tstone
08-15-2007, 10:27 AM
Like Harry Potter, this was a unique tale, introducing a unique world with a definite mission, storytelling-wise. J Michael Strakzinsky wanted to tell a tale of empires, power, passion, morality, spirituality, philosophy and events, expressed through the lives of individuals who would arrive, grow, change, move on and, sooner or later, die. It would be how these events affected them and how they affected these events. And it would revolve around a unique place, known by travellers and inhabitants as Babylon 5.
Babylon 5, or B5, is a space station, built by the Earth Alliance and jointly funded by the Minbari, a race previously fought a catastrophic war with, with the intention of avoiding another such conflict. It was a noble effort, and like most noble efforts, especially ones of similar ambitions, it was not without complications, stumbles and questions of purpose.
At any rate, the original tale of B5 was a complete one of a specific set of moments in time. But, as JMS tells in an interview, the universe didn't start there. And it didn't end there. The universe and characters came from time before, and things moved on. Lots of fans have been asking, ok, where did it come from and where did it move on to?
JMS wants to explore some of those threads, string them out to see where they go. He also wants to explore a new approach to high quality direct to DVD releases, which this was the first.
Two main stories are on this disc. The first, which other reviews I've read unfortunately didn't favor as much (most liked it, just not as much as the other tale on this disc), peered into Babylon 5, post establishment of the Interstellar Alliance. Elizabeth Lochley has been promoted to Colonel and is still in command of Babylon 5. A strange man has come into her purview, a man apparently posessed by...a demon. Now, the scenario has been done before, but JMS has a bit of an appreciation for horror. He showed that in some previous B5 stories, most notably Thirdspace, with it's salute to HP Lovecraft. This one was a nod to The Exorcist, but with a twist.
Personally, I was a big fan of this story, as it did yet again one of the things JMS does well, that is, exploring the metaphysical underpinnings of the B5 universe, and as an extent, our own. If your thoughts meander over in this territory, as mine do, you'll like it.
The second tale featured Bruce Boxleitner returning as John Sheridan, now President of the ISA. He's on a tour to Babylon 5 and is visited by the mysterious Technomage, Galen. He is warned of an unfortunate event that may take place in Earth's future and he may be able to prevent it. But the course of action Galen suggests runs counter to Sheridan's sense of morality.
What will he do?
Great return to the B5 universe, and a great intro to what may come. And excellent salutes in both the stories and the extras to G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas) and Dr. Steven Franklin (Richard Biggs).
B5 fans? Must have. The uninitiated? Really, best you watch the series first. You'll be able to appreciate it much better.
Babylon 5, or B5, is a space station, built by the Earth Alliance and jointly funded by the Minbari, a race previously fought a catastrophic war with, with the intention of avoiding another such conflict. It was a noble effort, and like most noble efforts, especially ones of similar ambitions, it was not without complications, stumbles and questions of purpose.
At any rate, the original tale of B5 was a complete one of a specific set of moments in time. But, as JMS tells in an interview, the universe didn't start there. And it didn't end there. The universe and characters came from time before, and things moved on. Lots of fans have been asking, ok, where did it come from and where did it move on to?
JMS wants to explore some of those threads, string them out to see where they go. He also wants to explore a new approach to high quality direct to DVD releases, which this was the first.
Two main stories are on this disc. The first, which other reviews I've read unfortunately didn't favor as much (most liked it, just not as much as the other tale on this disc), peered into Babylon 5, post establishment of the Interstellar Alliance. Elizabeth Lochley has been promoted to Colonel and is still in command of Babylon 5. A strange man has come into her purview, a man apparently posessed by...a demon. Now, the scenario has been done before, but JMS has a bit of an appreciation for horror. He showed that in some previous B5 stories, most notably Thirdspace, with it's salute to HP Lovecraft. This one was a nod to The Exorcist, but with a twist.
Personally, I was a big fan of this story, as it did yet again one of the things JMS does well, that is, exploring the metaphysical underpinnings of the B5 universe, and as an extent, our own. If your thoughts meander over in this territory, as mine do, you'll like it.
The second tale featured Bruce Boxleitner returning as John Sheridan, now President of the ISA. He's on a tour to Babylon 5 and is visited by the mysterious Technomage, Galen. He is warned of an unfortunate event that may take place in Earth's future and he may be able to prevent it. But the course of action Galen suggests runs counter to Sheridan's sense of morality.
What will he do?
Great return to the B5 universe, and a great intro to what may come. And excellent salutes in both the stories and the extras to G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas) and Dr. Steven Franklin (Richard Biggs).
B5 fans? Must have. The uninitiated? Really, best you watch the series first. You'll be able to appreciate it much better.