.
I realise this is probably entirely for my benifit and no one else here will participate on the level i seek... but still... it must be done.
In Babylon 5 ... they accept scale on a far more realistic level. in many respects. the way that aliens arent all variations of humanity. the way that for those at teh top, they have to deal with far more than is possably achievable... in that, i mean, for example... in episodes where they are in the height of wars, babylon 5 would rush over reports (as background story) for emphisis on the grandness of the problems that present themselves to the characters in the stories. but, in star trek, whilst under similar situations, the story will never throw up anything that might leave to many unanswered questions. star trek has a message to get across, and they'll be damned if they are gonna let anything get in the way and take up vital time from it.
ok ok, so this isnt really a Vs, more a comparison of why i like both. and the reason, IS the same for both.
Social comentary.
in both, there is the between-the-lines sub plots that constantly run and re-run throughout both.
i've never found a conflict between the two (or none that i can remember anyways) and so.... much of my philosophy is born out of thinking (and to a somewhat lesser extent, meditation) upon the messages that they really want to get out through these shows.
i suppose the real difference is that babylon 5 is more political (although not exclusively), and strikes home to many of the truths that lay present throughout. whereas, star trek, cuts across so many more barriers than just the political. forever throwing up more ethical, moral and philisophical dilemas. despite it being sooooo human, and short sighted, i love star trek still. perhaps thats why i like bab5 so much in comparrison, it corrects that which stares me in the face so glaringly as "wrong" about star trek.
the prime directive of "star trek" the show, is that of acceptance, tollerance, diversity, variety, etc.
it was born out of a time of social change, of acceptance (thankyou left wing liberals such as Gene Rodenberry) of those of different cultures, of those of different appearance (skin colour for example). Thanks to star trek, so much has been achieved. Its influence is almost as possitive and far reaching as that of the hippie revolution. not only of social acceptance (although this is perhaps a matter for the eternal debate concerning society and art) but even as far reaching as technology..... for example... the NASA space shuttle "entiprise"... hypo spray... warp theory... teleporter technology research and advances... the list goes on and on. Star trek makes those leaps of logic that can be now characterised as so... "human".
ok ok... so Star Trek has 30 years on babylon 5.... maybe i should give more credit to the new boy.
but right now... all i can think of are the great philosphical quotes, the lack of over humanitisation of everything to make it more "accessable" at the producer's request.
(side note - dont you just hate producers who's only care is the popularity or profitability of that which they produce? -retorical question btw-)
babylon 5 with races such as the Membari and the development of G'kar of Narn throughout the series, gives i believe a greater degree in which we can percieve ourselves develope, beyond that which star trek provides with its "look at the federation,, arent humans so perfet?" type arrogance that only seeks to defeat the whole purpose of realising that you can be better than you are.
or, so i see it anyways. thnx for listening.
as you may or may not be able to tell..... i get much of my philosophy from the teachings of said shows.
who ever said that there no good would come from enforced morals through education. lol.
hahahahahaha...... and people say i'm anti american. ... well... patriots do anyways. but what do they know. they probably dont watch star trek with as keen an eye as i.
hope you enjoyed reading me waffle and rant on aimlessly about star trek and bab5.
