Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* FakeRussian: American actress Claudia Christian portrays the supposedly born-and-raised Russian Susan Ivanova, but barely gives herself any accent beyond occasionally giving herself a stilted speech pattern in some early episodes.
to:
* FakeRussian: American actress Claudia Christian portrays the supposedly born-and-raised Russian Susan Ivanova, but barely gives herself any accent beyond occasionally giving herself a stilted speech pattern in some early episodes. The In-Universe explanation is that she spent most of her life studying abroad [[spoiler: so her mother could prevent the authorities from learning Susan was a telepath.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Ivanova and Talia would have become an explicitly romantic couple if Andrea Thompson hadn't quit the show, though JMS still took it as far as he could in the limited time with the shot of Talia reaching out for an absent Ivanova while sleeping in her bed. After replacing her with the returned Lyta, he elected not to transplant the romance as it would feel too forced.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 68 (click to see context) from:
* WordOfGod: JMS remained active on USENET throughout the show's run, and would often answer questions about the B5 'verse posted to rec.arts.sci-fi.tv.babylon5.moderated.
to:
* WordOfGod: JMS remained active on USENET throughout the show's run, and would often answer questions about the B5 'verse posted to rec.arts.sci-fi.tv.babylon5.moderated. Numerous comments have long since been collected and preserved on the [[http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html Lurker's Guide]] fan site, in the "jms speaks" sections under each episode's entry on the episode list.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
** The reason why the end of season 4 seems so crowded, and the beginning of Season 5 seems mostly composed of filler, is because the show was originally going to be cancelled after four seasons due to the failure of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network. The events of season 4 (originally intended to end with the episode "Intersections in Real Time") were shortened by four episodes, after which the resolution to the Earth Civil War arc (originally meant for the beginning of season 5) was resolved in three super-dense [[WhamEpisode Wham Episodes]] followed by the GrandFinale. Then at the last minute the show's fifth season was picked up by cable network TNT -- but now there was almost no material left for the fifth season's first half. A new season 4 finale was hastily shot, (the already-shot GrandFinale "Sleeping in Light" delayed to the series' end) and the eleven-episode hole was filled by the telepath-colony arc (originally meant to be just three episodes), the arc of Londo and G'Kar on Centauri Prime (originally cut from season 4), and standalone filler episodes ranging in quality from the yawner "A View from the Gallery" to Creator/NeilGaiman's marvelous "Day Of The Dead".
to:
** The reason why the end of season 4 seems so crowded, and the beginning of Season season 5 seems mostly composed of filler, is because the show was originally going to be cancelled after four seasons due to the failure of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network. The events of season failing. Season 4 (originally was originally intended to end with the episode "Intersections in Real Time") Time", and the Earth Civil War would be resolved at the beginning of season 5. Instead, the events of season 4 were shortened by four episodes, after which episodes (removing a story arc about Londo and G'Kar returning to Centauri Prime), and the resolution to the Earth Civil War arc (originally meant for the beginning of season 5) was resolved in crammed into three super-dense [[WhamEpisode Wham Episodes]] followed by the GrandFinale. Then at the last minute the show's fifth season was picked up by cable network TNT -- but now there was almost no material left for the fifth they'd already used half a season's first half. A new season 4 finale was hastily shot, (the already-shot GrandFinale "Sleeping in Light" delayed to the series' end) and the eleven-episode hole was worth of material. They filled the gap by stretching the telepath-colony arc (originally meant to be just from three episodes), episodes to '''eleven''' and re-inserting the arc of Londo and G'Kar on Centauri Prime (originally cut from season 4), and aforementioned Londo-and-G'Kar arc, as well as including standalone filler episodes ranging in quality from the yawner "A View from the Gallery" to Creator/NeilGaiman's marvelous "Day Of The Dead".Dead". A new standalone season 4 finale was also hastily shot, with the GrandFinale "Sleeping in Light" held back to the end of season 5.
