This book is the fourth in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the fourth season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I’m looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Because the season finale was filmed as late (as part of the fifth season production schedule), it only has a summary here. The behind the scenes stuff was included in the book for season 5, however.

Starting out the book are two essays. The first provides a detailed account of the making of any episode. Every part is discussed from scriptwriting to pre-production, scheduling, post filming special effects, and the music of the show. The second in an introduction to the fourth season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season.

Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.