Best of
Babylon-5

2009

Babylon 5: The Scripts of J. Michael Straczynski, TV Movies


J. Michael Straczynski - 2009
    Focusing on The Telepath War, and appropriately titled "Wars of the Mind," JMS' notes reveal the background of the conflict -- teeps vs. teeps, the cast of characters -- including the identity of the Interstellar Alliance's Vice President, and the explosive deaths of two B5 regulars -- something hinted at, but never stated in an official series document.* The lost tale from The Lost Tales. Did you know that there were originally three lost tales, not two? The middle segment, never produced due to production considerations, featured Michael Garibaldi making a startling discovery on Mars. Only a handful of people involved in the production have ever read this script, but now you can enjoy this "lost" installment.* The original short story on which The Lost Tales segment "Over Here" was based. It's called "The Darkness Between the Stars" and was originally published in the now out-of-print seventh issue of The Book of Dark Wisdom (Fall 2005). See how JMS adapts a story from one medium to another and witness a different ending than the one that concludes the B5 version.* J. Michael Straczynski's personal, behind-the-scenes photos taken on the set of The Lost Tales and The Legend of the Rangers -- included in these 36 images are the last pictures taken of Andreas Katsulas as G'Kar.YES, WE'VE ALSO INCLUDED "JOE CUTS"Because there are many differences between the scripts and what you see on the DVDs, you also get the Script/DVD Variations inventory, which catalogs all the changes, deletions, and additions that were made as the stories traveled from script to screen. It's all in this handy, easy-to-reference grid, just like the ones in JMS' Volume 15 and the Other Voices series.The TV Movie book includes 12 pages of "Joe Cuts" chronicling 78 of these variations exposing B5 data you never knew.BUT WAIT THERE'S MOREInstead of episode analysis, J. Michael Straczynski answers frequently asked questions about each of the TV movies. Here's just a sample of what you'll discover:* How JMS had to "spread the cast" over the movies and how that affected the stories.* What one theme JMS finds most intriguing about the Babylon 5 universe.* How much Lyta knew about Vorlon history.* Why Thirdspace is set after the Shadow war.* Learn about H.P. Lovecraft's influences on JMS in general and Thirdspace specifically.* A detailed description of JMS's headspace when writing The River of Souls after he had just said goodbye to B5 with the final episodes of season five.* What drew JMS back to the Soul Hunter idea after five years and 90 teleplays.* How Joe crafted The River of Souls to explore the archaeological science fiction ideas that would later be found in Crusade.* Why Lieutenant Corwin gets a bigger spotlight in The River of Souls.* How the Love Bat came to be.* How The River of Souls relates to the essential B5 question of "Who are you?"* What it was like to work with Martin Sheen and what he felt everyone he met should involve themselves in.* Why the Rangers of LotR were supposed to learn about "dying for the One."* How The Hand was differed from the the Shadows in the grand scheme of things.* Reflection from JMS about his days on the Ranger set with Andreas Katsulas, the very last time he would be Citizen G'Kar.* Londo's intention in sending Vintari to Sheridan in The Lost Tales.* What it was like being in the Babylon 5 universe during The Lost Tales after so many years had passed.* How the alliance got the quantum space technology from the Vorlons.* Who was first in line to succeed Londo (remember that Vir was second in line and Vintari was third).* Why JMS decided to base one of The Lost Tales on his short story "The Darkness Between the Stars" (note that the original short story is also included as a bonus).