The shows were really quite different once you got past the obvious similarities. I used to watch them both.
What made DS9 an above-average show was the in-depth character development and a willingness on the part of the writers and producers to tackle difficult topics and questions. The show became a true serial series somewhere in the fifth season, which made it stand apart (in a positive way) from the other ST shows. But the Dominion War was not a popular storyline for the writers and producers, and they took a lot of flak for taking Roddenberry's upbeat vision of a perfect universe and making it more gritty and realistic. Removing the saccharine quality that Trek had to that point was, imo, really worthwhile. Things don't wrap themselves up neatly in the real world. I wasn't personally hooked until I saw the fourth season episode "The Visitor". That was the point where the series finally took off for me. B5 had a completely different universe to work with and was, for the most part, filled with good stories and decent character development. But I never really felt J. Straczinsky had a case in his complaint. I think if he had watched DS9 objectively he would have seen how different they were. Enterprise has its moments. Seeing a Trek show not rely on deus ex machina endings is a relief but I wish the writers would take more chances -- do more controversial storylines and really hook our interests. We'll see... they still have a good 5 seasons to go. Jon C.J.: "The more photo-friendly of the two turkeys gets a Presidential pardon and a full life at a children's petting zoo.� The other one gets eaten." Pres. Bartlet: "If the Oscars were like that, I'd watch." ~The West Wing~ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Jose J. Ortiz-Carlo Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 6:46 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: B5 dvd >From: Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: B5 dvd >Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 16:21:00 -0500 > >On Sat, Feb 08, 2003 at 09:18:25PM +0000, Jose J. Ortiz-Carlo wrote: > > Speaking of B5, I was reminded of a story which I'd like to share with >you > > guys... I don't know if this is common knowledge, since I'm totally > > disconnected from B5 > > > > I once had the pleasure and opportunity to exchange email with B5's > > creator, JM Straczinsky (sp?). He was a really cool guy to talk to, >very > > candid and down-to-Earth. At the time, which was near the launch of both >B5 > > and DS9, Straczinsky took the opportunity to address what he referred to >as > > a "striking coincidences" between > >suspense novels and email? > Good one! LOL :-) I guess he was referring to the fact that both shows, at the time, took place mostly on space stations on the hind-end of space. Etc., etc., etc., Which was one of my major nitpicks with the show. The premise of Star Trek: "to boldly go..". DS9 just sits there; it doesn't go anywhere. Jj _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
