Dear readers and followers:
Ever since I began this journey, my plan was to write daily and post weekly. However, life has a say so and another turn and twist that happens to all of us made my plan difficult. The last few years had been challenging for everybody trying to recover and make sense of the last three years. I was cautious but gave our leaders the benefit of the doubt, but after the 2020 election, my support for our leaders waned. Right now, one of our greatest challenges is education and people’s mental health. So far, all we hear is crickets. Please take some time this holidays to heal yourself and specially those around you. Make time to meet in person and to share stories, tales, and return to normalcy because civilization must move on.
As you celebrate this Christmas, follow the advice of my stepson’s quirky say “ah…good times”, as he remembers good times in our family. Little stuff that fills every-day life. We have to lift ourselves during these times and history is on our side as throughout human history we have overcome challenges that seemed difficult if not impossible to overcome. We wish all of you the best during this time and make some “good times” in the following year, and thanks for your support.
Back to the Post
I have waited to review this show until I had the chance to watch it again. This was the last show I remember watching, right before my exile from the Island. Through all the moves, jumps, and periods of not knowing what would happen next, I missed most of the episodes of the first season.
At one point, I found the show once again in a local station from South Florida, and it was the premiere of the second season, and I was clueless about what was going on. However, I still watched it since the show had an appeal and interested me. After watching two more episodes, I lost track of the show again. Months passed (or maybe years…it was a blur) and yet another move, this time to North Central Florida, and by the next time I found again it was season 4, and I was even more clueless. However, just like the show, a new chance came to watch the whole show from the beginning. TNT was beginning to work on producing shows, and gave the show’s creator J. Michael Straczynski the opportunity to finish his vision of the show after the dissolution of PTEN. He envisioned the show into a five-year project, instead of the usual at the time for television lingering endless seasons. TNT also wanted to develop the story of the Minbari War (Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998) ),and made it into a movie to be also shown on TNT before the 5th and final season of the show.
And so, it began…the airing of all seasons including the pilot on a nightly basis, leading to the 5th season premiere on prime time.
… So from the beginning, it was the start of the year 2022, and life on Earth has gone insane. The third pandemic year and the rise of discord, misinformation, and extreme political views that demand obedient followers and acolytes.
The show is the story of a station built by Earth to promote better relations and understanding among alien governments across the galaxy.
The plan for the station was a progressive and proactive idea after a mistake by an eager commander, caused a war that almost destroyed all human life.
The show was visionary in its use of CGI renderings of the station, space, and some of the planet’s instead of miniatures and redecorating locations or using studio lots to look like alien cities. This was a first in its kind and certainly influenced many shows after. For the human actors, a studio then was used to create the station and other locations throughout the show. Both of these were then blended, creating a world or worlds that were unique to the viewer. However, the best part of the show was the story and the writing. It was a blend of history, humor, and current events (of the time) interlaced with the show’s story. In some instances, the show parallels past and present day reality that makes you wonder if humanity will ever evolve again. It is not Messianic or ahead of his time, the creator of the show, merely used the usual cycle of the time that humans seems to enjoy because of its simple and predetermined way. Critics on IMDB have been the usual band of young something’s that were not even born then and cannot have or care about putting context to the past. Moreover, the show’s best achievement was its ability to survive the perils of the television landscape of the time.
My favorite characters were the chief of security, Michael Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) who provided some of the funniest one-liner in the show. Mr. Doyle died in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016. He led an interesting life with many jobs, careers, and those experiences can be seen in his portrayal of Garibaldi (his father was a police officer in New York… In the episode: Grey 17 is Missing, Garibaldi has a .38 pistol from his grandparent cop).
My other favorite character is Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik), who along with Garibaldi got to the station because nobody wanted them anymore. Garibaldi has been an alcoholic troublemaker that was shuffled from post to post, and Mollari got the job because nobody in the Centauri Prime court wanted to go to the station because it was a dangerous place. He also provided some memorable one-liners, specially from the perspective of an alien who is baffled by Earth culture (The meaning of Hokey Pokey song that kept him engaged for days without finding the mysterious meaning while driving him mad).
Also in my opinion, Michael O’Hare (Commander Sinclair), made a great and honest portrayal of Commander Sinclair. Many critics label him as a mediocre actor, but the whole essence of Sinclair’s character is that he is a mediocre commander who was put in charge of the station by the powers who usually operate behind the scenes. He was a good man who tried to command Babylon 5 as a good guy, but he was over his head, for command sometimes require making hard decisions that may not be understood by the common people. Mr. O’Hare died in 2012.
At the time when I was editing this post, I read that Mr. Straczynski, the show’s creator, is pitching or had to pitch a draft for a remake of the show, and as humble plea; Mr. Straczynski or Joe as your cast called you, please do not remake this show. This show worked then, but it would not work with the same premise today. I respect and support your vision and was very happy when TNT picked the show and the five-year plan you envisioned became a reality. Please make something else using the lore of the show like what happened next, or what happened before, I am sure you have ideas. This is a humble comment from someone who liked and enjoyed your show, but if this about money or relevance, then do what you must. However, I respectfully will not be watching.
