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Babylon 5 - I'm finally going to do it

Tamlyn Tomita's original voice performance. (It had been re-dubbed in the original to a 'softer' tone.)

Jan
Really?

I've seen her in other stuff. Her accent never seemed thick enough to warrant such a thing.

Then again, every where else I've seen is a lot newer...
 
I don't think it was an accent thing. I think it was the aggressiveness of her performance, which, seeing the unchanged version, was the studio worrying over nothing.
 
Harvey is correct. As JMS posted:

One of the biggest changes is the one least immediately
apparent. After we finished the original pilot, some folks at WB felt
that Laurel was too...strong. They will rarely put it in terms quite
as blatant as that, but that was the message...she was "unlikeable,
unsympathetic, harsh." Meaning some of the guys felt she was too
strong, let's cut to the chase, okay?

They wanted her to loop her lines, soften their (her) delivery.
I fought this tooth and nail. I fought this until finally I was pulled
aside and it was communicated to me that B5 was, after all, still an
unknown property, could be a big failure, and if we ever wanted to see
this thing on the air, we'd accommodate this note (which was, I have to
admit on balance, one of the few they had). The advice was, in
essence, "Pick your battles."

Jan
 
Quick question: I've seen a lot of info on other departures on the show, but I wonder why Tamlyn Tomita left? There is not much there, but reading the B5 wiki entry on her is pretty interesting. (note: if you haven't seen the series, don't read it).
 
^^ According to JMS:

The reason Laurel Takashima/Tamlyn Tomita is not currently on the show
is because the actress didn't feel really comfortable in the role of a
military commander, and felt she might do better in other kinds of roles,
such as that which came along about the same time in a major motion picture;
she is now a highly-sought-after film performer.

Jan
 
That really sucks about Laurel's character. I'm going to like Ivoneva, but one of the things I really don't like in TV series is that we don't get to see strong-willed women. When we do, it's great, such as characters like later season Kes, Jadzia (I thought she was strong-willed) and some aspects of 7 of 9, as well as Ayren Sun. Most often we get just the sex up aspect of women actresses and that's why I liked Laurel. She was strong willed, and I didn't get a sense of she being there for sex value. She looked good as was. I can understand why Networks do this, but I don't necessarily like it.
 
With the possible exception of Talia, I don't think any of the female regulars could be described as "soft".....
 
one of the things I really don't like in TV series is that we don't get to see strong-willed women. When we do, it's great, such as characters like later season Kes, Jadzia (I thought she was strong-willed) and some aspects of 7 of 9, as well as Ayren Sun. Most often we get just the sex up aspect of women actresses and that's why I liked Laurel.


FWIW, Delenn was never sexed up, and it's hard to think of a stronger scifi female character (you'll see...).

kira (DS9) also comes to mind. and Zoe (from firefly).
 
The thing with Kira though is I didn't really like the whole relationship angle of her. I didn't like the stuff with Shakaar, and then the things with Odo in those early years were not interesting. It seemed like the tougher Kira in the early years kind of got softer in the later years, even though there were bursts of greatness, such as the Occupation arc, and her training the Cardassian rebels.
 
^^ According to JMS:

The reason Laurel Takashima/Tamlyn Tomita is not currently on the show
is because the actress didn't feel really comfortable in the role of a
military commander, and felt she might do better in other kinds of roles,
such as that which came along about the same time in a major motion picture;
she is now a highly-sought-after film performer.

Jan
To be fair, she has had a pretty good career since, so I don't know if it was really a bad choice on her part. I would have like to have seen more of her, however.

Actually, it would have been nice to have her come back in season five. Scoggins just never did it for me, plus all that lame back-story nonsense would have never happened.

It's interesting though, one of my favorite of Tomita's roles was her stint on JAG where she played, of all things, a head-strong military commander. Of course, she was a lawyer. I guess that makes all the difference.

