XPost: rec.arts.tv, rec.arts.sf.tv   
   From: tcerrato@optonline.net   
      
    wrote in message   
   news:1153496695.045513.189840@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...   
   >   
   > Anthony Cerrato wrote:   
   > > "ravenlynne"  wrote in message   
   > >   
   > > > I didn't watch the show when it came out but I'm   
   watching it now on   
   > > > DVD...I'm halfway through season 2...love love love   
   it. Very well done...   
   > >   
   > >   
   > > You'll love the climax and ending even more! Terrific   
   > > series! (I place it all time second only to Trek-DS9.)   
   >   
   > .   
   >   
   > You really think DS9 is better?  I *do* like DS9 but I   
   find it lacks   
   > the philosophical depth.  DS9 has events.  B5 has events,   
   but   
   > underneath is a re philosophical core that is fun to dig   
   out &   
   > examine, so for me B5 is the better show (also more   
   rewatchability).   
   >   
   > Usually I rank DS9==B5, but that's mainly for political   
   reasons (to   
   > avoid a flamewar).   
      
   I sure do think DS9 is better--but not by a _gigantic_   
   amount, just a substantial amount. Go back over it and   
   you'll find philosophy in great variety. It has it all! One   
   overriding philosophical note is found in the Bjoran "gods"   
   (The Prophets.) Is it valid for "wormhole aliens" who live   
   outside of linear time to be considered Gods? What means can   
   be justified in all-out galactic war? etc etc.) What of the   
   morality of the Dominion using other races to fight their   
   wars--or clone the Vorta and Jem'Hader for the same   
   reason...even addicting the latter for that purpose with   
   Ketracel White drug? Dozens of morality, and sociological   
   questions on the Klingons--Trills also.   
      
   One could argue (I'm not) that there's only a single   
   philosophical question in B5, namely, that in the climax.   
   But you're right--such utterances only start unneeded flame   
   wars--and nit-picking really doesn't do justice to either of   
   these great shows!       ...tonyC   
      
      
      
      
   > > JMS pulled off a miracle with this show considering all   
   the   
   > > problems he had with TPTB/constant threats of   
   cancellation,   
   > > and cast troubles. Great story played out on an epic   
   > > galactic background--one which can never be forgotten.   
   > > ...tonyC   
   >   
   >   
   > On the death of the hero:   
   >   
   > "The sad truth is that we die.  That is not a happy   
   ending, not a sad   
   > ending, simply a fact.  The question is what we accomplish   
   during the   
   > days and months and years preceding; do we leave the world   
   a better   
   > place or a worse place?  If we have left the world around   
   us a better   
   > place, as these characters did, then it's a happy   
   nding.  - - - - -   
   > Ultimately, for me, the end of B5 is neither a sad ending   
   nor a happy   
   > ending; I'd say it was a graceful ending, a dignified   
   ending, an ending   
   > that said individuals can effect profound change, if they   
   are willing   
   > to put their own lives and happiness on the line.  Not   
   happy, not sad,   
   > but a testament to the idea that you have used your time   
   here well."   
   >   
   > And the show itself:   
   >   
   > "What interests me, what I wanted to do with making this   
   show, was in   
   > large measure to examine the issues and emotions and   
   events that   
   > precede a war... the effects of the war itself... and the   
   aftermath of   
   > the war.  The war is hardware; the people are at the   
   center of the   
   > story."   
   >   
   > Well said Mr. Straczynski, and thank you for creating this   
   wonderful   
   > show.  Like a classic novel, Babylon 5 reaches beyond mere   
   > entertainment.  Thank you.   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)