"The last, best hope for peace"
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I know this is sacrilege in the days of Star Trek and the rest of them, and although I enjoy many other SF series' (including ST) I am addicted to Babylon 5 (or B5 for short). I apologise in advance to all non-initiates for the 'in' jokes!  |
 Station
Personnel
the characters
"Spoo
for brains"
what is Spoo? |
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Babylon 5 is not just another series where we are introduced to a new alien species each episode, and we always know the good guys will win in the end... It is about a community of many races and their lives, their hates, their cultures, their differences and their similarities, and the way they all depend on each other in the end.
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There are many races, cultures and people in the series, so here's a quick introduction for those who don't know... |
| Human personnel |
| Captain
John Sheridan (Bruce
Boxleitner) - commanding officer of the the
station, leader of the resistance against President Clark of Earth,
until his promotion to President of the Interstellar Alliance, and co-leader
of the Rangers with Delenn. Good guy, although a little bossy at
times, and not always right, although nearly always! Currently married
to Delenn of the Minbari, although has previously been married. Hero
of the Earth/Minbari War, a.k.a. Starkiller to the Minbari. Disappeared
on board a White Star near Coriannas VI, 20 years after destroying the
Shadows at Zha'dum.
Captain Elizabeth Lochley (Tracy Scoggins) - Replacement for Commander Ivanova. Official representative of Earth on Babylon 5 following the creation of the Interstellar Alliance. Previously known Sheridan. Strong personality that clashes regularly with Garibaldi, and although has no love for the Psi Corps, does everything by the book - even if it means being nice to Bester.
Chief of Station Security Zack Allen (Jeff Conaway) - one of the original members of the station security team, and Garibaldi's protégé. Succeeds Garibaldi as station chief, remaining there when most of the senior staff move on to others jobs. Returns to serve with Earthforce and visits Babylon 5 shortly before it is decommissioned - even though he doesn't like the Earthforce uniform (something to do with clowns).
Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman) - First commercial telepath assigned to Babylon 5 - rating P5. Recalled to Earth following the attempted assasination of Kosh. Later escapes from Psi Corps, bringing a warning of a spy in Babylon 5. Disappears - later discovered to have been to the Vorlon homeworld where was biologically altered. Served as aide to the second Kosh before his death. Assisted in fight against President Clark, although telepaths distrusted on Mars. Rejoined Psi Corps under arrangement with Bester - although later resigned again when supported Byron's attempt to gain a homeworld for telepaths. Continuing his work, at a distance, following Byron's death with support from the Narn, and Garibaldi. Last heard of accompanying G'Kar on a trip somehwere around the galaxy. Commander Jeffrey Sinclair (Michael O'Hare) - original commanding officer of Babylon 5. Survivor of the Battle of the Line where he was interrogated by the Minbari - which plays an important part in the plot of the series. Current whereabouts unknown following his sudden departure from his position as Ambassador for Earth to Minbar and Entil'Zha of the Rangers (Anlashok), although rumours on Minbar suggest that he travelled back in time and became the Minbari hero, Valen.
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| Minbari Personnel |
Delenn (Mira
Furlan) - Ambassador
to Babylon 5 from Minbar. A member of the religious caste, who becomes
almost de facto leader of the Minbari. Underwent a transformation
to almost Human form to further the ties between the two races, leading
to her dismissal from the Grey Council and rejection by many Minbari.
Also led to her marriage to Captain John Sheridan, although with opposition
from within her own clan. Always very calm and a great believer in
prophecy. Succeeds Sheridan as President of the Interstellar Alliance,
and lives to at least 140 years old. One son by Sheridan, David.
Lennier
(Bill Mumy) - aide
to Ambassador Delenn. Often to be found defending her reputation
as a Minbari, and generally a very useful and trustworthy fellow to have
around. A bit hooked on Delenn himself, Lennier disapproves of
the marriage between Delenn and Sheridan, perhaps because of his own attraction
to Delenn, resulting in his departure from Babylon 5 to become a
Ranger, like his friend Marcus. Friend of Vir Cotto.
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| Centauri Personnel |
Ambassador Londo Mollari (Peter
Jurasik) - Ambassador
for the Centauri Republic to Babylon 5, originally seemed a bit of a wastrel
appointed to the dead-end post on B5. Makes himself very unpopular
with his association with the Shadows, which leads to his ultimate downfall.
