gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> asks:
> So can you at least be honest with us about how you are currently
> writing the episodes for season 4? with the intention of ending it
> in 4 or 5 years?

I have been honest, and remain so. I have said, repeatedly,
that at this point WB does not know. Different departments have said
different things, all of them mutally contradictory. At one time it
sounded like that might be a possibility, and some of the cast talked
about this at the time; that was before ratings started coming in on
the final 5 and the new eps, which have been extremely strong and
continuing to build. I can say that WB has, itself, initiated
discussions about a fifth season several times over just the last few
weeks.

What I'm doing is keeping my options flexible...the way it's
being written now is such that it allows me to flip either way.
There's a certain built-in drop-dead point in that structure, but that
isn't near yet.

This is what I've been saying all along. I have been extremely
forthcoming about this, telling as much as *I* know at this point. So
I do somewhat resent your suggesting that I do what I am doing, and
have been doing from day one.

jms

Daniel F. Evan <104377.1433@compuserve.com> asks:
> Perhaps a no LOTR reference rule is in order?

No, that wouldn't really be practical. If someone wants to
*compare* it with LoTR, a compare and contrast thing, that's something
I don't have a problem with...to be even included in the same breath
with LoTR is a great compliment. It's the notion that something was
*adapted* from that, or some other work, that sometimes drives me
crazy...but I wouldn't wish to set that forth as a rule...the rules are
only as absolutely necessary, not for this sort of thing.

jms

gopher <75410.177@compuserve.com> asks:
> Is my logic faulty?
> Can you clear this up for me?

I've worked out the details for 1,000 years in either direction
for the B5 storyline in general, and in specific for 100 years in
either direction; there's no chance of anything getting watered down no
matter what happens...there's enough story there for several novels.
And WB is currently very interested in the side-story/sequel series
that I've mentioned from the beginning is a possibility.

jms

{original post unavailable}

Thanks, and welcome to the show. Say hello to Mr. Steed for me.

jms

Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks:
> I'm not surprised -- why else would the universe of B5 feel so
> real? But on a tangent, do you find that there are new characters
> that keep cropping up in your imagination beyond the scope of the
> current 5-year arc that nag to have their stories told?

There's always new stuff cropping up and creeping in; half the
struggle in this show is deciding what to tell, and what not to
tell...it just goes on and on.

jms

{original post had no questions}

He always did have excellent taste.

jms

{original post unavailable}

Yes.

jms