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Babylon 5 Paid Tribute To Its Earliest Fans In The Nerdiest Way Possible

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated

The best part of the early days of the internet was logging in, and finding people like you with the same interests. America Online, Prodigy, Compuserve, all had incredibly active forums devoted to everything from roleplaying a Moogle from Final Fantasy, to talking about Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was on a fan message board where J. Michael Straczynski went for help during the production of Babylon 5’s first season when he needed some names. In return, he snuck in a subtle tribute to the fan who helped him out. 

Asking The Fans For Help

Quantum-40 Powers The Jumpgates In Babylon 5

JMS was a part of the Science Fiction Round Table on GEnie, the online service that predates the rollout of “www,” long before he brought Babylon 5 to life. Accessing the GEnie service required a specific modem setting, dialing into the service, and then entering a specific prompt once connected. We used to have to jump through hoops to talk to complete strangers about how annoying Wesley Crusher was. 

After Warner Bros. legal team denied some names during the production of the first season, JMS took to GEnie for new names. One user, who would go on to tell the story on Reddit multiple times over the years, said he looked down at his desk and saw a disc for Quantum Link sitting there, and played around with Quantum as the element that powered jumpgates. Season 1 Episode 6, “Mind War,” is the first time that the element  “Quantum-40” is mentioned by name. 

JMS Said Thanks In The Best Way

JMS Namedropped A Fan In “Parliament Of Dreams”

In “Parliament of Dreams,” Sinclair (Michael O’Hare) takes his on-again off-again love interest Catherine to Fresh Air, where the Maitre’d takes them to their table, and says that “David will be your waiter tonight.” That’s the real name of the user who named Quantum-40, and when he asked JMS if it was a coincidence, the coy answer he received from the Babylon 5 creator was: “Freud says there’s no coincidences.” 

Babylon 5 isn’t the first show to pay tribute to a fan, and it won’t be the last. It was one of the first where the creator would directly talk to fans. Trek: The Next Generation, The X-Files, and Babylon 5 were among the first shows that reached new levels of success thanks to their online popularity. The “virtual town square,” as most print media referred to online forums at the time, was a new frontier allowing sci-fi fans thousands of miles apart to connect over shared interests. 

Babylon 5 Fandom Is Over 30 Years Old And Still Going Strong

Today it’s easy to talk to actors on social media, Wil Wheaton is especially active, as is Stargate Universe’s David Blue, Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff and Tricia Helfer, and countless others. It’s both a good thing, as it’s fun to see what your favorite stars are up to, and they often will post behind the scenes from their projects, but also a bad thing because what if, well, your favorite star is a jerk? 

The Babylon 5 fandom has had its up and downs over the years. It’s grown and evolved alongside the internet, enduring disappointments (Crusade) and a comeback (Babylon 5: The Road Home), while keeping the flame lit for any news of a revival or a legacy series. 


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The Sci-Fi Action Movie On Netflix Continues An Epic Franchise

By Steven Nelson
| Published

skylines

Prepare for an intergalactic showdown unlike any other. Skylines, the exhilarating third installment in the much-talked-about Skylines franchise, is now soaring its way into Netflix’s streaming galaxy. The saga continues as humanity and extraterrestrial life collide in a fight for survival, intertwining past legacies with futuristic ambitions. 

Whether you’ve been a fan since the first ship landed or are just embarking on this cosmic journey, brace yourself for a sci-fi adventure that promises to be a spectacle of thrilling confrontations, otherworldly landscapes, and mind-bending twists. Let the battle for Earth’s destiny begin!

In Search Of A Vital Artifact

skylines 2020

In Skylines, the story picks up after the events of the previous movies, catapulting viewers into an intensified interstellar conflict. When a virus threatens to turn Earth’s now peaceful hybrid alien population against humans, Captain Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan), a human-alien hybrid with extraordinary abilities, is summoned.