Adversary of G'Kar of the Narn, although this ultimately leads to their
reliance on each other. Fulfills prophecy in becoming Emperor of the Centauri
Republic although dies under mysterious circumstances alongside G'Kar.
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| Narn Personnel |
Ambassador G'Kar (Andreas
Katsulas) - Ambassador
for the Narn Regime, G'Kar starts in a strong position that is totally
reversed by the invasion of his homeworld by the Centauri. Dedicated
to the destruction of the Centauri, attempts to kill Londo, and is imprisoned
for his efforts, which leads him to a revelation upon the position of the
Narn's in the scheme of things, and, ultimately, his ability to free Narn
from the Centauri - with a little help from Londo, which leaves an uneasy
state of understanding between the pair.
Although latterly seen as a bodyguard to Londo
Mollari on Centauri, G'Kar disappears for a while accompanied by Lyta Alexander,
before returning to Centauri Prime where he died in mysterious circumstances.
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| Vorlon Personnel |
| Ambassador
Kosh Naranek - there were actually
two ambassadors called Kosh on the station. After the first, sympathetic
one was killed by the Shadows, the second Kosh provided a much darker,
harder, less forgiving face to the Vorlons, which shows that there is more
to the Vorlon's interest in the younger races than at first believed.
First Kosh saved Sheridan from sabotage on Babylon 5 only at great strain
to himself. Takes great delight in manipulating people, and never speaks
in straight sentences, which leaves everyone else confused.
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| "Here, linky, linky linky - ah, the missing link" - Garibaldi |
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| The
Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 - everything
you wanted to know about the series - the bible of Babylon 5. Take
it episode by episode, or research characters and actors - it's all here.
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| You
Know You've Been Watching Babylon 5 Too Much When... -
an amusing look at the way B5 affects the lives of the addicted....
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| "Do
not thump the Book of G'Quan - it is disrespectful" - G'Kar
Like a lot of popular television
SF series', there have been accompanying books and series' guides etc.
published. Below is a selection of those (it does not include the role-playing
game guide books)
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| Novels
1. Voices - John Vornholt
The
Psi-Corps Trilogy - J. Gregory Keyes
Legions
of Fire - Peter David
Guides Season
guides by Jane Killick -
authorised guides. Includes summary of each episode, with comments/interviews
with JMS and some of the actors about the episodes, so has some interesting
behind-the-scenes stories.
The A-Z of Babylon 5 - David Bassom - An encyclopaedic approach to B5 - alphabetical listing of people, places, ships etc, including appendixes covering the books, timeline, quick episode guide and the jokes that have made it into the series. Unfortunately only covers to the beginning of season 3, but there will, hopefully, be an updated version for the whole series plus films out sometime... Babylon 5 Security Manual - a sort of insider's guide to the station and people - not totally comprehensive, but interesting none the less Unauthorised
Guides
Videos
(I know they aren't books, but
where else do I put it?)
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| "Spoo for brains" - Vir Cotto |
| Such
a simple little word, so unassuming, yet the focus of so much speculation!
Many people in chat ask me what Spoo is as my nickname is Spoo_for_Brains,
well, here's the answer - you did ask!
How to go about this,
well, I suppose the easiest way is to provide a link to JMS's description
of the critters, and the food they provide, but I've provided the description
below. But Spoo is so much more than that - it also provides perfect
food for insults, like the one above, and is much beloved by some races,
hated by others. The official human substitute is scallops, although
I think that does a disservice to scallops as I think of spoo as being
more like tofu on legs. Anyway, I'll let you make up your mind, but
don't take too long as the price rises are enormous!
