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What is
Babylon 5?
Babylon 5 is a science fiction television series, set in the mid
23rd Century, which takes place on a five-mile-long space station,
centrally located near Earth and four other alien alliances. The
station was built as a kind of United Nations, to help preserve
peace in the galaxy; Each of the alliances has an official representative
on the station. Unlike most television series, an overall story
arc has been planned for Babylon 5 as if it were a miniseries or
written novel. Over the course of its five-year run, events tell
an overall story; hints are dropped along the way that foreshadow
events to come. However, each hour-long episode tells an individual
story and can be viewed alone.
Who is Behind Babylon 5?
The show was
created by J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), who is co-executive producer
on the show along with Doug Netter. It has been in development since
1987, and in production since 1992. Doug Netter is an equal partner
in Babylon 5, mainly handling the business side and leaves the creative
work to Straczynski. Harlan Ellison is the Conceptual Consultant
for the series; he has also written a "manifesto" for the show that
explains to other writers how to write science fiction for television
and Babylon 5, in particular. Well- known science fiction writers,
including Ellison, David Gerrold, D.C. Fontana, and Peter David
are contributing scripts to the show. Christopher Franke, formerly
of Tangerine Dream, does the soundtrack.
What is Crusade?
Crusade
is the continuation of the award-winning science fiction series
Babylon 5. The story takes place 3 years after the 5th season. The
Drakh, former servants of the Shadows, are furious at the loss of
their masters and decide to take action. They start by looking for
a new home, and decide that taking Earth would be a powerfull gesture.
However, their attack fails miserably, and are forced to retreat.
As they are leaving, they release a biogenetically engineered virus,
a piece of leftover Shadow technology, on Earth.. This infects all
inhabitants and will take five years to adapt itself to the humans
and become lethal.
The
only hope: the Excalibur, a ship combining Minbari, Vorlon and Earth
technology. The vessel goes on a crusade to find a cure for the
mutating plague on the Rim worlds.
Babylon
5, with its three-dimensional characters and complex story arc,
revolutionized tv science fiction. For those who do not know, jms
reffers to series creator/producer J. Michael Strazynski, who has
a large online presence. That Babylon 5 actually was completed is
a small wonder. That it gets a spin-off, is a wonder. Name another
science fiction show that recieved a spin-off, barring Star Trek.
Crusade is the story of the Excalibur, whose crew carries the burden
of saving the earth. While Babylon 5 has a heavy political arc,
Crusade's arc will be less political and more adventurous. Most
mysteries have been solved by the ending of season 5. However, we
are blessed with the insight that the Telepath War occured before
Crusade.
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