Having proved herself in the previous encounters, Rose is the linchpin in humanity’s desperate plan to prevent the impending alien attack.

skylines 2020

Drawing from her lineage’s strengths, she assembles an elite team of soldiers to join her on a mission into the extraterrestrial world. Their objective? To retrieve an artifact from the aliens‘ home planet that is key to saving both their species. However, as they journey through space, they encounter challenges and adversaries that put their skills, determination, and alliance to the ultimate test.

While the goal is clear, the path is fraught with battles, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The mission becomes a race against time as they navigate through the alien world, battling enhanced creatures and trying to secure the vital artifact.

With the fate of both species hanging in the balance, Skylines is an adrenaline-pumping roller-coaster that pushes the boundaries of friendship, duty, and survival.

There Are Plans For Another Skyline Movie

skylines 2020

The Skylines saga may not be over just yet. A fourth installment, Skyline: Warpath, was originally slated for an October 2025 release, but as of 2026, the film remains unreleased and no new launch date has been announced.

While updates have been scarce, interest in the franchise remains strong among fans who have followed the series from its beginnings. Frank Grillo has previously expressed interest in returning, and the ending of Skylines leaves plenty of room for the story to continue expanding into new corners of its universe.

That said, if Skyline: Warpath never materializes, Skylines still serves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, bringing its central conflicts to a satisfying close while leaving the door open for future adventures.

skylines 2020

Speculating about the next Skyline movie is exciting, given the universe’s potential to expand and evolve. With the Earth somewhat stabilized after the events of Skylines, the story could further delve into the expansive universe. New planets, teeming with unknown life forms, could be discovered, presenting both opportunities and threats. As the survivors of Earth venture into the cosmos, they might seek alliances with other civilizations to fortify against shared adversaries.

Another angle could be the discovery of remnants of the alien race that had previously wreaked havoc on Earth. The survivors might unearth secrets about their adversaries, leading to potential reconciliations or fresh conflicts. Delving deeper into the origins and motivations of the aliens could add layers of complexity and empathy to the narrative.

On a more personal note, characters that survived the past ordeals might face internal struggles. The trauma of previous battles, combined with the challenges of navigating an expansive universe, could take a toll on their mental well-being. New characters, potentially from other civilizations, could be introduced, bringing with them unique skill sets, philosophies, and technologies.

With a universe as expansive and intricate as that of Skyline, there’s no telling where the story might lead next, especially with potential future sequels on the horizon.For now, fans can immerse themselves in the spectacle and drama of Skylines on Netflix, savoring the evolution of a story that promises to remain a mainstay in contemporary sci-fi cinema. Dive in and let the celestial odyssey unfold.


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Apple fixes a Beats Studio Buds flaw that could let hackers listen to conversations

In its most recent firmware update for Beats headphones, 1B211, Apple fixed a terrifying security flaw that allowed malicious actors to potentially eavesdrop on private conversations within Bluetooth range of the brand’s popular Studio Buds. 

According to reporting by Sead Fadilpašić of TechRadar, it was actually the third-party security firm ERNW and its researchers, Dennis Heinze and Frieder Steinmetz, who first discovered the vulnerability, all the way back in 2025, when it was assigned an 8.8/10 severity score. In effect, it allowed hackers to impersonate a device that had previously been connected to the headphones, not only granting them access to the microphone and headphone audio but eventually even learning some devices’ call histories and contact lists.

If you own a pair of Studio Buds, is it likely you’ve been targeted? Thankfully, no. The same researchers who discovered the exploit told TechRadar that the degree of coordination, complexity, and planning required to execute this hack would have made it worthwhile only for very high-value targets, and, as of now, there are no reports of anyone being negatively impacted by the security vulnerability. 

It’s also worth mentioning that Apple wasn’t the only company caught up in this exploit. In the original report released by ERNW that identified the flaw, the security firm listed dozens of compromised devices, including those from manufacturers like Sony, JBL, and Bose, and those were just the brands that publicly listed their system suppliers, leaving potentially hundreds more devices yet to be named. In the words of the security researchers in the report, the unknown scope of the problem “creates a huge blind spot in vulnerability management due to the nature of the supply chain.” 

