Babylon 5: Point of No Return

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 third in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the third 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 creating the special effects for the show. While the majority of the time is spent on describing the computer graphics used (something unheard of when the series started), there is also some insight into the traditional effects and the make-up used to create the aliens. The second in an introduction to the third 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.

This is yet another installment in a series of episode guides for B5--probably the best science fiction show made in America in the 1990s--giving the reader a thorough retelling of the season's episodes and the background action of B5's on-going production problems. There should, however, be some warnings for new fans of B5! All of the books in this series give out plot points that viewers might not want to know--especially those who are willing to get up at 6 am (5 ET) to watch the show.

The whirlwind third season is my favorite of the entire five year arc. This book does a wonderful job of showing not only an excellent episode guide and summary of the season but info on what goes on where the viewers seldom get to go: behind the scenes. I loved the actor's takes on their characters, especially on the relationships.

This book is very helpful especially if you happen to ocassionally miss an episode, or if someone interupts the show while you are watching it. A definate help to some enigmatic points in episodes!

As with her other books, Jane Killick delivers more than just a retread of the season's episodes, plot lines and cast lists. The most interesting and valuable parts are the quotes from JMS, the actors, and the creative forces behind the show, commenting on the scenes, issues and their reactions to them. If you have to choose among the growing list of "guides to Babylon 5," make this series your top priority.