CRUSADE:  A Look Back  (and the "Crusade Project")

As we conduct the postmortem on fair CRUSADE, I really have to say that, all things being considered, I thought the series kicked butt. Sure, there were things about it that needed tweaking here and there, and I'm sure many of those things would have been addressed as the show continued (insert woe and lament for what might have been here), BUT-- overall, I thought it was a great show, and far, far superior to anything Trek-related I've seen in over 25 years.

Further thoughts:

The Excalibur: A beautiful, fascinating ship that combined elegance with ass-kicking firepower when necessary, and in an exciting, stylish way. I'll miss it.

Gideon: After the straight-arrow idealist Sinclair and the cowboyish Sheridan (both of whom I love), it was great to see a B5 leading man who had a darker, shadier, grittier, and more irreverent side. Gideon seemed to possess range and depth in areas that the others lacked, and had lots of potential for fascinating development down the line.

Galen: As cool as could be. What a fun character. Merlin in space.

Dureena: What I first took to be Crusade's answer to Seven of Nine was actually a compelling character who seemed destined to have a much bigger role in the future of the show. My opinion of her improved dramatically over the course of the series.

Matheson: We only saw the tip of the iceberg with this guy, but talk about potential-- he just smouldered with cold fire. Together with Gideon, the leadership of the Excalibur seemed tough as nails. I'll really miss this guy.

Dr. Chambers: We didn't get to see enough of her to really get a good read, I don't think. But I never had any complaints.

Max Eilerson: After the first few episodes that concentrated on Galen, this guy, Max, was turning into the real revelation of the group. Utterly fascinating-- for the most part, an unlikeable, surly, self-absorbed, arrogant guy who, nonetheless, seemed totally compelling. If a drama is about the transformation of the characters as they experience the events of the story, then something tells me no one would have been changed more by the events to come than Max.

I'll also miss the Gideon-Lochley relationship; I never cared much for her, but together with Gideon, she seemed much better, more comfortable in the role, than in year 5 of B5.

If the story of CRUSADE is ever to be continued, I have a feeling JMS won't get around to it for some time-- new projects, plus the eventual B5 motion picture, will surely come first. But I'm sure that won't stop the many other talented B5/Crusade fans out there from speculating. SO-- I call upon all of you to come up with your own outlines for how the CRUSADE story might have continued and ended.  I'll be working on my own when I have the chance, and post it here on this site, and I would love to see others.  So get to it!

--Van