Thankfully, Apple isn’t the only company taking active measures to protect its customers. According to Ecoustics reporting back in January, both Bose and JBL have also taken steps to close off the vulnerability through firmware updates. 

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The Zoe Saldana Assassin Movie On Netflix That Never Lets Up

By Steven Nelson
| Published

zoe saldana

From the star-laden skies of the cosmos in Guardians of the Galaxy to the deep jungles of Avatar, Zoe Saldana has demonstrated her prowess in various roles, captivating audiences with her compelling performances. Now, Netflix brings her to your screens in a gripping tale of vengeance – Colombiana.

Dive into a thrilling world where Saldana, unyielding and fierce, sets out on a relentless pursuit to avenge her family’s death. Directed by Olivier Megaton and penned by the renowned Luc Besson, this action-packed ride promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Prepare for an exhilarating experience with Colombiana.

Cataleya Is Coming For You

Colombiana 2011

Colombiana is a tale of retribution set against the gritty backdrop of the criminal underworld. At its heart is Cataleya Restrepo, played with fierce determination by Zoe Saldana. As a young girl in Bogota, Colombia, Cataleya witnesses the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of a ruthless drug lord named Don Luis (Beto Benites).

The traumatic event, however, gives rise to a burning desire for revenge, and she barely escapes the massacre, ultimately finding her way to her uncle Emilio in Chicago.

Colombiana 2011

Under Emilio’s guidance, Cataleya transforms into a deadly assassin, honing her skills to exact her revenge. While she takes on various assignments, she leaves a distinctive drawing of a cataleya orchid as her signature, a message to those who wronged her that she’s coming for them. This calling card draws the attention of both the criminal world and law enforcement.

Cataleya navigates the dangers of her vocation, and her single-minded focus remains on finding Don Luis and his main enforcer, Marco. The film intricately weaves her personal vendetta with her professional hits, building to a climactic confrontation.

A Thriller With Depth

Colombiana 2011

Throughout, Zoe Saldana’s portrayal of Cataleya is that of a woman driven by past horrors, wielding her trauma as both a weapon and armor, making Colombiana not just an action-packed thriller but also a study of what fuels a person’s drive for vengeance.

Colombiana truly shines as a Zoe Saldana vehicle, largely because of the symbiotic relationship between the film’s narrative and Saldana’s strengths as an actress. Firstly, Zoe Saldana has always exuded a kind of quiet strength and intensity in her roles, making her the perfect fit for a character who carries the weight of traumatic past events but channels it into her mission for vengeance.

Colombiana 2011

Her slender physique and graceful movements, combined with her intensity, make her a believable and unique assassin, differentiating Cataleya from the archetypal brute force hitman often depicted in cinema. Additionally, Saldana’s range allows her to tap into the deeper emotional undercurrents of Cataleya’s story.

While Colombiana is undoubtedly an action film, at its core, it’s a story of a scarred individual seeking closure. Saldana’s portrayal of Cataleya isn’t one-dimensional; she brings a blend of vulnerability and steeliness to the role. This duality resonates with audiences, making the action sequences more than just visually spectacular. They’re emotionally charged, underpinned by Cataleya’s heartbreaking backstory and her quest for justice.

Colombiana 2011

Moreover, the film’s setting and narrative play into the cultural strengths of Saldana. As a woman of Latina descent, Zoe infuses authenticity into Cataleya’s Colombian roots, making her quest feel genuine and rooted in a real sense of place and culture. 

The movie, in essence, becomes a platform for Saldana to showcase not only her physical prowess but also her ability to create a multi-dimensional character, transforming Colombiana from a mere action flick into a riveting tale of resilience, revenge, and redemption.

Colombiana 2011

Colombiana, streaming on Netflix, stands as a testament to Zoe Saldana’s prowess as an action star and her ability to carry a film with both emotional depth and high-octane sequences. Her portrayal of Cataleya resonates with audiences not just for the action, but for the heart and determination behind each move. While the revenge genre has been explored in countless ways in cinema, it’s Saldana’s unique blend of vulnerability and fierceness that sets this film apart.


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