FWIW, Delenn was never sexed up, and it's hard to think of a stronger scifi female character (you'll see...).

Definitely. She was the little firecracker that could.

I was really disappointed to see she wasn't among the top 25 woman of sci-fi on the list that was posted here recently.

She may not have the sex appeal (Though, personally, I think Furlan is very beautiful.) and wasn't an uber kick-ass action chick, but her character was unmatched. Her display of determination, will and heart really is unique to any character in science fiction--or television for that matter.

That's not to say she can't do her own brand of ass-kicking when the situation calls for it.

Really, I don't think it's any wonder her lines from Severed Dreams is quoted as often as it is.


The thing with Kira though is I didn't really like the whole relationship angle of her. I didn't like the stuff with Shakaar, and then the things with Odo in those early years were not interesting. It seemed like the tougher Kira in the early years kind of got softer in the later years, even though there were bursts of greatness, such as the Occupation arc, and her training the Cardassian rebels.
Yeah. Kira a tendency to be written rather unevenly. Over the coarse of te show she had a nice progression, but there were several things that were off-putting. Her relationships, as you say, are a good example.

Thank God Nana was tenacious enough in her opposition to the Dukat love fest. I think I would have turned the show off for good had that happened.
 
That really sucks about Laurel's character. I'm going to like Ivoneva, but one of the things I really don't like in TV series is that we don't get to see strong-willed women. When we do, it's great, such as characters like later season Kes, Jadzia (I thought she was strong-willed) and some aspects of 7 of 9, as well as Ayren Sun. Most often we get just the sex up aspect of women actresses and that's why I liked Laurel. She was strong willed, and I didn't get a sense of she being there for sex value. She looked good as was. I can understand why Networks do this, but I don't necessarily like it.

I think one of the things that has struck me the most about Babylon 5 is how, unlike a lot of sci-fi, the female characters are never played for their sex appeal. They're all real, strong-willed characters.
 
Just saw my first iffy episode, Soul Hunter

I don't know, there were parts of it I liked, but the whole Soul hunter thing I could take or leave. I thought the guy was really annoying at the beginning and it kind of made the episode not as good. I did like the introduction of Franklin (I just remembered the guy who played him died at a young age so his scene with Ivonava talking about death was quite sad), and more about the Minbari and the Gray Council. Overall though, I could take or leave this one.
 
Just saw my first iffy episode, Soul Hunter

FWIW, this is not typically considered one of B5's best outings.

I don't know, there were parts of it I liked, but the whole Soul hunter thing I could take or leave.
well then you'll be happy to know that you'll never have to deal with them again!

I thought the guy was really annoying at the beginning and it kind of made the episode not as good.
you think he's bad, wait till you see martin sheen :guffaw::guffaw::guffaw:

I did like the introduction of Franklin (I just remembered the guy who played him died at a young age so his scene with Ivonava talking about death was quite sad), and more about the Minbari and the Gray Council. Overall though, I could take or leave this one.

as many have probably already said, as with most shows, B5 takes a couple episodes to get into gear, and there are a few missteps early on.

actually, it was not until my 6th time through with B5 (i kid you not), that i really enjoyed Soul Hunter. it is quite an acquired taste :)

nevertheless, if you like londo (and you really must!!!!), the next episode is his, so enjoy!
 
You're right, Born to the Purple was a much better episode. Loved how they used G'Kar and his expression was priceless. :guffaw:
 
I know this is kinda random, but I hope Ivoneva does get better. It seems like she forces all her lines in the first few episodes. That's not good.
 
She has moments of awkwardness all the way through, but by and large the character relaxes a bit once they start letting her out of C&C now and then.
 
I know this is kinda random, but I hope Ivoneva does get better. It seems like she forces all her lines in the first few episodes. That's not good.

She has a specific reason for doing this, and that reason will be revealed to you soon. Afterwards, there's a ... change ... in her. It's around the 14th or so episode.
 
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