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Rating: 
Summary: Insights into Babylon 5's second season from cast and crew
Review: The Season-by-Season Guides looks at every single Babylon 5 episode through the eyes of those who were there. Stories of what went right, what went wrong, memories of how they approached storylines and how it fits into the big arc come from all the main cast members, the directors and the creative mind behind the whole project, J Michael Straczynski, who comments on every episode.
Each episode is also re-told in a short, dramatically written synopsis which, when put together, tell the story of each season.
Season Guide #2: The Coming of Shadows includes chapters on how the production is able to create such a visually stunning television show on such a tight budget; and an author's analysis of the second season. The British edition included eight pages of colour photographs which, I assume, are included in the US imprint.
Jane Killick is a full time freelance writer and broadcaster. She has been writing for science fiction magazines for many years and among her previous books is The Making of Judge Dredd, a behind-the-scenes account of the Sylvester Stallone movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Guide to a Great Series
Review: Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it. This book is the second in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the second season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I'm looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Starting out the book are two essays. The first provides insight into the challenges faced in producing Babylon 5 on the tight budget they had and the creative ways that the crew overcame them. The second in an introduction to the second season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season. Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Guide to a Great Series
Review: Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it. This book is the second in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the second season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I'm looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Starting out the book are two essays. The first provides insight into the challenges faced in producing Babylon 5 on the tight budget they had and the creative ways that the crew overcame them. The second in an introduction to the second season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season. Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.
Rating: 
Summary: Shadows and more.
Review: One of the more popular episodes of Babylon 5 is fleshed out in this exciting look into the calm before the storm of the Shadows. G'Kar the Narn, is unable to find anyone who is willing to listen to his warnings about the coming menace. It seems that the certain people already know of the Shadows and are desperate not to let on about thier knowledge, as they attempt to mount a plan of attack. The book is well written and has a lively pace. It is great to get into the minds of some of the popular characters, and the book expands on what was a great episode to start with.
Rating:
Summary: Shadows and more.
Review: One of the more popular episodes of Babylon 5 is fleshed out in this exciting look into the calm before the storm of the Shadows. G'Kar the Narn, is unable to find anyone who is willing to listen to his warnings about the coming menace. It seems that the certain people already know of the Shadows and are desperate not to let on about thier knowledge, as they attempt to mount a plan of attack. The book is well written and has a lively pace. It is great to get into the minds of some of the popular characters, and the book expands on what was a great episode to start with.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading for the B5 Viewer
Review: The Babylon 5: Season by Season guidebooks are an essential read for fans of the TV series. Containing photos, interviews, essays, and in-depth rundowns of each episode, each book is indispensable for B5 vets and newbies alike. Strongly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading for the B5 Viewer
Review: The Babylon 5: Season by Season guidebooks are an essential read for fans of the TV series. Containing photos, interviews, essays, and in-depth rundowns of each episode, each book is indispensable for B5 vets and newbies alike. Strongly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A great book series, but if you are new to the show...
Review: This is a really good book series for B5 fans. It makes a great companion & fun reading after you have watched each show. But I would recommend it mainly for those that have seen the series & are watching it again. The reason I say that is because it is laced with spoilers all throughout the commentaries. That's fine if you've seen the whole thing already, but it stinks if you are watching it for the first time. If you don't mind that sort of thing...go for it, but this is the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. For a good "non-spoiler" companion guide, I highly recommend The Babylon File: The Definitive Unauthorized Guide to J. Michael Straczynski's TV Series Babylon 5 by Andy Lane (Versions 1 & 2). He shows no mercy sometimes. If he does or doesn't like the show, he let's you know. But it's a blast to read.
Rating:
Summary: A great book series, but if you are new to the show...
Review: This is a really good book series for B5 fans. It makes a great companion & fun reading after you have watched each show. But I would recommend it mainly for those that have seen the series & are watching it again. The reason I say that is because it is laced with spoilers all throughout the commentaries. That's fine if you've seen the whole thing already, but it stinks if you are watching it for the first time. If you don't mind that sort of thing...go for it, but this is the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. For a good "non-spoiler" companion guide, I highly recommend The Babylon File: The Definitive Unauthorized Guide to J. Michael Straczynski's TV Series Babylon 5 by Andy Lane (Versions 1 & 2). He shows no mercy sometimes. If he does or doesn't like the show, he let's you know. But it's a blast to read.
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