So I started watching "Babylon 5" for the first time.

[Technobuilder]

As people have said, TP, the Shakespearean sub-title for B5 would be 'The tragedy of Londo Mollari.' His mistakes, weaknesses and regrets are the story.

You know, I STILL don't see that. I've been hearing how "Babylon 5 is really the story of Londo Mollari" for years now, and I just can't see it. I finished a re-watch of my B5 (and Crusade) DVD sets two weeks ago, and this time, mindful of that, I was watching for it, but I didn't see it. Babylon 5 is as much about Sinclair and Sheridan (and everybody else) as it is about Londo.

JMS said that he wanted Babylon 5 to do for science fiction what Hill Street Blues did for cop shows, and as far as that goes, yes, I see that comparison, but the whole "Babylon 5 is really Londo's story" just escapes me. It seems to me to be more about the esemble as a whole than any one character in particular.

JMS says that Babylon 5 is the story of Londo & G'Kar. So I guess that's why people say it. It's also the story of the other characters but to be fair, the other characters don't necessarily have the same focus as those two. He also probably remembers Peter and Andreas more than anything.

 

[Tribble puncher]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him. and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2? And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

 

[Gov Kodos]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him. and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2? And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

The show doesn't do a lot with the Psi Corp history. There is a great trilogy by J Gregory Keyes which does delve into the Corp, The first book Dark Genesis gives details. Without it, there are hints through the show particularly in season 5. You'll find out a lot about the Rangers down the road. The Technomages are involved in the short lived series Crusade.

 

[Jan]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him.

You'll get a little more information about how they came to be in the series and there's an entire trilogy of books that covers the Psi Corps.

and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2?

You'll find out more later.

And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

That's it for the B5 series but more in the spin-off Crusade and they get a trilogy, too.

Note that you don't need the books to get everything you need to enjoy the series itself, but they're great expansions on the universe.

Jan

 

[MacLeod]

Without giving anything away you will find your question answered in later episodes/seasons.

 

[Technobuilder]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him. and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2? And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

As others have said, all will be revealed in time... BUT, Babylon 5 has the distinction of having several items of written prose which are in fact 'Canon' to the overall story of Babylon 5 and the Larger Universe, specifically in points of reference to the subjects you've mentioned here.

All in all, 11 books are considered a part of the Babylon 5 universe and I can't recommend them more highly or enough (especially the 3 Trilogies), you'll kick yourself if you're a big B5 fan and never read them.

"The Shadow Within" by Jeanne Cavelos

"To Dream in the City of Sorrows" by Kathryn M. Drennan

The Psi Corps Trilogy: by J. Gregory Keyes
"Dark Genesis - The Birth of the Psi Corps"
"Deadly Relations - Bester Ascendant"
"Final Reckoning - The Fate of Bester"

The Legions of Fire Trilogy: by Peter David
"The Long Night of Centauri Prime"
"Armies of Light and Dark"
"Out of the Darkness"

The Passing of the Techno-Mages Trilogy: by Jeanne Cavelos
"Casting Shadows"
"Summoning Light"
"Invoking Darkness"

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I've said this a million times but The Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy was one of the best things I've ever read.

 

[Tulin]

I'm really liking this shor alot better than DS9, and I am a fan of DS9.

Yep - thanks for joining us in 1995!



Kinda.

 

[Tulin]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him. and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2? And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

There is a trilogy of books about how the PsiCorp got started - I'd highly recommend it.

Likewise with the Rangers. That one's called, "To Dream In The City of Sorrows". I'd suggest a second mortgage on your house as they're not cheap! I'm glad I got doubles of most of them as they'll probably fund an around the world cruise for me in my retirement!

 

[Gov Kodos]

What I'm wondering right now is if they will explain how the "Psy-cops" got started. I actually think Bester has alot of potential to be an interesting character, I actually think Walter Koening is pretty good as him. and then, where did Sinclairs "Rangers" come from, he hasn't been gone from the station long, but he has already trained an army? hasn't he been gone only a few month's by midway into season 2? And were the "TechnoMages" a one off deal or is there more to that? I'm just wondering out loud, don't spoil anything please, I am making it a point not to read anything about the show online other then this thread! haha.

