B5 exclusive episode review!
Okay. I know I was planning on putting up reviews for Babylon 5 sooner, but because of school-related issues, I've had to postpone them. But this particular one could not wait.
Babylon 5: Season 2, episode 9 - "The Coming of Shadows"
This is definitely a 10/10 episode. One of the best of the second season so far. I remember watching this episode a few years back, and thinking this was just another Londo getting under G'Kar's skin by employing the Shadows' help again, but it goes much deeper than that. At first, G'Kar is outraged that Capt. Sheridan is allowing the Centauri emperor aboard Babylon 5, and plans to assassinate him, when it turns out that the emperor (played by famed Turkish-Austrian actor Turhan Bey no less) came to Babylon 5 to apologize to G'Kar for the atrocities his people had committed against the Narns. G'Kar is deeply touched by this gesture, that he changes his mind about the Centauri, and sees this as a way for finally finding peace with his people's sworn enemy. Meanwhile, Londo and one of his comrades, a certain Lord Refa who is bent on ascending the throne in the ailing emperor's place, plan an attack on one of the Narns' largest civilian colony. Londo enlists the aid of Mr. Morden again to send his "associates" (the Shadows) to attack the colony. The attack ends in a massacre, dashing all hopes for peace between the Narns and Centauri. G'Kar is incensed after receiving the news that a squadron of Centauri warships were found at the scene of the attack after the Narn reinforcements had arrived, and brokenhearted that his people are damned to suffer through a war with the Centauri. The Centauri emperor is visited by Ambassador Kosh in sickbay while he lies dying, and asks how this will all end. "In fire," Kosh answers (as a side note, the emperor mentions throughout the episode that he was especially interested in meeting Kosh...it is most unfortunate that Kosh gave him such a dire message). When Refa and Londo inform the emperor of what had happened, the emperor tells the two power-hungry Centauri that they are both damned. Refa calls it a "small sacrifice for immortality", but Londo is quite worried for the future.
The episode's subplot introduces the Rangers, my favorite faction in the series. Former commander Sinclair is revealed to be their leader, and has sent a clandestine message through one of his men to Garibaldi and Delenn, warning them about the impending war against the Shadows.
Such a wonderful episode. This beats out Season 1's finale, which was a real tear-jerker for me. THIS is the reason why Babylon 5 is one of the most well-written sci-fi series out there. It's not about the technobabble or epic space battles, but about political intrigue, spirituality, and the ambiguity of morals. The characters are written so that there is something in each of them for the audience to relate to. G'Kar and Delenn are deeply spiritual characters, each with their own understanding of the universe. Delenn is becoming aware of her role in the events to come, and G'Kar is becoming aware of the doom his people must suffer through again, but this time at the hands of a more powerful, less merciful enemy. Londo, through his lust for power, wants to restore the Centauri republic to its former glory, and is able to do so, but at a very steep price--at the expense of millions of Narn civilians, and at the expense of a possible peace between them.
I enjoyed this episode the first time around, but now that I'm watching the episodes in order, it all makes more sense. You really get to feel the impact of the atrocities that the Shadows are able to inflict upon the "younger races" (Narns, Centauri, etc), and that you're actually able to feel the conflicts between the characters--war/peace, personal power at the expense of the greater good, and the most obvious good versus evil--but the good versus evil is not the cliched kind; rather, the audience is aware of the characters' virtues in addition to their vices.
Excellent episode. One of the best of Season 2. 10/10
Babylon 5: Season 2, episode 9 - "The Coming of Shadows"
This is definitely a 10/10 episode. One of the best of the second season so far. I remember watching this episode a few years back, and thinking this was just another Londo getting under G'Kar's skin by employing the Shadows' help again, but it goes much deeper than that. At first, G'Kar is outraged that Capt. Sheridan is allowing the Centauri emperor aboard Babylon 5, and plans to assassinate him, when it turns out that the emperor (played by famed Turkish-Austrian actor Turhan Bey no less) came to Babylon 5 to apologize to G'Kar for the atrocities his people had committed against the Narns. G'Kar is deeply touched by this gesture, that he changes his mind about the Centauri, and sees this as a way for finally finding peace with his people's sworn enemy. Meanwhile, Londo and one of his comrades, a certain Lord Refa who is bent on ascending the throne in the ailing emperor's place, plan an attack on one of the Narns' largest civilian colony. Londo enlists the aid of Mr. Morden again to send his "associates" (the Shadows) to attack the colony. The attack ends in a massacre, dashing all hopes for peace between the Narns and Centauri. G'Kar is incensed after receiving the news that a squadron of Centauri warships were found at the scene of the attack after the Narn reinforcements had arrived, and brokenhearted that his people are damned to suffer through a war with the Centauri. The Centauri emperor is visited by Ambassador Kosh in sickbay while he lies dying, and asks how this will all end. "In fire," Kosh answers (as a side note, the emperor mentions throughout the episode that he was especially interested in meeting Kosh...it is most unfortunate that Kosh gave him such a dire message). When Refa and Londo inform the emperor of what had happened, the emperor tells the two power-hungry Centauri that they are both damned. Refa calls it a "small sacrifice for immortality", but Londo is quite worried for the future.
The episode's subplot introduces the Rangers, my favorite faction in the series. Former commander Sinclair is revealed to be their leader, and has sent a clandestine message through one of his men to Garibaldi and Delenn, warning them about the impending war against the Shadows.
Such a wonderful episode. This beats out Season 1's finale, which was a real tear-jerker for me. THIS is the reason why Babylon 5 is one of the most well-written sci-fi series out there. It's not about the technobabble or epic space battles, but about political intrigue, spirituality, and the ambiguity of morals. The characters are written so that there is something in each of them for the audience to relate to. G'Kar and Delenn are deeply spiritual characters, each with their own understanding of the universe. Delenn is becoming aware of her role in the events to come, and G'Kar is becoming aware of the doom his people must suffer through again, but this time at the hands of a more powerful, less merciful enemy. Londo, through his lust for power, wants to restore the Centauri republic to its former glory, and is able to do so, but at a very steep price--at the expense of millions of Narn civilians, and at the expense of a possible peace between them.
I enjoyed this episode the first time around, but now that I'm watching the episodes in order, it all makes more sense. You really get to feel the impact of the atrocities that the Shadows are able to inflict upon the "younger races" (Narns, Centauri, etc), and that you're actually able to feel the conflicts between the characters--war/peace, personal power at the expense of the greater good, and the most obvious good versus evil--but the good versus evil is not the cliched kind; rather, the audience is aware of the characters' virtues in addition to their vices.
Excellent episode. One of the best of Season 2. 10/10