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Spoo is/are (the plural of spoo is spoo) small, white, pasty, mealy critters, rather worm-like, and generally regarded as the ugliest animals in the known galaxy by just about every sentient species capable of starflight, with the possible exception of the pak'ma'ra, who would simply recommend a more rigorous program of exercise. They are also generally considered the most delicious food in all of known space, regardless of the individual's biology, almost regardless of species, except for the pak'ma'ra, who like the flavor but generally won't say so simply to be contrary. Spoo are raised on ranches on worlds with a damp, moist, somewhat chilly climate so that their skin can acquire just the right shade of paleness. Spoo travel in herds, if moving a total of sixinches in any given direction in the course of a given year can actually be considered moving. They stay in herds ostensibly for mutual protection, but the reality is that if they weren't propped up against one another, most of them would simply fall down. They do not howl, bark, moo, purr, yap, squeak or speak. Mainly, they sigh. Herds of sighing spoo can reportedly induce unparalleled bouts of depression, which is why most spoo ranchers wear earmuffs even when it's only mildly cold, damp, wet and dreary outside. If there is any life-or-death struggle for dominance within the spoo herd, it has not yet been detected by modern science. Spoo ranching is one of the least regarded professions known. Little or no skill is required, once you've got a planet with the right climate. You bring in two hundred spoo, plop them down in the middle of your ranch, and go back to the nearby house. Soon you've got more. When it comes time to cull out the ones ready for market (the softest, mealiest, palest, most forlorn-looking spoo of the pack), little physical effort is required since they're incapable of rapid movement without falling over (see above). They do not resist, fight, or whine; they only sigh more loudly. When spoo harvest time comes, the air is full of the sound of whacking and sighing, whacking and sighing. Even an experienced spoo rancher can only harvest for brief periods of a time, due to the increased volume of sighing, which even the sound of whacking cannot altogether erase. (also see above) Some have simply gone mad. Spoo are the only creatures of which the Interstellar Animal Rights Protection League says, simply, "Kill 'em." Taken from a posting
by JMS to CompuServe
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Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova (Claudia
Christian) - the
Queen of the one-liners and second in command of the station until the
end of the war. Currently assigned to a ship exploring the Rim of
space, so we are unlikely ever to see her again unfortunately. Never
did get it together with Marcus until it was too late. Fair but firm
senior officer, who likes things done her way and is also known as God
to the C&C staff (on pain of death). Mildly telepathic, although
this is not known by Psi Corps - deep distrust and hatred of telepaths
following the death of her mother.
Currently commanding a Warlock class deep
space exploration vessel on the Rim.
Chief of Security, Chief Warrant Officer Michael Garibaldi (Jerry
Doyle) - effective and
efficient member of the staff who has been on the station since it became
operational. Knows the byways and back ways of the station, which
comes in very useful after he resigns from his position and takes up a
few slightly less legal operations for his new employer. Hates telepaths
with a vengeance, especially Bester, although is willing to use them to
his advantage and the advantage of the new Alliance. Marries his on/off
girlfriend, Lise, eventually - and ends up running one of the largest corporations
on Mars - after booting out the old board of directors who tried to have
him killed!
Dr. Stephen Franklin (Richard
Biggs) - the head of Medlab and Chief Medical
Officer of the station. Really good guy who will not betray his oath
to do no harm to anyone, and resultantly spent some time in prison for
refusing to turn over notes on the Minbari during the Earth/Minbari war.
You can trust this guy with your life, although will bend the rules where
he feels it is to the advantage of the many. Father is a General
in the Earth Alliance army, and they have only recently become reacquainted
after a long separation and disagreement. Offered, and accepted, current
post as Head of Xenobiology on Earth, succeeding Dr Benjamin Kyle (first
Head of Medlab on Babylon 5).
Alfred Bester (Walter
Koenig) - (rating P12)
head of the Psi Cops division of Psi Corps - the official department of
the Earth Alliance government to which all telepaths must belong - although
the ones that get out, known as 'blips' to the Corps, spend their life
running. Psi Corps are always seen as having a hidden agenda, and
Bester is seen as being the brains behind most of the plans. Universally
distrusted on Babylon 5, where his usual quarters are in the brig, although
greatly respected within the Psi Corps community itself.The Corps is
Mother, the Corps is Father.Y
Ranger Marcus Cole (Jason
Carter) - Human Ranger.
The Rangers (Anlashok in Minbari) are a Minbari organisation, led by the
Entil'Zha, dedicated to defeating the ancient enemy, the Shadows.
Marcus always has a quip for the moment, and can remember all the words
to the Modern Major General song - much to Stephen Franklin's disgust.
Holds
a secret love for Susan Ivanova, although she finds him very annoying,
and shows it in the ultimate way, by sacrificing himself to save her life.
Vir Cotto (Stephen
Furst) - Aide to Londo
Mollari who disagrees with most of Londo's actions, but would defend his
right to those actions with his life. Always seen as a bit of a bumbler,
he risks his life and reputation to save the lives of many Narns - much
to the disgust of Londo. Growing in stature and confidence, will
become an important figure in the politics of Centauri in the long term
- starting with his succession to Londo's post as Ambassador to Babylon
5, and ending as Emperor. His stomach doesn't take kindly to eating
fast food from the sign of the golden headbones, McBari's (althoug it tastes
better going down than it does coming up).
