Babylon 5 Scripts: Other Voices, Volume 3

Publication Date: July 15, 2008
Retire Date: September 30, 2008
Pages: 417
Format: Softcover

SCRIPTS

• "The Long Dark" by Scott Frost
• "Soul Mates" by Peter David
• "There All the Honor Lies" Peter David
• "Gropos" by Larry DiTillio
• "Knives" by Larry DiTillio
• "Day of the Dead" by Neil Gaiman

All scripts include an introduction/commentary by the writers, written exclusively for these volumes. A sample of what you'll discover in Volume 3:

• What Scott Frost believes is less-than-perfect about Cirrus's character.
• Why Peter David wrote "Soul Mates" even though J. Michael Straczynski said "no."
• From on-the-set: Peter David details his perspective of the different acting styles of Bruce Boxleitner and Andreas Katsulas.
• Find out which actor wore their make-up home on Halloween to answer the door for trick-or-treaters.
• Why all the actors were barefoot in "Soul Mates"...and why it was specifically written that G'Kar had his boots on.
• Revealed for the first time ever -- read all about the night that Bruce Boxleitner referred to his character as Sinclair...and Peter David's inside theory on why he did.
• The story of the legendary Babylon 5 bear told in captivating detail including how the bear war began, the alien race Strazyn, and how a final retribution was thwarted.
• Peter David's one, final regret about "There All the Honor Lies."
• Find out which line of dialogue Mira Furlan "despised with the fiery passion of a thousand suns" and why this line might be the most important revelation of the episode it's in.
• What actor Jerry Doyle was miffed that Londo got to do that Garibaldi had not...and how Jerry's real life past came back to the set in "Gropos."
• Who was originally cast as Dr. Franklin's father.
• What inspired "Knives" to open with Londo and Vir discussing opera.
• The tale behind the dramatic changes in Sheridan's story line in "Knives"...and what was written out and the scenes not shot that later prompted writer Larry DiTillio to ask himself "what was I thinking?"
• Find out what Larry DiTillio always bought 5 pounds of for the crew when shooting his scripts.
• Discover why Andreas Katsulas refused to go to sci-fi conventions.
• Read the version of "Day of the Dead" with a talking Zooty.
• The line of dialogue that Neil Gaiman refers to as "astoundingly awful" which, to his relief, was edited out as well as one of his "favorite TV moments."

Volume 3 also includes --

• A 47 page guide to the Alien Races of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds which details as many as 21 characteristics and history including each race's homeworld, height, weight, hair, limbs, reproductive methods, skin colors, special powers, governments, religions, social structure, economics technology, military power, recreation, art forms, alliances and enemies. This 13,000 word "bible" covers the Abbai, Brakiri, Drazi, Grome, Hurr, Hyach, Llort, Markab, pak'ma'ra and Yolu and also includes a short Centauri/Minbari/Narn glossary.
• A brief introduction by J. Michael Straczynski for Neil Gaiman's "Day of the Dead"

(Note: J. Michael Straczynski's introduction to "Day of the Dead" and Neil Gaiman's script are reprinted from the 1998 "Day of the Dead: A Babylon 5 Script book")

Just like previous volumes, the scripts included in Volume 3 are early drafts.

Because there are so many differences, you also get the Script/DVD Variations inventory, which catalogues all the changes, deletions, additions and extras that were in the script but you never actually got to see in a handy, easy-to-reference grid.

Volume 3 has a total of 81 entries detailing these B5 Script/DVD variations you probably never knew.

VOLUME 3 EPISODE SYNOPSES

"The Long Dark"
An exploration ship from Earth's past arrives carrying one survivor. Dr. Franklin befriends Mariah Cirrus as she copes with being thrust into the future. A lurker helps Garibaldi hunt for the creature that preyed on him.

"Soul Mates"
Londo's three wives come to Babylon 5 and Londo announces his plan to divorce two of them. Then, after an assassination attempt, one of Londo's wives is the only person who can help save him. Talia's former husband wants her to leave the Psi Corps to be with him.

"Gropos"
Dr. Franklin's father arrives at Babylon 5 bringing 25,000 soldiers that need to be billeted. Keffer and Garibaldi bond with some of the soldiers who don't know that they're headed for action to stop a civil war.

"There All the Honor Lies"
Sheridan kills a Minbari in an allegedly unprovoked attack and is suspected of murder. Lennier investigates the accusations. A B5 merchandise shop opens to help increase the station's budget.

"Knives"
An old friend of Londo's asks him for help when the Centaurum declares him a traitor, and then challenges Londo to a duel when he learns of Londo's association with Refa. Sheridan starts hallucinating after finding a dead alien in DownBelow.

"Day of the Dead"
The Brakiri purchase a section of the station for their holiday that honors the dead. Lochley, Londo, Garibaldi and Lennier all encounter visitors from beyond the grave. Rebo and Zooty visit Babylon 5.

Index