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
** Guest appearances included [=Bruce McGill=] (''Film/AnimalHouse''), [=David McCallum=] (''Series/TheManFromUNCLE'', ''Series/SapphireAndSteel''), Creator/DavidWarner, Creator/BradDourif (''Film/ChildsPlay''), Creator/JeffreyCombs, Ken Foree (''Film/DawnOfTheDead''), Russ Tamblyn (''TwinPeaks''), Creator/WilliamSanderson (''Film/BladeRunner''), Creator/DwightSchultz, Paul Winfield (''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''), Richard Moll (''Series/NightCourt''), Creator/HarlanEllison (as a Psi Cop), and June Lockhart (''Series/LostInSpace'', ''Series/{{Lassie}}''). Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (The whole ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise) did a guest appearance as a gesture to reconcile the ''Trek''/''B5'' FandomRivalry.
to:
** Guest appearances included [=Bruce McGill=] (''Film/AnimalHouse''), [=David McCallum=] (''Series/TheManFromUNCLE'', ''Series/SapphireAndSteel''), Creator/DavidWarner, Creator/BradDourif (''Film/ChildsPlay''), Creator/BradDourif, Creator/JeffreyCombs, Ken Foree (''Film/DawnOfTheDead''), Russ Tamblyn (''TwinPeaks''), Creator/WilliamSanderson (''Film/BladeRunner''), Creator/DwightSchultz, Paul Winfield (''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''), Richard Moll (''Series/NightCourt''), Creator/HarlanEllison (as a Psi Cop), and June Lockhart (''Series/LostInSpace'', ''Series/{{Lassie}}''). Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (The whole ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise) did a guest appearance as a gesture to reconcile the ''Trek''/''B5'' FandomRivalry.
Changed line(s) 40 (click to see context) from:
** Apparently they had a terrible time keeping actresses around to play G'Kar's aide. His first one, Ko'Dath, disappears under mysterious circumstances because Mary Woronov had trouble with the Narn makeup and prosthetics. The same problem drove away the first Na'Toth actress, Susan Kellerman. Julie Caitlin Brown made it through the entire first season (and was awesome) before she, too, succumbed to makeup problems and quit. Her role was given to Mary Kay Adams, who was not up to the task at all, and finally Na'Toth was written out of the story altogether. (However, she is later mentioned as having been captured by the Centauri during the war, and [[spoiler: is found by Londo and G'Kar in a prison cell on Centauri Prime in Season 5. For this appearance, she is once again played by Julie Caitlin Brown]].
to:
** Apparently they had a terrible time keeping actresses around to play G'Kar's aide. His first one, Ko'Dath, disappears under mysterious circumstances because Mary Woronov had trouble with the Narn makeup and prosthetics. The same problem drove away the first [[TheOtherMarty original Na'Toth actress, actress]], Susan Kellerman. Julie Caitlin Brown made it through the entire first season (and was awesome) before she, too, succumbed to makeup problems and quit. Her role was given to Mary Kay Adams, who was not up to the task at all, and finally Na'Toth was written out of the story altogether. (However, she (The character is later mentioned as having been captured by to be presumed dead following the Centauri during the Narn-Centauri war, and [[spoiler: is found by Londo and G'Kar in a prison cell on Centauri Prime in Season 5. For this appearance, she is once again played by Julie Caitlin Brown]].
Changed line(s) 55 (click to see context) from:
** One very notable ad-lib that got kept: in the broken elevator scene of the episode "Convictions", G'kar was originally supposed to sound grim and unyielding. G'kar's actor, Andreas Katsulas, instead chose to speak the words almost maniacally. After the take, [=JMS=] realized that the acting resulted in a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny one of the funniest moments of the show]].
