D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
<font color=#40A000 size=4>Woo-hoo!</font>
Due assistance from certain individuals (who shall go unnamed but have my deepest gratitude) I finally managed to obtain a copy. I just watched it. Defying order in the Rangers forum (sorry, principles of the SNT obligate me) I shall post my review here and now.
Before I sit down to write it, let me quickly summarize my opinion: I very *very* much liked it. I am afraid to admit, but the Shadow Nitpicking Team has temporarily lost its ability to criticize. I can only find flaws either superficial or imaginary. This is scary.
Characters and background:
Excellent! Characters with a personality from the very beginning! Characters with their own ideas, and not fixed in their ways. Characters of various backgrounds and persuasions. Shadows love diversity.
A most interesting crew, and a promise for many fine stories. A promise of more insight into Rangers, Minbari and others. I wonder what will become of them, if they will find what they are looking for... and how.
Setting and ship:
Interesting atmosphere, commendable effects. Given that I liked the general setting very much, it is easier to list what I would like to improve:
- Camera movement in takeoff and hyperspace shots.
- Hyperspace color scheme.
- The weapons interface.
By the way, I find the different atmosphere of Tuzanor rather suitable. I always suspected that Minbari ways would vary slightly, especially within an organisation like Rangers. They are not part of any caste, so you can't expect either religious, worker or warrior habits.
They are a strange mixture created by Valen to wait and keep balance. Now that they have been revived, assigned new duties and become independent of the Nine, things can be expected to be interesting. This is the beginning of the time when Minbari can disagree -- without starting a civil war.
Story:
I am intrigued. I have suspicions. I must verify them. I want to find out. The Shadow Nitpicking team will give this project its full support, as much as physical distance allows.
The Minbari seem to be going through a pretty contradictory time. All transitions are hard, and for people used to stability, this must sometimes seem too interesting. I would predict that we will see further contradictions within Minbari and Rangers. It is however a relief to notice that changes have brought out a sense of humor in some individuals.
The rest of the galaxy seem to experience no less trouble -- although more external than internal, with leftover conflicts from the last Shadow War still going hot. Many may be too occupied to see the buildup of new threats. If the main theme will be rebuilding, there will be a lot to expect.
The Hand:
Naturally I am wondering where the Hand fit in, and I can imagine several places to put them. Who could they be? If we take G'Kars words seriously, nobody is exactly who they seem.
1. An ancient enemy stopped at the bridge with a high price, upon their return? This would contrast the theme of Rangers running from battle.
2. An ancient who rewards loyalty, but whose servants will betray them? Whose servants the Rangers will turn against them? A battle of thought instead of arms? Complements the theme of loyalty and betrayal.
3. An ancient enemy who will find their servants exploiting them, never letting them back? The universe can be ironic, you know.
4. An enemy of perceived strength and determination? I have the suspicion that without resources they may not last a good battle... and may find their ambitions crushed. But who will oppose them first? Who will learn first and act first? I have four candidates: the Interstellar Alliance, the Drakh Entire, the technomages or the soul hunters.
5. An enemy who will return to find that conditions have changed beyond their tolerance? Or fall into a trap set for their return? You never know the devious First Ones.
-------
One way or another, this much I am sure of. Should a series come, some conflict with the Hand will ensue. But it will not be a war. Perhaps a few battles. The main theme seems elsewhere, in perfect accordance with the earliest words from JMS. I suspect he may have a piece of paper with schemes, calculations and diagrams hidden away somewhere.
But this is an excellent introduction.
[This message has been edited by Lennier (edited February 17, 2002).]
Due assistance from certain individuals (who shall go unnamed but have my deepest gratitude) I finally managed to obtain a copy. I just watched it. Defying order in the Rangers forum (sorry, principles of the SNT obligate me) I shall post my review here and now.
Before I sit down to write it, let me quickly summarize my opinion: I very *very* much liked it. I am afraid to admit, but the Shadow Nitpicking Team has temporarily lost its ability to criticize. I can only find flaws either superficial or imaginary. This is scary.
Characters and background:
Excellent! Characters with a personality from the very beginning! Characters with their own ideas, and not fixed in their ways. Characters of various backgrounds and persuasions. Shadows love diversity.
A most interesting crew, and a promise for many fine stories. A promise of more insight into Rangers, Minbari and others. I wonder what will become of them, if they will find what they are looking for... and how.
Setting and ship:
Interesting atmosphere, commendable effects. Given that I liked the general setting very much, it is easier to list what I would like to improve:
- Camera movement in takeoff and hyperspace shots.
- Hyperspace color scheme.
- The weapons interface.
By the way, I find the different atmosphere of Tuzanor rather suitable. I always suspected that Minbari ways would vary slightly, especially within an organisation like Rangers. They are not part of any caste, so you can't expect either religious, worker or warrior habits.
They are a strange mixture created by Valen to wait and keep balance. Now that they have been revived, assigned new duties and become independent of the Nine, things can be expected to be interesting. This is the beginning of the time when Minbari can disagree -- without starting a civil war.
Story:
I am intrigued. I have suspicions. I must verify them. I want to find out. The Shadow Nitpicking team will give this project its full support, as much as physical distance allows.
The Minbari seem to be going through a pretty contradictory time. All transitions are hard, and for people used to stability, this must sometimes seem too interesting. I would predict that we will see further contradictions within Minbari and Rangers. It is however a relief to notice that changes have brought out a sense of humor in some individuals.
The rest of the galaxy seem to experience no less trouble -- although more external than internal, with leftover conflicts from the last Shadow War still going hot. Many may be too occupied to see the buildup of new threats. If the main theme will be rebuilding, there will be a lot to expect.
The Hand:
Naturally I am wondering where the Hand fit in, and I can imagine several places to put them. Who could they be? If we take G'Kars words seriously, nobody is exactly who they seem.
1. An ancient enemy stopped at the bridge with a high price, upon their return? This would contrast the theme of Rangers running from battle.
2. An ancient who rewards loyalty, but whose servants will betray them? Whose servants the Rangers will turn against them? A battle of thought instead of arms? Complements the theme of loyalty and betrayal.
3. An ancient enemy who will find their servants exploiting them, never letting them back? The universe can be ironic, you know.
4. An enemy of perceived strength and determination? I have the suspicion that without resources they may not last a good battle... and may find their ambitions crushed. But who will oppose them first? Who will learn first and act first? I have four candidates: the Interstellar Alliance, the Drakh Entire, the technomages or the soul hunters.
5. An enemy who will return to find that conditions have changed beyond their tolerance? Or fall into a trap set for their return? You never know the devious First Ones.
-------
One way or another, this much I am sure of. Should a series come, some conflict with the Hand will ensue. But it will not be a war. Perhaps a few battles. The main theme seems elsewhere, in perfect accordance with the earliest words from JMS. I suspect he may have a piece of paper with schemes, calculations and diagrams hidden away somewhere.
But this is an excellent introduction.
[This message has been edited by Lennier (edited February 17, 2002).]
