out it wasn't really doing that at all! I mean, the characters are quite realistic, but they're also profoundly human, and they learn to see past their differences and work together in a way they never really did on BSG. And the performances - my god, what a cast!

The first time I saw SGU, it took me until the end of the second season to realize the show was actually really good. I thought it must have gotten a lot better since the beginning. Then I rewatched it and realized no, it had been brilliant all along, but I hadn't been open to its brilliance because I disliked both SGA and BSG (to varying degrees) and thought I was seeing patterns that weren't actually there.

Cheers, that's an interesting insight. I will be sure to give it a look at some point. Not enough good SF at the moment. Although I am really enjoying 'Almost Human'.

[David Panzer]

I'm going to have to say no on a B5 remake.

Yes, it would be nice to see B5 redone with the current CGI tech, or shot entirely in HD with a much bigger budget.

I just find it hard to believe that the only story that can be told in a universe that hints at even bigger ones is a 5 year story about the last of the Babylon stations.

[Sinclair's Fan]

I can't help but feel there are so many stories that were hinted at in the 'original' B5 Universe that are still ripe for the picking, I'd love to see those stories produced before any reboot took place.

Just my opinion, though.