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Talkin' Trash about Rick Biggs
by Jeffrey Willerth
June 1, 2004
Much has been said about the boundless zest and endless generosity
that was Richard Biggs.
No matter how much, how long or how hard we all try, we will never
say enough to accurately describe the depth of his goodness or the
extent of his compassion.
But not everything that he valued smelled of roses.
One day, shortly after Babylon 5 wrapped for good, Rick stopped by
the studio. I recall that very few people were left in the building
at the time. Rick stepped into my office seemingly thrilled to find
a friendly face - and melancholy about the series coming to an end.
He asked me if it would be ok to go back to his beloved MedLab one
last time.
It pained me to explain that MedLab had been disassembled the day
before. He seemed heartbroken and rife with despair. It was as if
he had missed the chance to say "goodbye" to MedLab.
Then I had a vorlonic moment - a flash of an idea - to help my friend.
I took Rick to the back of the stages where the mammoth dumpsters
lie stuffed with scraps from a plywood space station. Without batting
an eye, I climbed up and into the giant box of Babylon and starting
digging for a memory. In short order, I emerged with two green plastic
panels that made up the distinctive MedLab walls.
I'll never forget how speechless Rick was at that moment. He appeared
to be filled with
a) anxiety about entering the empty stages ...
b) loss over the destruction of MedLab ...
c) elation from receiving the plastic panels ...
d) panic that Warner Bros. lawyers would come around the corner and arrest us
for rummaging through THEIR garbage.
On that day - at that moment -I was able to give Rick Biggs an icon of his legacy.
It was important to him, he appreciated it and he cherished all the memories
it gave him.
Yep. I gave Richard Biggs a piece of trash. And he loved it.
Richard, you are loved ... you are missed ... you are my friend.
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