From: wombat@eng.umd.edu (Jose Gonzalez)
Subject: Convention Tidbits *Spoilers*
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 92 03:32:11 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park, College of Engineering
Originator: wombat@coke.eng.umd.edu

I saw Brent Spiner at a con on Saturday and thought I'd share the few
spoilers he gave.  (This is not much.  I don't take notes, folks.)

*Spoilers* 



Brent mentioned the Western episode they had just shot directed by 
Patrick Stewart.  Spot will make an appearance.

Moriarty will return this season, but *not* Data as Sherlock Holmes.  It
would seem that they *can* use SH, but they have to pay a rather large
sum of money to the Conan-Doyle estate.  Spiner said Moriarty was only
half as much. (-:

That's basically it for TNG spoilers, but I did sneak a peak at the
script of the pilot episode for Deep Space Nine, "Emissary."  (There's 
nothing here that's going to ruin the episode for you, I just glanced
quickly at the (rather large) script.  Believe me, I know I hate having
episodes ruined for me too.)

*Spoilers* for "Emissary"



The pilot starts off with a bang, showing the battle 
against the Locutus and the Borg at Wolf 359.  (The first line of
dialogue is uttered from Locutus.)  Lt. (commander maybe) Benjamin
Sisco is on the U.S.S. Saratoga with his wife and son.  Sisco and
son manage to avoid death in escape pods, while his wife does not.

Patrick Stewart is in the episode a little more, as Picard.  There's a
scene in the beginning in Picard's ready room between Picard and
Sisco where Sisco demonstrates his dislike for Picard and asks that a 
replacement be found for him at this post as soon as possible.

That's all I looked at really.  Except for the fact that Picard also makes
an appearance at the end of the episode, that's all I know.  

On a related note, they showed from several non-audio clips from
Babylon Five.  It looks as well produced as TNG, although there appears
to be very little lighting on this space station. (-:  The uniforms are
interesting.  They look a little like the Star Trek II and on movie
uniforms, but with shoulder pads that extend beyond the shoulders.  The
aliens basically look like TNG aliens with the made up foreheads.  It looks
like they're trying to draw a parallel between the commander and Kirk.
He's seen in a fist-fight as well as passionately kissing a woman friend.

The computer effects are very impressive, though they don't look *quite*
as realistic as models would (they are still clearly computer effects, but
not *quite* as clearly as some are) but they appear to be more versatile.
We're shown ships that look like insects changing shapes.

Babylon looks more action-oriented than Star Trek.  Hopefully the 
characters will be interesting as well.   

The catch phrase for the series is (Get This):

"In February, Babylon 5 will take you beyond the Final Frontier."   
(Looks like they're definately trying to draw in the Star Trek audience,
which they'll probably have to do to survive.  I know it's intrigued me.)

And finally, for anyone who's interested, the novilization of "Relics" is
out.  Also, Peter David will be writing one of the first "Alien Nation"
books that will come out next year.
-- 
Jose Gonzalez