to:
** One very notable ad-lib that got kept: in the broken elevator scene of the episode "Convictions", G'kar was originally supposed to sound grim and unyielding. G'kar's G'Kar's actor, Andreas Katsulas, instead chose to speak the words almost maniacally. After the take, [=JMS=] realized that the acting resulted in a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny one of the funniest moments of the show]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
** The reason why the end of season 4 seems so crowded, and the beginning of Season 5 seems mostly composed of filler, is because the show was originally going to be cancelled after four seasons due to the failure of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network. The events of season 4 (originally intended to end with the episode "Intersections in Real Time") were shortened by four episodes, after which the resolution to the Earth Civil War arc (originally meant for the beginning of season 5) was resolved in three super-dense [[WhamEpisode Wham Episodes]] followed by the GrandFinale. Then at the last minute the show's fifth season was picked up by cable network TNT -- but now there was almost no material left for the fifth season's first half. A new season 4 finale was hastily shot, (the already-shot GrandFinale "Sleeping in Light" delayed to the series' end) and the eleven-episode hole was filled by the telepath-colony arc (originally meant to be just three episodes), the arc of Londo and G'Kar on Centauri Prime (originally cut from season 4), and standalone filler episodes ranging in quality from the yawner "A View from the Gallery" to NeilGaiman's marvelous "Day Of The Dead".
to:
** The reason why the end of season 4 seems so crowded, and the beginning of Season 5 seems mostly composed of filler, is because the show was originally going to be cancelled after four seasons due to the failure of the Creator/{{PTEN}} network. The events of season 4 (originally intended to end with the episode "Intersections in Real Time") were shortened by four episodes, after which the resolution to the Earth Civil War arc (originally meant for the beginning of season 5) was resolved in three super-dense [[WhamEpisode Wham Episodes]] followed by the GrandFinale. Then at the last minute the show's fifth season was picked up by cable network TNT -- but now there was almost no material left for the fifth season's first half. A new season 4 finale was hastily shot, (the already-shot GrandFinale "Sleeping in Light" delayed to the series' end) and the eleven-episode hole was filled by the telepath-colony arc (originally meant to be just three episodes), the arc of Londo and G'Kar on Centauri Prime (originally cut from season 4), and standalone filler episodes ranging in quality from the yawner "A View from the Gallery" to NeilGaiman's Creator/NeilGaiman's marvelous "Day Of The Dead".
Changed line(s) 66 (click to see context) from:
* WordOfGay: Well, Word Of Bi. For both Lochley (according to Neil Gaiman) and Cartagia (according to Wertham Krimmer). Although in both cases there was definite innuendo on-screen.
to:
* WordOfGay: Well, Word Of Bi. For both Lochley (according to Neil Gaiman) Creator/NeilGaiman) and Cartagia (according to Wertham Krimmer). Although in both cases there was definite innuendo on-screen.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** He's also noted that Ta'Lon, played by the still living Marshall Teague, is similar enough to G'Kar that he could be used for further stories.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
** The character of Warran Keffer existed purely because of this, the studio demanded a hot-shot crack pilot character. Naturally, he got killed off at the earliest possible opportunity. Actually he wasn't that bad a character all told, though some of his dialog was rather cheesy.
to:
** The character of Warran Warren Keffer existed purely because of this, the studio demanded a hot-shot crack pilot character. Naturally, he got killed off at the earliest possible opportunity. Actually he wasn't that bad a character all told, though some of his dialog was rather cheesy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 66 (click to see context) from:
** JMS once asked actor Wortham Krimmer to tone down Emperor Cartagia's fey behavior, to which Krimmer responded, "Well, Joe, he's bisexual, don't you know." When JMS gave an "oh really" sort of reply, Krimmer said, "Absolutely. He's the emperor. He can f--- anyone he wants."
to:
** JMS once asked actor Wortham Krimmer to tone down Emperor Cartagia's fey behavior, to which Krimmer responded, "Well, Joe, he's bisexual, don't you know." When JMS gave an "oh really" "[[WagTheDirector oh really]]" sort of reply, Krimmer said, "Absolutely. He's the emperor. He can f--- anyone he wants."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* TrueCompanions: Most of the B5 core cast is still tight-knit to this day, particularly Claudia Christian, Bruce Boxleitner, and Mira Furlan. (Furlan even says that Boxleitner is still their "Captain.") Andreas Katulas and Peter Kurasik were best friends up until Katulas' death from terminal lung cancer. The only two who don't get along are Claudia Christan and JMS himself; they're still sniping at each other through tell-all books and interviews.