There is a trilogy of books about how the PsiCorp got started - I'd highly recommend it.

Likewise with the Rangers. That one's called, "To Dream In The City of Sorrows". I'd suggest a second mortgage on your house as they're not cheap! I'm glad I got doubles of most of them as they'll probably fund an around the world cruise for me in my retirement!

They can be found cheap, but you have to look. The hardcover of the Psicorp trilogy is on Amazon for about $27 today, which is about what I paid for it. The prices swing wildly depending on the seller, though. Some folks do ask prices in the 1-2 hundred dollar range which is absurd.

 

[BigJake]

You know, I STILL don't see that. I've been hearing how "Babylon 5 is really the story of Londo Mollari" for years now, and I just can't see it.

In case you're interested, I assayed an answer to this question here so as to avoid direct spoilers in this thread.

 

[Tulin]

Not having read the link above me as yet, I would say that considering Londo's decisions and the effect they have on the events of the show, he is one of the most important characters.

Of course, one of the main themes of the show is that every choice you make has a consequence; Londo's being THE MOST dramatic, far reaching and galaxy-changing. Of course, maybe the you know whats might have chosen somebody else to be their protagonist but we don't see THAT story. We see THIS story and it's Londo's.

To the OP, take note of that. At some point in the series, almost every character mentions that idea("choices have consequences")in some form or another. Another fun thing to look out for - try to spot a scene that does or does not end with somebody either coming into a room or leaving it. It's a B5 trope and goes a long way to giving the show a dynamism and energy.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Be careful for Tribble Puncher's sake. Character arcs can be spoilerish, too.

 

[Tribble puncher]

I'm really liking this shor alot better than DS9, and I am a fan of DS9.

Yep - thanks for joining us in 1995!



Kinda.

Zing!

 

[MacLeod]

Be careful for Tribble Puncher's sake. Character arcs can be spoilerish, too.

True and most characters do have an arc.

 

[Reverend]

Be careful for Tribble Puncher's sake. Character arcs can be spoilerish, too.

True and most characters do have an arc.

I'm pretty sure they *all* do. All the featured characters anyway. The likes of MedTech #3 doesn't count.

Hell even Kosh gets an arc in his own sideways thinking Vorlon way, if you know where to look for it.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Be careful for Tribble Puncher's sake. Character arcs can be spoilerish, too.

True and most characters do have an arc.

I'm pretty sure they *all* do. All the featured characters anyway. The likes of MedTech #3 doesn't count.

Hell even Kosh gets an arc in his own sideways thinking Vorlon way, if you know where to look for it.

The point was discussing the importance of character arcs to the overall story can affect Tribble Puncher's viewing the show as much as any specific spoilers would.

 

[Tribble puncher]

Appreciate all the feedback...I'm about 2/3rds of the way through season 2 now...I just finished the "ISN" ep. the one where the earthe news paid a visit to B5, so far a great show, I really missed out on that, I like how they manage to write good comedy into the show that just flows right along with the rest, it doesn't feel forced, I've Laughed my head off more then a few times....There was a small bit when they sent a fighter out to investigate an unknown object, and hilarity ensued:

seeing the teddy bear on the radar screen was just absolutely perfect!

 

[Jan]

I like how they manage to write good comedy into the show that just flows right along with the rest, it doesn't feel forced, I've Laughed my head off more then a few times.

Having a sarcastic/black humor streak of my own, I've always appreciated how the show would inject humor, sometimes even during tense moments.

Jan

 

[Technobuilder]

I like how they manage to write good comedy into the show that just flows right along with the rest, it doesn't feel forced, I've Laughed my head off more then a few times.

Having a sarcastic/black humor streak of my own, I've always appreciated how the show would inject humor, sometimes even during tense moments.

Jan

The humor is one of the many reason I fell in love with this show once the story had me hooked. It provides a needed counterpoint to the pathos and drama that comes with the story and I would say if it were missing, the show wouldn't be able to deliver the more serious moments as well as they did.