There are two types of sci-fi fans that I hate: Browncoats and Babylon 5 fans. They think they're so superior. The fact is that while Firefly had the potential to be a great show, it self-destructed after 14 episodes. And Babylon 5 had a five-year story arc with 110 episodes—but every single episode sucked.
Any guesses what TV sci-fi he preferred...?
Anyway, this misguided chap got me thinking. After breaking away from the Earth Alliance, space station Babylon 5 became a free port, open to any who wished to come aboard. And it made me wonder: what if Serenity got blown way the heck off course and ended up in the Epsilon sector? What would the crew of the wayward Firefly do aboard B5? Who would they hang out with? Nancy and I came up with the following:
Malcolm Reynolds and John Sheridan
Mal fought (and lost) a hopeless war against an oppressive totalitarian regime. Sheridan led an insurrection against his own government because it had become an oppressive totalitarian regime. I think they'd find something to talk about.
Zoe Washburne and Susan Ivanova
Both strong women and second in command of their various craft, I can imagine the conversations they'd have. "Okay, let me tell you about the stupid stunt my CO pulled when...."
Jayne Cobb and Michael Garibaldi
This meeting would have to take place during B5's fourth season, when Garibaldi resigned as Chief of Security and went independent. I can see the two of them busting heads in a dive somewhere down in Brown sector. While neither show has any shortage of bad@ssed goodness, these two are the baddest.
Inara Serra and Delenn
Companionship, as such, does not exist on B5, so there's no Guild for her to visit or fellow Companions with whom to socialize. So I think Inara would be drawn to someone who shares many of the same features she has: deeply spiritual, feminine, confident, and stronger than she looks. Minbari ambassador Delenn fits the bill.
Derrial Book and G'Kar
Shepherd Book is a traveling preacher, seeking enlightenment and trying to help out where he can. G'Kar is a reluctant religious icon among the Narn. Both have a history (implied, in Book's case) much darker than their present station would suggest. It would be fascinating to hear what these two enlightened men would talk about.
Simon Tam and Stephen Franklin
Okay, so I took the easy way out by sticking the two doctors together. But it makes sense. Simon is (or was on his way to becoming, anyway) one of the most brilliant young doctors in the Alliance. Stephen's expertise on exobiology is unparalleled. Talking shop for hours is almost a given. Once you got Simon into Medlab, you'd never get him out.
Kaylee Frye and Vir Cotto
These two are both a little naive, and both of these characters are often overshadowed by the stronger personalities that surround them. Nevertheless, they both have an inner strength that is plain to see, once it occurs to you to look for it. I think they'd make great friends.
Hoban 'Wash' Washburne and Marcus Cole
Perhaps a strange pairing at first, these two actually have a lot in common. They both love strong women. They both have a sense of humor that confuses or irritates those around them. They're both exceptionally good at what they do. And, unfortunately, they're both ultimately doomed.
River Tam and Kosh
What can I say? Just lock these two in a room and let them speak gibberish to each other for hours on end. It's really the only way.