to:
* TrueCompanions: Most of the B5 core cast is still tight-knit to this day, particularly Claudia Christian, Bruce Boxleitner, and Mira Furlan. (Furlan even says that Boxleitner is still their "Captain.") Andreas Katulas and Peter Kurasik Jurasik were best friends up until Katulas' death from terminal lung cancer. The only two who don't get along are Claudia Christan and JMS himself; they're still sniping at each other through tell-all books and interviews.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
*** Funniest?! If by "funny" you mean "unsettling" verging on "horrifying", then, sure, funny.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* AdvertisedExtra: Happened surprisingly frequently. Just having your name in the opening credits didn't necessarily mean you'd be treated like a regular character. Getting this particularly bad, however, were Na'Toth and Warren Keffer. Na'Toth only appeared in five episodes of the first season and ''two'' in the second. The initial actress didn't like the make-up and the second was found to be unsatisfactory. As for Keffer, he was only in the cast for the second season and was purposefully used as little as possible because JMS had the character forced on him.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
** In "Babylon Squared" Garibaldi insists upon accompanying Sheridan and company to the time distortion; Sheridan refuses, saying it is unwise to have the [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything entire command staff away from the station]] at such a critical moment, an obvious dig at the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise's tendency to have the most or all of senior staff away from the ship on an away mission.
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows. She'd previously been one of the biggest ''Trek''-associated supporters of the show, frequently telling fans at conventions to check it out.
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows. She'd previously been one of the biggest ''Trek''-associated supporters of the show, frequently telling fans at conventions to check it out.
to:
** In "Babylon Squared" Garibaldi insists upon accompanying Sheridan Sinclair and company to the time distortion; Sheridan Sinclair refuses, saying it is unwise to have the [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything entire command staff away from the station]] at such a critical moment, an obvious dig at the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise's tendency to have the most or all of senior staff away from the ship on an away mission.
** MajelBarret Barrett guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows. She'd previously been one of the biggest ''Trek''-associated supporters of the show, frequently telling fans at conventions to check it out.
** Majel
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Commander Takashima would have been revealed to be housing a Psi-Corps sleeper personality if Tamlyn Tomita had stayed, and it would have been her who shot Garibaldi at the end of season one.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows.
to:
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows. She'd previously been one of the biggest ''Trek''-associated supporters of the show, frequently telling fans at conventions to check it out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
** Guest appearances included [=Bruce McGill=] (''Film/AnimalHouse''), [=David McCallum=] (''Series/TheManFromUNCLE'', ''Series/SapphireAndSteel''), Creator/DavidWarner, Brad Dourif (''Film/ChildsPlay''), Creator/JeffreyCombs, Ken Foree (''Film/DawnOfTheDead''), Russ Tamblyn (''TwinPeaks''), William Sanderson (''Film/BladeRunner''), Creator/DwightSchultz, Paul Winfield (''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''), Richard Moll (''Series/NightCourt''), Creator/HarlanEllison (as a Psi Cop), and June Lockhart (''Series/LostInSpace'', ''Series/{{Lassie}}''). Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (The whole ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise) did a guest appearance as a gesture to reconcile the ''Trek''/''B5'' FandomRivalry.
to:
** Guest appearances included [=Bruce McGill=] (''Film/AnimalHouse''), [=David McCallum=] (''Series/TheManFromUNCLE'', ''Series/SapphireAndSteel''), Creator/DavidWarner, Brad Dourif Creator/BradDourif (''Film/ChildsPlay''), Creator/JeffreyCombs, Ken Foree (''Film/DawnOfTheDead''), Russ Tamblyn (''TwinPeaks''), William Sanderson Creator/WilliamSanderson (''Film/BladeRunner''), Creator/DwightSchultz, Paul Winfield (''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''), Richard Moll (''Series/NightCourt''), Creator/HarlanEllison (as a Psi Cop), and June Lockhart (''Series/LostInSpace'', ''Series/{{Lassie}}''). Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (The whole ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise) did a guest appearance as a gesture to reconcile the ''Trek''/''B5'' FandomRivalry.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PlayingAgainstType: Creator/WalterKoenig is best known for playing ButtMonkey Chekov in ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''. Here he plays the ruthless MagnificentBastard Alfred Bester with intimidating charisma.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TechnologyMarchesOn: The thick digital tablets used by the station personnel might have looked futuristic in the mid 90's when the show was produced. Also, the [[SnowyScreenOfDeath snowy static]] shown on a screen whenever a camera is taken out is jarring if you are used to modern screens that simply switch to a blank black or blue screen when their signal is lost.