Wish you good luck!
Now back to the post…
The show’s cast included Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs (ER, 1994-2009; NYPD Blue, 1993-2005; Crusade, 1999), Stephen Furst (Night Court, 1984-1992; National Lampoon’s Animal House, 1978), Andreas Katsulas (NYPD Blue, 1993-2005; Star Trek: Enterprise, 2001-2005; Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight, 2002; Millennium, 1996-1999; Babylon 5: In the Beginning, 1998; Executive Decision, 1996; Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-1994; The Fugitive, 1993; Alien Nation, 1989-1990; Communion, 1989; Max Headroom, 1987-1988; The Equalizer, 1985-1989), Peter Jurasik (Runaway Jury, 2003; NYPD Blue, 1993-2005; Babylon 5: In the Beginning, 1998; Night Court, 1984-1992; Fame, 1982-1987; Tron, 1982; The White Shadow, 1978-1981), Jerry Doyle (NYPD Blue, 1993-2005), Bill, Mummy (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 1993-1999; Batman: The Animated Series, 1992-1995; The Flash, 1990-1991; Lost in Space, 1965-1968), Bruce Boxleitner (Tron: Legacy, 2010; Heroes, 2006-2010; Babylon 5: In the Beginning, 1998; Tron, 1982, Claudia Christian (The Mentalist, 2008-2015; Criminal Minds, 2005- present; NYPD Blue, 1993-2005; Babylon 5: In the Beginning, 1998; The Hidden, 1987), Jeff Conaway (Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, 1988; Grease, 1978), Patricia Tallman (Criminal Minds, 2005- present; Star Trek: Voyager, 1995-2001; Dark Skies, 1996-1997; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 1993-1999; Star Trek: Generations, 1994; Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-1994; Army of Darkness, 1992; The Flash, 1990-1991; Night of the Living Dead, 1990; Road House, 1989; Knightriders, 1981), Andrea Thompson (Criminal Minds, 2005- present; 24, 2001-2010; NYPD Blue, 1993-2005; Silk Stalkings, 1991-1999; Baywatch, 1989-2001), Jason Carter, Michael O’Hare (The Equalizer, 1985-1989), Tracy Scoggins (Crusade, 1999; Silk Stalkings, 1991-1999; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 1993-1999; The Fall Guy, 1981-1986), Walter Koenig (Star Trek: Generations, 1994; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, 1991; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, 1989; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, 1986; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, 1984; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, 1982; Star Trek: The Motion Picture, 1979; Star Trek, 1966-1969), and many others that contributed to several memorable characters.
Other notable guest star characters during the show’s run are: Robert Englund, Freddy Krueger on A Nightmare on Elm Street movies, and Willie on V (1984-1985) and V: The Final Battle (1984). Majel Barrett, second wife to Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek. She had many roles in the show, but will live forever as the voice of the computer on the followup shows and movies. David McCallum, Illya Kuryakin on the Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968), June Lockhart, Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space (1965-1968) along with Bill Mummy, Michael York Logan’s Run, 1976, Penn Jillette Penn & Teller: Bullshit, 2003-2010, Russ Tamblyn, the psychiatrist on Twin Peaks (1990-1991), Twin Peak: Fire Walk with Me (1992), and Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), Carmen Argenziano, on the longest American science fiction show, Stargate SG1(1997-2007), Bryan Cranston, the good-hearted teacher Walter White on Breaking Bad (2008-2013), and Adrianne Barbeau, Escape from New York (1981). Henry Darrow, coined as the ultimate Latin heartthrob on television, and the son of Puertorricans parents, he played Manolito Montoya on The High Chaparral (1967-1971) and many other characters in theater, television, and movies during a career that spanned 50 years. He died in 2021 and one of many great actors born on The Island. Bruce McGill D-Day on Animal House, 1978 and he has been well-known to where he went after he left college (inside joke for those who watched the movie). Melissa Gilbert, Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983).
Over the years, 8 members of the original cast have been mourned as they passed, The list is long, and they will live forever at the place where there are no shadows. Mira Furlan (2021), Richard Biggs (2004), Stephen Furst (2017), Andreas Katsulas (2006), Jerry Doyle (2016), Jeff Conway (2011), and Michael O’Hare (2012). O’Hare was very tragic because after not working for almost a decade we learned after his death from Mr. Straczynski that he battled with debilitating schizophrenia and this was the main reason for his departure from the show.
The show also had a spinoff show named Crusade (1999), and was canceled after one season on TNT. Over the years, other movies had been shown on TNT and the Syfy channel. Babylon 5: The Gathering (1993) Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998), Babylon 5: Thirdspace (1998), Babylon 5: The River of Souls (1998), Babylon 5: A Call to Arms (1999), Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight (2002), and Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (2007).
Today, the show can be streamed on HBO Max, and can be bought on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and VUDU.
Next: A New Year…Same BS
Tales from the Estate 