I’m doing a bit of side by side comparison of the original version of the Gathering (which I don’t think I’ve seen since its initial airing) vs the TNT version.
So far:
- Peter Jurasik re-looped Londo’s intro monologue. The original version is less Londo as it is Peter. The original tv movie also quotes Sinclair as being the last Babylon 5 commander (which, is still technically true I guess as Sheridan and Lochley are captains)
- The pseudo-rock soundtrack. christ it instantly dates it, no wonder they substituted it for more the familiar music of Christopher Franke (vs Stewart Copeland, which back then scored the Equalizer and Highlander II)
- The intro is all chopped and screwed. The original version didn’t have the dust bust when Lyta came in, nor Sinclair stopping by to warn a dude about the restricted aliens list.
- The walk through the alien sector actually peers into each quarter including a bug-eye alien whose chin is a scrotum, but different scrotum chin than star wars.
- Obviously the TNT version had updated sfx for the station (although not for when the lil bot attaches itself to the station)
- Speaking of, when Kosh’s ship arrive, the incoming jumppoint is orange, not blue.
more:
- The scene with Sinclair, Garibaldi and Takashima in the travel tube is deleted, it mentions even with the deceleration Kosh ship would take 2 hours to travel from jumpgate to the station. Which, drama wise would have been insane for the show
- THERE’S A FUCKING CONE OF SILENCE WHEN G'KAR AND LYTA have their sex talk. I forgot all about it
- There’s also an ethical issue Lyta tries to raise but G'Kar states he and his mate have talked about it and for the good of his people….
- A scene where Del Varner is just smirking downbelow looking suspicious.
- Trimmed Kosh’s arrival, and his time in medlab
more:
- some of the display graphics shots, such as in the medical office,
were removed in the TNT ed.
- The Doctor’s scene where he gets the compound analysis is also trimmed.
- Another where Kosh’s vitals are dropping (situated right after Delenn and G'kar’s confrontation) is removed from the TNT version
- When Garibaldi questions Londo there’s def more background casino noises. different shots when Garibaldi leaves and hints of a song I can almost name.
- Takashima’s flute solo, the doc’s stims, and Takashima’s coffee are all cut from the original version.
- So is the ending where they talk about having to convince Lyta, we just jump straight into Lyta saying no.
- Lyta’s concern at what Kosh will remember the end of the scene is also cut out from the original
- The scene between Garibaldi and Sinclair in the roller coaster scenes doesn't come next, we go straight to CnC and the pressure leak.
- They added a glow effect when Lyta sees Kosh’s meeting with Sinclair. Kosh’s “Entil'Zha Valen” is also only in the TNT version. 👀 THe scene lasts a few more seconds in the original version with Sinclair staring at Kosh’ prone form.
After the commercial break, the scene order changes, both have station orbitals with the maintbots but after that the TNT one goes straight to ultraviolet message from Earth. The original goes more del varner shopping around, a maintbot destroyed, del varner being found by an old buddy then the ultraviolet message from Earth. All those scenes come after in the TNT one.