** Then there are the computer interfaces; the buttons look like colorful candy, and the interfaces look like a child's computer game...from the 80's.
** The operation that Franklin performs on the alien child in the first season can now be done non-invasively, requiring no cutting of the body. [[spoiler:This probably would have kept the kid's parents from helping him perform ritual suicide afterwards due to their belief that the soul leaves the body if it is cut open]].
** Then there are the computer interfaces; the buttons look like colorful candy, and the interfaces look like a child's computer game...from the 80's.
** The operation that Franklin performs on the alien child in the first season can now be done non-invasively, requiring no cutting of the body. [[spoiler:This probably would have kept the kid's parents from helping him perform ritual suicide afterwards due to their belief that the soul leaves the body if it is cut open]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** JMS once asked actor Wortham Krimmer to tone down Emperor Cartagia's fey behavior, to which Krimmer responded, "Well, Joe, he's bisexual, don't you know." When JMS gave an "oh really" sort of reply, Krimmer said, "Absolutely. He's the emperor. He can f--- anyone he wants."
* WordOfGod: JMS remained active on USENET throughout the show's run, and would often answer questions about the B5 'verse posted to rec.arts.sci-fi.tv.babylon5.moderated.
* WordOfGod: JMS remained active on USENET throughout the show's run, and would often answer questions about the B5 'verse posted to rec.arts.sci-fi.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ScienceMarchesOn: In ''Believers'' Doctor Franklin wants to perform a surgery to remove a blockage in the lung of a sick alien boy. His parents object to cutting him open because it's against their religion. Nowadays, this surgery could be done without any cutting at all[[note]]beyond hacking up the blockage to facilitate removal, that is[[/note]], by use of an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscope endoscope]].
** RuleOfDrama: [[CriticalResearchFailure Endoscopic surgery was commonplace in the 1990's when the show first aired]]. If anything, Franklin should have even ''more'' advanced techniques to work with, but the episode simply would not work as written otherwise (and it sets up a major plot point for two later episodes--both involving this same species, [[SchizoTech which managed to develop interstellar travel but neglected medicine]]).
** RuleOfDrama: [[CriticalResearchFailure Endoscopic surgery was commonplace in the 1990's when the show first aired]]. If anything, Franklin should have even ''more'' advanced techniques to work with, but the episode simply would not work as written otherwise (and it sets up a major plot point for two later episodes--both involving this same species, [[SchizoTech which managed to develop interstellar travel but neglected medicine]]).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The role of Knight Two in "And the Sky Full of Stars" was originally offered to [[ThePrisoner Patrick McGoohan]] (who couldn't fit it into his filming schedule) and then WalterKoenig (who was too ill to take it). Koenig, of course, was [[HappyEnding later cast as Alfred Bester]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* DuelingShows: With ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''.
** JMS had pitched ''Babylon 5'' to Paramount (who turned it down) a year before they announced the new ''Star Trek'' series [[ThereAreNoCoincidences "On a space station, near a portal allowing travel across the galaxy"]].
** ''B5'' made a little dig at ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'' in its second season:
--->'''Ivanova:''' "[[BreakingTheFourthWall This isn't some deep-space franchise]], this station is ''about'' something!"
*** The writer of that episode, of course, was PeterDavid, who was also a prolific writer for the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' ExpandedUniverse, and who wasn't afraid to take a good-natured dig at B5[[note]]Or at least, take a dig at JMS[[/note]] while writing for ''SpaceCases''.
**** David was surprised, however, when JMS said that he intended on keeping the line in there as is. His exact words were "You people really are dangerous over there."
** Lennier also manages to take a minor stab against Scotty, when Sheridan asks for [[TimTaylorTechnology more power to the engines]]: ''"If I were holding anything back, I would tell you."'' (When Scotty came back for an episode of TNG, he revealed that he would often hold back reserve power behind the captain's back, so he could turn the ship UpToEleven when Kirk inevitably asked for more.)
** In "Babylon Squared" Garibaldi insists upon accompanying Sheridan and company to the time distortion; Sheridan refuses, saying it is unwise to have the [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything entire command staff away from the station]] at such a critical moment, an obvious dig at the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise's tendency to have the most or all of senior staff away from the ship on an away mission.
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows.
** Of course, the shows shared quite a few writers and guest actors between them, with one or two of the B5 cast appearing in guest roles on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' after B5's conclusion.
** There are even similarities and parallels between the shows in theme and naming: the Roman Empire based Centauri and the Romulans, the deeply introspective and ascetic Minbari/Vulcans, the previously conquered and recently freed Narns / Bajorans & Klingons (the Narn are an interesting mix of Klingon warrior cult and Bajoran religious fanatics), the meddling and nearly omniscient Vorlons / Q, and the assimilating tyrannical inhuman Shadows / Borg. Of course, the most blatant parallel is the Minbari Leader Dukhat and the Cardassian leader Dukat.
*** That said, while both shows share many elements, the way they ''use'' those elements are quite different, and take both shows in very different directions. The best example of that being the Dukhat-Dukat naming parallel, where the two characters share next to nothing else in common.
** JMS had pitched ''Babylon 5'' to Paramount (who turned it down) a year before they announced the new ''Star Trek'' series [[ThereAreNoCoincidences "On a space station, near a portal allowing travel across the galaxy"]].
** ''B5'' made a little dig at ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'' in its second season:
--->'''Ivanova:''' "[[BreakingTheFourthWall This isn't some deep-space franchise]], this station is ''about'' something!"
*** The writer of that episode, of course, was PeterDavid, who was also a prolific writer for the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' ExpandedUniverse, and who wasn't afraid to take a good-natured dig at B5[[note]]Or at least, take a dig at JMS[[/note]] while writing for ''SpaceCases''.
**** David was surprised, however, when JMS said that he intended on keeping the line in there as is. His exact words were "You people really are dangerous over there."
** Lennier also manages to take a minor stab against Scotty, when Sheridan asks for [[TimTaylorTechnology more power to the engines]]: ''"If I were holding anything back, I would tell you."'' (When Scotty came back for an episode of TNG, he revealed that he would often hold back reserve power behind the captain's back, so he could turn the ship UpToEleven when Kirk inevitably asked for more.)
** In "Babylon Squared" Garibaldi insists upon accompanying Sheridan and company to the time distortion; Sheridan refuses, saying it is unwise to have the [[TheMainCharactersDoEverything entire command staff away from the station]] at such a critical moment, an obvious dig at the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise's tendency to have the most or all of senior staff away from the ship on an away mission.
** Majel Barret guest starred in the third season as Lady Morella, the third wife to the late Centauri Emperor, as a means to quell the fan-anger between the shows.
** Of course, the shows shared quite a few writers and guest actors between them, with one or two of the B5 cast appearing in guest roles on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' after B5's conclusion.
** There are even similarities and parallels between the shows in theme and naming: the Roman Empire based Centauri and the Romulans, the deeply introspective and ascetic Minbari/Vulcans, the previously conquered and recently freed Narns / Bajorans & Klingons (the Narn are an interesting mix of Klingon warrior cult and Bajoran religious fanatics), the meddling and nearly omniscient Vorlons / Q, and the assimilating tyrannical inhuman Shadows / Borg. Of course, the most blatant parallel is the Minbari Leader Dukhat and the Cardassian leader Dukat.
*** That said, while both shows share many elements, the way they ''use'' those elements are quite different, and take both shows in very different directions. The best example of that being the Dukhat-Dukat naming parallel, where the two characters share next to nothing else in common.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
** Averted for the most part. [=JMS=] was very much against ad-libbed lines, since he was careful about how every line was written in order to avoid screwing up the MythArc. In the few cases where it did happen, he had very serious talks with the actor involved (such as when Billy Mumy/Lennier hummed a mantra that turned out to be the title of the album his band made). One notable case where an addition was allowed is in ''The Fall of Night'', the Season 2 finale. The Earth Ambassador tells Ivanova that his pen was a gift from his wife. After mentioning this, he kisses the pen. [=JMS=] states in that episode's commentary that when he asked the actor why he did that, the actor responded "Well, my wife isn't here, so I can't kiss her, so I kiss the pen instead." [=JMS=] then chuckles and says "Ah, actors. Someday they'll all be replaced with CG. I'm kidding. No I'm not. Yes I am."
to:
** Averted for the most part. [=JMS=] was very much against ad-libbed lines, since he was careful about how every line was written in order to avoid screwing up the MythArc. In the few cases where it did happen, he had very serious talks with the actor involved (such as when Billy Bill Mumy/Lennier hummed a mantra that turned out to be the title of the album his band made). One notable case where an addition was allowed is in ''The Fall of Night'', the Season 2 finale. The Earth Ambassador tells Ivanova that his pen was a gift from his wife. After mentioning this, he kisses the pen. [=JMS=] states in that episode's commentary that when he asked the actor why he did that, the actor responded "Well, my wife isn't here, so I can't kiss her, so I kiss the pen instead." [=JMS=] then chuckles and says "Ah, actors. Someday they'll all be replaced with CG. I'm kidding. No I'm not. Yes I am."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Averted for the most part. [=JMS=] was very much against ad-libbed lines, since he was careful about how every line was written in order to avoid screwing up the MythArc. In the few cases where it did happen, he had very serious talks with the actor involved (such as when Billy Mumy/Lennier hummed a mantra that turned out to be the title of the album his band made). One notable case where an addition was allowed is in ''The Fall of Night'', the Season 2 finale. The Earth Ambassador tells Ivanova that his pen was a gift from his wife. After mentioning this, he kisses the pen. [=JMS=] states in that episode's commentary that when he asked the actor why he did that, the actor responded "Well, my wife isn't here, so I can't kiss her, so I kiss the pen instead." [=JMS=] then chuckles and says "Ah, actors. Someday they'll all be replaced with CG. I'm kidding. No I'm not. Yes I am."
** One very notable ad-lib that got kept: in the broken elevator scene of the episode "Convictions", G'kar was originally supposed to sound grim and unyielding. G'kar's actor, Andreas Katsulas, instead chose to speak the words almost maniacally. After the take, [=JMS=] realized that the acting resulted in a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny one of the funniest moments of the show]].
** One very notable ad-lib that got kept: in the broken elevator scene of the episode "Convictions", G'kar was originally supposed to sound grim and unyielding. G'kar's actor, Andreas Katsulas, instead chose to speak the words almost maniacally. After the take, [=JMS=] realized that the acting resulted in a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny one of the funniest moments of the show]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 40 (click to see context) from:
* TrueCompanions: Most of the B5 core cast is still tight-knit to this day, particularly Claudia Christian, Bruce Boxleitner, and Mira Furlan. Furlan even says that Boxleitner is still their Captain.
to:
* TrueCompanions: Most of the B5 core cast is still tight-knit to this day, particularly Claudia Christian, Bruce Boxleitner, and Mira Furlan. Furlan (Furlan even says that Boxleitner is still their Captain."Captain.") Andreas Katulas and Peter Kurasik were best friends up until Katulas' death from terminal lung cancer. The only two who don't get along are Claudia Christan and JMS himself; they're still sniping at each other through tell-all books and interviews.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PropRecycling: In "Babylon Squared", and again in "War Without End", space suits from ''TwoThousandTenTheYearWeMakeContact'' were used. They changed their appearance as much as they could, but some people still recognized them, and assumed it was meant as a ShoutOut.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheOtherDarrin:
** [[spoiler: Anna Sheridan (played by Beth Toussaint) first appeared in a message to her sister-in-law, recorded prior to her disappearance. Toussaint wasn't available for the episode where Anna returns as a Shadow agent; Melissa Gilbert (Bruce Boxleitner's real-life spouse) was cast in her place]].
** Delenn's mentor, Draal, is played by Louis Turenne in the two-parter "A Time in the Wilderness". In all of his subsequent appearance, he is played John Schuck. This is {{Hand Wave}}d by explaining that Draal has [[FountainOfYouth age-regressed]] as a result of being linked with the Great Machine.
** Apparently they had a terrible time keeping actresses around to play G'Kar's aide. His first one, Ko'Dath, disappears under mysterious circumstances because Mary Woronov had trouble with the Narn makeup and prosthetics. The same problem drove away the first Na'Toth actress, Susan Kellerman. Julie Caitlin Brown made it through the entire first season (and was awesome) before she, too, succumbed to makeup problems and quit. Her role was given to Mary Kay Adams, who was not up to the task at all, and finally Na'Toth was written out of the story altogether. (However, she is later mentioned as having been captured by the Centauri during the war, and [[spoiler: is found by Londo and G'Kar in a prison cell on Centauri Prime in Season 5. For this appearance, she is once again played by Julie Caitlin Brown]].
** [[spoiler: Anna Sheridan (played by Beth Toussaint) first appeared in a message to her sister-in-law, recorded prior to her disappearance. Toussaint wasn't available for the episode where Anna returns as a Shadow agent; Melissa Gilbert (Bruce Boxleitner's real-life spouse) was cast in her place]].
** Delenn's mentor, Draal, is played by Louis Turenne in the two-parter "A Time in the Wilderness". In all of his subsequent appearance, he is played John Schuck. This is {{Hand Wave}}d by explaining that Draal has [[FountainOfYouth age-regressed]] as a result of being linked with the Great Machine.
** Apparently they had a terrible time keeping actresses around to play G'Kar's aide. His first one, Ko'Dath, disappears under mysterious circumstances because Mary Woronov had trouble with the Narn makeup and prosthetics. The same problem drove away the first Na'Toth actress, Susan Kellerman. Julie Caitlin Brown made it through the entire first season (and was awesome) before she, too, succumbed to makeup problems and quit. Her role was given to Mary Kay Adams, who was not up to the task at all, and finally Na'Toth was written out of the story altogether. (However, she is later mentioned as having been captured by the Centauri during the war, and [[spoiler: is found by Londo and G'Kar in a prison cell on Centauri Prime in Season 5. For this appearance, she is once again played by Julie Caitlin Brown]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* EnforcedMethodActing: In ''Severed Dreams'', we see an ISN Newscast get cut short when an explosion rocks the building. Debris can be seen landing on the newsdesk, with the anchors crying out in fear. The debris wasn't ''supposed'' to land that close to the actors, and their reaction to almost having it land on their heads was genuine.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* FakeRussian: American actress Claudia Christian portrays the supposedly born-and-raised Russian Susan Ivanova, but barely gives herself any accent beyond occasionally giving herself a stilted speech pattern in some early episodes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* CriticalResearchFailure: In the UK's captioning of the show anyway; When Garibaldi heralds an invasion by playing a recording of PorkyPig going "Th-th-th-that's all folks!" the captioning misattributes the quote to BugsBunny.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* [[AuthorExistenceFailure Actor Existence Failure]]: When asked about sequels, Straczynski was known to say that he didn't see how it would be possible "so long as Andreas Katsulas, (G'Kar) and Richard Biggs (Dr. Franklin) remain dead." That said, he did ''The Lost Tales'' after their passing, and now with his Hollywood success, there seem to be very early feelers out about a real [[TheMovie movie]].
